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Where the Lotus Flower Grow
Even in darkness, love can bloom… Heir to a multinational hotel empire, Liam Montgomery thinks business is everything—until he goes undercover to check out their locations throughout Asia. As cosmopolitan as Liam is, from the bright lights of Mumbai to the tranquil beaches of Goa to the bustling streets of New York, he's never met anyone like lovely Mary Costa. He can't understand why this delicate, educated woman works as a maid. Or how she is reigniting his long-buried desire to be an artist. They are apart in so many ways—especially in the things Mary won't tell him. But more and more, Liam can't imagine his life without her... Mary knows this unexpected desire for Liam must end. It’s true that his gentleness and sense of fun inspires her and makes her hopeful for the first time in her life. But she has a grim promise she feels compelled to keep—and painful experiences she fears he could never understand. And with secrets soon reaching out to separate them for good, can they dare risk a future together if it means confronting the scars of the past?“This book confronts a number of economic, social, and gender issues with grace and honesty, and provides two very believable, flawed and genuinely empathetic protagonists . . . will linger in readers’ hearts and memories after the final page.” –RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2016
10 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Schiller
17 books1,826 followersNot knowing a word of English, MK Schiller came to America at the age of four from India. Since then, all she’s done is collect words. After receiving the best gift ever from her parents—her very own library card—she began reading everything she could get her greedy hands on. At sixteen, a friend asked her to make up a story featuring the popular bad boy at school. This wasn’t fan fiction…it was friend fiction. From that day on, she’s known she wanted to be a writer. With the goal of making her readers both laugh and cry, MK Schiller has penned more than a dozen books, each one filled with misfit characters overcoming obstacles and finding true love.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 18, 2017
Genre: Interracial romance
Sensuality: R
Hotel magnate meets hotel maid in India.
I really like Schiller's writing and she writes a more ambitious, more literary novel here that is overwhelmed by too many elements in the end. There are many lovely moments. The discussions of the power of reading and words. A tale told of star-crossed lovers. But ultimately, all the dark threads overwhelmed the romance.
Possible triggers:
Sensuality: R
Hotel magnate meets hotel maid in India.
I really like Schiller's writing and she writes a more ambitious, more literary novel here that is overwhelmed by too many elements in the end. There are many lovely moments. The discussions of the power of reading and words. A tale told of star-crossed lovers. But ultimately, all the dark threads overwhelmed the romance.
Possible triggers:
August 11, 2016
*Kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 19, 2016
4.5 "Give me fifty lashes with that hair, Mary" stars
Liam Montgomery finds himself on a trail across Asia, covertly reviewing the Wilshire hotels within his family business. He works alongside his half-brother, Stephen, and is focused, diligent, taking minimal time for himself.
He’s a big thinker, and finds himself in a very different position than he started life, and knowing how that can be at the other end of the spectrum, he doesn’t take anything for granted.
Mary Costa had an educated upbringing in India. She’s well versed in her literature, and was part of a tight knit family, especially since her mother had left her father alone to tend to her and her young, vulnerable sister.
A sequence of horrific events finds Mary now alone and under her self inflicted radar. She took up a maid’s position at the Wilshire hotel in Rajasthan, having minimal dialogue with any of her peers. In fact, her boss assumed she spoke very little english.
Liam spotted her tending a beautiful lotus flower, and was immediately captivated. Her elegance, poise and overhearing her have a very easy english conversation with the chauffeur, intrigued him to observe more.
This description so far would lead you to believe this story was just an semblance of two people from different cultures. But what MK Schiller was able to inject too was playfulness, and plenty of light amongst an ever growing serious undertone.
We discovered Liam’s backstory, which was sad and startling, especially since he was forced to move from the UK to America. We also watch Mary’s distressing story unravel, sprinkled with endearing legacies along the way.
A definite good read for me. Plenty to get totally absorbed in.
Complimentary copy received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Liam Montgomery finds himself on a trail across Asia, covertly reviewing the Wilshire hotels within his family business. He works alongside his half-brother, Stephen, and is focused, diligent, taking minimal time for himself.
He’s a big thinker, and finds himself in a very different position than he started life, and knowing how that can be at the other end of the spectrum, he doesn’t take anything for granted.
Mary Costa had an educated upbringing in India. She’s well versed in her literature, and was part of a tight knit family, especially since her mother had left her father alone to tend to her and her young, vulnerable sister.
A sequence of horrific events finds Mary now alone and under her self inflicted radar. She took up a maid’s position at the Wilshire hotel in Rajasthan, having minimal dialogue with any of her peers. In fact, her boss assumed she spoke very little english.
Liam spotted her tending a beautiful lotus flower, and was immediately captivated. Her elegance, poise and overhearing her have a very easy english conversation with the chauffeur, intrigued him to observe more.
This description so far would lead you to believe this story was just an semblance of two people from different cultures. But what MK Schiller was able to inject too was playfulness, and plenty of light amongst an ever growing serious undertone.
We discovered Liam’s backstory, which was sad and startling, especially since he was forced to move from the UK to America. We also watch Mary’s distressing story unravel, sprinkled with endearing legacies along the way.
A definite good read for me. Plenty to get totally absorbed in.
Complimentary copy received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2016
It is my first book by this author and one I really enjoyed.
He, Liam is a very rich businessman travels in Asia reviewing the hotels of his family business and who hates the career path he has been forced to follow. He is handsome and masculine, tender and protective...and white.
She, Mary has a dark past and she is struggling alone without family. She is a strong beautiful, well educated and multi lingual but poor Indian girl who works as a maid in a hotel in India.
The story begins when Liam spotted her tending a beautiful lotus flower at the hotel's fountain and overhearing her a non pleasant conversation in English with the a male hotel employee. Something about her pulls him in
It's a sweet romance book with well built heroes characters and an interesting plot. We follow them around the world as they try to find their way to be together for as long they have, knowing their worlds and lives are far too different.
He, Liam is a very rich businessman travels in Asia reviewing the hotels of his family business and who hates the career path he has been forced to follow. He is handsome and masculine, tender and protective...and white.
She, Mary has a dark past and she is struggling alone without family. She is a strong beautiful, well educated and multi lingual but poor Indian girl who works as a maid in a hotel in India.
The story begins when Liam spotted her tending a beautiful lotus flower at the hotel's fountain and overhearing her a non pleasant conversation in English with the a male hotel employee. Something about her pulls him in
It's a sweet romance book with well built heroes characters and an interesting plot. We follow them around the world as they try to find their way to be together for as long they have, knowing their worlds and lives are far too different.
July 18, 2016
Liam is quite territorial and protective, "Liam slammed Stephen against the desk with each of his statement. “You don’t look at her. You don’t talk to her. You don’t even think about her. Understand me?” I liked this book, I love Liam.
September 27, 2016
Where the Lotus Flowers Grow, MK Schiller
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance,
My first book by this author and one I really enjoyed.
It was a very different to what I expected story, but I soon fell in love with Liam and Mary, and the wonderful settings.
Its beautifully described, I felt there in India with them in the heat and dust, seeing the markets, feeling the hustle and bustle of the country. The way the hotel staff are described, the way they tell Liam what they think he wants to hear, rather than the truth is perfect, and when people need their jobs, are unlikely to find others its a situation that's happens the world over. He needs to see why the hotel is losing money, the staff just want to show him the good side, convince him they’re doing a wonderful job. Its so easy to picture it and his frustration.
Then he spots Mary, lighting candles at her beautiful Lotus flower that's blooming in the ruins of an old pool. The flower, the Lotus tag, is echoed throughout the novel and made what seemed like very different parts join up – gave them a connection.
Its not just a rich man, poor girl romance though, there’s so much more, some horrific tragedy in Mary's past, so much that makes up this puzzle of a woman, well educated, multi lingual, working as a maid. Its very typical the way the hotel manager saw her as a woman and assumed she couldn’t speak English, assumed she was illiterate. We do judge on appearance and culture, and that was true for so many Indian ladies but not for Mary.
She had her reasons for staying in the background but once she caught Liam's eye circumstances threw them together, and they began a romance that Mary insisted was for while he was there only, that when he left that would be it. Of course emotions aren’t easily controlled and it was interesting reading how hard she fought hers, how Liam tried to convince himself she wasn’t more to him than a holiday romance.
He’s got his own issues, his own difficult background and family problems, and the last thing he’s looking for is love.
I really enjoyed the way they struggled against their feelings, and the dramas, the way they turned out, and how disparate things can actually be connected even if by very slight means. Its that Six degrees of separate thing. Fiction often seems far fetched, and yet real life does have these really odd coincidences.
Looking back from the end its easy to see the trail that actually connected them, and how it was set in motion, Mary's need for revenge led her to the one place Liam's family circumstances took him to. They could easily have missed each other, but its strange how often circumstance places us in the right position. Is it fate, predestination or truly just chance – who knows?
Stars: Five, a lovely story that made me think, made me feel there with the characters.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance,
My first book by this author and one I really enjoyed.
It was a very different to what I expected story, but I soon fell in love with Liam and Mary, and the wonderful settings.
Its beautifully described, I felt there in India with them in the heat and dust, seeing the markets, feeling the hustle and bustle of the country. The way the hotel staff are described, the way they tell Liam what they think he wants to hear, rather than the truth is perfect, and when people need their jobs, are unlikely to find others its a situation that's happens the world over. He needs to see why the hotel is losing money, the staff just want to show him the good side, convince him they’re doing a wonderful job. Its so easy to picture it and his frustration.
Then he spots Mary, lighting candles at her beautiful Lotus flower that's blooming in the ruins of an old pool. The flower, the Lotus tag, is echoed throughout the novel and made what seemed like very different parts join up – gave them a connection.
Its not just a rich man, poor girl romance though, there’s so much more, some horrific tragedy in Mary's past, so much that makes up this puzzle of a woman, well educated, multi lingual, working as a maid. Its very typical the way the hotel manager saw her as a woman and assumed she couldn’t speak English, assumed she was illiterate. We do judge on appearance and culture, and that was true for so many Indian ladies but not for Mary.
She had her reasons for staying in the background but once she caught Liam's eye circumstances threw them together, and they began a romance that Mary insisted was for while he was there only, that when he left that would be it. Of course emotions aren’t easily controlled and it was interesting reading how hard she fought hers, how Liam tried to convince himself she wasn’t more to him than a holiday romance.
He’s got his own issues, his own difficult background and family problems, and the last thing he’s looking for is love.
I really enjoyed the way they struggled against their feelings, and the dramas, the way they turned out, and how disparate things can actually be connected even if by very slight means. Its that Six degrees of separate thing. Fiction often seems far fetched, and yet real life does have these really odd coincidences.
Looking back from the end its easy to see the trail that actually connected them, and how it was set in motion, Mary's need for revenge led her to the one place Liam's family circumstances took him to. They could easily have missed each other, but its strange how often circumstance places us in the right position. Is it fate, predestination or truly just chance – who knows?
Stars: Five, a lovely story that made me think, made me feel there with the characters.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher
September 22, 2020
Mary è una ragazza forte, assediata dai fantasmi di un atroce passato. Cresciuta nella povertà, lavora come cameriera in uno dei più rinomati hotel di Jaipur. Liam è l'erede di una grande compagnia d'hotel, figlio illegittimo di un padre dal quale non è mai stato completamente accettato. Dopo la morte della madre si è abituato a districarsi tra incontri con investitori e viaggi per il mondo mettendo da parte i suoi sogni. Ambientata nell'India contemporanea questa storia vedrà i due protagonisti alle prese con un graduale e sempre più profondo innamoramento che incrocerà i loro destini tormentati. Attraverso uno stile fluido ed elegante l'autrice ci introduce apparentemente alla storia di una cenerentola moderna che sin dalle prime pagine riesce a catturare l'attenzione del lettore. Nonostante dapprima la relazione dei due personaggi può apparire insolita, con lo scorrere del romanzo e la magistrale caratterizzazione dei personaggi, il lettore avrà modo di conoscere meglio e comprendere la coppia. L'autrice attraverso le pagine di questo romanzo non racconta unicamente la storia d'amore dei protagonisti, ma oltre alla differenza sociale e patrimoniale che intercorre tra i due porta alla luce, seppur non approfonditamente, tematiche difficili e strazianti che permetteranno al lettore di entrare in contatto con la parte più profonda dei personaggi. A fare da contorno a queste tematiche importanti inoltre vi è anche il rapporto di Liam con il fratello Stephan e l'indissolubile amicizia che lega Mary alle sue amiche. Queste relazioni a loro volta vogliono lasciare al lettore messaggi positivi, come quello della rinascita e del perdono. Di questo romanzo ho apprezzato la delicatezza con la quale l'autrice ha affrontato tematiche crudeli e sono rimasta colpita positivamente dal personaggio di Stephan, che seppur all'apparenza odioso ed insensibile, riesce con dei piccoli gesti importanti a fare cadere la maschera e riguadagnarsi l'affetto del fratello con il quale ha sempre a sempre avuto un rapporto burrascoso. Mi sento di consigliare questo romanzo a tutti perchè oltre alla bellissima storia d'amore dei protagonisti, mostra anche un volto oscuro della realtà e lancia messaggi positivi su come affrontare le situazioni difficili.
September 26, 2020
Blog La piccola libreria nel bosco
Liam e Mary, i due protagonisti di questo romanzo, non potrebbero essere più di versi: proprietario di una catena di alberghi lui, una cameriera lei; di origini inglesi lui, indiana lei; due culture diverse; religioni diverse. Eppure i loro mondi opposti si scontrano quando Liam, per lavoro, fa un viaggio in India. In uno dei suoi alberghi incontra Mary che lo colpisce subito per la sua semplicità. Mary è subito attratta da Liam, dal suo fascino e dalla sua dolcezza.
La loro è una storia d'amore dolce e profonda. I loro dialoghi rispecchiano ciò che hanno dentro: dolore, paura d'amare, voglia di andare avanti.
Ci sono linee che non si possono attraversare, oltre le quali il dolore è sempre vivo ed il passato rischia di riaprire ferite non del tutto guarite, mettendo a repentaglio la storia dei nostri protagonisti. Un colpo di scena doloroso darà una svolta anche al rapporto non proprio idilliaco di Liam con il suo fratellastro Stephen, un personaggio che mi ha suscitato parecchia curiosità.
Bellissime le descrizioni delle ambientazioni, si passa dagli edifici di Mombay alla sabbia di Goa fino ad arrivare a New York. I pov alterni di Liam e Mary ci trasportano nella loro storia facendoci conoscere le loro sensazioni e i loro sentimenti.
Lo stile dell'autrice è davvero scorrevole, riesce a tenere incollato il lettore al romanzo senza annoiare mai, anzi... è una continua scoperta: ambientazioni, caratterizzazione dei personaggi, persino i sapori sono descritti in modo magistrale.
Non aggiungo altro, ma il mio consiglio è quello di scoprire ciò che lega Liam e Mary che con il loro amore, dolce e forte, abbattono ogni barriera.
Liam e Mary, i due protagonisti di questo romanzo, non potrebbero essere più di versi: proprietario di una catena di alberghi lui, una cameriera lei; di origini inglesi lui, indiana lei; due culture diverse; religioni diverse. Eppure i loro mondi opposti si scontrano quando Liam, per lavoro, fa un viaggio in India. In uno dei suoi alberghi incontra Mary che lo colpisce subito per la sua semplicità. Mary è subito attratta da Liam, dal suo fascino e dalla sua dolcezza.
La loro è una storia d'amore dolce e profonda. I loro dialoghi rispecchiano ciò che hanno dentro: dolore, paura d'amare, voglia di andare avanti.
Ci sono linee che non si possono attraversare, oltre le quali il dolore è sempre vivo ed il passato rischia di riaprire ferite non del tutto guarite, mettendo a repentaglio la storia dei nostri protagonisti. Un colpo di scena doloroso darà una svolta anche al rapporto non proprio idilliaco di Liam con il suo fratellastro Stephen, un personaggio che mi ha suscitato parecchia curiosità.
Bellissime le descrizioni delle ambientazioni, si passa dagli edifici di Mombay alla sabbia di Goa fino ad arrivare a New York. I pov alterni di Liam e Mary ci trasportano nella loro storia facendoci conoscere le loro sensazioni e i loro sentimenti.
Lo stile dell'autrice è davvero scorrevole, riesce a tenere incollato il lettore al romanzo senza annoiare mai, anzi... è una continua scoperta: ambientazioni, caratterizzazione dei personaggi, persino i sapori sono descritti in modo magistrale.
Non aggiungo altro, ma il mio consiglio è quello di scoprire ciò che lega Liam e Mary che con il loro amore, dolce e forte, abbattono ogni barriera.
October 6, 2016
her books are always full of life lessons and wisdom. i appreciated the big twist in the end
November 17, 2016
I loved it.
October 24, 2016
The opening of the book was a bit slow and not exactly what I was expecting, but thankfully, that did not last long.
I loved the main characters in this book. Both Liam and Mary were written in such a way that just as soon as you thought you knew them, there was yet another layer that revealed a surprise. Ms. Schiller was equally adept at revealing supporting characters in the same way including Liam's brother and Mary's sister. L
The plot seemed to be very clear cut, but again, it delivered surprises that you could not see coming. The romance between Mary and Liam seemed genuinely tender and well-developed though not without realistic obstacles that would typically break up the most determined couple. I also enjoyed seeing Mary's reaction to New York and her determination to put a very dark, bleak past behind her.
Finally, the theme of creating something beautiful out of something dark came through clearly and the symbolism of the lotus flower was well done. This was a beautiful, literary love story.
I loved the main characters in this book. Both Liam and Mary were written in such a way that just as soon as you thought you knew them, there was yet another layer that revealed a surprise. Ms. Schiller was equally adept at revealing supporting characters in the same way including Liam's brother and Mary's sister. L
The plot seemed to be very clear cut, but again, it delivered surprises that you could not see coming. The romance between Mary and Liam seemed genuinely tender and well-developed though not without realistic obstacles that would typically break up the most determined couple. I also enjoyed seeing Mary's reaction to New York and her determination to put a very dark, bleak past behind her.
Finally, the theme of creating something beautiful out of something dark came through clearly and the symbolism of the lotus flower was well done. This was a beautiful, literary love story.
May 21, 2017
A cross-cultural romance between a multi-millionaire hotel owner and an Indian maid.
I just couldn't believe that the hero was British-his voice just sounded "off" to me- a few “tossers, shits, loves and wankers” thrown in do not an Englishman make... the sex scenes were of the rather generic type…the heroine turned into a Mary Sue and made immigration seem a breeze...and yet the sadness of the heroine, particularly in the first half of the book stayed with me when I had finished. I also enjoyed the details about Indian places and culture.
I just couldn't believe that the hero was British-his voice just sounded "off" to me- a few “tossers, shits, loves and wankers” thrown in do not an Englishman make... the sex scenes were of the rather generic type…the heroine turned into a Mary Sue and made immigration seem a breeze...and yet the sadness of the heroine, particularly in the first half of the book stayed with me when I had finished. I also enjoyed the details about Indian places and culture.
decided-not-to-read
March 26, 20173/26/17 sale .99.
May 10, 2017
M.K. Schiller's books always make me happy. If the ending hadn't been too orchestrated this would've been a solid 5 stars.
September 18, 2016
My first time reading this author and it is quite a story. Liam comes to India to look at one of his company's properties. This one is failing. He is a wealthy Brit who lives in NY and runs the business with his step brother. His real love lies in painting. It's there he meets Mary. Mary, who is Indian is a maid and the hotel and there is something about her that pulls him in. I liked Liam, he tolerates no nonsense from hotel guests or employees. No matter who they are.
Mary has a dark past, she is alone. Her father and sister are dead, her mother left them long ago. The story is told from the dual POV and the dialogue is nothing short of amazing and intriguing at the same time. Mary is wise. Liam is caring and open with Mary. Slowly she lets him in. She takes a trip with him to Mumbai where she meets her old friends and introduces Liam. Her girlfriends response was classic, "you didn't tell us he was white." Business in the east is done and Liam has to return to NY and Mary goes with him. She's not received warmly initially, those close to him treat her with an off handed coldness. Not because of culture or class, because she now knows Liam and their relationship is tight. There is no love lost between Liam and his stepbrother Stephen. Mary tries to settle the water between the two of them, but fully knowing there is no peace to be found there.
The story comes to a head at about 80% when an incident occurs that brings Mary's past back crashing down around her. Stephen knows and helps her get on a plane to go home. Liam is miserable.
This story is a wonderfully woven tale about two people from opposite ends of the earth who have but put together for reasons only known to the Gods they pray to. The plot is straightforward. The backstory is intact and despite the few dark memories Mary has, the author gratefully doesn't drag them out in detail. I wouldn't call it a typical romance book either, it's more a character study and I miss that in books these days. There is depth here. yes, there is sex between the two MC's and not overdone. It's relational.
I loved this book. It's different, unique and one full of unspoken meaning.
**arc from NetGalley and publisher** in exchange for an honest review.
Mary has a dark past, she is alone. Her father and sister are dead, her mother left them long ago. The story is told from the dual POV and the dialogue is nothing short of amazing and intriguing at the same time. Mary is wise. Liam is caring and open with Mary. Slowly she lets him in. She takes a trip with him to Mumbai where she meets her old friends and introduces Liam. Her girlfriends response was classic, "you didn't tell us he was white." Business in the east is done and Liam has to return to NY and Mary goes with him. She's not received warmly initially, those close to him treat her with an off handed coldness. Not because of culture or class, because she now knows Liam and their relationship is tight. There is no love lost between Liam and his stepbrother Stephen. Mary tries to settle the water between the two of them, but fully knowing there is no peace to be found there.
The story comes to a head at about 80% when an incident occurs that brings Mary's past back crashing down around her. Stephen knows and helps her get on a plane to go home. Liam is miserable.
This story is a wonderfully woven tale about two people from opposite ends of the earth who have but put together for reasons only known to the Gods they pray to. The plot is straightforward. The backstory is intact and despite the few dark memories Mary has, the author gratefully doesn't drag them out in detail. I wouldn't call it a typical romance book either, it's more a character study and I miss that in books these days. There is depth here. yes, there is sex between the two MC's and not overdone. It's relational.
I loved this book. It's different, unique and one full of unspoken meaning.
**arc from NetGalley and publisher** in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2016
**4.5 star review**
Reviewed on behalf of 2 girls who love books blog.
Where the Lotus Flowers grow is a standalone romance novel by M K Schiller. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. One of the things I loved about this book was that it wasn’t what I expected – it was full of different layers, it had romance, it had its hot and steamy encounters but it also touched on much deeper issues. It had a few unexpected twists which made the story keep my interest until the very end.
For the majority of this book the story is set in different locations in Asia and I think that the author did an amazing job with the descriptive writing – I could totally imagine everything that was being described from the scenery, to the market places right down to the food they were eating. It felt like I was travelling along with them - really beautifully written.
So a little bit about the story. Liam Montgomery, heir to a multinational hotel empire, is travelling throughout Asia checking out their locations. It is whilst at one of their hotels that he meets Mary Costa, a maid, and he becomes captivated by her. After having spent some time with her he cannot understand why an educated person like Mary would work as a hotel maid. Mary knows that her fascination and desire for Liam Montgomery cannot continue – their worlds and lives are far too different. They try to make things work but a devastating secret comes out and tears them apart.
I really liked the characters. I liked Liam for his dominating side but he also does some extremely romantic things that brought out the true gentleman in him – if anyone deserved to see that side to him it was Mary.
Mary is such a lovely character. Even with everything she has been through she still tried to stay positive and see the best in people. She deserved to meet someone like Liam who could help heal her and someone she could make new, more positive memories with.
I really loved the ending to the story; I think it brought the whole book full circle - a beautiful ending to a beautiful love story.
It might not be your typical romance story but it is definitely worth a read and I give it 4.5 moonstone stars!
Reviewed on behalf of 2 girls who love books blog.
Where the Lotus Flowers grow is a standalone romance novel by M K Schiller. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. One of the things I loved about this book was that it wasn’t what I expected – it was full of different layers, it had romance, it had its hot and steamy encounters but it also touched on much deeper issues. It had a few unexpected twists which made the story keep my interest until the very end.
For the majority of this book the story is set in different locations in Asia and I think that the author did an amazing job with the descriptive writing – I could totally imagine everything that was being described from the scenery, to the market places right down to the food they were eating. It felt like I was travelling along with them - really beautifully written.
So a little bit about the story. Liam Montgomery, heir to a multinational hotel empire, is travelling throughout Asia checking out their locations. It is whilst at one of their hotels that he meets Mary Costa, a maid, and he becomes captivated by her. After having spent some time with her he cannot understand why an educated person like Mary would work as a hotel maid. Mary knows that her fascination and desire for Liam Montgomery cannot continue – their worlds and lives are far too different. They try to make things work but a devastating secret comes out and tears them apart.
I really liked the characters. I liked Liam for his dominating side but he also does some extremely romantic things that brought out the true gentleman in him – if anyone deserved to see that side to him it was Mary.
Mary is such a lovely character. Even with everything she has been through she still tried to stay positive and see the best in people. She deserved to meet someone like Liam who could help heal her and someone she could make new, more positive memories with.
I really loved the ending to the story; I think it brought the whole book full circle - a beautiful ending to a beautiful love story.
It might not be your typical romance story but it is definitely worth a read and I give it 4.5 moonstone stars!
October 4, 2016
4.5 Stars, 3 Flames
Liam hates the career path he has been forced to follow. He made a deal with the devil, aka dad, and know that he is co-owner of a multi billion-dollar company he can’t technically turn his back on it.
Even if he and his half-brother hate each other. Liam is now in India overlooking the books in one of their failing hotels. Here he meets Mary and his life is forever changed. Something dark has hurt her but her strength is endless and no one knows how amazing she really is. He whisks her away for the rest of his trip and ultimately his home. But the past always has a way of sneaking up uninvited; then damaging even the strongest of love.
This is my first MK Schiller book and I’ll be honest I’ve never heard of her. Looked her up and it seems she has only written about a handful of books (that I will be getting my hands on in the near future). Where the Lotus Flower Grows is a standalone novel that puts you on a rollercoaster of emotion then lets you off with a book hangover. I did not think getting on this ride was going to be intense as it was but man, oh, man be prepared for the feels.
Mary has come a long way in just a few years. Although she will never escape the nightmares and anxiety left from her childhood experience she knows she needs to start fresh. However, she is not really living. She could do so much more with her life but she chooses to lives in hiding as a maid. Liam has his own demons to face and finding who he is. He reluctantly let go of his dream and lost sight of what true passion feels like.
Together, they set themselves on an unexpected journey to discover who they are freely and without judgement, at least not with each other. They inspire each other to be better and not afraid of the past or future. Until it all comes crashing down. I was not expecting the end to happen as it did (pretty much full circle scenario) but for some reason it worked out beautifully. This is a novel that you could get lost in and I would definitely recommend to romance lovers.
I was gifted a copy of this novel from the JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.
Liam hates the career path he has been forced to follow. He made a deal with the devil, aka dad, and know that he is co-owner of a multi billion-dollar company he can’t technically turn his back on it.
Even if he and his half-brother hate each other. Liam is now in India overlooking the books in one of their failing hotels. Here he meets Mary and his life is forever changed. Something dark has hurt her but her strength is endless and no one knows how amazing she really is. He whisks her away for the rest of his trip and ultimately his home. But the past always has a way of sneaking up uninvited; then damaging even the strongest of love.
This is my first MK Schiller book and I’ll be honest I’ve never heard of her. Looked her up and it seems she has only written about a handful of books (that I will be getting my hands on in the near future). Where the Lotus Flower Grows is a standalone novel that puts you on a rollercoaster of emotion then lets you off with a book hangover. I did not think getting on this ride was going to be intense as it was but man, oh, man be prepared for the feels.
Mary has come a long way in just a few years. Although she will never escape the nightmares and anxiety left from her childhood experience she knows she needs to start fresh. However, she is not really living. She could do so much more with her life but she chooses to lives in hiding as a maid. Liam has his own demons to face and finding who he is. He reluctantly let go of his dream and lost sight of what true passion feels like.
Together, they set themselves on an unexpected journey to discover who they are freely and without judgement, at least not with each other. They inspire each other to be better and not afraid of the past or future. Until it all comes crashing down. I was not expecting the end to happen as it did (pretty much full circle scenario) but for some reason it worked out beautifully. This is a novel that you could get lost in and I would definitely recommend to romance lovers.
I was gifted a copy of this novel from the JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2020
Ho pianto, riso, sperato con Liam e Mary. Certe pagine sono state strazianti. Tutto il libro é una giostra di emozioni. Ma partiamo con un riassunto della trama.
Mary é una cameriera che un giorno incontra Liam. Lui é un uomo ricco e proprietario di uno degli hotel in cui lei lavora. Non si può dire che sia amore a prima vista. Anzi, hanno due caratteri davvero diversi. Avendo quasi lo stesso background, il loro presente e il corso che hanno prese le loro vite, sono molto distanti. Ma... Cercano la stessa cosa in fondo. Essere accettati per ciò che sono e amati, ma senza dipendere al 100% dall'altro. E con questa premessa inizia il loro viaggio alla scoperta dell'amore e dell'India che decidono di fare insieme, ma ad una sola condizione. Alla fine dei viaggio non si rivedranno più, e non avranno nessun obbligo verso l'altra persona.
Viaggiamo con loro e ogni pagina ci svela un segreto che tengono nascosto.
Hanno mille storie da raccontare e ad un certo punto ci rendiamo conto che le loro vite sono tragicamente legate da molti eventi.
Avranno un futuro insieme?
Questo lo dovrete scoprire leggendo...
Un viaggio attraverso tradizioni, amore, leggende. Tra l'India e New York i due protagonisti ci portano nelle loro vite.
La scrittrice non é prolissa come può sembrare (il numero delle pagine é elevato lo ammetto), ma tutto ha un suo perché. I drammi vissuti sono trattati con una delicatezza che ti fa sciogliere il cuore ma ti fa sperare nel futuro.
Liam e mary sono descritti alla perfezione. E le loro storie sono divise tra sogni, il presente, e stralci di vita passata. Abbiamo amicizia, amore, famiglia, disprezzo, gelosia, speranza.
C'é tutto quello che serve per fare un buon libro insomma!
Ed é per questo che assegno le 5 farfalle ad una bellissima storia!
Mary é una cameriera che un giorno incontra Liam. Lui é un uomo ricco e proprietario di uno degli hotel in cui lei lavora. Non si può dire che sia amore a prima vista. Anzi, hanno due caratteri davvero diversi. Avendo quasi lo stesso background, il loro presente e il corso che hanno prese le loro vite, sono molto distanti. Ma... Cercano la stessa cosa in fondo. Essere accettati per ciò che sono e amati, ma senza dipendere al 100% dall'altro. E con questa premessa inizia il loro viaggio alla scoperta dell'amore e dell'India che decidono di fare insieme, ma ad una sola condizione. Alla fine dei viaggio non si rivedranno più, e non avranno nessun obbligo verso l'altra persona.
Viaggiamo con loro e ogni pagina ci svela un segreto che tengono nascosto.
Hanno mille storie da raccontare e ad un certo punto ci rendiamo conto che le loro vite sono tragicamente legate da molti eventi.
Avranno un futuro insieme?
Questo lo dovrete scoprire leggendo...
Un viaggio attraverso tradizioni, amore, leggende. Tra l'India e New York i due protagonisti ci portano nelle loro vite.
La scrittrice non é prolissa come può sembrare (il numero delle pagine é elevato lo ammetto), ma tutto ha un suo perché. I drammi vissuti sono trattati con una delicatezza che ti fa sciogliere il cuore ma ti fa sperare nel futuro.
Liam e mary sono descritti alla perfezione. E le loro storie sono divise tra sogni, il presente, e stralci di vita passata. Abbiamo amicizia, amore, famiglia, disprezzo, gelosia, speranza.
C'é tutto quello che serve per fare un buon libro insomma!
Ed é per questo che assegno le 5 farfalle ad una bellissima storia!
October 10, 2020
Ho pianto, riso, sperato con Liam e Mary. Certe pagine sono state strazianti. Tutto il libro é una giostra di emozioni. Ma partiamo con un riassunto della trama.
Mary é una cameriera che un giorno incontra Liam. Lui é un uomo ricco e proprietario di uno degli hotel in cui lei lavora. Non si può dire che sia amore a prima vista. Anzi, hanno due caratteri davvero diversi. Avendo quasi lo stesso background, il loro presente e il corso che hanno prese le loro vite, sono molto distanti. Ma... Cercano la stessa cosa in fondo. Essere accettati per ciò che sono e amati, ma senza dipendere al 100% dall'altro. E con questa premessa inizia il loro viaggio alla scoperta dell'amore e dell'India che decidono di fare insieme, ma ad una sola condizione. Alla fine dei viaggio non si rivedranno più, e non avranno nessun obbligo verso l'altra persona.
Viaggiamo con loro e ogni pagina ci svela un segreto che tengono nascosto.
Hanno mille storie da raccontare e ad un certo punto ci rendiamo conto che le loro vite sono tragicamente legate da molti eventi.
Avranno un futuro insieme?
Questo lo dovrete scoprire leggendo...
Un viaggio attraverso tradizioni, amore, leggende. Tra l'India e New York i due protagonisti ci portano nelle loro vite.
La scrittrice non é prolissa come può sembrare (il numero delle pagine é elevato lo ammetto), ma tutto ha un suo perché. I drammi vissuti sono trattati con una delicatezza che ti fa sciogliere il cuore ma ti fa sperare nel futuro.
Liam e mary sono descritti alla perfezione. E le loro storie sono divise tra sogni, il presente, e stralci di vita passata. Abbiamo amicizia, amore, famiglia, disprezzo, gelosia, speranza.
C'é tutto quello che serve per fare un buon libro insomma!
Ed é per questo che assegno le 5 farfalle ad una bellissima storia!
Mary é una cameriera che un giorno incontra Liam. Lui é un uomo ricco e proprietario di uno degli hotel in cui lei lavora. Non si può dire che sia amore a prima vista. Anzi, hanno due caratteri davvero diversi. Avendo quasi lo stesso background, il loro presente e il corso che hanno prese le loro vite, sono molto distanti. Ma... Cercano la stessa cosa in fondo. Essere accettati per ciò che sono e amati, ma senza dipendere al 100% dall'altro. E con questa premessa inizia il loro viaggio alla scoperta dell'amore e dell'India che decidono di fare insieme, ma ad una sola condizione. Alla fine dei viaggio non si rivedranno più, e non avranno nessun obbligo verso l'altra persona.
Viaggiamo con loro e ogni pagina ci svela un segreto che tengono nascosto.
Hanno mille storie da raccontare e ad un certo punto ci rendiamo conto che le loro vite sono tragicamente legate da molti eventi.
Avranno un futuro insieme?
Questo lo dovrete scoprire leggendo...
Un viaggio attraverso tradizioni, amore, leggende. Tra l'India e New York i due protagonisti ci portano nelle loro vite.
La scrittrice non é prolissa come può sembrare (il numero delle pagine é elevato lo ammetto), ma tutto ha un suo perché. I drammi vissuti sono trattati con una delicatezza che ti fa sciogliere il cuore ma ti fa sperare nel futuro.
Liam e mary sono descritti alla perfezione. E le loro storie sono divise tra sogni, il presente, e stralci di vita passata. Abbiamo amicizia, amore, famiglia, disprezzo, gelosia, speranza.
C'é tutto quello che serve per fare un buon libro insomma!
Ed é per questo che assegno le 5 farfalle ad una bellissima storia!
December 26, 2020
Libro letto tutto d’un fiato, iniziato e finito, senza nemmeno una piccola pausa nel mezzo.
Sapete cosa significa? Che mi ha preso, stregato… Della serie, colpita e affondata!
Si sa, quando il tema generale del libro è cuori e fiori, con quel pizzico di lacrime che non guastano mai, per me, il successo è quasi assicurato. Dico quasi, perchè non basta solo una bella trama, il libro per incatenarmi alle sue pagine deve anche essere scritto in un certo modo e l’autore o autrice deve essere in grado di farmi affezionare ai suoi bambini.
Posso assicurarvi che questo ha tutto!
Due ragazzi che si incontrano quasi per caso, due mondi diametralmente opposti, due realtà diverse, ma un passato difficile da sopportare, che li accomuna.
Un sogno, una favola, il miliardario e la cameriera, ma se vi lascerete ingannare da ciò che a prima vista potrebbe sembrarvi una monotonia, vi perderete la bellezza e la profondità del libro.
L’amore può sopprimere la crudeltà che la vita ti propina? E se questo amore derivasse proprio da colui che te l’ha rovinata?
Mi sono emozionata, ho pianto e ho gioito con loro, mi sono innamorata di entrambi i protagonisti, della loro forza, del loro coraggio e del loro amore. Mi sono dissetata con le belle parole, con quel profumo di oriente che aleggiava nell’aria, con il sole dell’India che ti scotta la pelle e, infine, mi sono riempita gli occhi con la bellezza e la purezza di un fiore di loto.
Liam e Mary, due anime forti, due anime spezzate che trovano la forza di andare avanti, due anime destinate a diventare una sola.
Da leggere? Assolutamente sì.
- Ice Angel
Sapete cosa significa? Che mi ha preso, stregato… Della serie, colpita e affondata!
Si sa, quando il tema generale del libro è cuori e fiori, con quel pizzico di lacrime che non guastano mai, per me, il successo è quasi assicurato. Dico quasi, perchè non basta solo una bella trama, il libro per incatenarmi alle sue pagine deve anche essere scritto in un certo modo e l’autore o autrice deve essere in grado di farmi affezionare ai suoi bambini.
Posso assicurarvi che questo ha tutto!
Due ragazzi che si incontrano quasi per caso, due mondi diametralmente opposti, due realtà diverse, ma un passato difficile da sopportare, che li accomuna.
Un sogno, una favola, il miliardario e la cameriera, ma se vi lascerete ingannare da ciò che a prima vista potrebbe sembrarvi una monotonia, vi perderete la bellezza e la profondità del libro.
L’amore può sopprimere la crudeltà che la vita ti propina? E se questo amore derivasse proprio da colui che te l’ha rovinata?
Mi sono emozionata, ho pianto e ho gioito con loro, mi sono innamorata di entrambi i protagonisti, della loro forza, del loro coraggio e del loro amore. Mi sono dissetata con le belle parole, con quel profumo di oriente che aleggiava nell’aria, con il sole dell’India che ti scotta la pelle e, infine, mi sono riempita gli occhi con la bellezza e la purezza di un fiore di loto.
Liam e Mary, due anime forti, due anime spezzate che trovano la forza di andare avanti, due anime destinate a diventare una sola.
Da leggere? Assolutamente sì.
- Ice Angel
September 24, 2020
Lotus girl: rinascita, purezza, amore
Questo libro fa sognare, trasporta il lettore in un mondo nuovo, completamente diverso da quello a cui siamo abituati, dove ci sono alberghi da favola in luoghi stupendi.
È ambientato in India e in parte a New York.
L’atmosfera che si respira leggendo è proprio quella delle grandi città indiane: Jaipur e Bombay, con le loro strade trafficate, affollate dove risuonano i clacson, Goa con le sue magnifiche spiagge, luoghi in cui si mescolano tradizioni e culture diverse.
Lo stile è molto scorrevole, con un ritmo incalzante, frasi brevi e metafore molto suggestive.
Si legge tutto d’un fiato, pagina dopo pagina sembra tutto troppo bello per essere vero, ma non mancano i colpi di scena e continui a leggere perché non puoi fare a meno di sapere come andrà a finire.
La trama, per quanto racconti la storia d’amore tra una cameriera e un proprietario d’albergo, non ha nulla di scontato, non è un cliché, anzi è una storia emozionante in cui niente è come sembra, dove entrambi i protagonisti hanno dei segreti nel loro passato e molte più cose in comune di quante credano.
Continua sul blog
Il fiore può essere delicato, ma è anche forte. Può sempre trovare una nuova casa.
Questo libro fa sognare, trasporta il lettore in un mondo nuovo, completamente diverso da quello a cui siamo abituati, dove ci sono alberghi da favola in luoghi stupendi.
È ambientato in India e in parte a New York.
L’atmosfera che si respira leggendo è proprio quella delle grandi città indiane: Jaipur e Bombay, con le loro strade trafficate, affollate dove risuonano i clacson, Goa con le sue magnifiche spiagge, luoghi in cui si mescolano tradizioni e culture diverse.
Lo stile è molto scorrevole, con un ritmo incalzante, frasi brevi e metafore molto suggestive.
Si legge tutto d’un fiato, pagina dopo pagina sembra tutto troppo bello per essere vero, ma non mancano i colpi di scena e continui a leggere perché non puoi fare a meno di sapere come andrà a finire.
La trama, per quanto racconti la storia d’amore tra una cameriera e un proprietario d’albergo, non ha nulla di scontato, non è un cliché, anzi è una storia emozionante in cui niente è come sembra, dove entrambi i protagonisti hanno dei segreti nel loro passato e molte più cose in comune di quante credano.
Continua sul blog
July 28, 2016
I started this out thinking it was going to be a pretty straight forward romance, and while it was-it had some subject matters and characters' past issues that were more than a little off-putting for me.
Like most romances, there is a conflict here-some serious emotional baggage and a revenge plot-that puts the hot and blooming romance between the MCs in jeopardy. But what that baggage is, is what really just brings the whole book to a one star for me. I did not like the way it was used in the story, what it meant for the characters and even how it was all resolved. It felt weird, off-putting, and like a horrible plot device for a romance. I just couldn't get into this story.
I received a review copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Like most romances, there is a conflict here-some serious emotional baggage and a revenge plot-that puts the hot and blooming romance between the MCs in jeopardy. But what that baggage is, is what really just brings the whole book to a one star for me. I did not like the way it was used in the story, what it meant for the characters and even how it was all resolved. It felt weird, off-putting, and like a horrible plot device for a romance. I just couldn't get into this story.
I received a review copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
August 4, 2016
A multi-layered, complex romance that had me on the edge till the end. Heartbreaking and lovely. MK Schiller's done it again!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2016
5+ Dickens stars!
April 6, 2017
História, enredo e personagens muito ridículos para eu gastar meu tempo lendo...
April 6, 2017
LOVED IT!!!!
July 28, 2017
as usual i love her book..
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