Helpful Score: 4
Excellent romance. This is the first book in Putney's Fallen Angels series. Nicholas is a delicious, tortured, and sensitive hero. Clare is a heroine you can root for that is not annoying. Slight echoes of Maddy Timms from Kinsale's Flowers From the Storm, but this book is not nearly as emotionally draining or angsty. Don't get me wrong. Flowers From the Storm is AMAZING. Clare is the daughter of a devout Methodist preacher, but has to find her own peace with her religion and her love. Nicholas is half Welsh, half Gypsy and has had his share of disappointments and betrayals. There is a lot of anticipation and sexual tension in their relationship. Good read.
Helpful Score: 4
One of my all time favorite books. The tension between Clare and Nicholas sizzles. A great romance and story.
Helpful Score: 3
A kind of sweet love story. The scenario seemed rather a stretch, but I can suspend disbelief for a good story. I liked the gypsy hero. He isn't as good as the gypsy hero's of Lisa Kleypas's Hathaways but still an interesting character. I liked the heroine, Clare, too, she had spunk. The details about going into the mine were really interesting and well written. The sex scenes were very minimal. I'll probably read the next book in the series but not in a rush.
Helpful Score: 2
loved this book ,good storie line.would read again
Helpful Score: 2
If you are looking for a different kind of book, this one with a Gypsy earl might fit the bill. This book is unique in so many ways; I can't remember reading a romance that spent this much time explaining the Romany side of life. This story takes place in a Welsh community, not the usual English countryside. Mining is an important part of the plot.
Nicolas, the Gypsy Earl, is a fascinating mix of both sides of his family tree. Bitter from an awful first marriage, Nicolas also has a tortured relationship with his grandfather. Nicolas has traveled the world and has some interesting souvenirs from his time abroad. Nicolas' personality is unique in that he lacks (generally) the dour outlook of many Regency heroes. He's interesting to watch because he's such a complex man.
Clare is a Methodist teacher, daughter of a devout minister to the community. At first look, Clare and Nicolas have nothing in common. However, the author's skill soon shows that to be a false assumption. Clare comes to the Earl asking for his help with the serious problems at the local mines. The earl owns them but has leased them to an old friend, Lord Michael Kenyon. However, Lord Michael hasn't been taking care of the mines and turned over their care to another, less caring man.
The reader senses the brooding anger of Nicolas when he demands something in return for his help; he wants Clare to live in his house for three months. Now, this is absolutely shocking; Clare will lose her reputation if she does this -- even if nothing happens between the couple. But Clare's father was killed in a mine, and she desperately wants to save the other workers. She decides that her friends will know her true character and not be swayed by her residence in the Earl's home -- and the others won't matter.
At first blush, Clare seems perfect. It doesn't take long to see that Clare's spiritual life is not what she wants it to be. It is remarkable to see Clare's relationship with God changing while with the unchurched Nicolas. This is a subplot that really shows the author's deft hand.
This is a complex and fascinating study of life among Welsh miners. They take their lives in their hands each day they descend into the mines for another day of work.
There is so much more to this book; I hope I've given you a taste of why I think it is a remarkable tale.
Nicolas, the Gypsy Earl, is a fascinating mix of both sides of his family tree. Bitter from an awful first marriage, Nicolas also has a tortured relationship with his grandfather. Nicolas has traveled the world and has some interesting souvenirs from his time abroad. Nicolas' personality is unique in that he lacks (generally) the dour outlook of many Regency heroes. He's interesting to watch because he's such a complex man.
Clare is a Methodist teacher, daughter of a devout minister to the community. At first look, Clare and Nicolas have nothing in common. However, the author's skill soon shows that to be a false assumption. Clare comes to the Earl asking for his help with the serious problems at the local mines. The earl owns them but has leased them to an old friend, Lord Michael Kenyon. However, Lord Michael hasn't been taking care of the mines and turned over their care to another, less caring man.
The reader senses the brooding anger of Nicolas when he demands something in return for his help; he wants Clare to live in his house for three months. Now, this is absolutely shocking; Clare will lose her reputation if she does this -- even if nothing happens between the couple. But Clare's father was killed in a mine, and she desperately wants to save the other workers. She decides that her friends will know her true character and not be swayed by her residence in the Earl's home -- and the others won't matter.
At first blush, Clare seems perfect. It doesn't take long to see that Clare's spiritual life is not what she wants it to be. It is remarkable to see Clare's relationship with God changing while with the unchurched Nicolas. This is a subplot that really shows the author's deft hand.
This is a complex and fascinating study of life among Welsh miners. They take their lives in their hands each day they descend into the mines for another day of work.
There is so much more to this book; I hope I've given you a taste of why I think it is a remarkable tale.
