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Secrets of the Zodiac #3
A Shameless Angel
A courageous codebreaker, a gentleman with a score to settle, and a past that refuses to stay hidden...
Sarah Brecknell has always had an unusual obsession with numbers. After the unfortunate death of her fiancé, she's lost her place in society, and her gift has left her alone with a dangerous secret. Sarah must turn to a complete stranger for help--a secret agent in service to the Crown. She has already made one mistake in love. She can't afford another.
Theodore Markham has plenty of secrets of his own, not least of which his occupation as a spy. Now he is hunting for a traitor. This time is different, though--the rogue was his best friend. The trail goes cold until he meets Sarah, a woman with extraordinary mathematical talents...and an irresistible charm that may be even more dangerous than his adversary.
Sarah Brecknell has always had an unusual obsession with numbers. After the unfortunate death of her fiancé, she's lost her place in society, and her gift has left her alone with a dangerous secret. Sarah must turn to a complete stranger for help--a secret agent in service to the Crown. She has already made one mistake in love. She can't afford another.
Theodore Markham has plenty of secrets of his own, not least of which his occupation as a spy. Now he is hunting for a traitor. This time is different, though--the rogue was his best friend. The trail goes cold until he meets Sarah, a woman with extraordinary mathematical talents...and an irresistible charm that may be even more dangerous than his adversary.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2014
59 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Cole
41 books162 followersElizabeth Cole is a romance author with a penchant for history, which is why she lives in an old house in an old city. She can be found hanging around libraries and archives, or curled in a corner reading, cat on lap. She believes in love at first sight. Then again, she also believes that mac 'n' cheese is a healthy breakfast, so don't trust her judgment on everything.
Get in touch with her at http://twitter.com/coleheartedgirl
Get in touch with her at http://twitter.com/coleheartedgirl
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 28, 2017
Meh. Maybe my least favorite of Ms. Cole’s Zodiac series.
I just couldn't relate to Sarah. I felt like her character should have been less brave. I think sometimes writers make every heroine strong and brave, but it's okay to be scared and "weak" Everything else about Sarah's personality and her past suggests she would be more of a damsel than the type to save herself. I don't know, I didn't get her and found her rather boring.
Theo was also kind of your run of the mill hero with no outstanding qualities. I finished the book to learn more about the zodiac and so I could get to the next one. Nothing to linger over on this one. I do still recommend it, if you are a fan of Cole's other works, maybe you'll like this on more than me. WARNING: There is sex in this book. Please do not read if you are looking for something “clean.”
https://bigcomfychair.wordpress.com/
I just couldn't relate to Sarah. I felt like her character should have been less brave. I think sometimes writers make every heroine strong and brave, but it's okay to be scared and "weak" Everything else about Sarah's personality and her past suggests she would be more of a damsel than the type to save herself. I don't know, I didn't get her and found her rather boring.
Theo was also kind of your run of the mill hero with no outstanding qualities. I finished the book to learn more about the zodiac and so I could get to the next one. Nothing to linger over on this one. I do still recommend it, if you are a fan of Cole's other works, maybe you'll like this on more than me. WARNING: There is sex in this book. Please do not read if you are looking for something “clean.”
https://bigcomfychair.wordpress.com/
December 7, 2014
I was given a free copy of A Reckless Soul and of A Shameless Angel in return for posting an objective review of A Shameless Angel.
I was excited to read A Shameless Angel, a book about a woman who is a scholar and portrayed as a mathematician. This interests me in part because I am a woman and a mathematician.
The book was exciting and compelling. Once started, it was hard to put it down. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book in this series, yet there were some aspects of this novel that I wished were different.
While Sarah is portrayed as a bluestocking and a codebreaker, there is the barest of information about how she performs the magic she does in breaking the codes in the book. I liked that *she* was the one who taught her then-fiancee how to make the codes that must be broken in the first place. I want to know more about it. I was disappointed in that this was not as fleshed out as I thought it could have been. While Sarah's scholarship is portrayed as being important to her, on the most part, she shares this with no one, and only with her love interest, Theo, in order to solve the mystery at the center of the book. She doesn't ever discuss her scholarly interests with another character, aside from Theo, in the book. To develop such interests would require a mentor, and, in particular, Sarah's relationship with her father should have more of her intellectual interests in it. And one would think she must surely have some friends that share her passion for learning and scholarship.
While Sarah is portrayed as an intelligent, well-learned woman, code-creator and breaker, she requires Theo to be her strong male protector to keep her safe. The one other strong characteristic Sarah gets is that she is portrayed as having a great deal of composure under duress.
Here we have the plot line of a female character threatened by evildoers, and of course, she keeps this a secret, sharing it only with Theo, the male love interest. And he, too, keeps this secret from everyone except the Zodiac. The conclusion, where Sarah must be sent in alone with the evildoers, seemed a bit thin -- why not simply rally members of the Zodiac to encircle and ambush the group in their house while Sarah is kept safe?
The one subplot that was most interesting was that of Theo's fiancee, Alyse, and her attraction to Mrs. Heath (there is, it turns out, no Mr. Heath), a renowned Egyptologist, who has figured out a way in regency society to do what she wants how she wants. She lives an unusual authentic life, that Alyse is attracted to. Alyse also discovers she is attracted to Mrs. Heath. This understated plotline was, undoubtedly, my favorite in the novel. That Alyse should be compelled to duplicity in dealing with her feelings is more understandable, given that at the time, those feelings were required to be well hidden.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and I would not hesitate to read another book in the series. I also felt that this book was less than it could have been.
I was excited to read A Shameless Angel, a book about a woman who is a scholar and portrayed as a mathematician. This interests me in part because I am a woman and a mathematician.
The book was exciting and compelling. Once started, it was hard to put it down. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book in this series, yet there were some aspects of this novel that I wished were different.
While Sarah is portrayed as a bluestocking and a codebreaker, there is the barest of information about how she performs the magic she does in breaking the codes in the book. I liked that *she* was the one who taught her then-fiancee how to make the codes that must be broken in the first place. I want to know more about it. I was disappointed in that this was not as fleshed out as I thought it could have been. While Sarah's scholarship is portrayed as being important to her, on the most part, she shares this with no one, and only with her love interest, Theo, in order to solve the mystery at the center of the book. She doesn't ever discuss her scholarly interests with another character, aside from Theo, in the book. To develop such interests would require a mentor, and, in particular, Sarah's relationship with her father should have more of her intellectual interests in it. And one would think she must surely have some friends that share her passion for learning and scholarship.
While Sarah is portrayed as an intelligent, well-learned woman, code-creator and breaker, she requires Theo to be her strong male protector to keep her safe. The one other strong characteristic Sarah gets is that she is portrayed as having a great deal of composure under duress.
Here we have the plot line of a female character threatened by evildoers, and of course, she keeps this a secret, sharing it only with Theo, the male love interest. And he, too, keeps this secret from everyone except the Zodiac. The conclusion, where Sarah must be sent in alone with the evildoers, seemed a bit thin -- why not simply rally members of the Zodiac to encircle and ambush the group in their house while Sarah is kept safe?
The one subplot that was most interesting was that of Theo's fiancee, Alyse, and her attraction to Mrs. Heath (there is, it turns out, no Mr. Heath), a renowned Egyptologist, who has figured out a way in regency society to do what she wants how she wants. She lives an unusual authentic life, that Alyse is attracted to. Alyse also discovers she is attracted to Mrs. Heath. This understated plotline was, undoubtedly, my favorite in the novel. That Alyse should be compelled to duplicity in dealing with her feelings is more understandable, given that at the time, those feelings were required to be well hidden.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and I would not hesitate to read another book in the series. I also felt that this book was less than it could have been.
April 4, 2021
The Zodiac books are romance and adventure, light fare! Great bed time tales to enjoy without restless frustration, fear, etc. Just the thing for the times we live in! I ordered the next book before finishing this one. With series books I usually take a break in between, but this so suited my fancy, I have moved right ahead. Some characters resurface, but each story is quite independent of the others.
January 17, 2018
Code breaker
Sophie couldn’t believe that Charles (her fiancé ) was dead. She meets a friend of Charles a Theadore Drayton, Lord Markham. A few months later Sophie gets a visit from a sinister looking man and he demanded that Sophie bring some important papers by the end of the month. Events start happening and Sophie and Theo start looking for the papers.
Sophie couldn’t believe that Charles (her fiancé ) was dead. She meets a friend of Charles a Theadore Drayton, Lord Markham. A few months later Sophie gets a visit from a sinister looking man and he demanded that Sophie bring some important papers by the end of the month. Events start happening and Sophie and Theo start looking for the papers.
June 13, 2020
Sarah is a scholar and Theodore is part of the spy group Zodiac. When Theodore needs help investigating the death of one of the other spies, who turns out to be a traitor, he turns to the dead man's fiancee, Sarah. She is good with codes and once they discover that the dead spy was dealing in government papers, they work together on the codes in his notebooks.
January 31, 2020
My neighbor wrote this book! And gave it to me on Buy Nothing! Therefore, I'm very pleased to report that I liked it. It's your usual romance novel, of course, but well done, with interesting characters.
August 18, 2018
An excellent addition to the series.
August 26, 2020
I liked this one a bit better: Sarah was delightfully clever, and I liked Alyse's romance in the background. But again, Theo as the spy let me down: He missed far too many extremely obvious clues.
December 3, 2014
A Shameless Angel (Secrets of the Zodiac Book #3) by Elizabeth Cole
I don’t agree with cheating. Not at all. This book has a relationship that could be defined as cheating, however the author creates a story that is so well conceived and written that I never felt any distaste reading it. This was a fantastic book. Excellent characters, a dangerous mystery, passion and defiance of society – this story has all the elements of an amazing book.
We meet Sarah and Theo at the funeral of Sarah’s fiancé Charlie. He was killed by highway men, but neither Sarah or Theo believes that version of events. Sarah can’t move on with her life. She grieves so deeply for the life she was supposed to start with Charlie.
Very quickly we learn that Charlie was a member of the Zodiac, a Crown agency of spies. Theo is also part of the Zodiac and is shocked to learn that his school chum and comrade was actually a traitor. He secretly starts to investigate what Charlie was into, but doesn’t have a lot of leads.
He gets a break in the case when Sarah is approached by a mysterious foreigner and threatened. She has a few weeks to find Charlie’s documents and hand them over to this man. She’s terrified and afraid for her safety so she enlists Theo’s help to find Charlie’s documents.
I adored Sarah. She is a true bluestocking. She is an extremely intelligent woman who is a real code maker and breaker. The feelings she has for Charlie are so heartbreaking when she learns that she has been duped by him. Her grief and anger are so passionately written that it draws you in as a reader. You feel deeply for her and it flavours how you view the relationship she develops with Theo.
Theo finds journals of Charlie’s but he can’t crack the code they are written in. When Sarah comes to him, it’s like a present has been dropped in his lap when he finds out she is the one who taught Charlie coding.
The journals give Theo and Sarah a reason to work together day after day. They get to know one another as colleagues and as a man and woman. I loved how Sarah kept trying to get Theo to reveal the details of the Zodiac to her. She never resorts to feminine wiles, as she isn’t like that, far too intellectual. I really liked learning about the Zodiac as it was really smart of the author to make it like a James Bond institution. Even the secretary Miss Chattan is Moneypenny from a 007 film. The addition of this group to the book just made it even more fun.
There is the issue of Theo’s intended bride. I loved how the author dealt with the issue of what could be construed as infidelity. It’s not the way you want to fall in love with your historical romance novel, with the hero and heroine cheating. His bride to be is a long-time family friend and the engagement has been an understanding for years. The author writes Theo’s intended, Alyse as a woman constrained by her life, her station and the expectations of society. The crafty way the author writes Alyse’s plotline makes you like her immensely and want her to follow her destiny. You know that Sarah and Theo have to be together, so you want Alyse to follow her dream – even if the dream is scandalous for the times.
Theo is a great character. He is so well crafted. I loved how he finds purpose and meaning in the work that he does for the Zodiac. He is good to his family and struggles with his dilemma on what to do with the feelings he has for Sarah. I appreciated how he stood by his word, even if his heart was breaking.
The danger to Sarah only grows and the dots start to connect for the mystery of what Charlie was mixed up in. The passion also grows. The intimate glances and kisses lead to so much more. Sarah gave herself to her fiancé, so even though she is not a virgin, she has never really experienced passion. Theo and Sarah give into the passion they have for each other and the result is a very rewarding experience to read. The author gives them great sex and conflicted feelings. Sex is best when it confuses things or causes great change for the characters.
The resolution to the book is fantastic. The plot regarding Charlie’s treason is exciting and twisting. We learn the truth about Charlie and as the reader you are so happy that Sarah dodged that bullet. This book takes you on an emotional journey as you want Theo to be free to be with Sarah as she belongs. I loved how this book sucked me in to their desperate longing and desires. I highly recommend this book as it was a wonderful surprise and a delightful story that had me enjoying every page.
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com
I don’t agree with cheating. Not at all. This book has a relationship that could be defined as cheating, however the author creates a story that is so well conceived and written that I never felt any distaste reading it. This was a fantastic book. Excellent characters, a dangerous mystery, passion and defiance of society – this story has all the elements of an amazing book.
We meet Sarah and Theo at the funeral of Sarah’s fiancé Charlie. He was killed by highway men, but neither Sarah or Theo believes that version of events. Sarah can’t move on with her life. She grieves so deeply for the life she was supposed to start with Charlie.
Very quickly we learn that Charlie was a member of the Zodiac, a Crown agency of spies. Theo is also part of the Zodiac and is shocked to learn that his school chum and comrade was actually a traitor. He secretly starts to investigate what Charlie was into, but doesn’t have a lot of leads.
He gets a break in the case when Sarah is approached by a mysterious foreigner and threatened. She has a few weeks to find Charlie’s documents and hand them over to this man. She’s terrified and afraid for her safety so she enlists Theo’s help to find Charlie’s documents.
I adored Sarah. She is a true bluestocking. She is an extremely intelligent woman who is a real code maker and breaker. The feelings she has for Charlie are so heartbreaking when she learns that she has been duped by him. Her grief and anger are so passionately written that it draws you in as a reader. You feel deeply for her and it flavours how you view the relationship she develops with Theo.
Theo finds journals of Charlie’s but he can’t crack the code they are written in. When Sarah comes to him, it’s like a present has been dropped in his lap when he finds out she is the one who taught Charlie coding.
The journals give Theo and Sarah a reason to work together day after day. They get to know one another as colleagues and as a man and woman. I loved how Sarah kept trying to get Theo to reveal the details of the Zodiac to her. She never resorts to feminine wiles, as she isn’t like that, far too intellectual. I really liked learning about the Zodiac as it was really smart of the author to make it like a James Bond institution. Even the secretary Miss Chattan is Moneypenny from a 007 film. The addition of this group to the book just made it even more fun.
There is the issue of Theo’s intended bride. I loved how the author dealt with the issue of what could be construed as infidelity. It’s not the way you want to fall in love with your historical romance novel, with the hero and heroine cheating. His bride to be is a long-time family friend and the engagement has been an understanding for years. The author writes Theo’s intended, Alyse as a woman constrained by her life, her station and the expectations of society. The crafty way the author writes Alyse’s plotline makes you like her immensely and want her to follow her destiny. You know that Sarah and Theo have to be together, so you want Alyse to follow her dream – even if the dream is scandalous for the times.
Theo is a great character. He is so well crafted. I loved how he finds purpose and meaning in the work that he does for the Zodiac. He is good to his family and struggles with his dilemma on what to do with the feelings he has for Sarah. I appreciated how he stood by his word, even if his heart was breaking.
The danger to Sarah only grows and the dots start to connect for the mystery of what Charlie was mixed up in. The passion also grows. The intimate glances and kisses lead to so much more. Sarah gave herself to her fiancé, so even though she is not a virgin, she has never really experienced passion. Theo and Sarah give into the passion they have for each other and the result is a very rewarding experience to read. The author gives them great sex and conflicted feelings. Sex is best when it confuses things or causes great change for the characters.
The resolution to the book is fantastic. The plot regarding Charlie’s treason is exciting and twisting. We learn the truth about Charlie and as the reader you are so happy that Sarah dodged that bullet. This book takes you on an emotional journey as you want Theo to be free to be with Sarah as she belongs. I loved how this book sucked me in to their desperate longing and desires. I highly recommend this book as it was a wonderful surprise and a delightful story that had me enjoying every page.
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com
December 29, 2014
I enjoyed this book, it had enough of a mystery and suspense to make you keep wanting to read it to find out what happens next. The books starts off with Charlie’s funeral. He was Sarah’s fiancée and the official story was that he was killed in a highwayman robbery gone wrong, Sarah meets Theo at the funeral as he introduces himself as a friend of Charlie. Sarah is heart broken, and the author wrote the funeral and the following couple of days for Sarah so well that it made me feel upset for her. I thought the book handled the way people grieve well. I showed how Sarah was heart broken after Charlie’s death and always thinking about him, to how it can change to not thinking as much about the person at times but then feeling guilty because it seems like your forgetting about that person even though you’re not.
Initially I thought Sarah was unassuming but Sarah had a witty side. She was a good main character, you wanted her to succeed and solve the mystery. I think one of my favourite quotes of hers was when she asked Theo for his help and she explained how she knew all about the secret spies group Zodiac and how she had guessed about it rather than being told about it.
“It’s not as if it were a particularly challenging puzzle…A random collection of names would have been better”
I liked Theo aswell, but not as much as I liked Sarah for some reason. He was witty and sweet, the scene where he was playing with his niece was so cute. He came across as someone who likes and would be good with children. I think my issue with Theo is that he was engaged to someone else in the book. So technically when he kissed or was with Sarah he was cheating on his fiancée. I know in the book it is explained that Theo and his fiancée are more friends than feeling any passion for each other but I just believe that if you want to be with someone else come out of any other relationship first. I do understand that this was hard in the time period the book is set in but that’s just my thought and so that affect my enjoyment of the book.
I wanted to do a happy dance when finally someone talked sense to Theo. I’m glad Julian gave him advice about having a talk with his fiancée because otherwise I’m sure Theo would have sacrificed his love for Sarah as he though he could not hurt his fiancée.
This book was a good read, if you enjoy a historical romance with some intrigue then give it ago.
Initially I thought Sarah was unassuming but Sarah had a witty side. She was a good main character, you wanted her to succeed and solve the mystery. I think one of my favourite quotes of hers was when she asked Theo for his help and she explained how she knew all about the secret spies group Zodiac and how she had guessed about it rather than being told about it.
“It’s not as if it were a particularly challenging puzzle…A random collection of names would have been better”
I liked Theo aswell, but not as much as I liked Sarah for some reason. He was witty and sweet, the scene where he was playing with his niece was so cute. He came across as someone who likes and would be good with children. I think my issue with Theo is that he was engaged to someone else in the book. So technically when he kissed or was with Sarah he was cheating on his fiancée. I know in the book it is explained that Theo and his fiancée are more friends than feeling any passion for each other but I just believe that if you want to be with someone else come out of any other relationship first. I do understand that this was hard in the time period the book is set in but that’s just my thought and so that affect my enjoyment of the book.
I wanted to do a happy dance when finally someone talked sense to Theo. I’m glad Julian gave him advice about having a talk with his fiancée because otherwise I’m sure Theo would have sacrificed his love for Sarah as he though he could not hurt his fiancée.
This book was a good read, if you enjoy a historical romance with some intrigue then give it ago.
September 19, 2014
Secrets are something everyone was has being good or bad. Part of the series title is what intrigued me on this author and her novels. Once I started her books she leaves me patiently waiting for the next one to be written. I was certainly not disappointed with this one either. In fact I do believe with each one written it just gets better. The agency is evolving also learning from past events and correcting as they go which makes for more realism. We are embroiled in another thrilling adventure with Theodore this time being enlisted by Sarah who had be engaged to one of the agents that had been killed. Secrets are also a large part of this novel but the exciting part of this one is how and why these secrets are revealed. When approached by someone scandalous telling Sarah to hand over certain items or else she goes to (with a big leap in trust) to Theodore for help. After letting him know she is the one who helped Charles with codes thanks to her love of numbers he now knows she is more than meets the eye. By circumstance and association she thrust into the world of agents, danger and all things that go with this. This author gives you a most thrilling puzzle that these two must solve and items found in order to remove Sarah from the danger. Feelings that neither expected but start happening and building are also part of what will take place. Nothing like reading a budding romance under dangerous circumstances that thanks to love regardless of how much the two try and deny what is happening there will be other designs in that department. After each meeting more and more you will find yourself not only caught up in trying to help them as you read but they themselves will warm your toes. Also for the day you will witness a risque relationship grow between Theodore's fiance. As you go deeper and deeper into this novel oh's and ah's and smiles will occur. I am so glad I did not miss this thrilling romance adventure filled with mystery and love. I am also very satisfied with how the way things will go, how the bad guys are wrapped up and the rewards that will occur will be rewarding for Sarah and Theodore where both will get more than they ever thought of or hoped for. Received a arc for a honest review.
November 24, 2014
This entire book is a spoiler for the previous book in the series, so make sure to read them in order.
Which is a pity, because this is a much better book than A Reckless Soul. The leads have significantly better chemistry, and their reasons for working together make a lot more sense. Sarah is pleasantly consistent--she has her strengths but does not miraculously transform into a super spy as soon as she discovers the world of espionage. She's quite competent without being unrealistically so. She also gets a lovely Crowning Moment of Awesome while dealing with an unwanted suitor.
I will admit some discomfort with the first major sex scene, however. Sarah and Theo have taken refuge in a private box in the theater, and he gets unexpectedly frisky. There was nothing in her character up to that point that suggested she would be receptive to such advances under such circumstances, though. While I'm totally in favor of sex positivity, it's not at all historically accurate here. And while there's never any indication that she regrets it (which also doesn't fit with her character), I can't help but feel a certain lack of consent involved. She had been deflowered by her fiance as a way to distract her; then Theo effectively does the same thing again, also to distract her. Sure, it ends up being ok because he really loves her and they (is this a spoiler in a romance?) end up getting married. But when it happens, she's already embarrassed and upset to have been taken advantage of once before, and he's engaged to someone else. They are not nearly as conflicted as they ought to be for people of their roles and experiences. Instead of being enjoyably hot, the scene just made me uncomfortable.
But overall, it's a pleasant if not particularly groundbreaking book.
Note: I was given a review copy of this book.
Which is a pity, because this is a much better book than A Reckless Soul. The leads have significantly better chemistry, and their reasons for working together make a lot more sense. Sarah is pleasantly consistent--she has her strengths but does not miraculously transform into a super spy as soon as she discovers the world of espionage. She's quite competent without being unrealistically so. She also gets a lovely Crowning Moment of Awesome while dealing with an unwanted suitor.
I will admit some discomfort with the first major sex scene, however. Sarah and Theo have taken refuge in a private box in the theater, and he gets unexpectedly frisky. There was nothing in her character up to that point that suggested she would be receptive to such advances under such circumstances, though. While I'm totally in favor of sex positivity, it's not at all historically accurate here. And while there's never any indication that she regrets it (which also doesn't fit with her character), I can't help but feel a certain lack of consent involved. She had been deflowered by her fiance as a way to distract her; then Theo effectively does the same thing again, also to distract her. Sure, it ends up being ok because he really loves her and they (is this a spoiler in a romance?) end up getting married. But when it happens, she's already embarrassed and upset to have been taken advantage of once before, and he's engaged to someone else. They are not nearly as conflicted as they ought to be for people of their roles and experiences. Instead of being enjoyably hot, the scene just made me uncomfortable.
But overall, it's a pleasant if not particularly groundbreaking book.
Note: I was given a review copy of this book.
October 16, 2014
A Shameless Angel is the second book in Elizabeth Cole’s Secrets of the Zodiac Series and the second book that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. As a woman, the Regency period is not my favorite time in history, but Cole breaks all barriers with her writing making me fall in love with the characters and time period. It is not necessary to read the previous book in the series in order to enjoy A Shameless Angel although it will help with the background a bit.
I loved this book! The characters felt very real to me. Sarah and Theodore’s interactions were believable – even when they were heartbreaking. I enjoyed watching them fall in love even though I could have hit Theodore over the head a few times! Can’t tell you why – you’ll just have to read the book to see if you agree with me. In addition to the main characters, Cole does an excellent job with the secondary characters – those characters that are often not properly developed by an author. Cole writes about a taboo subject (at least for the Regency time period) with style and respect. Theodore’s fiancé’s struggle with her own feelings and place in the world felt utterly believable and real.
The mystery itself wasn’t all too complicated if you’ve read the previous book. The way in which the mystery unfolds, however, captivates the reader. I enjoyed how the mystery and the true story of Sarah’s now dead fiancé interlaced. If I was the emotional sort, I probably would have cried for Sarah as she learned the truth about her fiancé.
Although I do enjoy an open ending every now and then, there is nothing wrong with the guilty pleasure of the happily ever after that Cole presents us here.
I recommend this novel to romance readers that love a strong female character and prefer a little adventure with their romance.
I loved this book! The characters felt very real to me. Sarah and Theodore’s interactions were believable – even when they were heartbreaking. I enjoyed watching them fall in love even though I could have hit Theodore over the head a few times! Can’t tell you why – you’ll just have to read the book to see if you agree with me. In addition to the main characters, Cole does an excellent job with the secondary characters – those characters that are often not properly developed by an author. Cole writes about a taboo subject (at least for the Regency time period) with style and respect. Theodore’s fiancé’s struggle with her own feelings and place in the world felt utterly believable and real.
The mystery itself wasn’t all too complicated if you’ve read the previous book. The way in which the mystery unfolds, however, captivates the reader. I enjoyed how the mystery and the true story of Sarah’s now dead fiancé interlaced. If I was the emotional sort, I probably would have cried for Sarah as she learned the truth about her fiancé.
Although I do enjoy an open ending every now and then, there is nothing wrong with the guilty pleasure of the happily ever after that Cole presents us here.
I recommend this novel to romance readers that love a strong female character and prefer a little adventure with their romance.
October 3, 2014
Shameless Angel by Elizabeth Cole was an interesting spy tale of intigue and mystery. This book is book 3 in The Secret's of the Zodiac Series. It is very important to read book 2 first. If you read book 3, just be prepared to know the ending of book 2 within the first few chapters.
The Zodiac is a Secret Society of spies and they work for the crown. They are responsible for uncovering the secrets, the secrets that can hurt England. Sarah was the girlfriend of society member, who was uncovered to be a mole. He played two sides. Sarah does not know much, but when a evil villan shows up where she spends her days, Sarah becomes scared, and she calls on a friend of her ex-fiance, Theo.
Theo must find out what the evil villan wants with Sarah, he asks Sarah to help with her ex-fiances journals, which her ex-fiance has written in code. Sarah is a mathematician and is very smart and knows codes well, actually she taught her ex-fiance everything he knew. They must crack the codes before the deadline, otherwise it could mean the death of her and her family members.
Can they do it in time, will Sarah reveal her ex-fiances secret, that he was a spy.
Only time will tell.
This is a good book. I did like book number 2 better for the action and adventure.
This book is good for the romance and the story.
* Some events in this book may seem rather surprising, but they do flow well in the story line of the book.
I recevied a free copy of this book from the author in return for my honest opinion.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars
The Zodiac is a Secret Society of spies and they work for the crown. They are responsible for uncovering the secrets, the secrets that can hurt England. Sarah was the girlfriend of society member, who was uncovered to be a mole. He played two sides. Sarah does not know much, but when a evil villan shows up where she spends her days, Sarah becomes scared, and she calls on a friend of her ex-fiance, Theo.
Theo must find out what the evil villan wants with Sarah, he asks Sarah to help with her ex-fiances journals, which her ex-fiance has written in code. Sarah is a mathematician and is very smart and knows codes well, actually she taught her ex-fiance everything he knew. They must crack the codes before the deadline, otherwise it could mean the death of her and her family members.
Can they do it in time, will Sarah reveal her ex-fiances secret, that he was a spy.
Only time will tell.
This is a good book. I did like book number 2 better for the action and adventure.
This book is good for the romance and the story.
* Some events in this book may seem rather surprising, but they do flow well in the story line of the book.
I recevied a free copy of this book from the author in return for my honest opinion.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars
November 8, 2014
A few months ago I read the second book in the series (A Reckless Soul) and I was looking forward to read more. The books in the series can be read as a standalone.
Charlie and Sarah are engaged and are getting married. But the boy died apparently for a trivial incident. But Charlie is a member of Zodiac. Sarah knows the true activities of her boyfriend and is threatened: she must deliver certain documents of which she is unaware. Sarah scared addresses Theodore: he is a friend of Charlie and is part of the Zodiac. The two young people begin to explore together: Sarah must decipher the notes in the code of the former boyfriend and Theodore go around looking for witnesses. Working alongside become more accomplices and increasingly attracted to each other. Theodore, however, is engaged and is very torn between his feelings and sense of honor and respect towards his girlfriend. Sarah discovers that Charlie is not the wonderful guy that believed, betrayed her and the Zodiac. Will they find the documents and to find out the truth about the death of Charlie? Will give up their love or will prevail sense of honor?
It 's an adventure book, very romantic and compelling. to solve the mystery keeps vigilant throughout the book. The two main characters are well defined and realistic. Sarah is a strong and intelligent girl, hates life in society and enjoys reading, Theodore is a true gentleman and a great secret agent. Their relationship is very sweet
To read for those who love romantic suspense.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review.
Charlie and Sarah are engaged and are getting married. But the boy died apparently for a trivial incident. But Charlie is a member of Zodiac. Sarah knows the true activities of her boyfriend and is threatened: she must deliver certain documents of which she is unaware. Sarah scared addresses Theodore: he is a friend of Charlie and is part of the Zodiac. The two young people begin to explore together: Sarah must decipher the notes in the code of the former boyfriend and Theodore go around looking for witnesses. Working alongside become more accomplices and increasingly attracted to each other. Theodore, however, is engaged and is very torn between his feelings and sense of honor and respect towards his girlfriend. Sarah discovers that Charlie is not the wonderful guy that believed, betrayed her and the Zodiac. Will they find the documents and to find out the truth about the death of Charlie? Will give up their love or will prevail sense of honor?
It 's an adventure book, very romantic and compelling. to solve the mystery keeps vigilant throughout the book. The two main characters are well defined and realistic. Sarah is a strong and intelligent girl, hates life in society and enjoys reading, Theodore is a true gentleman and a great secret agent. Their relationship is very sweet
To read for those who love romantic suspense.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review.
January 16, 2015
It took me til book three to realize this series was going to introduce the agents of the secret spy ring the Zodiac one at a time, whoops on my part.
I continue to love this series. I feel that which each agent (and their love interest) the stories get more rich and rewarding. Sarah in A Shameless Angel is linked to the prior installment in a tragic way. At first she gives in fully to her grief, but circumstances stemming from her tragedy pull her into a dangerous game and into the path of another Zodiac spy, Theo. Sarah also has a gift for codes and numbers, and it turns out Theo needs Sarah as much as Sarah needs Theo to solve the mystery dropped in their laps. Things progress, and Sarah and Theo find themselves drawn to each other. Unfortunately Theo has a fiance. I didn't think I would like this twist, but as it turns out it actually adds to the story and gives the characters another depth that you do not normally see when it comes to conflicted love. Without giving anything way, the fiance contributes to the story in a wonderful way, rather than hinders it or make the reader feel guilty about rooting for the two main love interests. One thing I love about Cole is that her novels simply work out in the most satisfying way. I like angst, but I need it with a healthy dose of happily ever after, and these books are simply fabulous at delivering. Do yourself a favor and read this series if you love a little history, mystery, and romance that leaves you smiling when you turn the last page.
I continue to love this series. I feel that which each agent (and their love interest) the stories get more rich and rewarding. Sarah in A Shameless Angel is linked to the prior installment in a tragic way. At first she gives in fully to her grief, but circumstances stemming from her tragedy pull her into a dangerous game and into the path of another Zodiac spy, Theo. Sarah also has a gift for codes and numbers, and it turns out Theo needs Sarah as much as Sarah needs Theo to solve the mystery dropped in their laps. Things progress, and Sarah and Theo find themselves drawn to each other. Unfortunately Theo has a fiance. I didn't think I would like this twist, but as it turns out it actually adds to the story and gives the characters another depth that you do not normally see when it comes to conflicted love. Without giving anything way, the fiance contributes to the story in a wonderful way, rather than hinders it or make the reader feel guilty about rooting for the two main love interests. One thing I love about Cole is that her novels simply work out in the most satisfying way. I like angst, but I need it with a healthy dose of happily ever after, and these books are simply fabulous at delivering. Do yourself a favor and read this series if you love a little history, mystery, and romance that leaves you smiling when you turn the last page.
September 24, 2014
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
Elizabeth's characters are so realistic and believable, I was finished the book before I even realized it. Because this is the third book, I felt that I needed to revisit the first two books in this series to reacquaint myself with the world that she has created for the Zodiac agents and those around them.
Sarah is a fabulous character, who is smart, witty and able to discern all of the hidden secrets of her deceased fiance, Charles. Charles was a member of the Zodiac group and also a traitor. Unfortunately, Sarah didn't figure that out before he died and now people are after her to get the information he stole. She turns for help to the best friend of her fiance, Theo.
Theo is a member of the Zodiac group and crushed by Charles' betrayal. When Sarah contacts him, he is engaged to be married, busy as a spy for the crown and totally enthralled by this lovely young woman. He needs to help her stay alive and find out what Charles was doing.
Elizabeth has managed to make her characters very modern while keeping them in a regency setting. I found myself transported to England, in a time where women were expected to be wives and mothers while the men saved the world. Yet Elizabeth's characters are feisty, strong, witty and completely believable, even in the past setting. I love this series and her books and can't wait for the next one.
Elizabeth's characters are so realistic and believable, I was finished the book before I even realized it. Because this is the third book, I felt that I needed to revisit the first two books in this series to reacquaint myself with the world that she has created for the Zodiac agents and those around them.
Sarah is a fabulous character, who is smart, witty and able to discern all of the hidden secrets of her deceased fiance, Charles. Charles was a member of the Zodiac group and also a traitor. Unfortunately, Sarah didn't figure that out before he died and now people are after her to get the information he stole. She turns for help to the best friend of her fiance, Theo.
Theo is a member of the Zodiac group and crushed by Charles' betrayal. When Sarah contacts him, he is engaged to be married, busy as a spy for the crown and totally enthralled by this lovely young woman. He needs to help her stay alive and find out what Charles was doing.
Elizabeth has managed to make her characters very modern while keeping them in a regency setting. I found myself transported to England, in a time where women were expected to be wives and mothers while the men saved the world. Yet Elizabeth's characters are feisty, strong, witty and completely believable, even in the past setting. I love this series and her books and can't wait for the next one.
September 24, 2014
A Shameless Angel (Secrets of the Zodiac #3) by Elizabeth Cole
No Shame, No Game!
This is the third in a series of Regency era romances that revolve around a British spy circle, Zodiac. Each book can be read as a stand alone. This story revolves around Sarah, the fiancee of the late Charles, a double agent who betrayed Zodiac and Theo, another member of Zodiac who is trying to find out what information the late Charles had hidden away before his death. Unfortunately for Sarah, foreign agents are threatening her to find the same information. All of this is new to Sarah who had no idea her happy go lucky fiance was a spy and traitor. Sarah is a bluestocking with a talent for codes and Theo finds himself going against protocol and working closely with her to decipher Charles' papers.
All the characters are strong and well drawn out, including Theo's fiancee, Alyse who has an unusual story arc of her own. Sarah and Theo make a delightful couple. Sarah blossoms while working with Theo and their attraction to each other is powerful. The mystery they are trying to solve is interesting and holds the attention throughout the book. This is a great story with attractive characters involved in a clever mystery as they work together while trying to resist their feelings for each other.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
No Shame, No Game!
This is the third in a series of Regency era romances that revolve around a British spy circle, Zodiac. Each book can be read as a stand alone. This story revolves around Sarah, the fiancee of the late Charles, a double agent who betrayed Zodiac and Theo, another member of Zodiac who is trying to find out what information the late Charles had hidden away before his death. Unfortunately for Sarah, foreign agents are threatening her to find the same information. All of this is new to Sarah who had no idea her happy go lucky fiance was a spy and traitor. Sarah is a bluestocking with a talent for codes and Theo finds himself going against protocol and working closely with her to decipher Charles' papers.
All the characters are strong and well drawn out, including Theo's fiancee, Alyse who has an unusual story arc of her own. Sarah and Theo make a delightful couple. Sarah blossoms while working with Theo and their attraction to each other is powerful. The mystery they are trying to solve is interesting and holds the attention throughout the book. This is a great story with attractive characters involved in a clever mystery as they work together while trying to resist their feelings for each other.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 8, 2014
This is the third book in the Zodiac series, and while it would be helpful to have read the previous two, its not really necessary. Indeed, I have only read book two, and didnt feel I missed anything.
Sarah and Theodore are meant for each other. He knows it. She knows it. But society says they can't. Full of all the rules and regulations of the time, this book will grab you, and keep you going, because not all is laid out for you. There are hints, and comments dropped here and there, and when it all comes together, I had an AHA!!! moment.
I do, generally prefer my books a little more on the explicit side. HOWEVER, there comes along, once in a while a book that isn't, hasn't, doesn't need that explicitness, and this is such a book.
What I particularly liked, was that besides what was going on with Sarah and Theodore, there was also what was going on between Theodore and Alyse, his fiancee. THAT there, was a good thing, and what made the book for me.
I was given this book to review by the publisher ahead of publication, but due to personal circumstances I was unable to get it read in time, and I apologise for that.
I enjoyed this a little more that book two, A Reckless SOul, and so rate this 4.5 stars
Sarah and Theodore are meant for each other. He knows it. She knows it. But society says they can't. Full of all the rules and regulations of the time, this book will grab you, and keep you going, because not all is laid out for you. There are hints, and comments dropped here and there, and when it all comes together, I had an AHA!!! moment.
I do, generally prefer my books a little more on the explicit side. HOWEVER, there comes along, once in a while a book that isn't, hasn't, doesn't need that explicitness, and this is such a book.
What I particularly liked, was that besides what was going on with Sarah and Theodore, there was also what was going on between Theodore and Alyse, his fiancee. THAT there, was a good thing, and what made the book for me.
I was given this book to review by the publisher ahead of publication, but due to personal circumstances I was unable to get it read in time, and I apologise for that.
I enjoyed this a little more that book two, A Reckless SOul, and so rate this 4.5 stars
December 2, 2014
With sweet romance and intriguing espionage, A Shameless Angel was a fantastic historical romance that I really enjoyed.
Sarah was a great heroine. She was very smart and used her cleverness to figure out the situation that her dead fiance left her in. Theo was also wonderful. He was intelligent enough to keep up with Sarah and very skilled at what he did. He was also sweet and protective over his loved ones. I really liked both of the characters.
The romance was lovely. Sarah and Theo were a perfect match, both clever enough to keep up with each other. And, they definitely had some heat going on between them. I thought they were a sweet couple.
There was a secondary romance in this book between Theo's fiance Alyse and someone else. Their story was also interesting and I was happy with how things turned out for them.
The plot moved quickly and kept me fully engaged. The secrets and suspense of the situation made things intriguing. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.
A Shameless Angel was a lovely historical romance. I really liked this delightful book. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Sarah was a great heroine. She was very smart and used her cleverness to figure out the situation that her dead fiance left her in. Theo was also wonderful. He was intelligent enough to keep up with Sarah and very skilled at what he did. He was also sweet and protective over his loved ones. I really liked both of the characters.
The romance was lovely. Sarah and Theo were a perfect match, both clever enough to keep up with each other. And, they definitely had some heat going on between them. I thought they were a sweet couple.
There was a secondary romance in this book between Theo's fiance Alyse and someone else. Their story was also interesting and I was happy with how things turned out for them.
The plot moved quickly and kept me fully engaged. The secrets and suspense of the situation made things intriguing. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.
A Shameless Angel was a lovely historical romance. I really liked this delightful book. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
October 9, 2014
Shameless Angel is a regency romance that truly captivated me with mystery and smartly drawn characters. Theo Drayton (Lord Markham) and Sarah Brecknell are a captivating couple. Sarah is smart, determined and doesn’t buy into societies rules about a woman using her mind. I loved how she taught her former fiancé how to write code. And Theo, a great, endearing hero loved how smart she was. To me, this is a sign of a match made to be. When danger enters the picture, Sarah and Theo shine as a couple trying to solve a mystery and keep their attraction in check.
The mystery in the novel is sharp and intriguing. The author creatively wove a story with perfect pacing and engaging characters. The Zodiac group is very interesting and I found that now that I’ve read book 3, I want to go and read the others and learn about the other agents.
I was given a copy of the book from the Author for an honest review.
The mystery in the novel is sharp and intriguing. The author creatively wove a story with perfect pacing and engaging characters. The Zodiac group is very interesting and I found that now that I’ve read book 3, I want to go and read the others and learn about the other agents.
I was given a copy of the book from the Author for an honest review.
September 26, 2014
#3 in the "Secrets of the Zodiac" series, but can be read as a stand alone. Fast paced,action packed tale of danger,secrets,spies,and romance with a few twists and turns,and a bit of controversy for some readers. Which, was written very tastefully, I might add. Ms. Cole is an amazing storyteller, who draws the reader into the story and holds them in awe. Well written with engaging as well as unforgettable characters. Well done! A satisfying as well as intriguing story!
*Received for an honest review from the author*
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Hot
Reviewed by: April R, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
*Received for an honest review from the author*
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Hot
Reviewed by: April R, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
September 27, 2014
I liked this one the best so far of the series. I liked the protagonists (which always helps) and I liked that there were some side characters that were LGBT and at least one POC. It was nice to see some representation of other view points. This is becoming more common in contemporary romance, but so far has been rare to find in a regency romance, so that was refreshing.
I am enjoying that all of the female protagonists in this series are intelligent, and are able to help themselves, not just wait to be rescued. Sometimes they are rescued, and sometimes they do the rescuing. Makes it more balanced. I will look forward to the next one in the series.
I am enjoying that all of the female protagonists in this series are intelligent, and are able to help themselves, not just wait to be rescued. Sometimes they are rescued, and sometimes they do the rescuing. Makes it more balanced. I will look forward to the next one in the series.
October 14, 2014
Loved this book! I loved the heroine and hero and the plot. It was engaging and interesting from the first page to the last. Sarah was a great heroine and her courage was admirable. Theodore was also a great hero and I loved him and Sarah together. As a part of the zodiac secret agent group, Theodore is a spy for the British crown. When Sarah's fiance dies there are a lot of questions and accusations. When Sarah and Theodore are thrown together they have to dig into some answered questions. Highly enjoyed and recommend this story!
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March 22, 2015I love super smart heroines!
Elizabeth Cole writes some of the most intelligent, admirable heroines I have had the pleasure of reading. Even in a time when women were still commodities to be haggled over on the Marriage Mart, Ms. Cole's ladies are brilliant, dauntless and an integral part of the success of the secret missions that the heroes are engaged in. The romance is steamy and the action keeps you on the edge of your seat. This series will go down as a favorite of mine!
Elizabeth Cole writes some of the most intelligent, admirable heroines I have had the pleasure of reading. Even in a time when women were still commodities to be haggled over on the Marriage Mart, Ms. Cole's ladies are brilliant, dauntless and an integral part of the success of the secret missions that the heroes are engaged in. The romance is steamy and the action keeps you on the edge of your seat. This series will go down as a favorite of mine!
September 30, 2014
yay free review copies!
okay, gotta say, I had a WHOLE lot of yes for this book. As I've stated in other reviews ,
I liked the heroine and the hero and their chemistry and the fact that he RESPECTED her and that was all fantastic. Couple weak points in the plot, but nothing that interfered with my enjoyment. DEFINITELY recommend.
okay, gotta say, I had a WHOLE lot of yes for this book. As I've stated in other reviews ,
I liked the heroine and the hero and their chemistry and the fact that he RESPECTED her and that was all fantastic. Couple weak points in the plot, but nothing that interfered with my enjoyment. DEFINITELY recommend.
November 18, 2015
TERRIFIC
This was so ENTERTAINING and informative on female gay persons. This story line was woven in a happy story line and let you form you own opinion of how they dealt with it then the book about spies was jus t as good as the first two, on to three. ENJOY.
This was so ENTERTAINING and informative on female gay persons. This story line was woven in a happy story line and let you form you own opinion of how they dealt with it then the book about spies was jus t as good as the first two, on to three. ENJOY.
September 28, 2014
Read the previous book in the series (A Reckless Soul) first , then read this one and enjoy... There is nothing else to say (except - When is the next one coming?)
November 1, 2014
I really loved these characters and how things developed between them. Was a great storyline and well written, i had a great time reading this one :)
January 13, 2015
"His given name is Marmaduke." ***DYING***
This is my favorite of the series so far. This is honestly the first book series I've ever read in which each book was better than the last.
This is my favorite of the series so far. This is honestly the first book series I've ever read in which each book was better than the last.
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