Customer Reviews

Thunder and Roses (Onyx)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I didn't think Mary Jo Putney could top The Rake for a compelling, erotic, angsty and breathtaking story of betrayal, love and trust. But she's done it with this book.

So far, this is the fourth Putney book I've read and she's yet to get less than five stars. This one, however, would get ten if they were available. The book is full of tension, anguish, emotional moments to bring a lump to the reader's throat, moments when there is no option but to gasp in admiration at Putney's skill. I actually felt a sense of loss when I reached the final page: I wanted this book never to end. And I couldn't resist going back and re-reading some of my favourite passages there and then.

Nicholas is a deeply cynical, embittered man in his thirties, who has no intention of taking an interest in anything beyond casual affairs and other such pleasures. But Clare has other ideas for him: she demands that he do something to prevent the inhabitants of the local village from either starving or getting killed because of the appalling working conditions in the local coalmine. Nicholas just wants her to leave him alone, so he suggests a bargain he's sure she'll refuse: her reputation in return for his assistance. But she accepts him, along with his condition that he is allowed one kiss per day and that he will make every attempt to seduce her.

He keeps his word, in every respect, and soon Clare learns that while the Gypsy Earl takes his responsibilities very seriously, he also takes seduction extremely seriously. She's soon wondering just how long she can resist his advances and her own attraction to him....

In this book we also meet the other three Fallen Angels: Rafe (who has already appeared in the - chronologically - earlier The Bargain), Lucian and Michael. Michael in particular plays a significant cameo role in this story, which has left me eager to read his own story. Putney has created some delightfully complex and intriguing heroes here, and I'm looking forward to exploring them in greater detail.

Putney, in addition, has clearly put a lot of time and effort into research: she is head and shoulders above most US Regency writers in this respect. If it wasn't for the use of US spelling conventions, I would never know I was reading an American writer. The detail in respect of Methodism, the coalmining industry, the Napoleonic wars, societal conventions in the early nineteenth centuty and so on is both accurate and interesting.

I absolutely loved this book! I have read a few of Mary Jo Putney's books and have liked all that I have read, but this book especially stands out. It was wonderful! Clare and Nicholas make such an appealing couple. I loved that they were truly best friends throughout the whole book. What an entertaining story. It was humorous and very touching. The "kiss a day" idea was very erotic as was the gypsy wedding dance. It was clear that they understood true passion and love. I can't wait to read the next book in the Fallen Angel series--"Petals in the Storm." There are two more books in this series "Dancing on the Wind" and "Shattered Rainbows." Also look for related books--"Angel Rogue" and "One Perfect Rose." Thanks Ms. Putney for a great read. This is definitely a keeper!

In my opinion, this is Mary Jo Putney's best book. I may be prejudiced, considering that this is one of her first books that I read. However, the story and its main characters stand up well to time, and I can recall nearly all of the plot - which means that this is a definite keeper for me. The book is marked by immaculate research, and an unusual setting - a Welsh estate dependent on mining - and an unusual heroine - a Methodist teacher of no particular family. [For another unusual heroine, I recommend the far darker FLOWERS FROM THE STORM by Laura Kinsale where the heroine is a Quaker and the daughter of a mathematician].

Nicholas and Clare are both unusual. He is the half-Gypsy earl who has had a bitter first marriage, and whose relationship with his late grandfather is complicated, to say the least. [Find out more as the book progresses]. Clare offers herself to him to save the valley and its inhabitants. The earl strikes an interesting bargain - he wants not her body (although he is interested in her) but her reputation. For a Methodist teacher, this is a hard blow indeed.

There are two major subplots. One involves the villainous manager of the mines run by Lord Michael Kenyon, an absentee owner who leased the land for the mining operations from his friend Nicholas. The other plot is about Lord Michael himself, but I would give away the whole story if I said much more. What Mary Jo Putney does is to bring together the romance, and these two major sub-plots seamlessly at the end. And the villain, if he be a villain, is not quite whom you suspect and for the reasons assumed.

What else did I like about this book? The penguins on the estate (did you know that Nicholas had penguins?!), the notorious billiards room scene, the ballroom scene at the Duke of Candover's, the duel between Nicholas and Michael which is heart-breaking (and test the loyalties of their friends), and the amazing interactions between Clare and the other members of her congregation.

Read this book. You won't regret it. It is not light, but it is fascinating, and you will come out of it learning more about mining in Wales and about Welsh Methodism than you ever thought.

And honestly, this is my favorite Putney, the one book of hers I would keep in my library if I had to cut down my romance collection (as I might have to soon!). The book rates at 4.9, with all the lovely twists and turns, and is even more appealing to me than her more recent SILK AND SHADOWS. Bravo, Mary Jo Putney!

This is one of the first romance books I've read, and my first encounter with Mary Jo Putney's work, but so far even after a dozen other novels by various authors, I have yet to find one as fascinating as Thunder & Roses.

Clare Morgan, daughter of a Methodist preacher, and Methodist schoomistress herself, calls on Nicholas Davies, Earl of Aberdare, to ask for his financial and logistical help: she wants to improve the working conditions in the coalmine of Penreith, a village located on Aberdare's estate.

Clare isn't surprised to find that the one nicknamed the Demon Earl is not interested at all in helping her with her project. Gossip has it that four years before, he was responsible for both his wife and his grandfather's death, and the outrageous offer he makes in exchange for his help confirms his reputation as a dangerous rake who cares for nothing but his personal amusement.

Nicholas will indeed help Clare in exchange for her reputation; she is to live in Aberdare, alone with him, and let everyone draw their own conclusions from that fact. Nicholas will also have the right to claim one kiss every day: from a dark, handsome man, expert in the art of seduction, this condition makes the bargain even more dangerous for Clare. Will she be able to resist the pull of his charms? And will Nicholas' game turn into more for him than he'd bargained for?

This story brings together two characters that everything seemed to keep apart. The Demon Earl, badly scarred by a life of betrayals, and the schoolmistress trying to reconcile her inheritance as a preacher's daughter with her dwindling faith, thrown in together in a drama that forces them to contemplate their strong attraction to each other.

The book also gives a realistic picture of a coalmine and its dangers. Like other readers have commented, the accuracy of the historical and social details make for an even more interesting story, where every aspect is fascinating, whether it's the dangerous game of seduction that could eventually turn into a passionate romance that neither of the characters ever expect, the dangers of the mine threatening the life of the inhabitants of Penreith, or the unspeakable secrets haunting Nicholas' past.

Thunder and Roses is a wonderful introduction to the world of regency romance. It made me eager to find more books by Mary Jo Putney, and I discovered that the powerful style characterising this novel can be found in her other books as well. This one, though, remains very special because of the unexpected passion linking the two characters and weaving their lives together.

I love reading a Putney book because I know I won't be disappointed or bored.This is the 1st in her FALLEN ANGELS series. It is the story of Nicholas and Clare. It is emotional, sexy, enlightening, and exciting. (Read it for the billiards scene alone! Whew!)You will also get to meet the 3 other members of the Fallen Angels: Rafe, Lucien, and a very tortured Michael. All three are fascinating and all three get their own stories in other books! But Nicholas and Clare are the main attraction in this book and they do NOT disappoint. This book is absolutely superb!

The heroine, Clare, is so likeable and the hero, Nicholas, so enchanting it would be impossible not to like this book! And the plot was absolutely delicious! Steamy love scenes, mystery, musketeer-like friendship, family betrayals, gypsies, thrilling suspense, danger, and so much more! I loved this book. Clare and Nicholas' feelings for each other and their depth of emotion really moved me. The author really makes them fall in love right before your eyes, each filling a need within the other in the most beautiful way. A tender and emotional, suspenseful and mysterious book. This is my favorite romance novel I've read this year so far.

I don't want to try to top anyone's review here, so read below, but really, you cannot miss all the exciting action and romance in this book! One of the few that I truly felt was fulfilling in every single line, no clunkers!

Plus, ummm, you clearly CANNOT miss the billiards scene(s). AND he plays the harp? Too much, too much. PERFECTION, that is. Thanks, Mary Jo.

Unlike many romance fans, I'm not a chronic re-reader. There are so many books that need to be read in the here and now that I rarely feel like I can take the time to indulge myself with an old favorite. I also can't help wondering if it really was that good. I first read Thunder and Roses in the 90's, when I was new to romance and wonderful reads seemed to be everywhere. I knew I'd loved it when I read it a decade ago, but would it really hold up after so many years (and so many books)? It was a needless worry; not only did I enjoy reading it the second time around, but it was better than I remembered.

Thunder and Roses is the first of Mary Jo's Putney's Fallen Angels series. If it's not the best romance series ever written, it's at least in the top five. It begins with a devil's bargain. Clare Morgan, a Welsh school mistress who is concerned about the continued deterioration of her community, approaches Nicholas Davies, Earl of Aberdare, and asks for his help. Nicholas is disillusioned with life in general and completely uninterested in his earldom in particular. All he can think when he sees Clare is that he would like for her to go away. So he offers her a completely unthinkable proposition: He will help her and the town if she will sacrifice her reputation by living with him for three months. He assumes that she'll give him the proper set-down he richly deserves and head for the door - but she surprises both of them by accepting his outrageous proposition. They hammer out the details (she isn't required to sleep with him, but he gets one kiss per day, and in return he will do his best to help her) and she returns home briefly to tell her friends about her unusual situation.

As the daughter of a Methodist minister, Clare has a lot to lose with this bargain. She has always been respected in the community, and she hopes that her friends will understand. She is also confident in her ability to withstand Nicholas's advances. Surprisingly, Clare finds herself immediately attracted to Nicholas, and very tempted by his advances. It's not just that he's handsome; something about him calls to her. She begins acting as a housekeeper of sorts, and as he listens to her ideas about improving the community, she helps him fix up his home. Clare learns early on that Nicholas has secrets in his past. Many people believe that he slept with his grandfather's young wife and subsequently drove his own wife to her death. He also had a difficult transition as a child. Raised by his Gypsy mother, he was sold to his grandfather when he was a young boy. He continued to live part of each summer with Gypsy caravans, but he doesn't really fit properly into either world.

When Clare and Nicholas go to London, he finds himself in a duel with Lord Michael Kenyon, formerly one of his closest friends. Michael also owns the Penreith mine, where the desperate working conditions motivated Clare to seek Nicholas's help in the first place. Clare becomes embroiled in their argument, growing closer to Nicholas. The mine and its workings are important to the plot, and the details about Welsh mining in the nineteenth century are well-researched.

As I was reading this book a second time, I couldn't help but be very impressed. In nearly every way, it stands head and shoulders above the average European Historical romance - especially those published in the last few years. The plot is thoughtful, the historical detail is rich, and Nicholas and Clare are people to whom you can relate. It even manages to be part of a series without beating the reader over the head with its concept.

Nicholas is a complex hero who manages to be a persistent seducer without being a total jerk. When the book begins, he has every intention of bedding Clare, and absolutely no intention of marrying her or anyone else. Generally, that type of behavior in a hero sets my teeth on edge, and I'm still not entirely sure how Putney manages to make Nicholas so sympathetic. Somehow he comes off as delicious and fun rather than arrogant.

As impressive as Nicholas is, Clare is the character who makes the book for me. She's one of the most self-aware, contemplative, and interesting heroines in romance. Her Methodist background shapes the way she thinks and colors the decisions she makes. She's one of the few characters I have seen who actually treats premarital sex as a moral dilemma. The conflict between her feelings for Nicholas and her beliefs and expectations for herself is not only compelling; it sets up a realistic and believable sexual tension.

The rich historical detail provides the icing on the cake. Putney did her homework about Gypsy life, Welsh mining, and even billiard tables. This type of stuff makes the historian in me rub my hands in glee - and it's exactly the detail you almost never see in romances today.

If you've never read Thunder and Roses, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It's a treat in every sense of the word, and will remind you why you started reading romances in the first place. And if you've already read it, it's well worth reading a second (and third, and fourth) time. You'll be glad you did.

The Fallen Angel Series (in order):

Thunder and Roses
Petals in the Storm
Dancing on the Wind
Angel Rogue
Shattered Rainbows
River of Fire
One Perfect Rose

Wonderful. A book that focuses more on the couple and their developing relationship rather than some involved and convoluted plot, this is a romance novel and that's what I read it for... the romance. And no trumped up "misunderstanding" here either. A warm and understanding heroine, a humourous and passionate hero. The couple gets to spend a lot of time together, and the reader gets to enjoy firsthand their developing relationship..

This is just a perfect story. It is full of quick-witted humor and yet has enough drama to stay out of my 'fluff' category. It is reminiscent of The Rake in some way I can't immediately put my finger on.

And, as someone else mentioned, the billiard room scene alone is worth the price. I wouldn't call it hot so much as hilarious to 'watch' them trying to outfox each other's libido. Great stuff!

Just a wonderful story. I just don't know if the other fallen angels can hold a candle to Nicholas (wow, a hero with a human heart) and Clare (ahh, a heroine who doesn't take herself too seriously) but I know you can't go wrong with this one.