A dangerous man haunted by a dark legend. A beautiful innocent threatened by an unknown evil. A family secret too sinister to reveal. Gothic suspense against the savage and passionate backdrop of a region becoming Southern. Let Charlsie Russell spirit you away to 18th Century Spanish Natchez and a place that would become Mississippi. You're sure to enjoy the journey!
Natchez on the river, 1794. The Spanish Fleet controls the Mississippi, and the Dons rule their rowdy British and American subjects with a patient hand. The location is stragegic, the land fertile, and within two decades, cotton will be king. Into this web of international intrigue, the rich and powerful Elizabeth Boswell welcomes her orphaned grandniece Angelique Veilleux and introduces the impoverished beauty to a world of privilege. But power has its enemies and wealth demands a price. Rumor has it Elizabeth's success stems from dalliance with a lustful demon that still prowls her family farm of De Leau outside Natchez.
At the center of this ominous legend is Elizabeth's grandson, the handsome and dangerous Mathias Douglas who saves Angelique from degradation and death near the end of her journey to Natchez. Mathias is the son of the doomed Julianna, Elizabeth's only daughter. Mathias' father, locals whisper, is Elizabethi's demon.
Despite the dark rumors, Angelique cannot quell her feelings for Mathias, for whom she would make any sacrifice. An outcast, Mathias is cruelly tested by the temptation of Angelique's affection. Determined not to dishonor her, he callously puts her aside. But Elizabeth has other plans and offers him the family farm at De Leau to marry the girl. Soon Angelique finds herself desperately in love with the man who has conquered her body and possessed her soul.
But something in the swamps surrounding De Leau stalks her, and nightmares invade her dreams. What she perceives as Mathias' indifference to the threat leaves Angelique isolated and afraid. She begins to doubt her grandaunt's motives for sending her to De Leau, as well as Mathias' role in Elizabeth's plan. Resolving her doubts means uncovering the secret of Mathias' sire.
From Mathias and Angelique's first meeting to Elizabeth Boswell's revelation at story's end, "The Devil's Bstard" is a splendid read. First and foremost a sensual romance, it is also a well-researched historical with a haunting mystery.
Excerpt
"Who do you remember when you look at me, Old Bess?"
Her eyes met his.
"Someone you hated, Grand-mere...or someone you loved?"
Her gray eyes pierced him, but her voice remained soft. "Tell me, Grandson, which would be worse?"
Professional Reviews
Midwest Book Review
Written by retired U.S. Navy commander and mother Charlsie Russell, The Devil's Bastard is a historical romance set in late 1700's and early 1800's Mississippi. The passionate bonds of love between young Angelique and her rescuer Mathias are heavily overshadowed by the threat of Mathias' unknown father, whispered to be a demon. To quell her doubts, Angelique must risk uncovering the hidden secret of Mathias' sire, in this stirring tale of passion, danger, and emotional rifts that endure across generations.
Coffee Time Romance
4 Cups:Mathias Douglas has grown up not knowing how to show love; the devil raped his mother, Juliana and she died giving birth to him. On her deathbed, she made her mother Elisabeth swear to take care her baby. Mathias grew up not knowing who sired him but has heard the rumors that he was the result of a demon’s seed. His grandmother raised him, but Mathias never felt her love.
Angelique Veilleux is not sorry her father died. He was a tyrannical, unloving father. She looks forward to starting a new life with her Aunt Elizabeth. However, as she gets off the boat, a bunch of thieves kidnaps her. They threaten to rape her. Angelique is scared and prays for help. Will it come in time?
Elizabeth sends Mathias to get her niece, who is coming to live with them since her father has died. Mathias will do anything to gain his grandmother’s love. When Angelique and Mathias meet for the first time, they feel instant attraction for each other. However, Mathias is afraid that if he falls in love with Angelique, she will not return that love. Angelique starts to have nightmares and feels someone or something is watching her. Yo, the Negress who helped Elisabeth deliver Mathias, tells Angelique the family’s history and the story of the demon being Mathias’s father. When animals are found slaughtered, Mathias and his men think it is a wild cat. Angelique wonders if it is something more sinister. Elizabeth insists that Angelique and Mathias marry. She tells Mathias she will give him De Leau, the family homestead, as a wedding gift. After the wedding, Angelique’s life is severely threatened. Mathias wonders if this threat comes from his sire. Is this monster after the person he loves? What are the secrets that Yo and Elizabeth share? How will Angelique deal with the demons that threaten her family?
The Devil’s Bastard is a book that keeps you glued to your seat, reading page after page. It is heartbreaking as you read about Mathias’s childhood and the pain he must have felt as a child not knowing if he was created by a monster. You can feel the love inside him trying to come out. Angelique is just the right person to show him how to love. She brings out the tender side of Mathias. The mystery in this book has a gothic touch. You will not find out until the final pages just who the demon is. And the answer will shock you as the mystery is solved and all the pieces come together. The historic aspects mentioned within this story are amazing. As you turn the pages, you feel you are reliving a part of our history.
Sherry
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance
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