Shattered Rainbows

Fallen Angels, Book 5

By: Mary Jo Putney

Narrated by: Siobhan Waring

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

A RITA Award finalist.

Broken dreams and second chances.

Honed by danger and haunted by the past, Lord Michael Kenyon finds it easy to risk his life for his country’s sake. But in the shadow of Waterloo, he faces a far more dangerous threat - the loss of his heart to the beautiful battlefield nurse who saves his life yet can never be his.

Called a saint for her virtue and selfless courage, only Catherine Melbourne knows the tragic flaw at the core of her spirit. In Michael Kenyon, she sees the strength and kindness she craves, yet for honor’s sake, she must conceal her love and send him away. Even when freed from her empty marriage, she conceals the truth because of the bleak knowledge she can never again be any man’s wife.

Then fate offers Catherine a fortune, a title, a heritage for her daughter - if Michael will impersonate her husband on a visit to a wild Cornish island. Reluctantly, he agrees to the masquerade. But what begins as a simple journey leads them into a shattering vortex of danger and betrayal - and a fiercely passionate love that can no longer be denied.

Titles in the Fallen Angels series:

1. Thunder & Roses
2. Dancing on the Wind
3. Petals in the Storm
4. Angel Rogue
5. Shattered Rainbows
6. River of Fire
7. One Perfect Rose

About the author: A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling author, Mary Jo Putney's novels are known for psychological depth and intensity and include historical and contemporary romance, fantasy, and young adult fantasy.

©1996 Mary Jo Putney (P)2018 Mary Jo Putney

Critic reviews

“An extraordinary reading experience. Darkly erotic and sizzling with sensuality, this love story dazzles the senses and steals your heart away. Romance just doesn’t get any better than this.” (Romantic Times)

Another fallen Angel.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review." I was delighted to read Michael's story in the 'Fallen Angels' series,. This has been an exciting series and I look forward to the next book. Mary Jo Putney is a terrific writer and Sioban Waring did a fantastic job narrating,.

This was one of my favorite books when

I read it decades ago. And having just finished listening, I think Shattered Rainbows is still one of the best. The narrator was excellent.

I HAVE FOUND ANOTHER FAVORITE AUTHOR...

I loved this book. It is well written with many twists and turns. I can usually figure out what will happen next in many stories, but this one kept me surprised. With wonderful character development, just the right amount of steam and sizzle and a great narrator, I can't wait for more books to be out in this series.

I do hope the author stays with one narrator as it gets confusing when the voices and tone keep changing. This narrator was very good.

there's so much depth and real love

I keep coming back to this story. it helps to remove the disillusionment that real love, without reservation or holding back, does exist. I love the way Michael wraps his love around her, shows that his love is genuine. Equally as compelling in the story is the vulnerability of a real man who's not afraid to show up and give his heart.

Beautiful Narration!

if you can get past the long first part of the book, you will really fall in love with these characters. I wasn't able to predict this story, which is refreshing for a historical romance. Mary Jo Putney is just wonderful.

Classic Mary Jo Putney perfectly narrated.

There are some authors whose books I'm always happy to stumble across and others whom I enjoy so much that I try to pace myself. Usually these are authors with an extensive but not limitless booklist, and life being what it is, it's good to know that there are still unread books guaranteed to lift my spirits always at hand. Mary Jo Putney falls into the "pace myself" category, so it's been a while now since I read or listened to one of her books. I came across Shattered Rainbow recently, though, and was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy from the narrator via AudioBoom. Listening to it was like slipping into the most comfortable armchair and being transported to a different time and place. It is the fifth book in the Fallen Angels series, but it works fine as a standalone. Shattered Rainbows is an old-fashioned historical romance, in that it has well-developed characters, deep historical immersion (the battle and aftermath of Waterloo), and a healthy dose of suspense and villainy. In short, it was delightful. The narration was perfect, and as always happens with a Mary Jo Putney story, I was quite sad to reach the end. I haven't read or listened to all the other books in the series, though, and I'm thinking my "pace yourself" discipline is going to have to be put aside for at least a few volumes.

Amazing Audio for Historical Romance Classic!

Shattered Rainbows is a delightful historical romance set primarily in 1816. Originally written in 1995, Shattered Rainbows received a much needed audiobook update narrated by the highly talented Siobhan Waring. Her narration style is very natural, providing different voices for all the characters. She has a rhythm to her reading that is simply melodic and enchanting.

The story revolves around Lord Michael Kenyon and Catherine Melbourne whose lives keep circling each other over the span of 10 years. We first meet the pair when Catherine is a married battlefield nurse and Michael is brought in as a wounded soldier after being left for dead on the battlefield. Despite not being expected to live, Catherine nurses him back to health as he imagines she is a battlefield angel.

They reunite several years later when Michael rents a room in a shared family house of officers. Michael falls in love with Catherine after spending significant time with her and her daughter. He soon realizes Catherine is a married to a cad who has no discipline and tups anything in a skirt. But despite this, he neither acts on his desires nor does he profess his love or admiration to her.

After her husband is murdered, Catherine is offered a title to an island in Cornwall from a dying uncle on the condition that her uncle deems her husband “worthy”. Catherine asks Michael if he will impersonate her husband under the ruse that he is still in France. Being in such close proximity, compounded by the years of unrequited love on both sides, they soon succumb to their passions. Of course, it’s too good to last long and the pair’s happiness is thwarted by an evil cousin who kidnapped Catherine’s daughter to use as leverage to overtake the estate.

What I loved most about Shattered Rainbows is the character development. Michael is an exemplary hero who is strong like every hero should be, yet he is filled with understanding and compassion. He is also extremely kindhearted and patient. Catherine's character is strong, determined, and at times feisty, and every inch Michael's equal. It was heartwarming listening to them work together to save Catherine’s daughter and defeat the conniving cousin. In short, I highly recommended this audiobook!

Loved this listen!

This is book five in a series but my first. Man, I've missed something special. (Hashtag, Regrets.)

I loved the writing! There were actually two stories - one past, one present. I loved that approach since it gave us a very special glimpse into the two main characters, Michael and Catherine. When they meet again in the present, it's with the backdrop of Napoleon marching into Waterloo. (We all know how that ended.)

The relationship between Michael and Catherine was the epitome of a slow burn and it was narrated to perfection. There was a weird pivot in the ending but the HEA was awesome.

Great read

I loved this book..what a great way to pass a rainy Saturday afternoon. I was sorting paperwork and shredding while listening.

Amazing historical romance!!!

This is my favorite book of the series. I loved the characters and the story. This was my first time hearing Sioban Waring narrate. She did a really good job.