WILD ANGEL

Author: Sasha Lord ISBN: 0451222857 1/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL/SIGNET ECLIPSE
Time Period: Medieval, 12th Century

Emotionally scarred by his many years on the battlefield, Mangan, son of the powerful Earl of Kirkcaldy, seeks forgiveness by embarking on a religious quest prior to beginning a life of cloistered celibacy. But his disturbing attraction to a "dark angel," an exquisite Gypsy woman who has just witnessed the murder of her parents, puts him on a far different path. Obsessed by revenge and hiding a terrible secret, Ashleigh uses her skills for trickery and illusion-taught to her since childhood-to torment the people she believes are hiding her parents' killer. But her overwhelming attraction to the warrior monk who comes to her aid plays havoc with her emotions and upsets all her plans. As Mangan and Ashleigh join together to uncover a diabolical plot to unseat the King of Scotland, they also struggle to understand the powerful forces at work between them-a passion that stirs their blood, a desire to heal that mends their souls, and a love that unites their hearts.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Sasha Lord's new book, WILD ANGEL, brings to life the action and excitement of twelfth century Europe. Amazingly strong characters interact in various heart touching situations as they strive to survive the violence of the era.

Sixteen year-old Ashleigh is left alone after men attack and kill her parents. Wanting vengeance, she strikes back at the people the only way she knows how. Trained by her father to do magic tricks, she uses her skills to play on the superstitions of the villagers.

Mangan is a soldier who has seen too much of war and death and wants to become a monk. He is sent on a religious mission to regain a stolen church relic. Mangan meets Ashleigh when he saves her from drowning. When she recovers, Ashleigh uses her tricks to hide from Mangan. Continuing on his mission, Mangan enters a village that believes it is being plagued by evil forces. Mangan believes that someone is just playing tricks and sets out to find the culprit. As Mangan and Ashleigh's paths continue to cross, their feelings for one another grow from desire to something stronger.

Ashleigh is a wonderful character that I quickly became attached to. She changes from a happy and loving daughter, to a woman that wants vengeance. The violence and horror of what happens to her parents makes this easy to understand. I found myself caring for this character and worrying for her safety. My one hope was that Mangan would be able to save her from herself, before it was too late.

Mangan is another character that it was easy to love. Unfortunately, he suffers from the guilt and trauma of surviving battle. This is what has led him to decide to change his life and become a monk. His struggles with his devout beliefs, and his warrior instincts are very believable and easy to understand. It is when he meets Ashleigh that this struggle is really tested. From the very beginning, I enjoyed reading as he fought his desire for the beautiful woman. It was when Ashleigh is threatened that he wins my heart, as he does not think twice about picking up his sword to come to her defense. He is a wonderfully conflicted medieval hero that will quickly when the hearts of the readers.

WILD ANGEL is a richly developed and exciting story. It is filled with awesome action and bloody violence in a fascinating medieval setting. Its wonderfully created characters will win hearts as their story is told through daring action and heated romance. All of this combines to make WILD ANGEL by Sasha Lord a definite keeper, and leaves me anxiously awaiting more such great reads by this wonderful author.

Anita Hartsell