Once a Warrior
A Novel
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Her stories are tender and sensual, humorous and deeply involving. Now Karyn Monk offers her most enthralling romance ever: a tale of a shattered hero fighting for redemption--and fighting for love...
Ariella MacKendrick knew her people had only one hope for survival: she must find the mighty warrior known as the Black Wolf and bring him home to defend
her clan. But when Ariella finally tracks him down, Malcolm MacFane is nothing like the hero she dreamed he would be.
The fearless laird who once led a thousand men is a drunken shell of his former self, scarred inside and out, with no army in sight. Yet Ariella has no choice but to put her trust in MacFane. And soon something begins to stir in the fallen legend. A fire still rages in his warrior heart--a passion that could lead them into battle...a desire, barely leashed, that could brand a Highland beauty's soul.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The Scottish Highlands during the 13th century were not an easy place for a woman to live alone. Which is why Ariella MacKendrick is anxious. Her father was cut down by ruthless murderers while waiting for help from Malcolm McFane, the legendary "Black Wolf." When he never shows up, an angry Ariella sets out to find the Black Wolf and force him to help. What she finds is a pathetic, scarred, drunkard banished from his own clan and living in deplorable conditions. However, once a warrior, always a warrior, and, after he's sobered up, Malcolm proves himself an impressive fighter. Ariella decides to bribe Malcolm to teach her clan to defend themselves while she continues her search for the perfect warrior to be laird of her clan and her husband. Both protagonists are blind to each other's strengths and desires. It takes an invasion, a betrayal and a little magic for both to open their eyes and their hearts, and vanquish the enemy. Monk (The Rebel and the Redcoat) grips the reader with her powerful images of Scotland and of war, witty dialogue, strong characters and Arthurian undertones. There are a few spots where jarring reality intrudes, but the saving grace of this book is the hero, a man who wants to be left alone but who can't help following his destiny.