Heart of Honor [Mass Market Paperback]

Kat Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2007

Krista Hart, publisher of the weekly London ladies' gazette Heart to Heart, is not afraid to speak her mind. Even on such unpopular issues as social reform--risking her reputation and her very safety--Krista will not be intimidated, although she knows full well she is the target of angry opposition for her outspoken views.

When she encounters a powerful Viking descendant imprisoned as a local sideshow attraction, Krista angrily demands his release. Although she tells herself that freeing Leif Draugr is simply the right thing to do, she can't deny being attracted to the fierce Nordic chieftain, especially after her father transforms him into a "proper" English gentleman.

But as anonymous threats against Krista become more and more aggressive, it is Leif who must face the unseen enemies desperate to silence her, even as they push her closer into the embrace of a warrior prepared to do whatever it takes to make her his.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Martin's latest romance, a convoluted Victorian frolic, is sure to test readers' suspension of disbelief, as well as their patience. Though she's the editor of a gazette devoted to women's cultural and economic issues, Krista Hart's powerful grandfather regularly reminds her that her real duty is to provide the family a male heir—and a suitable courtier, the handsome, educated Matthew Carton, has just made his intentions apparent. Then Krista and her mischievous friend, Coralee, visit the circus, where they find a huge, gibbering, unkempt man named Leif caged as a sideshow attraction. Thanks to her father, who happens to be a scholar of Viking culture, Krista recognizes Leif's shouts as Norse, and learns that he's the sole survivor of a shipwreck hailing from an isolated island where Vikings still live in the old ways. Krista's father rescues Leif and brings him home, eager to teach Leif the English language and customs in exchange for his firsthand Viking knowledge. Leif immediately claims Krista as "his woman," indulges in crude behavior and finally abducts Krista in hopes of taking her back to his island. Though some readers might be turned off by Leif's heavy-handed domination and Krista's tepid reproaches—a throwback to the genre's old-fashioned days—it's Leif's unconvincing transformation from rough 16th-century Viking to 19th-century English gentleman as well as Martin's overwrought prose and distracting repetition that make the romance vet's latest a disappointment. (Jan.)
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Review

"[Martin possesses a] well-honed ability to deliver spicy romance." -- Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Mira (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778323838
• ISBN-13: 978-0778323839
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Currently living in Missoula, Montana, Kat Martin is the bestselling author of over fifty Historical and Contemporary Romance novels. Before she started writing in 1985, Kat was a real estate broker. During that time, she met her husband, Larry Jay Martin, also an author. Kat is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. "I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."

To date, Kat has over twelve million copies of her books in print. She is published in twenty foreign countries, including Germany, Norway, Sweden, China, Korea, Bulgaria, Russia, England, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Japan and Greece.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Good, December 29, 2006

By 

Corrine (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart of Honor (Mass Market Paperback)

I was hesitant to read this book, as I had read a contemporary by Kat Martin that left me cold, but I'm glad I put aside my reservations.

Miss Krista Hart is appalled when she attends the circus with her good friend Coralee and finds that as a sideshow the cruel owner has a caged man, the Last Barbarian - a man not of their time, but instead a relic from Sixteenth Century Norway.

Leif is a Viking, who left his home of Draugr Island to find the world beyond the antiquated systems his people have held to since being driven from Greenland. Instead, he is the sole survivor of his quest, and sold into slavery to the circus.

Krista, of course, rescues him (after he makes a very inappropriate comment about her, er, nether-regions in his own language, which Krista and her father both speak) and turns Leif over to her father, Professor Sir Praxton, who specializes in the Norse culture.

Within months, Leif is a gentleman - on the outside - and Krista is reluctantly attracted. Though Leif brashly declares his desire for Krista in his bed and as his wife, Krista is having none of it, knowing that their two worlds cannot come together.

From London to the mystical island of Draugr, this book leads the reader on a fast-paced, sensuous journey of love between to very interesting and bold characters. I loved Leif's bluntness and Krista's bemused response. The only downside, in my mind, is how little of the beginning of the book is spent purely on the physical attraction, and very little on the emotional growth of the characters, but overall, this is a book I will read again.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 Stars!, March 5, 2007

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heart of Honor (Mass Market Paperback)

Krista Hart, is a publisher for a weekly ladies' gazette called "Heart to Heart." Krista is not afraid to speak her mind or do as she wishes despite the fact her reputation and her safety is on the line. This strong woman is shocked when she comes across a Viking in a circus sideshow and demands that he be released. Leif is the first man that has made her feel anything and even though she tries to fool herself she knows the attraction between them is strong--powerful. When her father turns savage into gentleman, Krista realizes she's in a great deal of trouble and her heart will not be the same. But when threats to Krista become more dangerous instead of facing them on her own she has a champion but will she let him be her hero?

I must admit this has not been one of my favorites by this author but it's not a story to be ignored either. The problems I encountered were few but note worthy. I found myself growing frustrated with Krista's viewpoint and attitude on more then one occasion, which is not a good thing when it comes to a lead character. Still, Leif is a strong counter-part to this and is what helps to balance this read. Ms. Martin is not afraid to tackle different issues and Women's right's is a touchy one when used in historic context. This story reminded me a little bit of "My Fair Lady" in reverse. Ms. Martin is a talented writer who is not afraid to be creative when constructing characters or plot. I would have just liked to have seen a little more softness in Krista. This is a fair read and will entertain. CK2S Kwips & Kritiques

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 stars, February 3, 2007

By 

AK "Bro" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart of Honor (Mass Market Paperback)

The moment Krista Hart hears the star attraction at a freak show speak, she knows he is not a monster, but a man who speaks Old Norse and she manages to procure his freedom. Leif Draugr is the son of a chieftain of a lost tribe of Vikings who followed his heart to seek what was beyond his island home. He is sure that the gods have brought him and Krista together. As her father turns him into a gentleman, Krista begins to feel something for this warrior as well, but he is determined to return to his land. Though he promises to take her with him, she really does not want to go. She has duties to her family and to the magazine she produces, even if those could lock her in a loveless marriage or get her killed.

**** This is a compelling take on "My Fair Lady" with a touch of "Brigadoon" thrown in, as well a a ton of passion to round things out nicely. Once again, Ms. Martin has a winning tale that is sure to please anyone who loves a good romance. ****

Amanda Killgore