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Chesapeake Bay Saga #4
Chesapeake Blue
Seth Quinn is finally home.
It's been a long journey. After a harrowing boyhood with his drug-addicted mother, Seth had been taken in by the Quinn family, growing up with three older brothers who'd watched over him with love.
Now a grown man returning from Europe as a successful painter, Seth is settling down on Maryland's Eastern Shore, surrounded once again by Cam, Ethan, and Phil, their wives and children, and all the blessed chaos of the extended Quinn clan. Finally, he's back in the little blue-and-white house where there's always a boat at the dock, a rocker on the porch, and a dog in the yard.
Still, a lot has changed in St. Christopher's since he's been gone—and the most intriguing change of all is the presence of Dru Whitcomb Banks. A city girl who has opened a florist shop in this seaside town, she craves independence and the challenge of establishing herself without the influence of her wealthy connections. In Seth, she sees another kind of challenge—a challenge that she can't resist.
But storms are brewing that are about to put their relationship to the test. Dru's past has made her sensitive to deception and slow to trust. And Seth's past has made him a target of blackmail—as a secret he's kept hidden for years threatens to explode, destroying his new life and his new love.
It's been a long journey. After a harrowing boyhood with his drug-addicted mother, Seth had been taken in by the Quinn family, growing up with three older brothers who'd watched over him with love.
Now a grown man returning from Europe as a successful painter, Seth is settling down on Maryland's Eastern Shore, surrounded once again by Cam, Ethan, and Phil, their wives and children, and all the blessed chaos of the extended Quinn clan. Finally, he's back in the little blue-and-white house where there's always a boat at the dock, a rocker on the porch, and a dog in the yard.
Still, a lot has changed in St. Christopher's since he's been gone—and the most intriguing change of all is the presence of Dru Whitcomb Banks. A city girl who has opened a florist shop in this seaside town, she craves independence and the challenge of establishing herself without the influence of her wealthy connections. In Seth, she sees another kind of challenge—a challenge that she can't resist.
But storms are brewing that are about to put their relationship to the test. Dru's past has made her sensitive to deception and slow to trust. And Seth's past has made him a target of blackmail—as a secret he's kept hidden for years threatens to explode, destroying his new life and his new love.
357 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2002
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,780 books55.3k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,032 reviews
February 28, 2010
The main thing I object is, cliché. Am I that stupid? Yes, I am. I really enjoy romances, quick light fix of alpha male and alpha female, just it’s hard to find an intelligent romance. But it is. Most of them are so badly written, that every time when I see so many 5 stars, I think about the readers and the old lady and her cats metaphor. Don't you have any whatsoever criteria if you rate THIS book 5 stars?
Why do they have to be so transparent? Quick fix doesn't necessarily need to be shallow as well. I know there are good romantic writers out there, just I haven't had my luck. And because I'm a junkie, I need my fix. So, I settle with everything, anything. Although, Roberts has a reputation as big as ... I don't know what comparison to use. National bank where she keeps her trillions.
The stereotypes were just killing me in this Chesapeake Bay Saga. Starting with the food: all they ate was pizza, meatball subway, lasagna and pasta. Budweiser. Period. They swear, they are gentle, they’re rough and they like their steaks blue rare. And they are all mind loosingly good looking. Like, properly good looking, like you would jump on them straight away. Like a nymphomaniac on a fly.
CAMERON, the oldest adopted brother is speedy, sexy, hands under skirt type of guy, been racing and likes speed, who met stunningly gorgeous almond shaped eye Anna, the Italian social worker. These two are fire, and they remain fire until the end. But, when I was reading their dialogues, it was so predictable. Why do you do that Nora Roberts? New York Times best seller countless times. You? The cats are meowing, sorry, I need to feed them.
Second brother ETHAN is an introverted fisherman, barely speaks, only hangs out with his boat and dog and is in love with Grace, first neighbor, who is sweet and good and peachy peach. PHILLIP, third brother, is an Armani wearing punk, falls in love with BA, MA, PhD psychologist Sybill, who was fucked up, but came to her senses. And the fourth brother SETH, with his upper DC class girlfriend Drusilla. And Seth is like - new Jackson Pollock.
And then Roberts tries to be smart as hell, and she starts writing about Seth's paintings. Because, you know, he’s seen the world. Rome, Cork and Paris. Wow, did you really? Did you really Seth?! Is world really THAT big? Will you tell me about your paintings? Weeeeell, if you wanna know sugar, I’ll tell ya all. When in Rome you’ll call every woman bella and you’ll paint Spanish steps, because you know, when in Rome.... In Paris you’ll paint Eiffel tower, because you know, c’est la vie. And of course in Ireland, all colors are green, and people there are happy, happy happiness all around me people, who only think and talk about leprechauns and they search for lucky shamrocks, because Irish are all ‘away with the fairies’.
And then when you get bored with travelling, you’ll paint a man and his boat aka presenting character's inner disturbances (never seen that coming!), wheat fields during the summer and a little girl with a red balloon in it, and if you are in a special mood, you’ll paint the love of your life, covered with just rose petals. Really Seth, red roses, my favourite flowers are red roses. You just outwit yourself in originality. Let me grab you another Bud and pizza with all the toppings.
Annoying as hell. No, I am annoying as hell. Because you really have to be a dumbass to like it so much to give it more than 2 stars.
Why do they have to be so transparent? Quick fix doesn't necessarily need to be shallow as well. I know there are good romantic writers out there, just I haven't had my luck. And because I'm a junkie, I need my fix. So, I settle with everything, anything. Although, Roberts has a reputation as big as ... I don't know what comparison to use. National bank where she keeps her trillions.
The stereotypes were just killing me in this Chesapeake Bay Saga. Starting with the food: all they ate was pizza, meatball subway, lasagna and pasta. Budweiser. Period. They swear, they are gentle, they’re rough and they like their steaks blue rare. And they are all mind loosingly good looking. Like, properly good looking, like you would jump on them straight away. Like a nymphomaniac on a fly.
CAMERON, the oldest adopted brother is speedy, sexy, hands under skirt type of guy, been racing and likes speed, who met stunningly gorgeous almond shaped eye Anna, the Italian social worker. These two are fire, and they remain fire until the end. But, when I was reading their dialogues, it was so predictable. Why do you do that Nora Roberts? New York Times best seller countless times. You? The cats are meowing, sorry, I need to feed them.
Second brother ETHAN is an introverted fisherman, barely speaks, only hangs out with his boat and dog and is in love with Grace, first neighbor, who is sweet and good and peachy peach. PHILLIP, third brother, is an Armani wearing punk, falls in love with BA, MA, PhD psychologist Sybill, who was fucked up, but came to her senses. And the fourth brother SETH, with his upper DC class girlfriend Drusilla. And Seth is like - new Jackson Pollock.
And then Roberts tries to be smart as hell, and she starts writing about Seth's paintings. Because, you know, he’s seen the world. Rome, Cork and Paris. Wow, did you really? Did you really Seth?! Is world really THAT big? Will you tell me about your paintings? Weeeeell, if you wanna know sugar, I’ll tell ya all. When in Rome you’ll call every woman bella and you’ll paint Spanish steps, because you know, when in Rome.... In Paris you’ll paint Eiffel tower, because you know, c’est la vie. And of course in Ireland, all colors are green, and people there are happy, happy happiness all around me people, who only think and talk about leprechauns and they search for lucky shamrocks, because Irish are all ‘away with the fairies’.
And then when you get bored with travelling, you’ll paint a man and his boat aka presenting character's inner disturbances (never seen that coming!), wheat fields during the summer and a little girl with a red balloon in it, and if you are in a special mood, you’ll paint the love of your life, covered with just rose petals. Really Seth, red roses, my favourite flowers are red roses. You just outwit yourself in originality. Let me grab you another Bud and pizza with all the toppings.
Annoying as hell. No, I am annoying as hell. Because you really have to be a dumbass to like it so much to give it more than 2 stars.
February 19, 2019
It's always sad when you finish reading a book or a series, to say goodbye to characters you fell in love with, characters that become part of you while reading.
Each character from the Chesapeake Bay Saga became a part of me, made me want to be part of their amazing family and it's so sad to know Chesapeake Blue was the last book.
Chesapeake Blue brings us back to Seth Quinn, the last boy Ray rescued and who Cameron, Ethan and Phillip took care of after Ray died.
Seth's coming back from Europe, he's all grown up, an artist and ready to stay in St. Chris to live.
Of course we get to see the rest of the characters we met in Sea Swept, Rising Tides and Inner Harbor back as well. Cam, Ethan, Phil, Anna, Grace and Sybill are part of this story too.
So much happened in their lives and they're still so much in love and love each other. I was so happy to read about them again.
This book had the perfect balance between Seth falling in love with Drusilla (who's new in St. Chris and is a likeable heroine, perfect match for him) as well as interactions between the Quinn family. Both parts were wonderful to read, but of course my favorite part was the family aspect. I almost cried through many parts of the story. I couldn't stop grinning and laughing and suffering along with them.
My only complaint about the book was the ending because I would've loved to read an ending that close the entire series, but I guess the point of this ending was to let us know that the Quinn's story didn't end there because there's so much more things they'll live, so much more love they'll share. And also Nora put a lot of Cam and Anna (my favorite couple) in the book so I can forget that ending detail, haha.
Ok, I'll stop here because I don't want to spoil more things to those who haven't read it.
The Chesapeake Bay Saga is so worth reading. Nora Roberts fans who haven't read it, you won't regret it. Those suckers for romance like me who also want to read about family, you won't regret reading this series either. Even those who just like reading about two people falling in love won't regret reading about family too because the Quinn family has that something that will make you love them. And yes, read the series starting from book one. Maybe the fourth book could be a stand alone but you won't enjoy it as much if you don't start from book one.
Thank you Nora for writing such an amazing, heart-touching series with great and amazing characters.
It will certainly stay with me for a long time.
Each character from the Chesapeake Bay Saga became a part of me, made me want to be part of their amazing family and it's so sad to know Chesapeake Blue was the last book.
Chesapeake Blue brings us back to Seth Quinn, the last boy Ray rescued and who Cameron, Ethan and Phillip took care of after Ray died.
Seth's coming back from Europe, he's all grown up, an artist and ready to stay in St. Chris to live.
Of course we get to see the rest of the characters we met in Sea Swept, Rising Tides and Inner Harbor back as well. Cam, Ethan, Phil, Anna, Grace and Sybill are part of this story too.
So much happened in their lives and they're still so much in love and love each other. I was so happy to read about them again.
This book had the perfect balance between Seth falling in love with Drusilla (who's new in St. Chris and is a likeable heroine, perfect match for him) as well as interactions between the Quinn family. Both parts were wonderful to read, but of course my favorite part was the family aspect. I almost cried through many parts of the story. I couldn't stop grinning and laughing and suffering along with them.
My only complaint about the book was the ending because I would've loved to read an ending that close the entire series, but I guess the point of this ending was to let us know that the Quinn's story didn't end there because there's so much more things they'll live, so much more love they'll share. And also Nora put a lot of Cam and Anna (my favorite couple) in the book so I can forget that ending detail, haha.
Ok, I'll stop here because I don't want to spoil more things to those who haven't read it.
The Chesapeake Bay Saga is so worth reading. Nora Roberts fans who haven't read it, you won't regret it. Those suckers for romance like me who also want to read about family, you won't regret reading this series either. Even those who just like reading about two people falling in love won't regret reading about family too because the Quinn family has that something that will make you love them. And yes, read the series starting from book one. Maybe the fourth book could be a stand alone but you won't enjoy it as much if you don't start from book one.
Thank you Nora for writing such an amazing, heart-touching series with great and amazing characters.
It will certainly stay with me for a long time.
January 2, 2024
"Time to look forward, Seth. You don't want to ever forget what's behind you, but you've got to look ahead."
When I was a kid falling in love with books, I dreamed of finding an author I could love as much as I love Nora Roberts. She paints a dream, she creates a lifetime, and somehow, she keeps surprising me.
It's not that I didn't love every book that came before this, because I did, but I fully believe they were all the base for the real story. The thing about Nora that I can always count on is that there is going to be a beginning, a middle, and an end. You can almost point out exactly where those transitions are, and it's such a comfort to me.
In her series, it's a little less definitive. Chesapeake Bay was definable, and perfect. The beginning of Seth's life was devastating and terrible, terrifying and heart breaking. He finds a family who takes him in, loves him, and cherish him and yet still he can't seem to break from his history. In the first three, we didn't seem to get an end... and in this one we did.
Being a part of Seth's life, watching him grow up into the man he is now, it was so much fun and filled my heart right up. I adored watching him come home and truly start the life he has never been anything less than grateful for. I loved watching the family become fully one again, and I enjoyed watching Dru become a part of such a close knit world so much. She fit in perfectly, just as anyone would have had to with the Quinn's.
The moments in between hurt are the ones that matter the most, and watching Seth accept that throughout this book was incredible. It made me stop and wonder if I do enough every day to love all that I am lucky enough to have around me. I hope I do.
Being a part of the Quinn family was a joy, and I know that until I run out of Nora books, I will always be able to trust her to make a family out of words on a page. A family that feels like my own, and that I will constantly love like my own.
When I was a kid falling in love with books, I dreamed of finding an author I could love as much as I love Nora Roberts. She paints a dream, she creates a lifetime, and somehow, she keeps surprising me.
It's not that I didn't love every book that came before this, because I did, but I fully believe they were all the base for the real story. The thing about Nora that I can always count on is that there is going to be a beginning, a middle, and an end. You can almost point out exactly where those transitions are, and it's such a comfort to me.
In her series, it's a little less definitive. Chesapeake Bay was definable, and perfect. The beginning of Seth's life was devastating and terrible, terrifying and heart breaking. He finds a family who takes him in, loves him, and cherish him and yet still he can't seem to break from his history. In the first three, we didn't seem to get an end... and in this one we did.
Being a part of Seth's life, watching him grow up into the man he is now, it was so much fun and filled my heart right up. I adored watching him come home and truly start the life he has never been anything less than grateful for. I loved watching the family become fully one again, and I enjoyed watching Dru become a part of such a close knit world so much. She fit in perfectly, just as anyone would have had to with the Quinn's.
The moments in between hurt are the ones that matter the most, and watching Seth accept that throughout this book was incredible. It made me stop and wonder if I do enough every day to love all that I am lucky enough to have around me. I hope I do.
Being a part of the Quinn family was a joy, and I know that until I run out of Nora books, I will always be able to trust her to make a family out of words on a page. A family that feels like my own, and that I will constantly love like my own.
February 4, 2018
Seth's story. A beautiful love story! Seth has grown up and traveled the world as a famous artist. But then the villain of his life sends him home. There he meets a beautiful florist from an influential family.
What is the usual pick up line an artist uses? "I want to paint you." Of course this leads to love and romps in the studio. (I was going to say hay, but its not a western.)
A couple of my favorite things in this part of the series was the ghostly visitor of Seth's and the little tidbit where they are listening to Darcy Gallagher's Irish music. Love little 'Easter eggs.'
There were a few little plot holes, but you'll catch them. Read past them and just enjoy Nora's encore to the Quinns.
Now, could we have another encore and get Aubrey's story? Please? 🙏🏻
What is the usual pick up line an artist uses? "I want to paint you." Of course this leads to love and romps in the studio. (I was going to say hay, but its not a western.)
A couple of my favorite things in this part of the series was the ghostly visitor of Seth's and the little tidbit where they are listening to Darcy Gallagher's Irish music. Love little 'Easter eggs.'
There were a few little plot holes, but you'll catch them. Read past them and just enjoy Nora's encore to the Quinns.
Now, could we have another encore and get Aubrey's story? Please? 🙏🏻
August 30, 2020
Translation widget on The blog!!!
“Fructul oprit” ne oferă povestea lui Seth, o poveste mult așteptată de iubitorii seriei.
Seth, devenit un tânăr pictor valoros, a rămas în continuare un tip deschis și iubitor față de propria familie.
A fost o reală plăcere să-i reîntâlnim pe membrii familiei Quinn la aproape două decade de momentul copilăriei lui Seth, să vedem dinamica acestei familii aparte, care a reușit să influențeze în bine viața unui copil ce a avut parte numai de grozăvii.
Pe Dru o cunoaștem tot prin intermediul lui Seth, când acesta cumpără flori pentru femeile din viața lui, care l-au influențat și care l-au iubit din tot sufletul.
O poveste intensă, o atracție puternică, și sentimente ce își fac apariția în forță și dau totul peste cap. Și asta nu e totul! Gloria pândește din umbră...
Avem parte de emoții intense, de dureri și cicatrici care încă nu s-au vindecat pe deplin, de unitatea familiei și iubirea necondiționată care dau putere. Puterea de a lăsa trecutul în urmă și de a privi cu speranță spre viitor.
Impresiile complete le găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
“Fructul oprit” ne oferă povestea lui Seth, o poveste mult așteptată de iubitorii seriei.
Seth, devenit un tânăr pictor valoros, a rămas în continuare un tip deschis și iubitor față de propria familie.
A fost o reală plăcere să-i reîntâlnim pe membrii familiei Quinn la aproape două decade de momentul copilăriei lui Seth, să vedem dinamica acestei familii aparte, care a reușit să influențeze în bine viața unui copil ce a avut parte numai de grozăvii.
Pe Dru o cunoaștem tot prin intermediul lui Seth, când acesta cumpără flori pentru femeile din viața lui, care l-au influențat și care l-au iubit din tot sufletul.
O poveste intensă, o atracție puternică, și sentimente ce își fac apariția în forță și dau totul peste cap. Și asta nu e totul! Gloria pândește din umbră...
Avem parte de emoții intense, de dureri și cicatrici care încă nu s-au vindecat pe deplin, de unitatea familiei și iubirea necondiționată care dau putere. Puterea de a lăsa trecutul în urmă și de a privi cu speranță spre viitor.
Impresiile complete le găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
May 13, 2023
3 Estrellitas. Llegué al broche de la serie de los hermanos Quinn, y aunque me ha gustado, no me ha encantado. Siendo sincera, esperaba mucho de ésta serie, pero dentro del repertorio de Nora Roberts, me ha sabido a poco.
Este cuarto y último libro "La bahía azul", es el "regalo" de la autora a los fans, pero no sé si muy necesario o no, creo que Nora Roberts podría haber prescindido de él.
Han pasado casi veinte años desde las anteriores novelas de los hermanos Quinn. Cam, Ethan y Phillip han crecido y madurado junto con sus esposas y los hijos que les han dado. Su negocio ha prosperado y tienen una vida idílica, pero ésta vez le toca su historia a Seth, el menor de los hermanos.
Seth era un niño de diez años cuando fue adoptado por Ray Quinn, el último de sus niños perdidos, hasta que un accidente lo mató, y en su lecho de muerte hizo prometer a sus hijos que cuidarían de Seth.
Seth se ha hecho un hombre, y también un pintor de renombre que se está ganando cierta fama en Europa. Ha vivido en Europa durante cinco años, hasta que decide volver a Saint Christopher, el pueblo de la bahía de Chesapeake donde viven sus hermanos y sus familias, y donde siempre tendrá un sitio.
Druscilla es nueva también en Saint Christopher, y está huyendo de una vida monótona y opresiva. Hace poco abrió en el pueblo una floristería de la que se siente plenamente feliz y orgullosa, pero lo que no quiere es una historia romántica, ni enamorarse de nadie, sobre todo después de su última experiencia.
Cuando Seth conoce a Dru, algo se enciende en él, y quiere a ésa chica, y hará todo lo posible por conseguir una cita con ella y conocerla.
Su historia no será fácil, Dru viene de una vida privilegiada en Washington, donde el dinero y la posición social lo son todo. Por otro lado, Seth sería admitido en ésa vida y en el ambiente familiar de Dru, donde su trabajo se vería como una excentricidad que da bien de comer. Pero Seth trae consigo un bagaje difícil de ocultar, y son sus diez primeros años de vida con Gloria DeLauter, y sus extorsiones, pues Gloria nunca desapareció del todo, y volverá para complicar la vida de los Quinn.
Sinceramente, el libro no hacía falta, y no la hacía porque Seth quedaba como un niño feliz en una casa donde le querían. No hacía falta que Gloria volviera para amargar la existencia de los protagonistas.
En cuanto al romance, me ha resultado algo soso y poco creíble. Me ha parecido un instalove, con una protagonista que intenta resistirse a lo que siente; por eso mismo, Dru me ha parecido algo fría y distante para Seth.
No, no he terminado de congeniar con ésta historia, aunque puede leerse sin problemas.
Por otro lado, finiquito otra serie de Nora Roberts, que siempre es un placer leerla. Y más adelante leeré otra suya, solo espero que mis expectativas no sean muy altas para que no me pase lo mismo que con ésta serie.
Este cuarto y último libro "La bahía azul", es el "regalo" de la autora a los fans, pero no sé si muy necesario o no, creo que Nora Roberts podría haber prescindido de él.
Han pasado casi veinte años desde las anteriores novelas de los hermanos Quinn. Cam, Ethan y Phillip han crecido y madurado junto con sus esposas y los hijos que les han dado. Su negocio ha prosperado y tienen una vida idílica, pero ésta vez le toca su historia a Seth, el menor de los hermanos.
Seth era un niño de diez años cuando fue adoptado por Ray Quinn, el último de sus niños perdidos, hasta que un accidente lo mató, y en su lecho de muerte hizo prometer a sus hijos que cuidarían de Seth.
Seth se ha hecho un hombre, y también un pintor de renombre que se está ganando cierta fama en Europa. Ha vivido en Europa durante cinco años, hasta que decide volver a Saint Christopher, el pueblo de la bahía de Chesapeake donde viven sus hermanos y sus familias, y donde siempre tendrá un sitio.
Druscilla es nueva también en Saint Christopher, y está huyendo de una vida monótona y opresiva. Hace poco abrió en el pueblo una floristería de la que se siente plenamente feliz y orgullosa, pero lo que no quiere es una historia romántica, ni enamorarse de nadie, sobre todo después de su última experiencia.
Cuando Seth conoce a Dru, algo se enciende en él, y quiere a ésa chica, y hará todo lo posible por conseguir una cita con ella y conocerla.
Su historia no será fácil, Dru viene de una vida privilegiada en Washington, donde el dinero y la posición social lo son todo. Por otro lado, Seth sería admitido en ésa vida y en el ambiente familiar de Dru, donde su trabajo se vería como una excentricidad que da bien de comer. Pero Seth trae consigo un bagaje difícil de ocultar, y son sus diez primeros años de vida con Gloria DeLauter, y sus extorsiones, pues Gloria nunca desapareció del todo, y volverá para complicar la vida de los Quinn.
Sinceramente, el libro no hacía falta, y no la hacía porque Seth quedaba como un niño feliz en una casa donde le querían. No hacía falta que Gloria volviera para amargar la existencia de los protagonistas.
En cuanto al romance, me ha resultado algo soso y poco creíble. Me ha parecido un instalove, con una protagonista que intenta resistirse a lo que siente; por eso mismo, Dru me ha parecido algo fría y distante para Seth.
No, no he terminado de congeniar con ésta historia, aunque puede leerse sin problemas.
Por otro lado, finiquito otra serie de Nora Roberts, que siempre es un placer leerla. Y más adelante leeré otra suya, solo espero que mis expectativas no sean muy altas para que no me pase lo mismo que con ésta serie.
July 16, 2015
Definitely the best of the series, but not truly outstanding. I really wish Roberts had grown past the whole Gloria DeLauter nonsense. Those parts dragged this down a whole star, though not just for her appearances. The problem with Gloria in this one that didn't impact the others is that she fundamentally altered Seth as a character. That she still had power over him weakened him in ways that felt untrue. We've spent three books and eighteen years telling Seth that "if you take on one Quinn, you face them all". And he still doesn't believe that? Ugh. He went from take-charge artist with a sense of ownership and ties to his rural community to a spineless wimp acting on fear and self-loathing.
Okay. Got that out of the way. I loved the romance. Dru is nine kinds of awesome. I particularly loved that she had Gloria pegged even before she knew who she was. That was outstanding. And I loved their relationship and banter over what constituted a date and what didn't. And Aubrey was a hoot (that kissing scene had me laughing out loud—for reals, not the polite internet LOL).
So lots of win. But one big loss that drags this back into the normal range for the series.
A note about Steamy: Normal for Roberts and at the low end of my middle range. Two explicit scenes, one a little edgier than normal, but not terribly so.
Okay. Got that out of the way. I loved the romance. Dru is nine kinds of awesome. I particularly loved that she had Gloria pegged even before she knew who she was. That was outstanding. And I loved their relationship and banter over what constituted a date and what didn't. And Aubrey was a hoot (that kissing scene had me laughing out loud—for reals, not the polite internet LOL).
So lots of win. But one big loss that drags this back into the normal range for the series.
A note about Steamy: Normal for Roberts and at the low end of my middle range. Two explicit scenes, one a little edgier than normal, but not terribly so.
July 30, 2008
The 4th and final book in the Chesapeake Bay / Quinn Brothers series. And yet another highly enjoyable book. I love rereading this one simply for the story (though the romance is good as well).
It's been 18 years since the Quinn brothers took Seth in and gave him a home. Eighteen years since he escaped the horrible life his mother led. He's never forgotten how lucky he is, and how much he owes to Cam, Ethan, Phillip and their wives. For the last few years, he's been traveling the world, painting and gaining a reputation. But now he's ready to come home, back to the little town of St Christopher on the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, the one thing he hoped to escape follows him, dragging the past along with it. All he wants to do is protect his family and the woman who has become such an important part of his life, but it won't be as easy as he hopes.
This is such a great book to read because Seth is not just some random character. He was a featured player in the 3 previous books in the series where you learned about his tragic childhood, how damaged and afraid he was, and how much his life changed because of the love of the Quinns. He's a character you're already firmly attached to. So to read about his later years and how he finds the love of his life, it's just really nice. I thought Roberts did a good job with the storyline of this book - showing how Seth still struggles with his past and how that relates to his family. I'll admit the "finale" made me a bit sad, but even so, you knew the Quinns would be all right. Together, they could do anything.
I loved how Roberts used Stella in this story. It fit so well with what she'd done in the previous books. I actually got a little teary-eyed at how her first appearance in the book played out. And the Zucchini Bread Football thing was hilarious.
The romance between Seth and Dru was solid. Dru did remind me a little of Sybill (Inner Harbor) but she was more relatable and likable. I like how their love story played out. It was slowly built, which is nice to read for a change, instead of just two people just jumping into the sack. It made their relationship very believable.
Another great aspect is getting to catch up with all the Quinns. The scenes with them were wonderful. I love Cam. He's such a great character. And it was great to see Aubrey grown up - though I was surprised by how Roberts wrote her character. But it fit.
All-around, this is a nice feel-good romance to read. The characters are wonderful as is the romance and the storyline. The book is a great addition to the Chesapeake Bay Saga.
It's been 18 years since the Quinn brothers took Seth in and gave him a home. Eighteen years since he escaped the horrible life his mother led. He's never forgotten how lucky he is, and how much he owes to Cam, Ethan, Phillip and their wives. For the last few years, he's been traveling the world, painting and gaining a reputation. But now he's ready to come home, back to the little town of St Christopher on the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, the one thing he hoped to escape follows him, dragging the past along with it. All he wants to do is protect his family and the woman who has become such an important part of his life, but it won't be as easy as he hopes.
This is such a great book to read because Seth is not just some random character. He was a featured player in the 3 previous books in the series where you learned about his tragic childhood, how damaged and afraid he was, and how much his life changed because of the love of the Quinns. He's a character you're already firmly attached to. So to read about his later years and how he finds the love of his life, it's just really nice. I thought Roberts did a good job with the storyline of this book - showing how Seth still struggles with his past and how that relates to his family. I'll admit the "finale" made me a bit sad, but even so, you knew the Quinns would be all right. Together, they could do anything.
I loved how Roberts used Stella in this story. It fit so well with what she'd done in the previous books. I actually got a little teary-eyed at how her first appearance in the book played out. And the Zucchini Bread Football thing was hilarious.
The romance between Seth and Dru was solid. Dru did remind me a little of Sybill (Inner Harbor) but she was more relatable and likable. I like how their love story played out. It was slowly built, which is nice to read for a change, instead of just two people just jumping into the sack. It made their relationship very believable.
Another great aspect is getting to catch up with all the Quinns. The scenes with them were wonderful. I love Cam. He's such a great character. And it was great to see Aubrey grown up - though I was surprised by how Roberts wrote her character. But it fit.
All-around, this is a nice feel-good romance to read. The characters are wonderful as is the romance and the storyline. The book is a great addition to the Chesapeake Bay Saga.
January 21, 2016
Final rating: 4.25/5 stars
It seems it's Nora's thing to end the books suddenly. I'm not fan of that and that makes gets me thrown off the rail. Not really a good idea as all books need some sort of epilogue - especially when most things are sorted out, even if it is just 2 more pages about a week later, month later, year later.
But I came to love her writing and her stories and will definitely read more books by her.
Loved this one too, but it was a bit weaker than the previous three books in the series, but overall, it was nice addition and it was about time to read about Seth even if it's 20 or so years later.
We met Seth through all three books and his development as a character was ongoing through them. From scarred, terrified, guarded, he turned into better version of himself, thanks to the Quinn family - now his real family.
He went to the world, explored different countries and made his career an art one. Now a well known and talented artist, he decides it's time to return home... but that's not the only reason.
Now catching up with his family and his friends, he meets a new flower shop manager Drusilla Whitcomb Banks, and she is definitely out of his league.
And Gloria doesn't intend to let go of her now successful son... yet.
◈ Seth has changed a lot during the last 18 years. Now almost 30 years old, he is a successful artist who traveled Europe and decided to come back home. After spending his first third of life in utter misery caused by his mother, he found salvation in Quinn family - and their ghosts. As damaged as he was, it took time to reach out to him and show him his life could be better, especially now. And he took it. Now, Seth is more confident, straight forward and cockier than before, and has grown up in a man who cares too much... so much it destroys him from the inside. Instead of being honest and telling the truth, he would rather stay away and keep his troubles to himself. And when he meets Drusilla, he gets attracted to her: he needs to make as many portraits of her he is able. And when he finds out she is renting space above her workshop, he takes it as his studio. A perfect place to think, draw and escape when it's necessary.
◈ Drusilla is a 26 years old woman who grew up in a rich family - prestigious, well known and extravagant. She got tired of that life the moment her relationship failed and when she figured out she needs to be her own woman - no pressure by the other people and no one to tell her how to live her life. So, she bought a place, got a flower shop running and managing in a small town. And then she meets Seth. But her betrayed heart has a hard time dealing with possibilities of perusing new relationships.
◈ Quinn family is getting bigger and bigger. Most of the couples have sons and daughters and are spending their lives in bliss and happiness. Boat business has been going on for 18 years already and it's been prosperous. Happy and content with their lives, all of them are even happier to see Seth return. Aubrey has grown up in a wonderful young woman and is almost sisterly like to Seth, given their connection in the past. Also, it was wonderful to read about , because it was needed, and now it's even better.
Wonderful series indeed. I have not regretted reading it at all and I enjoyed reading about these 4 idiotic brothers and their wonderful families. Somehow I just wasn't that immersed into reading this last one, but it as good as others were. Overall, nice series.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO:
⚠ Standalone: No. Part of a series. DO NOT READ AS STAND-ALONE BOOK, EVERY BOOK IN THIS SERIES IS CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER BY STORY.
⚠ Point of View: Third POV, multiply characters.
⚠ Cliffhanger:No.
⚠ Triggers:
⚠ Love triangle: No.
⚠ Angst: Yes.
⚠ Supernatural: Now 100% certain:
⚠ Explicit content: Yes
⚠ Ending type:
⚠ Recommended: Yes
◈ Sea Swept (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #1)
◈ Rising Tides (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #2)
◈ Inner Harbor (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #3)
◈ Chesapeake Blue (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #4)
Other works by Nora Roberts - Stand alone books:
◈ Whiskey Beach
◈ Honest Illusions
◈ Northern Lights
It seems it's Nora's thing to end the books suddenly. I'm not fan of that and that makes gets me thrown off the rail. Not really a good idea as all books need some sort of epilogue - especially when most things are sorted out, even if it is just 2 more pages about a week later, month later, year later.
But I came to love her writing and her stories and will definitely read more books by her.
Loved this one too, but it was a bit weaker than the previous three books in the series, but overall, it was nice addition and it was about time to read about Seth even if it's 20 or so years later.
► STORY:
We met Seth through all three books and his development as a character was ongoing through them. From scarred, terrified, guarded, he turned into better version of himself, thanks to the Quinn family - now his real family.
He went to the world, explored different countries and made his career an art one. Now a well known and talented artist, he decides it's time to return home... but that's not the only reason.
Now catching up with his family and his friends, he meets a new flower shop manager Drusilla Whitcomb Banks, and she is definitely out of his league.
And Gloria doesn't intend to let go of her now successful son... yet.
► CHARACTERS:
◈ Seth has changed a lot during the last 18 years. Now almost 30 years old, he is a successful artist who traveled Europe and decided to come back home. After spending his first third of life in utter misery caused by his mother, he found salvation in Quinn family - and their ghosts. As damaged as he was, it took time to reach out to him and show him his life could be better, especially now. And he took it. Now, Seth is more confident, straight forward and cockier than before, and has grown up in a man who cares too much... so much it destroys him from the inside. Instead of being honest and telling the truth, he would rather stay away and keep his troubles to himself. And when he meets Drusilla, he gets attracted to her: he needs to make as many portraits of her he is able. And when he finds out she is renting space above her workshop, he takes it as his studio. A perfect place to think, draw and escape when it's necessary.
◈ Drusilla is a 26 years old woman who grew up in a rich family - prestigious, well known and extravagant. She got tired of that life the moment her relationship failed and when she figured out she needs to be her own woman - no pressure by the other people and no one to tell her how to live her life. So, she bought a place, got a flower shop running and managing in a small town. And then she meets Seth. But her betrayed heart has a hard time dealing with possibilities of perusing new relationships.
◈ Quinn family is getting bigger and bigger. Most of the couples have sons and daughters and are spending their lives in bliss and happiness. Boat business has been going on for 18 years already and it's been prosperous. Happy and content with their lives, all of them are even happier to see Seth return. Aubrey has grown up in a wonderful young woman and is almost sisterly like to Seth, given their connection in the past. Also, it was wonderful to read about , because it was needed, and now it's even better.
► OVERALL:
Wonderful series indeed. I have not regretted reading it at all and I enjoyed reading about these 4 idiotic brothers and their wonderful families. Somehow I just wasn't that immersed into reading this last one, but it as good as others were. Overall, nice series.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO:
⚠ Standalone: No. Part of a series. DO NOT READ AS STAND-ALONE BOOK, EVERY BOOK IN THIS SERIES IS CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER BY STORY.
⚠ Point of View: Third POV, multiply characters.
⚠ Cliffhanger:No.
⚠ Triggers:
⚠ Love triangle: No.
⚠ Angst: Yes.
⚠ Supernatural: Now 100% certain:
⚠ Explicit content: Yes
⚠ Ending type:
⚠ Recommended: Yes
► REVIEW(S) RELATED TO THIS BOOK:
◈ Sea Swept (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #1)
◈ Rising Tides (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #2)
◈ Inner Harbor (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #3)
◈ Chesapeake Blue (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #4)
Other works by Nora Roberts - Stand alone books:
◈ Whiskey Beach
◈ Honest Illusions
◈ Northern Lights
March 29, 2011
Nothing But Nora Week, Book 2
Chesapeake Blue is the last book in the Chesapeake Bay Saga. It's the story of Seth Quinn, the youngest of the Quinn brothers, who has just returned home after a few years in Italy. Seth is now an up-and-coming painter who's making waves in art circles, but his heart, as always, lies with his family in St.Christopher, on the Maryland Shore. Soon after moving back, he encounters the fascinating Drusilla Whitcomb Banks, who has just opened a florist's shop in St. Christopher, and is immediately struck by the desire to paint her. Dru's been hurt before, and her complicated family history doesn't let her open up to people very easily, but as she gets to know Seth and his warm, boisterous family, she slowly loosens up and falls in love.
Chesapeake Blue is my favorite kind of Nora Roberts story. It's like a novel-length epilogue to the preceding three books. You get a glimpse into the happily married life of the couples that you fell in love with in the previous books. There's Cameron, the former race car driver, and Anna, the social worker with the steel of spine and the heart of gold. With two teenage sons, they're still in love with each other, and still running off for some nookie in the middle of family parties. It's a portrayal of a marriage that every woman dreams she'll have. Ditto for Ethan and Grace and Phillip and Sybill. They all have kids and contented lives, the boat-building business they all struggled with in the first three books is now a success and best of all, eighteen years down the line, they still haven't lost their charm. *swoon*
And Seth, who really tugged on my heartstrings as the suspicious, troubled kid in Cam, Ethan and Phil's stories, now comes into his own. He's smart, funny, laid-back and so full of love for his family, it hurts. There is, of course, trouble in Paradise, in the form of Seth's evil mother, Gloria DeLauteur, who has reappeared to blackmail him into giving her money, but in the end, the bonds of family triumph over all evil, and we get our expected, but still heart-warming, HEA.
As someone from a large, but not necessarily cohesive family unit, Nora Roberts plays into all my fantasies of a loud, boisterous, loving family that's always there for each other. It's like a Lifetime Movie of the Week, sure, but it's the sort of escapism that gives you hope and a dream to cling to. Someday I want very many, many kids who'll play in the backyard, tussle, tease, adopt ugly stupid dogs and grow up together. It's a vision for the future that I cherish, and Nora gives me blueprint for that imaginary, but still beloved family.
And returning to these romances reminds me of why I love the genre in the first place. There's attraction and sex and stubborn characters in her books, sure, but there's also that element of true romance. It's not all about hating each other, then falling into bed, then falling in love simply because you had heart-pounding sex, then standard clichéd misunderstanding and separation, ending up in confession of true love. Nora's characters are ones that you want to remember and cuddle instead of throwing the book away in disgust and screaming about how romance writers suck. She makes you believe that these characters are meant for each other, that they are destined to have a happy ending because they deserve it.
I'm going to be writing a LOT of Nora reviews this week, so I think it's a testament to her talent that I feel confident of being able to review a dozen Nora books without becoming boringly repetitive. But if I do, please tell me! :)
Chesapeake Blue is the last book in the Chesapeake Bay Saga. It's the story of Seth Quinn, the youngest of the Quinn brothers, who has just returned home after a few years in Italy. Seth is now an up-and-coming painter who's making waves in art circles, but his heart, as always, lies with his family in St.Christopher, on the Maryland Shore. Soon after moving back, he encounters the fascinating Drusilla Whitcomb Banks, who has just opened a florist's shop in St. Christopher, and is immediately struck by the desire to paint her. Dru's been hurt before, and her complicated family history doesn't let her open up to people very easily, but as she gets to know Seth and his warm, boisterous family, she slowly loosens up and falls in love.
Chesapeake Blue is my favorite kind of Nora Roberts story. It's like a novel-length epilogue to the preceding three books. You get a glimpse into the happily married life of the couples that you fell in love with in the previous books. There's Cameron, the former race car driver, and Anna, the social worker with the steel of spine and the heart of gold. With two teenage sons, they're still in love with each other, and still running off for some nookie in the middle of family parties. It's a portrayal of a marriage that every woman dreams she'll have. Ditto for Ethan and Grace and Phillip and Sybill. They all have kids and contented lives, the boat-building business they all struggled with in the first three books is now a success and best of all, eighteen years down the line, they still haven't lost their charm. *swoon*
And Seth, who really tugged on my heartstrings as the suspicious, troubled kid in Cam, Ethan and Phil's stories, now comes into his own. He's smart, funny, laid-back and so full of love for his family, it hurts. There is, of course, trouble in Paradise, in the form of Seth's evil mother, Gloria DeLauteur, who has reappeared to blackmail him into giving her money, but in the end, the bonds of family triumph over all evil, and we get our expected, but still heart-warming, HEA.
As someone from a large, but not necessarily cohesive family unit, Nora Roberts plays into all my fantasies of a loud, boisterous, loving family that's always there for each other. It's like a Lifetime Movie of the Week, sure, but it's the sort of escapism that gives you hope and a dream to cling to. Someday I want very many, many kids who'll play in the backyard, tussle, tease, adopt ugly stupid dogs and grow up together. It's a vision for the future that I cherish, and Nora gives me blueprint for that imaginary, but still beloved family.
And returning to these romances reminds me of why I love the genre in the first place. There's attraction and sex and stubborn characters in her books, sure, but there's also that element of true romance. It's not all about hating each other, then falling into bed, then falling in love simply because you had heart-pounding sex, then standard clichéd misunderstanding and separation, ending up in confession of true love. Nora's characters are ones that you want to remember and cuddle instead of throwing the book away in disgust and screaming about how romance writers suck. She makes you believe that these characters are meant for each other, that they are destined to have a happy ending because they deserve it.
I'm going to be writing a LOT of Nora reviews this week, so I think it's a testament to her talent that I feel confident of being able to review a dozen Nora books without becoming boringly repetitive. But if I do, please tell me! :)
May 8, 2023
Upon the death of their adopted father, Cameron, Ethan, and Philip Quinn have to band together to take care of Ray Quinn's ten-year-old ward, Seth. Each book in the Chesapeake Bay Saga series focuses on each brother tackling their demons and finding romance. But Seth's biological mother, Gloria is always there ready to ruffle the feathers of the Quinn family.
This was the synopsis of books 1-3 but then..... readers wanted Seth's story and so in 2004, Nora Roberts brings us eighteen years into the future, and Seth has returned to St. Chris after a tour in Europe. Readers get to reconnect with Anna and Cameron( book 1) who are raising two boys, Ethan and Grace(b00k 2) who adore their three children, and Philip and Sybil( book 3) who have two children and are still splitting their time between the small town and the big city. When Seth meets Drusilla, the new flower shop owner, it becomes a lovely romance. But Seth's biological mother is back and she wants more $$$ from the Quinn family. Can the family stand together to get rid of her one more time?
This was definitely one of my favorite books in the series and I think it is okay to say that Seth and Dru were as captivating as Cameron and Anna. I did find it so weird that Dru was so jealous of Seth's relationship with his niece Aubrey. But I ADORED Aubrey for how she handled that whole weird situation.
Satisfying conclusion to the quartet!
Goodreads review published 08/05/23
This was the synopsis of books 1-3 but then..... readers wanted Seth's story and so in 2004, Nora Roberts brings us eighteen years into the future, and Seth has returned to St. Chris after a tour in Europe. Readers get to reconnect with Anna and Cameron( book 1) who are raising two boys, Ethan and Grace(b00k 2) who adore their three children, and Philip and Sybil( book 3) who have two children and are still splitting their time between the small town and the big city. When Seth meets Drusilla, the new flower shop owner, it becomes a lovely romance. But Seth's biological mother is back and she wants more $$$ from the Quinn family. Can the family stand together to get rid of her one more time?
This was definitely one of my favorite books in the series and I think it is okay to say that Seth and Dru were as captivating as Cameron and Anna. I did find it so weird that Dru was so jealous of Seth's relationship with his niece Aubrey. But I ADORED Aubrey for how she handled that whole weird situation.
Satisfying conclusion to the quartet!
Goodreads review published 08/05/23
August 10, 2023
2.5 Estrellas
ha sido un libro que me fue perdiendo según iba leyendo. Tenía muchas ganas de leer el libro de Seth porque siempre me ha gustado mucho. Pero me ha dejado un poco fría que él siga siendo chantajeado por su madre, he alucinado que no sea capaz de confiar en sus hermanos y contarles la situación y que se haya tirado pagando catorce o quince años. Comprendo que colase de niño, ¿pero de adulto?
Por no hablar de Dru, una tía que le hace dudar de los sentimientos que tiene por un miembro de su familia, y que con su actitud me ha sacado de quicio todo el tiempo.
La verdad es que he acabado el libro de mala leche y agobiada... menudo veranito de lecturas malas que llevo
ha sido un libro que me fue perdiendo según iba leyendo. Tenía muchas ganas de leer el libro de Seth porque siempre me ha gustado mucho. Pero me ha dejado un poco fría que él siga siendo chantajeado por su madre, he alucinado que no sea capaz de confiar en sus hermanos y contarles la situación y que se haya tirado pagando catorce o quince años. Comprendo que colase de niño, ¿pero de adulto?
Por no hablar de Dru, una tía que le hace dudar de los sentimientos que tiene por un miembro de su familia, y que con su actitud me ha sacado de quicio todo el tiempo.
La verdad es que he acabado el libro de mala leche y agobiada... menudo veranito de lecturas malas que llevo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
3.5 stars. Comfy read
February 24, 2020
Reseña en mi blog: https://elsentirdeunlibro.blogspot.co...
January 21, 2023
Seth, all grown-up. I remember when I first read the stories of the Quinn brothers. Seth was still a snot-nosed kid and Nora Roberts hadn’t written his story yet. I remember how much I wished that she’d tell us his story too and she did. Since then, I’ve read Chesapeake Blue twice and this is my third re-read.
It felt so good to read this book again, to see Seth as an adult. The Quinns saved him and changed his life, gave him a future, a family. Seth the nomad, who’d traveled and nurtured his artistic talent, been true to it. Now he’d come home, to face his past and carve a better future for himself.
Drusilla was a big part of making that happen and somehow, despite their different backgrounds, she and Seth fit like two puzzle pieces. She was the yin to his yang, straightening him up when he made a mess of things. I absolutely admired her for her independence, her clarity and her decisive way of handling a situation.
It was hilarious how Cam needled Seth over his relationship with Dru after all the grief the ten-year-old Seth had given each brother when they fell for their respective other halves.
What I loved best about Chesapeake Blue was the family moments, to see Cam with his kids and the kids themselves were a hoot. Those scenes were a delight for me. Overall, I had a blast re-reading this book.
Posted on Blog
August 3, 2019
I first read this series about 14 years ago. With the passing of time and thousands of books in between, I totally forgot most of it. Re-reading it again has been a joy and like reading it for the first time. The tale is not dated at all! This last book of the four-book series was the icing on the perfect cake. Gotta love those Quinns! Just terrific!
July 3, 2022
"Un cierre decepcionante de saga. Lo único ligeramente especial es reencontrarse con los protagonistas de los tres libros anteriores y ver qué fue de sus vidas a lo largo de los años, pero tampoco es que se les dé demasiada presencia. El romance es frío porque no tiene una base muy fundamentada, y la parte dramática es una excusa para generar un poco de inquietud. En general, es una lectura olvidable y prescindible".
Reseña completa: https://entrelalecturayelcine.blogspo...
Reseña completa: https://entrelalecturayelcine.blogspo...
September 4, 2010
2.5 stars. Weak characters, relationship development, and plot. Enjoyable teasing and conversations among family members.
THE SERIES:
The Chesapeake Bay series includes four books which tell a continuing story about a family. Ray and Stella Quinn adopt three troubled boys who came from abusive homes. In the first three books the boys are about 30 years old. They left home, have good jobs and are single. Stella died several years earlier. In the beginning of the first book Ray took in another boy, 10-year-old Seth, who was abused by his mother Gloria. Gloria offered to give legal guardianship to Ray in return for a large sum of money. Before anything was official, Ray died in a car accident. Shortly before he died, he asked his three sons to move back home to take care of Seth. All three men promised they would. They decide to start a boat building business. In the first three books each of the three men meets and falls in love with a woman. The fourth book tells the story of Seth, who is grown, returns home and falls in love. The best parts of the first three books are watching the developing relationships among Seth and the three men and seeing Seth blossom. Each book has a minor amount of fantasy due to some conversations with a ghost. The four books, main characters, and my ratings are:
Sea Swept (Cameron and Anna) 4 stars
Rising Tides (Ethan and Grace) 3 stars
Inner Harbor (Phillip and Sybill) 3 stars
Chesapeake Blue (Seth and Dru) 2.5 stars
STORY BRIEF (WITH MILD SPOILERS) (Chesapeake Blue, Book 4):
Seth is now about 28. Gloria began contacting him when he was a teen, threatening to hurt his family. He secretly has been paying her money to stay away. He spent several years in Europe to get away from her. But when he became a famous painter, she followed him to Europe. Since he couldn’t avoid her and since he missed his family, he moves back to Chesapeake Bay.
Dru is the only child of a wealthy family in Washington D.C. Her fiancé cheated on her, and she moved to Chesapeake Bay to open a flower shop. She bought a house and loves living alone, with no domestic help. She likes the small town environment. Seth sees her and immediately falls for her. He wants to paint her. She is reluctant. He rents the space above her flower shop for his art studio.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
The primary weakness was the two main characters were not interesting enough. There was not enough relationship development. I also felt it was too quick for Seth to ask her to marry him. The best parts of the book were the camaraderie, teasing, and conversations among the Quinn family members. That was entertaining and well done.
The major conflict in this story was regarding Gloria, Seth’s horrible mother. The Gloria problem was resolved in Book 3. So I was unhappy to see that the author had to weaken Seth’s character in order to reactivate Gloria’s bad guy role. I did not enjoy seeing Seth wimp out and pay her blackmail money over fourteen years without telling his family. They stood up to her and scared her off before. They would have done it again. I wasn’t happy with this plot. I enjoyed the first book the most.
DATA:
Story length: 240 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 7. Setting: current day Chesapeake Bay area and Washington D.C.. Copyright: 2002. Genre: contemporary romance with fantasy.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb books, see my 4.5 star review of "Angels Fall" posted on 6-30-08.
THE SERIES:
The Chesapeake Bay series includes four books which tell a continuing story about a family. Ray and Stella Quinn adopt three troubled boys who came from abusive homes. In the first three books the boys are about 30 years old. They left home, have good jobs and are single. Stella died several years earlier. In the beginning of the first book Ray took in another boy, 10-year-old Seth, who was abused by his mother Gloria. Gloria offered to give legal guardianship to Ray in return for a large sum of money. Before anything was official, Ray died in a car accident. Shortly before he died, he asked his three sons to move back home to take care of Seth. All three men promised they would. They decide to start a boat building business. In the first three books each of the three men meets and falls in love with a woman. The fourth book tells the story of Seth, who is grown, returns home and falls in love. The best parts of the first three books are watching the developing relationships among Seth and the three men and seeing Seth blossom. Each book has a minor amount of fantasy due to some conversations with a ghost. The four books, main characters, and my ratings are:
Sea Swept (Cameron and Anna) 4 stars
Rising Tides (Ethan and Grace) 3 stars
Inner Harbor (Phillip and Sybill) 3 stars
Chesapeake Blue (Seth and Dru) 2.5 stars
STORY BRIEF (WITH MILD SPOILERS) (Chesapeake Blue, Book 4):
Seth is now about 28. Gloria began contacting him when he was a teen, threatening to hurt his family. He secretly has been paying her money to stay away. He spent several years in Europe to get away from her. But when he became a famous painter, she followed him to Europe. Since he couldn’t avoid her and since he missed his family, he moves back to Chesapeake Bay.
Dru is the only child of a wealthy family in Washington D.C. Her fiancé cheated on her, and she moved to Chesapeake Bay to open a flower shop. She bought a house and loves living alone, with no domestic help. She likes the small town environment. Seth sees her and immediately falls for her. He wants to paint her. She is reluctant. He rents the space above her flower shop for his art studio.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
The primary weakness was the two main characters were not interesting enough. There was not enough relationship development. I also felt it was too quick for Seth to ask her to marry him. The best parts of the book were the camaraderie, teasing, and conversations among the Quinn family members. That was entertaining and well done.
The major conflict in this story was regarding Gloria, Seth’s horrible mother. The Gloria problem was resolved in Book 3. So I was unhappy to see that the author had to weaken Seth’s character in order to reactivate Gloria’s bad guy role. I did not enjoy seeing Seth wimp out and pay her blackmail money over fourteen years without telling his family. They stood up to her and scared her off before. They would have done it again. I wasn’t happy with this plot. I enjoyed the first book the most.
DATA:
Story length: 240 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 7. Setting: current day Chesapeake Bay area and Washington D.C.. Copyright: 2002. Genre: contemporary romance with fantasy.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb books, see my 4.5 star review of "Angels Fall" posted on 6-30-08.
December 5, 2018
Es un buen cierre para la serie. Me gusta que Seth tenga algo de cada uno de sus hermano. Tanto Dru con Seth entienden las necesidades y las inseguridades del otro y se complementan muy bien. Hubiese preferido que se resolviera de otra forma el tema de Gloria, pero no estuvo mal. Con sus más y sus menos, es entretenido y emotivo. Recomiendo la serie.
November 12, 2019
This is going to be short, this book was not needed at all. Roberts jumps 18 years in time and we have Seth Quinn returning to St. Christopher, now a world celebrated painter (I maybe laughed at that) who is hiding something from his family. Seth instantly becomes intrigued by a local florist and he takes after Cameron with the whole, so we are just going to be in a relationship cause that is what I want. What sends Seth back to St. Christopher was beyond dumb. And his relationship with florist Drusilla lacks any heat at all. The only saving grace to this book is that you get to see how the relationships we got to see in the first three books have turned out. I was disappointed this book mostly showcases Seth, Drusilla, Anna, and Seth. I wanted more scenes with Ethan and Grace. I was okay with barely any scenes with Phillip and Sybill.
"Chesapeake Blue" has Seth Quinn returning to his hometown after I think 5 years or so away in Europe. He plans on staying and working at his family's boat business, while also painting. Something is troubling him though and he doesn't know what to do. He fall in lust at first sight when he comes across florist Drusilla Whitcomb Banks. Dru is wary of becoming involved with Seth or anyone after her last relationship. Things don't improve when she starts showing signs of jealousy because of Seth's relationship with his cousin Aubrey. And there was a whole scene about that and I maybe screamed into a pillow.
I think the problem with this book is now that Seth is grown, there was no need to tell this story. The first three books had a stronger tie, you had three brothers trying to do right by their father. This book just info dumps about the couples we have read about and we don't really get a sense of anyone in this one beyond Aubrey, Cameron, and Anna, and their kids.
The writing was not good in this. There was no real tension until I think 50 percent or so into the book when you find out why Seth returned home. And then I got annoyed because the reason was a dumb one and Seth's justification for being this stupid didn't ring true at all. The flow was awful.
The ending was just blah.
"Chesapeake Blue" has Seth Quinn returning to his hometown after I think 5 years or so away in Europe. He plans on staying and working at his family's boat business, while also painting. Something is troubling him though and he doesn't know what to do. He fall in lust at first sight when he comes across florist Drusilla Whitcomb Banks. Dru is wary of becoming involved with Seth or anyone after her last relationship. Things don't improve when she starts showing signs of jealousy because of Seth's relationship with his cousin Aubrey. And there was a whole scene about that and I maybe screamed into a pillow.
I think the problem with this book is now that Seth is grown, there was no need to tell this story. The first three books had a stronger tie, you had three brothers trying to do right by their father. This book just info dumps about the couples we have read about and we don't really get a sense of anyone in this one beyond Aubrey, Cameron, and Anna, and their kids.
The writing was not good in this. There was no real tension until I think 50 percent or so into the book when you find out why Seth returned home. And then I got annoyed because the reason was a dumb one and Seth's justification for being this stupid didn't ring true at all. The flow was awful.
The ending was just blah.
June 17, 2015
3.5 stars
This turned out to be the best of the bunch for me. I was more into the romance than any of the previous ones. Still could've done without Gloria DeLauter rearing her ugly head again (even though it was expected, I'd still been hoping Roberts would've been done with that part of the storyline but nope) .
And I liked how, when all of them sat around the table with Seth afterwards, he was almost reverted back to his 10-year-old self as they all yelled at him. The sense of family in this fourth book was so great; even better than before with all of them married with kids at this point. I'm such a sucker for that type of family dynamics that mostly consists of banter and siblings throwing casual insults at each other. Fun times.
This turned out to be the best of the bunch for me. I was more into the romance than any of the previous ones. Still could've done without Gloria DeLauter rearing her ugly head again (even though it was expected, I'd still been hoping Roberts would've been done with that part of the storyline but nope) .
And I liked how, when all of them sat around the table with Seth afterwards, he was almost reverted back to his 10-year-old self as they all yelled at him. The sense of family in this fourth book was so great; even better than before with all of them married with kids at this point. I'm such a sucker for that type of family dynamics that mostly consists of banter and siblings throwing casual insults at each other. Fun times.
May 11, 2013
I am so happy that I was able to read Seth Quinn’s story.
From the time I first meet him in Sea Swept (1st book in the Quinn Brothers Saga), I fell in love with the lonely, distrustful abused grandson of Ray Quinn, the amazing man, who with his now dead wife, Stella, had adopted Cam, Ethan and Phillip as broken children and with love and care enabling them to become strong and good men.
Despite the emotional damage in his childhood, with the love and support from his brothers has grown into a fine man. Travelling all over the world, he has become a successful and famous painter but he decides to return home to his family, who welcome him into their arms.
Seth...[image error][image error]is all grown up!!
He has decided to make his home permanently in St. Chris but there are things from his past that have come back to haunt him and that could possibly harm his family.
Seth...........[image error]
has come back home!!!!
His charm and looks have always drawn women to him but he has never been so fascinated by any of them like he’s by Drusilla Whitcomb Banks, the owner of the local flower store. Something in her makes him want to paint her but Dru is not only wary of men but has no interest in getting involved with men like him.
I found Dru an interesting character - did I like her or not? A beautiful, wealthy socialite from a political family has moved to St Chris to gain her independence from her over-protective and materialistic family and is very happy living her own private life in her lovely home just outside the town. I actually liked her a lot.
But Seth persuades her…in the most engaging and endearing manner…to give him a chance and even gets her to let him paint her!!! Talk about breaking down her resistance!!!!
I loved Seth’s intensity, his passion…in his work, in his relationship with Dru and his family- who have also all grown up…Audrey, his brother’s children. It’s one of the great things that NR does well…the love and passion of a family, their loyalty to each other….you can feel it in every page you turn in this story.
You get to see Cam, Ethan and Phillip, now in their late 40”s, with their wives and children. Things have definitely changed from the time of his boyhood. But in a good way. Except that Seth is unable to keep his feelings hidden from his brothers, who realize that there is something worrying him.
There is something that Seth is trying to deal with on his own, not wanting to endanger or hurt his family if they ever find out what he’s having to deal with. That being his despicable mother, Gloria is back in his life…not that she has ever been out of it!!!! No one could be more wicked as a mother as her. She’s been blackmailing him for years, demanding money and now, discovering that Seth is in love with Dru, is prepared to destroy their happiness.
Will the Quinn family ever overcome Gloria’s intrusion into their lives? And will Seth & Dru find their own HEA? So many obstacles but in the end, love always wins….[image error][image error]
There’s such a strong bond of love and family in this series, the characters so real, the settings so vividly described and some great sparkling and witty dialogue.
A wonderful conclusion to one of my favorite NR family sagas.
From the time I first meet him in Sea Swept (1st book in the Quinn Brothers Saga), I fell in love with the lonely, distrustful abused grandson of Ray Quinn, the amazing man, who with his now dead wife, Stella, had adopted Cam, Ethan and Phillip as broken children and with love and care enabling them to become strong and good men.
Despite the emotional damage in his childhood, with the love and support from his brothers has grown into a fine man. Travelling all over the world, he has become a successful and famous painter but he decides to return home to his family, who welcome him into their arms.
Seth...[image error][image error]is all grown up!!
He has decided to make his home permanently in St. Chris but there are things from his past that have come back to haunt him and that could possibly harm his family.
Seth...........[image error]
has come back home!!!!His charm and looks have always drawn women to him but he has never been so fascinated by any of them like he’s by Drusilla Whitcomb Banks, the owner of the local flower store. Something in her makes him want to paint her but Dru is not only wary of men but has no interest in getting involved with men like him.
I found Dru an interesting character - did I like her or not? A beautiful, wealthy socialite from a political family has moved to St Chris to gain her independence from her over-protective and materialistic family and is very happy living her own private life in her lovely home just outside the town. I actually liked her a lot.
But Seth persuades her…in the most engaging and endearing manner…to give him a chance and even gets her to let him paint her!!! Talk about breaking down her resistance!!!!
I loved Seth’s intensity, his passion…in his work, in his relationship with Dru and his family- who have also all grown up…Audrey, his brother’s children. It’s one of the great things that NR does well…the love and passion of a family, their loyalty to each other….you can feel it in every page you turn in this story.
You get to see Cam, Ethan and Phillip, now in their late 40”s, with their wives and children. Things have definitely changed from the time of his boyhood. But in a good way. Except that Seth is unable to keep his feelings hidden from his brothers, who realize that there is something worrying him.
There is something that Seth is trying to deal with on his own, not wanting to endanger or hurt his family if they ever find out what he’s having to deal with. That being his despicable mother, Gloria is back in his life…not that she has ever been out of it!!!! No one could be more wicked as a mother as her. She’s been blackmailing him for years, demanding money and now, discovering that Seth is in love with Dru, is prepared to destroy their happiness.
Will the Quinn family ever overcome Gloria’s intrusion into their lives? And will Seth & Dru find their own HEA? So many obstacles but in the end, love always wins….[image error][image error]
There’s such a strong bond of love and family in this series, the characters so real, the settings so vividly described and some great sparkling and witty dialogue.
A wonderful conclusion to one of my favorite NR family sagas.
April 15, 2024
Ler O Azul da Baía foi estranho ao início. Durante três livros desta tetralogia habituamo-nos a ver Cam, Ethan, Phillip, Anna, Grace e Sybill na volta dos 30 anos, vemo-los apaixonar-se e amarem e protegerem um miúdo de 10 anos que precisa deles como precisa de respirar. E, de repente, vemo-nos no quarto livro, 18 anos após tudo o que já lemos, e vemos todas estas personagens mais velhas, a maioria delas com filhos adolescentes, mas com uma dinâmica muito parecida ao que vimos anteriormente. Vemos uma Aubrey crescida, muito diferente do que nos lembramos, mas não deixa de ser uma personagem que adoramos e que nos vai valer umas boas gargalhadas! E por fim, temos Seth, o rapazito que precisava de ser protegido, amado, com um passado demasiado tormentoso. Seth, com uma alma de artista, muito mais crescido, que devota à sua enorme família um enorme amor, querendo por isso protegê-los do que tem vindo a esconder - um passado que não deixa de o atormentar.
Devido à diferença de tempo, este livro acaba por ser diferente dos outros três, mas nem por isso deixamos de ter um romance à Nora Roberts, um romance à Quinn. Drusilla é a mulher que aparece por S. Chris e que arrebata o coração de Seth. O romanc destes vai-se desenvolvendo aos poucos, até porque Dru é bastante cautelosa e tem um trauma relacionado com um antigo noivo. Mas vai ser a mulher ideal para estar ao lado de Seth quando a tempestade rebentar.
Este é um o livro final da tetralogia ideal. Permite-nos voltar a ver os protagonistas anteriores e saber o que aconteceu depois, permite-nos conhecer melhor Seth, bem como uma outra personagem que lhe aparece com um jeito danado para fazer pães de courgette, e dá um final à grande vilã da história (a mais nojenta de todas!). Numa palavra, adorei! :)
[Só um pequeno pormenor, pg 58:
"Desarmada, Dru olhou para baixo. A saia vermelha frisada e as calças azul-marinho estavam ensopadas. O esguicho chegara-lhe ao rosto, desperdiçando completamente o tempo que passara a aplicar maquilhagem."
Tão, mas que raio? A rapariga estava com saia e calças? Então e a camisola/blusa, whatever? (Também existe uma conversa em que a certo ponto é o Seth que responde ao Seth em vez do irmão Cam.) Que grande confusão e/ou má tradução/revisão.]
Devido à diferença de tempo, este livro acaba por ser diferente dos outros três, mas nem por isso deixamos de ter um romance à Nora Roberts, um romance à Quinn. Drusilla é a mulher que aparece por S. Chris e que arrebata o coração de Seth. O romanc destes vai-se desenvolvendo aos poucos, até porque Dru é bastante cautelosa e tem um trauma relacionado com um antigo noivo. Mas vai ser a mulher ideal para estar ao lado de Seth quando a tempestade rebentar.
Este é um o livro final da tetralogia ideal. Permite-nos voltar a ver os protagonistas anteriores e saber o que aconteceu depois, permite-nos conhecer melhor Seth, bem como uma outra personagem que lhe aparece com um jeito danado para fazer pães de courgette, e dá um final à grande vilã da história (a mais nojenta de todas!). Numa palavra, adorei! :)
[Só um pequeno pormenor, pg 58:
"Desarmada, Dru olhou para baixo. A saia vermelha frisada e as calças azul-marinho estavam ensopadas. O esguicho chegara-lhe ao rosto, desperdiçando completamente o tempo que passara a aplicar maquilhagem."
Tão, mas que raio? A rapariga estava com saia e calças? Então e a camisola/blusa, whatever? (Também existe uma conversa em que a certo ponto é o Seth que responde ao Seth em vez do irmão Cam.) Que grande confusão e/ou má tradução/revisão.]
April 6, 2015
Estoy un poco decepcionada con esta serie. Para mí, Aubrey y Seth terminarían juntos en mi cabeza lo hicieron. Se conocen desde niños, tienen una gran amistad, están cómodos con el otro y se aman, se aman, se aman.
Pero para la autora eso no le pareció chispa sufiente y le dio a Drusilla, si el nombre no es un indicio suficiente, puedo describirla como rica, elegante, distante y fría. Otra vez.
Un flechazo a primera vista, una chica que (otra vez) no quiere saber nada de tener relaciones y que por un error del pasado, ha designado al género masculino como insalvable. ¿Donde lo oí?
Aburrido, predecible, decepcionante.
Pensé que nuestro asuntito con Gloria estaba más que terminado. Me decepciona saber que por 14 años ha estado hostigando a Seth y sacándole dinero.Más decepciona que haya repetido la acción en otro personaje suyo. ¿Qué fue todo eso de los valores familiares de los tres últimos libros? ¿Tanta cursileria para que el chico no superara sus mierdas y estuviera pagándole en secreto a una mujer que odia? ¿Aún después de todo el esfuerzo que sus hermanos hicieron por ser honestos con él y legalizar su asunto?
No sé porqué la autora no aprovechó lo hermoso de la relación de Aubrey y Seth y desperdició tinta en intentar vender la minúscula chispa entre ese trozo de hielo desconfiado y el chico que todo lo pinta.
Pero para la autora eso no le pareció chispa sufiente y le dio a Drusilla, si el nombre no es un indicio suficiente, puedo describirla como rica, elegante, distante y fría. Otra vez.
Un flechazo a primera vista, una chica que (otra vez) no quiere saber nada de tener relaciones y que por un error del pasado, ha designado al género masculino como insalvable. ¿Donde lo oí?
Aburrido, predecible, decepcionante.
Pensé que nuestro asuntito con Gloria estaba más que terminado. Me decepciona saber que por 14 años ha estado hostigando a Seth y sacándole dinero.
"-Me gusta estar con ella. Y no es que sea fácil. La mayor parte del tiempo es como estar con un puercoespín, un puercoespín con diadema."
No sé porqué la autora no aprovechó lo hermoso de la relación de Aubrey y Seth y desperdició tinta en intentar vender la minúscula chispa entre ese trozo de hielo desconfiado y el chico que todo lo pinta.
April 25, 2017
overall ok ... ok conclusion to the story, but a bit over the top with the mother blackmailing him, etc...
Something was confusing me though - how much time passed between the last book and this one ?! Cam and Anna already have teenagers - so are we to believe that Seth spent 15 years in Europe?!
Something was confusing me though - how much time passed between the last book and this one ?! Cam and Anna already have teenagers - so are we to believe that Seth spent 15 years in Europe?!
March 18, 2016
Really good. Draws you in from the beginning and me deep into it before I knew what I was doing. Good, strong characters, emotions, fun and humor, aggravation, some touching moments, great family and a good HEA. This definitely has me wanting to read the whole series. Gotta love it!
November 24, 2014
Great ending to a great series! I'm sad it's over, but glad I came across it.
June 30, 2015
Me ha encantado la saga. Cam, Philip,Ethan y Seth son encantadores, cada uno con sus cosas y con lo suyo a su espalda.. me ha gustado muchísimo.. me dan ganas de ir a vivir a la bahía!!!
August 24, 2016
One of the best books I have read by Nora Roberts. I felt like I was in the story as one of the characters. I Recommend this book to anyone who loves Nora.
July 26, 2019
This series overall has been okay. The character of Gloria needed to die.
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