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Title: Twist of Fate by Mary Jo Putney ISBN: 0-515-13545-3 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: 29 July, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.22 (9 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Disappointing continuation of a great universe
Comment: After reading the past two books in this universe (Burning Point and The Spiral Path), I was thrilled to see yet another continuation. Spiral Path especially was so beautifully crafted and richly emotional; it seemed Putney was just getting better and better! But this novel disappointingly fell very flat. It was completely predictable from start to finish. At the first mention of each plot point, I knew immediately what the end result would be -- hardly the most fun way to read a mystery! I enjoyed the character of Val at first, but her emotional revelations seemed very forced.
Overall, the book read like a very good sermon against the death penalty, with some romance and mystery elements thrown in as an afterthought. Not a bad read, but not at all what we've come to expect from the very talented Putney.
Rating: 2
Summary: Forced, stilted, ultimately a disappointment
Comment: Putney is one of those "if I see it, I'll buy it" authors - she consistently produces compelling, involving stories about people you care for.
Unfortunately, Twist of Fate falls far short of the high standard she has set in the past - especially its predecessor, "The Spiral Path".
Most jarring is the switching of viewpoints without warning. You're reading a scene told from, say, Val's point of view while conversing with Kendra, then all of a sudden you're reading what Kendra is thinking. I had to backtrack to figure out what was going on.
Then there are the events that apparently occur simply because the Romance 101 textbook says so - Val and Rob's first romantic encounter seemed to come out of the blue, with no real buildup or tension, for example. A case of "It's time for things to get hot so let's put these people in the sack". Frankly, the relationship didn't seem to develop naturally at all.
And there's the fact that the entire novel is a treatise against the death penalty, very thinly veiled as a novel. Putney could find far better and more effective forums for her activism. At the very least, the topic deserves something better written and more compelling. I simply didn't care enough about the characters.
Rating: 4
Summary: Makes a Statement
Comment: Val Covington, is a corporate lawyer in one of the more prestigious law firms in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Working the fast track and establishing herself as one of the hottest lawyers in the firm she'd finally been offered a partnership but disenchantment with the corporate type of law she was practicing was leading her to explore other options. Val wants to step back from the boardrooms and do more pro bono work. When a close friend points her in the direction of available office space in a restored church, the seeds that had been planted for some time of going into private practice blossom. Not only is the space ideal but there is a bonus of a handsome, rugged looking landlord who looks like just the type of guy she's attracted to.
Rob Smith, landlord, ex-marine, and many other hidden talents turns out to have investigative experience so that their paths become entwined both romantically and professionally, but the road to romance is filled with many pitfalls and a lot of baggage that make the romance quite secondary.
Offering her paralegal assistant the opportunity to come and work with, and for her Kendra Brooks agrees on the condition that Val would represent her former lover and the father of her child, sitting on death row. This being a last ditch effort to save him from execution, Kendra swears that Daniel Monroe was unjustly tried and convicted for a murder that he didn't commit. She should know, because at the time it was committed, he was with her.
While Ms. Putney's previous novels held me enthralled with adventure and romance, I felt that her purpose with this was more towards taking a stand against capital punishment than providing a romantic novel. While there was a romance going on, based primarily in Rob's mind - it took longer for it to click in Val's. I found there to be more emotional feeling in some of the secondary characterizations than in the lead couple. It is definitely a compelling read that gives the reader something to think about as to where they would stand on capital punishment, but as far as putting you in the mood for romance, it falls short for the love and passion that I've generally attributed to Ms. Putney's former books. Would I recommend it? Yes, it is a very good, compelling, and thought provoking read, but if you are looking for truly romantic love story, go and find any of her 'Fallen Angel series'.
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Title: Slightly Tempted by MARY BALOGH ISBN: 0440241065 Publisher: Dell Publishing Pub. Date: 30 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: A Gentleman's Honor by Stephanie Laurens ISBN: 0060002077 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 30 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Slightly Sinful by MARY BALOGH ISBN: 0440236606 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 27 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: The Lady Chosen by Stephanie Laurens ISBN: 0060002069 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Again The Magic by Lisa Kleypas ISBN: 0380811081 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 27 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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