With my love of vampire books - how could I not post this link. Michele Hauf has created the 
It's time to Celebrate an Author for the month of March. Happy Birthday Hannah Howell!! I absolutely love her Highlander books and look forward to reading more of the them in the months to come. I am a relatively new person to Ms. Howell's books, so I have a lot of catching up to do.
This month I finished reading Highland Captive which is a reissue of her 1990 book, Elfking's Lady. Since I am so new at reading her books, I am glad they are starting to reissue her older ones that are hard to find. The story is about Aimil, Parlan MacGuin, and a horse named Elfking.
Amil is abducted by a feuding clan - the infamous warrior Parlan MacGuin. Known throughout as Black Parlan, he has a reputation as a fierce warrior using it to "claim lands and lovers." Aimil sets out to hate him, but finds him honorable and alluring, and she cannot deny her desire for the man that holds her captive.
She is betrothed to Rory, but knowing his reputation, fears that it will not be a safe union. So she decides to give up her virtue to Parlan, not only for her horse but hoping that Rory will call off the wedding. You see, Parlan wants her horse - a fine stallion that will not only serve him in war, but increase the value of his future horses. So he bargains with Aimil - her virtue or her horse. I know it sounds kind of silly that a horse would mean so much to Aimil - but I think the main reason she gave up her virtue was her fear of Rory. Not only that - but she is estranged from her father - receiving no love from him at all. So, she feels the only thing she has left is her horse.
Rory gets wind of the abduction, but it doesn't get rid of his desire for Aimil. He has an old score to settle with her family, and he intends to get revenge through marrying Aimil. So, the feud begins.
I really enjoyed this story. I love reading medieval romances set in the Highlands and this didn't fail to entertain me. Aimil is a strong character whose spirit never seems to break - even when she is imprisoned with her brother at the hands of the MacGuins. She knows what she wants and goes after it. The only time you see her falter is when she is in the presence of her father. Parlan is a warrior, but his sense of honor is what makes him a true hero. He doesn't try to break Aimil's spirit - in fact, it is her spirit that draws him to her. From the very beginning - watching her escape from within the walls of his home, he is enchanted by her. His ingenious plans to keep Aimil by his side had me smiling throughout the book. Their passion "threatens to spark an unstoppable blood feud - or it will forever fill their hearts."
Rating: 4.5/5
Pages: 359
Completed: 3/15/09
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3 comments:
You know - I've never read a Hannah Howell book - I have more than one in the TBR pile and every time I go to the book store she tempts me. I really need to try a book by her as she has quite am impressive back list.
This is another new author that I haven't heard of. She sounds good though so I'll have to put her on my TBR list. Great review :)
I havent read this author before, but now I want to!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
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