The Devil's Heart

Dark Tides #1

by Candace Osmond

Find the witch. Return to the future. Don't fall in love with the devil...

When Dianna Cobham accidentally breaks an enchanted ship-in-a-bottle she’s washed away to 1707 Newfoundland and taken prisoner aboard a pirate ship captained by the infamous Devil Eyed Barrett. Dianna fights to survive by proving herself indispensable to the crew, all the while forging a secret plan to get back home.

But when Dianna learns of the Devil’s vengeful mission to seek and kill her ancestors, her hopes for returning to the future transform into an elaborate plot to save her lineage. Can she charm the Devil’s heart and change his mind before it’s too late? Or will she sacrifice herself to save the man hidden underneath it all?

Fans of OUTLANDER and PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN give praise for The Devil’s Heart! Grab your copy and start the epic adventure today!

Genres: Fantasy, Time Travel, Romance, Pirates, Ebooks, Young Adult, Historical

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2018

About the author

Bestselling Author and freelance writer/editor, Candace Osmond was born in North York, ON.

She published her first book by the age of 25, the first installment in a Paranormal Romance trilogy to which two others were published with it; The Iron World Series.

Candace is also one of the creative and AVN Award nominated writers for www.sssh.com, an acclaimed Erotic Romance website for women which has been featured on NBC Nightline and a number of other large platforms.

Aside from fiction, Candace is also an award winning Interior Designer and writer for Adorable Home Magazine.

Now residing in a small town in Newfoundland with her husband and two kids, Candace writes full time developing articles for just about every niche, more novels, and a hoard of short stories.

All of Candace's titles are available wherever books and eBooks are sold!

Amazon
Kobo
iBooks
Barnes & Noble
Chapters/Indigo/Coles
Overdrive and Library Direct (for libraries)

You can request a signed and personalized copy of any of Candace's books by contacting her through her website authorcandaceosmond.com

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I think if this book was about three times as long it would have been really really good. I liked the idea for the story, but it was so rushed that I never felt like the characters actually were ever given a chance to grow and have a believable relationship.

[RACHEL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the worst book I've read this month.

Good: if you wanted a time travel romance ala Outlander but didn't want the infidelity drama or blatant homophobia or unbearably lodge page count then this definitely has those vibes.

Finn and Charlie were great characters. I liked what little we got of them. I thought Gus was a good foil.

The journal was a neat foreshadowing trick that I immediately called but still enjoyed.

You can feel safe and confident telling your younger sister/mother/aunts/grandmothers about this one. No need to feel naughty while reading.

Bad: there is only so much suspension my disbelief can take and this book blew past that limit going 120mph backwards.

Part of the fun (for me) of a time travel romance is the modern character trying and occasionally failing to fit in. Dianne (whose name is said so little I legit kept forgetting she wasn't called Maria) doesn't try and no one bats an eye. She's liberal, she's loud, she's dressed wrong and no one cares. In fact many of the historical characters are anachronistic in their speech and behavior too. So why call it historical at all? Send Dianne to a fantasy dimension and that explains the magic.

Then there's the romance. If you thought Claire and Jamie took too damn long no worries! Dianne jumps Devil Eyes Bartletts bones almost immediately.

Does his sudden love for her and softboi attitude make any sense to the plot? Nope. Does the weird preoccupation with not killing do anything for the story? No. But when tired traumatized and hurt Dianne sees past the violent and rude exterior and literally decides her love can fix him is is satisfying? Still no.

When they go from being basic strangers to sex buddies to asking each other "are you happy?" in the middle of a life or death race to defeat evil does it feel good? Pffff.

But were the sex scenes steamy? Naw baby, straight fade to black. There's more detail in an almost rape. You can recommend this to almost any aged relative and not feel weird about it.

And the ending. Drops you right off the side of a cliff and assures you of a sequel. Yay.

[Mandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhh emm geee! This book was absolutely amazing! I was hooked from the very first page! And sthe cover is beautiful! This book turned out to be one of my favorite books!! Hands down! Book 2 can’t come soon enough!! Eeek!

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read The Devil’s Heart because I backed Osmond’s digital tier in her Kickstarter for her latest release Black Tides, a spin off of this series.

The Devil’s Heart is often compared to Outlander and while this comparison is correct, I thought it was too similar. At times it read like a cheaper version of Gabaldon’s work.

Osmond brought the setting to life as Dianne is transported back in time when she breaks a ship in a bottle. This moment thrust readers into the story at breakneck speed since Osmond does not let off the pace until the end of the novel.

The novel begins with Dianne and her boyfriend. There were little hints as to what was coming, but I still fail to see the point of giving Dianne a boyfriend. Maybe this will be addressed in a later book, but it felt useless.

Instalove is the name of the game with The Devil’s Heart. Dianne and the love interest, Devil Eyed Barrett, fall into each other so fast that I almost missed it since everything in the novel was moving so fast.

I’m not sure if The Devil’s Heart is one of Osmond’s earlier novels, however it definitely needed another passthrough by an editor. There were a lot of little mistakes.

Overall, The Devil’s Heart was an okay read that might have borrowed from Outlander a little too much and failed to capture the magic and romance Outlander is known for.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I choose this book to complete a reading challenge. I must admit I was expecting much, but boy did this prove me wrong. I loved the characters and the bonds they formed. I enjoyed the story and will enjoy reading more. The idea's in this book aren't unique but the author has a way of whisking you away.

[Bree Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! This was really good!!!

[Noelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trama: 2/5 y porque tiene viajes en el tiempo y piratas, pero está fatal ejecutado. Me surgen muchas dudas sobre el cómo de algunas cosas.

Romance: 2/5 es que... fue muy rápido. Por lo menos ambos me caen bien, pero que aburrimiento, que predecible. Estoy acostumbrada a que si ocurre rápido sea por una razón de "fantasía" rollo que estén destinados, etc, pero esto es como si dos compañeros de oficina se ven, se gustan, se besan y ya, porque lo único de fantasía que tiene esto es el viaje en el tiempo. Que sea un pirata pues... como otro oficio más. Sin más.

No quiero ponerme a buscar las cosas históricas porque simplemente... No.

Está bien para leer algo rápido con estos tropos, pero para esto casi que continuo con Outlander, que pagar por los demás libros sería un desperdicio para mí.

[J.J. King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't rave about this book enough! I am a huge fan of Outlander and time travel romance in general, so when I heard of this story, I had high hope. It exceeded my expectations! The build up between Dianna and Devil Eye is delicious and the ties to Newfoundland pirate history were amazing!

[Andrea (andreasathenaeum) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great first book, exactly the kind of time travel adventure I was looking for. Definitely on the shorter side ( I was expecting more Outlander length) so I think there could have been a bit more depth to everything, but moving past that I really enjoyed!

[Janet Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil's Heart is an amazing fantasy romance. I was invested in the characters and the challenges they faced. The narrator did a wonderful job. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this was a decent story, the whole plot premise was illogical. Not the time travel aspects, but Dianna’s stubborn assumption that a captain who aided a witch to capture a pirate and her ship in a bottle wouldn’t possibly believe in time travel, and that Dianna would be horrified that the Cobhams have a son, when her whole entire goal was to spare their lives so her family wouldn’t cease to exist in the future. Additionally, if they already have a son, then she didn’t need to worry about their lives, plus, how exactly did she think her future family was going to fare if the pirates were stuck in a bottle for all of eternity if they didn’t already have a child? Also, most of the drama felt manufactured, the book was much longer than it needed to be, and it ended in a very annoying and unexpected cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of The Devil’s Heart, but that did not affect my review.

[Kalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning- fade to black romance scenes, major cliffhanger ending, very Outlander vibes

[Elo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unburdened by reason

A rather childish writing style that simply details that things happen, but not why, when, or how. I would have thought it was for younger audiences if not for some adult content.
Truly bad ending.

[Steffi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the Highlander stuff from Diana Gabaldon. If you liked it than you will find this one ok.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that I really enjoyed the writing; it was immersive enough to make me feel like I was right there along with the characters. This is a book I can see myself rereading at the beach this summer.
It was a fast and easy read which kept me entertained and curious through all the pages. And again, I just loved how I could see every scene and every setting so vividly in my head. Not many books can do that, but this one did!
The reason why I'm settling on 3 stars is because I felt like the romance was a bit too fast paced for my taste. I just wished we'd gotten to see Dianna and Henry learn to know each other a bit more, and seen some more chemistry between the two before things got as far as they did.
I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed, but I'm really curious about the villains and what their motives are, as well as what happens next with Dianna and Henry, so I will definitely continue the series!

[Yari Roncone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and i fell in love with it. The story is amazing and I was captivated from the first line. Romance, action, deception, and sexy pirates what is there not to love. i have read other books by Candace Osmond and i have loved them also. She def has a fan in me. I cant wait for book two😍😍😍

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick read, but definitely entertaining. I enjoyed the adventure and am anticipating the next! The Devil's Heart ends abruptly at its climax, so I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. Time travel, pirates, magic, adventure, and sexy romance scenes...what more does a book need?

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like a mash up of Pirates of the Caribbean and Outlander. So good!

[Karen Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! Ya can't end the story like that.

What a rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, I cried, and I came close to throwing the book in anger.

Now I need more of Diana and Henry.

[cecereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.8 🌟 would be a 5 star if it was a bit longer

[Frédérique · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

IF YOU EVER READ THIS BOOK, YOU BETTER HAVE THE NEXT BOOK IN YOUR HANDS!! Major cliffhanger!

Wow! This book was really really good! I'm really impressed by the writing and the choice of words. It makes the read much more easy to imagine and enjoyable.
The setting is also an interesting choice: Newfoundland! I've never read a book set in Canada. The description of the culture, the landscape, the hospitality and the feeling of being home made the book so much better. It really makes me want to visit Newfoundland!

I've never real a book quite like it to be honest. Time traveling mixed with Scottish/Irish mythology + pirates... I just want to know more! The author brought it in such a good way. This book is like if Outlander and Pirates of the Caribbean had a child.

I really liked Dianna's character. She never felt like she was ever home, until she ends up in 1707 Newfoundland! As for Henry's character... Boyfriend material ALERT. He was so broken as a character. Really liked his personality.

The only downside to this book is how their Relationship felt rushed. Of course, they gave in to their desires but the fact that they fell in love in a matter of days was kinda turning me off. I understand it helped with the plot of the story but it makes it unrealistic. However, no matter how rushed their relationship was, they are really lovely together and they would risk anything for one another.

Finally, it was such a great read and I cannot wait to read the next one.

[Shelby Dawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe more like 2.5?

When I saw “Outlander meets Pirates of the Caribbean” I was like gimme! Don’t get me wrong, this was easy to read and I was enjoying it, but there was a lot of things that could have been done to make this as good as I was hoping it would be. I think if this were a bit longer, had a few more details to really put you into the setting and mood of the story, as well as maybe ending the first book in a slightly different spot (this had a cliffhanger ending and it was not the good kind) would have made this a whole new thing that I would have been all about. I looked at the summary for the next book and I was BUMMED. I was so ready to binge this series.

[Mooks Reads Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had a lot of potential. The idea itself was good. However, this book tried sooooo hard to be Outlander but shove all the information into as small of a book as possible. Lots of details were missing and it felt as though the author shoved the characters from point A to B without letting the characters develop. The romance felt forced and I couldn’t pinpoint why our two main characters fell for each other.

This read more like a poorly written crossover fan fiction of Pirates of the Caribbean and Outlander than its own unique story. No idea how this got so many good reviews with such poor writing. Skip this.

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 70%.
I was really interested in the plot from the beginning but the super instalove situation completely turned me off continuing reading.

[Carol Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book and I did at first, but i couldn't even finish it. I'm at 63% and it's going to stay that way. It just got bad. Not what I was expecting.

[Allison Parish · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry.

[Beth Feilner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so... ugh. I really wanted to love this book, but there was just something missing. I was intrigued by the characters, I enjoyed the world building, the writing was pretty well done, and there were so many good ideas that could have been great. I think the biggest problem was how rushed the story was. Have you ever gone to meet an old friend for coffee, and realize you could spend 10 hours talking and not even cover half of what you want to tell each other? But then you realize you only have 1 hr to talk so you say the most important stuff and shorten the rest? Yeah.... I feel like this book is the equivalent of that rushed conversation with a friend. Not necessarily all tell, but not fully fleshed out show either.

I would have loved to have seen more interactions to develop the romance, a longer period of time from the beginning to the end, and the opportunity for the characters to... live out their personalities? I didn’t dislike either of them. I fact, I was captivated by Henry, the trauma victim turned “ruthless pirate”. You don’t often see male abuse that drawn out, and I really appreciated how the author dealt with that subject, for the most part. After everything he went through, I had a hard time reconciling the fact that he went into depressed hibernation suicide mode after literally knowing the heroine for a few days, weeks at the most, and his proposal is turned down. He never fought for her or with her, just gave up on everything and everyone. To be fair, he told her he would respond like that if he ever lost her but... what was their relationship founded on exactly? Kinda lust, her knowledge of his past, and proximity? Maybe? I could see why she was drawn to him, but he never really knew anything about her. I think he liked her spunk, and her culinary abilities, but there just weren’t enough exciting incidents that would naturally reveal character for there to be definitive traits he loved or vice versa.

I wish the author would not have been afraid to make the story longer and the dramatic moments more... well dramatic. They were always SO short and always left something to be desired. There could have been so many more cool fight scenes or complications or deep talks or even fleshed out descriptions of people or things or something. It was an enjoyable read, but I don’t think I will be reading the sequels. If you are looking for a quick read with lovable characters relatively fleshed out, time traveling, and pirates, then give this book a shot!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

One evening, I stumbled upon a Canadian author talking about her books on Booktok. A pirate fantasy romance in Newfoundland? That sounded fun!

Our story begins with Dianna, living out in Alberta, trying to make her way in life, receiving a call from her Aunt Mary back in Newfoundland. Dianna's father has passed and although their relationship was rocky, Mary hopes that her niece will at least come to see her father laid to rest and his house sorted out. Her boyfriend, John, assures her that he will smooth everything out at work and Dianna flies home. Being home reminds Dianna that she is much happier to be living out west, but determines that she will clean out the family homestead. Stumbling across family keepsakes that link her maternal side to the pirates that once roamed up and down NFLD's shores has always intrigued Dianna. But she could never expect that one fateful night she would be transported back to the 1600s. Rescued by a group of privateers, Dianna soon finds herself on an adventure of the high seas, a romance that will last a lifetime, and more information about her ancestors than she could ever imagine.

Pure escapism. It was a great Saturday morning read and after that cliffhanger ending, I am eager to snuggle up with the remaining books in the series. I am certainly intrigued to keep catching those Dark Tides



Goodreads review published 09/03/25

[Hetal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was sent an e-copy for review

Solid 3.5 Stars!

Devil's heart follows Dianna as she is swept back in time facing pirates, treasure, and adventure of a lifetime. She discovers tragedy in her ancestry and romance where she least expected it.

Time travel is always a difficult concept to write about because the repercussions that it has on the characters' future. Devil's heart is no exception. Osmond take special care not to ruin the flow of time and it is a big plot point for the story. she does not leave Loose ends where it comes to time travel and does not take the shortcut of ignoring small changes that lead to Big consequences in the future.

Overall I think a book moved a little too fast, especially with the romance. we didn't really see Henry and Diana's love story build, rather, it was just an instant attraction that was to be a love story of a lifetime.

This plot was fairly and enjoyably straightforward. There were no plot twists or surprises, but the story in itself was a simple and gratifying to read. Adults who enjoy piracy, history, and romance would enjoy this book as well. It's a fast read and I definitely will be picking up the second book which hints at some adventures in the future. I can't wait!

[Tonya Dzierzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable!

I enjoyed this book. Finished it in a day. The characters were likable, the heroine was the perfect amount of courage without being full of fearless bravado. You know- the type of heroine you roll your eyes at because you wonder if in the authors desire to paint them as ‘courageous’ they’ve also lost all common sense? This was not the case here. She had a healthy and respectful amount of fear for this era and her situation and it made it all the more believable. The hero was a tortured soul who was able to ‘see the light’ with their love. I did feel like the author built the story up slowly and lavishly and I was thoroughly enjoying the upward momentum and then suddenly somewhere in the middle/later half of the book... it suddenly felt rushed..then boom cliffhanger. Talk about anticlimactic! Little disappointed in the final chapters and felt like it contrasted sharply with the beautiful writing in the beginning of the book. Nevertheless I will be reading the second. I can see the talent in her writing-just hope she takes her time with the next book and doesn’t hurry this potentially epic love story.