Bay of Sighs
3 Stars

Series note: The events continue immediately following those in the first book. Bay of Sighs cannot be read as a standalone.

The search for the Water Star takes the Guardians to the island of Capri off the coast of Italy where they await the goddess Nerezza's new assault. Little do they know the horrific weapon she plans to use against them. As the bonds between the six grow stronger, two in particular struggle with their feelings for each other - Annika, the mermaid, whose time on land is limited, and Sawyer, the traveler, who fears losing his heart to a woman who will soon be gone.

Unfortunately, this installment suffers from middle book syndrome. The first 2/3s are rather slow and very little happens except for training and some build-up toward the showdown with Nerezza's monstrous new pet. The final 1/3, however, is very exciting with some truly intense and suspenseful moments.

Annika and Sawyer's romance is sweet, and it is impossible not to care about them and the virtually insurmountable obstacle that they face. Nora's solution is quite inventive although it isn't all that realistic or believable. Then again, this is fantasy, so a healthy suspension of disbelief is required. Speaking of Annika, she is simply adorable, and her discussions with Sasha and Riley about men and sex are hilarious.

Overall, not one of Nora's better sequels, but I am eager to find out more about Doyle's past and to see what is in store for him and Riley. ( )

The Bay of Sighs continues the Guardians' Trilogy. After finding and hiding the first of the three stars, the guardians are led to the island of Capri to look for the second. The search leads them to watery caves surrounding the island. Bran and Sasha have cemented their relationship, and in this book, Sawyer and Annika take center stage. Sawyer, whose has the ability to use a magic compass to take them to other places and times finds himself falling for Annika the mermaid chosen by her people to be part of the quest for the three stars. Nerezza has found an ally in Malmon who is also Sawyer's nemesis. Their quest leads them to the mythical Bay of Sighs, but the guardians, especially Sawyer and Annika, face difficult tests along the way that threaten to put an end to their newfound love.
This is another good entry in the Guardian's Trilogy leading to the third and final book, The Island of Glass. ( )

This one was my least favorite of the trilogy, because it spent too much time (in my opinion) on the evil god and her minions, which could have been spent with our heroes searching for the stone. It took place in one of my favorite locations ever, Capri, but I have to wonder if Nora Roberts has ever been to Italy, as she continually talks about group eating pizza American style (with everyone taking slices out of the same pie), while any restaurant in Italy only serves individual sized pizzas, so each person eats her own. ( )

Annika is my favourite character in this trilogy -- she is so full of joy and life and honesty. For once, a romance series that does not allow the "can't be honest with my feelings" trope. Really refreshing. Looking forward now to the conclusion on the mystery. Since there hasn't been the instantaneous chemistry between the last pair of characters that there was with the first two pairs, I'm not sure where Roberts is going to go with them. ( )

This felt more like a bridge between books one and three than a novel in its own right. There was some vague plot stuff, that came to a rather quick and easy conclusion. And Annika, though a charming character, is written in such a way as to come across as not emotionally or mentally mature enough to enter into an adult sexual relationship, so the romance between her and Sawyer felt a little squcky. I expect, and usually get, more and better from Nora Roberts. this was just sort of disappointing and should probably be only two stars, but it was still a comfort-food read, so that earned it a little leeway. ( )