Lily (Flower Trilogy) [Mass Market Paperback]

LILY is another engaging episode of the charming and offbeat Ashcroft family, set amongst the intellectual splendor of the Restoration period. The characters are delightful, the story riveting, and the descriptions rich with historical detail. Lauren deftly weaves humor, drama, warmth, and passion into a sensual tapestry that will leave readers with a sigh of satisfaction, a thirst for more Ashcroft stories, and a curious craving for champagne <grin>...

However, Rand sees Lily during a Baptism of her twin nephew and niece and he knows he no longer can hide behind her under age status, nor does he want too. He simply desires marriage to his beloved Lily. However, she concludes that her sister Rose has set her sights on Rand and Lily decides to sacrifice her own happiness for her family. However, neither sibling understands that to Rand a Rose is not a Rose as his preference run towards a different flower.

LILY, the second bloom in Lauren Royal's seventeenth century romantic bouquet (see VIOLET) is an enjoyable tale starring two nice people who (with Rose) make an interesting triangle. The story line is entertaining, but no character is deeply developed and the conflict is not that powerful. Still, readers will enjoy a warm historical romance starring charming protagonists who want no one hurt.

Harriet Klausner

But, Lily made a promise to Rose to help her snag Rand as a husband because Rose has always wanted a Lord of some kind for a husband. Unfortunately for Rose, plans go aray, and Rand and Lily announce their engagement. Lily feels bad for hurting Rose, but she wants Rand and they are both deeply in love.

Then Rand gets a letter from his father because his older brother died. Rand is now the Marquess of Hawkridge's heir, and he needs Rand to marry Margery, the girl he has raised as a daughter since her father died. Margery was engaged to Rand's older brother, a mean and pretty evil guy. Margery on the other hand was pregnant by a local Baron whom she was in love with. The Marquess was convinced Margery's lover was Alban's killer, and the plot just kind of took off from there. I won't give away more details, but the way that Rand and Lily figured out the answer was very interesting.

All in all, this was a pretty good book. I guess I thought it could have been a little more exciting because all in all it was a tame plot, but nonetheless, I enjoyed reading more about the Trentingham family. This story set up Rose's story which is due out in October and should be very interesting.

Oh yeah, and Lily's animal companions made for interesting characters in their own right. Very funny and imaginative and added a lot of humor to the situation. A great addition by Lauren Royal. She gets better all the time.