Crystal Gardens
*Starred Review* It is the second time in the last two weeks that someone tried to kill Evangeline Ames. Fortunately, when she hears someone breaking into Fern Cottage, she has enough time to escape through her bedroom window, and she immediately heads for Crystal Gardens. Evangeline had already done some “exploring” at the abandoned estate, and her plan is to lose her assailant in the gardens surrounding the house. What Evangeline hasn’t planned on was running into Lucas Sebastian, the new owner of Crystal Gardens. Nor does she realize that he will prove to be far more dangerous to Evangeline’s plans for a quiet rest in the country than any mysterious intruder. Crystal Gardens, the latest danger-rich, paranormal-spiced historical romance from best-selling Quick (Burning Lamp, 2010), is an absolute delight. From the entertaining battle of wits between the story’s intriguing heroine and mysterious hero to the botanically inspired plot and its deliciously gothic setting, all the literary components add up to a romance worth savoring. --John Charles