Customer Reviews

Highland Wolf

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By 1477 Scotland disgraced former Laird James Drummond knows if he is caught he will be executed for killing his wife Mary three years ago. However, he also realizes as he hides that he will soon need to get inside his former home Dunncraig to find proof that his late spouse's relative and current Laird Donnell MacKay killed or arranged the killing of his late spouse. James also wants to hold his child Margaret whom he desperately misses, but claimed as his by the devious new Laird.

He manages to get inside Dunncraig masquerading as a master carver. However, as he uses his disguise to get around the keep, James meets Donnell's cousin Annora MacKay, who takes care of the laird's young daughter. They are attracted to one another and she unmasks him; but instead of exposing James, she helps him. When James goes berserk when someone tries to rape his beloved Annora, they are forced to flee. However, they are caught by his enemy leaving them no time left for love as he is to be executed while she has already been flogged.

Few authors if any can match the passion that Hannah Howell consistently brings to her Highland historical romances. Although somewhat like her myriad of previous well written fifteenth century Scottish tales, fans will relish Ms. Howell's terrific HIGHLAND WOLF as the probability of this couple surviving seems almost zero.

Harriet Klausner

As readers, we all have authors who are auto-buys, you know the ones that if they wrote the back of a cereal box you would be first in line to buy it. Well Hannah Howell is one of those authors for me. I have enjoyed all her books (with the exception of her vampires) with the Murray Clan. Her heroines usually possess a unique gift that either the hero has to endure or embraces, much to the surprise of the heroine. Unfortunately, the heroine's gift in HIGHLAND WOLF wasn't very well developed. Ms Howell tells us about it rather than having the heroine show us through her actions and in the dark moment-the rescue of the hero, she doesn't use it. It seems an after thought at best.

Also her hero, Sir John Drummond is a letdown. His wife has died in a fire that he is framed for, making him an outlaw of the crown, so he leaves his two year old daughter behind (lives in a cave for three years) in the care of the man who is responsible for his exhile (the reader knows this upfront/not a spoiler). He has an epiphany (not sure what caused this) and decides to go back to his keep in disguise (not very convincing--changes hair color and adds a eye patch) to find out who really did his wife in. Big Martha (the cook) figures out who he is but no one else does, makes you wonder how well his clan really knew him. His marriage was one not a love match resulting in a less than satisfying sexual relationship, but he states (in the beginning of the book) his wife was a good mother. But as the story unfolds he is quick too admit she wasn't a good mother, leaving the reader to wonder at the inconsistency.

The heroine, a bastard by birth has been passed form one clan member to another never calling anyplace home, has but only a few moments of indecision (she doesn't want to be like her mum) before she falls for the charm and into the bed of the hero. Yet after the dark moment, she can't marry the hero, because she isn't good enough. What!!! She was too self-effacing for me to really care about her. This coupled with the hero constantly claiming her as "mine" (this is really getting to bug me with medievals) when another character has designs on her, he treats her like his property even when he isn't sure he is ready for such a long term relationship and the heroine lets him get a way with it. NO WAY!! This is atypical for Howell heroine. I can't imagine a Murray heroine putting up with that. An ok read but not her best, if you haven't read her before find ELFKING'S LADY, UNCONQUERED or any of the Murray clan titles first.

Three years ago James Drummond was wrongfully accused of murdering his wife and deemed an outlaw. So he fled his keep and remained hidden all this time. Finally, the Laird has decided to return and get back what is rightfully his; Dunncraig Keep and his five-year old daughter Margaret.

Annora MacKay is a bast*rd as well as a poor woman with no dowry or lands to offer. So she drifts from one relative to another, relying on their charity to keep her alive. She had no purpose in life until she was summoned by her cousin to come and take care of his two year old daughter. That was three years ago and little Meggie has become her soul purpose for life now.

But Annora suspects something is amiss. Her cruel cousin shelters her and the girl, like a prison. Any disobedience is met with swift physical punishment, which Annora has learned to avoid. Still when a handsome woodcarver arrives at the keep, Annora is intrigued. She has the gift of 'sensing ones feelings' and this man carries a lot of hatred towards her malicious cousin. Why? Before she knows it, she's entangled herself in a deadly plot with seemingly no means of escape.

Just an OK book. I really enjoyed the complete change of plot in this one. Refreshing because I didn't get the sense of deja vu like I did in some of Howells other books (some seem to be the same book with different characters) Anyhow the setting is fresh and held a lot of promise, but failed somewhat. I never really felt that James was a "wolf", you know -on the attack, out for revenge- type. Not aggressive enough. He is too timid for me and a bit helpless. I understand that it is not possible for him to just go and attack the keep because he is an outlaw, but too flee? Like a dog with its tale between its legs? That just smacks of anti alpha behavior and I just plain like my highlanders as alpha males.

I did also notice that there is a lot of violence in this book compared to her others. I didn't really like that. Have sword fights, kill the enemy a gruesome way -no problem, but the abuse the heroine? A bit too much for me.

And then there is the revenge. How James finally finds the 'evidence' that Annora's cousin is the villain is frankly laughable. It really gives new meaning to the word stupid criminals. It is just too much of a stretch for me.

So if you've read Howell before then your used to the characters brogue (for newbies it takes a bit of getting used too -ye ken?) and if you don't mind the slightly less than alpha hero & the violence then you might like this one. A stand alone book with plenty of sexual tension and loves scenes. And the little girl is very cute too.

Not a bad read, just not my favorite Howell. Some of my other favorites in this genre include the authors Garwood, Sands, Quinn and McCarty.

Sir James Drummond has been in hiding for the last three years but he has returned to Dunncraig under the guise of a workman. James' wife Mary was killed and he was accused of her murder. Donnell MacKay is the real killer. James intends to dig out the truth and make Donnell pay for his crimes, then re-claim his position as laird so he can get his young daughter Meggie back.

Donnell has his cousin Annora come to the keep and watch over Meggie. Although Annora has her doubts about whether or not he is really the girl's father, she stays to protect her. Donnell is a cruel man. She herself has been the victim of his brutality on more than one occasion.

Annora and James meet and soon become partners in passion and for James' quest. With Annora's help, James is discovering how deep the lies and treachery were. Just when he thinks he can get Annora and Meggie to safety, Donnell threatens to destroy his future in the same way he did his past.

I love historical Scottish romances and Hannah Howell is one of my favorite authors of the genre. Highland Wolf is full of action, drama and deep sensuality. There are evil villains and a strong romance as well. Highland Wolf is a very good historical novel. Right down to the sexy highlanders' delightful Scottish burrs!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

It was okay. Admittedly, I normally read paranormal romance and I'm not sure why I was recommended for this book because I bought it with the idea that that was what I was getting, so this has been a let down for me. I didn't like the hero right off the back because just the thought that I ran after being accused of killing his wife and left his two year old daughter behind was just weak. The other part about living in a cave for three years made no sense. He obviously came from a strong family that could have cared for him or supported him in some way. Then there was the part where he tries to run away with his love and child (oh, wait a minute--you mean he won't leave behind a good f*** but he'll leave his two year old?) Anyway, he tells the love of his life that they can make it on their own. They can go with his family or they can more to France. So why the heck was he living in a cave for three years?

hmmm, this one's full of holes. Sorry, but I can't recommend it.

I love Hannah Howells Series about the Murray Clan and this one was pretty good as well. I like reading the series because I like the way she includes past book characters. She really didn't do that in this book. That was the only disapointment I had. Gillyanne is James' foster sister and they are very close. I don't understand why she was not banging on the door trying to help James. Not to mention any of the other cousins. If you're going to stick with writing from this series you should include the other characters it makes it more fun those of us who have read and continue to follow the series.

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.

I couldn't put the book down. Hannah Howell is a brilliant writer with sizzling romance and action that will have you wanting more. When I was done I immediately reached for another one of her books.

All of the "Highland" Hannah Howell series books are great! I have read every one of them and thoroughly enjoy them

What can I say? I love Hannah Howell's line of Highland stories. Brain candy at it's best!