Mary Jo Putney Books

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Mary Jo Putney is an American bestseller that writes historical romance, contemporary romance, and romantic fantasy. Born in New York, Putney was an English major.

She pursued the subject because she loved reading. But then the author met an industrial design student that was seemingly having more fun than her, so she changed majors.

Putney doesn’t regret the decision because she fell in love with design. At the time, she had no intention of pursuing writing as a career, so she was more than happy to dedicate her life to design.

Putney worked for The New Internationalist Magazine (London) as an art editor. The author was living in Oxford with a friend when she landed the position.

Putney had years of experience as a designer. As such, while her friend attended graduate school, she looked for work. The New Internationalist Magazine was just starting at the time, and Putney appreciated the opportunity it gave her to interact with idealistic designers and artists.

Writing only entered the picture when the author started her freelance graphic design company in Baltimore. She bought a computer and printer for her business because she wanted to get a tax deduction
But then she realized that a computer would make writing so much easier. As a child, Putney was an avid reader. She spent hours consuming stories filled with action, adventure, and romance. However, the notion of writing fiction for a living never occurred to the author because she spent her childhood on a farm in the country.

She did not know any writers. Therefore, it never occurred to Putney that she could write stories like the ones she loved to read. But when she got her first computer, Putney surrendered to the desire to put her stories on paper.

The author quickly realized that she had the storytelling instincts required to pen publishable regency romance novels. Her first book was called ‘The Diabolical Baron.’

She consulted a friend and fellow writer, Lindsay McKenna, who connected Putney to an agent. At the time, the author was not looking to secure an agent. She just wanted some professional feedback.

Ruth Cohen, the agent in question, made several editorial suggestions before sending the manuscript to an editor at Signet Regency. Hilary, the editor, liked what she saw. After talking to Putney, she offered the aspiring writer a three-book contract.

The contract was not particularly lucrative. Nonetheless, it blew Putney’s mind that the first publisher Ruth contacted had accepted their submission. The author admits that she had a much easier time getting her foot through the publishing door because the romance genre was still expanding.

Aspiring writers in the 21st Century shouldn’t expect to replicate Mary Jo Putney’s journey. She had it easier than most.

Mary Jo Putney Awards

Putney has won RITA Awards.

Best Mary Jo Putney Books

The author has written romantic fantasy novels using the ‘M.J. Putney’ penname. Putney’s best books include:

The Rake: Reginald lived a reckless life, and for a good reason. Once his uncle died, Reggie would inherit the earldom. He thought his future was set in stone. But then the rightful heir came along and changed Reginald’s fate.

The rake had one last hope. He was expected to take control of Strickland. Reginald associated the estate with bitter memories. However, he was determined to start over.

Unfortunately, Alys Weston did not want him around. Alys left her home under dire circumstances. But Strickland had given her a new family. The steward used her position to help people.

The last thing she wanted was for the estate’s new owner to upend everything she had worked so hard to build.

Alys had survived because the elderly earl thought she was a man. Reginald wouldn’t fall for the same trick. His passion matched hers, and even though the rake was determined to live an ordinary life, Alys’ past had taught her to mistrust men.

Thunder and Roses: The Welsh countryside had nothing to offer Nicholas Davies. The son of a gypsy, a shocking betrayal had ruined the rake’s life. But Clare did not care. The Methodist school teacher had a problem, and Nicholas was her only answer.

She wanted to appeal to his humanity. Unfortunately, Nicholas was unmoved. He would only help Clare if she agreed to live with him for three months.

When Does The Next Mary Jo Putney book come out?

The next book by Mary Jo Putney is Golden Lord and will be released on November, 26th 2024. It is the newest book in the Dangerous Gifts Series.

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