Protector [Hardcover]

Madeline Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

A captivating new writer at an irresistible price

Critically acclaimed as "one of the brightest new writers in the genre," (Publishers Weekly) Madeline Hunter has taken the world of historical romance by storm with her sensually powerful novels that feature strong heroines, provocative heroes, and timeless passion. Now this hugely talented author offers us a new tale filled with her trademark blend of danger, adventure, and sizzling seduction.

The first time he laid eyes on her she had come to his rescue with a sword in her hand. Still Morvan Fitzwaryn had never seen any woman who aroused his interest and his passion more than the unconventional Breton warrior beauty. Anna de Leon took him into her castle and nursed him back to health, little knowing the spark of desire she was feeding with her caring ministrations. It wasn't long before Morvan had vowed to protect and conquer this unconquerable woman with all the sensual weapons at his disposal.

For her part, Anna de Leon had no interest in men as lovers or husbands. She was used to commanding men in battle. But she suddenly had the strange feeling that her well-fortified defenses could be breached by this dark-eyed, smolderingly handsome English knight. When her castle is besieged by an old enemy who claims both her and her lands, Anna finds she has no choice but to accept Morvan's aid — even if the enemy outside her walls is no match for the ally within, who with every tantalizing kiss and forbidden embrace threatens to make her a prisoner of her own fiery passion.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Brimming with rich historical detail and fiery repartee, Hunter's latest 14th-century romance (following By Design) is a battle of wills between Breton warrior beauty Anna de Leon and Morvan Fitzwaryn, the knight who is determined to subdue her. The Black Plague propels Morvan to seek refuge on Anna's lands, but when the disease fails to claim him, Morvan assumes a position as one of Anna's knights. With her father dead and the war over Breton raging between England and France, Anna must don men's clothing and a sword to defend her people. Morvan, however, is chiefly concerned with keeping Anna safe. Despite her attraction to Morvan, Anna is bound to enter the abbey once her younger sister is married. In addition, Anna's ignorance of her own attractiveness leads her to think that Morvan is only after her family's estate. Their path to attaining a loving relationship is freckled with a few feverish battles, several humorous minor disputes and many compromises, as Morvan slowly learns to accept Anna for the brazen, independent woman she is. Hunter is at home with this medieval setting, and her talent for portraying intelligent, compelling characters seems to develop with each book. This feisty tale is likely to win her the broader readership she deserves.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Morvan Fitzwaryn is facing an enemy from whom escape is virtually impossible: the Black Death. Holed up in an abandoned longhouse, he is rescued by a young woman who takes him to her keep. Anna de Leon is no ordinary nursemaid; she prefers manly pursuits and attire and is in essence the lord of her castle and the few who are left alive within it. Those closest to her see her as their leader, the villagers see her as a virginal saint, but she still views herself from the same unflattering perspective she had as an awkward young girl. Morvan finds her enigmatic, but, having miraculously survived the plague, he vows to protect and serve her. Anna doesn't see the need for protection and is unsettled by his persistent presence. Filled with danger and adventure, Hunter's romance weaves a mesmerizing and uplifting tale as Morvan and Anna somehow come together despite her extreme unconventionality. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: San Val (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417716282
• ISBN-13: 978-1417716289
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)

More About the Author

I am a published novelist, a mother and wife, an art historian and a teacher. My first historical romance was published in 2000 and my bibliography shows the list of books since then. My books have been on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly (where I have also had two starred reviews.) I have won the RITA award twice and been a finalist seven times. My novels combine strong romances between layered and complex characters with plots that include mysteries or intrigues.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love in the Time of the Black Plague, April 20, 2005

By 

ellejir "ellejir" (Virginia, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Protector (Mass Market Paperback)

Madeline Hunter writes excellent medievals, and this book is no exception. While not as emotionally wrenching as "By Possession" or unique in character as "By Arrangement", "The Protector" is a well-told tale with a wonderfully strong hero and heroine and rich historical detail.

"The Protector" is the story of Morvan Fitzwaryn, brother of the heroine of "By Arrangement" and a knight who has sworn to regain his family's lost lands--lands that he had been forced to surrender as a young boy. He encounters the lovely and unconventional Lady Anna de Leon when she rescues him from a group of fearful Breton villagers about to torch the cottage where he is sheltering with his plague-infected squire. Anna has been left as the political and military leader of her Breton castle following the deaths of her father and brother and the devastation of her own people by the plague. When Morvan himself is infected with the plague, Anna (who has survived the plague previously) nurses him and supports him emotionally and a special bond is forged between the two. In gratitude, Morvan vows to protect Anna and lends his sword when Anna's enemies attempt to take over her castle. Morvan is fascinated by Anna's strength and beauty, but Anna has vowed never to marry as she does not want to be in any man's power.

Anna is a wonderfully unusual heroine, marvelously strong and capable of holding her own with the men on the battlefield, she is insecure about her own attractiveness and cannot believe that the gorgeous Morvan would want her for herself and not for her lands and wealth. I found Morvan to be a hero worthy of Anna--strong enough to control her wilder impulses but gentle with her as well. There is an onslaught of negative reviews on this site about Morvan (strangely, most dating from January 6th and 7th, 2005), criticizing him for being too domineering and crushing Anna's spirit, but I saw that part of the book as two *very* strong people learning to accept each other and redistribute the balance of power. Anna really had the majority of the power at the beginning of the book, and I would not have been happy to see her marry someone that she could ride roughshod over. Morvan's rules and restrictions were primarily to protect her from her enemies and to maintain harmony in the castle. The power clashes were inevitable and very realistic considering the very strong willed heroine and alpha male hero and the compromises that both ultimately make for their love are touching.

In summary, this is a very well-written medieval with an unusually strong heroine and hero. The historical details about the plague are interesting and well done.
Highly recommended.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Excellent Medieval Romance, June 27, 2001

By 

Jean Mason - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Protector (Mass Market Paperback)

Madeline Hunter has done it again. She has crafted a compelling romance with fascinating characters set against a rich historical tapestry. THE PROTECTOR will add to her growing reputation as one of the most promising authors to come on the scene in quite a while.

THE PROTECTOR is Morvan Fitzwaryn's story. Morvan was introduced in Hunter's first book, BY ARRANGEMENT. He is the son of a baron whose holding was seized by the Scots during one of the many border skirmishes that plagued the north of England. The loss of his patrimony means that he must earn his way with his sword and he has spent several years as a mercenary, fighting in the endless wars between England and France. Now he is on his way home, but he is forced to take a detour when Black Death strikes his troop.

Morvan is taken in by Anna De Leon, the daughter of a Breton lord. Anna's father and brother died of the plague but she survived. She nurses Morvan through the illness (yes, it was possible to survive the plague with good luck and good care). Morvan believes that he must protect his savior from the dangers that beset a Brittany engulfed in civil war. He also feels a deep attachment to this unusual woman who can ride and fight better than many men. But as a property-less knight, he can aspire to be no more than her protector.

How Morvan and Anna become husband and wife, how he convinces her that she is not - as she thought - unfeminine and unlovable, how a strong man and a strong woman work out their relationship and how they defeat her long time enemy is the basis of the story.

Fans of BY ARRANGEMENT have clamored for Morvan's story. I am certain they will be completely satisfied with this tale of how he finds love.

Full disclosure compels me to admit that Madeline Hunter is a friend of mine. But I have no hesitation in staking my own reputation as a reviewer on my evaluation of THE PROTECTOR. This is an excellent medieval romance.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Morvan's story continued..., July 9, 2001

By 

Kayce Cawthon-Stoker (Franklin, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Protector (Mass Market Paperback)

The main characters - Anna and Morvan - were well shown. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and the tricks and turns Ms. Hunter included throughout. Both survivors of the Black Plague, these two medieval warriors battle both on the field and off! Their story is poignant and yet at times humorous. It has a nice balance of scenery, characters, and history. Some of her people believed Anna to be a saint, others were not sure about being led by a female "lord". Then you have Morvan who was English which was not the thing to be at that time in that place! Which is the lesser of the two evils - female or English. Ahhhh, that is the question and it was answered over many wonderful chapters.

I was glad to see Morvan back and look forward to the next book (I believe the title from the excerpt was, "A Thousand Knights"). From what I read, it looks to be another installment as it mentions Harclow (Morvan's home lost by a siege in which his father was killed).

An adventurous read which can keep you glued to your chair late into the evening! I recommend this one to all Madeline Hunter fans and anyone looking for a good escape for an evening. I found it went quite well with M&M candies. Please just don't tell my son where his little bag went!