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The novel
opens as Jessie, beaten and abused, is briefly cared for by
Dr. Daniel Herbert. Seven years later, Daniel has inherited
the title of Lord Romayne and attendant lands. While the newfound
wealth will assist him in helping others, he is himself in
need of a wife who can manage his estate so he can continue
to see patients.
Meanwhile, Jessie has had more than her share of misery. Twice
married and now a widow, the greedy nephew of her dead husband
wants the estate her daughter, Beth, inherited. Jessie desperately
seeks a marriage to a powerful man who can protect Beth. When
she and Daniel meet, she realizes he is a kind and generous
man - in many ways a saint - and refuses his proposal to marry
due to her tarnished past. However, their mutual attraction
and similar needs can't be denied and they marry. But when
Jessie's past returns to haunt them, the menace is very real.
Mary Jo Putney writes wonderful historical romances that reveal
the psychological depth of her characters and tackle unsettling
subjects such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic
abuse, the latter of which is featured in the beginning of
Not Always a Saint. Jessie has been beaten and abused, and
finds it difficult to trust people. Thank goodness Daniel
is a Beta male who feels compassion and acts upon this to
help others. What I enjoyed most in reading this book is savoring
Jessie and Daniel's developing love as they reveal their innermost
feelings and fears, and their mutual strengths that bring
them comfort and help them confront the many sudden twists
and turns that portends danger. Not Always a Saint is an outstanding,
totally satisfying and fast-paced read, and one that I found
hard to put down
Reviews of other titles in this series:
Loving
a Lost Lord #1
No
Longer A Gentleman #4
Reviewer's
Notes: A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America
RITA, Mary Jo Putney is a two-time RITA Winner and is on the
RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded
two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden
Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical
romance.
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