A fierce beauty plots to recover her land as a handsome Highlander tends to her wounds in this historical romance by the New York Times bestselling author. New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell returns to medieval Scotland where daring and desire stir the passions of the Murray clan . . . When a red-haired woman tries to steal Sir Gybbon Murray’s horse on his journey back to the … Murray’s horse on his journey back to the Murray clan stronghold, he’s grateful that his horse is a rude lout—and that the pretty thief is not so injured that she can’t tell her tale. He’s no nursemaid to delicate lasses, but Mora Ogilvy is fleeing her ruthless cousins, fearing for her life. And when she tells him of the home they’ve taken from her and the man they say she murdered, Gybbon cannot let such injustice stand . . .
Mora’s pride demands she take back her lands, but she cannot allow this handsome, wicked knight to risk his life in the process. Still, she needs to recover from her wounds, and staying close to Gybbon is a seductive solution. A few weeks at his side will be a sweet memory for her when she returns to fight her own battles. Except the depth of her cousins’ treachery—and the fierceness of Gybbon’s love—may turn her own heart against her plans.more
Highland Devil by Hannah Howell is book 22 in the Murray Family Series. This is the story of Sir Gybbon Murray and Mora Ogilvy. I have read the previous books, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Mora is running from her cousin Robert who had decided that he wants what is rightfully hers and her brother Andrew. Mora has sent her brother off to safety and but she is running from Robert. Robert killed her parents and is out to do that also to them but has since framed her for their death. Mora meets Gybbon while on the run and ends up hurt which then leads her to his family. Thinking to stay long enough to heal she will then move on….but Gybbon wants to help her and his growing feelings.
Enjoyed their story!
Mora Ogilvy’s cousin Robert has decided that he wants the manor house and lands his grandfather gave to Mora’s parents and he is systematically eliminating anyone who stands between him and his goal. He kills her parents and sets his sites on Mora and her young brother Andrew and even his own brothers cannot stop him.
Mora sends her brother off to their Aunt Maggie and runs to her mother’s cousin, Sir Sigimor Cameron for help. Failing to kill Mora and Andrew, Robert tells the sheriff and his father that she killed her parents, his father’s aide and poisoned his father (the Laird). Mora is now wanted and running for her life, but her escape attempt is hindered by the fact she is injured and on foot. When the opportunity to steal a horse arises, Mora will get more than she bargained for. Sir Gybbon Murray is a “roamer”, he drifts from place to place and has no desire to set down roots. But Gybbon is a man of honor and instead of condemning Mora for trying to steal his horse, he offers to help her reach Sigimor.
They make their way to Sigimor and upon arrival, Mora is ill from the injury Robert inflicted. Instead of leaving her, Gybbon becomes her champion, promising to find Andrew and help them clear her name. He uses his considerable contacts to help Mora and her brother, reasoning she has no one else, her parents are dead and her two older brothers haven’t been heard from since they left for France almost 3 years ago, Mora believes Robert had them killed too. Once she is recovered enough to leave, Gybbon takes her to his brother’s keep. Upon arriving, Mora suffers a relapse and Gybbon cares for her. He and Mora become closer and Gybbon thinks that he may be ready to stop wandering. When his brother offers him land, he decides to go and take a look. He tells Mora he will return in a few days and then they will see what can be done about her problem with Robert.
Mora decides that she can resolve her problems herself by simply talking to her uncle and when Gybbon leaves, she sets out alone. But things will not work out the way Mora planned and Robert will make sure she pays for his crimes. When she is imprisoned, help comes from an unexpected source and may well save her life.
Gybbon returns to learn Mora is missing, he is sure he knows where she has gone and will need help to save her. He heads out with his brother to see Sigimor and form a plan to rescue her. At Sigimor’s he learns what happened to her and meets her two brothers David and Niall, who have returned from France after several assassins sent by Robert, failed to kill them. They want to save their sister and want to know who Gybbon is to her.
They manage to save Mora, but Gybbon still has hurdles to jump before he can claim Mora as his own.
This is a well written, steady paced novel with likable characters, cameos from Sigimor/Jolene and Hartcourt/Annys, an odd little cat, a really, really vile villain, steamy-ish love scenes, some tense moments, some amusing interchanges and finally a very sweet HEA complete with an epilogue.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
Series: Murray Family #22
Publication Date: 7/31/18
This was quite an interesting read. The plot was tightly written and the characters were likable and relatable. The romance was such a slow burn that I began to wonder if it was there at all. They finally slept together, but neither of them had any thoughts of love or marriage – just lust. Then, all of a sudden – they were in love and didn’t mind if they were forced to marry. I also had to wonder why the title was Highland Devil – unless it was named for Robert, the villain of the story. He was certainly a devil and worse.
This was more an ensemble cast rather than having an outstanding hero who does heroic things to save his lady. Sir Gybbon Murray doesn’t command a large force of men or have his own large keep, etc. However, he is the brother of Harcourt Murray who is Laird of his clan. He is also good friends with Sigimor who is laird of his clan and a kinsman of Mora. Gybbon works with and follows the lead of these two lairds in order to protect and rescue Mora.
Mora was preparing to flee her family home when her four cousins break into the house. She manages to get her younger brother out the window so he can run to a nearby friend for protection. Mora isn’t so lucky. Her cousin grabs her, hits her and taunts her with the fact that he has already murdered her parents and that her two older brothers won’t be returning home. Mora knows she has to escape and when her tiny runt of a cat claws her cousin’s face, she knows that is her chance. She grabs her kitten and heads out at a run, but not before Robert’s knife manages to scrape down her side. She gets out and finds a place to hide, but she knows her cousins will be hot on her trail.
Mora heads to the home of her mother’s kinsman. She stays on the road as much as she can but hides when horses are approaching. One rider passes on a beautiful horse – and – to her good fortune, she sees that same rider camping out further down the road. If he’ll just leave the site for a moment or two to relieve himself – she can ‘borrow’ his horse. When he finally does leave the area of the campfire, she sneaks in and saddles his horse, then awkwardly climbs aboard – only to find herself promptly tossed on the ground by the horse.
The horse’s owner, Gybbon, feeds her and gets her story out of her. Then, when her cousins stop in at his campsite, he hides her from them. Gybbon tells her he will take her to Sigimor’s keep and that he was planning to stop by there anyway. They ride along hiding when others approach and finally make it to Sigimor’s keep.
After they rescue her young, seven-year-old brother, Sigimor decides she’d be safer at Gybbon’s brother’s keep and they devise a plan to get her there safely.
I was really proud of Mora – she was being so strong, smart, and brave. I was just thinking, hey, this is going to be good because she isn’t going to do any of those TSTL things. She’s really being smart – and then, of course – comes the TSTL event.
I did enjoy the read, but if you are looking for gripping excitement and swashbuckling heroes, then you will probably find this book a little slow. I kind of like the ensemble approach and the fact that the hero can and does take advice and direction.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Not her best book…
Wonderful read. Love her books.
The characters are very juvenile along with the dialog. No swashbuckling heroes or heroines in this book. Poor plot to the story. Skip it. Waste of time.
I have been a fan of Hannah Howell’s highland novels for a long time. Love them all and I love that they are stand along books but also follow a family and tie together.
This was a really great one. I love all Hannah Howell books. Know her characters like family..
Hannah Howell has done it again. Another great story of the Murrays. Everything you could ever want. Suspense, love, struggles, and triumph. Don’t miss this one. You’ll love it!
Highland Devil by Hannah Howell is an intense page turner! Brother against brother. When evil is disguised as family intent upon killing everyone to achieve his goals, Mora has no other choice but to flee with Andrew her younger brother their very lives at stake! Enter Gybbon a fierce Highlander that doesn’t hesitate to help them. Plenty of danger and ,intrigue keep the reader on edge in this rollercoaster ride of intense emotions and passion!
I highly recommend this and every single book of Hannah Howell’s novels. I recieved a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
I have never read a boring book by Howell! Always great stories. As long as she writes them I will read them!
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by this author, but I really enjoyed reading this one. I can see that I need to go back and get caught up with her books because she does write some good books. Mora’s cousin is an evil person and he’s done so much to her family. She must run away, and this is when she meets up with Gybbon. She’s trying to “borrow” his horse when she gets thrown. There’s things happening in this book that makes you laugh and cry. Mora’s cat, Freya, is awesome. You will laugh at this spoiled cat. I’m so glad that I decided to read this book. Now I need to go catch up with the rest of the Murray family.
I do so love to enter into this authors novels seeing what kind of treat I am in for. The characters with their delightful names capture you right away and a chuckle also escapes. Her predicament though is no laughing matter with Mora being fortunate that she has Gybbon’s ear. The exhilarating way things are handled with also the emotions being pulled you too will feel the fight. Family wanting blood even putting this with the excitement and drama of this one. It also pulled on me to see how to squeeze in the ones from this series that I have not done.
Sir Gybbon Murray must rescue his horse then agree to help the thief regain her land . Those Murrays can not abide injustice, and Mora wins not only her quest along with a place in his heart. Get ready to visit the highlands and settle in for a Wee While.
Ebook from net galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
Highland Devil by Hannah Howell
Murray Family #22
Threatened maiden
Family away, dead, at risk
Evil cousin
Gybbon to the rescue
Freya the cat for interest
Evil thwarted
HEA for Gybbon and Mora
I like a good highland romance but this one, though I like the author’s work, seemed somewhat predictable and at times and rather unbelievable. All’s well that ends well and the book provided entertainment for the afternoon.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3 Stars
Another great book by a truly gifted author. Hannah Howell is one of my top two favorite authors. I have read almost all of her books. Her books draw you in and keep you turning the pages until the end and then you still want more. Her realistic storyline and amazing characters pull you in and make you feel at home. Her closely related clans that are interwoven throughout her series make you feel like you are catching up with friends. This is Mora and Gybbon’s story and like all of the other books this author writes it is another amazing read. I cannot say enough good things about this book and this author. I would definitely recommend this book.
Mora Ogilvy is desperate. Her greedy cousins are killing off her family for their property and have accused her of murder. They’re after her to have her hanged. They just killed her parents and slowly poisoning their father. She gets her young brother and the only apparent heir left and hides in the forest with them chasing her running for her life. In desperation she sees Sir Gybbon Murray’s horse and tries to steal (borrow) it. Funny thing Jester will buck off anyone who Gybbon hasn’t said is OK. And so starts our adventure of the valent Sir Gybbon and his rescue of Mora. This was one of my favorite highland reads, that of a guardian protector. We meet old friends from the past, Camerons and MacFingals and have a delightfully creative adventure. This is one of Hannah’s best. Thank you Kensington and NetGalley for the chance to review this book.
Running from cousins who has murdered some of her family, Mora Ogilvy and her young brother are trying to get help to some of her relatives. Fate seems to intervene in the form of Gybbon Murray when she tries to “borrow” his horse. Lucky for her he takes her in hand and hears her story. Gybbon is determined to help her as they realize the cousins are in pursuit.
Hannah Howell always makes you feel part of the landscape and characters. Gybbon and Mora slowly fall for each other as they set out on an adventure full of many twist and turns and wonderful side characters. There was a lot of humor and a wonderful cat ( yes I love animals in stories!) that a lot of strong highlanders. What more can one ask for? Not a lot and that is why I was sorry to turn the last page. Love those wonderful Murrays!!
When a red-haired woman tries to steal Sir Gybbon Murray’s horse on his journey back to the Murray stronghold, he thanks his lucky stars that his horse Jasper is a rude lout and that the pretty thief is not so injured that she can’t tell her tale. He’s no nursemaid to delicate lasses, but Mora Ogilvy is fleeing her ruthless cousins, fearing for her life. And when she tells him of the home they’ve taken from her and the man they say she murdered, Gybbon cannot let such injustice stand. Still, she needs to recover from her wounds, and staying close to Gybbon in his brother’s keep is a seductive solution.
A well written fast paced story that had treachery, murder, intrigue & of course romance. The characters have plenty of depth. Gybbon & More are very likeable & they are attracted to each other from their first encounter. It is of course Freya & Andrew who steal the book! It was a roller coaster of a read, at times the events so engrossing that I was totally lost in the book. This is another book in the long running Murrays series but could well be read on its own
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
HIGHLAND DEVIL By Hannah Howell
Highland Devil is the 22nd book in this series. Hannah Howell does a great job with the Scottish accents, fully developed characters, and a solid story line. It is a well written story with fleshed out characters. I have read books by Hannah Howell for years.
This was an enjoyable tale about a young woman, Mora Ogilvy that is running for her life after a cousin tried to kill her, he had already killed her parents, tried to have her older brothers killed in France, and wanted to kill her young brother. As she flees she tries to steal a horse from Gybbon Murray. He after hearing her tale is determined to help her. This story also brings back an old favorite, Laird Sigimor to help in her protection. This book did not have the heat that I am used to in her books. I didn’t think they had much passion for each other. I am curious about the title as well since Gybbon is more hero as he is taking care of Mora than the devil the title proclaims him to be. I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher, and am leaving an honest review .
Highland Devil (Murray Family, #22) by Hannah Howell I give this 3 1/2 stars
Mora has been forced from her home by a greedy cousin….She meets Gybbon (hero) when she tries to steal his horse and is bucked off. Of course he agrees to help her reach her cousins, the Cameron’s. You get to reconnect with characters from previous books. Thanks to #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. She is a virgin who falls quickly into bed with our hero…he is reluctant to marry and admit he loves her. There is not a lot of romance in this book…they do get justice for her family and their HEA. The book is ok but not my favorite from Hannah.