Ahhh this was a sublime reading experience for me! It's the second Hannah Howell novel that I've read, and I absolutely loved it! When I started reading reviews for Ms. Howell's various novels, so many reviewers compared her to Julie Garwood, who is my all time favorite author of Medieval and Highland romance novels. I didn't see any similarities in the first Howell novel I read, "Beauty and the Beast" and was a bit disappointed--although that was a really good read for me.
However, as soon as I started reading this book, I understood completely what others were saying. OMG! This book is very much like a Garwood novel! I absolutely love the story that unfolds in "Highland Conqueror." Sigimor--really Ms. Howell must do something about the names she chooses for her characters. LOL--is a wonderful hero. He has qualities of an alpha male, but for the majority of the story, he evinces such a caring gentle attitude towards Jolene that I couldn't help but fall in love with him.
The story starts with Sigimor and five of his family members being held prisoner in the dungeons of Drumwich Castle. Sigimor is in England at the behest of his friend, Peter, Earl of Drumwich, who asked for Sigimor's help. When Sigimor arrived, he discovered that Peter is dead and Peter's cousin, Harold, has taken control of Drumwich. Very quickly, Harold takes Sigimor and his companions as prisoners and holds them in the dungeon pending their hanging.
Lady Jolene Gerard, Peter's sister, frees the men, and request their help in getting herself and her nephew--the legal heir to Drumwich--safely out of Harold's clutches. Harold is intent on killing Reynard--Peter's 3 year old son--and marrying Jolene to secure his claim to Drumwich.
Sigimor and his men flee, taking Jolene and Reynard with them, thus immediately thwarting Harold's dastardly plans. Harold is forced to pursue them across the border into the Highlands of Scotland. A large part of the story encompasses the group's travels to Sigimor's holding, Dubheidland.
During the journey, Sigimor decides that in order to better protect Jolene he needs to marry her. Once he convinces her of the rightness of his decision, the two marry, although Jolene keeps in the back of her mind the fact that she can easily obtain an annulment if/when she returns to England.
The story that unfolds is, in a word, gripping. It's chock full of intrigue and excitement, what with treachery, betrayal, kidnapping, greed, murder, and an ex-lover of Sigimore's who is determined to win him back. The relationship between Sigimor and Jolene is extremely touching and oh so sensual. The very first time he lays eyes on Jolene--and I do mean the very FIRST time--Sigimore's mind screams "mine." This is true even though Jolene is the complete opposite of the type of woman Sigimor usually finds attractive--Jolene is small, thin, dark-haired, and worst of all, English!
For her part, Jolene too is extremely attracted to the gorgeous Highlander. Soon she finds herself fighting against intense feelings of lust--at least she supposes it's lust, as she's never actually experienced it before. Jolene is smart, cunning, stubborn, and determined. She stands up to Sigimor whenever the occasion calls for it and refuses to be cowed by the highlander. Sigimor can't help but admire the woman who so bravely stands up to him, when most women find him intimidating.
This book makes for fabulous reading! If you're a Julie Garwood fan like I am, you very well may love this book. It's well written, with an engaging, dynamic plot, and a wonderful cast of characters. I loved all the members of Sigimore's massive family, especially Liam and Somerled (what kind of name is that?!), Sigimore's cousin and twin brother respectively.
So, bottom line, I loved this book and very highly recommend it. FYI, this is not a clean romance. Although I have to say that Ms. Howell's love scenes are some of the most beautifully written ones I've ever read. They are fully described, yet are not the least bit crude, nor, IMO, overly graphic. Happy reading!