The Devil She Knows-Diane Whiteside

The Devil She Knows
Diane Whiteside
Kensington Brava, Jun 2010, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758225177

In 1880 her father puts unbelievable pressure on Portia Townsend to marry into the British aristocracy. Although she loves her Uncle William Donovan’s friend Gareth Lowell whom she met two years earlier in San Francisco following her mom’s death, he apparently does not return her regard. She weds the earl, St. Arles.

Five years of marital abuse ends when St. Arles divorces her based on a false charge of infidelity that a joyful Portia does not challenge. She travels to Constantinople where St. Arles demands she abet him in his efforts to overthrow the Ottoman Empire Sultan if she wants her freedom. Failing her the last time they met, Gareth rescues Portia and insists they marry until he can insure her safety; then they will obtain an annulment. As Portia and Gareth try to prevent St. Arles’ revolutionary scheme from happening, she realizes her beloved loves her, but for some reason carries guilt that makes him believe he is undeserving of her.

The latest nineteenth century Devilish romance (see Southern Devil, Irish Devil, and Northern Devil) is an exciting around the world in several years thriller. The story line is action-packed as Gareth meets his match in feisty Portia. Although St. Arles is so over the top as a villain caricature that even his servants recognize him as such, fans of Diane Whiteside’s Devil historicals will want to travel with the lead couple on their adventures.

Harriet Klausner