Book Review: The Devil's Heiress

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Devil's Heiress     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Jo Beverley
Class/Genre:   Romance
NAL, Aug 2001, $6.99, 38 pp.

In 1816, Major George "Hawk" Hawkinville has mixed feelings about coming home to Sussex after fighting at Waterloo. His mom is dead and he hates his father John Gervase, but still loves his matriarchal home. Hawk learns that his detestable sire borrowed money with Hawkinville used as collateral. John used the money to obtain the title of the recently murdered Lord Deveril. Hawk must pay 20,000 pounds in two months or forfeit everything except the title of Hawkinville.

Trying to save his beloved home, Hawk attempts to prove to the Deveril heiress Clarissa that Greystone killed her betrothed or at least forged his will. That way his father inherits the money. Although she thinks he is a fortune hunter, they fall in love. He persuades her to elope fearing she would never marry him if she learned he is the heir to Deveril. However, before they can marry she learns the truth and rejects Hawk’s plea, ending their relationship before it can blossom.

THE DEVIL’S HEIRESS is an exciting Regency romantic suspense that never slows down for an instant as award winning Jo Beverly provides her myriad of fans with quite an exciting thriller. The story line is filled with action, but it is the charming lead couple that makes the plot hum. Although Hawk’s father seems too self-centered to be real, fans will enjoy this tale. Readers will seek out the other novel in this series (THE DRAGON’S BRIDE) and the short story (part of IN PRAISE OF YOUNGER MEN), as well as the Rogues tale that included Deveril and Clarissa (see AN UNWILLING BRIDE).

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner