Highland Dragon

* Author: Kimberly Killion

• Author Website: kimberlykillion.com
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing
• Year: 2009
• Setting: 1502 Scotland Highlands
• ISBN-10: 1420104411
• ISBN-13: 978-1420104417
• Amazon Listing - Buy Highland Dragon from Amazon.com

Book Description

A love born of fire…

A desire that defies all limits and a love that was meant to be…

Scotland 1502. Akira Neish has been raised as a peasant, her belly often empty and her family subject to the cruel whims of her clan's laird. To the clan’s children, the horned shaped birthmark she bears means she is a witch. But she is neither peasant nor witch—and now the man who knows the truth has returned to claim her for his own.

Calin MacLeod has kept Akira's secrets and to avenge his father, the sensual young laird must marry her. He is more than a match for the fiery nature of the woman he adores. Yet the passion they share—and truths that can no longer remain hidden—could rip all of Scotland apart...

Reviews

Long and Short Romance Reviews Voted Best Book of the Week by LASR readers Highland Dragon is brisk, fast-paced, witty and completely sexy. The writing is crisp and concise with characters any reader can easily love. The point of view never jumps, and the scenes are well described and packed with delicious adjectives.

Highland Dragon brings medieval Scotland to life better than any other work I’ve ever read, employing authentic language, terminology and imagery while maintaining the story flow and not confusing the reader. I must award the author “A+++” on a fantastic job!

Ms. Killion is a talented story-teller. I plan to read any other novels she writes. Wonderful job for a writer who is definitely a must keep in the business. Don’t miss out on this must-read, fabulous novel. —Queen Anne’s Lace, Long and Short Romance Reviews

The Good, The Bad and The Unread—Grade A

The adventure and action is paced fast and sure; the romance is fierce, passionate, and sweet; family and clan are honored by all; and Ms. Killion’s descriptions of characters and locale are wonderful. Even the dispair that runs rampant over this couple near the end of the book is felt to the bottom of your heart.

This is one of those books that you hate to put down, you need to find out what happens next. I recommend it very highly to historical fans. Hell, even non-historical readers should give this one a try. —Sandy M, The Good, The Bad and The Unread Reviewer

Romantic Times - 4 stars!

Killion's newest Scottish-set novel demonstrates her ability to create captivating, finely written romance. Well told, with excellent pacing and characters who are honorable, intelligent and full of humanity, this is a tale to cherish.—Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviewer

Awards

PUBLISHED:

• FIRST PLACE HISTORICAL 2010 LORIES Best Published sponsored by From the Heart RWA®
• AWARD OF MERIT HISTORICAL 2010 HOLT Medallion sponsored by Virginia Chapter of RWA®

PRE-PUBLISHED:

• FIRST PLACE HISTORICAL Ticket to Write -2007- sponsored by Red River RWA®
• FIRST PLACE HISTORICAL Molly -2007- sponsored by Heart of Denver RWA®
• FIRST PLACE HISTORICAL Reveal Your Inner Vixen -2007- sponsored by Maryland RWA®
• FIRST PLACE HISTORICAL Rebecca -2007- sponsored by Land of Enchantment
• FIRST PLACE HISTORICAL Award of Merritt -2007- sponsored by San Antonio RWA®
• FIRST PLACE HISTORICAL Gateway to the Rest -2006- sponsored by Missouri RWA®
• FIRST PLACE OVERALL WINNER Hook, Line & Sinker -2006- sponsored by Hudson Valley RWA®

Excerpt

PROLOGUE - Scotland Highlands, 1484

Hidden behind a false panel, ten-year-old Calin MacLeod covered his ears with sweaty palms. The screams echoing throughout Brycen Castle were loud enough to loosen his teeth.

Lena Kinnon cried for mercy with every gut-wrenching contraction, but didn’t receive the slightest morsel of compassion from the many men present. Her position held no dignity, sprawled atop the council table like a sacrificial lamb. The wool of her soiled sark draped between her raised knees and provided her little privacy. No one wiped her brow or offered soothing words of comfort.

A woman was supposed to suffer during childbirth to pay for the sins of Eve. Even at his young age, Calin knew the laws of the church. He also knew Lena had already suffered more than any woman in Clan Kinnon. The bruises speckling her pale skin were evidence of the constant torture she endured at the hands of her ruthless husband.

The sliver of space between the wooden planks where Calin hid was no wider than the trunk of a sapling, but provided a view of his da, Laird MacLeod, who stood against a stone pilaster opposite Laird Kinnon. Da’s dark hair had grayed at the temples over the recent months, and his face sagged in weariness, but his rigid stance displayed his contained rage. With his eyes narrowed, Da stroked the golden bull’s head engraved into the signet ring he wore and glared at his enemy.

Two pairs of MacLeod warriors flanked each side of his da, while four Kinnon warriors surrounded Laird Baen Kinnon. All were unarmed as was previously agreed upon by both lairds.

“Ye keep screamin’, wife. It’ll cleanse your black English soul.” Laird Kinnon paced the council chamber, a sneer twisting his pitted face.

Calin hated the chieftain of his neighboring clan as much as Da did. Laird Kinnon was a cold-hearted demon. Anyone who would beat his lady wife during her childbearing time walked upon this earth with the devil’s black blood flowing through his veins.

“Ye bear me another bitch and it will be your last.”

“Please, Baen, have ye no mercy? Send for the midwife, please.” Lena gripped the sides of her belly and arched her back.

Laird Kinnon slapped her across the face with an open palm. Sweat sprayed over the tabletop. “Still your tongue, wife, or I’ll cut it out.” He spread his arms wide, gesturing to the many warriors present. “There be plenty o’ eager hands awaitin’ to catch my male bairn as soon as ye free him from your spoiled womb.”

Calin bit his tongue to avoid cursing the man as venomously as his da always did. Calin had lived his whole life without a mam to kiss his cheek or offer him praise. Over the past few months, Lena had been like a mother to him. She was kind and gentle and Laird Kinnon should burn in the deepest pit of hell for the way he abused his lady wife. Calin didn’t have to be an aged warrior to know this was wrong. Lena’s child was nothing more to Laird Kinnon than a binding contract.

A contract that affected Calin’s future. Which was precisely why he’d disobeyed Da’s direct order not to follow him to the Kinnon keep when word of Lena’s lying-in arrived. If Lena bore a daughter, the babe would become his betrothed.

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