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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Michael's story: the book everyone was waiting for!, July 15, 2000
This review is from: Shattered Rainbows (Paperback)
Shattered Rainbows was perhaps Putney's most eagerly-awaited book, since it is the story of Lord Michael Kenyon, the tortured soldier and former friend of Nicholas in Thunder and Roses. Subsequent books in the series had mentioned Michael in passing, indicating that he was either at home in Wales, in the army fighting Bonaparte, or staying with Nicholas and Clare recovering from injuries. In this book's prologue we discover how he survived the Peninsular war, recovering in a Spanish field hospital when he hadn't been expected to live. We know, from Thunder and Roses, that this was the stage in his life when he wanted to die rather than fulfil his promise to his former mistress, Nicholas's dead first wife. Then we are in Brussels a year later: he is back in the army since Bonaparte is again on the march. He takes lodgings with Catherine, married to a cavalry officer; although he is very attracted to her and it's clear that her marriage is unhappy, he has no intention of straying beyond propriety. He acted dishonourably once, and it led him on a path in which he betrayed his best friend and almost killed him (Thunder and Roses), so Michael is determined never to love unwisely again. Then Catherine saves his life after Waterloo, leaving him with a debt he knows he can never repay, and so when the following year she comes to him asking that he masquerade as her missing husband so that she can claim an inheritance he agrees. While I don't find the portion of the book dealing with their stay on Skoal as gripping as the first half, overall this is a very well-written tale of romance, betrayal, honour and the importance of life. Michael is a compelling hero, and Catherine a courageous, determined heroine. Cameo appearances to look out for include Lucien and Michael's brother Stephen - in a scene which will make you want to read One Perfect Rose, Stephen's own book - and Nicholas. I was disappointed with the small role played by Nicholas, however, since I had hoped this book would pick up Michael's story where Thunder and Roses left off. The Fallen Angels series is, after all, as much about a group of very close friends as it is a collection of individual love stories.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shattered Rainbows, May 9, 2000
This review is from: Shattered Rainbows (Paperback)
For anyone who read "thunder and roses" and thought that there was more to Michael Kenyon than meets the eye, here is your explanation. Hurt terribly by his affair with his best friend's unfaithful wife, Michael throws himself into his work as a soldier, fighting the French, and is nearly killed more than once. Luckily, there is a guardian angel, Catherine, who tends to the injured. Beyond the fact that she saved his life, she is an elegant and gentle woman. Michael feels very drawn to her, but he has sworn off married women forever, Even though Catherine's husband is unfaithful, he still resists the pull he feels towards her. The amazing circumstances that finally bring these two very worthy people together are enough to keep you busy for hours. I read instead of studying for my final exams! Finally we have a heroine who can do more than scream in the face of danger. Catherine's daughter Amy is smart and resourceful as well. This book is well worth adding to any collection
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another tour de force by Putney!, July 14, 2000
This review is from: Shattered Rainbows (Paperback)
Michael Kenyon is one of Putney's most compelling heroes. He's survived the Peninsula war by the skin of his teeth, and now he's back in the thick of things at Waterloo - though unlike his previous wartime experience, he's not reckless as to his own survival. Catherine is a beautiful woman and dedicated nurse, married to a man who is obviously unfaithful to her; and yet she stays with him and doesn't herself have affairs. She and Michael are drawn to each other, but nothing is ever spoken by either. Michael, who made a grave error some years before in falling for the wife of his best friend, is determined to avoid all temptation. A year after Waterloo, Catherine needs a favour, and who can she ask but the man whose life she saved immediately after Waterloo... Lord Michael Kenyon. Thus the two of them travel to Skoal, with Michael pretending to be Catherine's husband. The sexual tension between Michael and Catherine is very, very well done, and Michael's memory of loving unwisely in the past (and his betrayal of Nicholas in the process) certainly justifies his behaviour in the book. I also enjoyed the minor role played by his older brother, Stephen, and am looking forward to One Perfect Rose as a result.
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