Le secret d'un guerrier

Warriors of Ireland #2

by Michelle Willingham

Irlande, XIIe siècle
Raine tremble de rage. Si ses sœurs n’étaient pas retenues en otage par le roi d’Angleterre, il ne serait pas obligé de suivre les ordres de ce souverain odieux ! Mais, pour les sauver d’un sort funeste, il doit trouver le moyen d’assassiner le roi d’Irlande. Par chance, il croise la route de la fiancée de celui-ci, la belle lady Carice. A bout de forces, elle lui demande de l’accompagner vers l’ouest, où elle espère fuir son mariage forcé. Raine tient là sa chance : il lui serait facile de se servir d’elle pour atteindre sa cible. Mais, contre toute attente, quelque chose chez cette jeune femme fragile et déterminée l’incite malgré lui à vouloir la protéger…

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Harlequin, Historical

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2015

About the author

Rita® Award Finalist Michelle Willingham has published over fifty books and novellas. Currently, she lives in Virginia with her family and is working on more historical romance novels. When she's not writing, Michelle enjoys baking, playing the piano, and avoiding exercise at all costs. Visit her website at: www.michellewillingham.com or interact with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans.

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

#2 of the "Warriors of Ireland" series, while, it can be read as a stand alone, I would suggest reading Book 1, "Warrior of Ice" first. Once again, Ms. Willingham has shown readers her intense writing style, and her ability to hold readers captive in a story.
Well written with awesome world building, some mystery, passion, danger,a bit of suspense, and a few twists and turns you want see coming. The characters are captivating, engaging and intriguing. The storyline is intriguing, unique, with vivid descriptions of the Ireland countryside.
A quick, unique, satisfying and enjoyable read. A must read for fans of Ireland, Normans, Historical Romance, Medieval times with strong, sexy, alpha heroes and feisty, strong-willed, determined, and passionate heroines. This series just keeps getting better and better! Another awesome read from Ms. Willingham!! A must read! An enjoyable, captivating and intriguing story. Very satisfying!


*Received for an honest review from the author*

**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews**

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Helena Zelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one much more than the Warrior of Ice. You see, while I loved the romance and the story and all, this one is even better. 
Every scene has a reason, every information given is adding something to the story line. There are no fancy, extraordinary, unnecessary details. Every sentence says something to the reader, something that they'll remember a few pages later.
The one thing I liked most about the book is the female protagonist. She is the most well written female character I've ever read. And that is because she simply is true to her nature. As much as we,women, what to think that we are as strong or even stronger than men, that can not be true biologically. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we are weak or that we can't do thing men do, but we can't change facts. Carise is a strong female figure. She is smart, kind and brave and even when her sickness runs of, she is not as strong as Raine is. Still, that does not make her weak. There is more action, more agony and a strong, believable story line. Just marvelous!

For more reviews visit my blog at https://helenasbooks670176047.wordpre...

[Sarah Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up. It wasn’t awful, but the plot/politics were all over the place & the Road Trip trope is sooooo overused in medievals. Also, MW seems to have a kink for consent—it’s trotted out at literally every stage in the intimacy with only slight variations of word choice (I’ll leave you alone if you desire…I won’t hurt you…tell me to stop & I will…take what you wish…you don’t really want this, do you?…are you certain?). Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. It was the same in the other MW romance I read, so I’m thinking it’s just her style to pair burly alpha bodies with schmoopy woobie mindsets. Personally, I find continual consent assurance to be grating, esp when it’s clearly a comment on heroes of past HR-writing eras. We get it! YOU ARE A SAFE, NEW AGE CINNAMON ROLL WHO CARES ABOUT NOT RAPING. Now can you please assert your supersonic sex drive, that god-given talent of all romantic heroes? This woman is literally draping herself on your lap & demanding you be naked, ffs. I think her consent is given. 🙄

…Apologies for this schizo review. Normally I try to be at least somewhat organized, but I’m having trouble finding anything to say about this blah book. Would it bore other readers? Maybe not if you like talky road trip historicals with complicated politics & lengthy cameos from other characters in the series. I dunno. *shrug* At least the sex wasn’t too bad—when they shut up long enough to have it, anyway.

Overall, a typical mediocre harlequin.

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Willingham's pens another phenomenal book in "Warrior of Fire" book two, in her spectacular Warriors of Ireland series which I absolutely loved! It is filled with mystery, adventure, suspense, passion, heartbreak, betrayal and love. If you are fans of Ms. Willingham's MacEgan series you are in for a special treat as the King Patrick and his brothers also make appearances in this story which I was thrilled again to see. I read this in one sitting as it is one of those I can't put it down books. Lots of twists and turns so hold onto your seat and enjoy another wonderful trip into historical Ireland and fall in love!

Ireland, 1172

This is about Lady Carice Faolin who decides to runaway since her father Brian Faolin is forcing her to marry her betrothed, Rory ÒConnor one of the high Kings of Éireann. He is also of same age as Lady Carice's father and has the reputation of being a very cruel and brutal man. Carice wants nothing to do with this marriage, plus she is dying and just wants to die in peace, as she can't eat food without having horrible pain. Her father is not interested in her desires or even if she will be safe in this marriage. He only cares about his own ambitions and status and his daughter is the pawn. Carice desides to go west to live out her remaining days with her deceased mother's family.

This is how she meets the hero of the story Norman warrior Raine de Garene as on her quest she needs to find shelter or she is going to freeze to death. So she goes to ravaged Abbey but due to a recent fire all the monks and Priest had died. Raine was only their to bury the bodies. He too had a sad story his parents both died of violent deaths caused by King Henry of England then he had been black mailed into service by this evil English King too! Not only has King Henry taken his families lands, but took both his young sisters in captivity as blackmail so Raine will do whatever he asks.He is nothing but an assassin as his last mission to release his sisters from captivity is to murder the high King Rory ÒConnor , Lady Carice's unwanted betrothed.

Yet this tender warriors cares for Carice as she sees as he keeps her warm, feeds her and tries to make her as comfortable as possible, but he also sees he can use her as a means to get close to Rory ÒConnor! So he can murder the high King Rory and finally release his sisters. He knows Carice sees him as an honorable good caring pman but he is a man who lives with much guilt due to his past but wants to save his sisters. As time goes on you see the young couple getting close no matter how much Raine tries to keep this beautiful kind women with a big heart at arms length. The problem is if he doesn't listen to the Norman Commanders orders his sisters will be murdered. Plus the fact Carice's father is looking for her and the MacEgan's have promised to help Carice too.


Carice knows she is falling in love with Raine but will he break her tender heart as much as he tries to put up walls between them to can see they keep coming down and he is falling for her too no matter how much he tries to deny it.Will Raine break Lady Carice's tender heart or will he chose love over duty and put his young sisters lives in jeopardy? You will have to read this riveting, quick paced page turner to find out. I highly recommend as this book has non stop action, mystery, suspense, adventure, steamy passion, betrayal and love and all the element you love. Overall a spectacular read and can't wait to see what Michelle Willingham puts out next!


Note: Also recommend the first book in this series "Warrior of Ice" which was about Carice's brother Killion also High King Rory OConnor's son. You can read as stand alone or in series order. I find more fun in order but that is up to the reader as characters from Warrior of Ice is also in this book. Happy Reading

Will be released on 11/17/2015

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. This is the second book in the series, but takes place at the same time as the first book. Carice has been promised in marriage to the High King of Ireland, a marriage that she does not want. On top of the stress of her impending marriage, she has been suffering from a debilitating illness for several years, one that is getting worse. Convinced that she is dying, she wants to live out her last days in peace, so she finds a way to escape. Cold and weak, she stumbles across a deserted abbey where she takes refuge. She awakens from a pain filled sleep to find a strange man in the room with her.

Raine is a Norman soldier who came to the abbey to bury the monks who died in a fire there. He felt responsible for their deaths, the guilt added to that which he already carries. He is a nobleman's son who has been forced into the English king's service. His father died at the king's hand, trying to protect his wife from the king's unwanted attentions. His mother killed herself, and his sisters were taken hostage by the king to force Raine to follow his orders. Raine is required to find a way to assassinate the Irish High King. When Raine discovers Carice hiding in the abbey, he knows the smart thing to do would be to return her to her father. Carice begs for his help, and something has him wanting to protect her the way he hasn't been able to protect his sisters.

Raine is conflicted because she brings out a part of him that he thought was lost forever. With her he is kind, protective, and feels that he is doing something good. But he also knows that he could use her to get close enough to the High King to do what is necessary to save his sisters. Never far away is his commander, who takes every opportunity to remind Raine of just what is at stake if he should fail. The more time they spend together, the more Raine wants to be the man she believes he is. He is falling hard for her, but knows that she will hate him when she realizes what he has done.

Carice knows she is falling for this hardened warrior who takes such good care of her. Though she is often weak and sick, she has an amazing amount of inner strength, and calls on that when she feels most like giving up. She believes that she will not live much longer and wants to experience as much of life as she can in the meantime. The things that Raine makes her feel spark more life in her than she has felt in a long time. Though he tries to resist, Carice eventually breaks through his control. But just as she is beginning to feel hopeful about the future, the extent of his deception becomes apparent.

There were so many ways for things to go wrong that I wondered how Carice and Raine were ever going to get their happy ending. Both Carice and Raine were determined to protect the other, even at the risk of their own lives. From poison to trial by combat, it looked like fate would succeed at keeping them apart. Help came as a repayment of a good deed done, and the redemption of a previously unlikeable character. There was a lovely twist to the ending as Carice tried to find the perfect wedding present for Raine. The epilogue was a sweet wrapup to the story.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been anticipating this one since I read Warrior of Ice. I found the heroine Carice intriguing she's trying to escape a betrothal to a ruthless man while trying to survive her days. She's deathly ill and she wants to enjoys the rest of her days. I like that she takes her own path when many believe they know what's best for her. Raine himself is intriguing. He is a Norman solider that will do anything asked even kill, but you can see glimpses of the true man underneath by the way he treats Carice. This story has passion, betrayal, and redemption. Will Raine step up and be the man Carice knows he can be or will he disappoint? I loved the epilogue a truly sweet happy moment that couldn't be more perfect for Raine.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warriors of Ireland Book Two.

Carice has been dying for what seems like her whole life. Now that she has run away from the guards taking her to her unwanted marriage, she must survive the weather as well as her illness. After stumbling upon a monastery, she falls into a deep sleep only to wake up with a stranger in the room. Raine cannot bring himself to send Carice away so he guides her to the MacEgan holdings. When her former guards attack them, though, he must allow Trahern MacEgan to take over the lady's protection. Raine is faced with a choice - protect Carice or his sisters.

If you're looking for an Irish tale of opposites attract, betrayal, and love, this is the book for you!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willingham never ceases to amaze me how she can conjure these complex characters while having them all be different from one another. The heroine of this book is suffering from an illness that modern day readers will pick up on as a disorder, without giving too much away (though I kind of already did). Willingham specializes in writing forlorn women, and Carice is no exception, but she has her unique twist that makes her stand out, and I like her for it.

On the other hand, Willingham's heroes tend to be a bit cookie cutter. There's usually someone they loved whom they couldn't protect, and they feel responsible for letting them down. Raine was still fun to read about, but he felt a bit bland to me.

This book was a bit frustrating in that the couple rehashed the reasons why they couldn't be together over and over and over again until I wanted to scream, and it slowed down a bit in the middle. Beyond the pacing and rehashing, this was an enjoyable, light read with a surprisingly high stakes ending; although, it wasn't as high stakes as it was set up to be. Still fun. Still recommend for people who love medieval romances with a little action and politics mixed in (just a little).

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Carice Faoilin runs away from the men who are delivering her to her betrothal to High-King Rory O'Connor, a cruel man the age of her father. Her father wants an alliance and his daughter to be Queen. She is very ill and feels her life is short and does not want to spend her remaining time with a cruel man. She meets a Norman soldier who is burying 4 monks who were trapped with him in the monastery fire. One of them managed to get him out but dies in the effort. He then saves her from the men who wish to capture her for the King. They form an unlikely alliance. However, Raine has a hidden agenda and much of the story deals with his internal conflict. I did not find this book as good as the one about her brother. The loyalties in the story were confusing between the Irish, the English and the Normans.

[Pâmela Vasconcelos · Rating 3 out of 5]

#Terminado. Foi um livro legal, mas previsível.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, although Michelle Willingham is one of my favorite authors, this wasn't one of my favorite books. This was one of her Scottish/Irish medieval themed stories. Usually, the main male characters in her stories are quite ambivalent about relationships with the lead female while the other men in their circle of friends and family tend to be very protective of their own wives and sisters. I was rather disappointed all of the men in this story; they were all, pretty much, a bunch of jerks.
At the beginning of the story Carice is running away from her (jerk of a) father who wants to marry her off to another jerk, an Irish king who has a malicious reputation. She meets Raine whose only desire in life is to find his two sisters, but he has been ordered by King Henry to kill Carice's (jerk of a) brothed after King Henry (who is also another jerk) had Raine's father slain, and then Raine's mother committed suicide upon the death of her husband. Raine is under the command of Sir Darren, who also another jerk of a man, and who constantly threatens Raine with the death of his sisters if he doesn't complete the task of murdering the Irish king. Sir Darren also threatens to gang rape Carice. Raine decides that the best course of action to take is to be another jerk of a male by betraying Carice and taking her to the Irish king whom she was supposed to marry but would rather not marry.
If this story isn't complicated enough with all these men wanting to control each other and everyone else in the world, poor Carice is just trying to survive. I will have to add one "spoiler" here that isn't well spelled on the story. She has been suffering from a mystery disease and believes she is dying. But after all the hints throughout the novel of her illness, she seems to be afflicted with what now our modern world calls "Celiac Disease", an intolerance to gluten.

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have often speculated on what people would do with food allergies in the past, this one tries for an answer.

Historical fails occasionally, the Norman invasion of Ireland happened in 1169, this is set in 1172, with the Norman invasion came their castle technology, so there would be no baileys or donjons in Irish possession until well after that time. The names also don't resonate well, in fact the heroine Carice Faoilin's name stuck a bit. The description of the High King as having a brutal reputation with few women who wanted to marry him (not really spoiler stuff here, this is all on the first page) belies history where he had 6 co-wives, which the annals condemn.

She would have been considered to have entered a form of marriage with Raine de Garenne under early Irish Law as well. see here and forced marriage was frowned on, although it probably happened. This is the society and assumptions she would have lived with, not modern law (again let's reference the fact that this was 3 years post-norman invasion and it wasn't until Elizabethan times that Brehon Law was properly enforced.)

The allergy stuff was interesting but missed a point, barley.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Warrior of Ice and while that was an okay story it did not jump out like To Tempt a Viking. I was excited for this one because I read about Carice in the previous book and really wanted to know more about her and why she has an illness. I was not too keen on her love interest, Raine. It was interesting to learn about the history at that time, the cultures of the Irish and Normans. I can understand Carice wanting to not waste her precious time if she is going to die soon but what transpires between Raine and her since the abbey was quite ridiculous. Raine on the other hand was so hot and cold and when he decided he loved Carice I was over the romance. The whole plot centered on him eventually betraying Carice to save his sisters but it felt quite weak, it wasn't written as well as I would have liked. I did find it interesting that the possibility of Carice's illness was bread in other words, a gluten intolerance perhaps? but they would not have known it at that time. Overall just another okay story that I somewhat enjoyed.

[Margaret Sholders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I can post a review of this book. I always enjoy reading Michelle's stories. This really isn't my time frame but I like jumping around. Michelle has the truest people that she writes about. They must really drive her crazy. I like the story line set in Ireland. Be prepared there will be some graphic scenes. Poor Raine, who saw his parents die. Spoiler. He is sent to Ireland and has to give up his sisters. Spoiler. He is burnt in an Abbey fire. That is where he finds Carice, weak and in pain. He helps her by helping himself. Spoiler. There is lots of blackmail in this story. Everyone is moving all over the place. Carice has an eating disease and thinks she is dying. Spoiler. Finally everyone is in all in one place. Raine is to kill the High King, Rory. But Raine's commander pushes his orders way past his means. I really liked this story. There is way lots of action! There is lots of-" This could kill you romance!" I hope you want to choose to read this book. Enjoy it!

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carice has got to escape the marriage to the high king. She runs away and runs right into Raine. She is going to die, but she doesn't want to die married to the king and so she asks Raine to help her escape. Raine has his own agenda and needs Carice to get to the high king to kill him. If he doesn't complete his mission, his sisters will pay the price. Along the way, he falls in love with Carice. He isn't worthy of someone like her and he has his duty to his sisters so, he hopes he will not hate him too much when she finds out that he is using her. Carice is willing to sacrifice herself to save Raine when he is taken prisoner of the high king. How will they ever be able to be together?

[Diandra Fernandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Achei esse bem mais fraco que o primeiro. Nenhum dos protagonistas tiveram uma fibra moral tão forte quanto Killian e Taryn. Apesar de gostar que seus personagens não venham da nobreza sem sofrimentos e perdas, das guerras e conflitos entre clãs. Esse foi um dos menos interessantes que li de MW. Mesmo com participação dos McEgan, não curti muito, não.
Carice apesar de boa, teve seus momentos de falta de esperteza. Como acredita em Darren?, como bebe algo que ele trás? E pensar que toda sua doença era intolerância a glúten... Quem iria imaginar? Embora eu entenda o desespero de Raine por suas irmãs, ele me pareceu ingênuo demais em seguir ordens cegamente sem saber se as irmãs estavam vivas ou não. Ele não me cativou.

[Diana Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the Warriors of Ireland series. Carice is running away from a marriage she does not want. Raine is a warrior who's sisters are being held captive so that he will follow orders. They meet while on different paths and are drawn to each other. Raine agrees to escort Carice to safety, but actually has other plans so that he can carry out his orders. With some twists and turns, you will not want to put this book down.

[Jennifer Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carice and Raine, absolutely beautiful names, for two very troubled souls... This would have been a really hard book to write, all either one of them ever wanted, was to be loved. Then death and loyalty and their past was keeping them apart. no two people deserved happiness more than these two. I could have cried in certain parts.. This book pulled on the heart strings... Good Job and I would recommend any all of Willingham's book.

[Beth Sheehe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle is such an amazing author and she delivered another great story. In the second book of the Warriors of Ireland series, I loved the story of Carice and Raine and their adventure while in route to King. Carice was betrothed to the King and Raine is supposed to kill the king. I would highly recommend reading Warrior of Fire and Warrior of Ice. Read them both you won't regret it. I received this book from the author for an honest review.

[Harlequin Books]

"Willingham has written another winner! Book two in her Warriors of Ireland series is a riveting tale of forbidden love between a delicate Irish beauty and a rugged Norman soldier caught in a dark web of politics, treachery and lies" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars)>

Miniseries: Warriors of Ireland

I absolutely love this cover! ~ Kim

[Harlequin Historical]

received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Warriors of Ireland

I LOVE this cover!` Kim

[Rachel Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow up and involves some much beloved characters!

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok for me. There were some annoying editing issues that were distracting for me. I've read better from this author.