Customer Reviews

Shattered Rainbows

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

She saved the best for last (of the original Fallen Angels)
Even then I cannot say that with a straight face. I enjoyed all the original four of the fallen angel series.
I was so glad that the epilogue put a nice little bow on the ending, making me smile for several minutes after I closed the book.
As usual, you go through the heart wrenching emotions from the first chapter.
Of course, Ms Putney graced us with History as accurate as ever, and even added a fictional Island into the story to bring us everything we needed for our enjoyment.
I also loved the appearances by the other Fallen Angels, and a glimpse of our other "Honorary" fallen angels.
This is one of the best series I have read in a long time.
Awesome!!

I have read and own nearly all of Mary Jo Putney's books. I love them all immensely; there's only one or two that I can think of that I did not enjoy. I love her books because in every story, there's a psychological depth that's almost tangible, but not quite. Very intriguing.

That's one of the reasons that I love "Shattered Rainbows" so much. Michael is very tortured; one might even say angsty. He has a deep past behind him, much of which gets revealed in very small quantities. He's always been my favorite Fallen Angel. I always wondered what his story was, and I was ecstatic when I first came across this book. He's restrained, controlled, loyal to a fault, and every woman's quintessential "dark lover". Who couldn't fall in love with a man like that?

Catherine is an intriguing character. She may seem docile and obedient, but in truth, she's not. She feels that she's not normal because of her difficulties with sex; which is really ironic in the sense that she's reputed to be most beautiful woman on the continent. She lies because she's almost forced to; and Michael and Catherine charading together leads a story of intrigue, on-the-edge-of-your-seat details, and scathing romance.

This story has a psychological depth to it like the rest of her books, but this one touched me more deeply than some of the others did. I was biting my nails the entire time I was reading through this. I agree with some of the other reviews; this is definitely not a light read. But, it's one worth reading, period.

Mary Jo Putney writes a wonderful, adventurous story from the first page to the very last. It is part of the Fallen Angel series and is probably the most fulfilling for me. From the first moment you meet the hero Michael Kenyon you find him extraordinarily passionate, strong and determined. Catherine (heroine) has very similar qualities plus being a very good mother. I don't think there are two better characters that are better suited for one another. The first time you meet these characters you see and feel their love for one another and yet they remain loyal to their own morals. And when they do get together, you can't help but cheer and hip, hip, hooray! Everything about this story was great and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

This book has wonderful characters. A very creative premise that the hero and heroine first meet when she is still married. She contributes to saving his life with one of the earliest attempts at blood transfusion. Fascinating. The hero had childhood asthma and is wonderful and sensitive in helping a young boy deal with his asthma. The villain is delightfully vicious, and the subplot of the hero getting close to his long-estranged brother is great. (Look for the brother in One Perfect Rose, another great book!) All in all a very satisfying read!

As all of her books this is a nice love story that has ups and downs, Michael is a super hero for her because she save her life in the waterloo war, of course she did that for love, you will see that when you read the book.
As all the super heroes stories it has his parts that couldn't be real, but you will enjoy reading this book.

i have read everything mary jo putney,every single book and like many i fell in love with the fallen angels,but this book was amazing i couldn't put it down. michael kenyon just took my heart he is a hero and a daling.

I love this "Fallen Angel" series, and I have read every single one of the stories, except "River of Fire", which will be next if I can get my hands on it. Mary Jo Putney is definetely a gifted writer.

However I have to confess that I was not looking forward to this book that much, I guessed that because Michael is a soldier there would be too much war involved to my liking. And there was war alright. Almost half of the book takes place around the Penninsular Campaign and the Battle of Waterloo. Nonetheless, I was captured by this book from the first page. It was a real effort to put it down, when I had other duties to attend to. I should have had more faith in MJP talent.

The narrative was compelling and strong, the description of places and circumstances was so well done that I felt like I was watching a movie. By the way, why hasn't this book made into a movie? Sometimes I watch movies with huge budgets depicting this period and their stories are not half as good as this one. This novel has all the elements to be transformed into a great epic movie - war, action, adventure, intrigue, compelling and believable characters, inner struggles and love, lots of romance and love. I know I would rather watch a movie based on this novel than "The Last Samurai" or "Master and Comander" for example. It is a shame that Hollywood producers don't turn to romace novels for inspiration, because I think several I have read, specially from authors like Mary Jo Putney and Jo Beverley would make splendid motion pictures.

But I digress. Really there is not much I can add to what other reviewers have written about this book. I can only say it is magnificent. An example of what a romance novel should be like. I strongly recommend this book and the rest of the "Fallen Angels" series. Actually I recommend all books from Mary Jo Putney.