TRIBUTE by Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts knows how to write a story. She is the master at plotting, character development and dialogue. She also has a knack for making her setting become an integral part of the plot. She does all this and more in her new novel TRIBUTE.
Cilla McGowan is the granddaughter of a Hollywood legend and the daughter of a Hollywood want to be. She once aspired to the Hollywood heights herself but she has gotten over it. She had some success as a child star but growing up did in her career. Now she has come to Virginia and the estate of her grandmother. It is called “Little Farm” and Cilla has bought all rights to it from her mother.
Cilla’s grandmother committed suicide at the farm following the death of her son in an automobile accident. Cilla has always had her suspicions about this “death” and these thoughts are inflamed when she discovers some old letters that reveal her grandmother Janet had a married lover at the end of her life and was pregnant by him.
Soon after Cilla moves to “Little Farm” and begins renovating the main house, she meets her neighbor Ford Sawyer. He is as likeable a hero as any author has ever created. Ford takes an instant liking and lust for Cilla but he decides to bide his time. He doesn’t want to rush her, and he is a non-rushing type of guy anyway.
As Cilla begins to meet people in the community and the renovation of the house gets underway, some attacks are made on the house, her friends and her property. It seems someone is holding her responsible for the sins of her grandmother. It is up to Cilla and Ford to solve the mystery and keep themselves safe from harm.
Everything about this book is enjoyable. It is totally readable from start to finish and the interplay between the characters is amazing. Ford and Cilla have a rambunctious relationship that entertains the reader and endears the two characters to them. Then when you throw in the mystery of who wants to harm Cilla and her home, you have a novel that is complete in every way.
Nora Roberts is probably the most popular writer in America today. Her novels don’t just sell, they jump off the shelves. And her popularity continues to grow year after year. With books as well written as TRIBUTE, this continued popularity is no surprise.
So treat yourself to a pure reading pleasure and pick up TRIBUTE. It is fun to read, enjoyable to read, and interesting to read. Few books can claim to be all three but this one can.
TRIBUTE is published by Putnam. It contains 451 pages and sells for $26.95.