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Her Warrior King
by Michelle
Willingham
Can a
medieval Irish servant king and Norman bride find love amidst war?
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!
In her third book, one sees common characteristics in her writing in
all three books. Michelle Willingham writes secondary characters that
steal the reader's heart. In all three of the MacEgan books, her
writing reveals the very soul of her hero and heroine, a soul wounded
yet brave and full of inner passion. Michelle Willingham is a fresh,
stunning new voice in medieval historical romance that will appeal to
romance and medieval fans alike.
Publisher: Harlequin Historical (January
2008)
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Medieval Book Reviews
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