Playing the Odds

The MacGregors, Book 1

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nora Roberts enchants again with this beloved classic about the passionate and headstrong MacGregor family.

Serena MacGregor had been looking for a little independence and some much-needed adventure, but Justin Blade was not what she had in mind. The stakes were high, and Justin was betting on changing Serena's mind about him. But when this fiery heiress upped the ante on the cool Comanche gambler, steamy didn't begin to describe the results....

©1985 Nora Roberts (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

"Well Now"

Would you consider the audio edition of Playing the Odds to be better than the print version?

I love the printed version, but the audio is so much better!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Justin and the MacGregor. Justin as he is both masculine and sexy with a touch of tender.
The MacGregor, the old goat as he makes all his demands via his wife Anna

Have you listened to any of Angela Dawe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I own all of this series as Ms Dawe is a fantastic job on my all time fave N.R. series. Her male voices are too die for.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Rena confronts the MacGregor and deals with his cigars

Any additional comments?

These are simple 90's stories that make you smile and give you a warm heart. These are NOT like Ms Nora's current writing style.

Glad Roberts Developed As A Writer

I have not checked the publication date but this reads like an early effort. I bought the second book in the toes and hope it is better crafted..

Perfect all the way through

The writer & narrator pull you immediately into the lives of Serena & Justin. The chemistry between them lights up the story and the auxiliary characters are so on point that I can’t wait to listen to their stories.

Wonderful

Loved the story, romantic and beautiful as all of Nora Robert’s books love them all

Love

Great storyline was pleasantly surprised with twist at the end. Another enjoyable read. Looking forward to the other books in the series.

Sadly not her normal standard

Loved the Narrator Angela Dawes always does an excellent job and is one of the narrators i always listen to, its rare with her and Nora Roberts to be disappointed, but this book did disappoint.

If your after a mindless shallow read/listen then enjoy. but if your after Ms Roberts normal flair you will be sadly disappointed.

I had great hopes for this series but doubt i buy book two

The female lead starts out great with plenty of potential then becomes a mindless idiot in the hands of a professional gambler when they meet inspite of her showing no or very little attention to him, to make matters worse he has become unbeknownst to her well know to her father and family.

I dislike stories of intelligent women falling idiotically and insensibly for your typical male domineering bad boy type (with some good side of course) but some do, look a Freehan's book sales, if you do, then this is for you.

As this is an early ( around the mid 1980's i think) Roberts Novel being re-released one can see her style has obviously improved over the years and grown very much better, at least in my opinion.

Wonderfully done.

Blade is nearly perfect. Confident but not arrogant. He made Bold Plays but not without intelligent assessment and was never disrespectful. He was strong and stubborn but not emotionally detached. He was sexy and skilled but also reverent and tender. Women want an sophisticated dominant even rough alpha male but not a unrefined brute whom treats women as possessions. I just wish I could be Rena. I loved her inner fighter that still held the hopeless romantics heart. She was every bit Blades equal and compliment. I’m looking forward to more melding from The MacGregor as I keep following this series.

It’s one of my favorites

The voice is somewhat annoying, but I got through it.
I wouldn’t mind a remake that they could replace this with.

Robotic narration

Typical early Nora Roberts novel, beautiful people with perfect lives having perfect sex. Story line was tolerable however the narrator came across as angry and robotic. Her character voices were impressive but the rest of the story reading was disappointing. Will definitely avoid anything else by this narrator!!!

Love the Story, Narration Jolting

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would choose another reader

What other book might you compare Playing the Odds to and why?

Other Nora Roberts books

What didn’t you like about Angela Dawe’s performance?

I found it jolting and it made me nervous - like she was attacking the words - I had to keep turning it off

What would have made this romance irresistible?

A softer approach

Any additional comments?

The book and the story are typical Nora Roberts but the narration really ruins it - sorry.