The dawning of desire 1806, Scotland. Wild, reckless Callum MacCreath is in no hurry to become someone’s husband. But when his responsible, steady older brother Ian announces his engagement to their childhood friend Rebecca, Callum makes a startling discovery: he wants the lovely young lass for himself. But it’s too late, and when Ian banishes him for his duplicity, Callum is only too happy to … only too happy to leave Scotland forever.
…is delicious and dangerous
1816: Marrying Ian was the practical, logical thing for Becca to do. But once Callum sailed away to America, she missed his rakish charm and lust for life. Now Becca is a widow when a much-changed Callum returns to his Scottish homeland. Will he remember their spirited, fiery connection or does he blame her for his brother’s unexpected death? This time neither of them can deny their scorching attraction. But will their hearts be burned in the blazing heat of scandal?
“It’s time to fall in love with Suzanne Enoch.” –Lisa Kleypas
“Steamy and bubbling with humor, a scrumptious tale to begin her No Ordinary Hero series.” —Booklist (starred review) on Hero in the Highlands
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I was mesmerized by the wonderfully well-written story right through the last page. As I grew to know the characters better and better, I was drawn more deeply into their stories. The planning, plotting, writing and execution of this book was flawless from beginning to end. You’ll fall helplessly in love with Callum from the immature, misguided, wild, reckless, hurt, and angry young man of twenty through the mature, vengeful, protective and very loving man of thirty. I didn’t want the book to end, but it was a delightful wrap-up to the series. You can read this as a stand-alone book even though it is part of a series. I read the first two books and loved them, so I’m glad I read them all.
The story opens in 1806 (near Inverness, Scotland) with a gut-wrenching scene. Callum is drunk and has just returned home from a period of drinking and wenching to learn that his brother, Ian, is now engaged to Callum’s long-time friend – Rebecca. Callum realizes that maybe he cares more for Rebecca than he realized and asks her to run away with him instead. Rebecca isn’t ‘in love’ with Ian, but she does love him and thinks that he’ll be a good, safe, steady husband for her and any children they have. She cares for Callum too but is smart enough to know that the raw, immature young man he is would not be good husband material. To add fat-to-the-fire, the Duke of Dunncraigh and his son are also there that night. Callum doesn’t trust the duke and thinks that he has some nefarious scheme afoot. When Ian overhears what Callum says to Rebecca, he orders him out of the house and tells him never to return. Callum goes, but before he does, he tries one last time to warn Ian about Dunncraigh – and he tells Dunncraigh that if anything happens to Ian, he’ll be back for vengeance – to end him.
Ten years later, Callum is in Kentucky – a very rich and successful distiller. He has abided by his brothers demand and has not made a return to Scotland. After about five years, his brother had spent a great deal of money to find him, but Callum did not read the letters at all. He just had his clerk burn them as soon as they arrived. Then, a fragment of a newspaper article caught the attention of his aid – and when Callum saw it, he knew – he just knew – that Ian had been murdered – and he knew who to punish for it. So, he was off on his journey back to Scotland. His biggest concern was how many were involved – was Rebecca involved? He didn’t care who or how many – they would all pay.
When Callum arrives in Inverness, he is remembered and treated as the wayward young man he had been ten years earlier. That was good. It was better they had no idea with whom they were now dealing. Then – plans abruptly change – he discovers his six-year-old niece and immediately loves her. That means he now has to keep her safe, figure out where Rebecca fits into the picture and punish the guilty parties.
What a wonderfully engrossing tale. You’ll love Callum and Rebecca as they get to know each other as the adults they are today rather than the children they were ten years ago. You’ll also love ‘Mags’ – Lady Margaret – Callum’s niece. She’s small, intelligent, curious, precocious, and has her uncle wrapped around her finger. Waya, the wolf is also exceptional and is gracious enough to accept Mags into her pack.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
I loved this book! It had an explosive opening and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Callum MacCreath has returned to Scotland after 10 years in Kentucky to investigate his brother Ian’s death. He’s convinced he was murdered and knows that the chieftain of Clan Maxwell was involved. He just has to prove it, but first he needs to make sure Ian’s widow, Rebecca, wasn’t involved. Callum has loved Rebecca since his youth and was devastated when she married his older brother. Can he prove her innocence before the simmering passion between them explodes?
Ms. Enoch knows how to spin a masterful tale of love, loss, courage and redemption. I loved Callum, but mostly especially when he was interacting with his six year old niece, Margaret. The fact that he brought his black wolf with him back to Scotland only added another dimension to the story. Fans of Scottish romances will definitely enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is a roller coaster of a read, fast-moving with plenty of thrills and just the right touch of romance — plus, one of the best little girls ever, Lady Margaret, who is just a hoot — and a wolf. A real she-wolf, straight from America. The tale of Callum’s growth as a human being, his love for Rebecca (which he fails to recognize until it’s too late) and his return to her life after she becomes a widow is engrossing. The widowed Rebecca remembers her best friend, Callum, but is afraid the man is too much like the wild boy who was sent away by her late husband, Ian, Callum’s older brother. There is more than a love story, too. It’s a mystery and even a bit of a thriller. Callum is determined to learn more about how his brother died, protect his niece and maybe, just maybe, end up with the girl he has loved most of his life. (I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.)
Author Suzanne Enoch has a real winner in this book, A Devil in Scotland. This story has so much going just right to make it a book the reader won’t want to put down. There’s love and passion, a lot of suspense and a wonderful Happily Ever After. I was thrilled with all these aspects of a well-plotted, well-developed storyline. I loved the main characters as well as the secondary characters and disliked the villains. Six year old Margaret and the wolf Waya added so much to the story. I wanted to be included in their pack.
I voluntarily read an ARC provided by the publisher through NetGally for an honest review.
There are moments when you have to walk away, in order to appreciate all you leave behind. For Callum and Becca friendship got complicated and hearts were broken, but that tether that held them together was evident despite the distance, heartbreak and passage of time. A Devil in Scotland is about facing the odds and taking a stand. Precarious emotions drove them apart. Can maturity piece them back together? With a little bit of hope and a whole lot of trust anything is possible.
4.5 stars
This is the third book in the “No Ordinary Hero” series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title. There are some references to past misdeeds by the villain, but more than enough backstory is provided to keep the reading up to speed.
Ten years ago, Callum MacCreath was the younger brother of Ian, the Earl of Geiry and at twenty years old, he only seemed interested in drinking and chasing lasses. When he learns that his brother has decided to become business partners with the Duke of Dunncraigh, he is livid and is even more upset to learn that his childhood friend Rebecca Sanderson aka Becca has agreed to marry Ian and her father is also entering into the partnership. Words are exchanged and Callum leaves. He intends to forget all of them and proceeds to cut ties completely, refusing to read letters from his family or anyone else. It isn’t until he learns of his brother’s death – completely by chance – that he even considers returning to Scotland. He has built a new and very profitable life for himself in Kentucky, distilling whisky. But when he learns his brother died by drowning, he knows something is wrong and will destroy anyone who had a hand in his demise.
Becca, the Countess of Geiry is finally ready to put off mourning and move on with her life. After grieving the death of her husband and then her father, she is ready to accept the marriage proposal of Dunncraigh’s son, Donnach, Marquis of Stapp. But everything is put on hold when Callum returns like the Devil seeking his due – complete with a wolf companion. This Callum is not the drunken boy that left Scotland, he is every inch a man now and angry to boot.
Callum is shocked that he is still attracted to Becca, but until he knows if she was part of the conspiracy to kill Ian, he will resist the pull he feels. He was ready to cast her out of the house, until he met his niece, Margaret aka Mags. Callum is instantly smitten and since Mags is completely innocent, nothing will stop him from protecting her or letting her go. Since Becca will not leave without her and Callum will not let her leave, they have to find a way to live together. Becca does not believe Callum’s claim that Ian was murdered, but concedes that if he finds proof, she will support him.
Together they form a truce and Callum begins to believe that Becca had no knowledge of Dunncraigh’s plans. But she still doesn’t believe that Ian or her father were murdered.
When it becomes clear to Becca that Callum is right, she begs him to choose a life with her and Mags over his vengeance – and Callum struggles with his decision. His relationship with Becca is growing stronger and he knows he wants her in his life always, but without solid evidence against Dunncraigh, he cannot offer her the life she hopes for.
When evidence is finally found and it seems like all their dreams will come true – a desperate Dunncraigh, does the unthinkable and forces both Callum and Becca to make decisions that could change everything and rob them of the future they had hoped to share.
This book was extremely intense – the writing was great, the story never lagged, Mags and her “pack” were a delightful addition to the story, the villains were especially nasty, the love scenes were steamy and the devil gets his due!
I really enjoyed this book and would be happy to recommend it, the only reason I dropped off a 1/2 star was completely personal – the brothers/sister-in-law love angle was a little bit of an “ick” factor for me. It was well done and the author goes out of her way to justify it – but for me it was just didn’t work.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
I LOVED it. Callum and Rebecca were charming and grew into wonderful characters that got a second chance at love. The most wonderful character though was Rebecca’s daughter, Maggie. Not only did this 6 year old charm Callum and his wolf Waya, but myself as well. She reminded me of my nieces.
I adore Ms. Enoch’s writing. She has a fantastic flair for writing. You just get lost in the story. I couldn’t put this down as I was so intrigued by the plot. This is a book that will go on the “to read again” shelf.
Callum leaves Scotland when his brother marries his childhood friend and learns that his feelings were deeper than friendship. He returns to find his brother dead and the feelings from past for Rebecca are not gone. Good storyline to keep the reader turning pages.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
Publisher’s Description:
The dawning of desire
1806, Scotland. Wild, reckless Callum MacCreath is in no hurry to become someone’s husband. But when his responsible, steady older brother Ian announces his engagement to their childhood friend Rebecca, Callum makes a startling discovery: he wants the lovely young lass for himself. But it’s too late, and when Ian banishes him for his duplicity, Callum is only too happy to leave Scotland forever.
…is delicious and dangerous
1816: Marrying Ian was the practical, logical thing for Becca to do. But once Callum sailed away to America, she missed his rakish charm and lust for life. Now Becca is a widow when a much-changed Callum returns to his Scottish homeland. Will he remember their spirited, fiery connection or does he blame her for his brother’s unexpected death? This time neither of them can deny their scorching attraction. But will their hearts be burned in the blazing heat of scandal?
My Thoughts:
I have loved all of the books I have read by Suzanne Enoch. She quickly became a favorite author of mine.
This is the third book in the No Ordinary Hero series.
Callum has always been a bit of a scoundrel. When he discovers Ian has asked Rebecca to marry him, Callum suddenly realizes he wants their childhood friend for himself but when he asks her to elope with him she tells him he is a drunken boy.
Ian and his guest overhear and this leads to Callum’s banishment from his home and eventually from Scotland. But before he leaves he tells the unscrupulous Duke that he will return to kill him if anything happens to his brother.
Ten years later in Kentucky, Callum learns of his brother’s demise and returns to Scotland with murder on his mind.
He is certain that Ian’s death was certainly not the accident it was thought to be after all Ian couldn’t possibly have drown.
Callum is sure it was murder and also suspects that Becca’s father was murdered too.
Did Rebecca have a hand in her husband and father’s demise.
It is love at first sight when Callum meets his young niece. Margaret is a precocious six year old who becomes enchanted with Callum’s wolf, Waya.
She quickly claims the wolf as her own even though she already has a dog and wraps Callum around her little finger.
Will Callum and Becca be able to crack the mystery of Ian’s death?
Will their search for the truth bring them back together in a second chance at love?
I gave this well written and enchanting title 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames. When Callum and Rebecca come back together it leads to a very heated relationship.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
I really enjoyed reading A Devil in Scotland by Suzanne Enoch, book three in her No Ordinary Hero series. As a twenty-year old Callum, being the second son, had no responsibility so he lived recklessly by indulging in whiskey and women, and as presented was not very likeable. Becca, two years younger, grew up with Callum and his older brother Ian as playmates and best friends. She is already considering her future, wanting security and a family. Upon hearing that Becca is to marry his older brother’s marriage offer, Callum while upset, rashly proposes that she run away with him instead and insults everyone from his brother to their clan chief. Everything he says is overheard by his brother who furiously banishes him.
Fast forward ten years and we find Callum a wiser if not cynical man who through hard work built an empire in America with a successful whiskey company. When Callum accidently learns from a scrap of newspaper that Ian had died in a tragic drowning accident, he knows that foul play must be involved and returns to Scotland intending to seek revenge for his brother. The adult Callum is more likeable and honorable. Upon his return with his pet wolf, Waya, he discovers he has a six-year old niece, Mags, who he feels very protective of and the clan chief’s son courting Becca. As Becca and Callum reconnect they find a strong and powerful chemistry between them. This powerful story contains humor with the antics of Mags, Waya the wolf, and the family Skye Terrier Reginald, known as Mop along with some steamy sex scenes. Becca and Callum need to trust the other as they work together in figuring out who killed Ian.
I enjoyed reading this story. Ms. Enoch is an excellent storyteller, keeping me interested in this story so that I had trouble putting it down. I recommend this outstanding book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
The plots of Suzanne Enoch always bring something more than what is perceived on the surface.
At first we have the story of a young man – 20 years old – who lives his life fully, without thinking too much about the consequences.
Until his brother announces his engagement to someone Callum was interested in.
Callum tries to convince Rebecca to marry him, but this is witnessed by others and creates confusion, resulting in Callum’s banishment from the clan.
He goes to America and there creates an empire of whiskey, as good Scotch he was.
Ten years later, Rebecca finds herself a widow, but Callum does not immediately appear, since he had cut off any contact with his brother and destroyed all his letters.
Until he learns of his brother death, but something there did not seem right.
Callum returned to claim his share of the inheritance, but deep down something mysterious was about to be discovered.
Callum and Rebecca meet again, now with no hindrance to being together, but would it be the whole truth?
A great story but with some obscure points, and I did not feel any connection with the female character.
3,5 stars
This book is a completely enthralling story of love, failure, revenge, and redemption with a cast of characters who are colorful and interesting. Callum was a young man who left his family ten years prior to the start of the tale. Callum was wild, irresponsible and ordered by his older brother to leave the place. Rebecca was the girl he hadn’t realized he wanted until his brother laid claim to her first. After the years go by and a tragedy takes place, Callum returns to his childhood home a different man, with retribution on his mind. He is greeted with a number of suprises, except for one: he still wants Rebecca.
The plot is filled with intrigue, action, and heat- I just couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book to romance readers, especially those who enjoy a highlands love story that add a bit of danger to their hea. I missed the first two books in this series and a few of the characters from those had bit parts in this book, now I intend to read those as well.
I read this as an arc on Netgalley which affected my review in no way at all.
A Devil In Scotland is a thrilling historical romance by Suzanne Enoch. Ms. Enoch has provided us with a well-written book loaded with amazing, lovable characters…and animals. Becca is marrying Ian, the brother of her best friend Callum. Callum throws a fit and is sent away and stays away until he learns of his brother’s death. Becca and Callum’s story is full of intrigue, suspense, action and sizzle. This is one historical romance you won’t want to miss. I loved reading A Devil In Scotland and look forward to reading more from Suzanne Enoch in the future. A Devil In Scotland is book 3 of the No Ordinary Hero Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.
Callum MacCreath was a wild & reckless young man when his brother Ian banished him in1806. Now ten years later he owns a distilling company in Kentucky when reads that Ian has drowned, the same Ian who could swim like a fish. For years Callum & Rebecca Sanderson had been best friends & he always thought they would marry but when he learns she’s engaged to Ian well the argument resulted in Callum’s banishment.
Now Becca is a widow when a much-changed Callum returns to his Scottish homeland. She also has a six year old daughter Margaret. Callum is nothing like the drunken youth who left but means to get to the bottom of Ian’s & Recca’s father’s deaths.
This is the third book in the series & like the previous two books it’s an engrossing absorbing read. The characters come alive the more you read & the story had me gripped from the beginning. Of course Mags & Waya steal the book for me & endeared me to Callum even more. Ecca has also matured & is willing to fight for what she wants, Callum is still a hothead at times but has learnt to curb his temper. If you like a tepid romance with two dimensional characters then this isn’t for you but if you love strong characters within a strong story then like me you’ll relish every page of this five star read. I so look forward to more from the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I have to admit at the first of the book I wasn’t impressed with Rebecca. I also didn’t trust her. But as her story came to be I understood why she made the choices she did and why she took the actions she took. I loved how Callum grew up and actually became a man instead of a drunkard boy! I have to admit though, I have questions about Reginald and Waya also! I hope we get Mag’s story as a grown woman, eventually! I got this book from NetGally!
Since being thrown out of his home for being an argumentative, drunken wastrel, Callum MacCreath has dome some serious growing up.
Now when terrible news reaches him, he knows he was right all along. It’s time for vengeance.
Rebecca Sanderson made a sensible decision ten years ago. Now is the time to face the consequences. There have been two deaths in her family, are they accidents as she believed or murder?.
Her life is about to change drastically.
A wonderful historical murder/ mystery with a surprising romance. The characters are really interesting and don’t always do what you expect.
This is part of a series but only slightly linked, so you can read any of them as a stand alone.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A sweeping tale that will take you through several years and many life changes. Callum MacCreath is really just a young reckless 20 year old that is in no hurry to get married. But his brother Ian beats him to it, announcing his marriage to Rebecca, their childhood friend. Becoming uncontrollably angry because he wants Becca for himself, Callum is banished due to his behavior and leaves not to be seen for many years. This is a story of second chances, of growing up and seeing the world as it really is for Callum. But as things go, Ian passing away and Rebecca ends up with assistance by friends the Duke of Dunncraigh and his son. After ten long years Callum returns to claim his inheritance after no correspondence from him for all those years. It is a rocky road for Becca and Callum, although there is an attraction that grows. This story was an intense tale that was well written and it showed the author’s wonderful research of the time period. The characters become three dimensional and you want to grab and shake them. But in the end I really enjoyed the story and look forward to the next installment in this series.
A Devil In Scotland by Suzanne Enoch
No Ordinary Hero #3
Rebecca “Becca” Sanderson made a choice in 1806 – a choice whether to marry the older MacCreath brother or his younger brother. With societies expectations, her father’s business to go to her eventual spouse and in need of stability she chose Ian rather than Callum in a scene that would haunt all three of them for years. Callum is banished and never reads a missive from Scotland again…which he might regret later on…
Ten years later…Callum hears of his brother’s death and is off to Scotland to seek vengeance. He knows that his brother was murdered and wants all involved, no matter who they may be, to pay for it. He has turned his back on his drunken profligate ways and become a man of substance with a healthy whisky business based in Kentucky and distribution to a number of countries. When he arrives in Scotland he sets in motion the comeuppance of the evil person that has been the villain across this series.
While Callum has grown in more ways than one Becca seems a bit more complacent having fallen into the expected role of a woman with status, wealthy titled husband and one child. She is looking forward to a future that will remain stable and secure and, in my mind, is a wee bit too accepting of all she is told and all she allows to happen – until Callum returns.
Margaret (Maggie-Mags), Becca’s daughter, steals Callum’s heart from their first encounter and Callum’s wolf companion endears herself to Maggie immediately. With Becca to convince of her husband’s murder, evidence to find to prove said murder, a villain to thwart and banked embers of childhood love to fan the embers of this is an action-packed story that I truly enjoyed. I also appreciated that it seemed believable…I may not have agreed with Becca’s choices but I did understand them and I can see how Callum managed to grow up and become so much more than he was when he left home. I enjoyed the entire series and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars