From Publishers Weekly
Beautiful, protected Anastasia Kaptereva was about to make a brilliant marriage to the wealthy Prince Mikhail Angelovsky. The problem is she's killed him. At least she was found unconscious near his body with the bloody knife in her hand. In 1870, at the beginning of this promising, evocative novel, she escapes from a St. Petersburg prison and almost certain execution to England, where a relative finds her a position as governess to Emma Stokehurst, the 12-year-old daughter of Lord Lucas Stokehurst. While Anastasia is haunted by the murder she can't quite remember, the Stokehursts are haunted by the fire that deprived Emma of her mother and Lucas of his wife and his hand. In Anastasia, Lucas finds new love, while Anastasia finds not only love but some promise of protection-at least until her past catches up with her. Kleypas (Dreaming of You) has done her research, creating a real sense of place and period, her dialogue is rich, her humor real and her "evil" characters never stoop to being stock simplistic boogeymen (or women). If there is a problem, it is with her pacing. After a ripping beginning, Midnight Angel bogs down as the lovers retreat to get to know each another, then speeds up as danger approaches, only to stumble at a rushed and improbable confession and finally malinger anticlimactically in an attempt, one suspects, to set the scene for a sequel. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.



"Charming...I enjoyed it thoroughly"


Book Description
A noblewoman of frail beauty and exotic mystery fakes her own death to escape the gallows. And now she must flee. In disguise and under a false identity, she finds unexpected sanctuary in the arms of a handsome and arrogant yet gallant British lord -- who must defy society to keep her safe. . .and overcome a tragic past to claim her as his own.


Download Description
A noblewoman of frail beauty and exotic mystery fakes her own death to escape the gallows. And now she must flee. In disguise and under a false identity, she finds unexpected sanctuary in the arms of a handsome and arrogant yet gallant British lord -- who must defy society to keep her safe. . .and overcome a tragic past to claim her as his own.


About the Author
Lisa Kleypas is the author of sixteen historical romance novels that have been published in twelve languages. After graduating from Wellesley College with a political science degree, she published her first novel at the age twenty-one. Her books have appeared on many bestseller lists, including the New York Times and Publishers Weekly. Lisa lives in Texas with her husband, Gregory, and their two children, Griffin and Lindsay.

ANNOTATION

In this sweeping historical romance, a young Russian noblewoman sentenced to death for the murder of her lecherous fiance manages to escape to England after faking her own death. In London, she secures employment as a governess in the house of a lord--who is soon captivated by the lady's exotic beauty and manner. Original.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A noblewoman of frail beauty and exotic mystery fakes her own death to escape the gallows. And now she must flee. In disguise and under a false identity, she finds unexpected sanctuary in the arms of a handsome and arrogant yet gallant British lord — who must defy society to keep her safe. . .and overcome a tragic past to claim her as his own.

Author Biography: After Graduation from Wellesley College with a political science degree, Lisa Kleypas decided to make writing her full-time career. She is a former Miss Massachusetts and competed in the 1985 Miss America Pageant. She currently redides near San Antonio with her husband Greg and her son Griffin.

Lisa's novels with Avon Books are Only In Your Arms, Only With Your Love, Then Came You, Dreaming Of You, Midnight Angel, Prince Of Dreams, Somewhere I'll Find You, and Because You're Mine.

FROM THE CRITICS

Heather Graham

Charming...I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Publishers Weekly

Beautiful, protected Anastasia Kaptereva was about to make a brilliant marriage to the wealthy Prince Mikhail Angelovsky. The problem is she's killed him. At least she was found unconscious near his body with the bloody knife in her hand. In 1870, at the beginning of this promising, evocative novel, she escapes from a St. Petersburg prison and almost certain execution to England, where a relative finds her a position as governess to Emma Stokehurst, the 12-year-old daughter of Lord Lucas Stokehurst. While Anastasia is haunted by the murder she can't quite remember, the Stokehursts are haunted by the fire that deprived Emma of her mother and Lucas of his wife and his hand. In Anastasia, Lucas finds new love, while Anastasia finds not only love but some promise of protection-at least until her past catches up with her. Kleypas (Dreaming of You) has done her research, creating a real sense of place and period, her dialogue is rich, her humor real and her ``evil'' characters never stoop to being stock simplistic boogeymen (or women). If there is a problem, it is with her pacing. After a ripping beginning, Midnight Angel bogs down as the lovers retreat to get to know each another, then speeds up as danger approaches, only to stumble at a rushed and improbable confession and finally malinger anticlimactically in an attempt, one suspects, to set the scene for a sequel. (Jan.)

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