Blue Dahlia

October 25, 2004
Flower metaphors run amok in this first installment of Roberts's newest trilogy, which focuses on a quaint nursery called In the Garden and the haunted estate neighboring it. The book starts out at a plodding pace, with the sudden death of Stella Rothchild's beloved husband and her subsequent move, with her two young boys, from Michigan to the outskirts of Memphis. Fortunately, the pace picks up after Stella plants her roots at Harper estate and secures a job managing In the Garden, which is owned by Roz Harper, the same blunt, self-assured woman who presides over the estate. Though strictly regimented Stella forms a fast friendship with Roz, she clashes with Logan Kitridge, the nursery's sexy landscape designer. Logan is the antithesis of Stella—brash and impulsive, he thrives on chaos—but their enmity inevitably gives way to love. The scenes between them crackle with wit, charm and sexual tension, and are rivaled only by the warm relationships that develop among Stella, Roz and Hayley, a distant relative of Roz's who comes to the estate seeking a fresh start. Less effective is a subplot involving a ghost who doesn't seem to approve of Stella's relationship with Logan. This thread provides a few spooky moments, but it would have been more effective without the prologue's clichéd setup. While this book isn't vintage Roberts, it's a promising start to a new series. Agent, Amy Berkower.

November 15, 2004
Concerned only with raising her two young sons and perfecting her new job as manager for Roz Harper's thriving In the Garden nursery, the last thing widowed Stella Rothchild wants in her life is a man, especially one as obstinate and disorganized as sexy landscape architect Logan Kitridge. But Stella soon learns that some of the best things in life are unplanned. A pair of realistic, delightful children, a tormented ghost, and two unique women-who will, undoubtedly, have their own stories-add depth to this fast-paced romance that features a pair of beautifully matched protagonists-both of whom are used to calling the shots. Roberts nicely resolves the issues surrounding Stella and Logan's story; nevertheless, because this is the first of a trilogy, readers should be aware that a number of loose threads remain to be dealt with in succeeding volumes. Poignant, funny, and sensual, this magical story of love, loss, and healing will be a "must buy" for most romance collections. Roberts lives in Keedysville, MD.

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2004
Stella Rothchild loves everything about her new job as manager of In the Garden nursery. She appreciates her new, no-nonsense boss, "Roz" Harper, and she doesn't even mind living with Roz at Harper House, despite the fact that the ghost of the "Harper Bride" reportedly haunts the historic mansion. When a young and pregnant Hayley Phillips, a distant relative of Roz's, shows up at Harper House, she becomes a valued friend. The only thing Stella doesn't like about her situation is the ruggedly sexy yet completely annoying landscaper, Logan. Despite Stella's best efforts to develop a professional working relationship with him, he seems to have little time and no patience for her efforts to reorganize the nursery. Then Logan completely disrupts Stella's careful plans for her future by asking her out. Roberts, the queen of romance, launches a new trilogy with a captivating tale in which her considerable talents at creating richly compelling characters and witty, spellbinding stories come into full bloom in a paranormal-tinged romance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)