RITA Award-winning, New York Times best-selling author Mary Jo Putney is justly celebrated as a master of the Regency romance. Here Alexander Randall is the last heir to the Earl of Daventry and he must find himself a bride. His prayers are answered in the form of distressed midwife Julia Bancroft. But though their union would benefit both parties, Julia is reluctant to surrender her heart. ". rich in complex, realistically complicated characters, expertly spiced with intrigue, and infused with a wickedly subtle wit."-Booklist
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"The main character of this tale is a man who has been notified that he needs to return home from the warfront to accept his becoming the heir to his uncle's title. He has also been informed that he needs to find a wife. In a tale of 'what goes around, comes around' the gentleman finds himself involved with a woman who he admired; who turns out to be someone of great wealth and title. The story is interesting in keeping with the woman as a 'second class citizen' having no rights of her own. The romance is quite refreshing and a little different as the man involved is not the typical male of the time."
— Patricia (4 out of 5 stars)
… rich in complex, realistically complicated characters, expertly spiced with intrigue, and infused with a wickedly subtle wit.
— Booklist" I wasn't thrilled with this book, it started out promising, but it just fizzled out for me about half way through, and I ended up skimming to finish it. The story started out great, a story of two people with troubled and traumatic pasts, and I wanted to see how they would both get past them, and find love with each other. Then at about the half way point or so, it seemed to turn to a fluff type of story, it just didn't jive with how the story began. It was dissapointing, but I will try another MJP, either the Fallen Angel or Bride series, depending on what the library has. :) "
— Loralee, 2/4/2014" I didn't think I would like this book. There was so much conversation and so little description of anything, including what the characters looked like or even facial expressions. A agree with the other reviews, it helps to have read the first in the series, but not completely necessary. It ended up a good read. "
— Brianne, 1/24/2014" Easy read. It was a romantic love story with bitter parts as well as happy ones. The ending was predictable but heartfelt "
— Karina, 1/20/2014" Simply charming! I love the author's voice, and her characters are delightful. "
— Pati, 1/19/2014" Both of the main characters have a ton of baggage, but somehow they're able to quickly & easily let it all go once they're together. Annoying. "
— Chris, 1/7/2014" I found the characters mature and sensible. I enjoyed their adventures and the way their relationship developed. "
— Kay, 12/19/2013" enjoying the trend of darker elements in historical romances. Julia and Alexander are to marry after her dead husband's father tries to kidnap her in revenge for the bastard's (figuratively) "murder." the father also happens to be Alexander's uncle, definitely an ass himself. "
— marin, 12/12/2013" I thought that this was a great story. I read the book in a day. I was really absorbed in the story & didn't want to put it down. I actually preferred this book to the previous book in the Lost Lords series. Now, I'm on to reading the last one. "
— Laura, 11/22/2013" This book is way better then the first in this series happy I stuck with it and hopefully book 3 is just as good if not better :) "
— Katherine, 11/15/2013" Because it's Putney, it's better written than many and the sex is pretty good but the amount of abuse makes it kind of squinchy. "
— Buffy, 1/15/2013" Traumas heal with a bit too much ease and rapidity, but an enjoyable read nonetheless. "
— rivka, 12/7/2012" I really like this series. "
— Louise, 10/30/2012" Surprisingly witty and absorbing. "
— Amy, 7/26/2012" good romance novel. I liked the two main traditional wounded characters. But each character has a lot of depth and are good foils for each other. Just a sweet sappy good read that I enjoyed it a lot. "
— Sophia, 7/3/2012" While I liked Putney's character and most of the plot, the memories of horrific acts of violence that the heroine deals with in just about every love scene detract from the Victorian romance genre. "
— Kerry, 4/16/2012" As always, Mary Jo Putney doesn't disappoint. The story line was somewhat predictable, but still a good story. "
— Brittany, 12/14/2011" I liked it better than the first one in the series. "
— Jacqueline, 11/8/2011" Another good read. Less predictable than most romances. Very enjoyable. "
— Robin, 5/7/2011" This was a pretty good book. The main female character's background made it more action-packed than some Regency romances, but as I read it I wondered if maybe I'm losing my taste for Regency romances, which isn't such a great sign. "
— Amelia, 4/20/2011" This was not bad. The hero and heroine are mature and appealing characters. The villains are somewhat crazy, but at least one of them has some redemption at the end, which did not feel forced. The only thing that kept this from being more like 4 stars was the tendency toward info-dumping. "
— Cecilia, 3/30/2011" I was sorry to see it was nearly over. But I'm not sure why. I am hoping there are many more in the series. "
— Deborah, 3/2/2011" While I liked Putney's character and most of the plot, the memories of horrific acts of violence that the heroine deals with in just about every love scene detract from the Victorian romance genre. "
— Kerry, 12/14/2010" Often touching. An excellent Regency romance. "
— Jacqueline, 11/21/2010" This is more like MJP! First in the series was ok but this was better. Very solid book with 2 wounded souls finding their way to love and happiness. "
— Nicki, 11/12/2010" Liked the hero and heroine - but I needed to return the book to the library. "
— Janna, 8/11/2010Mary Jo Putney, a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, has won numerous awards for her writing, including two Romance Writers of America RITA Awards, four consecutive Golden Leaf Awards for Best Historical Romance, and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance.
Simon Prebble, a British-born performer, is a stage and television actor and veteran narrator of some three hundred audiobooks. As one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices, he has received thirty-seven Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie in 2010. He lives in New York.