Death Angel by Linda Howard (2008, Hardcover)

Death Angel is a story about redemption~ I loved it~

simple and to the point Drea Rousseau is the "arm candy'/ mistress to crime lord Rafael Salinas~ a totally amoral man. Drea 'uses' men to get better diamonds, clothes and what ever else the men give her~ a woman with out a soul.

Salina's "gives" her in payment to a nameless HIT MAN. She is angry and mortified, but cannot "escape" the hours of passion and HOT sex she has with the "Hit Man." Now Drea makes a choice~ to get "even" with Salinas~

** this contains spoilers** so keep this in mind****

Drea is not the dumb blonde Salinas believes her to be. And ia a very clever ruse "using electronic transfers" moves MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM SALINA'S ACCOUNT TO HER OWN~LOL~~ she makes a smooth escape from Salinas and his goons.

When Salinas finds out he has been "duped" ~ he hires the "SAME HIT MAN DREA HAD SEX WITH" 'TOO KILL HER " ...What a clever and entertaining Howard plot twist~ Finally we learn the Hit Man has a name of "SIMON" is hot on Drea's trail.

He finally stalks her and oddly enough just as He is deciding on the HIT...and in pursuit of Drea she has a CAR crash and dies! Her own careless driving the cause~ Simon is unable to help Drea and watches her die~oddly enough this event "changes" BOTH THEIR LIVES.

Drea is clinically "dead" but ends up in a Purgatory type place~ and they send her back to LIVE~ THIS EXPERIENCE CHANGES HER FOR THE BETTER AS A NICER PERSON. She awakens as "Jane Doe". Nearly dying also changes her and she is now a woman "with a conscience" and is no longer "AnDREA" but just Andie.

Meanwhile Simon seeing the death of Drea, took a cell phone photo as "proof she is dead" for Salinas is no longer "looking" for a dead woman.
Howard adds a clever idea~ Watching Drea die changes Simon too~ for the first time the ONLY person who has touched him IN any way is dead.

and here is the BEST of the plot twistS.... 2 empty people ~ a Mistress and the Hitman become deeply "attached~and both find REDEMPTION IN "each other".

Looking to visit the dead Dreas Grave Simon finds she is not dead but is very much alive~ he choose to become her Guardian ANGEL so to speak~ LOL and they become drawn to each other in body and soul~

Andie decides she wants to work with the FBI to nail Salinas for his crimes~BUT Simon has one last "scheme" how to finally stop Salinas and keep Andie safe~

2 fun parts~! I had to laugh out loud at the selfish Drea "deciding" just how "much money" she would steal based on greed OR common sense~ and I smiled with the "Simon Tatoo" part~

this is LINDA HOWARD'S DARKEST BOOK YET. I would "compare" it to Kiss Me While I Sleep. I had NO expectations for this book since the 2 main characters are "NOT" likeable~ but the clever step by step road to "redemption" for both Andie and Simon to find "emotions and human values" keeps us glued to every page~ I did not get much sleep in my HURRY to finish it~

outstanding JOB Linda Howard I give it a solid 10 out of 10~ BETTER THAN I EXPECTED~ LINDA HOWARD NEVER DISAPPOINTS.

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read the book, wanted my " OWN " copy ... why " force " me to write more when there just isn't anymore to write

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE BOOK..IT STARTED WITH A BANG AND KEPT ON GOING....THOUGH I KINDA WISH THEY MAYBE COULD HAVE HAD KIDS....

Drea Rousseau has not lived a good life. At a very young age she learned about heartache and as a result has gone through great lengths to make sure she would never feel that again. Using her wits and her body she has spent her years manipulating men into getting what she wants and playing whatever role is needed.

As an arm-charm to a ruthless drug lord and criminal, Drea thought she had it pretty good. She had no delusions about what their relationship was or was not, she was just taking one day at a time always knowing the end was coming. One afternoon he surprises her by treating her rather callously and for Drea that makes the end of their relationship come a lot sooner than expected.

But even as she makes her escape life throws yet another monkey wrench in the works and Drea's life and outlook is irrevocably changed, forever. What once seemed so important isn't anymore and she works hard to make every moment of this second chance count.

I loved the view suggested of the afterlife and ability to right wrongs and achieve spiritual freedom and forgiveness...Linda Howard presented this tale with the full force of her talent that her fans have long come to expect from one of her books.
Bravo to Ms Howard for a book that this reader will not forget anytime soon. I highly recommend Death Angel to those who love their books with "extra"....Ms Howard always delivers!!!

RECOMMEND 5's

the book was delivered on time and perfect condition. thank you for the order which is greatly appreciated. I cannot wait to start reading the book

I ALWAYS BUY LINDA HOWARDS BOOKS...THIS BOOK WAS EXCEPTCINAL...EXCELLANT...GREAT...I CRIED..THEN READ THE BOOK AGAIN...YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK, IT IS A MUST....THE STORY LINE WAS AWLSOME..LINDA HAS ANOTHER BOOK COMING OUT IN THE FUTURE...LOOK FOR IT...KAREN