One Perfect Rose (Fallen Angels)

Wow, what an incredible story. Stephen, diagnosed with a deadly disease decides to go on a 'holiday' for a while. With a theater group in town, he decides to attend. He meets Rose. They immediately feel a mutual attraction. Knowing that he's dying makes him rethink a relationship. He doesn't feel it would be fair to her. As the days count down, he starts getting sicker and sicker, losing weight, etc. I had to put the book down several times to wipe my eyes. I know this sounds stupid but it's the truth. I didn't realize this is the 4th of the Fallen Angel series. Had I known, I think I would have read them in order. Instead I have to go back and at least read the other three in order. Thunder & Roses, Dancing on the Wind, and Shattered Rainbows are the first three. A Perfect Rose is the 4th. Neverthless, this is a very good read.

I had never read this author's work before picking up this book. I am delighted to find another author to add to my collection of top-rated works! I know I will be reading more of her books.The theme and plot for this story are not completely new, because we've all read or seen movies about two lovers who face the death of one of them. What made this unique for me was the time, and the setting: there is a particular helplessness and poignancy in facing a terminal diagnosis when technology isn't there to promise any hope (false or otherwise). The author uses this as an opportunity to explore psychological and spiritual aspects of dealing with one's own - or one's beloved's - mortality. There was a depth of characterization for Stephen and Rosalin that I won't forget, and their dialog and scenes together were so wonderfully natural that I felt like I was looking into someone's window at a real life. Their relationship develops gradually after a fair amount of soul searching, which allows their sexual involvement to flow naturally and with believability - no quick bed hopping here. But it made the story even more enjoyable, and I had some bad moments wondering what would happen to them and how it would end. My only disappointment was that when the end came, it was so swiftly completed; I felt the story "hurried" a little at this point. However, that was not enough to deter me from giving it 5 stars. I plan on both keeping it to re-read in the future, and recommending it to my friends.

I just reread this book after reading all the fallen angle stories involving Michael Kenyon. I had forgotten how much this book impressed me. I love MJP's treatment of deep issues like death and spirituality. I found that this went well beyond the typical love story to much deeper emotions and I loved it. Keep up the excellent work Mary Jo. Your readers appreciate you!