Author(s): Erica James

Fiction

A gorgeous, heart-warming tale set among the gardens of Italy from bestselling Erica James

The Gardens of Delight brochure promises the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and enchanting gardens in the Lake Como area of Italy. For Lucy Grey, assistant manager at Meadow Hill Garden centre, the chance to go to Italy offers more than just gardens. Lake Como is where her father lives and the last time she saw him was fifteen years ago.

Helen Madison-Tyler and her wealthy husband have moved into the Old Rectory in Swanmere. With her husband spending so much time away, Helen throws herself into caring for the garden that was once the pride and joy of previous owner, Alice Wykeham, the renowned gardening expert. But Helen knows little about gardening, and as a consequence of her careless step-daughter nearly running over a stranger's dog, she meets Mac and Conrad Truman and on impulse joins the local Garden Club.

Widow Conrad Truman isn't the least bit interested in gardening. His life revolves around work and humouring Mac, his curmudgeonly elderly uncle who lives with him, and who has expressed a desire to go on the Gardens of Delight tour. But only if Conrad will go with him to protect him, as he says, from the old biddies who will make up the rest of the group. Conrad agrees to go. 'Anything for a peaceful life,' he concedes. But a peaceful life is the last thing any of them are in for...