This is a wonderful addition to Heather McCollum`s Highland Isle series. Grace Ellington has always considered herself to be a coward. Keir McKinnon has been cultivated into being the Devil of Dunakin Castle, the feared protector of his clan. However, neither are the outside person displayed to others. Together they can become who they really are and want to be. As with her other books, this one contains great characters. It also processes all the characteristics I like in a read, fast paced, danger, intrigue, and the requisite nasty villain. I have really enjoyed this series, but this may be the last book.. I hope not, there are some characters left that deserve their own stories. However, I will read whatever Heather McCollum writes.

Englishwoman, Grace Ellington, has made a home in Scotland, but to escape from the meddling people around her who seem to think she needs to wed right away—because women need saving, right? —she volunteers to journey north to aid a friend in childbirth. Keir MacKinnon, the younger brother of the MacKinnon clan chief, has been raised to strike fear in people, on and off the battlefield. Trained to uphold MacKinnon law, he has hardened into a lethal warrior. Caught in a Highland blizzard with the feisty Grace, Keir realizes the beautiful woman who saved him can also save his nephew’s life. Sparks fly when he takes her against her will to his home, and Grace’s courage is put to the ultimate test. Is Keir MacKinnon the passionate, kind man she saved in the Highland blizzard, or is he truly the cruel executioner who seeks to solve all issues by the sword?
This was my first book by this author. I really liked Grace and was a bit wishy washy with Kier. However, I thought the author balanced him out well with Grace and the story as sometimes, characters like him can ruin a book for me. I look forward to reading more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This was a great story with a nice flow. The pacing of the story was excellent. I liked how the characters developed as did their relationship. I officially give this 4.5 stars.

I was grateful to receive a free copy of The Devil of Dunakin Castle, in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I enjoyed Grace and Keir and their story. The author did a great job starting the plot, and I wasn't able to stop reading.

However, it was very hard for me to get into Keir's character once the story continued to develop.

Overall, I would still recommend this book to friends and family.

This is my first read by Heather McCollum, and I'm sorry that I haven't already read the rest of the Highland Isles series. I quite liked this one! If you are just discovering this author like me, I don't think its absolutely necessary for you to read the earlier books. There are some references to events in earlier books, and maybe a slight spoiler, but nothing major.

Our heroine is an English lass, Grace Ellington, who has been living on the Isle of Mull with her sister (heroine of a previous book). The only thing I missed by not reading the earlier books was Grace's backstory. I wanted to know how she got to Mull, what happened in her past (it was referenced a few times but not explained), and how she became a healer. While Grace had a couple of reluctant moments early on, she didn't grind on my "reluctant heroine" nerve, and I liked her quite a bit. She was assertive and not afraid to speak her mind, particularly when it came to our hero. She was intelligent and kind and brave. All great qualities.

The hero is the fearsome Devil of Dunakin, Keir MacKinnon. Keir is the enforcer and executioner of Clan MacKinnon, and wears proof of every death upon his body. His formidable reputation and appearance make people quake in fear, and not many would dare to cross the MacKinnon clan because of him. But Keir is not made of stone, and he was a good and honorable man beneath that rigid exterior. I loved the peeks we got beneath the devil's mask, and I liked his character just as much as Grace.

The relationship between these two was a bit hot and cold. There was undeniable chemistry, but Kier's duty to his clan kept him at arm's length much of the time. I was so happy when Grace started seeing more than the image that Kier projected, and was able to find that good and vulnerable center. I loved that she was determined to save him from himself, and the situation he was placed in by duty to his clan and chief. With our assertive and vocal heroine, this story ended up being a bit more steamy than the typical historical romance - which was just fine by me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the pubisher.

DNF. Not my thing at all. Thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

Enjoyed reading Grace and Keir's love story. an emotional read filled with suspense, danger and action. I was engaged throughout the book.could not put down. Recommended read

This was a new to me author and I loved the book. I stayed up all night to finish it. I will be reading the rest in the series.

I love this series!! Another great historical read!! The Devil is ties to his roots and reputation, uses as a shield to keep out the precious things in life but when he kidnaps Grace she begins to break down this facade. It was an enjoyable read and I loved reading how Grace was fight her way to what she and If It both deserve!!

This is a really good historical romance and I enjoyed it.Grace ran away from England with her sister Ava and has been living in Scotland since then has devoted her time to healing people.Kier is known as the Devil of Dunakin a feared warrior he will whatever it takes to keep his clan safe.When his nephew becomes sick he is sent to fetch the famed healer Mairi to help him, instead, he comes across Grace in a blizzard he rescues her from a pack of wolves but is injured and she heals him.I just loved the chemistry between these two they are just so good together but can they have a future?

Not at all what I expected. A darkness that was quite riveting and enjoyable. I could not put it down once I got started.

The Devil of Dunakin Castle by Heather McCollum is the fourth book in the Highland Isles series. I have not read the previous books, but after finishing this book I would like to. I was able to fully enjoy the read without the prior knowledge, although fans of the series will have a better understanding of some of the characters.
Englishwoman, Grace Ellington, has made a home in Scotland, but to escape from the meddling people around her who seem to think she needs to wed right away—because women need saving, right? —she volunteers to journey north to aid a friend in childbirth. Keir MacKinnon, the younger brother of the MacKinnon clan chief, has been raised to strike fear in people, on and off the battlefield. Trained to uphold MacKinnon law, he has hardened into a lethal warrior. Caught in a Highland blizzard with the feisty Grace, Keir realizes the beautiful woman who saved him can also save his nephew’s life.Sparks fly when he takes her against her will to his home, and Grace’s courage is put to the ultimate test. Is Keir MacKinnon the passionate, kind man she saved in the Highland blizzard, or is he truly the cruel executioner who seeks to solve all issues by the sword?

The Devil of Dunakin Castle is a book with characters that really get under your skin. Grace is tired of being treated like she could break at any given moment, even if she is a little accident prone. She takes advantage of an opportunity to travel and act as a healer, but things never seem to go as planned for her. Keir is in search of a healer to save his nephew, but his reputation as the Devil of Dunakin strikes fear into most people, and things are not really working out for him either. Together they find their way, and end up struggling with trust and reputations as new challenges keep rising in their paths. I love the way they both need to come to terms with their own fallibility and learn to trust each other. I think that Grave had the most influence on others and I loved seeing her take charge of the healing and more subtle relationship changes. I felt for her, and watching her try to get through to Keir and his family was heart wrenching. I was unable to put the book down, and am very eager to read more of this series. The writing style and characters are captivating and still have not get go of my imagination, I want more!

The Devil of Dunakin Castle is an engaging and heart wrenching read. The characters are extremely well written and they stayed with me well after I moved on to the next book. I am about to go hunt down the three previous books and get to reading.

Quite another Highlander story and far from what I expected to read and in the beginning I wasnt sure, if I really will like it but in the end it was fine with me.
It's about a clan who uses fear to stay in power and on the other side about a female healer, who has to deal with a man, a highland warrior who was pushed into a role.

Very well written, I absolutely enjoyed reading this novel, though I think it was my first Heather McCollum novel, it wont be my last one!

I loved this story. It was different to the other highlander books that are out. Right from the first page you are drawn into a meaningful storyline. Grace is a character and a half. She has the looks of a lady but the tongue of a man. She was raised to be the perfect Lady in England. She moved to Scotland to be with her sister. By all outward appearances Grace is happy. Its not until she meets Keir that her life turns. At first glance Keir is a hard ruthless highlander warrior. I loved the romance between these two. At first i was hoping that her fear of water would turn into something further on but its like the author forgot she kept saying it. There are a lot of twists and turns within the growth of the story. Some you can see coming from a mile away but still a good read. My only fault with this story was the rushed ending.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.25 Hearts This is the 4th in the series but the first one that I have read. And it made me what to go back and read the first three in the series.

Grace may be one of my favorite female characters in a while. She is shy and reserved but wants to come into her own and have an adventure but of course it goes wrong. She is almost attacked by a wolf, is caught in a blizzard and then kidnapped by Keir to force Grace to help his dying nephew.

So much adventure and ups and downs and yet the story is one of love. Not just romance but love of family as well.

I loved this story. I can’t wait to go back and read the other three stories. Yes this was able to read as a stand alone but I know the other stories will be worth the read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher

We discover Grace, the sister of the first volume’s heroine, when she meets Keir during a snowstorm. He’s looking for a healer for his seriously ill nephew, Grace is on even if she’s not the one he’s been charged to bring back, so Keir kidnaps her.

Grace is a heroine who’s always depreciating herself, especially saying she’s not brave, and she doesn’t believe when people say it’s not true. She’s kind but doesn’t hesitate to give her opinion when something’s bothering her. She’s angry when Keir kidnaps her but even if she tries to keep her distances she’s attracted to the man she can see behind the “devil”. In fact the only thing that disturbed me was how she behaved during their first intimate scene, as an experimented wanton woman, it didn’t ring true as she was raised in a noble family in London. But in fact all the love scenes felt too modern for the period, even if they are well written.

Keir was raised from the earliest days to be the “devil” : a killer who doesn’t hesitate to punish those opposing the laird. There is one for each generation, charged with keeping the law. This role weigh upon him because it separates him from everyone because everybody, even the members of his clan, is afraid of him, but he doesn’t consider changing. By the way even if he regrets the consequences on his new relationship with Grace, he doesn’t hesitate to bring her with him. He’s however touched that she’s the only one to see the man behind the character, which shakes his beliefs.

The plot about Keir’s nephew and brother’s illness is relatively well done even if we suspect the culprit from his first apparition once Grace has discovered what’s happening. I also like seeing how Keir and his best (and only) friend maintain the “devil’s” legend without really doing harm. The few secondary characters, mainly Keir’s family, are well done and interesting, and I wonder if the author will write the story of the warrior sister.

I really liked Grace in this story. No matter how dire things looked or how afraid she was, she always pushed through and looked for solutions. She was fair, honest and a good judge of people. Keir is an interesting character. He has a role within his clan and duty comes first for him regardless of his personal views or the personal cost to himself. He is feared by many yet is kind and generous.

Grace is a catalyst for changing Keir’s life. I liked how she challenged his way of thinking.

Overall, I found this story to be an engaging read. This book can be read as a standalone.

Grace, an Englishwoman, needs to escape the life she's made in Scotland to stop the constant strains of those around her believing she needs to marry, that she isn't complete without a man in her life.

Keir, the MacKinnon clan chief's younger brother, has lived his life fulfilling the purpose he was raised to uphold...instill fear in those who encounter him, whether he's on the battlefield or not.

When Keir and Grace meet, and are stranded together, due to a blizzard, not only are they attracted to one another, but Keir also realizes she's the perfect person, and perhaps the only person, that can save his nephew's life. He'll do anything for his family, and so, knowing it may be his last chance, he kidnaps Grace and takes her to his home, intent on making her help him.

Now, as the two get to truly know one another, Grace will discover which side of Keir is the true him, or if they both are.

Can Grace save Keir's nephew? Will Keir let her go whether she does or not? Is Keir's attraction to Grace real, or is he manipulating her to get what he wants? Will these two find a HEA together? Or will Grace run from him the first chance she gets?

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**

So, about this book. Let me say that my ARC had formatting issues, and that made it difficult to read the book. I don’t believe that to be a fault of the author, however, and that will not affect my feelings toward the book.

Like the last book, I had a hard time buying the premise of this book. First of all, this involves kidnapping. While the heroine acknowledges that she’s been kidnapped, it’s otherwise fairly well glossed over. And sure, maybe it was for a good cause – the man’s nephew appears to be dying, after all.

And yet… I enjoyed the book. I like spirited, fiesty Grace. I liked her for leaving behind a life of wealth and privilege in England. I further liked her for recognizing her own worth. I enjoyed getting to know Kier, although he was a bit watered down. It was almost as if, in humanizing him, he just became someone other than who he was meant to be. I don’t actually know how to explain it.

There’s quite a bit of foreshadowing involved, and the bad guy is obvious from the first mention of his name. Despite the obviousness, the situation wasn’t easily resolved, which I enjoyed. I like to see people actually fight for their Happily Ever After.

I’ve not previously read anything by Heather McCollum, but I’m tempted to go back and read the others. I would definitely recommend this one.

Grace Ellington escaped her country of England due to meddling people only to find herself in the Highlands, with just as many meddling people. They all feel like she needs a man to take care of her. As a result, Grace finds herself needing an adventure! Boy did she get one! A dear friend is expecting a baby and wants a familiar face around. Grace volunteers, but like everything else in her life… not goes according to plan. In her travels, she meets Keir, the Devil of Dunakin Castle. Only he’s not as he seems. His reputation DEFINITELY precedes him, but he really does have a heart of gold. The one problem, his brother is the chief and he’s become a tyrant. Keir, along with his childhood best friend, Brodie, has had to become creative in how Chief Rab’s punishments are carried out.

In the end, Grace is kidnapped by Keir and Brodie because they need a healer. His nephew, Lachlan, is severely sick and needs a healer desperately. Along the way, you fall in love with Keir. You get to see his true nature. He’s funny, charming, and completely endearing. On the flipside, he definitely lives up to his title, judging by his body. Because I’m me, when requesting this book, I didn’t realize it was the fourth book in a series. If you have read the first three, you already love Grace. I fell in love with her by the second chapter. She’s the epitome of a gentle English woman. Together, Grace and Keir not only balance each other out, but they also solve the mystery of what is going on with his clan.

It wasn’t hard to figure out who the villain was. This story was subtle and tender. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Heather McCollum is new to me. I was familiar with the name, but never read any of her work. After reading this, I regret only being familiar with her name and I look forward to reading more of her work!