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Nobody's Angel
In Carolina Colony, the community admired Susannah Redmon, plain eldest daughter of the preacher. Her herbal healing skills made her an angel of mercy, her determination held together the family's farm, and her strong will always got her what she wanted--even the buying of a man. But no suitor had ever courted her...
Ian Connelly, Marquis of Derne, had been betrayed, branded a criminal, and beaten. Still defiant, he had been indentured and transported to the Colonies, where a bossy, primly proper woman had bought him! But he alone saw the strength of her character, the gold in her tawny hair, and, in her eyes, the fire of her long-hidden desire...
Now Susannah "owned" this magnificently handsome rogue, but it was his passion that could free her imprisoned, lonely heart. From the frontier South to society London or even to hell itself, with her body she would worship him and with her soul she would love him, for she was...Nobody's Angel.
Ian Connelly, Marquis of Derne, had been betrayed, branded a criminal, and beaten. Still defiant, he had been indentured and transported to the Colonies, where a bossy, primly proper woman had bought him! But he alone saw the strength of her character, the gold in her tawny hair, and, in her eyes, the fire of her long-hidden desire...
Now Susannah "owned" this magnificently handsome rogue, but it was his passion that could free her imprisoned, lonely heart. From the frontier South to society London or even to hell itself, with her body she would worship him and with her soul she would love him, for she was...Nobody's Angel.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1992
140 people are currently reading
908 people want to read
About the author
Karen Robards
135 books3,240 followersKaren Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty books and one novella. She has won multiple awards including six Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Awards for favorite author.
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
June 13, 2010
I love historical romances featuring the plain, dried up old spinster. I always end up rooting for them more than the impossibly beautiful heroines with eyes that are limpid pools of ...whatever colour came up on the author's "spin the wheel, pick an eye colour" game. Of course, she's not really plain, just ordinary. And anyone who's read one of these books knows she ain't dried up neither -- just overlooked.
Nobody's Angel is the story of one such spinster. Susannah is a preacher's daughter stuck raising her 3 younger sisters after their mother's death. She has been so busy mothering the family that she has never had a suitor and she considers herself "on the shelf" at age 26. Her father, of course, is one of those absent/present parents so plentiful in romance novels. He putters around doing nothing but preparing his sermons and barely notices anything going on around him.
Susannah has decided that the only way to get the work done around the farm is to buy a bondsman. As scandalous as her 3 sisters think it is, she will not be dissuaded. The girls attend an auction and, more to be contrary to one of their neighbours than anything else, she bids on a particular man - a tall, dark-haired, dangerous looking man. After signing the papers Susannah takes possession of her bondsman, Ian Connelly, who promptly collapses.
Now, one of my favourite romance novel cliches is the one where the hero is injured and the heroine has to nurse him back to health. This usually involves sponge baths and shocking glimpses of his manhood, followed by hours of bedside vigil, and the obligatory sexual encounter while he is delirious with fever. I LOVE it - and Karen Robards is good at writing them.
The book clips along at a pretty good pace -- we get to know Susannah and her sisters and the dynamic between all of them. You also get to see what happens when you take a houseful of women (14, 16, 20 and 26) and throw in a tall, dark-haired, stunningly handsome bondsman into the midst of it!
The developing bond between Susannah and Connelly is really well done. She is constantly amused by his farming misadventures and he realizes that under the ugly bonnet and baggy clothes is an attractive, fascinating package. He flirts, he cajoles, he woos - she fights her attraction to him again and again. They bicker, they banter, they make love - in her room in the dark after they've argued and he's climbed in her window (sigh). There are passages like this:
"As to why I did it," he near-whispered in her ear, his mouth nibbling her lobe in searing punctuation, "the answer's obvious: no man worth his salt, not even such a useless fribble as you clearly consider me to be, is going to watch his woman breaking her back over work he should be doing himself".
Then he bent his head to press a kiss to the sensitive place where her shoulder joined her neck, and at the same time one hard warm hand left her waist to cover her breast.
Sigh. And, because I can't help myself, like this:
"You look beautiful sitting there spitting at me like a she-cat. All I have to do is look at you, and I lust. I'm going to take you back to the hotel and take off that delectable dress and make love to you until you don't have the energy to be mad at me anymore."
Sigh. Sigh.
Another romance novel cliche is that no one is as they seem -- secret identities, murder plots and subterfuge. Love this one too, and it's here! Ian Connelly is really the Marquis of Berne - and his being sold as a bondsman is the result of an attempt on his life. He tells no one of his identity and towards the end of the book the reason for that becomes clear - another attempt is made and Ian disappears.
The rest of the book moves along almost too quickly -- the last 80 pages has some pretty significant plot development in it. If I had a complaint about the book it is that what Robards does in 80 pages perhaps deserved at least twice that.
I hope I have described this book in a way to make you all want to read it -- it sure is worth it. As with any good book there is so much more going on that I have described here. Susannah and Ian are wonderful characters and it's not hard to understand how they fall in love. The love scenes themselves are worth the price of admission!
All the plot devices necessary for a good read are here -- a spinster, a nobleman in disguise, a flirty little sister, some violence, some sex, some misunderstandings, lots of bicker/banter/foreplay, a breakup, a makeup, a separation, a trip across the ocean, London society balls, and an HEA that might make you cry.
This book review has been provided by the No Book Left Behind Campaign - A Bodice Ripper Readers Anonymous group initiative to review the un-reviewed.
Nobody's Angel is the story of one such spinster. Susannah is a preacher's daughter stuck raising her 3 younger sisters after their mother's death. She has been so busy mothering the family that she has never had a suitor and she considers herself "on the shelf" at age 26. Her father, of course, is one of those absent/present parents so plentiful in romance novels. He putters around doing nothing but preparing his sermons and barely notices anything going on around him.
Susannah has decided that the only way to get the work done around the farm is to buy a bondsman. As scandalous as her 3 sisters think it is, she will not be dissuaded. The girls attend an auction and, more to be contrary to one of their neighbours than anything else, she bids on a particular man - a tall, dark-haired, dangerous looking man. After signing the papers Susannah takes possession of her bondsman, Ian Connelly, who promptly collapses.
Now, one of my favourite romance novel cliches is the one where the hero is injured and the heroine has to nurse him back to health. This usually involves sponge baths and shocking glimpses of his manhood, followed by hours of bedside vigil, and the obligatory sexual encounter while he is delirious with fever. I LOVE it - and Karen Robards is good at writing them.
The book clips along at a pretty good pace -- we get to know Susannah and her sisters and the dynamic between all of them. You also get to see what happens when you take a houseful of women (14, 16, 20 and 26) and throw in a tall, dark-haired, stunningly handsome bondsman into the midst of it!
The developing bond between Susannah and Connelly is really well done. She is constantly amused by his farming misadventures and he realizes that under the ugly bonnet and baggy clothes is an attractive, fascinating package. He flirts, he cajoles, he woos - she fights her attraction to him again and again. They bicker, they banter, they make love - in her room in the dark after they've argued and he's climbed in her window (sigh). There are passages like this:
"As to why I did it," he near-whispered in her ear, his mouth nibbling her lobe in searing punctuation, "the answer's obvious: no man worth his salt, not even such a useless fribble as you clearly consider me to be, is going to watch his woman breaking her back over work he should be doing himself".
Then he bent his head to press a kiss to the sensitive place where her shoulder joined her neck, and at the same time one hard warm hand left her waist to cover her breast.
Sigh. And, because I can't help myself, like this:
"You look beautiful sitting there spitting at me like a she-cat. All I have to do is look at you, and I lust. I'm going to take you back to the hotel and take off that delectable dress and make love to you until you don't have the energy to be mad at me anymore."
Sigh. Sigh.
Another romance novel cliche is that no one is as they seem -- secret identities, murder plots and subterfuge. Love this one too, and it's here! Ian Connelly is really the Marquis of Berne - and his being sold as a bondsman is the result of an attempt on his life. He tells no one of his identity and towards the end of the book the reason for that becomes clear - another attempt is made and Ian disappears.
The rest of the book moves along almost too quickly -- the last 80 pages has some pretty significant plot development in it. If I had a complaint about the book it is that what Robards does in 80 pages perhaps deserved at least twice that.
I hope I have described this book in a way to make you all want to read it -- it sure is worth it. As with any good book there is so much more going on that I have described here. Susannah and Ian are wonderful characters and it's not hard to understand how they fall in love. The love scenes themselves are worth the price of admission!
All the plot devices necessary for a good read are here -- a spinster, a nobleman in disguise, a flirty little sister, some violence, some sex, some misunderstandings, lots of bicker/banter/foreplay, a breakup, a makeup, a separation, a trip across the ocean, London society balls, and an HEA that might make you cry.
This book review has been provided by the No Book Left Behind Campaign - A Bodice Ripper Readers Anonymous group initiative to review the un-reviewed.
May 29, 2011
The first half was wonderful, but definitely lost some of its sparkle after that (3.5 stars)
I was really looking forward to reading this book, as I love heroines who are plain, serious, on the shelf, and all that good stuff, lol. Susannah definitely delivers on that end, but she's also much more: she's strong, generous, intelligent, and all-around lovely. She is essentially the head of her household, taking care of her three younger sisters and her absentminded father, who is a reverend. Susannah has held this caretaker role since she was 14 and her mother died. While she is at times content, she is never truly happy, and has given up on the idea that she might have a family and home of her own someday.
Her pairing with Ian Connelly (also the Marquis of Derne, though she doesn't know it) was absolutely perfect. He was a "bad boy" in his previous life (read: rake/rogue) and is truly considered one now, having been (wrongly) convicted of attempted murder and sent to America to serve a term of indentured servitude. While this book was written awhile ago, Ian is not an 80s-throwback hero, of which I was very relieved. He's an alpha male-type definitely, but I liked that he does work the farm and wants to learn how to help the family. He's a marquis, has no experience with physical labor, and was pretty much a wenching wastrel before all of this happened, yet he doesn't act spoiled or condescending.
The exchanges between Ian and Susannah were very sweet; I so enjoyed watching him tease her and seeing Susannah lighten up a little and allow herself to enjoy things. They are very much opposites, but fit together perfectly. The first half of the book was great, because we get to see their relationship develop through this odd-prism of Susannah thinking Ian is an indentured servant she bought (and ex-servant) and a man she's falling in love with, and Ian beginning to realize that Susannah is so much more than she shows the world and that all the other beautiful (but spiteful and greedy) women he's known pale in comparison to her.
Criticisms
The second half is where things decidedly went downhill for me. I don't want to give anything away regarding the plot, so I will just say the following:
-- What could have been an emotional and lovely reunion was not.
-- Susannah has a decidedly shrewish period, one that is somewhat understandably, but a little over the top.
-- The entire subplot of how Ian was betrayed and forced into indentured servitude is resolved completely "off-screen" (off-page?) and is unbelievably anti-climactic - twice-over.
-- Parts of the subplot seem to come out of nowhere and involve people we've never met before or even been told about.
-- For most of the second half, the romantic relationship between Susannah and Ian is very different from what it was before - and not in a good way. It felt very seedy and far more superficial - and mostly physical - than it had before. Also, their personalities seem very changed, though I'm not sure whether that was what contributed to the seediness-feeling or vice versa.
-- The ending was a little anti-climactic and I feel that more should have been resolved between them, both emotionally and practically/logistically.
I also did not like the fact that almost all of the book was told from Susannah's POV. It made me feel very blind as to what was going on emotionally and internally with Ian, and I would have liked more insight into his feelings and thoughts.
Two other minor complaints: Whatever happened with Jed, the wife-beater? And Susannah's sister Mandy was very, very annoying.
Bottom Line
While this book could have easily been turned into a 4.5 or maybe even 5 star read for me, several things in the second half of the book decidedly lowered my opinion. I'm glad that I read the book and would recommend it, however I'm also happy that I got it from the library and did not buy my own copy.
Recommendations
In many ways, this book reminded me of Lorraine Heath's series Rogues in Texas, which revolves around three English "gentlemen" who are all sent by their families to America "for their own good." They are best friends: one is a duke's bastard, another an aimless and direction-less second son, and the third a gambling addict.
Book 1 - A Rogue in Texas (4 stars)
Book 2 - Never Love a Cowboy (4 stars)
Book 3 - Never Marry a Cowboy (unread)
I was really looking forward to reading this book, as I love heroines who are plain, serious, on the shelf, and all that good stuff, lol. Susannah definitely delivers on that end, but she's also much more: she's strong, generous, intelligent, and all-around lovely. She is essentially the head of her household, taking care of her three younger sisters and her absentminded father, who is a reverend. Susannah has held this caretaker role since she was 14 and her mother died. While she is at times content, she is never truly happy, and has given up on the idea that she might have a family and home of her own someday.
Her pairing with Ian Connelly (also the Marquis of Derne, though she doesn't know it) was absolutely perfect. He was a "bad boy" in his previous life (read: rake/rogue) and is truly considered one now, having been (wrongly) convicted of attempted murder and sent to America to serve a term of indentured servitude. While this book was written awhile ago, Ian is not an 80s-throwback hero, of which I was very relieved. He's an alpha male-type definitely, but I liked that he does work the farm and wants to learn how to help the family. He's a marquis, has no experience with physical labor, and was pretty much a wenching wastrel before all of this happened, yet he doesn't act spoiled or condescending.
The exchanges between Ian and Susannah were very sweet; I so enjoyed watching him tease her and seeing Susannah lighten up a little and allow herself to enjoy things. They are very much opposites, but fit together perfectly. The first half of the book was great, because we get to see their relationship develop through this odd-prism of Susannah thinking Ian is an indentured servant she bought (and ex-servant) and a man she's falling in love with, and Ian beginning to realize that Susannah is so much more than she shows the world and that all the other beautiful (but spiteful and greedy) women he's known pale in comparison to her.
Criticisms
The second half is where things decidedly went downhill for me. I don't want to give anything away regarding the plot, so I will just say the following:
-- What could have been an emotional and lovely reunion was not.
-- Susannah has a decidedly shrewish period, one that is somewhat understandably, but a little over the top.
-- The entire subplot of how Ian was betrayed and forced into indentured servitude is resolved completely "off-screen" (off-page?) and is unbelievably anti-climactic - twice-over.
-- Parts of the subplot seem to come out of nowhere and involve people we've never met before or even been told about.
-- For most of the second half, the romantic relationship between Susannah and Ian is very different from what it was before - and not in a good way. It felt very seedy and far more superficial - and mostly physical - than it had before. Also, their personalities seem very changed, though I'm not sure whether that was what contributed to the seediness-feeling or vice versa.
-- The ending was a little anti-climactic and I feel that more should have been resolved between them, both emotionally and practically/logistically.
I also did not like the fact that almost all of the book was told from Susannah's POV. It made me feel very blind as to what was going on emotionally and internally with Ian, and I would have liked more insight into his feelings and thoughts.
Two other minor complaints: Whatever happened with Jed, the wife-beater? And Susannah's sister Mandy was very, very annoying.
Bottom Line
While this book could have easily been turned into a 4.5 or maybe even 5 star read for me, several things in the second half of the book decidedly lowered my opinion. I'm glad that I read the book and would recommend it, however I'm also happy that I got it from the library and did not buy my own copy.
Recommendations
In many ways, this book reminded me of Lorraine Heath's series Rogues in Texas, which revolves around three English "gentlemen" who are all sent by their families to America "for their own good." They are best friends: one is a duke's bastard, another an aimless and direction-less second son, and the third a gambling addict.
Book 1 - A Rogue in Texas (4 stars)
Book 2 - Never Love a Cowboy (4 stars)
Book 3 - Never Marry a Cowboy (unread)
August 4, 2022
I make no apologies for how giddy this damn book made me. It. Was. Adorable.
This is definitely going on my re-read list!!!!!
This is definitely going on my re-read list!!!!!
April 11, 2023
Overall: 4 stars.
This was just a lot of fun. The heroine, Susannah, is an absolute badass, and while the hero, Ian, is a bit of an alphahole, he didn’t annoy me too much and still had some swoony love confessions and sweet gestures to make, so I”ll roll with it. The sex scenes have that old school purple prose quality and Ian originally initiates sex with one of those “I’ll forcibly kiss you to show you how much you want me” deals, but the book was published in the early 1990s, so it makes sense.
The setting of a pre-Revolutionary America was also super interesting, and you get a very practical heroine who actually does period-appropriate stuff like cook and run a farm: she’s working class and has a *job* (well, sustenance farming, but still). And a lot of small details seem super accurate and set the scene (the clothes, church scenes, town square, etc).
My only real complaint is that the last 20% or so seems very silly with some Big Misunderstandings and lots of running back and forth from the Carolinas to England as Ian claims his rightful inheritance and unsuccessfully tries to marry Susannah. Of course, when he returns to her home in the Americas, they get married and have their HEA, but it felt a little forced that it took them so long. Also my girl Susannah kinda lost her characterization in these last bits and got a wee bit immature (like, how many times are you gonna try to punch Ian, really? Calm down).
Realistically this might be more of a 3.5 or so, but I’m rounding up because I liked it that much.
Nevertheless, I had a heck of a lot of fun with this one, and if you like the idea of kind of old-school hurt/comfort and nursing-him-back-to-health scenes and a change of setting from your typical historical romance, I recommend giving it a go.
CW: domestic abuse of side characters (on page); mentions of slavery (not really shown, besides the indentured servant auction)
This was just a lot of fun. The heroine, Susannah, is an absolute badass, and while the hero, Ian, is a bit of an alphahole, he didn’t annoy me too much and still had some swoony love confessions and sweet gestures to make, so I”ll roll with it. The sex scenes have that old school purple prose quality and Ian originally initiates sex with one of those “I’ll forcibly kiss you to show you how much you want me” deals, but the book was published in the early 1990s, so it makes sense.
The setting of a pre-Revolutionary America was also super interesting, and you get a very practical heroine who actually does period-appropriate stuff like cook and run a farm: she’s working class and has a *job* (well, sustenance farming, but still). And a lot of small details seem super accurate and set the scene (the clothes, church scenes, town square, etc).
My only real complaint is that the last 20% or so seems very silly with some Big Misunderstandings and lots of running back and forth from the Carolinas to England as Ian claims his rightful inheritance and unsuccessfully tries to marry Susannah. Of course, when he returns to her home in the Americas, they get married and have their HEA, but it felt a little forced that it took them so long. Also my girl Susannah kinda lost her characterization in these last bits and got a wee bit immature (like, how many times are you gonna try to punch Ian, really? Calm down).
Realistically this might be more of a 3.5 or so, but I’m rounding up because I liked it that much.
Nevertheless, I had a heck of a lot of fun with this one, and if you like the idea of kind of old-school hurt/comfort and nursing-him-back-to-health scenes and a change of setting from your typical historical romance, I recommend giving it a go.
CW: domestic abuse of side characters (on page); mentions of slavery (not really shown, besides the indentured servant auction)
September 9, 2016
Îngerul nimănui este o superbă poveste de dragoste, plină de năbădăi, scrisă cu mult umor, care reușește să te convingă că sufletele pereche reușesc să se găsească și să fie fericiți împreună, dincolo de prejudecăți și de barierele impuse de diferențele de educație și de statut social.
Recenzia mea:
http://www.delicateseliterare.ro/inge...
Recenzia mea:
http://www.delicateseliterare.ro/inge...
November 24, 2018
I felt like something was missing.
July 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this story of an indentured nobleman and a virtuous, self-sacrificing preacher's daughter.
January 21, 2015
3 STARS
Susannah is the eldest of the Minister Redmon's daughter and the one that holds together the family and the community. At 26 and unmarried she is considered a spinster and her 20 year old sister, Sarah Jane is next in line to marry and is now engaged to a young preacher. Mandy at 17 years old is the beauty among her sisters and town and has men of all ages at her beckoning. Youngest and plumpest, Emily at 15 years old is trying to keep up and mostly annoy her older sister, Mandy. Susannah despite her father's values and her own must buy an indentured servant as there is no one to really work the farm. Ian Connelly, criminal turned indentured servant, is not happy to be taken from his homeland of England to be brought to the Colonies in America. He does not seem to know how to work a farm or do many of the labour jobs but can read and write - and charm women. Despite the two having nothing in common they soon cannot deny the desire they feel for one another.
This novel reminds me a bit of the movie Captain Blood where Olivia deHavilland (American colonies) buys Errol Flynn (who was jailed in England and then brought to America) and soon fall in love AND a twist of Little Women as it is 4 sisters trying to make due without a parent. I liked this novel except I wasn't overly crazy over Ian as i found him to be a bit of a bully but he did redeem himself in the end. Susannah was a strong character who was a bit inexperienced with men but I found it charming and realistic. I loved the dynamics between the sisters and their father. Maybe this is how Pride and Prejudice would have been sans Mrs. Bennet.
Susannah is the eldest of the Minister Redmon's daughter and the one that holds together the family and the community. At 26 and unmarried she is considered a spinster and her 20 year old sister, Sarah Jane is next in line to marry and is now engaged to a young preacher. Mandy at 17 years old is the beauty among her sisters and town and has men of all ages at her beckoning. Youngest and plumpest, Emily at 15 years old is trying to keep up and mostly annoy her older sister, Mandy. Susannah despite her father's values and her own must buy an indentured servant as there is no one to really work the farm. Ian Connelly, criminal turned indentured servant, is not happy to be taken from his homeland of England to be brought to the Colonies in America. He does not seem to know how to work a farm or do many of the labour jobs but can read and write - and charm women. Despite the two having nothing in common they soon cannot deny the desire they feel for one another.
This novel reminds me a bit of the movie Captain Blood where Olivia deHavilland (American colonies) buys Errol Flynn (who was jailed in England and then brought to America) and soon fall in love AND a twist of Little Women as it is 4 sisters trying to make due without a parent. I liked this novel except I wasn't overly crazy over Ian as i found him to be a bit of a bully but he did redeem himself in the end. Susannah was a strong character who was a bit inexperienced with men but I found it charming and realistic. I loved the dynamics between the sisters and their father. Maybe this is how Pride and Prejudice would have been sans Mrs. Bennet.
April 4, 2012
What can I say? I love this book. I have read it several times and once again I was riveted to it all night -- I read it in a one day. I love Susannah, I love Ian and their love story is just so wonderful. *sigh*
February 26, 2023
This was a really cute book! I loved the dynamic between Susanna and Ian, it was a slow burn, enemies to lovers.
It had that old bodice ripper feel to it even though there was no actual ripping. Our innocent little heroine had a touch of betraying body syndrom but it worked.
The end was quite anticlimactic but I thought this was well worth reading simply because it has you laughing, crying, and all upset over the angst. It was a fun emotional Rollercoaster that I might just read again some day.
It had that old bodice ripper feel to it even though there was no actual ripping. Our innocent little heroine had a touch of betraying body syndrom but it worked.
The end was quite anticlimactic but I thought this was well worth reading simply because it has you laughing, crying, and all upset over the angst. It was a fun emotional Rollercoaster that I might just read again some day.
June 28, 2021
This was probably one of the first romance novels I've read. It made an impression on me all those decades ago, so much so that I decided to re-read it now. I wasn't nearly as impressed this time around, after I've read and enjoyed many others superb romances by some of my favorite writers. It was an OK story, a steamy historical romance, and I finished it, but I certainly won't re-read it again. Besides, I disliked the male protagonist. Intensely. He was an ass and he spoiled the book for me.
November 14, 2021
I enjoyed this reading. Specially the first part. Seeing how Rachel took care of the house\farm and her family. The author knows a lot of the kind of work (and grit) that it took to manage these tasks successfuly.
My only misgiving was the hero. He was a nasty piece of guy. Making her jealous with her sisteer, seriously? Good ridance. But evertything else, was perfect: Rachel, the setting, the plot.
My only misgiving was the hero. He was a nasty piece of guy. Making her jealous with her sisteer, seriously? Good ridance. But evertything else, was perfect: Rachel, the setting, the plot.
May 7, 2025
Was for sure not my favorite read of the year, but it read easily and tells the story of another time.
December 29, 2025
This book was whackadoodle but I ate it up
May 18, 2017
Beaufort, Carolinas, 1769.
Susannah (26) is a Baptist preacher;s eldest daughter and practically a mother to her sisters.She is the voice of authority in the house and in the community.Sarah Jane (20) is engaged to be married to another preacher .Mandy (17) is a typical young girl who likes the attention of men and wants to have fun.The youngest is Emily (15) ,who still is very much a child.
One day Susannah realizes they need an able man to work their farm.She buys a convict from England,
sentenced to 7 years of identure.Ian Connelly is ill and Susannah tends to him.He is much younger than she thought (31 instead of 40 or more).She and Connelly spar all the time, he can't accept her authority and tries to give orders himself.The convict isn't used to hard farm work (hilarious scenes of him trying to gather eggs or plow with a mule).
Susannah falls in love with Ian and gives herself to him, although thinking it's a sin.Then one of their workers is found dead and Ian disappears..two months later he is recognized by Susannah...only to kidnap her to London and pretend they are married.And there is a secret which Susannah learns about Ian.
Very enjoyable book.
Anachronism: in 1769 neither England nor America knew the Waltz.The dance became popular some 25-30 years later ,when patronesses at Almack's (London) had to give a young lady permission to dance it.
Susannah (26) is a Baptist preacher;s eldest daughter and practically a mother to her sisters.She is the voice of authority in the house and in the community.Sarah Jane (20) is engaged to be married to another preacher .Mandy (17) is a typical young girl who likes the attention of men and wants to have fun.The youngest is Emily (15) ,who still is very much a child.
One day Susannah realizes they need an able man to work their farm.She buys a convict from England,
sentenced to 7 years of identure.Ian Connelly is ill and Susannah tends to him.He is much younger than she thought (31 instead of 40 or more).She and Connelly spar all the time, he can't accept her authority and tries to give orders himself.The convict isn't used to hard farm work (hilarious scenes of him trying to gather eggs or plow with a mule).
Susannah falls in love with Ian and gives herself to him, although thinking it's a sin.Then one of their workers is found dead and Ian disappears..two months later he is recognized by Susannah...only to kidnap her to London and pretend they are married.And there is a secret which Susannah learns about Ian.
Very enjoyable book.
Anachronism: in 1769 neither England nor America knew the Waltz.The dance became popular some 25-30 years later ,when patronesses at Almack's (London) had to give a young lady permission to dance it.
March 7, 2025
Nobody's Angel was headed for a solid four stars. 3.5/5 stars
abandoned
November 17, 2013Basically the same plot as Sweet Release, which, as I just abandoned, I really don't know what I was thinking to attempt this one. But what really made me throw in the towel on this one was the hero. He is utterly infuriating - I just have absolutely no patience for it. Am I supposed to like a hero that openly taunts, mocks and antagonizes the heroine? And any woman that falls for a man after behavior like this is an idiot. And I don't suffer fools. Not gladly. At all.
And not to mention this book creates no sense of time or place. I'm told they are on a farm in South Carolina in the 17th century. But honestly if could be a farm in any country in almost any time period. There's absolutely no sense of history. Fail.
And not to mention this book creates no sense of time or place. I'm told they are on a farm in South Carolina in the 17th century. But honestly if could be a farm in any country in almost any time period. There's absolutely no sense of history. Fail.
August 31, 2023
A gem of a story with a plain spinster, an indentured man, interesting family and really interesting location, Carolina Colony mid 1700s. Thought the ending a bit rushed … would have liked another chapter. Overall, a well researched romantic story!
April 13, 2021
Oggi vi propongo un romanzo che ho scelto, senza conoscere la trama, lanciandomi solo in base alla copertina e a una vaga fama che mi ha indotto a fidarmi, in quanto il nome di Karen Robards è piuttosto famoso nel genere romance. Volevo perdermi in un viaggio romantico, dopo libri di genere diverso che avevo alle spalle.
Le vicende di L'ANGELO DI NESSUNO ci catapultano in un mercato del nuovo mondo, nel XVIII secolo, dove quattro sorelle sono alle prese con una discussione pratico-filosofica sulla schiavitù: una sorella "incantevole, due passabili e una decisamente Tozza" - secondo il pensiero del protagonista.
Fin qui tutto sommato nessuna novità. Ci troviamo nel filone di "lui" bello ed impossibile e "lei" che in qualche modo oscilla tra lo sciatto e la trascurata, che ovviamente poi fiorisce agli occhi di lui diventando bellissima, grazie al potere dell'amore. Filone che il più delle volte mi diverte molto di più di lei bellissima che abbaglia lui con il suo fascino in quanto, in simili situazioni, mi viene da dire al protagonista: "capirai che fatica e che novità! Sei sicuro che si chiami amore quello che provi e che sia il cuore a essere coinvolti e niente che si trovi un po' più in basso?" Quindi il lui che vede la bellezza di lei oltre la facciata esteriore tendenzialmente mi convince, anche se so che non è nessuna novità.
L'originalità della storia della Robards è tutta in un capovolgimento di ruoli, in questa fase iniziale, in quanto la bellezza di lui è, a una prima occhiata, molto meno evidente del solito, in quanto le frustate e la condizione animale in cui è ridotto ci impediscono di capirlo. Certo sembra piuttosto pericoloso e questo ci piace!
Susannah, la Tozza, è in realtà il capofamiglia che ha deciso che, a prescindere dagli scrupoli morali, comprerà uno degli schiavi che vengono dal vecchio mondo e gli affiderà tutti quei lavori in casa che loro non riescono a fare. Certo a spingerla alla fine ad acquistare proprio lui, Ian Connelley, un aristocratico inglese ridotto in schiavitù, è alla fine il fastidio per Mr Geer che le tallona, e uno strano senso di pietà.
L'arrivo di Connelley nella vita delle sorelle Redmon è lungi dall'essere la soluzione a tutti i loro problemi, anche perché l'aristocratico decaduto ben presto comincia a esercitare il suo fascino e Susannah cerca di proteggere le sue sorelle da questo personaggio pericoloso, senza però essere immune al suo carisma.
Il nostro lui è stranamente intelligente e astuto, capace di affrontare le situazioni più controverse e a fare buon viso a cattivo gioco, affrontando con determinazione anche il capovolgimento del suo destino, finendo per innamorarsi dell'eroina più improbabile, che nasconde una natura generosa e appassionata.
Interessante anche la trama, con Ian che dovrà lottare per vendicarsi di quelli che lo hanno tradito, per riconquistare tutto quanto perduto e allo stesso tempo assicurarsi un amore imprevisto, arrivato nella sua vita quando meno se lo aspettava.
Romanzo che, nonostante i suoi anni, non ha deluso le mie aspettative, con il famoso ritorno in Inghilterra che chiarisce tutti i vari punti oscuri della storia. Certo sul finale si ha una lieve impressione di fretta e superficialità, con tutto che precipita troppo rapidamente, ma la bellezza è tutta nei due protagonisti, con i loro caratteri spigolosi e appassionati, nell'originalità del capovolgimento dei ruoli e in un'autrice decisamente di mestiere, nel senso più nobile del termine. Assolutamente consigliato.
Le vicende di L'ANGELO DI NESSUNO ci catapultano in un mercato del nuovo mondo, nel XVIII secolo, dove quattro sorelle sono alle prese con una discussione pratico-filosofica sulla schiavitù: una sorella "incantevole, due passabili e una decisamente Tozza" - secondo il pensiero del protagonista.
Fin qui tutto sommato nessuna novità. Ci troviamo nel filone di "lui" bello ed impossibile e "lei" che in qualche modo oscilla tra lo sciatto e la trascurata, che ovviamente poi fiorisce agli occhi di lui diventando bellissima, grazie al potere dell'amore. Filone che il più delle volte mi diverte molto di più di lei bellissima che abbaglia lui con il suo fascino in quanto, in simili situazioni, mi viene da dire al protagonista: "capirai che fatica e che novità! Sei sicuro che si chiami amore quello che provi e che sia il cuore a essere coinvolti e niente che si trovi un po' più in basso?" Quindi il lui che vede la bellezza di lei oltre la facciata esteriore tendenzialmente mi convince, anche se so che non è nessuna novità.
L'originalità della storia della Robards è tutta in un capovolgimento di ruoli, in questa fase iniziale, in quanto la bellezza di lui è, a una prima occhiata, molto meno evidente del solito, in quanto le frustate e la condizione animale in cui è ridotto ci impediscono di capirlo. Certo sembra piuttosto pericoloso e questo ci piace!
Susannah, la Tozza, è in realtà il capofamiglia che ha deciso che, a prescindere dagli scrupoli morali, comprerà uno degli schiavi che vengono dal vecchio mondo e gli affiderà tutti quei lavori in casa che loro non riescono a fare. Certo a spingerla alla fine ad acquistare proprio lui, Ian Connelley, un aristocratico inglese ridotto in schiavitù, è alla fine il fastidio per Mr Geer che le tallona, e uno strano senso di pietà.
L'arrivo di Connelley nella vita delle sorelle Redmon è lungi dall'essere la soluzione a tutti i loro problemi, anche perché l'aristocratico decaduto ben presto comincia a esercitare il suo fascino e Susannah cerca di proteggere le sue sorelle da questo personaggio pericoloso, senza però essere immune al suo carisma.
Il nostro lui è stranamente intelligente e astuto, capace di affrontare le situazioni più controverse e a fare buon viso a cattivo gioco, affrontando con determinazione anche il capovolgimento del suo destino, finendo per innamorarsi dell'eroina più improbabile, che nasconde una natura generosa e appassionata.
Interessante anche la trama, con Ian che dovrà lottare per vendicarsi di quelli che lo hanno tradito, per riconquistare tutto quanto perduto e allo stesso tempo assicurarsi un amore imprevisto, arrivato nella sua vita quando meno se lo aspettava.
Romanzo che, nonostante i suoi anni, non ha deluso le mie aspettative, con il famoso ritorno in Inghilterra che chiarisce tutti i vari punti oscuri della storia. Certo sul finale si ha una lieve impressione di fretta e superficialità, con tutto che precipita troppo rapidamente, ma la bellezza è tutta nei due protagonisti, con i loro caratteri spigolosi e appassionati, nell'originalità del capovolgimento dei ruoli e in un'autrice decisamente di mestiere, nel senso più nobile del termine. Assolutamente consigliato.
April 22, 2021
3 1/2
So I read this years ago, probably around 13 as I was recommended it by a reading buddy that was a go to HR buddy. Still I didn't remember to mark it. Reading the description, I realized what book it was and remembered really liking it. I don't have that feeling now though I did like it well enough, I probably would not reread it though. Two reasons for that is, the H leads the h to believe hurtful things And the woman refuses to listen, it seems forever and so stubborn which just seems to be to lengthen the story.
Overall it is a not attracted at all at first sight, to growing attraction and respect, which is really good but as above, does drag a bit because of non-communication or belief. Maybe the first time around, I had more patience for this trope because I remember either loving it or really liking it, so 4 or 5. I bumped it to 4 on my memories of the first read alone.
So I read this years ago, probably around 13 as I was recommended it by a reading buddy that was a go to HR buddy. Still I didn't remember to mark it. Reading the description, I realized what book it was and remembered really liking it. I don't have that feeling now though I did like it well enough, I probably would not reread it though. Two reasons for that is, the H leads the h to believe hurtful things And the woman refuses to listen, it seems forever and so stubborn which just seems to be to lengthen the story.
Overall it is a not attracted at all at first sight, to growing attraction and respect, which is really good but as above, does drag a bit because of non-communication or belief. Maybe the first time around, I had more patience for this trope because I remember either loving it or really liking it, so 4 or 5. I bumped it to 4 on my memories of the first read alone.
July 27, 2023
I liked many things about Nobody’s Angel; both MCs were mostly likable and well drawn out. They had good chemistry and a somewhat different story seeing as the heroine bought the hero as an indentured servant. Ian was never servile at ALL though and I was actually glad. Susannah had it hard raising her sisters and taking care of their home, father and community and I wish we’d gotten to see her enjoy her bit of a Cinderella story when she became a marchioness. I’m rating this 4 stars b/c while I did enjoy this book, the CONSTANT unflattering descriptions of the heroine were unnecessary. The author had to remind us on every page that Susannah was basically a short, frizzy haired, plain faced, haggard troll. Like WHY?? Because of this I especially didn’t like the part of the book when Ian was cozying up to the heroine’s beautiful, much younger sister, Mandy. And Mandy came off as such a bratty, selfish, narcissistic witch that I wanted karma to take her down a few notches. Overall the book gets 4 stars from me, it’s definitely worth a read, but probably not a re-read.
August 30, 2023
This is my first book by Karen Robards! What the hell took me so long to read her? Nobody’s Angel had me both laughing and crying! She is able to put the read right into the book.
Ian Connelly is now one of my favorite heroes of all time! He was delicious and wonderful and did i say delicious??! And Susanna was a fantastic heroine as well! I love American based books and while this one did got across the pond to London for a few chapters it only added to the story.
Ian is a convict that Susanna purchases as an indentured servant in 1700s Carolina’s. He is a tall well built man with black shoulder length hair, gray eyes and swarthy skin. He is also a marquis, he’s rough and he swears to Susanna’s dislike. She is a uptight, motivated, mothering , mousy daughter of a baptist minister.
This will not be my last book by Karen Robards, I’m fact I can’t wait to read the next!
Ian Connelly is now one of my favorite heroes of all time! He was delicious and wonderful and did i say delicious??! And Susanna was a fantastic heroine as well! I love American based books and while this one did got across the pond to London for a few chapters it only added to the story.
Ian is a convict that Susanna purchases as an indentured servant in 1700s Carolina’s. He is a tall well built man with black shoulder length hair, gray eyes and swarthy skin. He is also a marquis, he’s rough and he swears to Susanna’s dislike. She is a uptight, motivated, mothering , mousy daughter of a baptist minister.
This will not be my last book by Karen Robards, I’m fact I can’t wait to read the next!
May 27, 2020
Altro gran bel libro che leggo di questa autrice straordinaria, unica pecca la parte finale legata al suspense, troppo superficiale e sbrigativa a mio parere per il resto ne ho amato la narrazione e i personaggi principali, la forza del loro carattere e la passione che li ha uniti nonostante le condizioni avverse. Uno storico diverso dai soliti schemi ben lontano da merletti, sale da ballo e contessine svenevoli, l autrice ha dato un' impronta reale e credibile della vita dura vissuta dalle donne in quel determinato periodo storico affrontato anche argomenti come la deportazione e la vendita dei prigionieri come schiavi. Assolutamente da leggere.
September 27, 2022
I loved this mostly because of how well the characters were written. Everything they did made sense within the context of their personalities and their circumstances.
Susannah was a very relatable heroine. As a serious-minded woman, she felt very reflective of a woman today who has many things going at once. And Ian is a perfect foil to her, as a carefree nobleman whose circumstances were greatly altered. He teaches her that she is a woman after all, and she helps him find focus to claim what is his by right.
I have been dissatisfied with romances lately and this has restored my faith in the genre.
Susannah was a very relatable heroine. As a serious-minded woman, she felt very reflective of a woman today who has many things going at once. And Ian is a perfect foil to her, as a carefree nobleman whose circumstances were greatly altered. He teaches her that she is a woman after all, and she helps him find focus to claim what is his by right.
I have been dissatisfied with romances lately and this has restored my faith in the genre.
January 10, 2022
So this was absolutely amazing at the beginning - I was predicting 5 stars. I loved the setting and the heroines prim ways and her construct to the hero. But then things moved way too quickly between them and became way too focused on the physical, and the change of setting was super abrupt and weird and the heroine stopped acting like herself. She didn’t need to change completely to be worthy of the hero’s affections. I wish there was a bit more talking between them as well. Fell a tad short but I need more colonial historical.
May 9, 2018
It was... okay. This book had incredible sex scenes. Like legitimately, out of this world! However, the problem is that I don't enjoy unnecessary drama in books, and having the main female character be a minister's daughter meant the book was going to be 1/3 of her lamenting her sins, and how she has let down not only her father, her community, her sister's, but god as well. Yikes! I'm not here for this self-flagellation.
March 12, 2024
Another winner from Karen Robards! This one was not my favorite, but I really enjoyed the story's premise. Susannah Redmon purchases a man's indenture papers in the colonies in order to have a man assist on her family's farm. She gets more than she bargained for with Ian Connelly! I loved his teasing humor and his refusal to follow her orders. Lots of tension throughout and I liked how their relationship developed.
December 25, 2018
Molto bello. Lei forte, determinata, pratica sempre dedita agli altri, lui orgoglioso, indomito e irriverente, due caratteri che insieme fanno scintille e che per la prima metà del libro mi hanno tenuta incollata alle pagine. Peccato per la parte finale troppo frettolosa avrebbe potuto essere un 5 stelle
January 15, 2020
Such a charming and wonderful story. Susannah has given up all hopes of marriage and family as she cares for her father and sisters and then Ian comes in and rocks her world. Love the characters, even the ones I love to hate. Love the storyline. How did she not get pregnant? Does Mandy ever apologize? Did Jed end up in jail? I'll never know.
March 11, 2022
Far be it from me to expect modern social commentary from a book written in the 90’s and set in the 1700’s but any of the fun of a historical romance was tempered by the gloss of slavery revisionism. Slavery is mentioned and slaves are seen and even a passing condemnation made of a slave owner who goes to far, the remainder however are set pieces and happy with their lot in life.
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