Conflict between peoples is the theme of this tale, with
Vikings and native Irish alike trying to settle lands and
form alliances. An unlikely romance forms between a
chieftain and a white-haired Norse maiden, who would rather
pick up a sword than wed.
Conor Mac Ferghal is known as the Devil in respect for his
prowess in battle. He challenges a band of Norse whom he
finds in a village and one comes out to meet him in
combat. Conor doesn't realise until he has bested the
armoured warrior that this is a girl. His people have heard
of her - the Angel, for her pale hair and knack of
defending the defenceless. He has the injured girl taken
to his dun, or fortified home, along with another injured
Norseman. The girl's name is Erika Silverhair and the other
captive is her brother Olan. Erika is nicknamed the
Valkerie but the other Irish people resent her and for her
own safety Conor has her moved to his quarters and guarded,
sleeping elsewhere himself.
Conor is so impressed with the bravery, spirit and beauty
of Erika that he wishes to marry her. She refuses and they
eventually strike a bargain that she will fight a duel with
him at Bealtaine, the spring festival, and if he wins they
will wed. Many of his people are unhappy with the idea and
Erika, DEVIL'S ANGEL, knows she must learn how to be a
queen, with management of the dun, its people, stores, and
medical herbs, high on the priority list. Olan meanwhile
has found an admirer in Conor's sister. But another Irish
princess comes riding in - Magda, who lived here for twenty
years before marrying, and is now widowed and in need of a
home. The Norse may have been settling down and marrying
into Irish clans for two hundred years by now, but the
strife is far from over, and sometimes trouble is stirred
up from within.
Just as science fiction can hold up a mirror to today's
society, so historical fiction can present the issues of
today in a clearer light. The Norse had so little arable
land that the softer fields of the British Isles were an
obvious attraction for colonisation, but the locals were
not about to be displaced. Romances were bound to spring
up, but other than arranged marriages to seal peaceful
bargains, only strong people could survive the community's
displeasure and marry. Mallery Malone has done a good job
of recreating the times and bringing her interesting,
funny, courageous people to life. Erika is a great heroine
and her warrior upbringing does tally with what we know of
the Norse, including Leif Erikson's sister who colonised
and defended her people in what they called Vinland.
DEVIL'S ANGEL is a good read and a fine romance.
Love demands she lay down every last weapon…
Conor mac Ferghal wears his nickname, the Devil, like the
visible scars on his face—and the invisible scars on his
soul. The fearsome chieftain of Dunlough lives to protect
his people, right down to the fishing village invaded by a
marauding band of Viking mercenaries.
When he realizes the pale-haired warrior who almost bests
him is a woman, his first instinct is to fling her
unconscious body into a mud dungeon.
Erika Silverhair awakens, shocked to find herself and her
men accused as the aggressors. She and her warriors have
spent three years of Danish exile selling their skills for
gold, defending the weak and the innocent. And no one, not
even an intimidating giant like Conor, will take away the
freedom that is her birthright.
There is only one way to settle matters—finish the duel
begun on the battlefield. Before the dark passion drawing
them closer and closer threatens their closely guarded hearts.
Warning: Contains a powerful Irish
warrior, a daring Viking
miss, and swords. Lots of swords. What’s a little swordplay
between lovers? wears his nickname, the Devil, like the
visible scars on his face—and the invisible scars on his
soul. The fearsome chieftain of Dunlough lives to protect
his people, right down to the fishing village invaded by a
marauding band of Viking mercenaries.
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