Dance upon the Air (Three Sisters Island Trilogy) [Mass Market Paperback]

Nora Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2003

Library Journal Best Genre Fiction of 2001

#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 mesmerizing new Three Sisters Island trilogy. Set on a remote, rocky island off the coast of Massachusetts, steeped in history, romance, and legend, Dance Upon the Air is an unforgettable tale of friendship, fate, and the mysterious ways of the heart…

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… But even in this quiet, peaceful place, Nell never feels entirely at ease. Careful to conceal her true identity, she takes a job as a cook at the local 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—for she must continue to guard her secrets if she wants to keep the past at bay. One careless word, one misplaced confidence, and the new life she’s created so carefully 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 with the nightmares of the past haunting her every step—she must find the power to save her home, her love…and herself…

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: Three Sisters Island, coast of New England, present day

Sensuality rating: 6

Perennial New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts's new Three Sisters Island trilogy is pure magic! No, I mean really magic. An intriguing combination of The Witches of Eastwick and Sleeping With the Enemy, Dance Upon the Air introduces readers to the idyllic town of Three Sisters Island. Reputedly conjured by a trio of sisters seeking to escape the Salem witch-hunts, the island remains a place of quiet refuge for one and all, including pretty Nell Channing who arrives in town afraid of her own shadow, with few possessions and no past. But the warm, sunny days and cool, windswept nights, as well as the loving concern of new friends--especially hunky sheriff Zack Todd--soon lure skittish Nell into a much-welcome fresh life. Nell's new boss, the captivatingly lovely bookstore owner Mia Devlin (look for Mia's story, hopefully, in the not-too-distant future), wonders from what or whom Nell is running. Mia treats Nell as she would a sister, which isn't too far off the mark, helping Nell discover and explore her inner resources while Zack's romantic attentions bring a rosy glow to Nell's cheeks and to her future. But something wicked this way comes… Will Nell be ready to face and conquer her past? Even with the love and support of Mia, Zack, and Zack's fellow police officer, his peppery, down-to-earth sister Ripley, Nell has the fight of her life--the fight for her life--on her hands. Roberts continues to delight fans and create new believers with her talent and imagination. --Alison Trinkle

From Publishers Weekly

The first installment of Roberts's newest trilogy set on Three Sisters island invokes the sensitive characterizations and magic that distinguished her previous trilogy (Jewels of the Sun; Tears of the Moon; Heart of the Sea). An enchanted island off the coast of Massachusetts, Three Sisters was formed as a sanctuary by three frightened witches fleeing persecution. Although the witches found peace on the island, each of them entered into an ill-fated relationship and died tragically. Now their descendants Nell Channing, Ripley Todd and Mia Devlin have to break the pattern set by their foremothers, or the island will sink. This first book focuses on Nell, a newcomer to the island who escaped her abusive husband by staging her death. Nell is unaware that she's a witch, but she is instinctively drawn to the island and secures a job as a chef in the caf‚ owned by Mia. Between coping with her bleak memories and deciding whether she can give her heart to Zach Todd, Ripley's brother and the island sheriff, Nell has little time to digest the discovery that she's a witch. In the end, however, Nell will have to come to terms with her newfound powers so that she can fight her all-too-demented husband. It's probably witchcraft that Roberts can turn out so many books and still create something that's sexy and charming, but in this tale, it's evident that she hasn't lost her fairy touch. (June 5)Forecast: No stranger to bestseller lists, Roberts triumphed in 2000 with the release of two hardcovers and eight mass market paperbacks, seven of which sold in the millions. National radio advertising and print advertisements in USA Today will ensure that her latest hits the big time as well.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Jove; First edition (November 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515131229
• ISBN-13: 978-0515131222
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (317 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Occult
  • #15 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( R ) > Roberts, Nora
  • #53 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy start to a new trilogy, June 7, 2001

By 

Kati "Katidom" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dance upon the Air (Three Sisters Island Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

While I own every single book written by Nora Roberts, I have to say that I usually enjoy her paperback novels better than the hardcover books (Not that it stops me from buying every one of them!).

This particular novel tells the story of Nell, a woman fleeing from an abusive husband to a fictitous island off the coast of Massachusetts, Three Sisters. There she finds her first real feeling of home, friends that she has a mystical bond with and a handsome sheriff who is her soulmate.

The novel nicely blends the charm of a small town and the mystical events that we expect from Nora Roberts. It also is effective at setting up the two upcoming novels that will complete the trilogy. Packed with likeable characters and well paced, the novel is worthy of her "Born in" series.

I really loved this book. It was a surprising and satisfying read that kept me turing pages long into the night. I recommend it highly.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Dance Upon The Air" Is Pure Magic!, November 15, 2003

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dance upon the Air (Three Sisters Island Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

Three Sisters is a small, rocky island off the coast of Massachusetts. Legend has it that the island was once a part of the mainland. Back in the late 1600s, during the Salem witch trials, three sisters, good witches all, known as Fire, Earth and Air, conjured the island and made it a haven against persecution. Unfortunately, the sisters did not fare as well as their island. Air fell in love with a man who proved to be so abusive that he finally killed her in a fit of rage. The second sister, Earth, vowed revenge and when she destroyed her sister's killer, she broke her sacred promise to do no harm. The last sister, Fire, lost her love and in despair she took her own life. Before she died she cast a spell to keep the island safe for 300 years. At that time she prophesied a reunion of three sisters, descendants of the original three, who would join together to redeem their ancestors and save their home from destruction.

Fast forward 300 years to Three Sisters Island. A frightened young woman, Nell Channing, comes to the island fleeing her past. She has been drawn here through compelling dreams. Concealing her identity, with few possessions and no identification, she finds a job as a gourmet cook at a local bookstore and cafe. The cafe's owner and Nell's new boss, Mia Devlin, warmly welcomes her as if she is a long lost friend. She rents Nell a lovely cottage and helps her settle in. For the first time in many years Nell begins to believe she has found a home and a place to make her future. The town sheriff, tall, dark and handsome, (of course), Zack Todd begins to woo her and Nell is drawn to him in spite of her knowledge that she can never become involved.

Then the past finally catches up to Nell. The evil she has been trying to escape comes to the island, endangering her and threatening the lives of those she has come to love. The curse of Three Sisters and the legend behind it are disclosed. Nell discovers that she is one of the three who can break the centuries-old spell and save her home and her life - with the help of two other strong, gifted women whom she has grown to care for as sisters.

One of the other reviews called this novel a combination of "The Witches Of Eastwick" and "Sleeping With The Enemy" and I think that is an apt description. The suspense and sheer terror of being pursued by an enraged, abusive spouse is clearly portrayed here, embellished a bit with the addition of magic and the supernatural. And Nora Roberts depicts the love, camaraderie, humor and complexity of the relationship between the sister witches in wonderful detail. It is easy to love Ms. Roberts' characters as she develops them with great care. The sisters' magic is delightful, as is the romance. The story is appropriately chilling at times and filled with suspense. "Dance Upon The Air" is the first part of a trilogy. I have read all three books and this is my favorite. It is an unputdownable read, perfect for curling up on a cold winter's night.
JANA

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Queen of the Trilogies Strikes Again !, July 3, 2001

By 

MaryannJr "MaryannJr" (PHILADELPHIA, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dance upon the Air (Three Sisters Island Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

Nora Roberts is one of the few 'constants' in romantic fiction today. As an author, she paints vivid characters and sets a colorful scene in your mind where her story will unfold. Her books never fail to capture your interest from the first paragraph and hold it till the last sentence. Her trilogies are beyond compare. 'Dance Upon the Air' is the first of a new trilogy that we fans have been panting for. As she did with her 'Donaovan Legacy' novels, the backdrop here is witchcraft. Trust me when I tell you, when you've finished reading this book, you'll wish you knew where to find a local, practicing 'good witch'. Mia Devlin finds the completion to the 'circle of three' in new islander Nell Channing. She knows Nell is running away, but sees in her the promise of the future. As in all Nora Roberts books, or hero Zack Todd is big, brainy and beautiful. The perfect knight in a shinig sheriff's badge. You get immersed in the love developing between Zack and Nell, and intrigued by Mia's spell casting and 'calling up the wind'. Ripley Todd, sure to be the star of one of the two remaining installments share some of the wittiest and most biting dialog with Mia. Their all too brief altercations will having laughing out loud. I can, and have blindly recommended Nora Roberts books to all my friends without reservation, and 'Dance Upon The Air' is no exception. I can not wait until the fall release of the second book of the trilogy. Thanks again Nora! We can always depend on you !