Her Warrior King

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 there who 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 few villagers and 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 also 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 revolved the storylines around the two main leads.

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

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.

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 th