Two Trilogies – Same Story, Different Guise

My taste in Nora Roberts novels runs to those with a magical bent. So it is not surprising that I have recently read the Three Sisters Island and Cousins O'Dwyer series back to back.

What strikes me is the similarity of the three main female characters in each trilogy. The protagonist in each of the first books is a petite blonde - Nell in Three Sisters and Iona in the O'Dwyer novel. Both start out as timid pixies, who develop a strong back bone as the story evolves. The second book focuses on two women who are completely opposite of Nell and Iona. Ripley, a brunette and Meara, a red head both have a fiery temper and will of steel. Their challenge in the story is to develop maturity and restraint.

The third book brings the two characters I most enjoy-the black haired beauties Mia and Branna. Of the three pairs, these two women are the “old souls” of the group. They provide grounding around which the other characters operate.

The plot is almost the same in the two series as well. Each woman finds or reunites with a mate and the three couples form a group to battle a centuries old evil force that threatens to destroy them. The group, of course, prevails and “all is well that ends well.”

I have enjoyed both trilogies even though they are the same story in a different guise. If you have read and liked one of these series, the other will likely please you unless you are bothered by the similarity of them.

17 people found this helpful

Much Better

Would you listen to Heaven and Earth again? Why?

Yes. This second installment to the 3 sisters story was much better than the first. Better character development and more information to the storyline. The pace of the plot was better too.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I like Sandra Burr's voice but she's not the best at differentiating characters. Some she does well but others you do need the “he said”, “she said” to figure out who is talking.

Any additional comments?

I like the way Roberts makes her fantasy worlds seem perfectly real and believable.

7 people found this helpful

I Listen to this series over and over

Any additional comments?

The series from the Three Sisters Island is among my favorites in the "feel good" books category. I listen to this story when I am feeling blue and it never fails to pull me out of it. I love how Nora Roberts can create characters that you love and truly would love to know.

5 people found this helpful

Loved it!

Just finnished the second book in this addictive trilogy. I absolutely loved how she develops her charachters and you really feel like you know them, or would know them just walking down the street. I can't wait to get started on the final book. (Sad sigh) Wish there were more in the series. One little tiny word of negative. I realize that the ending of a book is traditionally the climax and all that stuff, but listening to it, you are pumped up for that final battle, and poof, it's gone. She gives such vivid detail with everything else, the loves scenes were much longer than the "battle". It could have been draged out a bit. Maybe in the next book it will.

4 people found this helpful

much better than its predecessor

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. Heaven and Earth was much better than its predecessor, Dance Upon the Air. Leaps and bounds ahead of it. The two main characters were a much more likeable in my opinion.

Would you be willing to try another book from Nora Roberts? Why or why not?

Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors, and I will probably never stop reading her. While she does have some that do not resonate with me and that I downright hated, she has many more that I just adored.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes. Sandra Burr did well with the madness that consumes. It was so creepy and really brought that side of the story to life. She also builds tension very well with her voice.

Any additional comments?

I did not like Ripley in the last book, but knowing her motivations behind her actions made her relatable in this book and she is my favorite of the three women. I love her relationship with her brother. Dr. Booke is so much hotter than our last male lead because his personality is SOOOO much more likable. He is not pushy, he takes Ripley's feelings, thoughts, wants, and desires, into consideration, and he does not try to change her personality, unlike the former male lead. *cough cough*. The contrast between Ripley and Dr. Booke is wonderful, and it creates some amazing tension that when it finally snapped, it sizzled.

In a really weird way, I loved their shared interest in fitness because of my own journey in weight loss. Repeatedly in romance novels, the leads just happens to have underwear model worthy bodies. We are expected to believe that the female lead has good genes and the male lead’s career lets him have that body. I liked that they strived for it, worked for it, and enjoyed working for it, and we were able to see that. It was realistic and that made me like them both more.

Overall, I would suggest it to any Nora Robert's fans, and any fans of sexy but nerdy male leads, rich guy meets every day girl romances, supernatural romances, and romances that include a strong woman falling in love for the first time.

3 people found this helpful

Just keeps getting better!

The second in the triology that got me hooked on Nora Roberts and audiobooks. I first listened to these stories when I was a teen, 15 years ago! I fell in love with the characters and Nora's unique way of portraying women.
Ripley, the main character in this book, is the one I identify with the most. She's not sweet and innocent as Nell is, nor is she a fiery seductress as Mia is. She has her own beauty in her i dependence, sense of right and wrong, and incredible determination and will power. Her counterpart, Macallister Book is exactly the kind of guy I would fall head over heels for.
I am excited to relive the final chapter, to learn Mia's story and watch the three triumph over evil once and for all!

2 people found this helpful

Lead Up to Book 3

I enjoyed this trilogy but this was probably my least favorite of the three books. The h seems a little overly dramatic for her character. She is a "tough" police officer/witch but her fear of everything in this book is a bit off putting. To me this book felt more like the lead up to Book 3 of the trilogy instead of an interesting stand alone story. Definitely don't skip it if you are listening to the trilogy, but this book will just make you want to listen to Book 3 to get to the final story.

1 person found this helpful

Best trilogy by Nora Roberts.

Would you listen to Heaven and Earth again? Why?

this is my favorite trilogy-the characters are wonderful and the story is fascinating

What did you like best about this story?

The magical parts.

Which scene was your favorite?

all of them.

Any additional comments?

Great-keep them coming.

1 person found this helpful

amazing

this whole series is amazing I love it

1 person found this helpful

So confident

Ripley makes one realise that even being a tomboy has it's moments and although in everyday living one can not be as she is - you secretly wish you could - but the softer side to all of us there will always be!

Again - I want to go live there - want to be that happy - want to find the missing parts in life that make it all matter!

Brilliantly read - superbly written

1 person found this helpful