Shadow Spell Book Review

Synopsis:

With the legends and lore of Ireland running through his blood, falconer Connor O’Dwyer is proud to call County Mayo home. It’s where his sister, Branna, lives and works, where his cousin, Iona, has found true love, and where his childhood friends form a circle that can’t be broken…

A circle that is about to be stretched out of shape—by a long-awaited kiss.

Meara Quinn is Branna’s best friend, a sister in all but blood. Her and Connor’s paths cross almost daily, as Connor takes tourists on hawk walks and Meara guides them on horseback across the lush countryside. She has the eyes of a gypsy and the body of a goddess…things Connor has always taken for granted—until his brush with death propels them into a quick, hot tangle.

Plenty of women have found their way to Connor’s bed, but none to his heart until now. Frustratingly, Meara is okay with just the heat, afraid to lose herself—and their friendship—to something more. But soon, Connor will see the full force and fury of what runs in his blood. And he will need his family and friends around him when his past rolls in like the fog, threatening an end to all he loves…


My Review:

I wanted to love Shadow Spell.  I was excited to open the cover and delve into Connor & Meara's story and revisit this family as they continue battling the evil threatening to destroy them all.  I like the characters, the setting, and the idea of the plot line.  Unfortunately, for me, the story just never develops - it never goes anywhere.  The anticipation and suspense never build to the point that I can't put the book down.  In the end, I felt like I was in the same place I was when I started the book.  That alone might be okay if the romance had caught fire.  While I love a good friends to romance story, Connor & Meara's relationship was just ho hum for me.  I didn't feel the sparks, the anticipation, the bantering that leads to burn up the pages sex...I just didn't "feel" them.  They came across as good friends who became good friends with sex and oh yeah - btw, I love you.  There wasn't enough angst, fire, or emotions to build the anticipation to make this story come alive.  Even the danger never caused me a moment of worry, never made me flip pages to see what would happen, never made me concerned for the characters.  Most of the book, they were meeting to form a plan of attack while sharing a meal.  When the final attack came, it was anti-climatic.

I have to be honest and say I was disappointed with Shadow Spell.  It is an okay "average" read but nothing as special as I'm accustomed to getting from Nora Roberts.  I love Nora's books and am a huge fan.  I've read them all and I will read the next one...but this one missed the mark for me.

Rating:  3  ♥♥♥'s...And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart...xxx

Sandra