REVIEW: Northern Lights by Nora Roberts

Northern Lights

by Nora Roberts

4 HEARTS

From Goodreads

Lunacy was Nate Burke's last chance. As a Baltimore cop, he'd watched his partner die on the street-and the guilt still haunts him. With nowhere else to go, he accepts the job as Chief of Police in this tiny, remote Alaskan town. Aside from sorting out a run-in between a couple of motor vehicles and a moose, he finds his first weeks on the job are relatively quiet. But just as he wonders whether this has been all a big mistake, an unexpected kiss on New Year's Eve under the brilliant Northern Lights of the Alaska sky lifts his spirit and convinces him to stay just a little longer.

Meg Galloway, born and raised in Lunacy, is used to being alone. She was a young girl when her father disappeared, and she has learned to be independent, flying her small plane, living on the outskirts of town with just her huskies for company. After her New Year's kiss with the Chief of Police, she allows herself to give in to passion-while remaining determined to keep things as simple as possible. But there's something about Nate's sad eyes that gets under her skin and warms her frozen heart.

And now, things in Lunacy are heating up. Years ago, on one of the majestic mountains shadowing the town, a crime occurred that is unsolved to this day-and Nate suspects that a killer still walks the snowy streets. His investigation will unearth the secrets and suspicions that lurk beneath the placid surface, as well as bring out the big-city survival instincts that made him a cop in the first place. And his discovery will threaten the new life-and the new love-that he has finally found for himself

As I was listening to this book I kept thinking it sounded really familiar and then I realized that I've read it before. But, since I enjoyed it so much in print version I figured what the heck? I would go ahead and finish it in audio. I'm glad I did. It's not often I get to do an audio versus print comparison. I can honestly say that this book is great in either form.

Meg Galloway is a crazy bush pilot in Lunacy Alaska. Being abandoned by her beloved father and raised by an attention hungry, needy mother has made her very independent and pragmatic. To her things are black and white. You have a need? Fill it. Don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself and don't expect someone else to do it for you.

Nate Burke is the new Sheriff to Lunacy. Coming from the lower 48 he's an automatic outsider and not to be trusted. A few of the townspeople are friendly enough, but he has a long ways to go to prove himself. Now, a body has turned up and Nate is in the position to find the decades old murderer and no one in town is free of suspicion.

This book becomes interesting when Meg and Nate hook up as a couple and to solve the murder. Meg was a bit brash for my tastes in many scenes, but in others endearing. I think this is more of a personal taste. I like strong heroines, but not in your face. There were times when she was in your face. However, Nate and Meg played off of one another really well. Nate was a great hero. I loved just about everything about him.

Hotness Rating 
3 out of 5