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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nora Roberts Creates Earthy Magic, November 15, 2003
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. All three were doomed by unfortunate relationships and a misuse of power. Before the last sister 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, right the wrongs of the past and save their home from destruction.Fast forward 300 years to Three Sisters Island. Ripley Todd is the town's deputy sheriff and she's an earthy, practical, no nonsense kinda gal - not at all the type one would peg for a witch. And make no mistake, Ripley is a witch although she tries very hard to deny her powers. Handsome, scholarly MacAllister Booke comes to the island to research the legend and to interview the one inhabitant he knows possesses magical powers - Mia Devlin, owner of the local bookstore cafe, and direct descendant of the original sisters. Booke has studied, recorded and witnessed the impossible for over 12 years. "He'd interviewed witches, ghosts, lycanthropes, alien abductees and psychics. Ninety-eight percent of them were delusional or con-artists. But the remaining two percent...well, that kept him going." Imagine his surprise when he discovered that Three Sisters Island is the home of three witches, all descending from the original line - Nell Channing Todd (Ripley's new sister-in-law), Ripley and Mia. He is immediately attracted to Ripley, who goes out of her way to be disagreeable to him. She wants nothing to do with magic or with anyone who is interested in the supernatural. However, the island's 300-year anniversary is coming up and Ripley has to come to grips with the powers that terrify her if she is going to help break the centuries-old curse and save her beloved home. Dr. Booke, Mia and Nell are behind Ripley all the way as she learns to manage her energy and fear. "Heaven and Earth" is Nora Roberts' second book in the Three Sisters trilogy. You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one, although it is a delight to continue with the story of Nell, Mia and Ripley. Ripley is a more difficult character than the other two sisters. She is abrasive, stubborn and initially did not fit my image of a witch. However, once the story is underway and Ripley's frailties are exposed, she becomes quite believable as a woman and a sorceress. Ms. Roberts creates a wonderful relationship between Ripley and Mac, as well as between the three woman. I wish the source of evil, thrills, chills and suspense were more original, and not something/someone dredged up from book one. The plot works well enough as is, but the novel would have been so much better with a new villain. The novel still makes for a wonderful light read, perfect for a rainy evening.
JANA
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