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The Highwayman

Book 1 in the series:Victorian Rebels

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The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne is a gripping historical romance novel set in England, featuring the characters Farah Mackenzie and Dorian Blackwell. The story delves into the past of the protagonists, exploring their childhood connection in an orphanage and how it shapes their present lives. As Farah, a widow working at Scotland Yard, encounters the notorious criminal Dorian Blackwell, a complex relationship unfolds, filled with dark secrets, kidnapping, and a marriage of convenience. The writing style of the book is described as intense, touching on psychological themes of trauma, redemption, and the power of love to heal wounds.

Characters:

The characters are deeply flawed yet relatable, with the male lead being a dark anti-hero and the female lead showing resilience and strength.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by emotional depth and vivid descriptions, engaging the reader in the characters' struggles and romance.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on childhood sweethearts who are torn apart by circumstances, leading to a complicated reunion filled with dark themes of revenge and self-discovery.

Setting:

The setting is rich in Victorian landscapes, reflecting the darker sides of society through urban and rural contrasts.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, initially slow as it establishes characters, then accelerating through conflicts and resolutions.
Blood ran down Dougan Mackenzie’s forearms as he crouched against the ancient stone wall separating the grounds of Applecross Orphanage from the wild mountains beyond. None of the other children ventu...

Notes:

Dorian Blackwell rises from the slums of London to become a ruthless villain.
Farah Leigh Mackenzie loses her husband and finds herself a widow yearning for love.
Dorian kidnaps Farah to protect her from imminent danger.
Their love story intertwines themes of past trauma and healing.
The protagonist Dorian despises being touched due to his traumatic past in prison.
Farah is portrayed as strong, kind, and resilient, working for Scotland Yard.
The novel features childhood friends becoming lovers after years of separation.
Themes of revenge, danger, and emotional turmoil are prominent throughout the story.
Kerrigan Byrne is praised for her depth and complexity in character development.
The book explores dark subjects such as child abuse, imprisonment, and loss, countered by a poignant love story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The Highwayman includes content warnings for themes of childhood abuse, sexual assault, trauma, and violence.

Has Romance?

The Highwayman prominently features a romantic plot, with the core of the story focusing on the relationship between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

A Library Journal Best Book of 2015

A Library Journal Summer Spotlight Title

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, in the stunning debut historical romance The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne.

STEALING BEAUTY

Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain. Scarred and hard-hearted, Dorian is one of Victorian 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?

Ratings (25)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (10)
Liked It (6)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (3)

Reader Stats (57):

Read It (28)
Want To Read (15)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (13)

2 comment(s)

Did Not Like
3 months

Vivid writing, but the direction of development really just makes it trauma p*rn. This book could’ve really unpacked things more respectfully, but it did not do that imho.

 
Loved It
11 months

Angsty, in the best way. A love story to remember. Definitely Beauty and the Beast vibes.

 

About the Author:

Whether she's writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, Kerrigan Byrne uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in every book. She lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains with her handsome husband and three lovely teenage girls, but dreams of settling on the Pacific Coast.

 
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