Rating: 
Summary: I'm Not In Love With it....
Review: ...like a lot of other people where. Certainly it was well written. But, I had a difficult time dealing with the fact that the hero and heroine got along so well...with no conflicts whatsoever. Rarely did they argue or raise their voices to each other. I found the romance almost too 'perfect'. He's nice, she's nice, her family are all nice. Everyone is too NICE! I figured out the ending from the first chapter. I am far more interested in Michaels story. I am going to check out her Shattered Rainbows novel next.
Rating:
Summary: I had to write this after reading...
Review: a strongly negative review written earlier by someone who appears to review only books she dislikes intensely. I read this book by Mary Jo Putney, an author I admire intensely, with mixed feelings. In the end, I decided that the book was not a keeper for me, although it has some fine moments.Here's why: The plot is certainly an old and tried one (rich nobleman disguises his identity and goes travelling around) but with a couple of twists - firstly, that he is not looking for love (as the prince in the fairy tale does), and secondly, that he is apparently terminally ill. It is not surprising that he is estranged from his family; somehow most of MJP's heroes are. Because of the two twists in the basic "fairy tale" plot, I found the plot line rather more interesting. There is also the suspense of wondering if the doctor and his brother will catch up with him, and wondering why the doctor is so desperate to see the duke. From this point of view, the story worked beautifully. There was just enough intrigue and suspense to make it believable, but not too much that would overwhelm both the romantic element and the development of family relationships. [Many Regency historicals are more suspense/intrigue, with the romantic aspect taking secondary place. I find myself disliking such books for the most part]. Mary Jo Putney is a fine writer, and it shows in the book. I believed in the hero, a terminally ill Duke, and in the reasons why he set off without setting his affairs in order, or notifying his brother. [If you have received a severe shock, and your only brother and sister are not exactly warm in their feelings towards you, sometimes your only thoughts are of escape]. I liked the heroine and her family tremendously. While I did not like the fact that the hero deceived her and her family about his identity, I could accept that as another plot device to keep the story going - although I would have preferred a different version. I have to say that where I was turned off by the story was where the heroine's past is revealed. No spoilers here, but I felt that the story would have been stronger if the new Duchess had been precisely who we thought her to be. This was what made some of MJP's other novels so strong for me [and what has annoyed me about a couple of her later novels]. Constructing this previous identity for her, and having it revealed oh-so-conveniently made matters too easy. Some of the tension seeped out of the story at this point, in my opinion. I would have given this story three and a half stars, but that option is not available. The story as it was until the revelation of the heroine's real identity merited a higher ranking. All I can say is that I found the revelation of the facts about the Duke's illness intriguing (and wanted to hear more about it), but the story about the heroine's past rather ho-hum. For a better version of *that* kind of story, I recommend THESE OLD SHADES by Georgette Heyer.
Rating: 
Summary: Did not like it...
Review: By page 37, Stephen, the Duke of Ashburton who thinks he is dying, lies about who is to pretty (sort of pretty) actress Rosalind, the adopted daughter of an acting family. Has not this been done before to death, this hiding of ones noble family lines - why bother again? It is such a drag to have to flip pages in a book when the first misunderstanding happens so quickly. There will be the "betrayal" she will feel when he reveals himself. I also found it ridiculous that a man of his rank would not set his affairs in order and especially that he would not let his brother Michael know the situation. These books are beginning to be very tedious.
Rating: 
Summary: "One Perfect Rose" = One Perfect Read
Review: Don't let the title mislead you. The amazing Mary Jo Putney has delivered not a single rose, but a full and glorious bouquet. This "perfect rose" has only one thorn: I could not put the book down until I had examined all the leaves!
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Summary: Just what we've come to expect from Ms Putney
Review: First of all, I really like this new form of hardback. All of the benefits of a hardcover without the bulk. That said -- as usual, Ms Putney delivers a well-researched plot with involving characters and lots of drama. Just when you think you know what's going on -- she surprises you. A great read
Rating:
Summary: A long-time favorite!
Review: I adore this book, and have read it several times. I'm sort of picky about romance novels, as I actually don't read them for the sex (I usually skim or skip those parts). I like the relationships between the characters better, and this book had such great character development and relationships that I was hooked. I'm also a sucker for the hero/heroine-in-mortal-peril bit, so that fit with this book. Mary Jo Putney has a style of writing that makes the reader forget that they're reading, and feel like they're actually in the book. This will be on my bookshelf for a long time.
Rating:
Summary: One Perfect Book
Review: I am a 15 year old girl who loves to read but has never set my eyes in a romance novel. I have enjoyed this book completely and have started looking into others. This is a book that will capture your attention time and time again. The author has picked a strong story line and the perfect charactors. This is a book that you will never put down and if you did it would be pure agoney trying not to think of it. It has an unpredictable ending that will have you heart pounding from the romance. I would recomend this book to everyone I know. Please try it for yourself. You won't regret it.
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Summary: A romance with great depth of characterization
Review: I believe this to be the best book Mary Jo Putney has written, and I have read quite a few! It is obvious that someone close to the author had a brush with serious illness, because she writes with great sensitivity, honesty, and depth about the psychological changes both hero and heroine struggle through. The story has wonderful, realistic characters, flashes of humor, and a believable "happy" ending. This book truly deserves its hard covers--it's a keeper.
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Summary: Wonderful characters, riveting story
Review: I could not put this book down. The characters were marvelous, and I did not want to leave them when the book ended. Stephen and Rosalind seemed like friends, and I was pulling for them to get their "happily ever after" ending. I don't usually go for Regency romances, but this one, while set in that period, transcended the boundaries of that time and place. This is one of the best books I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: An Extraordinary Book
Review: I don't write as many reviews as I probably should, but I had to comment on this book. I was probably not in the right frame of mind to read this book. I cried off and on throughout the book, some of the scenes were that touching. This is one of those books that affirm that the human spirit can aspire to great heights. It also show that life altering experiences can bring amount great changes in people. Stephan is not afraid to show how he feels amount Rosalind. She also recognizes that she loves him. I highly recommend this book.
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