Tag: Hannah Howell

Highland Devil by Hannah Howell

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander4 Comments

Highland Devil (Murray Family, #22)Highland Devil by Hannah Howell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
Series: Murray Family #22
Publication Date: 7/31/18

This was quite an interesting read. The plot was tightly written and the characters were likable and relatable. The romance was such a slow burn that I began to wonder if it was there at all. They finally slept together, but neither of them had any thoughts of love or marriage – just lust. Then, all of a sudden – they were in love and didn’t mind if they were forced to marry. I also had to wonder why the title was Highland Devil – unless it was named for Robert, the villain of the story. He was certainly a devil and worse.

This was more an ensemble cast rather than having an outstanding hero who does heroic things to save his lady. Sir Gybbon Murray doesn’t command a large force of men or have his own large keep, etc. However, he is the brother of Harcourt Murray who is Laird of his clan. He is also good friends with Sigimor who is laird of his clan and a kinsman of Mora. Gybbon works with and follows the lead of these two lairds in order to protect and rescue Mora.

Mora was preparing to flee her family home when her four cousins break into the house. She manages to get her younger brother out the window so he can run to a nearby friend for protection. Mora isn’t so lucky. Her cousin grabs her, hits her and taunts her with the fact that he has already murdered her parents and that her two older brothers won’t be returning home. Mora knows she has to escape and when her tiny runt of a cat claws her cousin’s face, she knows that is her chance. She grabs her kitten and heads out at a run, but not before Robert’s knife manages to scrape down her side. She gets out and finds a place to hide, but she knows her cousins will be hot on her trail.

Mora heads to the home of her mother’s kinsman. She stays on the road as much as she can but hides when horses are approaching. One rider passes on a beautiful horse – and – to her good fortune, she sees that same rider camping out further down the road. If he’ll just leave the site for a moment or two to relieve himself – she can ‘borrow’ his horse. When he finally does leave the area of the campfire, she sneaks in and saddles his horse, then awkwardly climbs aboard – only to find herself promptly tossed on the ground by the horse.

The horse’s owner, Gybbon, feeds her and gets her story out of her. Then, when her cousins stop in at his campsite, he hides her from them. Gybbon tells her he will take her to Sigimor’s keep and that he was planning to stop by there anyway. They ride along hiding when others approach and finally make it to Sigimor’s keep.

After they rescue her young, seven-year-old brother, Sigimor decides she’d be safer at Gybbon’s brother’s keep and they devise a plan to get her there safely.

I was really proud of Mora – she was being so strong, smart, and brave. I was just thinking, hey, this is going to be good because she isn’t going to do any of those TSTL things. She’s really being smart – and then, of course – comes the TSTL event.

I did enjoy the read, but if you are looking for gripping excitement and swashbuckling heroes, then you will probably find this book a little slow. I kind of like the ensemble approach and the fact that the hero can and does take advice and direction.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

My Lady Captor by Hannah Howell

On By TracyIn Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

My Lady CaptorMy Lady Captor by Hannah Howell

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Release Date: March 27, 2018 (Re-issue)

Someway, somehow I missed this gem when it originally released in 1996 AND when it was re-issued in 2009 – This book is classic Hannah Howell and I am so glad I finally got to read it!

Lady Sorcha Hay finds Sir Ruari Kerr injured on the battlefield while she is searching for her brother Dougal. She learns from Ruari that Dougal was taken by the English and will be ransomed back. While she is talking to him, her cousin Margaret finds another survivor, who turns out to be Ruari’s cousin Beatham.

Sorcha is dismayed, her clan has no coin to pay the ransom and her brother is Laird, they need him! So being the smart, resourceful girl she is, Sorcha hatches a plan, she will raise the ransom by holding Ruari and Beatham for ransom! She takes them back to her keep and hopes she can keep them from learning the secrets of the Hay clan. She tends Ruari’s wounds and tells him that he is her prisoner, Ruari is beyond angry and vows revenge.

Once they are back at her keep, Sorcha waits for the ransom demand from the English and tries to ignore the attraction she feels towards Ruari all while attempting to keep him from learning that most of the Hay clan are women, that she has the power to see and speak to spirits, that her cousin Euphemia is transitioning into womanhood and all the trouble that comes with that for a Hay woman. Not to mention trying to keep her cousin Margaret and Beatham from forming an impossible attachment and thwarting Ruari’s escape attempts.

Sorcha meets with the English and becomes the object of Sir Simon Treacher’s unwanted attention, she manages to negotiate a ransom and hopes to never see Sir Simon again. She sends the ransom demand to the Kerrs and informs Ruari. Ruari is still angry, but he wants Sorcha with a desire stronger than any he has ever felt. He proposes that they become lovers, no promises, no commitments. At first Sorcha is opposed, but she is attracted to him and will probably never marry, so she agrees. They share three incredible nights together before his family comes for him. They part and words are exchanged. But as he rides away, Sorcha knows that he is taking her heart with him.

She gets her brother back and is again subjected to Sir Simon, the man is obsessed! They manage to evade him and make it back to their keep. Six months pass and it finally seems like he has given up, so when Dougal suggests they attend the market fair, she looks forward to the chance to get out of the keep, she is still nursing a broken heart, but is not nearly as dramatic about it as Margaret is. She convinces Margaret to attend and even with a warning of trouble given by Effie, they set out.

Trouble finds them almost as soon as they reach the fair, Ruari is there and when he sees her, he is ready to take his revenge.

This book is great, there is a lot going on, but it never seems busy and all the various characters and story lines all tie neatly together in the end. The love scenes are steamy, the dialogue is amusing, the villain is vile, the problems keeping them apart seem unsurmountable, the declaration scene is very sweet and the epilogue is completely delightful.

I have no idea how I missed this book years ago, but I am so delighted to have found it! I would highly recommend this book and will be looking to see if there are any other books I missed!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*