Julie Anne Long

USA Today Bestseller! “Julie Anne Long reinvents the historical romance for modern readers.” —Amanda Quick From USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long comes the second book in an exciting new historical romance series, the first since her beloved Pennyroyal Green series. He has devil’s blood in his veins. At least, that’s always been the legend. How else could the Duke of Brexford’s notorious bastard son return from the dead? The brutal decade since Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt, allegedly drowned in the Thames forged him into a man who always gets what—and who—he wants. And what he wants is vengeance for his stolen birthright . . . and one wild night in Angelique Breedlove’s bed. Angelique recognizes heartbreak when the enigmatic Lord Bolt walks into The Grand Palace on the Thames, and not even his devastating charm can tempt her to risk her own ever again. One scorching kiss drives home the danger. But in the space between them springs a trust that feels anything but safe. And the passion—explosive, consuming—drives Lucien to his knees. Now his whole life depends on proving his love to a woman who doesn’t believe in it . . . because his true birthright, he now knows, is guardian of Angelique Breedlove’s heart.

The Palace of Rogues

Angel in a Devil's Arms

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

  
    
  




Angel In A Devil's Arms is the second book in the "Palace of Rogues" series, and after the ending of book one " Lady Derring Takes A Lover" I was highly intrigued to read this one, since she gave us a teaser on the beginning meeting between our two protaganists: Lucien and Angelique. I will admit that in the first book I didn't know quite what to make of Angelique. There is quite a bit of mystery surrounding her in many respects, and it was this mysterious cloud that is hinted at that makes you want to know more of her. I am not sure why exactly it took me so long to pick up this book but I had completely forgotten of this release, it really just slipped my mind but when I saw the audio available at my local library, I just grabbed it instantly, knowing it was time to grab it up. I will say I am relieved that I did so, because it had the balance of what I was looking for. 



Angel In A Devil's Arms places the reader back into the setting of the Palace of Rogues and this beautiful and elegant boarding house in the docks of London. We get to see the fun interactions between all of the guests but most especially we get drawn into the drama that is building between Lucien and Angelique. At first, our two protaganists don't care for each other, its more of a toleration mixed a bit with intrigue. But as they grow to unveil that mystery that surrounds each other, there seems to be a sense of intimacy that builds between Lucien and Angelique. Angelique is determined not to grow fond of Lucien, his charm is dangerous to her, because she has secrets and he could harm her and what they have built here with the boarding house. But she soon realizes that love is worth the risk, but will Lucien be her champion and partner?



“Is it something about me? Or do you feel as though you can treat all men as though what we feel is of no consequence?"



I have to say I had such a blast with this book, and I laughed my socks off. I had forgotten how witty this author's writing can be, and all that dry wit just had me smiling all the way through and it definitely was the book I needed to help lighten my heart. I found the romance between these two to be quite endearing. It has a sense of "enemies to lovers" but that light angst that exists between them isn't consistent all the way through. I really liked how the author implemented the healthy boundaries for a relationship by both the man and the woman, it showed a sense of equal fairness I was drawn to. I was also fascinated by the story behind the hero and trying to figure out who was behind the attempt on his life and a budding relationship with his younger half brother (who was adorbs) 



But what surprised her most was the gratitude for everything, including all the heartbreaks, upheavals, betrayals she’d so far known. The wrong men had simply prepared her to recognize the right one. The seemingly wrong turns had led her precisely to where she wished to be.



I did find that overall this story offered the comfort and distraction that was desperately needed and it gave a lighthearted tone to a story that will leave the reader with a smile and aching for more!

danielle bush

This is the first book I have read by Julie Ann Long and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. She will an author I look out for her new releases. I haven't read the first book in the series Lady Derring Takes a Lover, but I will be adding it to my TBR. I loved the way Angelique and Lucien interacted with each other. Definitely had some laugh out loud moments.

b.andherbooks

The mysterious Lord Bolt first alluded to in Lady Derring Takes a Lover arrives to claim his room at the boarding house. Lucien is out for revenge, or at least to embarrass the Duchess who forced his father to abandon his mistress and her son, Lucien and his mother. What Lucien isn't expecting is to be utterly bewitched by Mrs. Breedlove, the boarding house's co-owner.

Angelique is done with love and done with men making her feel less or being dependent on men at all. She's finally found a place and a calling that is her own. So delicious, lean blonde lords with smiles to make your loins stir are not for her, no thank you. Friendship is fine.

But Lucien and Angelique, both hurt, sad souls, are bound for each other and cannot resist the draw.

Absolutely fun and lovely historical romance. I definitely recommend reading the first book in order to fully understand Angelique's position. 

Blurb from my Instagram post:
Angel in a Devil's Arms by Julie Anne Long has a devastatingly handsome sad boi bastard out to get revenge on his dastardly stepmother and an icy former mistress now boarding house owner who wants nothing to do with all the feeeeeeelings this sad Viscount is making her feel. 


*There were few sentences alluding to a "Morrocan mistress" and a "g**** caravan" that I felt were unnecessary to the overall story*

Angel in a Devil's Arms The Palace of Rogues

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