Stephen is Michael's brother from the 5th book in the series, so I skipped here because I really wanted to see his story. He is the Duke of Ashburton, but at the beginning of the book, he has just received news that his illness is fatal, and he has 3-6 months to live. He takes off to reflect, escape his responsibilities and falls in with a traveling troupe of actors. Rosalind is the adopted daughter of the primary actors, and she and Stephen fall in love, all while his illness worsens.
I fou...

Stephen is Michael's brother from the 5th book in the series, so I skipped here because I really wanted to see his story. He is the Duke of Ashburton, but at the beginning of the book, he has just received news that his illness is fatal, and he has 3-6 months to live. He takes off to reflect, escape his responsibilities and falls in with a traveling troupe of actors. Rosalind is the adopted daughter of the primary actors, and she and Stephen fall in love, all while his illness worsens.
I found it interesting that while many elements of the book were tropes that let me know where the story was going, I was still engrossed and tense while reading. Stephen is such a gentleman, and Rosalind is the cheerful, common-sense woman that he needs. In places, it's heartbreaking as they confront the short period of time they have left.
I also found the bits about the traveling actors fun and interesting. Ms. Putney does a wonderful job of describing their lives as they go from town to town, performing in barns and glades for appreciative villagers. It's another great book in this series and now I'm going to skip back to read the rest.

Now I'm so VERY picky when it comes to my romance novels and most of the time I'm left disappointed in some area of the book but THIS BOOK...One Perfect Rose is one I'm ready to read again tomorrow.

This book was everything I love about a romance novel. A simple love with NO ridiculously stupid complications. I never understand people who complain that the hero and heroine are too nice. WHO wants people to be asses!?!? What's WRONG with nice people? Books can be great with nice people. If ...

Now I'm so VERY picky when it comes to my romance novels and most of the time I'm left disappointed in some area of the book but THIS BOOK...One Perfect Rose is one I'm ready to read again tomorrow.

This book was everything I love about a romance novel. A simple love with NO ridiculously stupid complications. I never understand people who complain that the hero and heroine are too nice. WHO wants people to be asses!?!? What's WRONG with nice people? Books can be great with nice people. If you don't think so than you obviously don't gave a good taste of what makes a good story if you think someone has to be cruel for a story to be good. Authors and readers alike. There's no big misunderstanding here which is a major gold star in any book but seriously the main plot is the hero is dying! I think that's ENOUGH of an obstacle to where no misunderstanding or ass personalities aren't needed.

Stephen, the Duke of Ashburton is given a dour diagnosis from his family physician and a time line of 3 months at the most to live. Stephen, unable to grasp the news immediately packs his bags and starts traveling the country to come to terms. Just when he does, he runs into the Fitzgerald Theater Troupe and watches their play and is taken with the personable nature of one of the actresses. When he saves the life of young Brian Fitzgerald while injuring himself. Grateful for his heroics the friendly Fitzgeralds allow daughter Rosalind to nurse him back to health. Stephen naturally stays with the group loving that people like him for Stephen and not the Duke of Ashburton. And of course, he and Rosalind connect.

Reading Stephen and Rosalind's relationship truly grow from a deep friendship to a slow burning love makes this one of my FAVORITE romance novels ever and I mean that. Stephen tells only Rosalind of his deteriorating health and wants her with him for his final days because she's brought him more happiness in a few weeks than he's had his whole life. She agrees because a few months with him is better than nothing and because she's cares so deeply for him. Unknowing to both of them that that affection is the growing power of love.

She stays by his side and it's TRULY heartbreaking to watch them have wonderful days then calm and remember that time is running out for them. I've never cried reading a book until this one. You'll feel as if you're Rosalind because Stephen is so wonderful and Rosalind is such a strong and likable heroine. Rosalind and Stephen are a lot alike in personality so it's easy to see how and why they're drawn to each other and both have similar pasts as a widow and widower and you just want the best for them and so much love. For worrywarts, remember this is a ROMANCE novel when you worry about reading a book where the hero dies. Romance novels = what type of ending????

I didn't see the twist coming but I did see on revelation that I wondered about early on.

Overall, BUY this book ASAP. It's so good you won't regret. Take it from one VERY picky reader. If you're sick of big misunderstandings, the same old love story formula and awful villains then PICK UP this book because it's so different from all of that you'll love it. You'll love every character and that is a tough feat in novels.

I had read a teaser of this book after Rafe's story, and had wanted to read this one since then. It's a beautiful, lovely story. Stephen is the kind of hero romantic legends are made of...he is kind, thoughtful, loyal, intelligent, brave, sensitive, and an incredible giver. Rosalind is a nice, likable heroine, but she pales in comparison to Stephen. The story has its drawbacks...Rosalind's past, for example. It's so predictable and so cliche. Her reunion was a minor irritation because I wante...

I had read a teaser of this book after Rafe's story, and had wanted to read this one since then. It's a beautiful, lovely story. Stephen is the kind of hero romantic legends are made of...he is kind, thoughtful, loyal, intelligent, brave, sensitive, and an incredible giver. Rosalind is a nice, likable heroine, but she pales in comparison to Stephen. The story has its drawbacks...Rosalind's past, for example. It's so predictable and so cliche. Her reunion was a minor irritation because I wanted the action to get back to Stephen and Michael's chase of him. Then there is the scene where Catherine meets Rosalind for the first time. Rosalind addresses her as Lady Michael, but Catherine doesn't call her 'Your Grace'. I don't think you could address dukes and duchesses by their first names unless invited to do so, even if you are family. Michael does the same. It shows a lack of respect, as though Catherine didn't really think much of Rosalind, no matter her title. Of course, we know exactly what Michael thought. Rosalind's being a heiress is also very predictable and convenient. Even if she had to be of noble birth, why a heiress? Stephen knows she is not a fortune hunter. Why couldn't that be enough? The after life was also done a little too brown. The side characters are delightful, mainly Jessica and her 'The Parents'. But Stephen is what makes this story so heartbreakingly lovely despite its flaws. A must read.

I am so glad I read this story. It had a quality and depth that will make it one of the most memorable historical romances I have read. Masterful plotting, wonderful, realistic characters and dialogue that flows easily. Although it at first appears to deal with depressing subject matter (the hero is told he has a fatal illness and will die in a few months)the story becomes one of facing one's place in life and discovering how to appreciate joy in the face of adversity. The courage of the main...

I am so glad I read this story. It had a quality and depth that will make it one of the most memorable historical romances I have read. Masterful plotting, wonderful, realistic characters and dialogue that flows easily. Although it at first appears to deal with depressing subject matter (the hero is told he has a fatal illness and will die in a few months)the story becomes one of facing one's place in life and discovering how to appreciate joy in the face of adversity. The courage of the main characters and their willingness to seize happiness, for however short a period, is a lesson in life for the reader.

Stephen, the Duke of Ashburton is told he has a fatal condition and leaves the familiarity of his privileged and restrictive life to learn to how to face death. While traveling incognito, he meets Rosalind, an actress with her own reasons for sadness, who has the courage to love a dying man. The plot has many surprising twists but is easily followed. The love scenes are tenderly done and the ending is satisfying.

What more could you want?