The Diabolical Baron (Onyx Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Mary Jo Putney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 1987 | Series: Onyx Historical Romance

Although innocent young Caroline Hanscombe loves only gallant Captain Richard Davenport, she finds herself succumbing to the ruthless will of Baron Radford who, after drawing her name from a hat, has wagered that he will wed Caroline. Originally in paperback.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney is a graduate of Syracuse University with degrees in eighteenth-century literature and industrial design. She has won numerous awards for her writing, including two Romance Writers of America RITA awards and four consecutive Golden Leaf awards for Best Historical Romance. The author of twenty-six novels, Ms. Putney lives near Baltimore, Maryland.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (November 3, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451150422
• ISBN-13: 978-0451150424
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #847,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney was born in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. Her entire romance writing career is an accidental byproduct of buying a computer for other purposes.

Her novels are known for psychological depth and intensity and include historical and contemporary romance, fantasy, and young adult fantasy. Winner of numerous writing awards, including two RITAs and two Romantic Times Career Achievement awards, she has five times had books listed among the Library Journal's top five romances of the year, and three times had books among the top ten romances of Booklist, the magazine of the American Library Association.

Her favorite reading is great stories, but in a pinch she'll settle for the backs of cereal boxes. She's delighted that e-publishing can now make available books that have been out of print.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Putney's First Book, September 29, 2002

By 

O. Blaylock "ladyisis2004" (Albuquerque, New Mexico United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Diabolical Baron (Onyx Historical Romance) (Paperback)

This is not Ms Putney's normal passionate regency. I think that is the reason so many are disappointed. There is not the misunderstanding or a mystery to be solved. It is a story of a young girl forced by an uncaring parent to marry well to pay his bills. Jason needs a wife. He dosn't care who she is as long as she will allow him to continue his life as it is. Jason fill in love when he was 21 and because of the rejection has never loved again. Richard, who appears in several of Putney's later books, is a wounded cavalry officer who finds out he is an earl. Richard meets Caroline and they realize they share very similar view on life. They fall in love. Jason realizes that Caroline is definitely not the type of women he can spend any time with. Especially when he meets Jessica, Caroline's aunt. Jessica is the women he fill in love with when he was 21. Jessica still loves Jason and wants very madly to marry him. The story of course follows its course to suitable solution. Reggie Devonpoert, "The Rake", is introduced here as the villian. I would recommend the book, with the note that there are no love scenes and very little passion in the book.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! A great read!, April 26, 2000

By 

Dr W. Richards "wmr-uk" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Diabolical Baron (Onyx Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Since my previous review of this book didn't show up, I'm trying again.... This is the first book by Mary Jo Putney I'd read, and it didn't disappoint in the least. In fact, I loved it and just didn't want to put it down.

Although the cover suggests it's about Jason Kincaid and Caroline Hanscombe, in fact there are four main characters: Richard Dalton and Caroline's Aunt Jessica come into it as well. Jason chooses Caroline as his bride at random - he literally draws her name out of a bowl - and she accepts him under duress. But she won't accept his invitation to his country estate unless her aunt accompanies her. But Jessica and Jason have met before....

At the same time, Richard Dalton, who has received some astonishing news, journeys to his old family home... which just happens to border Kincaid land. And he meets Caroline. What happens next? Well, you'll just have to read and find out!

Personally, I think Putney does a great job of characterisation, and all four main characters are portrayed sympathetically and likeably. I can certainly see - contrary to the other reviewer - what Jason could have seen in Caroline once he got to know her: their conversation at the ball made that very clear, and I agree with what he said to her then. (If you've read this book, you'll know what I mean!).

And look out for Richard's wicked cousin, Reggie. He seems totally without redemption, but then again, who knows... and of course, there is The Rake, the sequel to this book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance with a twist!, August 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Diabolical Baron (Onyx Historical Romance) (Paperback)

When Jason, the Baron Radford, draws Caroline Hanscombe's name out of a hat for a wife, he never expected true love (with a twist!) Jason is engaged to Caroline, Caroline loves Richard, Richard has no one, Jason loves Caroline's beautiful Aunt Jessica, Jessica loves Jason but won't accept him because he's engaged to her neice. What a triangle! All turns out great and Ms. Putney creates a great first book. The story continues with The Bargain and The Rake.