Review: THE HIGHWAYMAN (VICTORIAN REBELS #1) by KERRIGAN BYRNE

Synopsis

They’re rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards—dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the women who love them, a hint of danger only makes the heart beat faster…

STEALING BEAUTY
Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain. Scarred and hard-hearted, Dorian is one of London’s wealthiest, most influential men who will stop at nothing to wreak vengeance on those who’ve wronged him…and will fight to the death to seize what he wants. The lovely, still innocent widow Farah Leigh Mackenzie is no exception—and soon Dorian whisks the beautiful lass away to his sanctuary in the wild Highlands…

COURTING DESIRE
But Farah is no one’s puppet. She possesses a powerful secret—one that threatens her very life. When being held captive by Dorian proves to be the only way to keep Farah safe from those who would see her dead, Dorian makes Farah a scandalous proposition: marry him for protection in exchange for using her secret to help him exact revenge on his enemies. But what the Blackheart of Ben More never could have imagined is that Farah has terms of her own, igniting a tempestuous desire that consumes them both. Could it be that the woman he captured is the only one who can touch the black heart he’d long thought dead?

My Review:

I LOVED this dark and addictive romance! Hello, I am a new fan of historical romance! I highly recommend the audio book on this one. The narrator Derek Perkins does an absolutely SUPERB job.

I was immediately drawn into this rich and epic story. Two young orphans, Dougan and Farah Leigh, bond together against the cruel world and enter into a secret marriage. It was heartbreaking to learn of what happens to these two innocents and Farah pledges unending loyalty to young Dougan.

Fast-forward many years and Farah is living the life of a respectable widow. Believing Dougan to have died, she now works as a clerk for Scotland Yard. Her job brings her face-to-face with the notorious criminal Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More. Cold, ruthless and menacing, Farah is drawn to the handsome Dorian.

Dorian and Dougan had been like brothers while imprisoned together. Dorian is determined to get revenge on those who had made Dougan suffer. Dorian is wealthy and powerful but believes his heart to be so scarred that he is beyond redemption. Enter the beautiful and kind Farah, who might just be able to bring out the human side of the cruel Dorian.

“To no longer be able to abide the comfort of human contact. How did he stand it? No wonder he was so very remote. How could warmth touch your heart when it wasn’t even allowed near your skin?

The two strike a bargain but Dorian warns Farah that he will destroy her if she gives him her heart. The pure-hearted Farah wants only one thing: to bring a child into the world to love and care for, what she herself had never known when she was child.

Her eyes were liquid silver as they narrowed at him, swirling with as many mysteries as the stars in the night sky. “I want a family,” she murmured. “And I’ll do what I must to get it.”
The naked, aching honesty in her voice pierced him with a poisoned arrow, and he could feel the toxins spreading through his blood. Soon he would be completely paralyzed, a victim of the opposing forces now quarreling inside him like two wolves fighting for dominance. The two strongest emotions known to man.

The descriptions in this story are brilliant. The dialogue is witty and intelligent. And the author has an incredible way with the sexy times! I was completely enthralled with this story. There is action, incredible chemistry, and and fabulous love story.

I love a dark hero so this book was perfect for me. I cannot recommend the audio book highly enough. Derek Perkins switches perfectly between British and Scottish accents and all the dialects in between. The narrator made the story come alive for me. And I see that the next book is about Dorian’s dangerous and enigmatic bodyguard Christopher Argent!!! Can’t wait to binge on this series!!

“Of course it’s all-consuming, but love- real love- doesn’t destroy or smother. It’s the very opposite of a weakness. Love strengthens. It liberates. It molds itself to every fiber of your being and fortifies you where where you may be broken.”