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The Last Warrior
Captain Jake Talbert has come to San Francisco on a consuming quest, searching for the precious katanas, heirloom samurai swords he once wore as a warrior in his adopted homeland of Japan. Jake will go to any lengths to regain them—and the honor he lost along with them. He is prepared to fight if he must, but he does not foresee the battle he is about to face—or the spirited opponent determined to get in his way.
Meghan McLowry has come to the dangerous waterfront in search of the notorious Captain Talbert after hearing of his fondness for sword collecting and his ability to fight as no westerner can. She makes him a deal: If he can protect her father from the deadly vengeance of the Tong, she will gladly hand over five exquisite swords she has recently received as a birthday present from her father. Little does she know that Talbert is no crude sailor to be bent to her will, but a dangerously attractive warrior who will stop at nothing to get what he wants—whether it's honor, revenge, or a woman's heart.
Meghan McLowry has come to the dangerous waterfront in search of the notorious Captain Talbert after hearing of his fondness for sword collecting and his ability to fight as no westerner can. She makes him a deal: If he can protect her father from the deadly vengeance of the Tong, she will gladly hand over five exquisite swords she has recently received as a birthday present from her father. Little does she know that Talbert is no crude sailor to be bent to her will, but a dangerously attractive warrior who will stop at nothing to get what he wants—whether it's honor, revenge, or a woman's heart.
370 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 4, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 28, 2020
When I switched from reading print books to ebooks there were a number of keeper books I wanted to as ebooks to as it’s ever so much easier to find them and I get the thrill of carrying them with me always and should the urge to reread ever come over me, I could have that oh so wonderful instant gratification instead of moving and searching through box after box. When this book was reprinted in eBook form I was delighted as this was one of the books I knew I’d be reading again. I think now I’ve read it 2 or 3 times over the years but not for a while now.
This book is such a great example of why I love to reread. It’s like visiting friends I haven’t seen or heard from in years.
This is a historical that takes place in San Francisco. Meghan McLowry is a young woman determined to make sure her father is safe even if it includes some blackmail or heavy persuasion and Captain Jake Talbert is just the one she wants for her fathers’ protection. She offers him a gift of five unusual Japanese swords if he will make sure her father safe. Though she doesn’t know it, Jake has been searching for these very swords for 16 years now. He was raised in Japan and returning these swords to the family he was raised by would help make amends for something that happened to him and his adopted brother many years ago. He has been traveling the world trading while at the same time searching for the swords. So even though he wants nothing to do with helping Meghan, he has no choice. And it turns out her father is in deep trouble. He has angered the leader of a vicious Chinese Tong.
I love this story, from the first time I read it, the times in between and this last time. I’ll admit that Meghan is a bit strident at times and not the most likeable people at first. She doesn’t feel bad at all for what she is making Jake do. But she mellows through out the story and the reader comes to like her.
And as for Jake, well he does make for A Most Yummy hero. He feels a great attraction to Meggie even though she’s not at all the usual type of woman he cares for. He’s a man of great passion himself although he tries to subvert that trait so he’s kind of a hot bubbling inferno kind of guy.
There is a lot of Japanese tradition in this story which really enriches it I love the setting and uniqueness of it and it adds richness to the story. So if you are looking for a story that’s a very good story telling, well written, unusual setting and a to die for hero, The Last Warrior gets a huge thumbs up and high rec from me.
This book is such a great example of why I love to reread. It’s like visiting friends I haven’t seen or heard from in years.
This is a historical that takes place in San Francisco. Meghan McLowry is a young woman determined to make sure her father is safe even if it includes some blackmail or heavy persuasion and Captain Jake Talbert is just the one she wants for her fathers’ protection. She offers him a gift of five unusual Japanese swords if he will make sure her father safe. Though she doesn’t know it, Jake has been searching for these very swords for 16 years now. He was raised in Japan and returning these swords to the family he was raised by would help make amends for something that happened to him and his adopted brother many years ago. He has been traveling the world trading while at the same time searching for the swords. So even though he wants nothing to do with helping Meghan, he has no choice. And it turns out her father is in deep trouble. He has angered the leader of a vicious Chinese Tong.
I love this story, from the first time I read it, the times in between and this last time. I’ll admit that Meghan is a bit strident at times and not the most likeable people at first. She doesn’t feel bad at all for what she is making Jake do. But she mellows through out the story and the reader comes to like her.
And as for Jake, well he does make for A Most Yummy hero. He feels a great attraction to Meggie even though she’s not at all the usual type of woman he cares for. He’s a man of great passion himself although he tries to subvert that trait so he’s kind of a hot bubbling inferno kind of guy.
There is a lot of Japanese tradition in this story which really enriches it I love the setting and uniqueness of it and it adds richness to the story. So if you are looking for a story that’s a very good story telling, well written, unusual setting and a to die for hero, The Last Warrior gets a huge thumbs up and high rec from me.
February 18, 2023
Such a good read, I devoured this in a day. Such amazing detail went into Japanese history. The love story was nicely drawn out too with just the right amount of tension. I'm amazed this book doesn't have more reviews especially with the fact that it's only $3 over at Amazon...absolute steal.
If you've ever read and enjoyed one of Lisa Kleypas' historical books then you will enjoy this for sure
If you've ever read and enjoyed one of Lisa Kleypas' historical books then you will enjoy this for sure
July 28, 2012
San Francisco in the 1870s, Meghan McLowry fear for the life of her father, who she suspects is being targeted by the Tongs (Chinese criminal organization) for a business deal gone bad. She needs to find the best bodyguard that money can buy. Someone who isn't afraid to stand up to the Tong, and someone who knows their culture and can speak their language. When she hears rumors about Captain Jacob Talbert, a white man who fights like a Japanese warrior, she knows exactly who she wants to hire for the job, but finding him and getting him to take the job proves to be a difficult task.
Captain Jake Talbert was shipwrecked on the shores of Japan as a young boy. Adopted into a Japanese family, he learned the way of the Samurai, until a devastating attack left him shamed. With no family or home, he vowed to make things right and restore honor to his family's name by retrieving five swords that once belonged to his family. After searching for sixteen years, the trail finally leads him to San Francisco and to a fiery woman, who pushes all of his buttons to a most surprising outcome. When she offers him the very treasure he's spent half his life searching for in return for his services, he's livid, but he can't say no.
I LOVED this story! So much so, that I didn't want it to end. I don't read many historical romances, but The Last Warrior will forever have a special place in my heart. I have never read a historical romance that melds both East and West. The rich, colorful world of the Orient with its rigid yet graceful influences spill over into a growing, bustling and untamed city that is San Francisco.
I loved Akira. The older Japanese Samurai with a good old proverb at the ready was the soothing balm amidst the turmoil. His wisdom and sense of humor made the younger folks stop and think.
Callie and Jake made a great pairing. Callie was a little annoying at first, pushing her agenda on Jake regardless of his feelings. When Jake shows up for the first time, it's obvious that Callie has no idea how much trouble she's going to be in. Good trouble. Some of my favorite scenes involve the iguanas, and later, the significance of the white kimono.
A whisper of sound came from the tub. A man's dark head and broad shoulders sliced slowly, cleanly through the surface, causing barely a ripple. Long, water-slicked hair reflected the flicker of the gas wall sconces, reminding Meg of the sheen of firelight on black satin.
Meghan is not the type of woman that Jake likes. While he's used to the exotic beauties of Japan - quiet, gentle, submissive, with ivory skin and raven black hair, Meghan is the exact opposite – blonde, blue-eyed, loud and independent. Jake learns quickly that he enjoys her sass, and her fiery retorts. She matches him wit for wit, and is verbally his equal on every level. Meg is not so quick so notice how much she enjoys the verbal sparring, but that made the pair very likeable and was the source of some very funny moments.
“We should present a united, congenial front, or raise a lot of uncomfortable questions. Try not to look like you've swallowed a sea urchin, Meghan.”
Jake is the perfect tortured hero. His past has defined his present, and as the story unfolds, he gradually learns that the future he's heading towards is very different from what he had imagined. The chemistry with Meg was full of sexual tension that was released in believable increments, and I absolutely believed that these two could fall in love despite their backgrounds. Meg also goes through her own evolution, realizing that her life is pretty meaningless in the scope of things. Where Jake fights for the weak and with great integrity, her friend Mary Lambert has risked being shunned by society to help Chinese orphans being forced into prostitution. Being in close contact with those two people makes Meg reevaluate her life and her purpose. I thought that was very noble. When tragedy strikes, Meg risks losing everything. Will she come to her senses fast enough to have a chance at the life she's always wanted?
I hope Ms Kyle writes more stories just like this one, with the melding of East and West. I'd buy every single one of them.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group for the ARC
Disclaimer: A review in exchange for the ARC was not promised. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own, and in no way represent the views or opinions of the publisher/distributor.
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October 18, 2021Another great novel by Kristen Kyle, which was a welcome surprise considering the silly expression and girly hair of the illustration of the hero on the cover. And also considering I couldn't finish her last book. Although I loved the one before. Anyway, this novel succeeds with character and chemistry, backstory and plot, and the historical setting of both San Francisco and the samurai traditions of Japan.
November 3, 2013
Reviewed by Marissa
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
I’m not a big reader of historical romance novels but every once in a while, one catches my attention. This book managed that feat on many levels. First off, a woman sets out to hire a ship’s captain based on hearsay about a fight he was in – and single-handedly won. The story revolves around a set of beautiful Samurai swords. Lastly, the story takes place in San Francisco. I grew up near there and the city has always fascinated me. That one was pretty much the decisive factor.
In truth, the story lived up to my hopes. I was fascinated with the Japanese culture of the fading Samurai and Jacob’s conflict between his European heritage and his Japanese up bringing. San Francisco’s Chinatown also played an important role in the story, with Meghan setting out to protect her father from one of the Tongs.
Now here is one thing I did not like. Kyle brought several true-life people into her novel. This may not bother you but I have a hard time getting around it. These people were flesh and blood and the events depicted in the book are fiction. It just doesn’t mesh for me and when I get to a part of the book that features a true person, I always stop trying to figure out if they were truly there. Of course not! It’s fiction!
Other than that one issue (which did not come up more than a few times), I utterly enjoyed this book. The fight sequences seemed (to my neophyte understanding) accurate and were intense and action-packed. And I thoroughly enjoyed the iguanas and the havoc they wrecked on polite society. This book is well worth your time, especially if you love your heroines strong-willed and, well, heroic.
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
I’m not a big reader of historical romance novels but every once in a while, one catches my attention. This book managed that feat on many levels. First off, a woman sets out to hire a ship’s captain based on hearsay about a fight he was in – and single-handedly won. The story revolves around a set of beautiful Samurai swords. Lastly, the story takes place in San Francisco. I grew up near there and the city has always fascinated me. That one was pretty much the decisive factor.
In truth, the story lived up to my hopes. I was fascinated with the Japanese culture of the fading Samurai and Jacob’s conflict between his European heritage and his Japanese up bringing. San Francisco’s Chinatown also played an important role in the story, with Meghan setting out to protect her father from one of the Tongs.
Now here is one thing I did not like. Kyle brought several true-life people into her novel. This may not bother you but I have a hard time getting around it. These people were flesh and blood and the events depicted in the book are fiction. It just doesn’t mesh for me and when I get to a part of the book that features a true person, I always stop trying to figure out if they were truly there. Of course not! It’s fiction!
Other than that one issue (which did not come up more than a few times), I utterly enjoyed this book. The fight sequences seemed (to my neophyte understanding) accurate and were intense and action-packed. And I thoroughly enjoyed the iguanas and the havoc they wrecked on polite society. This book is well worth your time, especially if you love your heroines strong-willed and, well, heroic.
October 16, 2012
THE LAST WARRIOR by Kristen Kyle is an exciting and intriguing historical romance set in 1870 San Francisco. It is an action packed,fast paced story of love,romance,and betrayal. Meet Captain Jake Talbert and Meghan McLowry on a journey of passion,healing and forgiveness. “The Last Warrior” has everything a historical,romance,Americana reader could possibly want in a wonderful story. It has Samurai swords,Samurai warrior,Chinese,Japanese,vengeance,Chinese prostitution, the Tong,justice,respect,redemption,finding a previous heirloom,and winning the love of a lifetime. I have found another historical author. I enjoyed this story. It is a keeper and a sit on the edge of your seat with engaging characters,and an intriguing plot. Jake is a true hero and every girls dream warrior. Meghan is a true heroine who is not only stubborn,determined,but who is also feisty. “The Last Warrior” crosses the boundaries between east and west,American and Japanese,love and revenge. Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley. Details can be found at Loveswept,Random House Digital,Inc. and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews
August 22, 2012
As a strange mix between "The last Samurai" (the movie with Tom Cruise) and any Bodice rippers book, this novel was quite intriguing. She is a strong heroine and he is the tormented hero, one of my favorite couple ;) Luckily he was not a pirate and she was not the shy virgin, which is even better, for both of them and every reader IMHO.
Come strano mix tra "L'ultimo samurai" (il film con Tom Cruise) e qualsiasi libro della serie "Strappami il corsetto" è una storia abbastanza coinvolgente. Lei è una donna forte e lui il classico eroe tormentato, una delle mie coppie preferite ;) Fortunatamente poi, lui non era un pirata e lei non era una timida verginella, che è anche meglio per entrambi e per i lettori, secondo me.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP FOR THE PREVIEW
Come strano mix tra "L'ultimo samurai" (il film con Tom Cruise) e qualsiasi libro della serie "Strappami il corsetto" è una storia abbastanza coinvolgente. Lei è una donna forte e lui il classico eroe tormentato, una delle mie coppie preferite ;) Fortunatamente poi, lui non era un pirata e lei non era una timida verginella, che è anche meglio per entrambi e per i lettori, secondo me.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP FOR THE PREVIEW
July 20, 2012
This review is from: The Last Warrior: A Loveswept Historical Romance (Kindle Edition)
I just finished reading this fantastic story titled The Last Warrior. The characters are Captain Jake Talbert and Meghan McLowry who meet the first time in a Japanese bath house. It seems that Meg has need of the Captain's talent in the fighting ability he displays. She wants him to be a bodyguard for her father because he's been assaulted twice and almost killed. Meg using her only bargaining chip: five swords that she has and that Jake wants. You also see two lonely people who come together because of fate. You will laugh and cry over this book. I didn't want it to end.
I just finished reading this fantastic story titled The Last Warrior. The characters are Captain Jake Talbert and Meghan McLowry who meet the first time in a Japanese bath house. It seems that Meg has need of the Captain's talent in the fighting ability he displays. She wants him to be a bodyguard for her father because he's been assaulted twice and almost killed. Meg using her only bargaining chip: five swords that she has and that Jake wants. You also see two lonely people who come together because of fate. You will laugh and cry over this book. I didn't want it to end.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews