The Devil's Lady

The de Lacis #1

by Deborah Simmons

Bid by King Edward to marry one of his knights, Aisley de Laci hopes to avoid the altar by choosing Baron Montmorency. 'Tis a union she is certain none will endorse, especially the baron, who is rumored to practice the dark arts from his isolated keep.

Renowned in battle, the Red Knight has secluded himself at Dunmurrow for reasons of his own. And he does not want a wife, no matter how wealthy and beautiful she might be. But even he cannot defy the king's order, and what comes to him, he takes—and holds.

Although Aisley refuses to believe the tales that make Montmorency more myth than mortal, she begins to wonder whether he does possess mysterious powers. How else to explain her own growing feelings for her husband, a man so shrouded in shadow she has never seen his face?

Was she under a spell or truly the Devil’s Lady?

A full-length novel originally published by Harlequin Books.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Medieval, Historical Fiction, Medieval Romance, Marriage Of Convenience

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Deborah Simmons is the author of twenty-five historical romances and novellas, published by Avon, Berkley, and Harlequin.

A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.

Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.

Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.

"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.

Reviews

[Naksed · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I was reading a solid medieval fiction and then the magical white stag appeared on Christmas Day to coax the hero into the magic lake that magically gave him back his eyesight 😬

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 6/26/17

I still love this book. Oddly, I didn't realize the first time around how young the heroine is (she's 17). Piers is a battle hardened man who has spent years fighting so their age difference must be considerable. Doesn't change my opinion of the book at all, but it did change my mental image of her a bit. Honestly, it makes Aisely's personality that much more extraordinary. She has a hell of a backbone and she handles Piers like a pro. Get it, girl. This book holds up well and I look forward to re-reading it again and again.

**********

This cover isn't even the edition that I bought, but I just had to change it because, I mean, COME ON. It's just so quintessentially 90s.

Honestly, I think this is my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling I've read. It wasn't exactly better quality than any other, it was just so damn romantic. Completely, ridiculously, romantic. I'm slowly making peace with the fact that I judge romance novels on a completely different scale that other books. So, I gave this book five stars. Don't judge me. I happily add this book to my re-read pile.

I wish I could put my finger on what exactly made it better than the dozens of other Beauty and the Beast retellings I've read. I can't really. It was one of the most cliche books I've ever read. Plucky yet ethereally beautiful heroine? Check. Mustache twisting lecherous villain? Check. Brooding sardonic hero with an evil reputation? Check. A mid-book reveal that I saw coming from the 3rd chapter? Check.
But you know what?



Plot: The king decides that Aisley is to choose a husband from all of his knights. Aisley, of course, has no desire to marry anyone. She comes up with what she thinks is a clever scheme. She will choose the Red Knight, a knight that she thinks either the king will flatly refuse or said Knight will refuse her as a wife. Piers, (the Red Knight), has recently locked himself away in his castle and no one has seen him since. He's even rumored to be part devil or a sorcerer of some kind. (This is medieval England after all) Well, you know what they say about the best-laid plans.

Aisley finds herself living in a crumbling castle married to a man who never leaves the shadows or his rooms. He has only a few servants and constantly taunts her about how her plans have backfired, reminding her that he never wanted a wife and that if she's unhappy, it's her own fault. Slowly, both of them realize that they are far from unhappy with their lot. The more Aisley falls for Piers, the more time she wants to spend time with him, but he still refuses to leave his rooms or the shadows. Mystery, shenanigans, and swoon-worthy romance ensue.

I'm not really going to pick apart all of the things I loved about this book. It was just wonderful. I laughed, got a little misty-eyed, sighed, and read the whole thing in four hours. It's not perfect, but it's a great example of a good ol'fashion bodice ripper that I know I'll read over and over again. My list of favorite books is quickly filling up with romance novels, but hey, who cares right?

[Celestine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to start a "must re-read" book shelf. The Devil's Lady would be the first book on it because I totally, completely, embarrassingly missed all the clues for the BIG REVEAL as to the secrets behind Baron Montmorency. I am kind of flabbergasted at myself, but when I went back to look at my notes for this review, there were a total of two. This means I didn't even come up for air while reading this rich, absorbing tale of doom and epic love.

Spoiled noblewoman Aisley de Laci seeks to avoid marriage to her despicable and grasping neighbor, along with any other suitors King Edward plans to toss her way, by selecting the demonic Red Knight as her intended bridegroom. She expects the secluded and secretive knight will likely ignore King Edward and send her home. Well, the best of intentions and all that....

Baron Montmorency does not ignore his liege, and Aisley is compelled to stay at the gloomy, sinister keep. There is a distinct Gothic tone to this book that I loved. While it takes place centuries earlier than most Gothic novels, readers of that genre will probably enjoy this book for its sense of doom and atmosphere. Unlocking the key to the despair is always the adventure of such novels, and I was completely blindsided in this one. The mystery alone is worth the re-read.

What is also worth the re-read is the love story. It is the swooning, epic kind: deep, emotional, building, climactic, heart-rending and very sensuous. Of course, it doesn't start that way. Aisley is impetuous and full of herself, although a competent chatelaine. Montmorency is taciturn, possessive, frightening and hiding something. The scenes as these two come to know each other are well written and perfectly paced.

Now, I'm going to go check if there is a sequel, because I know I won't be satisfied by the re-read.

[willaful · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Medieval romance using themes from "Beauty and the Beast" and "Cupid and Psyche." Aisley de Laci discovers that her unwanted husband is not at all like his evil reputation. But why does he insist on hiding himself in darkness? I got bored with a lot of action in the last quarter of the book, but the love story was very enjoyable.

[Cheesecake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aisley the pragmatic woman who needs no man and Piers the red knight who can't resist her.

I quite enjoyed this one even though it's pretty predictable. So 3.5 stars rounded up!

The one thing I did not predict was the reason he hides in his castle. Maybe I should have, but I didn't and so it made the story better. So I won't say why here... sorry, not sorry.
Aisley's father and brothers are dead, but she's fine running things by herself, until the King decides he wants her married. It is medieval times so...
She doesn't like any of the knights in court so she chooses the Red Knight, hoping that he will not want her and then she can stay single having done as Edward bid even if she isn't married.
BUT
The Red Knight isn't going to diss his king and marries her.
SOooo now she's stuck at his castle which isn't nearly as nice as her own. And she still doesn't know what he looks like because he never leaves the castle and stays in darkness.

There's a jerky neighbour to her home castle that causes trouble in the second half. But the first half is just her and the Piers getting to know each other, like beauty and the beast.

I loved the MCs and the side characters were fun too. I would have like to know more about Cedric...

But it was fun.
Safety is fine no OP issues. There's the neighbour who wants her but he's scum. He's not a virgin but he's spent most of his time making war and not love. She's a virgin as usual.

[Lady Whitbrooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me of some Judith McNaught. It was a beautiful love story with a slightly different twist. The emotions where strong in every regard but when antagonism appeared it was brief and quickly resolved (my fav kind). Great book. Plot 7.5(1-10) steaminess 7(1-10)

[Anali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil's Lady es una novela de romance histórico que leí hace muchísimo tiempo cuando buscaba libro con temáticas de Beauty and The Beast. Es una obra que quizás no sea la más original o bonita, pero a mi me gusta mucho. La leí por primera vez hace varios años (no la habia agregado a GR) y, sin embargo, recordaba casi todos los detalles de la trama. Ahora me siento muy satisfecha con esta relectura.

Creo que es una obra preciosa de romance con destellos de fantasía y tiene unos personajes bastante simpáticos y cautivadores. Aisley es mi favorita, me parece una heroína fuerte y vivaz, nada sosa, y tiene un corazón puro, gentil y valiente. Por otro lado, Piers, el Caballero Rojo, es un protagonista masculino me cautiva por su aire misterioso, rodeado de oscuridad y peligro. No puedo evitarlo, tengo una debilidad por este tiempo de héroes que son misteriosos y atrayentes, pero que en el fondo tienen un lado ferozmente protector, cariñoso y gentiles. Los personajes secundarios también son un plus positivo y creo que complemente la historia de forma adecuada.

También me siento satisfecha con el romance. Creo que Piers y Aisley son la pareja ideal, a pesar de las circunstancias de su primer encuentro y de su matrimonio forzado, están hechos el uno para el otro. Estaba embelesada y comiendome las uñas cuando leía sobre cada uno de sus encuentros porque tienen una buena química y una tensión sexual muy creíble y bien desarrollada.

Quizás la trama falla en ciertos detalles como el villano, un par de elementos de fantasía y la inesperada introducción de un personaje nuevo e importante al final, pero no es nada grave.

En general, recomendaría esta obra a cualquiera que disfrute de este género para pasar una tarde, ya que es una novela amena, rápida y cautivadora para los amantes del romance.

[GigiReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

One off the TBR!

Heavy on the Beauty and the Beast elements, dark hero hiding in a dark spooky keep full of darkness and shadows. Sweet sunshine heroine basically tricks a king into making a man called The Red Knight her husband to avoid marriage to a terrible man. So she thinks he's the lesser of two evils. Or is he?
This was a good read, very relationship focused and god how I miss this kid of relationship development. I suspected the big "twist" but it still surprised me all the same when it was revealed because it was handled so deftly. I think this might be my first Deborah Simmons (can't remember if I've read others before I started tracking my reading) but it won't be my last. It was sensual, romantic and a hero to die for.
My only complaint is that the "conflict" took way too much space and it made the book drag in the middle and I wanted more of them being happy at the end. I might be less impatient on a reread. Overall, a really good time. For fans of Elisa Braden and Lisa Kleypas.

Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Forced marriage

CW: explicit threats of SA by villain

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King forces the 17 year old h to choose a man to marry. When she tries to trick him, she fails badly. Her new husband lives in isolation and she's horrified by her new home and him. I really liked her, she's very sweet with the H, and also very brave. She doesn't try to force him, she's true to herself and adapts to his needs. He's great, falls for her very quickly. There are a couple of unusual elements in the plot, and I thought they worked well.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Captivated by the characters from the start and a page-turner throughout. First time reading this author, and will definitely be reading the second in this series.

[Aou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet...

[Sometime · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. There were a lot of things that I loved about this book. The mystery and romance were great. I loved the MCs. They were both so intriguing and fun to read about.

The romance in the story was so good. It is a slow-burn romance but the kisses leading up to the big event were so steamy! All the smexy stuff was well written and hot.

I did get a little bored in parts and my main complaint is that the book felt too long. Some of the middle went around in circles too much and the end kept on going and going.

All things considered, I enjoyed it and would recommend if you like medieval romance.

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pleasant and totally unbelievable. It's not historical nor fantasy, but it has a touch of both. As long as you don't care.. :)

[Lucimar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Aisley de Laci cansada de ser pressionada a casar para que alguém cuide de suas possessões,e algo que nem deseja e nem quer fazer, pois em sua opinião não acha que precisa casar para administrar suas terras.E assim, quando o rei obriga Laci a casar por alguém escolhido por ela, ela escolhe o cavalheiro conhecido Cavalheiro Vermelho (um homem temido por todos, que segundo dizem fez pactos com o Diabo, isso porque se oculta na completa escuridão). Ela o escolhe por achar que será recusada, mas seus planos são alterados porque ele a aceita. E nisso ela mergulhará num relacionamento intenso, embora nunca veja seu marido a luz do dia. E isso só instiga sua determinação em descobrir porque seu marido se esconde nas sombras do castelo.
Pier há vivido só por muito tempo e agora terá que enfrentar essa mulher guerreira e determinada que pode descobrir seu segredo, um segredo em que pode perder tudo.
Excelente livro cujos conflitos te mantém entretido e envolvido o tempo todo.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. A lot of unnecessary stuff though

[nanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A batalha muitas vezes pode partir um homem ou então moldá-lo em algo diferente do que ele poderia desejar ser."

O que dizer desse livro? A história começa bem lenta por está introduzindo tudo, mas os personagens principais são bastante cativantes e o Piers é o melhor protagonista de todos, um homem de dois metros que é só um bebê que merece todo carinho do mundo. O plot twist da história é tão WOW que quando você descobre é como se a história finalmente se encaixasse, eu amei que não teve um dramão de novela mexicana entre o casal principalmente porque a química dos dois foi incrível. Só não é nota 5 por causa da Edith.

Obrigada Barbs por indicar esse livro pra mim, te amo.

[Eugenea Pollock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This medieval romance would have made a really good 1950s movie starring actors like Robert Taylor with Joan Fontaine. Think: lush sets, intricate brocade and satin costumes, lots of extras in armor on horseback, a madrigal-type theme that sticks in your head, a happy ending after much struggle and misunderstanding. Add in a bucket of buttered popcorn, a large Coke, a too-chilly theater, a few folks stage-whispering behind you somewhere and VOILA! This story comes to life!

[Caroline Yamashita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Li por indicação, mas já tinha visto uma categoria que ele se encaixava, então já li sabendo do segredo do mocinho, que aliás não é um mocinho! Ele é conhecido como Cavaleiro Vermelho, que dizem as más línguas, tem pacto com o demo, mexe com magia negra, faz feitiçaria. E não é ele que a Isadora escolhe como marido?
O Rei mandou a bonita escolher um marido, já que ela era sozinha no mundo e cuidava de uma propriedade. Ela achando que o Rei ia liberá-la, por que nunca alguém poderia casar com o Cavaleiro Vermelho, ela o escolhe!
E ela se ferrou de verde-amarelo, por que o Rei além de rir ainda diz: "— Pois então que seja! "
Então, contando que o Cavaleiro seja o próprio coisa ruim em pessoa e diga não a esse casamento louco e sem propósito, ela vai em busca dele!
Rá!!! Se ferrou de novo, por que além do cara recebê-la na escuridão do seu quarto, em um breu absoluto, ele diz: "— Mas o que está feito está feito. Que assim seja."
E na mesma hora pegou Isadora e a desposou no mais absoluto breu!
Sim, toda a mansão, não tinha tochas, não tinha velas, alias não tinha nada, já que ninguém gostaria de trabalhar para o Lorde Vermelho, por isso enquanto não consegue anular o casamento, Isadora está determinada a tornar seu lar provisório habitável e confortável, para isso não exita em trabalhar o dia todo!
Ela só não imaginava que depois de tantos dias, o Cavaleiro Vermelho fosse procurá-la em seu quarto para que de fato se tornasse sua mulher!
Depois disso, Isadora sabia que estava enfeitiçada, e não queria mais nada do que a mágica que acontecia entre eles na escuridão da noite!
Livro lindo!

[Aggis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start and a lackluster ending.

I was immediately drawn into Aisley's plight and her personality/characterization was great (definitely not a wilting flower). One thing the author had going for her was the mystery of the Red Knight and this plot device was really well done and built for a very large portion of the book.

The problems started when I was reading before bed and I just could not stay up later and skipped ahead to the big reveal. Piers secret was a surprise but I was not super happy how the author handled it.

Spoilers Below-

The whole idea that all of this drama was for the blind hero was a little lack luster for me and when I started to wrap my head around all of the secret keeping (I was really holding out for a vein or fantasy in this novel) Simmons just magically fixes his blindness! The solution? Jumping into a pond to save your drowning wife. This coupled with the sudden reveal of the past dead brother really just had me coasting along for the last chunk of the novel.

Still a really solid really but sad because of how amazing it could have been.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read , with that mystery , amazing characters , steady romance and humor to keep the spark.... I love such stories , the ones which make you forget your worries and take you to a beautiful parallel world where you enjoy the romance

The main characters were really beautifully carved, its impossible to imagine a romance where the heroine never sees the hero in the half of the story , yet the author has written such an amazing tales with all the scenes beautifully written.

If you wanna read scottish romance with amazing characters , revolving around a mystery , and taking you to another time era... this is it.

[Tiffany Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of my absolute favorites when I started reading romance when I was younger. I still have it today and refuse to get rid of it. I love how Aisley grows through this tale. She goes from a spoiled child to a matured woman. And Baron Montmorency? I looooove this man. He's dark, foreboding, and hoards a secret. Their relationship is both passionate and tender, and at times, emotional. There is a Gothic touch to this book, but it's an amazing historical romance read!

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed This! - As with a lot of Deborah Simmons books, this will be a repeat for me.

[steve gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

lazily written

A lazily written book which spends most of it's time repeating itself. Skipped many paragraphs at a time to find the story.

[Gerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

[eevee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aisley is required to marry, which pisses her off because she’s been taking care of her father’s estate pretty well. But whatever. Spitefully, she decides to choose the most dangerous knight of all to marry. She chooses the infamous Red Knight. Expecting him to cry off the marriage, Aisley is shocked when her plans don’t go her way.

This was okay. I was expecting a little more. Aisley kind of comes off as a brat, especially at the beginning. She also acts like she is better than commoners, which I guess is normal for the time period. But not particularly sympathetic in a heroine.

Piers was a little better of a character. He’s the type to yell and rage. Thought to be a demon, but really just misunderstood. Not much else to him.

Something I disliked was how much of a role magic played in this. There are some problems that are just solved by “...and then there was a miracle!” which kind of feels like cheating to me. I guess that depends on taste though.

I did enjoy the romance, and Aisley and Piers’ chemistry. The sex was not explicit, more of the kind that’s alluded to, but it seemed nice. Also paced well as far as plot goes.

I won’t keep this on my shelf and I probably won’t reread it, but I’d recommend it.

[Diandra Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eu estava precisando de algo diferente, mesmo dentro dos clichês do gênero. Esta foi a minha primeira experiência com a autora e gostei muito.

O mistério em volta de Piers funciona e intriga. Eu odeio a forma patriarcal que boa parte dos mocinhos age, mas Piers foi diferente e o considero um bom personagem.

Gostei de Aisley, mesmo com seus planos ruins, soube ser inteligente e persuasiva. Sua recompensa foi justa.

O próximo livro é de Nicholas, o irmão frio de Aisley. Espero gostar, também.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most romantic, yet get the last word in books, I have read in a long while. Thinking to out smart the king the last standing member of the Dr Laci holdings, does not want to marry. She banks on the king backing down from her picking the Red Knight. He has been held up in his holdings for a year, and many believe he wins such great battles by the use of the black arts. The king calls her bluff, and sends her to his most dangerous knight. It has a gothic feel, since his castle is crumbling in places, and he stays in darkness, or deep shadow nearly all the time. The way she works out her marriage, and he tells her his deepest fears is really something. I loved it. The troublesome neighbor, , not at all, and there are some surprises. His bride is as fierce as they come, and will listen, but not be enslaved, or afraid. He wants the world at first to always fear him as the mysterious, deadly, red knight, as the knight is usually covered in blood, and not his own, He too, has to make adjustments. It really touches you heart, and you cheer for them. 5 stars. I hope they appear in other books, since this is only book #1 of the series.

[Ms. Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 99-cent gem. I can't resist a forced marriage or marriage between stranger's storyline. Throw in a brooding, damaged hero and I'm truly smitten. The writing was lovely. The love story sweet and sensuous.

[GuisBell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aisley si que sabe cómo elegir, en serio que afortunada jajaja. Aunque no tanto tiene que aprender a tratar a Piers, pero bueno al final vale la pena.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

NTS: There is second book.