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Angelina's Secret (Jeweled Dagger Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 56 ratings

Lady Angelina Marguerite Amelia Stewart was born in a time when women were valued for their beauty, titles and little else. Beloved daughter of Lord and Lady Stewart, and cherished by her older brother, Jonathan, Angelina is blessed with a quick mind and a sharp wit, which she uses liberally regardless of the consequences. Determined to never be owned by any man, Angelina shuns societal rules and lives life on her own terms. When she is surprised by her parents with a sea voyage for her nineteenth birthday, Angelina is thrilled to fully explore life, unaware that her gift comes with a price. It will test her resolve and challenger her in ways she could never have imagined.

Captain Jude Deveraux is leading a double life. He and his band of French privateer's steal, rob and plunder unsuspecting ships that have the misfortune of wandering into their domain. Awarded a title by the King of France for bravery during battle, The Duke of Bayonne, A.K.A. Captain Jude Deveraux, takes what he wants from the world as he and best friend, Honore' live each day as if it were their last. That is until the day Jude discovers that the only thing he truly wants is to capture the untamed heart of fiery tempered, Angelina for his own.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A sweeping and engaging historical romance, Angelina's Secret has emotion, action, suspense and above all, an epic and timeless love. Filled with heroic, dashing pirates and brave, beautiful ladies, this is a fantastic read."
--Blueink Reviews (Starred Review)

"Diane Merrill Wigginton's period tale, Angelina's Secret, has romance and action in spades."
--Foreword Reviews

"Save for a rainy day and escape into this suspenseful, bodice-ripping romp."
--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Diane Merrill Wigginton was born in 1963, in Riverside, California and moved to San Diego when she was eight years old. She enjoyed spending her summers in Burley, Idaho, with her mother's parents, Florence and Orval Merrill, and it was during her time on the farm, riding horses, herding cattle and taming the wild kittens born in the haystacks every year, that Diane developed a love of storytelling and dreamed that one day she would tell her stories to others.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01NB09F6F
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independent Author; 1st edition (February 14, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 14, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1214 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1520574150
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 56 ratings

About the author

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Diane Merrill Wigginton
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Diane Merrill Wigginton, born in Riverside, California, in 1963, grew up in

the vibrant community of Mira Mesa, San Diego. From a young age,

Diane developed a deep passion for storytelling, inspired by the

adventures of her childhood in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Spending summers on her grandparents' ranch in Idaho, Diane learned the value of

animals, nature, and storytelling that would shape her future writing career.

After marrying her husband, David, in 1998, Diane and her family lived in Encinitas before moving to Herald,

California in 2001. They embraced a rural lifestyle on a 5 ½-acre ranch, raising six children.

Diane’s love for writing never waned, but raising a family and working full-time kept her

literary ambitions on hold. However, in her 50s, Diane decided to pursue

her dream of becoming a published author. It was then that she created

Angelina's Secret, the first book in her critically acclaimed Jeweled

Dagger Series. Since then, Diane has published five novels, including her first children’s

book, The Secret of One-Eyed Cogburn, The Dreaded Pirate Captain.

Diane’s work spans multiple genres, from historical romance and

suspense to children's fiction, and she has earned a prestigious collection

of awards that reflect her remarkable storytelling ability. She has won

accolades such as the Benjamin Franklin Digital Award, Reader's Favorite 1st Place Historical Fiction Award,

and numerous awards for A Compromising Position.

In 2017, after retiring from her "9 to 5" job, Diane and her husband moved to Kalispell, Montana, where they now enjoy a life

filled with adventure, hiking, and exploration in the stunning wilderness around Glacier National Park.

Diane continues to write full-time, bringing to life the rich characters and intricate stories that captivate her readers.

Diane’s creative spirit is fueled by her deep appreciation for family and her love for storytelling.

Now a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren, Diane is living her dream and continues

to inspire readers with her heartfelt and adventurous tales.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
56 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the engaging plot with its intriguing twists and compelling moments. They find the book an enjoyable read that takes them on a wonderful journey. The romance between unique characters is described as strong and lively. Readers appreciate the period setting and writing style, which is well-crafted in first-person.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

13 customers mention "Plot twists"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's plot twists. They find the story engaging with action, intrigue, and love. The book is described as an exciting read with compelling moments of passionate romance. Readers appreciate the likeable characters and the historical fiction setting in 17th-century France.

"...An exciting read with compelling episodes of passionate romance, heart stopping danger, and unexpected plot twists." Read more

"...Angelina I really enjoyed most of this book. The story is fun, has plenty of twists, a cast of likeable heroes, and is well-written...." Read more

"...Since it's a historical fiction story, the setting, and dialogue, and even the thoughts fit with the place and time of the story...." Read more

"...This book has so many twists and turns to it that it kept me wanting more...." Read more

10 customers mention "Enjoyment"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an enjoyable read that takes them on a wonderful journey. The prologue is appreciated for providing a glimpse into Angelina's life.

"...An exciting read with compelling episodes of passionate romance, heart stopping danger, and unexpected plot twists." Read more

"...All in all: very enjoyable read; fun escapism, 4 stars, would have been 5 stars had it not been for [the villain]’s absurdly cartoonish villainy...." Read more

"...First, I enjoyed the prologue that just gave a glimpse into the Angelina's life and what may come. She has a gift...." Read more

"Absolutely wonderful read, that I couldn’t put down! Surprise turns and twists! I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good story!" Read more

9 customers mention "Romance"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book. They find the characters unique, with lively dialogue and a cast of likeable heroes. The first-person narration provides a sense of the characters and the perspective of the story. Overall, readers describe the book as an engaging period piece and love story in one.

"...The story is fun, has plenty of twists, a cast of likeable heroes, and is well-written. Except that one bit...." Read more

"...Written in first person, it lends to giving the audience a sense of the characters, and the perspective of the main character...." Read more

"...I could not put this book down! I love that Angelina is such a strong women and that she takes a stand for what she wants...." Read more

"...Romance between two unique characters, played on a stage that recreates 18th century England well...." Read more

4 customers mention "Era"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the period piece and love story. They say it recreates 18th century England and 17th century France well.

"...between two unique characters, played on a stage that recreates 18th century England well. Diane makes us ready for the continuation of this series...." Read more

"...It brings you back to pirates and the 17th century in France. Angelina is a strong female and there is a lot of adventure and romance...." Read more

"Lovely, just a lovely historical fiction written in 17th century France. For any fans of "Outlander", give "Angelina's Secret" a try." Read more

"Great period piece and love story all in one!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style. They find it well-written in first person, giving a sense of the characters. The author has a way with words and great diction.

"...The feel of the piece, and certainly the diction in general is great, although to my English ears it does grate somewhat to have an English..." Read more

"...Written in first person, it lends to giving the audience a sense of the characters, and the perspective of the main character...." Read more

"Diane has such a way with words!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017
    Lady Angelina’s tale is one that carries the reader away into some of the harsher circumstances of her eighteenth century world.
    She could be viewed as a cosseted aristocrat, but she is instead found to possess an astonishing degree of inner steel. She knows well how to use the bejeweled dagger that is always concealed in her gown to the misfortune of the dangerous ruffians who make the sometimes fatal mistake of underestimating her.
    Even when her secret dagger is taken away, she finds means to extricate herself from those who would mistake her genteel appearance for a lack of capable resolve. After she extricates herself from capture at sea by a handsome French privateer, she later discovers his true identity as a French Duke and is swept up in a romantic and dangerous intrigue that is driven by jealous lust for power and wealth. In the end, Lady Angelina and her jeweled dagger emerge victorious.
    An exciting read with compelling episodes of passionate romance, heart stopping danger, and unexpected plot twists.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2017
    “What’s the worst that could happen? Well, I could end up the companion of a pirate for the rest of my natural-born life, that’s what. Or, I could be off on my merry way with ship in tow and my somewhat spotless virtue intact.” — Angelina

    I really enjoyed most of this book. The story is fun, has plenty of twists, a cast of likeable heroes, and is well-written.

    Except that one bit. About two thirds of the way through, the chapter with the chief villain’s chief villainy... That one bit is such a blight on the book as to be analogous to the chapter about Tom Bombadil in the Lord of the Rings, the bit everyone tries to forget and generally pretend it didn’t happen, because it is so ridiculous and out of keeping with the rest of the work.

    As with most books of this genre, there are snippets of French throughout; as with most books of this genre, the French can be a bit off, and in one case misdiagnosed by our heroine as being Latin, “Faise ce que tu boudres” (sic); I think she was going for “Fais ce que tu voudrais”, as that’s the closest I can think of that would mean close to the translation given (“do what thou wilt”). Other offences are more minor and less a barrier to comprehension, such as “ma amour” (should be “mon amour” regardless of gender, for phonetic reasons).

    The feel of the piece, and certainly the diction in general is great, although to my English ears it does grate somewhat to have an English protagonist using American English as Angelina does (being written by an American author).

    There are some parts that show either a lack of research or else very liberal artistic licence; for instance hearts do not work that way, and I was very surprised to have a main character threatened with being shot by a sniper, around 100 years before snipers were really a thing. At best, this is set decades before the first production of the Baker rifle (not a sniper rifle, as the rifle in the book was described, but very accurate for a flintlock), and even that was around 1/6 as accurate as boasted, having a 1/3 hit rate over 100 yards, not 1/1 over 200. I grant that most readers will probably not care about these kinds of things, though.

    All in all: very enjoyable read; fun escapism, 4 stars, would have been 5 stars had it not been for [the villain]’s absurdly cartoonish villainy. But it’s great before and after that!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2018
    Angelina's Secret is the first book I've read by Wigginton, and I know I will definitely read what more there is from her pen. First, I enjoyed the prologue that just gave a glimpse into the Angelina's life and what may come. She has a gift. That's all I'm giving away, but this story takes the reader on a wonderous journey. Written in first person, it lends to giving the audience a sense of the characters, and the perspective of the main character. Since it's a historical fiction story, the setting, and dialogue, and even the thoughts fit with the place and time of the story. Both the place and time bring up one of the internal and even external conflicts of the story. I look forward to reading more by this author.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2017
    This is not the type of book that I am normally drawn to. I stay away from period pieces because they tend to be long and dull in some of their descriptions and the pace is slow. This book did not disappoint! The setting of the 1700's as the background to the love story between Lady Stewart and Jude Devereaux was done beautifully. They are not merely two opposite shadows of each other that fit perfectly together due to natural courses either, rather they are thrown together by the high seas and the fire that ignites between them is the catalyst which they live their lives around. The obstacles presented in their paths are indicative of a writer who knows their characters can best serve each other apart at times. Their separations and trials only seek to make them stronger in the end. There is so much to say and yet I do not want to reveal too much. Be sure to give this one a read and you will not be disappointed.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2017
    I generally stay away from romance or period style books, but I decided to try Angelina's Secret and I am so glad that I took a chance with this one. I could not put this book down! I love that Angelina is such a strong women and that she takes a stand for what she wants. This book has so many twists and turns to it that it kept me wanting more. If this is what a romance book is like then I may have found a new genre for me. I am ordering the rest of this series ASAP!

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