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Angel in a Devil's Arms

(The Palace of Rogues #2)

Julie Anne Long (Goodreads Author)

4.08 · Rating details · 432 ratings · 112 reviews

From USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long comes the second book in an exciting new historical romance series, the first since her beloved Pennyroyal Green series.

He has devil's blood in his veins. At least, that's always been the legend. How else could the Duke of Brexford's notorious bastard son return from the dead? The brutal decade since Lucien Durand, Lord ...more

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Kindle Edition, 368 pages

Published October 29th 2019 by Avon

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Nov 09, 2019 WhiskeyintheJar/Kyraryker rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series, historical, regency

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

What mattered was she was standing, and that was very much in spite of the men who had populated her life.

Readers first met Angelique in Lady Derring Takes a Lover, first in The Palace of the Rogues series. A mysterious man had just arrived when we left the series and Angel in a Devil's Arms picks right up from that. It wouldn't be hard to start the series ...more

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Nov 01, 2019 OLT rated it really liked it · review of another edition

(4.5 stars) Lately I've been on a losing streak with my HR reads, even new HRs written by my favorite authors. Most of them start out well but don't hold up all the way to the end. And the romance aspect of most has been bland or a bit tepid, not giving me the swoony "feels" a good romantic relationship should.

I've been a fan of Julie Anne Long's style of writing and way to get love and attraction onto paper since her first books from 2004/2005. Those books were flawed and not as good as her (4.5 stars) Lately I've been on a losing streak with my HR reads, even new HRs written by my favorite authors. Most of them start out well but don't hold up all the way to the end. And the romance aspect of most has been bland or a bit tepid, not giving me the swoony "feels" a good romantic relationship should.

I've been a fan of Julie Anne Long's style of writing and way to get love and attraction onto paper since her first books from 2004/2005. Those books were flawed and not as good as her Pennyroyal Green series but even they showed the promise of her abilities as a writer of romance. She has not always lived up to the word "historical" in the acronym HR nor has she done enough research into titles and forms of address in the peerage but she has always excelled in that "love" thing. This second in the Palace of Rogues series is no exception.

We met the heroine here, Angelique Breedlove, in the first book, LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER, when she, mistress of the late Lord Derring, and Delilah Swanpoole, Derring's widow, develop a friendship and together convert the old, no longer in use, disreputable Palace of Rogues (the only thing Derring left to Delilah in his will) into a reputable boardinghouse, The Palace on the Thames.

Although you can enjoy this new story as a standalone, the background in the first and the friendships and comradery which develop there among all those struggling to make a success of the boardinghouse adds to the pleasure of this second book, which builds on that backstory.

Angelique is a "fallen" woman. She came from a respectable family but, when young, she was used and discarded in turn by two men she had thought loved her. Disowned by her family and in desperate straits she saw herself forced to become Lord Derring's mistress. But now she's in a happier situation, with friends and a respectable position as co-owner of the above-mentioned boardinghouse. She's content, but she's not open to ever again being vulnerable to men and love.

And we have our hero, Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt, illegitimate son of the Duke of Brexford. Lucien had been recognized as Brexford's son, even awarded a viscountcy, given an aristocrat's education, and a membership in White's. Yet when it was time for the duke to marry and produce his legitimate heir, his new duchess insisted on Brexford disavowing Lucien and Lucien's mother.

Then ten years ago Lucien was believed to have drowned in the Thames after one of his usual nights of revelry and notorious behavior at the Palace of Rogues (yes, the place that is now Delilah's and Angelique's boardinghouse). But he's now back in London and he's out for revenge on whoever it was that set upon him on the waterfront and dumped him into the river to drown.

What better place to camp out while planning his revenge than the site of his "murder"? And so begins our romance. Lucien starts out as a man only intent on revenge. Angelique as a woman who refuses to allow any man, however attractive he may be, to have power over her via her heart. Long does a beautiful job of showing us how their love develops as they open themselves up to each other and to the possibilities life offers.

Watching Lucien evolve from a man only living for revenge to a man ready to forgive those who betrayed him and to live instead for a relationship with Angelique is heartwarming. And Angelique also needs to learn to forgive, but to forgive herself, and not only to forgive but to admire her younger self and her ability to survive and even thrive.

This is a lovely story. Not just because of the plot and the romance, but also because of Long's writing talents. Her humor, descriptive abilities, clever dialogue, and insight into the human condition make for just the kind of romance I like, full of feels and warmth. Yep, I was like a pig in mud with this one. When Lucien says things like "...only two imperfect people could create such a perfect love. I am yours and you are mine," I turn all gooey inside. Yes, I admit it. Sometimes I'm a hopeless romantic and lover of schmaltz.

As long as JAL continues to produce romances like this one, I'll be reading them. ...more

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Jun 26, 2019 Christie«SHBBblogger» rated it it was amazing

Shelves: oct2019, historical, part-of-a-series, set-in-england, top-shelf-quality, advanced-copy

Title: Angel in Devil's Arms
Series: The Palace of Rogues #2
Author: Julie Anne Long
Release date: October 29, 2019
Cliffhanger: No
Genre:historical romance

If you don't have this series on your radar, stop what you're doing right now. Add these to your TBR, one-click, and prepare for historical romance bliss. Book one, Lady Derring Takes a Lover, was laugh out loud funny and gorgeously written all at the same time. I was so impressed with Julie Anne Long's writing style and her skill in ...more

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Nov 02, 2019 Starr (AKA Bam Bam) Rivers rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

First of all, what is up with the covers for historical roms lately?? First Tessa Dare and now JAL! HATE these covers!

Anyway...

I wish I could give this a 5. But I can't.

This installment is reminiscent of the old JAL books (Pennyroyal Green series). Focused on the MCs' developing relationship using banter and wit and interesting use of vocabulary and expressions, which I have always enjoyed. I love the way JAL writes. No other authors have her style.

HOWEVER.

Beautiful writing doesn't eclipse the ...more

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Nov 22, 2019 Jan rated it liked it

Shelves: historical, british

3.5 stars, I guess. It was better than the first book in this series (Lady Derring Takes a Lover). In fact for most of this book, it was quite a bit better. More like the 'old' Julie Anne Long. Nice banter, interesting characters, nice love story. It was going to be 4 stars.

But about 70-80% through, it slumped badly for me. I just kinda lost interest for some reason, and had to force myself to finish it. Boo.

Maybe it was (view spoiler) ...more

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Nov 02, 2019 Firstpella rated it really liked it

‘Are you going to cry, sir?’

In many ways, this story reminded me of Stuart’s Heartless and Brandon/Emma. Both the H and h here are in the landscape of aristocracy as ‘less thans’ - the H is a bastard but as male still gets a level of respect, the h is labeled various titles which ultimately mean whore. Neither has experience with love and fumble a bit as their magic unfolds.

The difference in Long’s telling is the H is in some ways, the girl - falling first, declaring first, softening first while ...more

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Nov 23, 2019 Usha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is a well written book. The H is sexy hot but his appeal is his emotional intelligence and how he reconciles the wrongs done to him in his past to a future that holds promises of love, respect and a level of tranquility. He drives the plot more than the h. The best scenes in the book are between him and his father and between him and his brother. We know our h fairly well from book 1 of the series. She is once bitten and thousand times shy and rightly so. JAI does such good work to ...more

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Nov 11, 2019 Beanbag Love rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a delight to read. I gushed all over a status update earlier and, although shortly after that I was confronted with too many inner monologues and character navel gazing (seriously a good 15% chunk of the book right smack in the middle) it came back together and Long pulled it off.

What was wonderful in this book was the interaction between Lucien and Angelique. They were both damaged, but they were also witty, strong, and loyal. Every scene they had together was rich with chemistry.

All ...more

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Jul 02, 2019 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book. Excellent character growth, wonderful cast of supporting characters and a set up for the next book. Angelique and Lucien were both very controlled on the surface but underneath there was anger and fear and shame. With love and friendship they are able to realize that they are worthy of each other and if of the friends and family in their lives. I especially loved Lucien, he’s so sweet, kind and romantic underneath his badass exterior. I also love “the mistress” ...more

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Oct 24, 2019 Stacee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: edelweiss, read-in-2019, contains-the-evil-sentence

I had enjoyed the previous book in this series and loved Angelique, so there was no way I was missing this one.

Angelique is just as fantastic as I thought. She’s smart and determined and ready to settle into a new life. Lucien is all quips and bravado and in desperate need of gentleness. Together they are filled with open and honest conversations, so much chemistry it could choke a person, and the absolute need to belong to someone. Of course it was delightful to see Delilah and Dot again.

Plot ...more

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Nov 01, 2019 Laura_sommeils rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

I think I expected more because I loved Angelique in the first book. I liked this one, but I wasn't into the romantic couple. I liked their interactions but I wasn't invested in them. The parts that moved me the most were in fact of them with the people closest to them. Like Angelique with Delilah and Tristan, or Lucien and his half-brother. And the conversation about how human beings and the way they show love can be flawed but that we should always try and apologize if we make mistakes. I'm ...more

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Dec 02, 2019 Limecello rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, library

I haven't read historicals really in YEARS so ... :X I haven't read any JAL books in years too (I mean, I MUST have read at least one or two before, right? >.>)

Anyway, I knew this was book 2 in a series, but ... if you know me/follow my reviews you know I absolutely do not care about that.

ANYWAY.
Lucien and Angelique. Two such wary, damaged, kind, loving characters.
It's ... rather low key and slow burn - I can't remember when they first kiss (maybe a little before 30%?) ... they do have sex ...more

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Nov 14, 2019 Blackjack rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, published-2019, best-hero

Julie Anne Long is a master at depicting longing and emotional connections. I know that whenever two characters sit down together for a conversation, Long will show us the progression of how they connect and bond. The best moments in this book take place during quiet conversations: several between main characters Angelique and Lucien, but also emotional ones between Angelique and Delilah, and even a couple of sweet ones between Lucien and his young half-brother. I find myself reading slowly Julie Anne Long is a master at depicting longing and emotional connections. I know that whenever two characters sit down together for a conversation, Long will show us the progression of how they connect and bond. The best moments in this book take place during quiet conversations: several between main characters Angelique and Lucien, but also emotional ones between Angelique and Delilah, and even a couple of sweet ones between Lucien and his young half-brother. I find myself reading slowly through these moments to catch the nuance as couples play off each other, striving to understand how the other feels, and calibrating their responses in turn. Long is a lovely writer with great skill at dialogue.

The story here picks up exactly where it left off in Lady Derring Takes a Lover with the appearance of the mysterious Lucian Durand claiming his room for rent at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Angelique and Lucian clash immediately, only Angelique expects Lucian to be a nightmare of a boarder at her beloved inn -- and I find that I still love the solemn and careful pronunciation paid to this title every time it is uttered. Lucian might scoff at the pompous title, but by the end he is as adoring as all the others. But while Angelique fears the worse from Lucian, and especially fears their immediate attraction, Lucian immediately welcomes the idea of having Angelique as a temporary bed partner. And thus, the novel sets up a fairly conventional story of a repressed, chaste woman and a reckless and charming playboy.

All of the ingredients are here for a wonderful romance, and yet I still found this book in need of additional work for both main characters. Angelique did not feel lively or interesting enough here in this second book other than being intensely respectable in behavior to offset her past as a less than socially respectable woman. I kept trying to find depths to her aside from the facade of respectability she showcases. Lucien is wonderfully irreverent and appealing as a man determined to revenge wrongdoings, but midway through the novel, he simply drops his life goals of getting even with the villains of his past. I know that we're meant to accept that Angelique has changed him but more development is needed to show us the process he undergoes to get there. I know too that he falls deeply in love with her, but for three quarters of the novel he firmly denounces marriage as an option in his life. I was surprised too that the sensuality in the love scenes felt rather lackluster, even though there are plenty of them. Finally, I thought that toward the end of the novel, Angelique's harsh rejection of Lucien was a bit unwarranted and illogical.

A small part of me wishes that the series would expand its setting beyond the inn a little more. I do very much like the inn itself and the concept of community it is creating, but at times the limited setting feels a little claustrophobic. At first I wasn't sure if the epilogue was working for me given that Angelique and Lucian's romance is wrapped up so early. The shift in focus to the next couple in line for a story in Book 3 immediately drew me in and reminded me how good Long can be at creating intrigue. ...more

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Oct 27, 2019 Angie Elle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

ARC from Edelweiss

Angel in a Devil’s Arms is the second story in Julie Anne Long’s The Palace of Rogues series. This is a series that could be read out of order, but the buildup from the first book makes Angelique and Lucien’s story even more special, so if you do have the time and inclination, definitely start at the beginning! I’ve wanted to know more of Angelique’s history from the moment she was introduced in Lady Derring Takes a Lover; I dare say she outshone the heroine in that book. And ARC from Edelweiss

Angel in a Devil’s Arms is the second story in Julie Anne Long’s The Palace of Rogues series. This is a series that could be read out of order, but the buildup from the first book makes Angelique and Lucien’s story even more special, so if you do have the time and inclination, definitely start at the beginning! I’ve wanted to know more of Angelique’s history from the moment she was introduced in Lady Derring Takes a Lover; I dare say she outshone the heroine in that book. And with the mystery surrounding Lucien, our hero, built up all throughout that installment, I was already hooked.

There was an entire cast of characters introduced in the first book of this series, and I loved the way they came together. I wanted more of them, and I got it here. From the main characters to ‘the help’ to ‘the guests,’ this array of personalities complement each other perfectly.. I love this ‘found’ family Angelique and Delilah have brought together. They are people who are unlikely to spend time together outside of The Palace of Rogues, but the camaraderie and chemistry between them is stellar. I want them all to find their happily ever afters, even if they’re side notes in the ‘bigger’ stories of the series.

Angelique is a woman with a sordid past who would be shunned by the ton should she even try to mingle with them. Lucien is a man who, at one time, happily left chaos in his wake. But they’ve both changed, and neither is who they once were. But it takes reminders from each other to finally learn and accept that. I really loved Angelique and Lucien’s story. Their biggest obstacles were themselves. They both struggled with worthiness, but were able to see it in each other, even if they weren’t always able to acknowledge it. I loved their banter and dialogue, their constant redefining what ‘friends’ are, and their conversations. There was one particular late night conversation between them that was so poignant and candid, so beautifully written that it was enough to take a reader’s breath away. Lucien was so sweet and romantic, but not at the cost of his masculinity, which, in my opinion, so many authors are unable to achieve these days. I don’t want a hero whose masculinity has been squelched; I want one who finds a heroine to complement it. And I got it here.

My only gripe about this book is that it feels overwritten in parts, as if it’s trying so hard when it doesn’t need to. The story is enough to stand on its own.

There was a scene in the epilogue that sets us up for what I think is going to be the next book, and suffice it to say, just like with Angelique and Lucien, I’m already hooked. I can’t wait to see what is next for the characters in this series, and I can’t wait to see Angelique and Lucien and Delilah and Tristan and Dot again. I just want all the stories! If you like soft-hearted heroes with a gruff exterior and heroines with some major life experiences behind them, you’ll love Angel in a Devil’s Arms. I know I did! ...more

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Nov 03, 2019 Blodeuedd Finland rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, audiobook

For a book with someone back fromt the dead, I expected more drama, but hey I am not complaining.

Angelique used to be a mistress, now she runs a boarding house with the wife of the man whose mistress she was. Yes, I had a rocky start with her, but she is a good person, and that guy was an asshat anyway.

I like the boarding house, with its funny boarders, and rules.

And to the drama, or non drama. Lucien was assumed dead for 10 years (as someone did try to kill him), and now he wants revenge. ...more

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Nov 21, 2019 SidneyKay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-regency

Gush Alert!

Wow! Have we voted for the best book of the year yet? Well, if not, Angel in a Devil’s Arms gets my vote. In the continuation of her Palace of Rogues series, Julie Anne Long delivers a book that is everything a romance should be.

Where to begin? Where to begin? Well, in case you don’t know, Angel in a Devil’s Arms is a part of The Palace of Rogues series. If you don’t remember this series, this is the one about a dead Lord Derring. He has died and left his wife a run-down old building ...more

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Oct 23, 2019 Aly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Angelique Breedlove is one of the two proprietress of The Grand Palace on the Thames, a charming boarding house with a few quirky rules. Their mysterious new guest is none other than Lord Bolt, a man who's been allegedly dead for a decade. Elegant, sarcastic and even a little arrogant, Lucien Durand has his mind set on revenge. But his meeting with Angelique, a kind and spirited woman, might derail his plans.

Angelique first thought about Lord Bolt is that she wants him gone. She's smart enough ...more

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Sep 08, 2019 romancejunkie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I received an arc copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt, has been declared dead in society for years now when he suddenly reappers at The Grand Palace on the Thames to stay for awhile there while he is planning his vengeance for his stolen birthright and a way to confront the father who coldly abandoned him. There he meets and is instantly captivated with Angelique Breedlove, one of the new owners of the palace. She also carries a lot of ...more

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Jul 25, 2019 Jenn added it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, dnf, own

I received a digital ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review.

DNF at 29%. Literally nothing has happened. Also, this is the second in a series. Usually with these, it doesn't matter. Either the previous book is just about two people who cameo in future books or they sum up what you missed from the first book. I'm assuming that the other owner of this house was the subject of the previous book? Well, I don't understand why they own this business. There's clearly some strange reason, but I feel ...more

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Nov 02, 2019 Tina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-reads, romance-historical, audiobook

In my review of Like No Other Lover I wrote about this author's "very evocative, almost poetically romantic writing." Back when I was reading the early books of that series, one of the things that struck me the most about those books wasn't the plot but the romance of the writing that evoked a very real, romantic intimacy. There was also a precision to the author's writing craft on those books that just made me enjoy reading the words, not just to enjoy the plot. This isn't always evident with In my review of Like No Other Lover I wrote about this author's "very evocative, almost poetically romantic writing." Back when I was reading the early books of that series, one of the things that struck me the most about those books wasn't the plot but the romance of the writing that evoked a very real, romantic intimacy. There was also a precision to the author's writing craft on those books that just made me enjoy reading the words, not just to enjoy the plot. This isn't always evident with this author, imo. I think the later books in the Pennyroyal Green series lost of a bit of that none of the contemp romances I have tried captured any of that.

But this series make me feel that way again. This one especially since Angelique and Bolt's chemistry and conversations seem to overwhelm the plot -- which is a plus since the plot is rather thin.

In this the second installment, Angelique and Delilah have settled into their roles and patronesses of the Grand Palace on The Thames, their boarding house where they have very lofty goals. One of the most enjoyable parts of the previous book was the camaraderie of the houseguests and the found family aspect of the story. In this one that continues. Only one of the previous guests is still in residence, but the boarding house still has a fun cast of characters.

Into this group comes Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt. The man who mysteriously reserved their best room when they first opened but has only just appeared. He has been presumed dead after a 'dunk in the Thames' ten years previously. But he knows it was attempted murder. His reappearance causes consternation to some and is the subject of titillating gossip to others. But For Angelique he his a wicked temptation.

At first you think this is going to be some grand revenge scheme and Lucien starts out that way but as time goes on he realizes it isn't really revenge he wants but a sort of reparation. He is the bastard son of a Duke who was BFFs with the King and who made sure Lucien was awarded land and a title of his own even Lucien could never be considered his own heir. Lucien has great memories of his father but when his father married and had a legitimate child their relationship severed. Now that he is back he wants answers from his father. I have to say the conversation between Lucien and the Duke was a really emotional one that had me feeling some kind of way for Lucien. But it worked as a turning point for Lucien.

Most of what we get is Lucien and Angelique feeling their way toward each other and it is a lovely love story to read.

Even though Lucien's revenge doesn;t work out quite the way he planned, he does get everything he wants in the end, even if it is accomplished in an unconventional way.

Outside of the plot and the romance, the relationships between the characters is really good. I love all the scenes at the boardinghouse as the various boarders must comply with Angelique and Delilah's somewhat eccentric rules. And how they all interact with each other.

There is a fair bit of book left in the end after the romance & overall plot is resolved that works as set up for the next book. I like that the author doesn't bait her sequel til the last chapter or two and, just like the previous book, this one ends on a very intriguing note for the next couple. ...more

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Oct 29, 2019 Diane K. Peterson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-doc, historical-romance

Another excellent book from Julie Anne Long. If you are looking for fast action and impulsive sex this is not the book for you. Long is best at writing the slow development, the slow burn, the complicated issues that keep people apart.

Mrs. Angelique Breedlove has suffered shame and betrayal in her past. Previously the mistress of the deceased Lord Derring, she has formed a tight bond with his widow. The two have set up a boarding house and enjoy running their own business. Then the notorious ...more

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Aug 03, 2019 Heather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I received an e-arc from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

I think this is JAL's best book yet. The beginning is laugh out loud funny (really, don't drink anything while reading, it ends badly) and the introduction of Lord Bolt is marvelous. The banter is snappy and fun, and Angelique really shines the most when she's verbally sparring with Lord Bolt.

As funny as the start is, once into the meat of the story, JAL brings all the feels. It's a beautifully written book, ...more

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Nov 30, 2019 Ash rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5 Stars
Grade= B-

It is perhaps slightly unfortunate that authors we love are just held to a higher standard.

This book has wit, sparkling dialogue and great chemistry and had it been a book by a new to me author it might have scored higher.
What it lacks is that oomph factor that JAL has delivered in so many books in the past. The one that where I can FEEL the characters falling in love and that tugs right at the heartstrings ( an issue I'm unfortunately facing with several of my autobuy ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-read

3.5 Stars

I freaking love Julie Anne Long. This read has everything I love about her writing. Funny characters, witty bantering, sexy scenes. But that special something was missing for me and I was getting bored with the setting. I’m excited to read about the next couple but I hope they leave the Palace and we read about a different setting. Overall it’s a lovely read but I’m just not over the moon about it. ...more

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Nov 07, 2019 Ali rated it it was amazing

I’m going to keep this short and sweet: Lucien. ...more

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Oct 23, 2019 Douglas Meeks rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If you read book 1 Lady Derring Takes a Lover (and you should) you remember a mysterious man renting the best room paying in advance and we never saw him, well in this book he shows up , meet Lord Bolt or Lucien as we come to know him and his quest to impress Angelique but his work is cut out for him as this passage will give you an idea of how it goes :

Our heroine having one of the first conversations with our hero after he went to great lengths to impress her with his charm and attempted ...more

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Oct 28, 2019 FV Angela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019, reviewed-for-smexy, historical-romance, 2019-faves

One of the best historical romances I’ve read this year. LOVED.

Review originally posted at https://smexybooks.com/2019/10/angela...

I went into this book having already enjoyed the first book in the series, Lady Derring Takes a Lover, and excited to see Angelique Breedlove, the other proprietress of The Grand Palace on the Thames, finally meet a man worthy of her and find her happily ever after. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself positively enchanted almost from the moment Lucien Durand, ...more

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Nov 05, 2019 Sheila Melo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

FINAL DECISION: A book that just lifted my spirit and heart. Beautiful, lyrical and filled with acceptance and redemption. Some books just fill my heart so much that I can't find the words to express how much it touched me. This is one of those books.

THE STORY: Angelique Breedlove has begun to build a new life for herself. After failed love affairs and a turn as the mistress of her now business partner's deceased husband, Angelique knows that men are trouble. Trouble walks into the Grand Palace ...more

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Oct 29, 2019 Pj Ausdenmore rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2019, 5-star-reads-2019, romance-historical

You know those books that fill you with pleasure from beginning to end; hold you tight until you've read the very last word, even if that's at 3:00 AM? The ones that leave you in a state of such satisfied bliss that it's a week - at least - before you can even begin to contemplate the thought of starting a new story? This is one of those books.

Julie Anne Long is at her best in this newest installment of her The Palace of Rogues series, creating a story filled with heartache, humor, deep You know those books that fill you with pleasure from beginning to end; hold you tight until you've read the very last word, even if that's at 3:00 AM? The ones that leave you in a state of such satisfied bliss that it's a week - at least - before you can even begin to contemplate the thought of starting a new story? This is one of those books.

Julie Anne Long is at her best in this newest installment of her The Palace of Rogues series, creating a story filled with heartache, humor, deep passion, revenge, redemption, sweet poignancy, reconciliation, and love. And all wrapped in the sheer beauty of Long's powerful, evocative prose. With characters brought to life in glorious, gritty detail. This one's a keeper and already sitting on my Best of 2019 list.

I loved Lucien and Angelique. Both have been hurt in the past, both betrayed, and both very determined in the paths forward they have chosen. I love how they both evolve over the course of the story, how they slowly begin to shed their protective shields and open their hearts to one another. How the protector, and protected, ebbs and flows along the way.

The surrounding cast is rich in intriguing characters with the boarding house scenes, especially among the men, sheer perfection. I loved the friendship that develops between unlikely characters, leading to unexpected opportunities. The dispatching of the story's villain is brilliantly executed and the resulting introduction of a new character into Lucien's and Angelique's lives had my heart sighing with delight. I do hope he'll show up again in future books. I want to see this relationship - and this character - as they grow.

While Angel in a Devil's Arms can be read as a standalone, there are many facets to Angelique's character as well as her friendship with Delilah and the events that led to them opening a boarding house near the docks that are uncovered in book one, Lady Derring Takes a Lover. For a more complete understanding, and appreciation, of Angelique and her journey, I recommend reading the two books in order. Like I'm going to. Again.

Top Dish - 5 Star Review
ARC received from publisher via Edelweiss. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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Nov 20, 2019 Pamela Shropshire rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, in-my-library, historical-romance, sbtb-rec

After I finished Lady Derring Takes a Lover, I was afraid to read this book, for fear it wouldn’t measure up. Silly me — it absolutely does! I loved it so much, and now it’s going to be torture waiting until the next book comes out.

Lucien Durand is a lovely hero. Yes, he’s the bastard son of a duke, and the story opens with him plotting revenge against his father’s wife — she hired some ruffians to throw him into the Thames several years ago. Happily, Lucien is much more than he first appears - ...more

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About Julie Anne Long

Julie Anne Long

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Well, where should I start? I've lived in San Francisco for more than a decade, usually with at least one cat. I won the school spelling bee when I was in 7th grade; the word that clinched it was 'ukulele.' I originally set out to be a rock star when I grew up (I had a Bono fixation, but who didn't?), and I have the guitars and the questionable wardrobe stuffed in the back of my closet to prove Well, where should I start? I've lived in San Francisco for more than a decade, usually with at least one cat. I won the school spelling bee when I was in 7th grade; the word that clinched it was 'ukulele.' I originally set out to be a rock star when I grew up (I had a Bono fixation, but who didn't?), and I have the guitars and the questionable wardrobe stuffed in the back of my closet to prove it.

But writing was always my first love.

I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).

Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.

But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?

But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.

So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.

Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)

And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.

But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl ...more