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Defiant Angel

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Facing an arranged marriage to the Duke of Wentworth, spirited Tiffany Courtland convinces herself that she is in love with her childhood friend, Alan, but the Duke is determined to win her heart

396 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1991

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249 people want to read

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Stephanie Stevens

60 books14 followers

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5 stars
50 (36%)
4 stars
36 (26%)
3 stars
25 (18%)
2 stars
13 (9%)
1 star
12 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 24, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

The pacing was spectacular! Often times good sized historical romance has terrible pacing, the ending is too long or too short, the middle is exhausting, etc. But this book was excellent in that respect.

Tiffany (16-19) was the ultimate spit-fire. I usually don’t like so called “spit-fires” in historical romance because they can be very annoying and not what I would see as a spit-fire. Yet Tiffany was perfect, she was independent, but leaned on the hero when necessary. I thought that she took a little bit too long to come around to the Clinton. He was quite attentive and kind. I also though she said “Ooooh” way too much.

Clinton (30s) knew Tiffany had to be his duchess almost from the start. He was a wealthy duke in both France and England. He absolutely adored and doted on Tiffany. It was so lovely to see a historical romance hero who wasn’t unnecessary cruel and hated the heroine. She was not a traditional society miss, but he never tried to tame her or reel her in too much. He let her have a lot of freedom.

Overall, I really liked this historical romance, it was uniquely traditional.
61 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2011
LOVED IT and have re-read many, many times. Really shocked & disappointed about the plagerism admission by Stevens. I had been waiting for the sequels, sure that they would come, constantly looking to see if she had released new books. It was during such a search that I found out about the plagerism and that Stevens was dropped by her publisher & not allowed to publish again.

I read the book that was plagiarized (My Beloved Whitney by Judith McNaught) &, honestly, this book is much better. It is kind of like, when a fashion magazine puts two pictures side by side, of two different actresses wearing the same dress and picks "who wore it best"-even though it is the same, each woman has put her own stamp on it, done something different that just makes it better. Stevens may have stolen a lot of the concepts but she did a better job with secondary characters, making the H/h memorable and in developing more likable H/h.
Profile Image for Harim.
1,205 reviews78 followers
February 4, 2025
reread- February 2025

Re-reading this always saddens me to my core with the realization that had this author never got a chance and there was so much to explore in her fictional universe. hell i never wanted this one to end and i have now read it maybe a dozen times and i read whitney, my love maybe a handful of times.




*******
This book.. This beautiful amazing book ..I have no words. I have read and re read it so so many times. This book is a classic example of amazing writing, so flowy and wonderful and it's the entire reason why I am INSANELY obsessed with historical books. Dukes and all. I came across this beauty back in 2010 maybe and I have read it endless times. Still reading. Still loving.

I just feel sad, so effing deeply that this author never got to write more because damn I wanted the stories of all brothers. I wanted the part two of Clinton and Tiffany. It's just so sad that her career which was meant to go so far got shut down.. Would've been the best thing ever to be able to read more from this author.. She isn't even anywhere.. No social media nothing.. I hope wherever she is,she's doing great and thank you and so much love for writing this gem. It will be my forever. I won't ever stop reading and loving it. Thank you!
Profile Image for Jena .
2,313 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2011
Very bad copy-cat version of Judith McNaught's, Whitney, My Love, without the rape scene.

This book was missing the poignancy, and the complexity of characters personalities that was in the original. Most every characters were 1 dimensional, with Tiffany being the most annoying, foot-stomping, immature brat that ever lived in Romanceland.



SPOILERS:

Differences in this book:

Its the heroine's first love who was in debt, not her father.
She was secretly betrothed to her first love, but the hero made an offer that her first love didn't refuse.
Slightly more steamier love scenes.
No rape.


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
122 reviews
July 30, 2019
Finally found a copy in paperback on Amazon. I can't wait to read this one. I am aware of there being problems regarding Judith McNaughts book, but I just don't care. I haven't been able to find a book similar to "Whitney, my love" anywhere, and I guess this is it!

After reading:
This book was exactly a copy of Witney, my love. Some parts were not, and those were actually quite good. Too bad for the author for not having enough faith in herself to make up her own story.

One star because of the stolen idea, or else it would get 3 stars.
Profile Image for Lady Raven RAVE!.
1,824 reviews1,518 followers
June 26, 2011
I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE THIS BOOK, I have reread this book so many times that it gets better each time like fine wine and the sad part is I cross my fingers till this day hoping there would be a couple more books about the brothers how pathatic of me. I have search high and low for more books from this author and its like she left us with this well written story and just vanish off the face off the planet. Still after so many years I DEMAND more books about the brothers, or could it be this author uses a different name that she writes under guess i'll never know...


IF YOU LOVEEEE THIS BOOK also read Whitney, My Love by Judith Mcnaught...(:D) read the reviews on the book


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Profile Image for Maria.
954 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2023
A love story of an old era. Yes, there was manipulation but overall a love like no other. In the times of Tudor, life was different. Betroths, titles, wealth, gluttony.
A titled man’s love - Clinton for a spirited young Countess - Tiffany.

Simply no spoiling as was definitely a fun read. Initially read in paperback years ago. Sadly, Stephanie never continued along this path. This was the only storyline of the Barencourte Family - Clinton & Tiffany. The siblings - Barencourte men, would have seen many follow ups as lead within the storyline. For this I am saddened.

Beautiful storyline and yes, women were treated differently in this era. But with status comes responsibilities.

A note too to readers, editing in areas needed further proof reading. You will become used to the text and follow with ease.

Defiant Angel is one book I do go back and read every few years thus my review.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Profile Image for Melissa Gordon.
41 reviews6 followers
October 23, 2018
I read this book at 14 years old and it distorted my perception of what sex was going to be like for many years afterward... Turns out I was way too hopeful and romantic for reality. 😁 Also upon is giving it as an adult I realize how ridiculously sexist it is. If you find a copy of this book, skip to the juicy parts and ignore the rest!
201 reviews17 followers
January 24, 2025
Not better than Whitney My Love. This author did a disservice to the h making her responses so juvenile for 75% of the book. And there were plot holes - H still had much to answer for. The last 25% was done well - I have the paperback and will likely reread for that portion alone, because this is a fav trope that is hard to find. But if you cannot find a paperback just stick with Whitney.
Profile Image for Monica Wright.
1 review
August 3, 2021
Omg this book is amazing. I know for a fact I’ll be reading this book over and over again. I only wish the author would have written a whole series about the other brothers. I really want to know their story of finding their perfect match.
Profile Image for Silvia.
80 reviews
November 30, 2013
The best book of old times!....Although I had the story the copyright issue, I still think this was a great book!...I fell in love Clinton, he was such a gentle man, patient and above in love with Tiffany! Although Tiffany was childish, he still gave her time to grow up and realize that he loved her. I wish the Author had written more books about the brothers.
Im yet to read Judith's original book that was allegedly copied, not the new version. maybe I will make my own judgment! Anyone has it? Im still looking forward to better books like this one.
Profile Image for Fre06 Begum.
1,260 reviews205 followers
November 27, 2013
Not sure what I expected but seriously this book nearly put me to sleep!! The male lead was just annoying and too smug but not in a hot way either...... At least the heroine was not too clingy or needy that would have driven me up the wall. I have to read Whitney My Love again to see what the similarities are cos JM is a really good writer and this book was nothing near any of her books......
Profile Image for Huong.
943 reviews
April 21, 2012
Did-Not-Finish. Once upon a time, I would've liked this type of romance. But I really can't stand the overbearing super-alpha domineering hero with no scruples anymore. Heroine was annoying also.
Profile Image for S.
5 reviews
Read
August 22, 2012
Someone please email me this book ;((( sehrish_wb@hotmail.com
Profile Image for Stephanie.
109 reviews
July 31, 2014
I love the author's writing style. This book was entertaining and made me laugh on several occasions. I would love to read this again in the future.
3 reviews
didn-t-read
July 21, 2015
didn't bother to read: couldn't find & too similar to whitney,my love
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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