Customer Reviews

The Diabolical Baron (Severn House Regency)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

The baron of Radford, Jason Kincaid, draws a woman's name from a nut bowl. Her name is Caroline and the wager is that he can woo her and be married in 6 months. Caroline, sort of a beautiful wall flower and talented musician, agrees to the marriage to save her family from financial ruin. Her young widowed aunt acts as chaperon, only realizing after she meets Caroline's intended that he was the man she loved and left years earlier and has regretted ever since. Caroline and Jason don't love each other but all the arrangements have been made for the wedding, even a ball to celebrate the happy event. Among the attendees is Jason's new neighbor, Richard, who Caroline has met and discovered has her same love of music and they are both immediately attracted to each other. How will marry who? Will Caroline's selfesh father get his due reward? Will Richard's drunk cousin get the @#$% beat out of him? what do you think?

This was my first Mary Jo Putney book, and I was a bit disapointed because she's supposed to be the paragon of regency. I never really liked four character novels, because it's a bit odd having the supposed hero insulting the heroine, and you always end up feeling bad for someone. Also, there was no internal plot. Everyone was running around assuming this that and the other thing about everyone else, which is rather flimsy when holding up the novel. I'm surprised the book was as long as it was. Still, it was Mary Jo Putney's first book, and I haven't read any of her others, so maybe this was just her "warm up" to the writing industry. Also, her writing is beautiful, and she has a real talent for describing things well and with little words, (I hate when a simple secene gets too wordy- but it doesn't happen here).

I've read a few of Mary Jo Putney's books and this one is the worst I've read so far. It was boring! There didn't feel like there was any connection between the characters. Another reviewer stated that at the end, it felt like it didn't matter who ended up with who. I agree totally. It was THAT boring.

This is Putney's first book, and it shows. It's dull. The main character, Caroline, is your stereotypical "bit of a ninny" Regency heroine. "The Rake", a sequel to this book, is infinitely more enjoyable a read. In fact, it is one of Putney's finest books (I've read more than ten of them): and you don't need to read this one, to understand it. So - my advice is - skip this, and go straight to "The Rake": or "The Bargain", which I understand will shortly be re-released as well.

I find Mary Jo Putney's book usually either hit or miss. This book, while it had some potential with the mismatched couples, faultered because of inspid characters. The match between Caroline and Jason would have bored him to tears. Why would he have even pursued it. It's silly to think that Jason would have married such a spineless creature as Caroline over horses. Richard was a pretty boring guy so he and Caroline went well as they were both boring. It was a hard book to finish because who cared in the end who ended up with whom.

I found the book to be strong on storyline, but weak on characterization. In other words, I liked the unusual ending, but I thought the characters could have been developed more. I found Caroline a bit to weak. Why would Jason Kincaid ever want to continue talking to this mouse, muchless marry her. I think he would have galdly given up the horses to let Caroline go. On a happier note, I found the mis-match of partners a unique idea, and wish that it were a longer and more indept view into each characters struggle. In short, an okay read, that could have been a great one with more effort on the writers part.

Usually when you start a new book, you can basically tell who
is going to end up with whom but not in this one...I truly enjoyed how Ms Putney involves you in the lives of the enchanting characters in this book. It is the second book I have read of hers and so far the most delightful. I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
Can't believe other people gave it such low reviews. Well worth the time to read as far as I am concerned. You won't be disappointed.