I'm a closet Nora Roberts aficionado, and I love to binge sometimes, especially in the summer. I believe I read this series a way long time ago, but we received these gorgeous new editions at my library so I'm giving it another go.

I also recently finished her Cousin's O'Dwyer series, set in Ireland, and man do these two series share a lot of plot points (even magical incantations). I'm pretty over "so mote it be." BUT, that said, I vastly prefer this series as Roberts spends far less time with the old Salem witches the modern women are based off of, and a lot less time on the magic. Roberts excels when she focuses on characters.

Of all the Roberts I've read, Ripley and Mac may be my favorite couple. I mean, come on, the guy's name is Mack Booke (hah), and he's a super sexy, ripped, clutzy, absent minded professor, historian, and all around sweet guy who is dynamite in the sack because he studied it. He's also perfect for snarky, sarcastic, fire brand Ripley who needs an easy going guy who isn't going to take shit from her.

I think these two had the best moment of "break-up" in any romance novel I've ever read (you know, the point where you worry that your people aren't going to have their HEA). Ripley decides to dump Mac to protect him from herself, and he just pretends to go along with it, and it lasts about one page before they are on each other, and figuring out the other drama of the book. Perfect! Just what I like.

Huzzah.