The Keith and MacAlpin families were close, despite their physical distance apart. When the two mothers got together to gossip and shop in Aberdeen, the 10-year-old MacAlpin twins, Cormac and Aidan, were left to play with Marjorie Keith, as they were near in age. While the three were close, Marjorie and Cormac had a special bond. That bond was severed when a silly dare by Marjorie ended in tragic consequences.

Family loyalties run deep in the rugged Scottish highlands, and betrayals are not taken lightly. Cormac always felt he could have done more to protect his twin and, as a result, flung himself into war and danger which only fueled his inner demons of guilt. Avowed to leave the demons behind, he rejoins his siblings at the ruined Dunnottar Castle, and fishes for the family's survival.

Caught in her own guilt, Marjorie had not seen Cormac in the 13 years since that fateful day in 1647, but she had to go to him now. No one else could help her, or understand the need, the way that Cormac could. When her Davey, a ginger-haired wee lad of five, disappeared by the Aberdeen docks, she vowed to find him no matter what means it took. Marjorie had always felt in her heart that she could count on Cormac, but how could she make him care for her again when she had caused the deepest cut to his heart?

Veronica Wolff has created a powerful and emotionally charged story based on the 1649 Scottish law that allowed beggars to be gathered up and employed by others. This practice soon proved lucrative, and many a boy was kidnapped for work in the colonies. With her talent for description and character development, the reader is sure to be snatched up into the heartfelt emotions as Cormac and Marjorie re-discover each other in new and exciting ways. With its page turning action of betrayal and unexpected loyalty, DEVIL'S HIGHLANDER is sure to be a hit with the kilt-loving romance reader (like me). As a long time fan of Wolff's exciting romances, I hope there will be lots more Clan MacAlpin books to curl up with in the future!