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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This book has it all: romance, swashbuckling, and a rich historical background., August 3, 2010
This review is from: Devil's Highlander (A Clan MacAlpin Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)
Devil's Highlander by Veronica Wolff
Historical Romance- Aug. 3, 2010
4 stars
Cormac's twin Aidan was kidnapped when he was 10 years old. The cruel loss of Aidan caused his family to crumble. For years, Cormac, haunted by guilt, unsuccessfully searched for his brother. After years of fighting wars and staying abroad, Cormac comes home hardened and scarred. Marjorie, his childhood sweetheart, comes to him asking for his help to find a kidnapped orphan. Marjorie, too, blames herself for Aidan's disappearance. Can the two of them learn to care for each other despite the lingering guilt over Aidan's kidnapping
The premise for Devil's Highland is interesting and sad at the same time. Cormac blames himself for not keeping watch over Aidan and for being the one that survived the kidnapping. Marjorie blames herself for getting the boys in the situation that led to Aidan's kidnapping. With so many traumatic events going on, one cannot help but root for Cormac to find redemption through saving another orphan. I enjoyed these characters so much I wanted Marjorie and Cormac to get together.
What I also enjoyed about this book is its historical depth. In the past, little boys were used to clean the chimneys. Some of them died trapped in the chimneys when they got too big. Unwanted orphans, beggar children, and these chimney boys were often kidnapped and send to work in the plantations of the new world. Set against such deeply inhumane background, Wolff's novel has such potential and realism.
Wolff's rich details and brisk pacing keeps the action fast and frantic. The chemistry and tension between Cormac and Marjorie also adds to the tense atmosphere. I kept wondering when is the love scene going to happen? Wolff is an engaging writer who creates two believable characters. Albeit, the characters are nothing new really: gruff, tortured hero and spunky, spitfire heroine. But, Wolff is a talented writer who gives Cormac and Marjorie their own unique voice.
Devil's Highlander is definitely a recommended read especially for those who love the Highlander genre. This book has it all: romance, swashbuckling, and a rich historical background.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hot and Sweet Scottish Romance (B Grade), September 5, 2010
This review is from: Devil's Highlander (A Clan MacAlpin Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)
Marjorie Keith has loved Cormac MacAlpin forever. She and Cormac used to be best friends when they were children, but that ended the day Cormac's twin brother Aidan was mistaken for a beggar boy and forcibly sent to Barbados when he was only ten. Both Cormac and Marjorie blame themselves even though they were just children. Cormac went off to fight for his country while Marjorie suffered silently. Now thirteen years later, Cormac has come back and spends his days fishing. Marjorie aches for Cormac and wants more than just a fragile friendship between them. She comes to him for help. Marjorie tends to the children that are in a poorhouse, and one small lad in particular, five-year old Davie has gone missing. She thinks he has been taken much like Aidan was and wants Cormac's help to find Davie.
Cormac longs to lose himself in Marjorie's arms, but he feels he is not good enough for her. He's damaged and has been since that day he couldn't protect Aidan. He's done some horrible things since then, and if Marjorie knew, she would turn away from him. When he refuses to help Marjorie, she has no choice but to investigate herself, which will lead her to the dangerous docks where ruffians lurk in the shadows. Cormac thinks Marjorie is stubborn and not thinking correctly. She tries his patience, and because he doesn't want any harm her to come to harm, he decides to help.
Cormac and Marjorie maneuver through a dark world of child slavery with shocking results. Marjorie may think Cormac is the very devil at times, but she wants nothing more than to give him peace. She sees such despair and loneliness in his eyes and will do whatever she can to make him see that he is deserving of love.
Cormac is one lusty Scotsman in Devil's Highlander and the underlying sexual tension between him and Marjorie is hot and very sexy. These two have always had a deep bond starting from childhood that grew into adulthood. Because of a tragedy, Cormac turned away from Marjorie. But his "Ree", as he likes to call her, won't let him walk away from her. She wants Cormac, faults and all.
This is a typical story where the tortured hero thinks he isn't worthy of the heroine because of something that isn't necessarily his fault. Cormac is more than depressed over the loss of Aidan, but soon he lightens up when he and Marjorie pretend to be husband and wife. Those scenes are sweet and funny and these two are not afraid to share affection with one another, which leads to some wonderful love scenes.
Devil's Highlander doesn't have many memorable secondary characters and relies mainly on Cormac and Marjorie to keep the reader interested as they team up to take down some rotten individuals. There is a small twist at the end that some may not see coming that sets the stage for the next Clan MacAlpin novel, Devil's Own.
This was my first book by Veronica Wolff and a very enjoyable read. I look forward to her next Scottish romance with a hero who may be damaged and finally set free by the love of his heroine.
Katiebabs
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highlander Action, January 8, 2011
This review is from: Devil's Highlander (A Clan MacAlpin Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)
I loved this book. It has action, history and a love that spans from childhood until it can finally be realized. A touching romance with lots of action. If you like Highlander books, Veronica Wolff is a must read.
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