Publisher:
The Wild Rose Press
Date
published: 4-5-2013
ISBN: 978-1-61217-694-9
Historical,
Medieval
E-book
Reviewed by Helen
Obtained via
publisher
It’s 1608
and Isobel Maitland’s father decides to marry her younger sister to the son of
a friend of his in the wilds of Scotland. But Catherine is in love with another
man so Isobel exchanges places with her. The coach is held up, robbed and
Isobel abducted.
Dougal
MacRae, the Black Devil, is haunted by terrifying memories yet determined to
protect his lands. When he steals the woman his worst enemy is to marry it’s
all about revenge. Until he begins to learn that Isobel is a person in her own
right.
I was sucked
into this wild, fierce, cruel, lawless, violent world right from the very first
chapter of this book. For such a long book (77000 words) there aren’t really a
lot of characters. Of course there are warriors and tribesmen on both sides of
the strife, but they are unnamed and more a presence and a background than
people. Which actually adds dramatically to the cold harshness of the world.
But the named, genuine characters are all very vivid and real, each fully realized
with distinct personalities drawing the reader into their individual lives.
Isobel is an
excellent match for Diabhal Dubh. He is tortured, wounded, harsh, powerful, and
honorable underneath his tough exterior. She is just as determined and fierce for
those she loves and what she believes is right. She’s also quite smart enough
to find a solution to problems herself.
As well as
creating a fascinating historical world, and engaging characters, Ms.
Strickland has also created some brilliant lines of dialogue and a few
laugh-out-loud moments, to ease the tension from the underlying violence of
much of this story. And rest assured the story (and the historical period it is
set in) is very violent. Sex is also an integral part of this story. Although
it isn’t described explicitly, it is central and key to the plot.
Half a dozen
annoyingly confused words prevented this book from getting top marks
(defuse/diffuse, junction/juncture, assure/ensure, curb/hearth etc).
A violent,
harsh, racy, and utterly compelling and gripping tale. I defy anyone to put the
book down before they finish reading it.
This is an objective review and not
an endorsement of this book.
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