Guardian angel Chance Godricson returns to earth (with a heavenly shove from his BFF Angus) out of concern for one of his clients, agoraphobic sufferer Queisha Saint-Denis whose life he saved eight years ago when he died in a mall collapse. The mortal faces difficult challenges as the Fitzgerald couple disappeared on a mountain climbing trip. Queisha is the legal guardian of their five years old twins Lace and Skye because they trust her to care for them as she had been their surrogate mother birthing them.
Works Like Magick employment agency owner Viveca assigns Chance to serve as the cook for Queisha and the children. He also serves as guardian to the frightened twins. Queisha struggles to provide the twins with what they need. Chance has problems too as he sheds his feathers whenever his thoughts stray to Queisha, adheres to the awkward angelic honesty tenet regardless, and hardest of all tries to remain detached.
The second Works Like Magick urban romantic fantasy (see Naked Dragon) is a terrific tale with plenty of humor especially as Chance struggles with unacceptable thoughts and dreams, and the heavenly dictate of complete honesty. The twins enhance the story line though perhaps they are too precocious while Angus is more an impish messenger than a guardian angel. With a strong lead couple and a taut look at an agoraphobic battling her neurosis to raise young children, Annette Blair provides a strong heavenly sent thriller. Harriet Klausner
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Romance Reviews Today
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BEDEVILED ANGEL
– Annette Blair,
Works Like
Magick,
Berkley
Sensation,
ISBN:
978-0-425-23597-3
August 2010,
Paranormal
Romance
Everlasting,
Heaven and
Salem,
Massachusetts –
Present Day
Chance Godricson
is Queisha
Saint-Denis’s
guardian angel,
and he is very
protective of
her. Queisha
was the
surrogate mother
for the
Fitzpatrick
twins, and she
is designated as
their legal
guardian if
anything should
befall the
Fitzpatricks.
Something does;
they fall while
rock climbing,
and when Chance
sees them enter
Heaven, he is
worried about
Queisha, who
will have to
take on the
responsibility
of caring for
the little
girls. As much
as she loves the
twins, Queisha
is agoraphobic
and is afraid to
leave the
house. Luckily,
Queisha’s aunt
left her money
and a huge,
beautiful home.
Chance’s
friend, Angus,
accuses Chance
of being
besotted with
Queisha; after
all, he did save
her life and
died in the
process. As
they stand
looking down on
earth, Angus
knocks him over
the precipice.
Chance and Angus
find themselves
on earth in
Queisha’s house.
Queisha’s
friend, Vivica,
who is a witch,
is the owner of
Works Like
Magick. She
greets the two
travelers as she
laughingly
checks out
Chance’s rainbow
robe and
colorful wings,
and Angus, the
bearded cherub.
She plans to
help Queisha by
hiring Chance as
a cook and to
help with the
twins. Vivica
warns him to
hide his wings,
to be careful
about dropping
feathers around
the house, and
to not let
Queisha know
that he is an
angel (she
doesn’t believe
in them).
Chance is
surprised to see
that Vivica has
a dragon as a
body guard with
a Pixie riding
the dragon.
The twins, Skye
and Lace, arrive
from Switzerland
where they have
been in boarding
school. Queisha
is happy to have
them, and they
are joyful to be
with her.
Chance helps,
but luckily he
has his wings
tucked away,
although he
keeps losing
feathers. Is it
from all his
lustful thoughts
about Queisha?
And is he
becoming more
earthbound? The
one problem he
has is that he
cannot tell a
lie.
Readers will
laugh at all the
quirky
characters in
BEDEVILED ANGEL,
although I must
admit the angel
on the cover
looks pretty
hot—wings and
all! Queisha is
determined to
overcome her
phobia so she
can help the
twins, and
Chance wants to
help her in any
way that he
can. Both of
them are
likeable
characters.
Vivica is a
funny but loving
secondary
character who
helps both
Chance and
Queisha, and
Angus
periodically
appears to give
Chance advice.
The twins are
sweet, happy
six-year-olds.
Slightly wacky
with some
unusual
characters,
BEDEVILED ANGEL
is the story of
an angel who
meets his match,
and isn’t too
sure that he
wants to go back
to Everlasting.
A choice part
of the book is
the feathers
that continually
drop around the
house. Some
funny
situations, a
bit of magic,
and a good
romance as
Queisha and
Chance work out
their problems,
make the tale a
must for a light
and charming
summer read.
Marilyn Heyman
Order: Amazon
ROMANCE NOVEL NEWS
“Bedeviled Angel” (Berkley Sensation, $7.99), by Annette Blair:
After dying eight years ago, Chance Godricson, a lovesick guardian angel, is chastised by his superiors for neglecting his caseload. He chooses to focus only on Queisha Saint-Denis, a woman he sacrificed himself for in a tragic building collapse.
The newest arrivals in this afterlife, called Everlasting, are a wealthy couple that had contracted Queisha as a surrogate mother for their six-year-old twin daughters. He knows that Queisha is named legal guardian in their will and fears that news of the couple’s accident may further validate her agoraphobia.
Best friend Angus knows Chance is walking a fine line and if he does not make some serious improvements Chance may lose his guardian angel position and be banished.
Aware of the potential judgment of Everlasting’s archangel Tribunal, Angus pushes Chance into the earthen realm, where he secretly lands in Queisha’s closet.
Queisha, fearing public places, spends her days locked in the 23-room seaside home she inherited from her aunt, however, she has begun therapy to work through her phobia.
Queisha’s friend Vivica, a witch and expert in assisting paranormals, senses Chance and Angus. She quickly hatches a plan to have Chance hired as Queisha’s cook, thus allowing him direct access to his charge. With Chance in place at the home, he is allowed to help Queisha prepare for the arrival of the orphaned twin girls.
While earthbound, Chance struggles against his desire and feelings for Queisha. He discovers that if he is impure in thoughts or actions he loses wing feathers. Chance ponders the risks of being intimate with Queisha, knowing if all of his feathers are lost, he will die and lose his guardian angel status.
Annette Blair successfully creates a convincing world where the paranormal exist among everyday humans. Chance is an immediately likeable love interest for the relationship-cautious Queisha.
The story is driven by the dynamics and interactions between the two and convincingly takes the reader on their personal journey.
Blair reveals the depth of her characters, their experiences, and how the twins play into their lives. It is hard not to be carried away by the humor, emotion, love, sex, and mischief that surround Chance and Queisha.
“Bedeviled Angel,” is the second book in Blair’s “Works Like Magick” paranormal series.
Order: Amazon
FICTION VIXEN
Chance Godricson is a guardian angel but he neglects his other charges because he focuses too much on Queisha. A woman he once sacrificed his own life for to save from imminent death. Chance is charismatic, sympathetic, sweet and charming.
Queisha Saint-Denis is Chance's charge. She suffers from agoraphobia and though the panic attacks frighten her, she faces life head-on. She’s quirky, outspoken and she’s a bit erratic and eccentric. I thought Queisha was a wonderful heroine. Despite her phobia and the setbacks in life she's caring, giving, colorful and energetic.
Skye and Lace are Queisha's twin daughters. Queisha was a surrogate to a rich childless couple who died in a rock climbing accident and have now named her guardian of the twins as she's their birthmother. The plot of BEDEVILED ANGEL, next to the romance of course, is mainly about how Queisha copes with being thrown into a mother-role and how they all adjust to being thrown together. I loved the twins. In contrast with my the ghost-theme pet peeve I have in romance, kids are my favorite secondary character theme and these twins are among the ones I really love in the stories I’ve read. Skye is playful and mischievous, while Lace is stubborn, reserved. There were plenty of scenes with the girls and Queisha and Chance that put a lump in my throat.
Two things that bothered me in the first book of this series (NAKED DRAGON) returned in this one too. First the ghosts-theme again. Admittedly, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book as it was crucial to the plot and Queisha's character even and it was a brief appearance but I still don't like them in romances. Second, the extreme short chapters which seem to be the author's signature style in this series, though I have to say it bothered me less in this book. Maybe because I was somewhat prepared for it and there were not as many weird mid-scene chapter breaks as in the first book.
BEDEVILED ANGEL has an intricately set up and subtly layered plot that was still easy to read and fast-paced. Although a lot of different things happen, it’s never unclear or disorganized. Both books I’ve read by her have a way of captivating so much that I can’t stop reading and before I know it, the book is finished.
I really like Annette Blair's writing style, a lot, it’s clear and humorous and even while broaching heavy subjects she keeps it light and manageable. Though in some ways this book was different from NAKED DRAGON, it was just as pleasing and entertaining. I'd laugh out loud one page, choke up on the next and fan myself on the third. This book was more emotional than humorous, the playfulness of book 1 was toned down a bit to accommodate the heavier theme. However, there were still enough moments to make me swallow the lump in my throat and smile or laugh out loud.
BEDEVILED ANGEL took me on an emotional rollercoaster with its endearing characters and its heart-rending story. At the end I just cried and cried silent tears at how beautiful and emotional it was. It was the perfect ending to a fun and lovely paranormal romance. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the Works Like Magick series, which will focus on the dragons again. Reviewed by Pearl.
Favorite Quote:
Like a swan, she made the dance look easy, even bending to his will, then she raised her hips and touched her center to his.
After years of celibacy, he short-circuited. Zap! That fast, his manhood morphed from spring sapling to a mighty oak. Wood and plenty of it.
Saturday, September 25, 2010 1:00
Sandy
M’s review of
Bedeviled Angel
(Works Like Magick, Book
2) by
Annette Blair
Paranormal Romance
published by Berkley 3
Aug 10
Are you ready for a feel-good book? Then you need to read Annette Blair. And not just Bedeviled Angel, but any of her books will make you laugh and smile in and around the happy but serious lives of her characters. You always feel good once you’ve read the last page.
Chance is an angel assigned to look out for a number of folks who will need him at any give time, but his attention centers on Queisha, the woman he gave his life for. He’d been glad to do it at the time, has no regrets except for maybe the life they could have had together in other circumstances. Sometimes, even for angels, you may get what you wish for, albeit you may also get into a lot of trouble for it.
Pushed from Heaven by a friendly cherub, Chance finds himself ensconced in Queisha’s life just when she needs help the most. Never fully recovered from giving the babies she carried as a surrogate to their parents, unexpected events have now placed the twins in her care. Vivica from Works Like Magick assures Queisha she’ll do fine with the help she’ll send to fill in any gaps caring for the girls.
Of course, it’s Chance who’s sent and that’s when the fun starts. I love Chance. He does his best to be the angel he’s supposed to be, but being near Queisha is very hard him. So much so, he loses feathers around the house during his inappropriate thoughts and feelings about the woman.
Queisha is a terrific heroine. She’s suffered from agoraphobia since the accident eight years before when a young man died saving her life. Now with Chance’s help she’s taking her first steps beyond into a world that frightens her, but she’ll do anything for Skye and Lace.
Every character is this book is charming and full of fun. Though they have to go through heavy-duty things in their lives, they keep an upbeat attitude, don’t let those things get them down for too long. Skye and Lace are especially fun despite their circumstances. Chance builds Queisha’s self-esteem when it comes to being a mother and she’s making all his dreams come true, even though he’ll have to return to his angelic life and face the music for his short time of happiness on Earth.
He must also face the music when Queisha learns who he truly is
Annette Blair is a master at sweeping you from one emotion to the next with the flip of a page. Her humor mixed with life challenges always give you characters with dignity and laced with fun. You can’t help but feel good when you’ve finished one of her books. Grade: A+
Order: Amazon
Aurian, Germany
At the Works like Magick employment agency in Salem, Massachusetts, matching clients in need with magical temps is a piece of cake, especially when the temp happens to be heaven sent …
When Queisha Saint-Denis
agreed to be a surrogate
mother for a jet-setting
– but childless –
couple, she never
dreamed she’d see a
return on her gift.
Literally. But now she’s
looking at two adorable
orphans, who come with a
lot of baggage: there’s
a battle brewing over
who “inherits” them and
their huge fortune, plus
an unwanted (and
alarmingly attractive)
guardian, whom she’s
sure has been hired by
the duelling family
members to keep an eye
on her more than the
children.
Chance Godricson is
keeping an eye on
Queisha. In fact, he’s
her guardian angel. Ever
since he gave his life
to save hers. Chance has
felt an undeniable
connection to Queisha.
And now that he’s back
on Earth, in her house,
surrounded by two
scene-stealing moppets
and a woman he finds
irresistible, Chance is
about to discover that
helping Queisha and
still staying angelic is
not going to be easy.
Queisha has had a
difficult life. She was
adopted at age one, by a
couple. The woman loved
her very much, but she
died when Queisha was
eleven. Her adopted
father only tolerated
her in his house, and
kicked her out when she
got pregnant at sixteen.
The baby died at birth,
and Queisha was taken up
in the wheels of Child
Services. She developed
her agoraphobia then,
the fear of leaving the
house. When her Social
worker tried to help her
deal with it, by taking
her shopping, an
earthquake or something
happened.
A man died while saving
her life, and he told
her to life for two.
Some time later, a
relative from her
birthmother died and
left Queisha her entire
fortune and her enormous
home in Salem. So
Queisha moved there,
bringing the world to
her, but never stepping
outside, she only
ventured on the yellow
brick patio near the
house. But not a foot on
the grass or in her very
lovely garden.
Through the advise of
Vivica, the owner of
Works Like Magick, she
agreed to become a
surrogate mother. Being
pregnant with some one
else’s child, giving
birth to it, and then
giving it up. She never
thought it would be so
hard to give her twins
away.
But now their mountain
climbing parents are
lost somewhere, and as
she is appointed their
guardian, the girls are
fetched from their
boarding school in
Switzerland, and brought
to Queisha. Two little
six year old girls in
uniforms, not knowing
how to play, never been
cuddled or tickled or
anything. So why did
those people want
children and not take
care of them? But
Queisha is determined to
make them enjoy life as
much as she can, even
though she herself is
too afraid to leave the
house.
So here is Chance. Her
new cook to take care of
the cooking, as Queisha
doesn’t know how. The
girls will need
nutritious meals after
all. He can also escort
them outside when
necessary.
Ever since he gave his
life to save that of the
young woman he was
trapped with in that
mall, Chance watched her
from above. He became
her guardian angel, and
took really good care of
her, sometimes to the
neglect of his other
charges. He loves her.
This change in her life
is going to be so hard
on her, she is going to
need him! And then his
friend Angus pushes him
from heaven to earth,
and instead of going
right back, he is going
to Queisha, to be her
co-guardian, to help
her. But being on earth,
gives him back all his
mortal desires. And man,
does he desire Queisha!
His losing his silver
feathers (for chastity)
is prove enough of that.
Queisha is wondering why
they keep finding those
beautiful feathers, and
as Chance cannot lie to
her, him being an angel
and all, he has to tell
her the truth. But of
course she doesn’t
believe him.
Until they make love and
his wings appear! Now he
has to tell her
everything, and he is
determined to help her
overcome her phobia, so
that she can take the
very best of care of Sky
and Lace herself, for
when he has to go back
to heaven. He knows he
cannot stay, even though
they are soulmates, and
so very much in love. So
they fight to keep the
girls, they even marry
to provide them with a
whole family.
I adored this book. Of
course, I cannot imagine
what agoraphobia does to
a real person, but I
loved Queisha and Chance
and the little girls.
This book is written
with so much passion,
such real characters,
such humor and love. You
just have to keep
reading.
The descriptions of the
house, the many rooms
there are, the angelic
world. If only it could
be real.
So the first book had a
dragon, the second book
an angel, I wonder what
the third book in this
lovely series will
bring. Aurian,
Germany
Order: Amazon
Reviewed by Paula Myers
Posted October 26, 2010
Paranormal
Romance, Fantasy
Eight years ago, Chance Godricson messed with fate when he saved the life of Queisha Saint-Dennis, dying in her place in a building collapse. Ever since, he's been her guardian angel, watching out for her from heaven and falling a little more in love with her as the years pass. When a monumental change in Queisha's life threatens her well- being, Chance's buddy Angus literally knocks him out of heaven and into her life.
Queisha has created an amazing world for herself in the home she inherited from an aunt. Suffering from agoraphobia, it's been years she's felt brave enough to venture into the real world, getting by with the help of her friend Vivica, who runs the Works Like Magick employment agency. When Queisha finds herself in charge of the twin girls she'd given up years ago in a surrogacy agreement, she's going to need a bit of divine intervention to get through the challenges facing her.
Vivica has just the man for the job and puts Chance into Queisha's home as cook and confidant. Queisha is just what the orphans, Skye and Lace, need in their lives, and Chance is just the man...angel...to help Queisha confront and overcome her fears. The attraction between the two is instantaneous, and it's not long before Chance is dropping chastity feathers all over the house! Knowing his time on earth is limited, Chance devotes himself to Queisha, Skye and Lace -- and prays for a miracle for them all.
Annette Blair's BEDEVILED ANGEL is the second Works Like Magick novel, and a real treat for all. The concept behind the Works Like Magick series is clever and entertaining, as are all of Ms. Blair's quirky, flawed and always unique characters. There are many laugh-out-loud moments throughout, and a few to bring tears. I found the descriptions of heaven and angels comforting, and the struggle faced by these characters heartfelt and heartwarming. I particularly enjoy Ms. Blair's use of children, not only in this story, but in many of her other novels. BEDEVILED ANGEL has a spot on my keeper shelf.