Fiona
I have read about Fiona in many other Highland books. I wanted to read her story since I read those others first. I was not disappointed in this at all. Another Howell book that adds something to a story to set it apart from her regular tales in the series. Fiona was raised by her brothers who survived many years of hardship at the hands of their own family and the surrounding clans. Left in a destitute land, she is raised among men. She is raised like one of them. Often dressed like a boy as a child, she is treated and taught like the rest of the clan - to survive. That means having skills to fight like one as well. Many women in Howell books can fight some to survive. But, Fiona is a force to be reconded with in her skill. She has also been taught many other survival skills as she is being hunted by a man wishing to mar her beauty due to rejection. Kidnapped by this man 4 times has left her scarred in body and spirit. Ewan finds her lost in a field and on foot. She faces him in battle with a sword and does well. Of course, she loses to be kidnapped again. He is safety as he is not the one who wishes her harm, just to ransom her. He is from a land where everyone is an enemy. Danger of his own is enough, now he has the danger tracking Fiona and also her own clan who may become enemies. During the stay at his keep they fall for each other. There is danger and she is a healer of great skill. She refuses to name herself so that he cannot find her family to ransom her. After all, she is safe here and does not want him to know her dowery of clansmen (one of whom is an enemy of his father - and is his family - his father changed the clan name the hate was so strong). He weds her and she must finally reveal who she is when signing the marriage contract. When he finds out there is obviously trouble. In addition, her enemy has found her. There are many instances where they fight, love, and move on. You will like this story for the strenght of the woman that even surpasses many of the Murray girls.
