In the Presence of Angels

by Katherine Kingsley

Book Overview

Bestselling, award-winning author Katherine Kingsley, hailed as "a glorious treasure" by Romantic Times, sweeps us back to Regency-era England in a sizzling tale of passion, romance, and a touch of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440235995
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Dell
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Once again, amazing work from Katherine Kingsley

This book is a wonderful reminder of how precious life is and the invaluable essence of every step along the path we have chosen. Regardless of whether experience leaves us with a bitter taste, or soaring "In The Presence Of Angels" there is a reason, and we should treasure them all. Ms. Kingsley has a gift for writing in such a way that the characters gradually become part of your heart and their lives become an escape for your soul.

Angels, love, and rescuing the fair maiden

A very good read told mainly from the hero's viewpoint. On the way home after years in the army, Will stops by his dead friend's place to return letters to the wife. However, he discovers the wife, child, and farm are in desperate straights. Loving Louisa and the child, Pipe at first site, Will takes on the man-of-all-work job to help out. But can a former Marquis and captain of the army help out the independant Louisa? Especially when she despises anyone who is upper class and from the army to boot? How long can Will hide his past?The sex scenes are steamy. And the spiritual discussions are good, though bordering on the pendandic. However, the interactions between Louisa, Pipe, and Will are wonderful. But can Will overcome Louisa's sense of betrayal when she finds out who he really is? Read and find out.

Faith and Love

Major Lord William Fitzpatrick has the gift of knowing when he is in the presence of angels. A man of faith at odds with his military career, he befriends Val, a man who over the years shares with him his wife's correspondence. Will develops an idealized vision of what Val's life must have been like, and falls in love with that vision. Val dies in his arms at Waterloo, and Will leaves the Army a year later, returning to England with some trepidation in hopes of reconciling with his estranged twin brother. Fate decrees otherwise-Val finds himself sidetracked to the farm of Val's widow, where he gradually discovers how much of a gulf exists between his fantasy and the reality of the life his dead friend lived. The constant in his experience is Louisa, Val's widow, with whom he falls deeply in love. Louisa has encased herself in layers and layers of cynicism as she struggles to repair the damage her marriage did to her family. Will and Louisa stand in counterpoint to one another, he the wounded optimist, and she the bitter, angry pessimist. KK's story takes us through their transformation into lovers, and the impact of their love on their lives.This story kept my attention so thoroughly that it was 1 AM before I realized how long I had been reading. The characters - Will moreso - think and talk about God without apology, neutrality, or embarrassment. I found Will's faith humbling. The story does juxtapose spiritual themes with explicit sexuality, and it is possible that this could be uncomfortable for some readers. However, I found that it gave the book more depth, because it required me to think a little more, and in a different way, about the nature of divine goodness and human love. I recommend this novel highly.

Kingsley knows how to write what readers want

For the past five years on the French front, Lord William Fitzpatrick precariously lives through the letters his friend Val Merriem received from his spouse Louisa. The notes were uplifting as they discussed Val's family. At Waterloo, William holds onto Val who dies in the battle.A year later, William has left the army to come home, but decides to detour to give Louisa letters that Val possessed. When he reaches Broadhurst Farm, William is shocked by the dilapidated conditions that are nothing like the utopia he thought. Louisa is a bitter person and her father acts like he suffers from battle fatigue. Only Val's little girl Pip shows any energy. William accepts a farm hand job and begins to pump life back into a family that Val destroyed before he joined the army. Louisa and William fall in love, but when she learns the truth about his identity, their relationship will end.IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS is an interesting, character-driven Regency romance. The cast propels the story line as each adult suffers from a traumatic situation that has left them with demons. The lead couple is an endearing duo and the support cast brings out their better qualities. Katherine Kingsley provides sub-genre fans with a warm romance that will be cherished for its insightful look at the era.Harriet Klausner