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The Highwayman
The Highwayman
The Highwayman
Audiobook10 hours

The Highwayman

Written by Kerrigan Byrne

Narrated by Derek Perkins

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

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 . . .

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?
LanguageEnglish
Release dateSep 1, 2015
ISBN9781494583989
The Highwayman
Author

Kerrigan Byrne

Kerrigan Byrne has done many things to pay the bills, from law enforcement to belly dance instructor. Now she's finally able to have the career she'd decided upon at thirteen when she announced to her very skeptical family that she was going to "grow up to be a romance novelist." Whether she's writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, Kerrigan uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in almost every story. Kerrigan lives with her husband on the coast of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula in a Victorian-era town almost frozen in time. When she's not writing, you might find her on the beach with her dogs, lounging at a local vineyard or brewery, or buying things she doesn't need at antique stores. Her novels with St. Martin's Press include the Victorian Rebels series (starting with The Highwayman) and Devil You Know series (which begins with How To Love A Duke in Ten Days).

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Reviews for The Highwayman

Rating: 4.156249991666667 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It Was wonderful I laughed I cried and I can’t wait to read the next book
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Loved how the story started, and then it just seemed a little slow and repetitive for a bit. It did pick up near the end and I was happy on how things wrapped up.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed this book! Full of twists and turns I was not expecting. Derek Perkins is a fantastic narrator and I am adding him to my list of favorites. I will be listening to this whole series ASAP!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    LOVED this book. Amazing voice actor which I loved, and the characters and story were fantastic.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    First book in a series. I enjoyed it. I hope it dragged at the beginning because it was setting the foundation for coming books. We will see. It took her enough time to realize who she married ?.
    That was quite exasperating but maybe to be expected. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the others. The most notorious assassin in London sounds like a good story. He makes me so very curious. I hope there is something about him in coming books
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    SummaryDorian Blackwell, is a villain, and rose up from the alleyways of the worst slums in London, to become the powerful man he is today. He does what needs to be done to survive and the horrors of his past made him into what he is today. Farah Leigh Mackenzie, hasn’t had an easy time in her life. When she was young, she got married and for a short while they were happy. Until he was taken away from her, and now she is a widow and for years she hasn’t even thought about another man, until she meets the dark and dangerous Dorian. Then Dorian kidnaps her and takes her up to Scotland, because her life is in grave danger and only by marrying Dorian will Farah be protected. Soon Dorian and Farah’s lives are intertwined and they discover a hidden passion and an abiding love that will surprise them both. Will the terrors of their pasts haunt their futures, or will embracing their new founded love be the healing balm they need?The HeroDorian Blackwell, had a rough childhood and even a tougher adulthood. He spent most of his youth in prison, and befriended a few other that have his back. The only people in the world that he has ever trusted. Dorian is deadly and dangerous and no one dares cross him. Dorian has learned how to survive in the worst of places in London, and worked his way up the ladder to be the most feared and powerful man in England. He has power and wealth and no one can touch him. He has no weakness, until he comes across miss Farah Leigh and he is lost in what she offers him. “My sweet Fairy.” He exhaled on a painful breath. “You can’t imagine darkness. You are the only light I’ve ever known.”Dorian is one sexy alpha male you could never get enough of. He is the type of character you crave to read in historical romance. I just wanted more and more of him as the story progressed. I love his dangerous allure, his sensuality and all that emotional tortured feel his character gives off. Potent to the core!!The HeroineFarah Leigh has been hidden away most of her life. She lost her closest friend and her husband, a man she committed herself to when she was just too young but much in love. Farah is strong and sweet and kind. She works for Scotland Yard as a secretary, and loves her work. She lives to uphold the law and she still yearns for what she once had a lost years previous. Farah isn’t weak or naive, and she takes Dorian in full stride. I love that she stands up to him when no one else does; even though she fears him she doesn’t back down when she truly believes in what is right. I love how her character develops and the way she treats Dorian. She handles him in just the right way, stands up to him but she also compromises with him so they both stand on even ground. She is solid both emotionally and physically. Even though she has suffered a low blow in life, she doesn’t let that weaken her…it makes her even stronger.Plot and Story LineThe Highwayman is one of the best romances I have read this year!! My goodness, I have found a new love in this author and she writes historical romance the way it should be written. Full of depth, complexities and true romance at its core. I just couldn’t get enough of this author. I just want more and more, thankfully, the second book will be coming out in a few months in Feb (CHEERS!!).So what made this story so fantastic??? Well I will tell ya all. Everything about it made it simply wonderful. First off I want to set up the story a little. It starts off with Farah and Dugan as children. They are thick as thieves, both understand each other in different ways, then slowly as they get older, they decide to handfast to each other. “Of course I’ll love you, Dougan Mackenzie,” she said easily. “Who else is going to?” “Nobody,” he said earnestly. “Will you try to love me, too?” she asked in a small voice. He considered it. “I’ll try, Fairy, but I havena done it before.”But when Farah is about to get molested, Dugan protects her and ends up killing the man responsible. He goes to prison, and Farah leaves him food and letters but then he is killed. This really sets up the story on an emotional angle in a vivid way that reaches out to the reader. Then it skips ahead to when Farah is full grown, in her late twenties (we are the same age yay—so I felt it easy to relate with her) and when she gets kidnapped, she meets Dugan’s closest friends. What are the odds right? Well in this book there are no such things as coincidences. We see her strike friendship with Dorian’s friends, who treat her like a sister. It was quite amusing that if Dorian went overboard—he was in the dog house with his buddies because they look at Farah as family.Then we see the romance blossom between Dorian and Farrah in quite a poignant and powerful way. Dorian is bitter and cynical, and Farrah is sweet and good natured. Patient with him, and I love how she handles him in such a positive way. Firm but kind. It takes a turn when the truth comes out, and a secret is revealed. Now this secret is slowly built up through the story, so it didn’t come to a complete surprise because the author leads up to it, but the author slowly teases us until the truth is really revealed. I really couldn’t get enough of these two, seeing them form a strong bond to each other, meanwhile dealing with the danger to Farrah, and the friendships that she forms with Dorian’s friends. I am over the moon with this one, and its the type of story I could see myself re-reading in a couple of years. This is a story that touched me in every way. The emotion and the feelings that are poured into it are all consuming. So if you love a sexy romance full of passion, danger and mystery….pick this one up right NOW!! “I make ye my heart At the rising of the moon. To love and honor, Through all our lives. May we be reborn, May our souls meet and know. And love again. And remember.”The CoverIs there a better cover?? I mean really. One I love yellow on covers, especially this golden warm yellow. I love the sexy pose, almost kiss, her beautiful gown, and man his hair. I just want to run my fingers through it.Overall ViewThe Highwayman is a stimulating ride that takes you all over the British Aisles. Its a story to cry over, to laugh in those silly moments, and to flip those pages as fast as you can read them.A sweeping romance that will take your breath away. A WILD SEXY ROMP!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Amazing! I love Kerrigan Byrne’s writing. Can’t wait to read the rest!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Highwayman
    4 Stars

    A captivating historical romance, but readers expecting a lighter fare in the vein of Sarah MacLean and Tessa Dare may be disappointed as The Highwayman presents a more realistic, i.e. darker and grittier view of Victorian society in general, and the treatment of children in particular.

    The plot grabs the reader from the opening pages and doesn't let go until the very end. Farah and Dorian are immensely appealing characters, and their romance is intense and erotic. Although Dorian epitomizes the dark, dangerous and tortured hero who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, it is impossible not to feel for his suffering and accept his less than moral actions, especially in light of the time period. Likewise, Farah's loyalty, resilience and strength of character make her a delightful heroine despite her tendency toward being a Mary Sue.

    While it is possible to predict the twists and turns of the story, the characters, both primary and secondary are intriguing, and I look forward to continuing with the series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Farah and Dougan meet as children in the dank orphanage where they have been left. Despite their horrific lives, they bond in a special way. Separated, we find Farah seventeen years later working for Scotland Yard when she meets Dorian Blackwell, a criminal mastermind.I loved the beginning of this book and enjoyed the middle as Dorian and Farah learn about each other. I thought the ending a bit rushed and predictable, but all-in-all this was a good read. The sex scenes were long but steamy. The Victorian setting was perfect. Definitely worth reading.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    2nd read- I'm surprised I didn't write a review the first time, because I have thought about this book, and about rereading it, pretty much since I finished it the first time. I hadn't forgotten much about the story, (which says something all on its own), but that didn't keep me from immediately being sucked back into it. It is gritty and compelling, and I wish there were many more books like it.

    3rd read- This book was just kind of calling out to me. =D Even before rereading it, I could probably have told someone nearly the entire story, so it's not really that I was refreshing the happenings, so much as I wanted to relive the feelings. It's just a really compelling read and I thoroughly enjoy it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this so much! There wasn't nearly enough of it. I wish there had been more to read after Dorian admits he was/is Dougan, and they've reconciled their marriage. Regardless, I thought this was great, and I really loved that Farah never moved on from Dougan's death. It made it that much easier to love their soulmate-y connection.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Loved it. Excellent anti-hero, with a strong, independent, sweet heroine to balance. Might write more later, might just bask in this feeling.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book has EVERYTHING. Hot, dominating, alpha male with a dark past? Check. Strong female with a dark past? Check. Childhood romance? Check. Steamy sex scenes? Check. Gay best friend? Check. Seriously. I want more of these characters and this author. Off to read everything she's every written.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

    From the moment Farah wipes the blood from Dougan's hands they are bound to one another, two outcasts in an orphanage. On a fateful night, Dougan violently protects Farah and they are separated, cast out into their fates. It is not until seventeen years later that Farah learns what befell her childhood friend. Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, villainous fiend and king of the underworld kidnaps Farah and claims he is there to protect Dougan's "Fairy". Leaving most unsaid but what is heartbreakingly clear in the painful spaces between words, Dorian recounts his experience in jail with Dougan to Farah, how they banded together to try and survive and how Dougan would tell stories about Farah to the other boys. Dorian plans to make good on the deathbed promise he made to Dougan about eventually finding Farah and making sure she was safe. What Dougan didn't know was that Farah had her own painful past she was running from and Dorian feels he must restore Farah to her rightful place in society. There are lies, half-truths, dangers, and love but most importantly, a feeling that destiny won't be denied.
     
    This is the first book by Kerrigan Byrne I have read; it will definitely not be my last. The Highwayman took me by surprise with its sweeping emotional romantic story. Byrne's writing had a way about it that I felt like I was walking the streets of London with Farah and Dorian, everything is described but not overly in a way that bogs you down with details; she was a master of making you feel through showing, not telling. The overall details of the story with the characters and their actions leans toward a darker tone but there is lightness to the story that springs from our main character's relationship for balance. Dorian and Farah have a certain spark between them that is at turns playful, light, deep, emotional, burning, and heavy. Their contentment to be around one another colors their dialogue at times with a lightheartedness that makes their growing love believable and investing to read.
     
    Farah's journey from the orphanage to her position at the Police Headquarters was taken with Dougan in mind with every step. Farah very easily could have been written as a saintly martyr but instead she is shown to be while inherently goodhearted, also a steel-spined survivor; she's believable. Dorian's background and dark attitude could have easily been written to make him a Beauty and the Beast caricature but instead he is given depth of emotion. He is single-minded in his pursuit of taking care of Farah but with a yearning, stubborn streak, and desperate desires of a man still locked in an abused boy's mindset of protection mode; he's believable. When together, the author doesn't come out and tell us they want each, instead it's felt by the reader in every glance Dorian gives Farah that isn't seen and every touch Farah reaches out to give that is never felt by Dorian. There's anger, desire, hurt, hunger, lies, and love all swirling between Farah and Dorian; together they're believable.
     
    Dorian and Farah are clearly the center piece of the story, as they should be and the structure of the story supported that with the beginning setting up Dougan and Farrah's relationship, the middle introducing Farrah to Dorian and creating their relationship, and the second half delving into the mystery and intrigue while bonding our couple more. If I were to express any complaints, which trust me are minor, it would be that Dougan's childhood origins were a bit murky and that Farrah's endangerment from her father's lawyer Warrington could have been fleshed out more in regards to how I didn't really feel the danger from Warrington as he was too much to the peripheral of the story. Byrne's secondary characters did an amazing job of adding to the story and world she created for her characters. Dorian's house full of men who were all forged in the fire together from prison, again, could have come off as bears with hearts of gold caricatures but instead are given just enough individual thoughts and emotions to make them memorable with adding to the story instead of feeling tagged on after thoughts or show stealers. Even while putting me through the wringer with Farrah and Dorian, Byrne was still able to squeeze some heartbreak out of me for Dorian's man Walters and Farrah's friend Gemma (honestly, I dare anyone not to shed at least a few internal tears over their quiet moment in the kitchen at the end). This feeling of connection to minor characters was another reason why I felt Byrne knocked this one out of the park.
     
    Byrne's writing style reminded me a little bit of Amanda Quick's historicals, the sentences and character's actions can come off at times light and loving but you will suddenly find yourself wrecked by the hidden emotional depth and the overall story somewhat reminded me of an updated 21st century "A Rose in Winter" by Kathleen Woodiwiss. There are a couple hotter, rougher moments in this but ultimately, the story is dominated by the searing emotion between our couple. If you are a historical romance fan, then this is a must read for you. The second in the series looks to be about Dorian's friend and assassin Christopher Argent and based on the glimpses we get of Argent in this book, I'm pre-ordering.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    So good, read twice! Perfect if you like childhood sweethearts trope!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is the first book in the new Kerrigan Byrne’s series Victorian Rebels, and my first read of this author.

    I just loved the introduction to our heroine as she was a child in an orphanage as she’s pledging herself to another orphan and then they get separated.

    Seventeen years later we meet our heroine again and she has become a strong and resilient woman.

    As our hero kidnaps the heroine, we all find out, along with her, what happened to the little orphan she pledged herself to.

    As much as this story was predictable, I still found it fascinating and heartbreaking. But then I’m such a sucker for a broken down hero!

    If you’re looking for a new author, like I was, I think you should try this one because this story had a bit of everything a romance should, and it was very well written.

    Melanie for b2b

    Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A well-told, entertaining tale! It had twists and turns that, although a reader might be able to predetermine, the characters don't look like idiots because they don't. Touches on many topics without apology or excessive explanations usually found in other historical romances. I happily look forward to reading the author's second installment in this series!
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    The prose is purple, the man is a massive alphahole, the woman has lots of "feminine muscles" and says straight up that she will redeem his black heart with her love. And that it's okay that he murdered and raped people in prison. And that he could never rape her because her heart belongs to him. It is a straight up throwback to 80s bodice-rippers. Would get two stars or less, but the dialogue is delightfully snarky when they aren't being all draaaaaamaaaaaa at each other.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Captivating, uplifting and satisfyingOh my! This was a startling declaration of love enduring.A riveting tale of a 'lost boy' reclaimed by love. A fairy tale if you will (parts of it for more than just one denizen of Newgate as it turns out). A Beauty and the Beast story with a twist. I enjoyed this immensely. Farrah Leigh and Dougan MacKenzie meet as children in an orphanage in 1855, Dougan, the illegitimate son of a Scottish Lord continually bares the brunt of harsh punishment. Farrah has been left as an orphan by a sleazy Mr Warrington until she grows up, when he will mary her. Farrah, Dougan's 'fairy' befriends him and over a time and contact that friendship grows to love. Ick! The scenes of Dougan and Farrah as children together in that awful place tended by harsh taskmasters are overlaid with compassion and tenderness. As preteens almost, Dougan and Farrah hand fast to each other in the orphanage chapel and declare their undying love. Dougan give her a piece of MacKenzie plaid that she holds onto over the years, just as she holds onto her love for Dougan. When Farrah is fondled by the orphanage priest they attempt to run. The priest is killed. Dougan is taken to prison.Over the years Farrah (as a child and later as the respectable widow Mrs MacKenzie) has been searching for Dougan. She scores a job at Scotland Yard as a recorder. Here she comes face to face with the notorious Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, after he is taken in for questioning, unknowingly, Farrah looks across the years at her past and into her future.I was struck by Byrne's use of language. For example on on occasion, when Dorian and Farrah face each other, he stands so close to her that 'a moth's wing wouldn't have survived in the space between them and still he never touched her.' Delightfully descriptive, poetic!And the tragedy! I certainly needed my box of tissues close by during reading.Just before writing this I reread The Highwayman. If possible I enjoyed it even more. I think this will be a serious reread over the years to come. Oh, and I can't wait to read the next in the Victorian Rebel series about the assassin, Christopher Argent.A NetGalley ARC
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Highwayman by Kerrigan Bryne is a 2015 St. Martin's Press publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. “I'd never leave you, Fairy. Truly? Not even to be a pirate? I promise. I might be a highwayman though. Will you try to love me, too? I'll try Fairy, but I havena done it before. I'll teach you.” Wow! Whoa! Is it really possible the dangerous, dark, brooding hero is back? Please, say it's true. This book blew me away! A real honest to goodness sweeping and epic love story! Farah is a respectable widow whose husband died after a brief marriage. She now works for Scotland Yard and has perhaps decided to consider marrying again in hopes of having the children she has always wanted. But, her plans are suddenly upended when the ruthless villain, Dorian Blackwell kidnaps her, then informs her that her birthright as been stolen by an impostor and her life is in danger. He promises he will keep her safe, but his protection comes with a high price.... she must agree to marry him and help him exact revenge on those who wronged him. Farah knows she hasn't much choice in the matter, but there is still one stipulation she must insist upon before she agrees to this arrangement. Dorian must provide her the family she has always pined for. Dorian is the quintessential tortured soul, scarred physically, mentally, and emotionally. Farah is the gentle soul whose strength and determination will break down the fortress Dorian has built around his heart. “I make ye my heartAt the rising of the moon.To love and honor, Through all our lives.May we be reborn,May our souls meet and know. And love again. And remember.”This is much more than a classic beauty and the beast story. This story touched me on all cylinders, had me going through the gamut of emotions, starting with sadness, anger, frustration, and fear that led on to becoming one of the most heart warming, deeply emotional and touching, epic love stories I've read in a long time. 5 stars