This book was so much fun, as Amanda Quick's books always are. I read it all in one night.
Evangeline is strong, intelligent, and resourceful, and Lucas is her match. I really like how he takes her seriously as an intellectual equal even though he teases her about her writing.
The story has elements from Quick's earlier paranormals, including her system of psychic powers and the use of crystals, and the garden was a character in itself. At one point I was reminded of Maleficent's forest of thorns - plants that are aware and inimical.
Evangeline's friends were lovely, and I am definitely looking forward to their stories. I hope Beth and Tony show up again too! ( )

I had to put this down because it was too cheesy,and not cheesy FUN but more like cheesy omg-amanda-quick what has happened to your writing?

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Evangeline Ames, who works as a hired companion and is trying to start her career as an author of sensational stories, has rented a cottage in Little Dixby for a month. Her employers have sent her out of town because they fear she has shattered nerves from an attempted murder in which the murderer died.

She is finding the area a trifle boring and not very inspirational for her writing when she is awakened one night by someone breaking into her cottage. Evangeline flees to her landlord's estate and his mysterious garden where she encounters Lucas Sebastian and his man Stone who assist her in defeating the villain.

Lucas has seen her before and been intrigued by her. He suggests that she move in with him until they find out who wants her dead. He calls on his aunt to be her chaperone. The aunt arrives with her maid and Lucas's younger sister Beth.

Besides the problem of figuring out who wants Evangeline dead, they also have to deal with a garden filled with paranormal plants which seems to be getting more dangerous as time goes by and treasure hunters who are sure there is a secret hoard of Roman gold hidden in the garden somewhere.

Both Lucas and Evangeline have paranormal powers which are useful in their careers. Lucas uses his to track down paranormal criminals at the request of Scotland Yard. Evangeline uses hers in her job as an inquiry agent who often goes undercover to ferret out fortune hunters preying on wealthy women of the upper classes.

Neither had ever expected to find romance since they felt their gifts would make that impossible. They are completely suited to one another but Evangeline finds it hard to believe that a handsome and wealthy man like Lucas could ever love a poor, family-less woman like her.

The story was entertaining and the narrator did a good job with the pacing and voices. ( )

3.5 stars...I thought it was a good story. I listened to the Audio book & really liked the narrator. I felt like there should be a sequel though about "Crystal Gardens" but the sequel is actually about the ladies with the paranormal talent so was kind of dissapointed that we won't hear more about Lucas, Evangeline & the Gardens. Hopefully in the future, because I think Quick could do alot with the gardens. This was my second book by Quick & I can already see a lot of similarities with her characters, their attitudes and the storyline so I won't be reading all of her books in order, just one every now and then. ( )

Sent to the remote countryside after using her gifts to kill a man in self defense, the heroine is awoken late one night to an intruder in her cottage. She flees for her life, chased by a mad man with the intent to murder her. She seeks shelter in the one place she knows will frighten off her attacker- Crystal Garden. The place is said to be cursed with black magic by the locals and is in fact quite eerie if not down right dangerous. Regardless, despite the uneasiness she feels surrounded by glowing carnivorous plants, she seeks shelter within it's walls. There, she encounters the hero, owner of the Gardens and her landlord. The man is a stern and powerful figure with his own aura of danger. He saves her from her attacker by using his gift to give the villain visions of horrible nightmares which cause him to flee into the deadly maze and to his death. From the moment he encounters the bewitching heroine, he knows he's well and truly hooked. She has abilities that rival his own and when she looks at him it's with desire and wanting, not the usual fear his presence typically causes. The heroine is captivated by the man, seeing within him that despite his initial off putting aura he is a good man. This belief is solidified when he takes it upon himself to act as her protector. Alone in the world for some time with only her co-workers at the agency to call friends, she is warmed by his protective nature. He insists she come to stay with him within the gardens, safe with him to guard her until they unravel the mystery of who wants her dead. Quickly enough the level headed, intelligent but curious heroine basically seduces the hero into becoming her lover-though he didn't in fact much seduction in the first place. When they are discovered, the hero announces they are to be wed. Spending time together, walking and working side by side they follow the clues and the intrigue in the pursuit of answers as to who is the killer of his uncle and who is now the culprit who wants her dead. Once again I found myself quite disenchanted with this book. The plot is just so damn similar to every other book by this author it seems to me that she's writing novels with a stamp. Once again, I enjoy the beginning. I like the characters. I like the passion and desire between them. Nothing is lacking per say but originality and unfortunately that encourages me to skip through pages as I know exactly what's going to happen. This book was a tad bit duller than usual and there was not as much of a spark between the characters but regardless it was an okay read. ( )