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Devil #2
The River Devil
Hal Lindsay is a decorated Union Navy hero and a riverboat captain who has built an empire around his Missouri River steamboats. Yet deep inside him lurks the pain of a dark, vicious past - one that has him determined never to marry and have children. It's far better to live alone, finding carnal comfort in the arms of women who will do anything as long as the price is right - women with nothing at stake, like the sensual innocent currently masquerading as an experienced gambler aboard his boat, the Cherokee Belle. For once, Hal wants more - much more...and that is a very dangerous thing...Rosalind Schuyler is appalled to be unmasked by Hal - and frightened as well. The prominent New York railroad heiress is in disguise and on the run to escape marriage to a man who would kill to gain her fortune. Now it seems she's in danger of a different kind. For Hal Lindsay is like no man she's met before. One minute, he's kind as a brother, hiding her from those searching night and day for her. The next, he's a pure masculine animal, taking her to his bed and beyond what she thought were the limits of her desire. Everything he does, she wants more of, but what she wants most, she knows he can never give...Now, as the Belle makes its way down a treacherously swollen Missouri River, picking up friends and enemies along the way, Rosalind and her River Devil are caught up in a current of passion, desire, and danger with no way back and no way out...
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Diane Whiteside
30 books122 followersBy day, Diane Whiteside builds and designs computer systems for the government. By night, she escapes into a world of alpha males and the unique women who turn their lives upside down. Noticing the lack of a husband to keep Diane in line, her Tibetan Terrier stepped up to the plate and makes sure that Diane does everything The Right Way which means lots of walks and dog treats. For more information about Diane plus her alpha males, unique women, and Tibetan Terriers, her website.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 22, 2008
Several different factors affected my likability for this book. First, the writing style was just off for me. More than a few times, I didn't "get" what the author meant and wondered if the wrong word was used. That aside, the beginning (prologue) and first couple of chapters were incredibly boring. I try to give a book until page 60 to "hook me" and this one barely made it. By page 60, the two main characters were imitating rabbits! There was no build-up. It was a known "good time only" affair that morphed into "a little longer" as the book progressed. Another factor that I didn't like about this book was the excruciating detail of steam boats: history, how they operate, how to steer one, etc. AND the boring details of the poker games--except the strip poker game. ;-)
The hero, Hal, was severely beaten as a child by his father who thought he was teaching him "the right way." Hal's mother (Desdemona) was a selfish, cold, horny, adulterous who did nothing to protect her son from the abusive father. But, what riled me was Hal's continued respect for his worthless parents even though they disowned his sister, Viola (whom he had a brotherly relationship with).
There was a lot of screwing around by the characters in this one. Desdemona had a thing for giving oral sex. She had numerous affairs and her husband wasn't aware...please. She openly flirted with young men and hadn't had "relations" with her husband in YEARS. Duh!
Another thing about this book that I hated, were the flashbacks and one dream "forward" by Rosalind (heroine) that went on for too long, IMO.
Thought the plot was good, but it played such a minor role to the steamboat info and sex that it was almost nonexistent. When the story went back to the plot it didn't satisfy my need for resolution and restitution for past deeds enough. Very disappointed.
One last thing, the hero's description DOES NOT match the book cover image!
The hero, Hal, was severely beaten as a child by his father who thought he was teaching him "the right way." Hal's mother (Desdemona) was a selfish, cold, horny, adulterous who did nothing to protect her son from the abusive father. But, what riled me was Hal's continued respect for his worthless parents even though they disowned his sister, Viola (whom he had a brotherly relationship with).
There was a lot of screwing around by the characters in this one. Desdemona had a thing for giving oral sex. She had numerous affairs and her husband wasn't aware...please. She openly flirted with young men and hadn't had "relations" with her husband in YEARS. Duh!
Another thing about this book that I hated, were the flashbacks and one dream "forward" by Rosalind (heroine) that went on for too long, IMO.
Thought the plot was good, but it played such a minor role to the steamboat info and sex that it was almost nonexistent. When the story went back to the plot it didn't satisfy my need for resolution and restitution for past deeds enough. Very disappointed.
One last thing, the hero's description DOES NOT match the book cover image!
April 20, 2009
#2 Devil series - Historical Romance/Erotica
Hal Lindsay & Rosalind Schuyler
Very enjoyable book 2 in the historical "Devil" series, set 1871, as America recovers from the Civil War.
Hal Lindsay is a Union war hero, now a riverboat captain on the Missouri River steamboats. Rosalind Schuyler is an heiress on the run from an evil golddigger who wants to marry her for her fortune. She is hiding in disguise, dressed as a man, posing as a gambler until she reaches age 25 and she can inherit.
Like book 1, this is well written, characters are strong and the story is believable. I very much enjoyed the post-Civil War details, especially learning about steamships and paddleships and life on the major rivers in that era.
Characters from book 1 are continued in book 2 -- William Donovan and his wife, Viola (who is Hal's sister) meet up with Hal for a trip on the Missouri -- along with some surprise guests who increase the tension and cause much consternation.
Rosalind's would-be fiance and the Pinkerton agents he has hired to locate her are always hot on her heels ... but she's right under their noses, gambling with the men.
Several substantial, well devloped plots unfold, along with lots of steamy/erotic sex. This series is so authentically written ... in book 1 I could taste the trail dust and feel the hot summer Arizona sun, and in this book I could hear the rush of the river and felt like I was on the river bank watching the steamboats.
Hal Lindsay & Rosalind Schuyler
Very enjoyable book 2 in the historical "Devil" series, set 1871, as America recovers from the Civil War.
Hal Lindsay is a Union war hero, now a riverboat captain on the Missouri River steamboats. Rosalind Schuyler is an heiress on the run from an evil golddigger who wants to marry her for her fortune. She is hiding in disguise, dressed as a man, posing as a gambler until she reaches age 25 and she can inherit.
Like book 1, this is well written, characters are strong and the story is believable. I very much enjoyed the post-Civil War details, especially learning about steamships and paddleships and life on the major rivers in that era.
Characters from book 1 are continued in book 2 -- William Donovan and his wife, Viola (who is Hal's sister) meet up with Hal for a trip on the Missouri -- along with some surprise guests who increase the tension and cause much consternation.
Rosalind's would-be fiance and the Pinkerton agents he has hired to locate her are always hot on her heels ... but she's right under their noses, gambling with the men.
Several substantial, well devloped plots unfold, along with lots of steamy/erotic sex. This series is so authentically written ... in book 1 I could taste the trail dust and feel the hot summer Arizona sun, and in this book I could hear the rush of the river and felt like I was on the river bank watching the steamboats.
March 10, 2012
My Rate: 4.75*
Year: 1871
Places: New York to Missouri; River Steamer Paddle Boat (the last of the dying breed)
Characters:
{h)Rosalind Schuyler-orphaned New York Railroad Heiress on the run; spitfire; professional gambler (card sharp, my kinda gal)
(H)Hal Lindsay; Honored War Hero; Riverboat Captain; alpha hunk portrayed very well in light of his human vulnerabilities
This story held everything I ever wanted to know, if I ever thought about wanting to know, what it would have been like traveling the dangerous muddy Mississippi River on a Steam powered Paddle boat in the late 1800's.
Great descriptive writing here by the author. Not only does she share her in depth research on the workings of these grand modes of transport (that were put out of business by the railroads), she took me on an unpredictable and deadly journey through the muddy raging waters of the Mississippi river. Overheated boilers, dangerous towns along the destination, powerful storms... made this story not just interesting, but brought the adventure to life.
Sample of an interest: a good Riverboat Captain hired hunters on a riverboat journey. These Hunters killed game, bagged their kill and hung it from trees at various destinations along the river so the boat could stop, pick it up, and have fresh meat for their travelers. I love these kind of tidbits sprinkled throughout a story.
Loved the characters. They were likeable, realistic, and the love scenes were Smokin. I took off a couple of points on my rating because...Diane Whiteside writes somewhat erotica into her stories and in one chapter she included an imaginative fantasy of the heroines that I thought was completely out of context for her character. I felt the author added it simply for, well whatever her reason was, it didn't fit for me.
I'm going to have to go back and re-read The Irish Devil again. Main characters in that story appeared here and since it's been a few years since I read their story, I want to go back to it again before completing this series.
July 4, 2009
there is NOTHING i hate more than when the character in the book is described a certain way and it does NOT match the picture on the front of the book!!!!!!!
Read
April 27, 2020I'm sorry but no thanks. I can tell after two chapters this is not my kind of book.
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January 5, 2021--references an 'embarras' on the river
"they sighted an embarras ahead, its tightly woven rampart of dead trees sneering at hopes of safe passage."
but i cant find a definition for it or a picture of it on the internet. everything defaults to embarrass, the verb. or the river named embarrass, which isnt what they're talking about.
"they sighted an embarras ahead, its tightly woven rampart of dead trees sneering at hopes of safe passage."
but i cant find a definition for it or a picture of it on the internet. everything defaults to embarrass, the verb. or the river named embarrass, which isnt what they're talking about.
April 27, 2008
The River Devil is the second book in Diane Whiteside's Devil series. While I didn't think it was quite as good as the first book, I still enjoyed it. Set in the American West, just after the Civil War.
April 27, 2010
This was a fantastic plot, with fast-paced action scenes. That did not quite cover the fact that the characters were shallow and poorly drawn. The settings described were lackluster. Worth reading once, but not again.
April 22, 2013
ew. no! worst book i've ever read of the genre! it didn't hook me at all.. I finished it by fast reading and skipping. horrible sex scenes, even a horny adolescent could write it better. no grasp of language or writing skill.. pity that these bad books exist.
May 25, 2014
mmmmm mmmmmmm mmmmmmm. Yep, did it again. Not as good for me personally as the Irish Devil - but my my my --- Diane Whiteside does NOT disappoint. Again, not the type of book for the timid lovey romance reader.
February 16, 2009
Good book, but not as good as "The Irish Devil".
May 7, 2009
I thought this was a decent book, but a slight disappointment following The Irish Devil.
December 13, 2009
A tiny bit better than #1. Still, I'll never re-read this.
February 4, 2011
Historical erotica based in the American west.
April 27, 2011
I read this #2 in the series, first. I really enjoyed it. I've decided to find the rest of this series for certain.
July 10, 2011
A lot of potential on the story line, decent characters but I just didn't care for the writing style.
July 26, 2013
lOVE!!
January 22, 2014
i've liked other of her books much more.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews