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Title: Silk and Secrets
ISBN: 0451204905
Author:
Mary Jo Putney
Publicate Date: 2001-11-01
Publish: 2001-11-01
List Price: $6.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $8.00
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
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1: Really 4 1/2 stars -- Romance and Adventure on the Silk Road
"Silk and Secrets" is the second book in Mary Jo Putney's Silk Trilogy, and I really would recommend reading the books in order. I say that because I did *not* (I read the third entry, "Veils of Silk", first.) Much of the plotline of "Silk and Secrets" is discussed in the final book, so the plot twists were really no surprise to me and this detracted slightly from my enjoyment of the story.
Lord Ross Carlisle (now the Marquess of Kilburn), the hero of "Silk and Secrets", was introduced in the first book of the trilogy ("Silk and Shadows") as Mikahl's best friend and Lady Sara's cousin. The younger son of a duke who has traveled extensively and written about his adventures, Ross is the epitome of upper-crust British manners and sangfroid. He is also fabulously handsome, intelligent, loyal, brave and amazingly even-tempered (in a word, pretty darn *perfect*.) At age 21, Ross had married the wild, unconventional 17 year old Scottish beauty, Juliet Cameron, against almost everyone's advice and six months later she abandoned him for reasons that Ross still does not understand.
After not seeing his wife for 12 years, Ross is reunited with her (ahem, by *chance*) in Persia when he is sent by her mother to discover the fate of Juliet's brother, Ian, a British army officer who has disappeared in Bokhara and is rumored to have been executed as a spy. Juliet is a great heroine--brave, adventurous, passionate and flawed. She is living in Persia in true Lady Hester Stanhope style--as the leader of a small fortress community. Juliet convinces Ross to take her along to find Ian and the two travel the Silk Road in disguise with a caravan to Bokhara. The dangerous trip is complicated by Ross and Juliet's simmering attraction to each other, Ross's feelings of anger and hurt over Juliet's past faithlessness and Juliet's crushing guilt over her past behavior.
Mary Jo Putney does an excellent job of developing the characters of Ross and Juliet--strong, adventurous, passionate people who are still beset by insecurities and whose imperfections make them more realistic. I have to say that I loved the fact that Ross had never gotten over Juliet in *12 years*--that's true love! The story is jam-packed with adventure, although I could have done without having every event described through first Ross then Juliet's point-of-view. I enjoyed the unusual setting and, as usual, MJP fills the story with rich historical detail in a way that is mostly unobtrusive.
In summary, this is a very well-written historical romance with an exotic setting, a wonderful hero who is truly a *great guy* and a strong, unique heroine.
Highly recommended!
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2: A beautiful romance story
I never thought to say this, but having a romance novel sprinkled with healthy doses of historical and educational facts on muslim culture proved enjoyable to me.
The very real human anguish that Juliet experienced before deserting Ross was quite heart-wrenching. and Ross' steadfast love for her is so beautiful to witness.
The action and suspense is expertly manipulated by ms. putney. I also enjoyed the banter, as well as the simmering passion between the protagonists. This is not the usual damsel in distress story--there are many points of interest and facets of human emotion incorporated. All-in-all, it is a real treasure and a keeper on your shelf!
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3: A wonderful journey with a heart
This novel is a rare treat, because it truly transports the reader into an unusual setting that romance novels don't normally venture. Our hero, Ross,has a passion for exotic travel and culture, but he's been a lonely man. His wife, Juliet, left him soon after they were married and they have lived apart for 12 years. Juliet's mother propositions Ross to find Juliet's brother, who is missing in Arabia and presumed dead. Since Ross is proficient in Arabic and local customs, he agrees to help. On his journey, by chance Ross finds Juliet living in Arabia and the sparks start to fly. Juliet is fiesty and is determined to help Ross rescue her brother. The historical details are well-researched and very colorful.As to be expected, the sparks that are rekindled between Ross and Juliet are a source of confusion for both. Ross has never known why Juliet left him, and Juliet is too ashamed to tell him. Nonetheless,their love is reborn and eventually they come to terms about their relationship. It is a beautiful story. I highly recommend this novel for historical romance readers who enjoy looking into another culture, and for those who enjoy reading about a second chance for love. Mary Jo Putney has written a winner! Don't miss the last novel of this trilogy, Veils of Silk.
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4: A Wonderful Journey on the Silk Road
This is the second book in Mary Jo Putney's Silk trilogy set in the early Victorian period. I really felt I was there travelling the Silk Road in the mid 19th century. The background to this book is very exotic and really brought to life by Mary Jo Putney. This book is a sequel to Silk and Shadows in which we first met Ross, the hero. I don't want to give away the plot as it is quite thrilling. The action essentially begins in northern Persia, where the heroine has been leading a life in emulation of Lady Hester Stanhope. From there, the hero and heroine embark on a fascinating journey to Bokhara in Central Asia. This novel can stand apart from the first book in the trilogy though it's helpful to read Silk and Shadows first (which was set entirely in England), but it's absolutely, I feel anyway, essential to read this book before Veils of Silk, the sequel and final book in the trilogy, as it sets the background for the plot in Veils of Silk (which is set in India). If you dream of travelling in the footsteps of Victorian explorers and spies to exotic lands, along with a great romance, this is the book for you.
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5: Great historical detail
For anyone who wants a well-paced romance with accurate historical detail, this is the book for you.
Juliet and Ross are married and have been living separately for 12 years, when they're thrown back together trying to rescue Juliet's brother sparks begin to fly.
One of the best things about this novel, is that both main characters have faults, flaws, and their relationship suffers from the problems that real relationships have. It's not all sunshine and smiles for these two, and I liked them all the better for that reason.
Another great thing is the amazing descriptions of Central Asia and the Middle East. Although sometimes the details were a little tedious, they really helped the pace of the book, it was a little like watching and Indiana Jones movie.
All in all, I found this book to be more serious than most romances. I can't wait to read the other books about the Cameron family.
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