Customer Reviews

Summer of Roses

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When she discovers that her granny is sick, Lily realizes she must come out of hiding to see her. Nine years earlier, she fled her hometown Of Hubbard's Point after years of abuse at the hands of her husband, Edward. She asks her lover, Liam to spirit daughter Rose away so that Edward cannot find her. But soon Edward discovers that the wife and daughter he thought were gone are alive and well, and he plots to take vengeance, and soon a nasty custody battle is underway.

Working to help Lily out of the mess is Patrick Murphy, the detective that was investigating her "murder," and found her alive instead in Canada, as well as another of Edward's wives, Marisa, who also fled to Nova Scotia.

While the story ties up the loose ends of "Summer's Child," this story has difficulty standing on its own, as the majority of the back story is contained in another source. Lost is the love and longing between main protagonists, Liam and Lily, although the love story of Marisa and Patrick is finally played out. Combining the two would have made for a much more compelling and cohesive novel.

Nine years have passed since a then pregnant pixie nee Mara Jameson fled her Hubbard's Point Connecticut home and the abuse of her spouse Edward Hunter for the sake of her unborn child. She changes her name to Lily Malone, relocates to remote Cape Hawk, Nova Scotia, opened up In Stitch, and raised her ailing (heart condition) daughter Rose by herself until Dr. Liam Neill entered their lives.

Now Mara has come home accompanied by her child and her beloved Liam because her ailing granny in Shoreline Hospital needs her though she knows Edward will find out and probably come for her with hatred in his heart. When Dr. Kirkland informs her that the unconscious granny suffers from carbon monoxide poisoning, she concludes Edward tried to kill her. She knows Edward will come for Rose using legal means, manipulating the media as the deserted hurt spouse who is whispered by many as wife killer and other deadlier methods at his disposal to achieve what he wants, the destruction of Mara.

This terrific suspense sequel to the SUMMER'S CHILD continues the tale of Lily returning to the life she fled almost a decade ago courageously knowing the risk she takes. The story line is character driven by brave people not just the heroine and Liam, but others to include a surprising courtroom twist. Though Edward is a tarnished loser, something in his gene pool allows him to select intrepid women and sire brave offspring. SUMMER OF ROSES is a terrific thriller that can be read alone, but is enhanced when perused back to back with its delightful predecessor.

Harriet Klausner

Shortly before I read Summer's Child, I learned a second book by Luanne Rice was to be published a couple of weeks later. And much to my happiness I also learned that the second book, Summer of Roses, was going to be a sequel to Summer's Child. Since Luanne Rice is one of my very favorite writers, I ran to the store the first day Summer's Child was on the shelves and immediately began reading it. Unfortunately I literally gulped down the book. And what a shame since this book was so very good I should have savored each page. But I hardly had the chance because it was as it the pages turned themselves till the end which found me sobbing. And again when Summer of Roses was available I wasted no time but again bought it and almost immediately read the second title. I wouldn't want anyone to misunderstand what I am about to say because I did enjoy Summer of Roses and it would be hard not to coma pre the two books, but I do think that Summer's Child was the better of the two reads. And now I seriously wonder why the two books were published when it might have been possible to write one longer book.

Lily Malone, along with Liam Neill and her daughter return home to hubbard's pint, Connecticut, to care for Lily's ailing grandmother. Lily continues to be wary of her ex husband who knows nothing about the birth of Rose. But when he learns that Rose is Lily's child and the dates match, he begins legal proceedings to find out if in fact she is his daughter.

And while this is happening in Connecticut,, at Nova Scotia, Marisa is reunited with her sister Sam. And it seems as though Patrick Murphy, who unrelentingly searched for Lily, is falling in love with Marisa and she with him too.

In recent years Luanne Rice's books feature some of the same characters from previous books in minor roles. Its always nice to revisit with these people and also become involved in Rice's new characters as well. Summer of Roses was a worthwhile read and perhaps it suffered because I loved Summer's Child so much and few sequels ever live up to my first read if I have loved the first one. When it comes to Luanne Rice's books, I often say that even a so so read from Luanne Rice is better than most.

Now once again I am looking forward to the next Luanne Rice book since I have read all of them. But now I don't have to wait too long to revisit a book which I loved since one of Rice's books, Beach Girls, has been adapted as a TV movie for cable and will be on this weekend. I do hope that all who read this review will have an opportunity to read Lane Rice if they don't already. She hardly ever fails to entertain me with her settings and characters who I feel after reading one of her books are my good friends.

SUMMER OF ROSES picks up the story of the characters from SUMMER'S CHILD, beginning with a flashback of Mara's wedding in her grandmother's gorgeous garden. But the bride can't help noticing that the iron name of the cottage is corroding, foreshadowing decay in her marriage. As Mara approaches Edward, her groom, she glimpses fear in his eyes.

Nine years later, Mara must return to her grandmother's Connecticut house. Her grandmother, Maeve, is in a coma. Mara's name is now Lily, and she's been hiding in Nova Scotia having fled her emotionally abusive husband. Lily is home with her daughter Rose and her lover Liam. Rose is Edward's daughter, although he isn't aware of her existence. Lily must not let Edward know he has a child, and so Liam spirits away the little girl to keep her safe.

Meanwhile, Lily's friends back in Nova Scotia keep her needlework shop open. Marisa, a good friend of Lily's, shares Lily's own dark secret: Marisa was married to Edward after Lily disappeared. Like Lily, she fled his abuse and changed her identity. Marisa yearns for her sister to come home and play music with her, but her sister is in Peru and has long since quit having a relationship with Marisa.

In Connecticut, Lily learns that Maeve has carbon monoxide poisoning. She believes Edward tried to murder her grandmother, hoping to bring Lily home. Edward finds Rose in spite of Liam and Lily's attempt to hide her. When Edward and Lily meet, he threatens her, saying she has no idea what will happen next. His threats are especially terrifying since Rose has suspected him of being a serial killer.

Along with the story lines, the reader learns a bit about Irish music and about oceanography. A beluga whale known as Nanny adds a warm, mysterious note as she seemingly is emotionally attached to Rose, and follows her from Nova Scotia to Connecticut.

This book is packed full of multiple threads of stories, which I found a bit distracting. I recommend reading the previous book, SUMMER'S CHILD, to better understand the history of the characters --- which should be a great pleasure, since author Luanne Rice is an excellent storyteller. The warmhearted SUMMER OF ROSES celebrates family and friendships, and has a tidy, satisfying conclusion.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

I have recently become aquainted with Luanne Rice as a writer, picking up "Cloud Nine" one day in the store. What a fantastic book, although so sad, I had tears streaming down my face at the end. But that is what makes a good writer, in my opinion, one that can make you feel as I did.

After that, I put Ms. Rice at the top of my list of authors to read and I started looking for more books by her. I came across Summer's Child recently. I had just started reading it when I found out that this sequel was due out in a week. The day after I finished Summer's Child, I started reading Summer of Roses. I loved it.

Ms. Rice's writing bring her characters to life. Lily, Marisa, Anne, Liam, Patrick, Maeve.......they become your friends. Ms. Rice has a way of writing that makes you feel as if you have met those people in real.

I devoured this book just like another reviewer did. I will wait another couple of weeks and read both books again, slower, now that I know what happens.

My only complaint is that the book wasn't longer. I am hoping maybe she will write a book about another Nanouk Girl so that we can catch up on the new lives of Lily, Liam, Marisa, Patrick, Sam and all their friends.

If you havent read Luanne Rice before- hurry and order now! If you already are a fan-join the club.
This is an amazing book. I havent read Summer's Child yet but I didnt feel I was missing anything. It certainly can stand alone.
I cried,I laughed and read several paragraphs over and over marvelling that Ms Rice has caught, once again, exactly how it feels to be a sister or a mother and put it to paper for us all to identify with and say to ourselves-yes that is it; that is how I feel- just a part of this author's talents.
Read this book. In fact start with any Luanne Rice book.You wont be disappointed.

I really enjoyed this book after reading 'Summer's Child'. This book got deeper into Lily's life and what she went thru with Edward and it all started to come together and make sense as to why she disappeared for nine years. There a little mystery, romance, drama all going on at the same time. I love to see the bad guy get burned and I love happy endings and this book ended just that way!

I enjoyed this book the more I got into it as much as the novel before it, Summer's Child.

In this book, Lily Malone returns home hoping for her grandmother Maeve's recovery in the hospital. She is happy with her new love, Liam O'Neill but is having a problem with her former very abusive ex-husband in the background, Edward. Edward is stalking Rose, his unknown daughter, and they will have a court battle in the book over this as Edward thinks he can win until it is proven that he is a criminal as well as an abuser of women.

On the other side is Mara and her daughter Jessica, whom was also abused by Edward in the past. Mara is still haunted by these memories as well, and she and her sister Sam have also been estranged for a long time as Sam felt Mara was pushing her away when Edward became abusive. But as the story moves along, the two sisters become reunited again in forgiveness with each other. Mara also has a new love, Patrick, the retired cop. The two fall in love at first sight.

I have enjoyed Luanne Rice since I first read "Cloud Nine". Each book since then has been equally as enjoyable.

How many women think abuse is just physical? The story line and characters are great. This brings to light there are many more ways of spousal abuse than just the physical side and the effect that can have on a person. I felt that I knew the characters personally and was involved in their daily lives.