Sandy M’s review of Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Jan 09

What a breath of fresh air this book is. I love a romance that has the hero and heroine actually together, even married, for the majority of the read, solving problems, issues, conflicts together. No big misunderstandings, no one leaving the other in a huff after an argument. I know there has to be conflict in our romances, but Ms. Sands proves that it can be done with the main characters together, getting to know each other all the while falling in love.

This is also my first Lynsay Sands historical. I’ve read a couple of her vampire books and loved those, so I knew before starting this one I should like it quite a bit. I enjoy Ms. Sands style of writing and the fact she makes me care for her characters right off the bat. Cullen and Evelinde were no different and I enjoyed reading them immensely.

Evelinde has had to deal with her stepmother on her own since her father died four years ago. The woman is as mean as mean can get, but at least Evelinde has a home. Now mommy dearest has plotted to have Evelinde wedded to the Devil of the Highlands, Cullen, Laird of Donnachiadh, a man whose exploits have painted him as evil as the devil. But Evelinde prefers the devil over her stepmother and looks forward to leaving her life behind.

I really had fun with the scene when Cullen and Evelinde meet. She’s just taken an unexpected plunge in the lake and the only way to quickly dry her gown is to undress, left only in her chemise, hold her gown high above her head as she gallops her horse across the meadow by the lake, back and forth and back and forth. Cullen and his men are on their way to Evelinde’s home to collect her as his bride when they stumble upon her outlandish antics. The series of events when Cullen interrupts her are just terrific. It’s the perfect setup for how their married life will go over the next several weeks and months.

Cullen had been hoping only for a woman who was biddable and would give him an heir. He didn’t get biddable, but what he got was so much better. I loved how Evelinde would stand up to Cullen after one of his demands, although she’s a smart cookie and knew when to choose her battles. The love and tenderness between them is lovely to read and it only gets better as the book goes on. You can see how their love grows for one another as they get to know each other and as the danger around them escalates when unexplained events begin to happen, hitting too close to home for Cullen.

I have all of Ms. Sands’ books in the TBR pile. I’m going to be reading more of her in the near future. I love her alpha heroes and her strong, intelligent women who are more than a match for their men. Cullen and Evelinde have become one of my favorite couples and they are definitely going on the keeper shelf.

Grade: A+

Summary:

They call him the Devil . . .

He is the most notorious laird of Scotland: fierce, cold, deadly . . . and maybe even worse. Yet Evelinde has just agreed to wed him. Anything, she thinks, is better than her cruel stepmother. Though Evelinde should be wary of the rumors, she can’t help but be drawn to this warrior . . . for the Devil of the Highlands inspires a heat within her that is unlike anything she has ever known.

They may call him whatever they wish, but Cullen, Laird of Donnachaidh, cares only for the future of his clan. He must find a wife, a woman to bear him sons and heed his commands. He has no need for beauty or grace, but one taste of his lovely bride’s sweet lips and the sultry feel of her skin arouse an untamed passion. Perhaps there’s more to marriage than he thought . . .

Read an excerpt.