Jewels of the Sun ~ Nora Roberts ~ 5/00 ~ Romance Export

WELCOME -- Join us in our discussion of:

Jewels of the Sun
by Nora Roberts

Determining to reevaluate her life, Jude Murray flees America to take refugee in Faerie Hill Cottage, immersing herself in the study of Irish Folk and discovers hope for the future in the magical past.

This is the first book of a new trilogy by Nora Roberts.

Click here to go to Nora Roberts' Homepage

Discussion leader ~ Marjorie

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Welcome to our new home everyone. I hope you are comfortable because it is so airy and there are nice cozy chairs to read in. How are people doing getting the new book? I have to start rereading it soon. I like the large windows here because we will have wonderful light during the days.

Marjorie

Hi Marjorie! I've remembered to subscribe so I don't miss any messages. Our new home is so light and airy, I know we will have a great discussion. Sue

Hi Sue!

It is always fun to discuss a favorite author. Nora Roberts is one of my top authors. In fact, I forgot I had already bought Jewels of the Sun and bought another copy. lol Haven't started it yet, but will let you know when I do.

I was surfing the web and came up with a couple of interesting things:

1. Nora Roberts has a homepage. There is a LOT of information there. I put this clickable in the heading.

Click here for Nora Roberts' homepage

2. When I did a search using AskJeeves, I found some articles about Nora Roberts (a bio and a couple of others). I don't think they are from this year.

Click here for articles about Nora Roberts

3. I also found a site at Barnes & Noble where they have transcripts from a chat with Nora Roberts on Feb. 28, 2000.

Click here for Barnes & Noble chat with Nora Roberts

Enjoy!

Marjorie

When I went further down Nora Roberts' Homepage, I found Jewels of the Sun featured with a wonderful description of the story. The header of this discussion has only part of that description.

Marjorie

I didn't realize you were joining us here, but I'm sure glad to see you! I just checked out BookTalk before coming here today, but I haven't found any time travel books which appeal to me. However, I just thought about at least one Jude Devereaux that has timetravel in it, so I'll look for it in my collection.

Marjorie, thanks for the links to Nora Roberts information. She is one of my favorite authors right now, so I will be checking out the links. Sue

I started reading the book a couple of nights ago and find it easy reading and very enjoyable. Of course every night I have to back up about 10 pages because I have no clue where I was.

JUDY: I have started reading the book also. Rereading it actually. I like the excuse to reread it. I remember really enjoying it the first time and this time I can pay attention to some of the details that I may have skipped the first time through.

Marjorie

Marjorie....I got the book, thanks. I will mail off the money tomorrow. I have read only about 10 pages so no comment. Fell asleep reading it last night.

Northern Joan

JOAN: I hope you fell asleep because you were tired and not that the book bored you.

Marjorie

Oh no the book is not boring in fact it is quite good. I fall asleep reading every night and always have to go back and re read a few pages. I believe its a sign of advanced age hehehe

JUDY: I read at bedtime too. However, it doesn't make me fall asleep. I probably shouldn't do it. I get caught up in the story and keep reading and reading and reading. I sleep just fine once I fall asleep. Just takes time to fall asleep. I envy you.

Marjorie

Tomorrow is "D-Day" -- the day we become a full fledged discussion rather than a "Coming Attraction."

For those who are reading already. Who has found out where the title of the book comes from? How about why Jude went to Ireland in the first place? When you finish the book the question can become did she achieve what she set out to do in Ireland or did her path change while she was there?

Marjorie

Hi all, I like the title. I can just see the jewels spill out of Carrick's hand and turn into flowers. The scenes are set realistically and yet with a touch of magic.:~) Nora Roberts develops her characters into real people, doesn't she? What a gift. I think Jude came to Ireland to find herself, her true self. I had a wakeful night and read until 4:30 but I'm not quite finished with the book. And I'll say no more for now in case others are just starting. Read on! Marj

Her emotional life was in turmoil in Chicago and she really didn't "know" herself. It sounds as if she had spent her life being the "good girl" who tried to always meet the specifications of others, i.e., the "good daughter", "good wife", the "good doctor, lecturer". Her wish to please and cause no waves certainly led to her near emotional breakdown. She didn't know who she was or what she wanted.

I'm reading Jewels slowly this time and savoring the beautiful and accurate descriptions of Ireland. We visited the Southwestern part of Ireland last May and it is still a beautiful picture in my head. For example, on page 5, Roberts says "Roll after roll of green hills shimmered under sunlight that glowed like the inside of seashells...and pearly light that belonged in paintings rather than reality." There are many more examples of Roberts word pictures, especially in the first couple of chapters where Jude has not yet made friends with Brenna, Aidan, and the others in the village. This beautiful language makes the reading come alive for me, even though the fantasy of Lady Gwen and Carrick are just that: fantasies. Sue

SUE: You said you spent time in Ireland. Is it as beautiful as Nora Roberts describes it to be? I, too, am enjoying the descriptions this time around. I think the first time I was impatient to get to the story part. This time I am savoring the descriptions and getting a real image of what the place is like.

MARJ: Sorry you had a wakeful night. What a wonderful book to have to share that night with. I found this story to be most compelling. Nothing frightening about it. Sometimes I react to the stories that have a lot of mystery in them with more tension than I would like. I realize that is the authors' objective and I am responding as I am being led by their words. I am most happy with this story right now because the words are leading me to a feeling of peace.

Marjorie

Hi Marjorie! I'd have to say that the parts of Ireland we visited are among the most beautiful I've ever seen. Everything is so green--and many different shades of green. The roadsides and hills were adorned with yellow Irish broom (that's what we were told it was, I think Roberts calls it Furze, but maybe they are the same plant). Sheep and cattle dotted each field with little stone cottages, like the one where Jude stays. There were also many modern, new houses, especially near towns. We were told that many Americans of Irish ancestry have returned and are building new homes. The new homes were pretty, but I preferred the old. We had rented a car and tried to stay on the smallest of roads in rural areas. I could spend another 6 months in the same area, just looking around and stopping in the small village pubs. The pubs in larger cities are nice, but don't have the flavor of the smaller ones.

I've just finished reading the last book of Robert's Born In trilogy, Born in Shame. The heroine is also an American with Irish roots. I was so amused when she was surprised to see babies and children in pubs. The Irish seem to take their children everywhere. Each pub we visited had family groups which included babies and little children who ran around getting aunties and uncles to buy them another soda or candy, etc. The Mums and Das didn't seem to worry that the kiddies would break anything or hurt themselves--and they didn't. It was a very lively scene. In most pubs we visited, families would introduce themselves and ask questions about our family and where we lived. We showed pictures of our home, kids, and grandkids and they did the same. We learned quickly to tell them we lived close to Florida, as many had visited there, but didn't know where Alabama is. Sue

I finished the book last night. I really felt good when I was reading it. It was very pleasant. In this book people had arguments, but they still cared about the people they were arguing with. I liked that. I also liked the hospitality that the Irish people showed to each other and to Jude. Any comments about Jude's worries as she anticipated her party?

Marjorie

Sue: I haven't been to Ireland but I found the pubs in Scotland and England to be warm places with a family environment. They certainly weren't just "cocktail lounges." On a bicycle tour I took centuries ago, our ship stopped briefly in Ireland before going on to England. It was dawn and we had to get up to get glimpse of the countryside since we weren't debarking. Everything was such a beautiful shade of green, even the water. It truly was the Emerald Isle! Marjorie: Given Jude's personality I think her apprehension about the "unplanned" party was understandable. I would have felt the same. Roberts made the neighbors so hospitable, Jude must have felt overwhelmed and maybe a bit resentful of their familiarity. Don't think that was brought out too much?? I don't want to overanalyze because I enjoyed the story. More later on motivation. Marj

M: Glad to hear your view of Ireland seems to correspond with SUE and the author. I am not much of a traveler. Ireland sounds like a nice place to go -- maybe sometime. I agree that "overwhelmed" is probably part of what Jude was feeling about the party.

Marjorie

I have read half of the book now. I know I am the minority view here, but I don't think it is one of Nora Roberts better books. That may be because I don't go for fantasy too much and there is a dose of it in this book.

Didn't any of you have a problem with the way Aiden treated Jude right off? It's one thing to think some of those things, but to tell her that and attack (maybe that's a little strong) her right off is quite another.

I may change my mind when I finish, but I think I have read better by Roberts.

Northern Joan

I think Marjorie posed a question earlier about what the "Jewels" of the title are. On page 86, we have Jude's dream about Lady Gwen and Carrick. She dreamed the jewels were bursting out of the sun and caught by the man on the white horse (Carrick). When he gave the diamonds to Lady Gwen as a sign of his passion, she refused him because she wanted to honor her promise to a mortal (and though this is not stated, she needed to hear that Carrick loved her). In his anger he left the diamonds on the ground and they became flowers.

On page 99, Aidan tells the legend of Lady Gwen and Carrick almost exactly as Jude had dreamed it. She shuddered, but didn't tell him of her dream (she doesn't trust him enough at this point). She tells him that her grandmother might have told her a similar version of the tale.

Later when Jude is having doubts about her flirtation and attraction to Aidan, she talks to herself, trying to convince herself that the words Aidan is saying are true. Her self esteem doesn't want to let her believe it. She says on p. 138 "A woman wants to be told she's beautiful, sexy. That she looks outrageous. It doesn't matter if it's not true....Because for a moment, when the words are said and the words are heard, it's perfect truth." Of course, we readers do believe what A. is saying of Jude because we like her. We want her to gain confidence in herself and be happy.

Northern Joan, I have read lots of Roberts books and have liked most of them. I do have to suspend belief in the romance between a mortal and the King of the Fairies as I tend to be quite literal minded, but the legend is romantic. Unrequited love seems to lend poignancy to any romance, so I can handle the fantasy. I do think that Aidan started pursuing Jude quickly, but the physical action moved the story along. I think it was decent of Roberts to have him back off each time he felt Jude withdrawing. His attraction to Jude seems to come from his early experience with stories and legends as well as his romanticized idea of women (not liberated). Maybe it's a cliche, but the Irish are often portrayed as romantic fantasizers. Sue

NORTHERN JOAN: I guess I just suspended my judgment when I read about Lady Gwen and Carrick. It didn't trouble me too much. A little the first time I read the book. Rereading it for this discussion I expected the stories of the fairies and accepted it a part of the story. I did start to read another book by Nora Roberts that seemed had a fantastic tale. That one I put down and didn't even finish. I don't do that very often. Later on in Jewels of the Sun there is a story that Aidan tells to Jude that I think is the basis for the book I didn't like.

Marjorie

Fantasy's? I guess I don't mind a little fantasy woven into a story if the whole tale makes a kind of sense. We are dealing with romantic fiction. But I'm not interested in reading only fairy tales. I just finished another good Roberts story,(no ghosts) the first in a triolgy. Sea Swept is a great portrayal of male bonding. Roberts insight into the male mind is fascinating.(of course I don't actually know what a male would think or it--but it seems on target to me.) I think she captured Aiden right,too.However I do question the somewhat contrived excuse that Jude used for turning him down--that he didn't say in words what his actions had said for days--that he loved her. I realize a conflct had to occur at that point to build tension but I wonder if something else could have been used. Anyone else think that could have been done better? I think I would have picked up on that weak part even if we hadn't been dissecting this story. Marj

M: MARJ, I read the series that Sea Swept is a part of and I really enjoyed the whole series. I don't know what else Roberts could have done to have Jude reject Aidan. I have seen that concern (not putting love into words) many times in some of the romances I have been reading lately. Maybe in the better romances they have a better device than that. I have been reading some that don't bear discussing they are such throw-aways. Great for the treadmill.

Marjorie

I think her excuse (that he'd never said he loved her and was trying to "run" her life like her former husband did) was a rationalization on her part. She still did not have a strong enough self esteem to think she was "worthy". I think it was hard for her to accept that Aidan loved her for herself. She doesn't seem to recognize her own growth or worth until the very end. When she realized that her writing could stand on its own and would be published, she began to have enough faith in herself to make a permanent change in her life which would include marriage to Aidan. Sue

Happy June everyone! Is anyone around?

Marjorie

Today I've been thinking about the relationship that Jude develops with Brenna and Darcy. Jude has never had a closeness with other women and she is delighted with her new friends. I love the scene where they're slurping up the wine and Darcy is trying on all of Jude's clothes. It sounds pretty high schoolish, but fun. Have any of you other readers had special experiences with women friends? I can remember some special times with other Navy wives when our hubbies were deployed. One Christmas Eve, my friend brought her kids to our house. We finished up a bottle of wine and put little boy's toys together. I could never have done it without her. About midnight she went to Mass while I baby sat her kids. When she returned we talked some more, then we put her 2 little boys in her car asleep and she went home. It was one of the best Christmas Eve's I ever had when my husband was overseas. Sue

Here I am Marjorie

I too enjoyed the fun she had with the two girls. I laughed out loud at some of the things they did.

I also noticed a word that intrigued me. It was Pisogue which was supposed to be an wise Irish woman found in most older villiages. tried to look it up but could not find it in my dictionary.

This is a trilogy, will we read the other 2??

I've read three books since I finished this one.

I don't know about reading the rest of the trilogy. What do others think? I don't know if the 2nd one has been published yet. I have to check.

I too liked the scene with Jude and her friends trying on the clothes. I never did have that kind of relationship with other women when I was growing up.

Marjorie

I felt the scene of wine and clothes trying was too childish. These women are not high school girls! I rather have this feeling about the whole book, that it is a bit 'simple'. I am beginning to like Aiden a bit better.....he is showing some signs of maturity. Overall, the story seems to dwell on sex and depicting the Irish as rather rough and raw characters albeit friendly.

I took part in many slumber parties throughout my teenage years and I don't think we ever acted so silly as these gals. My high school friends have made it a point to get together over the years. One year they all came north to my house for a weekend. One year we went to another gal's cabin for a weekend. One time we Minnesotan gals rented a van and drove to Michigan to visit one of our number there. Also drove to Evanston Illinois when one of the crew lived there. We always laugh and talk and relive our high school days and have a great time. One of our number died this past January....so it will never be the same again.

My college friends have all spent a weekend together from time to time also. One year I planned a gathering for us in Duluth on Lake Superior. We had a wonderful time including wine and cheese, but none of us ended up passed out!

I have yet to finish the book and unless it gets a lot better, I don't think I would waste my time on the other books of the trilogy. Nora Roberts has done much better writing than this in my humble opinion.

Northern Joan

Nora Roberts has written many different kinds of books. I may turn off my critical mind when I read romance fiction. I try to look at the behavior of the characters from the point of view of the main characters. I assume that a lot of generalizations are drawn in these books.

Lots of times I just want something that doesn't require me to analyze the story very much. When I found this Romance discussion on Senior Net, I was a little surprised. I didn't realize that there would be much to discuss about a Romance book. I am delighted to find that we each have something interesting to contribute to the discussion and the book becomes a nice jumping off place.

I never had an occasion to interact like Jude did with other women. I didn't care about what I was wearing and didn't drink. The first time I had beer was at a party at college when some of the boys forced my head back and poured it down my thoat. I never liked beer much.

Marjorie

Hi, Marjorie. I finally got the book and will try to read over the weekend, so I can come in with some comments.

Mal

Hi I think it's a mistake to treat romance like high brow fiction. It's a story to enjoy overall without analyzing it too much. But, like you said, Marjorie, its fun to see where the discussion takes us. Having said that, I, too, think I have read better Robert's stories. So I vote to move to another author when the time comes. Variety is indeed the spice of life :~) As far as the girl party goes remember Jude has never had the chance to act like this--high school or otherwise so it's a way of allowing her to get in touch with her child within and have some fun. Immature? Yes. But maybe necessary for her growth. And Roberts did show her character changing as the story advanced. Marj

M (marj) I agree she did slow down as the story advanced. I am not meaning to come over to analytical because heaven knows I am not much of an analyzer of literature. I just meant to say how the story affected me.

I think it is wonderful that we don't all see things the same....wouldn't that be boring? I am glad that many of you are finding the story delightful. I certainly intend to finish the book so don't want to sound like I think it is awful. I just feel she has done a much better job of writing in other books.

I hope she is not busy pumping out so many books that they will become like DS's books. All the same and not much there. DS had some very good books too but sometimes I think they get too hung up on pumping out more and more. Of course, that is our fault too, because we buy them and read them....good or not!

Northern Joan

Her recent books are so predictable and to me unbelievable. I did enjoy the one we read recently about the Japanese-American experience during the Second World War. I forget the name of the book, but I have Japanese-American friends (retired U.S. Navy, like us), who experienced much of the same thing.

I agree with Marj, though, about over analyzing Romance novels. I read them for relaxation and escape, I think. I read lots of different kinds of books, mostly different genres of fiction with the occasional non-fiction thrown in. I can read a Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Jude Devereaux, and others of the same ilk, usually in one day or a little more. I enjoy the fantasy, and I especially like this type if there is some humor involved and if the heroine is not a doormat. I like the heroine to be spunky and independent and the hero to be sensitive to her needs. Wouldn't it be great if we all had men in our lives like that! Actually, I do and we've been married 42 years. Sue

Good morning All;
I for one have always enjoyed the Nora Roberts novels, But of late, as some one said it looks like she is pumping them out.I noticed she has had a lot of them Published by Siloutte Books(sp),eg. The Scottish books,"the MacGregor Brides" etc. Where in the World would you find a man who has Millions$ and all he has to do is try and find mates for his grandchildren.It was all so humdrum. The first 2 were Ok, but after wards they were all the same.
PLEASE, do not take as a some nut, I enjoy a good book and will buy it if it is good, but hate to buy and have the same old ,same old, repeated over and over,.
I have been lurking and enjoying all comments, but just had to have my say. thanks for listning. Babs

Maybe one of my problems is that I am not a fast reader. I think it relates to my college majors of math with lots of physics and chemistry classes too. You couldn't read those books fast, so I read and absorb the whole mess. Therefore I probably tend to get to impatient with immaturity and frivolousness. Afraid I may be that way in person too....although I do love to be silly with my almost 2 yr. old granddaughter. But I guess I think people should grow up by the time they are adults.

I wish I could read a book in a day. Not only do I not read fast, I can't stand to sit and read for hours on end. But I do enjoy reading and love a good story.

Northern Joan

NORTHERN JOAN: You sparked a lot of comment here. Thank you.

BABS: Have you read this particular Nora Roberts book? I have never lurked in a book discussion where I haven't read the book. What is that experience like?

I know that some Nora Robert's books have a lot more "meat" to them. I have a couple on my shelf to be read that I put off because I wanted fast reads.

In response to the statement someone made about changing authors for the next book. I was planning on that for sure anyway. That is one reason we did not read and discuss another Jayne Ann Krentz novel this time.

Marjorie

MARJORIE;;;;; I do not understand you question.What is so strange about Lurking? Excuse me, Babs

BABS: I want to say right off that I was not criticizing you. Thank you for asking what I meant. I guess I didn't make myself clear because I wasn't clear in my own mind what I was asking. I suppose I have "rules" in my head and one of them is that I should read a book, or plan to read it, before going to a discussion and reading other posts. That is all my stuff. I have lurked in other discussions for a variety of reasons. I might try lurking in a book discussion without planning to read the book and see how it feels to me rather than asking you about it. That is probably a better way.

Marjorie

I love to lurk. heheh I lurk everywhere its fun to see what people are thinking and doing even if you don't have anything to add. You can learn from lurking on a book site even if you haven't read the book, its possible you get a small spattering of knowledge even if you haven't read the book and goodness knows we couldn't have time to read every book. Your doing a great job Marjorie. What are we going to read next??

I really haven't thought about a next book yet. I was hoping I could wait for awhile on that. I am planning on a trip to Chicago to see my 91 year old mother in the middle of June. I leave on the 15th and return on the 20th. A long way for a short time but I think that is all I or mother can handle. She lives alone in her own house and until last year the only help she had was a cleaning woman coming in a couple of times a week. Now she has a woman who comes in twice a week and cooks for her and is there while she shower and her cleaning woman comes in on Saturday so she gets to take a shower again then.

Marjorie

There is another thing going on right now that keeps me from being able to concentrate on a new book. My computer has been acting up and I am trying everything I can to get back to normal with it. That leaves me with very little patience for other things.

JUDY: Last night I started reading Jayne Ann Krentz' Hidden Talents. I feel like I read it before and like I haven't read it before. I wonder if there is another book I read in the last few months where there is a house hidden away and one of the main characters goes there and finds the owner is dead. I bet that element was in something else because the rest of the story does not seem familiar. It seems to me the last time I started asking people what they wanted to read next the book discussion stopped and everyone started talking about the next book. Then it takes time to make the heading for the new book.

Marjorie

Marjorie I am going to start reading it again probably tonight just because I remember it being so much fun. Lets keep in touch and see what we think.

Have to run to the airport and see oldest grandaughter who is coming through on the was to Scotsdale from Ketchikan. Not what I had planned for this afternoon, but every day is an adventure right??

I just finished the book and I must say I liked the ending a whole lot better than I liked the beginning. Perhaps Roberts made Aiden such a crude character on purpose so she could have him be humbled and much more gentle and mature in the end. Somehow, I think she could have done a better job of that.

I did find myself pulling for Aiden in the end. It was good to see Jude make some decisions on her own too.

All in all, the book turned out better than I thought it was going to.

Northern Joan

NORTHERN JOAN: I am glad you found something you enjoyed in the book. I have that happen to me sometimes -- either I like the first part or the last part. Not always the whole thing. Lately I have been giving myself permission to put down a book that I don't like after a bit. I wouldn't do that if we were discussing it. Some days I want something I have to think about and other days I seem to want something I can just read easily. Recently I was reading a "throw away" romance while on the treadmill and at the beginning of the book I kept talking to the author about how crude the hero was. By the end of the book I liked him.

Marjorie

I'm not very far into Jewels of the Sun, but I must say I like the way this story begins. This ditzy psychologist quits her job and goes to Ireland to the cottage she inherited, apparently, and finds right away that it's also inhabited by a ghost. What or who was that in silver standing in the cemetery? I'm really looking forward to more and doing the best I can to ignore what I consider to be writing errors. After all, Nora Roberts publishes her books, and my novels are not yet published!

Mal

Read on! You'll soon learn who is wearing silver at Aunt Maude's grave. Just consider Roberts' books as pulp fiction and yours as highminded literature. That ought to help you get past any errors you find. Sue

Sue, you made me laugh. I wrote one high-minded book, and that was the end of it. What I'm writing now is a semi-farce, a sequel to another very funny book I wrote last year. I have fun with this, expect nothing, but it is a terrific way to pass the time.

I am a writer, though, and naturally notice the way other writers write. Nora Roberts thus far is pleasing me. It's a great hot weather read.

I suspect that Jude, like the ghost who lives with her, is going to meet up with some kind of faery prince. I hope he doesn't leave her as sad as her ghost is.

Mal

I am going to the library this afternoon to return another book and think I will take along Jewels of the Sun and donate it as they didn't have it when I wanted to take it out. I hope that is OK with you Marjorie......if you had wanted me to return it to you, let me know and I will pay you for the book. This is why I seldom buy books....cuz what do you do with them when you are finished? If the library already has the book, they often don't want it. This time I know they don't have it....so good deal for them.

Northern JOan

I just keep the books. I have 3 storage rooms in our barn filled with books I can't bear to give away (or I think I might want to read them again). In our house, I have big paper bags filled with books filed by author and stacks on the floor. I know it's terribly indulgent of me. Just today I was working on a presentation I'm going to give next week at the Gulf Coast Conference on Writing, and I've uncovered lots of books to show and tell during my presentation, both teacher's resource books and children's books which fit the themes I'm discussing in the workshop. I'm taking some along though which I will put a "Freebies" sign on and hope that someone wants them.

Now, Mal, please don't critique the writing in that first paragraph too harshly. I know my sentences are too long, but they say what I want to say. My only hope is that my writing is readable. I'm no Nora Roberts. Sometimes I think I might be compared to Georgette Heyer, though. I've read sentences in her novels that exceed 100 words!

Let's discuss the ending of Jewels of the Sun. What did you think of Roberts having Jude decide to go back to America to settle her business and Aidan thinking she's leaving him?

I'm also interested in seeing how she develops a romance between Brenna and Shawn in the next book in the series. I wonder where she's going to find a beau for Darcy? What do you girls think? Sue

Sue! I'm laughing. I don't critique posts. If I can keep my head together long enough to write a coherent post, my day is made!

Mal

Jude made the decision to go back and settle things in America and come back to Ireland without the thought of anything peranent between Aiden and her. I think that was good. I am glad to see she did not change her mind about returning home after he finally told her he loved her. That of course, is what made her put him back in her future.

And, of course, Roberts needed a way to shake him up enough to finally tell her what she wanted to hear.

As I said before, I liked the way the book ended.

Northern Joan

NORTHERN JOAN: I am delighted your library will be able to use Jewels of the Sun. I sent you the book because you were unable to find a copy and I had an extra copy. What you do with it is up to you. I try to sell my books on eBay. It makes sense to me as I buy many of them there. There are still a lot of books here in the house. In addition to the many I haven't read, there are some romance novels that I haven't sold yet. Now I am discussion leader here I am a little reluctant to get rid of the good ones. The "trashy" ones don't sell anyway.

SUE: Looks like you are going to be able to use some of the books you stashed away.

I agree with NOTHERN JOAN about why Jude went to America when she did. It became a good way to get Aidan to act.

Since I wrote to Jayne Ann Krentz about Crystal Flame, apparently I got on her mailing list. I got an email announcing a new book with a clickable to Amazon to purchase it. I wonder if Amazon is funding her website too.

Marjorie

Thanks, Marjorie. I really didn't think you would mind but thought I'd better make sure. The library was delighted to get the book; she said "oh, people like her so it will be a good one to have." I told them I knew they didn't have a copy as I had tried to get it.

Northern Joan

Well, Jude has run into the faery prince and been in a clinch with Aiden. That's as far as I am. I am enjoying the book, but don't like our heroine very much thus far. I hope Aiden, whom I do like, will loosen her up. Nora Roberts captures the feel of Ireland. Now to see what else happens!

Mal

I was looking at the interesting banners this morning and trying to guess where they would take me. I thought to myself "that looks like the landscape in Jewels of the Sun." And, bygolly, I was right the banner goes to Erie and Ireland. Nice!

Marjorie

I do not want to stop this discussion. I would like some feedback. I am reading Forget Me Not by Elizabeth Lowell right now and I am enjoying it. When I went to Barnes and Noble and looked it up it is 1994 and available in paperback. I don't know if any Elizabeth Lowell books have been discussed yet. I am enjoying this book and find that there is more tension and mystery than in Jewels of the Sun. The reviews at Barnes and Noble were not very good (one of them said "Forget Me Not is forgetable).

Would anyone be interested in discussing this in about a month? Should I worry about the reviews?

Marjorie

Sure, Marjorie, but I'm not finished with Jewels of the Sun. Jude had met up with Carrick, had a blast with her friends and seems to be heading somewhere else in her life. That's where I am in the book. I'm enjoying this and the Irish tales in it. Don't stop now, please, for heaven's sake!

As a writer I say, forget the reviews! It's what the reader says that's important. I wish we could go on to Part Two of this Trilogy.

Mal

MALRYN: I said "a month from now" for the time to discuss the Elizabeth Lowell book. I definitely do not want to interrupt anything that is going on with Jewels of the Sun. It is just that I am going to be out of town from the 15th through the 20th and I wanted to line something up.

Is there someone who will volunteer to keep an eye on this discussion when I am gone?

Marjorie

Marjorie, I'll do it.

Mal

A suggestion for all those extra books lying around. Some I trade at the paperback store, but others I donate to a store whose proceeds go to the local Domestic Violence Shelter. There are a couple of Elizabeth Lowell books I can recommend--Only His or Only Mine,etc--same characters. They're set in the West.Be careful with hers, some are really light weight. I don't remember the one you mentioned but whatever you think. Marj

Some of her books don't have much of a plot. She just sets up seduction scenes and their repercussions without much to bind it together. However, I have read a couple of hers that had pretty good stories.

Thanks, Mal, for helping us out while Marjorie is gone. I'll be gone next week, too, so I hope the other readers will come in and talk to you. Sue

Hi, there. I've been very busy, but I'm well into the book. Jude certainly came out of her shell, like wow! I haven't had much time for reading lately, but thought I'd come in and say hello.

Mal

MALRYN: Nice to see your post. I agree that once Jude decided to change her ways she just went all out.

Marjorie

Hi, Marjorie, nice to see you. I think perhaps Nora Roberts made Jude a bit too prim in the beginning of the book. Perhaps not, but that's how I felt. I read more last night. What a wonderful scene when she took her laptop out by her garden to work and Aidan brought the puppy to her. Will they be married, or will the old Jude stop her and say, "Hey, kid, you've got a big education, go back to Chicago and teach"? From the way things are going, I'd say that's going to be a big decision for her. Of course, this is a kind of fantasy in ways, so perhaps she'll opt for the kind of fun she's had. I'll see later.

Mal

MALRYN: I liked that scene too.

Hi, my first time here. I read Jewels in the Sun, and almost forgot what it was about until someone mentioned taking her laptop in the garden & he brought her a puppy. I really liked the pub scenes and the family oriented way they had. Even the squabbles. Has anyone heard what the next book in the Trilogy will be. I've been looking for it, but can't seem to find anything. I haven't checked at Barnes & Noble. I read that some of you give your books - I guess I'm selfish, I keep them and at times read them again. However, our library recently started a "Friends of the Library" and I'm considering giving some to them. Talk to you later. Ruth

Ruth, the second book is called "Tears of the Moon".

Mal

IMAKNITTER: The second book in the series is Tears on the Moon and it is supposed to be published this year. I don't think it is out yet though. Are you new to Senior Net or just this discussion? Your name sounds like you would like the Crafts discussion on knitting. Welcome.

Marjorie

Everybody I leave early tomorrow morning for the weekend so I doubt I will be back in the morning. Talk to you all Sunday night or Monday. MALRYN said she would watch this discussion for me.

Marjorie

I should have read all the postings(lurked) before I posted the one above. I thought the book was great. I'm no author, but sure wish I could put words together like some authors do. I think some are being too critical. I read for entertainment, not to analyze. My niece, who is an avid reader, and I discuss books. She reads Nora Roberts also. I read the trilogy Sea Swept, etc. Loved all three. I just lent them to a friend and she called me yesterday to tell me how she is enjoying them. The book someone mentioned about "going to a house and finding someone dead". Ithink Mary Higgins Clark has a book about that. I read it butcan't recall the title. Guess I've said enough. Ruth

Marjorie, don't worry. I'll be here. I hope you have a pleasant time while you're away.

Mal

Hi again, I'm not new to Senior Net, just to this book discussion. I think I posted in The Greatest Generaton. Also in Email Pen Pals, Looking for Lost people. I am a knitter (play on words) my son made up the address when he bought me the webtv. I'm not advanced enough to go into crafts as you mentioned. I started learning too late in life, but I do mostly afghans. As I said, I love my books. I still have some I bought when I was in high school. Mrs. Miniver - Wuthering Heights - Jane Eyre, to name a few. I had to give up some when I moved from Iowa to California and again from California to Georgia. It was like losing my friends. Have any of you read "The Mitford Series" I think there is a discussion on those also. I think I posted there also. At my age, I'm entitled to be a little forgetful. Talk to you again, Ruth

"Tears of the Moon" is being released this month. B&N is now listing the small paperback, and maybe hard cover, for advanced sales with shipment on June 30. If you order from B&N, you can go just to the top of the discussion area of this page, click on the green B&N icon and order -- by doing this Senior Net receives a small percentage of each sale.

I'm sure most you longtimers already know this, but I am fairly new and just discovered this today.

I haven't been able to even start "Jewels of the Sun" yet, plan to do so today, but am enjoying all the comments here. I have also ordered the "Tears of the Moon" for shipment on June 30.

Thank you, ef-jay. I'm sure there are many of us who will want to read the next in this trilogy. I don't know what Marjorie has in mind for the next Romance book discussion, but she'll tell us when she returns. Meanwhile, I'll be popping in to say hello!

Mal

Hi, everybody. I have an issue of my electronic magazine, Sonata magazine for the arts going on the web next week, so haven't had much time to read anything except what I'm publishing. Hopefully, there'll be time for me to get back to Jewels of the Sun this weekend. I hope you're all well and not in the throes of the heat wave we've had in my little part of North Carolina.

Mal

Mal - Heat wave is the name of it. Here in Georgia and I guess all over it's been horrible.I know this isn't book discussion. but - We had a shower of rain this evening. Thank the good Lord. It only rained a few minuets, but it was nice to see.

Happy reading of Jewels........ Ruth

Hi, Ruth.

I guess we have to take a trip to Ireland and rent that Faerie Cottage Jude was in and cool off. The air here where I live near Chapel Hill, NC has been so heavy it's hard to stay out very long, though it was a bit cooler today.

I know St. Simon's Island and Jekyll Island in Georgia. I drove my sick son up there to a hospital for treatment on St. Simon's Island and stayed on Jekyll Island overnight several times when I lived in St. Augustine. Also browsed around some discount stores in Brunswick, I think it was. Like Jude and Darcy, was it? when they went shopping together and Jude bought all that expensive, seductive underwear. That's not what I bought in Georgia, but the brief shopping trip was fun.

Thanks for posting. Let's hope things cool off before we have another siege of August dog days in August instead of June!

Mal

Hi Mal, Thanks for your note. Chapel Hill, NC - I have a niece living in Charolette. She is coming to see me over the 4th weekend. I was there in April for the first time. I've been to Jekyl - have a friend who lives there. It is so nice and peaceful. Not like Hilton Head - I liked Hilton Head, but it's very commercial. I've never been to St. Augustine. A friend of mine recently moved to Sarasota, and we have talked about meeting in St. Augustine as she has never been either. should be writing this in person - person. Have you posted in there? I did this morning.

Good morning, Ruth. Charlotte is quite a long ride from the Chapel Hill area. St. Augustine is a charming place. I know you'd like it and do hope you get there. I lived there almost ten years. I post in the North Carolina discussion in Geographic Communities. There are some people there who live fairly near here, but I have yet to meet them.

Well, I must go round up my little black cat. She didn't want to come in when I returned from shopping. When she comes in I think we'll both lie down, so I can try to finish Jewels of the Sun. The moon kept me awake last night, so I'll probably fall asleep first!

Mal

Mal - Thanks for you note; good to hear from you. I've been playing it lazy. Saturday must be a day off. No one seems to be writing.

Hi, folks. Just checking in. I'm very busy right now getting my electronic literary magazine, Sonata ready to go on the World Wide Web at the end of this week. It's a fairly big issue and quite a lot of work.

Sunny and humid here today, but a few degrees cooler than it's been. After I finish my morning work I'm going to lie down with Jewels of the Sun and see why in heaven's name Jude refused Aidan's proposal of marriage.

See y'all later. Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!
Mal

Hi all. I am back! I had a quick trip and saw my mother and aunts and cousins (one I haven't seen in 15 years). Good visit.

ef-jay: Thanks for letting us know B&N is taking advance orders for Tears of the Moon. Recently I went to a bookstore and saw a big display of Nora Roberts' books. I bought all I hadn't read even though what I had wanted was Tears of the Moon.

Marjorie

Hi, Marjorie. I'm glad you had a good time.

Mal

Hi Readers! I had lots of fun at my writing conference last week. I worked at the registration table and made a presentation on the last day on children's poetry and music. Then I met my son and transferred car seats to my car so I could bring my 2 little grandsons home with me. The 18 m.o. came down with a fever the next morning. I think he was teething and he wanted his Mommy and Daddy. The 3 y.o. had a blast with Gamma's toys (collected at flea markets and yard sales). We took them back yesterday and luckily, the baby felt much better and he was very glad to see his parents. They missed the boys, too. This was the first time we had kept them without their parents.

I'm glad to see new people posting and thanks for the tip about B-N, ef-jay. I'll probably wait a month or so and try my second hand bookstore as I can get books there half price and can also get credit if I trade some in. I'm anxious to see how Brenna and Shawn pair up. I'm sure Jude and Aidan will have a prominent part in the story. Sue

SUE: Your conference sounds nice. Glad everything went well and yours youngest grandson is OK.

Marjorie

RUTH: Let us know when you have read more of the book and pop right in with your comments about it.

Marjorie

Marjorie - You will have a lot of reading with all those Nora Roberts books. I bought Sanctuary a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a new one, but it wasn't. I sent it to my niece. She mentioned something in it now I have to go read it again. She's bringing it back when she comes over the 4th. Back to Jewels. Are the advanced orders being taken for hard cover or paper back?

RUTH: I put in an order for a paperback for $6.39 plus $4.29 shipping. You are right. I have a lot of reading. I even brought back another Nora Roberts book from Mother's. Someone had left Betrayal there after reading it. That was one I decided not to buy -- for free I couldn't pass it up. Mother doesn't read much any more. She listens to the radio a lot.

Marjorie

Marjorie: Let me know how you like Betrayal, I'll get it if you like it. Wal Mart usually has some of the older books and they are not as expensive. I bought Sanctuary for $5.62 + tax of course. See you later. Ruth

RUTH: OK. I will let you know if I like Betrayal. I probably won't read it very soon.

Marjorie

I have selected three books as possibilities for next time. I put each book, the rating from Amazon.com, and a description I found on Barnes & Noble. When you get a chance, please let me know what you think.

Ciji Ware A Cottage By The Sea (4.5 out of 5 stars) (The description is from the Publisher)

Some might call it running away . . .
But after a scandalous Hollywood divorce, Blythe Stowe considered it damage control for body and soul. The pain, the humiliation, the daily tabloids shouting details as her famous husband dumped her for her own sister demanded a serious getaway: to the wild coast of Cornwall and a cottage by the sea that her Wyoming grandmother claimed had been home to her ancestors.
Some might call it chance . . .
But Blythe encountered more than just a quaint retreat nestled amid vivid skies and gorgeous ocean. And she had the odd sensation that her wickedly handsome neighbor Lucas Teague was more than a British gentleman going broke. He might be her destiny . . .

Jude Deveraux The Invitation (5 out of 5 stars) (The description is from the Publisher)

Jackie O'Neill was a daredevil pilot and a true American heroine...a woman so beautiful men stopped in their tracks to watch her walk down the street, her long confident strides eating up the earth. After years of nonstop excitment - of traveling around the globe in a chaotic rags-to-riches whirl with her late husband, Charley - Jackie had returned to Eternity, Colorado, near her hometown of Chandler. She wanted to put down roots, start a business, maybe someday fall in love again. But she never dreamed that the man who might make all her wishes come true was William Montgomery...little Billy, the lovesick boy who dogged her every step when she was a teenager...little Billy, who was now definitely a man, handsome, sexy, rich, and still madly in love with Jackie O'Neill...

Elizabeth Lowell Forget Me Not (4 out of 5 stars) (the description is from the Library Journal)

Lowell's volume follows protagonist Alana Reeves, who, suffering from amnesia, must try to unravel the circumstances of her husband's death. Things get even more complicated when an earlier love, long believed dead, resurfaces. More for the romance crowd, Lindsey's title presents the tale of a beautiful woman and a handsome scoundrel in the Old West.

Oh gosh, any one of them would be OK with me. I have always intended to read something by Jude Deveraux but never have so maybe this should be it.

Haven't read either of the other authors either.

Northern Joan

NORTHERN JOAN: If I get a positive response to each of the books, I may decide to use them one after the other. I liked all of them. They are each very different.

Are we finished discussing Jewels of the Sun everyone? Is everyone finished reading it?

Marjorie

and I happen to have this book in my collection, so I'll vote for it. However, I will be happy to go along with the others, also. I'll just have to look for copies of the other two. Sue

I just sent an email to the list I have of participants in the Romance discussion to see if we can get some more votes for the next book.

Any more comments on Jewels of the Sun</>? Who hasn't finished the book yet?

Marjorie

I'd like to offer The Secret by Julie Garwood. It is a historical romance and the story of true friendship. Just read the first few pages I promise you'll be hooked.She knows how to write about relationships that are so real they come to life. Marj

MARJ: I will add The Secret to my list of books to consider. Here is the description of it for anyone who might want to vote on it.

Julie Garwood The Secret
(4.5 out of 5 stars) (The description is from the Publisher)

Judith Hampton was as beautiful as she was proud, as purposeful as she was loyal. The dear Scottish friend of her childhood was about to give birth, and Judith had promised to be at her side. But there was another, private reason for the journey from her bleak English home to the Highlands to meet the father she had never known, the Laird Maclean. Nothing prepared her for the sight of the Scottish barbarian who was to escort her into his land...Iain Maitland, Laird of his clan, a man more powerfully compelling than she had ever encountered.

In a spirited clash of wills and customs, Judith reveled in the melting bliss of Iain's searching kisses, his passionate caresses. Perplexed by her sprightly defiance, bemused by her tender nature, Iain felt his soul growing into the light and warmth of her love. Surely nothing would wrench her from the affection and trust of Iain and his clan...not even the truth about her father, a devastating secret that could shatter the boldest alliance, and the most glorious of loves!

Marjore

I wrote to Barnes & Noble and found out about their sales ranking. The lower the number the more popular the book. Below are the sales rankings for the four books we are now considering. I will try to put a clickable in the heading to a place that will have all the descrptions together.

AUTHOR	TITLE	B&N Ranking
Julie Garwood	The Secret	4,087
Elizabeth Lowell	Forget Me Not	26,793
Jude Deveraux	The Invitation	51,547
Ciji Ware	A Cottage By The Sea	112,427

I guess there would be many reasons for a ranking: 1. how well known the author is; 2. how well publcized the book is; 3. the taste of people buying books vs. those going to the library or getting them from other sources; etc.

Marjorie

There is a clickable at the very top of the heading to go and see the titles, authors' names, descriptions, and ratings of the books under consideration for next time. Please post your votes here. The clickable is for information only.

Marjorie

Marjorie, I appreciate your taking the time to look into The Secret. I think there's more to it than the blurb from the publisher. But since she's a favorite of mine most any of her books would be good in my opinion.I also would like to suggest Judith McNaught's contemporary romance, Paradise. Besides the relationship conflicts which are the "meat" of romance stories, it gives an interesting view into big business. Marj

Marjorie I vote for the invitation.

I am now reading a book that is really great. Joan I think you would like this one. It is Lake News by Barbara Delinsky

JUDY and MARJ: Thank you for your suggestions. I made note of them for another time. I think I will wait a couple of days and then decide. So far it looks like "The Invitation" because there are already 3 votes for it and none for any of the others.

Marjorie

I guess I am on Jayne Ann Krentz' mailing list. I received the following in an email today and thought some of you might be interested.

"Jayne Ann Krentz will be chatting with readers about her latest release, ECLIPSE BAY, in her chattroom on Thu 6/29 (that's tomorrow!) at 8p Eastern (7p Central/6p Mountain/5p Pacific/1a GMT).

"You can find Jayne's chatrrom at http://www.jayneannkrentz.com/chat"

Marjorie

Our next discussion will be about the book The Invitation by Jude Deveraux. We will be starting about July 15th to give everyone time to get their copy of the book.

Marjorie

Marjorie, Would you believe I counted 24 Deveraux books at the library yesterday and The Invitation is NOT among them. Guess I'll hit the second hand paperback store. Have a Happy Fourth, everyone. Marj

M: That is a lot of books. Did you ask if The Invitatiion was checked out? When I was working on the new heading yesterday, I did a search at B&N for the author and there were 3 pages of listings. That surprised me too.

Anyone else having trouble getting the book?

Marjorie

I will not be able to check the library until Wednesday....long weekend, you know. I looked over the collection of Deveraux books a while back but can't remember if The Invitation is one of them or not.

When was it published?

Northern Joan

JOAN: The book was published in 1994.

Marjorie

I went to the my used book store and got a copy. 50 cents

Good for you JUDY. I would say you got a real bargain. I should probably shop the used bookstores more often.

Marjorie

Hi, Marjorie:

Just want to tell you I won't be able to join the next discussion because I am moving and have much packing to do. I enjoyed the discussion of Jewels of the Sun. Thank you all so very much.

Mal

MALRYN: I understand. Moving is a big job. Instead of repeating, would you tell me if you have posted about your move somewhere else? I would like to hear about it.

Marjorie

Marjorie, posted somewhere in the WREX Writing Exchange discussion there is talk about my move. I have no idea where it is, so will tell you my daughter has bought her ex-husband's half of the house they own, and we are moving back there. An apartment addition I designed four years ago with my particular physical limitations in mind is where I will return, rather than this too small, cramped room I've been in. There's a deck and a boardwalk to my car, so access will be much easier for me. The house is only about five miles away, but the packing is the same as if it was 5000! We expect to move in around August 1, and there's a lot to be done before then.

Mal

MALRYN: SAGE and I bought a house only 2 miles away when we retired. It was bigger than what we were in and that helped. But even 2 miles is a move so I know what you mean about 5 miles. It worked very well for us. We bought a one story house and had ramps put in in places (off the deck to the ground where the garden is; and down the two steps to the garage). I bless that deck every day. The one in the garage is wonderful for the cart we use to bring in the groceries, etc. Good Luck to you.

Marjorie

Hello everyone. It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been busy, and in other folders. I'm excited about the new discussion. I'm hoping I'll be able to find it. Wal-Mart sometimes carries older published books. I'll look there. I think we have a\ used paper book store here in Kennesaw, I'll look there also - especially if I can get it for 50 cents. I loked the description of "The Secret" also. If I hadn't been so late getting in here, I may have voted for that one. I'll be gone in August, but hope to get in on some of the discussion. Happy reading, Ruth