She was an angel who had never known love...Widowed twice, Countess Angelica knows with a shivery certainty that her second husband was smothered as he slept. Fearing the same fate, Angel must deceive the hungry suitors to claim her wealth. She plots to stage a marriage to the one man ruthless enough to help her, then hunts and captures Yorkshires's most notorious outlaw.
After reading Linda C.'s review from the first chapter, I'm not sure I'd consider this a "reading level 9-12"
This book is wonderfully written. Even though Angel is supposed to be a stand-on-her-on woman, most of that was an act so as to not give onto her fears. And the way Devil was always there for her and see right through it was totally romantic. He understood her need for independence, but showed enough support to still fit the times of the book
Countess Angelica needs a man who is powerful, strong and clever to protect her from her enemies and King John's wrath. She plots to capture the one man who is all this-the elusive, Robin Hood-style hero known as "The Devil of Midnight."
Nicholas St. Clair is none to happy to be trussed up like a sacrificial lamb as he is presented to the lady, but once she tells him her tale he agrees to her charade-that they pretend to be husband and wife. Nicholas has heard the rumors that Angel killed her husband, but he finds it difficult to believe.
Angel must prove she is innocent of the crime and if "marrying" the Devil is what it takes then she'll sell her soul for her freedom. However, her plans go awry when she and Nicholas fall in love.
Nicholas St. Clair is none to happy to be trussed up like a sacrificial lamb as he is presented to the lady, but once she tells him her tale he agrees to her charade-that they pretend to be husband and wife. Nicholas has heard the rumors that Angel killed her husband, but he finds it difficult to believe.
Angel must prove she is innocent of the crime and if "marrying" the Devil is what it takes then she'll sell her soul for her freedom. However, her plans go awry when she and Nicholas fall in love.
From the back cover: Widowed twice, Countess Angelica knows with a shivery certainty that her second husband was smothered as he slept. Fearing the same fate, Angel must deceive the hungry suitors eager to claim her wealth. She plots to stage a marriage to the one man ruthless enough to help her, then hunts and captures Yorkshire's most notorious outlaw....
Merciless to his enemies, the Devil of Midnight strikes a handsome bargain to act as Angel's new husband. Yet her mere presence soon sends him into the throes of rapture, as she revels in his seductive charms and begins to uncover his guarded secrets. Though their marriage may be false, their desire is torturously real, drawing innocent angel into the Devil's arms to find the heaven only true love can bring.... But when Angel is accused of murder, and the Devil's identity is revealed, the loving rogue must make the ultimate sacrifice to shield his Angel, and their undeniable passion, from the wrath of King John....
--This book wasn't half bad, despite the use of "throes of rapture" in the cover description. ;)
Merciless to his enemies, the Devil of Midnight strikes a handsome bargain to act as Angel's new husband. Yet her mere presence soon sends him into the throes of rapture, as she revels in his seductive charms and begins to uncover his guarded secrets. Though their marriage may be false, their desire is torturously real, drawing innocent angel into the Devil's arms to find the heaven only true love can bring.... But when Angel is accused of murder, and the Devil's identity is revealed, the loving rogue must make the ultimate sacrifice to shield his Angel, and their undeniable passion, from the wrath of King John....
--This book wasn't half bad, despite the use of "throes of rapture" in the cover description. ;)
Widowed twice, Countess Angelica knows with a shivery certainty that her second husband was smothered as he slept. Fearing the same fate, Angel must deceive the hungry suitors eager to claim her wealth. She plots to stage a marriage to the one man ruthless enough to help her, then hunts and captures Yorkshires most notorious outlaw.
this book is autographed but i do not know if it is an original