Customer Reviews

Silk and Secrets

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ross Carlisle, cousin of Sara and best friend of Mikhal from Silk and Shadows, seemed the perfect choice for a sequel to that book. Why was he still single in his thirties? Who was the perfect woman for him? Well, very early in this book, we discover that he is actually married and has been since he was 21. But his wife left him after six months of marriage and hasn't been seen since.

Juliet, Ross's estranged wife, lives in the desert in the middle of Persia, having cut off all contact with her friends and family. But she accidentally encounters Ross when her brother's life is in danger and Ross agrees to try to save him. Long-dormant feelings for Ross emerge, and she cannot allow him to go into danger alone, so she insists on accompanying him into the most dangerous part of Asia to try to rescue Ian, her brother.

On the journey, both Ross and Juliet discover that, however they may feel about each other, strong attraction still lurks between them. Can they somehow overcome the problems which caused Juliet to leave Ross, and the anger Ross still feels at her abandonment of him?

As usual, Putney reveals painstaking research, but presented in such a way that we don't feel lectured at or anything of the kind. Without feeling in any way as if I've been taught, I now know an awful lot about Arab customs and how to survive in the desert! Besides that, she is as good as ever at portraying star-crossed lovers; some of the scenes with Ross and Juliet are fiercely poignant, while others are richly passionate.

What loses this book one star for me is that the setting - the desert, and the thriller aspect of the plot - is not my favourite. It's very Anglo-centric of me, I know (as Ross says at one point in the book), but I prefer those books of Putney's which are set in England, and which are more romance than mystery/drama. Others will certainly disagree, and they'll appreciate Putney's skill in this book better than I will!

Now to read Ian's story...

Mary Jo Putney has produced a novel which combines several wonderful features. Set in an exotic locale and peopled with complex characters, this book would fall down under its own weight if Mary Jo Putney were not such a great writer. The minor characters are very well-drawn. The setting is evoked in a way that brings the heat right into your living room. The plot makes sense. The book is full of surprises that shimmer with absolute rightness once the shock wears off.

However, these are only bonuses. The heart of this book (as in any romance novel) are the main characters. These are characters who knew each other in the past and are now separated by a series of tragic events. I know, that sounds trite, but these tragic events are so well-motivated and spring so securely out of the characters as we come to know them in this book, that they are absolutely believable. In this book, we are dealing with two complex people who have hurt each other and hurt themselves. Their adventure provides an arena for working out these problems and finding a way to go forward. The hero and the heroine are each profoundly changed by their adventure, and yet the change seems to make each one only more strongly himself or herself.

This book stands up well to rereading. It's a keeper.

"Silk and Secrets" is the second book in Mary Jo Putney's Silk Trilogy, and I really would recommend reading the books in order. I say that because I did *not* (I read the third entry, "Veils of Silk", first.) Much of the plotline of "Silk and Secrets" is discussed in the final book, so the plot twists were really no surprise to me and this detracted slightly from my enjoyment of the story.

Lord Ross Carlisle (now the Marquess of Kilburn), the hero of "Silk and Secrets", was introduced in the first book of the trilogy ("Silk and Shadows") as Mikahl's best friend and Lady Sara's cousin. The younger son of a duke who has traveled extensively and written about his adventures, Ross is the epitome of upper-crust British manners and sangfroid. He is also fabulously handsome, intelligent, loyal, brave and amazingly even-tempered (in a word, pretty darn *perfect*.) At age 21, Ross had married the wild, unconventional 17 year old Scottish beauty, Juliet Cameron, against almost everyone's advice and six months later she abandoned him for reasons that Ross still does not understand.

After not seeing his wife for 12 years, Ross is reunited with her (ahem, by *chance*) in Persia when he is sent by her mother to discover the fate of Juliet's brother, Ian, a British army officer who has disappeared in Bokhara and is rumored to have been executed as a spy. Juliet is a great heroine--brave, adventurous, passionate and flawed. She is living in Persia in true Lady Hester Stanhope style--as the leader of a small fortress community. Juliet convinces Ross to take her along to find Ian and the two travel the Silk Road in disguise with a caravan to Bokhara. The dangerous trip is complicated by Ross and Juliet's simmering attraction to each other, Ross's feelings of anger and hurt over Juliet's past faithlessness and Juliet's crushing guilt over her past behavior.

Mary Jo Putney does an excellent job of developing the characters of Ross and Juliet--strong, adventurous, passionate people who are still beset by insecurities and whose imperfections make them more realistic. I have to say that I loved the fact that Ross had never gotten over Juliet in *12 years*--that's true love! The story is jam-packed with adventure, although I could have done without having every event described through first Ross then Juliet's point-of-view. I enjoyed the unusual setting and, as usual, MJP fills the story with rich historical detail in a way that is mostly unobtrusive.

In summary, this is a very well-written historical romance with an exotic setting, a wonderful hero who is truly a *great guy* and a strong, unique heroine.

Highly recommended!

I picked this book up one day while shopping, and read the back cover. It sounded interesting, so I bought it, since I had loved The China Bride by Ms. Putney, I knew she was a good storyteller. Boy, was I surprised, she's not just good, she's wonderful. I fell in love with Ross right from the begining, and felt an instant bond with Juliet, for the struggle to maintain who you are in a marriage, when you feel like everyone wants you to be and do something else can be very hard, I know! I love the setting, and the way MJP wrote about the land and culture, I really felt as if I was there beside them as the traveled in the caravan to Bokhara, or raced in the bozkashi match, or were caught in the sandstorm, and took cover, which lead up to one of the most erotic scenes I have ever read. It had my blood boiling, and me biting my nails until the very last page. The only fault in this otherwise perfect book, was at then end when Juliet revealed her ultimate lie, and the main reason that she never returned to Ross. I felt it was contrived to make a already very believable reason for her leaving him more dramatic. I felt it actually sounded very far fetched, and thought Ms. Putney should have left the explinations of Juliet leaving just has they had been explained throughout the book, and not just have thrown in that last thing just to add more drama. Other then that, this is one of my all time favorite books, and one that everybody should read.

This is the second book in Mary Jo Putney's Silk trilogy set in the early Victorian period. I really felt I was there travelling the Silk Road in the mid 19th century. The background to this book is very exotic and really brought to life by Mary Jo Putney. This book is a sequel to Silk and Shadows in which we first met Ross, the hero. I don't want to give away the plot as it is quite thrilling. The action essentially begins in northern Persia, where the heroine has been leading a life in emulation of Lady Hester Stanhope. From there, the hero and heroine embark on a fascinating journey to Bokhara in Central Asia. This novel can stand apart from the first book in the trilogy though it's helpful to read Silk and Shadows first (which was set entirely in England), but it's absolutely, I feel anyway, essential to read this book before Veils of Silk, the sequel and final book in the trilogy, as it sets the background for the plot in Veils of Silk (which is set in India). If you dream of travelling in the footsteps of Victorian explorers and spies to exotic lands, along with a great romance, this is the book for you.

This novel is a rare treat, because it truly transports the reader into an unusual setting that romance novels don't normally venture. Our hero, Ross,has a passion for exotic travel and culture, but he's been a lonely man. His wife, Juliet, left him soon after they were married and they have lived apart for 12 years. Juliet's mother propositions Ross to find Juliet's brother, who is missing in Arabia and presumed dead. Since Ross is proficient in Arabic and local customs, he agrees to help. On his journey, by chance Ross finds Juliet living in Arabia and the sparks start to fly. Juliet is fiesty and is determined to help Ross rescue her brother. The historical details are well-researched and very colorful.

As to be expected, the sparks that are rekindled between Ross and Juliet are a source of confusion for both. Ross has never known why Juliet left him, and Juliet is too ashamed to tell him. Nonetheless,their love is reborn and eventually they come to terms about their relationship. It is a beautiful story. I highly recommend this novel for historical romance readers who enjoy looking into another culture, and for those who enjoy reading about a second chance for love. Mary Jo Putney has written a winner! Don't miss the last novel of this trilogy, Veils of Silk.

This is not a typical romance novel that takes place in the drawing rooms of London. No, it is set in the wilderness of central Asia. The heroes embark on a deadly mission to save the heroines brother - or at least bring home his body. Along the way, they become reacquainted, the passion flares between them and they try to solve some of their issues from the past. ***spoiler warning***

There are glimpses of their previous life together - how they got to know each other, their courting, wedding, their short marriage. The reason she ran away did not seem very convincing to me, and I think that 12 years of separation is a bit too much. Juliet's leaving left them both wounded. And when I learned that in Malta he almost went to her and that there was no need to waste so much time, I felt so devastated! In a way, I don't think Juliet was right to do what she did, no matter how wounded or confused she felt. She hurt and abandoned a wonderful, caring man who cared so much for her... and he forgave her in a minute.

I really, really liked Ross. He is not a typical womanizing hero, which is a very welcome change. He is caring, determined, rational, but his wife's abandonment left him insecure. Juliet was the perfect complement to him - she was impulsive, reckless, she did things first and thought later. I loved it when she said that in every marriage there is one person to be the sound of reason, and in their case, it is Ross.

The scene I remember the most was when the guards came in the middle of he night to take Ross away. I was so shocked and was sure something terrible will happen to him. But then, when he came back - I could feel Juliet's relief, her desperation, her wish to take what they can for as long as they can. The feeling of doom and that time is running out was so acute my heart almost stopped beating.

Please read this book. It is an amazing experience!

I never thought to say this, but having a romance novel sprinkled with healthy doses of historical and educational facts on muslim culture proved enjoyable to me.

The very real human anguish that Juliet experienced before deserting Ross was quite heart-wrenching. and Ross' steadfast love for her is so beautiful to witness.

The action and suspense is expertly manipulated by ms. putney. I also enjoyed the banter, as well as the simmering passion between the protagonists. This is not the usual damsel in distress story--there are many points of interest and facets of human emotion incorporated. All-in-all, it is a real treasure and a keeper on your shelf!

For anyone who wants a well-paced romance with accurate historical detail, this is the book for you.
Juliet and Ross are married and have been living separately for 12 years, when they're thrown back together trying to rescue Juliet's brother sparks begin to fly.
One of the best things about this novel, is that both main characters have faults, flaws, and their relationship suffers from the problems that real relationships have. It's not all sunshine and smiles for these two, and I liked them all the better for that reason.
Another great thing is the amazing descriptions of Central Asia and the Middle East. Although sometimes the details were a little tedious, they really helped the pace of the book, it was a little like watching and Indiana Jones movie.
All in all, I found this book to be more serious than most romances. I can't wait to read the other books about the Cameron family.

You know what I am from that part of that world. I have yet to see someone address that culture as well as she did. It is great to see that there is an author who can write a love story that well about a culture that not a lot of people know about. This book tops my other fav. The English Patient. I am about to send this book to my sister back home. I highly recomend it.