Sandy M’s review of Warrior’s Redemption, (The Warrior Series, Book 1) by Melissa Mayhue
Paranormal Time Travel Romance published by Pocket Star 27 Dec 11
I really enjoy reading Melissa Mayhue’s Highlanders. They’re always honorable men, fair leaders, and, of course, wonderful heroes. On top of that, we usually get to time travel in her books. Actions and reactions to these events are varied and unexpected at times and make for great storylines. Once again, another good read from Ms. Mayhue in this first book of her new series.
Danielle has always believed in faeries. Nearly all her life she’s left milk for them, just as the book she read as a teenager told her to do, all on the chance they’d eventually place her where she belongs. Not once has she felt she belongs anywhere – except in a kitchen. Cooking calms her, keeps her centered. But it takes fifteen long years before the fae do decide to grant Dani’s one fervent wish.
Living with guilt over something he really had no control over, trying to keep his people from starvation during the upcoming winter, Malcolm’s life only becomes more difficult and complicated when his half-brother demands payment and fealty from the weary warrior. But Malcolm is now laird of his dead wife’s clan, and though he lacks the confidence to lead that he once held, he’s determined to do whatever necessary to see them flourish. Under Torquil’s rule is the fastest way to hell for them all.
Then out of the blue Malcolm has two extra people to take care of – a woman so different from any he’s ever known and his mother-in-law, whose presence only heightens his guilt. Of course, the fae would be involved in it all, they can’t seem to keep their magic out of his life. As he and his men prepare for battle with Torquil to rescue his sister, his feelings for Dani grow. They hatch a plan to distract and attack, but at the last minute Malcolm decides to take matters into own hands, facing his brother one on one and hoping their differences can be settled without bloodshed.
This puts the reader about halfway into the story, and so far the storyline lacks the action with sword and brawn that Ms. Mayhue does so well. So if you’re looking for that early on, be warned, this is a much slower rendition than her fans are used to. Even when I expected some of that action once Malcolm reaches his destination, I had to wait a little longer. When he finally faces his brother, that scene is a bit anti-climatic after my anticipation. It all seems to be over before it begins. Malcolm is held in chains while Dani and Patrick, another of Colm’s brothers, plan his rescue. I’m just a tad disappointed there isn’t more action throughout the book, though what do we get near the end almost makes up for that lack in the first half and despite the fact Malcolm seems to be out of his league when up against Torquil’s magic.
That magic, however, is a nice element to Ms. Mayhue’s stories, and she uses it quite well here to give the upper hand to the villain, causing our hero and heroine to have to outsmart the man for his final defeat. This one is pure selfish greed and power hungry, and he doesn’t care who he has to get rid of to get what he wants. I so enjoy the way Dani attacks the jerk, but it’s not the last we’ll see of him. And there’s a twist I didn’t see coming after the Torquil is down for the count.
One small nitpick I have is it seems Malcolm gets over his vow to never give his heart again and not to marry again a little too quickly. And once he does, his reasons aren’t delved into very deeply after such avowals. We know the reason for Dani being thrust back in time, but he doesn’t and I feel that needed to be explored more once he makes his decision for their future.
Warrior’s Redemption is a good start to this new series. I look forward to the rest of it. Christiana is a very interesting character and I’m anxious to find out what is in store for her, as well as Torquil. I hope his final end is spectacular.
Grade:B+
Summary:
Will the magic of modern romance help him defeat an evil ancient power?Malcolm MacDowlyt sees himself a failed warrior, haunted by the death of the woman he married to become laird of Clan MacGahan. Neither his Viking heritage nor his claim to descend from Norse gods can restore his confidence in his ability to protect his people. His sister is held captive, her life in jeopardy, and his Magically powerful half brother wants him dead. The last thing he needs is more responsibility, but that’s exactly what he gets when his Faerie mother-in-law arrives seeking justice for her daughter in the form of an enticing woman from seven hundred years in the future.Danielle Dearmon has waited fifteen years to discover the life she is supposed to live. She just never dreamed she’d end up in the thirteenth century with a handsome Scot bent on saving everyone but himself.With the lives of those most dear to him hanging in the balance, Malcolm sets out to battle a powerful evil Magic, only to learn that the redemption he seeks exists only in the arms of the woman he loves.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
Warrior’s Rebirth – 2012
