High Noon

I love Nora Roberts, and when i get my hands on one of her novels i don't let go until it's finished. However, this book took me forever and two days to finish and it bored me to tears. I thought the plot line was too drawn out in the story and then it was suddenly solved in the end, miraculous!

Agreed. This isn't her best work as some of her older novels are much better. As far as NR books go for now, it's still an okay read. The heroine was good but I found the hero lacking. I just didn't see any substance to him. Interesting to see what her next book will be like ...

I liked the characters, especially Ma Bee and Duncan. Ma Bee understands Duncan like no other - the only mother figure he'd ever known. Duncan is a take charge kind of man, one who does what he wants when he wants, and pursues Phoebe like a pitbull - jaw locked and refusing to let go. Phoebe needed him to balance her, and I'm glad they found each other. And Carly, Phoebe's 7-year-old daughter - very much like my own 7-year-old daughter. The only difference is my daughter likes numbers, LOL!

I liked the plot, even if there were loose ends. It's not very often when you have a hostage negotiator as the main character. I liked how it all played out. I'd have liked to see Duncan settly into Phoebe's house, them getting married, more about Phoebe's mother as well. And her trademark is all over this book - all the descriptions she gives buildings, gardens, etc…, they suck you into the story. You're seeing the building like you're standing in front of it. You smell the flowers in the garden. And it was pure delight how the very flower that Duncan first gave Phoebe is my absolute fave flower.

However, the climax of the story happens in the last chapter - something I don't ever remember NR doing before; where the climax and closure of the story happens in the last chapter - about 10 pages. Lots of dialogue, lots of action and suspense that gives it the perfect height of the story, the tension everyone feels in the situation. But all crammed into the last few pages of the last chapter? Come on! I'd have liked to have seen them settle, maybe a little more something from Arnie.

I really enjoyed how the characters came together I found that a lot of the scenes between the characters were so much like my family; ie: for instance, the banter between Duncan and his best friend's wife, Louise. They're banter is very close to the banter my husband has with my best friend - and I got a really good kick out of that! The family closeness - how they treat each other - is very much like my own family, and I like it so much when NR makes me feel like I'm part of the characters' families.

But the ending… that's the only reason why this doesn't get my usual NR 5-star rating.

I really like Nora Roberts, but was disappointed in "High Noon".
There was alot of swearing (taking God's Name in vain) which I did not like.
This was a coarser Nora than usual. I prefer the softer, more romantic Nora!!