Holly‘s review of Laird of Darkness by Nicole North

Half-Fae Laird Duncan MacDougall is cursed. His nights are haunted by Otherworld creatures sent to kill him. The only way to stop them is to possess the magic bow currently in the hands of his enemy half brother, Kinnon MacClaren. In desperation, Duncan plans to take MacClaren’s bride-to-be hostage and exchange her for the bow.

Lady Alana Forbes has never met her intended, but she hopes he is handsome—and a good lover, for Alana is no innocent virgin. On her way to Castle Claren, Alana and her escorts are intercepted, and she is kidnapped by a man with extraordinary abilities—and every attribute she longs for in a mate.

Duncan didn’t expect the woman he thought of as a mere pawn to be so beautiful, and so arousing. Alana is drawn to him as well—but Duncan still needs the bow, and Alana is betrothed to another. How far will Alana go to save the life of the man she’s come to love?

This is an erotic novella. Lady Alana is on her way to meet her betrothed, but is kidnapped instead by his half-brother. The two siblings have been feuding all their lives over a magical bow they need to keep night demons at bay.

Duncan, Alana’s captor, hopes he can trade Alana for the bow. Kinnon, Alana’s intended, has no intention of giving it, or her, up. Stalemate. But neither brother could have predicted Alana would decide to choose her own fate…

Alana is no longer chaste. Although she hopes for a kind husband, she also wants a lusty one. She knows that makes her a wanton, but she can’t help it. Duncan isn’t at all what she expected. He’s dark and brooding, but he also takes care to see that she’s comfortable. The contradiction surprises her. It also surprises her that she’s falling in love with him.

Duncan is determined to trade Alana for the bow…until she starts sharing his bed. Then he isn’t sure he can give her up. Not just because they’re good in bed, but because he’s coming to care for her. He enjoys her company, wants her to be happy, and can’t get enough of the her compassion and thoughtfulness.

This is a short story, but it was very engaging. I enjoyed all the characters, especially the brothers. They each see the other as the villain, but the situation isn’t black and white. My only disappointment is how short the story was, and how the author left it. I hope she has plans to continue it in the future. 

3.75 out of 5

This book is available from Carina Press. You can buy it here in e-format.