"Warm historical romance"

In 1673, after sixteen-year-old Lily Ashcroft meets aristocratic scholar Randal Nesbit she challenges the family motto of "Question Convention". Lily realizes she has found her life mate and wants a very conventional marriage to the decade older Randal. He is extremely attracted to Lily but he keeps reminding himself she is only sixteen. In fact he uses that rationalization for the next four years to keep his distance.

However, Rand sees Lily during a Baptism of her twin nephew and niece and he knows he no longer can hide behind her under age status, nor does he want too. He simply desires marriage to his beloved Lily. However, she concludes that her sister Rose has set her sights on Rand and Lily decides to sacrifice her own happiness for her family. However, neither sibling understands that to Rand a Rose is not a Rose as his preference run towards a different flower.

LILY, the second bloom in Lauren Royal's seventeenth century romantic bouquet (see VIOLET) is an enjoyable tale starring two nice people who (with Rose) make an interesting triangle. The story line is entertaining, but no character is deeply developed and the conflict is not that powerful. Still, readers will enjoy a warm historical romance starring charming protagonists who want no one hurt.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 25, 2003

One man, two sisters, and a love that won't be denied.

Summary

Lily Ashcroft has never understood the need for her rather eccentric family's motto: "Question convention." In fact, even at the tender age of sixteen, Lily took one look at Lord Randal Nesbitt and wished for a most traditional institution—marriage. But, her older sister Rose has her sights set on the dashing scholar, and known for always doing the right thing, Lily puts her own longings aside to help Rose in her quest to land him.

What no one counts on are Rand's feelings. Though he hasn't seen Lily in four years, he's never forgotten her fresh and innocent beauty. Unused to falling victim to both desire and love, Rand never thought he'd marry. But, now he finds himself caught in the thorny position between two lovely sisters—the one he's expected to wed, and the one he truly wants...