The Iron Warrior Returns

England, 1207

The King ordered Robert of Penrith’s castle to be savagely attacked and burned to the ground! As the Earl, his wife and many of the people were slaughtered. Due to the Earl’s son Robert being a sick child he grew up in isolation, he was advised to hide during the attack. He did not know how to defend himself, which caused his father to always be ashamed of his son and heir. The reason the King ordered this vicious attack is because his father refused to pay King John’s outrageous taxes! Yet it seemed that the soldier’s were also searching for the Miller’s teenage children, Morwenna and her younger brother Brian for some unknown reason. It was odd since they were only servants children, so Robert and his half-brother Piers try to rescue them where were abducted too. Were they being held for ransom or to be tortured and set as an example? However, no one knew the answer, but they weren’t taking any chances either. plus Brian felt he and his older sister Morwenna were being tracked for some reason.

The highly intelligent Robert finds a way for he, his half-brother Piers, Morwenna and Brian to escape their captivity. Robert could always easily figure out ways to put complicated things or situations together or apart, as he has a very clever mind and is a very thorough thinker. They found a place to hide at first it was his Uncle’s Abbey, but the monks didn’t want a woman under their roof for the obvious reasons. So after a few days they left, as they weren’t going to abandon Morwenna! They ended up at the ruins of Stansbury, it was a fortress that once belonged to his father and was their home for the next two years. Robert’s Uncle got them weapons and they trained hard everyday where all of them now had muscular bodies even Morwenna. What Robert doesn’t realize is Morwenna only did this to be close to him as she had fallen madly in love with him. Unfortunately Robert only sees her as another warrior, a dear friend, a family member, as she does realize that she will only end up with a broken heart! Morwenna knows the reality of the situation where she is only a serf and is too far beneath him in rank.

Now Robert who had so much guilt for running and hiding these past two years! He was only focused on getting his revenge, title, castle, property and his people of Penrith back! He was waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself and now it has. As he discovers the new Earl of Penrith is looking for a husband for his sheltered daughter Gwendoline. He is having a feast where their were going to be many competitions for her hand in marriage, the winner will get to wed his daughter if she agrees. So he must learn how to woo her, the problem is Robert has no experience with women! Therefore he asks Morwenna for help and what choice did she really have! Already feeling jealous, how is Morwenna going to be able to watch Robert woo another woman without breaking her heart? When they arrive near the fields Robert notices the unusual silence and soon discovers how his people are being mistreated! They are working the fields to the bone, starving and being physically abused, violated, defiled and even murdered in some circumstances. It was horrible and Robert knew he would never abandon his people again!

Whlle they are there Morwenna goes to her families former destoyed home and finds some of her mother’s personal items that puts her life in danger. In womens clothing Robert opens his eyes seeing Morwenna dressed like a Noble woman-seeing her in a whole new light. He always had feelings toward her she wasn’t aware of, but this was even harder and after they share a kiss that totally opens Robert’s heart. It’s more than a physical attraction which makes it so much more difficult. Yet his people are suffering pulling his heart strings and wanting to save them! He knows marrying Lady Gwendoline would be a loveless marriage and only needed her to get all that was lost to him during that attack two years ago. Soon he will have to make a difficult decision to wed for love or to save his people from a lifetime of torture, abuse and murder! Which woman will he chose? Does he even really have a choice? Can he watch Morwenna marry another man or leave him forever? Will Morwenna have her heart shattered or fight for the man she loves? Can she even compete against his inheritance and all that goes with it? Read and find out!

Michelle Willingham is one of my favorite go to authors which I have been reading since her debut as a new author. Now that was many years ago and every single book since I have absolutely loved. I loved that even though Robert and Morwenna were from two opposite ranks, he a Nobleman and she a servant they still fought for each other! My other favorite point was Robert and Morwenna started out as friends which I think is a great foundation for a strong and a long-lasting relationship!

The story itself was a beautiful, riveting, breathtaking action packed, fast paced romantic adventure. It checked all the boxes that historical romance readers will absolutely love. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read Piers and Gwendoline’s story next! I am crossing my fingers and hoping Brian has a story in the near furture too!

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Harlequin Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Four and a half stars

The Iron Warrior Returns by Michelle Willingham is the first in her Legendary Warriors series from Harlequin Historicals.

Robert of Penrith barely escapes with his life the night his father is killed. For two years, he and his half brother Piers train together and build toward restoring their relationship. Morwenna and her brother, Brian, also survive that attack and join them.

Robert is determined to retake Penrith from the current Earl and to properly care for the people. One possible avenue is winning the current earl’s daughter’s hand. Morwenna simply wants to be with Robert, but her common background means that is out of the question.

Michelle Willingham’s plotting is exciting and her characters ring true. This was a great start to the series, and I’m eager to read the books to come.