Customer Reviews

Kiss An Angel

5 star:		(93)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I admit when I first read the plot of this book I was skeptical. Arranged marriage in this day & age? Socialite ends up in a circus with her groom? Sounded pretty hokey to me. Wow, was I wrong. Daisy's character was endearing, warts and all. She truly had a heart of gold. But it took a long time for anyone to realize that. At first you wanted to smack Alex on the side of the head, but he did end up redeeming himself beautifully.

Another reviewer commented on the implausibility of the Romanov connection. That aspect of the book fascinated me so much that I started researching Alexei Romanov. I've read several books on him, found extensive info on the Internet and found out the connection isn't so implausible after all. Let's just say, it's true, fact is stranger than fiction!

This book is definitely worth the read. You'll laugh & cry & cheer!

This book was special. I read this book and fell "in love" with the two characters. I felt a particular attachment with the main character Daisy. I felt every disappointment as if I had experienced them myself. I wept through the misunderstandings, frustrations and struggles she experienced (the unfairness of it all!). In the end, I was in awe of her capacity to love/forgive. I was frustrated with Alex's inability to see Daisy for what she was-- truly special. In the end, he won my forgiveness for finally seeing her "specialness". Don't get me wrong, Daisy wasn't perfect in the "sugary" way, rather her strength of character was subtle and endearing.

Its rare, this deep connection to a character or story line. I've wept and enjoyed touching momments in other books, but this was written in a way that somehow I felt I was directly involved in the story.

SEP is a wonderful writer, and she has written some very good books. KISS AN ANGEL is my favorite. The others might be more humorous, this one is touching.

I love it when I get so pulled into a book that I can't do anything but read it. _Kiss an Angel_ is an example of romance the way it was supposed to be written. If you havn't read anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, you simply must! Her writing is vivid, humorous and unique. Her characters come alive for you. I've only read one other book by SEP, but let me tell you, I'm hooked for life. _Kiss an Angel_ has one of the most unique story lines I've ever read in a romance novel. It takes place in a circus. This was new for me, but I totally loved it. Daisy, the main character, is one we can all relate to. SEP makes her startlingly real, and all of what she does as a character is so well written that it is easy to see her motives, Alex, Daisy's husband, is a complex one. He's got so many layers, you wouldn't believe it. Let me just tell you that he's not what he seems. When these two odd balls meet, sparks fly. Daisy was so cute because at the begining of the book, she is terrified of animals, but towards the end, she's got the whole menagerie of the circus eating out of her hand. This is just a metaphor for the change that goes on through her. SEP's writing is so vivid that you will feel like you're in the circus audience watching the show. Alex and Daisy's love is really precious. The humor that is infused in this book is amazing. I've gotten some strange looks for laughing out loud numoress times. So, let me sum up _Kiss and Angel_ for you... it is a fabulous book that any romance lover must have. SEP will blow you away, and I garuntee that you will be coming back for more.

I really was not prepared to like this book as much as I thought I would. I figured it would be cheesy. I guess I should trust Susan Elizabeth Phillips - she rarely turns out a story that reader cannot help but love.

Daisy's father, a fan of all things Russian, is tired of her out of control spending and lackadaisical manner of living. He gives her an ultimatum - marry Alex Markov, or she will be cast of without any inheritance.

She unwillingly marries Alex (and the marriage vows are funny when she cannot remember his name), and he immediately whisks her off to her new lifestyle. Instead of the life of a pampered princess, she instead is the wife of a circus performer, and expected to pitch in for the good of the show. Alex does his best to make her as uncomfortable as possible.

Expecting Daisy to balk at the notion of working in a circus, instead she flourishes, excelling at caring for the animals in the menagerie. Initially, they despise each other and the circumstances that brought them together. Soon they warm up to each other, sparking jealousy in Alex's former lovers and a teen with a crush, both out to hurt Daisy. Alex has made it clear to Daisy that he will never love her, nor does he want children. Despite this, she is falling for her husband.

Alex has secrets of his own, and though he too is falling in love with his wife, he cannot seem to trust her, and his lack of trust can threaten the relationship more than any outside influences.

Let me begin by saying what a fabulous surprise this novel turned out to be for me. I have read many of Phillips's novels and while I have always enjoyed her witty writing, great characters, dead-on pacing, and steamy love-scenes, I have always had the feeling that something was missing in most of her stories: a darker and more serious romance that is barely tapped into due to a lighter and more humorous style that over-shadows most of her novels; the closest she has ever come to that type of gut-wrenching romance I usually prefer was in Heaven Texas, but even then I felt it a little lacking in substance.

However- after I picked up this novel and resigning myself into expecting a good, steamy but fluffy romance-I have absolutely changed my mind and declare that Kiss an Angel is the best Phillips has written and one of the most gut-wrenching romances I have ever read in a long time.

When I read the plot, I also thought that Phillips cannot turn this story into anything but a silly yet fun read: Arranging Daisy's marriage to a Russian circus manager that was set up by her father as punishment for Daisy's irresponsibility with her money after her mother dies in an accident sounded pretty bizarre to me.

But after reading the first couple of pages, I knew this was going to be a good story; after a couple of chapters, I thought this was a fantastic love-story, and half-way through the book my heart was aching and my stomach was fluttering and I thought this has to be one the best love stories I have ever read; by the time I finished the novel, I was sighing and wondering why the hell I cannot live in a romance novel-ahh well.

If you are wondering which novel to read of Phillips, you will absolutely fall in love with this romance and for the love of God people get rid of your "reality checks" and enjoy this fantastic love story.

Having recently delighted in the discovery of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, especially in her way with comedy, character, relationship dynamics and especially witty, snappy dialog, I was pleased to find Kiss An Angel on my library shelves. I am so glad I didn't buy it. I could hardly stand to finish it. With the exception of the pretty good running joke concerning waitresses, the dialog was just ordinary. And frankly, I can handle stupid plot if the characters are fun or sympathetic, but that was not the case here. The mega-alpha male hero is just plain abusive. I can't put it any other way. So he "softens" with the love of a good woman at the end. You think he's not going to revert to type later in their lives any time he doesn't get his way? Please. And sorry to all of you who love the wonderful Daisy. She's a dishrag. When I realized where the story line was going, I actually felt physically ill, and finished it just in the hope that it wouldn't be as bad as it was. This story suggests that the abusive controlling male can be redeemed and made human by the unselfish love and devotion of a good woman who takes all his crap and keeps coming back because "he needs her." I have no time for that, and am very disappointed to find it in the work of an author I had come to respect.

A couple of other points that bothered me because I thought they were uncharacteristically sloppy for this writer:

We are told a couple of times that although Daisy is a ditz, she is actually very bright and has an excellent if unorthodox education. Great, and I kept waiting for that to somehow come into play in the story, but it never does. A missed opportunity, in my opinion.

Secondly, what's with the cigarettes bursting into flame? It happens three times in the beginning of the story, and we are let to believe that somehow the hero has a special power. But it never comes up again in any way. Is this just bad editing?

If you've gotten this far in my review, you must know that I cannot recommend this book. If you want a good SEP, read This Heart of Mine, or Natural Born Charmer.

Count me in that minority of readers who love Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books but who found this novel one of her weaker efforts. The implausibility of the plot and characters was just too much of a strain on this reader's enjoyment. Daisy's ability to connect psychically with tigers, Alex's Romanov heritage...please! I don't expect my romance novels to be solidly factual, but _Kiss an Angel_ asks a reader to suspend not merely disbelief, but intelligence as well. Get _Lady Be Good_ or _Heaven, Texas_ instead.

I absolutely loved this book! I do not know where SEP gets her inspiration for all the wonderful books that she writes, but one thing's for sure--- I hope that she continues to write more and more books with the same talent that she shows in Kiss An Angel.

The characters Alex and Daisy are wonderful - Alex as a very tough and closed individual and Daisy - a kind hearted somewhat irresponsible woman - they come together to teach one another about the power of love and trust and of course of passion!

If you are looking for a true to the bone romantic novel - but this book! I started it this afternoon and its now 2:15 a.m. and I've only just finished it! This book is so wonderful and heart warming that my only regret is that I've finished it off so quickly!

Since then I've backlisted almost all her books, but rather than read them all, stuffing myself like a choco-holic who's found a box of Godivas, I treat myself to them, one at a time. And, let me tell you, Kiss an Angel was a treat. I'm used to SEP's sports heros, have fallen in love with them even, but Alex Markov made me long for a ticket to the circus. Watching him try to tame Daisy Deveroux was a treat. You see, he didn't understand Daisy at all. Like everyone else, Alex didn't have a clue who the stranger he married really was. Daisy might look like a spoiled, rich, ball of fluff, but as Alex starts to look closer he discovers a woman whose keen mind is only rivalled by her capacity to love. Watching this seemingly unlikely pair turn into a match made in heaven was a delight. SEP's sense of humor is only rivaled by her ability to touch her reader's heart.

As someone who suffered childhood trauma, I find this an exceptionally important book. It heals me. I've read it 5 times and I'm just beginning to understand it in a way I can articulate. It works like a fairy tale. Also it offers something like "magical realism" where what is bad is believable and the transformation to good is rather magical. Each of the characters has both strengths and weaknesses. Each has to learn how to become stronger in their areas of weakness, and use their strengths responsibly. They are tested and they go through trials. These are not realistically drawn characters--they are bigger than life and their transformations are improbable. I love them, as I would have as a child, including the animals who uphold the ethos of wildness and being true to our natures?a theme mirrored in the sexuality in this book. There is a little story within this book about Alex and Sheba that reminds me of "The Grand Inquisitor" in the Brother's Karamazov. The story stands on its own very well, but it also educates the reader for the rest of the book. The ideas in this story are a template that helps us understand other characters: different circumstances can cause similar traits; people can form strength in unhealthy ways especially in pride; and (mostly) people are not all good or all bad. All the characters attain redemption through doing things intrinsically difficult for them and thus becoming more whole. Note: Alex is not just being stubborn about love and children: he is dedicated to never allowing himself the chance to do evil by having a family without being able to love. He believes he cannot do it. He believes he is guided by a greater good when he makes things difficult for Daisy in order to discourage her love for him. Daisy's initial damage is to her lack of self confidence. By living through her trials in the Circus, she attains that self confidence. Alex is right when he says she is "the most decent person he ever met." How many books in any genre celebrate being decent as the main character's virtue? This book is carefully written to make sense, but it is not an easy read: lots of conflict here both emotional and cognitive. But I know I will read this book again and love it and be nurtured by it again. If you haven't experienced extreme trauma, you can't know how right on Phillps is in the cruelty she portrays, cruelty often dished out by people who are not demons?though it would be easier if they were. I find a relief in Phillips' portrayal of a reality so cruel I hope it is not known by many others. The magical part is to see beloved characters who have been deeply hurt become not just better, but totally well (although of course still imperfect). Even the "wicked queen" Sheba redeems herself by using her unique and frightening skills?she remains true to her nature but also becomes good. It's the kind of story I used to tell to myself over and over when I was 5, comforting and affirming, with the hope of growth and healing. My thanks to Susan Elizabeth Phillips for this gift I treasure.