Usually, I love books written by Nora Roberts. But not all of them can thrill me the way some of her best work was able to do. I had fun reading this second Bride Quartet novel, but it wasn´t as thrilling as I had hoped for. Yes, I enjoyed it, and yes, again the author created wonderful characters and brought them together in a beautiful way. And still, there are some things in this book I wasn´t happy about.


Bed Of Roses
by Nora Roberts
Bride Quartet #2
Publisher Berkley on October 27, 2009
Genre Novel
Pages 368
Format Paperback
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Wedding florist Emma Grant gets to play with flowers every day and work with her three best friends in the process. She couldn’t ask for a better job. And her love life seems to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose. But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family. Now though, the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. And when Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss, they must trust in their history—and in their hearts…
Story
A long-time friend and confidant of Del Brown, Parker´s brother and lawyer for the wedding agency Vows, the architect Jack, turns out of nowhere into an emotional disaster for Emma. After a long hesitation, she finally decided to enjoy the passion with Jack and just be happy with the moment, when her luck threatens to break down. Business is going well and could not be better, but while it is the most normal thing in the world for her to commit to thinking about children and a happy family, for Jack this is a nightmare. Sure, loose affairs that last as long as they last, that´s not wrong in his eyes and only fair for both sides. But with Emma, it looks completely different. Panic spreads in Jack, and when Emma finally realizes that she can´t turn the page here in her favor, a world breaks down for her. Surrounded by happy bridal couples who celebrate the most beautiful day of their lives in the wedding agency Vows, she fights in the midst of her flowers for the love of her life and for her dreams.

Style
The characters are wonderfully laid out, the dialogues and scenes wonderfully lively and absolutely entertaining. But somehow not new either. This can be seen in individual dialogues and some scenes. Again, and again strong scenes embroidered by the author into the plot make up the charm of this novel. I especially loved a scene between Emma and Parker and the younger family members from Emma´s large family. Goddesses playing soccer in long summer dresses – what a mental picture!

And, of course, the ubiquitous question of how Emma and Jack end up getting together. Because there is no question that they will do this. 

Characters
Emma, Parker, Mac und Laurel from a committed unit that is characterized by strength, charm, loyalty, and friendship. There are all there for one when it is necessary. And if one of the four reports that a “girls´ evening” is appropriate again, then this is promptly put into practice. With style, wonderful cocktails, and men without end. The female talk that is so typical of female beings then comes across wonderfully quick-witted, charming, and wonderfully humorous. But even the strongest characters have their wonderfully sympathetic weaknesses and Nora Roberts really skillfully plays with the opposites. 

What a pleasure that Jack writhes in his panic and doesn´t even notice. It takes a bit of a kick from Emma´s side before Jack literally lights up a conversation with his college buddy Del about his feelings for Emma. As agile and creative Jack is on the drawing board, he knows little about women´s feelings.  


Conclusion
Somehow I couldn´t help feeling a certain déjà vu while reading. Despite that, I call this novel quite suitable for relaxed reading pleasure. Not exactly one of Nora Roberts´s top novels, but still nice to read.



Happy reading







Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts ©Bruce Wilder




Nora Roberts, born in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming. Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.” She is also the author of the bestselling futuristic suspense 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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