This novel has been previously released under the title Twist of Fate.

From bestselling author Mary Jo Putney comes an emotionally charged story of a man and a woman brought together by a passion for justice, a hunger for change, and an imperfect process.

Corporate law has given Val Covington high profile success, Armani suits—and no time for a life. Recklessly she walks away from her uptown job and starts her own practice, determined to do work that matters.

Renting a remodeled church for her new office gives her an unexpected bonus in the form of her landlord. Rob Smith is the kind of guy Val is always attracted to: mysterious, handsome, and haunted. Which means, based on her track record, that he is also a loser, but this time she’s smart enough to avoid involvement with the wrong man.

Then Val’s assistant makes a desperate plea for help in saving her one-time lover from being executed for a crime he didn’t commit. Val agrees to try, though success seems impossible. Rob, who has private reasons for wanting to work with Val, offers his formidable investigative skills in the quest for justice.

Working against the clock, Rob and Val discover irresistible mutual passion as well long hidden secrets. But will their new evidence be enough to save a life? And can two very different people change enough to build a life together?

Perhaps they can, when fate takes a hand….

This novel was named a "Top Pick!" by Romantic Times Magazine.

The Circle of Friends Trilogy:

#1: The Burning Point

#2: The Spiral Path

#3: An Imperfect Process

#4: A Holiday Fling (A Circle of Friends Novella)

Praise for An Imperfect Process:

“[An Imperfect Process] takes on the increasingly timely topic of the death penalty. By continuing to tackle difficult subjects while delivering amazing entertainment, Putney is becoming one of the most potent voices in fiction today. Powerful emotions and unforgettable characters make [this] one of the best books of the year.”

—Romantic Times

“With fully realized characters and a finely designed plot, Putney presents a convincing look at what is right and what is wrong with our system of justice.”

—Booklist

“I highly recommend [An Imperfect Process], the third book in the Circle of Friends series (after The Burning Point and The Spiral Path). It's an emotionally-charged story of honor, courage, and the healing power of love, with complex, multi-layered characters—a book readers will remember long after the last page is turned.”

—Romance Reviews Today

“[An Imperfect Process] is electrifying. Ms. Putney achieves the perfect balance between the heart of the matter and matters of the heart. [The novel] is a testimony to Ms. Putney's extraordinary writing skills and her courage to tackle challenging topics a lesser author might shy away from.”

—Winter Haven News Chief

About the Author

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney's novels are known for psychological depth and intensity and include historical and contemporary romance, fantasy, and young adult fantasy. Winner of numerous writing awards, including two RITAs, three Romantic Times Career Achievement awards, and the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from Romance Writers of America, she has had numerous books listed among Library Journal’s and Booklist's top romances of the year.