Sensuality rating: 6

Perennial New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts's new Three Sisters Island trilogy is pure magic! No, I mean really magic. An intriguing combination of The Witches of Eastwick and Sleeping With the Enemy, Dance Upon the Air introduces readers to the idyllic town of Three Sisters Island. Reputedly conjured by a trio of sisters seeking to escape the Salem witch-hunts, the island remains a place of quiet refuge for one and all, including pretty Nell Channing who arrives in town afraid of her own shadow, with few possessions and no past. But the warm, sunny days and cool, windswept nights, as well as the loving concern of new friends--especially hunky sheriff Zack Todd--soon lure skittish Nell into a much-welcome fresh life. Nell's new boss, the captivatingly lovely bookstore owner Mia Devlin (look for Mia's story, hopefully, in the not-too-distant future), wonders from what or whom Nell is running. Mia treats Nell as she would a sister, which isn't too far off the mark, helping Nell discover and explore her inner resources while Zack's romantic attentions bring a rosy glow to Nell's cheeks and to her future. But something wicked this way comes Will Nell be ready to face and conquer her past? Even with the love and support of Mia, Zack, and Zack's fellow police officer, his peppery, down-to-earth sister Ripley, Nell has the fight of her life--the fight for her life--on her hands. Roberts continues to delight fans and create new believers with her talent and imagination. --Alison Trinkle

Product Description
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author-the first book in the reissued Three Sisters Island trilogy is a tale of friendship, fate, and the mysterious ways of the heart.

Fast forward 300 years to Three Sisters Island. A frightened young woman, Nell Channing, comes to the island fleeing her past. She has been drawn here through compelling dreams. Concealing her identity, with few possessions and no identification, she finds a job as a gourmet cook at a local bookstore and cafe. The cafe's owner and Nell's new boss, Mia Devlin, warmly welcomes her as if she is a long lost friend. She rents Nell a lovely cottage and helps her settle in. For the first time in many years Nell begins to believe she has found a home and a place to make her future. The town sheriff, tall, dark and handsome, (of course), Zack Todd begins to woo her and Nell is drawn to him in spite of her knowledge that she can never become involved.

Then the past finally catches up to Nell. The evil she has been trying to escape comes to the island, endangering her and threatening the lives of those she has come to love. The curse of Three Sisters and the legend behind it are disclosed. Nell discovers that she is one of the three who can break the centuries-old spell and save her home and her life - with the help of two other strong, gifted women whom she has grown to care for as sisters.

One of the other reviews called this novel a combination of "The Witches Of Eastwick" and "Sleeping With The Enemy" and I think that is an apt description. The suspense and sheer terror of being pursued by an enraged, abusive spouse is clearly portrayed here, embellished a bit with the addition of magic and the supernatural. And Nora Roberts depicts the love, camaraderie, humor and complexity of the relationship between the sister witches in wonderful detail. It is easy to love Ms. Roberts' characters as she develops them with great care. The sisters' magic is delightful, as is the romance. The story is appropriately chilling at times and filled with suspense. "Dance Upon The Air" is the first part of a trilogy. I have read all three books and this is my favorite. It is an unputdownable read, perfect for curling up on a cold winter's night.
JANA


A worthy start to a new trilogy   June 7, 2001
 19 out of 20 found this review helpful

While I own every single book written by Nora Roberts, I have to say that I usually enjoy her paperback novels better than the hardcover books (Not that it stops me from buying every one of them!).

This particular novel tells the story of Nell, a woman fleeing from an abusive husband to a fictitous island off the coast of Massachusetts, Three Sisters. There she finds her first real feeling of home, friends that she has a mystical bond with and a handsome sheriff who is her soulmate.

The novel nicely blends the charm of a small town and the mystical events that we expect from Nora Roberts. It also is effective at setting up the two upcoming novels that will complete the trilogy. Packed with likeable characters and well paced, the novel is worthy of her "Born in" series.

I really loved this book. It was a surprising and satisfying read that kept me turing pages long into the night. I recommend it highly.


Very enjoyable   June 7, 2001
 18 out of 21 found this review helpful

I really liked this book. Nora has really created a strong female character, one that I think is much more stronger than her previous heroines with abused pasts (except for Eve Dallas). Nell gets away from her abusive husband by faking her own death and is drawn to Three Sisters Island. We find out she is actually a descendant of the original three witches that created the island, and her coming there completes the circle. On the island, she grows and is able to become close with people and form relationships. She is able to assert herself and get a job with the local "practical" witch, and later on she starts her own business. The romantic relationship with the town sheriff is nice, but her realtionship with her sister witches is even more interesting. One is the practical witch Mia Devlin, who was hurt by love; the other is the sheriff's sister, Ripley Todd, who has turned away from her powers. I really enjoyed this book, and finished it in one day. It's a nice break from Nora's recent mysteries, with the surprise twist of who the killer is. this is a story of growth and renewal and I *cannot* wait for the next two books in the series.


Bewitched   June 8, 2001
 17 out of 18 found this review helpful

I inevitably buy any book written by Nora Roberts and Dance Upon The Air celebrates her return to trilogies. Nell Channing, the heroine stages her own death and went on the run, ending up on Three Sisters Island where she assumes a new identity. Hired as a cook at the local bookshop cafe, she cooks up a storm every breakfast and lunch. With the help of Mia Devlin,her boss, Nell explores her talents in witchcraft.Struggling to keep the secrets of her past at bay, she falls in love with the local sheriff, Zack Todd, a sensitive and thankfully persistent soul. All is well until a chance sighting brought the long arm of her abusive and demented husband. Deputy Ripley Todd (Zack's sister),a very reluctant witch finally join forces with Mia and Nell to overcome evil.If you like to read and experiment with recipes like I do, you would appreciate Nell's niche at the 'Cafe Book', the quaint little bookshop cafe where she enjoys dishing up the goodies and have the islanders coming back for more! The magical spells are whimsical rather than dark which would otherwise be discordant in a love story. I am now waiting impatiently for its sequel, Heaven and Earth!


The Queen of the Trilogies Strikes Again !   July 4, 2001
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Nora Roberts is one of the few 'constants' in romantic fiction today. As an author, she paints vivid characters and sets a colorful scene in your mind where her story will unfold. Her books never fail to capture your interest from the first paragraph and hold it till the last sentence. Her trilogies are beyond compare. 'Dance Upon the Air' is the first of a new trilogy that we fans have been panting for. As she did with her 'Donaovan Legacy' novels, the backdrop here is witchcraft. Trust me when I tell you, when you've finished reading this book, you'll wish you knew where to find a local, practicing 'good witch'. Mia Devlin finds the completion to the 'circle of three' in new islander Nell Channing. She knows Nell is running away, but sees in her the promise of the future. As in all Nora Roberts books, or hero Zack Todd is big, brainy and beautiful. The perfect knight in a shinig sheriff's badge. You get immersed in the love developing between Zack and Nell, and intrigued by Mia's spell casting and 'calling up the wind'. Ripley Todd, sure to be the star of one of the two remaining installments share some of the wittiest and most biting dialog with Mia. Their all too brief altercations will having laughing out loud. I can, and have blindly recommended Nora Roberts books to all my friends without reservation, and 'Dance Upon The Air' is no exception. I can not wait until the fall release of the second book of the trilogy. Thanks again Nora! We can always depend on you !