Highland Champion

Ordered this for my sister and she loves it. She is into this era and type of book and says it is GREAT

What makes Highland Champion so very good is the wonderful hero Liam. He is generous, kind, good natured, handsome and above all honorable. He really shines in every scene. His heroine, Keira is a good lead, self sacrificing and charitable but she pales in comparison to Liam's mighty presence. These two meet in a monastery. Both are recovering from injuries. Liam has been beaten and Keira has barely escaped with her life after her husband is killed by an evil man who has taken over her castle. Keira has the healing touch and she becomes Liam's nurse. The two quickly become friends and Keira confides in Liam that she has every intention of going back to reclaim her late husband's castle and rescue her people. She does not have a good plan though and Liam knows she needs a champion to assist her. These two have an interesting romance because Keira is uncertain of herself with Liam because he is so very attractive. He has women literally chasing him across Scotland and he has not led a monk's life. Her uncertainty about their relationship is believable not only because of Liam's looks but she also has a past which has robbed her of her self esteem. Liam is patient with Keira but at the same time he defends himself most vehemently from charges laid against him by love struck women. He is so very charming that Keira cannot help but fall in love with him. At times he could be a little bossy but he also recognized this fault too. Keira is by no means perfect. She can be impetuous and suffers from needless guilt but fortunately Liam's wise words heal Keira's conscious. This novel is almost a five star story (parts move a little slowly), Keira and Liam make a very charming couple.

If you like reading about the Highlands and romance and passion, you will love reading this book.

I pre-ordered this book back in September, and was so excited when it arrived. Liam Cameron has been one of my favorite characters in several of Ms. Howell's previous books, so I was thrilled to see him get his own book. And it was true to his character, right down to his cousin Sigimor's prophesy that he would "pay" for all his playing around with women when the time came for him to settle down in wedded bliss. Liam has finally found his "fit," the "right" woman for him, Keira Murray McKail. It took a near deadly beating to find her, but that is what it took, so that is okay. The only problems are one, she doesn't believe he will remain faithful to her due to his past history AND due to the fact that a married woman who claims he was a lover is chasing him all over the place. Two, Keira, already believes herself unattractive to men because her first husband had some severe problems (can't give too much away here!). Three, Keira has to save her deceased husband's people and lands from a man who has taken them and delights in causing pain and misery. Keira barely escaped with her life, after watching him slowly kill her husband. Liam wants to woo Keira, and win her love, but with all these problems he just doesn't have the time! The only thing that works for him is that after spending a month together in a cottage while Liam healed from his wounds, marriage to Keira is the only way to save her good name. He's thrilled, she's not, but he hasn't lost his skills, and the passion is high and hot between the two of them. This is a good story! It has more dialogue, and less sword fighting than some of her other stories, but for the most part, I found this perfectly acceptable, and in fact, just right for these two characters. At times it moved a bit slowly, but only because I was expecting a little more action. Once I got used to Keira's "thinking" and Liam's obvious responses, I liked it. It really makes for some wonderful, humorous scenes! I really enjoyed some of the side characters, especially Kester and Meggie, and hope they get their own book(s) some day! Thanks again, Ms. Howell, for another wonderful, well-thought out romance, not just another plug in new names, and change the dates. I look forward to June 2006, and "Highland Lover!"

In 1475 Scotland, Kiera Murray MacKail is forced to flee her home when Castle Ardgleann is overtaken by Ralf Mouwbray, who killed her spouse. She manages to reach a nearby monastery where her cousin Brother Matthew tends a wounded warrior Liam Cameron. As a gifted healer Kiera takes over caring for the patient. When he recovers, Liam, in gratitude, agrees to escort Keira to his home where he is bound anyway. However, traveling without a chaperon for weeks, their families demand the couple wed. Liam accepts his fate having expected it, but Keira is reluctant as she knows he will discover her secret on their wedding night; she remains a virgin though a widow. As they mount a counter assault to regain Ardgeleann, they both quietly realize they love their spouse, but neither wants to be the first to say so out of fear of rejection. Hannah "Highland" Howell provides a strong fifteenth century Scottish romance that her fans will enjoy while rooting for the lead couple to make it together and to defeat the enemy that has taken over her castle. Readers will wonder why she is a married virgin as Ms. Howell once again entertains her audience with a fine Highland historical tale. Harriet Klausner