The MacGregors Collection: Volume 1: Playing the Odds, Tempting Fate, One Man's Art, All the Possibilities, For Now, Forever

Nora Roberts has created my ultimate favorite romance family, and I defy anyone to not fall in love with Daniel McGregor, the patriarch of the bunch. This is a five book collection, written in the late 1980s/early 1990s, so some tropes must be taken with a grain of salt, but the strength of the characters is simply unforgettable.The first book I read was actually “book 3” and titled “All the Possibilities”, detailing the romance between Senator Alan McGregor (the firstborn son), a career politician, and Shelby Campbell, a free spirited artist with a dislike for career politicians. Anyone familiar with the historic “McGregor vs Campbell” feuding will also enjoy the interplay, while this book began my own love affair with Daniel McGregor. The witty and deft character development is simply some of the best writing out there.After reading this book back in 1985 (and discovering it was book 3), I naturally hunted down one and two. “Playing the Odds” focuses on Serena McGregor and her love affair (engineered by her interfering father) with Justin Blade, a man of Comanche heritage. This book touches on racism and the challenges of the hospitality industry, while still being entertaining.Book 2 in the series is my least favorite - “Tempting Fate” focused on “youngest son” Caine McGregor and Diana Blade, estranged sister of Justin. Both are lawyers, with very different styles, and Diana is given a history of being raised by an emotionally abusive aunt, with a lot of abandonment issues. I found myself wanting to smack some sense into her rather regularly, but must acknowledge my own issues with my family of origin probably are part of the reason I find the book more annoying than enjoyable - Diana annoys me! Get some therapy, woman!And there is the crux of the situation - these characters are REAL. They had lives before we picked up the book, and their lives continue after we are done.Book 4 involves periphery character Grant Campbell (sister of Shelby) and one of the Blade cousins. Now the focus is on the difference between a political cartoonist (Grant) and a “real” artist Genvieve Grandieux, scion of both French royalty in New Orleans and a pirate ancestor. The themes of mutual respect, communication and compromise being necessary for a successful relationship seem logical, but were really quite revolutionary for romance books of the time. Additional fun note: I always think Grant is based loosely on famed political cartoonist Gary Trudeau of Doonesbury fame, and this book continues to play with my True Love Daniel McGregor in fun ways. (Note - books 3 and 4 are NOT in the correct release order in this edition.)Finally, in 1992, Nora decided to give us the story of Daniel and Anna’s courtship. Anna has always been portrayed as the quiet strength of the clan, and it turns out she is even more amazing than the glimpses we’ve had in the previous four books. She has to be strong to both stand up to and match Daniel, because the truth is a character as strong as he is would simply run rough shod over anyone weaker, and a book written about a woman going to medical school in the late 1950s (ish) who is willing to flout “convention” as she searches for her own path, and works to decide if it will include a difficult, but rewarding relationship with Daniel.These books were originally part of the “Silhouette Special Edition” series, so there are always at least three well written scenes of passion per book, which always leave our heroines stunned by the explosive nature of the sexual joy they experience in the arms of their lovers (who, to be fair, are equally surprised). Secondary characters can and do reappear, but one of the nice things in this series is that there are no “villains” - the relationship issues are about the baggage we all bring from our past, and finding a partner who will support our goals and dreams, even as they change and evolve.I love this series, and think it holds up decades later. I have reread it every few years for over thirty years now, and the writing is still some of the best.I still love Daniel McGregor, his wife Anna, and the amazing clan that surrounds them. The good natured love they share keeps them from being toxic, and the family is simply wonderful.If you’ve never met them before, enjoy! If you have, welcome home! These books are five stars, all the way

I am going to follow up with reading the second set of The MacGregors.Great nightly read before going to bed.

two of the disks i had to buy from another seller they were scratched so bad they would not play

This is such a great book, that I look forward to going back and reading these stories again and I am impatient to read the rest of this series right now. Hot, Hot, Hot, love scenes, a well written, creative and intriguing story about the MacGregor family plus inventive, vivid characters, all on top of seriously wonderful love and romance. Each story is about one of Daniel MacGregor's children and about their powerful, emotional journey of falling in love. Roberts is one of my most favorite author's, and she doesn't disappoint in this series. Her unique style and classy, yet moving love scenes, paint a beautiful picture that leaves a person longing for something similar for themselves. All of that is combined into this fantastic series and make this book a "must-have"!!!! I didn't want to set it down....seriously!! Lol I was nodding off over my book on several different occasions. Worth the price and more to have a Nora Roberts book in your library collection!!!!!!

This was a great book, so many twists and turns. I loved it.

This is the first 5 books in the MacGregor Series. In my mind these stories has more interesting characters than the Second Volume. All the characters are unique and the stories stand alone. You do get to see the characters and how they are doing in the future, with each story building on the previous. However, I do think that these stories were her first interconnected books, with characters returning and being introduced who will have their own book later. I also believe this is one of the first interconnected series with the same characters throughout. It was also a "silhouette series book" I believe, and was written for that genre. Therer it has around 200 pages per book, not the 400- 500 pages of her current books. As a "shilhouette" it is not graphic in violence or sex, and the characters and the story lines are not as complex. However, if you want a good quick read, this is a great series.

I read these many years ago as mass paperbacks. I purchased both volume one and two collections in the Kindle form. Its fun to see how the MacGregor manipulates his children, grandchildren, and extended family into finding the marriage mates. Thrown in is the personalities that each have to overcome to be one (as all successful married couples have found. I just celebrated my 29th wedding anniversary so I consider myself an expert). Each of us are unique and wonderfully made so we each bring something to the marriage as Nora Roberts so eloquently writes in her novels. The characters are well thought-out as are the plots. Whether you are considering reading these the first time or again after a while like me, they are well worth it. I skip the "bedroom" parts, but there are authors whom I consider much more offense than Roberts in these novels.

Love the books and always have. Hate the fact that they aren’t in chronological order in this set (or the 2nd set). When I read a series I like to read it in order so that there isn’t mention of a plot I haven’t already read. Nothing worse than starting to read about one character (Grant) and they mention the wedding of another character (Shelby) which hasn’t happened yet in this compilation because they are out of order!

The MacGregors collection was about, playing the odds, the father, Daniel who was a rich tycoon that was continually interfering in his childrens lives by match-making. In this book he gets Blade to take a trip on a cruise line that his intellectual daughter is working, so they meet, because she is a dealer, and he is a gambler. He is a millionaire and owns a fleet of casinos, by gambling and she is very rich, they meet and no matter how hard they try not to, they fall in love.Its funny to see how hard they fight, and fight the overpowering urge to fall in love, but it is too strong, you can feel the pull, like you are part of it. Its amazing.Tempting fate is about 2 lawyers that meet in unbelievable circumstances. She is a couple of years behind him in school, and he is very wealthy, and owns his own building, and offers her an office and then a job. She grew up in a terrible home life and is fighting to shed her past life and her aunts teachings, that haunt her. These 2 are also amazed at the love that is growing between them and can't beleive it, themselves. Which makes it take twice as long to develope.One mans art is about two artists that meet in a storm, in very unsual circumstances, very nerve racking. If your scared of the dark and lighting. Neither of them know of each other and their fame. They think they are just normal people, then Campbell finds out she is very talented. She then meets the MacGregor family and is surprised that the recluse (the recluse is Campbell, he lives in an lighthouse) actually likes people., but she still doesn't know who he is. ....he is a comic strip cartoon writer in all the papers all over the land and very successful. and very wealthy. but thats all I know because I haven't got any farther sorry, but like the rest I am sure it will be terrific. Please enjoy, they pull you right into the feeling of strong love emotions again, that you never thought possible, and joy, frustration, sadness. These books make the emotions come alive again, you start to feel again, and thats a good thing, thanks Nora.

I love these stories and I’m reading it again! I only wish I would have read these reviews before reading — book 3 & 4 are backwards as stated in a previous review:"One Man's Art" takes place AFTER "All the Possibilities," not before.

SAME ANSWER AS BEFORE

Many pleasurable hours of listening

Expect I will now move on to The MacGregors Collection Volume 2.