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#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts—hailed by Publishers Weekly as “a storyteller of immeasurable diversity and talent”—presents the first book in her Three Sisters Island trilogy.When Nell Channing arrives on charming Three Sisters Island, she believes that she’s finally found refuge from her abusive husband—and from the terrifying life she fled so desperately eight months ago…
Careful to conceal her true identity, she takes a job as a cook at the local show more bookstore café—and begins to explore her feelings for the island sheriff, Zack Todd. But there is a part of herself she can never reveal to him. One careless word, one misplaced confidence, and the new life she’s so carefully created could shatter completely.
Just as Nell starts to wonder if she’ll ever be able to break free of her fear, she realizes that the island suffers under a terrible curse—one that can only be broken by the descendants of the Three Sisters, the witches who settled the island back in 1692. And now, with the help of two other strong, gifted women—and the nightmares of the past haunting her every step—she must find the power to save her home, her love…and herself.
Don't miss the other books in the Three Sisters Island Trilogy
Heaven and Earth
Face the Fire . show less
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Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Three Sisters Island trilogy. I borrowed this on ebook from my library.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this. It is a cozy paranormal romance read set in a small town setting. It reminded me of The Waverly Sisters books by Sarah Addison Allen. This is the first book I have ever read by Nora Roberts and I enjoyed it.
Nell Channing is on the run. She has finally escaped her abusive husband by faking her own death and is determined to start a new life for herself on Three Sisters Island. She finds surprising success as a cook at a bookstore cafe and is starting to explore her feelings for the handsome Sheriff Todd. However, Three Sisters Island has secrets of its own and Nell's past isn't as far show more in the past as she had hoped.
This story has such a cozy feel to it. I loved Three Sisters Island and the quirky residents. Nell is a sweet woman who has had to develop a tough character in order to escape the wrongs done to her. This is something she struggles daily with, she constantly has to boost herself up when her past threatens to tear her down. I loved the friendships she forms on the island and her slow burn romance with the Sheriff. This book is full of wonderful supportive characters, all trying to do their best.
I also loved the subtle magic in this book. Watching Nell realize she has access to this magical history is fun, as is watching her grow out of the fearful woman her husband turned her in to.
Roberts writing is impeccable, it's very easy to read and engage with. I plan on continuing with this trilogy and will most likely pick up more of her series in the future.
My Summary (4.5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this. I read this over spring break and it was a wonderful spring break read. This is a cozy paranormal romance with a beautiful small town setting and a cast of quirky but lovable characters. There is a well done romance, mystery, and some magic in here as well. I am excited to continue with the next book in the trilogy, "Heaven and Earth". show less
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this. It is a cozy paranormal romance read set in a small town setting. It reminded me of The Waverly Sisters books by Sarah Addison Allen. This is the first book I have ever read by Nora Roberts and I enjoyed it.
Nell Channing is on the run. She has finally escaped her abusive husband by faking her own death and is determined to start a new life for herself on Three Sisters Island. She finds surprising success as a cook at a bookstore cafe and is starting to explore her feelings for the handsome Sheriff Todd. However, Three Sisters Island has secrets of its own and Nell's past isn't as far show more in the past as she had hoped.
This story has such a cozy feel to it. I loved Three Sisters Island and the quirky residents. Nell is a sweet woman who has had to develop a tough character in order to escape the wrongs done to her. This is something she struggles daily with, she constantly has to boost herself up when her past threatens to tear her down. I loved the friendships she forms on the island and her slow burn romance with the Sheriff. This book is full of wonderful supportive characters, all trying to do their best.
I also loved the subtle magic in this book. Watching Nell realize she has access to this magical history is fun, as is watching her grow out of the fearful woman her husband turned her in to.
Roberts writing is impeccable, it's very easy to read and engage with. I plan on continuing with this trilogy and will most likely pick up more of her series in the future.
My Summary (4.5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this. I read this over spring break and it was a wonderful spring break read. This is a cozy paranormal romance with a beautiful small town setting and a cast of quirky but lovable characters. There is a well done romance, mystery, and some magic in here as well. I am excited to continue with the next book in the trilogy, "Heaven and Earth". show less
WOOF! This book was.... not good. Helen is running away from a violent past. She faked her death so her wealthy, influential, and super abusive husband would let her go. She ran and hid for months, finally settling on Three Sisters Island. There she reinvented herself as Nell and started baking and cooking at the local bookstore. She quickly made friends, caught the eye of the local sheriff, oh and discovered she was a witch (honestly - that witch aspect added nothing to the story for me, and I like witchy stuff - I feel as if it were thrown in as an afterthought). Things are going well, but there is something ominous on the horizon, will her husband discover she is alive? The thing that really ticked me off the most about this dang show more book was the fact that the "hero" - the local sheriff, was such a total dickhead! A big ol' unsympathetic macho jerk. She ran away from one loser and fell straight into the arms of another one. UGH!! show less
Me gusta mucho Nora Roberts, a pesar de tener historias, cómo esta, muy sencillas y ligeras, su escritura es impecable y eso siempre se agradece.
En esta ocasión he ido por esta trilogía, en esta primera entrega nos cuenta la vida de Nell, una mujer que llega huyendo a la Isla y se encuentra a sí misma y la vida que estaba no solo buscando, sino además que la esperaba, literalmente.
Por supuesto es una historia con romance, pero no es el foco de la historia, sino más bien, el reencuentro de tres mujeres que por destino han esperado 300 años para reencontrarse.
Tres mujeres que son brujas, Nell que apenas se sabe cómo una de ellas y que empieza a conocer su poder, Ripley que es una mujer independiente y que niega su naturaleza, show more pero que al final se sabe bruja y supongo que en algún momento tendrá que asumirlo y Mia que se sabe, se reconoce y actúa como una bruja y que es quien toma a Nell bajo su ala para iniciarla en sus conocimientos de brujería.
También es válido decirles que, en este libro, si deciden leerlo, se van a encontrar con una versión de la película “durmiendo con el enemigo” pero donde nuestra protagonista se reconoce como una bruja, de esas que hacen conjuros y encantamientos... suena raro, pero la verdad es que está bastante entretenido
Es una historia ágil, fácil de leer, bastante sencilla, nada para tirar cohetes pero ideal para leer cuando, como yo en estos días, se tiene poco tiempo para la lectura y para descansar de libros densos, es entretenido y se pasa uno un buen rato leyéndolo, como he dicho, lo mejor de leer a Nora Roberts, es que sin duda escribe muy bien, tiene una narrativa, que si bien es fácil, también elabora bien sus historias, no las llena de corazoncitos rosas o escenas subidas de tono, es romántica, claro, pero nada empalagoso. show less
En esta ocasión he ido por esta trilogía, en esta primera entrega nos cuenta la vida de Nell, una mujer que llega huyendo a la Isla y se encuentra a sí misma y la vida que estaba no solo buscando, sino además que la esperaba, literalmente.
Por supuesto es una historia con romance, pero no es el foco de la historia, sino más bien, el reencuentro de tres mujeres que por destino han esperado 300 años para reencontrarse.
Tres mujeres que son brujas, Nell que apenas se sabe cómo una de ellas y que empieza a conocer su poder, Ripley que es una mujer independiente y que niega su naturaleza, show more pero que al final se sabe bruja y supongo que en algún momento tendrá que asumirlo y Mia que se sabe, se reconoce y actúa como una bruja y que es quien toma a Nell bajo su ala para iniciarla en sus conocimientos de brujería.
También es válido decirles que, en este libro, si deciden leerlo, se van a encontrar con una versión de la película “durmiendo con el enemigo” pero donde nuestra protagonista se reconoce como una bruja, de esas que hacen conjuros y encantamientos... suena raro, pero la verdad es que está bastante entretenido
Es una historia ágil, fácil de leer, bastante sencilla, nada para tirar cohetes pero ideal para leer cuando, como yo en estos días, se tiene poco tiempo para la lectura y para descansar de libros densos, es entretenido y se pasa uno un buen rato leyéndolo, como he dicho, lo mejor de leer a Nora Roberts, es que sin duda escribe muy bien, tiene una narrativa, que si bien es fácil, también elabora bien sus historias, no las llena de corazoncitos rosas o escenas subidas de tono, es romántica, claro, pero nada empalagoso. show less
Nell is almost unbelievable in all she can do once she escapes from her rich but abusive husband. Learns that she is one of 3 witches. Falls in love with a terrific cop, Zach, whose sister, Riley, is a witch. Mia realizes Nell’s destiny and helps her realize her plans of being a cook, caterer, lover, witch with powers. Story moved at a good pace without much repetition. Only problem is Zach pushed too hard for Nell to like him so that his behavior bordered on the same as her husband - the saving grace is that the whole town likes him, but nowadays I would worry about abuse from him also.
I always read romance novels with a grain of smirk. I can get easily irritated by fluffy characters and airy dialogue. For example, Dance Upon the Air: who hires a complete stranger at first sight, lends them money, gives them a house, and puts them in charge of a business inside a ten minute conversation? A witch, that's who. Of course. Having another character point out this generosity weirdness doesn't make it any more believable until you remind yourself (again) that Mia Devlin is a witch and she's totally comfortable giving a stranger control of her bookstore bakery. She more than knows what she's doing when stranger "Nell" shows up in her bakery and announces she knows how to bake, run a business, and charm the socks off everyone show more she meets.
Nell is on the run. But, this is a romance novel so of course there is the hunky (and very single, of course) sheriff of the island who knows Nell is not Nell. However, he's sexually attracted to her (of course he is) so he's not about to scare her off with his suspicions. There needs to be the overly tough, slightly rebellious sister who is, by the way, a cop (of course she is).
In a nutshell: strange woman shows up on a small island where everyone will talk. She's hiding out from an abusive husband who thinks she's dead. She is so charming that by the time deadly hubby figures out where she is, the entire island is behind her. The plotline of Dance Upon the Air totally reminded me of the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, but I would have to think there are hundreds of victim-runs-away-from-abuser-to-start-a-new-life stories out there. Don't forget the witches. show less
Nell is on the run. But, this is a romance novel so of course there is the hunky (and very single, of course) sheriff of the island who knows Nell is not Nell. However, he's sexually attracted to her (of course he is) so he's not about to scare her off with his suspicions. There needs to be the overly tough, slightly rebellious sister who is, by the way, a cop (of course she is).
In a nutshell: strange woman shows up on a small island where everyone will talk. She's hiding out from an abusive husband who thinks she's dead. She is so charming that by the time deadly hubby figures out where she is, the entire island is behind her. The plotline of Dance Upon the Air totally reminded me of the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, but I would have to think there are hundreds of victim-runs-away-from-abuser-to-start-a-new-life stories out there. Don't forget the witches. show less
Helen Remington flees an abusive husband in California, and a few months later, Nell Channing arrives on Three Sisters Island in Massachusetts. For the first time in years, she feels a sense of home, and a sense of safety, and real connections to the people around her. She takes a job as the cook at a bookstore café, and after a while, starts a catering business. She also starts seeing the island Sheriff, Zach Todd. It's a tricky relationship, because Zach is the person best positioned to figure out who she really is, but she can't bring herself to just cut it off. Nell needs to live again.
Nell also has a lot to learn about her dreams and visions, and her boss, Mia Devlin, is the person to teach her, along with the legend of the Three show more Sisters, witches who created the island to escape the witch trials of 17th century Salem.
But Nell's past is going to catch up to her, and she's going to need Mia, Zach, and Zach's sister, Ripley, to face the danger that's coming for her.
Content Warning: It's worth noting that other readers find Zach too pushy and controlling, and maybe not, in the long run, much better than the husband Nell had to fake her death to escape. I don't completely agree; to me, it seems that Zach backs off when Nell needs him to back off. He is pushy, though, and a lot of readers don't read him the way I do. So, be aware. Be cautious, if this is something that might be trigger material for you.
That aside, I like the characters, especially Nell, Mia, and Ripley. It's a light, enjoyable story--and referring back to the above paragraph, maybe a little lighter than it should be, given its [b:Sleeping with the Enemy|1088704|Sleeping with the Enemy|Nancy Price|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411004528s/1088704.jpg|1075496] story line. I liked it. Not everyone will.
I bought this audiobook. show less
Nell also has a lot to learn about her dreams and visions, and her boss, Mia Devlin, is the person to teach her, along with the legend of the Three show more Sisters, witches who created the island to escape the witch trials of 17th century Salem.
But Nell's past is going to catch up to her, and she's going to need Mia, Zach, and Zach's sister, Ripley, to face the danger that's coming for her.
Content Warning: It's worth noting that other readers find Zach too pushy and controlling, and maybe not, in the long run, much better than the husband Nell had to fake her death to escape. I don't completely agree; to me, it seems that Zach backs off when Nell needs him to back off. He is pushy, though, and a lot of readers don't read him the way I do. So, be aware. Be cautious, if this is something that might be trigger material for you.
That aside, I like the characters, especially Nell, Mia, and Ripley. It's a light, enjoyable story--and referring back to the above paragraph, maybe a little lighter than it should be, given its [b:Sleeping with the Enemy|1088704|Sleeping with the Enemy|Nancy Price|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411004528s/1088704.jpg|1075496] story line. I liked it. Not everyone will.
I bought this audiobook. show less
This book is another standard Nora Roberts love story that follows the same formula as many of the others. And, that's not really a bad thing. Sometimes it's nice to know what to expect.
Insert tragic female character here
Add strength and determination here
Cue hunky male "long lost love" here
Dramatic, potentially fatal "battle" here
Resolution where now strong female overcomes "battle" and lives harmoniously with hunky male YAY!
The formula can become a little obnoxious when you acknowledge it, but for a quick light read, they are pretty enjoyable books.
Nell Channing is the type of heroin that I wouldn't mind my daughter looking up to someday. She was in a bad situation that sometimes seems inescapable, but she uses patience and show more perseverance, as well as her brain, to escape the situation. She starts over and creates a life she has always dreamed of, and manages to find the true love of her life along the way. Yay for love and independence at once!
That is the great thing about Nora Roberts. Never does she downplay the strength of women, or make the man the constant savior. It is very refreshing in today's society. The woman can be tender and loving, without having to be controlled by a man. Roberts finds an excellent balance for her characters in this respect.
I look forward to flying through the rest of the trilogy. show less
Insert tragic female character here
Add strength and determination here
Cue hunky male "long lost love" here
Dramatic, potentially fatal "battle" here
Resolution where now strong female overcomes "battle" and lives harmoniously with hunky male YAY!
The formula can become a little obnoxious when you acknowledge it, but for a quick light read, they are pretty enjoyable books.
Nell Channing is the type of heroin that I wouldn't mind my daughter looking up to someday. She was in a bad situation that sometimes seems inescapable, but she uses patience and show more perseverance, as well as her brain, to escape the situation. She starts over and creates a life she has always dreamed of, and manages to find the true love of her life along the way. Yay for love and independence at once!
That is the great thing about Nora Roberts. Never does she downplay the strength of women, or make the man the constant savior. It is very refreshing in today's society. The woman can be tender and loving, without having to be controlled by a man. Roberts finds an excellent balance for her characters in this respect.
I look forward to flying through the rest of the trilogy. show less
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1,133+ Works 435,013 Members
Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland on October 10, 1950. Her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published in 1981. Since then, she has written more than 200 novels. She writes romances under her own name including Montana Sky, Blue Smoke, Carolina Moon, The Search, Chasing Fire, The Witness, The Perfect Hope, Inner Harbor, Dark show more Witch, Shadow Spell, The Collector, The Villa, The Liar, The Obsession, and Shelter in Place. She writes crime novels under the pseudonym of J. D. Robb including the In Death series. She has been given the Romance Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into their Hall of Fame. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Dance Upon the Air
- Original title
- Dance Upon the Air
- Original publication date
- 2001-08-02
- People/Characters
- Nell Channing; Zack Todd; Ripley Todd; Mia Devlin; Evan Remington; Lulu (show all 7); Helen Remington
- Important places
- Three Sisters Island (Fictional)
- Important events
- Salem witch trials
- Epigraph
- It is sweet to dream to violins
When Love and Life are Fair:
To dance to flutes, to dance to lutes
Is delicate and rare:
But t is not sweet with nimble feet
To dance upon the air!
--Oscar Wilde - Dedication
- To the Broads, the Brats, the Brawn, and the Babes. For the fun and the friendships.
- First words
- Prologue
Salem Village, Massachusetts
June 22, 1692
In the dark green shadows of the deep woods, an hour before moonrise, they met in secret. - Last words*
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Et elle comprit que c'était cela, la véritable magie.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Oui, je serai la tienne, murmura-t-elle en offrant son visage au ent de l'Atlantique. Et ravie de l'être. - Original language*
- Engels
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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