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The Short and Fascinating Tale of Angelina Whitcombe
by
Sabrina Darby (Goodreads Author)
Wanted:
A beautiful young woman—preferably one with no connections, who won’t ask too many questions—to spend two weeks in the North of England with an obstinate, aloof, and utterly handsome man.
Must love dogs, fixing up crumbling castles, and gorgeous and complicated war heroes who may or may not be hiding hearts of gold under their gruff exteriors.
Must not, under any circ...more
A beautiful young woman—preferably one with no connections, who won’t ask too many questions—to spend two weeks in the North of England with an obstinate, aloof, and utterly handsome man.
Must love dogs, fixing up crumbling castles, and gorgeous and complicated war heroes who may or may not be hiding hearts of gold under their gruff exteriors.
Must not, under any circ...more
Kindle Edition, 100 pages
Published
July 31st 2012
by Avon Impulse
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Rating: C+ ... Heat: Warm
John Martin has a problem. Or so his mother thinks. Mrs. Martin decides to hire someone to seduce him, in order to get his mind back on women and marriage and heirs. Enter Angelina Whitcombe, a recently unemployed actress and currently unprotected mistress.
Angelina leaves London to seduce John, which is not as easy a task as she thought it would be. Angelina sits outside his ruined castle day after day, trying to engage him. From the very first, she never keeps her past...more
John Martin has a problem. Or so his mother thinks. Mrs. Martin decides to hire someone to seduce him, in order to get his mind back on women and marriage and heirs. Enter Angelina Whitcombe, a recently unemployed actress and currently unprotected mistress.
Angelina leaves London to seduce John, which is not as easy a task as she thought it would be. Angelina sits outside his ruined castle day after day, trying to engage him. From the very first, she never keeps her past...more
This is a smart retelling of an old tale. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I really ended up enjoying it.
Angelina was basically run out of London. She was a very sought after actress with many prospects until another actress took her place. Now she's in the country licking her wounds and doing a job. She was hired to seduce the earl. His mother thinks he needs to get back in the saddle in order to move on with his life after war.
Both Angelina and John are broken. John's wounds were mor...more
Angelina was basically run out of London. She was a very sought after actress with many prospects until another actress took her place. Now she's in the country licking her wounds and doing a job. She was hired to seduce the earl. His mother thinks he needs to get back in the saddle in order to move on with his life after war.
Both Angelina and John are broken. John's wounds were mor...more
I love this gem of a novella. Mother dearest thinks if she can get her shy, scarred son seduced, he’ll then be ready to marry (a woman of the right sort, of course) and beget grandchildren. Priming the pump, as it were.
Angelina is no Angel, even if that becomes her nickname. I really liked that she was not a missish, scared virgin, but a woman who, while young, already had a man or two in her past. Sometimes pleasant, sometimes disappointing. (Who hasn’t?) She likes sex, she’s broke, and she fi...more
Angelina is no Angel, even if that becomes her nickname. I really liked that she was not a missish, scared virgin, but a woman who, while young, already had a man or two in her past. Sometimes pleasant, sometimes disappointing. (Who hasn’t?) She likes sex, she’s broke, and she fi...more
The Short and Fascinating Tale of Angelina Whitcombe is a quick, charming read.
It's only about 100 pages but manages to tell a sweet, effective story. It actually could've made a great full-length novel but it works as a novella.
It follows Angelina, an actress/mistress whose been hired to seduce John Martin. John's mother hires her because she doesn't know if her son is interested in women and marriage. So Angelina shows up in John's life and they develop feelings for each other over a couple o...more
It's only about 100 pages but manages to tell a sweet, effective story. It actually could've made a great full-length novel but it works as a novella.
It follows Angelina, an actress/mistress whose been hired to seduce John Martin. John's mother hires her because she doesn't know if her son is interested in women and marriage. So Angelina shows up in John's life and they develop feelings for each other over a couple o...more
What a lovely story. This is not your typical historical romance. There are no balls, no ballgowns, no cardsharps and definitely no simpering young misses. There is only the lovely and lyrical meeting of Angelina and John.
This is a story to savor, one that is built in the silences between the courtesan and the Captain as they learn of each other. There are no secrets between them, but one; that the Captain's mother has paid the courtesan to be mistress to her son.
Rooted in the reality of a cast...more
This is a story to savor, one that is built in the silences between the courtesan and the Captain as they learn of each other. There are no secrets between them, but one; that the Captain's mother has paid the courtesan to be mistress to her son.
Rooted in the reality of a cast...more
Hmm, I read this short tale about a week ago and it just has not stuck with me. I liked it but it just didn't have that bit of extra shine I needed. In a bit of a reading funk as well, so that may explain it too. The writing was good, the romance enjoyable and we get a complete story even though it is short. It, naturally, has excerpts at the end and I got sucked into Sabrina Darby's excerpt for her previous book (On These Silken Sheets) that I bought it--so mission accomplished, even though I d...more
3 likes · like · see review
This little story is the best Regency Romance I've read this year. Don't let the adorable back cover copy fool you. This is a serious, heartfelt, emotionally wrenching story that had me near tears several times. It was as sweet and genuine as the hero himself. And this is to say nothing of the prose which, frankly, blew me away. Sabrina Darby writes beautifully. Her language is a delight to read aloud--which I did, at several points. I left this story both moved and grinning ear to ear.
Nov 04, 2012
The Window Seat
added it
Well, the title was half right. This story was short. And even though the author was a bit clever with a different type of story set-up it wasn’t quite a fascinating read. But it was still pretty good.
The title character Angelina Whitcombe is a character we’ve seen many times before; the actress turned mistress who has been recently spurned by her protector. Since she’s young and pretty it never occurred to her that a day might come where she wouldn’t have a man to pay for her lifestyle. Just as...more
The title character Angelina Whitcombe is a character we’ve seen many times before; the actress turned mistress who has been recently spurned by her protector. Since she’s young and pretty it never occurred to her that a day might come where she wouldn’t have a man to pay for her lifestyle. Just as...more
Wellll.... it's interesting, I'll give it that! I read through it fairly quickly (in a good way) although I'm feeling ambivalent at the end. Neither of their character arcs got resolved. I liked the risk the author took with a somewhat unlikable heroine but felt she never really did anything to redeem or prove herself, aside from her looks and bedroom prowess. I'd read this author again, but in a full length.
epub (not kindle) edition
For such a short book (less than 100 pages), this packs quite an emotional punch. Somewhat sad, this is a story about two broken and restless souls who meet under questionable circumstances. This was ripe for a tired trope, but the author made some interesting decisions and gave us a heart wrenching but sweet resolution. 4 stars
*Received from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
For such a short book (less than 100 pages), this packs quite an emotional punch. Somewhat sad, this is a story about two broken and restless souls who meet under questionable circumstances. This was ripe for a tired trope, but the author made some interesting decisions and gave us a heart wrenching but sweet resolution. 4 stars
*Received from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Angelina leaves the failure of her theater career in London, taking an assignment as a temporary mistress to Captain John Martin, ordered and paid for by his mother.
John´s mother is troubled and afraid he´s never going to take a wife, so she commissions an actress to seduce him and make him ready to marry.
A quick, sweet read, regency romance.
John´s mother is troubled and afraid he´s never going to take a wife, so she commissions an actress to seduce him and make him ready to marry.
A quick, sweet read, regency romance.
Enjoyed the writing although the story seemed a little far-fetched. Wounded hero, craving solitary existence; courtesan hired (by his mother) to make sure there is nothing physicially wrong. The love story actually is a getting to know each other and becoming friends story....with benefits thrown in. I will definitely read more by Ms Darby.
Just as the title says, this novella was short and fascinating. I really enjoyed the original premise of a courtesan hired to seduce an injured war hero and instead falling in love. Their chemistry was believable and sweet and I really enjoyed these characters.
This is a smart retelling of an old tale. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I really ended up enjoying it. Both Angelina and John are broken. As they spend time together, their wounds open, then begin to heal. I enjoyed that just as much as the romance.
Although I didn't hate the book, I didn't love it either. The book, for me, lacked character development. I wish there was more to the characters. I did like the book, but I did not love it.
2.5 stars. Short? Yes. Fascinating? Ehhh, no.
Kindle book is deceiving because the book ends at approximately 60%. The remaining 40%? Five (yes, five) excerpts from other books.
Kindle book is deceiving because the book ends at approximately 60%. The remaining 40%? Five (yes, five) excerpts from other books.
Not very realistic, she's suppose to be a very "modern" woman for the times, however, I find the story catering to people who heard that historical novels could be interesting, but never read one. This is decently for a first timer. If you love the genre, you will be disappointed.
Quick, satisfying read. The emotionally damaged protagonists find healing and love with each other, after they both retreated from society's criticism.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
More a novella than a full lenfth novel, total braincandy, and not good candy. Liked the hero, the heroine could have used some depth, seemed shallow, a little boring all-in-all.
Lovely...
4.5 out of 5
Feb 07, 2013
Michelle
marked it as did-not-finish
8
First impressions: This well-written novella has temporarily restored my faith in historicals - even though the HEA is a little implausible.
May 10, 2013
Micky
added it
May 03, 2013
Kat
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2013
Leanne
added it
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Sabrina Darby has been reading romance since the age of seven and learned her best vocabulary (dulcet, diaphanous, and turgid) from them. She started writing romance the day after her wedding when she woke up with an idea for a Regency; she’s been back in the early 19th century ever since.
She currently resides in California with her husband.
And for more Regency fabulousness, join Sabrina, Sarah Ma...more
More about Sabrina Darby...
She currently resides in California with her husband.
And for more Regency fabulousness, join Sabrina, Sarah Ma...more
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Jul 28, 2012 09:13pm