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Viking #3
Lord of the Wolves
She was the heroine of her people….
With her extraordinary violet eyes, French Countess Melisande was a prize for any man. But the teenage hellion who rode into battle to defend her people belonged to the warrior who saved her life, made her his bride, then disappeared for years. Now Conar MacAuliffe had returned to claim his wife, now a ravishing woman determined to fight for her freedom at all costs. But the proud beauty who feared no man suddenly feared herself and the passionate embrace of the husband who vowed to never let her go.
He was the mighty viking conqueror they called…
Lord of the Wolves, a legendary warrior whose greatest challenge would come with the woman he was destined to wed. In the fiery Countess Melisande he would find his heaven and hell. Even as he waged war for her heart, he dared not to yield his own. Even as he laid sweet, seductive siege to her body, he tried to shield his soul. It would take a common enemy, a little trust, and a united front to awaken them both to a love that could change their lives forever.
From the Paperback edition.
With her extraordinary violet eyes, French Countess Melisande was a prize for any man. But the teenage hellion who rode into battle to defend her people belonged to the warrior who saved her life, made her his bride, then disappeared for years. Now Conar MacAuliffe had returned to claim his wife, now a ravishing woman determined to fight for her freedom at all costs. But the proud beauty who feared no man suddenly feared herself and the passionate embrace of the husband who vowed to never let her go.
He was the mighty viking conqueror they called…
Lord of the Wolves, a legendary warrior whose greatest challenge would come with the woman he was destined to wed. In the fiery Countess Melisande he would find his heaven and hell. Even as he waged war for her heart, he dared not to yield his own. Even as he laid sweet, seductive siege to her body, he tried to shield his soul. It would take a common enemy, a little trust, and a united front to awaken them both to a love that could change their lives forever.
From the Paperback edition.
16 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 1993
115 people are currently reading
1140 people want to read
About the author
Heather Graham
593 books6,946 followersAlso published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 12, 2009
Oh, boy. Lord of the Wolves. I don’t even know where to start. See, Lord of the Wolves is a 400 or so page romance novel with a flashback that is more than 300 pages long. I’m not saying framing a story can’t be good – Wuthering Heights, for example, uses this technique splendidly. Unfortunately for the readers, Heather Graham is not Emily Bronte.
The part before the absurdly long flashback:
Countess Melisande’s holding is being attacked. She is rescued (along with her people) by a man who is revealed to be her husband. It’s been five years since they were married (which is good because child bride = yuck). She’s escaped from him and is angry at him and hates him. They have sort of consensual sex.
What isn’t revealed until the flashback:
Based on the pre-flashback, I had thought Melisande and Conar (husband) hadn’t seen each other in years. It was a surprise to find out that for most of those five years, Melisande lived with Conar’s family, where she was educated and treated like a family member. And that she is pregnant with his child.
The flashback:
During the flashback you get all the plot and relationship building. This is the last of a series (although it stands alone) so you get updates on his brothers and his parents who had their own books. You also get to see Melisande’s character not grow up for five years. The book is set sometime around the late 10th century – early 11th century and I think that a man who marries a beautiful 13 year old, doesn’t consummate the marriage, sends her to his family to be educated and raised, comes back home, claim his wife but lets her keep her people and her land as hers is not a bad guy. I don’t know why but Melisande spends most of the book hating Conar. (She also does that annoying thing where she sends him away and is pissed when he goes.)
The text after the flashback:
This section covers one day where we have the resolution of the battle that you forgot happened before the flashback followed shortly by hugs and kisses and the happy ever after. The end.
Aside from the weird structure of the novel I have one major problem with Lord of the Wolves. It’s what I’ve described as sort of consensual sex. In romance novels I’m used to no, no, yes, yes, yeeesss more. Seduction. I would prefer yes, yes, Yes, YES, YEESS GOD YES, but I’m good with the other. Lord of the Wolves is more no, no, no, yes, yeesss, wait, wait I meant no. The eroticization of rape makes me…uncomfortable. Look, this book was written in the early 1990s. It wasn’t that long ago. Aren’t we past this?
Lastly, just as a note, Melisande is described as having “violet orbs.” Seriously.
The part before the absurdly long flashback:
Countess Melisande’s holding is being attacked. She is rescued (along with her people) by a man who is revealed to be her husband. It’s been five years since they were married (which is good because child bride = yuck). She’s escaped from him and is angry at him and hates him. They have sort of consensual sex.
What isn’t revealed until the flashback:
Based on the pre-flashback, I had thought Melisande and Conar (husband) hadn’t seen each other in years. It was a surprise to find out that for most of those five years, Melisande lived with Conar’s family, where she was educated and treated like a family member. And that she is pregnant with his child.
The flashback:
During the flashback you get all the plot and relationship building. This is the last of a series (although it stands alone) so you get updates on his brothers and his parents who had their own books. You also get to see Melisande’s character not grow up for five years. The book is set sometime around the late 10th century – early 11th century and I think that a man who marries a beautiful 13 year old, doesn’t consummate the marriage, sends her to his family to be educated and raised, comes back home, claim his wife but lets her keep her people and her land as hers is not a bad guy. I don’t know why but Melisande spends most of the book hating Conar. (She also does that annoying thing where she sends him away and is pissed when he goes.)
The text after the flashback:
This section covers one day where we have the resolution of the battle that you forgot happened before the flashback followed shortly by hugs and kisses and the happy ever after. The end.
Aside from the weird structure of the novel I have one major problem with Lord of the Wolves. It’s what I’ve described as sort of consensual sex. In romance novels I’m used to no, no, yes, yes, yeeesss more. Seduction. I would prefer yes, yes, Yes, YES, YEESS GOD YES, but I’m good with the other. Lord of the Wolves is more no, no, no, yes, yeesss, wait, wait I meant no. The eroticization of rape makes me…uncomfortable. Look, this book was written in the early 1990s. It wasn’t that long ago. Aren’t we past this?
Lastly, just as a note, Melisande is described as having “violet orbs.” Seriously.
August 10, 2018
3/5
Se me ha hecho pesado en algunas partes. Es que es siempre lo mismo.
Me gusta Contar pero Melisande resulta ya cansina.
Se me ha hecho pesado en algunas partes. Es que es siempre lo mismo.
Me gusta Contar pero Melisande resulta ya cansina.
April 29, 2008
I love me some viking books. This viking series and Catherine Coulter's are my favorite. Very dominant male and arrogant, resisting females.
January 27, 2015
Great Viking Romance!
This is the third in Graham's excellent Viking trilogy. Set in 9th century Ireland (Eire), England and the north coast of France, the trilogy tells the stories of Prince Olaf of Norway, the first Lord of the Wolves, and his bride, Princess Erin, daughter of the Irish High King, the Ard-Righ of Tara and their descendants.
I warn you that the Viking men in this series are strong willed, arrogant and domineering and those in the last two books are half Irish. Their loves are independent, stubborn and courageous women who have lost much and still can fight with the best of the men. They have no intention of allowing a Viking male who has taken everything from them to dominate them. But then wolves and the cubs of wolves mate for life or so says the druid who is advisor to the Irish king's family--and these men are wolves. Each of the marriages is arranged over the objection of the females who fight the husbands laying claim to their lands and to them.
This third in the series tells the story of Olaf and Erin's son, Conar, who like his father is known as the Lord of the Wolves for he has been great in battle, and Countess Melisande whose castle lies on the north coast of France. Melisande's father, Count Manon, a virile and handsome man, loves his daughter deeply and takes pride in her beauty, her intelligence and her independence. At nearly 13, he knows her growing beauty and her vulnerability as Countess will require that she must one day wed and he's been surveying worthy candidates for the eventual day. With such a purpose in mind, he invites the Wolf's son, Conar, from Eire (Ireland) who he's been impressed with before, to visit his lands in France and meet Melisande. He will not force her to consider him if she doesn't like him, however.
Conar arrives just as the Count is slain by a neighbor who covets his daughter and his lands. With the Count's men now leaderless, and believing Conar will protect their lands, they decide Melisande must marry Conar (though the marriage cannot be consummated for many years). Melisande, who takes an instant dislike to the arrogant and demanding Viking, is forced into the marriage. Conar is only willing to marry the difficult child to get the lands. Once wed (in a hasty ceremony), he sends her away to Ireland to his sister who is a nun so she can grow up. His family falls in love with her and many years later he decides to come for her. But she has escaped to his brother, Eric, who is in England. She has no intention of being Conar's wife in truth. She wants an annulment. But Conar will "never" let her go.
Conar gave his body to his mistresses and his mind and heart to his family and his rune reader, the lovely blonde Brenna. So it was a bit hard to see how he could love Melisande, It does come together in the end. It’s a worthy installment in the series, and as always, Graham delivers a good tale. She can create tension between a couple, that’s for sure.
The Viking Trilogy:
GOLDEN SURRENDER
THE VIKING’S WOMAN
LORD OF THE WOLVES
This is the third in Graham's excellent Viking trilogy. Set in 9th century Ireland (Eire), England and the north coast of France, the trilogy tells the stories of Prince Olaf of Norway, the first Lord of the Wolves, and his bride, Princess Erin, daughter of the Irish High King, the Ard-Righ of Tara and their descendants.
I warn you that the Viking men in this series are strong willed, arrogant and domineering and those in the last two books are half Irish. Their loves are independent, stubborn and courageous women who have lost much and still can fight with the best of the men. They have no intention of allowing a Viking male who has taken everything from them to dominate them. But then wolves and the cubs of wolves mate for life or so says the druid who is advisor to the Irish king's family--and these men are wolves. Each of the marriages is arranged over the objection of the females who fight the husbands laying claim to their lands and to them.
This third in the series tells the story of Olaf and Erin's son, Conar, who like his father is known as the Lord of the Wolves for he has been great in battle, and Countess Melisande whose castle lies on the north coast of France. Melisande's father, Count Manon, a virile and handsome man, loves his daughter deeply and takes pride in her beauty, her intelligence and her independence. At nearly 13, he knows her growing beauty and her vulnerability as Countess will require that she must one day wed and he's been surveying worthy candidates for the eventual day. With such a purpose in mind, he invites the Wolf's son, Conar, from Eire (Ireland) who he's been impressed with before, to visit his lands in France and meet Melisande. He will not force her to consider him if she doesn't like him, however.
Conar arrives just as the Count is slain by a neighbor who covets his daughter and his lands. With the Count's men now leaderless, and believing Conar will protect their lands, they decide Melisande must marry Conar (though the marriage cannot be consummated for many years). Melisande, who takes an instant dislike to the arrogant and demanding Viking, is forced into the marriage. Conar is only willing to marry the difficult child to get the lands. Once wed (in a hasty ceremony), he sends her away to Ireland to his sister who is a nun so she can grow up. His family falls in love with her and many years later he decides to come for her. But she has escaped to his brother, Eric, who is in England. She has no intention of being Conar's wife in truth. She wants an annulment. But Conar will "never" let her go.
Conar gave his body to his mistresses and his mind and heart to his family and his rune reader, the lovely blonde Brenna. So it was a bit hard to see how he could love Melisande, It does come together in the end. It’s a worthy installment in the series, and as always, Graham delivers a good tale. She can create tension between a couple, that’s for sure.
The Viking Trilogy:
GOLDEN SURRENDER
THE VIKING’S WOMAN
LORD OF THE WOLVES
September 22, 2020
Tercera y última entrega de la serie Vikinga de Heather Graham, aunque lamentablemente la primera no ha sido traducida al español. Mantiene la fuerza del segundo libro (La mujer del vikingo) arraigada principalmente en el temperamento apasionado de los personajes principales, que se manifiesta en casi todos los sentimientos posibles que van del amor al odio. El ritmo es tan ágil e intenso que no da respiro.
También me gustó mucho la estructura cronológica del libro, ya que comienza con los hechos que producirán el desenlace antes de comenzar a narrar los inicios de esta singular relación, que se produce por el prematuro y necesario matrimonio entre un príncipe irlandés de origen vikingo y una niña de 12 años que aprovecha cualquier oportunidad para enfrentarlo y contrariarlo. Por lo mismo, pasarán muchos años después de la boda antes de que vuelvan a verse y dar rienda suelta a los sentimientos (y resentimientos) mutuos.
En resumen, es una historia de pasión, incomprensión y venganza, en un período histórico muy bien documentado además. Muy recomendable.
También me gustó mucho la estructura cronológica del libro, ya que comienza con los hechos que producirán el desenlace antes de comenzar a narrar los inicios de esta singular relación, que se produce por el prematuro y necesario matrimonio entre un príncipe irlandés de origen vikingo y una niña de 12 años que aprovecha cualquier oportunidad para enfrentarlo y contrariarlo. Por lo mismo, pasarán muchos años después de la boda antes de que vuelvan a verse y dar rienda suelta a los sentimientos (y resentimientos) mutuos.
En resumen, es una historia de pasión, incomprensión y venganza, en un período histórico muy bien documentado además. Muy recomendable.
May 14, 2009
i don't know why the hero didn't beat the heroine within an inch of her life?! she fought him verbally and physically for the entire book...i mean, she was quite a beeotch.
nevertheless, i enjoyed this story of vikings... i would recommend it.
nevertheless, i enjoyed this story of vikings... i would recommend it.
November 8, 2017
What a fantastic series. I'm so glad I got to read the entire series. I own the second book and missed buying the first and third and don't recall why I didn't buy them. I've never read Ms. Graham's PR genre but plan on this. I've followed her as an author since the beginning of her career and she is one of my favorites. I think all of her books that I own and have read have a 4 or 5 star rating. Ms. Graham never disappoints.
June 8, 2016
Couldn't finish it. The first two books in the trilogy were basically the same story but with slight changes. I gave up after 100 pages. It just didn't capture me and some of the plot rubbed me the wrong way.
July 14, 2017
Life went on, always, for the survivors.
July 5, 2022
Superb. Astounding. Amazing.
Bravo, H.G. Bravo, again.
I must say, I enjoyed the whole Viking Series immensely. They are so angsty, captivating, riveting and I had been unable to put down the books ... I felt like I had to read the next page, the next page.
As per her other Viking installments, this one started off with the Hero being at odds with the heroine - albeit being physically attracted to each other. The heroine fought the Hero at every turn but unable to resist his charm and touch. Don't get me wrong, she's by no means, a doormat (which I hate in my heroine characters). They were forced to marry each other to save the heroine's land. The heroine, unwilling to accept the Hero's rule over her land, resisted his commands, defied him at every turn.
It became interesting reading about the plots and twists - never knowing what's going to happen.
The angst was ever present until the very last 5 pages of the book!
And I ever so loved angsty books!!!
I'm so sad that there's no more Viking stories by the author.
Sob. Sob.
Bravo, H.G. Bravo, again.
I must say, I enjoyed the whole Viking Series immensely. They are so angsty, captivating, riveting and I had been unable to put down the books ... I felt like I had to read the next page, the next page.
As per her other Viking installments, this one started off with the Hero being at odds with the heroine - albeit being physically attracted to each other. The heroine fought the Hero at every turn but unable to resist his charm and touch. Don't get me wrong, she's by no means, a doormat (which I hate in my heroine characters). They were forced to marry each other to save the heroine's land. The heroine, unwilling to accept the Hero's rule over her land, resisted his commands, defied him at every turn.
It became interesting reading about the plots and twists - never knowing what's going to happen.
The angst was ever present until the very last 5 pages of the book!
And I ever so loved angsty books!!!
I'm so sad that there's no more Viking stories by the author.
Sob. Sob.
February 13, 2020
2 stars
Melisande was barely a teenager when her father was killed, and the Viking that he invited to visit in hopes that they would become affianced married her to protect her people and her land. Because Conar had other things to do, and Melisande was basically a child, Conar sent her to a convent. Melisande quickly did away with that, and ended up living with Conar's family for several years while she grew up, and while Conar fought for his family. They didn't see each other during that time.
When Conar comes back to take Melisande to see her homeland, she is grateful for that, even though she doesn't like Conar, or being married to him at all. When they get back to France, they discover that the unrest in the country has grown. When Conar is asked to help his uncle, he doesn't want to leave Melisande unprotected, so he once again takes her to his family. This time, though, Melisande is determined that she will go home and save her people.
I thought that I had read this many, many years ago, and I was eager to re-read it. The book that I remember has a Viking either caught with a married woman or sent away because he was a Viking in a small boat, then vowing to return and enact revenge. What's the title of that book? That's the book I want to read, not this...tripe. Hmm. Actually, calling it tripe might be insulting to animals.
Melisande was a childish brat when we first meet her, and in spite of the years passing, she never grows out of that. She didn't want to be married, she could take care of her people and her land by herself, Conar was a big fat jerkface, AND EVERYTHING WAS SOOOOO UNFAIR!!! She was whiny, wanted her way in everything, snuck around to get her way, and put people in danger almost constantly in doing her own headstrong thing.
And Conar. Well, to his credit, until Melisande was of age, he didn't even look at her as a woman, which I'm not sure many men would have done. But. *sighs* But. Conar had a strong mother, who didn't put up with crap from his father, his sisters-in-law also seemed to be equal partners with his brother, and Conar kept wandering around wanting a docile wife who did everything he said without question and didn't have the fortitude to want to protect their home. He had all these examples of strong women, but that didn't fit with his vision of how a woman should behave, so he kept ignoring Melisande.
All in all, very disappointed with this. Also, I remembered nothing about it, which is very unusual, so I'm not sure if this was a re-read.
Melisande was barely a teenager when her father was killed, and the Viking that he invited to visit in hopes that they would become affianced married her to protect her people and her land. Because Conar had other things to do, and Melisande was basically a child, Conar sent her to a convent. Melisande quickly did away with that, and ended up living with Conar's family for several years while she grew up, and while Conar fought for his family. They didn't see each other during that time.
When Conar comes back to take Melisande to see her homeland, she is grateful for that, even though she doesn't like Conar, or being married to him at all. When they get back to France, they discover that the unrest in the country has grown. When Conar is asked to help his uncle, he doesn't want to leave Melisande unprotected, so he once again takes her to his family. This time, though, Melisande is determined that she will go home and save her people.
I thought that I had read this many, many years ago, and I was eager to re-read it. The book that I remember has a Viking either caught with a married woman or sent away because he was a Viking in a small boat, then vowing to return and enact revenge. What's the title of that book? That's the book I want to read, not this...tripe. Hmm. Actually, calling it tripe might be insulting to animals.
Melisande was a childish brat when we first meet her, and in spite of the years passing, she never grows out of that. She didn't want to be married, she could take care of her people and her land by herself, Conar was a big fat jerkface, AND EVERYTHING WAS SOOOOO UNFAIR!!! She was whiny, wanted her way in everything, snuck around to get her way, and put people in danger almost constantly in doing her own headstrong thing.
And Conar. Well, to his credit, until Melisande was of age, he didn't even look at her as a woman, which I'm not sure many men would have done. But. *sighs* But. Conar had a strong mother, who didn't put up with crap from his father, his sisters-in-law also seemed to be equal partners with his brother, and Conar kept wandering around wanting a docile wife who did everything he said without question and didn't have the fortitude to want to protect their home. He had all these examples of strong women, but that didn't fit with his vision of how a woman should behave, so he kept ignoring Melisande.
All in all, very disappointed with this. Also, I remembered nothing about it, which is very unusual, so I'm not sure if this was a re-read.
October 11, 2010
A Viking romance set in the 800s, the book features Conar, the Lord of the Wolves, and Melisande, a French countess who would do anything to save her people, thus she married him when she was very young. He sent her off to the nuns - so he wouldn't be tempted by her. Now he has returned to protect her and their people.
The characters were intriguing; Melisande is very strong, but doesn't lose her strength in loving him. He, in turn, loves her from the beginning and remains strong. There is plenty of angst and tension here.
My problem with the book lies in its structure. It starts off very strong, with a prologue where Conar talks to his father, prior to his marriage and then with Conar coming to Melisande's aid, just as her keep is attacked by the enemy who wants her at all costs.
Then the problem: Chapter 4 starts off a flashback of how Conar and Melisande came together, and that flashback IS the book; it goes on and on until Chapter 20 when we pick up Melisande in the "present" again.
This totally disrupted the already-begun story, and destroyed what otherwise would have been an enjoyable read. I really didn't care about the background of their relationship, nor, after reading it, do I feel it was necessary. I wanted to see how they would work to come together after she was abducted, emotionally and physically. If so much of the story was flashback, why not start the book at the beginning, instead of getting the reader (me) into the story only to jerk me out of it? Or - better yet - leave all that out entirely and just tell the story of Conar going to rescue her and how they came around emotionally to be together?
I don't think I've read a book where the bulk of the book is a flashback before, and I have to say I didn't like it. The author had a good thing going - I was very into the story and the characters, but was completely pulled out when the flashback started, and disgusted when I began to realize how long it continued.
I may try another book by this author - not sure - but if I do, I'll be sure to check and make sure it's not structured like this one was.
Had a hard time rating this book due to the flashback. Because of that I wish I could've rated it 1-1/2. Otherwise, it would have been about a 3.
The characters were intriguing; Melisande is very strong, but doesn't lose her strength in loving him. He, in turn, loves her from the beginning and remains strong. There is plenty of angst and tension here.
My problem with the book lies in its structure. It starts off very strong, with a prologue where Conar talks to his father, prior to his marriage and then with Conar coming to Melisande's aid, just as her keep is attacked by the enemy who wants her at all costs.
Then the problem: Chapter 4 starts off a flashback of how Conar and Melisande came together, and that flashback IS the book; it goes on and on until Chapter 20 when we pick up Melisande in the "present" again.
This totally disrupted the already-begun story, and destroyed what otherwise would have been an enjoyable read. I really didn't care about the background of their relationship, nor, after reading it, do I feel it was necessary. I wanted to see how they would work to come together after she was abducted, emotionally and physically. If so much of the story was flashback, why not start the book at the beginning, instead of getting the reader (me) into the story only to jerk me out of it? Or - better yet - leave all that out entirely and just tell the story of Conar going to rescue her and how they came around emotionally to be together?
I don't think I've read a book where the bulk of the book is a flashback before, and I have to say I didn't like it. The author had a good thing going - I was very into the story and the characters, but was completely pulled out when the flashback started, and disgusted when I began to realize how long it continued.
I may try another book by this author - not sure - but if I do, I'll be sure to check and make sure it's not structured like this one was.
Had a hard time rating this book due to the flashback. Because of that I wish I could've rated it 1-1/2. Otherwise, it would have been about a 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2014
I read it, only enjoyed about half way through until I realized that the flashbacks were just the heroine being a bratty, selfish, smart-mouth through it was just too much. I started fast-forwarding through those bits until I finally got to the last bit of the book where the extremely patient hero saves this wily beast's arse. Honestly if it were up to me that other lord could deal with her.
August 8, 2022
Reread: 2011-2019
Reread: 6/29/20
Pretty good book! Though, compared to HG other viking books this one doesn't live up to the standards. Still, it's worth a try!!
Reread: 6/29/20
Pretty good book! Though, compared to HG other viking books this one doesn't live up to the standards. Still, it's worth a try!!
July 25, 2021
This was the third book in this series. I have enjoyed each!
Although I must admit a little antagonism between the H and h go along way with me. This one almost exceeded that limit. Ha ha however Heather Graham did deliver a great HEA so I couldn’t deduct but one star!
Although I must admit a little antagonism between the H and h go along way with me. This one almost exceeded that limit. Ha ha however Heather Graham did deliver a great HEA so I couldn’t deduct but one star!
November 2, 2008
This was the first grownup romance novel that I read as a teenager. I'm not going to lie, I loved it. I don't know how I would feel if I re-read it now, almost a decade later, but at the time I was enchanted. It was this book that sparked my Viking obsession, which now luckily extends beyond romance novels, and into scholarly work.
I thought Conar was a worthy hero, especially now that I have more romance novel heroes to compare him to. Melisande could be trying at times, but I suppose that is part of the formula. Also, I've read a few other reviews that criticize the structure of the novel, but I have to say, I actually enjoyed the lengthy flashback.
I thought Conar was a worthy hero, especially now that I have more romance novel heroes to compare him to. Melisande could be trying at times, but I suppose that is part of the formula. Also, I've read a few other reviews that criticize the structure of the novel, but I have to say, I actually enjoyed the lengthy flashback.
May 20, 2019
This was my favorite historical novel as a young kid. Not many of these older historical romances had a heroine as fierce and brave as this heroine. And yes I cringed every time Conner makes his demands on her. And despise him for forcing her to accept him against her will but in many ways that is appropriate for the times, he cherishes her. Their lovemaking although at first appear a bit rough always end up with the most gentle, romantic scenes.
I was captured by the heroines determination to fight alongside her people and for Conners final decision to set roots in her home. Still a favorite.
I was captured by the heroines determination to fight alongside her people and for Conners final decision to set roots in her home. Still a favorite.
September 11, 2018
This is the same book as the first two, except Conar is a prick and Melisande is a weak moron. I am so sick of women being weak and stupid in these books. One chick tripped over roots like ten times in less than 50 pages--she was supposed to be an excellent fighter, but bitch could barely walk.
Heather Graham has so many books, but most of them are THE SAME BOOK down to the dialogue. Whiny girls pleading the big mean heros that treat them like shit abound! Once, I would like to see a heroine be like the female Robin Hood and kick the jerk's ass.
Heather Graham has so many books, but most of them are THE SAME BOOK down to the dialogue. Whiny girls pleading the big mean heros that treat them like shit abound! Once, I would like to see a heroine be like the female Robin Hood and kick the jerk's ass.
March 23, 2015
This is my least favorite of the series. It follows pretty much the exact beats of the previous stories. Also, the narrative starts in present day for a few chapters and then throws you back to how it all started until you catch up to present time at the 80% mark. So annoying! I hate that so much! It's such a lazy writing technique! Grrr.
September 3, 2013
I had fallen in love with the idea of vikings with this book. I was young when I first read it but it had captured me enough to read it at least 5 times. It was a page turner that I just couldn't put down.
April 6, 2015
Me ha gustado esta ultima parte más que las anteriores, ha sido entretenido el tira y afloja de los protagonistas, y la fuerza y valentia que tienen.
Además de la manera en la que esta narrada desde los dos puntos de vista y que empieza casi por el final del libro y luego se remonta al pasado.
Además de la manera en la que esta narrada desde los dos puntos de vista y que empieza casi por el final del libro y luego se remonta al pasado.
June 18, 2013
Good book. I enjoy this series and Heather Graham as an author. It is a must read, I am saving it to read again in a few years.
November 8, 2012
This will keep you warm at night....
November 25, 2018
4,8
Es la historia de la francesa Melisande que repele el ataque a su fortaleza inexpugnable de un vecino que quiere tomarla (Geoffrey), teniendo algunos rehenes y soldados luchando en la puerta del castillo. Ella manda a abrir la puerta y cerrarla inmediatamente para que entren los pocos que estaban allí y nadie más. Pero al cerrarlas está el vikingo Conar que ella odia y que resulta que es su marido que vino a ayudarla luego de haber acudido en auxilio de su padre.
Es la historia de la niña cuya fortaleza es asediada y su padre sale a negociar, pero el vecino padre de Joffrey lo asesina. Entonces ya había mandado a pedir ayuda al vikingo y le había ofrecido a su hija en matrimonio por los constantes asedios que eran bien resistidos por las grandes murallas. Conar llega y mata al asesino y expulsa a los asediadores. Pero ahora su hijo quiere reclamar por la chica a pesar de estar casada, necesita renovar los votos para que se considere un matrimonio consumado y legítimo.
Es la historia del vikingo que cree que su esposa, quien siendo niña, había mandado a un convento después del compromiso esperando a que creciera, le cierra las puertas del castillo a propósito y él logra abrirlas demostrando que tiene derecho incluso de conquista sobre el lugar.
Es la historia de la chica que intenta seducir en un arroyo a un vecino jovencito como ella para anular su matrimonio y el marido le perdona la vida sabiendo que su esposa es la imprudente, entonces consuma esa noche el mismo seduciéndola. Luego deben refrendar el matrimonio ante todo su pueblo y pretenden llevarse bien incluso con su familia pero ella lo rechaza noche tras noche hasta pero él la seduce cada vez.
Es la que ella sale sola a caminar y se encuentra del otro lado de un arroyo a Geooffrey que quiere convencerla de quedarse con él y amenaza con raptarla y cuando está a punto de capturarla, llega su marido y la salvan.
Es la historia de la chica que el marido siempre le saca promesas a cambio de cosas que no le significaban ningún esfuerzo, debido a sus propias presunciones. Es la que al llegar al castillo Conar amenaza con deshacerse de la cota de malla que le había regalado el padre de Melisande cuando era niña, para que no se le ocurriera usarla (parece que todavía le cabía). Entonces le saca la promesa de que no volverá a salir sola. Enseguida se da cuenta que nunca tuvo la intención de quitársela, sino de sacarle esa promesa.
Es la que en el viaje al lugar donde reafirmarán los votos, el clérigo le aconseja rezar si no está segura y ella aprovecha para dormir separada de Conar y éste se lo respeta, pero se vuelve loco y ella también lo extraña. Ella lo amenaza con rechazarlo si no promete dejarla en paz. Él no acepta pero le plantea si no desea renegociar con algo más. Ella le pide que deje de acostarse con Brenna y una vez más le saca una promesa vacía porque él nunca lo hizo más que para dormir acampando. Para colmo le pide una noche de bodas donde ella lo seduzca a él. Y así ocurre. Ambos se amigan. Corren, nadan, él la consiente en todo.
Melisande se entera de que nunca se acostó con Brenna y se vuelve a enojar.
INSOPORTABLE A ESTA ALTURA.
En el castillo busca su cota de malla para esconderla y se topa con su espada. Al entrar Conar cree que quiere atacarlo y terminan luchando ante las llamadas preocupadas de sus sirvientes a quienes ahuyentan porque ambos lo disfrutan.
Conar es llamado a la guerra por su padre y se lleva a su mujer a quien deja en Irlanda.
Es la que ella recibe mensajes sobre el peligro de los vikingos aproximándose a su castillo y no lo cuenta. Maquina cuando recibe respuesta de su marido que que acudiría pero faltaba poco y se va con su cuñada a Wessex, luego va a Francia y vuelve al principio de la historia.
Brenna le confiesa a Conar que su mujer estaba embarazada por temor a que le hiciera daño creyendo que huyó como había prometido.
Alguien entra a la celda en la que tienen cautiva a Melisande y ella se esconde en la oscuridad. Luego lucha con su agresor vikingo y entra Conar que la rescata. Vuelven por las catacumbas, pero al salir, no se dan cuenta que tres vikingos con Geoffrey los esperan (Ridículo! Mirá bien al salir!!)
Es la que ella que renegaba tanto de su marido corriendo a defender a su familia, se da cuenta que toda la familia de su marido viene a defenderla a ella haciendo replegar a los vikingos y y a Geoffrey quien intenta matar a Conar a traición, salvándole la vida Melisande con su advertencia, después de que nadie aceptara ser su campeón y finalmente él le da la muerte.
Todas las esposas de los vikingos, terminaron insultando a sus maridos en los partos y ellos lo soportaron con estoicismo.
Es la historia de la francesa Melisande que repele el ataque a su fortaleza inexpugnable de un vecino que quiere tomarla (Geoffrey), teniendo algunos rehenes y soldados luchando en la puerta del castillo. Ella manda a abrir la puerta y cerrarla inmediatamente para que entren los pocos que estaban allí y nadie más. Pero al cerrarlas está el vikingo Conar que ella odia y que resulta que es su marido que vino a ayudarla luego de haber acudido en auxilio de su padre.
Es la historia de la niña cuya fortaleza es asediada y su padre sale a negociar, pero el vecino padre de Joffrey lo asesina. Entonces ya había mandado a pedir ayuda al vikingo y le había ofrecido a su hija en matrimonio por los constantes asedios que eran bien resistidos por las grandes murallas. Conar llega y mata al asesino y expulsa a los asediadores. Pero ahora su hijo quiere reclamar por la chica a pesar de estar casada, necesita renovar los votos para que se considere un matrimonio consumado y legítimo.
Es la historia del vikingo que cree que su esposa, quien siendo niña, había mandado a un convento después del compromiso esperando a que creciera, le cierra las puertas del castillo a propósito y él logra abrirlas demostrando que tiene derecho incluso de conquista sobre el lugar.
Es la historia de la chica que intenta seducir en un arroyo a un vecino jovencito como ella para anular su matrimonio y el marido le perdona la vida sabiendo que su esposa es la imprudente, entonces consuma esa noche el mismo seduciéndola. Luego deben refrendar el matrimonio ante todo su pueblo y pretenden llevarse bien incluso con su familia pero ella lo rechaza noche tras noche hasta pero él la seduce cada vez.
Es la que ella sale sola a caminar y se encuentra del otro lado de un arroyo a Geooffrey que quiere convencerla de quedarse con él y amenaza con raptarla y cuando está a punto de capturarla, llega su marido y la salvan.
Es la historia de la chica que el marido siempre le saca promesas a cambio de cosas que no le significaban ningún esfuerzo, debido a sus propias presunciones. Es la que al llegar al castillo Conar amenaza con deshacerse de la cota de malla que le había regalado el padre de Melisande cuando era niña, para que no se le ocurriera usarla (parece que todavía le cabía). Entonces le saca la promesa de que no volverá a salir sola. Enseguida se da cuenta que nunca tuvo la intención de quitársela, sino de sacarle esa promesa.
Es la que en el viaje al lugar donde reafirmarán los votos, el clérigo le aconseja rezar si no está segura y ella aprovecha para dormir separada de Conar y éste se lo respeta, pero se vuelve loco y ella también lo extraña. Ella lo amenaza con rechazarlo si no promete dejarla en paz. Él no acepta pero le plantea si no desea renegociar con algo más. Ella le pide que deje de acostarse con Brenna y una vez más le saca una promesa vacía porque él nunca lo hizo más que para dormir acampando. Para colmo le pide una noche de bodas donde ella lo seduzca a él. Y así ocurre. Ambos se amigan. Corren, nadan, él la consiente en todo.
Melisande se entera de que nunca se acostó con Brenna y se vuelve a enojar.
INSOPORTABLE A ESTA ALTURA.
En el castillo busca su cota de malla para esconderla y se topa con su espada. Al entrar Conar cree que quiere atacarlo y terminan luchando ante las llamadas preocupadas de sus sirvientes a quienes ahuyentan porque ambos lo disfrutan.
Conar es llamado a la guerra por su padre y se lleva a su mujer a quien deja en Irlanda.
Es la que ella recibe mensajes sobre el peligro de los vikingos aproximándose a su castillo y no lo cuenta. Maquina cuando recibe respuesta de su marido que que acudiría pero faltaba poco y se va con su cuñada a Wessex, luego va a Francia y vuelve al principio de la historia.
Brenna le confiesa a Conar que su mujer estaba embarazada por temor a que le hiciera daño creyendo que huyó como había prometido.
Alguien entra a la celda en la que tienen cautiva a Melisande y ella se esconde en la oscuridad. Luego lucha con su agresor vikingo y entra Conar que la rescata. Vuelven por las catacumbas, pero al salir, no se dan cuenta que tres vikingos con Geoffrey los esperan (Ridículo! Mirá bien al salir!!)
Es la que ella que renegaba tanto de su marido corriendo a defender a su familia, se da cuenta que toda la familia de su marido viene a defenderla a ella haciendo replegar a los vikingos y y a Geoffrey quien intenta matar a Conar a traición, salvándole la vida Melisande con su advertencia, después de que nadie aceptara ser su campeón y finalmente él le da la muerte.
Todas las esposas de los vikingos, terminaron insultando a sus maridos en los partos y ellos lo soportaron con estoicismo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2020
This book is written in a flashback sort of format. At the start, melisande is engaged in a fierce battle trying to save her home from a siege by her evil neighbor. She receives unexpected help in the form of her Viking husband. After the battle was won, she was kidnapped and locked in an underground room where she started to think of the past and this is where the true real story began.
She was a child bride married to Conar, a viking warrior, after he avenged the death of her father. Disobedient, fiery, willful, she was a tempest that no man could tame. And she was determined to hate her husband for all eternity. Conar, grandson of the ard ri, son of the king of Ireland and viking lord of the wolves, didn't know how he ended up with a spitfire bride. But ended up with her he did. And somehow, anyhow, he must make his marriage work because the violet eyed temptress has captured his heart and he will never let her go.
I loved this story!! It has all the elements that I love in book - strong willed heroine, brave brawny hero, all consuming passion, war, battles, drama, and an explosive climax.
Melisande is no weakling. She knows she's a countess and must do whatever is necessary for her people. Conar has an impressive pedigree. His lineage is all powerful and he is the only man for melisande. Big, brute, brawny, golden haired warrior. Together they must fight for their HEA.
Each page is a turner with something or the other happening. The plot, secondary characters, all melded together perfectly to create an unforgettable story. Heather knows her craft well and she has written one beautiful story. My only complain is, this book had to end. I want more. And I want her to continue writing about this family and give conar other siblings their own stories.
She was a child bride married to Conar, a viking warrior, after he avenged the death of her father. Disobedient, fiery, willful, she was a tempest that no man could tame. And she was determined to hate her husband for all eternity. Conar, grandson of the ard ri, son of the king of Ireland and viking lord of the wolves, didn't know how he ended up with a spitfire bride. But ended up with her he did. And somehow, anyhow, he must make his marriage work because the violet eyed temptress has captured his heart and he will never let her go.
I loved this story!! It has all the elements that I love in book - strong willed heroine, brave brawny hero, all consuming passion, war, battles, drama, and an explosive climax.
Melisande is no weakling. She knows she's a countess and must do whatever is necessary for her people. Conar has an impressive pedigree. His lineage is all powerful and he is the only man for melisande. Big, brute, brawny, golden haired warrior. Together they must fight for their HEA.
Each page is a turner with something or the other happening. The plot, secondary characters, all melded together perfectly to create an unforgettable story. Heather knows her craft well and she has written one beautiful story. My only complain is, this book had to end. I want more. And I want her to continue writing about this family and give conar other siblings their own stories.
December 4, 2022
🔥In drei Wörtern: Entspannend, leicht und erotisch🔥
Ein weiteres Historienbuch auf meinem bereits riesigen Stapel. Doch wirklich im Gedächtnis bleiben, wird es mir wohl nicht. Zuerst einmal möchte ich sagen, dass die Zeit sehr schön ausgearbeitet ist. Die verschiedenen Kriege und gemischten Blutlinien, waren super einfach erklärt und man ist nie durcheinander gekommen, was sonst bei solchen Büchern öfter der Fall ist
😍
Die Realitätsgetreue merkt man leider auch am Alter der Protagonisten: Bei ihrer Hochzeit ist sie noch ein Kind, was ich leider einfach nur befremdlich fand. Bei den späteren S*xszenen (und von denen gibt es hier einige) konnte ich den großen Altersunterschied nicht aus dem Kopf bekommen. Immerhin war sie dann 18...
Doch abgesehen davon war unsere Protagonisten Melisande einfach nur nervig. Während Conar sich noch um Ruhe bemüht hat, hat sie pauschal das Gegenteil von dem gemacht, was er wollte. So weit alles gut und vor allem sehr amüsant. Doch wieso reicht eine Berührung von ihm und sie ist sofort besänftigt? Hass schwankt zu Liebe um und sobald das Bett verlassen ist, geht für sie der "Krieg" weiter. Bei aller Liebe, das war mir zu anstrengend.
Das positive war aber, neben dem Setting, der Erzählstil. Die Handlung hat sich nicht wirklich gezogen (außer, dass ich Melisande einfach nur hinter mir lassen wollte) und die Geschichte war wirklich schön erzählt. Auch die anderen Personen, besonders Conars Familie, waren sehr sympathisch dargestellt und ich habe sie einfach total lieb gewonnen.
Wäre der Age Gap und die nervtötend Protagonisten nicht, gebe es mehr Sterne, aber so konnte mich das Buch leider nicht fesseln.
Ein weiteres Historienbuch auf meinem bereits riesigen Stapel. Doch wirklich im Gedächtnis bleiben, wird es mir wohl nicht. Zuerst einmal möchte ich sagen, dass die Zeit sehr schön ausgearbeitet ist. Die verschiedenen Kriege und gemischten Blutlinien, waren super einfach erklärt und man ist nie durcheinander gekommen, was sonst bei solchen Büchern öfter der Fall ist
😍
Die Realitätsgetreue merkt man leider auch am Alter der Protagonisten: Bei ihrer Hochzeit ist sie noch ein Kind, was ich leider einfach nur befremdlich fand. Bei den späteren S*xszenen (und von denen gibt es hier einige) konnte ich den großen Altersunterschied nicht aus dem Kopf bekommen. Immerhin war sie dann 18...
Doch abgesehen davon war unsere Protagonisten Melisande einfach nur nervig. Während Conar sich noch um Ruhe bemüht hat, hat sie pauschal das Gegenteil von dem gemacht, was er wollte. So weit alles gut und vor allem sehr amüsant. Doch wieso reicht eine Berührung von ihm und sie ist sofort besänftigt? Hass schwankt zu Liebe um und sobald das Bett verlassen ist, geht für sie der "Krieg" weiter. Bei aller Liebe, das war mir zu anstrengend.
Das positive war aber, neben dem Setting, der Erzählstil. Die Handlung hat sich nicht wirklich gezogen (außer, dass ich Melisande einfach nur hinter mir lassen wollte) und die Geschichte war wirklich schön erzählt. Auch die anderen Personen, besonders Conars Familie, waren sehr sympathisch dargestellt und ich habe sie einfach total lieb gewonnen.
Wäre der Age Gap und die nervtötend Protagonisten nicht, gebe es mehr Sterne, aber so konnte mich das Buch leider nicht fesseln.
October 22, 2020
Meh. Third book in the series and I should have stopped after the second. Each of these 3 books was a cookie cutter replica of the others. Strong, dominant male forced to marry a “disobedient” woman who is supposed to be subservient in their culture, they fight each other and their inevitable blossoming love, then eventually live HEA. This plot was ok in the first 2 books because I cared about the characters more. Those male characters, Olaf and his son Eric, were fighting against previous heartbreak so I felt some empathy toward them when they kept their hearts closed off. Their new love interests, Erin and Rhiannon respectively, were both strong women who went through difficult situations as well. I wanted to see both women break out of their cultural limitations. The Lord of the Wolves, Conar, was just a domineering jerk for the sheer fact that he could be. And Melisande came across as a complete brat who just wanted to do what she wanted to do. The revelations why came too late for me. I didn’t really care about either of them that much.
January 22, 2020
French teenager watches as her father is tricked out of his castle and to his death, by a relative, who wants his lands, his castle and all that goes with it. Arriving in time is the Lord of the Wolves from Ireland, who is half Irish and half Viking. The young teen despises Vikings, and is not at all happy to find that her father had given her hand in marriage to this Lord. They marry, he is not happy either that she is thirteen.
The whole book is back and forth, she hates him, but not really, she is a brat to him, but loves his family, wars back and forth, she is kidnapped but is saved by her husband, etc. etc. etc. I had this in my wait ... at the doctors read bag. Otherwise, I probably would not have bothered to finish it.
The whole book is back and forth, she hates him, but not really, she is a brat to him, but loves his family, wars back and forth, she is kidnapped but is saved by her husband, etc. etc. etc. I had this in my wait ... at the doctors read bag. Otherwise, I probably would not have bothered to finish it.
November 2, 2021
Very good story of Melisandre and Conan. Time of story is 885.Melisandre was almost thirteen when her father was treacherously killed by a neighboring baron. She and her fortress were saved by the arrival of Conan and his his men— Vikings from Ireland. In return for his help, he marries Melisande and takes her to live with his parents at Dubhlain . He leaves her there to mature while he sails and sees to the property he has taken upon their marriage. Milesande never forgives him for taking her from her home even though it was necessary for her protection. Finally , he comes to take home. She is kidnapped by a neighboring baron and Conan rescues her again. By this time, she has realized Conan has always done what was best for her. She now knows she loves him and he loves her.
July 25, 2025
Lord of the Wolves by Heather Graham isn’t your typical love story. It’s fierce, fiery, and full of tension. When Countess Melisande is forced to marry the bold Viking warrior Conar MacAuliffe, it’s anything but smooth sailing. She’s stubborn, he’s commanding—and neither one wants to back down. But somewhere between the battles and betrayals, love starts to break through their walls.
✨ You’ll really enjoy this one if you’re into:
Strong, independent heroines who don’t give in easily
Intense, brooding Viking heroes
That addictive enemies-to-lovers chemistry
A dose of heat in your historical romance
If you're craving a story with passion, pride, and just the right amount of drama—this book delivers.
✨ You’ll really enjoy this one if you’re into:
Strong, independent heroines who don’t give in easily
Intense, brooding Viking heroes
That addictive enemies-to-lovers chemistry
A dose of heat in your historical romance
If you're craving a story with passion, pride, and just the right amount of drama—this book delivers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews