Wicked Angel (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "Paul Hill the first stab of true panic-a young woman was wearing what he thought was one of his sister's gowns..." (more)
Key Phrases: betrothal agreement, pumpkin field, Countess Bergen, Miss Hill, Lady Paddington (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lauren Hill is about to be married off to the highest bidder once again by her greedy guardian, who is livid that she gave up her late husband's fortune. She tries to stop his matchmaking schemes by going into trade with the local villagers, but her estate is in dire straits and she needs a cash infusion. Lauren's guardian blackmails her into agreeing to spend a season in London and eventually get married. The ton is enchanted with the beautiful Countess Bergen (her official, if empty, title). Lauren, however, is disappointed with the men, especially when she compares them to a certain kind and generous country gentleman she met briefly that summer named Lord Alex Christian. No one is more surprised than she when Christian turns out to be none other than the aloof, influentialAand engagedADuke of Sutherland. Despite his duties and responsibilities, Alex breaks his engagement for his new love. Yet Lauren cannot bear to bring scandal to the man she loves and becomes engaged to another. London (The Devil's Love) fails to enliven an overused plot in this lukewarm Regency.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Forbidden love is always a scandalous choice....

She raced across the pasture, vaulted a fence, and landed, stunned and breathless, on top of the most handsome man she had ever seen. The bemused stranger stayed to capture the fancy of the brood of orphaned children in her charge, then stole Lauren Hill's heart with a searing kiss as he left. Lauren couldn't tell him she was a widowed countess fallen on hard times. She tried to forget him--until she saw him again at a London ball. The man who haunted her dreams was a duke, out of her class...and he was pledged to another woman.

The ton is ablaze with talk of the ravishing Bavarian countess. Stunned, Alexander Christian, Duke of Sutherland, recognizes Lauren as the country girl who's captured his heart. Duty has forced him to pledge himself to another, to take his proper place in society and in Parliament. He wants one night with his blue-eyed enchantress, but will he be able to walk away from her again, or will he risk it all to be with the woman who fires his blood and makes him think of a . . . Wicked Angel.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dell (May 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440226325
• ISBN-13: 978-0440226321
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,289 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exhausting but very rewarding book!, June 5, 2003

By	"readinganddreaming" (Green Country, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

When I finished reading Wicked Angel, I had to just stop everything and let my mind rest. I was overwhelmed and exhausted emotionally! From almost the beginning of this book, I knew that it was a five star rated book. It was immediately engrossing.

Alex Christian, the Duke of Sutherland, carries a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He is, of course, known in all of England because he is a duke, terribly handsome, very rich, single, young, and extremely influential politically. As he believes it is time for him to marry and produce an heir, he has requested the hand of an important political ally's daughter in marriage two years previously. They will be married within six months. He doesn't love the girl but is fond of her and knows she will make a great duchess. He is yet another one of those heroes that think love for a spouse is neither realistic nor desirable. Then his well-ordered life takes a sudden shift. He is hunting at his country lodge when he stumbles upon a country lady having a disagreement with a belligerent hog. He is so taken with her that he extends his hunting trip just to be around her. He knows it is all nonsense because of all his duke duties but cannot resist her for a little while. During this two-week period, their relationship is innocent and sweet. But his responsibilities require him to return to London and Alex never expects to see the lovely country lady again although it makes him very sad.

Lauren Hill is that lovely country lady. Although her speech, education, and mannerisms proclaim her a lady, she first encounters Alex as she is singing to a hog in a cornfield right before the animal charges her and she leaps across the fence into Alex's arms. For the next two weeks, he observes her perform all sorts of manual chores and even sees her wearing her brother's old pants and shirt. He is shocked but pleasantly surprised to find that she has five wards, orphans, who she cares for and loves deeply. Lauren is totally taken with Alex and finds herself in love with him. She has no idea that he is a duke. Lauren lives on a run down country estate with her uncle, brother, housekeeper, a mentally challenged boarder, and the five orphans. She is desperately attempting to make a living from the old estate. Her uncle wants to her to marry and better their situation but Lauren has no desire to marry again.

Lauren's uncle, some years previous, had bartered her in marriage to a very old Count from Germany. She was married to the old Count for two years prior to his death. Since she had not provided him with an heir - a portion of the marriage agreement - she returned her inheritance, as his Countess, to the next Count and returns home to England penniless, much to her uncle's chagrin.

Now fast-forward four months to London. Lauren's uncle has forced her back into society so that she may marry well once again. She is introduced everywhere in London by her married title of Countess. Imagine both Alex and Lauren's great surprise when they encounter each other at a party and find that each bears a title. Neither one of them is very happy with the other because of the little secrets they have both withheld. However, Lauren is ecstatic to see Alex and then heartbroken when she is informed that he is engaged and will be married in two months.

Now the real story begins and it is a roller coaster. Lauren's uncle is blackmailing her to remarry well. She cannot waste time with Alex but he won't leave her alone. He seems to be everywhere she goes and although he believes he can never marry Lauren, he is obsessed with her. Of course, several very eligible men are pursuing Lauren and are very serious in marrying her. This makes Alex crazy with jealousy. This is certainly a time when the old saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too" would definitely apply to Alex because that is exactly what he wants. He wants Lauren despite the fact that he is getting married.

We see much kindness and caring from both Alex and Lauren. They are both very likable characters. The story was wonderful and it was difficult for me to ever put it down. There are only two sensual scenes and they rate a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). You don't miss these sensual scenes because this is one of those books that has such good writing - it isn't missed. Towards the end of the book, the leads hit some really rough spots and you feel drained and a little betrayed that the story has taken such a sudden turn. There are some major issues to be addressed. This is my one criticism of the book. This sudden turn of events feels like one of those overwritten romance novel plot lines that just doesn't seem necessary.

This was my first book by Julia London. I am definitely looking forward to reading her other books. I think I have uncovered yet another great author. And although I did not appreciate the plot twist late in the book, I still hold Wicked Angel in very high esteem. It was fun, entertaining, amusing, sad and, at times, distressing. It is overall a very well written book that deserves its high rating.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars unbelievable, October 27, 1999

By	Kimberly Madison (Northport, alabama USA) - See all my reviews

Julia London is quickly nipping at the heels of Judith McNaught. This book was a refreshing change from the overused plots of most other novels. The character's had a real depth to them and while reading my heart REALLY hurt during the most touching moments of the book. And just when you think she's gonna wrap things up because there is only a few pages left, Julia throws another curve ball in there! With out a doubt one of the best books I have ever read!

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Should Get 10 STARS!, July 2, 2000

By A Customer

My GOD how can anybody say this was book was not good? I literally did not want it to end so.... I just started reading from the beginning again. I read Julia London's newest novel "The Dangerous Gentleman" and liked it so much that I decided to read all of her books. I read "Devil's Love" but out of all her books, "Wicked Angel" is my favorite. Never have I read a book twice. Lauren and Alex were so real. I really cannot fathom why ANYONE could possibly say this book was not good. I wish there was a higher rating than 5 stars, this book deserves it. She is definitely on my list of favorite authors. I can't wait until her next book. Julia, if you read the reviews, how about writing Arthur's story (Alex's brother). I sure would love to see him smitten by love. Keep it up Julia, you do know how to capture a reader's attention!