The Highwayman

To Tempt a Highlander Series # 1

By: Kerrigan Byrne

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Romance, 2016

Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain. Scarred and hard-hearted, Dorian is one of Victorian London's wealthiest, most influential men who will stop at nothing to wreak vengeance on those who've wronged him... and will fight to the death to seize what he wants. The lovely, still innocent widow Farah Leigh Mackenzie is no exception-and soon Dorian whisks the beautiful lass away to his sanctuary in the wild Highlands.... But Farah is no one's puppet. She possesses a powerful secret-one that threatens her very life. When being held captive by Dorian proves to be the only way to keep Farah safe from those who would see her dead, Dorian makes Farah a scandalous proposition: marry him for protection in exchange for using her secret to help him exact revenge on his enemies. But what the Blackheart of Ben More never could have imagined is that Farah has terms of her own, igniting a tempestuous desire that consumes them both. Could it be that the woman he captured is the only one who can touch the black heart he'd long thought dead?

©2015 Kerrigan Byrne (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Captured me from page one and never let go. Romantic, lush, and suspenseful." (Suzanne Enoch, author of The Devil Wears Kilts)

"[Narrator Derek] Perkins's command of accents and tone creates a cast of delightfully diverse characters.... Perkins's range of voices and timing makes for entertaining and telling repartee between the characters as well as adds to the suspense as the real villains of this romance reveal themselves." (AudioFile)

AMAZING LOVE STORY BETWEEN H/H!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Highwayman to be better than the print version?

NO

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Highwayman?

Dougan and Farah at age 13 and 11 Handfasting Marrying each other it was so honest and pure love!!

What about Derek Perkins’s performance did you like?

The Narrator was OK female voice seem hard for Derek

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did Listen to it non stop in one sitting

Any additional comments?

The Highwayman is one of the best if not best story I have read all year!! It is very well written with a good amount of back story and character development. You actually feel like you are there in the scenes with Dougan and Farah and Dorian and Farah. Ms. Byrne is excellent at setting scenes for her characters surroundings!!

The story is really sad most of the time but the kind of sad to keep your reading and routing on the couple to achieve there HEA. I loved Dorian "Blackheart" Blackwell a tortured and disfigured brut of a man with a real heart of gold for his Farah Leigh/Fairie. They met and married in Applegate orphanage as young children 8 and 11 years. Two years later, Yes at age 13 and 11 they did a hand fast an married and vowed they would always love and protect each other. This was an innocent child's love. They only had each other in the brutal, mean harsh orphanage. They decide to run away so Dougan Mackenzie can protect his Fairie from molestation by one of the Priest. They are caught and separated for 17 years.

Farah escapes on her own after Dougan is arrested for killing the Priest who attacked her and she uses her married name of Farah Mackenzie she grows up an lives a relatively comfortable life and eventually gets a job as a clerk at Scotland Yard.. She has been bringing cheese and bread to Dougan Mackenzie since she made her way to London. Dougan is at Newgate Prison for years until she learns of his death. But she continues to honor and love him despite thinking him dead.

Dorian "Blackheart" Blackwell his one of the richest men in the Kingdom. With untold wealth and power. He is know as "Blackheart" because he is very dangerous and will kill anyone who threatens him or his people or his vast empire. He has been searching high and low for Farah these last 10 years after he is released from Newgate Prison. He is arrested and interrogated by Sir Carlton Morley and guess who is the clerk taking notes for Sir Morley. When Dorian learns her name he knows who she is and she belongs to him. He also know her secrets as to who she really is and someone is out to have her murdered before her true identity is revealed.

This is one well thought out amazing story of love. Its fast paced and will have you on the edged of your seat in suspense. Once Dorian has Farah there sexual relationship is very very sensual HOT!! But you feel the love between these two real pure honest love. They are Soul Mates!!

The Highwayman goes on my best book list for 2016 and re read list.
I Highly Recommend The Highwayman!! It is well worth your time and money!!

Good for a quick listen

I enjoyed the narrator, overall performance of The Highwayman. The story was a bit predictable, and I didn't care for the " sex" scenes. I found them uncomfortable, but I did enjoy this listen.

So many emotions!

This book is a roller coaster of emotions! The story begins with Farrah and Dueggan meeting as children. They love each other in a sweet, pure, all consuming way that lasts beyond the years they are separated. I hadn't even made it to chapter 1 and I was already choked up.

And that is just the beginning. Farrah spends her early adult years as a widow, learning that Dueggan died in prison. She forges a life for herself until Dorian Blackwell, a notorious criminal and friend of Dueggan's from prison, kidnaps her one evening saying that he needs to protect her, that he gave his vow to Dueggan before he died that he would care for her. I don't want to give much away since that is part of the ride this book.

Some people may not like Dorian. He is exceedingly cold, brutal at times, and his past pains make him unable to stand human touch. He simmers with rage and Farrah finds herself going between fear and love for him. She is compelled to be with him and yet he pushes her away. However there is so much action in this book that I didn't feel the familiar angst that turns me off in so many romance novels that contain secrets and feelings that aren't be said. Dorian is so broken inside that you can't help but feel for him. And Farrah is a strong heroine without being snarky and rude as so often is the case. These two are made for each other and she never waivers in her steadfast love for Dueggan and then Dorian.

I think it is important to note that the love scenes are not tender until the very wee end. In fact, the second is pretty rapey. I found all the sex scenes very erotic though and very powerful. She never feels violated but he does tie her hands without her consent and then hooks her to a window, throws her skirts up, and just goes for it. Regardless that she loves him and craves him sexually, this just feels a little too close to rape for me. But worse than that...both times he LEAVES her there, tied to either his bed or the window, for his friend to find her. I mean, the least he could do after is untie her. But still, I liked him! I don't know why...any other book and I would have decided that was it for me and stopped reading. I couldn't. I was compelled to go on, their story touched me that much.

There are lots of interesting secondary characters and I can't wait to get to know them better in the next books. Morely, Farrah's brief love interest, Dorian's band of merry men, and others make the story even better!

I'm very excited to start the next in the series. I hope it is as good as Dorian and Farrah's story!

Great!

This historical is something I don't think I have read/listen of the like before. I've heard so many things about Kerrigan Byrne's work that I though I should give her a shot.
This was my first listen to any work narrated by Derek Perkins. While it didn't take long for me to get used to his narration, I'm glad he doesn't have a thick accent so it wasn't hard of hearing.
I plan to listen to the other titles in this series that are in the RP.

exciting

I didn't like the conflict between the main two characters at the beginning about a third of the way through I was intrigued with them and looked forward to completing the book. I can't wait to complete the next book.

Excellent

Powerful story with outstanding narration. Excellent writing. Very impressed with this author. Looking forward to the next one.

perfection

love this book and this voice actor. it was perfectly embodied and the danger and romance was captured.

This story hits the heart with so much warmth

Story:
This book is written exquisitely! Each word isn’t too much or too little. Perfect flow and pacing.

The first chapter is absolutely adorable...and also tragic. I loved everything about this book: Farah Leigh’s nickname Fairy and her strength in kindness and free spirit. Dorian’s insecurities and protective nature despite the demons he faces from his trauma. How their love gives each other the strength to face the future.

Farah’s explanation for loving Dorian felt a little like pity but she genuinely cares for him and wants him to live a fulfilled life. This story isn’t exactly about reforming the bad guy per say as it is more of love heals and opens a closed heart to chances.

Narration:
I don’t mind Derek Perkin’s male voices. But instead of sounding like a fairy, he makes Farah sound like an old feeble grandma one breath away from her maker. And Farah’s friend, Gemma, sounds like the cackling witch from Hansel and Gretel. A clearer, higher tone and less rasping would be more suitable for the female parts in this story. (Edit: After listening to the rest of the series, you get used to his voice and it doesn't matter because the stories are so amazing!)

great story

This was not as predictable as most Bodice Rippers. Nice change. I loved the narrator. I will read more books by Kerrigan.

Kerrigan Byrne & Derek Perkins inseparable!!

Derek Perkins does a darn good job. As he did with the Beserker books.
Loved it! Captivated me from the very beginning (though at times it lagged a bit).
Very harsh at times but worth it. I'm going for another one.