Once a Warrior: A Novel

by Karyn Monk

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780553574227
Publisher:	Random House Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/31/1997
Series:	The Warriors , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	763,799
Product dimensions:	4.27(w) x 6.89(h) x 1.06(d)

About the Author

Karyn Monk has been writing since she was a little girl. While attending university, she discoverd a love for history. After several years working in the highly charged world of advertising, she turned to writing historical romance. She is married with two children.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Once a Warrior"
by .
Copyright © 1997 Karyn Monk.
Excerpted by permission of Random House Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

"Karyn Monk is a remarkable new voice in historical romance."—Nationally bestselling author of The Diamond Slipper, Jane Feather

"Karyn Monk brings...the romance of the era to readers with her spellbinding storytelling talents. This is [an]...author to watch."—Romantic Times

From the Publisher

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. (May)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's 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.

Publishers Weekly - Cahners\\Publishers_Weekly

Because of her gender, Ariella Mac-Kendrick cannot lead her clan. Her duty, based on Alpin the Seer's vision, is to find the fearless warrior known as Black Wolf and make him Laird of Clan MacKendrick. Instead, she finds a foul, drunken shell of a man and is faced with the problem of convincing the disillusioned Malcolm MacFane to teach her people to defend themselves against the murdering Roderic. What will it take for two wounded souls to see beyond the disguises to the hearts that long to love? Monk (The Rebel and the Redcoat, Bantam, 1996) is an accomplished storyteller who treats issues of posttraumatic stress, sex discrimination, and physical disfigurement with sensitivity. Readers who enjoy works by Julie Garwood and Karen Robards will want to treat themselves to this novel. Monk lives in Canada. (JH)

Library Journal