Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the Second BOTM of March 2020. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Happy Reading!


Thunder & Roses by Mary Jo Putney

Son of a rogue and a gypsy, Nicholas Davies was a notorious rake until a shattering betrayal left him alone and embittered in the Welsh countryside. Desperation drives quiet schoolteacher Clare Morgan to ask the Demon Earl to help save her village. Unwilling to involve himself in the problems of others, Nicholas agrees --- only if Clare will live with him for three months.

I have already read this book in 2018 gave it 4 stars.
So won't be joining in this read. Happy reading ladies be interesting to read your comments. I found it a good read. My copy was called Fallen Angel.

I'm really looking forward to this BOTM.

I'm not sure about this one. 1993. Hmmm. Maybe a bit too old school? I am going to join in with the other March BOTM (Love and Other Scandals). I may join in with this one as well if time. We'll see how March goes on the reading front.

I won't be joining either BOTM for March since I've read both books already and did enjoy them enough for a reread.

I don’t believe I will be joining this one. It is not available at my library and am not inclined to purchase it at the moment, though the price is not bad. My library has several of her books so I would look to reading one of those first. Also my first experience with Putney was a recent release and it was 2 stars for me, which would typically keep me from exploring more by an author. I have heard her earlier releases, like this one, are much better.

It's not available at my library either. After reading the full blurb, I'm thinking maybe not this one.

I’m in. Haven’t read any from this author before, but I’m willing to give it a try.

I am definitely planning to read, but I have not yet picked up the book. Might not start until later in the month.

Got the book and have started reading. On page ten. Promising so far.

Got the book and have started reading. Promising so far.

It is on my kindle. So, if time permits, I might join.

Wow. Just finished this book and it’s absolutely dazzling. Sharply drawn characters, good details about Methodism and religious rituals, complex family and friend relationships all woven against a mining community as the backdrop. Props also for writing a male character who is courageous without being reckless.

Glad I joined this read.

EmpK wrote: "Wow. Just finished this book and it’s absolutely dazzling. Sharply drawn characters, good details about Methodism and religious rituals, complex family and friend relationships all woven against a ..."

That was quick!

EmpK wrote: "Wow. Just finished this book and it’s absolutely dazzling. Sharply drawn characters, good details about Methodism and religious rituals, complex family and friend relationships all woven against a ..."

Wow! Glad you enjoyed it. We’ll see where I am at later in the month maybe I will change my mind in reading it. Sounds interesting.

Mariana,
Yes, I just inhaled it! Really good.

Joanna, I think it’s worth buying because it subverted my expectations many times and didn’t fall too easily into cliches. Nicholas surprised me enough times and Clare was so brilliant- insightful, sharp— both are flawed enough to be interesting but not so flawed that you want to hit them over the head or toss your kindle. Also the other characters seem interesting without being jerks.

I think of all the romance books I've read so far, this one took is definitely the most intricate - it's about much more than a her and a him falling in love and battling some internal and external demons on the way. In all honesty, the heroine did annoy me a little with all her self-righteousness but I suppose given who she was and how she was raised, it made sense. Nicholas I just loved in spite of his rogueness (or maybe because of it) and there was just a little too much talk of mining for my taste.

I've started and I think this is one that I will come back and discuss after I've finished.

EmpK wrote: "Mariana,
Yes, I just inhaled it! Really good.

Joanna, I think it’s worth buying because it subverted my expectations many times and didn’t fall too easily into cliches. Nicholas surprised me enoug..."

LOL, you have me convinced, though time is still an issue.

I just started today. I’m on chapter 4 and little annoyed at the heroine how she knows so much about hero’s estate and of course she has the most inventive ideas when it comes to mining (what?). I don’t think information was easily accessible in 19th century.
However, reading your comments guys, I am excited. Nicholas seems like the type of hero that I will really like. I will keep on reading.

I just started and am also through chapter 4.

I thought Clare's knowledge of the estate and mining thus far has been believable. She is the type to be prepared. She handled herself well with her proposal, but she couldn't answer unexpected questions. She also didn't know what a tramway was.

Nicholas seems like a very redeemable hero. I just have to lean more about him and the time between the prologue and chapter 1.

Enjoying it this far. I expect I will read through pretty quickly, but probably not as fast as some.

I finished and loved it! MJP can write tortured souls. I plan to add the series to my challenge.

I really enjoyed this book. What a great pick. It had romance, a little mystery sooo good. Strong female character. Excellent read. I will continue on with the series.

I’ve just started. 😦 Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish before the month does. Really looking forward to getting to those parts some of you guys have praised.

Pleasantly surprised by this one. For some reason, I didn’t have very high expectations before reading the book (which is probably why it took me until the end of the month to read it!), but it was well worth it. Both main characters were just decent people, with just enough flaws and tragic backstory to make them interesting. They really grew as a couple, bringing out the best in each other. I will say that no matter the reason, it was completely unbelievable that the well respected spinster schoolmistress daughter of a Methodist minister would agree to live with the resident “demon earl” for three months and that her friends would be fine with it. BUT it really didn’t bother me that much, which is saying something because I am often so annoyed by stuff like that that it ruins the whole book for me. The author did a great job with the story in my opinion.

Yes I enjoyed this book. Nicholas with his whip mastery, harp playing and gypsy on top of that was definitely unusual hero.
What I like the most is growth of their relationship through those kisses and many amazing moments billiards playing and gypsy dancing.
But I did find writing style a little bit dry so much so that even this amazingly creative plot left me a touch cold.

Darbella wrote: "Patti, yeah good point one has to go with the she did it for the greater good theory. However, like you did, I went with it. LOL
Mariana, let us know how the next one in the series is. I am intere..."

I won't start the next book for a few more weeks, but I'll definite let you know how I like it.