Englishwoman, Grace Ellington, has made a home in Scotland, but to escape from the meddling people around her who seem to think she needs to wed right away–because women need saving, right? –she volunteers to journey north to aid a friend in childbirth. Keir MacKinnon, the younger brother of the MacKinnon clan chief, has been raised to strike fear in people, on and off the battlefield. Trained … battlefield. Trained to uphold MacKinnon law, he has hardened into a lethal warrior. Caught in a Highland blizzard with the feisty Grace, Keir realizes the beautiful woman who saved him can also save his nephew’s life.
Sparks fly when he takes her against her will to his home, and Grace’s courage is put to the ultimate test. Is Keir MacKinnon the passionate, kind man she saved in the Highland blizzard, or is he truly the cruel executioner who seeks to solve all issues by the sword?
Each book in the Highland Isles series is STANDALONE:
* The Beast of Aros Castle
* The Rogue of Islay Isle
* The Wolf of Kisimul Castle
* The Devil of Dunakin Castle
more
This is a wonderful addition to Heather McCollum`s Highland Isle series. Grace Ellington has always considered herself to be a coward. Keir McKinnon has been cultivated into being the Devil of Dunakin Castle, the feared protector of his clan. However, neither are the outside person displayed to others. Together they can become who they really are and want to be. As with her other books, this one contains great characters. It also processes all the characteristics I like in a read, fast paced, danger, intrigue, and the requisite nasty villain. I have really enjoyed this series, but this may be the last book.. I hope not, there are some characters left that deserve their own stories. However, I will read whatever Heather McCollum writes.
I’ve read and enjoyed the previous book “Wolf of Kisimul Castle.” So I was looking forward to reading The Devil of Dunakin Castle by Heather McCollum, and I wasn’t disappointed. They are all standalone books, so don’t need to be read in order (but I may just have to go back and read the other two)
Grace is a feisty and independent woman (we meet her in book 1), she needs no man to complete her life (even though other people seem to want to marry her off). She goes to help her friend (Miari )to give birth. Along the way she meets “The Devil”, Kier MacKinnon
People wear masks to hide their true selves and Kier is no exception, brought up from an early age, he was taught to be a warrior and then the sword hand of his brother, his job is to uphold the law (even if Keir doesn’t like it) he’s done things he hasn’t liked, and so it’s hardened this man into an unfeeling monster, but like beauty and the beast, the beast is tamed by beauty.
Kier has been told he needs to bring back a great healer Miari (from book 3) to help his ill nephew, but gets caught in a storm and ends up rescuing a woman from wolves.
The feelings that both Grace and Kier feel for each other are soon over shadowed when he realizes that he can’t take the pregnant Miari, but Grace could save his nephew, and with that, he takes her against her will to the castle. It doesn’t go down well with Grace
Once Grace helps the clan, other things start to happen and she wonders if the illness wasn’t an illness!
As with the previous book, Heather McCollum brings the characters to life. The scenes were very well written and I could imagine myself easily in Scotland .
This is my first read by Heather McCollum, and I’m sorry that I haven’t already read the rest of the Highland Isles series. I quite liked this one! If you are just discovering this author like me, I don’t think its absolutely necessary for you to read the earlier books. There are some references to events in earlier books, and maybe a slight spoiler, but nothing major.
Our heroine is an English lass, Grace Ellington, who has been living on the Isle of Mull with her sister (heroine of a previous book). The only thing I missed by not reading the earlier books was Grace’s backstory. I wanted to know how she got to Mull, what happened in her past (it was referenced a few times but not explained), and how she became a healer. While Grace had a couple of reluctant moments early on, she didn’t grind on my “reluctant heroine” nerve, and I liked her quite a bit. She was assertive and not afraid to speak her mind, particularly when it came to our hero. She was intelligent and kind and brave. All great qualities.
The hero is the fearsome Devil of Dunakin, Keir MacKinnon. Keir is the enforcer and executioner of Clan MacKinnon, and wears proof of every death upon his body. His formidable reputation and appearance make people quake in fear, and not many would dare to cross the MacKinnon clan because of him. But Keir is not made of stone, and he was a good and honorable man beneath that rigid exterior. I loved the peeks we got beneath the devil’s mask, and I liked his character just as much as Grace.
The relationship between these two was a bit hot and cold. There was undeniable chemistry, but Kier’s duty to his clan kept him at arm’s length much of the time. I was so happy when Grace started seeing more than the image that Kier projected, and was able to find that good and vulnerable center. I loved that she was determined to save him from himself, and the situation he was placed in by duty to his clan and chief. With our assertive and vocal heroine, this story ended up being a bit more steamy than the typical historical romance – which was just fine by me.
I am not usually a huge fan of male narrators, but I really liked this one. Tim Campbell brought our Scots to life, and I loved his accent and deep voice. He was able to affect a passable female persona as well, which is usually my biggest hang up with male narrators. I will definitely look for more of his narrations in the future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the pubisher, Tantor Audio.
Before I begin my review, I have to say that this book had the absolutely best dedication I have ever read and that dedication is reiterated in the note from the author at the end of the book. It was beautifully done and really touched my heart.
This book has all the elements I love in a story: humor, action/adventure, a misunderstood hero, steamy love scenes and a heroine that you can’t help rooting for.
Grace has been a secondary character in the previous books in this series, she is the sister of Ava, the heroine of the first book ( The Beast of Aros Castle ). Grace has always been portrayed as meek and even a bit weak, she has many fears and considers herself a coward, but inside she longs to be strong and have adventures of her own. When an opportunity to leave Aros arises, she jumps at the chance to leave and secretly hopes that she will find her own adventure. She leaves with an escort to travel to Barra to help Mairi with the birth of her child. But on the way, she and her escort are caught in a storm and take shelter at the inn. When her escort Thomas becomes ill, the healer in Grace takes over and she ventures out in the storm to find herbs to treat Thomas. But she gets turned around in the blizzard and soon finds herself lost and alone.
Keir MacKinnon is on a mission, he is on his way to Aros to bring back Mairi MacLean the famed healer. Keir is the brother to the chief and his nephew is gravely ill, he will find the MacLean healer and bring her to the Isle of Skye – no matter what. Keir is known as the Devil of Dunakin, the fierce warrior and executioner of his clan. When Keir hears a scream while on the way to the village, he tells his friend Brodie to go ahead to the inn and turns back to investigate.
What he finds is Grace surrounded by wolves. Injured while trying to save her and then knocked unconscious, Grace knows she cannot leave him to die. She tends his wounds and those of his horse and then begins to make a shelter to protect them from the storm. When Keir awakes, he is shocked to find Grace on him and asks if she is an angel. When he realizes that he is not dead, he leads them to a deserted cabin. Over the course of the storm, Grace cares for Keir and when he finally wakes, she is smitten. They spend time to together and the attraction grows. Just as things begin to heat up between them, Brodie shows up.
Grace learns that Keir is planning on taking her with him and is furious. But along the way, she learns much about Keir and is shocked by the way people treat him. She tries to stay angry, but her heart goes out to this man.
When they arrive at Dunakin, Grace faints at the sight greeting her, but when she recovers, she agrees to treat Keir’s nephew, Lachlan. But the news is not good, not only is the boy sick, but now his father, Rab is also showing signs of the illness. When Grace learns the cause, she has no one she can trust except Keir. And she is not sure she really knows who Keir is, is he the sweet, gentle man who saved her or is he the killer his clan deems him to be. Grace decides that she does trust Keir and together they form a plan to weed out the villain.
The plan works perfectly, except it also implicates Keir’s sister and Rab orders Keir to execute her. Grace is horrified for Keir and seeks him out. When she finds him, she learns his deepest secrets and knows that she loves him. She begs him to refuse to kill Dara, knowing that it will be the act that finally destroys him. Keir loves Grace, but he feels there is no future for her with the “Devil” and tells Brodie to return her to her family.
Desperate to save Keir, she seeks out the one person she believes will help her and learns of a clan legend – that the Devil will be killed when an Angel pierces his heart. To save the man she loves, Grace will have to overcome her own fears.
This was such a great story, the book is well written and flows great, has lots of action, steamy love scenes and a great ending. While this book is the fourth book in the series, I think it could easily be read as a standalone title with no real problems. But, if you would like a better understanding of Grace’s character, I would recommend reading the first book (The Beast of Aros Castle ), before you read this story.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
I absolutely LOVED this book!!! Heather McCollum has fast become a favorite author and reading one of her stories is always a wonderful treat.
This is Keir and Grace’s story and it had my attention from page 1 to the last page, in my opinion it could have kept going! lol Keir has been raised to be the Devil of Dunakin Castle, putting the fear in all who live there. Grace thinks she’s not brave at all but when she decides to go on an adventure, little does she know just how brave she’ll end up having to be!!! Keir is shocked that she’s not scared of him and that she sees the man and not the Devil. Their chemistry is HOT and I also loved the humor in the story as well. Grace is my kind of gal! lol
A well written story and I absolutely do recommend this book!
“This book is dedicated to all the women who feel like they are secondary characters in the novel of life. Grace Ellington was a secondary character, yet see what she has become! Behind our masks of self-doubt, we are all heroines.”
With that opening dedication, and her acknowledgment too, Heather McCollum had me all set for a wonderful adventure ..and succeeded in delivering one!
I got a kick out of Grace and her courageous attitude that she believed to be cowardice. And gracious did she have a mouth! I wasn’t expecting the sassy comments from someone so quiet and..not boring exactly, but the word I’m looking for is currently escaping my mind… At any rate, she was a lively heroine with an edgy, yet sweet tartness I found highly entertaining.
Keir was full of contradictions regarding his terrible title as Devil. He’s the big baddie in public, but goes out of his way to help others, in private mind you, with the help of his bestie Brodie. Say what? Even I was scratching my head with Grace on this turn of events. It’s been awhile since I had read this device plot, but it worked rather well. And I was delighted by Grace’s ability to shoot down Keir’s illogical logic behind the job in a very rational manner. Even more surprising was Keir actually listening to her-most the time.
I felt the storyline itself was written decently well, but the romance kind of threw me off. The romance was good, yet slightly unbelievable for me. Grace turned into a real hussy in the bedroom which didn’t jive with the titled, virginal role she was written as. Obviously Keir wasn’t complaining, since he was reaping those benefits, but Grace was way more vocal-and knowledgeable-than I thought she’d be!
I actually don’t consider this book an historical romance in the traditional sense I’m used to, but that’s not a bad thing. I’d say this is a rather..spruced up version of one. The language and actions by Grace in the first few pages alone made that obvious yet I enjoyed the changes. Grace was highly amusing, didn’t cower, and used her brains instead of her body. Keir was also different from the usual hero with his ability to empathize, listen, and help Grace, instead of jumping in with swords swinging. This was a good read and now I’m curious about the other characters mentioned! I do hope Brodie gets a small novella at point. He’s earned one!
I have read all of Heather McCollum’s works and I have to say this one was amazing. The two characters have so much depth to them you really feel all their emotions. Not too mention I think this is the “Hottest” book to date from Heather. WOW!! Usually the hero is hot (looks and actions) well this heroine (once a secondary character from The Beast of Aro Castle) is just as hot in everything from her talking, actions and her passion…this Lady left nothing out. You knew what Grace was feeling & thinking and she doesn’t apologize for one minute. Just the way her Hero wants it. The secondary characters made you feel so disgusted with them, whoa I was shocked how I could detest fictional characters. Really, the scenes Heather wrote about you could feel the shock and smell the stench and truly hate the bad guys! Even when some of the bad guys were suppose to be good guys… That is writing substance.
The Devil (Keir) is the second son of the Laird of MacKinnon. He is raised to be the enforcer of the Laird. When punishment is handed down he is the one who doles it out. He is also the protector of the Clan. He is told to bring back Mairi Maclean (a healer) now MacNeil and heavy with child, since his nephew is dying. He is on his way when a blizzard hits in the town of Kilchoan. There he finds a Lass about to be killed by some wolves and goes to save her, not realizing he is going to be “saved” by the Lass. Grace sick of having men in her clan want to marry her to “save and protect” her she ventures out on her own to find adventure…Kisimul sounds good She agrees to go to Kisimul to help birth Mairi’s child. Her guard Thomas is taken ill. He stays at an inn and Grace goes and finds some supplies to help him. While out in the storms she comes across the wolves. A gorgeous warrior comes to help and well Grace being Grace ends up injuring the warrior, now she has to heal him and get him out of the storm. .
Once he is awake the two stay out of the storm in a cabin. She then tells him where she is going. Realizing she is a healer and that Mairi being pregnant is out of the question he takes her. But not after a night of “fun” in the cabin. Now the trouble/fun begins.
The Devil kicks in and TAKES Grace home. Now she is angry, which is not a great idea if we remember Grace from The Beast of Aros Castle. Her mouth kicks in and well so do her actions. Once there she finds what is ailing his nephew and new mysterious things start to unfold. She learns the Devil is not quite a devil but has to live up to the name. She thinks that is utter nonsense and in Grace form tells anyone and everyone just that.
We meet some old foes and find a new one. Grace battles each one to prove the heroine can actually be the best “Hero” of all…
You will not be disappointed with this book…I do recommend reading The Beast of Aros Castle first just so you can meet Grace and experience for yourself just how far this outspoken, courage seeking, filthy mouthed (but totally lovable) lass she is!!
Full review appeared on Reader’s Edyn on 11/18/17
Grace Ellington is an English woman from the ton, but has left and moved to Scotland to be closer to her sister. She has been taught quite a lot in healing and now helps others with the skills she has learned. On her way to help a friend with her upcoming birth, she becomes lost in a blizzard and is rescued by Keir. She nurses him back to health following their ordeal, and decides to accompany him to try and improve his nephew’s failing health, but is annoyed when he absconds with her before she even has a chance to reveal her plan to him. Keir holds a fearful reputation, but she sees much more than that within him. While he is indeed in possession of some frightening skills, she can’t help but see all the good in him; having cast judgement prior to discovering his identity. When a dastardly plot is uncovered surrounding the mysterious illness within Dunakin castle, she vows to stay until the traitor is exposed. But another evil exists within the castle and only Grace has the power to save Keir from it. She’s going to save him, or die trying.
Keir MacKinnon (Devil of Dunakin Castle) has been bred for evil. The enforcer of Dunakin, his legend spreads far and wide, full of all of the nefarious deeds and deaths he is responsible for. Duty above all else. He used to believe that, but lately he has been questioning the motives behind the wicked actions he is ordered to carry out. He knows there is a better way, but he is torn with what he knows versus what he has done his entire life. Grace is something he never bargained for and sees him in a way no one has ever dared before. She also doesn’t fear him the way others do and they connect on a level he never imagined possible. The Devil doesn’t live happily ever after – a family would be a weakness. After determining the traitor within their walls, he has another punishment to deliver that is causing a war within himself. He knows his orders, but carrying out this particular command will destroy the man inside … Grace is his only hope – and even Keir doesn’t realize just how true that is.
This is my first book by Ms. McCollum and it definitely won’t be my last. I absolutely loved this book and the world within. Ms. McCollum took a somewhat familiar plot and then jumbled it all up to give it her own unique spin. I really enjoyed Grace and her uncommon departure from England; choosing instead to remain in Scotland with her sister and take up the craft of healing others. She’s a walking contradiction displaying fear in several instances, but strength in others. I don’t think even at the end, she realized just how strong she truly was. Keir is one of the most endearing characters I have come across in a while. He is the personification of strength – protector of all people and things Dunakin – enforcer of punishments handed down from their leader – a man who understand right and wrong versus necessity and survival – at war with his inner self, knowing his recent punishments have been unjust. He’s pretty much everything an alpha male should be. But his life isn’t his own; ruled by obligation and the decisions handed down from his older brother, Rabbie. Grace walking in to his life was exactly what he needed, having been questioning his role for some time, she helped him see things in a new light. Hard versus soft, They are seemingly opposite in every way, but for them, it works perfectly.
This book does a fabulous job of combining two people from different worlds with a bit of mystery and a crazy amount of sexual tension. Grace knows what she wants despite her lack of experience. She’s got a foul mouth on her and every deliciously dirty thing that spills from her lips only makes Keir want her more. She is truly one of a kind with her wanton desires and she isn’t afraid to act on them. Neither is Keir opposed to showing her more about them. Probably my only complaint was the lack of knowledge surrounding Grace’s decision to leave England. There is a bit mentioned about abuse from her brother, but it is never really discussed at length about what happened, or why she didn’t return following his death. Her fear of water is a direct result from him, but she never even discusses that with Keir besides a casual mention about staying away from it. I did quite enjoy watching each character grow and morph into the person they wanted to be. And Keir’s cousin, Brodie is also a brilliant addition to the cast of characters. I’d very much like to see him with his own story; especially given his new responsibilities. Overall, this is a wonderful historical romance with charming characters and an engaging plot that I am thrilled to have been able to read. If all of Ms. Mcollum’s stories are this delightful, then I just might have a new go-to author on my hands. Lovers of HR with a Highland twist are sure to be pleased by this tale of a brooding hero in desperate need of rescuing by his one true match.
Kindle version provided by Entangled/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Devil of Dunakin Castle by Heather McCollum
Highland Isles #4
Grace Ellington and Keir McKinnon meet when he saves her from voracious animals in the midst of a snowstorm. She returns the favor by healing his wounds from that battle only to have him kidnap her and take her to the Isle of Skye to heal his ill nephew. Keir is “The Devil of Dunakin Castle” raised to put fear into all for the heartless horrible deeds he visits on all but usually at the bequest of his chieftain – or perhaps he does what he does just because of who and what he is.
As Grace gets to know Keir she sees another side of him, cares for him and wants more from him that he believes is possible. As the two do their best to thwart evil, try to heal the ill will and people around them and find comfort in one another they both wonder if perhaps…just perhaps…there might be a future for them together.
This book made me feel, care and want. I loved the way the backstory of the characters unfolded. I came away wishing the book had not ended and wanting to know what happens to more than one of the characters in the future so am hopeful there will be another book soon in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
This was the first book I have read by this author, but will definitely not be the last. This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone book. Englishwoman, Grace Ellington, has made a home for herself in Scotland. She has honed her skills and become proficient in defending herself but yearns for adventure. Everyone seems to be trying to get her married off, so to get away, she sets out to help a friend who is about to go into childbirth. On her way, she gets caught in a blizzard and ends up saving a a warrior, Keir MacKinnon. Keir , called the Devil of Dunakin, is known as one of the strongest warriors of his clan (or always has been until he meets Grace!) Grace is in trouble and becomes lost and in need of rescue but in trying to help her, Keir is knocked unconscious and Grace ends up saving him! They get to a deserted cabin nearby and Grace takes care of the warrior until he wakens. Needless to say, they become attracted to each other in such close quarters, how could they not? Keir ends up taking Grace to his home so that she can heal his deathly ill nephew. Along the way, they get to know each other and Grace becomes upset at how it seems his clan treats Keir Arriving at the castle, Grace is shocked to find out what is making the nephew ill. Secrets, mystery and intrigue are all woven together and a killer is on the loose. Can Grace and Keir find out what is happening before it is too late? The author is a master at making the characters come alive and keeping you turning the pages as fast as you can. The descriptions and emotions are deep and have you guessing until the end. This is a wonderful story that should not be missed!