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| Tribute | 
enlarge | Author: Nora Roberts Publisher: Putnam Adult Category: Book
List Price: $26.95 Buy New: $3.98 You Save: $22.97 (85%)
New (75) Used (99) Collectible (7) from $2.70
Avg. Customer Rating: 88 reviews
Media: Hardcover Number Of Items: 1 Pages: 464 Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5 Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.7
ISBN: 0399154914 Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54 EAN: 9780399154911
Publication Date: July 8, 2008 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Vintage Nora July 14, 2008 5 out of 8 found this review helpful
If there'd been an epilogue at the end of the book, I would have given Tribute 4.5 stars probably. Otherwise it was a solid 4-stars. I didn't absolutely and utterly LOVE the book, but I enjoyed it quite a bit (and was rather annoyed that everything seemed to be going wrong this week, keeping me from finishing the book).
Though the book is a romantic suspense, it doesn't have a high-intensity, frenetic feel that you get in other romantic suspense books (such as those by Karen Rose, Beverly Barton, etc). The suspense is more subtle, less intense because the story is character and romance driven. It's about the people, the past, the relationships. About Cilla trying to make peace with who she is, and who she isn't, and about her trying to find her place in the world after life as a child-star. And it's about the sweet and tender romance that gradually grows between her and Ford. The suspense angle is still there and prominent, but its not exactly the driving force behind the story.
Having said that, one of my favorite parts of this book was the fact that Roberts kept me guessing throughout nearly the entire story as to who the antagonist was. The book was 451 pages and it wasn't until about page 434 that I narrowed it down to 2 people, who shared the same reason for hating Cilla. And it wasn't until page 438 that it became obvious. There were so many possibilities as to who wanted to harm Cilla and Roberts did an excellent job throwing suspicion around. I would lean toward one character then a few pages later change my mind and think it was someone else. Even the reason for why someone was attacking Cilla was left for supposition. If it was that character trying to harm her, then it was for that reason, but if it was the other character, it was for another reason. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. It kept me on my toes and reading carefully to pick up on nuances that might clue me in sooner. And it wasn't until nearly the end that I could finally say "Aha!" It did end up being my number 1 suspect, but until a certain event, I could never say for sure. I love it when books have a well-crafted hidden antagonist. It makes the mind work.
My second favorite part of the book was the character of Ford. He would probably be considered the quintessential Beta Male. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Alpha, but I do love the "good guy" heroes as well. Especially ones with a side of Geek thrown in. And that's what Ford was. A down-to-earth, kind-hearted, geek-ish nice guy. I think Cilla said it best when she called him stable. It's the perfect description for him. That didn't make him a push-over, though. He still had his Alpha Male moments. I just really enjoyed reading about him.
The romance was enjoyable to read. It wasn't a flaming hot romance, though there were moments of heat, it was more sweet and tender than anything. I always like reading romances that have a more natural progression versus the angsty "I don't want to love you" types that are so prevalent in romance novels. When Ford told Cilla he loved her for the first time, I actually sighed. I was really rooting for them to get their happy ending.
Other parts of the book that I liked: some of the witty one-liners, the realistic dialogue, the dream sequences with Cilla and Janet, all the details Roberts put into the restoration of the house...and probably lots of other things. Oh! And the dog, Spock! He absolutely rocked!
What didn't I like? Honestly, nothing comes to mind. There weren't any parts of the book that bugged me. I do wish there had been an epilogue but at least there was a final scene separated from the big finale. It just would have been nice to have an epilogue to show how things settled. But so many romance writers are skipping epilogues these days, so I wasn't surprised that there wasn't one.
I've read some comments that this book is too similar to River's End but I didn't particularly see it. Sure, there is a similarity in the fact that they both deal with a Hollywood icon who died under tragic circumstances, and why it happened. But aside from that, they are very different stories. At least to me. I wouldn't have even thought of the comparison if someone else hadn't mentioned it.
Final thoughts...yet another good book from Roberts. I liked it almost as much as Blue Smoke and more than Angels Fall and High Noon. It's a story I'll want to reread again some day.
Nora's worst ever July 12, 2008 10 out of 27 found this review helpful
I have read every Nora Roberts ever written and I think she really was asleep writing this one. She had more info on the details of rehabbing a home rather than dealing with the main relationships. And it was so Agatha Christie in that you would never think of the people responsible for the awful deeds based on the development of the characters. It was also too much of her past books but not as good as the ones before.
fascinating tale July 12, 2008 8 out of 23 found this review helpful
She was a child star, but when her television show was cancelled Cilla McGowan's Hollywood career was terminated too although as a teen she scored parts in slasher flicks, made CD's, and performed in public. She realized this was not what she wanted to do with her life although her mother, a failed wannabe actress, kept pushing her in that direction. Finally Cilla persuades her mom to sell her, in exchange for money to put on a show in Las Vegas, her late grandmother's farm which she always wanted. Cilla's renowned grandma Hollywood legend Janet Hardy had her hideaway in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Janet died there under suspicious circumstances. Cilla is determined to restore the place to its former glory. She finds Janet's letters that she was having an affair and the married man wanted to end it. Someone in town wants Cilla to leave and that person tries to intimidate her into fleeing back to the other coast. Cilla refuses to be driven off, but her adversary keeps raising the stakes until her life is in jeopardy.
As always Nora Roberts writes a fascinating tale that her audience will read in one wonderful sitting. Cilla is an obstinate strong person who gained strength with her determination to withstand her mother's pressure and her own fight with stage fright; so is prepared for the most part to deal with the stalker's dangerous intent. This is a strong TRIBUTE to a great storyteller.
Harriet Klausner
Love Roberts, Liked the Book July 11, 2008 7 out of 9 found this review helpful
I love Nora Roberts and have been reading her books for probably a dozen years. Although she didn't cover any new ground in this book, that's fine with me because I enjoyed the characters of Cilla and Ford. I always love the focus on family relationships in Roberts' books, and she definitely created a character with Spock!
My only dislike of the story was how hurried it was in the end - the sweet relationship between Cilla and Ford came to a screeching halt and all of a sudden there was a twist and an unexpected bad guy...and this didn't ring true to me or to the story line.
However (and this could just be me), I enjoyed the book overall - it was just the last 30 or so pages that disappointed me.
Delightful! July 11, 2008 7 out of 10 found this review helpful
Delightful is the only way I know to describe this book, and the delight is in the two main characters. In a role reversal, the hero is the laid-back, more passive character and the heroine is the driving force. This is not to imply that he's a wimp and she's a harridan but more that he's not the typical over-protective "I can do anything" man and she's not the "oh, please, save me" woman. The plot is not particularly original, but the male/female relationship saves the day. I loved it!
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