2021 Grand Master Adventure Writer’s Top-10 Finalist Award
B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree
The Coffee Pot Book Club–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 … 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.
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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.
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 discovered “A Devil of a Time” after flipping through page after page of historical fiction novels. I’m glad I persevered, otherwise I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of unearthing this gem. The quality of the writing is superb. The original story line stands out from the generic plots that have become so abundant and tiresome.
This remarkable tale centers on a tormented ex-soldier struggling to rise from the furor of the American Revolution. He returns to his birthplace in Virginia hoping to start over, but a menace from his past has other plans for him. What begins as a contest of wills escalates into a deadly showdown that will either free the hero from his dark history or destroy him and the woman he loves.
The author so perfectly captures the flavor of the period that my reading experience felt more like watching a well-crafted historical movie. Each character plays a pivotal role as the story heightens in suspense and intensity to a tumultuous ending that left me breathless one moment, deeply moved the next, and ultimately extremely satisfied as a reader.
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, don’t miss this book.