Claiming Her by Kris Kennedy (Renegades & Outlaws #1)
Released: May 6, 2016
Historical Romance
Self Published

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: He was magnificent. What a terrible, terrible thing. Any moment now, he was going to do something wild and barbaric.

What a fun book. A rebel Irish hero, with the sides of his head shaved and tattoos covering his body. And a heroine, loyal to the English throne, who has kept her Irish castle from invaders for years….until the hero tricks her. Let me set it up.

After her father was beheaded and her mother died of a broken heart, the Queen of England took pity on Katarina, and let her reside, and control the English stronghold castle, Rardove in Ireland. She has held this castle with very few, but very loyal men and is happy to be in a part of Ireland where no one really bothers her. But when the Queen decides she needs to marry, Katarina accepts her fate, as she has true devotion to the queen. When her betrothed arrives, she welcomes him – but soon realizes the man and the army standing in front of her, is not her betrothed – it is Aodh Mac Con, the Hound. Aodh claims this castle is his – and belongs to Ireland, and without much of a fight – takes the castle as his own and he feels victorious. He has been known as many things – Councilor to the queen, a warlord, an Irish pirate – but now he is home in his castle, and basically tells the Queen to shove it (except more in a sixteenth century way). What he is not expecting is Katarina. She is gorgeous, and while he stares at her, she takes both of his knives and holds them to his throat. Her fiery passion makes his loins burn. (but in a non-cheesy way).

“If I were a man, sir,” she whispered back, “you would already be dead.”

Goddammit.

It was his dagger, one of many strapped to his body. In the mêlée, she’d succeeded in getting it free. In the distraction of staring into her eyes, trying to ascertain if she were mad, she’d succeeded in lifting it to his throat.

A rush went through him, hot and intense. “You are left-handed,” he observed grimly.

“When necessary.”

A humming filled his stomach, deep and low. He’d come for battle, and that this slim audacious woman had given it to him, undefended, in a hopeless situation, outmatched and overpowered, bespoke great boldness.

Katarina will have none of this rebel in her castle. The problem is, his men far outweigh hers – and soon this sexy beast is luring her with his savage ways. Aodh wants her badly – but he is a  moral savage. Women are to be treated with respect – and as long as Katarina does everything he says, all is well. Except she pretty much does nothing he says and chaos ensues. When she pushes back, he locks her up – there are many moments of them just conversing alone in a room which worked really well in this book.

I love it when an author writes a villainous hero just right. She allows him to stay a villain long enough to you want him to suffer a bit, but then slowly turns him into a great romantic hero. And Aodh does just that. And while I loved him and he made me swoon, Katarina steals the show.

I love that she recognizes her lusty feelings for Aodh, but she still remains her own person:

“You said you were mine, Katy. When I was in you, deep as a man can be, you looked in my eyes and said you were mine.”

She peered at him. “You are not the sole possessor of me, Aodh”

He forced himself to breathe slowly. “What does that mean?”

“I too possess me.”

Aodh falls hard for Katarina, but he also knows, if she marries him, they will have a united front against the queen. However, Katarina is loyal to the queen, and terrified of committing treason (as her father did). While she is greatly attracted to Aodh…..

Why must this Irish rebel be so precisely the manifestation of her secret desires?

…she can’t bear to commit treason.

It’s not just Aodh’s sexy looks or naughty behavior that gets her going. It’s the promise of adventure. He has seen a lot of the world. He has experienced things she can only dream of. He stimulates her mind:

“It is beautiful,” she whispered.

“It is a map. Of the world.”

The softest intake of breath passed across her lips, not quite surprise. A little higher pitched, a little more silvery, a little more feminine, nigh onto a gasp of…pleasure.

His map had pleased her.

Savage satisfaction roared through him. Standing in a great hall, looking down at a map, he felt blown back by a wind.

Aodh wants to give this all to her – and his cock – but she is a stubborn, stubborn woman.

In time, they truly fall in love and I found it very well done.

We also get really fun supporting characters in best friends and fellow soldiers of Aodh:

“The queen’s going to want your pretty head, Aodh, and a few other body parts as well.” Cormac eyed him appraisingly. “Your frightfully big bollocks, to start with. Dangle ’em right off the Tower if she gets a chance.”

Aodh nodded. “Your insights are fascinating. Recall to me why I bring you with me?”

Smart dialogue and witty banter made me smile throughout the book. As these two fall in love, England comes marching to take the castle back. It adds some adventure and conflict into the book.

Did I mention this book is also…..wicked?

“So hard,” she whispered.

“Aye. Hard. That’s how I like it.”

A little pant broke from her as she tried it herself, moved her fist up him, a fine, hard stroke, then looked up at him.

“Is that proper?” she whispered, trembling.

He smiled. “Not a’tall, lass. ’Tis quite wicked.” He moved their hands again.

“Wicked,” she echoed, her lips parted in a pretty, wet pant.

“You like wicked, Katy girl?”

Passion-heavy eyes lifted to his. “I like your wicked.”

“Then take me in your mouth. You look good. I want to feel you.”

Super fun. Love this author’s voice.

Grade: B+

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