Hidden Riches

Rating:
Summary: Nora Roberts Fans Will Enjoy This One
Review: First, let me say that I am a HUGE Nora Roberts fan! I have read nearly ever book she's written, including the chilling series penned as J.D. Robb. I have been reading her books for years, and she rarely lets me down. This is one of her earlier novels.

HIDDEN RICHES is a story about Dora Conroy, a feisty, beautiful woman who owns an antiques store in Philadelphia. Dora's store is broken into after she makes the winning bid on a painting at auction, which is really a priceless masterpiece disguised. Once the painting's real owner realizes a mistake has been made and someone else has his precious painting, it becomes the focus of much criminal attention, placing Dora in danger.

Jed Skimmerhorn is Dora's love interest in the novel. He is handsome, rich, socially prominent...except he is also miserably unhappy after the death of his sister, which he feels responsible for. He has gone into early retirement from the police force and is renting a room from Dora when she becomes a target for the criminals. The novel details their growing romance, Jed's internal battles as he tries to come to grips with his sister's death, and of course the battle between Jed and Dora vs. the criminals!

HIDDEN RICHES, in traditional Nora Roberts style, features great writing and witty dialogue that flows and feels natural for the two characters. As a few other reviewers have noticed, Jed's character was a little dark at times, in part because of the shadow of grief and guilt that seemed to hang over him. Dora was very light-hearted and quirky. Her family was especially loveable, as Jed soon found out--a troupe of actors with larger-than-life personas and huge hearts!

While I did enjoy the novel, I had to take off a few points because of the suspense-romance aspect. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres...it's usually a lot of fun, because you have two great characters who fall in love while trying to solve some kind of mystery together. However, the thing I didn't like about HIDDEN RICHES was that there really was no suspense. From the get-go, readers know who the bag guy is, and personally, I enjoy trying to figure out who the bad guy is! The only thing that built up as far as the suspense part of the novel goes is the ultimate confrontation between Jed & Dora and the villain.

Of course, Nora Roberts is a force to be reckoned with, and she has a very devoted following of fans. Her clever writing and strongly-drawn characters make her a favorite of mine. Anyone who has read the earlier romantic suspense novels Roberts is so popular for will have to add this book to their collection. I also recommend TRUE BETRAYALS and SWEET REVENGE.

Rating:
Summary: Hidden Riches is one of Nora's greatest treasures
Review: Hidden Riches, set in modern-day Philadelphia, brings together Jed Skimmerhorn, a discontented police captain and Dora Conway, an antiques dealer. Captain Skimmerhorn is the new tenant in the apartment located above Dora's antique shop and across from her own living quarters. No doubt that their feeling definite attraction toward each other, Skimmerhorn fights against his feelings for Dora and the loving, overwhelming Conway family. Forces change however when he is pulled in by Dora, who unwittingly stumbles into the evil world of art and antique smuggling valuable and finds her very existence threatened. Hidden Riches is quite a suspenseful story with a love story happening along the way. Skimmerhorn, a strong, brooding man has that some demons from his past to conquer. Dora is a strong character-a woman who is independent, intelligent, beautiful, and determined. Drawn together by forces greater than themselves, they are forced to face his past and the future neither had planned for. This book is one of my favorite that Ms. Roberts' has written - strong characters, excellent setting. One of Nora Roberts' greatest stories!

Rating:
Summary: This is a Great Book!!!
Review: I have only read a few of Nora Roberts's books and have never been a great fan until now. This book has what a romantic suspense book should have, a great balance of both. Most books lack in one or the other. What I also liked is that the suspense take hold of you early on and stays until end and the characters are well developed. I hope to find more like this.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: I just finished reading this, and I've read about 50 of her books, and this is one of my favorites. Dora, the main character is amazing, and never quits trying to defeat the villian, even when she's not sure who it is. There is a wonderful cast of characters, and you fall in love with all of them. And you are truly upset, when they are upset, and happy when they are happy. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: My first and favorite Nora Roberts book.
Review: I picked this book up while on vacation a few years ago. I had never heard of Nora Roberts and was not a romance fan. This story introduced me to Roberts and romance.

The plot revolves around Dora Conroy, a quirky proprietor of a small antique shop, who inadvertently interferes with the illegal shipment of some smuggled artwork and becomes the target of a ruthless and deadly businessman. Her new tenant Jed Skimmerhorn, an ex detective with the Philadelphia PD, is reluctantly attracted to Dora and feels obligated to protect her when the bad guys break into her apartment and threaten her. Add Dora's spirited family of actors and their bizarre show biz friends into the mix and you have the recipe for fun.

The story is at times humorous, often suspenseful, very romantic and always a great read. You won't want to miss this one.

Rating:
Summary: My first and favorite Nora Roberts book.
Review: I picked this book up while on vacation a few years ago. I had never heard of Nora Roberts and was not a romance fan. This story introduced me to Roberts and romance.

The plot revolves around Dora Conroy, a quirky proprietor of a small antique shop, who inadvertently interferes with the illegal shipment of some smuggled artwork and becomes the target of a ruthless and deadly businessman. Her new tenant Jed Skimmerhorn, an ex detective with the Philadelphia PD, is reluctantly attracted to Dora and feels obligated to protect her when the bad guys break into her apartment and threaten her. Add Dora's spirited family of actors and their bizarre show biz friends into the mix and you have the recipe for fun.

The story is at times humorous, often suspenseful, very romantic and always a great read. You won't want to miss this one.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific read!
Review: If you like Nora Roberts, this is Nora at her best. If you've never read her books, please do -- you won't be disappointed! In "Hidden Riches", Dora is a delightful character with the kind of quirky family we all wanted as kids! Jed is a gorgeous cop who is trying to reevaluate his life. Put them together, with a "love to hate'em" bad guy, and you've got a book that you won't want to put down. I've read this book several times over the years, and still love it.

Rating:
Summary: great read!
Review: The novel starts off with Jed Skimmerhorn, and ex-police officer. He moves into an apartment just above Dora's Parlor. Dora Conroy is an ex-actor who opened her own business selling antiques and collectibles. She is Jed's new landlord.

At an auction, Dora wins a few boxes of artwork and various trinkets, not knowing that they will get her into a lot of trouble with some smugglers and bring her closer to Jed.

This is an incredible romantic thriller. It was the first Nora Roberts novel I have ever read, and it inspired me to read many others.

Rating:
Summary: I've read them all...this one is the best!!!
Review: This is a fantastic book...it brings together all of Nora Robert's strongest talents. Fast, witty dialogue, a fascinating plot, deeply interesting seconday characters and two protagonists that make me laugh out loud and feel real empathy for their all too human foibles.
I may be in love with Jed Skimmerhorn for the rest of my life. I don't think anyone writes a male character for women better than Nora. They are all flawed and vulnerable, but you don't feel like mugging their therapist. They are annoying, infuriating, by turns selfish and self serving, but also sexy, warm, smart and gloriously interesting!!! Her female characters all make me want to have drinks with them. My highest compliment

Rating:
Summary: LOVED IT! LOVED IT!
Review: This is one of her best books I have read. I absolutley loved all her characters in the book. The storyline between Dora and Jed was fantastic. You could just sense Jed's pain when remembering his family and the discomfort of now knowing how to deal with Dora's family when first introduced to them (which by the way added a cute storyline on the side). I recommend this book to other readers.