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Guardian #1
In the Shadow of Angels
How far would you go to keep a secret?
One hot summer day, only weeks before her thirtieth birthday, Charlotte's quiet life is interrupted when her past shows up on her door step, forcing her to face her worst nightmares. She spent five years in hiding, working hard to forget her past and the lies that tore her family apart.
Suddenly, Charlotte finds herself swept away to an ominous chateau in France, by the one person she tried to forget. Henri, her first love, has been doing research that has brought about unwanted attention, leaving Charlotte in danger and with more questions than answers. She is forced to wait, living with the chateau's residents, while the mystery of Henri's research unfolds around her.
Charlotte soon finds her hosts know more about her past than she’d like and carry secrets of their own. Aydin, the power behind security that has been assigned to Charlotte, is a quiet and menacing force, one she discovers, she can't stop thinking of, leaving her budding romance with Henri in jeopardy.
While in France, Charlotte discovers a dark world she never knew existed. A world shrouded in shadow, threatening to consume her.
One hot summer day, only weeks before her thirtieth birthday, Charlotte's quiet life is interrupted when her past shows up on her door step, forcing her to face her worst nightmares. She spent five years in hiding, working hard to forget her past and the lies that tore her family apart.
Suddenly, Charlotte finds herself swept away to an ominous chateau in France, by the one person she tried to forget. Henri, her first love, has been doing research that has brought about unwanted attention, leaving Charlotte in danger and with more questions than answers. She is forced to wait, living with the chateau's residents, while the mystery of Henri's research unfolds around her.
Charlotte soon finds her hosts know more about her past than she’d like and carry secrets of their own. Aydin, the power behind security that has been assigned to Charlotte, is a quiet and menacing force, one she discovers, she can't stop thinking of, leaving her budding romance with Henri in jeopardy.
While in France, Charlotte discovers a dark world she never knew existed. A world shrouded in shadow, threatening to consume her.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2014
96 people are currently reading
1128 people want to read
About the author
Fanny Lee Savage
22 books321 followersFanny Lee Savage is the international bestselling author of The Guardian Series, a paranormal romance set in modern times. She combines her love of ancient history with folklore to create a dark new world. Her action packed Playhouse Series immerses readers into the underworld of Miami and the inner workings of the modern day mob. Ms. Savage’s novels are full of sensual romance, dark humor, and edge of your seat suspense.
When she’s not spending time with her family or writing, Ms. Savage is busy developing her photography skills, in between researching for her next novel and hiking.
When she’s not spending time with her family or writing, Ms. Savage is busy developing her photography skills, in between researching for her next novel and hiking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 10, 2015
4.5 Stars!
It is unique and mesmerizing!
Will review when I have more time. For now, off to get the 2nd book of the series! ❤️
It is unique and mesmerizing!
Will review when I have more time. For now, off to get the 2nd book of the series! ❤️
December 5, 2014
Unpredictable and enthralling! In The Shadow of Angels takes ancient myth and applies it to urban myth with such seamless fluidity that this vampire world comes alive. While the status quo of vampires is maintained there is nothing typical about the story itself and I find myself without a comparative story.
Told in first person present tense, Author Fanny Lee Savage takes the reader along with the main character, Charlotte on her life altering journey. Fanny’s ability to entrap the reader in her character’s emotional turmoil is astounding and allows the reader to feel what her point of view characters, Charlotte and Aydin feels. She weaves a remarkable tale bringing myth to life in a flawless build to the major revelation.
Fanny’s choice of first person point of view for this story was an excellent one as it allowed the reader to experience the unfolding events along with the character. It also allowed all the plot twists to remain hidden until the character discovers them.
In The Shadow of Angels follows Charlotte as she uncovers the truths to the nightmares and turmoil that have haunted her adult life and her struggle between reuniting with her first love and coming to terms with her bond to the man who has protected her all her life.
Wound with mystery, tension, sensuality and passion, this book is emotionally charged and grabs hold of the reader’s emotional being – you will cling to every word until the very end.
Told in first person present tense, Author Fanny Lee Savage takes the reader along with the main character, Charlotte on her life altering journey. Fanny’s ability to entrap the reader in her character’s emotional turmoil is astounding and allows the reader to feel what her point of view characters, Charlotte and Aydin feels. She weaves a remarkable tale bringing myth to life in a flawless build to the major revelation.
Fanny’s choice of first person point of view for this story was an excellent one as it allowed the reader to experience the unfolding events along with the character. It also allowed all the plot twists to remain hidden until the character discovers them.
In The Shadow of Angels follows Charlotte as she uncovers the truths to the nightmares and turmoil that have haunted her adult life and her struggle between reuniting with her first love and coming to terms with her bond to the man who has protected her all her life.
Wound with mystery, tension, sensuality and passion, this book is emotionally charged and grabs hold of the reader’s emotional being – you will cling to every word until the very end.
September 11, 2015
Charlotte has suffered tragedies in her life, tragedies that she has worked hard to forget. But when Henri, her first love, shows up, Charlotte’s quiet life is disrupted. To ensure her safety, Henri whisks Charlotte away to France. Here, danger lurks and secrets abound.
In the Shadow of Angels was a fantastic read. Ms. Savage draws you into the story from the very beginning. The descriptions are vivid and the characters engaging. The plot, full of secrets, deceptions, and love, kept me engrossed. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book I’ve enjoyed as much as this. I highly recommend!
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
In the Shadow of Angels was a fantastic read. Ms. Savage draws you into the story from the very beginning. The descriptions are vivid and the characters engaging. The plot, full of secrets, deceptions, and love, kept me engrossed. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book I’ve enjoyed as much as this. I highly recommend!
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2014
I FOUND THIS A BOOK OF TWO HALVES, THE FIRST ABOUT CHARLOTTE AND HER TWIN SISTER’S FRIENDSHIP WITH HENRI, AS CHILDREN, THEN THE SECOND ABOUT CHAROLTTE’S LATER LIFE, WHEN HENRI COMES BACK TO TELL HER, HER MOTHER IS ILL. THIS LEADS US INTO A DARKER WORLD WHERE CHARLOTTE LEARNS TO FEEL OTHER PEOPLE’S FEELINGS. I ENJOYED THE FIRST PART OF THE BOOK BEST, AND WHILE THE SECOND IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT AND CONTAINS VAMPIRES, SEX , VIOLENCE ETC, THAT’S NOT TO SAY THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, IT JUST SURPRISED ME.
OVERALL, I DID ENJOY THE BOOK, THE AUTHOR CAN CERTAINLY WRITE, AND CONSIDERING THIS WAS A FIRST NOVEL, I THOUGHT FANNY DID REALLY WELL. LOOK FORWARD TO READING THE NEXT BOOK.
OVERALL, I DID ENJOY THE BOOK, THE AUTHOR CAN CERTAINLY WRITE, AND CONSIDERING THIS WAS A FIRST NOVEL, I THOUGHT FANNY DID REALLY WELL. LOOK FORWARD TO READING THE NEXT BOOK.
November 3, 2014
Good book
I give it 5 stars, I enjoyed this book. The way the author describes everything makes you really feel it. There is not a lot but the foul language was not comfortable for me, But the story and suspense trumps it. I love the romance without the trash that some authors feel the need to add. The curves and turns the story took with events and even the romance was great. There is a little bit of a cliffhanger but all that does is make you want to get the next book, I'm very excited to see how things twist and turn out. Can't wait for the next one, Fanny.
I give it 5 stars, I enjoyed this book. The way the author describes everything makes you really feel it. There is not a lot but the foul language was not comfortable for me, But the story and suspense trumps it. I love the romance without the trash that some authors feel the need to add. The curves and turns the story took with events and even the romance was great. There is a little bit of a cliffhanger but all that does is make you want to get the next book, I'm very excited to see how things twist and turn out. Can't wait for the next one, Fanny.
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September 10, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/2/2022)! 🎁
October 9, 2014
‘In The Shadow Of Angels’ is the first in an exciting new paranormal series and exceptionally well written for a debut novel.
It follows Charlotte Duval who, together with her twin sister, grows up on an old southern plantation, sheltered behind a glass fence of wealth and privilege. They are descendants of an old French family, but have little knowledge of the realty of the outside world.
The beautiful twins are spoiled by everyone, especially their mother. Their best friend is a boy their age, Henri, who is adopted by the family. The three become inseparable.
Charlotte’s world is torn apart, when years later, at age fifteen, when the children reach sexual maturity; things get a little out of hand. Her mother leaves her daughters with their father and takes Henri back to his uncle, to live with her in France.
The protective warm bubble is popped and the relationship between the girls is from then on stained. What follows is a roller-coaster ride for Charlotte, who is able to feel people’s emotions, and is desperately trying to forget things through partying and excessive drinking. Until the day when she is thirty, Henri, the boy she once loved, now a man, comes back to tell her that her mother is ill.
She then makes a decision that will impact the rest of her life. And not only that, a whole new world, opens to her, a dark world; one she never knew existed, or even to be real. Unfortunately for her, it is very real and she is linked to that dark world and its people in more ways she is willing to accept.
To me, this story told in first-person present tense, which is extremely well done, is a tale full of secrets and of healing, of great emotions and very human. The characters are well fleshed out, with each their own background, and I would like to applaud the author for her amount of research in mythology and history she has done for her novel. It shows and I respect that. Thanks to that, this story becomes much more than ‘another vampire story’.
I have to be honest and say that I normally don’t read stories with vampires, as I have a huge dislike to them (even though I have the pointiest corner teeth you’ll ever see a vegan have), but vampires don’t come into this story until half way through the book, which I was grateful for! And even then I didn't really dislike them.
Mrs Savage has created vampires that were mostly likable, or at least with feelings, and she understands the human condition very well. So instead, this a believable tale we can all relate to. We feel for Charlotte, even though she is very naive and probably because of her sheltered upbringing and the sudden hurt she encountered, becomes the way she is. I believe this is very realistic too. People are shaped by their history, by their experiences and hurt.
She even retorts to sarcasm to survive. I’m still not sure if I liked the fact that she wasn't a very independent character and comes across as a little immature sometimes even with a dirty mind, and that she lets herself virtually be taken a prisoner, but I suspect that we wouldn't have had good a story without this! I would like to see some more change and strength in her in the next book, but I think she probably has to learn how to channel her powers. She is very young among all those ancient but stunning vampires!
I’m also not sure if I liked Aydin very much, but after having read his story through the POV switch in the book, I can understand him more as well. The characters have certainly grown on me and I look forward to reading more about them and their adventures in the second book!
All in all, a very good page-turning debut novel of epic proportions, with a lot of real emotion and feelings, good descriptive, excellent fleshed out characters and history. And above all, twists and turns you do not see coming! When you think you know what is going to happen, you don’t. I appreciate that in a novel. It wasn't predictable at all and not a typical chick-lit novel with lots of sex, but readers of that genre will certainly like this book, as will readers of the paranormal supernatural genre!
Review by: Natasja Hellenthal, author of ‘Call Off The Search’
It follows Charlotte Duval who, together with her twin sister, grows up on an old southern plantation, sheltered behind a glass fence of wealth and privilege. They are descendants of an old French family, but have little knowledge of the realty of the outside world.
The beautiful twins are spoiled by everyone, especially their mother. Their best friend is a boy their age, Henri, who is adopted by the family. The three become inseparable.
Charlotte’s world is torn apart, when years later, at age fifteen, when the children reach sexual maturity; things get a little out of hand. Her mother leaves her daughters with their father and takes Henri back to his uncle, to live with her in France.
The protective warm bubble is popped and the relationship between the girls is from then on stained. What follows is a roller-coaster ride for Charlotte, who is able to feel people’s emotions, and is desperately trying to forget things through partying and excessive drinking. Until the day when she is thirty, Henri, the boy she once loved, now a man, comes back to tell her that her mother is ill.
She then makes a decision that will impact the rest of her life. And not only that, a whole new world, opens to her, a dark world; one she never knew existed, or even to be real. Unfortunately for her, it is very real and she is linked to that dark world and its people in more ways she is willing to accept.
To me, this story told in first-person present tense, which is extremely well done, is a tale full of secrets and of healing, of great emotions and very human. The characters are well fleshed out, with each their own background, and I would like to applaud the author for her amount of research in mythology and history she has done for her novel. It shows and I respect that. Thanks to that, this story becomes much more than ‘another vampire story’.
I have to be honest and say that I normally don’t read stories with vampires, as I have a huge dislike to them (even though I have the pointiest corner teeth you’ll ever see a vegan have), but vampires don’t come into this story until half way through the book, which I was grateful for! And even then I didn't really dislike them.
Mrs Savage has created vampires that were mostly likable, or at least with feelings, and she understands the human condition very well. So instead, this a believable tale we can all relate to. We feel for Charlotte, even though she is very naive and probably because of her sheltered upbringing and the sudden hurt she encountered, becomes the way she is. I believe this is very realistic too. People are shaped by their history, by their experiences and hurt.
She even retorts to sarcasm to survive. I’m still not sure if I liked the fact that she wasn't a very independent character and comes across as a little immature sometimes even with a dirty mind, and that she lets herself virtually be taken a prisoner, but I suspect that we wouldn't have had good a story without this! I would like to see some more change and strength in her in the next book, but I think she probably has to learn how to channel her powers. She is very young among all those ancient but stunning vampires!
I’m also not sure if I liked Aydin very much, but after having read his story through the POV switch in the book, I can understand him more as well. The characters have certainly grown on me and I look forward to reading more about them and their adventures in the second book!
All in all, a very good page-turning debut novel of epic proportions, with a lot of real emotion and feelings, good descriptive, excellent fleshed out characters and history. And above all, twists and turns you do not see coming! When you think you know what is going to happen, you don’t. I appreciate that in a novel. It wasn't predictable at all and not a typical chick-lit novel with lots of sex, but readers of that genre will certainly like this book, as will readers of the paranormal supernatural genre!
Review by: Natasja Hellenthal, author of ‘Call Off The Search’
October 10, 2014
I was hooked into this story by the incredible emotional depth in Charlotte's character in the beginning. The author seems to have an amazing grasp of the inner turmoil people experience in the face of tragedy, and it made me wonder if the author herself is an empathic person like her main character Charlotte, which plays an ongoing theme in the entire book. I really enjoyed learning about Charlotte's early years and her budding love affair with Henri, the French boy who comes to live with her and her twin sister Emily. The story was captivating to me, and I read most of the book in one sitting.
I'll be completely honest; the beginning really drew me in. Ms. Savage has well-honed skills as a storyteller, however despite that fact, I confess I didn't like some aspects of the story, in particular the massive twist in the middle of the book. While I understand the authors need to create mystery and keep the reader guessing, to me it felt as if the first half of the book and the second half of the book should have been two separate stories altogether. It seemed to me as if the author got stuck in the writing process and didn't know what was going to happen next, so bam, there are now vampires in the story. Because of this massive change to the plot, the second half of the book had a completely different feel to it, although not bad, it was a complete surprise that doesn't quite mesh with the first part of the story as well as it could have.
While the first half the book has excellent attention to detail and flows beautifully, the second part of the book feels choppy. Because of the repeated changes in character point of view, and a plot that grew so mysterious it became rather unbelievable (even for a paranormal story), this book was difficult for me to finish. There were several moments in the chapters that stalled the progression of the story that could have been edited out entirely, although that is a reflection on the editor, not the author. Though it was difficult for me to finish, others may enjoy the changes the author made the second half of the story far more than I did, and I am hoping that Ms. Savage will address the unanswered questions in the sequel, since this is the first book in a series.
I'll be completely honest; the beginning really drew me in. Ms. Savage has well-honed skills as a storyteller, however despite that fact, I confess I didn't like some aspects of the story, in particular the massive twist in the middle of the book. While I understand the authors need to create mystery and keep the reader guessing, to me it felt as if the first half of the book and the second half of the book should have been two separate stories altogether. It seemed to me as if the author got stuck in the writing process and didn't know what was going to happen next, so bam, there are now vampires in the story. Because of this massive change to the plot, the second half of the book had a completely different feel to it, although not bad, it was a complete surprise that doesn't quite mesh with the first part of the story as well as it could have.
While the first half the book has excellent attention to detail and flows beautifully, the second part of the book feels choppy. Because of the repeated changes in character point of view, and a plot that grew so mysterious it became rather unbelievable (even for a paranormal story), this book was difficult for me to finish. There were several moments in the chapters that stalled the progression of the story that could have been edited out entirely, although that is a reflection on the editor, not the author. Though it was difficult for me to finish, others may enjoy the changes the author made the second half of the story far more than I did, and I am hoping that Ms. Savage will address the unanswered questions in the sequel, since this is the first book in a series.
May 18, 2015
I do admit that I went about this series backwards. I read the second book (In the Shadow of Monsters) first. I did have a general consensus as to what happened in the first book, but reading the book was so much better than I thought!! I have absolutely fallen in love with Ms. Savage's writing style. I love how she can describe things so well that you can reach through the pages and touch it. In the Shadow of Angels is a novel about a girl who has had a particularly traumatic experience that ends up re-shaping everything she thought she knew. Charlotte is this girl. We have many flashbacks to Charlotte's childhood with her identical twin sister, Emily. Just as Charlotte is beginning to heal from the accident mentally she is thrown for another loop. Henri, I don't particularly like from the get-go. Henri was Charlotte's old flame from her childhood, he comes to Charlotte to give her news about her mom's 'debilitated' health and whisk her to France. All Henri seems to do is lie. The thing is she hasn't seen neither Henri nor her mother for quite some time and she's iffy about the situation. I do not blame her in the slightest. When she arrives in France she meets Aydin. Aydin used to be her Guardian until he slipped up one time and is now serving a cruel punishment. The thing is, Charlotte has no prior knowledge of Aydin being her Guardian because he stayed hidden and out of sight. Aydin may seem hard on the exterior, but once she breaks down some of his walls he is really the sweetest guy ever. I may have fallen for him myself. We do get to see the book from both of their points-of-view. To make things sweeter, we also get to see Aydin's not-so-pretty backstory. I really love this book and now I can make more sense out of the second!! This book does leave on a cliffhanger, but the second book picks up right as it was left off. I highly recommend this book to those who are mature enough and who like a little mythology, vampires, and a little romance!!!
July 7, 2015
Very interesting and good story, although it moved at a snails pace. It took forever to get any real information. There are many small flashback stories told throughout the book. Some add much to the plot but most add very little to the plot. Towards the very end it moved at a nice pace and the story finally started getting really good.
The heroine was a yea girl. Everybody told her what to do and she just did it. When she finally tried to push back, it was too late to view her as anything more than annoying. Now, the sub characters were written very well. Distinct personalities that were perfect. Started of loving who I ended up hating in this book. Nothing is as it seems.
I love that this author created a vampire book that was completely different from the rest. I really liked this story.
The heroine was a yea girl. Everybody told her what to do and she just did it. When she finally tried to push back, it was too late to view her as anything more than annoying. Now, the sub characters were written very well. Distinct personalities that were perfect. Started of loving who I ended up hating in this book. Nothing is as it seems.
I love that this author created a vampire book that was completely different from the rest. I really liked this story.
March 31, 2015
A tale of two halves, each of which could have been a standalone story. The way Fanny weaves what seems to be a rather standard contemporary 'reuniting of long lost lovers' into a complex web of paranormal intrigue is masterful.
Just as it isn't a standard contemporary romance, it isn't a standard 'chosen human girl meets the most powerful being in the universe, then is happy' type scenario.
The first person perspective lets you travel with Charlotte a surprising 'normal' woman who drinks a little too much, makes snap opinions of people and is decidedly grumpy. I particularly loved the face that the central 'heroic' figure is actually an underling rather than the big 'I am.'
All in all, an intriguing, absorbing, unusual read. I've already downloaded the sequel.
October 11, 2014
Spellbinding! In the Shadow of Angels is so good that one becomes upset when mundane tasks (like fixing dinner) disrupts the reading process. Excellent writing, riveting characters, and an amazing plot make this novel a delight. An underlying suspense haunts every page, and the ‘truth’ when revealed about Aydin and the others, is no less than shocking. I loved the main character, Charlotte, who is tormented and conflicted about her past and her destiny. Each and every character was crafted with care, and it is a delight to watch Charlotte struggle to figure out why she is under so much scrutiny. I dare not tell more and am so glad there is a sequel. My highest recommendation!
December 15, 2015
2.5/5
**** CONTAINS MINOR SPOILER ***
This reminds me of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, the pacing and the atmosphere. I find it incredibly slow. Aydin was sensual but not enough for me to love the book. There just wasn't enough happening to keep me interested, maybe other than how despicable Henri actually turned out, which just made me angry. The setting also reminded me of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, minus the erotic part. Mostly because it's a Vampire family and the recall of events that happened eons ago. There was certain charisma in that kind of setting. Other than that, I don't have much love for it.
**** CONTAINS MINOR SPOILER ***
This reminds me of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, the pacing and the atmosphere. I find it incredibly slow. Aydin was sensual but not enough for me to love the book. There just wasn't enough happening to keep me interested, maybe other than how despicable Henri actually turned out, which just made me angry. The setting also reminded me of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, minus the erotic part. Mostly because it's a Vampire family and the recall of events that happened eons ago. There was certain charisma in that kind of setting. Other than that, I don't have much love for it.
September 25, 2016
loved this book
gripping, thrilling, romantic, just about covers every corner of what I love to read! doesn't miss a thing! brilliant book, and I am about to start book 2, I cannot wait! I stayed up till the early hours reading this installment!
aydin! massive swoon, hats off to the author!
gripping, thrilling, romantic, just about covers every corner of what I love to read! doesn't miss a thing! brilliant book, and I am about to start book 2, I cannot wait! I stayed up till the early hours reading this installment!
aydin! massive swoon, hats off to the author!
March 12, 2015
The writing is excellent,the reader is pulled into the characters, and personally, I end up caring about the vampires, and that is a first for me, you have great style and have done excellent background.
I hope you write many more !
November 23, 2017
Predictable and boring
April 18, 2025
"In the Shadow of Angels" by Fanny Lee Savage is a deliciously slow burn that had me hooked from page one. This book doesn’t rush the heat—it builds it, layers it, simmers with tension so thick you can feel it. Aydin and Charlotte? Their chemistry is magnetic, electric, and searing hot. Every glance, every near-touch, is a tease that left me breathless and begging for more. The emotional pull between them is just as strong as the physical, creating a connection that feels raw, messy, and dangerously real. Savage weaves darkness and desire together with finesse, letting every moment linger just long enough to leave a mark. This isn’t just romance—it’s seduction wrapped in secrets. If you’re into slow burns that scorch by the end, this one’s for you.
November 7, 2025
Are you kidding me…. The yearning, the slow burn THE ABSOLUTE TENTION🥵🥵
I’m a puddle…
I have never wanted two characters to kiss, touch more than Aydin and Charlotte.
The world building, the plots oh my god.
This was torture in the best possible way🫠
I can’t wait to see what book 2 brings ❤️🔥
I’m a puddle…
I have never wanted two characters to kiss, touch more than Aydin and Charlotte.
The world building, the plots oh my god.
This was torture in the best possible way🫠
I can’t wait to see what book 2 brings ❤️🔥
February 27, 2026
whoa this was incredible
Well this hooked me. As usual Fanny Lee Savage wrote another incredible book. I love the long history of the FMC family. Charlotte has had a hard last bit of years. She tries to be brave about what has happened. There are roller coasters you don’t see coming in this book. I have to know what happens next so I’m going to book 2.
Well this hooked me. As usual Fanny Lee Savage wrote another incredible book. I love the long history of the FMC family. Charlotte has had a hard last bit of years. She tries to be brave about what has happened. There are roller coasters you don’t see coming in this book. I have to know what happens next so I’m going to book 2.
November 8, 2017
Amazing book
So many secrets. So many sexy characters. Feel bad for Charlotte what she has been through. Love Aydin a lot. He is my favorite character in this book. Sexy. Loved the end. Can't wait to read more.
So many secrets. So many sexy characters. Feel bad for Charlotte what she has been through. Love Aydin a lot. He is my favorite character in this book. Sexy. Loved the end. Can't wait to read more.
July 9, 2024
I loved the story! It's a little bit of a slow burn. But I couldn't put it down once I started! The beginning was a bit confusing on who the story was about. But it explains it all. There is a SA scene, but it is not written on page.
May 25, 2018
Brilliant, addictive & thrilling
February 7, 2020
Loved the book, can't wait to start on the next one
January 25, 2024
I did not expect to like the is book as much as a did. It did take me a few chapters to get into it but it got really good and I couldn’t put it down near the end.
February 23, 2025
Dnf... boring - I loved her other series (4 men/2 women) but this had main characters who I could not care about.
May 10, 2025
I was sucked in from the start and quite literally couldn’t put it down.
June 28, 2015
'In the Shadow of Angels' is the story of Charlotte Elizabeth Duval, a young woman born in privilege, who, haunted by the tragedies of her past life, has turned her back on her home and family to live alone and work as a maid in the Sandpiper Motel in a small town in Florida.
The even tenor of her new existence is disrupted by the arrival of the very handsome Henri Moreau, the boy she had grown up with and loved and lost. Now a genetic researcher in France, he has been sent by her mother, Abigail, to persuade Charlotte to come to France to see her. Abigail is dying of cancer and wants to see her long-estranged daughter before she dies; they have not seen each other in 12 years, after Abigail left her family to go live with her lover, Ashur Moreau, Henri's adoptive father. Despite the anger she harbors towards her mother for abandoning her, Charlotte agrees to go to France, and discovers a startling family secret.
I really liked the first part of the book. The writing is strong and descriptive, quite poetic in places. The technique of flashbacks works very well, and maintains the suspense.
Charlotte arrives in France, and meets Ashur Moreau's three other adopted, grown-up children, Aydin, Claudette, and, later, Lucius. They are all impossibly attractive and youthful-looking, and they all live together in a magnificent chateau. Charlotte settles in, and gets to know the family, while awaiting her mother's return from getting medical treatment in Nice. She is immediately attracted to the enigmatic Aydin, begins to find Henri tedious, and does not like Claudette. She also begins to chaff at being confined to the tightly guarded chateau. Slipping away, she goes down to the village by herself, but Aydin follows her and hauls her back.
Abigail and Ashur now appear, and the Big Reveal occurs - not at all what I had expected, given Henri's secretive genetic research - and things take a predictable turn.
Charlotte, who had started off as an intriguing if self-obsessed person, becomes something of a helpless doll, dependent on other people and lusted after by the hero and the villains. Perhaps a bit more character development, in lieu of describing how gorgeous everyone is and how well they dress, might have helped.
Still, an enjoyable read overall.
Disclaimer - I received a free copy of this book for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
The even tenor of her new existence is disrupted by the arrival of the very handsome Henri Moreau, the boy she had grown up with and loved and lost. Now a genetic researcher in France, he has been sent by her mother, Abigail, to persuade Charlotte to come to France to see her. Abigail is dying of cancer and wants to see her long-estranged daughter before she dies; they have not seen each other in 12 years, after Abigail left her family to go live with her lover, Ashur Moreau, Henri's adoptive father. Despite the anger she harbors towards her mother for abandoning her, Charlotte agrees to go to France, and discovers a startling family secret.
I really liked the first part of the book. The writing is strong and descriptive, quite poetic in places. The technique of flashbacks works very well, and maintains the suspense.
Charlotte arrives in France, and meets Ashur Moreau's three other adopted, grown-up children, Aydin, Claudette, and, later, Lucius. They are all impossibly attractive and youthful-looking, and they all live together in a magnificent chateau. Charlotte settles in, and gets to know the family, while awaiting her mother's return from getting medical treatment in Nice. She is immediately attracted to the enigmatic Aydin, begins to find Henri tedious, and does not like Claudette. She also begins to chaff at being confined to the tightly guarded chateau. Slipping away, she goes down to the village by herself, but Aydin follows her and hauls her back.
Abigail and Ashur now appear, and the Big Reveal occurs - not at all what I had expected, given Henri's secretive genetic research - and things take a predictable turn.
Charlotte, who had started off as an intriguing if self-obsessed person, becomes something of a helpless doll, dependent on other people and lusted after by the hero and the villains. Perhaps a bit more character development, in lieu of describing how gorgeous everyone is and how well they dress, might have helped.
Still, an enjoyable read overall.
Disclaimer - I received a free copy of this book for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
July 29, 2015
In the Shadow of Angels (The Guardian Series, #1) by Fanny Lee Savage
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
I will review this novel as a quarter / quarter / half. The first 25% introduces Charlotte Duval, working as a maid in down at heel motel, spending most of her free evenings trawling the bars of her Florida home for booze and men. I found this quarter of the book a good introduction to the current life and back story of Charlotte, making her a sympathetic character and also providing good portraits of her current and past friends and family.
It’s the next 25% where my interest slipped a little, Charlotte travels to France to visit her terminally ill mother and the chapters introducing the Chateau and the people who live there could possibly have been tightened up. There is a good reason for this in that the author can’t reveal too much in one go but I still felt it was a struggle to get through this part.
Much of this is saved in the second half of the novel, the true nature of the Chateau’s residents is revealed and Charlotte finds herself trapped in a web of familial and vampire relationships that rapidly tighten their grip on her, threatening not just her liberty but also her life.
Most of the novel is told in the first person by Charlotte, with a few chapters switching viewpoint to that of Aydin. The voice of Charlotte is consistent and the changes to Aydin allow the reader to learn more about his past than through simply hearing about it through Charlotte.
Overall an enjoyable read, I will be on the lookout for Book 2 to find out what happens next.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
I will review this novel as a quarter / quarter / half. The first 25% introduces Charlotte Duval, working as a maid in down at heel motel, spending most of her free evenings trawling the bars of her Florida home for booze and men. I found this quarter of the book a good introduction to the current life and back story of Charlotte, making her a sympathetic character and also providing good portraits of her current and past friends and family.
It’s the next 25% where my interest slipped a little, Charlotte travels to France to visit her terminally ill mother and the chapters introducing the Chateau and the people who live there could possibly have been tightened up. There is a good reason for this in that the author can’t reveal too much in one go but I still felt it was a struggle to get through this part.
Much of this is saved in the second half of the novel, the true nature of the Chateau’s residents is revealed and Charlotte finds herself trapped in a web of familial and vampire relationships that rapidly tighten their grip on her, threatening not just her liberty but also her life.
Most of the novel is told in the first person by Charlotte, with a few chapters switching viewpoint to that of Aydin. The voice of Charlotte is consistent and the changes to Aydin allow the reader to learn more about his past than through simply hearing about it through Charlotte.
Overall an enjoyable read, I will be on the lookout for Book 2 to find out what happens next.
May 15, 2015
I began reading In the Shadow of Angels in the afternoon and somewhere around two am I ffound myself struggling to stay awake just so I could find out what happened. It is rare that a book will catch me thinking how did the author come up with that line? This one had me admiring the prose and structure numerous times. The writing is sharp and thoughtful, it draws you in and never bores.
From the childhood memories and hot summer nights playing on the the plantation grounds, to the strained relationship with her mother and the struggle to grasp her new surroundings, Charlotte is a joy to read. It was easy to relate to her and fun to follow her quips and inner dialogue.
I admire Ms. Savage's ability to build tension, create mystery and never lose my attention as I came to discover each and every character.
Hayden is a fantastic character in himself. At one point we get to hear his story from his POV and his voice in telling it was excellent. Then again later as he recalls his guardianship duties and his many charges, I fell in love with him and wished there was a whole book about him!
I am now addicted to the chemistry between Hayden and Charlotte and will be grabbing the next book to find out what happens!
I must say this new author shocked me with her skill in writing. It was polished and seamless. I can't believe she hasn't been writing forever!
Super job, every star is well earned.
From the childhood memories and hot summer nights playing on the the plantation grounds, to the strained relationship with her mother and the struggle to grasp her new surroundings, Charlotte is a joy to read. It was easy to relate to her and fun to follow her quips and inner dialogue.
I admire Ms. Savage's ability to build tension, create mystery and never lose my attention as I came to discover each and every character.
Hayden is a fantastic character in himself. At one point we get to hear his story from his POV and his voice in telling it was excellent. Then again later as he recalls his guardianship duties and his many charges, I fell in love with him and wished there was a whole book about him!
I am now addicted to the chemistry between Hayden and Charlotte and will be grabbing the next book to find out what happens!
I must say this new author shocked me with her skill in writing. It was polished and seamless. I can't believe she hasn't been writing forever!
Super job, every star is well earned.
April 24, 2015
3.5 stars. I have mixed feelings about this book, but overall I enjoyed it. The story line was excellent and original and I've read over 300+ paranormal romance books. The problem I had was GETTING to the plot/climax. It.took.forever. I ended up skimming a few chapters because it just took too long to discover the secret. I understand building the foundation of characters, but after awhile it dragged. I did like all of the characters, and the twist I didn't see coming, which only made me enjoy the book more and read late through the night.
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