Born in Ice

Born in Trilogy, Book 2

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: Fiacre Douglas

RITA Award Winner, Best Romance of 1995

When the harsh storms of winter descend upon western Ireland, the locals stay indoors - and visitors stay away. Brianna Concannon's bed-and-breakfast becomes a cold and empty place. And that's fine with Brianna. She enjoys the peace and quiet, even when icy winds howl at her window.

This year, though, she's expecting an unusual guest: mystery writer Grayson Thane, from America. A restless wanderer with a dark past, he plans to spend the cold winter alone. Yet sometimes fate has a plan of its own. Sometimes a fire can be born in ice...

©2007 Nora Roberts (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"Captures the charisma and earthy charm of Ireland." (Publishers Weekly)

"Fiacre Douglas characterizes the icy, beautiful Brianna Concannon, recently jilted, with subtle nuances and tonal shading mixed with a thick Irish brogue." (AudioFile)

This Series ROCKS! LOVE IT!!!

In Roberts’ second book of the Born In series we are back in Ireland at the home of the younger Concannon sister Brianna, who is happily enjoying the winter and peace and quiet of isolation in her B&B on the west coast of Ireland. Brianna enjoyed people but also her quiet time before her winter guest would be arriving – a renowned mystery writer, Grayson Thane, from America. A nomad by nature, Grayson seeks the isolation to write alone, but from the very first, a fire is ignited as he gets to know his beautiful inn keeper.

*** Lord, but I am just loving this series and these irrepressible Concannon sisters, their significant others, neighbors, workers, and even one very self-absorbed momma! Roberts’ characterizations of all her people are just so real - non-perfect people in a non-perfect but very real world. Although, to my mind of thinking Brianna is probably one of the more perfect people who is portrayed as really quite happy with her life, B&B, and meeting all her tenants at the B&B. Brie is truly a happy person with her life the way it is, but of course, like most humans she does have dreams. Those dreams of making a truly loving home – one that was filled with happiness, lots of children and above all laughter. However, that would need a husband to affect that dream.

Enter Grayson Thane, Brianna’s newest boarder who had booked and paid the first month of his stay planning to stay through the winter. After the first few days of Brianna’s cooking - Grayson felt he’d died and went to heaven. A very wealthy and famous author, he’d never settled down and wandered the earth keeping only an apartment in NYC close to his publisher. Partly because he’d never had roots or any kind of stable childhood, Gray had never been close to anyone or let himself grow close - too many memories of abandonment.

With a remarkably deft hand Roberts lets the reader enjoy the romance between Brie and Gray as they both quietly discover in their own hearts the way each others hearts were bruised and needed healing. It was such a pleasure to experience the care and thoughtfulness of two genuinely wonderful people learning to love and trust. And the bigger bonus was seeing the ‘thoughtless momma’ bend just a wee little bit and smile - I think it happened at least once in this book.

Bottom Line: Another remarkable listen to a lovely Irish lilting performance by Fiacre Douglas, who is fast becoming one of my favorite narrators of Irish themed stories. Add to that the excellence of Nora Roberts’ brilliant story telling and bang - you are in for one very big treat!

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

Author’s story

I like this book in the series just as much as the first. My only complaint is the narration. He isn’t bad. He does it pretty well for a man it’s hard for me to have a man do the women’s voices. I don’t know why. All of the women sound the same so if you aren’t paying attention you can’t tell which character is talking. It’s written well and he isn’t bad, I just am having a hard time with a man doing it. I do like him doing all the different accents it does help the story. The love story is sweet and some parts feel a little forced. This book felt a little more predictable. I guess every romance is predictable.

I am excited to finish the series unfortunately I already know who the love characters are. Which does spoil it just a bit. Still I’m excited to read it.

Great Trilogy!!!!

Love it!!! Never got boring... didn't really like the G.D. word being used so much!!

The writer and the cook

An adventure to remember. A sad lady who took care of everyone learned how to take care of herself.

Another wonderful Hart reanching story.

I loved the tapersty of Irland and a stotyteller within the story, what a touch. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. You have a gift for painting such wonderful pictures in one's mind. Thanks again.