Black Rose (In the Garden Trilogy Series #2)

by Nora Roberts

Overview

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents the second novel of her In the Garden trilogy, as three women must discover the secrets from the past contained within their historic home…

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…

At forty-seven, Rosalind Harper is a woman whose experiences have made her strong enough to bend without breaking—and to weather any storm. A widow with three grown sons, she survived a disastrous second marriage and built her In the Garden nursery from the ground up. Through the years, In the Garden has become more than just a thriving business—it is a symbol of hope and independence to Roz, and to the two women she shares it with. Newlywed Stella and new mother Hayley are the sisters of her heart, and together, the three of them are the future of In the Garden.

Hired to investigate Roz’s Harper ancestors, Dr. Mitchell Carnegie finds himself just as intrigued by Roz herself. And as they begin to resurrect old secrets, Roz is shocked to find herself falling for the fascinating genealogist—even when he learns more about her than anyone has before…

Don't miss the other books in the In the Garden trilogy
Blue Dahlia
Red Lily

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780425269558
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/04/2014
Series:	In The Garden Trilogy , #2
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	50,270
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels. She is also the author of the bestselling In Death series written under the pen name J. D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Hometown:

Keedysville, Maryland

Date of Birth:

1950

Place of Birth:

Silver Spring, Maryland

Website:

http://www.noraroberts.com/

Read an Excerpt

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Excerpted from "Black Rose"
by .
Copyright © 2014 Nora Roberts.
Excerpted by permission of Penguin Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“America’s favorite writer.”—The New Yorker

Editorial Reviews

America’s favorite writer.”—The New Yorker

“Book two of Roberts's In the Garden trilogy ably showcases the author's many strengths, from her creation of appealing characters to her melding of the eerily paranormal with the delightfully down-to-earth.”—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

The Barnes & Noble Review
Bestselling author Nora Roberts explores the promise of second and third chances in Book Two of her In the Garden trilogy. This book belongs to Roz Harper, independent woman and owner of In the Garden, a nursery business in Tennessee. At age 45, Roz has mostly recovered from a short and disastrous second marriage, thanks to support from her sons and her surrogate family of friends and employees, all introduced in Blue Dahlia. Ready to start dating again, she embarks on a relationship with Mitch Carnagie, a man with his own set of issues in the past. He helps her view herself not as the victim of a failed marriage but as a black rose -- long, exotic, a little haughty, and most certainly, sexy. The progression of this older romance rings true, as do Roz's relationships with the younger women who work for her, and her son's first reaction to his mother's dating. The reappearances of the deceitful second husband and the Harper Bride, the ghost who haunts her historic home, adds to the plot, but the love story between Mitch and Roz is paramount. Readers who are gardeners will also enjoy the day-to-day detail of running a nursery. Ginger Curwen

bn.com

Book two of Roberts's In the Garden trilogy (following Blue Dahlia) ably showcases the author's many strengths, from her creation of appealing characters to her melding of the eerily paranormal with the delightfully down-to-earth. Rosalind Harper is the owner of a historic Tennessee mansion and the force behind the thriving garden business on its grounds. Widowed young and then scarred by an unwise second marriage, Roz has sworn off dating, instead inviting a collection of family, friends and their children to share her home. Unfortunately, the house is also inhabited by a mysterious ghost, known as the Harper Bride. Roz hires genealogist Dr. Mitchell Carnagie to track the Bride's identity, but the unpredictable and passionate relationship that develops between the two sets off still more malignant displays from the ghost. Roberts postpones the ghost story's resolution for the trilogy's end, but brings Roz and Mitch to a satisfying commitment complete with realistic power struggles and peace treaties among their various children. Roz's inherited privilege is off-putting at times, and her calm in the face of ghostly attacks seems far-fetched. Yet she remains a warmly appealing heroine, resolutely finding her path through a midlife romance that is more complex and hard-fought than 20-something love. Agent, Amy Berkower. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

In this sequel to Blue Dahlia, characters walk fully formed onto the page, and Roberts loses no time putting Roz Harper and professor Mitchell Carnegie together and at odds with each other. Roz is attracted to Mitch, but her miserable second marriage soured her on trusting men; Mitch, however, sees Roz for who she really is and knows that it's time to put his own past behind him. Unfortunately, their growing intimacy has the opposite effect on the ghostly Amelia, driving her to ever more violent acts. Even the nonbelievers are forced to acknowledge her existence when her anger takes a dangerous turn. Susie Breck's smooth Southern accent puts the right touch on Roz's steel-spined gentility, and her deft character studies compel you to keep listening. Unfortunately, we still must wait for the final installment in Roberts's "In the Garden" trilogy. Highly recommended.-Jodi L. Israel, MLS, Jamaica Plain, MA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Roberts picks up where BLUE DAHLIA stops, with Rosalind Harper continuing her investigation into the Harper Bride, who haunts the house and seems to protect its inhabitants. But the ghost becomes more violent as Rosalind falls in love with Dr. Mitchell Carnegie, a historian who uncovers more of the family past. Susie Breck has a beguiling way of reaching into stories and making them come alive with her flawless performance. Each character has his or her own voice, even the ghost. And let us not forget the gardens, with their enchanting flowers, that run through this trilogy. BLACK ROSE takes listeners into a garden of love and life. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

DEC 05/JAN 06 - AudioFile