Red Lily (In the Garden, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Nora Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2005

Three 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.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Hayley loves her life in Memphis: her precious baby girl, Lily, her job at the In the Garden nursery, and her close friendships with her boss, Roz, and coworker Stella. Hayley isn't about to risk all this on the chance that Roz's son, Harper (his mother's last name), might be interested in her. But when her desire for Harper finally proves to be too strong to resist, Hayley discovers not only that Harper feels the same about her but also that everyone is delighted to see them together. In fact, the only one who seems upset by her new relationship is the "Harper Bride" ghost, who, after nearly a century of unthreatening behavior, is suddenly turning violent. Now if Hayley wants her budding romance to flourish, she must find a way to root the Harper Bride out of all of their lives. The consistently excellent Roberts brings her In the Garden trilogy to a spooky, sexy conclusion with this spellbinding romance that beautifully celebrates the power of love in all its guises. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"'sheer entertainment' The Guardian" --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Jove (November 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515139408
• ISBN-13: 978-0515139402
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (119 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Anthologies
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( R ) > Roberts, Nora
  • #70 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fitting conclusion for the In The Garden trilogy, December 5, 2005

By 

Sarah W "Sarah W" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Red Lily (In the Garden, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Harper Ashby and Hayley Phillips have been circling around their attraction for each other for quite awhile now. Neither wants to ruin the special friendship they have established, but both crave for something more. The chance to love each other is there and they are going to grab it with both hands. Along with Hayley's young daughter Lily, Harper and Hayley start to form a family.

However, all is not right at Harper House. Amelia, the ghostly presence that has lived in the house since the late 1890s is getting more violent, more unpredictable. She's been taking over Hayley's body, using Hayley in order to get her story across. It's taking a heavy toll on Hayley, along with Roz and Stella and company. This close knit group must find a way to rid Harper House forever of Amelia's ghost, while also providing a fitting ending for a woman who was treated shabbily in life. Can they do it, or is Amelia destined to haunt Harper House forever?

Red Lily is the fabulous conclusion for Nora Roberts latest trilogy. This is a truly creepy novel, more so in my opinion than previous Roberts' trilogies have been. The way Amelia subtly and slyly takes over Hayley's body is spooky to read about, but is counterbalanced nicely by the blooming relationship between Hayley and Harper. Also enjoyable for this reader was catching up with the other tenants of Harper House.

This is by far the best of the three stories, and even if you weren't all that thrilled by Blue Dahlia and Black Rose, as I myself wasn't, I think you'll find Red Lily to be a fast-paced, and action packed romance that definitely shows off Ms. Roberts romance talent once again.

All in all, this is suspenseful and romantic tale that will keep you on the edge with the mystery surrounding Amelia.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Red Lily, February 16, 2008

By 

Kelly "Reviewer for The Sinfully Sensuous" (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Red Lily (In the Garden, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Harper and Haley finally get their story. Through the entire series they have gotten to know and love each other. Haley came to Harper House pregnant and very alone, but now has a large extended loving family. She is desperate to let Harper know her feelings, but fears from both of them keep desires hidden.

Amelia, the Harper Bride escalates her violent tendencies as soon as the love between Haley and Harper becomes evident. Haley, Harper, Roz, Mitch, Stella, and Logan race against time to solve the mystery before something tragic happens.

The final book in the garden series did not disappoint!! I loved the entire series, and it will be a permanent addition to my library.

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Three, December 1, 2005

By 

Wendy Kaplan (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Lily (In the Garden, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

As slow and meandering as the first two books in Nora Roberts' In the Garden trilogy were, "Red Lily" is the exact opposite. In a fast-paced, interesting, romantic thriller, Roberts is back to herself as she tells two stories at once: the romance of single mother Hayley and Roz's eldest son Harper--and the escalating haunting of the ghost who wants something from Hayley and is willing to posseses her to get it. But what does she want?

Nora comes back alive in this book as she describes Hayley's winsomly darling baby daughter, Lily--one cannot help thinking that the author is describing her own adored grandbaby, it seems so real and true! The romance is perhaps a bit less graphic than in past books, but just as pleasing as always, and the dialogue is fresh and "now" and right.

I'm so glad to see Nora back in the groove. I believe that she has settled happily and comfortably into the third stage of a women's life--wife and grandma--and this book positively shimmers with that happiness. I lift a glass of wine to her and this wonderful book.