Highland Dragon
Kimberly Killion
Zebra, October 2009, 352 pp
ISBN-10: 1420104411
ISBN-13: 978-1420104417
Medieval, Scotland 1502
$5.99 (US) $6.99 (CDN)
Reviewed by Laurel
August 2009
In 1484 ten-year-old Calin MacLeod is hiding behind a false panel at Brycen Castle watching the horror unfold before him. His father Laird MacLeod with two of his warriors is simmering with anger at the treatment Lena Kinnon is receiving while giving birth. This should be a joyous occasion for if she delivers a girl it will be Calin’s betrothed and will bring peace between the two clans: MacLeod and Kinnon. But what unfolded after the birth was murder and treachery at the hands of Laird Kinnon a ruthless and merciless man. He substitutes the baby girl for a boy and proclaims him as his son. He orders the Kinnon warriors present to murder them all, and Calin watches in silent horror as they murder his father and Lena. They were about to murder the baby when the priest in attendance begs to give him a moment to baptize the baby before her short life is ended. With the moment granted they leave, and out steps Calin from where he was hiding. Shocked and horrified he swears one day he will have his revenge. He picks up the newborn and brands her with his father’s signet ring, marking her as his and escapes unseen taking her with him. He seeks the help from his friend Kendrick Neish, who takes the baby into his family adopting her and naming her Akira. Many years would go by before Calin lays eyes on his betrothed again. But when he does his revenge against Laird Kinnon will be brought to an end and finally the two clans will be united in peace.
Almost eighteen years have passed since that fateful day, and Calin MacLeod for years has been preparing his revenge. He has been forging alliances with the rival clans of Laird Kinnon banding them together for his downfall. He is on his way to Kendrick’s home to claim his betrothed with excited anticipation, he is curious about her all the while knowing he is playing a treacherous game with her the pawn. Upon arrival, his old friend Kendrick greets him coldly, he does not know that someone is onto him and has taken Akira under the guise of his men and is selling her to the highest bidder in an underground marriage mart where virgin brides are the ultimate prize.
Akira is enraged that her betrothed is treating her in such a manner. For years she has known she was to be married to an unknown benefactor, she has exchanged correspondence with him for many years and is shocked at his cold callous turn around. About to be sold, her pride overrides her fear and she proudly claims to be a virgin before a lecherous crowd of men. Hidden in the crowd are Calin and Kendrick, who are not about to see his betrothed sold to someone else, In a daring move he risks everything and buys her back. With Akira now under his protection Calin attempts to know his betrothed enraging his good friend Kendrick with his subtle trickery and half truths. Calin finds her beautiful, enchanting and exasperating as she continually outwits him and his well developed plans. Can he sway her to his side and marriage bed before he has to reveal his true intentions with her real parentage being the key to all he has worked for?
Engaging and exciting, HIGHLAND DRAGON captures your attention right from the first page. With a well thought out plot and two very complex and strong characters, this book leaves the reader breathless in anticipation of what's to come. Kimberly Killion is quickly becoming a master of all things medieval as she dares to be original with her characters incorporating a true description of what life was like without the constant glamorization and glossing over of a brutal truth and era.
I loved Akira; she’s a girl after my own heart. Her spirit and proud manner were captivating. She was not about to let anyone bully her and if they did, her humorous way of getting even with them, caused several laugh out loud moments for this reader. Calin was a just a young boy when he witnessed all he saw that fateful day. He instantly went from boy to warrior and laird of his clan, he lived and breathed revenge, it’s all he knew and used it to survive. He is dumbfounded by this beautiful woman and when he finally realizes she is not a pawn but a human being, he is faced with the fears of being a failure and a coward. Together they formed an unbreakable bond one forged out of treachery and trickery which grew into respect and everlasting love. HIGHLAND DRAGON is an edge of your seat thrill ride that no historical romance reader should miss. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to see what this talented author is going to do next.