BOOK REVIEW: The Laird Of Darkness By Nicole North

Carina Press  Erotica/Historical

27,000 words   March 21 2011 By Nicole North


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Half-Fae Laird Duncan MacDougall is cursed. His nights are haunted by Otherworld creatures sent to kill him. The only way to stop them is to possess the magic bow currently in the hands of his enemy half brother, Kinnon MacClaren. In desperation, Duncan plans to take MacClaren's bride-to-be hostage and exchange her for the bow.

Lady Alana Forbes has never met her intended, but she hopes he is handsome—and a good lover, for Alana is no innocent virgin. On her way to Castle Claren, Alana and her escorts are intercepted, and she is kidnapped by a man with extraordinary abilities—and every attribute she longs for in a mate.

Duncan didn't expect the woman he thought of as a mere pawn to be so beautiful, and so arousing. Alana is drawn to him as well—but Duncan still needs the bow, and Alana is betrothed to another. How far will Alana go to save the life of the man she's come to love?

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Another fine read from Carina Press. Duncan MacDougall is a Highland Laird with a kick, he is half Fae, and while that gives him some other worldly powers, he is also cursed to be haunted and attacked by Otherworld creatures during the dark of night. What a total bummer. Doesn't seem to interfere with his extreme prowess in bed however, luckily for the heroine.

Lady Alana Forbes is on her way to marry a man she has never met, common back in medieval times. On her way there, she has the misfortune (or turns out, fortune) to come across Duncan MacDougall. As soon as he finds out she is going to marry Kinnon MacClaren, his half-brother and mortal enemy, Duncan hatches a cunning plan. For Duncan desires and desperately needs Kinnon's magical bow and quiver, the only thing that will keep the Otherworld creatures at bay.
Stopping by a loch, Alana hopes her unseen husband is handsome and kind, and good in bed. Almost as if she conjured up such a man, Duncan appears, and promptly saves her life from some wayward kelpies by using his fae magic. Alana is very impressed by the physical specimen in front of her, and she gets an eyeful.
As soon as Duncan ascertains who she is and where she is heading, he abducts her and takes her back to his castle.
As filled with fury as Alana is to be bartered for the quiver and bow, she cannot deny Duncan is very appealing, seeing he is nude a lot of the time in order to shift into invisibility. And Duncan certainly cannot hide his interest. Torn between scratching his eyes out or jumping his bones, Alana finds it difficult to keep her hands to herself. A few innocent touches explodes into passion, and the two are soon tumbling in Duncan's bed.


The love scenes are sizzling hot, and both find they are feeling more than desire. Especially when Duncan reveals his past, and the creatures that haunt him. Alana is none to pleased to find out her husband to be is also half-fae. But regardless for her concerns over the fae blood, Duncan has touched her heart.


Kinnon hears from his escaped men that Alana is indeed a beauty, be damned if he will let Duncan have her. Things move at a brisk pace to the conclusion, the narrative moving along to the end with a few surprising twists and turns along the way. Duncan was a wonderful hero. Tender, loving and passionate, and ultimately honorable. Sexy as all get out. A lot of the story is from his POV, which I loved.

Is Kinnon quite the villain Duncan believes him to be and vise versa? If you love a little magical fantasy mixed in with your Highlander romantic/erotic adventure, this very good and highly readable novella is right up your alley.


3.5 stars out of 4 for the book


KOVER KUDOS: Cover model Jimmy Thomas in full Highlander Laird mode. *sizzle* Love the castle and overcast skies in the background


3.5 stars out of 4 for the cover