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librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition
3.0
When Miss Evangeline Ames awakens with the realization that an intruder is in her rental cottage, the only place to which she can flee is her landlord's dangerous Crystal Gardens. Inside the Gardens, the plants themselves glow with an eerie paranormal light, and her murderous prowler does not survive the encounter. The attempt on Evangeline's life gives Lucas Sebastian an excuse to indulge his attraction to his intriguing tenant, but he does not foresee how inviting her into his home will permanently overturn his bachelor existence. Evangeline not only isn't afraid of his dark talents, she is counting on them to keep her safe. Suddenly instead of two solitary men virtually camping out in a couple of the rooms, there are servants and family members filling a whole wing of the house, cleaning everything in sight.
This was a fun, quick read, full of the usual silliness about "heated eyes" and "raised [paranormal] senses" that substitutes for the solid foundation of a romantic relationship in Quick/Krentz/Castle's books. It follows her usual formula: strong, independent (...and yet somehow vapid) woman is irresistibly drawn to the dark, tormented, but honorable (and rich) gorgeous hunk of a man whose powerful attraction to her leads him to protect her from the Great Danger threatening her life, and through their teamwork they solve the puzzle, thwart the bad guy(s), and discover how her unique talents will heal the particular damage jeopardizing his psyche.
For readers' advisors: story doorway is primary, setting (late 1800s England) is secondary. Several semi-explicit sex scenes. (Ooh! Alliteration!)
This was a fun, quick read, full of the usual silliness about "heated eyes" and "raised [paranormal] senses" that substitutes for the solid foundation of a romantic relationship in Quick/Krentz/Castle's books. It follows her usual formula: strong, independent (...and yet somehow vapid) woman is irresistibly drawn to the dark, tormented, but honorable (and rich) gorgeous hunk of a man whose powerful attraction to her leads him to protect her from the Great Danger threatening her life, and through their teamwork they solve the puzzle, thwart the bad guy(s), and discover how her unique talents will heal the particular damage jeopardizing his psyche.
For readers' advisors: story doorway is primary, setting (late 1800s England) is secondary. Several semi-explicit sex scenes. (Ooh! Alliteration!)
acesarrows's review against another edition
1.0
I was hugely disappointed in this book.
It's missing the deeper characterizations that make earlier Amanda Quick books some of my favorite historical romances. And it's missing the cute banter and dialogue that also make Quick's books so entertaining.
It's a rote and paint-by-numbers book.
Not worth it in hardcover. Not worth reading at all.
The only part that was interesting was the excerpt from [b:The Lost Night|13483502|The Lost Night (Rainshadow, #1; Harmony, #9)|Jayne Castle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337370384s/13483502.jpg|19017916], the next entry from Jayne Castle.
It's missing the deeper characterizations that make earlier Amanda Quick books some of my favorite historical romances. And it's missing the cute banter and dialogue that also make Quick's books so entertaining.
It's a rote and paint-by-numbers book.
Not worth it in hardcover. Not worth reading at all.
The only part that was interesting was the excerpt from [b:The Lost Night|13483502|The Lost Night (Rainshadow, #1; Harmony, #9)|Jayne Castle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337370384s/13483502.jpg|19017916], the next entry from Jayne Castle.
breezy610's review against another edition
4.0
pretty good. It kept me turned the pages. Love, Mystery and Treasure hunting...What not to love!
mostlyfated's review against another edition
4.0
So glad to see my favorite author embarking on a new series. Crystal Gardens, the first book in the Lady of Lantern Street series is an absolute enjoyable read.
luciearan's review against another edition
3.0
Tato kniha je tak trochu zvláštní. Taková hodně odlehčená detektivka, prolínající se s romantickým příběhem a trochou tajemna. Příběh se četl poměrně dobře, i když děj byl malinko rozvleklý. Co mi skutečně výrazně vadilo, bylo použití slova "paranormální" v první polovině knihy, v podstatě snad v každé druhé větě. Působilo to hodně rušivě a nepříjemně.
masquerader888's review against another edition
4.0
When I am looking for a good read, and a story that will delight, entertain and is guaranteed to have a happy ending I know I can never go wrong with Amanda Quick (AKA Jayne Ann Krentz).
Crystal Gardens introduces us to the Ladies of Lantern Street trilogy; expertly blending romance, mystery and the paranormal into a thrilling and heartwarming tale of love, murder and wits against a gothic background. This book was a fun read that introduced strong characters, incorporated an intriguing plot, and set the scene for the next two books with brilliant ease.
I loved getting to know the two main characters in this book. Connected from the first chapter, I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and bloom throughout their adventure. Lucas, a dark and mysterious character, was a great and stalwart hero and I enjoyed seeing both his intelligence and his honor woven through this work. Evangeline showed both spunk and determination, I found her a fascinating female…blending and balancing her chosen vocation with her gifts, she was fun to watch though out this tale.
The setting on this book, incorporating both botany and the paranormal, imbued it with an ambiance that was truly unique. Adding more dimension to a tried-and-true romance plot, it expanded the scope of the story, taking on a life of its own.
All in all it was another wonderful book by Ms. Quick to which I give a very happy four stars.
http://masquerader.harshmage.com/category/reviews/
Crystal Gardens introduces us to the Ladies of Lantern Street trilogy; expertly blending romance, mystery and the paranormal into a thrilling and heartwarming tale of love, murder and wits against a gothic background. This book was a fun read that introduced strong characters, incorporated an intriguing plot, and set the scene for the next two books with brilliant ease.
I loved getting to know the two main characters in this book. Connected from the first chapter, I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and bloom throughout their adventure. Lucas, a dark and mysterious character, was a great and stalwart hero and I enjoyed seeing both his intelligence and his honor woven through this work. Evangeline showed both spunk and determination, I found her a fascinating female…blending and balancing her chosen vocation with her gifts, she was fun to watch though out this tale.
The setting on this book, incorporating both botany and the paranormal, imbued it with an ambiance that was truly unique. Adding more dimension to a tried-and-true romance plot, it expanded the scope of the story, taking on a life of its own.
All in all it was another wonderful book by Ms. Quick to which I give a very happy four stars.
http://masquerader.harshmage.com/category/reviews/
diana_acc's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐
Me ha gustado bastante, no le doy una estrella más por que espero que la autora me sorprenda con la siguiente historia.
Es una lectura bastante fluida, tiene romance histórico y cosas paranormales, ya había leído un libro con esas características, pero fue aburrido.
Evangeline es una mujer valiente y decidida, ha tenido que salir adelante por sí misma en los últimos 5 años y según mis cuentas debe rondar los 27 o 28, por que en ningún momento se aclara su edad.
Lucas se me hace un misterio, es un caballero excéntrico, pero sexy si es que eso es posible.
Amanda Quick es una buena opción para uba lectura ligera.
Me ha gustado bastante, no le doy una estrella más por que espero que la autora me sorprenda con la siguiente historia.
Es una lectura bastante fluida, tiene romance histórico y cosas paranormales, ya había leído un libro con esas características, pero fue aburrido.
Evangeline es una mujer valiente y decidida, ha tenido que salir adelante por sí misma en los últimos 5 años y según mis cuentas debe rondar los 27 o 28, por que en ningún momento se aclara su edad.
Lucas se me hace un misterio, es un caballero excéntrico, pero sexy si es que eso es posible.
Amanda Quick es una buena opción para uba lectura ligera.
velodav's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
athenaevarinya's review against another edition
3.0
Technically this book was 3 1/2 stars for me. But GoodReads has yet to implement the coding to allow us to give books a 1/2 star.
jaga119's review against another edition
3.0
Same old, same old. All the same fine stuff - hero who knows what he wants and how to get it, heroine who is not afraid to speak her mind, but all the same weak stuff as well - not enough romance, too much fooling around with rationalising the "paranormal", all the paranormal was forced to me and without the customary Krentz flair. Another dissapointment, sadly.