Nora Roberts Groupies discussion

Hi Everyone -

We wanted to start the discussion thread for this book now for anyone who is reading it already and wants to discuss it. So, please jump in and tell us any of your thoughts and opinions about The Collector.

I haven't had nearly enough reading time lately but I've still made it a priority to start this one. I was drawn in from the first sentence.

I got the hugest grin over this line: "Fictional people are people, too, otherwise why would we care what happens to them"

I love, love, love that Nora had Lila say this! I get so emotionally involved with fictional characters. I adore that Nora understands this and acknowledged this fact through her character.

I can't wait to start this one.

I could use an extra hour (or more!) in the day to devote to reading. Tonight I'm going to just read, though! :)

I haven't gotten the book yet but I hope to go get it this weekend. I have to actually get the hardback book of Nora Roberts. I have all if hers. It is a large amount! Lol! But I love it!

Would love to see your bookshelves!!

Lol! I have all of her language of love series! They are really old too!

Breanda - I want to see pics of your shelves, too. I'm drawing a blank on Language of Love series. I'll have to look it up.

Just got the book today!!! Will spend the night reading

I'm about 25% through it. I REALLY like it so far! :)

Listened to this and loved it!

The audiobook was fantastic!!

I expected to love this book--being the Nora junkie I am, as y'all understand lol--but I was still thrilled.

I say this time and again, but one of my favorite things about Nora's books is the friendships. In every book there are friendships between a group of people that come across so warm and solid--Nora manages to convey them with simple touches and scenes that blow me away.

In The Collector, it's not just about Ash and Lila, it's about their friendships. The side story with Luke and Julie is lovely, but the friendship shown between them all is wonderful. Luke's care of Lila when she needs him is comforting and warm. The four of them are bonded and it shows.

All of that to say, I loved this one--as I expected to yet was still awed.

Finally got this from the library can't wait to start it.

I really enjoyed the book, have to say Ash n Lila are one of my fav couples. Would love to see Ash's painting esp the faerie in the bower! I have always had a soft spot for people with artistic flair (seeing as i have none whatsoever lol) it must be an amazing feeling to be able to create something from your imagination n bring it to life! AND to be the inspiration of all that beauty..WOW!!

ooh..also loved Lila's movie references and Ash's reaction to them, clearly he's no movie buff ;)

Just finished and really enjoyed it. I loved Ash and Lila as a couple and thought they had good chemistry. The story moved along nicely and never got bogged down.

Like Dana B said, I like how friendship is a big part of her stories. It just seems more realistic to me when they have close friends. Another thing I really enjoy about Nora's stories is that there are usually pets or animals in it. Being an animal lover I can appreciate how she integrates them into the stories.

Cannot wait to start reading this one...

Nora also has a garden in each book too. I am just blown away by The Collector. I really liked, but didn't love, her last two RS books. I feel like this one was written by the "old" Nora. Hot romance, taut plot with twists and turns and a evil menace hanging over it all. Wonderful, and I'm only on page 188.

I am about half way through. I am absolutely love this one.

It is no wonder that it has been on the best seller lists since it is release. It is really good.

I just finished, and I absolutely enjoyed it. For me, Lila and Ash really worked well together as leads. I give it 5 stars for sure. The intrigue, romance, mystery, glitz and down to earth qualities that I look for in Nora single titles were all here as well.

I agree with all these comments! I loved it too!

Nora's single titles are always her best work. That's not to say her series books aren't good - Nora Reoberts is always good, but her singles stand out. I receive the book right after it's release and finished it in two days.

I have always loveed her single title, romantic suspense books more that the series romances. I just prefer romantic suspense and when Nora writes that genre, she is unmatched.

I like them each for different reasons, but I'm glad I read a lot of the romantic suspense books first. I don't go for the paranormal/mystical/witchcraft stuff as much, so I'm not sure I'd have worked my way to the solo books if I'd read trilogies first.

Although that's not STRICTLY true. The Circle Trilogy was my FIRST NR experience, during the Twilight vampire craze. I really love those ones. Then all the In Death books (*squeee*), then The Reef, which wasn't my favorite. (I wasn't born with a treasure-hunting bone in my body, apparently.) Chasing Fire was what got me going. I LOVED that one. Love love love. I've noticed it was kind of a hit or miss book though (not sure why, personally), but it got me started on a crazy Nora kick! :)

I started this today and am listening to the audiobook. Enjoying it a lot and love the Rear Window connection.

I just finished listening to the story and really liked this one. The narration was very good, even though Ash sounded a little strange. She nailed Lila.

I loved the secondary romance between Luke and Julie, as well as her relationship with Lila.

Ash's family dynamics were pretty interesting, too. What a cast of characters. A follow up story wouldn't be a bad idea.

Loved how the dog, Earl Grey, helped save Lila. Nice touch.

This was a very satisfying read, not at the level of my most favorite but one I highly enjoyed.

Did Lila and Ash remind anyone else of Eve and Roarke? The teardrop necklace, Lila's excitement over the plane( Eve and the coffee and her 1st ride in Roake's plane).When Ash tells Lila,"I love and you're going to have to deal with it." Lila trying to get used to" checking in " with someone (that was hard for Eve), how quickly Ash fell in love with Lila and her being unsure ( very Roarke and Eve).

although I enjoyed this book very much I didnt like the feeling that Lila was always attempting to change herself to better suit Ash. I think I preferred the secondary romance that went on with the best friends.

Was it to suit Ash or changing because she was now part of a couple and that often requires some changes or compromising?
Ash was a little to bossy for me, but I didn't feel like Lila changed to suit him. I felt she changed because her life changed.
I like how we all read the same book and take different "things" from it. Makes for good discussions :)

I saw Roarke in Ash and the independence of Eve in Lila.

I actually liked their romance as it had that constant push/pull between the two. Lila liked her life and her ability to handle herself. Though Ash would push and sometimes overwhelm her, Lila handled him. She acquiesced when his way was wise and held her own when it was in her best interest. Ash was forced into the role of managing his bizarre family and his way of dealing with Lila was consistent. She forced him back.

I totally agree Jonetta, well said!

Maggie wrote: "Was it to suit Ash or changing because she was now part of a couple and that often requires some changes or compromising?
Ash was a little to bossy for me, but I didn't feel like Lila changed to s..."

I think that it was to suit Ash, there was all this mention about Lila fixing her need to be in control, but nothing about Ash trying to fix his need to be in control.It just seemed like Ash was trying to mold Lila into what suited him best.

I saw a bit of a difference there. Lila made adjustments because she was keeping people at a distance, not allowing herself to have close, intimate relationships. Ash backed off to allow someone he cared for to manage her own life, different from his own personal experience with his family. They both made accommodations for completely different reasons. Neither abandoned their true natures, just let other people in on their terms. I'm not sure Ash needed to be in control...it's the role he was thrust into.

Just curious as to what you saw as Ash trying to mold Lila?

I still haven't read it! My library has twelve copies of the book and more than twelve holds ahead of mine. Slowly going stir crazy.

Grrr on your behalf!

Thank you! I knew my fellow NR Groupies would understand my pain. haha

I feel your pain. I also play the library game. I just won a hot off the press copy of Power Play by Catherine Coulter. I've been on the list for 3 months. Should get it sometime next week.

Congrats!

I HAVE IT! The library called and it's my turn! Apparently all that chanting and dancing during the full moon has given me my heart's desire- a copy of The Collector and the day off to read it.
Life is good.

Lol! Congrats:)

Yay!!!!

That's awesome Jennifer!

I finished it! I started reading and I couldn't put it down. Although I will admit I liked Luke and Julie as a couple a little more than Lila and Ash.
Man, I'm starving and exhausted. In that order.

Wow, that was fast!!

In the middle of this now. Pretty sure it will be among my favorite NR stand alones, along with "Carolina Moon", "Midnight Bayou" and "Tribute".

Shannon wrote: "In the middle of this now. Pretty sure it will be among my favorite NR stand alones, along with "Carolina Moon", "Midnight Bayou" and "Tribute"."

Shannon, Midnight Bayou remains my favorite, it was so good! Though the Collector and Black Hills have given it a run for it's money....

Jonetta, you'd be surprised how fast you can read a book when you ignore everything and everyone else around you. No regrets.

Shannon wrote: "In the middle of this now. Pretty sure it will be among my favorite NR stand alones, along with "Carolina Moon", "Midnight Bayou" and "Tribute"."

Shannon, Carolina Moon is my all-time favorite. Tribute was the book that started my NR obsession and Midnight Bayou has one of (if not my favorite) leading guy.

Haha, Jennifer I was that way with quite a few Nora books, I took a weekend and shut everything out to read.