Carousel of Hearts

Having read all of MJP's newer full size books, I just have to say this book was absolutly delightful. Without rehashing the complex story line, I just want to say, it just shows what can happen when people are too noble, don't want to hurt others feelings and keep their honest feelings to themselves. You couldn't help but love all 4 main characters in the book because they were all flawed in some way. Flaws are easier to love than perfection. A real page turner. This HTF book was definitly worth the couple extra $ to obtain.

This, along with THE DIABOLICAL BARON (reprinted), is one of the rare Regencies that Mary Jo Putney has not expanded and rewritten. It is somewhat hard-to-find. Fortunately, most of her backlist is regularly reissued for new fans. However, I am not sure that this book has been reissued at all. It is however not as highly-priced as the HTF Baloghs, Kellys, or Chases.The story is one of those romances in which you are completely unsure as to which hero will end up with the heroine. If you like such a plot, let me also recommend Edith Layton's THE DUKE'S WAGER (available in a reprinted duo). The diference in CAROUSEL OF HEARTS is that Putney has created two love stories (two heroes, two heroines) and has made all the characters (well nearly all of them) thoroughly likeable. That is indeed a rarity.The story begins with an impetuous young baroness (the daughter of an earl, but she has inherited an ancient barony as her father's only child - kudos to MJP for getting this right) rejecting the idea of a companion. However, she realizes that her aunt has brought along a young widowed relation who has overheard their argument. Partly out of guilt, and partly out of pity for this poor relation, the baroness (Lady Antonia) agrees to accept the widowed Judith as a companion, saying that she can always do with an extra friend. Judith has not had a very happy life as a penniless young woman always dependent on richer relatives, and she married a clergyman who concealed his fatal illness from her (wanting a nurse for his last years). But, as it turns out, Antonia (her employer, the baroness) has not had that glorious a childhood either, even though she denies this to herself through the novel. Judith and Antonia get along well together, and Judith acquires a handsome new wardrobe.Enter the hero, or rather one of the heroes. He is a distant cousin of Antonia, brought up with her on a remote family estate. Adam is illegitimate, the son of a cousin of Antonia's father. His father had revolutionary ideas, including a rejection of marriage. However, he persuaded a minister's daughter to run off with him, and refused to marry her when she was pregnant. When his father died, his mother was obliged to work as a seamstress to make ends meet - and on her death, Adam became a chimney sweep's climbing boy, until he was rescued by the Earl. There is much more to the story of course.Adam brings along a friend of his, a titled young gentleman whom he met in India. This friend Simon is so handsome and so well-dressed that both Antonia and Judith fall for him. Antonia becomes engaged to Simon, while Adam offers marriage to Judith. Adam, however, has always loved Antonia since he was a young boy brought in by the Earl to Antonia's birthday party. It was this love that motivated him to make a fortune in India. And Adam has helped Simon out of a difficult situation (being tricked by the family solicitor) and advised him as to how to recoup his fortune.The sto