Nora Roberts

"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.."--

Shadow spell

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.

Shadow Spell

Celeste Richardson

As with Dark Witch, Shadow Spell is fun but forgettable. Not Nora’s best work, but there’s still something about it that’s incredibly easy to read and even harder to put down. I believe everything Nora Roberts has ever written is worth reading, and even rereading, for the sheer ease of the reading. The stories and the characters and the romance are always somehow comforting, no matter the stakes.

Each installment of this trilogy begins with at least one chapter in the thirteenth century before flashing forward to modern day. These historical chapters give us a look at the three original children of the Dark Witch, the offspring of whom are our perspective characters in the present. The first book featured the lineage of Teagan, whose guide was the horse and whose present-day heir is Iona. This installment features Eamon, whose guide was the hawk and whose heir is Connor, one of the two full siblings involved in the story. And, through all three books, we are given glances into the mind of Brannaugh, the eldest and connected to the hound, whose heir is Brenna.

I really love Nora’s way of describing animals, and the emotions that relationships with them provoke. The way she described horses in Dark Witch, and the way she she describes hawks in this book, is magical and even breathtaking at times. I happened to see two hawks while walking my dogs during my reading of this book, and it was such a cool moment and a unique connection to have with the story.

A trope that I’ve always loved is that of childhood friends to lovers. I knew at first sight that my husband was the one for me, as cheesy as that sounds. I was sixteen at the time, and I never looked back. But I love the sweetness of a story where the protagonist and love interest have known each other their entire lives and have always been friends, when those friendly feelings slowly or suddenly develop into something more in adulthood. That’s the relationship in this book, and it was a lovely one.

Again, I enjoyed this book, but didn’t love it. There’s something insubstantial about this series. A bit rushed, a bit forced, the story is interesting but doesn’t go as deep as it could have. I did enjoy this installment a touch more than the first because I really love Connor, the male protagonist. His empathy and passion were very well balanced, and Nora just did an exceptional job crafting him. I like Meara, the female protagonist, as well, but Connor was the star of the show for me. 

I don’t remember much about the final installment in the series, but I do know there’s going to be a ton of angst. Which isn’t really my thing. But I’m too invested to stop now. So bring on the angst, I suppose.

Renee K Hopper

Fun read! Looking forward to the third book in this series.

Renee Delcourt

I think that I greatly preferred the first book in the series so far. I don't think that Shadow Spell was bad, but it felt very repetitive and kind of surface level in feelings... There's a lot more telling than showing and that always grates on me. In the grand scheme I didn't feel the same connection for Meara and Connor as I did for Iona and Boyle. Also.... Why does every book have an engagement? Why do they always need to be engaged?! Oh well that's a me problem I think

b.andherbooks

Book 2 of the Cousin O'Dwyer trilogy focuses on Connor and his connection to his ancestor Eamon, and the circle's battle to destory the evil sorceror Cabhan.

Obstensibly the story of how Connor realizes he has always loved childhood friend Meara, more time is spent dwelling on the epic battles (and failures) between the cousins, their circle, and the evil sorceror. There was too much "I got into this bad situation, I was rescued, now let me recount it for you again even though you just read through it." I would rather have spent more time exploring Meara and Connor's relationship and "getting" why they fell so quickly into love after ignoring it for twenty years. 

A bit repetitive for me, and I'm looking forward to finally seeing rape-y Cabhan defeated in book 3.

Shadow spell

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