Customer Reviews

Conqueror's Kiss

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

Jennet Graeme is captured by Sir Hacon Gillard as Scot soldiers overrun a convent. She has sought refuge at the Convent and she is carried away after the raid, while the nuns are raped and murdered and the convent is robbed. She spends several months traveling with Sir Hacon and his men as they fight in Scotland and England. She finally falls in love with him, in the middle of a plundering army and Hacon's enemies. Jennet becomes known for her healing skills and they are eventually allowed to return home to Scotland and move into Sir Hacon's ancestral home. They are married but Sir Hacon leaves again to be wounded and left for dead fighting in Ireland. He returns to Scotland and goes searching for Jennet, who left when she thought him dead. They are reunited and face other trials before they can settle down. A really good medieval story by Hannah Howell. She just tells these so well, weaving in the history of that period and location. If you like her books, I'm addicted, you will like this one.

If you like Hannah Howell's books, you'll love this one. Plus the blonde highlander on the cover is very easy on the eyes. Want a taste? Here's an excerpt from the book in my own words: Jennet is mending in her room at the convent while battle rages outside the walls. Surely they would not breach the convent? The door to her small room bursts open and leaning against the frame is a warrior (Hacon). The grin on his face turns her shock and fear to rage. She faces certain death and he's laughing at her. "And what do you mean to do with that wee needle, lass?" he drawls. "Cut ye a new smile, ye godless heathen" she cries and lunges at him holding the dagger hidden in her skirts. After a brief fight, she is knocked out by his comrade, Dugald, outside her room. Dugald remarks that it would be a shame to kill her as the "wee lass" has spirit. Hacon tosses her over his shoulder and tells Duglad that "this is plunder". Want to know more? Gotta read the book!

This is a fun book to pass the time. Hot in parts, which is why I like Hannah Howell in the first place. But other areas of this seem forced instead of subtle, and it's so blatant that there's no point in even saying that it's predictable. But, it's fun none the less.
For $4.99, yay!

I thoroughly enjoy all of Hannah Howell's books, especially all of the Highland ones. This one was especially well written and recommend it to anyone. It is easy to lose oneself in reading these books....keeps me turning page after page until the story ends.

This book seemed as much a history lesson as it did a love story. The violence of the time is not hidden, so don't be surprised by the graphic nature of some of the battle scenes.

I want to add that I really enjoyed Jennete's character (especially her sharp tongue); she was very believable and realistic.

Hannah Howell is on of the many romance writers that I enjoy reading their work. Even though this particular book, Conqueror's Kiss, wasn't part of the Murray series, it was very good in it's own right. I would order more of Hannah Howell's books whenever it is not available at my local library.

Hannah Howell was my first experience with historical romantic fiction...specifically 15th century Scotland. To say I was hooked would be a profound understatement. In the period of two weeks I bought ever book by Mrs Howell with the word Highland in the title. (a rough estimate was about 20 novels) The language was fluid but authentic yet didn't take away only added to the story. Especially the dialogue...who could have thought that words like...aye, wee, lass, bonnie and nay could be so enjoyable? While the main premise of the story is historical romance there are "wee" sprinklings of paranormal...which is my genre of choice. Mrs. Howell also does my favorite thing to find in books, characters that span several books.First as the protagonists then as secondaries in others. In the Highlands they are kinsmen or clan members. Loved it so much. Buy it you won't be sorry.

In this Scottish medieval romance, Hannah Howell takes her readers on a journey of one woman's battle to survive during the border wars between Scotland and England in the early 1300s. Jennet Grame witnessed her mother's brutal rape and murder as a small child, endured years of abusive servitude, believed her father dead, and finally took refuge in a nunnery as war and famine raged around her. She soon learns that not even convents are immune to blood lust and plundering during these harsh times.

Sir Hacon Gillard is a knight in service to Robert the Bruce who has claimed the throne of Scotland. Against Hacon's will, he and his loyal men take part in ransacking the convent held by the English, and thus he discovers Jennet in her small cell mending clothes. He is taken with her green eyes and her spirit as she tries to use her small knife to defend herself. Hacon claims her as "his plunder" and takes her with him as the army moves forward into England.

The story of the relationship between this fearsome knight and the young woman he has claimed as his own is artfully crafted to be at once tense and tender. The reader follows them through battles, plots and danger of many kinds, and always the romance is first and foremost in the story while the action keeps you in suspense to find out what will happen next.

Beware you might find yourself trying to ignore your need for food or sleep in order to keep reading. I liked everything about this book: the plot, the characters (of which there are many) and the almost nonstop action. I closed the book after the last page with a heartfelt sigh of pleasure while wishing it had not ended so soon.

This is by far one of my favorite's from Hannah. It has everything that makes a wonderful romance - Danger, a Battle-hardened warrior as a hero, a quick-witted, strong heroine, and some of the best love scenes I've read from Hannah Howell. I loved every minute!!