Heart of honor

Heart of honor, by Kat Martin

Published by Mira, Jan 2007

Grade: C

About the book:

Krista Hart, publisher of the weekly London ladies'
gazette Heart to Heart, is not afraid to speak her mind. Even on such unpopular
issues as social reform--risking her reputation and her very safety--Krista will
not be intimidated, although she knows full well she is the target of angry
opposition for her outspoken views.
When she encounters a powerful Viking descendant
imprisoned as a local sideshow attraction, Krista angrily demands his release.
Although she tells herself that freeing Leif Draugr is simply the right thing to
do, she can't deny being attracted to the fierce Nordic chieftain, especially
after her father transforms him into a "proper" English gentleman.

But as anonymous threats against Krista become more
and more aggressive, it is Leif who must face the unseen enemies desperate to
silence her, even as they push her closer into the embrace of a warrior prepared
to do whatever it takes to make her his.

Krista and her father free a man who is being held against his will. Leif, who is a Viking is very big & tall. Has a beard, long hair and doesn't speak english. For those reasons, they market him as a freak who has escaped from the loony bin. For 6 months he is held captive like that. Forced to sit for hours all day in a cage while people from all over gawk and stare at him.

Then one magical day, Krista, who happens to know his language because her dad studies accent Vikings, comes a long and demands his release.

Hmm, I didn't buy it. I find it really hard to believe, even back then, that for 6 months, day after day no one pleaded for his release.

Leif moves in with Krista and her father, Paxton. Leif agrees to teach Paxton all about his country and customs. In return, Paxton will teach Leif how to act, dress, talk the proper english way.

During this time Krista is being courted by Matthew, and being pressure by her grandfather to marry and produce an heir. Even though Krista doesn't go out with Matthew minus a chaperon. She is permitted to spend lots of time alone with Leif. I didn't buy that either. Why her family let her go out alone with Leif is unknown to me.

When Leif is ready to go back to his island he kidnaps Krista and brings her along with him. For weeks she is mad and begs him to bring her back home. He always says no. Then as soon as she tells him that she loves him and that she wants to stay and marry him, he has an attack of conscience and brings her back home. Talk about mind games!

Leif loves Krista but he must go back home.

Krista loves Leif, but she can't leave home.

On and on that went.

I have to admit that the ending was very romantic. Disappointing that it took almost the whole book before I started rooting for them to be together.

This was book one in a new series.