What do you think?
Rate this book
Guardians #1
A Kiss of Fate
Duncan Macrae, Laird of an ancient, powerful clan, is committed to end ceaseless strife between Scotland and England. As a Guardian, he has secret powers to control storms. Gwyneth Owens, wealthy independent widow yet virgin, rouses his winds at first sight, draws him to claim her. But his kiss gives her visions of looming catastrophe and bloodshed.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2004
147 people are currently reading
1107 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jo Putney
167 books2,262 followersShe writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer 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. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer 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. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
April 30, 2023
3'5 Estrellitas. Me ha gustado bastante, la pena es que las últimas semanas no he podido leer todo lo que me gustaría y quizás por ello ésta lectura se me ha hecho eterna, pero no tiene la culpa; sólo las circunstancias.
"El beso del destino" es el primer libro de la serie Custodios. En ella Mary Jo Putney nos lleva a la Inglaterra de mediados del siglo XVIII, al conflicto entre ingleses y escoceses en Culloden. Los Custodios son un puñado de personas dotados de poderes mágicos que sirven a su país con honor por lo que es correcto, sin posicionarse de manera partidista.
Gwynne Owens es una joven de familia custodia que ha nacido sin poderes, o eso es lo que cree. Su padre era el bibliotecario de un importante conde y ello le permitió a Gwynne conocer de primera mano la historia, leyes y hechizos de los custodios. Tras la muerte de su padre, su empleador se ofrece casarse con ella, para que así ella no tenga que renunciar a la vida que ha llevado, y también porque lord Breacon, ha visto algo en ella que otros no han visto.
Años después y ya viuda, Gwynne es una aristócrata respetable y sin poderes entre los custodios salvo por su intuición, y en 1745 conoce a Duncan MacRae, uno de los custodios más poderosos de su tiempo, capaz de manejar el tiempo meteorológico. Gwynne siente algo por Duncan, pero a la vez le teme, o a su poder y cree que cuanto más pueda alejarse de él, el peligro que acecha a su alrededor se disipará.
Duncan es un poderoso jefe de clan escocés, como custodio, lucha por el beneficio y salvaguarda de Gran Bretaña. Siendo custodio, no puede posicionarse políticamente, pero corren tiempos de rebelión en Escocia y tras unos años viajando por el continente, es momento de volver a casa.
Todo cambiará cuando Duncan conoce a Gwyneth, lady Breacon, una joven custodia sin poderes, pero súmamente llamativa y que esconde mucho más de lo que Gwynne cree. La atracción es fuerte entre ellos, pero el destino lo será más cuando los una por el bien de su nación.
Inglaterra está al borde de una guerra civil con la segunda revolución jacobita y el Consejo de Custodios convence a Gwynne de casarse de nuevo con Duncan MacRae, lord Ballister para mantener a su país a salvo de un derramamiento de sangre.
El problema será cómo convencer a Duncan que no se posicione en cuanto al nuevo conflicto bélico, pues los custodios no pueden formar parte de ello. Pero Gwynne tiene mucho más que perder si fracasa en su misión, y es el amor que siente por su nuevo marido.
En primer lugar, como libro está muy bien. Mary Jo Putney es una narradora excelente y el tema de los libros es ingenioso. Dentro de todos los libros que he leído últimamente sobre éste tema, que la autora haya añadido algo de magia le da un plus a su lectura.
Y la verdad es que el libro está muy bien y engancha desde el principio, pero me ha faltado algo para ser excelente. No es sólo que no le haya podido dedicar al libro más tiempo, si no que quizás la historia me ha parecido muy previsible. Lo mismo hubiese dado que la historia tuviese magia que no, solo que le ha faltado algo.
Lo mismo podría decirse del romance, está bien, pero me ha parecido muy forzado, sobre todo el rápido enamoramiento de él y el odio que siente al conocer su traición. No me ha resultado muy creíble y supongo que estos han sido los principales fallos del libro.
La historia de trasfondo funciona y realmente el mundo de los custodios está muy chulo, por eso mismo me animaré a leer más libros de ésta serie.
"El beso del destino" es el primer libro de la serie Custodios. En ella Mary Jo Putney nos lleva a la Inglaterra de mediados del siglo XVIII, al conflicto entre ingleses y escoceses en Culloden. Los Custodios son un puñado de personas dotados de poderes mágicos que sirven a su país con honor por lo que es correcto, sin posicionarse de manera partidista.
Gwynne Owens es una joven de familia custodia que ha nacido sin poderes, o eso es lo que cree. Su padre era el bibliotecario de un importante conde y ello le permitió a Gwynne conocer de primera mano la historia, leyes y hechizos de los custodios. Tras la muerte de su padre, su empleador se ofrece casarse con ella, para que así ella no tenga que renunciar a la vida que ha llevado, y también porque lord Breacon, ha visto algo en ella que otros no han visto.
Años después y ya viuda, Gwynne es una aristócrata respetable y sin poderes entre los custodios salvo por su intuición, y en 1745 conoce a Duncan MacRae, uno de los custodios más poderosos de su tiempo, capaz de manejar el tiempo meteorológico. Gwynne siente algo por Duncan, pero a la vez le teme, o a su poder y cree que cuanto más pueda alejarse de él, el peligro que acecha a su alrededor se disipará.
Duncan es un poderoso jefe de clan escocés, como custodio, lucha por el beneficio y salvaguarda de Gran Bretaña. Siendo custodio, no puede posicionarse políticamente, pero corren tiempos de rebelión en Escocia y tras unos años viajando por el continente, es momento de volver a casa.
Todo cambiará cuando Duncan conoce a Gwyneth, lady Breacon, una joven custodia sin poderes, pero súmamente llamativa y que esconde mucho más de lo que Gwynne cree. La atracción es fuerte entre ellos, pero el destino lo será más cuando los una por el bien de su nación.
Inglaterra está al borde de una guerra civil con la segunda revolución jacobita y el Consejo de Custodios convence a Gwynne de casarse de nuevo con Duncan MacRae, lord Ballister para mantener a su país a salvo de un derramamiento de sangre.
El problema será cómo convencer a Duncan que no se posicione en cuanto al nuevo conflicto bélico, pues los custodios no pueden formar parte de ello. Pero Gwynne tiene mucho más que perder si fracasa en su misión, y es el amor que siente por su nuevo marido.
En primer lugar, como libro está muy bien. Mary Jo Putney es una narradora excelente y el tema de los libros es ingenioso. Dentro de todos los libros que he leído últimamente sobre éste tema, que la autora haya añadido algo de magia le da un plus a su lectura.
Y la verdad es que el libro está muy bien y engancha desde el principio, pero me ha faltado algo para ser excelente. No es sólo que no le haya podido dedicar al libro más tiempo, si no que quizás la historia me ha parecido muy previsible. Lo mismo hubiese dado que la historia tuviese magia que no, solo que le ha faltado algo.
Lo mismo podría decirse del romance, está bien, pero me ha parecido muy forzado, sobre todo el rápido enamoramiento de él y el odio que siente al conocer su traición. No me ha resultado muy creíble y supongo que estos han sido los principales fallos del libro.
La historia de trasfondo funciona y realmente el mundo de los custodios está muy chulo, por eso mismo me animaré a leer más libros de ésta serie.
December 19, 2023
A look at the Jacobean revolution/uprising through the prism of the Guardians. Mages with the power to enhance, even change the course of history. Add to that the spice of a relationship that binds even further with love, where trust is uttermost, and where the greater good mandate outweighs even that trust, and you have a rather startling story line.
Lord Duncan Ballister’s bride is the lovely widowed Lady Gwynne Brecon, a mundane who develops her gifts after her marriage to Duncan, a owerful weather mage, and one of the Guardians.
But Prince Charles has crossed from France into Scotland ready to lead his loyal highlanders to victory.
Lord Duncan Ballister’s bride is the lovely widowed Lady Gwynne Brecon, a mundane who develops her gifts after her marriage to Duncan, a owerful weather mage, and one of the Guardians.
But Prince Charles has crossed from France into Scotland ready to lead his loyal highlanders to victory.
December 11, 2021
2.5 stars - Historical/Paranormal Romance
October 16, 2016
Romanul Lui Mary Jo Putney a aparut la editura Litera in acest an, 2016, in colectia " Carti romantice".Este un roman istoric cu multe elemnte de fantastic, extrem de placut. Eroina povestii este Gwyneth Owens, fiica bibliotecarului Robert Owens care a lucrat toata viata pentru lord Brecon. Gwyneth crescuse printre carti invatand de mica sa le citeasca si sa le aprecieze pentru ca, asa cum spunea tatal ei, " o minte bine hranita ofera protectie impotriva singuratatii."(p.7) Dar tatal ei murise si Gwyneth se gandea la viitor cu oarecare neliniste. Lordul Brecon facea parte dintre Protectorii Marii Britanii iar tatal ei apartinuse aceluiasi clan. Protectorii erau oameni cu puteri deosebite pe care le foloseau doar pentru a proteja Marea Britanie. Erau discreti si tineau totul in secret asa ca forta lor nu era cunoscuta tuturor. Si Gwyneth fusese crescuta ca o Protectoare dar in timp s-a dovedit ca, in afara unei intuitii deosebite, nu poseda vreo putere speciala. Contele de Brecon era pastratorul invataturii si era responsabil pentru toate manuscrisele si cartile legate de munca Protectorilor pentru ca acestia "respectau istoria, in speranta ca aceasta avea sa-i impiedice sa repete greselile din trecut." (p.8) Gwyneth spera sa fie lasata sa lucreze in biblioteca dar Emery Lord Brecon avea alte planuri si anume sa se casatoreasca cu ea. Astfel Gwyneth ajunge sotia lordului, un barbat foarte in varsta si foarte intelept. In vara anului 1745, la Richmond, Gwyneth lady Brecon acum vaduva, il cunoaste pe Duncan Macrae la receptia data de lady Bethany. Suntem in lumea Protectorilor si Duncan Macrae este unul dintre ei, cel care ave aputere asupra norilor, tunetului si furtunilor fiind supranumit si Lordul Tunetului.Evident ca in ciuda opozitiei ei initiale, Gwyneth se casatoreste cu Duncan Macrae in ciuda viziunilor inspaimantatoare pe care le avusese la primul lor sarut. Dupa nunta au plecat spre Scotia unde se aflau mosia si castelul lui Duncan. Pe drum Gwyneth isi da seama ca prin consumarea casatoriei se transformase intr-o vrajitoare a carei putere creseta pe masura ce se apropia de destinatie. Urmeaza o intreaga poveste ccare sigur merita citita... Un foarte frumos roman de dragoste pe fundal istoric. este vorba despre ata de cunoscuta incercare a lui Bonnie, print Charlie sau Tanarul Pretendent adica Charles Stuart, ultimul din aceasta dinastie care a revendiact tronul Angliei. A incercat asa cum se vede si din acest roman sa cucereasca tronul cu ajutorul clanurilor scotiene ceea ce s-a soldat cu teribila si sangeroasa infrangere de la Culloden care i-a costat pe scotieni peste un secol de opresiune si sechele de neuitat ca si disparitia clanurilor. Romanul lui Mary Jo Putney merita sa fie citit. Imbinarea dintre povestea de dragoste, elementele de fantastic si adevarul istoric fac la un loc o lectura captivanta si cuceritoare si asta intr-un numar rezonabil de pagini. Si mai ales are un final fericit in ciuda faptului ca aciunea se petrece in vremuri atat de teribile. Mi-a placut in mod special faptul ca m-a convins ca in viata iti trebuie cu adevarat puteri vrajitoresti ca sa-l salvezi un om de el insusi atunci cand vrea sa faca ceva complet lipsit de intelepciune
August 1, 2007
Generally, I really enjoy Mary Jo Putney's novels. This one I couldn't even manage to finish. Trite and cliched, and even worse, characters that were indistinct from one another AND not particularly likable.
January 23, 2022
I venti cantano con voci diverse
La Putney non rientra nel novero delle mie autrici preferite, ma amo molto il paranormal romance, ancor più se ha un'ambientazione storica, e questo romanzo si è rivelato una vera sorpresa.
Ci troviamo al tempo dell'insurrezione giacobita di Bonnie Prince, a ridosso della disastrosa battaglia di Culloden (per gli scozzesi), e da qualche secolo un circolo di stregoni aiuta in segreto la Corona inglese a mantenere la stabilità e a respingere gli invasori. Quando però la guerra è tra Scozia e Inghilterra, occorre decidere tra lealtà a giuramenti magici e le ragioni del cuore che legano alla propria terra.
Duncan Macrae è un capoclan ma è anche un Guardiano, anzi il temibile Signore delle tempeste, capace di manipolare il clima per influenzare il campo di battaglia o affondare persino una flotta; quando arriva il momento di scegliere, è messo a dura prova, soprattutto perché il consiglio dei Guardiani si è schierato con il sovrano inglese. Fino ad arrivare a imporgli una moglie capace di controllare il suo potere e garantirne la fedeltà.
Come dicevo, questa lettura è stata più che esaltante. La Putney costruisce nel dettaglio le tradizioni dei maghi, delinea in modo credibile le ragioni delle diverse fazioni, crea due personaggi, Duncan e Gwynne, entrambi forti e impetuosi, entrambi tormentati nonostante l'unione che li lega, costretti a soffocare sentimenti e a invocare poteri antagonisti.
Un primo episodio davvero vivido, con un crescendo di emozioni, inserito alla perfezione nel contesto storico, che offre risvolti non scontati. Il fatto poi che gli highlanders siano in minoranza e comunque strenui difensori della libertà sino all'ultimo non guasta.
Alla fine ero così immersa nel mondo dei Guardiani, che avrei voluto subito conoscere la storia di Simon, lo stregone-cacciatore.
La Putney non rientra nel novero delle mie autrici preferite, ma amo molto il paranormal romance, ancor più se ha un'ambientazione storica, e questo romanzo si è rivelato una vera sorpresa.
Ci troviamo al tempo dell'insurrezione giacobita di Bonnie Prince, a ridosso della disastrosa battaglia di Culloden (per gli scozzesi), e da qualche secolo un circolo di stregoni aiuta in segreto la Corona inglese a mantenere la stabilità e a respingere gli invasori. Quando però la guerra è tra Scozia e Inghilterra, occorre decidere tra lealtà a giuramenti magici e le ragioni del cuore che legano alla propria terra.
Duncan Macrae è un capoclan ma è anche un Guardiano, anzi il temibile Signore delle tempeste, capace di manipolare il clima per influenzare il campo di battaglia o affondare persino una flotta; quando arriva il momento di scegliere, è messo a dura prova, soprattutto perché il consiglio dei Guardiani si è schierato con il sovrano inglese. Fino ad arrivare a imporgli una moglie capace di controllare il suo potere e garantirne la fedeltà.
Come dicevo, questa lettura è stata più che esaltante. La Putney costruisce nel dettaglio le tradizioni dei maghi, delinea in modo credibile le ragioni delle diverse fazioni, crea due personaggi, Duncan e Gwynne, entrambi forti e impetuosi, entrambi tormentati nonostante l'unione che li lega, costretti a soffocare sentimenti e a invocare poteri antagonisti.
Un primo episodio davvero vivido, con un crescendo di emozioni, inserito alla perfezione nel contesto storico, che offre risvolti non scontati. Il fatto poi che gli highlanders siano in minoranza e comunque strenui difensori della libertà sino all'ultimo non guasta.
Alla fine ero così immersa nel mondo dei Guardiani, che avrei voluto subito conoscere la storia di Simon, lo stregone-cacciatore.
September 15, 2007
Checked it out of the library, and I'm glad I did. Hated it more than any other MJ title, even the "Silk" series. Readable enough to finish, hence two stars.
February 22, 2010
I listened to Stolen Magic first and thought that audiobook was just so-so. This book was better not great but better than Stolen Magic. I really liked the hero and heroine. I noticed with Putney's books if there's sex outside of marriage (and this includes the men), there's a lot of shame. Here when he was young, he washed himself over and over again because he felt dirty. And in Stolen Magic the hero was a virgin. Must be a theme with her books.
March 16, 2020
Principalmente podemos resumir este libro en uno de tantos insustanciales y típicos que en unos años habré olvidado completamente porque es irrelevante.
Reconozco que no soy la persona más fan de Putney, pero he disfrutado de algunos de sus libros y tengo un par en mi colección de TOPS. Pero es que este libro es insulso a más no poder. No está mal escrito y no es que la historia esté mal, o haya muchos momentos de desesperación de época y así... Es más bien que no tiene nada interesante. No conectas con los personajes. Su historia te da igual. No te aporta nada especial, ni tiene nada memorable, ni nada que te haga sentir algo o que te toque un poco el corasonsito. NA DA.
Hay muchísimo en el género de romántica, y en este subgénero de highlanders especialmente, que a parte de entrentener te aporta mucho juego, y pj maravillosos. Pero es que este es totalmente soso, así que no os lo puedo recomendar.
Reconozco que no soy la persona más fan de Putney, pero he disfrutado de algunos de sus libros y tengo un par en mi colección de TOPS. Pero es que este libro es insulso a más no poder. No está mal escrito y no es que la historia esté mal, o haya muchos momentos de desesperación de época y así... Es más bien que no tiene nada interesante. No conectas con los personajes. Su historia te da igual. No te aporta nada especial, ni tiene nada memorable, ni nada que te haga sentir algo o que te toque un poco el corasonsito. NA DA.
Hay muchísimo en el género de romántica, y en este subgénero de highlanders especialmente, que a parte de entrentener te aporta mucho juego, y pj maravillosos. Pero es que este es totalmente soso, así que no os lo puedo recomendar.
October 13, 2022
4 Stars
***HOOPLA Audio***
MCs: Gwyn and Duncan
This book has been around for 11 years, so I don't need to go into details in regards to the storyline.
Duncan is a Guardian who marries a woman, Gwyn, who's never felt or experiences her Guardian powers....until they consummate their marriage. Duncan is from Scotland. Gywn from England. An uprising is brewing and Duncan has to decide between his country and his oath to the Guardians. This book is about discovery, love, betrayal and finally....understanding.
***HOOPLA Audio***
MCs: Gwyn and Duncan
This book has been around for 11 years, so I don't need to go into details in regards to the storyline.
Duncan is a Guardian who marries a woman, Gwyn, who's never felt or experiences her Guardian powers....until they consummate their marriage. Duncan is from Scotland. Gywn from England. An uprising is brewing and Duncan has to decide between his country and his oath to the Guardians. This book is about discovery, love, betrayal and finally....understanding.
Read
May 17, 2017DNF around 30%. I just can't get into the characters, and the story is moving slowly. I know BIG DRAMA is on the horizon (we're given about 900 reminders of this) but I can't seem to bring myself to care.
September 20, 2020
Interesting read. Something different from my usual genre of the same author.
September 8, 2022
Datato, ok, e si sente, ma molto carino. Non rimarrà negli indimenticabili, ma veramente piacevole.
January 12, 2024
In the passionate Guardian saga, magical protectors try to keep peace in the rising of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Powerful mage of storms, Scottish McCrae is infatuated on sight with shy English Gwynne. Their first kiss brings visions of blood and battle that the ruling circle believe their marriage could avert. The Highlands are home to strong men and women. Hoo-rah.
On re-read, I think real series are more appealing than paranormal. His surging blood rouses winds. He uses storms to divert royalists for King George from his sister and clansmen answering call of lazy Prince Charles. Finally Gwyn (of course virgin though widow) has to lock him up, because his interference is actually prolonging the conflict. She is a Guardian too, with responsibilities to keep peace.
On re-read, I think real series are more appealing than paranormal. His surging blood rouses winds. He uses storms to divert royalists for King George from his sister and clansmen answering call of lazy Prince Charles. Finally Gwyn (of course virgin though widow) has to lock him up, because his interference is actually prolonging the conflict. She is a Guardian too, with responsibilities to keep peace.
September 1, 2011
An excellent read that at first I did not think I would like, as i do not believe in Magical Powers for good, but it turned out to be a very wonderful read. Duncan MacRae is a powerful mage for good who also can influence the weather. When he meets Gwyneth whoise father was also a mage,who does not believe her powers are strong, it takes only one kiss to awaken her mage powers. Together they work to help Scotland in her struggle against the British, and find themselves incolved in the tragic battle of Culloden. The decision they have to make is a dificlt one and it take all of their love for each other to make the right decision.
November 18, 2013
Achei que o livro se desenvolveu lento demais para mim. Não me identifiquei com os personagens principais e apesar das boas cenas, em alguns momentos me senti tentada a abandonar a leitura.
February 16, 2016
No soy capaz de continuar. Qué aburrimiento, qué poca gracia tienen estos dos, que sosez.
September 12, 2023
Historical romance set in the 1700's but with wizard people mixed in.
Violence. Sex. Swearing.
Violence. Sex. Swearing.
Read
June 23, 2022BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS
(Print: (2004) August 30, 2005; 978-0345449177; Ivy Books; 416 pages)
*Audio-CD: 2004; 1419319507; Recorded Books Audiobooks; duration 06:42:05 (11 discs); Unabridged.
SERIES
Guardian Trilogy Book 1
CHARACTERS: (Not comprehensive)
Duncan Macrae
Gwyneth Owens
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
How I picked it:Newport Beach Public Library’s Friends of the Library Booksale had this available–retired from the library’s collection. The box cover enticed me.
What it’s about: The pulls of the heart clash with the pulls of country loyalty with some special powers spicing things up.
What I thought: Captivating with interesting historical detail.
AUTHOR:
Mary Jo Putney:
“Mary Jo Putney (born in New York) is a best-selling American author of over twenty-five historical and contemporary romance novels. She has also published romantic fantasy novels as M.J. Putney. Her books are known for their unusual subject matter, including alcoholism, death, and domestic abuse.” __Wikipedia
NARRATOR:
Porter, Davina:
The storytelling emprise of celebrated narrator Davina Porter began with a playful mnemonic exercise in her youth. In an interview with AudioFile magazine, Porter revealed that, as a young girl, "she discovered the best way to learn something—a poem to memorize or history facts—was to say or read it aloud. She did this, often to her dolls lined up along the wall." With more than 400 audiobooks to her name and numerous Audie and Earphones nominations and awards, her once modest audience has since grown considerably.]” __ Audible.com
Davina did a great narration!
GENRE:
Historical Fiction; Fantasy; Romance
LOCATIONS:
London, Scottish Highlands
TIME FRAME
18th Century
SUBJECTS:
Romance; Scottish-English relations;
SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From “Harlow Place - Hertfordshire, England - November 1737”
“Perhaps riding breakneck across Harlowe’s hills would relieve her restless tension, but that wasn’t possible since soon she would be summoned downstairs to act as chief mourner at the solemn gathering that would be held in her father’s honor. Needing to be active, she unlocked the adjacent gallery, which contained the private library as well as her father’s office.
A faint, almost indiscernible frisson of energy flickered over her skin when she stepped inside. The long, high-ceilinged chamber contained Britain’s finest collection of books and manuscripts about magic. The volumes also represented the history and wisdom of the ancient Guardian families of the British Isles.
The Guardians, her father’s clan. Human but gifted with magical powers, they had lived clandestinely among mundanes since time immemorial. Gwynne had been raised as a Guardian by virtue of her father’s blood though she had no power of her own.
Guardians took their name from the oath all swore to use their power to protect and serve their fellow man as best they could. Because of that mission, Guardians revered history in the hopes that it would prevent them from repeating earlier mistakes.
Occasionally, it did.
As Keeper of the Lore, the Earl of Brecon was responsible for these precious books and manuscripts. At the age of six, Gwynne had started to assist her father in maintaining the books. She had started with dusting, handling the volumes as carefully as if they were fine porcelain. Later she had copied crumbling texts onto new parchment and learned the secrets of preservation.”
RATING:
4 stars.
STARTED-FINISHED
7/15/2005 - 7/30/2005
(Print: (2004) August 30, 2005; 978-0345449177; Ivy Books; 416 pages)
*Audio-CD: 2004; 1419319507; Recorded Books Audiobooks; duration 06:42:05 (11 discs); Unabridged.
SERIES
Guardian Trilogy Book 1
CHARACTERS: (Not comprehensive)
Duncan Macrae
Gwyneth Owens
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
How I picked it:Newport Beach Public Library’s Friends of the Library Booksale had this available–retired from the library’s collection. The box cover enticed me.
What it’s about: The pulls of the heart clash with the pulls of country loyalty with some special powers spicing things up.
What I thought: Captivating with interesting historical detail.
AUTHOR:
Mary Jo Putney:
“Mary Jo Putney (born in New York) is a best-selling American author of over twenty-five historical and contemporary romance novels. She has also published romantic fantasy novels as M.J. Putney. Her books are known for their unusual subject matter, including alcoholism, death, and domestic abuse.” __Wikipedia
NARRATOR:
Porter, Davina:
The storytelling emprise of celebrated narrator Davina Porter began with a playful mnemonic exercise in her youth. In an interview with AudioFile magazine, Porter revealed that, as a young girl, "she discovered the best way to learn something—a poem to memorize or history facts—was to say or read it aloud. She did this, often to her dolls lined up along the wall." With more than 400 audiobooks to her name and numerous Audie and Earphones nominations and awards, her once modest audience has since grown considerably.]” __ Audible.com
Davina did a great narration!
GENRE:
Historical Fiction; Fantasy; Romance
LOCATIONS:
London, Scottish Highlands
TIME FRAME
18th Century
SUBJECTS:
Romance; Scottish-English relations;
SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From “Harlow Place - Hertfordshire, England - November 1737”
“Perhaps riding breakneck across Harlowe’s hills would relieve her restless tension, but that wasn’t possible since soon she would be summoned downstairs to act as chief mourner at the solemn gathering that would be held in her father’s honor. Needing to be active, she unlocked the adjacent gallery, which contained the private library as well as her father’s office.
A faint, almost indiscernible frisson of energy flickered over her skin when she stepped inside. The long, high-ceilinged chamber contained Britain’s finest collection of books and manuscripts about magic. The volumes also represented the history and wisdom of the ancient Guardian families of the British Isles.
The Guardians, her father’s clan. Human but gifted with magical powers, they had lived clandestinely among mundanes since time immemorial. Gwynne had been raised as a Guardian by virtue of her father’s blood though she had no power of her own.
Guardians took their name from the oath all swore to use their power to protect and serve their fellow man as best they could. Because of that mission, Guardians revered history in the hopes that it would prevent them from repeating earlier mistakes.
Occasionally, it did.
As Keeper of the Lore, the Earl of Brecon was responsible for these precious books and manuscripts. At the age of six, Gwynne had started to assist her father in maintaining the books. She had started with dusting, handling the volumes as carefully as if they were fine porcelain. Later she had copied crumbling texts onto new parchment and learned the secrets of preservation.”
RATING:
4 stars.
STARTED-FINISHED
7/15/2005 - 7/30/2005
August 7, 2017
In a word...disappointing. I know better than to expect consistency from Mary Jo Putney, but A Kiss of Fate was one of her weakest novels.
For one thing, the world she built was lackluster. I didn't find the idea of great and powerful mages existing under the noses of mundanes to be very convincing. In addition, none of the mages do anything interesting with their powers. In my opinion, they should have either been forbidden to interfere with the affairs of ordinary humans or they should be a highly influential (but secretive) group of people who are the next step down from royalty. I felt that the addition of real historical events made no improvement to the plot: pure fiction would have been more appropriate.
The romance was clumsily constructed. After all, Gwyneth married Duncan in the first place because the Council decreed that she should. It didn't feel as though it was a self-sacrificing act performed out of duty, either. It felt more as though Duncan simultaneously attracted and repulsed her and that she was glad that she had an excuse to act on her desire for him. She didn't even make a token effort to resist their order (pardon me; SUGGESTION) to marry him, although she had fled from him just the night before! Don't get me wrong: I have seen this plot device acted out successfully, but it wasn't convincing here.
I didn't find any of the characters to be compelling. For the most part, they were one-dimensional in their behavior and personalities. Gwyneth, in particular, does not react the way a real person in her position would.
She does not appear to experience any anxiety or guilt over her deception in marrying Duncan. She was practically ordered to spy on him after all! And why isn't Duncan more suspicious when she suddenly consents to marry him after the way she reacted to him before?
It might be better to stick with Mary Jo Putney's historical romance and skip the fantasy.
For one thing, the world she built was lackluster. I didn't find the idea of great and powerful mages existing under the noses of mundanes to be very convincing. In addition, none of the mages do anything interesting with their powers. In my opinion, they should have either been forbidden to interfere with the affairs of ordinary humans or they should be a highly influential (but secretive) group of people who are the next step down from royalty. I felt that the addition of real historical events made no improvement to the plot: pure fiction would have been more appropriate.
The romance was clumsily constructed. After all, Gwyneth married Duncan in the first place because the Council decreed that she should. It didn't feel as though it was a self-sacrificing act performed out of duty, either. It felt more as though Duncan simultaneously attracted and repulsed her and that she was glad that she had an excuse to act on her desire for him. She didn't even make a token effort to resist their order (pardon me; SUGGESTION) to marry him, although she had fled from him just the night before! Don't get me wrong: I have seen this plot device acted out successfully, but it wasn't convincing here.
I didn't find any of the characters to be compelling. For the most part, they were one-dimensional in their behavior and personalities. Gwyneth, in particular, does not react the way a real person in her position would.
She does not appear to experience any anxiety or guilt over her deception in marrying Duncan. She was practically ordered to spy on him after all! And why isn't Duncan more suspicious when she suddenly consents to marry him after the way she reacted to him before?
It might be better to stick with Mary Jo Putney's historical romance and skip the fantasy.
September 29, 2019
Duncan Macrae is a powerful weather mage - and a "Guardian" - a human with mystical abilities to control nature and to see into the hearts of others. He's also the laird of a Scottish clan. Gwynne is also from a guardian family, but appears to have not powers from her librarian father and is content with her quiet life in London. Until she meets Duncan and he recognizes her as his mate. Scared by his power, she runs until the Guardian Council encourages her to marry Duncan to balance his Scottish tendencies in the coming conflict between Bonnie Prince Charlie/the Jacobites and the Hanovarians. They marry and the mating uncovers that Gwynne is a powerful enchantress. They become intensely connected, but the pull of Prince Charlie and his heritage tear them apart when Duncan tried to aid the uprising. Gwynne sees into the future and sees the disaster the Stuarts would create. She uses her powers to bring him home and then entraps him with iron that disables his powers, so he can't help with the final battle. When the truth becomes apparent, reconciliation and forgiveness is possible. Very well done story. Some sex. Very interesting. Sequel to a story in Irresistible Forces anthology.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2020
Me parece una novela buena en cuanto a dilemas morales, lealtades enfrentadas y sentimientos cruzados en medio de una guerra civil, cuando estalla la guerra entre escoceses e ingleses en el año 1745-46. Aunque no se trate de la guerra como tal pero es un tema presente a lo largo de la historia. Duncan Y Gwynne son los protagonistas que tras su primer beso, ésta tiene una visión de muerte, destrucción y devastación en un campo de batalla, una visión donde aparece Duncan. El consejo le pide a Gwynne que se case con Duncan pues cree que ella supondrá un equilibrio para Duncan entre su lealtad a los Guardianes y su clan. El matrimonio también es un descubrimiento increíble para ella, al descubrir que después de todo si posee un poder, una habilidad inquietante y sorprendente.
En resumen es una novela interesante que si te gusta el tema te puede cautivar con historias mágicas que giran entornos a sentimientos como el odio, el amor la lealtad y la traición.
BLOG: https://acuarelasb.blogspot.com/
En resumen es una novela interesante que si te gusta el tema te puede cautivar con historias mágicas que giran entornos a sentimientos como el odio, el amor la lealtad y la traición.
BLOG: https://acuarelasb.blogspot.com/
March 26, 2018
London drawing rooms in the Regency, Scottish castle, magic, defense of England from invasion, powerful sorcerer/druid alpha male who is Laird of a Scottish clan, and an independent English widow who believes she didn't inherit her fathers powers...
All the ingredients for the best sort of paranormal historical romance. And Putney, as usual, does not disappoint!
This series was one of my first that combined fantasy with romance. I had been reading almost exclusively historical romances prior to this one, with the exception of a foray into time travel romances (which was really just another way into historical romance). This Mary Jo Putney series added in a dash of magic, but still primarily rooted in a historical romance.
And I was hooked. I still enjoy this entire series to this day, though I recommend book 1 the most (and The Marriage Spell from the very similar Stone Saints series). I was a little less impressed by books 2 and 3 though they were an enjoyable light read.
All the ingredients for the best sort of paranormal historical romance. And Putney, as usual, does not disappoint!
This series was one of my first that combined fantasy with romance. I had been reading almost exclusively historical romances prior to this one, with the exception of a foray into time travel romances (which was really just another way into historical romance). This Mary Jo Putney series added in a dash of magic, but still primarily rooted in a historical romance.
And I was hooked. I still enjoy this entire series to this day, though I recommend book 1 the most (and The Marriage Spell from the very similar Stone Saints series). I was a little less impressed by books 2 and 3 though they were an enjoyable light read.
May 8, 2019
Davina Porter saves the day in this Outlander knock off. You have her glorious talent to do all voices Scottish and English; you have some stones and lay lines; highland/jacobite mischief; Sassenach references and a whole cornucopia of Gaelic endearments. You even get a head-strong heroine, whom I found utterly annoying and maddening, along with the most bi-polar couple ever to be written about. Oh and then there is the SEX ... lots and lots of sex.
I recommend this for anyone who has read/listened to Outlander to death and needs something set in the same time period but isn't fussy about the author's craftsmanship.
I recommend this for anyone who has read/listened to Outlander to death and needs something set in the same time period but isn't fussy about the author's craftsmanship.
May 2, 2018
Nice story line- especially for Outlander fans- just threw in a little Magic here and there. Duncan certainly matched his power, he could be a bit of a blustering wind at times. I read this series backwards, in that I started with the second book and moved to this one - the first in the series- next. I will be looking for book three to read as well. The characters have been interesting and I want to know more about some of them.
July 29, 2018
The daughter of a Guardian (another name for Mage) and librarian of all things magical, orphaned Gwynne was married to her elderly Guardian employer (Lord Brecon), to secure her scried future for her much bigger role in England's and Scotland's combined fates. Her second marriage to weather mage Laird Duncan Macrae will unleash her dormant powers and also fulfill her Destiny. Another magical thrilling Romance from an Enthralling Storyteller.
May 1, 2023
I didn't finish this. The book was oddly boring. I read about half of it. I didn't particularly like the characters. I normally like Putney's writing but something about the way she writes their thoughts and dialogue bothered me. I couldn't enjoy it at all. At this point, I don't expect to finish. I didn't stop on page 50. I thought I was putting down a percentage. I don't know exactly what page I was on.
June 26, 2025
I enjoyed this Scottish historical romance. It had the right dash of paranormality with the magic system used in England by the Guardians and the explanations of their powers. I loved Duncan and Gwyneth as individual characters and as a couple. The history of the later Jacobite Rebellion in the 1730s and 1740s was fascinating and I appreciated the inclusion of period accurate attire and culture. Overall, a fun, whimsical weekend read.
February 3, 2025
Eh. It was not really romantic - they married out of duty, but because of her supernatural powers they were full of lust/smitten with each other (but even that was watered down in description), then they were pulled apart because of politics - set against the second Jacobite rising, it was like an underdone Outlander.
March 3, 2019
I have to admit that I skimmed over a good bit of the middle of this book. I know a great deal about the devastation of Scotland and its people at the time of Culloden to be able to appreciate this book fully. I'm not a fan of all the magic stuff either. I do like the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews