Veils of Silk

by Mary Jo Putney

Book Overview

After years of captivity in western Asia, a courageous army major finds hope for the future in a bold woman who dares to accept his marriage proposal, shed her Victorian propriety-and unleash a sensual nature that will set him on fire.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451204557
• ISBN13: 9780451204554
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

A moving love story with adventure!

This novel, the last of the "Silk" trilogy is a wonderful read. The main character, Ian Cameron,a British officer assigned to India, has been imprisoned and tortured in "The Black Well" in Arabia and recently freed by his sister and her husband. He returns to India a broken man, having lost his eye and his sexual function. To make matters worse, his fiancee has married another man. While in India, Ian learns from his brother that he has unexpectedly become the Baron Falkirk, and needs to return to Scotland. Still depressed, Ian remains in India to deliver a bible written by a Russian with whom he shared his imprisonment. The Russian was later executed, and Ian promised to give Pytor (the Russian) his bible to his niece, Laura (who is also in India). Ian finds Laura in her own private misery, having just lost her stepfather, and notices how she is averse to men being attracted to her. In a bold move, he tells her of his impotence and proposes a marriage of convenience without sexuality, but with fidelity. Laura agrees,although Ian is in the dark as to why she wants no part of sex.What follows is their marriage, and journey through India to tie up loose ends. This novel has a lot of historical detail about India, the culture, and political problems along the Khyber Pass.Laura and Ian find themselves in some Indian intrigue, as well as deciphering the coded secrets of the bible Pytor left behind. During this time, Ian finds his impotence was only temporary and now is in a bind. He is attracted to Laura but feels guilty about breaking his promise. Overall, the way they both come to terms with the sexuality issue is interesting and becomes romantic as they do fall in love.One of MJP strongest suits is that she addresses issues atypical in the romance industry, such as depression and impotence. She is unafraid to push the boundaries of historical romance fiction. In my opinion, this puts her in class that is a cut above the usual.Overall, this novel is very enjoyable. However, be prepared for lots of secondary Indian politics and intrigue.

Best of the Trilogy

What can I say but MJP finished the "Silk" Trilogy with a flourish. Though romance was kept at a minimal in this book compared to the previous two, the exotic setting, high adventures, interesting supporting cast and subplots more than made up for it. Laura and Ian are tortured souls with their own inner demons. MJP once again brings these two together so that they may complete each other. I had fun reading this series and was sorry MJP did not write David Cameron's own story. I feel that he deserves his own book as he has a lot of potential for his love story to be told.

Exotic locale, sultry romance, what more could you want?

Well, some things you might want are believable main characters, an interesting plot that grows out of the historical setting, a cast of supporting characters who each seem so finely drawn as to deserve a novel of their own, and smooth, fluent writing. If that's your wish list for a historical romance novel, this one delivers.The most amazing thing about this novel is the main characters. Both are flawed individuals whose flaws first seem to fit together beautifully (so they embark on a marriage built around those "flaws"), but as the story unfolds, this fit disintegrates, leaving them with the challenge of addressing their individual demons and coming together, or blowing apart in a maelstrom of hurt and anger. The heroine alternately embraces and rejects her own struggle, in an entirely plausible way, and eventually takes ahold of herself and steps up to the challenge posed by her marriage. The hero, meanwhile, is fighting his own battles against the results of being traumatized (as a minor character in the earlier novel _Silk_and_Secrets_, which I also recommend). In the end, these characters come together as healed lovers, whose healing grew out of their courage.And it's all believably set in 19th century India. The place and time are evoked beautifully, and the action of the plot is firmly grounded in history. In some ways, the plot is a little over-wrought, but then, so was British India at that time.This book stands up to rereading wonderfully.

A beautiful and touching story

This is one of the best historical romances I have ever read. It intricately weaves the politics and history of 19th century India with a touching and beautiful love story. The characters of Laura and Ian were unforgettable. MJP is an incredible storyteller. She integrates history, politics, angst, and love into an incredibly enjoyable read.

The best of the triology!!

This book is charged with emotions, adventures .....and of course romance. Personally, I feel that this book has ended beautifully. This book really give me a feeling of satisfaction. There's also a touch of humour in this book. Of all the Silk Trilogy , I find this book the best. I think it's because this book's far more eventful.