Seducing an Angel
by Mary Balogh
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Book Summary Information
Author: Mary BaloghEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-05-19
ISBN: 0385341059
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Book Reviews of Seducing an Angel
Book Review: Lack of conflict makes this a lackluster novel
Summary: 3 Stars
This year, I was rather surprised to see longtime romance writer Mary Balogh releasing a four part series -- but with each book coming out in successive months. That's rather unusual, as I don't know of many authors that can crank out books that quickly, nor of many publishers that would be willing to risk so much time and space. And being that I'm rather fond of reading this author, I decided to take on the series, and read them as they were released.
In Seducing an Angel the only Huxtable son, Stephen, now of age, and in full possession of the estates and wealth of the Earl of Merton, is happily spending his time being a rake about town in London. His sisters have all married, and busy raising families of their own, but Stephen doesn't feel any great need to set up his own family. At least not yet.
Nearby, a young widow, Cassandra, Lady Paget is finding herself hovering on the edge of ruin. Scandal over her former husband's death has haunted her, and as the money that she did have has completely run out, she is forced to make a desperate decision. To support her small household, she intends to become a wealthy man's mistress. Her companion, Alice Haytor is horrified, and tries to talk her out of this rash decision -- but Cassandra is determined. And she intends to go about her goal in a rather cold-blooded, very businesslike way.
First, she goes forth on a casual walk in Hyde Park, looking over the fashionable men, hoping that her disguise of widow's veils will give her some cover. Then she crashes a Society gathering, and meets Stephen, Lord Merton. They're both very much attracted to each other, and Cassandra seduces him, taking him home and bedding him, and then coolly laying out her side of the business arrangement.
Interestingly enough, Stephen accepts the offer -- but soon changes the terms of the deal. He wants all of Cassandra, not just the seductive parts. Cassandra isn't too certain of this deal, but agrees to it, if only for the sake of the money. After this, it's pretty much a given that the couple will fall in love and marry.
Sigh. I knew there was something too good about this story. I was hoping for something more, especially from an author of Ms. Balogh's caliber, but here, she drags out nearly every single cliché in the historical romance genre and then sucks whatever vitality there might have been in it. I can handle one or two clichés in a novel, but here, it goes on endlessly, along with many visits from the Coincidence Fairy.
The first time that Cassandra and Stephen are in bed together is one of the most bloodless, chilly encounters in romantic prose that it would be enough to turn anyone off of sex, for good. The second time they're in bed together isn't that interesting either. Toss in the fact that Cassandra is one icy person, especially in her pursuit of being a mistress, that it just grated to read about her -- she might be conniving, but I could have handled that if it wasn't for the fact that Ms. Balogh tossed in every single rotten cliché into the mix. You get the devoted servants, ugly dead husband with all of the emotional trauma attached, a child that seems to have no parents, and to cap it all off -- a crippled, loveable dog.
I came pretty close to hurling this book through the wall at the midpoint of this story, but grit my teeth and soldiered on. The story continued to meander along, and when it finally ground on to a close, all of the conflicts were resolved, everyone was happily settled, and I was left feeling very disappointed. Mary Balogh can write so much better than this claptrap, and to be honest, should have taken the time to do a proper job of it and make her characters not so two dimensional and a bit more sympathetic.
While I can honestly say that I gave this an honest chance, it's not a book that I would read again. The quality of the writing is decent and fairly good, but the plot devices are so hackneyed that there is little here to save the book from mediocrity. I say, skip it, and stay with Ms. Balogh's older novels, they're more interesting and better written.
Three stars, and not recommended.
Summary of Seducing an Angel
In a time unlike any other, a family you?ll never forget . . . Meet the Huxtables?three headstrong sisters and their dashing brother?each searching for love that?s always a shocking indiscretion away. . . . In her magnificent new novel, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh sweeps us into a world of scandal and intrigue?glittering Regency England?and introduces the youngest Huxtable: Stephen, the only son. Here Stephen will risk his reputation and his heart as he enters a scandalous liaison with the infamous beauty intent on seduction. But when passion turns the tables on them both, who can say who has seduced whom?He must be wealthy, wellborn, and want her more than he wants any other woman. Those are the conditions that must be met by the man Cassandra Belmont chooses for her lover. Marriage is out of the question for the destitute widow who stands accused of murdering her husband and must now barter her beauty in order to survive. With seduction in mind, she sets her sights on Stephen Huxtable, the irresistibly attractive Earl of Merton and London?s most eligible bachelor. But Stephen?s first intriguing glimpse of the mysterious, alluring Lady Paget convinces him that he has found the ideal woman to share his bed. There is only one caveat. This relationship fueled by mutual pleasure must be on his terms.
As the two warily circle each other in a sensual dance of attack and retreat, a single night of passion alters all the rules. Cassandra, whose reputation is already in tatters, is now in danger of losing the one thing she vowed never to give. And Stephen, who wants Cassandra more than he has ever wanted any woman, won?t rest until she has surrendered everything?not as his mistress?but as his lover and wife. . . .
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