Immortal Champion (Immortal Brotherhood) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lisa Hendrix (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 4, 2011 | Series: Immortal Brotherhood

Part of a Viking crew of warriors cursed by an evil sorceress, Gunnar the Red must toil through eternity as half-man, half-beast, living out his days as a great bull, while his nights are spent in human form. And though he keeps mostly to the wilds, his heart yearns for the simple comforts of man--and the chance to redeem a tragic past. Only the magic of true love can release him. Though she is betrothed to another, could Lady Eleanor de Neville be his salvation?

Editorial Reviews

Review

TOP PICK, 4-½ Stars, KISS Hero "Captivating...Even readers unfamiliar with the series will be enthralled by Hendrix's masterful storytelling and talent for seamlessly blending magic, myth, and romance." 

--RTBookreviews

"Seamlessly weaves together magic and history to create an enchanting tale. The cursed warriors are the strong and sexy stuff of legends.  Absolutely stellar!" --Meljean Brook, author of USA Today Bestseller THE IRON DUKE

From the Back Cover

He faces a future of cold uncertainty, until her warm embrace...
 
Part of a Viking crew of warriors cursed by an evil sorceress, Gunnar the Red must toil through eternity as half-man, half-beast, living out his days as a great bull, while his nights are spent in human form. And though he keeps mostly to the wilds, his heart yearns for the simple comforts of man--and the chance to redeem a tragic past...
 
Seeking refuge from a bitter winter in the welcoming hall of Richmond Castle, Gunnar rescues two maidens when a blaze erupts--and his destiny is forever altered. For one of the young women is Lady Eleanor de Neville, who is immediately entranced by her rescuer. Her kiss of gratitude--the brief touch of her lips against his cheek--awakens a longing in her soul. And even when she is betrothed to another, Eleanor never forgets her courageous knight.
 
When Gunnar rides back into Eleanor's life, she is consumed by undeniable passion. And though his body surrenders to her every touch, Gunnar's heart remains imprisoned by the curse--and only the magic of the truest love can save him...  

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (January 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425239217
• ISBN-13: 978-0425239216
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #845,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After half a lifetime flitting from job to job trying to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up, Lisa Hendrix finally realized she'd been reading all those romance novels for a reason and settled down to learn how to write one. Several writers conferences later, she sold her first book and has been happily pursuing the the perfect romantic hero ever since--the perfect fictional hero, that is. She found her perfect real-life hero some twenty years ago and is still blissfully married to him. They currently live in southern Oregon with their two children and assorted furred and finned housemates.

Lisa has written western historical romances and contemporary romantic comedy for Berkley and is now working on an extended paranormal historical romance series called The Immortal Brotherhood, about a band of Viking warriors whose struggle to break free of a terrible curse spans nearly a thousand years.

Lisa loves to hear from readers and invites you to contact her through her website.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love That Stands the Test of Time January 4, 2011

By MYates

Format:Kindle Edition

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on this book early...and I'm glad that I did! The third book in the Immortal Brotherhood series, Immortal Champion is Gunnar the Red's story. By night, Gunnar is a man (and what a man!) and at dawn, he's transformed into a bull.

The book opens with Gunnar saving the life of Eleanor, and from that moment, he becomes her champion. She gives her heart to him, even though she's betrothed to another man. Immortal Champion is about love that survives and grows no matter what the obstacle. Not even magic can kill it.

It's rare that I completely empathize with both hero and heroine for an entire book, but I did with Gunnar and Eleanor. Their motives were always clear, and even when they were making heart wrenching decisions, you knew why they were doing it.

Immortal Champion made me laugh, and cry. It made me want to kill the villains and kiss the hero, then get out of the way so his heroine could kiss him. The book is 324 pages and I managed to finish it in one night, because I just couldn't put it down until I knew that Gunnar and Eleanor were finally together.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great paranormal historical series February 20, 2011

By K. Howard

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Ahhhhh, Gunnar! Gunnar will make you melt. Now here's a REAL man. (Well, a man AND a bull, but let's not be particular.) But about the book.... I absolutely love paranormal historical romances, and this is definitely one of THE best series there is. The mythology is fascinating, and Hendrix has given us a great variety of heroes and heroines so far. Gunnar and Lady Eleanor have got to be one of my favorite romance couples ever. They so belong together, but it seems destiny conspires to keep them apart. You know there will be a HEA, but oh, what they have to go through to get it! If you haven't picked up this series, I suggest you do, and start from the beginning - you won't won't to miss a word.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Immortal Champion can be a heart wrenching book to read January 17, 2011

By Bookaholics Reviewer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Immortal Champion by Lisa Hendrix
Paranormal Romance- Jan 4th, 2011
4 1/2 5 stars

Cursed by an evil sorceress, nine Viking warriors was transformed into their fylgur, their spirit companion. Each warrior was cursed to immortality and to live half the day as a different animal and the other half as human. The only way to break the curse is to find their respective amulet and true love, which is easier said than done.

Six hundred years after his curse, Gunnar the Red still searches for amulet and the woman who will love him despite his curse. By day a red bull, by night a man, he has all but lost hope when he rescues Lady Eleanor from a fire.

Ever since her rescue, Eleanor has been infatuated with the stranger who saved her and then disappeared. When four years pass and there are still no signs that he will come, Eleanor resigns herself to marrying another. But the old Norse gods has other plans, for Gunnar returns. He has totally forgotten the little girl he had saved and does not recognize the beautiful young woman she has become. But the passion she incites gives him hope that perhaps, she can learn to love him and break the curse...

Immortal Champion can be a heart wrenching book to read. Though Gunnar and Eleanor are clearly meant for each other, the road to togetherness is winding and sad at times. Being the daughter of a powerful lord, Eleanor is treated as pawn by her father to gain political favor and wealth. This book reminded me of the movie Tristan and Isolde, a forbidden love that endures even though she marries another. I cringed when Eleanor cried the morning after her wedding night; it was too sad.... At the end, even though you know this is a happily-ever-after book, you can't help but still feel relieved and satisfied when they get back together.

Lisa Hendrix had written a gratifying and unique novel that really makes you feel like you are back in the medieval days minus the historical lectures. A surprisingly touching story, Immortal Champion is a must for readers who love fairy-tale like storiess.

Reviewed by Pauline from Bookaholics Romance Club Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enchantment and romance starring a valiant hero, 4.5 stars January 4, 2011

By Melissa VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Lisa Hendrix's Immortal Series is a fascinating collection of stories about men who endure half lives. They live under a wicked curse being human for only half the day then transforming into animals and they have existed this way for hundreds of years. Only true love frees them from this terrible existence. The latest tale is a good one involving Sir Gunner, a man who roams the day as a bull but lives by moon time as a man.

Gunner is haunted by more than his solitary existence, hundreds of years earlier he was married to a faithless woman who broke his heart. He is wary but kind and brave. So it is unsurprising that he jumps to the aid of those trapped in a burning castle, he saves Lady Eleanor de Neville from a certain death when she is just a teen aged girl. The two part ways but Lady Eleanor cannot forget the incredible Knight who saved her.

Years later the two meet again and this time Eleanor is determined to win Gunner. She is betrothed to a young man (he is only 15) but she truly does not want the marriage. She hopes that Gunner can save her from this fate. Lady Eleanor is bold, she knows she wants the mysterious knight and she sets out ways to snag his attention. She is aware that he has feelings for her.

Gunner is enchanted with fair Eleanor and he believes she could be the one to break the spell but it requires a lot of trust on his part. He is a romantic and soulful man and his passionate nature shows in all his dealings with Eleanor.

This book is really about hope and this thread never varies throughout the story. Gunner and Eleanor must overcome many obstacles beyond his curse, forces are working against them both seen and unseen and Eleanor especially is torn.... She is a bright woman who unfortunately lives in a time where her choices are severely limited, though she tends to make the best of situations. I never doubted her love for the hero; she is protective, self sacrificing and an honorable woman.

Gunner is a gem of a hero. I liked him from his first introduction. He is vulnerable and emotive longing for redemption for his past and he sees his hope in Eleanor. This is a very romantic tale with a paranormal element that moves this story in unique ways. This book can be thoroughly enjoyed without reading the other novels, however this is a great series and readers will probably want to experience the tales of these other heroes. Read more ›