Bed of Roses

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts is the second book in The Bride Quartet series. From the inside cover flap.~

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts cordially invites you to meet childhood friends Parker, Emma, Laurel, and Mac-the founders of Vows, one Connecticut’s premier wedding planning companies.

Since she was a little girl, Emma Grant has always loved romance. So it’s really no surprise that she has found her calling as a wedding florist. She 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 on the surface, Emma’s love life seems to be thriving. Slim and sultry, she brings color into every room she enters, just like the arrangements she creates. Men swarm around her, yet 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 been best friends with Parker’s brother for years, which makes him practically family. 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-thing start to get complicated at Vows.

Jack has never been big on commitment. Emma yearns for a lifelong love affair. If the two are to find common ground, they must trust in their history-and in their hearts…

I’ve been a fan of Nora Roberts since I read one of her first books when I was 12 or 13. I like her stand alone books, but I love her books in a series best. I love getting to see favorite characters over the course of the series. I loved meeting the quartet in Visions in White. It is so great to read a book about four strong women who happen to be best friends and support each other unconditionally.

Emma and Jack had been friends for years and recently they both have noticed a new attraction to one another. Jack had been attracted to Emma for a while, and almost acts on it when he finds her stranded on the side of the road when her car dies. From that point on, it was fun to watch Emma and Jack explore their attraction for one another. Of course, Parker, Mack and Laurel all are in Emma’s corner and support her and Jack as they explore their relationship. However, Jack makes a big mistake in holding off telling Del, Parker’s brother and his best friend, and Del finds out and is royally pissed off at Jack. Del has always been the protector of the quartet and he and Jack come to blows when he finds out that Jack and Emma have been dating. After a few punches and a beer both men are much better. Emma figures out early on she is in love with Jack, but doesn’t want to tell him for fear she will influence his feelings. Emma is all about romance and wants it all with Jack.

At the heart of these books is the strong love and friendship of the women who have been friends their entire lives. I’ve now read the first three books in the series and loved them all. Nora Roberts once again delivers a beautiful romance filled with strong characters.