Rating: 
Summary: Two Wonderful Romances!
Review: "Summer Pleasures" is a delightful omnibus of two related stories written by the amazing Nora Roberts in the mid-1980's. "Second Nature" and "One Summer" are both enchanting tales of summer passions and unexpected love that kept me captivated from start to finish. I am eternally grateful to Silhouette for re-printing Nora's older, out-of-print books so that I can have the pleasure of reading them all these years later!"Second Nature" tells the story of Lee Radcliffe, a highly successful reporter for Celebrity magazine. Lee is determined to get an exclusive interview with notoriously reclusive Hunter Brown, highly acclaimed author of horror fiction and one of the nation's most popular authors. When Lee gets a tip that Hunter will be speaking at a small writer's conference, she jumps on the opportunity and signs herself up. But when Lee finally gets to meet Hunter, he isn't at all what she expected. He has the most intense and unnerving eyes that seem to see right into her most private thoughts and he is dangerously handsome.
Hunter is intrigued by the stunningly beautiful Lee, who wears a thin coat of confidence over an excess of ever-present nervous energy. Hunter decides to agree to the interview on one condition, that Lee must join him on a two-week camping trip in Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon. Not one to let a little adversity keep her from her goal, Lee agrees and her journey with Hunter begins.
But as time goes by, Lee finds it harder and harder to deny her intense attraction to Hunter. Not only that, but as she learns more and more about Hunter, she begins to fall for the complex, intelligent, sensitive, and passionate man he keeps hidden from almost everyone. Lee and Hunter inevitably become lovers, and their romance will surely entice and satisfy readers. It's not long before Hunter realizes he has fallen irrevocably in love with Lee. But when Hunter asks Lee to spend her life with him, she is overcome by doubts about leaving her work in L.A. and taking a step into the unknown. So Lee pushes Hunter away and returns to the life she knows.
Will Lee sentence both herself and Hunter to a life of loneliness and longing because of her fear of failure? Or will she follow her heart, take the risk and find a lifetime of love and happiness in Hunter's arms?
"Second Nature" is a wonderful tale filled with fascinating characters and breathtaking descriptions that make you feel as if you are right there alongside Hunter and Lee! Though I really enjoyed "Second Nature", "One Summer" was my favourite of the two. Lee's good friend, Bryan Mitchell started her career as a photographer for Celebrity magazine, but has now turned to freelance work. When offered the opportunity to travel across the country and create a photo essay on summer in America, for Life-style magazine, Bryan is thrilled with the prospect. The only problem is she has to take on a partner if she wants the assignment, brooding and cynical photojournalist Shade Colby.
Shade isn't too pleased with having to take on a partner either, being a man who is happiest working alone. But because the assignment is so appealing, they both grudgingly agree to work together.
Unfortunately, Shade and Bryan have trouble agreeing on anything, and as they start their journey each grates on the other's nerves. But as time and states go by, Shade starts to appreciate Bryan's innate goodness and warmth, and learns to admire, if not agree with, her ability to look at only the positive side of life. Shade finds it harder and harder to control the raging desire he feels for Bryan and eventually he and Bryan can't deny their feelings any longer. Shade and Bryan's romance is filled with tenderness and affection as well as red-hot passion.
Though Bryan and Shade are both deeply in love with one another, neither of them seems capable of sharing those feelings. As the end of summer draws closer and closer, Bryan feels her heart break a little at the thought of losing Shade. Intending to make it easier on both of them, Bryan plans to fly home immediately once the assignment is done.
But will Bryan follow through with her plan and never let Shade know how she really feels about him? Or will fate intervene and give Shade the strength to show Bryan what's really in his heart?
"One Summer" is an undeniably great read. I loved both Bryan and Shade, and I found the storyline utterly absorbing. I was truly sad to see this story come to an end. In short, "Summer Pleasures" is a perfect summer read that will give readers several hours of pure enjoyment. This re-print is well worth your time and money, so buy "Summer Pleasures" today and get ready for some hot and satisfying summer romance!
Rating: 
Summary: Avid Nora Roberts Fan
Review: An enthusiast reader of all Nora Roberts books including
her J.D Robb series, this one pulled heart strings. Granted that this is one of her earlier works, it still reflects her talent for character development and the little details that makes her books so smart.
Rating:
Summary: Great stories by Nora
Review: Another two in one fron the Queen, Nora Roberts. Second Nature, and its sequel in a sense, One Summer, are classic Roberts. I personally prefered Second Nature, but One Summer is a good story nonetheless. Second Nature revolves around reporter Lee and her quest to get an interview from Hunter Brown. He agrees to the interview as long as she agrees to on a camping expedition with him. The trip turns out to be very funny. Lee is not at all an outdoors person, having come from the New York City if I remember correctly. She struggles to make it, and has a few funny moments, but she does grow as a character as she discovers a new side of herself. Hunter is a good Roberts Hero, and is a good match for Lee. But, she doesn't see it. Naturally there is some conflict, but it does work out. A great story all in all. One Summer features Bryan and Shade, two photographers going on a quest across America one summer. They have to take pictures that involve America, from its fun loving and happy side, to the seaminess that invades some parts of it. Along the way, the both learn about each other, and fall in love. This was the first story that I had ever read that used Bryan as a girls name, and it took me awhile to get used to it. I did like this story though. Both of these stories are great, and I like how they are repackaged as one, a great benefit to any Nora Roberts fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Summer Pleasures-Not entirely a pleasure
Review: I am a devoted Nora Roberts fan, and upon discovering this book, I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to read it. I read the back of the book and was convinced that it would be great.
However, when I came home and began reading, I realized something was wrong. The plots wereweak and I did not get into the stories easily. There was no chemistry between the four couples, and hardly any romance that I have come to expect from Mrs. Roberts. I could not relate to the characters, as I usually can.
The last story ended so quickly, it was as if she had just scribbled those last few paragraphs on the way to the mailbox to mail it to her publisher.
I hope that Mrs. Roberts writes a more substantial book.
Rating:
Summary: Summer Pleasures-Not entirely a pleasure
Review: I am a devoted Nora Roberts fan, and upon discovering this book, I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to read it. I read the back of the book and was convinced that it would be great.
However, when I came home and began reading, I realized something was wrong. The plots wereweak and I did not get into the stories easily. There was no chemistry between the four couples, and hardly any romance that I have come to expect from Mrs. Roberts. I could not relate to the characters, as I usually can.
The last story ended so quickly, it was as if she had just scribbled those last few paragraphs on the way to the mailbox to mail it to her publisher.
I hope that Mrs. Roberts writes a more substantial book.
Rating: 
Summary: fun enough, but not great
Review: I enjoyed reading the two books in this volume (this book has reprints of Second Nature and One Summer), but I don't think I'm going to keep this book around. Second Nature featured Lee Radcliffe, a reporter for Celebrity magazine, and Hunter Brown, a reclusive writer of popular horror novels. Lee is determined to get the interview of a lifetime, but the time she spends getting to know Hunter makes her think about more than just her article. One Summer featured a friend of Lee's, Bryan Mitchell, and Shade Colby. Shade and Bryan have to work together on a photography assignment. They see the world in entirely different ways - Shade sees the gritty sides of life, while Bryan enjoys the fun she finds - but that doesn't stop them from becoming attracted to one another. Although I did have fun reading the books, I didn't think any of the characters were really all that wonderful. They were okay, but they didn't grab me, and they aren't enough to entice me to reread this book. I liked the fact that both stories were basically about the characters finding out a lot about each other because of the closeness their circumstances demanded. Still, the characters weren't really up to par, and there were occaisionally little things that bugged me (we never find out what the genre of the book Lee is writing is, for instance). A lot of the first book felt like "Nora Roberts' Advice to Writers" (Hunter gave a lot of writing advice and opinions), and the second book seemed to end rather abruptly. I think there are better Nora Roberts books out there, although, if you can find a cheap copy, this still isn't a bad read.
Rating:
Summary: fun enough, but not great
Review: I enjoyed reading the two books in this volume (this book has reprints of Second Nature and One Summer), but I don't think I'm going to keep this book around. Second Nature featured Lee Radcliffe, a reporter for Celebrity magazine, and Hunter Brown, a reclusive writer of popular horror novels. Lee is determined to get the interview of a lifetime, but the time she spends getting to know Hunter makes her think about more than just her article. One Summer featured a friend of Lee's, Bryan Mitchell, and Shade Colby. Shade and Bryan have to work together on a photography assignment. They see the world in entirely different ways - Shade sees the gritty sides of life, while Bryan enjoys the fun she finds - but that doesn't stop them from becoming attracted to one another. Although I did have fun reading the books, I didn't think any of the characters were really all that wonderful. They were okay, but they didn't grab me, and they aren't enough to entice me to reread this book. I liked the fact that both stories were basically about the characters finding out a lot about each other because of the closeness their circumstances demanded. Still, the characters weren't really up to par, and there were occaisionally little things that bugged me (we never find out what the genre of the book Lee is writing is, for instance). A lot of the first book felt like "Nora Roberts' Advice to Writers" (Hunter gave a lot of writing advice and opinions), and the second book seemed to end rather abruptly. I think there are better Nora Roberts books out there, although, if you can find a cheap copy, this still isn't a bad read.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Story / Bad Romance
Review: I found Second Nature/One Summer to be one story in the same. Neither differed from the other, and so reading them back to back was like reading the same story twice. I found the narratives boring and the romance lacking.
Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: I have been so excited that Nora Roberts is re-publishing her old (and hard to find) books. I was especially excited because this was a 2-in-1 deal. However, after reading both stories I was VERY disappointed. Both plots were weak and the characters were even weaker. It was like Roberts just didn't care what she is writing about. Definately not her usual style. I suggest that you do not buy this novel and instead look into her other series.
Rating: 
Summary: Summer Pleasures
Review: I have loved every book of Nora's that I've read but this was the worst!! The first story was so boring, she is a snob and he is too brainy. I could only read a couple chapters! I read the second one through, but they were such opposites that the romance was unbelievable.
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