What do you think?
Rate this book
Devon
DEVON
Society miss by day...daring thief by nightWhen Devon Mackinsey is saved from her life as a scullery maid by the titled grandmother she never knew, she blossoms into a spirited beauty, determined to save her ancestral home even if it means turning to crime as the notorious Shadow.But when Hunter Barclay discovers the flame-haired vixen stealing his uncle's silver, they make a devil's bargain -- one kiss for silence about his he's a spy for the colonists.They part as Devon's destiny is cast to the wind in a dangerous and exciting adventure that takes her around the world and back -- ever a slave to passion and the man who has made her a prisoner of love.
- GenresHistorical Romance
Hardcover
First published September 23, 1992
62 people want to read
About the author
Cordia Byers
18 books21 followersCatherine Blair (a.k.a. Cordia Byers) grew up in Texas, were she spent her high school years writing romances for her friends. She received her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Cornell University and currently studies opiate addiction. No one else thinks that the pun between "heroin addiction" and "heroine addiction" is as funny as she does. Catherine is a member of the Romance Writers of America and lives with her husband in San Diego, California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 31, 2023
Read: 8/31/23
This book was a pretty good Bodice-ripper.
The story:
Devon grows up being the Lord's bastard. She slaved in the kitchens till she was 10. When her heartless father dies along with his heir, her grandmother finally recognizes her. She is sent to a fancy finishing school, has lovely dresses, plenty of food, and a grandmother.
So life should be great from now on, right? Well, fast forward 8 years. A steward stole all the family money, and creditors are at the door. Devon doesn't want her dying grandmother to know they are about to lose the family home. So what to do? 🤔 She needs to marry a wealthy gentleman and to keep from starving in the meanwhile she can steal from rich noblemen. Solid plan, right? What could go wrong? Hmm
Devon, of course, gets caught stealing from one of the wealthiest lords. His American nephew catches her red-handed but only offers a kiss to let her go. Man, what a kiss!
Hunter is in England to smuggle ammunition and learn intelligence for the american cause. He never dreamed that the thief "the shadow" was a beautiful woman. He let's her go but later discovers she's a lady. Their two encounters are unforgettable.
Later, Devon makes her mistake. For two months, she thought this rich nobleman was on the verge of proposing marriage, turns out he had a different proposal in mind. Angered, she decides to rob him. Surprise, he catches her in the act and attempts to rape her. She fights back, and burns his arm severely. Now, she is about to be hanged. Devon is saved at the last minute by Hunter. He got her sentence lowered to an indentured servant for life. So Devon is now Hunter's bond slave.
This was a pretty conservative Bodice-ripper. The h was pretty mature if you ruled out the stealing part of the story. She falls in love with Hunter on the voyage to America but knows things will be different once they arrive at his home. Hunter has a fiancee.
I loved the OW! Mainly, bc she wasn't the stereotypical jealous OW. She was kind and loveable. She steps aside and has her own love story.
The biggest obstacle in the story is Hunter's spoiled sister and an old enemy resurfacing.
Problem: the author moves the story along so quickly that some of the character development suffers. It would have been nice to have the couple stay married for a few months and develop the relationship more.
This book was a pretty good Bodice-ripper.
The story:
Devon grows up being the Lord's bastard. She slaved in the kitchens till she was 10. When her heartless father dies along with his heir, her grandmother finally recognizes her. She is sent to a fancy finishing school, has lovely dresses, plenty of food, and a grandmother.
So life should be great from now on, right? Well, fast forward 8 years. A steward stole all the family money, and creditors are at the door. Devon doesn't want her dying grandmother to know they are about to lose the family home. So what to do? 🤔 She needs to marry a wealthy gentleman and to keep from starving in the meanwhile she can steal from rich noblemen. Solid plan, right? What could go wrong? Hmm
Devon, of course, gets caught stealing from one of the wealthiest lords. His American nephew catches her red-handed but only offers a kiss to let her go. Man, what a kiss!
Hunter is in England to smuggle ammunition and learn intelligence for the american cause. He never dreamed that the thief "the shadow" was a beautiful woman. He let's her go but later discovers she's a lady. Their two encounters are unforgettable.
Later, Devon makes her mistake. For two months, she thought this rich nobleman was on the verge of proposing marriage, turns out he had a different proposal in mind. Angered, she decides to rob him. Surprise, he catches her in the act and attempts to rape her. She fights back, and burns his arm severely. Now, she is about to be hanged. Devon is saved at the last minute by Hunter. He got her sentence lowered to an indentured servant for life. So Devon is now Hunter's bond slave.
This was a pretty conservative Bodice-ripper. The h was pretty mature if you ruled out the stealing part of the story. She falls in love with Hunter on the voyage to America but knows things will be different once they arrive at his home. Hunter has a fiancee.
I loved the OW! Mainly, bc she wasn't the stereotypical jealous OW. She was kind and loveable. She steps aside and has her own love story.
The biggest obstacle in the story is Hunter's spoiled sister and an old enemy resurfacing.
Problem: the author moves the story along so quickly that some of the character development suffers. It would have been nice to have the couple stay married for a few months and develop the relationship more.
June 16, 2016
Revolutionary War Saga of and English Girl and a Spy for the American Rebels
Set in 1777, in the time of the Revolutionary War, this is the story of Devon Mackinsey, the illegitimate daughter of a Scottish lord who, caring nothing for her, consigned her to the kitchens of their estate. A kind butler helped introduce her to the grandmother she never knew who saves her from a life as a scullery maid. Sent away to a proper lady’s school, Devon becomes a well-mannered beauty who resorts to crime as the infamous Shadow to save her family’s estate from its many debts. But when wealthy heir to Lord Barclay, Hunter Barclay discovers her stealing his uncle's silver, they make a bargain -- one kiss for silence about both her secret and his (he's a spy for the Rebel colonists).
Devon and Hunter part that night, but Hunter must intervene again to save Devon from the gallows when a cruel English lord would have his vengeance upon her for another theft. Hunter’s intervention grants Devon her life in exchange for a lifetime as Hunter’s bond slave. He takes her to the Colonies, and on the way, he claims her as his mistress, never telling her he will marry another woman when they reach Virginia. Nor does he tell Devon of his dual life as a Royalist and an American Revolutionary.
I have loved others by Byers so I was not surprised I loved this one, too. It’s well told with lots of sexual tension and great action—kept me reading late into the night. There are a few improbable elements but none so ridiculous they bothered me. Beyers made them seem plausible. Devon is a worthy heroine, just the kind I like: a courageous young woman who rises to every challenge life throws at her. Hunter begins as a selfish though patriotic rogue who takes Devon’s innocence thinking only of his own pleasure, but gets caught in his obsession with the lovely girl. I recommend this one.
Set in 1777, in the time of the Revolutionary War, this is the story of Devon Mackinsey, the illegitimate daughter of a Scottish lord who, caring nothing for her, consigned her to the kitchens of their estate. A kind butler helped introduce her to the grandmother she never knew who saves her from a life as a scullery maid. Sent away to a proper lady’s school, Devon becomes a well-mannered beauty who resorts to crime as the infamous Shadow to save her family’s estate from its many debts. But when wealthy heir to Lord Barclay, Hunter Barclay discovers her stealing his uncle's silver, they make a bargain -- one kiss for silence about both her secret and his (he's a spy for the Rebel colonists).
Devon and Hunter part that night, but Hunter must intervene again to save Devon from the gallows when a cruel English lord would have his vengeance upon her for another theft. Hunter’s intervention grants Devon her life in exchange for a lifetime as Hunter’s bond slave. He takes her to the Colonies, and on the way, he claims her as his mistress, never telling her he will marry another woman when they reach Virginia. Nor does he tell Devon of his dual life as a Royalist and an American Revolutionary.
I have loved others by Byers so I was not surprised I loved this one, too. It’s well told with lots of sexual tension and great action—kept me reading late into the night. There are a few improbable elements but none so ridiculous they bothered me. Beyers made them seem plausible. Devon is a worthy heroine, just the kind I like: a courageous young woman who rises to every challenge life throws at her. Hunter begins as a selfish though patriotic rogue who takes Devon’s innocence thinking only of his own pleasure, but gets caught in his obsession with the lovely girl. I recommend this one.
December 16, 2022
This was a really good story, one that was exciting and entertaining, while not going over the top, as so many HR novels do. The h, Devon Mackinsey, is an illegitimate child whose father will only acknowledge her as a servant in the family's ancestral home. She's rescued from this status by her grandmother, who wishes her brought up as a lady, but lack of finances and her grandmother's ill health force Devon to resort to thievery to keep from losing the family estate.
Here's where I credit Ms. Byers with not stretching the bands of probability too tight. Unlike other authors who attempt to have us believe that a young woman can overnight become a notorious highwayman or pirate of the high seas (give me a break!!), she stays within the bounds of realism. It's believable that Devon can sneak into the homes of wealthy snobs at night (while they're out on one of their endless social obligations) and make off with coins and jewels, with the help of her trusted servants. It's also very likely that she'll get caught, which is what happens more than once.
The first time is when she attempts to rob the home of the H, Hunter Barclay, who is intrigued upon discovering the thief is female, and agrees to let her go in exchange for a passionate kiss. They soon meet again, at a society function, where Devon is hoping to find a wealthy husband to save her home and so end her thievery. When Hunter recognizes her as the "Shadow", and threatens to disclose her identity, Devon informs him of her knowledge that he's actually a spy for the American colonies (it's pre-Revolutionary War days), so they're at a stalemate.
Hunter later comes to her rescue when she's imprisoned and set to hang, after being caught the second time at the home of Neal Sumner, the wealthy man Devon hoped would ask for her hand, only to discover he had been leading her on to try and get her into bed. Neal's injured when Devon breaks away from him as he attempts to assault her and is charged with attempted murder as well as thievery. Hunter manages to get her sentence changed to exile, and next thing you know, they're on a ship to America.
There's much more to the story: Devon's new role in Hunter's life, his work for the cause he believes in, Hunter's spoiled sister, Cecilia who resents Devon, his neighbor, Elsbeth, whom Hunter was supposed to marry, and the return of Neal to wreak havoc in their lives.
It's a good novel, and I especially like the way Devon and Hunter, though they have their share of differences, don't waste time in stubbornness and arguing. It's clear how much they love each other, and they put that love before anything else.
I won't give anymore away, and just recommend you read it.
Here's where I credit Ms. Byers with not stretching the bands of probability too tight. Unlike other authors who attempt to have us believe that a young woman can overnight become a notorious highwayman or pirate of the high seas (give me a break!!), she stays within the bounds of realism. It's believable that Devon can sneak into the homes of wealthy snobs at night (while they're out on one of their endless social obligations) and make off with coins and jewels, with the help of her trusted servants. It's also very likely that she'll get caught, which is what happens more than once.
The first time is when she attempts to rob the home of the H, Hunter Barclay, who is intrigued upon discovering the thief is female, and agrees to let her go in exchange for a passionate kiss. They soon meet again, at a society function, where Devon is hoping to find a wealthy husband to save her home and so end her thievery. When Hunter recognizes her as the "Shadow", and threatens to disclose her identity, Devon informs him of her knowledge that he's actually a spy for the American colonies (it's pre-Revolutionary War days), so they're at a stalemate.
Hunter later comes to her rescue when she's imprisoned and set to hang, after being caught the second time at the home of Neal Sumner, the wealthy man Devon hoped would ask for her hand, only to discover he had been leading her on to try and get her into bed. Neal's injured when Devon breaks away from him as he attempts to assault her and is charged with attempted murder as well as thievery. Hunter manages to get her sentence changed to exile, and next thing you know, they're on a ship to America.
There's much more to the story: Devon's new role in Hunter's life, his work for the cause he believes in, Hunter's spoiled sister, Cecilia who resents Devon, his neighbor, Elsbeth, whom Hunter was supposed to marry, and the return of Neal to wreak havoc in their lives.
It's a good novel, and I especially like the way Devon and Hunter, though they have their share of differences, don't waste time in stubbornness and arguing. It's clear how much they love each other, and they put that love before anything else.
I won't give anymore away, and just recommend you read it.
July 13, 2019
4.5 stars great story, really liked the characters.
July 31, 2025
A fast-paced yet enjoyable book.
Devon is the illegitimate daughter of Colin MacKinsey. Neither lady nor servant in the household. She spent her childhood confined to the kitchens up until one day, her grandmother has a change of heart and decides to send her to school and formally acknowledge her presence.
Eight years later, Devon is struggling financially to keep MacKinsey Hall, as the steward entrusted by her grandmother robbed them. Thus, unknowing to her dying grandmother, she resorts to robbing from the rich, in the name of the Shadow.
She is caught once by Hunter, after she overhears his politically treasonous exchange with another person in Hunter's uncle's house.
Hunter discovers Devon is the Shadow, and Devon admits to learning about his fight to setting his homeland free. So, they both agree on keeping silent on each other's crimes.
May I say that I loved Devon's prayer to a departing Hunter after their third exchange:
‘‘Good-bye, Hunter Barclay. May the angels keep you out of harm’s way. May no one else learn your secret.’’
This charade barely lasts long as Devon is sentenced to hanging. Hunter interferes last minute, rescues her and takes her with him to Virginia and under his custody as his servant.
Once in Virginia, things take a different course though; an enemy resurfaces, a secondary love story happens, some fast-paced angst and such.
Downside of the book:
The story ends abruptly though. What happens to Cecilia? How do the couple get their pardon from their countries? and so on.
Plus, there's no noticeable character development because of the pace.
Devon is the illegitimate daughter of Colin MacKinsey. Neither lady nor servant in the household. She spent her childhood confined to the kitchens up until one day, her grandmother has a change of heart and decides to send her to school and formally acknowledge her presence.
Eight years later, Devon is struggling financially to keep MacKinsey Hall, as the steward entrusted by her grandmother robbed them. Thus, unknowing to her dying grandmother, she resorts to robbing from the rich, in the name of the Shadow.
She is caught once by Hunter, after she overhears his politically treasonous exchange with another person in Hunter's uncle's house.
Hunter discovers Devon is the Shadow, and Devon admits to learning about his fight to setting his homeland free. So, they both agree on keeping silent on each other's crimes.
May I say that I loved Devon's prayer to a departing Hunter after their third exchange:
‘‘Good-bye, Hunter Barclay. May the angels keep you out of harm’s way. May no one else learn your secret.’’
This charade barely lasts long as Devon is sentenced to hanging. Hunter interferes last minute, rescues her and takes her with him to Virginia and under his custody as his servant.
Once in Virginia, things take a different course though; an enemy resurfaces, a secondary love story happens, some fast-paced angst and such.
Downside of the book:
The story ends abruptly though. What happens to Cecilia? How do the couple get their pardon from their countries? and so on.
Plus, there's no noticeable character development because of the pace.
August 25, 2016
อ่านอีกที ก็ชอบอีกที ดราม่าได้ใจ ฮอตได้อารมณ์
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews