Thunder and Roses

Author:

Mary Jo Putney

Published:

Topaz Books, May 1993; 380 pages

Related titles by this author:

Petals in the Storm, Dancing on the Wind, Angel Rogue, Shattered Rainbows

Subgenre:

Historical romance -- Regency

Setting:

Wales -- Penreith and England -- London, 1814

Main characters:

Nicholas Davies, Earl of Aberdare, and Clare Morgan

Sexual explicitness:

Explicit

Keywords:

Intrigue ; billiards, Gypsies, mining, mistresses, school teachers, wagers

Reader rating:

Reader comments:

THUNDER & ROSES is Putney at her vintage best. IMO, Putney's strength is in her characterizations. Their spirit, mind and heart (when Putney's on her game) come alive on the page and in this book, Nicholas and Clare are living and breathing characters. Nicholas and Clare have tried to come to terms with their feelings of disappointment and despair from two different points of view. One privileged and hedonistic, the other humble and self-sacrificing. Those circumstances bring the characters together and tension to the story. How each of them evolve as better people is beautifully developed in the book. The joy Nicholas has in the simple things in his life is wonderful and Clare's disappointment in herself for not achieving that "higher" level was absorbing. I was wondering what was missing from Putney's last two books and after reading this one I know what it is. Great emotional depth and real feelings readers can relate to. I really enjoyed this book. (K.G., 1-27-97) The depiction of early Methodism, the seriousness of its spiritual and behavioral demands impressed me. The matter of her father's congregation getting more of his time and love is a common one in families of ministers. While sexual activity leading to spiritual insight is not a Methodist or even Christian idea, the fact that the author and her heroine take her faith seriously without suggesting that God is a supernatural Santa Claus or that all Christians are hypocrites and "sinners" of the worst sort make this my favorite of all her books. (S.C., 12-12-96) I cannot get enough of Putney's books and after reading all of the fallen angel series, I still cannot decide which hero is my favorite. Nicholas' dark good looks appealed to me and the fact that he and Clare didn't jump from bed to bed with the frequency of a cheap ham radio was a positive point. I wish I could read more books on these characters. Oh well, I guess I'll have to read them over again! (S.P., 7-22-96) I'm surprised this book is more highly rated here than Shattered Rainbows, which I liked more. This one is better than some of the more melodramatic rogue books, and the hero is quite nice, but the prolongation of the consummation is very silly in this book, and the heavy petting in a flooding mine made me laugh out loud, not with but AT the silliness. My favorite putney book is The Rake and the Reformer, a Regency not rated on your lists. I also very much like her historical Silk and Shadows, though others in that trilogy are silly; I don't usually like such a melodramatic plot, but it's well handled in Silk and Shadows, the hero is very attractive, and the heroine is exceptionally well drawn and sympathetic. I also liked Shattered Rainbows and Angel Rogue better than this one (Thunder and Roses). (E.P., 5-19-96) This is a book I read over and over. One of the best!!!!!!! (B.D., 3-24-96) Marvelously captures class differences of the time, and the coy game between the protagonists doesn't obscure the very real peril to the heroine and her reputation. The challenges in the lives of miners are also well depicted. Highly recommended. (M.L.N., 3-15-96)

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