Jewels of the Sun

In her recent romance trilogies, Roberts (Carnal Innocence, etc.) has combined ghosts with lively humor and vivid sensuality. In this first volume of her newest series, Jude Murray, an American psychologist, has come to spend six months at Faerie Hill Cottage on the Irish coast to study Irish folklore and escape her dreary, uneventful life in Chicago. Faerie Hill is haunted by the 300-year-old ghost of Lady Gwen, who turned down the proposal of Carrick, king of the fairies, and is doomed to wander alone until three couples can find happiness. These three will include the engaging Gallagher siblings (Aidan, the eldest, Darcy and Shawn), who operate the local pub. Aidan, who senses the fire beneath Jude's controlled exterior, is smitten with the visiting American. His passion for her draws him away from his responsibilities at the pub as he share with her the lore of the land. Roberts, a storytelling wizard, is at her best here, creating a fantastic setting for the continuing romantic tales of the Gallaghers. (Nov.)