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Cait and the Devil
The young maiden Cait has always lived a simple, secluded life in the Scottish woods. Then, in her eighteenth year, she is summoned to Aberdeen and informed with cruel disdain that she is the unwanted daughter of the king. To deal with this “problem,” Cait is forced to marry a forbidding stranger, Duncan, the Devil of Inverness, who has already buried one wife.She travels to the Devil’s castle reluctantly, in dread, and Duncan is none too pleased to welcome the pale, dark-haired creature as his wife. But the two soon realize they are more perfectly matched than either suspected. His deep desire to dominate and discipline his new wife is matched only by her bravery and willingness to submit to his perverse demands and desires. But a phantom threat stalks Cait, and Duncan is troubled by her secret and mysterious past. Can Duncan protect his vulnerable wife? Will their powerful and unusual brand of love prevail?This book is approximately 62K words and includes a complimentary excerpt of Annabel Joseph's novel Lily Mine.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
47 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Annabel Joseph
70 books2,216 followersAnnabel Joseph is a NYT and USA Today bestselling BDSM erotic romance author. She writes mainly contemporary romance, although she has been known to dabble in the medieval and Regency eras. She is recognized for writing emotionally intense BDSM storylines, and strives to create characters that seem real--even flawed--so readers are better able to relate to them.
Annabel also writes non-BDSM erotic romance under the name Molly Joseph. You can sign up to receive Annabel's newsletter here: http://wordpress.us7.list-manage.com/...
Some of Annabel's favorite authors are Laura Kinsale, Judith McNaught, Jo Beverley, Flannery O'Connor, Molly Weatherfield, and Anneke Jacob.
Annabel Joseph loves to hear from her readers at annabeljosephnovels(@)gmail.com.
Annabel also writes non-BDSM erotic romance under the name Molly Joseph. You can sign up to receive Annabel's newsletter here: http://wordpress.us7.list-manage.com/...
Some of Annabel's favorite authors are Laura Kinsale, Judith McNaught, Jo Beverley, Flannery O'Connor, Molly Weatherfield, and Anneke Jacob.
Annabel Joseph loves to hear from her readers at annabeljosephnovels(@)gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 21, 2013
Here's how I feel about this book:
WHAT THE MONKEY?
How the author of "Comfort Object" - which I consider to be one of the best erotic romances I've ever read - wrote this is a complete and utter mystery to me. Maybe Ms. Joseph was kidnapped and taken by mysterious ninja monks to a monastery high in the glaciers of western China, where she was kept on a diet of bread and water until she wrote a novel. Or possibly there was a lot of booze involved. A lot of booze, and a deadline.
Look, I'm a fairly tolerant sort of individual, but my tolerance does not extend to relationships between a sexually experienced man and a woman so childlike and ignorant that she thinks oral sex can get her knocked up. Honestly, that level of ignorance is pitiable; that a man would not only tolerate but sustain it in a woman he claims to love is disgusting. Say it with me, kids: IGNORANCE IS NOT SEXY. I find this particularly bizarre in an author whose BDSM-themed books so completely eroticize consensual - and fully informed - submission.
Also, although the book blurb does mention something like "brief non-erotic nonconsensual sex", that's way, way, way not enough warning for what actually happens. So here we go: my service to you is to reveal that there is brief on-stage rape and multiple, repeated offstage gang rapes. Basically, a third of this book is boatloads o' raping. That's surprising and a departure from the general tone of the book, but the only thing that actually OFFENDED me was the concept that all the heroine needed to recover from said gang-raping was the hero's Magic Wang.
Look: rape victims are still sexual people. But the idea that the therapeutic application of peen is all it takes to heal the psychic effects of MULTIPLE GANG RAPES is wrongheaded and disturbing to say the least. It also seems bizarrely out of touch with Ms. Joseph's other work.
I don't even know what to make of this. I'ma go read the last chapter of Comfort Object again, to purge away the squick.
WHAT THE MONKEY?
How the author of "Comfort Object" - which I consider to be one of the best erotic romances I've ever read - wrote this is a complete and utter mystery to me. Maybe Ms. Joseph was kidnapped and taken by mysterious ninja monks to a monastery high in the glaciers of western China, where she was kept on a diet of bread and water until she wrote a novel. Or possibly there was a lot of booze involved. A lot of booze, and a deadline.
Look, I'm a fairly tolerant sort of individual, but my tolerance does not extend to relationships between a sexually experienced man and a woman so childlike and ignorant that she thinks oral sex can get her knocked up. Honestly, that level of ignorance is pitiable; that a man would not only tolerate but sustain it in a woman he claims to love is disgusting. Say it with me, kids: IGNORANCE IS NOT SEXY. I find this particularly bizarre in an author whose BDSM-themed books so completely eroticize consensual - and fully informed - submission.
Also, although the book blurb does mention something like "brief non-erotic nonconsensual sex", that's way, way, way not enough warning for what actually happens. So here we go: my service to you is to reveal that there is brief on-stage rape and multiple, repeated offstage gang rapes. Basically, a third of this book is boatloads o' raping. That's surprising and a departure from the general tone of the book, but the only thing that actually OFFENDED me was the concept that all the heroine needed to recover from said gang-raping was the hero's Magic Wang.
Look: rape victims are still sexual people. But the idea that the therapeutic application of peen is all it takes to heal the psychic effects of MULTIPLE GANG RAPES is wrongheaded and disturbing to say the least. It also seems bizarrely out of touch with Ms. Joseph's other work.
I don't even know what to make of this. I'ma go read the last chapter of Comfort Object again, to purge away the squick.
April 25, 2013
Sweet Baby Jesus, I don't even know where to start with this one.
A note about the writing: not even the barest shadow of an attempt is made here at historical accuracy, period details, regional dialect, etc. Modern language all the way, and this could have taken place just about anywhere. Surprisingly, this actually annoyed me less than when authors try to do such detail and fail at it, so I was able to get past it.
The story itself started out okay, very formulaic, not especially romantic, but reasonably sexy and it seemed to have the potential to get better. Then it all went horribly wrong. If this book were a a true historical with a real plot and a fully developed story line, the whole kidnapping/gang rape thing might have worked as a shocking but valid plot device, but in a book that is clearly written as erotica, it was completely out of place. Maybe it's just me, but a ridiculously innocent pregnant girl getting sexually tortured (for weeks!), even if it is 'off screen', pretty much kills the sexiness of this book and buries it beyond any recovery. The horror of it was just too much, and even though the heroine was given some time and space to recover before her husband started whacking her with the belt again, it all felt pretty hollow. So yeah, what's the female equivalent of the opposite of a hard-on? That.
A note about the writing: not even the barest shadow of an attempt is made here at historical accuracy, period details, regional dialect, etc. Modern language all the way, and this could have taken place just about anywhere. Surprisingly, this actually annoyed me less than when authors try to do such detail and fail at it, so I was able to get past it.
The story itself started out okay, very formulaic, not especially romantic, but reasonably sexy and it seemed to have the potential to get better. Then it all went horribly wrong. If this book were a a true historical with a real plot and a fully developed story line, the whole kidnapping/gang rape thing might have worked as a shocking but valid plot device, but in a book that is clearly written as erotica, it was completely out of place. Maybe it's just me, but a ridiculously innocent pregnant girl getting sexually tortured (for weeks!), even if it is 'off screen', pretty much kills the sexiness of this book and buries it beyond any recovery. The horror of it was just too much, and even though the heroine was given some time and space to recover before her husband started whacking her with the belt again, it all felt pretty hollow. So yeah, what's the female equivalent of the opposite of a hard-on? That.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2021
Wow I was not expecting that. So, first off the heroine. We can't even call her a doormat because a doormat is at least somewhat aware that she is not exactly standing up for herself. Cait is a big scaredy-cat girl-child who runs up trees, cries all the time, and is very obedient to her husband. And when she literally said, "I will stop reading and writing if you will be nice to me" I really stopped expecting her to have any sort of character development. As for the hero - well, he's also very 2-dimensional too.
For the most part, I was not annoyed by Cait's naivety but more flabbergasted that Annabel Joseph decided to commit to this route. And when she did say things like pledging illiteracy, it was hard to get frustrated or impatient because it's like getting upset with a child. Cait is naive, incredibly so, but she's not prissy or moral, and I think if she was a prissy Mary Sue, it would have been bothered me more.
But they have chemistry together, I suppose.
As for the villain - damn! That was pretty ruthless and dastardly. I actually can't believe it went on like that.
One thing I wished is that it would have felt more like a medieval. Everyone talked like they do now, and the way it was written is for a modern reader. I'm not that big of a stickler for correct diction, if you throw around some words of that era, I probably will not notice, but the contemporary writing style did jar me out of the story a few times. The thought kept flickering in my mind - this could have been a badass bodice ripper! Instead, it's an entertaining smutty read.
For the most part, I was not annoyed by Cait's naivety but more flabbergasted that Annabel Joseph decided to commit to this route. And when she did say things like pledging illiteracy, it was hard to get frustrated or impatient because it's like getting upset with a child. Cait is naive, incredibly so, but she's not prissy or moral, and I think if she was a prissy Mary Sue, it would have been bothered me more.
But they have chemistry together, I suppose.
As for the villain - damn! That was pretty ruthless and dastardly. I actually can't believe it went on like that.
One thing I wished is that it would have felt more like a medieval. Everyone talked like they do now, and the way it was written is for a modern reader. I'm not that big of a stickler for correct diction, if you throw around some words of that era, I probably will not notice, but the contemporary writing style did jar me out of the story a few times. The thought kept flickering in my mind - this could have been a badass bodice ripper! Instead, it's an entertaining smutty read.
August 10, 2024
4.5 stars
Because it is a good summary of what comprises the tale (without giving away the plot), here is Annabel Joseph's "About this Book" blurb that precedes the story.
"As a long time reader of historical romance novels, I yearned to create a story that contained all my most favorite romance elements: the tortured, gruff hero, the painfully innocent but plucky heroine, the evil villain, long lost relatives and meddling servants, secrets and hidden alliances and a liberal sprinkling of magic and mystery. I also wanted to introduce power exchange into the mix--no small feat in a medieval Scotland setting, but something I wanted to attempt nevertheless. Cait and the Devil was the result of this singular experiment.
"Admittedly, this novel is more whimsy and fantasy than historical accuracy, but I hope you will enjoy Cait and Duncan's story just the same."
In my opinion, Annabel Joseph is amazing. Cait and the Devil is one of the first erotic romance books that I ever read, and it is still a great escape. I'll probably read this book once a year as long as I'm alive!
Notice: not suitable for minors, contains explicit sexual content
Because it is a good summary of what comprises the tale (without giving away the plot), here is Annabel Joseph's "About this Book" blurb that precedes the story.
"As a long time reader of historical romance novels, I yearned to create a story that contained all my most favorite romance elements: the tortured, gruff hero, the painfully innocent but plucky heroine, the evil villain, long lost relatives and meddling servants, secrets and hidden alliances and a liberal sprinkling of magic and mystery. I also wanted to introduce power exchange into the mix--no small feat in a medieval Scotland setting, but something I wanted to attempt nevertheless. Cait and the Devil was the result of this singular experiment.
"Admittedly, this novel is more whimsy and fantasy than historical accuracy, but I hope you will enjoy Cait and Duncan's story just the same."
In my opinion, Annabel Joseph is amazing. Cait and the Devil is one of the first erotic romance books that I ever read, and it is still a great escape. I'll probably read this book once a year as long as I'm alive!
Notice: not suitable for minors, contains explicit sexual content
October 15, 2013
Not bad. An ok read if you're in the mood for an edgier historical romance, and have no problem with someone being tied up and whipped before being thoroughly used.
This is definitely one of those historicals that are modern romances playing dress up, so as long as you're not looking for historical accuracy...
The hero turns out to be have some TSTL moments that lead up to some drawn out sadistic events in the story (not perpetuated by the hero, though he's no easy puppy). Not for your gentle reader.
March 6, 2013
Reading this made me realize that I don't understand the appeal of total power exchange. (No offense if that's your thing, I also don't understand the appeal of cauliflower or rum raisin ice cream.) I still probably would have given this story 3 stars except that I also didn't understand why the author had the heroine spend two months being raped and tortured by the villain and his cronies. That sort of gratuitous rapery sometimes prompts an automatic 1 star from me, but since it might be related to the TPE thing in a way that I just don't get, I'm going to hedge my bets and go with 2 stars.
April 19, 2013
I enjoyed the first half--solid prose and hot sex--but then the heroine gets repeatedly emotionally and physically brutalized and raped for two weeks and then kidnapped, beaten, and raped for SIX WEEKS by her husband's father. To add insult to injury, the aftermath of this is basically summed up as a tl;dr "and her mother helped her recover and she had a baby and they had kinky sex again and lived happily ever after."
So sick of rape and torture as a plot device.
(I do, however, appreciate that this author gives detailed trigger and kink warnings on her website.)
So sick of rape and torture as a plot device.
(I do, however, appreciate that this author gives detailed trigger and kink warnings on her website.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2015
Rape warning! Everthing seemed fine and I even enjoy it until heroine was raped by her father-in-law, what a disgusting terrible story!
July 14, 2015
I had written a nice, plump review of this book. But thanks to GR it took so long to save, I got a error page. :O
So, my apologies to everyone out there, but I lost enough time reading this that I don't want to waste more.
My reasons for the one star:
-Clingy, dumb, uber-naive, dependant child bride.
-Total unbalance of power. There was no willing submission, it was grooming.
-Totally unnecessary months-long gang rapes and torture. (Mostly off page.)
-Said period had no consequence on the heroine's life. Yes, a few nightmare for a few weeks. Then some time with her mother and some loving and voilà.
-Personally I found it has no coherent plot. Or at least not a tight one, ie, a king and a sorceress have a daughter, they pretend her death to save her, but then they don't plan who would be checking on her. Both thought it would be the other...?!
So, my apologies to everyone out there, but I lost enough time reading this that I don't want to waste more.
My reasons for the one star:
-Clingy, dumb, uber-naive, dependant child bride.
-Total unbalance of power. There was no willing submission, it was grooming.
-Totally unnecessary months-long gang rapes and torture. (Mostly off page.)
-Said period had no consequence on the heroine's life. Yes, a few nightmare for a few weeks. Then some time with her mother and some loving and voilà.
-Personally I found it has no coherent plot. Or at least not a tight one, ie, a king and a sorceress have a daughter, they pretend her death to save her, but then they don't plan who would be checking on her. Both thought it would be the other...?!
June 30, 2013
Umm, this book wasn't that bad - a dom and sub relationship is what these two are experiencing before they were defined. He is naturally dominant and she is naturally submissive. If you were raised away from everything, you would be as naive as Cait, as trusting, as innocent.
Yes, there is repeated abuse and rape 3/4 of the way in and I had to skip that part completely but it was used to illustrate Cait's pure heart. It was too difficult to read, even glancingly, the horrible abuse that was reaped upon her. That was going to affect my rating, but the wrap up and her reactions won me over!
Yes, there is repeated abuse and rape 3/4 of the way in and I had to skip that part completely but it was used to illustrate Cait's pure heart. It was too difficult to read, even glancingly, the horrible abuse that was reaped upon her. That was going to affect my rating, but the wrap up and her reactions won me over!
July 22, 2016
Lovely historical romance with bdsm elements. It is easy to read, we have some suspense with a non-con bur the author doesn't go into specifics which is fine as this is more a light romance after all.
I liked the hint of some fantasy or even magic. It fitter really well into the story.
A nice summer read
I liked the hint of some fantasy or even magic. It fitter really well into the story.
A nice summer read
August 29, 2012
I really liked this one,it kept me interested almost til the end. Even though the language used in the book really wast right for the time period,it didn't distract me from the story. There was a good mix of erotic sex scenes and story line. I will be looking for more from this author. =D
June 30, 2012
So Duncan, our male protagonist, had been married before to Lenore. The problem was that Duncan had what even he considered to be "unnatural desires." And Lenore wasn't interested - just like in real life, not everyone is. Unfortunately, it made for a bad marriage than ended really badly. So he has kind of given up on love.
And along comes Caitlyn - the innocent of innocents, the submissive of submissives. This poor little thing, all alone in the world, who just wants to be held and cherished. They were really the perfect match because along with his instinctual need to be a Dominant, came the inherent need to protect the one he loved. And that is exactly what she needed. It was so frustrating for him to take so long to see it but finally he did.
I also enjoy good comfort scenes after he makes her cry and this is full of them because this girl is carrying a lot of emotion. In fact, the early chapters almost reminded me of some of the ageplay novels I've read, but fortunately moved past that eventually when Duncan got his own issues worked out.
I was curious how Annabel would do writing a medieval novel because, frankly, I have read so many bad ones. Actually, she did quite well. There were dialogue issues - there usually are if you aren't Chaucer or Tolkien - but nothing too jarring. The bedroom scenes did feel a little odd, though - because it felt like two people playing in the present in ancient Scottish surroundings at time. I did like that Caitlyn was not the stereotypical fiery independent girl that would let no man tame her - that has been done to death.
This isn't the first Annabel novel with an antagonist but this one was such a monster. I just meant to read a few minutes before bed but I ended up having to go much further because even thought I knew Cait would be okay, I had to see her get through it.
With all of Annabel's other novels in contemporary settings, it was nice to see her do something different.
And along comes Caitlyn - the innocent of innocents, the submissive of submissives. This poor little thing, all alone in the world, who just wants to be held and cherished. They were really the perfect match because along with his instinctual need to be a Dominant, came the inherent need to protect the one he loved. And that is exactly what she needed. It was so frustrating for him to take so long to see it but finally he did.
I also enjoy good comfort scenes after he makes her cry and this is full of them because this girl is carrying a lot of emotion. In fact, the early chapters almost reminded me of some of the ageplay novels I've read, but fortunately moved past that eventually when Duncan got his own issues worked out.
I was curious how Annabel would do writing a medieval novel because, frankly, I have read so many bad ones. Actually, she did quite well. There were dialogue issues - there usually are if you aren't Chaucer or Tolkien - but nothing too jarring. The bedroom scenes did feel a little odd, though - because it felt like two people playing in the present in ancient Scottish surroundings at time. I did like that Caitlyn was not the stereotypical fiery independent girl that would let no man tame her - that has been done to death.
This isn't the first Annabel novel with an antagonist but this one was such a monster. I just meant to read a few minutes before bed but I ended up having to go much further because even thought I knew Cait would be okay, I had to see her get through it.
With all of Annabel's other novels in contemporary settings, it was nice to see her do something different.
July 20, 2011
Read for the Gang Bang Challenge in the BDSM Group
I really enjoyed this story. I don't think I have any complaints. This is the second book I've read by Annabel Joseph and I wasn't dissapointed. This was a great little BDSM historical romance with a HEA ending. :D
***One of the complaints I came acrossed was that there wasn't enough of a period feel for a historical. I completely understand why this was said. It is true. But for me that worked. It gave my imagination plenty of room to run. Another complaint was about the non-con. I feel it was very safely done. I would have actually preffered it to be a little more in depth.
I really enjoyed this story. I don't think I have any complaints. This is the second book I've read by Annabel Joseph and I wasn't dissapointed. This was a great little BDSM historical romance with a HEA ending. :D
***One of the complaints I came acrossed was that there wasn't enough of a period feel for a historical. I completely understand why this was said. It is true. But for me that worked. It gave my imagination plenty of room to run. Another complaint was about the non-con. I feel it was very safely done. I would have actually preffered it to be a little more in depth.
November 28, 2016
I already read some good reviews, which totally mirrored my feelings. So here are just the things, that really bugged me
- The heroine is just a dumb, totally naive, dependent doormat
- Safe, Sane and Consensual? My A**, he is an sexually experienced man and she is a ignorant, über-naive child. Sorry but I can't connect to either of them. So the characters lacked in any significantly real emotion or depth
- I am sick of the fact, that so many Authors use rape and torture as a plot devise.
- The heroine is just a dumb, totally naive, dependent doormat
- Safe, Sane and Consensual? My A**, he is an sexually experienced man and she is a ignorant, über-naive child. Sorry but I can't connect to either of them. So the characters lacked in any significantly real emotion or depth
- I am sick of the fact, that so many Authors use rape and torture as a plot devise.
March 1, 2013
I'm not a prude at all, but this one was yucky...Couldn't get the yuck out of my mind. I kept reading it hoping it would get better, or have some kind of reason to it. I should of gave up with it much earlier.
July 13, 2014
I did finish the book but it was difficult for many reasons. In brief, while not overly explicit, the heroine's physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the villain and her husband's abuse of her extreme naïveté made this an unpleasant read for me.
February 24, 2013
A sweet read but lacking in any significantly real emotion or depth. Not what I've become accustomed to from Ms Joseph.
June 26, 2012
Historical BDSM in Scotland with domestic discipline? I'm THERE! So, where is the domestic discipline? Where is the noncon? Or was the noncon when Cait was kidnapped by the dastardly evil villain? Is there more to this story than just a bastard daughter of a King forced to marry a bastard Earl?
I do like historical novels. I also love ones with Scottish men in it. (Do they not wear kilts? I thought they did, but Duncan never seemed to wear them. Then again, I could be in the wrong period. This is the middle ages and I don't think kilts were around back then. All I know is men in kilts are hawt.) I am getting into these historical romance novels which include erotic sex. If it is kinky BDSM sex, even better! I was all excited about this one but ended up a bit disappointed. It's more of a cock tease, than the real deal. It's not different than going to a strip joint rather than a brothel. I thought I was going to a brothel but ended up in a strip joint.
Cait is the bastard child of the current King. We don't know who her mother is and how she came to be living in the forest with a nurse, all by herself. When her nurse dies, she goes to where she's been instructed only to find out she is the King's daughter and he doesn't want her. He shoves her out of his palace with piss poor entourage to what seems to be the end of the world. She is to be married off to a Lord known as the Devil.
Duncan, aka Devil, buried a miserable prude bitch of a wife and doesn't want another one. Forced into a marriage he didn't want, he avoids Cait as much as possible. Cait who has been shown very little affection and desperately needs acceptance and love is hurt. This is just a FUBAR situation. It is hard to decide who to pity more - Duncan or Cait.
When the two finally get together and consummate the wedding, it's sweet. Okay, so he takes her in the ass, but still, he does it sweetly. Innocent Cait doesn't know any better. Yes, this story has the earmarks of a domestic discipline household. It just was pretty light. Plus we didn't have enough of the graphic discipline which made me feel gypped. I wanted more graphic details. I didn't honestly find Duncan to be that perverted or "unnatural". Then again, it could be that I'm a jaded sexual fiend.
The story is more than just about the relationship between an arranged marriage. There are other parts to it which flesh out the story and explain some unanswered questions and discrepancies. For example, why would a bastard girl be raised to read? Why would a bastard be cared for in a secluded forest rather than just tossed aside or raised in the castle? These answers are all provided in a manner I enjoyed. It gave me the slight feeling of King Arthur and Morgana. I've always enjoyed the King Arthur type stories. This slight reference is probably what held the story at 3 star for me.
I still enjoyed this story despite the very light bits of erotica. I recommend this historical romance story to those who want just a taste of kink with their history.
I do like historical novels. I also love ones with Scottish men in it. (Do they not wear kilts? I thought they did, but Duncan never seemed to wear them. Then again, I could be in the wrong period. This is the middle ages and I don't think kilts were around back then. All I know is men in kilts are hawt.) I am getting into these historical romance novels which include erotic sex. If it is kinky BDSM sex, even better! I was all excited about this one but ended up a bit disappointed. It's more of a cock tease, than the real deal. It's not different than going to a strip joint rather than a brothel. I thought I was going to a brothel but ended up in a strip joint.
Cait is the bastard child of the current King. We don't know who her mother is and how she came to be living in the forest with a nurse, all by herself. When her nurse dies, she goes to where she's been instructed only to find out she is the King's daughter and he doesn't want her. He shoves her out of his palace with piss poor entourage to what seems to be the end of the world. She is to be married off to a Lord known as the Devil.
Duncan, aka Devil, buried a miserable prude bitch of a wife and doesn't want another one. Forced into a marriage he didn't want, he avoids Cait as much as possible. Cait who has been shown very little affection and desperately needs acceptance and love is hurt. This is just a FUBAR situation. It is hard to decide who to pity more - Duncan or Cait.
When the two finally get together and consummate the wedding, it's sweet. Okay, so he takes her in the ass, but still, he does it sweetly. Innocent Cait doesn't know any better. Yes, this story has the earmarks of a domestic discipline household. It just was pretty light. Plus we didn't have enough of the graphic discipline which made me feel gypped. I wanted more graphic details. I didn't honestly find Duncan to be that perverted or "unnatural". Then again, it could be that I'm a jaded sexual fiend.
The story is more than just about the relationship between an arranged marriage. There are other parts to it which flesh out the story and explain some unanswered questions and discrepancies. For example, why would a bastard girl be raised to read? Why would a bastard be cared for in a secluded forest rather than just tossed aside or raised in the castle? These answers are all provided in a manner I enjoyed. It gave me the slight feeling of King Arthur and Morgana. I've always enjoyed the King Arthur type stories. This slight reference is probably what held the story at 3 star for me.
I still enjoyed this story despite the very light bits of erotica. I recommend this historical romance story to those who want just a taste of kink with their history.
December 10, 2012
3.5 stars. I liked it. historical, BDSM
Magickal Graphics
Summary
Cait grew up in the middle of the forest being raised by her nurse. When her nurse died, she leaves her forest for the first time and go to the king castle to ask for help. There she finds out a horrible truth. Because of it, she is sent away to be married to a man known as "the devil".
Duncan had a horrible first marriage in which he lost his wife in childbirth screaming to the world that he was THE DEVIL. Duncan always knew he was a bit wicked, because the things that used aroused him, were not considered normal by most. When the king decides he must married again, he is totally against it, but follow his rule.
He is very atracted to his new wife, but is very afraid of intimacy because he knows he is a "freak". They entered a marriage of discovery and love without even knowing.
As in all good books, there is always a peril close and in a bad choice of Duncan, something horrible happens.
Through rejection, fear and necessity Duncan and Cait have a journey for hapiness.
Impressions and opinion
Since I've read Annabel Joseph before, I was a bit surprised and a little confused through out this book. It didn't look like her books at all, but I recognize an author trying to venture through new lands. She was a successful! Still, it left me with a feeling of " I wanted more".
I'm not certain if this feeling was because I've read her books before, so when I read non-con, domestic discipline.... I wanted more!
I guess I've became jaded with my books, but if I'm reading non-con, I want to read the description of the horrible acts. I want to feel the characters pain, hatred and angst. This did not happen here.
I guess that's why I didn't give it a full 4 stars. Maybe if it were from another author I would have, maybe I let my past experience with this author create expectations that were not fulfilled.
I enjoy the read. I will always keep reading Annabel. I will even read another historical of hers, but next time, I'm going to be prepared.
I recommend this book for anyone that likes spice romance and want the feeling of a somewhat light BDSM relationship.
Magickal Graphics
Magickal Graphics
Summary
Cait grew up in the middle of the forest being raised by her nurse. When her nurse died, she leaves her forest for the first time and go to the king castle to ask for help. There she finds out a horrible truth. Because of it, she is sent away to be married to a man known as "the devil".
Duncan had a horrible first marriage in which he lost his wife in childbirth screaming to the world that he was THE DEVIL. Duncan always knew he was a bit wicked, because the things that used aroused him, were not considered normal by most. When the king decides he must married again, he is totally against it, but follow his rule.
He is very atracted to his new wife, but is very afraid of intimacy because he knows he is a "freak". They entered a marriage of discovery and love without even knowing.
As in all good books, there is always a peril close and in a bad choice of Duncan, something horrible happens.
Through rejection, fear and necessity Duncan and Cait have a journey for hapiness.
Impressions and opinion
Since I've read Annabel Joseph before, I was a bit surprised and a little confused through out this book. It didn't look like her books at all, but I recognize an author trying to venture through new lands. She was a successful! Still, it left me with a feeling of " I wanted more".
I'm not certain if this feeling was because I've read her books before, so when I read non-con, domestic discipline.... I wanted more!
I guess I've became jaded with my books, but if I'm reading non-con, I want to read the description of the horrible acts. I want to feel the characters pain, hatred and angst. This did not happen here.
I guess that's why I didn't give it a full 4 stars. Maybe if it were from another author I would have, maybe I let my past experience with this author create expectations that were not fulfilled.
I enjoy the read. I will always keep reading Annabel. I will even read another historical of hers, but next time, I'm going to be prepared.
I recommend this book for anyone that likes spice romance and want the feeling of a somewhat light BDSM relationship.
Magickal Graphics
January 8, 2011
Jae’s Dark Divas Review of this title:
Cait’s character grabs you from the very first page. You will immediately become involved in her trials and tribulations of finding her way in the unknown world she has unwittingly found herself within. Much like flotsam on the open water, you wonder where she will land.
Once you meet the other cast of characters, you are compelled to turn each page to find out what will happen next. The character of Henna is one of my favorites as the story progresses; so sweet, strong and commanding. She is the perfect counterbalance to the story of Cait and the Devil.
Cait and the Devil is at times disturbing and frightening. This story isn’t full of fluff and cute spanking scenes. It has a whole range of emotions and many story threads that are woven together to come out with a lovely ending for our main characters.
The heroine finds herself in some interesting and unhealthy situations. While readers tend to not like such scenes, especially involving our heroines, I think the talent of Annabel Joseph’s writing allows us to watch these scenes without becoming disturbed by them. I’m not sure I’m making any sense at all, and since I refuse to give away any part of the storyline, it will have to suffice to say that things happen to Cait in this story that Ms. Joseph chooses to tackle head on rather than close the door to the reader. She shows these scenes to her readers, but at the same time writes them in such a way that their importance is in how the story progresses and how we get to our happy ending we all crave rather than on a particular act at a certain point in time.
I’m so glad that I’ve had the opportunity to read as many Annabel Joseph stories as I have. They always have such depth of emotion and insight into the human dynamic that I truly can’t wait to see what she has in store for her readers next. And that’s not even mentioning the compelling and always hotter-than-the-sun scenes she lays out for us with each new story.
Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Jae!
http://www.darkdivasreviews.com/?cat=330
Cait’s character grabs you from the very first page. You will immediately become involved in her trials and tribulations of finding her way in the unknown world she has unwittingly found herself within. Much like flotsam on the open water, you wonder where she will land.
Once you meet the other cast of characters, you are compelled to turn each page to find out what will happen next. The character of Henna is one of my favorites as the story progresses; so sweet, strong and commanding. She is the perfect counterbalance to the story of Cait and the Devil.
Cait and the Devil is at times disturbing and frightening. This story isn’t full of fluff and cute spanking scenes. It has a whole range of emotions and many story threads that are woven together to come out with a lovely ending for our main characters.
The heroine finds herself in some interesting and unhealthy situations. While readers tend to not like such scenes, especially involving our heroines, I think the talent of Annabel Joseph’s writing allows us to watch these scenes without becoming disturbed by them. I’m not sure I’m making any sense at all, and since I refuse to give away any part of the storyline, it will have to suffice to say that things happen to Cait in this story that Ms. Joseph chooses to tackle head on rather than close the door to the reader. She shows these scenes to her readers, but at the same time writes them in such a way that their importance is in how the story progresses and how we get to our happy ending we all crave rather than on a particular act at a certain point in time.
I’m so glad that I’ve had the opportunity to read as many Annabel Joseph stories as I have. They always have such depth of emotion and insight into the human dynamic that I truly can’t wait to see what she has in store for her readers next. And that’s not even mentioning the compelling and always hotter-than-the-sun scenes she lays out for us with each new story.
Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Jae!
http://www.darkdivasreviews.com/?cat=330
April 19, 2013
3.5 stars.
I just started reading Annabel Joseph's books, and what I like most about her writing is the honest emotions of the characters. Some of their motivations and actions are objectionable, shocking or even pitiful, but they are always honest, so I appreciate that.
The story was interesting and entertaining enough at times. The unease I felt was, as several other readers had alluded to, the fact that Cait is undoubtably a CHILD BRIDE married to a loving man with sadistic tendencies and who was not always honest with her. Her unmatched innocence (believable, for me anyways, since she lived in practical seclusion most of her life) was that of a 12 year old encased in a young woman's body. She simply did not know any different. Still, I liked the fact that she, at least, instinctively knew that her marriage and her husband's brand of loving was off. Why should love be so hurtful, after all?
So, I would have preferred that Duncan be more open and honest with her that their sexual activities were unusual, but ok, if consensual. Even the consent part was doubtful, at times, since it was obvious that she did not like pain and only bore it for him and really, had no choice in the matter whatever which way. Still, it was a man's world, after all. I was glad to see that he at least suffered some guilt for his part.
Other than him liking to whip her with the horse whip and/or his belt and putting her on constant 24 hour guard and treating her like a child (actually, she behaved like a child in at least half the book), he wasn't a bad husband. He was actually rather loving to her. Go figure. I guess that's the beauty of fiction. No where else would you believe such a fantasy.
I just started reading Annabel Joseph's books, and what I like most about her writing is the honest emotions of the characters. Some of their motivations and actions are objectionable, shocking or even pitiful, but they are always honest, so I appreciate that.
The story was interesting and entertaining enough at times. The unease I felt was, as several other readers had alluded to, the fact that Cait is undoubtably a CHILD BRIDE married to a loving man with sadistic tendencies and who was not always honest with her. Her unmatched innocence (believable, for me anyways, since she lived in practical seclusion most of her life) was that of a 12 year old encased in a young woman's body. She simply did not know any different. Still, I liked the fact that she, at least, instinctively knew that her marriage and her husband's brand of loving was off. Why should love be so hurtful, after all?
So, I would have preferred that Duncan be more open and honest with her that their sexual activities were unusual, but ok, if consensual. Even the consent part was doubtful, at times, since it was obvious that she did not like pain and only bore it for him and really, had no choice in the matter whatever which way. Still, it was a man's world, after all. I was glad to see that he at least suffered some guilt for his part.
Other than him liking to whip her with the horse whip and/or his belt and putting her on constant 24 hour guard and treating her like a child (actually, she behaved like a child in at least half the book), he wasn't a bad husband. He was actually rather loving to her. Go figure. I guess that's the beauty of fiction. No where else would you believe such a fantasy.
December 30, 2014
This book was heavy into the BDSM scene. It contains some intense scenes that include discipline scene, which include spanking, whips, belts, oral and anal. Some of the nonconsensual were harsher.
This story is about a young woman, by the name of Caitlyn, about the age of 17. Cait has led a simple and secluded life in the Scottish woods. She's as innocent as a baby, yet old enough to be wed. She knows nothing of what comes from a marriage bed or what happens between a man and wife. Cait's world suddenly turns upside down when her nurse maid and guardian dies and she learns she's the unwanted daughter of the king. She's forced to marry a forbidding stranger, Duncan, the Devil of Inverness, who has already buried one wife. But nothing is as it seems. Even though Duncan is call the Devil of Inverness he has kind eyes along with his foreboding presence.
But Cait and the Devil find they are more perfectly matched than either suspected. His deep desire to dominate and discipline his new wife is matched only by her bravery and willingness to submit to his perverse demands and desires. She's willing to do anything to earn his love. Along with her innocence his introduction to love leaves her breathless and willing to endure for the prize....his heart.
But a phantom threat stalks Cait, and Duncan is troubled by her secret and mysterious past. Can Duncan protect his vulnerable innocent wife? Will their powerful and unusual brand of love prevail?
This story is set in the Middle Ages and has a heavy domestic discipline theme within the confines of an affectionate marriage. It contains various spanking and discipline scenes, as well as oral and anal sex. It also contains some limited scenes of non-eroticized nonconsensuality.
This story is about a young woman, by the name of Caitlyn, about the age of 17. Cait has led a simple and secluded life in the Scottish woods. She's as innocent as a baby, yet old enough to be wed. She knows nothing of what comes from a marriage bed or what happens between a man and wife. Cait's world suddenly turns upside down when her nurse maid and guardian dies and she learns she's the unwanted daughter of the king. She's forced to marry a forbidding stranger, Duncan, the Devil of Inverness, who has already buried one wife. But nothing is as it seems. Even though Duncan is call the Devil of Inverness he has kind eyes along with his foreboding presence.
But Cait and the Devil find they are more perfectly matched than either suspected. His deep desire to dominate and discipline his new wife is matched only by her bravery and willingness to submit to his perverse demands and desires. She's willing to do anything to earn his love. Along with her innocence his introduction to love leaves her breathless and willing to endure for the prize....his heart.
But a phantom threat stalks Cait, and Duncan is troubled by her secret and mysterious past. Can Duncan protect his vulnerable innocent wife? Will their powerful and unusual brand of love prevail?
This story is set in the Middle Ages and has a heavy domestic discipline theme within the confines of an affectionate marriage. It contains various spanking and discipline scenes, as well as oral and anal sex. It also contains some limited scenes of non-eroticized nonconsensuality.
June 11, 2012
So my fist historical BDSM novel. Always loved a bit of the fantastical, and now with a bit of kink too! YAY!
Cait is naive and innocent. Forced into marriage by her father the King. Lord Duncan or Devil is forced to take another wife after loosing his first wife during child birth.
Cait is totally innocent and naive to the ways of the world and the bedroom. But not for long right?
I adored Cait, she is totally endearing in all her innocence. I want to wrap her up and keep her safe. All she wants is love and acceptance and will do ANYTHING to feel wanted and cherished by her handsome husband. She is a natural submissive which Devil recognizes and as he molds her to fit his unique desires.
Enter the older Earl Douglas!Duncan's father. A villain, no not a villain at all, that is far too tame a word for what HE is! He is monstrous, depraved, evil incarnate! and he sets his mind to Cait.
I have to warn you that at this point the story turns very dark. Not what I was expecting at all. It left me reeling, feeling ill and angry.
I had to stop a while and brace to continue.
And I am so glad I did. Annabel draws you back into the light again and she left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.
I had to rate 4 stars for all the emotional angst and turmoil I was put through. The sexual play was rather tame for Annabel but it's befitting for these characters. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I had a few issues with the extent of Cait's naivety and Duncan's need to deceive her in order to escape his own fears.
Overall I loved it, I read it one sitting. So thank you Annabel for yet another astounding read.
Cait is naive and innocent. Forced into marriage by her father the King. Lord Duncan or Devil is forced to take another wife after loosing his first wife during child birth.
Cait is totally innocent and naive to the ways of the world and the bedroom. But not for long right?
I adored Cait, she is totally endearing in all her innocence. I want to wrap her up and keep her safe. All she wants is love and acceptance and will do ANYTHING to feel wanted and cherished by her handsome husband. She is a natural submissive which Devil recognizes and as he molds her to fit his unique desires.
Enter the older Earl Douglas!Duncan's father. A villain, no not a villain at all, that is far too tame a word for what HE is! He is monstrous, depraved, evil incarnate! and he sets his mind to Cait.
I have to warn you that at this point the story turns very dark. Not what I was expecting at all. It left me reeling, feeling ill and angry.
I had to stop a while and brace to continue.
And I am so glad I did. Annabel draws you back into the light again and she left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.
I had to rate 4 stars for all the emotional angst and turmoil I was put through. The sexual play was rather tame for Annabel but it's befitting for these characters. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I had a few issues with the extent of Cait's naivety and Duncan's need to deceive her in order to escape his own fears.
Overall I loved it, I read it one sitting. So thank you Annabel for yet another astounding read.
February 19, 2011
So I'm ready to review this one more or less. I liked the characters and the setting which were both well realized. Where it kind of broke down for me is with the deception part (I'll just say how do babies get made and ways to NOT make a baby) and the pain pieces. I don't want to give away any plot but I am not a fan of deception. And when Cait asks him why there must be pain because she doesn't like it (and she asks it very heartfelt like) and he basically says cause he likes it I didn't feel good. To me, if pain is there, it is by full consent and not to say she didn't consent because she did..but giving her lines like that to say makes it appear she does NOT want it..and in this book I had a hard time with that. She tried only to please him but I just really struggled with the fact he gave her pain because he liked it...again it could just be me but that seems more towards the abuse type angle than I like. Yes in the end she ends up sort of liking it I guess since the end result is good but it was enough to reduce the rating for me.
In general I felt very sorry for Cait in this book - her life really sucks in many ways. I'm glad she got her HEA but I cannot say I liked Devil too much. Especially when he goes off and leaves her alone and things happen. I prefer if I'm going to feel emotion that it is lust, love, satisfaction. I'm not so keen on pity.
Still it was good and I was absorbed in it so it gets a 4. I love the author..and perhaps the 4 is also my way of saying she took me beyond my comfort zone and I lived to tell the tale LOL
In general I felt very sorry for Cait in this book - her life really sucks in many ways. I'm glad she got her HEA but I cannot say I liked Devil too much. Especially when he goes off and leaves her alone and things happen. I prefer if I'm going to feel emotion that it is lust, love, satisfaction. I'm not so keen on pity.
Still it was good and I was absorbed in it so it gets a 4. I love the author..and perhaps the 4 is also my way of saying she took me beyond my comfort zone and I lived to tell the tale LOL
February 14, 2018
Cait and the Devil was extremely disappointing. The writing style was rudimentary and stiff. I found the sex and BDSM scenes boring and completely lacking in description. The plot wandered all over the place without any sense of purpose, it might as well not have been in there. The relationship between the two main characters romanticized a non-consenting BDSM relationship and highlighted a lack of communication and used these two elements to create some distorted ideal of what a D/s relationship should look like. The implied consent came considerably after the fact. There was no real character development and the character of Cait is portrayed as being a doe-eyed, ignorant girl while Duncan is self-loathing. The only positive light this story sheds on BDSM is the happiness they find at the end of the book. Overall I found this book a struggle to get through and I would not recommend it.
May 8, 2012
This book starts out sort of cute, light, and silly. If a book has to have an innocent virgin as a female lead, Cait is adorable. The male lead is likable and sympathetic, without being Damaged Dom that needs vagina therapy. There is something sort of lovely and escapist about the first half, even with the anachronisms; it's properly fairy tale-esque with castles, cottages in the deep dark forest, and forbidden apple trees.
Then the story takes a jarring veer off into dark, which is fine, but the bad guy is Machiavellian. I wanted him to have a mustache to twirl in an evil and dastardly fashion; if ever a villain needed a dastardly mustache, it was Lord Douglas.
I liked it enough to want to read another Joseph book. I'll probably hit up Comfort Object next, but I couldn't resist reading a historical first. I do sort of wish there were more erotic historicals.
Then the story takes a jarring veer off into dark, which is fine, but the bad guy is Machiavellian. I wanted him to have a mustache to twirl in an evil and dastardly fashion; if ever a villain needed a dastardly mustache, it was Lord Douglas.
I liked it enough to want to read another Joseph book. I'll probably hit up Comfort Object next, but I couldn't resist reading a historical first. I do sort of wish there were more erotic historicals.
August 11, 2011
Strangely ambivalent about this book. I love Scottish based historicals and a good spanking, but this one is lukewarm. The heroine is a bit too naive and gullible, though there is a reasonable explanation I just had a hard time relating with her. The hero is likeable, but also suffers from being a bit slow on the uptake at times. His fear, while legitimate comes across as weak and not in a commendable way. Finally, the villain is fine, but the heroine's reaction to him and subsequent events are a bit on the unbelievable side even for her. Plus the castle staff must be absolute idiots not to take note of the happenings. That said, there is a undeniable sweetness between the two protagonists that is charming and the ending is satisfying.
May 6, 2013
ok this ones for the faves shelf, 2 of my favourite things mixed into one book, BDSM and highlanders mmmmmm yummy.
at the beginning he was really mean to cait and I mean really mean she had no one and he still he didn't want her in his room nothing, but you can understand that.
by the half way mark in this book you see their relationship change for the better im sure but I still think he was slightly still too mean
by 3/4 of the book - I aint even going to comment as it will ruin the book for some and at the end im sorry but she went through hell you don't just get over that and say oh hubby I want you... but fuck it was a good book, I loved how she likes to climb trees (even though she gets into trouble) and all round tomboy
at the beginning he was really mean to cait and I mean really mean she had no one and he still he didn't want her in his room nothing, but you can understand that.
by the half way mark in this book you see their relationship change for the better im sure but I still think he was slightly still too mean
by 3/4 of the book - I aint even going to comment as it will ruin the book for some and at the end im sorry but she went through hell you don't just get over that and say oh hubby I want you... but fuck it was a good book, I loved how she likes to climb trees (even though she gets into trouble) and all round tomboy
April 24, 2012
I think I was expecting this to have much more detailed non-con scenes, so I was afraid to read but that wasn't bad at all. It was pleasant, but it wasn't bad. I enjoyed the way the relationship between Cait and Duncan evolved, especially when they weren't brought together under the best circumstances.
I agree that the book didn't seem very historical at all. If it wasn't said in the description that it was set in medieval times, I don't think I would have realized that. The language wasn't really that in line with the times, but I didn't mind that. It didn't detract from the book at all for me.
I agree that the book didn't seem very historical at all. If it wasn't said in the description that it was set in medieval times, I don't think I would have realized that. The language wasn't really that in line with the times, but I didn't mind that. It didn't detract from the book at all for me.
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