Dark Witch By: Nora Robers (The Cousins of O’Dwyer Trilogy #1)

Plot:

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends. Ireland. County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits. Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives. When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package. Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

Review:

I really use to love Nora Roberts books. I was at the used bookstore and the library at least once a week to load up on any they had available. I devoured them. I loved that I could see her formula, I knew that these three women would be paired up with these three men, and they would all live happily ever after.

That being said I’ve been a bit disappointed with her most recent series. Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy was good but she went into way more detail about construction and picking out swatches and tile than I really needed to know.

I felt like Dark Witch was trying too hard to be fantasy and the romance suffered because of it. Sadly the fantasy elements weren’t all there either. The book just seemed spread too thin.

It was interesting to read a magic system created by someone who doesn’t normally write fantasy. Roberts has definitely dabbled and loves to include supernatural elements in her books but this series is actually about witch cousins.

I liked the pairing of Iona (awesome name btw) and Boyle. Iona was always reacting how I least expected her too, which was also great to read. However, their romance wasn’t resolved until the epilogue. It was treated as a side note.

“Oh yeah I love you, do you love me?”

“I do! Let’s get married.”

“Ok.”

The End.

Not quiet that short, but about that satisfying. I’ll eventually get around to reading the rest of the series, but it has been downgraded to a library loan.

3/5