Black Rose by Nora Roberts

Black Rose by Nora Roberts 2005 A Jove Book

[image error]This is the second book in the Garden Trilogy and focuses on the romance between Roz, owner of Harper Manor, and genealogist Mitch Carlisle. She is independent and was burned by husband number two, Bryce, who is stirring up trouble by opening a charge account in her name and doing things to others but putting the blame on her. He wants money to go away but she refuses.

We learn more about Mitch and his life. He was an alcoholic but has turned his life around and spends more and more time at Harper Manor as he tries to uncover the secret behind the Harper Bride ghost, a woman named Amelia who loves children but warns Roz that all men are liars. She becomes more violent in this book, but they also learn more about her.

Roberts limits her point of view in this book mostly between Roz and Mitch. I don’t know if that was the reason or the fact the Roz and Mitch are already mature, stable personalities and there wasn’t much conflict or tension in this story, but it didn’t have the punch that most of Roberts stories has.

Some writers shy away from mature characters because they don’t seem to be as interesting as someone younger, who hasn’t figured out what they want in life. Roberts characters are usually in their late twenties or early thirties and have some bad past experience they must resolve before they can go forward in love.

Roz has some of that, but Mitch did not. He was perfect so what was she waiting for? Writers have to be careful not to make their heroes too perfect and then too boring.

I like the character of Hayley, and she will be the focus in the last book.

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