Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh

ISBN: 0385341059
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release: April 27, 2010
Source: I purchased this book to read and review

When Cassandra Belmont, Lady Paget, looks for a wealthy protector to save herself and her dependents from destitution, she chooses Stephen Huxtable, Earl of Merton. But while Stephen is quite willing to take her as a mistress, he is not pleased to find that she has deceived him. And so a new arrangement is made between them, on Stephen’s terms this time.

Seducing an Angel is the 4th book in Mary Balogh’s latest series of books staring the Huxtable family.  In the previous 3 books, we have learned about Vanessa and Elliot, Katherine and Jasper and Margaret and Duncan.  The three Huxtable sisters are frequently described as headstrong but each unique in their own way.  They marry very different men, but maintain the connection of family that seems to be a common thread throughout this series.  Stephen, their brother, is the baby of the family.  When we started this series, Stephen was 17 and had just inherited the title of Earl of Merton.  Although he is young to be stepping unexpectedly into such large shoes, he has good leadership to compliment his basic good and honorable personality.

Cassandra Belmont, Lady Paget, is in desperate straits.  Most of society believes that she murdered her husband (potentially with an axe) and her stepson has threatened her with  a charge of murder if she tries to get her inheritance.  So, here she is in London, with various hangers on, no money, no hope of a job and she decides to get herself a protector – in essence – become a courtesan.  Although this is my least favorite book of this series, I am impressed with how Stephen essentially remains true to his character.  Instead of taking advantage of Cassandra, he decides to help her.  He doesn’t help her by really becoming her protector, he helps her by solving her problems.  He finds her brother and encourages a reunion.  He tries to obtain her inheritance for her.  Yes, he sleeps with her and is attracted to her, but he doesn’t break from his character and become a “typical peer”.  I admire Mary Balogh’s consistency and determination to follow the difficult road in writing this book, not the easy one!  I leave you with several industry reviews for you to ponder.

“Seducing An Angel is a passionate tale of how two very different people find love and happiness together. This is no fluff read, but one fraught with emotion as Stephen works to comprehend the reasoning behind Cassandra’s scandal and her cynical attitude, and as Cassandra learns to understand herself“. Night Owl Romance

Romance Reader at Heart gave this book 4 roses and says: “The story most certainly reflects on some heavy issues, and for that alone I recommend it. I cannot imagine the way women were forced to endure abusive relationships during the time period. Husbands had all the power and parents were rather helpless to stop it, if they knew of it at all. Balogh does a masterful job of dealing with this topic subtly yet effectively, and I am glad to say that the hero and heroine make their match work because of it.”