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Devil Black
Disgraced in her father's eyes, Isobel Maitland travels to Scotland, determined to purchase her sister's happiness at the cost of her own. But when her coach is held up and she is abducted by a dangerous highwayman, she faces an unexpected choice: suffer the loveless union to which she has resigned herself, or marry this ruthless, Scottish outlaw who can ignite her desire with a single touch.
They call him "Diabhal Dubh"—Devil Black—and he spends his days terrorizing the countryside, trying to outdistance the memories that torture him. The King has decreed he must settle and take a wife. And when he steals the alluring woman betrothed to his enemy, Dougal MacRae sees a way to both answer the King's demand and obtain the revenge he has sought so long…
This is a new release of a previously published edition.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2012
37 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Laura Strickland
94 books170 followersBorn and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. She has made pilgrimages to both Newfoundland and Scotland in the company of her daughter, but is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario, with her husband and her "fur" child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romances Devil Black, His Wicked Highland Ways, Honor Bound: A Highland Adventure and The Hiring Fair as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood and Lord of Sherwood, she has also published three Steampunk romances, Dead Handsome: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure, Off Kilter: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and Sheer Madness: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure as well as two Christmas novellas: The Tenth Suitor and Mrs. Claus and the Viking Ship, and a Valentine’s novella: Ask me. Her Lobster Cove Historical Romances include The White Gull and the novella, Forged By Love, which won first place in the International Digital Awards. Her latest release, Awake on Garland Street, is her sixteenth book with The Wild Rose press.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 20 reviews
September 27, 2019
I’ve become a big fan of Laura Strickland and my favorites are her Scottish Historical Romances. I decided to go back to the beginning and try her first, just to see how she’d developed her talent. I discovered that her talent must be in her DNA. Devil Black is awesome.
In the heroine’s point of view - In medieval times women had little control over their lives. All decisions regarding their futures were decided by men; fathers, husbands, even the King. Isobel is a strong woman who determines her own fate, even if that means manipulation and deceit. But, she’s willing to risk everything for the safety and happiness of her young sister.
The Hero – Dougal MacRae will do anything to protect his home and the people who rely on him, even if it isn’t altogether legal. He’s a man of honor who’s been pushed beyond his limits and becomes known as Devil Black. Now, the King has made demands he must meet to not only protect all he loves, but to keep from losing his freedom and maybe his life.
The setting is vivid. The characters are three dimensional. The plot takes so many turns it’ll make you dizzy. The danger and intrigue in this story will have you biting your nails to the last page.
In the heroine’s point of view - In medieval times women had little control over their lives. All decisions regarding their futures were decided by men; fathers, husbands, even the King. Isobel is a strong woman who determines her own fate, even if that means manipulation and deceit. But, she’s willing to risk everything for the safety and happiness of her young sister.
The Hero – Dougal MacRae will do anything to protect his home and the people who rely on him, even if it isn’t altogether legal. He’s a man of honor who’s been pushed beyond his limits and becomes known as Devil Black. Now, the King has made demands he must meet to not only protect all he loves, but to keep from losing his freedom and maybe his life.
The setting is vivid. The characters are three dimensional. The plot takes so many turns it’ll make you dizzy. The danger and intrigue in this story will have you biting your nails to the last page.
June 15, 2019
Book Review- Devil Black by Laura Strickland
Dougal MacRae is the bad boy in Scotland. He is known to steal from those around him. His reputation has gotten around and his neighbors have sent numerous complaints to the king. His biggest enemy is Randal MacNab. So of course, when a bride is sent to the MacNab keep for his son, Dougal must step in. He virtually steals her from her carriage. The reader can feel Isobel’s shock leap off the page. She has a lot of courage and strength. She is not what Dougal expected, so be ready for her to earn his respect. I like how she is supposed to be her sister, but they have carried out a plan so Catherine can marry the one she wants. I also like how smart Isobel is. She realizes what her options are and picks the one that seems the best. She doesn’t realize how well her decision was until later.
There is a lot of bad blood between the two clans. Dougal has a lot of guilt for not protecting someone he loved and has earned his sister’s anger. There is a lot of darkness in the MacRae keep, then Isobel shows up and completely changes the atmosphere. Neither Dougal or his sister, Meg, trust very well and both refuse to allow love into their hearts. The reader can see the walls they erected around themselves for protection. Of course, Isobel comes in and slowly takes them down piece by piece.
The MacNabs become a major problem and to me, her father is completely worthless. Her husband is a stronger man though he was difficult at times. It was a good story with a truly evil villain and the bad boy turned hero. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Dougal MacRae is the bad boy in Scotland. He is known to steal from those around him. His reputation has gotten around and his neighbors have sent numerous complaints to the king. His biggest enemy is Randal MacNab. So of course, when a bride is sent to the MacNab keep for his son, Dougal must step in. He virtually steals her from her carriage. The reader can feel Isobel’s shock leap off the page. She has a lot of courage and strength. She is not what Dougal expected, so be ready for her to earn his respect. I like how she is supposed to be her sister, but they have carried out a plan so Catherine can marry the one she wants. I also like how smart Isobel is. She realizes what her options are and picks the one that seems the best. She doesn’t realize how well her decision was until later.
There is a lot of bad blood between the two clans. Dougal has a lot of guilt for not protecting someone he loved and has earned his sister’s anger. There is a lot of darkness in the MacRae keep, then Isobel shows up and completely changes the atmosphere. Neither Dougal or his sister, Meg, trust very well and both refuse to allow love into their hearts. The reader can see the walls they erected around themselves for protection. Of course, Isobel comes in and slowly takes them down piece by piece.
The MacNabs become a major problem and to me, her father is completely worthless. Her husband is a stronger man though he was difficult at times. It was a good story with a truly evil villain and the bad boy turned hero. I give it a 4 out of 5.
January 9, 2023
LOVED this fiery romance between Isobel Maitland and Dougal MacRae, set in medieval Scotland amidst political turmoil, deception, and betrayal.
A must read!
A must read!
June 8, 2013
Devil Black A Compelling Read
This historical romance set in Central Scotland in 1608 reminded me very much of the work of one of my favorite historical fiction auto-buy authors, Julie Garwood. It was so compelling; I didn’t want to put it down. The characters are well developed (especially the hunky hero), and the story completely satisfying in every way.
When the “disgraced” heroine, Isobel Maitland, goes to Scotland to stand in for her sister in marriage, she is abducted by the bandit Dougal MacRae, aka Devil Black, a handsome, brooding laird who plucks her out of her coach to spite his longtime rival because he holds his sworn enemy responsible for the death of his only love. He’s also been ordered by the King to marry, so Isobel becomes a pawn in his game of revenge.
MacRae is called “The monster without conscience; the destroyer; he who ruins whatever he touches.” But he is, at heart, an honorable, misunderstood, man. And he feels his heart is so full of hatred it has no room for love. Isobel finds herself physically attracted to the tortured, untamed Dougal (and you will too when you see the cover) but longs for his love in return, which he no longer believes in and honestly cannot give.
I enjoyed the hero’s struggle to let love back into his heart and I thought the heroine was very patient to put up with his devotion to his dead ex-love, Aisla, a specter that haunts both the hero and heroine throughout the book.
In the end, Isobel finds her way into Dougal’s heart and he offers everything he has to free her when she is captured by his enemy.
The villain, and he’s really evil to the bone, gets his in the end, well actually, in a more fitting place, in a fate almost worse than death.
I enjoyed the secondary characters, too, Dougal’s beautiful sister, Meg, (reminiscent of “Taming of the Shrew,)” whom he calls “his accursed sister,” and a “harridan,” who poisoned her first husband and fights with all she has to resist the affections of Dougal’s best friend, Lachlan. I hope they get their own story, too. Isobel’s sister, Catherine and her husband are also interesting characters in this fully realized novel.
Laura Strickland is an excellent writer. She really brings the setting and the characters alive and I’d like to read more about these characters or her next books. Laura Strickland is an author to watch. Devil Black is definitely a 5-star read.
This historical romance set in Central Scotland in 1608 reminded me very much of the work of one of my favorite historical fiction auto-buy authors, Julie Garwood. It was so compelling; I didn’t want to put it down. The characters are well developed (especially the hunky hero), and the story completely satisfying in every way.
When the “disgraced” heroine, Isobel Maitland, goes to Scotland to stand in for her sister in marriage, she is abducted by the bandit Dougal MacRae, aka Devil Black, a handsome, brooding laird who plucks her out of her coach to spite his longtime rival because he holds his sworn enemy responsible for the death of his only love. He’s also been ordered by the King to marry, so Isobel becomes a pawn in his game of revenge.
MacRae is called “The monster without conscience; the destroyer; he who ruins whatever he touches.” But he is, at heart, an honorable, misunderstood, man. And he feels his heart is so full of hatred it has no room for love. Isobel finds herself physically attracted to the tortured, untamed Dougal (and you will too when you see the cover) but longs for his love in return, which he no longer believes in and honestly cannot give.
I enjoyed the hero’s struggle to let love back into his heart and I thought the heroine was very patient to put up with his devotion to his dead ex-love, Aisla, a specter that haunts both the hero and heroine throughout the book.
In the end, Isobel finds her way into Dougal’s heart and he offers everything he has to free her when she is captured by his enemy.
The villain, and he’s really evil to the bone, gets his in the end, well actually, in a more fitting place, in a fate almost worse than death.
I enjoyed the secondary characters, too, Dougal’s beautiful sister, Meg, (reminiscent of “Taming of the Shrew,)” whom he calls “his accursed sister,” and a “harridan,” who poisoned her first husband and fights with all she has to resist the affections of Dougal’s best friend, Lachlan. I hope they get their own story, too. Isobel’s sister, Catherine and her husband are also interesting characters in this fully realized novel.
Laura Strickland is an excellent writer. She really brings the setting and the characters alive and I’d like to read more about these characters or her next books. Laura Strickland is an author to watch. Devil Black is definitely a 5-star read.
July 20, 2013
Title: Devil Black
Author: Laura Strickland
Review Rank: Five Star
Reviewer: Linda Hays-Gibbs
Isobel Maitland tries to save her sister, Catherine from a loveless marriage to Bertram MacNab by passing herself off as his betrothed so her sister can elope with her love, Thomas Hewitt. Their father being unmoved by their pleadings gave them no choice so they hatch this ruse.
On the way to this loveless marriage Isobel is stolen away by Dougal MacRae, the Devil Black. Isobel is told what a horrible fate awaits her as MacNab's wife for he tortured and killed his first wife, Aisla to spite Dougal.
Dougal's sister Meg tells Isobel what a heartless useless black coward her brother is for not rescuing his first love, Aisla from Bertram and Randal MacNab's murderous torture. She also warns Isobel not to fall under his spell.
Dougal gives Isobel her choice him or MacNab. Isobel is very attracted to Dougal and chooses him over the two evils.
Lachlan, Dougal's best friend is in love with Meg but she vows to never love any man. Meg spouts hatred all day long about her brother but Isobel is falling despite the dire warnings. Dougal tells Isobel that his sister is right about him and he can never love again.
All out war is declared by the MacNab clan because of the promised bride disappearing. Dougal hates them and vows to fight for his new bride to his death.
This story has so much happening in it that you will never set it down. It is a page turner. It kept me guessing and I was surprised and happy with this romantic tale from the Highlands. It was just delicious.
The characters had complete personalities along with lots of neurosis and psychosis. I would know them if I met them on the street for they became that real to me.
I gave this Five Stars out of Five but wish I could give more. I loved it.
Linda Hays-Gibbs
Author: Laura Strickland
Review Rank: Five Star
Reviewer: Linda Hays-Gibbs
Isobel Maitland tries to save her sister, Catherine from a loveless marriage to Bertram MacNab by passing herself off as his betrothed so her sister can elope with her love, Thomas Hewitt. Their father being unmoved by their pleadings gave them no choice so they hatch this ruse.
On the way to this loveless marriage Isobel is stolen away by Dougal MacRae, the Devil Black. Isobel is told what a horrible fate awaits her as MacNab's wife for he tortured and killed his first wife, Aisla to spite Dougal.
Dougal's sister Meg tells Isobel what a heartless useless black coward her brother is for not rescuing his first love, Aisla from Bertram and Randal MacNab's murderous torture. She also warns Isobel not to fall under his spell.
Dougal gives Isobel her choice him or MacNab. Isobel is very attracted to Dougal and chooses him over the two evils.
Lachlan, Dougal's best friend is in love with Meg but she vows to never love any man. Meg spouts hatred all day long about her brother but Isobel is falling despite the dire warnings. Dougal tells Isobel that his sister is right about him and he can never love again.
All out war is declared by the MacNab clan because of the promised bride disappearing. Dougal hates them and vows to fight for his new bride to his death.
This story has so much happening in it that you will never set it down. It is a page turner. It kept me guessing and I was surprised and happy with this romantic tale from the Highlands. It was just delicious.
The characters had complete personalities along with lots of neurosis and psychosis. I would know them if I met them on the street for they became that real to me.
I gave this Five Stars out of Five but wish I could give more. I loved it.
Linda Hays-Gibbs
April 5, 2016
(request submitted by author for an honest critique)
When I finished reading this historical tale, I sat down to write a list of pros and cons to help me gauge my score. I'd like to share that list with you.
Pros
1.) I liked the fact Laura wrote about several strong heroines. Women can be fighters, in body and mind, and it was thrilling to see their strength and determination shine through. Bravo!!
2.) The fight scene was bloody.... good.
3.) I liked how Black wasn't judge, juror and executioner after he won the battle.
Cons
1.) Laura described Dougal, Devil Black, as a very passionate and virile man. You'd think then she would've demonstrated his prowess in a bit more detail. We saw the start of this seduction (a kiss) and then nothing. They had sex multiple times but zip, zilch, nada on elaboration. I'm not asking or expecting NC17 material but a higher rating than PG would've been nice --- especially with his "reputation".
2.) I didn't quite understand why Isobel decided to marry Dougal. All I can say is he must be one helluva kisser.
HEA
(See more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
When I finished reading this historical tale, I sat down to write a list of pros and cons to help me gauge my score. I'd like to share that list with you.
Pros
1.) I liked the fact Laura wrote about several strong heroines. Women can be fighters, in body and mind, and it was thrilling to see their strength and determination shine through. Bravo!!
2.) The fight scene was bloody.... good.
3.) I liked how Black wasn't judge, juror and executioner after he won the battle.
Cons
1.) Laura described Dougal, Devil Black, as a very passionate and virile man. You'd think then she would've demonstrated his prowess in a bit more detail. We saw the start of this seduction (a kiss) and then nothing. They had sex multiple times but zip, zilch, nada on elaboration. I'm not asking or expecting NC17 material but a higher rating than PG would've been nice --- especially with his "reputation".
2.) I didn't quite understand why Isobel decided to marry Dougal. All I can say is he must be one helluva kisser.
HEA
(See more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
February 13, 2017
Excellent book. Well written - fast paced -- well developed characters.
February 25, 2013
This is a historical romance set in the Georgian period.
A young woman takes the place of her sister, travelling to marry a man that the sister did not want to wed. On the way, she is kidnapped by that man's enemy who is known as the Black Devil.
He talks her into marrying him, though he doesn't give her much choice and the book goes from there.
One person complained about her choosing to wed him bcause she was attracted to him. Given the choices women faced back in that time, she would have luck to find a husband who attracted her. Many women were married to men who were abusers and other such objectional things, so I don't think that the reason she chose him was any stupider than any other reason driving a romance.
I enjoyed reading this story, I mean, c'mon... A tall, dark-haired warrior in a kilt? What's not to like?
A young woman takes the place of her sister, travelling to marry a man that the sister did not want to wed. On the way, she is kidnapped by that man's enemy who is known as the Black Devil.
He talks her into marrying him, though he doesn't give her much choice and the book goes from there.
One person complained about her choosing to wed him bcause she was attracted to him. Given the choices women faced back in that time, she would have luck to find a husband who attracted her. Many women were married to men who were abusers and other such objectional things, so I don't think that the reason she chose him was any stupider than any other reason driving a romance.
I enjoyed reading this story, I mean, c'mon... A tall, dark-haired warrior in a kilt? What's not to like?
April 14, 2013
I enjoyed this story. It definitely had a conflict-drive plot. I felt sorry for the heroine, Isobel, having to face so many trials, but she faced each with courage and a tenacity that I admired.
Dougal was a bad boy type of hero and I love those. I thought he was fair, albeit a little rough around the edges. While he was not easy to connect with emotionally, he was transformed during the story to be redeemed by love.
This story had several clever lines that made me chuckle and kept me interested. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance.
Dougal was a bad boy type of hero and I love those. I thought he was fair, albeit a little rough around the edges. While he was not easy to connect with emotionally, he was transformed during the story to be redeemed by love.
This story had several clever lines that made me chuckle and kept me interested. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance.
February 21, 2013
This book had so many positive reviews but I just could not get into it, needless to say I did not finish it.
Dougal MacRae is told by the king that he needs to find a wife, so he decides to steal one. Isobel is the lucky bride, abducted by "Devil Black", agrees to marry him because basically she wants his body. And that's where I stopped reading...
I honestly don't think I'll try to finish this.
Dougal MacRae is told by the king that he needs to find a wife, so he decides to steal one. Isobel is the lucky bride, abducted by "Devil Black", agrees to marry him because basically she wants his body. And that's where I stopped reading...
I honestly don't think I'll try to finish this.
December 29, 2015
A great title for black hero
Dry enjoyed the last 10 chapters ; better than first part . The first practiced well yet I could not understand Isabel accepting and falling in love with the utter blackbeard McCrae.Laird McCrae never was willing to fall in love until the last 10 chapters. The last confrontation with Bertrand was intriguing. Obtaining the
Lands seemed the entire goal off the ancient King of England and or Scotland in the first place Truly DRH
Dry enjoyed the last 10 chapters ; better than first part . The first practiced well yet I could not understand Isabel accepting and falling in love with the utter blackbeard McCrae.Laird McCrae never was willing to fall in love until the last 10 chapters. The last confrontation with Bertrand was intriguing. Obtaining the
Lands seemed the entire goal off the ancient King of England and or Scotland in the first place Truly DRH
February 19, 2013
I really loved this story. It had some of the most evil villains in the history of historical romance, as well as a great ending. Now that is what I call justice--and to think it was the idea of our sweet heroine, makes it all the better.
January 5, 2014
This was nothing fantastic just a regular read that left me disturbed... SPOILER ALERT! Let's just say to this day I STILL can't get over the fact they cut off her pinky still in denial silly I know but things like that I just can't get over!
February 18, 2013
Is a great book to read
February 19, 2013
A bit grizzly at the end but overall very good book.
June 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! I would recommend it.
November 27, 2013
Fast paced, historical romance. I was done with it in a day, it was good for a quick read.
July 20, 2014
I picked this up as a free book from Amazon. I must say that this was very good. It had me sucked in right from the beginning.
January 29, 2016
I liked it very much. suspence, laughter and love
Displaying 1 - 19 of 20 reviews