The Witness

Product Information

Besides the “In Death” series, Nora Roberts is know for her prolific and immense body of work, routinely writing and publishing an average of 15 novels per year. She is best know for publishing trilogies of romance thrillers, which, according to Nora Roberts herself, allows the work come together more completely, and enables a more fluid and accessible storyline. I want to thank Shawna for recommending this book to me. In all honesty, I am not a huge fan of Nora Roberts' romance novels, although I do like her JD Robb In Death series. While this book didn't change my opinion of her on convert her to a must-read author for me, I enjoyed this book, and I can see she is a very good writer. Having said that, I don't find her romance style very moving personally. As far as suspense, she definitely works better for me. This is better than some of her latest work (The Search, the last 3 books in the Bride Quartet) but nowhere near her very best work (e.g. The Chesapeake Bay saga, Montana Sky, the Stanislaski brothers and sisters)

She witnessed a double murder and became the key to taking down a powerful organized crime family. This led to witness-protection, and more murders, and then to a life on the run until we find her living as a hermit in the Ozarks. Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth Fitch finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive.

Publication Order of J.D. Robb Short Stories/Novellas

Closure: This ends in a pretty good place but with not nearly enough closure for me. I would’ve really liked to see a farther glimpse into their future maybe with her being a loving mom like she said she wished to be. I would call this a HFN but others might be fine in calling it a HEA they’re engaged and it’s implied that the trial against the bad guys went well. Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Elizabeth/Abigail’s and Brooks’ story. Elizabeth has her one fit of rebellion when she is 16 and she ends up witnessing a double murder. Years later, and now Abigail, she meets the chief of police in the small town she now lives in. Brooks intrigued by the mysterious woman living all alone with her huge guard dog and carrying a gun, and he ends up pushing his way into her life. Abigail can’t seem to say no to pushy Brooks or his mother even though she knows that she needs to be cautious. There are some suspenseful scenes, some small town drama, some sweet moments, and a few sexy times…and they get a HFN ending.

The impetus for writing came during a heavy snowstorm in the year 1979. Snowed in, she began to put ideas to paper, and these notes soon became a manuscript for what would become a later novel. She soon had six completed manuscripts that she submitted, without success to, Harlequin Publishing, being rejected multiple times. She found success with the newly formed Silhouette Publishing with her first novel, Irish Thoroughbred, being published in 1981. First, I want to introduce you to Elizabeth Fitch. She is the sixteen year old daughter of Dr. Susan L. Fitch. Elizabeth was conceived through IVF, the donor carefully chosen for the ultimate intellect, looks and health. This fact was clearly stated to Elizabeth, time and time again. Her mother is emotionless and controlling. She guides every aspect of Elizabeth’s life, her education, clothes, nutrition, daily activities. Elizabeth is technically a genius with a photographic memory. At sixteen, she is in Harvard and her mother has her set to begin medical school. This is not what Elizabeth wants, though. But she has never disobeyed her mother, until THAT night. This one decision leads to the witnessing of a horrible crime committed by a crime family with far-reaching influence. So Liz has to rely on her brilliant mind to hide herself from not only the bad guys, but the good guys as well. Elizabeth and her mother have argued for the first time. After Dr. Fitch leaves for a medical convention, Elizabeth goes to a mall for the first time, shops, and runs into a girl she once knew in school. They come up with a plan for a crazy night out, using false ID’s, going to a club and hoping to meet cute guys. But, this night does not turn out the way it was supposed to. Elizabeth is a witness to a horrible crime. She is taken into protective custody but through another equally horrible set of circumstances, she is forced to run on her own.But, first of all, the woman has published hundreds of novels, but only written about 20. I'm convinced she keeps plot, body, personality types in a closet, strictly labeled by trope. I could forgive her that. But she's also horribly sexist. She's incorrigible. with it. After weighing the pros and cons, I’ve decided sex with you would be mutually satisfying. You’re attractive and pleasant. And clean. You kiss very well, and while I’ve found that’s not always a reliable gauge for skill in bed, it often follows. If you’re agreeable, we can finish dinner, I’ll show you the greenhouse, then we can go in and have sex. I’m on birth control, but I would require you wear a condom.” Sex scene with OW or OM: No There is a scene (before the mcs get together) where the H’s ex gets naked in front of him to entice him to sleep with her but he refuses