The MacGregors: Serena ~ Caine: Playing The Odds\Tempting Fate [Paperback]

Nora Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2006 | Series: Macgregors

From the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author come the first two stories in her classic MacGregor family saga, featuring Serena MacGregor in "Playing the Odds," and Caine MacGregor in "Tempting Fate." Reissue.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In the wake of the success of The MacGregor Brides and The MacGregor Grooms, New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts has repackaged and reissued the sagas of earlier generations, beginning with Serena and Caine, daughter and son of family patriarch Daniel MacGregor. Daniel's romantic machinations embroil Serena and Caine with another brother and sister team, Justin and Diana Blade. In Playing the Odds, Comanche gambler Justin Blade finds himself on a vacation cruise to the Bahamas where he is instantly attracted to a violet-eyed casino dealer. Only later does he learn that the lissome Serena is one and the same as the much-degreed Rena MacGregor, daughter of his longtime silent business partner, Daniel MacGregor. Serena makes it her practice to never get involved with gamblers, but the predatory gaze of Justin Blade steals her breath and steels her resolve to ignore his overtures. When Justin makes her an offer she can't refuse--the position of casino manager in his Atlantic City hotel-casino--Serena finds herself drawn to the man who worked his way up from nowhere, never swerving in his pursuit of financial success and possession of Serena. In this contemporary drama, the house (and the heart) always wins! Once settled as Justin's partner in business and in life, Serena invites Justin's sister Diana to visit. To Diana, Justin is the beloved older brother who abandoned her 20 years earlier, after their mother's death, leaving Diana to be raised by her cold Aunt Adelaide who demanded absolute obedience from her. Now a Harvard-educated lawyer in Boston, Diana is a cool operator, her emotions packed tightly away, until Caine MacGregor, her new sister-in-law's brother and infamous rogue of Harvard Law's ivied halls, greets her at the airport on her visit to get to know the brother she loved so long ago. Diana finds herself in turmoil, trying to deal with her hurt and anger toward her brother and the attraction that she feels for Caine who just happens to be near whenever Diana's well-guarded shell cracks. Caine works inexorably to overcome the much-exaggerated tales of his law school peccadilloes, slowly changing Diana's mind about his playboy reputation and teaching her to trust her heart and him. No one builds romantic tension better than Nora Roberts; even the second (or third or fourth) reading is every bit as exciting as the first! --Alison Trinkle --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Silhouette; Original edition (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373285132
• ISBN-13: 978-0373285136
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great way to spend an afternoon!, April 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Macgregors; Serena, Caine-(2 Books in One) (Mass Market Paperback)

If you're looking for great intellect you won't find it here - but it you just want to spend an afternoon with some characters that you come to love this series is for you! This book is the best one to start with in the MacGregor series - then read Alan & Grant, The MacGregor Brides, Winning Hand, MacGregor Groom, and finally Perfect Neighbor. You'll love these characters and wish that they never had to run out of relatives to match up. thank you Nora for letting us escape for even a short time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The romances of Serena and Caine, November 7, 2002

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Macgregors; Serena, Caine-(2 Books in One) (Mass Market Paperback)

In the first story in this book, Justin Blade is persuaded to take a cruise by his mentor, Daniel MacGregor. Little does he know that Daniel intends for him to meet his daughter Serena, who is a blackjack dealer on the ship. He does meet Serena and is instantly attracted to her, although he doesn't realize who she is. These two independent people do a lot of sparring, and fight the growing feelings of attraction that they feel. When Serena's life is put in danger, Justin realizes how much he cares for her. The second story, entitled Tempting Fate involves Serena's brother, Caine, and Justin's sister, Diana. Caine is a charming lawyer who is used to having his way with women. Diana, also an attorney, is wary of relationships because of past hurts she has suffered. Caine's father Daniel thinks that they would make a great match, but they are not convinced. Roberts' books are predictable and the ones I've read seem to follow the same pattern, but they have a wide appeal for those who enjoy this genre.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two Wonderful Romances, December 10, 2001

By 

Sophie (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Macgregors; Serena, Caine-(2 Books in One) (Mass Market Paperback)

Nora Roberts' "Serena and Caine" contains the first two books of the MacGregor series. Both are wonderfully romantic and fun-filled visits with one of NR's most beloved families.

The first book, "Playing the Odds," begins Daniel MacGregors legacy of matchmaking. Comanche gambler Justin Blade meets the violet-eyed Serena working in the casino on his vacation cruise. These two are immediately and undeniably drawn to each other. Only later does Justin discover that this feisty woman is Rena MacGregor, daughter of his business associate Daniel MacGregor, who encouraged him to take the cruise in the first place. Serena tries to resist Justin's advances, but something about him keeps her coming back for more. Justin then offers Serena a job as manager of his Atlantic City hotel-casino and she can not turn down such an amazing offer. Serena and Justin just can't stay away from each other and a sizzling romance ensues. Justin and Serena are a perfect match for each other, and readers will fall in love with both of them. Of course, true love conquers all and these two overcome everything that stands in their way to be together.

In the second book, "Tempting Fate," Serena invites Justin's estranged sister, Diana, to visit them. Diana remembers Justin only as the big brother who abandoned her and left her to be raised by her cold and uncaring aunt. As a result, she keeps all her emotions buried deep inside and presents a very cool, detached woman to those around her. Serena's handsome brother, Caine, picks Diana up from the airport and is immediately fascinated by this cool and collected beauty. Caine and Diana have much in common, as they soon discover they are both lawyers and both attended Harvard. In fact, Diana has heard all about Caine MacGregor, the notorious playboy, and Caine must work at convincing Diana that his reputation is far exaggerated.
When Diana discovers the truth about what happened with her brother all those years ago, she realizes she has made a terrible mistake about him. All of Diana's realizations about her life bring her emotions to the surface, and it is Caine who she turns to for comfort. As Caine earns Diana's trust and admiration, he discovers the passionate and loving woman beneath her icy exterior. Diana and Caine are a lovely couple and readers will truly enjoy the romance they share.

Although "Serena-Caine" is a relatively light read, if you approach it as what it is meant to be, a fun and romantic escape, you will most definitely enjoy it.