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In the Garden #2
Black Rose
Roz Harper is a woman who has lived life on her own terms. She had dearly loved her first husband. After his death, she had thrown herself into raising their boys, and then into making a business out of her passion for gardening. Roz likes her life just as it is, and it would take a very special man to convince her to take that leap of faith into love again. A man like Dr. Mitchell Carnegie, the genealogist she's hired to research the origins of the family ghost, known as the Harper Bride. Mitch and Roz are drawn together from the start. But the Harper Bride is enraged by the sight of love, and though she may have brought Mitch and Roz together, she will stop at nothing to tear them apart.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2005
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9616 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,217 books60k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,175 reviews
October 29, 2017
The second book in the trilogy. Of course it’s excellent. It’s Nora.
Although Mitch is a great character his story steps back from Roz and the ghost. I think its a delicate balance when so many strong characters are in a story. Roz’s strength seems to take center stage. Enough so that I was a bit intimidated at times. I mean she raised three sons, started a business and jogs every day. When my three kids were growing up I sometimes had trouble finding time to shower. 🤷🏼♀️
Although Mitch is a great character his story steps back from Roz and the ghost. I think its a delicate balance when so many strong characters are in a story. Roz’s strength seems to take center stage. Enough so that I was a bit intimidated at times. I mean she raised three sons, started a business and jogs every day. When my three kids were growing up I sometimes had trouble finding time to shower. 🤷🏼♀️
June 9, 2015
I nearly always enjoy this author's trilogies and this is no exception. I like getting to know a group of characters and then focussing on a different couple in each book but with all the familiar people on the peripheries. This book was centred around the developing relationship between Mitch and Roz with a fair bit of ghostly intervention along the way. It actually got a bit too creepy to read at home alone at one point. All very entertaining and highly recommended !
May 27, 2024
Rosalind Harper has hired genealogist Mitchell Carnegie to help discover the identity of the Harper Bride, a ghost that haunts Harper House. Mitch talks to Roz's relatives and searches old books and diaries, looking for the identity of the ghost known as Amelia. Who was she and why does she haunt this house? Roz and Mitch grow closer as they work together to discover Amelia's past. This does not make the ghost happy at all. Her rage threatens Roz and the people she loves.
This is the second book in the In the Garden Trilogy. I liked both Roz and Mitch, but their romance was kind of boring. I couldn't feel any chemistry between them. I was looking forward to the ghost story in this book, but the pace was slow. I guess it is hard dragging it out over three books. The most interesting part of the story for me was Roz's ex-husband returning to Memphis and making her life miserable. Roz knows he is behind most of her troubles; but doesn't have any evidence to take to the police. I thought these portions of the story were the highlights of the book. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This is the second book in the In the Garden Trilogy. I liked both Roz and Mitch, but their romance was kind of boring. I couldn't feel any chemistry between them. I was looking forward to the ghost story in this book, but the pace was slow. I guess it is hard dragging it out over three books. The most interesting part of the story for me was Roz's ex-husband returning to Memphis and making her life miserable. Roz knows he is behind most of her troubles; but doesn't have any evidence to take to the police. I thought these portions of the story were the highlights of the book. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
February 14, 2018
4 Estrellas, y muy en consonancia con la anterior novela. Me ha gustado bastante, me ha enganchado desde el principio, porque sí, tiene un estilo cuidado que se lee solo, y porque la historia ha ayudado mucho.
"Rosa negra" empieza unos meses después de acabar "Dalia azul". En éste libro tenemos la historia de Roz, la propietaria del Jardín y de la mansión Harper, una mujer práctica, fuerte, luchadora, y en una única palabra: admirable. Y su pareja protagonista, Mitchell Carnegie. Mitch apareció brevemente en el anterior libro cuando Roz solicitó sus servicios para investigar sobre el fantasma de la casa, la Novia Harper. Mitch es un genealogista de reputado talento, un hombre bueno, sencillo, un genio despistado, y un desastre adorable, pero de estos hombres que enternecen y te llegan a lo más hondo.
Aunque la historia ha sido interesante, lo bueno que ha tenido esta novela (como la primera), son sus personajes protagónicos. Como he dicho, Roz es una mujer admirable, siendo muy joven se quedó viuda y con tres niños pequeños, aunque con una buena posición social y dinero para salir adelante, pero poco a poco alcanzó su sueño, crear su propia empresa de jardinería. Sólo cometió un error en su vida, y fue creer que amaba a quien no debía, un hombre que fue un vil parásito y se aprovechó de ella para sacarle todo lo posible; aunque Roz consiguió divorciarse de él, la sombra de éste canalla volverá a amenazarla, y por desgracia estará más presente en la novela de lo deseado.
Por el lado de Mitch, bueno, ha quedado algo más flojo pues el libro se ha centrado más en el personaje de Roz, y a Mitch creo que no he llegado a conocerle del todo. Su vida fue fácil, se casó, tuvo un hijo, pero un error que persistió durante muchos años de su vida, acabó con su matrimonio, aún así sigue manteniendo una relación cordial con su ex-mujer y con su hijo. Cuando empieza el libro, Mitch ya ha aceptado el trabajo que Roz le propuso, investigar y averiguar quién es el fantasma y qué quiere.
Realmente, este libro se ha centrado en la investigación de la Novia Harper, y Nora Roberts ha dado unas pinceladas bastante interesantes, regalando poco a poco algo de información para que el lector (y sus protagonistas), puedan hacer sus cábalas. Lo bueno, en este libro averiguamos quién es el fantasma, pero aún no sabemos qué le ocurrió, espero que eso se desvele en el siguiente libro. En cuanto al papel del mismo, pues sí, en el libro anterior supimos que es Amelia, admito que me ha repateado bastante las apariciones del fantasma en éste libro, siempre presente para fastidiar los mejores momentos, aunque aplaudo su última aparición.
Y en cuanto al romance de los protagonistas, bonito y sin muchos sobresaltos ni conflictos. Lo malo es que en algunos momentos se me ha hecho algo forzado, como que Roz y Mitch estaban juntos porque era su historia y la autora los ha juntado porque debía ser así. Creo que me ha faltado algo más de pasión, pero bien puede ser porque me ha podido parecer algo frío, sí, debo decirlo: me encanta Roz, pero es una mujer fría. Lo que sí que me ha gustado es leer un romance en el que sus protagonistas no son jóvenes, Roz tiene cuarenta y siete años, y Mitch cuarenta y ocho. Ambos son personas adultas, con vidas resueltas, con sus propios hijos, y aún cuando menos lo esperaban, se ven en la tesitura de conocerse, gustarse y enamorarse. Me ha convencido el resultado, pues soy de la opinión de que el amor no entiende de edades.
Por último, destacaré al resto de personajes, me ha encantado saber de Stella, Logan y los niños, y cómo se van a adaptar a su nueva vida. También de David, personaje tan central en la trama, y en la mansión Harper como todos, pero sobre todo sigo destacando a Hayley y a la pequeña Lily (que me parece adorable), y a Harper ¿Qué voy a decir de Harper, el hijo mayor y heredero de Roz? Pues que me dejó encandilada perdida en el anterior libro, y ver cómo trata a Hayley y a Lily me ha enternecido hasta el extremo.
La historia de Harper y Hayley es la siguiente, espero que esté a la altura, porque estos dos personajes han subido mucho mis expectativas. De modo que espero con ganas el desenlace final de esta trilogía, y averiguar qué le pasó a Amelia.
"Rosa negra" empieza unos meses después de acabar "Dalia azul". En éste libro tenemos la historia de Roz, la propietaria del Jardín y de la mansión Harper, una mujer práctica, fuerte, luchadora, y en una única palabra: admirable. Y su pareja protagonista, Mitchell Carnegie. Mitch apareció brevemente en el anterior libro cuando Roz solicitó sus servicios para investigar sobre el fantasma de la casa, la Novia Harper. Mitch es un genealogista de reputado talento, un hombre bueno, sencillo, un genio despistado, y un desastre adorable, pero de estos hombres que enternecen y te llegan a lo más hondo.
Aunque la historia ha sido interesante, lo bueno que ha tenido esta novela (como la primera), son sus personajes protagónicos. Como he dicho, Roz es una mujer admirable, siendo muy joven se quedó viuda y con tres niños pequeños, aunque con una buena posición social y dinero para salir adelante, pero poco a poco alcanzó su sueño, crear su propia empresa de jardinería. Sólo cometió un error en su vida, y fue creer que amaba a quien no debía, un hombre que fue un vil parásito y se aprovechó de ella para sacarle todo lo posible; aunque Roz consiguió divorciarse de él, la sombra de éste canalla volverá a amenazarla, y por desgracia estará más presente en la novela de lo deseado.
Por el lado de Mitch, bueno, ha quedado algo más flojo pues el libro se ha centrado más en el personaje de Roz, y a Mitch creo que no he llegado a conocerle del todo. Su vida fue fácil, se casó, tuvo un hijo, pero un error que persistió durante muchos años de su vida, acabó con su matrimonio, aún así sigue manteniendo una relación cordial con su ex-mujer y con su hijo. Cuando empieza el libro, Mitch ya ha aceptado el trabajo que Roz le propuso, investigar y averiguar quién es el fantasma y qué quiere.
Realmente, este libro se ha centrado en la investigación de la Novia Harper, y Nora Roberts ha dado unas pinceladas bastante interesantes, regalando poco a poco algo de información para que el lector (y sus protagonistas), puedan hacer sus cábalas. Lo bueno, en este libro averiguamos quién es el fantasma, pero aún no sabemos qué le ocurrió, espero que eso se desvele en el siguiente libro. En cuanto al papel del mismo, pues sí, en el libro anterior supimos que es Amelia, admito que me ha repateado bastante las apariciones del fantasma en éste libro, siempre presente para fastidiar los mejores momentos, aunque aplaudo su última aparición.
Y en cuanto al romance de los protagonistas, bonito y sin muchos sobresaltos ni conflictos. Lo malo es que en algunos momentos se me ha hecho algo forzado, como que Roz y Mitch estaban juntos porque era su historia y la autora los ha juntado porque debía ser así. Creo que me ha faltado algo más de pasión, pero bien puede ser porque me ha podido parecer algo frío, sí, debo decirlo: me encanta Roz, pero es una mujer fría. Lo que sí que me ha gustado es leer un romance en el que sus protagonistas no son jóvenes, Roz tiene cuarenta y siete años, y Mitch cuarenta y ocho. Ambos son personas adultas, con vidas resueltas, con sus propios hijos, y aún cuando menos lo esperaban, se ven en la tesitura de conocerse, gustarse y enamorarse. Me ha convencido el resultado, pues soy de la opinión de que el amor no entiende de edades.
Por último, destacaré al resto de personajes, me ha encantado saber de Stella, Logan y los niños, y cómo se van a adaptar a su nueva vida. También de David, personaje tan central en la trama, y en la mansión Harper como todos, pero sobre todo sigo destacando a Hayley y a la pequeña Lily (que me parece adorable), y a Harper ¿Qué voy a decir de Harper, el hijo mayor y heredero de Roz? Pues que me dejó encandilada perdida en el anterior libro, y ver cómo trata a Hayley y a Lily me ha enternecido hasta el extremo.
La historia de Harper y Hayley es la siguiente, espero que esté a la altura, porque estos dos personajes han subido mucho mis expectativas. De modo que espero con ganas el desenlace final de esta trilogía, y averiguar qué le pasó a Amelia.
August 23, 2012
I was interested to see that the romantic couple in this one were both in their late 40s. Are people with adult children allowed to start relationships?
I liked both Roz and Mitch very much and their romance was a fun one to experience. You could see how they came together from a need for companionship but with a stability of having secure family relationships as well. This gave them space to parse their desires and the opportunity to act from a place of strength from already having healthy, established family relationships in place. This was an interesting dynamic and one you don't see very often.
I was ready to praise Roberts for her adroit handling of an older couple romance, but as much as I like Roz and Mitch, they just feel young to me so I'm not sure if she actually did pull it off. While they're certainly mature, they could as easily have been mid to late 30s as 40+, when all is said. Still, that's the thing about us old folks—we don't really have to be any different than our 30-something peers, maturity-wise. Or physically either, if we take basic care of ourselves (which we see both Roz and Mitch doing, actually).
If there is a downside to the book, it's the over-active presence of the Harper Ghost, who we now know as Amelia. When a selfish person goes whacko and sticks around after death, the result isn't pretty. I'm really not sure what the point of adding the supernatural was, here, though it did drive some of the story (not least in that it brought Roz to Mitch). Still, those story elements could easily have had a better foundation and a ghost with violent tendencies detracted somewhat from my fun—particularly as we continue to get a prologue from her perspective to start us out. Really not a pleasant way to start a book…
A note about Steamy: Like the first book, this one was light on the steam. A couple of scenes that weren't very long. Unlike the first book, these scenes were at least well-done.
I liked both Roz and Mitch very much and their romance was a fun one to experience. You could see how they came together from a need for companionship but with a stability of having secure family relationships as well. This gave them space to parse their desires and the opportunity to act from a place of strength from already having healthy, established family relationships in place. This was an interesting dynamic and one you don't see very often.
I was ready to praise Roberts for her adroit handling of an older couple romance, but as much as I like Roz and Mitch, they just feel young to me so I'm not sure if she actually did pull it off. While they're certainly mature, they could as easily have been mid to late 30s as 40+, when all is said. Still, that's the thing about us old folks—we don't really have to be any different than our 30-something peers, maturity-wise. Or physically either, if we take basic care of ourselves (which we see both Roz and Mitch doing, actually).
If there is a downside to the book, it's the over-active presence of the Harper Ghost, who we now know as Amelia. When a selfish person goes whacko and sticks around after death, the result isn't pretty. I'm really not sure what the point of adding the supernatural was, here, though it did drive some of the story (not least in that it brought Roz to Mitch). Still, those story elements could easily have had a better foundation and a ghost with violent tendencies detracted somewhat from my fun—particularly as we continue to get a prologue from her perspective to start us out. Really not a pleasant way to start a book…
A note about Steamy: Like the first book, this one was light on the steam. A couple of scenes that weren't very long. Unlike the first book, these scenes were at least well-done.
July 4, 2025
It isn't often you find an older woman as the heroine in a romance novel, and I don't recall ever reading a Nora book with one. It's refreshing to see a woman who knows who she is and isn't easily swayed, especially by a determined ghost. And this ghost is more than a little cray-cray. She has a real vendetta against the male species. I have often found that the middle book in a trilogy just marks time until the big finale in the last book, but this one was actually quite enjoyable.
Rosalind Harper found herself widowed with three young sons to raise in her early twenties. She also had the full responsibility of Harper House and very little money, so she became a businesswoman and opened a gardening center, In The Garden, on her property. Lots of work and great success. Now at forty-seven she has met a man who makes her want to take a chance on love.
But Roz has a couple of issues to deal with first. Her mistake of an ex is doing his best to ruin her reputation. Her resident ghost, the Harper Bride, is pulling out all the stops to discourage her from moving forward with a relationship with hunky genealogist, Dr. Mitchell Carnegie. Her great-aunt has pilfered several items from Harper House, and they may hold the key to the identity of the Harper Bride.
Roz is determined to chart her own course and not let anything, ghost or human, stand in her way. But like all self-sufficient woman, she needs a shoulder to lean on from time to time and Mitch is more than willing to offer his.
Rosalind Harper found herself widowed with three young sons to raise in her early twenties. She also had the full responsibility of Harper House and very little money, so she became a businesswoman and opened a gardening center, In The Garden, on her property. Lots of work and great success. Now at forty-seven she has met a man who makes her want to take a chance on love.
But Roz has a couple of issues to deal with first. Her mistake of an ex is doing his best to ruin her reputation. Her resident ghost, the Harper Bride, is pulling out all the stops to discourage her from moving forward with a relationship with hunky genealogist, Dr. Mitchell Carnegie. Her great-aunt has pilfered several items from Harper House, and they may hold the key to the identity of the Harper Bride.
Roz is determined to chart her own course and not let anything, ghost or human, stand in her way. But like all self-sufficient woman, she needs a shoulder to lean on from time to time and Mitch is more than willing to offer his.
May 19, 2019
He disfrutado mucho de este libro, sobre todo al comprobar que las"profecias" de mi amiga Anusky se iban cumpliendo
9/10
9/10
November 12, 2017
Mini review:
This installment was just as sweet and funny and enjoyable as the first. Rob has hired Dr. Mitchell Carnegie to dig into her family’s history, in hopes that he can help them find out more information about the ghost haunting Harper House and lay her to rest. Mitch is a cutie, absentminded and obsessive over his work and completely suited to Roz. The romance was fun and a bit unique for Nora due to it being between two middle-aged people, instead of the late 20s to mid 30s set that she tends to write around. Each party having adult children added some variety. Also, the ghost haunting Harper House has become more unpredictable by this point, on more than one occasion becoming disturbingly violent. All in all, another enjoyable Nora novel.
This installment was just as sweet and funny and enjoyable as the first. Rob has hired Dr. Mitchell Carnegie to dig into her family’s history, in hopes that he can help them find out more information about the ghost haunting Harper House and lay her to rest. Mitch is a cutie, absentminded and obsessive over his work and completely suited to Roz. The romance was fun and a bit unique for Nora due to it being between two middle-aged people, instead of the late 20s to mid 30s set that she tends to write around. Each party having adult children added some variety. Also, the ghost haunting Harper House has become more unpredictable by this point, on more than one occasion becoming disturbingly violent. All in all, another enjoyable Nora novel.
April 21, 2020
Black Rose is the second book in the trilogy that began with Blue Dahlia and focuses on Rosalind Harper. As the heiress that resides at Harper House. Roz has raised three sons, runs a successful business and has been widowed by her first husband and taken advantage by her second husband who she divorced. Now at 47, Roz is interested in Dr. Mitchell Carnegie who is helping Roz, Stella, and Hayley find out more about a ghost named Amelia. As Roz and Mitchell grow closer, Amelia becomes more and more determined to get her message across. On top of everything else, Roz also has to deal with a vicious ex husband.
Man, I absolutely loved how Nora Roberts kicked up the tension and terror in this one. Even better than the first!
Goodreads review published 21/04/20
Man, I absolutely loved how Nora Roberts kicked up the tension and terror in this one. Even better than the first!
Goodreads review published 21/04/20
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2015
The Harper Bride Ghost is back and this time she is preying on Rosalind Harper, the owner and proprietor of Harper House and in the Garden Nursery. When Rosalind Harper slowly falls in love with Dr. Mitch Carnegie who is helping her find out the identity of the Harper Bride Ghost, she is attacked violently by the ghost who hates men with a passion. Will the ghost be able to tame this black rose or will Rosalind snap back with thorns? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a great second installment of the In the Garden Trilogy. It had romance and action in it too. If you enjoy these types of books, definitely check it out for yourself. I look forward to reading the final book in this trilogy in the future. This book is available at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was a great second installment of the In the Garden Trilogy. It had romance and action in it too. If you enjoy these types of books, definitely check it out for yourself. I look forward to reading the final book in this trilogy in the future. This book is available at your local library and wherever books are sold.
September 23, 2012
Book two of the In the Garden trilogy. In this story we meet Roz & Mitch who fall in love while working over a genealogical project. They're in search of the Harper Bride Ghost who has been haunting Roz's family home for generations.
I was slightly surprised to see Roz take the lead heroine for book two. With Nora's trilogies you get a certain formula to them. The first heroine (in this trilogy Stella) goes through some sort of transformation and finds herself. The second heroine holds a tough as nails beauty who doesn't quite fit in with her gender. She's beautiful and smart, hard and hurt, but she comes through to find love in the end. And the last heroine is usually the rock. The one who has to go through harder lessons than the other two but she comes out strong. When I first started Blue Dahlia I had pegged Roz as the third heroine. Though now that I've finished Black Rose I can see how Roz fits into the second heroines mold. She comes across as hard and hurt, beautiful and smart, and above all a blunt woman. Heroine number two is nearly always blunt. And naturally Haley would have to be heroine number three. She did move across the deep south, pregnant, and take a chance at a new life. She'll be a brilliant third heroine. Oh! Besides that, she has the baby. As Amelia (the ghost) is obsessed with children, this fits.
Years ago I read this one only halfway through (whenever it first came out). I was going through a genre crisis at the time and didn't much feel the need to read romance novels. Time never fails, and given enough of it, Nora always manages to suck me back in for a romantic spell. Apparently 2012 is one of those spells as I've read more books by her this year than any of the other authors I've been pursuing.
Read: 1.5 times. (Next time around I'll just round the .5 off and be at a third I suppose. Or maybe just a second. Really it doesn't matter. Case in point, there will be a next time).
I was slightly surprised to see Roz take the lead heroine for book two. With Nora's trilogies you get a certain formula to them. The first heroine (in this trilogy Stella) goes through some sort of transformation and finds herself. The second heroine holds a tough as nails beauty who doesn't quite fit in with her gender. She's beautiful and smart, hard and hurt, but she comes through to find love in the end. And the last heroine is usually the rock. The one who has to go through harder lessons than the other two but she comes out strong. When I first started Blue Dahlia I had pegged Roz as the third heroine. Though now that I've finished Black Rose I can see how Roz fits into the second heroines mold. She comes across as hard and hurt, beautiful and smart, and above all a blunt woman. Heroine number two is nearly always blunt. And naturally Haley would have to be heroine number three. She did move across the deep south, pregnant, and take a chance at a new life. She'll be a brilliant third heroine. Oh! Besides that, she has the baby. As Amelia (the ghost) is obsessed with children, this fits.
Years ago I read this one only halfway through (whenever it first came out). I was going through a genre crisis at the time and didn't much feel the need to read romance novels. Time never fails, and given enough of it, Nora always manages to suck me back in for a romantic spell. Apparently 2012 is one of those spells as I've read more books by her this year than any of the other authors I've been pursuing.
Read: 1.5 times. (Next time around I'll just round the .5 off and be at a third I suppose. Or maybe just a second. Really it doesn't matter. Case in point, there will be a next time).
June 23, 2017
This was not a favourite, but still a good read with a few spots that put a big grin on my face and made laugh. There were also bits where I was enraged and ticked off with all the things that Rob goes through. Nice to also know more about the history of the house she lives in and the resident ghost. Can't wait to have all my questions answered in the next, and final book of this trilogy.
February 13, 2018
La serie sigue viento en popa a toda vela...
Roz y Mitchell por separado son muy buenos personajes pero juntos, son adorables.
Desde el primer momento me atrajo la pareja que iban a formar, ya que parecían dos polos totalmente opuestos y además con más edad de la que estoy acostumbrada a leer en cualquier tipo de género, ya que ambos tienen más de 40 años.
Y la verdad, no me ha decepcionado, al contrario, me han parecido una gran pareja que ha sabido aprovechar muy bien esa segunda oportunidad que les han concedido en el amor, sobre todo después de que Mitch perdiera a su mujer por su vicio y de que Roz saliera de un matrimonio con un estafador de campeonato.
La historia, como digo, ha sido muy bonita y siguiendo la línea del primero pero con algunos cambios: No solo hemos tenido más acción por parte del fantasma de la familia (que me ha llegado a poner los pelos de punta en ocasiones y en otras me ha hecho darme ganas de que acabara todo el asunto para que dejara de dar por saco), sino que tenemos a un ex marido egocéntrico, cabreado y humillado en su amor propio que tampoco lo pondrá fácil para Roz así como la esperada boda de los protagonistas del libro anterior, Stella y Logan.
Eso sí, me ha encantado cómo Roz ha manejado la situación. Si algo tienen casi todas las protagonistas femeninas de Nora Roberts, es que no son damiselas en apuros ni cabras locas que les dicen que no hagan una cosa y hacen lo contrario. (Las hay, no lo niego, pero son las menos)
Harper y Hayley han tenido también mucho más protagonismo en esta historia, y tan picada me han dejado con su relación, que he ido a por el siguiente en cuanto he acabado este.
Espero que por fin se resuelva todo el misterio y Amelia pueda descansar en paz y dejar la mansión libre de encantamientos.
Roz y Mitchell por separado son muy buenos personajes pero juntos, son adorables.
Desde el primer momento me atrajo la pareja que iban a formar, ya que parecían dos polos totalmente opuestos y además con más edad de la que estoy acostumbrada a leer en cualquier tipo de género, ya que ambos tienen más de 40 años.
Y la verdad, no me ha decepcionado, al contrario, me han parecido una gran pareja que ha sabido aprovechar muy bien esa segunda oportunidad que les han concedido en el amor, sobre todo después de que Mitch perdiera a su mujer por su vicio y de que Roz saliera de un matrimonio con un estafador de campeonato.
La historia, como digo, ha sido muy bonita y siguiendo la línea del primero pero con algunos cambios: No solo hemos tenido más acción por parte del fantasma de la familia (que me ha llegado a poner los pelos de punta en ocasiones y en otras me ha hecho darme ganas de que acabara todo el asunto para que dejara de dar por saco), sino que tenemos a un ex marido egocéntrico, cabreado y humillado en su amor propio que tampoco lo pondrá fácil para Roz así como la esperada boda de los protagonistas del libro anterior, Stella y Logan.
Eso sí, me ha encantado cómo Roz ha manejado la situación. Si algo tienen casi todas las protagonistas femeninas de Nora Roberts, es que no son damiselas en apuros ni cabras locas que les dicen que no hagan una cosa y hacen lo contrario. (Las hay, no lo niego, pero son las menos)
Harper y Hayley han tenido también mucho más protagonismo en esta historia, y tan picada me han dejado con su relación, que he ido a por el siguiente en cuanto he acabado este.
Espero que por fin se resuelva todo el misterio y Amelia pueda descansar en paz y dejar la mansión libre de encantamientos.
March 15, 2025
4.5 stars ⭐️ Black Rose is the second book in the In the Garden trilogy. Rosalind Harper owns Harper House and In the Garden nursery. She hired Mitchell Carnegie, a genealogist, to discover who the Harper Bride ghost was. As they go through the process of finding who the ghost is, they have old “ghosts” of their own to excise as they find themselves in a romantic relationship. Mitch is a fantastic character! He matches Roz, and is very patient with her. They are so good together that the Harper Bride ghost (Amelia) hates it! Roz’s ex-husband is despicable as is a few of her relatives and friends. I loved how Nora used her ex-husband as a foil for Mitchell.
November 4, 2014
Another book I enjoyed. I love gardening so these books are cute from that point of view. I'm still not sure how much I like the character of Roz. I like that she's a strong woman but somehow she just seems to rub me the wrong way.
November 11, 2010
2.5 stars - is it just me, or are all of Nora Robert's stories starting to sound the same?
April 8, 2021
I want to be just like Roz ;-)
January 23, 2020
Re-reading.
The first book in this series, "The Blue Dahlia" sets up the whole story line and it was good. However, this one was outstanding and continues the mystery of the ghost named "The Harper Bride." The characters introduced in the first book are much more developed and fleshed out and it was a treat to see. I love the Southern lifestyle and flavor of the book. There were some killer lines, delivered with panache and style, that reminded me of Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley's character in Downton Abbey. Just terrific stuff! I thoroughly enjoyed this book that I first read 11 years go. ;)
The first book in this series, "The Blue Dahlia" sets up the whole story line and it was good. However, this one was outstanding and continues the mystery of the ghost named "The Harper Bride." The characters introduced in the first book are much more developed and fleshed out and it was a treat to see. I love the Southern lifestyle and flavor of the book. There were some killer lines, delivered with panache and style, that reminded me of Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley's character in Downton Abbey. Just terrific stuff! I thoroughly enjoyed this book that I first read 11 years go. ;)
November 5, 2017
Another one where I'm debating between 3.5 and 4 stars, but think I'll come down on the side of 4. For one thing, the heroine is 46 or 47, and how often do you see a romance heroine of that age? Huzzah for middle-aged representation! Review to come.
February 27, 2019
Madre mía. Sí valoré el primer libro de la trilogía como lo valoré, éste es todavía peor. No me ha despertado ningún interés por ningún personaje, o me lo ha dormido completamente, mejor dicho. Hasta lo que he leído los niños han desaparecido completamente... Lo abandono completamente y me dedico a otra cosa, porque esto es perder el tiempo.
January 9, 2026
"Life never stayed static. Cycles were necessary, for without the, there was no bloom."
November 28, 2022
En la Mansión Harper siempre ha vivido un Harper... ese es el lugar de Rosalind Harper. Roz es una mujer de 47 años, viuda, divorciada, madre de tres hijos y dueña de un vivero. Junto son Stella y Hayley trabajan y viven en la Mansión. Es una mujer orgullosa de sus logros, de sus hijos y sus amigas que son una extensión de su familia. Su vida es muy rica, ha pasado por muchas cosas, un hermoso primer matrimonio con un hombre maravilloso y e padre de sus hijos y por un segundo matrimonio con un estafados que la engaño y robo parte de su fortuna. Ahora se encuentra disfrutando de su familia de los niños de Stella, de la hija de Hayley y de sus amadas plantas.
Pero la mansión tiene una presencia que ya no se deja ignorar; la "Novia de Harper", Amelia, como descubrieron que se llama la fantasma que habita la mansión por generaciones merece respuestas y las mujeres de la mansión está dispuestas a dárselas. Para ello contratan al Dr. Mitchell Carnegie quien ayuda a investigar la historia y genealogía de la familia Harper para descubrir quién fue Amelia, como murió y por qué su presencia reside en la mansión.
Me gusta que Nora Roberts tome una mujer de 47 años luego de dos matrimonios para encontrar el amor nuevamente. Roz y Mitch investigan la identidad de Amelia, mientras ellos descubren que son muy parecidos y deciden darse otra oportunidad en el amor.
Amelia es el hilo conductor de la trilogía pero en este libro hace notar su presencia. Tiene manifestaciones muy intensas y hasta algo tenebrosas. Es un espíritu asustado y lleno de ira lo que lleva a que la investigación siga su curso para poder darle paz.
Muchos elementos interesantes en la historia, personajes adorables como los hijos de Roz, David, Mitch, Hayley y su pequeña y otros tantos detestables como Bryce que le dan un condimento extra a la historia.
La historia de Amelia, el florecer de las flores y las segundas oportunidades son la esencia de esta trilogía.
November 29, 2021
This one is better than the first book of the series.
May 27, 2023
2023
2020
This book is a great second installment from the In the Garden trilogy. And, of course it's a great book, it's Nora Roberts. There have been very few experiences with her stories where I have been left disappointed. And I've never been disappointed in her trilogies. She writes characters that I want to spend the next thirty years hanging out with.
Roz, our heroine, is a widow with three grown boys. She remarried (and regretted it) and that comes back to haunt her just as much as Amelia does. I love how she handled that whole situation. The bathroom scene will forever be one of the greats for me. Aside from the failed marriage and reappearance of the ex, Roz is currently employing Dr. Mitchell Carnegie (a genealogist) to help with their search for Amelia. And, in the way that Nora does best, Roz and Mitch discover that they are mutually attracted to one another. And Amelia decides to take offense to that, causing many disruptions with her hauntings. However, that doesn't dissuade Roz and Mitch from one another.
I love quite a few things that weren't the main focus of the story. I loved that Roz was willing to help out her cousin Jane regardless on if Jane helped her in return. And I loved that Harper didn't want to see his mother get hurt like she did in her past marriage. And I loved that Mitch didn't find it insulting to have Harper have a conversation about his mother. And I loved that Roz and Mitch weren't Nora's typical male and female lead. I loved that they were slightly older (Roz even talks about being a honorary grandmother to Lily and that's the cutest thing ever).
2020
This book is a great second installment from the In the Garden trilogy. And, of course it's a great book, it's Nora Roberts. There have been very few experiences with her stories where I have been left disappointed. And I've never been disappointed in her trilogies. She writes characters that I want to spend the next thirty years hanging out with.
Roz, our heroine, is a widow with three grown boys. She remarried (and regretted it) and that comes back to haunt her just as much as Amelia does. I love how she handled that whole situation. The bathroom scene will forever be one of the greats for me. Aside from the failed marriage and reappearance of the ex, Roz is currently employing Dr. Mitchell Carnegie (a genealogist) to help with their search for Amelia. And, in the way that Nora does best, Roz and Mitch discover that they are mutually attracted to one another. And Amelia decides to take offense to that, causing many disruptions with her hauntings. However, that doesn't dissuade Roz and Mitch from one another.
I love quite a few things that weren't the main focus of the story. I loved that Roz was willing to help out her cousin Jane regardless on if Jane helped her in return. And I loved that Harper didn't want to see his mother get hurt like she did in her past marriage. And I loved that Mitch didn't find it insulting to have Harper have a conversation about his mother. And I loved that Roz and Mitch weren't Nora's typical male and female lead. I loved that they were slightly older (Roz even talks about being a honorary grandmother to Lily and that's the cutest thing ever).
February 2, 2010
Ok, I don't know what to say about this. I really enjoyed the first installment in the series, but this... not that much. And it would really be a star 1/2, not even 2.
I was bored the whole time, even wishing for it to end. I must admit that it has been the worst romance book I had ever read. I didn't like a thing about it.
First, Robert's writing style in this book is horrible. You never get to really understand how the characters feel because she uses a very impersonal way for describing the events that develop. She uses the same tone when the characters are insanely happy or about to kill someone due to frustration. For this reason the reading becomes really tedious.
But what was worst was that the relationship between the two characters never really felt real. I never really liked Roz as much as to read her own story. I mean I liked her but as a secondary character. The doctor was fine, maybe if we could have seen more of his POV the story would have been a bit better.
And the ghost part in this book... Seriously? Crazy ghost lady flying everywhere, talking as a person and throwing things in the air as choking people...too weird for me. I didn't even enjoyed the paranormal side of the book. I'm so disappointed because I really liked the first book and I wanted to enjoy this one as much, but not even close.
Although I will be reading the third because I wanna see Harper get his own HEA.
I was bored the whole time, even wishing for it to end. I must admit that it has been the worst romance book I had ever read. I didn't like a thing about it.
First, Robert's writing style in this book is horrible. You never get to really understand how the characters feel because she uses a very impersonal way for describing the events that develop. She uses the same tone when the characters are insanely happy or about to kill someone due to frustration. For this reason the reading becomes really tedious.
But what was worst was that the relationship between the two characters never really felt real. I never really liked Roz as much as to read her own story. I mean I liked her but as a secondary character. The doctor was fine, maybe if we could have seen more of his POV the story would have been a bit better.
And the ghost part in this book... Seriously? Crazy ghost lady flying everywhere, talking as a person and throwing things in the air as choking people...too weird for me. I didn't even enjoyed the paranormal side of the book. I'm so disappointed because I really liked the first book and I wanted to enjoy this one as much, but not even close.
Although I will be reading the third because I wanna see Harper get his own HEA.
March 30, 2022
Black Rose
3 Stars
In an attempt to learn more about Amelia, The Harper Bride, Rosalind Harper engages the services of genealogist Mitchell Carnegie to trace her origins. As they work together to uncover the clues to her identity, Roz and Mitch grow closer, but the Harper Bride is enraged by their burgeoning relationship and is determined to cut it short at all costs.
Unfortunately, this second book suffers from the same issues as the first. The developments in the ongoing arc concerning the ghost haunting Harper House cannot compensate for the excessive descriptions of plants and flowers and the uninspired romance.
To put it mildly, Mitch and Roz's relationship is boring. They have no chemistry and their sex scenes lack both sensuality and intimacy.
The subplot revolving around the machinations of Roz's ex has the potential to add some excitement and suspense, but never goes beyond annoying. That said, there are a couple of scenes with him toward the end that are very satisfying.
Susie Breck's narration of the audiobook makes it easier to slog through the boring sections. Hayley and Harper's story is next and I hope it will be an improvement on the first two books.
3 Stars
In an attempt to learn more about Amelia, The Harper Bride, Rosalind Harper engages the services of genealogist Mitchell Carnegie to trace her origins. As they work together to uncover the clues to her identity, Roz and Mitch grow closer, but the Harper Bride is enraged by their burgeoning relationship and is determined to cut it short at all costs.
Unfortunately, this second book suffers from the same issues as the first. The developments in the ongoing arc concerning the ghost haunting Harper House cannot compensate for the excessive descriptions of plants and flowers and the uninspired romance.
To put it mildly, Mitch and Roz's relationship is boring. They have no chemistry and their sex scenes lack both sensuality and intimacy.
The subplot revolving around the machinations of Roz's ex has the potential to add some excitement and suspense, but never goes beyond annoying. That said, there are a couple of scenes with him toward the end that are very satisfying.
Susie Breck's narration of the audiobook makes it easier to slog through the boring sections. Hayley and Harper's story is next and I hope it will be an improvement on the first two books.
September 10, 2017
Part 2, didn't feel as engaged with this part, although Roz is my age. Good to see other aspects from part 1 be built on.
February 14, 2024
Rating: 4 Stars!!
Review:
Even tho this is only the 2nd book in this series that ive read i have to say this one was good but i expected so much more since i really enjoyed Book 1.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Stella and Roz were definately my favorites in this one. I loved learning more about Roz since Book 1 didnt really give much background on her.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in 1892 and 2004 Memphis, Tennessee especially when the scenery of Memphis and The Harper House were described.
Overall a Good Book 2 in this Romance Series but i would of liked more Historical Aspects to it. Can't wait to read Book 3 soon!!
Review:
Even tho this is only the 2nd book in this series that ive read i have to say this one was good but i expected so much more since i really enjoyed Book 1.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Stella and Roz were definately my favorites in this one. I loved learning more about Roz since Book 1 didnt really give much background on her.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in 1892 and 2004 Memphis, Tennessee especially when the scenery of Memphis and The Harper House were described.
Overall a Good Book 2 in this Romance Series but i would of liked more Historical Aspects to it. Can't wait to read Book 3 soon!!
November 11, 2019
Abandonado 11-11-2019
Ya la primera parte me decepcionó mucho y me recordó en exceso a otra trilogía de la autora, en este caso se repite la fórmula y por desgracia se suman otros elementos que me llevaron a abandonar la lectura. La pareja se forma en 2seg trás haberse visto un par de veces y para ser adultos, se comportan como adolescentes, no sentí nada de química entre ellos y por lo tanto no llegue a creerme nada. Me encanta el estilo de la autora, pero esta trilogía no es para mí
Ya la primera parte me decepcionó mucho y me recordó en exceso a otra trilogía de la autora, en este caso se repite la fórmula y por desgracia se suman otros elementos que me llevaron a abandonar la lectura. La pareja se forma en 2seg trás haberse visto un par de veces y para ser adultos, se comportan como adolescentes, no sentí nada de química entre ellos y por lo tanto no llegue a creerme nada. Me encanta el estilo de la autora, pero esta trilogía no es para mí
December 18, 2012
The second installment of the In the Garden trilogy is easily the best of the bunch. This book picks up where “Blue Dahlia” left off, in terms of the mystery of the Harper Bride, a ghost who haunts historic Harper House near Memphis Tennessee, and the personal lives of the living characters, as well. In “Blue Dahlia,” Roz Harper, fortysomething mistress of Harper House, hired Mitch Carnegie to do some family research in order to find the identity of the Harper Bride. Mitch and Roz were attracted to one another, but didn’t get to spend much time together until Mitch came to Harper House to work full time on the Harper genealogy. It doesn’t take Mitch long to start pursuing Roz romantically, and along with that, the Harper Bride makes her displeasure with the turn of events known. Her behavior escalates from singing children to sleep to messing up Roz’s room and tearing up her clothes when she seems to be falling for Mitch. Roz has other problems, too, as her ex-husband from her brief and disastrous second marriage comes back to town and starts messing with her, as well, taking out credit cards in her name, attempting to cancel her country club membership, and other equally juvenile attempts to get under her skin. Through it all, I could find nothing but admiration for Roz’s character. She is a mature, intelligent woman with her feet firmly planted on the ground, and while things upset her, nothing really riles her. She kicks butt wherever it’s needed, both literally and figuratively, then dusts off her hands and walks away like it’s no big deal. Even when things do get to her, she prefers to be alone to deal with them. She is easily my favorite Nora Roberts heroine in a long time.
Through Mitch’s research, and the things that happen to Roz as she falls in love with him, the group at Harper House learns more about the identity and circumstances of the Harper Bride, but there are still parts of the mystery yet to be solved by the book’s conclusion. Standing alone, this book would do well. As the second installment of a trilogy, it sucked me right back in, and had me hurrying to pick up the next installment to see what would happen next. Fortunately, I just happened to have Red Lily ready and waiting!
Through Mitch’s research, and the things that happen to Roz as she falls in love with him, the group at Harper House learns more about the identity and circumstances of the Harper Bride, but there are still parts of the mystery yet to be solved by the book’s conclusion. Standing alone, this book would do well. As the second installment of a trilogy, it sucked me right back in, and had me hurrying to pick up the next installment to see what would happen next. Fortunately, I just happened to have Red Lily ready and waiting!
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