Customer Reviews

Irish Hearts

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book consists of two stories. Irish Thoroughbred (written in 1981) was supposedly Nora Roberts first story. NR fans will appreciate seeing her earliest work. It definitely has the seeds of her quality character development and romantic chemistry. However, it is qualitatively different from her later work -- and less enjoyable. The female character, Adelia, is almost the stereotypical romance heroine, completely dependent on her male employer/captor/whatever. The male lead, Travis, is also stereotypical in that he repeatedly makes "attack" advances on her, but only shows any real human emotion towards the end of the story. Both characters lack the complex development we so much enjoy in her later stories.

The second book, Irish Rose (written in 1988), continues with the story of Dee's cousin, Erin, and Trevor's neighbor, Burke. This story has a stronger female lead, though the true Noraholic will still see Erin as somewhat weak compared to later books. Here we have a young Irish girl brought to the US under the employment of the male lead who also wants to sleep with her. Burke is a better developed character that Travis. Though still pretty cliched, its a better read than Irish Thoroughbred. For a true 5 star read (and Nora at her BEST),though, check out Irish Rebel!

Irish Hearts was a great read! Both stories in this novel revolve around raising horses and racing them. The first story is about Travis and Adelia "Dee". I was hooked on this couple right after the first chapter. Dee is a feisty Irish and her temper turns Travis on even more. Needless to say this couple is hilarous! The second story is about Burke and Erin. Burke is so laid back and wants Erin so much he will do anything to have her, but he doesn't realize he has fallen in love with her. Both stories in this novel are wonderful! I don't know much about horses, and was surprised to find myself cheering for the horses at the races. I felt like I was in the stands myself! Both couples our so easy to like and you can feel yourself losing yourself in their stories. I'm looking forward now to starting the next novel to go with this book. It is called Irish Rebel and it picks up with Travis and Dee's daughter, Keeley. Hope all enjoys Irish Hearts as much as I did!

For a rather late Nora Roberts fan (only the last 4 years or so) it was quite nice to find some of her early works in a reissue. The first story in this book acquaints us with Travis and Dee Grant, parents of Keely from Irish Rebel. I usually make it a point of reading books in their chronological order, so I was kind of miffed when I realized I had read Irish Rebel before this. However, this story was truly wonderful and an excellent example of how timeless Nora Roberts' writing is. The second story in the book, Irish Thoroughbred, was not as great. The relationship between Erin MacKinnon and Burke Logan doesn't really seem to develop, but follows the standard romance novel form of: man of the world sleeps with innocent virgin then decides to marry her but cannot admit his love for her while she desperately wants to feel loved, not just wanted. The story moves quickly, but one is left feeling a little unconnected with the main characters. Overall, the book is certainly worth the buy and is a must for Nora Roberts collectors.

Irish Thoroughbred was the first romance novel I eve read, and it definitely got me going on my favorite hobby. I have read literally hundreds of romance novels,some good and some not so good.

Nora Roberts is my favorite author. I buy every novel she writes without ever even reading the back or the inside cover. Irish Throroughbred is a satisfying, lovely story that captivates the reader from the beginning. Nora is almost always at the top of her game when she writes Irish characters. BUT...Irish Rose, well, it was all so familiar to me. It started to come back to me, a gambler, who won a farm from a man named Cunningham, where had I heard this before? That's right! In a far superior novel, True Betrayals. Honestly, that was the only thing that I had against this novel. It is so incredibly similar to another, far better novel that she wrote later.

The stories themselves are charming and the heroines and heros are enjoyable. I would recommend the book to anyone, keeping in mind that she has some far better outings later in her career.

Irish Hearts has all the love a romance novel could need... This was two books in one, Irish thoroughbred and Irish Rose. I only have one complaint, that is both stories had too many simularities. The first stroy line, Irish thoroughbred, was about a woman, Adelia, whom comes to America to be with her uncle after her aunts passes away. Adelias uncle Paddy, works on one of the finest horse ranches in the states, and takes Adelia under his wing. Almost as soon as Adelia arrives she starts falling in love with Travis Grant, the owner of the horse ranch, Royal Meadows. The romance and the way they came together was heart warming and and truly a page turner.

The second book was a continuation of the the first story but this one was called Irish Rose. This one has Adelias cousin Erin McKinnon and Burke Logan added to the story line. Adelias family and neighbor Burke take a trip back to Ireland, and ends up bringing her cousin Erin home with the help of Burke needing assistance back home in the states. But same as the first story the two were in love before you could say when. Not that it made the story bad, and don't get me wrong the two stories were great and the romace was great, but they were very simular. I can say you would be missing out if you didn't read this book. And after you buy this one buy the sequel to Irish Hearts, Irish Rebel.

IRISH HEARTS is the re-issue of two of Roberts' earlier novels, including her first novel, IRISH THOROUGHBRED, along with a sequel of sorts, entitled IRISH ROSE.

I found the first book to be as well written as any of her present-day books. It is evident that she was a master writer from the beginning. For those of us who love horses and the men who are involved with them, we will be right at home with these two stories, which both evolve around horse racing and especially the Kentucky Derby environs.

In the first story the heroine, ADELIA CUNNANE, is an orphan moving to the U.S. to live with her uncle who is employed by the hero. The hero, TRAVIS GRANT, is also an orphan, but is, however, wealthy having inherited his money and the horse farm from his deceased parents.

The second heroine, ERIN MCKINNON, comes from a large family. She is lured to the United States by a job offer from the second hero who is a "Johnny-come-lately" to the rich society he enlists in. This hero, BURKE LOGAN, hides his past afraid it would make a difference to the Irish girl he is loath to admit he loves. These were both delightful reads!

The book "irish hearts" is a two in one compliation of nora roberts first book "irish thoroughbred" and its predecessor " irish rose". if you like formula romance then you will basically enloy this book. in "irish thoroughbred you are introduce to lonely orphaned adelia "dee" cunnane who after selling her farm in ireland takes up an offer to live with her uncle in america. There she is eager to earn her way and work among the horses as a groom at travis grants royal meadows horse farm. They meet and clash against an array of training horses and horse races they fall in love...un beknowst to the both of them...it is an easy and nice read interesting even if you do not happen to be a fan of horses...strong female character willing to work...not some pampered princess you find in other romances...worth a look...

"irish rose" Erin mckinnon had itchy feet living in ireland the same little town all her life helping the family farm barely break even. keeping books and washing dishes in some hotel, while dreaming of Burke Logan.Burke logan a hard hearted gambling man placed a bet on erin mckinnon a bet he would play out until the end. He made her an offer to move to america and be his own bookkeeper at his horse farm triple aces..he eventually offers her wealth and security in a mock marriage but things take a drastic turn when someone thinks it was about time burke logan got dealt a losing hand the stakes are raised life death love loss ...either way it was a hand with high stakes and only a fool would play afool with the name burke logan....

both stories are good and strong. Adelia and erin are strong female leads, but if these independant women were so independent then why were they coarsed so easily? in the men department i liked travis better then burke,but that was me and i would recommend this book to anyone...

I was happy to find Irish Hearts containing Irish Thoroughbred, Nora Roberts first novel. Having started reading Roberts only 3 or 4 years ago, I hadn't been able to find some of her earlier work. I was very impressed with Irish Thoroughbred as a first work. I thought it was excellent. The romance that grows between Adelia Cunnane (Dee), an orphan from Ireland brought to America by her uncle Padrick, and Travis Grant a rich and successful horse breeder that her uncle Padrick works for as his trainer, is engaging, passionate and endearing. Dee's Irish temper and tomboy abilities win the heart of the hunky Travis Grant.

Irish Rose, the follow up book to Irish Thoroughbred, is about Dee's cousin Erin McKinnon and Burke Logan, friend and neighbor to the Grants.

The book starts out in Ireland when Dee and Travis bring their children for a visit with Erin's family. Burke has gone along for the trip on Travis's suggestion to look into buying some thoroughbred horses in Ireland. Burke offers Erin a job keeping the books for his ranch in America giving her the opportunity she has been looking for to leave her small Irish village. She accepts the job. The storyline is a good one as it describes Erins impressions of America and the lifestyle. Fascinating as the relationship between these two strangers grows and the begin to fall in love. I highly recommend both of these stories as great reads for Nora Roberts fans.

"Irish Hearts" contains two complete novels, including Nora Roberts' very first book "Irish Thoroughbred" and its follow-up, "Irish Hearts." Both books are wonderful to read, with endearing characters and original storylines.
"Irish Thoroughbred" introduces Adelia Cunnane (Dee), who leaves Ireland behind to live in America with her uncle Padrick. Paddy is a horse trainer for Travis Grant, the owner of Royal Meadows farm. When Dee arrives, Travis is immediately taken with her and after watching her magic touch with the horses, gives her a job working for him. The sparks between these two begin to fly and Dee finds herself swept away by unfamiliar needs and feelings. Love blooms between Dee and Travis, but they must first admit this to each other before they can find happiness.
"Irish Hearts" introduces Erin McKinnon, Dee's cousin. Dee, Travis, and their children visit Erin on a horse-buying trip to Ireland. They have brought their friend, and the owner of the neighbouring farm, Burke, along on this trip, and there is an instant attraction between him and Erin. Erin has always dreamed of a life outside of her small hometown, and when Burke offers her the job of bookkeeper at his farm, she accepts. Erin finds herself starting a new life in America, and falling head over heels for Burke. But Burke must overcome his own insecurities regarding his past before he and Erin can have a future.
These two stories are full of romance and fun, and of course the exciting world of thoroughbred racing. These books are both entertaining and enjoyable and are well worth the read!

This was the first book of Nora Roberts that I have ever read and I discovered it only a few months ago. It was rather ironic when I found Irish Thoroughbred was her first book.

Irish Thoroughbred starts when Adelia (Dee) Cunnane comes to America after spending her life on a farm in Ireland. Her uncle, Uncle Paddy welcomes her to America and she comes to work at the same stable that he works at. Right away she impresses the stablehands with her ability to make friends with horses. When she finally meets Travis Grant who owns the stable it doesn't put her in a forunate spot ... or so she thinks. Sparks of romance fly for her and she is sure he is just amusing himself but for now his kisses are enough. Dee gets caught in a whirlwind of confusion and emotional pain. But the ending has several twists for her that she doesn't expect ...

Irish Rose begins when Erin McKinnon meets her cousin who happens to be Adelia, and Adelia's husband Travis, their children, and Burke Logan steps off the plane into Ireland. Erin secretly wants more from the world than to just be in Ireland. She wants a life full of exciting adventures and is uncomfortable when Burke can see her desires so clearly when the rest cannot. She soon finds herself in America to keep Burke's account books organized. She is in much deeper than she suspects though and when things start to become more clear a few things are still hazy ... things that are most important to her. When she gets things straight will she like what she finds? What about Burke? Sparks are flying and are almost out of control. How will it end?