Shattered Rainbows

Rating:
Summary: Shattered Rainbows
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Nice romantic story, not Putney's best
Review: I enjoyed this book, though in large part I feel that is simply because I am a big fan of Mary Jo Putney. This book tells the story of Catherine and Michael, the last of the Fallen Angels. He was seen the most before in Thunder and Roses, which I would highly recommend as it gives a great deal of background on Michael. It is also, IMO, a far superior book by MJP. This book also introduces the character Kenneth, who is the leading man of River of Fire.
This book is not at all like the reformed rake story of most of the other Fallen Angels books. It is a more romantic story. It probably compares best to Dancing on the Wind. Michael seems to fall for Catherine pretty much instantly, but does not pursue her due to her being married. Indeed, they don't even kiss until over halfway through the book. Their love is later complicated by a rather boring villainous plot. Catherine is a very nice heroine, though almost too sweet, lacking the spunk of other MJP heroines.
I gave this book 4 stars, not because I enjoyed it greatly, but because I believe other readers might. If you are a fan of MJP, you will most likely enjoy this book no matter what your personal preferences for romance novels may be. I think this book is meant for readers who enjoy a sweet, romantic story, rather than a dramatic, steamy story.
Personally, I far prefer Thunder and Roses, Silk and Secrets, and Petals in the Storm.

Rating:
Summary: Another tour de force by Putney!
Review: 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.