Truly, Madly Manhattan
Local Hero and Dual Image

Nora Roberts

These days Nora Roberts writes involved romantic suspense novels or lighter but still involved romantic novels that are often in a group. But she earned her "romantic chops" and gained her first recognition as a writer for the Silhouette romance novels series in the 1980's. Silhouette has since gathered many of those into collections for her new and old readers alike. Truly, Madly Manhattan is one of those collections. It includes Local Hero and Dual Image, both originally published in the mid-80's.

In Local Hero, Hester Wallace and her son Radley move into a new apartment in Manhattan. She was deserted by her ex-husband when Radley was small. She stayed strong and is now able to provide a good life for herself and her son. Mitch Dempsey notices when they move in but isn't concerned. He works from home as a comic book author/artist. When he does meet Hester, Mitch is immediately attracted to both the woman and her young son. Now he has to convince her that he is serious and that she should take a chance with him.

Ariel Kirkwood ins a soap opera actress in Dual Image. She wins a role as a vixen in a movie that Booth DeWitt wrote based on his failed marriage. Ariel is impulsive, social, open and reaches out to all. Booth has been hardened by his marriage and his natural bent as an organized loner. Ariel quickly recognizes that Booth could be important in her life if he will let her in. But she has a secret of her own that she can't share with anyone. Will he understand?

Neither novel is great literature - but the characters interact well with each other. Both women are strong - actually a portrait of the 80's superwoman who juggles work, home, and family superbly. Not only are the romances the stuff of fantasies, but so are the success of the women's lives. That doesn't make the books any less enjoyable. They are well written and satisfy.

Actually, I have to admit some disappointment in Dual Image. There is so much more that could be included - and would be if she were to write this novel today. There are depths to both Ariel and Booth that could bear further investigation.

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Notice:  Strong sexual content