Devil Takes a Bride [Mass Market Paperback]

Gaelen Foley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 2004

Celebrated storyteller Gaelen Foley brings her craft to new heights with Devil Takes a Bride, the seductive tale of a man bent on revenge and the beauty who teaches him to love again. . . .

In the quiet English countryside, far from the intrigues of London, Lizzie Carlisle slowly mends her broken heart, devoting herself to her new position as lady’s companion to the Dowager Viscountess Strathmore— until her peaceful life is turned upside down by a visit from “Devil” Strathmore, the old woman’s untamed nephew—a dangerously handsome man whose wicked reputation hides a tortured soul.

Devlin Kimball, Lord Strathmore, has spent years adventuring on the high seas, struggling to make his peace with the tragedy that claimed the lives of his family. But now he has uncovered the dark truth behind the so-called accident and swears retribution. He has no intention of taking a bride—until his eccentric aunt’s will forces he and Lizzie together, and Devlin finds his path to vengeance blocked by the stubborn but oh-so-tempting Miss Carlisle. Her passionate nature rivals his own. But disillusioned once by love, Lizzie will accept nothing less than his true devotion. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lizzie Carlisle, the heroine of Foley's fifth Knight family Regency (after Lady of Desire), possesses a sly, stubborn streak that quickly endears her to the reader, as well as to Devlin "Devil" Strathmore. As a companion to elderly Lady Augusta Strathmore, Lizzie pens a note to Devil implying that his lonely aunt is near death in order to get the notorious rake to visit. Angry at the deception but intrigued by Lizzie's wit and candor, Devil tries to seduce the bluestocking, but he forces himself to leave when he realizes that he could fall in love with her. Love would complicate Devil's plan to seek revenge against the aristocratic rogues who murdered his family 12 years earlier. The rogues, all members of the infamous Horse and Chariot Club, have almost accepted Devlin into their group, but when his aunt dies, he finds himself in a curious position: he must marry Lizzie to inherit his aunt's vast fortune. The gentle sparring that ensues between the two is amusing, and their tantalizingly brief sexual interludes will stoke readers' hunger for more. In this entertaining, if somewhat melodramatic, tale, Foley manages to do what few authors have-write a truly sensual romance, possessing depth of plot and character, that isn't overburdened by sex scenes.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Devlin "Devil" Kimball, Viscount Strathmore, has one goal in life: to find and punish the fiends who killed his parents and young sister. Devlin infiltrates the Horse and Chariot Club, searching for the murderers among the dissolute members only to be pulled away from his mission of vengeance by a hasty missive penned by Lizzie, his Aunt Augusta's companion. When Devlin arrives at his aunt's home he discovers the letter is merely a ruse on Lizzie's part to get him to visit, but her plan brings some unexpected consequences when Lizzie finds herself being seduced by the devilishly sexy Devlin. At first Devlin has no intent of seriously pursuing Lizzie, but when his matchmaking aunt adds an interesting twist to her will, Devlin and Lizzie are forced to consider an arrangement neither would have imagined: marriage. With its wonderfully complicated, unforgettable characters; sharp wit; and riveting plot rife with menacing danger and sizzling passion, Foley's latest Knight's Miscellany Historical Regency is simply superb. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books; 1ST edition (April 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074993655X
• ISBN-13: 978-0804119757
• ASIN: 0804119759
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1.2 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Noted for her 'complex, subtly shaded characters, richly sensual love scenes, and elegantly fluid prose' (Booklist), New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Gaelen Foley has written seventeen rich, bold historical romances set in Regency England and Napoleonic Europe. Her books are available in fifteen languages and have won numerous awards, including the National Readers' Choice Award, the Booksellers' Best, the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, and the HOLT Medallion. To learn more about Gaelen, her novels, and the romantic Regency period in which her novels are set, visit her website at www.gaelenfoley.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will NOT be disappointed with this book!, May 14, 2004

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Devil Takes a Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

England, 1805, seventeen-year-old Devlin Kimball had been sitting in detention awaiting the arrival of his displeased parents and little sister Sarah when the dean walked in to inform him that his Aunt Augusta was en route to pick him up. His parents and four-year-old sister had "an accident". Half way to the school they had stopped at an inn to rest. The inn had caught fire, killing 47 people, including his family. The Dowager Viscountess (Augusta) Strathmore did her best with Devlin, but he eventually went adventuring on the high seas, spending his rage on the elements.

London, 1817, Devlin "Devil", Lord Strathmore, had uncovered the dark truth about the fire at the inn. The fire had been deliberate! He also knew that one or more of the morally twisted gentlemen in the "Horse and Chariot Club" were to blame. Devlin vowed to learn the names of the guilty and kill them. Marriage never entered the equation. But Aunt Augusta's will changed that.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Carlisle had been lady's companion to Augusta, who had been affectionately known to all as "Lady Ironsides". Knowing how much the old lady loved her nephew, Lizzie had tricked Devlin into visiting only weeks before the lady died. Devlin had been annoyed at Lizzie at first. But his aunt had been the only person Devlin cared for anymore and understood, after awhile, why Lizzie had done it. Both of them were shocked when the will was read. The problem for Lizzie was that she had already been through a broken heart before with Lord Alec. (The brother of Lizzie's best friend in the previous book titled "LADY OF DESIRE".) The last thing she wanted was another man in her life! The problem for Devlin was that if anyone at the club realized his actually had come to care for Lizzie, she would be in grave danger!

***** EXCELLENT! I can tell you this much more without spoiling anything and I only tell because the reader knows this from the beginning: Sarah was saved from the fire by someone, Ginny, and raised for the next twelve years in Ireland. Though Sarah recalls nothing, Ginny wishes to return Sarah to her only living relative, now that he has finished traveling. First though, Ginny must make sure Devlin is not like the men in whose company he keeps.

Author Gaelen Goley has done an incredible job writing about the Knight family. (Alec & Jacinda's family.) Readers will have glimpses into the lives of a few past characters as well. You do NOT have to read any of the previous books to thoroughly enjoy this one. The plot is strong, the writing perfect, and the story moves along at a good pace. You will not find yourself getting bored at any point. I highly recommend the entire series! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite So Far!!!!, June 5, 2004

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Devil Takes a Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

Each story in this series is better then the last and this one by far has been my favorite. If you have been following this seris from the first book 'The Duke' then you will be pleased that this is Lizzie's story. Remember her, she is friend and champanion to Jacinda?

Lizzie has moved on and is in the process of working on healing her heart after it's broken by Alec Knight. She is now living in Bath as a champanion to Viscountess Strathmore. It's because of her love for the old dragon that Lizzie conspires to bring Devil Strathmore to heel. He has been spending money as if it grew on trees and has not bothered himself in the slightest to come and visit. Lizzie gets more then she bargained for when Devil finally comes to call.

Devlin comes home to Bath fearing that his beloved aunt is dying. He finds out that his aunt's is actually not on deaths door and that Lizzie has just played him but good. He should be angry with her but instead he finds himself drawn to her sweet nature. Before his visit is over they will find themselves fighting an attraction, and Devlin's fear of commitment not to mention the differences in their social situation.

Devlin is seeking vengence. His family died in a fire several years earlier, and he is after those that killed them. His efforts lead him to a nasty group of nobles and now he's walking a fine line between proving he is as bad as they are, and keeping himself alive in order to fulfill his promise. Now he has his to protect his heart from the one thing he wants but doesn't deserve. Lizzie.

Devlin's aunt though is aware of the attraction and sets out to be a matchmaker, even if it's from the grave. She writes a new will and both Devlin and Lizzie will be shocked at the outcome.
But she gets her way, these two people find themselves seeking each other out and exploring the feelings they each have. They are met for each other. Lizzie is looking for a home and a person to love, Devlin is learning how to love and is being guided on that journey by Lizzie. Can they each find what they need before it's too late and all is lost?

This was a wonderful story. I can't say enough good things about it. The characters are wonderful, and Devlin is a wonderful hero for our Lizzie. If you've never read any of Ms. Foley's books you won't be left wondering what's going on this book stands on it's own, but if you have been a reader of the Knight series you will love visiting with old friends and seeing Lizzie finally find love. The storyline is complex but our hero and heroine are worthy characters for it. I can't wait for the next in this series. I highly recommend this book and author and suggest you add them to your must read summer list! You won't be sorry!!!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Rounded!, May 4, 2004

By 

N. Menke (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Devil Takes a Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was very, very good. This author is one of my favorite and again, she proved why she is so. The struggle between the two characters was meaningful and spicy. However, the struggle didn't start to become the same tedious barbs over and over.

The conflicts between the additional characters added so much more. It was very well rounded the book didn't just follow the same, sometimes boring plot line of boy meets girl, girl hates boy, boy wins girl, villain tries to kill girl, boy saves day. There were additional characters and their personalities really leant to developing personal feelings towards them. All characters were well personified, not just the two leading characters.

I thought it was interesting how Gaelen Foley showed the other side to the "rouge" character. The character development was fantastic. As always, I'm waiting on edge for the next book.