Devil Takes a Bride (Knight Miscellany)

Devlin Kimball, Lord Strathmore, is haunted by a so-called accidental fire that took the lives of his parents and his little sister when he was seventeen years old. He spent several years after the accident trying to escape the pain and guilt that plagued him. His torment first drove him to the bottle and then chased him across several oceans to remote parts of the world. Twelve years later, Devlin is ready for the truth. He spends several years compiling information that finally leads him to believe the fire was not an accident. Rather, it was a cover up to a murder; the murder of his much beloved father. His investigation leads him to a notorious club of titled gentlemen who, behind the façade of respectability, engage themselves in debauchery, criminal activities, and any other base distractions that bring them pleasure. Devlin wholeheartedly devotes himself to meeting the requirements that will make him a member of the club. Once inside, he believes that he can narrow down his list of suspects and get to the truth. The last thing he needs, at this stage of his investigation, is a distraction. When Devlin visits his only living relative, his Aunt Augusta, the Dowager Viscountess of Strathmore, he meets the beautiful and intelligent Miss Elizabeth Carlisle, his aunt's companion. Their encounter is a turning point in Devlin's life. Vengeance was his sole reason for living before then, but now he must risk all to bring his father's killers to justice but also keep himself from plummeting into the darkness that threatens to consume his soul. Devil Takes A Bride is filled with suspense; a definite nail-biter, riveting with a twisty plotline. The characters were outstanding; most filled with enough good and bad in them to make it interesting. Devlin has much good in him, for example, but guilt and hate has eaten away much of his heart and thirst for revenge has blinded him to anything that might bring him comfort. It was really hard to get through this book because tension just oozed through the pages. I had to push myself through just to find out what happened at the end. This was definitely a great read.

Each story in this series is better then the last and this one by far has been my favorite. If you have been following this seris from the first book 'The Duke' then you will be pleased that this is Lizzie's story. Remember her, she is friend and champanion to Jacinda? Lizzie has moved on and is in the process of working on healing her heart after it's broken by Alec Knight. She is now living in Bath as a champanion to Viscountess Strathmore. It's because of her love for the old dragon that Lizzie conspires to bring Devil Strathmore to heel. He has been spending money as if it grew on trees and has not bothered himself in the slightest to come and visit. Lizzie gets more then she bargained for when Devil finally comes to call.Devlin comes home to Bath fearing that his beloved aunt is dying. He finds out that his aunt's is actually not on deaths door and that Lizzie has just played him but good. He should be angry with her but instead he finds himself drawn to her sweet nature. Before his visit is over they will find themselves fighting an attraction, and Devlin's fear of commitment not to mention the differences in their social situation.Devlin is seeking vengence. His family died in a fire several years earlier, and he is after those that killed them. His efforts lead him to a nasty group of nobles and now he's walking a fine line between proving he is as bad as they are, and keeping himself alive in order to fulfill his promise. Now he has his to protect his heart from the one thing he wants but doesn't deserve. Lizzie.Devlin's aunt though is aware of the attraction and sets out to be a matchmaker, even if it's from the grave. She writes a new will and both Devlin and Lizzie will be shocked at the outcome. But she gets her way, these two people find themselves seeking each other out and exploring the feelings they each have. They are met for each other. Lizzie is looking for a home and a person to love, Devlin is learning how to love and is being guided on that journey by Lizzie. Can they each find what they need before it's too late and all is lost?This was a wonderful story. I can't say enough good things about it. The characters are wonderful, and Devlin is a wonderful hero for our Lizzie. If you've never read any of Ms. Foley's books you won't be left wondering what's going on this book stands on it's own, but if you have been a reader of the Knight series you will love visiting with old friends and seeing Lizzie finally find love. The storyline is complex but our hero and heroine are worthy characters for it. I can't wait for the next in this series. I highly recommend this book and author and suggest you add them to your must read summer list! You won't be sorry!!!

England, 1805, seventeen-year-old Devlin Kimball had been sitting in detention awaiting the arrival of his displeased parents and little sister Sarah when the dean walked in to inform him that his Aunt Augusta was en route to pick him up. His parents and four-year-old sister had "an accident". Half way to the school they had stopped at an inn to rest. The inn had caught fire, killing 47 people, including his family. The Dowager Viscountess (Augusta) Strathmore did her best with Devlin, but he eventually went adventuring on the high seas, spending his rage on the elements. London, 1817, Devlin "Devil", Lord Strathmore, had uncovered the dark truth about the fire at the inn. The fire had been deliberate! He also knew that one or more of the morally twisted gentlemen in the "Horse and Chariot Club" were to blame. Devlin vowed to learn the names of the guilty and kill them. Marriage never entered the equation. But Aunt Augusta's will changed that. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Carlisle had been lady's companion to Augusta, who had been affectionately known to all as "Lady Ironsides". Knowing how much the old lady loved her nephew, Lizzie had tricked Devlin into visiting only weeks before the lady died. Devlin had been annoyed at Lizzie at first. But his aunt had been the only person Devlin cared for anymore and understood, after awhile, why Lizzie had done it. Both of them were shocked when the will was read. The problem for Lizzie was that she had already been through a broken heart before with Lord Alec. (The brother of Lizzie's best friend in the previous book titled "LADY OF DESIRE".) The last thing she wanted was another man in her life! The problem for Devlin was that if anyone at the club realized his actually had come to care for Lizzie, she would be in grave danger! ***** EXCELLENT! I can tell you this much more without spoiling anything and I only tell because the reader knows this from the beginning: Sarah was saved from the fire by someone, Ginny, and raised for the next twelve years in Ireland. Though Sarah recalls nothing, Ginny wishes to return Sarah to her only living relative, now that he has finished traveling. First though, Ginny must make sure Devlin is not like the men in whose company he keeps. Author Gaelen Goley has done an incredible job writing about the Knight family. (Alec & Jacinda's family.) Readers will have glimpses into the lives of a few past characters as well. You do NOT have to read any of the previous books to thoroughly enjoy this one. The plot is strong, the writing perfect, and the story moves along at a good pace. You will not find yourself getting bored at any point. I highly recommend the entire series! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This book was very, very good. This author is one of my favorite and again, she proved why she is so. The struggle between the two characters was meaningful and spicy. However, the struggle didn't start to become the same tedious barbs over and over.The conflicts between the additional characters added so much more. It was very well rounded the book didn't just follow the same, sometimes boring plot line of boy meets girl, girl hates boy, boy wins girl, villain tries to kill girl, boy saves day. There were additional characters and their personalities really leant to developing personal feelings towards them. All characters were well personified, not just the two leading characters. I thought it was interesting how Gaelen Foley showed the other side to the "rouge" character. The character development was fantastic. As always, I'm waiting on edge for the next book.