Booklog 74/2019: Mary Jo Putney: Thunder and Roses – Fallen Angels #1

[jacey]

Set in Wales, this is a fairly run of the mill Regency style romance, all the better for not being set in the London season. Nikki, half Rom, inherits an Earldom when his Romani mother 'abandons' him to the not-so-tender care of his grandfather. He's the only heir and one his grandfather resents. He's demonised in the eyes of the locals when his wife and grandfather die on the same day. There are rumours but no real answers. Despite Nicholas' reputation, Clare Morgan, the village schoolteacher (daughter of the late and much beloved Methodist minister) approaches him to ask for his help in improving conditions in the local coal mine (which belongs to Nicholas' friend). Taking a fancy to Clare Nicholas strikes a bargain. He has a bad reputation, she has an impeccable one, but if she wants his help she must sacrifice her reputation by living under his roof for three months as his guest. He intends to seduce her and destroy her reputation for real, but not against her will. She is determined to keep it platonic. Yes, you can see where this is going, and you aren't wrong, but there are a few twists that keep it interesting once you get over the initial premise. We meet Nicholas' friends who are probably the other 'fallen angels' who will have their own books in the series.