Customer Reviews

Her Warrior King (Harlequin Historical, MacEgan Brothers Book 2)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michelle Willingham's medieval historical romance HER WARRIOR KING has dramatic and intimate romantic conflicts, superb characterization, and a suspenseful plot. A vivid internal and external landscape pits the heart against the circumstances of war, making both come alive for the reader.

Suddenly, Isabel de Godred's father has chosen a husband for her. Without even as much as seeing her betrothed, Isabel's father has the wedding all arranged in haste. As soon as she can design an escape, her plans are cut short. Here he comes, dressed in mid-covered rags and riding alone without servants and a sword drawn ready to cut down the weeding guests. Can this man really be a king? Even if he does take the breath away with his dramatic entry, he sure doesn't seem like any king! More like a savage barbarian! When her betrothed tells her the stakes involved if she does not marry, she knows that the pleasure of freedom can never be enjoyed for that price. Patrick MacEgan is blackmailed into marriage to the Norman lady Isabel by her father, but that doesn't mean he has to submit in all ways. She will NOT be a queen to his people! He has his tribe to consider first even if his body and heart begin to tell him otherwise. An Irish king and a Norman lady have been forced into marriage in war --- a marriage that might ruin them both. Can they somehow find a way to love when everyone plots against them?

Michelle Willingham's HER WARRIOR KING combines brilliant characterization and romantic conflict. Isabel is a fantastic heroine. Forced into her role, isolated in almost captivity away from Patrick's tribe in her new Irish home, she has such courage and bravery. No one or no situation is going to get the better of her. Despite being rejected from her husband's bed, the brave Isabel does the hard work, the everyday work that it takes to build something great. Through Isabel, Michelle Willingham allows the reader to experience the drama and courage of the lives of medieval women and indeed perhaps women of all ages living during a time of war or occupation.

Through Patrick, Michelle Willingham allows the reader a glimpse into the conflicts and tensions with medieval kings and warriors. Patrick, the king of a conquered tribe, must keep the Norman occupying his land and his men from killing each other. They do not speak the same language and the slightest look or misunderstanding might provoke a slaughter. The dangers outside might even be greater and kill them all. In the midst of war with so many lives at stake, how can he ever consider his personal desires? Patrick is the true servant king. Michelle Willingham reaches into the very heart of medieval literature with its theme of the servant king, making it come alive in her characters' hearts and daily lives.

Putting Isabel and Patrick together was a brilliant move --- at heart they feel destined for one another on the deepest level but they must work hard to get their happily-ever-after --- and that very work that reveals their destiny and the depth of their love. Michelle Willingham has an expansive view of love, combining passion something so much more. Love isn't just about the desire of one man and woman. Their love expands outward to others and is, in fact, perhaps born from their compassion for others. At the same time, they have to work to discover themselves as individuals and their individual desire. These conflicts and balance between the individual and others arise naturally from the plot and characters she creates. Brilliant!

Patrick MacEgan, an Irish warrior king, is forced to marry Norman Isabel de Godred when her father attacks his lands. Holding the MacEgan women and children hostage, de Godred trades their lives for Patrick's obedience. de Godred wants his grandchildren to be the future kings of Erin, and is using Patrick's loyalty and his daughter's innocence to achieve that goal.

Patrick agrees to wed the lady Isabel, but he has no intention of making her his queen. He plans to exile her on a neighboring island to his home, where she cannot cause more strife among his people, who hate the Normans for the war they've brought upon them. What Patrick doesn't realize is that Isabel is no meek and mild lady to do as he asks. She is determined to be a proper wife to him, and she'll do anything to achieve her aim...

Her Warrior King was an interesting story about an Irish king and the Norman bride he was forced to marry. I can't say that I liked the hero and heroine. In fact, I was indifferent to them both. I more enjoyed the story of how they overcame the obstacles ahead of them to join their people in order to fight together against their enemies. The story of their different backgrounds was much more intriguing than the romance in this story, which was unfortunate. This was an enjoyable book. It was entertaining. But the romance took a backseat to the historical elements.

I was captivated from beginning to end. From the first page when Isabel wanted out of the marriage to the last page were she was GLAD that God hadn't answered her prayer.

I was interesting to see how Patrick and Isabel met and the struggle they both shared at her being accepted by his tribesmen.

I'd actually read Her Irish Warrior BEFORE I read Her Warrior King. In all honesty, it didn't ruin it for me even though I knew that Patrick and Isabel over came any hardships that they might have gone through.

Michelle is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading more of her books.

Having said that, I am eager to begin The Warrior's Touch, which I'm sure will be as good, if not better than the first two.

I had read Her Irish Warrior which is the story of Bevan, Patrick's brother, which I really liked. So, when I read Her Warrior King I was disappointed. The story started off good enough with the two main characters thrown together in a marriage of her father's making. After they reach Patrick's home, thats where the story dropped off for me. The main couple spends the entire book debating the fact that Patrick is the leader and king to his people and Isabel is a Norman and therefore will never be accepted by Patrick's people. I would say that 2/3's of the book is spent with Patrick explaining this concept to Isabel. They would cycle through this same concept over and over again until I was too frustrated to read anymore. There were some good secondary storylines and it did pick up speed at the end but overall it just wasnt my favorite.

I enjoyed this novel. It had blackmail, battles, betrayal and most importantly true love and loyalty.

Irish king Patrick MacEgan is forced to marry Norman noble Isobel or his entire tribe will be slaughtered. Isobel's father has troops in Ireland and they have already killed members of his tribe. Isobel reluctantly agrees to the wedding not knowing that Patrick has every intention of petitioning for an annulment later even though Isobel's father has demanded that she be pregnant in a few months or at least not a virgin. Patrick has resolved never to bed her.

Patrick puts Isobel on an island off of Ireland for her own sake and also for his; he desires her and the Irish Sea is a pretty good barrier. On the mainland Patrick must cope with all the problems of the Normans occupying Ireland and land hungry Irish chieftains.

Isabel is not satisfied on her little Island with only a few villagers so she resourcefully builds a raft and floats and then swims herself across the sea. I liked her immensely for this. She is smart enough to realize that to make her marriage work she must spend time with her husband. She also knows that unless some peace comes between the Normans and the Irish they will be doomed.

Patrick does not know what to do with Isabel. She is kind, smart and their games of chess are wonderfully wicked. I thought they made a winning couple right from the start. Patrick is torn between his loyalty to his clan and his growing feelings for his wife. Her father's ultimatums are also hanging over his head. He is both protective and wary of her.

Isabel is also a warrior and she comes to the rescue like a Valkerie. She is sensitive to the fact that she is not accepted by Patrick's tribe and finds ways to make them like her in spite of themselves.

There's lots of intrigue here between clans and even within Patrick's own tribe. I never got lost in the story with this though because the author always revolved the storylines around the two leads.

"Her Warrior King" is a sensual, passionate historical romance that will capture your heart and entice your mind.

In order to save his people, Irish king Patrick MacEgan agrees to wed a Norman bride. He did not, however, expect the strong-willed and stubborn Isabel de Godred to be so beautiful.

Isabel longs to be a wife in every sense of the word, but Patrick refuses every advance and offer of help. The Normans killed his people, including his brother Liam, and burned their winter stores. All he wants from Isabel is the protection for his people that her father has promised as long as his daughter is safe and happy.

Patrick knows he must keep his distance from his beautiful wife and focus on the needs of his tribe. To bed her is unthinkable, even as his need for her grows.

As tensions rise between the Normans and the Irish, the O'Phelans threaten to destroy Patrick's tribe. Will Patrick allow Isabel to help him? And will Isabel ever earn her rightful place as his queen and lover?

While the formula has been done many times, Willingham does an excellent job with this historical romance; providing action, adventure and a love story set in England in 1170. The author's attention to detail coupled with a cast of complex and intriguing characters draws the reader in from the first page and does not release her until the very last word. I've already read the last chapter twice, as the book's satisfying conclusion is worth any time spent reading.

A more fascinating romantic story, I have yet to read. "Her Warrior King" by Michelle Willingham is certainly a book I will read again. I can't wait to see what's next from this talented author.

Without her knowledge, Isabel de Godred's father has already given her hand in marriage to an Irish king. The first glimpse of her groom is of a man in little better than servant's clothing, a hard glint in his eyes. This man is just as happy about marrying her as she is to him.

After attacking Patrick MacEgan's fortress, Baron de Godred holds the remaining members of king's tribe hostage to his good behavior. As long as he marries de Godred's daughter, his Irish people will not be harmed. Furious but unable to see any more of his tribe die, his says his vows, meaning to follow none of them. After being forced to marry, he does not intend to ever consummate the marriage. Nor will he crown her his queen so the Baron's grandchildren will inherit his rule. He plans, in fact, to obtain an annulment in a year's time.

Once on the Irish soil of Patrick's lands, Isabel is left on an island, and not in the fortress across the water. Determined to make a life for herself and not become bitter over her circumstances, she doggedly goes to work. The islanders shun her at first, but her work ethic is contagious...especially to the children. After she gets tired of getting nowhere, she swims the channel, and manages to get to the main keep. Now she is there, she starts to work just like she did on the island. Unknown to her, this is where Patrick's feelings begin to change.

He notices his tribe's attitude toward her began to subtly alter. They look up to her, and ask for her opinions, and against his will, Patrick's heart and mind softens where she is concerned. She begins to look more and more like his queen with every week that passes. Can two enemies forced into marriage actually find happiness? He was beginning to think they had a chance.

The writing is quite good, but I felt the romance was neglected in comparison with all the historic detail, descriptions of living conditions and the surrounding areas. I would have enjoyed it much more if there had been less conflict between the two main characters, which lasts, unfortunately for most of the book, and more on their developing romance. I still think the novel worth reading, especially for those who love Irish (Celtic) romance. Happy reading!

This was the 3rd book written of the MacEgan brothers but is actually the first in the series in order. It is about the oldest brother Patrick who is king of their clan (or tribe or province). He is forced to take a Norman bride at a time when the Normans and Irish are not "getting along". Patrick is probably my least favorite brother although I like the character of his wife Isobel. She is very strong-willed but not obnoxious, and I like that she will not sit by and pout while her husband tries to set her aside and reject all Normans. She wants to bring the Norman's and Irish together and it makes for an interesting historical story. There is less personal story in this book but it is still enjoyable. I wished that the main character had come to an understanding or truce a bit earlier in the book because their arguments do get a bit repetitive. I like that Michelle Willingham does not rely on romance novel tricks like silly misunderstandings, lies, or bullying alpha males. Patrick is tough but honorable and never mean. Even though this is my least favorite I still give it a strong 4 stars and would read it again. If you are starting the series I suggest beginning with this one- they only get better!

I enjoyed every page of this story. Strong characters, the glimer of hope that grows into bright sunshine.

I love historical romances, and this is the first Celtic/medieval romance I have read. I was a little wary at first about this book, because I generally find Harlequin novels to be a bit corny, but I was pleasantly surprised by Michelle Willingham's writing style. This novel was poignant and emotional without getting overly sappy. The descriptions were vivid. The cultural references were relevant. The characters were well developed, and we were also introduced to a variety of background characters who were equally as interesting as the hero and heroine (including the other MacEgan brothers, who have their own books in this series).

The chemistry between the hero and heroine was almost palpable, and the author really builds up the sexual tension. This is one those novels that teases the reader with a lot of sensual and passionate scenes that get cut short (mostly by the hero who is determined to keep his bride a virgin). The love scenes were very sensual and descriptive without being vulgar. It takes a while for the two main characters to realize how important they are to one another, but when they finally do, it makes for some incredibly touching and emotional scenes as the hero and heroine come to terms with the reality of their environment, warring families, duties, and love for each other.
Excellent writing by Michelle Willingham, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the MacEgan brothers' stories.