Customer Reviews

Hidden Riches

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Hidden Riches, set in modern-day Philadelphia, brings together Jed Skimmerhorn, a discontented police captain and Dora Conway, an antiques dealer. Captain Skimmerhorn is the new tenant in the apartment located above Dora's antique shop and across from her own living quarters. No doubt that their feeling definite attraction toward each other, Skimmerhorn fights against his feelings for Dora and the loving, overwhelming Conway family. Forces change however when he is pulled in by Dora, who unwittingly stumbles into the evil world of art and antique smuggling valuable and finds her very existence threatened. Hidden Riches is quite a suspenseful story with a love story happening along the way. Skimmerhorn, a strong, brooding man has that some demons from his past to conquer. Dora is a strong character-a woman who is independent, intelligent, beautiful, and determined. Drawn together by forces greater than themselves, they are forced to face his past and the future neither had planned for. This book is one of my favorite that Ms. Roberts' has written - strong characters, excellent setting. One of Nora Roberts' greatest stories!

First, let me say that I am a HUGE Nora Roberts fan! I have read nearly ever book she's written, including the chilling series penned as J.D. Robb. I have been reading her books for years, and she rarely lets me down. This is one of her earlier novels.

HIDDEN RICHES is a story about Dora Conroy, a feisty, beautiful woman who owns an antiques store in Philadelphia. Dora's store is broken into after she makes the winning bid on a painting at auction, which is really a priceless masterpiece disguised. Once the painting's real owner realizes a mistake has been made and someone else has his precious painting, it becomes the focus of much criminal attention, placing Dora in danger.

Jed Skimmerhorn is Dora's love interest in the novel. He is handsome, rich, socially prominent...except he is also miserably unhappy after the death of his sister, which he feels responsible for. He has gone into early retirement from the police force and is renting a room from Dora when she becomes a target for the criminals. The novel details their growing romance, Jed's internal battles as he tries to come to grips with his sister's death, and of course the battle between Jed and Dora vs. the criminals!

HIDDEN RICHES, in traditional Nora Roberts style, features great writing and witty dialogue that flows and feels natural for the two characters. As a few other reviewers have noticed, Jed's character was a little dark at times, in part because of the shadow of grief and guilt that seemed to hang over him. Dora was very light-hearted and quirky. Her family was especially loveable, as Jed soon found out--a troupe of actors with larger-than-life personas and huge hearts!

While I did enjoy the novel, I had to take off a few points because of the suspense-romance aspect. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres...it's usually a lot of fun, because you have two great characters who fall in love while trying to solve some kind of mystery together. However, the thing I didn't like about HIDDEN RICHES was that there really was no suspense. From the get-go, readers know who the bag guy is, and personally, I enjoy trying to figure out who the bad guy is! The only thing that built up as far as the suspense part of the novel goes is the ultimate confrontation between Jed & Dora and the villain.

Of course, Nora Roberts is a force to be reckoned with, and she has a very devoted following of fans. Her clever writing and strongly-drawn characters make her a favorite of mine. Anyone who has read the earlier romantic suspense novels Roberts is so popular for will have to add this book to their collection. I also recommend TRUE BETRAYALS and SWEET REVENGE.

"Hidden Riches" by Nora Roberts is a fresh, intriguing and exciting tale. The characters will grab your attention and make you care about them right from the start, as Roberts once again proves why she is the queen of romantic suspense.
Antique dealer Dora Conroy buys a lot of items, including an abstract painting and some porcelain figures, at an auction in Virginia. Unfortunately, Dora's new acquisitions actually belong to a cold-blooded criminal who will stop at nothing to get them back.
Dora's new tenant, Jed Skimmerhorn, a prematurely retired police captain, is dealing with the guilt of his sister's death and doesn't need a woman like Dora complicating his life. However, Jed and Dora are undeniably drawn to each other, and their tentative friendship blooms into a lovely romance.
A break-in at Dora's shop starts Dora and Jed on a trail that leads to the truth about Dora's auction items, and on a collision course with the intended recipient of her items, an obsessed and unbalanced killer.
Dora is in extreme danger, but Jed is determined to protect her and get to the bottom of the mystery. Roberts skilfully builds the suspense and excitement in this novel, leading up to Jed and Dora's inevitable confrontation with the culprit.
"Hidden Riches" kept me enthralled from start to finish. Roberts' interesting and vivid characters compelled me to read their story, and the plot itself was original and lots of fun. I guarantee that this book will entertain and satisfy you, so buy it today!

Dora Conroy has a small eclectic antique shop. When she receives a shipment of items she won at auction, she realizes some of the wrong items were shipped. It is then that she becomes a target by a ruthless businessman. Her new tenant, Jed Skimmerhorn, is attracted to Dora and feels the need to protect her. As they work together to solve the mystery of the black-market artwork, they must battle his past, her family, and an international criminal to have a future.

This is an older work by NR. Well written, and I liked the characters Dora and Jed. The secondary characters were very well done, and an important part of the story.

This is my favorite book of Nora Roberts. It is very easy to believe that these characters are real because she tackles issues that are true. The dialogue and content is amazing. Never once was I bored. Jed and Dora are hilarious and interesting. Their romance is sizzling and very hot! The suspense and mystery is also amazing. You never know what is going to happen. I would like to see a sequel to what happens to Jed and Dora. THIS IS NORA ROBERTS BEST BOOK EVER!

Hidden Riches, whose setting is in the city of brotherly love, brings together Jed Skimmerhorn, a dislusioned police captain, and Dora Conway, an antique dealer. Jed, who is from a disfunctional rich family, has had it with life. He abandons the life style that has brought him nothing but heartache to move into a sparse apartment owed by Dora Conway. Though Jed fights against the physcial and mental pull toward Dora and the loving, overwhelming Conway family, he is pulled to them when Dora unwittingly stumbles into the evil world of smuggling valuable antiquties, and is noe threatening her very exsistance. Hidden Riches is a story that will draw you into the characters lifes. The hero is a strong, brooding charcter that has the good sense to admire and be drawn to a heroine who is also a strong witty character. They never let you down by acting wimpy or stupid even when danger is near and the heroine will try to get herself out of danger rather than wimp out, Bravo Nora Roberts, another excellent novel.

This is one of my favorite Nora Roberts books. I absolutely loved the character of Jed, and Dora is one of the best female protagonists Nora Roberts has written. She doesn't come across as needy, weak, or remotely unsympathetic -- she's strong and independent and still a lot of fun. There was no real "mystery" in this book -- you knew who was trying to steal and why -- but that's okay. I was so wrapped up in Jed and Dora's story that it didn't really matter what happened with the "hidden riches".

I hate to give negative reviews, especially in a forum of all positive reviews, (this usually means I will be negged with 'unhelpful votes') But here is the deal... I didn't like Hidden Riches! Mostly, because I HATED the hero, and the writing was dated. I don't know of any modern women who would or should put up with the treatment that Jedidah Skimmerhorn (terrible name) treats her.

Here's the story: Jedidiah Skimmerhorn, millionaire cop (must all Nora's heros be millionaires?!) whose parents didn't love him enough, tries to rediscover himself and to escape a past tragedy by renting a quiet room in a modest downtown apartment owned by our heroine, miss sunshine Dora Conroy. So far so good. Unfortunately, during his first meeting with the heroine, he slams his door in her face. I know Nora intended for us to find the hero's rude growls, irritable snapping, 'charming' 'exciting' and 'attractive,' instead Jedidiah comes off as a spoiled baby, who needs his diaper changed.

The villain is a cardboard cookie Nora villain, on the insane side, who is an avid collector. When a shipment goes awry and is accidentally shipped to Conroy's shop, instead of his penthouse apartment, he sends one of his flunkies to investigate..

I really wanted to like Hidden Riches, but I just couldn't get past the Skimmerhorn character. I don't find abusive men attractive, and Skimmerhorn was abusive enough in once scene to leave bruises on Conroy's arms and throw her up against the wall, ripping her bathrobe. If I were the heroine I'd sue Skimmerhorn for assault, but of course, Conroy being the gullible loving heroine forgives him.... Yuck...... Nexxxtttt......

Of all of Nora Roberts' books--and yes, I've read them all--this is my favorite. It is undoubtedly her funniest. I first read it six years ago. I loaned it to a friend who forgot to return it, so I had to buy it again. I'm on my fourth copy now, I've read it probably ten times, but I keep on loaning it out and reordering and re-reading.

The characters are lovingly developed, and the dialogue quick and genuine.

Dora, our heroine, is a gutsy gal who takes no gruff off anyone, especially her new tenant, ex-cop Jeb Skimmerhorn. They're a recipe for great romantic sparks and hot sexual tension.

This is truly Nora at her very finest. I wish she'd write another just like it. Or almost like it!

I picked this book up while on vacation a few years ago. I had never heard of Nora Roberts and was not a romance fan. This story introduced me to Roberts and romance.

The plot revolves around Dora Conroy, a quirky proprietor of a small antique shop, who inadvertently interferes with the illegal shipment of some smuggled artwork and becomes the target of a ruthless and deadly businessman. Her new tenant Jed Skimmerhorn, an ex detective with the Philadelphia PD, is reluctantly attracted to Dora and feels obligated to protect her when the bad guys break into her apartment and threaten her. Add Dora's spirited family of actors and their bizarre show biz friends into the mix and you have the recipe for fun.

The story is at times humorous, often suspenseful, very romantic and always a great read. You won't want to miss this one.