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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Audio Book Review-Conqueror’s Kiss by Hannah Howell

by | Nov 24, 2015 | Book Reviews | 6 comments

Audio Book Review-Conqueror's Kiss by Hannah Howell

Audio Book Review-Conqueror’s Kiss by Hannah HowellConqueror's Kiss by Hannah Howell
Published by Zebra on November 1st 2006
Genres: Historical Romance, Medieval Era
Narrator: Allison Pike
Pages: 416
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
ISBN: 0821780050
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four-half-stars

There is little hope for sanctuary in the midst of the tumultuous Scottish border wars, yet one woman may finds safe refuge...in the arms of her swarn enemy...
Jennet Graeme has witnessed terrible tragedy during the many years of strife between the Scots and the English. As Scottish invaders plunder her convent sanctuary, she defiantly resists the blond warrior who claims her as his prize. But his brute strength is overpowering and Jennet is forced to ride with him through the lawless lands, tending to the wounded, protected and desired by a man she wants to hate ... but cannot ...
Sir Hacon Gillard is moved by Jenner's compassion and mercy. As a loyal knight, he's pledged fealty to his king's command, even as he loses his heart to this remarkable woman. Merciless in combat ... yet there burns within him a spark for something far beyond the heat of battle ...

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My Review

Summary

Jennet Graeme has always known war and death. She has come to a nunnery for sanctuary and safety from the border wars between the English and the Scots. But when the one sacred refuge is barged into and she is taken captive as “Plunder” she is drawn back into the war that she fought to get away from. Jennet lost her mother when she was a girl, after seeing her mother raped and murdered by Scots. Then her father was killed or she thinks he was killed at Perth. Now she is being held by Sir Hacon Gillard, a Knight for the Scots. At first Jennet views Hacon as many of the other soldiers…ruthless and out to kill anyone in his path. But she soon realizes that Hacon is unlike most soldiers she has ever met. That he has honor and is only fighting because he is fighting to get back his land that was taken from his family unjustly years ago. Jennet is forced alongside with Hacon, tending the injured and fighting the desire she feels for Hacon, a desire she wants but at the same time despises. Jennet and Hacon realize how explosive they are together, and will fight for each other no matter the cost.

Plot and Story Line

Conqueror’s Kiss is a single title by Howell. Each time I read this author, I always become impressed with her work. This story was republished over the last month, so when I saw this available I just had to grab it up. Because Howell writes historical romance the way I love it to be written. Deeply heart wrenching and emotional with realistic historical fact. In this story, we get taken back to the battles between Robert the Bruce and the King of England—I believe its King Edward…but don’t quote me on that hehe. This is where we get drawn into history, in a time of struggle, death and hardship. This story really reminded me how grateful I am to be born in this century, because man what these people went through is heartwrenching and Hannah Howell brings those tender emotions to the surface.

At first Hacon seems to be your typical historical alpha male, and in some ways he is very alpha. But in others, not so much. He is honorable and steadfast, and passionate. But he is also kind-hearted and merciful. When he spots Jennet, she reminds him of home and peace and so he grabs her, which probably saved her life. Then he takes her back to where he and his men make camp. Now I have a soft spot for his men, but most especially for his nephew. His nephew is very much like Hacon in many ways. He is 17, wants to be a noble knight, but is kind too even with all the fighting go around. There is this moment, in the beginning, that won me over to him in a heartbeat. A teenager really, who risked his life to save innocents. You can’t get more knightly than that right? We see many learning curves for many of the character in this story. We also see what war back in this century was really like, and it wasn’t pleasant at all. Jennet is very wise and cunning, and I couldn’t help but get attached to her. She is outspoken, and in certain moments, probably too much considering the circumstances she is surrounded by.

The romance between these two is quite unique and I couldn’t get enough of these two and seeing them working through stumbling blocks to finding their HEA—which was quite a battle in and of itself. Hacon and Jennet have to work through many issues, but we see how they build trust and love (even if they don’t admit it when they should). But both of them are distracted by other matters, so it makes sense. They have instant chemistry, they both feel desire from when they first meet. But its a slow burning that builds and it takes a while before these two make love for the first time. Which was very good of Howell to format their connection in this way. I grew to like her style in this because it had Jennet making the moves when they first become intimate. So we see how its real desire she feels. Of course, this happens over months of time. Then when Hacon finally gets his family’s land back, they reunite with both of their families. And they get a respite until more drama happens and they are forced to once again fight for each other.

From beginning to end this story won my heart and I fell in love with every aspect of the story. The characters, the plot, the emotion and the circumstances and the historic detail that this wonderful author weaves for her readers.

The Narration

I really couldn’t get enough of this narrator. She was simply fabulous and I can’t wait to listen to more of her work. One thing I tend to be picky about is accents, especially when dealing with the Scots. Because the further you go in history, the more harder they can be for some to understand. But wow, she really did them so well and it almost felt like I was in Scotland in the 1300’s. She simply made the story come to life with every moment.

The Cover

There are multiple covers to this book, but I love the most recent one the best!!! It portrays the story so well and I love everything about it. From the gorgeous background to the pose, to the male specimen who definitely has some gorgeous manly meat going on!!

Overall View

Conqueror’s Kiss is a splendid read that reaffirmed why I love historical romance so much! It’s packed with passion, history, vivid emotion and a truly remarkable love story that you will want to read again. I know I do!!! WELL DONE!!

About Hannah Howell

After five years and many rejections, I finally got my first book on the stands in 1988 – Amber Flame – from Leisure Books (reissued a while back under the title His Bonnie Bride). Also the western – A Taste of Fire published by Kensington in 1988. (and reissued by them several times since then) After about 10 years of writing English, Scottish and western historicals for several publishers (even venturing into the occasional pen-name) I settled in at Kensington writing Scottish historicals. Thus was born the great Murray clan (and a very prolific clan as well.) In June 2009 I started a series set in late-Georgian England concerning two connected families – the Wherlockes and the Vaughns. The first – If he’s Wicked – was that June, the latest – If He’s Tempted – was released April 2013. My cunning plan is to then do one of the Wherlockes and one of the Murrays each year. We’ll see how that works.

I grew up in New England and my family (on the maternal side) has been here since the 1630s. The paternal side is half Nova Scotian and half English. Met the hubby in England on a trip to meet and greet the English side of the family, bought him a drink in a pub, and the rest is history. Been married for 42+ years now. I have two sons, one a graphic artist (Sam) and one a mechanical engineer (Keir), a daughter-in-law who is a teacher (Beth), and three stunningly attractive, highly intelligent grandchildren (boast much?) – Benjamin, Jennifer, and Evelyn Rose. And they all live within driving distance – hooray. Being mildly insane I also have five cats – Matilda (high strung), Shadow (who is a little ferally and lives under a chair in my living-room because she does not like the ‘kittens’ I brought home years ago.), the demonic duo – Jackson and Perkins, and the latest addition, Mungo.

When I am not writing – which isn’t often – I play games on the computer, play the piano (took 13 years of lessons when growing up), crochet (very addicting), read, and garden (some day I will conquer the demon weed).

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6 Comments

  1. LilyElement

    I was wondering how the accents would be since you said audiobook, glad to hear it went so well! I’m watching a show set in that time frame right now

    Reply
  2. Sophia Rose

    Emotional with historical authenticity has appeal for me, too. And I perked up over the fact that its a standalone. Nice review, Renee!

    Reply
  3. Red Iza

    I’d never heard about this author before, thanks for making me discover her 🙂

    Reply
  4. L.

    I’m so happy to have read that you enjoyed this title. I loved it as well. I only wish I could have discovered the author prior to her passing. She was a splendid author that knew how to true historical romance exactly the way that it should have been written. I hope more authors learn to follow in her footsteps in their own writings of the genre. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 🙂

    Reply
  5. kimbacaffeinate

    I have been enjoying historical romance on audio and added this title!

    Reply
  6. Blodeuedd

    Saw your blog on Karen’s blog 🙂
    Ohhhh I want this

    Reply

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