Her Irish Warrior

What makes this book so good is that the leads are not what I expected. Heroine Genevieve de Renalt is vulnerable and brave. She is unafraid of her emotions and even though she has had a scarred past, is doing everything she can to make her present and future better. Hero Bevan MacEgan is also a wounded character. He has lost his beloved wife and child and has put his heart away forever. Furthermore, he has lost his lands to Normans due to his inattention because of his deep grief. These two meet early in the novel. Genevieve is running from her abusive fiancé and Bevan initially has the opportunity to save her but cannot because he must protect his men who are arming an assault against his former castle, now occupied by Genevieve and her horrible fiance. Genevieve's family has dowered the castle to her. She is Norman and Bevan despises the Normans. They killed his wife. Bevan is captured by Hugh, Genevieve's fiancé. Bevan had tried to rescue her, recognizing that Genevieve was abused by Hugh. To her credit Genevieve does not fall apart after a beating by Hugh but manages to rescue Bevan and his brother. They take her to their family's estate and there Genevieve begins the slow process of healing both physically and emotionally. Bevan is softening toward her. He is aware that she controls his lands and the sensible thing to do is to marry her so he can regain his lands but Bevan is stubborn. He just won't let go of his first wife's memory. Fortunately, Genevieve is patient and determined. She, more than he, is the logical one in the relationship and this was a refreshing change. She sees the big picture while he focuses on his grief and resentment. There are several good twists and turns in this novel. Genevieve is really the star of this and she holds her own in every way.

I found Her Irish Warrior a delightful read and thoroughly engrossing. I simply couldn't put the book down. Although this book was written BEFORE Her Warrior King, I'd advise any reader to start off with Her Warrior King first since it takes place (1170) before this book. One of my favorite characters in the book is young Ewan MacEgan. He tries so hard to impress his Brother Bevan and looks up to him. And yet Bevan doesn't think he'll ever be warrior materal. A total delightful book. I look forward to reading more books from Michele.

Loved this book and the storyline. An easy read. I do have to agree with S.Shackelford about the lead hero. Sometimes he got on my nerves with him pining over his first wife, but I still liked him. I highly recommend this book.

HER IRISH WARRIOR, set in 12th century Ireland, is a heart-warming Medieval historical romance with excellent characterization, a scene setting made alive to the senses, a suspenseful plot and authenticity to the Medieval literature. Genevieve de Renalt is engaged to Sir Hugh Marstowe. Although her father supports this marriage, Genevieve cannot allow herself to marry such a man now that she knows him and his true character. When her father cannot rescue her, she escapes. She comes across Bevan MacEgan, an Irish warrior, in the woods and pleads for his help and protection. Pulled between his duties as a warrior and the feelings she inspires, as well as his desire to recapture Rionallis, the land taken from him and now part of Genevieve's dowry, will he choose her and will his choice be made from a desire for her or the land? Will Bevan and Genevieve's past secrets come back to haunt them or can they find true love despite all the obstacles others pose? Can they open their hearts amidst or will oaths and duty win over love? In the Middle Ages and in the background of this romance, marriage was a political alliance. Add to this the fact that both Genevieve de Renalt and Bevan MacEgan have been hurt if not abused by previous partners. The heroine and hero are respectively a Norman lady and a Irish warrior who hate the Normans. Add all that together and more and the chances of these mixing pleasure with any possible marriage alliance seem pretty close to nil....but can hearts win out over both force and vulnerability? Characterization is one of the strengths of this romance. Genevieve de Renalt's betrothed is a power hunger man who thinks love is dominating a woman. Genevieve is an excellent heroine, determined and clever, full of passion and tenderness and a wonderful contrast to Hugh. Michelle Willingham allows the reader to see both the warrior and the man in Bevan MacEgan, his strength and loyalty plus the scars from battle and in his heart. A suspenseful plot with some interesting turns and conflicts makes HER IRISH WARRIOR a fast paced page turner. Hugh, her betrothed will stop at nothing to kill Bevan and take back his possession. In a world where marriage can be a political alliance, even King Henry has a say in Genevieve's marriage on account of her dowry, land that used to belong to Bevan! So many conflicts, so many secrets, so many hurts and past wrongs....will Genevieve and Bevan be able to find real love when all conflicts, inner and outer, seek to prevent their union? Michelle Willingham has a gift for creating a scene and details that are both faithful to the Medieval tradition and which also make this romance accessible to modern readers. One bedroom scene in particular takes a custom fairly commonly seen in Medieval stories and adds a nice heart-warming, romantic twist. HER IRISH WARRIOR has several echoes from Medieval literature, but each time, Michelle Willingham adds details and context that heighten the tension and romance bet

I read the book in 3 hours. I could not put it down. Excellent writing and a great plot!!