No Longer a Gentleman, Lost Lords #4, is about to hit bookstores. (April 24th is the official release date.)
Sometime back I wrote a blog called “Another Dead Hero” because raising characters from presumed death is obviously a plot trope I enjoy. But Greydon Sommers, Lord Wyndham, was deader than most.
There are references to him earlier in the series. First, just oblique allusions to a lost and much mourned friend. Gradually it’s revealed that he was in France when the Peace of Amiens ended.
This was a brief truce from March 1802 till May 1803. The wars between France and the rest of Europe had been going on for almost ten years, and when peace was negotiated, everyone wanted to party,
And Paris is where the party was. Hordes of well-born Britons poured into the city—including my hero, Grey. One of the first class of students at the Westerfield Academy for “boys of good birth and bad behavior,” he was the golden lad who was equally adept at getting into mischief and charming his way out of the consequences.
Grey’s father, the Earl of Costain, sent his heir to Westerfield in the hope that the formidable headmistress, Lady Agnes, would be immune to Grey’s charm. While not immune, she did call him on his behavior, but it wasn’t enough to teach him good sense.
Which is why consequences finally caught up with Grey in Paris in May 1803, just as the Peace of Amiens ended. Every British male in France between the ages of 16 and 60 was interned, and most weren’t freed to return home until 1814, after Napoleon abdicated.
In the chaos of renewed war, Grey vanished. Friends such as Lord Kirkland, even then a budding spymaster, had warned him to return home before war was renewed, but Grey, who’d never been in real danger, lingered until it was too late.
But he wasn’t interned, which is why friends and family back in England didn’t know if he was alive or dead. Caught in the bed of a French official’s wife, he’d been condemned to solitary confinement in the private dungeon of the lady’s husband.
And there Grey stayed for ten long, harrowing years. What happens to an extrovert deprived of human company? To a golden haired charmer whom even close friends doubt has the will and grit to survive a harsh captivity?
Cassie Fox is a half French, half English spy who appeared in Nowhere Near Respectable. A tough and guarded woman, she lost her whole family to revolutionary violence. She has spent the last dozen years as one of Kirkland’s most capable operatives, and never expected to survive the war.
It is Cassie whom Kirkland sends to check out information that an English lordling has been held captive in Castle Durand for ten years. It is Cassie who frees Grey and must get a crazed, semi-feral man back to England. And it is Cassie who becomes the one person who can touch Grey’s anguished soul and make him feel safe.
So—not only a dead hero, but a tortured one. I loved Grey! Cassie is also fairly tortured, but Grey’s taut courage and vulnerability begin to crack the barriers around her frozen heart. This is a romance, so you know that one way or another they’ll work things out, but as always, the journey is the fun—and Grey and Cassie have a lot of journeying before they reach their happy ending.
Here’s a brief excerpt of when Cassie, disguised as an old woman, rescues Grey:
He scrambled to his feet, feasting his eyes on the sight of another human being. Better yet, a clean, normal woman. He impulsively wrapped his arms around her and crushed her warm body into an embrace, his heart pounding.
She swore and shoved at him.
"Please," he said, his voice shaking. "I've been so…so hungry for touch. Only a moment. Please!"
She relaxed and let him hold her. Dear God, she felt good! A warm, breathing woman with a sweet old-lady scent of lavender that made him think of his grandmother. He never wanted to let her go.
Here’s another excerpt that shows what happened just before this snippet.
In an extra bit of fun, Kensington did a mini-site for No Longer a Gentleman. There’s a map with the four key locations of the story. Go to the site and click on each star, and you'll get an image, a description, and a bit of music. Very cool!
I’ve been really delighted by the reviews NLAG has received. A sampling:
“Romance and wartime espionage mix delightfully in the fourth Lost Lords Regency…The unusually balanced and sensitively depicted romantic duo, suspenseful adventure, and well-researched historical background make this a must for Regency fans.”
Starred review, Publishers Weekly
“The incomparable Putney returns with a Lost Lords novel that touches readers’ hearts. No ballrooms or marriage marts appear, but spies and danger, passion and adventure and love and redemption keep readers glued to the pages and immersed in another unforgettable tale.”
Romantic Times BookClub, Kathe Robin. 4½ star Top Pick. Romantic Times BookClub KISS designation: “Mary Jo Putney’s Lord Wyndham is No Longer a Gentleman, but he’s all sexy, courageous hero.”
“With sensitivity and inimitable skill, Putney rescues another lost lord; gives him a brave, resourceful heroine who helps him heal; complicates things with foiling villains, readjusting to society, and falling in love; and weaves it all together in another beautifully written, unforgettable romance.”
Starred Review, Library Journal, reviewed by John Charles
Considering how I slogged my way through the writing, this is vastly gratifying!
I’m now working on Lost Lords #5, which is scheduled for September 2013. There will be at least a couple more books beyond that, but I really can’t say how many. These interesting, tortured fellows just keep turning up….
In the meantime, I’ll give a copy of NLAG to someone who comments between now and Tuesday midnight. (It will probably be an ARC since I don’t have author’s copies yet.)
So if you've been waiting to read about the mysterious, long missing Wyndham, here he is. And while admittedly I put Grey through a lot, he thanked me for it in the end. Really!
Mary Jo
Hi Mary Jo, I have been looking forward to this instalment of your series. Can't wait for my copy to arrive. Its hard to believe someone could survive solitary confinement for ten years as you have written, but then you only have to look at what has happened in the recent past. It is possible and probable. The human mind is much stronger than many people think.
Posted by: Jenny | Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 08:55 PM
I adore your tortured heroes. (Although I'm sure the heroes themselves wouldn't appreciate hearing that said about them ) Nice heroes are, well, nice, but angsty ones are just that much more interesting most of the time. (Of course, not everyone agrees to this, but that is my opinion.)
I am looking forward to reading NLAG soon!
Posted by: Margot | Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Hi Mary Jo,
It looks like a fascinating story. I already feel sorry for poor Grey and I have only read an excerpt. Congratulations on the great reviews!
Posted by: Maureen | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 03:14 AM
I amlooking forward to reading this sooooo much!! I love your books and the tortured hero is really my favorite! Best wishes with the release!!
Posted by: Betty Hamilton | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 03:16 AM
Oooh, I just know I'm going to love this! No one writes tortured heroes better than you do, Mary Jo! Can't wait to visit the book store!
Posted by: Cynthia Owens | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 03:41 AM
Looking forward to reading this one, Mary Jo.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 04:26 AM
Your new book sounds fabulous, Mary Jo! And Kensington's mini site is cool, too. Can't wait to read your latest!
Posted by: Laura | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 06:07 AM
I'm very excited for this one, even more so after I read what it was about. I've really been enjoying this entire series and was tickled when you told me there would be more than the expected four. I got so busy that I forgot release date is tomorrow. Perfect timing as I finished my last book last night. :)
Posted by: april | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 06:09 AM
I can't wait to read this book!
Posted by: Minna | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 06:13 AM
I've loved all the Lost Lords books, but this is the one I've been awaiting most impatiently. Based on the excerpt, I believe it's going to exceed even my high expectations.
Posted by: Janga | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 06:40 AM
Boy you do come up with amazing plots... I'll be interested to read this keeping in mind how much life changed and went on with Grey's family and friends.. We all know how it is when you've not seen friends for several years -- they are the same, yet different... children are all grown up and out of college..etc..
Posted by: Cate S | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 06:50 AM
Jenny, I walked a careful line to give Grey enough human interaction that it's plausible that he wouldn't be totally bonkers after ten years. But where that line is drawn varies from person to person. I tried to portray Grey as having reserves even he didn't suspect.
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Thanks, Maureen. When I finish a book, I never have any idea if it's any good or not, so good reviews spark the, "You like it! You really like it!" response. *g*
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 07:44 AM
Betty--
I'm not actually a sadist. *G* I like torturing heroes because for rich guys who were surely raised with a (legitimate) sense of entitlement, this is how to make them grow and change and become better people--and better heroes for the heroines. So there's a good reason for pushing these guys to the edge, and maybe over it!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 07:47 AM
**! No one writes tortured heroes better than you do, Mary Jo! **
I'm honored, Cynthia! We all need to be good at something. **evil chuckle**
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 07:48 AM
Laura--
Kensington is great at coming up with cool new promo ideas. I loved what they did with this mini-site.
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:45 PM
April--
I'm working on Lost Lords #5, and figure there will be at least two more. Quite possibly more than that! The Lost Lords world keeps expanding. *g*
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:47 PM
**'ve loved all the Lost Lords books, but this is the one I've been awaiting most impatiently. Based on the excerpt, I believe it's going to exceed even my high expectations. **
Janga--now you're giving me performance anxiety. *g* I hope you thoroughly enjoy Grey's story!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:48 PM
**Boy you do come up with amazing plots... I'll be interested to read this keeping in mind how much life changed and went on with Grey's family and friends.. **
Cate, that is definitely one of Grey's issues. His friends and family have grown and moved on, while all he's done is--survived. And he's very aware that it was his one stupidity that wrecked his life. (Not that he isn't better for it by the end. *g*)
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Anne and Minna--
I hope you're not disappointed!
MJP
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:52 PM
I love the Lost Lords series-they keep getting better and better.
Posted by: peg s. | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 01:02 PM
"ove the Lost Lords series-they keep getting better and better."
Which makes me worry about the one I'm working on now, which doesn't have as high concept a plot. Always something to worry about!
I think the Kirkland story will be rather cool. He might be #6. We'll see....
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 01:22 PM
I love stories of the long lost hero and his return to society. It's so much fun find out what happened to him and what he's gone through to finally come back home. I'm looking forward to reading No Longer a Gentleman, I know I'm going to love it.
Posted by: Barbara Elness | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 04:21 PM
I love all your books. This one sounds like another couple of boxes of tissues book to read.
Posted by: Margaret S | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 04:36 PM
I hope you love NLAG, Barbara! Like you, I love stories of the long hero returning--and shaking everything up!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 04:47 PM
Margaret--
I -think- it's only a one box of tissue read, but you might want to stock up, just in case. *g*
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 04:49 PM
Congrats on the new release, MJ! I just love your books and can't wait to read this one.
Posted by: LilMissMolly | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 07:52 PM
I have been waiting it seems like forever for "No Longer a Gentleman!" I read the previous books in about 3 days and have anxiously been waiting for this one. I love romance mixed with spies and danger.
Posted by: Adria_r | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 08:12 PM
Sounds that this is the kind of story I just heave a big sigh at the end cause I'm so content. It must feel so good after working so hard that you've gotten such great comments - Congrats to that!
Posted by: Diane Sallans | Monday, April 23, 2012 at 09:22 PM
What a terrible penalty to have to endure - Grey must have been a very strong person to make it out with his reason intact.
Posted by: Pageturner | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 12:28 AM
I've been eagerly awaiting the next book in the Lost Lords series, and I'm delight it will soon be out. Grey is obviously stronger than everyone gives him credit for. I've been intrigued by Cassie, so I'm glad she is getting her own story.
Posted by: Susannah | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 03:27 PM
There's the TBR pile, and there are books that don't get a turn in the pile. I buy them and sit out in my truck in the Barnes and Noble parking lot and Get Started. This sounds like a Parking Lot book. Keep 'em coming, please!
Posted by: Grace Burrowes | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 05:22 PM
LilMissMolly, I hope you like Grey and Cassie's story as much its predecessors!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 05:36 PM
Adria.r--like you, I like stories with adventure and danger. They raise the stakes and make the story more dramatic. Fun!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 05:37 PM
Diane--
It is very gratifying when a book gets lots of nice comments, but invariably that happens when one is wallowing through the NEXT book, the one that seems likely to be a career ender. We call this "author neurosis." *g*
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 05:39 PM
Pageturner and Susannah--
I don't think any of us know how much strenth we have until we're tested, and that's certainly true of Grey. He just skated along the surface of life--until he landed in a situation so dire that he had to find the strength to endure, or die. Naturally he finds the strength, or I wouldn't have a story!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 05:42 PM
Grace--
I do hope this is a Parking Lot Book for you. *g*
See you this weekend in Westminster!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 05:43 PM
a good tortured hero can be so much fun ;) congrats on the release and the agreement for more :)
Posted by: donna ann | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 07:15 PM
I read it all yesterday. The husband cooked dinner and made sure the child was put to bed. Later than I would have preferred, but it was a small price to pay for uninterrupted reading time on the couch. I really enjoyed it. I liked that Grey didn't feel sorry for himself or didn't place blame though I imagine he had his moments. I also really liked that he had an equal in Cassie. I think she may be one of my favorite heroines. I love how resourceful she is and how, even in the most challenging of times, she has a clear head to think things through (if not overthink them sometimes). I could name at least 2 characters I want to see again so I can't wait who gets lucky enough to be given the spotlight next.
Also, I do love a blond hero. Not sure why, but many of my favorites are.
Posted by: april | Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Mary Jo, Got the book yesterday. Loved the story, but page 362 is blank in mine. Are all copies like that or did I get a dud?
Posted by: peg s. | Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Donna Ann, tortured heroes are indeed fun. *G* I'm glad I'll be able to write more of them!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 01:41 PM
April, I'm glad you could read the book straight through! Like you, I love a blond hero, and Britain has lots more blondes than the US!.
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 01:42 PM
Peg S--
To my great regret, all or most of the print editions of NLAG are missing p. 362. I started hearing about it within hours of the release. Kensington and I are putting up pdf files of that page. Here is what is missing:
Epilogue
“I pronounce that they be man and wife together.”
With the marriage ceremony complete, Grey escorted his radiant bride down the aisle of his family’s parish church accompanied by jubilant organ music and tossed handfuls of blossoms. Indeed, wedding once was good and twice was even better.
Père Laurent had married them first in the Boyer farmhouse the morning after the raid. Grey hadn’t really thought that Cassie would change her mind, but he didn’t want to take any chances.
After sharing danger, the Boyers and Duvals felt like family, and Grey had thought he couldn’t be happier than when Père Laurent had pronounced them man and wife. Cassie had glowed and Grey knew he was beaming like the summer sun. The celebration breakfast was easily converted to a wedding breakfast with the addition of a bottle of fine wine the Boyers had been saving for a special occasion.
Bride and groom stepped out onto the church porch and Cassie leaned up to whisper, “This wedding is even better because we have our natural hair colors.”
Laughing, he brushed a kiss on her shining dark copper
DEEPEST APOLOGIES! Printer errors happen in mass market, but it's always horrible when it happens to one's own book!
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 01:45 PM
Mary Jo, Thanks so much for filling in the page! I hand wrote it in and it will be unique in my collection.
Posted by: peg s. | Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 06:32 PM
Peg S, you have a collector's item.
The latest I've heard is that there should be new books within 5 or 6 days. If they get them into the stores, you can do a swap for an non-collector's item. *G*
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 06:34 PM
I haven't read any of the Lost Lord books yet, although you *do* have your own category on my Kindle. This one sounds irresistible, so now I'll have to download the first three!
Posted by: Donna | Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 04:51 PM
Donna--
Far be it from me to suggest that you start with just the first book. *G* I really like this series. It's rather like the Fallen Angels series, built around powerful male friendships, though books aren't so long now. But I love the way these guys are there for each other.
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 04:56 PM