When Hayley Phillips showed up on Roz Harper’s doorstep, she was pregnant and desperate for a home and a job. Months have passed on now Hayley has a beautiful baby girl, Lily and a new happy life with Roz and company at In the Garden. Life couldn’t get any better. Well maybe in one way it could…

Roz’s son Harper loves his job at the nursery developing new strains of flowers and greenery. He also has the love of his family and friends, and Hayley’s baby girl. After much resistance from both parties, Harper and Hayley find themselves growing ever closer and wanting to explore the tender emotions between them. Unfortunately, The Harper Bride, ghost of the manor, is not willing to let that happen. Her efforts to destroy their happiness grow strong enough to threaten their lives. Now Harper and Hayley, and all the other members of the In the Garden family must get to the bottom of the mystery of the ghost before it’s too late.

After Hayley and Harper have danced around each other’s affections in the preceding two books, they finally get their in Red Lily. The romance is deeper and stronger due to the length of time it took for them to find love together. Of course, no one can resist the adorable Lily and these three bond beautifully to form a new family. Their story is probably my favorite of the three found in the In the Garden trilogy.

I’ve read each of Nora Roberts’ paranormal trilogies to date and this one ranks high on my personal favorites list. She goes into great depth about the mystery of The Harper Bride and how it affects all the players. I love that almost as much time in Red Lily is dedicated to her story as it is to Hayley and Harper. We finally understand who she is and why she has haunted Harper House for so long. Readers will be happy with the resolution of her story.

Once again Susie Breck does a masterful performance. She can reach the hearts of the readers, or better said listeners, than many narrators out there. She is a strong talent and has easily become one of my preferred performers of audio books. You can’t go wrong with an audio book she makes.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2007. All rights reserved.