About the Author

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney is a graduate of Syracuse University with degrees in eighteenth-century literature and industrial design. She has won numerous awards for her writing, including two Romance Writers of America RITA awards, four consecutive Golden Leaf awards for Best Historical Romance, and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance. The author of twenty-seven novels, Ms. Putney lives near Baltimore, Maryland, with her nearest and dearest, both two-and four-footed.

Reviews

-Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!-
--JO BEVERLEY
-[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience.-
--The Oakland Press
-Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre.-
--Romantic Times
-ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY.-
--Kirkus Reviews
-With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Wild Child. One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers.-
--Library Journal
-An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales.-
--The Midwest Book Review
-A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true.-
--Publishers Weekly
-Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written.-
--Rendezvous

"Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!"
--JO BEVERLEY
"[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience."
--The Oakland Press
"Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre."
--Romantic Times
"ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY."
--Kirkus Reviews
"With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Wild Child. One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers."
--Library Journal
"An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales."
--The Midwest Book Review
"A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true."
--Publishers Weekly
"Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written."
--Rendezvous

Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!
JO BEVERLEY
[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience.
The Oakland Press
Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre.
Romantic Times
ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY.
Kirkus Reviews
With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Wild Child. One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers.
Library Journal
An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales.
The Midwest Book Review
A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true.
Publishers Weekly
Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written.
Rendezvous
"

Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!
JO BEVERLEY
[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience.
"The Oakland Press
" Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre.
"Romantic Times
" ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY.
"Kirkus Reviews
" With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with "The Wild Child." One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers.
"Library Journal
" An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales.
"The Midwest Book Review
" A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true.
"Publishers Weekly
" Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written.
"Rendezvous
""

"Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!"
--JO BEVERLEY

"[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience."
--"The Oakland Press

""Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre."
--"Romantic Times

""ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY."
--"Kirkus Reviews

""With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with "The Wild Child". One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers."
--"Library Journal

""An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales."
--"The Midwest Book Review

""A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true."
--"Publishers Weekly

""Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written."
--"Rendezvous
"

" Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed! "
-- JO BEVERLEY
" [MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience. "
-- The Oakland Press
" Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre. "
-- Romantic Times
" ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY. "
-- Kirkus Reviews
" With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Wild Child . One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers. "
-- Library Journal
" An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales. "
-- The Midwest Book Review
" A rich and realisticnineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true. "
-- Publishers Weekly
" Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written. "
-- Rendezvous

-Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!-
--JO BEVERLEY
-[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience.-
--The Oakland Press
-Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre.-
--Romantic Times
-ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY.-
--Kirkus Reviews
-With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Wild Child. One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers.-
--Library Journal
-An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales.-
--The Midwest Book Review
-A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true.-
--Publishers Weekly
-Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written.-
--Rendezvous

"Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!"
--JO BEVERLEY
"[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience."
--The Oakland Press
"Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre."
--Romantic Times
"ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY."
--Kirkus Reviews
"With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Wild Child. One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers."
--Library Journal
"An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales."
--The Midwest Book Review
"A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true."
--Publishers Weekly
"Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written."
--Rendezvous

Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!
JO BEVERLEY
[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience.
The Oakland Press
Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre.
Romantic Times
ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY.
Kirkus Reviews
With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Wild Child. One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers.
Library Journal
An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales.
The Midwest Book Review
A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true.
Publishers Weekly
Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written.
Rendezvous
"
Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!
JO BEVERLEY
[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience.
"The Oakland Press
" Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre.
"Romantic Times
" ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY.
"Kirkus Reviews
" With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with "The Wild Child." One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers.
"Library Journal
" An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales.
"The Midwest Book Review
" A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true.
"Publishers Weekly
" Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written.
"Rendezvous
""
"Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed!"
--JO BEVERLEY

"[MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience."
--"The Oakland Press

""Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre."
--"Romantic Times

""ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY."
--"Kirkus Reviews

""With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with "The Wild Child". One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers."
--"Library Journal

""An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales."
--"The Midwest Book Review

""A rich and realistic nineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true."
--"Publishers Weekly

""Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written."
--"Rendezvous
"
" Mary Jo Putney is not to be missed! "
-- JO BEVERLEY
" [MARY JO PUTNEY] IS A BEAUTIFUL WRITER . . . She opens the door to another society during a different time and the reader is so much richer for the experience. "
-- The Oakland Press
" Mary Jo Putney can sweep readers into exotic locales as easily as into the ballrooms and courtrooms of Victorian England . . . Another finely crafted tale by a mistress of the genre. "
-- Romantic Times
" ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF
WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING TALES FROM PUTNEY. "
-- Kirkus Reviews
" With its strong, courageous characters, high degree of emotional intensity, excellent writing, and compelling plot, this novel is classic Putney and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Wild Child . One of the best authors writing today, Putney . . . has few peers when it comes to creating emotionally satisfying romances that connect with readers. "
-- Library Journal
" An exciting, action-packed historical romance that never slows down . . . The story line is loaded with a taste of an exotic 1830s environment. . . . Mary Jo Putney continues to provide a vast panorama of an intriguing bygone era by placing her romances in unique locales. "
-- The Midwest Book Review
" A rich and realisticnineteenth-century historical romance . . . Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true. "
-- Publishers Weekly
" Recommended . . . Combines passion with suspense . . . Cleanly plotted and well written. "
-- Rendezvous

Adult/High School-From the tantalizing opening scene to the exciting climax, readers will find a creative, entertaining romance tinged with mystery and set in 1834. As the story begins, Gavin is about to be hung for the murder of his wife, Alexandra. The remainder of the novel is a flashback showing the development of their life together and the growth of his business. Gavin, a British-born American seafaring entrepreneur, rescued Alexandra, a British widow, after she had been captured by pirates and sold into slavery on an East Asian island. As a slave, she had been raped and emotionally scarred, so Gavin had to be gentle and patient to help her recover. Their characters are well drawn, and the plot moves quickly and is easy to follow. Putney contrasts Western and Eastern cultures as the rescue involved a game in which Gavin had to excel with five different skills demonstrating male prowess. Later, he had to use other talents to cope with challenges of life in London's proper high society. The author makes further contrasts with the views of slavery as held by Americans and the British during the mid-19th century.-Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

This final volume in a popular trilogy (The Wild Child; The China Bride) is a rich and realistic 19th-century historical romance. Gavin Elliott, captain of his trading company's flagship, has been traveling the East Indies since the death of his young wife and infant daughter. Alexandra Warren, too, is widowed; soon after she and her daughter leave Australia for England, their ship is taken by Malaysian pirates and she is abducted. When Gavin visits Malaysia as the guest of a local sultan, he sees Alexandra on the block at a slave auction. As soon as he sets eyes on the indomitable Englishwoman, their fates are united. After a series of trials (including wrestling a giant lizard), Gavin is allowed to bring Alexandra back to England, but their worst problems are not yet behind them. Putney knows how to create characters attractive enough to enchant readers without being too good to be true. Gavin is gallant and romantic"he risks his life for a woman he doesn't know, marries her to protect her reputation and understands her physical reticence after her traumatic experience"but he is not without doubts and desires. Alexandra, for her part, believes that Gavin helps her out of chivalry, but she is too gracious and too aware of her position to reject his aid. Both characters have vivid inner lives and thoroughly imagined personalities. Their union is inevitable"this is a romance novel"but their journey from strangers to spouses to true lovers is utterly authentic. (May) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.