Helpful Score: 5
Reviewer: tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - Reviewer: tregatt (Portland, Oregon) -
Everyone knows that the Black Angel (so named because of a tattoo located on her left breast) has an agenda: to take from the blue-blooded rakish cads and to give to the women (discarded mistresses, raped housemaids, etc) they have wronged. Many of the "gentlemen" she has robbed have sworn to bring her down, but so far none have had any success. It is almost as if no one in London's great underworld knows who the Black Angel is. And then Black Angel decides to take down the Marquess of Devellyn, unwittingly setting in motion a series of events she never anticipated. For Devellyn is unlike her other marks. To begin with he's not the cad she thought he was, and then there is the fact that she is rather attracted to him. In the greater scheme of things, the Black Angel's feelings for the Marquess of Devellyn shouldn't matter, for a thief and a lord are unlikely to mix socially. But the Black Angel is actually a lady; a lady moreover who has recently acquired Devellyn as a neighbour -- a neigbour who seems quite intent on getting to know her intimately. And while Sidonie Saint-Godard (her identity is revealed in the plot synopsis on the backcover) quite enjoys the attentions, part of worries about what will happen if Devellyn ever discovers who her alter-ego is. And part of her cannot help but be jealous by Devellyn's obsession with the Black Angel...
If you're looking for a compelling read, complete with two angst filled principal characters and a few highly sensual love scenes, "The Devil to Pay" has your name on it. Well written and briskly paced, this was a fast and completely absorbing read. Liz Carlyle did a wonderful job of "fleshing" out her heroine and hero and making them seem like real (with both good points and hang-ups) and likable (in spite of Devellyn's rather over the top reaction when he discovers who the Black Angel really is). Some readers, however, may feel a little leery about the hero and heroine's first sexual encounter which starts off with the hero more or less forcing himself on her. I'll admit I'm still of two minds about that scene, in spite of the fact the author did salvage that scene completely. All in all however, a really good read.
Everyone knows that the Black Angel (so named because of a tattoo located on her left breast) has an agenda: to take from the blue-blooded rakish cads and to give to the women (discarded mistresses, raped housemaids, etc) they have wronged. Many of the "gentlemen" she has robbed have sworn to bring her down, but so far none have had any success. It is almost as if no one in London's great underworld knows who the Black Angel is. And then Black Angel decides to take down the Marquess of Devellyn, unwittingly setting in motion a series of events she never anticipated. For Devellyn is unlike her other marks. To begin with he's not the cad she thought he was, and then there is the fact that she is rather attracted to him. In the greater scheme of things, the Black Angel's feelings for the Marquess of Devellyn shouldn't matter, for a thief and a lord are unlikely to mix socially. But the Black Angel is actually a lady; a lady moreover who has recently acquired Devellyn as a neighbour -- a neigbour who seems quite intent on getting to know her intimately. And while Sidonie Saint-Godard (her identity is revealed in the plot synopsis on the backcover) quite enjoys the attentions, part of worries about what will happen if Devellyn ever discovers who her alter-ego is. And part of her cannot help but be jealous by Devellyn's obsession with the Black Angel...
If you're looking for a compelling read, complete with two angst filled principal characters and a few highly sensual love scenes, "The Devil to Pay" has your name on it. Well written and briskly paced, this was a fast and completely absorbing read. Liz Carlyle did a wonderful job of "fleshing" out her heroine and hero and making them seem like real (with both good points and hang-ups) and likable (in spite of Devellyn's rather over the top reaction when he discovers who the Black Angel really is). Some readers, however, may feel a little leery about the hero and heroine's first sexual encounter which starts off with the hero more or less forcing himself on her. I'll admit I'm still of two minds about that scene, in spite of the fact the author did salvage that scene completely. All in all however, a really good read.
Helpful Score: 2
By day, Sidonie Saint-Godard is a quietly elegant young widow who teaches deportment to the unpolished daughters of London's nouveau riche. By night, she is someone altogether different.... The notorious Black Angel
One of my favorite books.... Devellyn has such passion for two women, or so who thinks!! I couldn't put it down.
One of my favorite books.... Devellyn has such passion for two women, or so who thinks!! I couldn't put it down.
Helpful Score: 1
good book...couldnt put it down
Helpful Score: 1
Sidonie is determined to help exploited women, even if it means she has to masquarade as odd characters to steal into the lives of the ruthless men. Her alias, Black Angel, decides to take on the Marquess of Devellyn, not realizing that he's decided he can't live without Sidonie... though he often thinks of the Black Angel too. How can one man feel such intense passion for 2 different women? Page turner!
