Any outsider looking into Lillie Bauer’s life would see a strong, vivacious business owner.  Lillie’s wedding planning service specializes in “extreme” weddings --weddings that can be called anything but usual.  However, there is much more to Lillie than meets the eye.

Fifteen years ago, Lillie’s best friend and childhood sweetheart vanished.  He is the only man Lillie ever saw herself marrying, and his disappearance has left her with many unanswered questions.  She also finds herself worrying about her younger sister, Tacy.  Tacy’s husband has never been one of Lillie’s favorite people, but now that Tacy is pregnant, his control over his wife is becoming frightening.  When Tacy gives birth to an infant girl, Lillie realizes it may be time to intervene.  Both her sister and her niece’s lives depend on her.

TIGER LILLIE is fascinating.  Told from both Lillie and Tacy’s points of view, the reader is deeply involved in both characters lives.  There are three layers that make up this story:  the mystery behind Ted’s disappearance, Lillie’s developing relationship with a musician’s brother, and Tacy’s abusive marriage.  All may seem totally unrelated, but they are significant to one another.  Watching Lillie’s life unfold is mesmerizing; I couldn’t put the book down.  Also, there is more to Tacy’s relationship than one would think.  She makes some hard choices, and by the ending you will find yourself wondering how you would have handled the situation.

Lisa Samson has given readers an enjoyable, thought-provoking read.  Pick up a copy of TIGER LILLIE; you’ll be glad you did.