The Black Angel (The St Ives) [Kindle Edition]

Barbara Samuel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A dazzling, sensual tapestry...Barbara Samuel proves once againthat she is one of the most gifted historical romance writers." -- -- Mary Jo Putney, author of The Rake

"Barbara Samuel is a sorceress, wielding her pen like a magic wand." -- -- Romance and Women's Fiction Exchange

"Not only does she write of the love between men and women, but of the powerful friendships between...women and a man's need to be free and respected." -- Romantic Times

Product Description

A full length historical romance from six-time RITA winner Barbara Samuel. Fans of Jo Beverley, Eloisa James, and Stephanie Laurens will enjoy this passionate and romantic historical romance by six-time RITA award winner Barbara Samuel.

A Taste Of Heaven

Ardor once foolishly led Lady Adriana St. Ives into the arms of a rake, an affair that cost her everything she held dear. Though that was five years ago, this golden English beauty still vows that no man will ever again ignite the sensual passion hidden deep in her soul--not even her new husband, Tynan Spenser, Earl of Glencove, a darkly handsome and rich Irish rogue.

Known as "The Black Angel" for his wild and lascivious ways, Tynan is as determined to melt his icy bride as she is to resist his seductive charms. Vowing that she will be his in just one hundred kisses, Tynan sets out to win her with a kiss each day--a challenge Riana is sure she can withstand. But the willful beauty has no idea of the power of a single kiss...

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 560 KB
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004GNFG56
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,251 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich and rewarding, March 27, 2011

By 

LaylaReader - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Black Angel (The St Ives) (Kindle Edition)

This book proved to be a wonderful surprise and I look forward to reading to other books by Barbara Samuel - especially as some as so reasonable on Kindle.

Adriana is a complex and passionate character, shamed by the consequences of her youthful indiscretion on her family - especially on her brothers, who had to flee after a duel. She tries to hide behind ill-fitting, unflattering clothes, deflecting any attention.

Her family urgently need finances and her father (now deceased) arranges her marriage to the Irish Black Angel, Tynan Spenser, Earl of Glencove. His reputation is that of a handsome rake who needs access to society in London.

Adriana cannot understand why her father insisted on her rather than one of her sisters as a match for Tynan and fails to see how her scandalous past will help him in gaining access to society.
Tynan held Adriana's father in very high regard and honours his promise, despite his initial disappointment at the apparent dowdiness of his new bride.
Adriana is determined to do her duty, but wants to keep her distance emotionally, frightened to open herself to the possible turmoil that she has suffered in the past.

Their initial impressions of each other are wrong and the book is a voyage of discovery in their relationship. Adriana is a woman of many faces with great courage and passion. Tynan is a man of honour with a sense of purpose and the desire to achieve very unselfish goals. They balance each other and that realisation is the thread of the story, ultimately making it clear that Adriana's father made a perfect choice.

The backdrop to the story is also very interesting, touching on many social and political topics: the colonies and unfair treatment of those considered inferior, religious freedom, the station of women and the hypocrisy in so-called polite society.

The characters around Adriana and Tynan are very real and command attention - from her brothers and their adventures since feeling England to the plight of Tynan's twin brother.

The pace of the plot is fast with many twists and turns, suspense and drama, paralleled by the emotional drama of Adriana and Tynan right through to the last page.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Fabulous, November 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Black Angel (Paperback)

This is one of the best historical romances I've read in years. Adriana and Tynan will dance through your head long after you put this book down. Barbara Samuel has done it again -- inhabited a story with characters who make you ache, make you smile, and make you long for the book to never end.

Adriana is a complex woman and described by her sister as "of a thousand faces." And each is an unveiling of strength, character and honor. Each is a confrontration with the double standard women continue to face. Tynan is equally well-drawn, a man who is heroic in every sense of the word, but who struggles with his own prejudices about the tarnished wife he has chosen. The reader can't help but ache for him and can't help but empathize with his difficult choices. The difficult politics of the era are hinted at and the author deftly paints a poignant picture between the haves and the have nots without ever intruding on the real point of the story, which is the unfolding relationship between Tynan and Adriana.

Whether you read this author as Barbara Samual or Ruth Wind, her books are sure to please.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Historical Romance and Prose Perfection!, September 30, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Black Angel (Paperback)

This is my first time to read Barbara Samuel, but it certainly won't be the last. I would say that The Black Angel is probably the best historical romance of 1999. The writer's prose is clean, but lyrical, and this romance is about grown-ups. Nothing silly here. I especially enjoyed that her characters were flawed, that the romance was one of passion and longing, and that Ms. Samuel added secondary characters of deep feelings. Don't miss this book. It's a wonderful read that you will enjoy over and over again.

Highly recommended.