The Devil Take You
by
H K Carlton
Epic Historical Romance
Release Date: April 5th
Word Count: 140,717 words
Tags: #HistoricalRomance #ScottishRomance
#HighlanderRomance #ScottishWarsofIndependence #HistoricalFiction
Thank you so much for
hosting, today. I’m excited to once again share this story with readers. The
Devil Take You, is a bit different for a historical romance. Though it's still heaped
with historical significance of the time—set in 1307 during the Scottish Wars
of Independence and the story also focuses on, of course, a romance, but the
‘hero’ is the villain.
I wanted to create an
anti-hero, a severely flawed, cruel, and malevolent character with no hope of
redemption.
Meet Gard Marschand—known in the Highlands as the legendary devil—an evildoer of epic proportions. Marauder, murderer, thief, a man
hell bent on revenge. He is prepared to do anything, no matter how heinous to
accomplish his goals. This man is nobody's hero. But even in his wickedness, he still holds to his own moral code,
skewed as it may seem to decent folk.
So, how then,
do we create a romance when the protagonist is such a deplorable character?
Place a feisty Scottish lass—with a few secrets of her own—in the devil's path, of course!
This story was challenging right from the beginning, and I knew that I had to create the right woman with a combination of strength,
resilience and an overabundance of, if not understanding, at the very least
acceptance, for a man who has no remorse for any of his wrongdoings and with no
inclination or desire to change. Braelynn Galbraith began as the woman in the
wrong place at the wrong time, but she eventually evolved into a character that
could stand toe-to-toe with the devil and hold her own.
I hope you’ll
enjoy, The Devil Take You—
Blurb:
Braelynn Galbraith wants peace for her
beloved Scotland, marriage to her childhood sweetheart, and a house full of
children. In that order. But evil incarnate, in the form of Gard Marschand,
turns her life inside out and destroys all hope of a decent marriage.
Known in the Highlands as the legendary
devil, Gard Marschand raids his way across Scotland and England amassing power
and property in his malevolent wake. He will stop at nothing in his pursuit to
regain what is lost— even conceal his true identity and associate with his
enemies. His determination is all-consuming until he and his men lay siege to
Ross-shire holding and one feisty Scottish lass obliterates his single-minded
purpose.
Can Gard abandon his deep-seated need
for revenge for a love that just might save his rotten soul? Or will he succumb
to the demons that hound him and surrender to the devil within?
I believe your stay in purgatory has only just
begun…
This story has been previously
published
What readers are saying:
What a fabulous, well crafted story! I
could hardly put it down. I love Brae as much as I loved Holly in the Always
Cambridge series. They’re not the same character at all, but Brae is just as
spunky, brave, creative, smart and grounded.
This book was wonderful in so many ways. Feisty heroine,
brooding hero, historical facts woven into the plot, descriptions of sweeping
landscapes, drama and intrigue...well-deserved praise!
I love a good historical romance, especially those set in
Scotland. With a spirited young miss in Brae and a rogue in Gard, HK Carlton
has created two of my favorite characters in The Devil Take You. With a story
that ranks with those of Jude Deveraux and Nora Roberts, HK's tale will sweep
you up in a tide of passion and intrigue that will keep you turning pages.
Excerpt:
Brae slept
until the noise of the camp rising woke her.
She dressed,
then packed her gear and waited for Marschand’s tent to come down, and the day’s travel to begin.
She was unsure
with whom she would ride this day, Llach or Marschand. Or if she would have to
walk. She could not march too far without eating. She was starving.
Half and hour
later, Brae waited outside, where Marschand’s quarters had stood only moments
before.
“Did you eat?”
Without a sound, Marschand appeared at her side.
She jumped.
“Nay.”
“Why not? Do
you think if you do not consume, that in death, you will escape me?”
“Nay, it had
no’ occurred ta me, but it is somethin’ ta keep in mind. Thank ya for the
suggestion.”
His lips
tightened.
“As usual I am
no’ allowed ta leave your quarters, but no one brings me food,” she explained.
“And you are off doin’ wha’e’er it is tha’ ya do. I’d think ya might be nicer
ta the one ye need ta rely on.”
His dark
eyebrows knitted. “You grant yourself too much importance.”
Unable to help
herself, even after Hudson’s warning, she said, “Ye ne’er ken when I could
reword your correspondence, or jus’ plain no’ read the whole o’ it. Puttin’ ya
in a bad position.” She challenged, returning his scowl. “Ya migh’ want ta
think aboot tha’ the next time ye be dolin’ oot your punishments. I can be
vindictive, too. ’Twould seem ya have a whole lot more ta lose than I do.” She
tried to walk away, but he snaked his hand out and grabbed her braid, hauling
her backward.
His black eyes
glittered as he yanked on her hair so hard, she had no choice but to face him.
“Why do you not learn?” he sneered.
“And why dinna
ye learn? I think I jus’ made meself perfectly clear.” Slowly and deliberately,
she reached downward in hope that neither Marschand nor his men would detect
the measured movement.
“And if
you are of no use to me,” Marschand countered, “then I have no use for
you. Do not bite the hand that feeds you, Mistress Galbraith, is that not what
you once said?”
“No one feeds
me, Marschand, be tha’ no’ wha’ precipitated this particular argument?”
“And perhaps
the withholding of food may continue, Miss...” He stopped speaking when she
pressed the blade from his own dirk against his skin. A trickle of blood ran
down his neck. His mouth quirked, and his eyes lit from within.
He is the most
confounding man! If she did not know better, she’d think he was proud of her.
“Ya see, Marschand, I am learnin’. Soon ya willna be able ta push me
aroond.”
“You need to be
willing to use it, Braelynn.” With lightening speed, he took hold of her wrist
and applied enough pressure that she was forced to drop the blade. “Or I will
continue to push you around all I wish.” He ground his hips against her,
leaving her no doubt as to what kind of pushing he meant. “But it was a splendid
attempt.” He winked. The carefree action surprised her—so at odds with his severe
nature. “However, I did enjoy the bloodletting.”
Copyright © 2019 H.K. Carlton
I hope you enjoyed the extract!
If you’d like to sample another snippet, head on over to my blog Pick a Genre Already and read the first chapter.
Happy Reading!
Kymmie
xoxo
Buy Links:
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Author Bio:
H K Carlton is a multi-genre Canadian
author of romance, with over thirty titles in publication. From naughty to
nice, historical to contemporary, time travel to space travel, and everything
in between.
Variety is creativity’s playground—It’s
where you’ll find me
Author Links
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Thanks for stopping by. :)
