Story Blurb
Ailsa Connery has waited three long years to finally escape her enslavement at Stirling Castle and reunite with her clan. But her carefully laid plans are completely destroyed by the arrival of the infamous Highland warrior known as Dubh Mahoun, the Black Devil...who has plans of his own.
Kallum MacNeill's fearsome reputation has long allowed him to keep hidden his secret double life of freeing enslaved captives across the land. It's only when he kidnaps a servant lass—quite by accident—that he finds himself facing a wee predicament. He must accompany the lass home or risk her exposing his true identity. It'd be easy enough...if the feisty hellion didn't fight him at every turn.
As they make their way to the Highlands, the perils the two must face are surpassed only by their constant sparring. Soon, their heated sniping sparks heat of a totally different kind. The kind that ignites a hunger that could consume them both. Yet the difficult journey is no match for the dangerous secrets they're about to uncover.
My Thoughts/Opinion
It's been a minute since I read a Highlander romance, and I'm a huge fan of the Queen of them, Julie Garwood. This was also my first book by this author. I can honestly say, this story is on par with the best I read of Garwood's stories. Fantastic layered plot, first and foremost. Add in a strong, swoony black hero with a secret double-life, and a mixed-race heroine with a (understandable) chip on her shoulder, and this was a huge win. The author did an amazing job of weaving in just enough history to give a great flavor of what life might have actually been like for persons of color in this era. I sincerely hope she continues this series.
Favorite Quote:
"All this animosity between us is not about how much we dislike each other." His gaze dropped to her full, luscious lips that still tempted despite the dirk resting against him in a most dangerous spot. "'Tis about something else entirely."
Hazel eyes searched his warily. "What, exactly?"
"How much we want each other."
Her head motioned in denial.
"Aye, lass. And I can prove it." He dropped his mouth to hers without preamble, relinquisihed the hand around the dagger pressed against him, and left himself vulnerable to her stab.