July is American Patriotic Romances
month on my blog… stories from America’s past involving worthy heroes and
heroines. And this is a great one, a classic from the Revolutionary War, one of my
favorite settings for patriotic romances.
Set in 1777, in the time of the
Revolutionary War, this is the story of Devon Mackinsey, the illegitimate
daughter of a Scottish lord who, caring nothing for her, consigned her to the
kitchens of their estate. A kind butler helped introduce her to the grandmother
she never knew who saves her from a life as a scullery maid. Sent away to a
proper lady’s school, Devon becomes a well-mannered beauty who resorts to crime
as the infamous Shadow to save her family’s estate from its many debts. But
when Hunter Barclay, wealthy heir to a peer, discovers her stealing his uncle's
silver, they make a bargain -- one kiss for silence about both her secret and his
(he's a spy for the Rebel colonists).
Devon and Hunter part that night, but Hunter must intervene again to save Devon from the gallows when a cruel English lord would have his vengeance upon her for another theft. Hunter’s intervention grants Devon her life in exchange for a lifetime as Hunter’s bond slave. He takes her to the Colonies, and on the way, he claims her as his mistress, never telling her he will marry another woman when they reach Virginia. Nor does he tell Devon of his dual life as a Royalist and an American Revolutionary.
Devon and Hunter part that night, but Hunter must intervene again to save Devon from the gallows when a cruel English lord would have his vengeance upon her for another theft. Hunter’s intervention grants Devon her life in exchange for a lifetime as Hunter’s bond slave. He takes her to the Colonies, and on the way, he claims her as his mistress, never telling her he will marry another woman when they reach Virginia. Nor does he tell Devon of his dual life as a Royalist and an American Revolutionary.
I have loved others by Byers so I was
not surprised I loved this one, too. It’s well told with lots of sexual tension
and great action—kept me reading late into the night. There are a few
improbable elements but none so ridiculous they bothered me. Beyers made them
seem plausible. Devon is a worthy heroine, just the kind I like: a courageous
young woman who rises to every challenge life throws at her. Hunter begins as a
selfish though patriotic rogue who takes Devon’s innocence thinking only of his
own pleasure, but gets caught in his obsession with the lovely girl. I
recommend this one.
The sequel is The Black Angel.
Buy Devon on
Amazon
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