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A Devil of a Time
Grand Master Adventure Writer's Top-10 Finalist Award
2020 B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree
The Coffee Pot Book Club--2020 Five-Star Recommendation
Readers' Favorite Five Stars Award
Captain Niall McLane might think he has survived the worst that could happen to any man, but as the bloody American Revolution draws to a close, he finds his troubles are just beginning. When Niall becomes a suspect in a grotesque murder, his reputation as a merciless Indian fighter and scalp hunter turns the public against him. Worse, the real killer has only begun to rampage, his sights set on those close to Niall.
Now the hunt for evil is on . . .
Niall's only allies are Andrew Wade, a hopeless drunkard tormented by his act of cowardice, and Andrew's young wife, Clarice, a woman of mettle who captivates Niall’s heart. After another murder occurs, Niall manages to stay out of jail, but can he protect Clarice from the formidable creature prowling in their midst?
From the mysterious forests of Kentucky to a graceful Virginia plantation, from the fevered heat of battle to the passionate struggle for renewal, A Devil of a Time weaves a tale of courage, betrayal, and forbidden love, of three men grappling with the demons of their past, and the remarkable woman destined to change all their lives forever.
"A devilishly good novel." --The Kindle Book Review
"This is adventure at the finest level." --GoodbooksToday.com
"One hell of a fulfilling read." --E-book Planet
MATURE CONTENT: This novel borders on American Gothic, with dark themes, a strong romantic element, and integral violence that some readers might find disturbing.
2020 B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree
The Coffee Pot Book Club--2020 Five-Star Recommendation
Readers' Favorite Five Stars Award
Captain Niall McLane might think he has survived the worst that could happen to any man, but as the bloody American Revolution draws to a close, he finds his troubles are just beginning. When Niall becomes a suspect in a grotesque murder, his reputation as a merciless Indian fighter and scalp hunter turns the public against him. Worse, the real killer has only begun to rampage, his sights set on those close to Niall.
Now the hunt for evil is on . . .
Niall's only allies are Andrew Wade, a hopeless drunkard tormented by his act of cowardice, and Andrew's young wife, Clarice, a woman of mettle who captivates Niall’s heart. After another murder occurs, Niall manages to stay out of jail, but can he protect Clarice from the formidable creature prowling in their midst?
From the mysterious forests of Kentucky to a graceful Virginia plantation, from the fevered heat of battle to the passionate struggle for renewal, A Devil of a Time weaves a tale of courage, betrayal, and forbidden love, of three men grappling with the demons of their past, and the remarkable woman destined to change all their lives forever.
"A devilishly good novel." --The Kindle Book Review
"This is adventure at the finest level." --GoodbooksToday.com
"One hell of a fulfilling read." --E-book Planet
MATURE CONTENT: This novel borders on American Gothic, with dark themes, a strong romantic element, and integral violence that some readers might find disturbing.
Paperback
First published October 21, 2014
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101 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Jeannette
8 books22 followersGretchen lives and works in Chester County, Pennsylvania, an area rich in Revolutionary War and Colonial American history. Her enduring interest in 18th Century America began at a young age, inspired by tales of adventure, romance, and local lore. After working as an editor for a publishing company, she decided to write a story of her own. So began a journey fueled by her passion for breathing life into history through believable characters, authentic historical details, and plots woven with adventure, romance, and suspense.
A longtime student of the American War of Independence, Gretchen has published three novels set during the revolutionary era: The Devil Take Tomorrow, This Day is Ours, and A Devil of a Time.
A longtime student of the American War of Independence, Gretchen has published three novels set during the revolutionary era: The Devil Take Tomorrow, This Day is Ours, and A Devil of a Time.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 24, 2018
I did enjoy A Devil Of A Time by Gretchen Jeannette and how she vividly brings to life the colonial era and makes the characters, with their trials and tribulations seem very real and believable.
Andrew and Clarice Wade were newlyweds when he volunteered to go to Spanish territory to secure gun powder as requested by his friend, the Governor of Virginia to aid in the Revolutionary War. Andrew is unfamiliar with the wild unsettled territory through which they must travel and has been assigned to go with a company of soldiers including famed Niall McLane, who has fought in the Indian Wars, protecting rural settlements from attack. Andrew and Niall's group ends up getting ambushed by a band of Shawnee warriors and if not for Niall's bravery, would have died.
Fast forward a few years, and Andrew is back home with his wife Clarice and their son William, but still battles himself in his mind, badgering himself daily over his cowardice and the resulting injury he had sustained at the hands of the Indians, self-medicates with alcohol most of the time. He creates a vicious cycle of self-pity, drinking, disappointing his wife and shirking responsibility. He runs into his old friend and protector Niall, who lately has developed a notorious reputation for losing his temper, revenge and extreme violence once provoked. Granted, much of that is due to extreme trauma and living for years a lifestyle of kill- or- be- killed. Andrew offers Niall a job as an overseer of his tobacco plantation, hoping super-efficient Niall will be the answer to his prayers, saving the plantation from ruin and placating his wife.
Upon Niall taking the position, he hires Roger, a disadvantaged youth who has for all of his young years been mistreated and maligned for a wine-stain birthmark covering half his face. The story is full of action, romance, suspense, a serial killer on the lose and a sheriff bent on seeing Niall hang. If you enjoy historical romance or suspense, you would enjoy A Devil Of A Time. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review-- thank you.
Andrew and Clarice Wade were newlyweds when he volunteered to go to Spanish territory to secure gun powder as requested by his friend, the Governor of Virginia to aid in the Revolutionary War. Andrew is unfamiliar with the wild unsettled territory through which they must travel and has been assigned to go with a company of soldiers including famed Niall McLane, who has fought in the Indian Wars, protecting rural settlements from attack. Andrew and Niall's group ends up getting ambushed by a band of Shawnee warriors and if not for Niall's bravery, would have died.
Fast forward a few years, and Andrew is back home with his wife Clarice and their son William, but still battles himself in his mind, badgering himself daily over his cowardice and the resulting injury he had sustained at the hands of the Indians, self-medicates with alcohol most of the time. He creates a vicious cycle of self-pity, drinking, disappointing his wife and shirking responsibility. He runs into his old friend and protector Niall, who lately has developed a notorious reputation for losing his temper, revenge and extreme violence once provoked. Granted, much of that is due to extreme trauma and living for years a lifestyle of kill- or- be- killed. Andrew offers Niall a job as an overseer of his tobacco plantation, hoping super-efficient Niall will be the answer to his prayers, saving the plantation from ruin and placating his wife.
Upon Niall taking the position, he hires Roger, a disadvantaged youth who has for all of his young years been mistreated and maligned for a wine-stain birthmark covering half his face. The story is full of action, romance, suspense, a serial killer on the lose and a sheriff bent on seeing Niall hang. If you enjoy historical romance or suspense, you would enjoy A Devil Of A Time. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review-- thank you.
April 8, 2018
There is no question that the author should be commended for recreating, most effectively, life in 1780s Virginia.. Her detailed descriptions really made the location and times come to life with rare vividness.
The tale is a fairly traditional one: of bravery, cowardice, love, lust, revenge, madness and ultimately redemption. There’s even a dramatic courtroom episode. A fine array of characters, although arguably separated too frequently into obvious good and bad guys, is deployed to take the reader on a dramatic journey.
I had read in advance that the novel was somewhat violent, but that didn’t really prepare me for its frequent and graphic depiction. . It may well have been a regular feature of life back then, but I’m not convinced that the reader of today needs to have it described in detail, so frequently and with such relish. A hint or a suggestion can be just as effective.
I was also a little concerned about the depiction of the Shawnee. I’m no expert on Native American culture, but I’m sure there was much more to it, than that depicted here. I was also not convinced by the writer’s tactic of revealing the identity of the killer so matter of factly and so early. I wonder whether or not the added suspense of keeping his identity secret would have enhanced to the enjoyment of the book.
Nevertheless, a well written book that certainly retained this reader’s interest.I debated whether 3* or 4*, but in the end decided it would be unfair to penalise it because I don’t like graphic violence, So, 4* it is
The tale is a fairly traditional one: of bravery, cowardice, love, lust, revenge, madness and ultimately redemption. There’s even a dramatic courtroom episode. A fine array of characters, although arguably separated too frequently into obvious good and bad guys, is deployed to take the reader on a dramatic journey.
I had read in advance that the novel was somewhat violent, but that didn’t really prepare me for its frequent and graphic depiction. . It may well have been a regular feature of life back then, but I’m not convinced that the reader of today needs to have it described in detail, so frequently and with such relish. A hint or a suggestion can be just as effective.
I was also a little concerned about the depiction of the Shawnee. I’m no expert on Native American culture, but I’m sure there was much more to it, than that depicted here. I was also not convinced by the writer’s tactic of revealing the identity of the killer so matter of factly and so early. I wonder whether or not the added suspense of keeping his identity secret would have enhanced to the enjoyment of the book.
Nevertheless, a well written book that certainly retained this reader’s interest.I debated whether 3* or 4*, but in the end decided it would be unfair to penalise it because I don’t like graphic violence, So, 4* it is
April 7, 2018
The end of 18th century America and the start of the United States was a turbulent time to say the least. Strained and occasionally violent relations between colonial settlers and American Indians. Human rights issues over slavery and the treatment of women. And then there was the minor hiccup of an all out war with the largest empire to ever grace the Earth. Throw in a splash of romance, and a healthy dose of action and you get Gretchen Jeannette’s A Devil of a Time.
I was stricken by Jeannette’s ability to bring a long dead time period to life. Her characters were realistic and actually felt like they existed in the late 1700s. There was Andrew Wade, a timid military man broken by an early trauma. Clarice Wade (my favorite) the bold wife of Andrew who the story hinges on. And Niall, the enigmatic war weary shell of a man. All are trying to navigate the turbulent sea that was the Revolutionary War and post war transition. The way Jeannette wove the narrative of the time through the lives of these three was both masterful and gripping and I can’t wait to see what period she tackles next!
I’d recommend this to any lovers of American history or films like The Patriot.
I was stricken by Jeannette’s ability to bring a long dead time period to life. Her characters were realistic and actually felt like they existed in the late 1700s. There was Andrew Wade, a timid military man broken by an early trauma. Clarice Wade (my favorite) the bold wife of Andrew who the story hinges on. And Niall, the enigmatic war weary shell of a man. All are trying to navigate the turbulent sea that was the Revolutionary War and post war transition. The way Jeannette wove the narrative of the time through the lives of these three was both masterful and gripping and I can’t wait to see what period she tackles next!
I’d recommend this to any lovers of American history or films like The Patriot.
May 13, 2018
Wow! I really found this book completely engaging. Clarice is a very well developed character. I quickly found myself pulling for her and admiring her fortitude. The twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing. The climax literally had me sitting on the edge of my seat avoiding the pile of work I had to do!
As a disclaimer, the story does contain a fair amount of bloodshed and violence however I did not find it to be gratuitous, it was central to plot and character motivation.
As a disclaimer, the story does contain a fair amount of bloodshed and violence however I did not find it to be gratuitous, it was central to plot and character motivation.
May 8, 2018
My Review of “A Devil of a Time” by Gretchen Jeannette
Set in Williamsburg, VA in the late 1700’s during the end and post revolutionary war days, “A Devil of a Time” by Gretchen Jeannette is about the Andrew Wade family of Fairview Plantation. Primary characters are Andrew Wade and his wife, Clarice. Unfortunately, Andrew has returned from the Indian wars physically hurt and depressed. He turns to drink, neglects his wife and ignores the plantation.
Enter Niall McLane, Andrews superior and protector during the Indian wars, who becomes the overseer of Fairview Plantation, saving the property from foreclosure and falling in love with Clarice.
Enter Roger, a neglected orphan boy. He admires McLane to a fault and also falls in love with Clarice, making for a devil of a threesome.
I highly recommend “A Devil of a Time”. It is well written, has good character development and information about the time and place in history. Duane Whitlow
Set in Williamsburg, VA in the late 1700’s during the end and post revolutionary war days, “A Devil of a Time” by Gretchen Jeannette is about the Andrew Wade family of Fairview Plantation. Primary characters are Andrew Wade and his wife, Clarice. Unfortunately, Andrew has returned from the Indian wars physically hurt and depressed. He turns to drink, neglects his wife and ignores the plantation.
Enter Niall McLane, Andrews superior and protector during the Indian wars, who becomes the overseer of Fairview Plantation, saving the property from foreclosure and falling in love with Clarice.
Enter Roger, a neglected orphan boy. He admires McLane to a fault and also falls in love with Clarice, making for a devil of a threesome.
I highly recommend “A Devil of a Time”. It is well written, has good character development and information about the time and place in history. Duane Whitlow
July 25, 2019
"A Devil of a Time"
I loved the complexity of this story so much that I read it twice. Set in Williamsburg, Virginia at the close of the American Revolution, the plot centers on Captain Niall McLane, a castoff soldier struggling to find his place in an emerging nation. A survivor of wilderness warfare in Kentucky, Niall suffers from what we today would call PTSD. His reputation as a notorious scalp hunter follows him home to Tidewater Virginia, where he encounters his old friend and fellow soldier, Andrew Wade.
Andrew bears his own physical and psychological wartime scars. Unable to cope with his demons, he has turned to liquor for salvation. His bouts of drunkenness have caused his health, his marriage, and his status among the gentry to decline. On the verge of losing his ancestral property, Farview, he hires Niall to manage the tobacco plantation.
For the first time in years, Niall finds a positive purpose in life. After arriving at Farview, he befriends Andrew’s young wife, Clarice, who for months has shouldered her husband’s responsibilities. Working together, Niall and Clarice manage to turn the plantation around, and in doing so, discover in each other a kindred spirit.
Niall dares to believe his dark days are behind him, but the worst is yet to come. When a hideous murder occurs at Farview, bearing all the hallmarks of Niall's formidable skills, the local sheriff and townspeople deem him the prime suspect. Only Clarice and Andrew Wade stand by him. But the murders continue, each more grotesque than the last, leaving him no choice but to hunt down a killer whose next victim might be the woman Niall loves.
This book is not for the faint of heart. The violence ramps up as the story progresses, yet it belongs in the plot as much as the poignant romance that develops between the hero and heroine. I’ve tried to put my finger on exactly which genre this novel fits into, and the answer is none. This story is unique, well-written, meticulously researched, and authentic in every way. I highly recommend this compelling read.
I loved the complexity of this story so much that I read it twice. Set in Williamsburg, Virginia at the close of the American Revolution, the plot centers on Captain Niall McLane, a castoff soldier struggling to find his place in an emerging nation. A survivor of wilderness warfare in Kentucky, Niall suffers from what we today would call PTSD. His reputation as a notorious scalp hunter follows him home to Tidewater Virginia, where he encounters his old friend and fellow soldier, Andrew Wade.
Andrew bears his own physical and psychological wartime scars. Unable to cope with his demons, he has turned to liquor for salvation. His bouts of drunkenness have caused his health, his marriage, and his status among the gentry to decline. On the verge of losing his ancestral property, Farview, he hires Niall to manage the tobacco plantation.
For the first time in years, Niall finds a positive purpose in life. After arriving at Farview, he befriends Andrew’s young wife, Clarice, who for months has shouldered her husband’s responsibilities. Working together, Niall and Clarice manage to turn the plantation around, and in doing so, discover in each other a kindred spirit.
Niall dares to believe his dark days are behind him, but the worst is yet to come. When a hideous murder occurs at Farview, bearing all the hallmarks of Niall's formidable skills, the local sheriff and townspeople deem him the prime suspect. Only Clarice and Andrew Wade stand by him. But the murders continue, each more grotesque than the last, leaving him no choice but to hunt down a killer whose next victim might be the woman Niall loves.
This book is not for the faint of heart. The violence ramps up as the story progresses, yet it belongs in the plot as much as the poignant romance that develops between the hero and heroine. I’ve tried to put my finger on exactly which genre this novel fits into, and the answer is none. This story is unique, well-written, meticulously researched, and authentic in every way. I highly recommend this compelling read.
May 16, 2017
Another amazing, highly compelling story from Gretchen Jeannette! I became Ms. Jeannette’s fan after I read “The Devil Take Tomorrow,” but after reading “A Devil of a Time” I can say with certainty that I will read everything she writes – it was that good!
“A Devil of a Time” takes place during the American Revolutionary War, and from page one it was obvious that the author put an immense amount of time into her research. The setting, the atmosphere, the costumes, lifestyle and dialogue were presented with impeccable authenticity, and with such vividness that I felt myself immersed into the novel and almost saw the events unfold right in front of my eyes.
As always, the main protagonists – both Niall and Clarice – were presented in such a way that a reader instantly feels connected with them. Both fight their own demons: Niall is haunted by his horrifying past of captivity of the Indians, after which a true beast had taken a root inside of him with an insatiable greed for revenge; Clarice is struggling to put the whole tobacco plantation on her shoulders while her husband Andrew drinks himself into oblivion and becomes more and more abusive day by day. Andrew and Niall share a common past; the two men meet again and Andrew offers him a position of an overseer on his plantation, which eventually changes the lives of all three of them. Soon a vicious killer strikes near the plantation, and suspicion falls onto an infamous “Shawnee killer” – Niall…
Incredibly suspenseful and impossible to put down, “A Devil of a Time” is definitely a must read for all lovers of historical fiction genre. Five huge stars!
“A Devil of a Time” takes place during the American Revolutionary War, and from page one it was obvious that the author put an immense amount of time into her research. The setting, the atmosphere, the costumes, lifestyle and dialogue were presented with impeccable authenticity, and with such vividness that I felt myself immersed into the novel and almost saw the events unfold right in front of my eyes.
As always, the main protagonists – both Niall and Clarice – were presented in such a way that a reader instantly feels connected with them. Both fight their own demons: Niall is haunted by his horrifying past of captivity of the Indians, after which a true beast had taken a root inside of him with an insatiable greed for revenge; Clarice is struggling to put the whole tobacco plantation on her shoulders while her husband Andrew drinks himself into oblivion and becomes more and more abusive day by day. Andrew and Niall share a common past; the two men meet again and Andrew offers him a position of an overseer on his plantation, which eventually changes the lives of all three of them. Soon a vicious killer strikes near the plantation, and suspicion falls onto an infamous “Shawnee killer” – Niall…
Incredibly suspenseful and impossible to put down, “A Devil of a Time” is definitely a must read for all lovers of historical fiction genre. Five huge stars!
July 11, 2018
This is a historical fiction action/adventure romance. Taking place during the years 1779-1782, mainly in Virginia, this is a well-written, apparently historically accurate novel.
Nial McLane, revered and feared Indian fighter, attempts to leave his life of violence behind him when he meets up with an old friend and accepts work at his tobacco farm. Little does he know that this seemingly tame act would spark a chain of events that lead to one gruesome murder after the next, with himself as the main suspect. Amidst of this chaos, he falls in love with his employer's wife, Clarice, yet knows that it is an impossible relationship. What will become of them all? And will the real killer be brought to justice?
As I said, this book was very well-researched, and quite well-written. I thought that the author was very talented at injecting the reader into another time period, and was also very skilled at drawing the reader into the fray during the remarkably written action scenes. However, it contains much mature content that many may take offense to, including graphic love scenes, a rape scene, scene of torture that will horrify many readers, graphic violence, some foul language, unrepentant sin from a couple characters, and recurring anatomical references. This book is not for the faint of heart. Because of its many good merits and the incredible skill of the author, I cannot bring myself to give this book a negative rating, however, much of the joy of reading it was taken away because of some of the mature content in it (which in all fairness, the author warned me about). I will give it three stars.
Nial McLane, revered and feared Indian fighter, attempts to leave his life of violence behind him when he meets up with an old friend and accepts work at his tobacco farm. Little does he know that this seemingly tame act would spark a chain of events that lead to one gruesome murder after the next, with himself as the main suspect. Amidst of this chaos, he falls in love with his employer's wife, Clarice, yet knows that it is an impossible relationship. What will become of them all? And will the real killer be brought to justice?
As I said, this book was very well-researched, and quite well-written. I thought that the author was very talented at injecting the reader into another time period, and was also very skilled at drawing the reader into the fray during the remarkably written action scenes. However, it contains much mature content that many may take offense to, including graphic love scenes, a rape scene, scene of torture that will horrify many readers, graphic violence, some foul language, unrepentant sin from a couple characters, and recurring anatomical references. This book is not for the faint of heart. Because of its many good merits and the incredible skill of the author, I cannot bring myself to give this book a negative rating, however, much of the joy of reading it was taken away because of some of the mature content in it (which in all fairness, the author warned me about). I will give it three stars.
March 28, 2018
A Devil of a Time by Gretchen Jeanette is a well-written and researched romantic suspense novel set in the waning days of the Revolutionary War. I especially liked how the author brought Colonial Williamsburg and the nearby Fairview Plantation to life with vivid descriptions. I could see the glittering balls, taste the local delicacies, hear the stately music and feel the dancers pirouetting around the dance floor.
The main characters are well-drawn and the dialog works (which is one of the hardest parts of writing historical fiction). Trying to make your characters talk like Jefferson or Washington can sound pompous or hard to follow; while using modern vernacular can destroy the mood. Ms. Jeanette threads the needle by sprinkling period words and phrases into her dialog to add an air of authenticity.
The plot is a familiar one based on the age-old conflict between love and duty. Can the hero and heroine gain true love without betraying their honor?
If you like romance novels full of hard-hitting action with heroines tougher than nails, then "A Devil of a Time" may be the book for you. I must caution parents however, that this novel is not recommended for children due to graphic violence and sex.
Rated 7/10 stars.
The main characters are well-drawn and the dialog works (which is one of the hardest parts of writing historical fiction). Trying to make your characters talk like Jefferson or Washington can sound pompous or hard to follow; while using modern vernacular can destroy the mood. Ms. Jeanette threads the needle by sprinkling period words and phrases into her dialog to add an air of authenticity.
The plot is a familiar one based on the age-old conflict between love and duty. Can the hero and heroine gain true love without betraying their honor?
If you like romance novels full of hard-hitting action with heroines tougher than nails, then "A Devil of a Time" may be the book for you. I must caution parents however, that this novel is not recommended for children due to graphic violence and sex.
Rated 7/10 stars.
February 20, 2018
I loved this book! I was hooked from the start by the author's detailed description of 18th century America and the wonderfully complex characters. None of the characters in this book were black and white, they were shades upon shades of grey, battling ghosts of their past while trying to find peace with their present. I liked all the characters and enjoyed how the author would show several POVs (points of view) not just that of the hero and heroine of the story. It might have been a bit jumpy at times but I enjoyed learning the different characters' thoughts.
I was completely transported into another time and place. I've learnt a lot more about the growing of tobacco in the 1700s, and quite a bit of American history as well :) the romance was slow-building but sweet. I also liked how the author gave one main character a chance to redeem himself.
The in-depth research and writing were top notch. I highly recommend this book.
I was completely transported into another time and place. I've learnt a lot more about the growing of tobacco in the 1700s, and quite a bit of American history as well :) the romance was slow-building but sweet. I also liked how the author gave one main character a chance to redeem himself.
The in-depth research and writing were top notch. I highly recommend this book.
April 16, 2020
“He no longer remembered what he was like before The Wolf was spawned…”
Some people hear their inner voice with great clarity — for some, it drives them crazy. If Captain Niall McLane is to have any semblance of a normal life, then he must silence his inner wolf. But, in the heat of battle, that is easier said than done.
Niall has not known peace since the day the Shawnee took him and his father captive. But as he looks into the eyes of his best friend’s wife, Niall feels the foreign sensation of finally coming home. And for a time, the wolf inside of him is silent.
However, The Wolf will not be silenced for long, and if Niall no longer heeds his demand for blood then The Wolf will find another to command…
From a desperate battle between the American Rebels and the Shawnee on the Ohio Frontier to a shocking discovery of the identity of a murderer, A Devil of a Time by Gretchen Jeannette is in all ways a Historical Fiction triumph.
A Devil of a Time is a luxuriantly detailed and emotionally charged portrayal of a battle that changed everything. The sprawling, stirring narrative found me reaching for the tissues on more than one occasion. This is the kind of story that demands your attention and will undoubtedly earn your respect.
Jeannette gives her readers an intimate insight not only to her protagonists’ thoughts, feelings, fears, and hopes for the future but also an insight into the secondary characters and the antagonist as well. The numerous voices employed in telling this story gives the narrative a richness that would have been very difficult to obtain through a single perspective. By using multiple points of view, Jeannette has also created a sense of sinister foreshadowing, and as the novel progresses, there are hints of the tragedy that is about to unfold. The brutal prologue immediately makes the reader ask themselves how will Lieutenant Andrew Wade, a brave yet inexperienced officer, survive a war when the enemy uses nature to conceal their positions and does not follow the rules of war? How will Andrew endure not only the physical injuries he received at the hands of the Shawnee but also the psychological damage that would, in the future, plague the life of not only Andrew but everyone around him?
The psychological damage of warfare is an element that Jeannette explores very thoroughly in this book. Andrew, in his desperate desire to vanquish his demons, finds comfort at the bottom of a bottle. Whereas Niall McLane tries a different approach. Andrew’s tragic fall from grace, his inability to get through the day without being drunk, is in stark contrast to Niall’s who is desperate to calm the beast inside of him — the beast that the Shawnee have named Swift Wolf Seizing Prey. Niall recognises the beast that he has become, and he fights this demon inside of him with the same relentlessness as he did the Shawnee. Andrew, on the other hand, makes excuses and apologies, which do nothing to address the underlying problem. I thought the depiction of both Andrew and Niall was sublime and both of them stirred my sympathy, especially because this book is set in an age where Post Traumatic Stress Disorder did not even have a name let alone any sense of understanding.
The heroine of this story is Clarice Wade, Andrew’s wife. Clarice endures, not because she wants to, but because if she allows her emotions to overcome her, then all is lost. Her story is especially tragic because she is so loving and so forgiving. But as she watches Andrew slip away from her, the only person she can turn to is Niall, Andrew’s best friend. Clarice’s depiction was wonderful. This is a woman who comes across as very strong, very capable, but underneath the façade is a woman who is as lost as her husband. Her own private grief she has to bear alone, and her desperate desire to bring joy back into her household is thwarted by her husband’s inability to get through an evening without disgracing himself. The man she married was not the man who came back from war, which in itself was utterly heartbreaking, but to be so coldly rebuked made her story all the more heartrending. If it were not for Niall, I doubt Clarice would cope with her desperate situation. He unwittingly becomes her rock, her refuge. Clarice and Niall’s story is one born of despair but also hope — hope that things will get better and that this unbearable suffering shall, one day, pass.
The historical detailing in this novel is staggering. However, what this book is not is a balanced account of what became known as the Western Theater of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). By not portraying the desperation of the Shawnee to hold onto their ancestral land actually gives this book a sense of authenticity. History tells us that the Shawnee did not support the American Rebels, and they did clash with them, and this Jeannette has portrayed in all its horrifying detail. The Shawnee are the enemy to the characters in this book. They are also the cause of much suffering, so to paint them in a light other than the way Jeannette has, would have defeated the point of the story. If anything, this novel confirms the fact that history is never simple, but it is, instead composed of a complicated network of truths and lies. Putting the depiction of the Shawnee to one side, the description of what life was like in a Virginian tobacco plantation in the late 1700s is masterfully portrayed. There is a strong sense of time and place in this novel, which has to be commended.
The graphic depiction of battle and the brutal, almost ritual, murders that occur throughout this novel are explicit. There are scenes that some readers will find very distressing. Some passages deal with issues such as adultery, rape, and injustice. This is a novel that will shock, but at the same time, it is a story that one cannot turn away from. I had to keep reading. I had to know how this book was going to end. It is an enthralling read, from start to finish.
The tone of the narrative and the novel’s extraordinarily complex psychological exploration gives this book an air of desperation, an air of menace. However, once started this novel is impossible to turn away from. The pages practically turned themselves as I watched in helpless surrender as the protagonists are hurtled towards a destination which demands a sacrifice. There are no winners in this story, only survivors. The characters are also the product of their time — adultery is not only frowned upon but punishable. However, domestic abuse is something that is brushed under the carpet. A Devil of a Time was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. I loved the tangled web of lies and subterfuges and the unquenchable passion between two very lonely souls who find comfort in each other’s arms.
If you are looking for your next enthralling Historical Fiction read then look no further than A Devil of a Time by Gretchen Jeannette. You won’t be disappointed.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
August 11, 2015
A Devil of a Time tells the story of Clarice Wade, the spirited wife of a tobacco plantation owner and her burgeoning relationship with Captain Niall McLane, dismissed from the army for losing his composure on the battlefield. Clarice is a likeable character, strong-willed, fiercely devoted, the typical heroine of these types of novels, albeit often a little too rebellious for the time period. Having to deal with personal tragedy as well as her drunkard of a husband, she single-handedly oversees the rebuilding of the plantation after a invasion by British soldiers.
There's plenty of action and the story moves swiftly and enjoyably throughout. Characters are well defined and their motivations detailed, all struggling as they are with their own personal demons. It's hard to know at times where the story is going, part romance, part crime thriller, part social commentary, but rarely at the same time, in fact the murderous elements don't start until around halfway through the story, at which point it feels a little like a different novel altogether...
Read the full review at www.MJMeads.com
There's plenty of action and the story moves swiftly and enjoyably throughout. Characters are well defined and their motivations detailed, all struggling as they are with their own personal demons. It's hard to know at times where the story is going, part romance, part crime thriller, part social commentary, but rarely at the same time, in fact the murderous elements don't start until around halfway through the story, at which point it feels a little like a different novel altogether...
Read the full review at www.MJMeads.com
June 21, 2019
A Devil of a Time takes place primarily around the Wade plantation in Virginia when the inhabitants feared outside soldiers, Native Americans and contagious infections among other things. Andrew Wade has returned from a horrific ambush when more tragedy strikes. His wife, Clarice, is working hard to keep it together as she also has run into some hardships. One thing leads to another and Andrew runs into an old comrade Captain Niall McLane who he hires to oversee his plantation. However, it’s apparent there is an issue when there is a murder on the plantation, the sheriff starts snooping too close for comfort, and suddenly friends are dropping left and right. Who is killing everyone? Is it someone right under their nose? Will they be able to face the truth or will it quite literally kill them?
One of the things I appreciate most about this book is how deep you feel the pain and suffering of the characters. They have been through some really damaging situations. Gretchen Jeannette‘s ability to bring out that deep darkness through the text and yet show peeks of other sides of the characters’ personalities is something I crave in a good book. Clarice and Niall’s understanding and connection can be felt as if they are old friends of mine. I also really appreciated a historical romance with mystery to it. I did not guess right away who the killer was!
A word of awareness to readers, this book is graphic in a couple spots including the very beginning of the book. While it is graphic, I found it to be historically accurate and the author did not shy away from it.
All in all, I highly recommend A Devil of a Time. It’s got a killer on the loose, a festering love connection and deep unbridled pain.
Thank you to Gretchen Jeannette for providing me with a copy of A Devil of a Time. I have voluntarily read this book, and the review reflects my personal opinion only.
One of the things I appreciate most about this book is how deep you feel the pain and suffering of the characters. They have been through some really damaging situations. Gretchen Jeannette‘s ability to bring out that deep darkness through the text and yet show peeks of other sides of the characters’ personalities is something I crave in a good book. Clarice and Niall’s understanding and connection can be felt as if they are old friends of mine. I also really appreciated a historical romance with mystery to it. I did not guess right away who the killer was!
A word of awareness to readers, this book is graphic in a couple spots including the very beginning of the book. While it is graphic, I found it to be historically accurate and the author did not shy away from it.
All in all, I highly recommend A Devil of a Time. It’s got a killer on the loose, a festering love connection and deep unbridled pain.
Thank you to Gretchen Jeannette for providing me with a copy of A Devil of a Time. I have voluntarily read this book, and the review reflects my personal opinion only.
December 29, 2020
A Devil of a Time was a very enjoyable read. The characters were interesting and relatable and the action sequences were amazing. The descriptive writing was some of the best I have ever read and made me see the locations with clarity. I highly recommend this book.
March 31, 2020
I loved the history in this novel. The American Revolution is one of my favorites to read about and the love story woven throughout the novel was heartbreaking yet had a HEA.
April 7, 2020
Review to follow...!
December 2, 2020
We are proud to announce that A DEVIL OF A TIME by Gretchen Jeannette is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
March 1, 2020
Ignore the ‘Mature Content’ warning, or you will miss out on a gem of a read
I am not a woman with an ‘iron-clad stomach’, and so I did skim a few paragraphs of violence in this book. But the squeamish moments I endured are a testament to the realism of this fabulously detailed story of mystery, honor, and romance. Set in Williamsburg, Virginia at the close of the American War of Independence, A Devil of a Time captures the grittiness of life in 18th Century America, the lingering effects of the ravages of war, and the irresistible lure of forbidden love.
Niall McLane spent a decade fighting Shawnee warriors in Kentucky before employing his deadly skills against King George's redcoats on Virginia’s eastern shore, in bloody battles that culminate with a momentous British surrender. By the time the army discharges Niall, the young man who began that journey is but a shell of his former self. Hoping to rebuild his life, he heads to Williamsburg, where his notorious reputation soon catches up with him. As rumors of his dark past begin to spread, the townspeople come to fear the man the Shawnee named ‘The Wolf’. So does Niall, for he has little control over the feral beast prowling inside him. But not everyone keeps their distance from the former scalp hunter. There are those who overlook Niall's exploits in the wilds, including the Wades of Fairview plantation, who accept him as a man and a friend.
A Devil of a Time is so fast-paced and immersive that you will find yourself sneaking off at every opportunity to read another chapter because you must find out what will happen next. The story is well researched and rich in historical details, with a cast of intriguing characters whose motivations, emotions, and reactions ring true every step of the way.
At the heart of the story is a woman with a steel backbone that belies her tender and caring nature. No matter how often misfortune assails her, Clarice Wade endeavors to put her best foot forward. She strives to improve the lives of those she holds dear with intelligence, hard work, and endurance. Clarice is not your typical heroine in need of saving as she swoons, but a real woman whose love and respect is worth earning.
The author certainly knows her subject matter, whether it is the complexity of the Revolutionary War, the atrocities committed in the wilderness of Kentucky, the downward spiral of a man (or in this case, several men) or the processes involved in running a tobacco plantation.
A Devil of a Time is a book you will not regret picking up, no matter your favorite genre. Just don’t bank on being able to put it down again.
I am not a woman with an ‘iron-clad stomach’, and so I did skim a few paragraphs of violence in this book. But the squeamish moments I endured are a testament to the realism of this fabulously detailed story of mystery, honor, and romance. Set in Williamsburg, Virginia at the close of the American War of Independence, A Devil of a Time captures the grittiness of life in 18th Century America, the lingering effects of the ravages of war, and the irresistible lure of forbidden love.
Niall McLane spent a decade fighting Shawnee warriors in Kentucky before employing his deadly skills against King George's redcoats on Virginia’s eastern shore, in bloody battles that culminate with a momentous British surrender. By the time the army discharges Niall, the young man who began that journey is but a shell of his former self. Hoping to rebuild his life, he heads to Williamsburg, where his notorious reputation soon catches up with him. As rumors of his dark past begin to spread, the townspeople come to fear the man the Shawnee named ‘The Wolf’. So does Niall, for he has little control over the feral beast prowling inside him. But not everyone keeps their distance from the former scalp hunter. There are those who overlook Niall's exploits in the wilds, including the Wades of Fairview plantation, who accept him as a man and a friend.
A Devil of a Time is so fast-paced and immersive that you will find yourself sneaking off at every opportunity to read another chapter because you must find out what will happen next. The story is well researched and rich in historical details, with a cast of intriguing characters whose motivations, emotions, and reactions ring true every step of the way.
At the heart of the story is a woman with a steel backbone that belies her tender and caring nature. No matter how often misfortune assails her, Clarice Wade endeavors to put her best foot forward. She strives to improve the lives of those she holds dear with intelligence, hard work, and endurance. Clarice is not your typical heroine in need of saving as she swoons, but a real woman whose love and respect is worth earning.
The author certainly knows her subject matter, whether it is the complexity of the Revolutionary War, the atrocities committed in the wilderness of Kentucky, the downward spiral of a man (or in this case, several men) or the processes involved in running a tobacco plantation.
A Devil of a Time is a book you will not regret picking up, no matter your favorite genre. Just don’t bank on being able to put it down again.
October 16, 2025
Great book! Colonial/Revolutionary Era is so hard to find that’s well done! Tho sand the other books by this author are very well done! Historically accurate and fun to read. I only wish the romance took more center stage but that’s just the romantic in me!
February 11, 2017
Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite
"A Devil of a Time" by Gretchen Jeannette is fiction with powerful characters that are capable of seducing readers and owning their hearts. Captain Niall McLane might think he has survived the worst that could happen to any man, but his captivity is just the beginning of his woes. There is a killer on the loose, and Niall becomes one of the prime suspects. To make matters worse, the killer seems to target those closest to Niall. Now with suspicions against him, Niall has to use his wit and skills to stay out of jail while working hard to find the killer before he strikes again. This could sound like an ordinary story; a cliché in crime fiction, but there is a gorgeous twist that will take readers by surprise — there is a woman who changes the plot entirely.
I adored this book, and there is no overstatement in this! Gretchen Jeannette is an author with the rare skill that allows her to combine fiction with historical references to weave a tale that will mesmerize readers. Niall is a character that readers will love, and the presence of a drunk with a gorgeous wife in the story creates a lot of suspense and interest. The writing is graceful, somewhat evocative, and absorbing; the narrative voice is clear and tantalizing. I enjoyed how the author uses suspense to toy with the emotions of readers. I enjoyed the perfect development of conflict, which escalates quickly. "A Devil of a Time" is a page-turner, really hard to put down. Great story line, compelling characters.
Merged review:
Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite
"A Devil of a Time" by Gretchen Jeannette is fiction with powerful characters that are capable of seducing readers and owning their hearts. Captain Niall McLane might think he has survived the worst that could happen to any man, but his captivity is just the beginning of his woes. There is a killer on the loose, and Niall becomes one of the prime suspects. To make matters worse, the killer seems to target those closest to Niall. Now with suspicions against him, Niall has to use his wit and skills to stay out of jail while working hard to find the killer before he strikes again. This could sound like an ordinary story; a cliché in crime fiction, but there is a gorgeous twist that will take readers by surprise — there is a woman who changes the plot entirely.
I adored this book, and there is no overstatement in this! Gretchen Jeannette is an author with the rare skill that allows her to combine fiction with historical references to weave a tale that will mesmerize readers. Niall is a character that readers will love, and the presence of a drunk with a gorgeous wife in the story creates a lot of suspense and interest. The writing is graceful, somewhat evocative, and absorbing; the narrative voice is clear and tantalizing. I enjoyed how the author uses suspense to toy with the emotions of readers. I enjoyed the perfect development of conflict, which escalates quickly. "A Devil of a Time" is a page-turner, really hard to put down. Great story line, compelling characters.
"A Devil of a Time" by Gretchen Jeannette is fiction with powerful characters that are capable of seducing readers and owning their hearts. Captain Niall McLane might think he has survived the worst that could happen to any man, but his captivity is just the beginning of his woes. There is a killer on the loose, and Niall becomes one of the prime suspects. To make matters worse, the killer seems to target those closest to Niall. Now with suspicions against him, Niall has to use his wit and skills to stay out of jail while working hard to find the killer before he strikes again. This could sound like an ordinary story; a cliché in crime fiction, but there is a gorgeous twist that will take readers by surprise — there is a woman who changes the plot entirely.
I adored this book, and there is no overstatement in this! Gretchen Jeannette is an author with the rare skill that allows her to combine fiction with historical references to weave a tale that will mesmerize readers. Niall is a character that readers will love, and the presence of a drunk with a gorgeous wife in the story creates a lot of suspense and interest. The writing is graceful, somewhat evocative, and absorbing; the narrative voice is clear and tantalizing. I enjoyed how the author uses suspense to toy with the emotions of readers. I enjoyed the perfect development of conflict, which escalates quickly. "A Devil of a Time" is a page-turner, really hard to put down. Great story line, compelling characters.
Merged review:
Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite
"A Devil of a Time" by Gretchen Jeannette is fiction with powerful characters that are capable of seducing readers and owning their hearts. Captain Niall McLane might think he has survived the worst that could happen to any man, but his captivity is just the beginning of his woes. There is a killer on the loose, and Niall becomes one of the prime suspects. To make matters worse, the killer seems to target those closest to Niall. Now with suspicions against him, Niall has to use his wit and skills to stay out of jail while working hard to find the killer before he strikes again. This could sound like an ordinary story; a cliché in crime fiction, but there is a gorgeous twist that will take readers by surprise — there is a woman who changes the plot entirely.
I adored this book, and there is no overstatement in this! Gretchen Jeannette is an author with the rare skill that allows her to combine fiction with historical references to weave a tale that will mesmerize readers. Niall is a character that readers will love, and the presence of a drunk with a gorgeous wife in the story creates a lot of suspense and interest. The writing is graceful, somewhat evocative, and absorbing; the narrative voice is clear and tantalizing. I enjoyed how the author uses suspense to toy with the emotions of readers. I enjoyed the perfect development of conflict, which escalates quickly. "A Devil of a Time" is a page-turner, really hard to put down. Great story line, compelling characters.
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