Another enjoyable book from my favorite author ( )

La vida de los pequeños Cameron, Ethan y Phillip parecía abocada al desastre. Aunque no se conocían entre sí, los tres compartían un pasado de abusos y dificultades que dejaron atrás cuando fueron adoptados por Raymond Quinn. Ahora han crecido y juntos conforman una sólida familia que se desmorona el día en que reciben la noticia de que su padre ha sufrido un terrible accidente. Reunidos en torno a su lecho de muerte los tres le hacen una última promesa al hombre al que deben todo: cuidar de Seth, el niño que estaba a punto de adoptar...

Ethan Quinn es un marinero tranquilo y reservado. Bajo su serena apariencia late un corazón profundo y bravío como el mar al que adora y respeta. Desde la muerte de su padre cuida de su hermanastro y divide su tiempo entre la pesca y el astillero que ha montado junto con sus hermanos. De ellos tres, él es quien se siente más cercano a Seth, pues ambos sufrieron una infancia tormentosa. El tiempo no ha logrado borrar su dolor, pero ahora un muchacho depende de él y sus sentimientos por Grace, la mujer de la que siempre ha estado enamorado pero a la que nunca se ha atrevido a conquistar, parecen más intensos que nunca. Tal vez sea el momento de cambiar el rumbo de su vida y aceptar no solo por lo que ya es, sino por lo que puede llegar a ser. ( )

Nora Roberts is an author I like but her books can tend to be pretty cookie cutter and similar. For me her books are the best when they are part of a series and have an interesting set of characters. This series is one of my favorites that she wrote because the story is engaging and the characters are intriguing. ( )

I read this in German. The translator wasn't careful enough in handling specifically American meanings. If a British book talks of Nightjars, Ziegenmelker is the right translation. American nightjars are related, but not the same species, and should be translated Nachtschwalben. There were other similar mistakes. ( )

"Rising Tides" is Ethan Quinn's story and the strongest in the Chesapeake Bay series. I have to say though that the whole thing with Seth's biological mother has gotten beyond stupid at this point. There's a lot of things going on that I wonder why the police haven't become involved. We still have the magical realism elements popping up in this book that don't really work with everything else going on. Cameron is now married in this one and he and Anna are only in the last half of the book. Phillip barely feels real in this one and even when he is the subject of his own book still feels fake to me.

Ethan Quinn is quiet and loyal. He loves being on the water and now is turning his hand at helping his brothers with their hand made boating business. That said, this book is pretty hard to read since it deals with child rape. Though Phillip and Cameron's childhood stories are tough to read about, Ethan's definitely affected me. Ethan feels as if what happened to him as a child now makes him unclean and unworthy of love as an adult. When childhood friend Grace Monroe finally makes her feelings for Ethan known, they stumble along to something, though Ethan is reluctant to have things become permanent.

I did like Ethan for most of this book, and then I didn't at times. His talking down to Grace after she is almost assaulted was definitely one of those times. I really got tired of the men in this series and how they supposedly talked to women they cared about. At least he apologized though so that was something. Ethan is probably the brother that gets Seth the most so it was great to see the scenes involving them together. And Ethan telling Seth about his past has Seth opening up even more about things.

Grace was great and I felt for her. A young woman who had dreams of dancing that were taken away by her parents, she married a man she didn't really love who left her when she was about to give birth. She is now raising her 18 month old daughter on her own while working several jobs. I hated how Ethan and even other people acted like Grace was acting too prideful when her father treated her like dirt because she was pregnant before marrying, and is now divorced.

The writing was strong in this one, though the flow was off here and there. I think there were too many things going on with Seth's mother, the insurance company still, rumors about Ray Quinn, etc. When the book just focused on Ethan and Grace and their budding romance it really works.

The ending did make me laugh and sigh at times though. Ethan finally gets told about himself and it finally starts to sink in that what was done to him as a child doesn't have to shape the rest of his life. ( )

"A Trilogy" 2/3 ( )

The four books in this series are fantastically done, I love the strength and love between all the brothers and how they deal with their problems. I've read this series countless times and keep going back to it. ( )

This review was updated on A Weebish Book Blog as part of my TBT Review feature.

Ethan isn’t my favorite character in this series, but his and Grace’s book is very enjoyable and has it’s own part to play in the Chesapeake Bay Saga. I happily re-read this series every time I’m in a book slump and I need a Nora Roberts pick me up.

Ethan is the Tall, Dark, and Silent type. It’s not that he doesn’t speak, but he doesn’t feel the need to fill a space with words like I do. He’s content to work in silence or just soak up the lakeside air. Even though he’s not as approachable as his brother Cam, or even Phillip, he always surprises a laugh out of me. He’s also one of the most clueless men I have ever read about, especially when it comes to women. He compared Grace to a HORSE! I realize he was trying to compliment her long, silky legs, but seriously. A horse? Pfft.

Grace is an intriguing character. My original interest in RISING TIDES stems from my curiosity about she and Seth’s relationship, and now I can see why he has such a big crush on her. She’s a sweet, caring mother, and little bit naive. There are a few “poor, deluded Grace” moments,, but in the end I found her character endearing. And her daughter, Aubrey, was just adorable. My favorite character of the book, hands down.

This book might not have been my favorite of the Chesapeake Bay Saga, but it was a great read that I’m sure I’ll be re-reading again one day. If you’re family-thmed contemporary romances or a fan of Nora Roberts, check out this series. ( )

After just reading Sea Swept, this story was good but not as captivating. Like the hero, it was slow moving until the end. The secondary characters were more exciting than hero and heroine. Quinn brother Ethan, a waterman, and single working mother Grace have been attracted to each other for years.
( )

In the following of the Quinn family saga, we return to St. Chris to watch Ethan's struggle with his past and the love for Grace.
Another light and delightful romance by the hand of Nora Roberts. ( )

Ethan wasn't my favorite character in this series, but his and Grace's book was very enjoyable and had it's own part to play in the Quinn/Chesapeake Bay Saga.

Ethan is what I would call the Tall, Dark, and Silent type. It's not that he doesn't speak, but he doesn't feel the need to fill the air with words like some people would. He's content to work in silence or just soak up the lakeside air. And even though he may not be as approachable as his brother Cam is, or even Phillip, he always surprises a laugh out of me.

He is also one of the most clueless men I have ever read on paper (I've met some fairly clueless men in person, most of them family members) , especially when it came to women. He compared Grace to a HORSE! I realize he was trying to compliment her long, sexy legs, but, seriously, why not a gazelle? I mean a horse?!? No woman wants to be compared to a horse.

Grace was an intriguing character. My original interest in RISING TIDES stems from my curiosity about she and Seth's relationship, and now I can see why he has such a big crush on her. She's so sweet, caring, and little bit naive. Okay, a lot naive. There were a lot of "poor, deluded Grace" moments for me, but she wasn't annoying like a lot of whinny contemporary chicks these days (*cough* Bella).

My favorite character in RISING TIDES, hands down, was Aubrey, Grace's toddler. She's just the most adorable little kid ever. I'd keep her as a pet if I could. Would it be wrong to keep a kid as a pet? Probably.

This book might not have been my favorite, but it was a great read that I wouldn't mind re-reading again sometime. If you're into the whole family saga/drama thing, or hell, just a fan of Nora Roberts, check out this series. I absolutely loved it, maybe you will too!

Read more reviews and recommendations @ No Book Left Behind Book Blog ( )

Second book to a series, only gets better! ( )

This is book two in the Chesapeake Bay series. So far I've read books one and two, plus the several-years-later follow-up #4. Overall, this is definitely one of the meatier series. There's enough room for some true character development as well as an ongoing storyline that threads throughout the series. And, truth be told, I had a very hard time putting it down. (Read until 3 a.m. one night, even though I knew I had to be up by 7 the next morning.)

The one major issue I had was that there were a few instances where I felt that Ethan bordered on abusive. There were reasons for his actions that gave an acceptable background for this, and it was clear that there was supposed to be a kind of simmering temper in the background, and not one that would come out in a relationship. And, actually, from the character standpoint, I bought that. But there were some places where I felt the writing didn't quite provide that support for the character and took it a little too far. (Which I see as a distinction from having the character take it too far, if you know what I mean.) Because of this, I brought the rating down to a 3.5. Otherwise it would be a solid 4 (or even 4.5). ( )

Good not great. Fairly typical contemporary romance. ( )

The second Quinn, Ethan had a horrible childhood before Ray and Stella Quinn rescued him. Now he has to face that childhood if he ever wants to make a future with Grace, the woman he's loved from a distance for far, far too long.

The second in the Chesapeake Bay trilogy is just as strong, if not stronger, than the first. ( )

Rising Tides is the second of the Chesapeake Bay series by Nora Roberts. Ethan, the quiet, crab-fishing middle Quinn brother, has been attracted to Grace Monroe since they were young, but first she was too young and then she was married and divorced and a young mother, and anyway, she couldn’t want this damaged soul, could she? Except she does: and finally takes action to make it clear. But as far as Ethan is concerned, their relationship can’t progress to marriage because of something that happened in his youth. Again, there is the underlying story of Seth DeLauter and the death of Ray Quinn, still unresolved. Roberts once again touches on child abuse, sexual, physical and emotional, as well as pride, trust, social work and “the System” and bad blood. Seth’s mother, Gloria, makes her unwanted presence felt by letter and phone. Not as much of the humorous interaction between the brothers as the first of the series, Sea Swept, but still filled with likeable characters, laughs, some lump-in-the-throat moments, it is, ultimately, a heart-warming read. The need for resolution of Seth’s parentage is not the only thing that will send readers looking for the third instalment, and Phillip Quinn’s story, Inner Harbour. ( )

Rising Tides is the second of the Chesapeake Bay series by Nora Roberts. Ethan, the quiet, crab-fishing middle Quinn brother, has been attracted to Grace Monroe since they were young, but first she was too young and then she was married and divorced and a young mother, and anyway, she couldn’t want this damaged soul, could she? Except she does: and finally takes action to make it clear. But as far as Ethan is concerned, their relationship can’t progress to marriage because of something that happened in his youth. Again, there is the underlying story of Seth DeLauter and the death of Ray Quinn, still unresolved. Roberts once again touches on child abuse, sexual, physical and emotional, as well as pride, trust, social work and “the System” and bad blood. Seth’s mother, Gloria, makes her unwanted presence felt by letter and phone. Not as much of the humorous interaction between the brothers as the first of the series, Sea Swept, but still filled with likeable characters, laughs, some lump-in-the-throat moments, it is, ultimately, a heart-warming read. The need for resolution of Seth’s parentage is not the only thing that will send readers looking for the third instalment, and Phillip Quinn’s story, Inner Harbour. ( )

loved the trilogy
on loan to Aunt Lo ( )

Ethan and Grace have known each other for years, and each has been in love with the other for almost as long, unbeknownst to each other. Unfortunately, Ethan's past comes between them, and they worry they won't be able to get past it.

While the dark tones of nearly all of the characters' pasts are incredibly unsettling (and I wonder at how well-adjusted and sexually "healthy" they are, especially those who were raped as children. And yes, there's more than one), the chemistry and love between Ethan and Grace is pretty tense and sexy.

Not for the faint of heart, and I'm not crazy about the reader, but overall, a decent read. ( )

I really enjoyed this second book in the Quinn Brothers series. This book focuses on the love story between Ethan and Grace, the single mother who cleans their house and who the brothers have known since they were kids. The thread that ties the books together has to do with Seth, the youngest foster brother. The way he ended up as part of the family wasn’t entirely through the proper legal channels, so there is concern about his mother showing up in his life again. That storyline doesn’t really go far in this book, but the stage was set for some dramatic happenings in the next. And, in true Nora Roberts sibling saga fashion, there’s a ghost lurking in the background. I could actually do without that part, but I understand what she’s trying to do. Also, she does a wonderful job of bringing the Chesapeake Bay setting to life. I’ll definitely be finishing this series. ( )

Cam and Anna have married. The boat building business has started.

Ethan has always loved Grace, and Grace has always loved Ethan. However, Ethan thinks he never wants to pass on his genes, and Grace "needs" a large family. Ethan was sold sexually, for drugs, by his mother. Ethan gets to explain/show sex doesn't have to be mean and ugly to Seth. ( )

This is the 2nd book in the Quinn series, and my least favorite, though it was better this time through than I remembered. (The first book was Sea Swept.)

Ethan is the strong, silent type, referred to as a "waterman," by which I assume is meant that he makes his living on the water. Grace is a single mother, extremely hard-working and devoted to her child. She's got a bit of estrangement from her father, but it's due to normal family stuff--they disappointed each other and were both too stubborn to be the first to forgive--rather than anything more dramatic than that.

Ethan's character was better explained than I remembered--introverted because of his past before coming to the Quinns. And I suppose that explains his self-imposed martyrdom, though it doesn't make me like it any better for being explained. "I can never marry because I might have a child and I can never have a child because my birth mother was an evil whore and I might pass on her genes." That doesn't make me sympathetic. It just makes me want to smack some sense into him. Which Anna does, eventually, in one of my absolute favorite scenes in the book.

I want to smack Grace, too. She married because she was pregnant, and divorced soon after. Her father was disappointed in her, which got her back up, and they've both stubbornly clung to what's often referred to as "pride"--more commonly known as stupidity, IMO. So she's preternaturally perfect, except for her "fatal flaw" of stubborn pride, which is seen as some sort of warped virtue. She cleans houses and waits tables until she's dead on her feet; she's The Perfect Mother, a genius at home decoration, the world's greatest cook, tall & slim & gorgeous of course, beloved by small children and animals, and can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Then there's the problem that nothing much happens in this book. In the first one, the whole problem is set up, and the brothers have to change their lives. The third book has the climactic showdown. This one... there's not much development in the ongoing trilogy plot except for a demand from Seth's mother for more money. And with Ethan and Grace having the fewest conflicts of the three couples, it makes for a less engaging book.

And do I need to mention how much 22-year-old Ethan having the hots for 14-year-old Grace squicks me out? Do 22-year-old men (who aren't sickos) spend a lot of time pining after high school freshmen?

Okay, those are my complaints. But you'll notice that I did give this book 4 stars anyway. Why? Because despite the fact that I didn't particularly like the characters, they were very real and very understandable. And despite the fact that it didn't move the trilogy plot along very much, there were some wonderful scenes. ( )

Of all of 12 year old Sean's three brothers, it is Ethan's past childhood trauma's that most matches his. Ethan, Cameron, and Philip were all adopted by Ray and Stella Quinn and rescued fro abusive situations. However Ray dies after a car accident before he can complete the formalities to adopt Sean. The three brothers promise their father on his death bed that they will make sure that he is safely adopted. Ethan is as a waterman in the Chesapeake, Cam is a boat racer and Philip is a businessman. they all agree to live in the family home so they can demonstrate their are capable of being responsible for Sean.

Cam has married Anna, the Social Worker assigned to the case. Sean's mother is still threatening to take back her son and this book follows the continuing steps to preventing this. Ethan and Sean form a very close bond as Sean gradually realises that Ethan has had the same horrific past - and really does understand what he is going through. At the same time Grace, a single mum, is gradually able to convince Ethan that he is he worthy of a loving relationship - especially if she is the second half of that relationship.

A wonderful story of developing trust and relationships between family members. I have the last in this trilogy (The Quinn Brothers Trilogy) 'Inner Harbour' to follow. There is also a separate book about Sean when he is all grown up called 'Chesapeake Bay Blues'. ( )

Rising Tides by Nora Roberts (8/10)
Romance. I found I really liked this series. This was probably my least favourite and I'm not sure why as it was still a lovely story. ( )

Probably my least favorite in the trilogy, I don't usually like the shy typed leading men. But at the same time everytime I pick it up I am compelled to finish and see that sweet ending. There is the breaking point in Ethan that makes me smile everytime. ( )