Review: Bedeviled Angel by Annette Blair
September 2, 2010 
9 Comments
Bedeviled Angel
by Annette Blair
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Available: August 3, 2010
Genre: Paranormal Romance
At the Works Like Magick employment Agency in Salem, Massachusetts, matching clients in need with magical temps is a piece of cake, especially since sexy Chance Gordricson also happens to be heaven-sent. He’s Kenya Saint-Denis’s guardian angel. And when he’s hired to keep an eye on her and the two surrogate children she’s become saddled with, he just might fall prey to temptation.
Reviewed by: Pearl
Chance Godricson is a guardian angel but he neglects his other charges because he focuses too much on Queisha. A woman he once sacrificed his own life for to save from imminent death. Chance is charismatic, sympathetic, sweet and charming.
Queisha Saint-Denis is Chance’s charge. She suffers from agoraphobia and though the panic attacks frighten her, she faces life head-on. She’s quirky, outspoken and she’s a bit erratic and eccentric. I thought Queisha was a wonderful heroine. Despite her phobia and the setbacks in life she’s caring, giving, colorful and energetic.
Skye and Lace are Queisha’s twin daughters. Queisha was a surrogate to a rich childless couple who died in a rock climbing accident and have now named her guardian of the twins as she’s their birthmother. The plot of BEDEVILED ANGEL, next to the romance of course, is mainly about how Queisha copes with being thrown into a mother-role and how they all adjust to being thrown together. I loved the twins. In contrast with my the ghost-theme pet peeve I have in romance, kids are my favorite secondary character theme and these twins are among the ones I really love in the stories I’ve read. Skye is playful and mischievous, while Lace is stubborn, reserved. There were plenty of scenes with the girls and Queisha and Chance that put a lump in my throat.
Two things that bothered me in the first book of this series (NAKED DRAGON) returned in this one too. First the ghosts-theme again. Admittedly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book as it was crucial to the plot and Queisha’s character even and it was a brief appearance but I still don’t like them in romances. Second, the extreme short chapters which seem to be the author’s signature style in this series, though I have to say it bothered me less in this book. Maybe because I was somewhat prepared for it and there were not as many weird mid-scene chapter breaks as in the first book.
BEDEVILED ANGEL has an intricately set up and subtly layered plot that was still easy to read and fast-paced. Although a lot of different things happen, it’s never unclear or disorganized. Both books I’ve read by her have a way of captivating so much that I can’t stop reading and before I know it, the book is finished.
I really like Annette Blair’s writing style, a lot, it’s clear and humorous and even while broaching heavy subjects she keeps it light and manageable. Though in some ways this book was different from NAKED DRAGON, it was just as pleasing and entertaining. I’d laugh out loud one page, choke up on the next and fan myself on the third. This book was more emotional than humorous, the playfulness of book 1 was toned down a bit to accommodate the heavier theme. However, there were still enough moments to make me swallow the lump in my throat and smile or laugh out loud.
BEDEVILED ANGEL took me on an emotional rollercoaster with its endearing characters and its heart-rending story. At the end I just cried and cried silent tears at how beautiful and emotional it was. It was the perfect ending to a fun and lovely paranormal romance. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the Works Like Magick series, which will focus on the dragons again.
Favorite Quote:
Like a swan, she made the dance look easy, even bending to his will, then she raised her hips and touched her center to his.
After years of celibacy, he short-circuited. Zap! That fast, his manhood morphed from spring sapling to a mighty oak. Wood and plenty of it.
Other books in the series:
- Naked Dragon (book 1)
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I really like the blend of humor, emotion and plot! I've got some witches of AB on the shelves but this sound even better! The quote has me grinning from ear to ear…oh wait…now it's gone from grinning to snickering
Nice review Pearl. I've never read this series but the quote had me giggling. "spring sapling to mighty oak" lol
Great review.
I have this series on my wish list.
M
Hi Pearl! I loved this book! I like the fast pace and the emotional roller coaster….and I love Annette's funky writing style. I also think she writes very original sex scenes, which is difficult to do in romance.
Great review!
Penny
Nice review Pearl. This one looks good. I'll have to check out the first book.
i can haz the hottie on the cover?
Great review!
Gasp, I want this one!
I want to get to this one…now even more
I love it when a book can make me laugh and cry. Sounds like a wonderful read. I have this author on my radar for a while now. Perhaps I should really just get one of her books.