Hannah Howell never
disappoints readers who enjoy a well-written and researched Scottish
Historical Romance. This blend of the English and Scottish takes place
duing the time of the wars between "The Bruce" and King Edward. Sir
Hacon Gillard has fought ten long years for the Scottish King and
yearns for his lands to be returned and for the fighting to someday
stop. He is beginning to tire of the destruction and unnecessary
killing of innocents that many of his fellow knights seem to enjoy. As
the Scottish enter an English village to pillage a convent he enters
the room where the beautiful novice Jennet Graeme is hiding. From a
poor Scottish family she has taken refuge in the convent, but finds
there is no place that is really a place of refuge. Hacon is
immediately drawn to her and takes her as plunder. Jannet is afraid of
being raped and brutalized as her mother and so many other women have
been, but she soon finds Hacon does not mean to hurt her, but to treat
her gently and seduce her. As the weeks and months go by he is drawn to
her spirit as well as her beauty. She soon warms to him and his men and
finds herself giving in to the handsome and kind knight. Because Hacon
is noble and kind, he has many enemies within his own ranks and soon
finds himself fighting for his own life. Many attempts are made to set
up his murder during battles. Soon the fighting ends and he returns to
his lands and marries Jannet. But the idyllic ends as the ultimate
attack comes when he is set up and named as traitor. Jannet may be a
wee little wench, as Hacon is know to call her, but her strong
character and love saves Hacon and his lands, when a very pregnant
Jannet travels to the King and testifies in Hacon's defense. The story
and characters are well-developed and the struggles of the people are
felt as well as the love they have for their land, king and each other.
There are light moments that make you smile and laugh out loud;
especially with Jennet's rogue of a father. The seduction and passion
of Hacon and Jennet will not disappoint, as like other Hannah Howell
romances, the love scenes are beautifully written. A Scottish
Historical by Hannah Howell is always an enjoyable and interesting read
and if read in chronological order; they are like reading a long
recorded history. I enjoyed this book as much as any of the others and
look forward to the next one.
Publisher: Zebra
(November 2006)
Reviewed
by Beverly,
Beverly Romance Books
