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MacEgan Brothers #2
Her Warrior King
Published out of order -- this is actually the first in the MacEgan Saga
He has wed her, but will not bed her!
Blackmail forced Patrick MacEgan into marriage-- although he could not be forced to bed his Norman bride. But Isabel de Godred was as fair as she was determined to be a proper wife....
She wished to help her proud warrior king with the burden of his responsibilities. As queen, she could aid an alliance between their people. As wife, she longed to comfort him, for when alone, they could put aside war and be but man and woman....
He has wed her, but will not bed her!
Blackmail forced Patrick MacEgan into marriage-- although he could not be forced to bed his Norman bride. But Isabel de Godred was as fair as she was determined to be a proper wife....
She wished to help her proud warrior king with the burden of his responsibilities. As queen, she could aid an alliance between their people. As wife, she longed to comfort him, for when alone, they could put aside war and be but man and woman....
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
150 people are currently reading
633 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Willingham
188 books620 followersRita® Award Finalist Michelle Willingham has published over fifty books and novellas. Currently, she lives in Virginia with her family and is working on more historical romance novels. When she's not writing, Michelle enjoys baking, playing the piano, and avoiding exercise at all costs. Visit her website at: www.michellewillingham.com or interact with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 4, 2025
3.5 stars 🌟
Patrick is blackmail into a arranged marriage to keep his clan safe from a Norman invasion of his lands.
Isabel thinks that Patrick is happy to marry her. And she will become his Queen.
He tells her after the marriage that he will not consummate the marriage, and she will not be his queen. Then leaves her on a small island.
Patrick is blackmail into a arranged marriage to keep his clan safe from a Norman invasion of his lands.
Isabel thinks that Patrick is happy to marry her. And she will become his Queen.
He tells her after the marriage that he will not consummate the marriage, and she will not be his queen. Then leaves her on a small island.
August 13, 2013
Her Warrior King is book 2 in the MacEgan brothers series, but the 1st book in which we actually meet the brothers, who are all amazing men. This is Patrick MacEgan’s story.
After the death of his brother, Liam, Patrick MacEgan has been chosen King of Laochre. He doesn’t really want to be king, but the tribe needs a leader, so with his tribesmen choosing him over any others, he accepts the title. After being attacked by the Normans, the battle in which Liam was killed, a surrender treaty is reached which demands that the king, Patrick, wed Isobel de Godred, daughter of Edwin de Godred, the man who led the Normans to victory. If he refuses, all of his tribe will be killed. Edwin Godred’s ultimate goal is to make sure that his future grandsons eventually rule Laochre.
Patrick isn’t at all happy with being blackmailed into marriage, and doesn’t make things easy for Isobel. She is patient, understanding, and doing everything in her power to fit in. Can this woman overcome the hatred of Patrick’s tribe and unite them and the Normans?
So far, this series has been an enjoyable read. I think that more than anything, I’m enjoying the education I’m getting in medieval life in Ireland. The culture, traditions and day to day life are so very interesting!
As I said, the brothers are all amazing men and I’m very much looking forward to continuing the series and reading their stories.
April 7, 2021
2☆
This story could have been really good but I really had trouble with the writing style. It jumped too much from one scene to another.
Also I could not see when Patrick fell for Isabel. And truth be told he was an ass. She deserved better, so much more.
I'm amazed I finished the book 😅
This story could have been really good but I really had trouble with the writing style. It jumped too much from one scene to another.
Also I could not see when Patrick fell for Isabel. And truth be told he was an ass. She deserved better, so much more.
I'm amazed I finished the book 😅
January 4, 2016
Honestly, this book has everything that I dig in a romance story: forbidden love, denied passion, torn between mind and heart, but no, I did not love it.
A book by Monica McCarty from her Highland Guard series has a very similar story line (there are few new things under the sun) and I LOVED it to pieces. Michelle Willingham's Her Warrior King has a very similar plot and characters, and I wonder why while I "loved" Monica McCarty's book and could only say that I "liked" Michelle Willingham's Her Warrior King.
In this book Patrick, King to his tribe, was forced to wed Isabel, A Norman lady. The story is about how the Irish and the Normans despised each other but were forced to reconcile. Isabel became a pawn in the political game. She was forced to marry Patrick but quickly resolved to do right by what was expected of her.
Patrick had something else in mind. He never intended to make Isabel his Queen and was planning on annulling the marriage as soon his tribe was ready to defeat the Normans. The book's focus is on how Isabel tried to become part of a tribe which did not want her and how Patrick repeatedly turned down Isabel and refused to give them a chance.
I think the major difference between McCarty's book and this book is that in the former, I could almost taste the desperation of the lead characters. They despaired of the hopeless feelings they had for each other and the denied love became that much better because of its hopelessness. In this book, it was more rejection than desperation. Patrick rejected Isabel repeatedly and I never really did feel that he wanted Isabel more than anything. Naturally he was written to be torn between his duties and personal feelings. I just wasn't convinced. I had the impression that for Patrick, it was his tribe that mattered more and while not a decision he enjoyed making, it was never a difficult decision. And when he finally changed his mind, I was surprised because I couldn't see what would resulted in the change. The story of course tried to make sense of Patrick's 180 turnabout. But it was just not as convincing and heart-wrenching as Monica McCarty's book.
I am sorry that I keep comparing this book to another author's work. Because of the similarities in the plot line and characterization, I expected to love this book as much as I did McCarty's book. But this is not the case. The comparison is only done for me to analyze what was different in this story. And I conclude it is because in this book all the hopelessness seemed fabricated while in McCarty's book, I felt the despair of the lead characters and their wish of things being different.
But all this being said, I liked this book well enough. For me it rather pales in comparison to my favorite book of 2015 (said McCarty book) but is a good read nonetheless.
A book by Monica McCarty from her Highland Guard series has a very similar story line (there are few new things under the sun) and I LOVED it to pieces. Michelle Willingham's Her Warrior King has a very similar plot and characters, and I wonder why while I "loved" Monica McCarty's book and could only say that I "liked" Michelle Willingham's Her Warrior King.
In this book Patrick, King to his tribe, was forced to wed Isabel, A Norman lady. The story is about how the Irish and the Normans despised each other but were forced to reconcile. Isabel became a pawn in the political game. She was forced to marry Patrick but quickly resolved to do right by what was expected of her.
Patrick had something else in mind. He never intended to make Isabel his Queen and was planning on annulling the marriage as soon his tribe was ready to defeat the Normans. The book's focus is on how Isabel tried to become part of a tribe which did not want her and how Patrick repeatedly turned down Isabel and refused to give them a chance.
I think the major difference between McCarty's book and this book is that in the former, I could almost taste the desperation of the lead characters. They despaired of the hopeless feelings they had for each other and the denied love became that much better because of its hopelessness. In this book, it was more rejection than desperation. Patrick rejected Isabel repeatedly and I never really did feel that he wanted Isabel more than anything. Naturally he was written to be torn between his duties and personal feelings. I just wasn't convinced. I had the impression that for Patrick, it was his tribe that mattered more and while not a decision he enjoyed making, it was never a difficult decision. And when he finally changed his mind, I was surprised because I couldn't see what would resulted in the change. The story of course tried to make sense of Patrick's 180 turnabout. But it was just not as convincing and heart-wrenching as Monica McCarty's book.
I am sorry that I keep comparing this book to another author's work. Because of the similarities in the plot line and characterization, I expected to love this book as much as I did McCarty's book. But this is not the case. The comparison is only done for me to analyze what was different in this story. And I conclude it is because in this book all the hopelessness seemed fabricated while in McCarty's book, I felt the despair of the lead characters and their wish of things being different.
But all this being said, I liked this book well enough. For me it rather pales in comparison to my favorite book of 2015 (said McCarty book) but is a good read nonetheless.
April 8, 2008
We read this with our book club and discussed the story and process with the author. She was great. The research that went into studying Ireland was tremendous. The author was funny and insightful. This is not your typical Harlequin.
July 29, 2020
Se puede recuperar el tiempo perdido, aunque cueste renunciar al orgullo y olvidar la cabezonería. Entretenida historia, aunque el final se me ha hecho algo apresurado. Recomendable para pasar un rato ameno.
March 9, 2012
Michelle Willingham is very good at eliciting deep emotions with her writing. This one kept me emotional till the very end.
Isabel… Giving, strong, insightful determined Norman Princess. She is forced to marry an Irish King who sees her as a hated enemy, by a father who was just using her as a pawn. She endures being taken to a new homeland, to live among people who hate and distrust her because of her father, a Norman King. She is forced to live on a small isle away from the main tribe with a few people who won’t even speak to her. She is trying to fit in, make a place for herself, but at every turn is forced by her unyielding new husband to endure one rejection after another. She handles it with the determination of a queen. I feel for her. This is the first character that has made me cry with her unshed tears. Michelle has painted a picture of a proud woman who is awakening to the sad state of a beaten tribe. Isabel wants desperately to befriend Patrick's people. However, with resignation, she realizes there is no place in the world where she is wanted. Not by her father and not by her new husband. I could feel her near distraction as she tries, with dignity to be useful and find her place as the Kings wife but even he makes it complicated at every turn. She can see the bigger picture and has a vision for the future but he states over and over…and over, she will never be his tribe’s queen.
Patrick… Dense, stubborn, strong, angry, hurt Irish King whom is thrust in this unwanted role after his brother is killed in a battle with a fierce Norman King, Isabel’s father. The whole village suffered tremendously and there is hardly anything left except their pride and determination to move on and rebuild. He is forced to marry Isabel to regain his captive people and save their lives.
The proofreading needs improving but it is a well thought out and written story. I had a hard time merging certain personality traits of Isabel. She is strong in every way but she does not say what needs to be said. I realize she is thinking where else will I go but she puts up with way too much for my taste. I would have boxed old King Pat’s ears a few times. He is somewhat of a prick. He treats her badly because he still sees her as an enemy even though she is innocent. He is a very bad tease…you will see what I mean if you read this story. He has been my least favorite Mac Egan brother. To be fair…I guess in reality…though this is fiction…King P would act this way since his clan had been raided and many killed a few months prior by his brides father. This treatment of Isabel, although there are some intimate moments between them, one that pisses me off, lasts throughout the book. Ol’King P doesn’t get it till the end. I kept reading because of Isabel. I wanted to see her get what her giving nature deserved.
Isabel… Giving, strong, insightful determined Norman Princess. She is forced to marry an Irish King who sees her as a hated enemy, by a father who was just using her as a pawn. She endures being taken to a new homeland, to live among people who hate and distrust her because of her father, a Norman King. She is forced to live on a small isle away from the main tribe with a few people who won’t even speak to her. She is trying to fit in, make a place for herself, but at every turn is forced by her unyielding new husband to endure one rejection after another. She handles it with the determination of a queen. I feel for her. This is the first character that has made me cry with her unshed tears. Michelle has painted a picture of a proud woman who is awakening to the sad state of a beaten tribe. Isabel wants desperately to befriend Patrick's people. However, with resignation, she realizes there is no place in the world where she is wanted. Not by her father and not by her new husband. I could feel her near distraction as she tries, with dignity to be useful and find her place as the Kings wife but even he makes it complicated at every turn. She can see the bigger picture and has a vision for the future but he states over and over…and over, she will never be his tribe’s queen.
Patrick… Dense, stubborn, strong, angry, hurt Irish King whom is thrust in this unwanted role after his brother is killed in a battle with a fierce Norman King, Isabel’s father. The whole village suffered tremendously and there is hardly anything left except their pride and determination to move on and rebuild. He is forced to marry Isabel to regain his captive people and save their lives.
The proofreading needs improving but it is a well thought out and written story. I had a hard time merging certain personality traits of Isabel. She is strong in every way but she does not say what needs to be said. I realize she is thinking where else will I go but she puts up with way too much for my taste. I would have boxed old King Pat’s ears a few times. He is somewhat of a prick. He treats her badly because he still sees her as an enemy even though she is innocent. He is a very bad tease…you will see what I mean if you read this story. He has been my least favorite Mac Egan brother. To be fair…I guess in reality…though this is fiction…King P would act this way since his clan had been raided and many killed a few months prior by his brides father. This treatment of Isabel, although there are some intimate moments between them, one that pisses me off, lasts throughout the book. Ol’King P doesn’t get it till the end. I kept reading because of Isabel. I wanted to see her get what her giving nature deserved.
March 10, 2020
This book had all the makings of a great read. The plot was fascinating but it wasn’t executed as well as it could’ve been in the writing. There was too much repetition in the beginning and sometimes the hero contradicted himself... but I like this author and know she has a lot of skill so I kept going.
Towards the end the book took a much better turn, if you can be patient until then. I wished the heroine wasn’t so forgiving but then the hero was that bad so he did deserve her forgiveness.
I also think the hero could’ve handled things better in his kingdom. He should’ve had a council of men he trusted and told them his plans with the Normans. When the people saw that these men had his trust they would’ve trusted him too instead of mistaking his actions to mean he was turning on them. And even without the council he should’ve been more outspoken with his people instead of leaving them to make conclusions. I also think he should’ve been high handed. They disrespected him too much even when he had their interest at heart -but one can barely blame them because he never shared his plans.
The heroine was amazing. All the efforts she made to fit into his clan -rebuilding his grand father’s house, learning his language, trying to befriend his people and caring for them despite the scorn she received.
A very decent read. 3.8 stars!
Towards the end the book took a much better turn, if you can be patient until then. I wished the heroine wasn’t so forgiving but then the hero was that bad so he did deserve her forgiveness.
I also think the hero could’ve handled things better in his kingdom. He should’ve had a council of men he trusted and told them his plans with the Normans. When the people saw that these men had his trust they would’ve trusted him too instead of mistaking his actions to mean he was turning on them. And even without the council he should’ve been more outspoken with his people instead of leaving them to make conclusions. I also think he should’ve been high handed. They disrespected him too much even when he had their interest at heart -but one can barely blame them because he never shared his plans.
The heroine was amazing. All the efforts she made to fit into his clan -rebuilding his grand father’s house, learning his language, trying to befriend his people and caring for them despite the scorn she received.
A very decent read. 3.8 stars!
August 17, 2011
Solid 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars because, well, that's how rounding works. At first I was a little off put by the lack of romance between our couple, so much so that when they started tossing clothes aside in an impromptu game of strip-chess, I was shocked. Not that it was strip-chess in a medieval romance novel, but that it was out of character for our Irish king and Norman queen. I loved the historical detail, however. And the book definitely got better towards the end - I am looking forward to more in this series.
August 23, 2018
Michelle Willingham is quickly moving up to the top of my Scottish/Irish romance list. Even though I rated this one 3 stars, it was much better than that. The story was engrossing and very well written. The biggest problem I had was that it wasn't much of a romance. Patrick spent most of the book pushing Isabel away and putting his tribe before her. It made me want to smack him! Isabel was a GREAT hero. She never gave up and was willing to put herself out there for Patrick and his family.
October 20, 2019
Isabel's father raided Patrick MacEgan's home and to gain peace he forced Patrick to marry Isabel, hoping to one day have grandsons on an Irish throne. That'll happen over Patrick's dead body. He'll wed Isabel and take her back to Laochre, but he won't bed her and he'll never make her his queen. And so he does, exiling her to Ennisleigh island to live in isolation, partially for her protection, but also to remove himself from the temptation of her. For although she is Norman and his enemy, she is also brave and beautiful and tempting beyond belief. Isabel wants only to make the best of this marriage, to help her new tribe and to be a wife to her new husband. But for Patrick, being a king is more important and being king of a tribe that hates Normans means she will never belong among them. But that won't stop her from working to earn his love and acceptance.
This was a great set up. A strong enemies to lovers set up where neither of them really hates the other, but Patrick's prejudice keeps him from truly accepting her as his queen. Patrick really feels the pull toward refusing to accept his wife or the Norman troops among them out of loyalty to his tribe. He sees the value in having them there, but can't bring himself to really accept them, since they're the ones who killed his older brother. Problem is, I never really feel Patrick's struggle to balance out his love of tribe and his love of Isabel. It never really feels like Isabel has a chance. Her angst is top-notch because time after time he reminds her she'll never really be his queen and she'll never belong among them. I absolutely adored her continuous struggle and fight to be accepted no matter what - she never gave up despite really wanting to. I really wanted Patrick to love Isabel and have no idea how to have her and his kingship at the same time. I just never got there with him...he always kinda felt needlessly cruel about it. Also, I have to say, it kinda bugged me that he basically turned traitor. I get the need to accept and even assimilate the existing Normans and make them into one tribe, but to welcome invading forces and encourage them to invade another Irish tribe (even if they are enemies) seems so turncoat it's not even funny. It felt like, rather than in anyway fight the Normans, they totally embraced the enemy to protect themselves.
This was a great set up. A strong enemies to lovers set up where neither of them really hates the other, but Patrick's prejudice keeps him from truly accepting her as his queen. Patrick really feels the pull toward refusing to accept his wife or the Norman troops among them out of loyalty to his tribe. He sees the value in having them there, but can't bring himself to really accept them, since they're the ones who killed his older brother. Problem is, I never really feel Patrick's struggle to balance out his love of tribe and his love of Isabel. It never really feels like Isabel has a chance. Her angst is top-notch because time after time he reminds her she'll never really be his queen and she'll never belong among them. I absolutely adored her continuous struggle and fight to be accepted no matter what - she never gave up despite really wanting to. I really wanted Patrick to love Isabel and have no idea how to have her and his kingship at the same time. I just never got there with him...he always kinda felt needlessly cruel about it. Also, I have to say, it kinda bugged me that he basically turned traitor. I get the need to accept and even assimilate the existing Normans and make them into one tribe, but to welcome invading forces and encourage them to invade another Irish tribe (even if they are enemies) seems so turncoat it's not even funny. It felt like, rather than in anyway fight the Normans, they totally embraced the enemy to protect themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2022
Rereading it, I realize how dedicated this hero is. To himself, to his brothers, to the tribe, to Ireland, to the cat, to the fortress, to the traitorous cousin, to the war. Did I say Isabel? Who is Isabel? The only fear of losing her is that her father will kill all the MacEgans. She was a good fuck. Divorce is all he thinks about when he thinks of her. What a weak book... Historical mistakes and not even true love to cheat history. If it was supposed to be a drama, it became a horror.
Not even the ending saved this "love story". He saved Isabel, because if she didn't, he and his tribe would die. Let's save Isabel!!! Isabel was strong, determined, intelligent, and much more strategic than her dumb husband. And it's so easy to say "I love you" as he told her, when he had already won and regained his power. Bleh...
Not even the ending saved this "love story". He saved Isabel, because if she didn't, he and his tribe would die. Let's save Isabel!!! Isabel was strong, determined, intelligent, and much more strategic than her dumb husband. And it's so easy to say "I love you" as he told her, when he had already won and regained his power. Bleh...
June 2, 2020
(Explícito). Como el libro anterior, me gustó mucho, solo que sentí las cosas muy apresuradas, pero a la vez muy lenta. Iba muy bien y de repente pasaron meses: eso no le resta nada de interesante, solo que el anterior ocurrió todo muy rápido. Solo es diferente. Otra cosita que no me gustó mucho, por lo mismo, fue que en algún punto Isabel y Patrick se enamoran, es un poco confuso pero lo considero muy aceptable, porque no se juraron amor de un día para el otro. Hay personajes que vas a odiar y a mar, tiene un toque de drama. Está narrado en tercera persona y ofrece diferentes puntos de vista de varios personajes. Me encantó el inicio del libro. **Patrick es el nieto de Kieran e Iseult, me gustó que no se involucrara de manera tan directa a los protagonistas anteriores, pero sí me dio nostalgia cuando hacían referencia a los tallados de Kieran.
February 6, 2020
Talk about a well written book. I really enjoyed this story. For it had alot of action in it and it had a blending of two cultures. Isobel de Godred was given no choice in her marriage to Patrick MacEgan. But she won people over. I like how Michelle wrote this story. For its written with both sides of the story involved. She gives you food for thought. Then thru Isobel she gives you a chance to see the people won over. Its a great book and worth reading. I'm going to looking for more of her books that's for sure. J
August 8, 2021
Pur essendo l'ultimo libro della saga MacEgan Brothers le vicende in realtà si svolgono ben prima di quelle dei libri precedenti. Pertanto è come se avessi letto il primo libro invece dell'ultimo.
Anche se la trama non sembra molto originale per quel che riguarda il matrimonio imposto ai due ignari sposi, a me è piaciuta molto. Nonostante il medioevo è un periodo storico che non amo particolarmente soprattutto quando è descritto in modo duro e cupo ma qui non mi ha annoiato.
Un romanzo che mi ha coinvolto sotto tutti i punti di vista: un mix tra romance e avventura.
Anche se la trama non sembra molto originale per quel che riguarda il matrimonio imposto ai due ignari sposi, a me è piaciuta molto. Nonostante il medioevo è un periodo storico che non amo particolarmente soprattutto quando è descritto in modo duro e cupo ma qui non mi ha annoiato.
Un romanzo che mi ha coinvolto sotto tutti i punti di vista: un mix tra romance e avventura.
August 10, 2023
Ireland vs Normans
Patrick is King of his Irish tribe. To save his tribe from annihilation he agrees to marry the Norman conquerors daughter. The tribe refuses to acknowledge her and Patrick refuses to make her his Queen. What they don't know is strength and determination to bring the two forces together to make a formidable tribe. Adventure, betrayal and love make this a great read.
Patrick is King of his Irish tribe. To save his tribe from annihilation he agrees to marry the Norman conquerors daughter. The tribe refuses to acknowledge her and Patrick refuses to make her his Queen. What they don't know is strength and determination to bring the two forces together to make a formidable tribe. Adventure, betrayal and love make this a great read.
December 15, 2023
Segundo volume da série Os Irmãos MacEgan.
Francamente, me decepcionou porque a autora criou um líder responsável em Patrick. Por toda sua caracterização, seria condizente que ele recusasse Isabel em favor de seu clã.
A união entre os dois ficou desequilibrada, quase impossível de conciliar com a caracterização.
Francamente, me decepcionou porque a autora criou um líder responsável em Patrick. Por toda sua caracterização, seria condizente que ele recusasse Isabel em favor de seu clã.
A união entre os dois ficou desequilibrada, quase impossível de conciliar com a caracterização.
March 13, 2024
enjoyed
I've not read historical fiction anything- I didn't think I would enjoy it. But I adored the adventure, the battles, the swords and forming peace between enemies. Enemies to lovers is some of my favorite too! Reallly enjoyed this one!
I've not read historical fiction anything- I didn't think I would enjoy it. But I adored the adventure, the battles, the swords and forming peace between enemies. Enemies to lovers is some of my favorite too! Reallly enjoyed this one!
March 22, 2024
A Highland king takes a Norman bride
The Highland didn't want to marry his enemies daughter. She didn't want him at all. How the mighty fall. Yes fall in love while fighting off the enemy. It's A great historical romance.
The Highland didn't want to marry his enemies daughter. She didn't want him at all. How the mighty fall. Yes fall in love while fighting off the enemy. It's A great historical romance.
April 2, 2024
Culture shock
Isabel and Patrick’s story is all about culture shock, wars, and conquest. She’s part of terms of surrender, so she has no choice. There’s a lot of action, romance and thrills.
Isabel and Patrick’s story is all about culture shock, wars, and conquest. She’s part of terms of surrender, so she has no choice. There’s a lot of action, romance and thrills.
April 17, 2024
I am a sucker for married at first sight stories. Isabel is a so sweet. My heart hurt for her. Patrick is stuck between his feelings for Isabel and his people. They had a difficult situation but I am happy they found a solution to it. I liked the story
April 30, 2024
1. Opened Door Romance
2. Arranged Marriage
3. Enemies to Lovers
4. Medieval Romance
5. Amazing characters
I liked this book. The internal fight with Patrick. It was relatable and understandable. I liked the book. It was a wonderful read and I loved the ending
2. Arranged Marriage
3. Enemies to Lovers
4. Medieval Romance
5. Amazing characters
I liked this book. The internal fight with Patrick. It was relatable and understandable. I liked the book. It was a wonderful read and I loved the ending
April 9, 2025
Her Warrior King
Now that was a great story. It kind of had some history I never understood the difference between North Ireland and Ireland. I might be wrong. This story is also fiction.
Now that was a great story. It kind of had some history I never understood the difference between North Ireland and Ireland. I might be wrong. This story is also fiction.
March 19, 2024
Unanswered Prayers
Talk about a struggle! The main couple went through it before finally figuring out truth, respect and priorities. Their story is definitely worth a read.
Talk about a struggle! The main couple went through it before finally figuring out truth, respect and priorities. Their story is definitely worth a read.
March 23, 2024
Just okay
Many times she messed up the timeline the story was nice not a waste of time to read. I wished she would translate the Gaelic.
Many times she messed up the timeline the story was nice not a waste of time to read. I wished she would translate the Gaelic.
March 31, 2024
intrigue and romance
A lot of angst needing to say be set aside, action and ultimately the combining of forces to attain one purpose ..saving the king and queen.
A lot of angst needing to say be set aside, action and ultimately the combining of forces to attain one purpose ..saving the king and queen.
September 22, 2024
Really good but the ending
It was a really good book but it seems there should have been a little more detail to the ending.
It was a really good book but it seems there should have been a little more detail to the ending.
January 16, 2024
Her Warrior King is not your typical medieval romance. Politics take center stage as the English and the Irish clamor for the same land. Patrick will do anything to save his people, even marry one of the loathsome Normans, but that doesn't mean he has to love her. He plans to keep his heart his own, but his bride Isabel has other ideas.
Patrick is an interesting hero. He was not the original king of the MacEgans: his older brother was before he was slain by Normans the previous summer. By decree of the people, he has stepped into his brother's shoes, and it is understandably very emotional for him. His transition from a warrior to a king is gradual and fraught with tension. He's sympathetic, honorable, and kind in his own way.
I say "in his own way" because he is an absolute monster to Isabel. He often forgets about her to the point where she goes without fire, food, and blankets for extended periods of time while he tends to his kinsmen. From the beginning, he keeps her at a distance by literally keeping her on an island away from his people. Patrick is a fantastic character. Given more pages, I think his transformation into a lover would be believable. As it is, it's hard to see him as a romantic figure when he's just so cold towards Isabel. Sure, we get to see his perspective, and we readers know how much he desires his wife, but it doesn't play out on the page.
Because Patrick doesn't have the space to mature, Isabel is doing all of the work in their relationship, and he does not deserve her. The woman literally swims across the stream to be with her husband who has repeatedly spurned her. She is a saint because she can see how hard he's trying, and she still thinks "yes, I want a piece of that". That said, it does make her frustration with him sometimes a little unreasonable. She knows how difficult his role of king is, and yet she repeatedly asks him to give it up for her. What she's really asking is to be included in his family and his clan, and she does voice these desires. It's a minor thing, though.
I think a good phrase for Willingham's novels are "down to earth", literally in some cases. These characters, despite being kings and queens are not wealthy. There are no jewels or glittering gowns in her novels. They're grappling with complex issues in a brutal time period. It's just, because Willingham is writing for Harlequin and her books never reach 300 pages, her characters don't have the time and space to really mature. Their growth is almost spontaneous, which can give the impression to some that Willingham's subject is shallow. I don't think it's shallow, per se. Just rushed.
Overall, if you're looking for a romance that's more grounded but still spicy, then I would recommend this book. It's not my favorite in the series, but it's a pretty solid addition.
Patrick is an interesting hero. He was not the original king of the MacEgans: his older brother was before he was slain by Normans the previous summer. By decree of the people, he has stepped into his brother's shoes, and it is understandably very emotional for him. His transition from a warrior to a king is gradual and fraught with tension. He's sympathetic, honorable, and kind in his own way.
I say "in his own way" because he is an absolute monster to Isabel. He often forgets about her to the point where she goes without fire, food, and blankets for extended periods of time while he tends to his kinsmen. From the beginning, he keeps her at a distance by literally keeping her on an island away from his people. Patrick is a fantastic character. Given more pages, I think his transformation into a lover would be believable. As it is, it's hard to see him as a romantic figure when he's just so cold towards Isabel. Sure, we get to see his perspective, and we readers know how much he desires his wife, but it doesn't play out on the page.
Because Patrick doesn't have the space to mature, Isabel is doing all of the work in their relationship, and he does not deserve her. The woman literally swims across the stream to be with her husband who has repeatedly spurned her. She is a saint because she can see how hard he's trying, and she still thinks "yes, I want a piece of that". That said, it does make her frustration with him sometimes a little unreasonable. She knows how difficult his role of king is, and yet she repeatedly asks him to give it up for her. What she's really asking is to be included in his family and his clan, and she does voice these desires. It's a minor thing, though.
I think a good phrase for Willingham's novels are "down to earth", literally in some cases. These characters, despite being kings and queens are not wealthy. There are no jewels or glittering gowns in her novels. They're grappling with complex issues in a brutal time period. It's just, because Willingham is writing for Harlequin and her books never reach 300 pages, her characters don't have the time and space to really mature. Their growth is almost spontaneous, which can give the impression to some that Willingham's subject is shallow. I don't think it's shallow, per se. Just rushed.
Overall, if you're looking for a romance that's more grounded but still spicy, then I would recommend this book. It's not my favorite in the series, but it's a pretty solid addition.
December 18, 2014
Her Warrior King is book 2 in the MacEgan brothers series. This is the book of patrik and Isobel MacEgan.
After the attack of the Normans and the death of his brother, Liam, Patrick MacEgan has been chosen King of Laochre. He doesn't really want to be king, but the tribe needs a new king and he accepts his charge.
The surrender treaty demands that the king, marries Isobel de Godred, daughter of Edwin de Godred. If he refuses, his tribe will be killed. Edwin Godred’s wants to make sure that his future grandsons eventually rule Laochre through his daughter Isobel.
Patrick is not happy with his new wife and he does everything in his power to keep her away from himself and his people believing that she is in fact their enemy. Keeping her virgin will ensure a faster annulment of their marriage and more chances for for Isobel to find a husband in the future (how kind of him!).
However Isobel has other pland and doing everything in her power to fit in and stay as his wife not knowing his motives to keep her away.
I must say that I understood Patrick reasons for keeping Isobel on the Island, what I didn't understand is why he left her with no means to take care of herself. It felt to me that she was a prisoner fed once a day and not a woman/ wife. I couldn't connect with Patrick and feel his love for her growing when through his actions he showed carelessness. To me at least I should have seen care even though he kept his distance.
I felt so sorry for Isobel throughout the book. I admired her courage to cross the channel and fight for her new family. I was disappointing that Patrick used her more than anything and the ending came so fast. It was like: "OK, I want you, you can stay".....not much of feeling in there till the end.
I’m enjoying though the intro that I am getting in medieval life in Ireland. The culture, traditions and day to day life are so interesting and after my visit in Ireland it's so easy to picture how people lived.
I am looking forward to more stories of the MacEgan brothers and I hope one of them actually goes for what he wants faster than the other.
After the attack of the Normans and the death of his brother, Liam, Patrick MacEgan has been chosen King of Laochre. He doesn't really want to be king, but the tribe needs a new king and he accepts his charge.
The surrender treaty demands that the king, marries Isobel de Godred, daughter of Edwin de Godred. If he refuses, his tribe will be killed. Edwin Godred’s wants to make sure that his future grandsons eventually rule Laochre through his daughter Isobel.
Patrick is not happy with his new wife and he does everything in his power to keep her away from himself and his people believing that she is in fact their enemy. Keeping her virgin will ensure a faster annulment of their marriage and more chances for for Isobel to find a husband in the future (how kind of him!).
However Isobel has other pland and doing everything in her power to fit in and stay as his wife not knowing his motives to keep her away.
I must say that I understood Patrick reasons for keeping Isobel on the Island, what I didn't understand is why he left her with no means to take care of herself. It felt to me that she was a prisoner fed once a day and not a woman/ wife. I couldn't connect with Patrick and feel his love for her growing when through his actions he showed carelessness. To me at least I should have seen care even though he kept his distance.
I felt so sorry for Isobel throughout the book. I admired her courage to cross the channel and fight for her new family. I was disappointing that Patrick used her more than anything and the ending came so fast. It was like: "OK, I want you, you can stay".....not much of feeling in there till the end.
I’m enjoying though the intro that I am getting in medieval life in Ireland. The culture, traditions and day to day life are so interesting and after my visit in Ireland it's so easy to picture how people lived.
I am looking forward to more stories of the MacEgan brothers and I hope one of them actually goes for what he wants faster than the other.
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