Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts

Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chesapeake Bay Series revolve around the Quinn Brothers; three troubled boys who were saved by a couple. Ray and Stella Quinn, who couldn't have their own. Three boys who shared dark pasts were brought into a new environment that's filled with warmth. A new member of this family was brought into the mix shortly before Ray Quinn's death.

Chesapeake Blue wraps up the series, telling us the story of Seth Quinn. The story started when Seth decided to come back home for good, after travelling the world and building reputation by being a painter. If you're reading this novel without checking out the first three books of the series, you won't be lost, and yet, you wouldn't be fully satisfied.

Chesapeake Blue brought back all the much loved characters from the previous three books, with each character playing important role in Seth's life. I love that we get to see the badass Cameron being all attached to his sexy wife, Anna, after all these years. We get to see Ethan playing the role of loving father alongside his wife, Grace... and we get to see Sybill living a sophisticated life with Phillip. Aubrey grown up to be someone that I didn't expect since she was all sweet and cute in the first three books (but all kids are like that)... she was kinda rough, and Seth tended to treat her like one of his guy friends, but with much tenderness.

I really loved the beginning of the story when Seth first stepped into the flower shop and met Dru. He brought flowers for four of his favourite ladies. That was really, really sweet. The romance between Seth and Dru was brilliantly written. Loved that they realised that they love each other that soon.

The first three books had the "spirit" of the Quinn patriarch becoming the "voice" for the three elder brothers. It came as a surprise to see Quinn matriarch appeared in this one. I loved how Nora Roberts brought her into this story. Cam, Ethan and Phillip adored her and from the way they talked about her made us know her character already, but having her on the scene made me somewhat real. I loved that Seth talked about the meeting with Cam and it's always heart-wrenching when I see Cam's tender side whenever Stella was mentioned. Brilliant!

Unbeknownst to the Quinns, Seth had been paying Gloria in order to get her away from his family. This revelations angered the Quinns and the early morning scene brought us back to the Quinn we have seen in the first three books. Cam, Ethan and Phillip became the protector with Seth acting like a 12-years-old. This made me smile while reading. I loved that NR brought Gloria back with this setup and I loved that Dru was there alongside the Quinn to bring her down. I'm not particularly happy about what happened with the boatyard though...

All in all, this novel is a must read, if you're a fan of family drama and romance. Very much recommended.


Synopsis:

Seth Quinn is finally home.

It's been a long journey. After a harrowing boyhood with his drug-addicted mother, he'd been taken in by the Quinn family, growing up with three older brothers who'd watched over him with love.

Now a grown man returning from Europe as a successful painter, Seth is settling down on Maryland's Eastern Shore, surrounded once again by Cam, Ethan, and Phil, their wives and children, and all the blessed chaos of the extended Quinn clan. Finally, he's back in the little blue-and-white house where there's always a boat at the dock, a rocker on the porch, and a dog in the yard.

Still, a lot has changed in St. Christopher since he's been gone--and the most intriguing change of all is the presence of Dru Whitcomb Banks. A city girl who's opened a florist shop in this seaside town, she craves independence and the challenge of establishing herself without the influence of her wealthy connections. In Seth, she sees another kind of challenge--a challenge that she can't resist.

But storms are brewing that are about to put their relationship to the test. Dru's past has made her sensitive to deception--and slow to trust. And Seth's past has made him a target of blackmail--as a secret he's kept hidden for years threatens to explode, destroying his new life and his new love...

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Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts

Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chesapeake Bay Series revolve around the Quinn Brothers; three troubled boys who were saved by a couple. Ray and Stella Quinn, who couldn't have their own. Three boys who shared dark pasts were brought into a new environment that's filled with warmth. A new member of this family was brought into the mix shortly before Ray Quinn's death.

Inner Harbor answered every questions arose when you read the previous two books. This time, the third bad boy took the main hero part. Phillip Quinn was the sophisticated one of the whole bunch; he's the kind of guy who appreciate quality of a 3-piece suit, good wine and he's the only one who actually have a job outside of the newly formed boat-building business of the Quinn brothers.

Dr. Sybill Griffin was a well-known sociologist and had written books on Urban Life (which Phillip actually read). She resided in St. Chris to study the life pattern of a rural area... and she also had another agenda: to "spy" on Seth Quinn. I found it hard to keep up with this woman's train of thoughts... as I'm the kind that doesn't care much about all these scientific facts. I did find one scene funny in regards to this; the part where she "hired" Seth to help her with her project. I found myself laughing when the people approached Seth stopped to see what he was looking at before actually asking him.

Sybill found herself mesmerized by the Quinn; their way of life was way different than the one she was used to. They're loud, swore a lot, rough, but she could still see the love they have for one another. I do love the interactions between all the Quinns, plus the wives and baby Aubrey. They just fit!

I love the way Phillip courted Sybill. It was smooth... Apparently, he's the first person who can make her mind stop working. The funny part was when she tried to think while he was seducing her.

I love the development of Sybill's character. She was polite and well-mannered at first... towards the end, she still all those but she loosen up a bit. I didn't think that foul words would come out of that mouth of hers. The part when she protected Seth from Gloria was probably the part that I read so many times over the year. The awe Seth was feeling made me teary for some reason. Also the part when Seth had the glimpse of his past with Sybill when he was four was heart-wrenching.

If you read the first and second installment, you will surely enjoy reading this one. Every answer to the question arose is in this book, the main question would be: Who was Seth to Ray?

Everything about this novel is great. A highly recommended!


Synopsis:


#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents the final novel in the captivating trilogy of three brothers who have come together in a time of need. They honored their father's wish to raise young Seth as their own. And with all of the brothers home again, the Quinn family has never been so strong. But in the months to come, their strength is tested -- once again...

Phillip Quinn had done everything to make his life seem perfect. With his career on the fast track and a condo overlooking the Inner Harbor, his life on the street was firmly in the past. But one look at Seth and he's reminded of the boy he once was...Phillip has intended to fulfill his father's dying request and considered Seth to be a duty. He never expected he would grow to love Seth, and soon his promise to his father became more than just obligation.

Seth's future as a Quinn seems assured -- until a stranger arrives in town. She claims to be researching St. Christopher's for her new book, but the true objects of study are the Quinns. Her cool reserve intrigues Phillip. He is determined to uncover her motives, but she is holding a secret that has the power to threaten the life the brothers have made for Seth. A secret that could tear the family apart... forever...

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Rising Tides by Nora Roberts

Rising Tides by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chesapeake Bay Series revolve around the Quinn Brothers; three troubled boys who were saved by a couple. Ray and Stella Quinn, who couldn't have their own. Three boys who shared dark pasts were brought into a new environment that's filled with warmth. A new member of this family was brought into the mix shortly before Ray Quinn's death.

Rising Tides is the second part of this series. It tells a story about the second troubled boy, Ethan who was the most quiet of the three brothers. The story continues shortly after Anna and Cameron's wedding. Apparently, the "ghost" of Ray Quinn decided to "nag" Ethan after Cameron found his soulmate. If you plan on reading this book, I suggest you read "Sea Swept" first because I don't think people would get the part about Seth, the fourth troubled boy of Ray Quinn.

I love this book as much as I do the first one. The first book shows Ethan as a serious and calm one of all the brothers. It's revealed that Ethan shared Seth's past the most, however unlike Seth, Ethan had experienced what Seth had managed to avoid. It was heart-wrenching and I was trying not to flinch at the picture Ethan was projecting.

I love the fact that we get to see Anna after she married Cam. She was more easygoing here... I guess in the first book she was trying hard not to be herself when she was around the brothers. I love her playing matchmaker for Ethan and Grace. I love Cam caught on all her acts. I love that Ethan showed his genuine love for his sister in law. Well -- It's obvious that I love Anna. :P

With Cam and Anna, we've seen a direct courting... It's totally different with Ethan and Grace. It was apparent that these two shared the same feeling for ages but both hadn't act on it. I can't say I enjoy much of the slow progress they were making, but it flowed well towards the end. His proposal made me forget about the negative feelings I had for the couple.

I also love the interactions between Ethan and little Aubrey.

Highly recommended!



Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents the second novel in the dramatic trilogy of three men who return home to honor their father's last wish—to care for Seth, a troubled boy in need of a family. Coming home has taught the brothers more than they ever dreamed about the meaning of family and responsibility. Now it is time to learn the meaning of acceptance and love...

Of the three brothers, it was Ethan who shared his father's passion for the Maryland shore. And now with his father gone, Ethan is determined to make the family boatbuilding business a success. But amidst his acheivements lie the most important challenges of his life...

There is young Seth, who needs him more than ever. And a woman he has always loved but never believed he could have. But beneath Ethan's seemingly still waters is a dark and painful past. He must learn to see around the shadows to accept who he is. Because through Ethan's past lies the future—and his one chance at happiness...

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Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chesapeake Bay Series revolve around the Quinn Brothers; three troubled boys who were saved by a couple. Ray and Stella Quinn, who couldn't have their own. Three boys who shared dark pasts were brought into a new environment that's filled with warmth. A new member of this family was brought into the mix shortly before Ray Quinn's death.

Sea Swept is the first of this series. It tells a story about the eldest of the Quinn brothers, Cameron. He returned to his hometown after receiving a message saying that his father was dying. He came back only to witness the death of his father... but not before he made Cameron, Phillip and Ethan promise to care for the new boy he took in.

Ray Quinn's dying wish brought the brothers back under one roof; their main concern was the new boy, Seth Quinn. Seth Quinn was rumored to be Ray Quinn's biological son from another woman, which angered the Quinn brothers. They couldn't believe that their father, a loving husband and father, cheated on their late mother. However, when they look into the kid's eyes, each of them couldn't deny the small doubt they had for their father's loyalty towards their mother.

This whole situation brought Anna Spinelli into the Quinn brothers' lives. Anna Spinelli was the social worker assigned to take on Seth's case and apparently she has the "power" to decide if the Quinn had the right to adopt the boy. Cameron found himself falling for the sexy social worker...

I love the overall story. While it focuses on the relationship between Cameron and Anna, Nora Roberts managed to bring the other three brothers into the mix and while reading, I feel like I already know them. The brothers were all good looking, rough, and they really swear a lot.

I love the transition of Cameron's character: From being a player to a very responsible head of family. I love his interactions with his brothers, and I found their awkwardness when they tried to show their love for one another amusing. I also love the development of Seth's trust for his brothers.

Anna Spinelli, on the other hand, was one tough lady. She reminded me so much of Lois Lane from Superman. She's quick-witted and she seemed to know how to take care of herself... and apparently, she shared a dark past like all the Quinn boys which made her compatible with them... I guess.

Needless to say, this novel is a must read!


Synopsis:

Cameron Quinn is a champion boat racer who travels the world and enjoys a lifestyle soaked in champagne and women. As a child, Cameron survived abuse before he was adopted by the Quinns after they caught him almost stealing their car. Now Cameron is called back to his childhood hometown of St. Christopher's on the Chesapeake Bay, his father dying from a car accident. He has to leave his reckless life of a daredevil behind and fulfill his father's wishes for him to take care of Seth, a troubled young boy who isn't unlike Cameron once was. Like Cameron and his two brothers - Ethan and Phillip - Seth was adopted by Raymond Quinn in a difficult period of his life.

Cameron has to learn to live with his brothers once again, which isn't easy for three powerful men well accustomed to their own lives. Soon the blossoming Boats by Quinn unites the four Quinns in a craft taught to them by Ray. Problems arise as it becomes apparent that Seth's fate lies in the hands of a beautiful social worker, Anna Spinelli, and while the brothers fight for the right to adopt, Cameron soon finds himself drawn to the warm, driven social worker. While at first speculative, Anna quickly sees that these three men whose murky pasts mirror Seth's are the best caretakers for the spooky, haunted boy. Her immediate attraction to Cameron, while unwelcome, isn't something she can ignore. Meanwhile, Cameron struggles to move past the rhythm of life he was forced to sacrifice and earn the trust of a battered young boy whose story has yet to be told.

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