Silhouette Intimate Moments #365: Night Shift

by Nora Roberts

Book Overview

Harlequín Ibérica. Madrid. 2001. 21 cm. 254 p. Encuadernación en tapa dura de editorial ilustrada. Colección 'Biblioteca Nora Roberts'. Roberts, Nora 1950-. Traducción, Elías Sarhan Assy. Traducción... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373073658
• ISBN13: 9780373073658
• Release Date: December 1990
• Publisher: Silhouette Books
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

first of the series

This is the first book in the "Night Tales" series. Cilla O'Roarke (note the last name!) is a popular late-night disc jockey. When she gets threatening phone calls night after night, her boss finally calls the police, over Cilla's objections. Detective Boyd Fletcher and his partner Althea show up to take the case, and things progress pretty much how you'd expect them to. Cilla's a pretty typical romance heroine--she's selflessly raised her younger sister Deborah on her own since the death of their parents; she denies she needs help; and she doesn't want to get involved with Boyd because he's a cop and might get killed on the job. Despite the fact that the story is sort of about Cilla being threatened by a stalker, it's not really a mystery--that is, there aren't clues that the reader can follow and guess who the stalker is--it's just revealed at the end. Which is not really surprising, as this is a Silhouette, and thus too short to expand on the mystery without giving short shrift to the romance. The stalker's motivation is pretty good, though. I only had one real objection, and that was the too-facile way in which a relationship between Boyd and Althea was dismissed. They're both single, attractive adults, and it's obvious that they're very good friends and care deeply for each other. Yet early on in the book, before Cilla really trusts him, Boyd tells Cilla that there's nothing between him and Althea and she accepts the statement without question. Not that I'd prefer a long, drawn-out Big Misunderstanding, but this was just a little too easy. Ultimately, Night Shift is a nice, solid, entertaining romance novel, but nothing made it really stand out for me.

Attaboy, Boyd!

Of course, the set up for this story is familiar; otherwise, how could my favorite writer turn the cliche' on its ear? Cilla's not prone to trust cops, since her mother was one. Will not reveal any of that history, since it's better to let Nora tell the tale. Boyd is drawn to Cilla's intellectual depth and warm heart...okay, not really. He has a thing for her sexy whiskey-colored eyes and bodacious bod! :) But he proves he's no shallow user by earning Cilla's trust through this scary stalking. It's provocative to imagine being attracted to a voice on the radio that speaks to your heart and soul and for that someone to more than live up to your imagination can only be a bonus. You'll be pulling for this couple and hoping Cilla's pretty younger sister, whom she is putting through college, will get her own story. Deborah does in Night Shadow. Boyd and Cilla's daughter, Allison, who follows her Dad's footsteps into police work, gets her own story in Night Shield. In the latter part of Night Shift, you find out Boyd and Cilla's "song" and that is alluded to in Night Shield. Beautiful storytelling which draws you into this family and makes you fall a little bit in love with all of them.And don't miss Boyd's partner Althea's story in Nightshade.

Things That Go Bump in the Night...

This is another of Nora Roberts' earlier attempts at crossing from the romance genre over to mystery. It's a decent attempt, but not as thrilling as some of her latest mystery novels. The romance side isn't as warm and fuzzy as some of her better novels due to the added mystery flare involved in the plot. CAROLINA MOON does much better blending the two genres. NIGHT SHIFT features Cilla O'Roarke, a late-night radio DJ who is receiving numerous threats from an anonymous caller (are there any other kind?). She begrudgingly accepts police protection at the insistence of the company for which she works. Ok, so you can pretty much guess where this story line is leading. Yep, enter Boyd Fletcher a gorgeous, strong cop to save her from the bad guys. Fireworks go off as Cilla is determined to ignore Boyd and she infuriates him with her attitude of not needing him, or anyone for that matter, to protect her. It's the standard plot that has been done repeatedly to the point of saturation. Both characters don't want the other around and then fall helplessly in love. **yawn** The identity of the thug making the calls is predictable for even the most novice mystery reader (I believe anyway) and there are very few surprises along the way. You may be asking why I would recommend this book since it has all of these negatives - the answer is simple: Nora Roberts. She is the best at creating strong characters and describing everything in such lucid detail that the reader can easily become a part of the story. It's a journey through the late night workings of a radio station and the negative aspects that can go hand-in-hand with being a celebrity. The dramatic attributes are not there, but it is still fun to tag along with the main characters! Just a note that this book is followed by Nightshade which tells the story of Boyd Fletcher's partner - another blending of the romance and mystery genres.

Easy to read and creepy at the same time!!!!

As anyone can tell you...being threatened or stalked is creepy...very much so!!! "Night Shift" showed all the aspects of being threatened plus an added bonus: romance. Of course Nora Roberts put in a little romance for her romance fans along with the suspense for her J.D. Robb fans. I just wish I had a cute cop like Boyd Fletcher in my life!!!!! Although... I have no reason to need protection!

Synopsis

IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT- The calls came like clockwork- a cold hate-filled voice telling late-night radio announcer Cilla O'Roarke that she going to die. The never-ending threats had finally made her a believer. She was desperate-desperate enough to accept police protection. Cilla prefered to keep her distance from the police, and she had her reasons. But there was something about Boyd Fletcher that made him difficult to ignore. He was strong, laconic, infuriating and clearly determined to watch over her every second of the day-and night. And the trouble was, the more Cilla saw of her unwanted bodygaurd, the more she wanted him to share the night she loved...