Highland Champion (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Hannah Howell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Historical Romance | Publication Date: December 1, 2005

Liam Cameron is certain he's died and gone to heaven when he opens his eyes to the angel before him. But the pain that wracks his body proves he is still earth bound. Keira Murray MacKail saved Liam's life and he has some enticing ways he would like to thank her. Soon, lust gives way to a feeling much more profound for a woman whose battles he wants to fight...Though he fears the most difficult one will be for her heart. Keira quickly learns that Liam has danger chasing him. As her healing kindness frees him to tell his tale, she confides the trouble that plagues her: she is a lairds widow now responsible for saving a small village pillaged by cruel invaders. But even as Liam makes the crusade to reclaim her lands his own, he will face a far greater challenge to win her trust - her love - for all time.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Unlike Howell's earlier historical romances set in the Scottish Highlands (Highland Bride, etc.), this protracted tale contains much more talk than action. While hiding out at a monastery, troubled widow and healer Keira Murray nurses back to health handsome Liam Cameron, whom she found beaten and left for dead. Despite the immediate attraction between the two, Keira is wary of Liam's good intentions. Even after he decides to help her reclaim her estate, which was invaded by the bloodthirsty Rauf Moubray, Keira remains doubtful of his affection. While the protagonists' various clansmen, who have joined their ranks, emphasize repeatedly how better off the world would be without the villain, Liam prepares at tedious length for the confrontation with Rauf. But the actual battle is brief and anticlimactic, nothing like the taut conflicts that fueled Howell's previous Highland adventures likewise set in the 15th century. The passion between Liam and Keira will warm readers to their toes, however, and many will appreciate the chance to revisit the affable and honorable Murray and Cameron clans. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Neither Keira Murray MacKail nor her cousin Brother Matthew expect Liam Cameron to survive after being savagely beaten and tossed off a cliff. But by using all of her healing skills, Keira somehow manages to bring him back from death's doorstep. While recuperating, Liam learns more about the lovely Keira, including her plans to return to her home in Ardgleann. Once there, Keira intends to free the people of Ardgleann from the tyranny of Rauf Moubray, who not only murdered Keira's husband, Duncan, but also usurped his land. To repay the debt he owes Keira, Liam offers to champion her cause against Rauf, but earning Keira's trust and winning her love may prove to be a far more formidable challenge for Liam than trying to retake any Scottish fortress. With her latest Scottish medieval romance, part of her Murray series, Howell offers readers another captivating tale filled with bold passion and daring deeds. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; First edition (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821777580
• ISBN-13: 978-0821777589
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( H ) > Howell, Hannah

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Always Love a Hannah Howell Book!, December 2, 2005

By 

MyraK "DreamReaderandHopefulWriter" (In My Reading Chair in Salem, UT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highland Champion (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

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!"

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I really liked the story, February 9, 2006

By 

Elizabeth Grant (Nampa, ID United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highland Champion (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

This story pulled me in right away. But my only problem here is that Hannah Howell writes them talking in a very thick accent. The characters should have an accent. But, as this was written, it was very hard at times to even get an idea of what the characters were saying. I like to read characters with an accent but I think she has taken it to an extreme. I stopped reading after two chapters. I read romance novels for pure enjoyment. But, since this book was giving me a headache, it got bumped to the back of my stack of books that I want to read.
Maybe I will pick it up again someday and give it another shot.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highlander in love, July 12, 2009

By 

Melissa (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Highland Champion (Paperback)

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.