The Devil of Helburn by the Sea

Highlander: The Legends #6

by Rebecca Ruger

Sparks fly when the mighty Caelen MacGaren meets Julia Caverhill when his army takes refuge inside her family’s stronghold. The green-eyed lass stirs long-dead fires inside him, but cruel manipulations work to keep them apart. Caelen wakes one morning, recalling only flashes and snippets of the splendid night passed, believing it had been Julia with whom he’d shared such passion. In a shocking twist more gruesome than war, he finds instead her cousin beside him in the rumpled bed, and he caught in the trap of marriage.

Only distantly related to the stronghold’s chieftain and often overlooked, lacking the beauty and abundance of her cousin, Julia has guarded her heart fiercely, until the day she meets Caelen MacGaren. In the course of three days, he manages to tear down every wall around her heart, making her a willing accomplice to her own seduction…right before he weds her cousin.

Caelen is haunted by that one night of passion, hardly able to reconcile the cool wife who recoils at his touch with the memory of the temptress in his bed that fateful night. He is almost relieved when war calls to him, taking him away from his home and his overindulged wife.

It will be years before Julia meets Caelen again. She is older and wiser now and despite the realization that he still had the power to enthrall her, Julia knows that the last man she would ever give her heart to is the one who so callously broke it.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2024

Reviews

[Edna Billingsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great one!

This book has just the perfect tempo of action/romance to keep your interest. Characters and emotions believable. I loved it! As I love all of Rebecca’s books.
Ms Ruger has become my Favorite historical romance author. Not since Danielle Steels’s books, though of bit different genre, have I been so fascinated with an.
Please continue to write more!

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't feel Rebecca Ruger's usual magic touch in this story. It's strengths are that her prose is beautiful as always, the premise had great potential, and the banter is fun, although there wasn't enough of it. It's biggest weakness is that I didn't feel like I knew these characters very well and didn't understand why they would be drawn to each other. Julia was extremely immature and had tons of potential for growth but it never happened. Julia and Caelen were lightyears apart in terms of maturity and he ran really hot and cold toward her so they didn't feel like a good match. (I actually felt like Julia and Bute were a better match.) All in all, while Ms. Ruger is still my favorite Medieval Highlander writer, this one isn't at the top of my list. (3.5 stars)

[Nancy Yohe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series.

I loved this book so much. Caelen is a laird and a warrior. When his captain is severely injured in battle he finds shelter at Byrnes House for him to get the care he needs. Julia is the niece to the owner of the residence and treated as a servant. Julia’s cousin is beautiful and bound to find a husband and has Caelen in her sights, even if she has to trap him. There is so much going on in this book. I love Caelen and Julia and Caelen’s soldiers. Julia’s relatives are abominable but so well developed. Well written story, great character development, slow burn romance, and hard to put down. Great series.

[Cindy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a confusing web one weaves when one purpose is to deceives. The Devil of Helburn by the Sea will keep you spellbound from the moment you begin the journey with Julia and Caelen until the very end! Rebecca Ruger story brims with tension building twists and turns, a story filled with characters that come off the pages and pull you into their tale, passion and well-written. With setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life and as the uncertainties escalates the suspense builds and suspicion abound which brings this read together perfectly.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book was long, but not long enough. I enjoyed Caelen and Buyers characters very much. I like Julia, but she constantly ran from her problems causing further problems. Overall a very good book that flows at a quick pace. A few twists and turns kept the story interesting. This book has only one intimate scene and not a lot of romance. Caelen is quite gruff and Julia doesn't speak her feelings.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this one down. Engrossing story, great characterisation, beautiful writing, wonderful evocation of the year 1305-6 and the Scottish border wars. And it opened with reference to Glasgow and Stirling, and the families of Graham and Forester, as if written with my own family history in mind. I was hooked from start to finish.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting Historical Love Story

This was a good book. I have waited for it a long time. War is a terrible thing no matter what era you live in and there is always someone trying to use you.

[Joan Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

What a lovely story of Caelen and Julia, great characters and storyline, fast paced with lies and deceit. Loved how Julia had a good relationship with Bute and Caelen’s sisters.
Have enjoyed this series, look forward to the next book.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay read

I’m a huge fan of Ms Ruger’s and have read everything she has written. This book was not my favorite. The story was okay, I just could not connect with the characters. I will continue reading her books.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of action, which is always the case with the Scots fighting the English. Our hero ends up in a situation of which he has no idea how it all happened. So the story unfolds until after a lot o misunderstandings and anger, on his part, all is revealed and he finds his hea with Julia.

[Nora Griswold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Touching

This is such an endearing book. The heartache was like a Cinderella story for Julia and the prince deceived. Very touching ending.

[Gigi’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in need of a book with angst. This one did it for me. Really loving this series and the last 2 books really had me in my emotions. Just started a different series by same author.

[Pamela A Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

Another wonderful book in this series. Just love this author, she never disappoints me. A must read. On to the next book!

[Gail Salcedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in The Legend series

This book wasn't my absolute favorite, but still was an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Jennifermarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg! I loved Caelan and Julia!! The pendant necklace story is sooo cute!! The ending was so precious! It seemed a little rushed and the pacing was off for a bit. Still really enjoyed this one.

[lorelei224 · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise is good, I really was looking forward to read a twisted machinations of a jealous lady but the writing, the prose, is just so hard to immerse into. I couldn’t stand it. DNF

[Becky Hanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

the legends

Rebecca Ruger is such a good storyteller. She weaves history in with the romance and gives an exciting story along with it.

[Nicole LaBoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

It was so hard to put down once I started reading. It was a page turner. I was unable to turn the pages fast enough. It was well written and a happy ever after ending

[Lj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance 2
Spice 4
Angst 3
Storytelling 3