"Terrific ending to the delightful In the Garden trilogy"
Hayley Phillips had no place to go to safely raise her
newborn Lily, so she came to Memphis' legendary Harper
House hoping to obtain work from her distant relative
forty-something Roz Harper at the attached In the Garden
nursery (see BLUE DAHLIA). She has found much more as she
becomes friends with her curmudgeon host, Stella and
others who shower her and Lily with love. However over
time, Hayley realizes she also loves Roz's son Harper, but
fears revealing her deep feelings because she worries how
Roz and their friends would react; not even love is worth
the cost of that friendship. Besides she has doubts that
the deep regard is truly hers as she thinks the Harper
Bride has somehow entered her mind. Harper shares her
feelings including not wanting to hurt their friendship
that means so much to him. Hayley believes the Harper Bride, a ghost singing
lullabies in the mansion, has chosen her as the one to
help the spirit leave this plane. Accompanied by Harper,
Roz and her beloved Mitchell (see BLACK ROSE), and Stella
and her cherished Logan they begin a quest to learn what
happened in 1893 to keep this spector haunting the mansion. RED LILY is a terrific ending to the delightful In the
Garden trilogy. Haley fantasizes about Harper and dreams
of things that happened to the Harper Bride not her. This
makes her wonder if the Bride or she loves Harper. The
ensemble cast returns from the previous novels, but
remains consistent to their distinctive personalities.
The mystery of the ghost and the potential romance make
for a fine finale as the audience will wonder whether the
Bride, Haley, or both loves Harper. Nora Roberts proves
once again she is one of the best writers in the romance
world. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 24, 2005
SummaryThree women learn that the heart of their historic home
holds a mystery of years gone by, as number-one bestselling
author Nora Roberts brings her In the Garden trilogy to a
captivating conclusion, following Blue Dahlia and
Black Rose.
A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old
mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone
alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the
halls, singing lullabies at night...
Hayley Phillips came to Memphis hoping for a new start, for
herself and her unborn child. She wasn't looking for a
handout from her distant cousin Roz, just a job at her
thriving In the Garden nursery. What she found was a home
surrounded by beauty and the best friends she's ever
had—including Roz's son Harper. To Hayley's delight,
her new daughter Lily has really taken to him. To Hayley's
chagrin, she has begun to dream about Harper—as much
more than a friend...
If Hayley gives in to her desire, she's afraid the
foundation she's built with Harper will come tumbling down.
Especially since she's begun to suspect that her feelings
are no longer completely her own. Flashes of the past and
erratic behavior make Hayley believe that the Harper Bride
has found a way inside of her mind and body. It's time to
put the Bride to rest once and for all, so Hayley can know
her own heart again—and whether she's willing to risk
it...
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