The Iron Warrior Returns

The Legendary Warriors #1

by Michelle Willingham

Bestselling author Michelle Willingham returns with this medieval friends-to-lovers romance!

A fight to save his people

A kiss to save his heart…

To regain his stolen lands and save his people from suffering, Robert of Penrith has returned to marry his enemy’s daughter. To Robert’s surprise, his dearest friend, Morwenna, helps him win the heiress’s hand—despite the danger to them both. The fierce, beautiful miller’s daughter has stood by him throughout his exile. But a single kiss ignites a passion that threatens to upend all Robert’s plans…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

The Legendary Warriors

Book 1: The Iron Warrior Returns

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 26, 2022

About the author

Bestselling author Michelle Willingham has published more than sixty historical romances, novellas and short stories, set in medieval Ireland and Scotland, Viking-era Ireland, Regency England and Victorian England. A RITA® Award finalist and two-time National Readers' Choice Award finalist, she has hit #1 on Kindle in Historical, Regency and Scottish Historical Romance, and her books have been translated into more than fifteen languages. She also writes contemporary romance as Avery Chandler. Michelle lives in Virginia, where she enjoys baking, playing the piano and chasing after her cats. Visit her website at www.michellewillingham.com.

Reviews

[Barbee]

Book Review on Release Day!

Book: The Iron Warrior Returns
Author: Michelle Willingham
ASIN: B09LR5TN26
Series: The Legendary Warriors, Book #1
Release Date: April 26, 2022
Publisher: Harlequin
Print Length: 265
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

Wishing you lots of book sales and.much success always,

England, 1207

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

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

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

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

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

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[Romanticamente Fantasy]

Malefica81 - per RFS
.
Bentornate Fenici!



Il nuovo libro di cui vi parlerò si svolge nell’Inghilterra del 1205 sotto re Giovanni senza terra. I protagonisti sono quattro ragazzi che dapprima finiscono, per circostanze a loro sfavorevoli, per essere catturati insieme, poi in fuga e tutto ciò lascia loro una gran voglia di rivalsa.



Robert di Penrith, il legittimo conte, vuole riavere le sue terre e riportare pace e giustizia tra la sua gente vessata dal nuovo conte scelto dal re. Con lui il fratellastro Piers, Brian e Morwenna. La nostra protagonista femminile è innamorata da sempre di Robert che, per riprendersi le sue terre, decide di partecipare ai giochi indetti dall’aristocratico per avere la mano della figlia, così da riprendersi ciò che gli hanno tolto e aiutare la gente della contea, ma le cose non vanno come lui aveva pensato.

Attraverso varie prove e impedimenti, i due riescono a stare insieme fino a… perché dovrei dirvi tutto?

L’unica cosa che mi sento di anticiparvi è che, se prima il nostro protagonista la vedeva solo come una sorella, quando capisce ciò che prova per lei, la passione li travolgerà.

Un libro diverso, dove la protagonista femminile sa quello che vuole e non si lascia mettere i piedi in testa, in una società dove le donne sono solo comparse senza alcuna voce in capitolo, il cui ruolo è solo quello di fare figli e governare la casa. Ma Morwenna è diversa ed è quel suo essere unica che mi piace molto.

Lo stile della scrittrice è fresco e lineare, senza fronzoli e va dritta al punto, l’ho apprezzato molto.



Mal approva. Alla prossima.

Un saluto dalla vostra Mal

[Alyssa]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, an incredibly sweet friends to lovers, unrequited love story that had just about everything. Romance, adventure, action, and a promise of more lovely stories from this same universe. The ending was satisfying and the characters were delightful. This was my first Harlequin Historical and I can’t wait for more. Thanks netgalley for the advance copy!

[Julie]

Michelle Willingham’s The Iron Warrior Returns is an evocative and enthralling Medieval romance that sweeps readers into a world of passion, emotion, adventure and vengeance.

Morwenna cannot remember a time when she wasn’t head over heels in love with Robert of Penrith. Despite the vast social chasm that divided them, Morwenna and Robert had grown up together and although she was a humble miller’s daughter, Morwenna’s heart firmly belonged to Robert. When Robert loses his lands to a nefarious earl who causes his people endless suffering, the determined and intelligent warrior vows to do everything in his power to take back what is rightfully his. Robert is going to use his skills and every weapon in his arsenal to take back his lands – even if it means having to wed his arch-nemesis’ daughter!

It breaks Morwenna’s heart to see Robert jumping through hoops in order to win another woman’s hand. With Robert having put himself in danger for his people, Morwenna decides to help him out the best way she can in order for him to reach his objective and claim back what is his – even if it means watching the man she loves marry another. With jeopardy round every corner and nobody they can trust, Robert and Morwenna must rely on one another to ensure that nothing gets in the way of their mission – not even the sizzling attraction that has flared between them…

Robert knows that he should focus on winning Lady Gwendoline’s hand and not allow his desire for Morwenna to put his mission in danger. However, Morwenna haunts his thoughts and dreams and has got under his skin like no other woman has before. With the stakes having never been higher, Robert finds himself torn between his duty to Penrith and his people and the woman he wants with every fiber of his being.

With the odds stacked against them, is a future for Robert and Morwenna at all possible? Or is their love simply not meant to be?

Michelle Willingham’s The Iron Warrior Returns is a vivid, atmospheric, beguiling and passionate Medieval romance that is hard to resist. A friends-to-lovers historical romance that so beautifully evokes the period it is set in, The Iron Warrior Returns is a sumptuous tale of love, loyalty and belonging with a resourceful, honorable and resilient heroine and a strong, powerful and noble hero who will keep readers turning the pages until the early hours of the morning.

A wonderfully written historical romance that delivers on all counts, Michelle Willingham’s enjoyable new Medieval The Iron Warrior Returns is sure to dazzle readers everywhere.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rosemarie]

There were some things I liked, but overall the story didn't really work for me. It felt a bit scattered and underdeveloped, and the relationships felt like they needed a bit a more depth to them. I would have like to have seen more of the relationship between the hero, Robert, and his half-brother Piers, it felt very strange that they spent two years living in the wilderness together and yet didn't seem to learn all that much about each other, like I'm all for complex relationships, but the author wasn't giving us a lot to work with, so it was hard to tell Piers' motivations sometimes.

Speaking of motivations, Robert's changed rather drastically about 2/3 of the way through, and the reasoning behind it didn't feel right for the character, like he abandons his principles and the people he made promises too. All the characters felt really naive and were making really foolish decisions. although they are supposed to be young, Robert is 20 and you can assume the others are of a similar age. The problem is that in the prologue Robert is shown to be smart, even if at that time he was physically weak, and I kept waiting for him to use his smarts again, he does gain the King's favour later on, but that is mostly from him being there at the right place and time.

I guess the biggest problem for me is that it never really felt all that much like Robert was falling in love. I believed Morwenna was in love from the very beginning, but for Robert, I sensed the lust and caring, but not the love so much, at least not the "I will throw it all away for you" type love that was supposed to be happening.

The timing of some of the sex scenes was also a little strange. At one point Morwenna has been flogged, and a few days later she is having sexy times, and I'm just like "what?!" Also, they were both virgins, which is fine and good, but then the first time they have sex it is mindblowingly wonderful, and again I'm like "what?!" I would have preferred a sweet exploration over that. Also, Robert used those cliqued lines "I won't be able to stop" and "I could hurt you", like it didn't even make sense for the character to use those lines, when up to that point he had been shown to be nothing but kind and respectful. I just wish romance authors would stop using those types of rapey sounding lines to begin with.

Lastly, the villain was a bit flat and mustache twirly, but I am usually willing to forgive that if I love the rest of the story, but that wasn't the case here. Overall, I liked the concept, and some of characters, but it didn't really deliver.

[Oh Look,AnotherBook]

The cover of this book had my heart pumping before I had even caught sight of the tagline. Once I had read the blurb, I knew I had to read this book. Michelle Willingham is a new author for me as I had never read any of her books before, and I only found out about this one because I saw it on another book blog. I was kind of expecting the trademark Mills and Boon layout - there would be romance, but with a massive hurdle to get over, before the characters could have their happy ending, and that is what I got with that book, but I also got a lot more. This is a story that is utterly compelling from beginning to end. I really could not read this book fast enough. There is action, danger, forbidden love and of course swoon-worthy moments.

Morwenna was a character that I really enjoyed reading about. She is feisty, but also vulnerable. Whereas Robert is determined to reclaim his land, but he can't do that if he allows himself to fall in love with Morwenna. Oh Robert, you really are quite blind! I thought the romance was a slow simmering boil, but as soon as Robert realises his own heart then the attraction between the two cannot be denied. I thought the love scenes were beautifully depicted and the author has delivered a very believable romance.

I thought enjoyed every minute of this book. My only complaint is I wish it had been longer (I know Mills and Boon have a recipe that they follow to the letter) but I would have really liked to have spent more time with these characters. As this is book 1, I am hoping I can catch up with them in book 2. Fingers crossed!

[Susan]

This one was a quick read for me because of the action and events, not to mention the romance. It captured my attention and kept it.

Robert is trying to regain his rightful estate, Penrith, from the man who it was granted to after the death of Robert's father. Robert has been in hiding, training to be a warrior for two years by the time the book starts. In hiding with him is the miller's daughter, Morwenna, her brother and Robert's half-brother, Piers. Robert sets out to win the hand of the daughter of Penrith's current owner, Gwendoline, so that he can regain Pentrith through marriage. In the meantime, Morwenna agrees to help him with Gwendoline, even though it is breaking her own heart.

There is a secret in Morwenna's past that she becomes aware of through other's recognition of a dress and a necklace she possesses. Throughout the story, both Robert and Morwenna wonder if they are worthy of each other - she because she believes she is not noble enough and he because he has not regained Penrith and therefore would not have a home and a way to support her if they married.

This story was exciting, engaging and sensual. Five stars!

[Alice]

Romance and mystery abound in this first novel of Willingham's latest series. Robert of Penrith has always been a sickly and physically frail person, so he was utterly unprepared for when King John's soldiers came to his family's seat and murdered his father. He escapes by the skin of his teeth with his half-brother Piers and two other villagers, though no one knows why they have been spared. Together, the four of them form a little community where they all learn how to fight and grow muscles, but Robert dreams of the day when he can reclaim Penrith. His goal is to marry the daughter of the new lord, Gwendoline, in a tournament, but Morwenna, who has lived with Robert for two years as his sparring partner, despairs.

I liked Robert, though he did a terrible job of pretending to be interested in Gwendoline. Seriously, she was never going to pick him in a million years, as he took every opportunity to ditch her to be by Morwenna's side. I did not, for a second, buy that he was conflicted about saving his people versus satisfying his desire to be with Morwenna. He never once chose his people over her. I'm not judging him. It's just his conflict wasn't particularly believable.

Morwenna's story about finding out the truth of her birth was more intriguing; although, I found her character to be a bit bland. Her entire personality was wanting to be with Robert, and she was insanely insecure. There are plenty of insecure people out in the world, so maybe those folks will relate to her better than I did. Personally, I found her to be as interesting as a wet fish.

Other things I liked: It was cool seeing the historical character of King John I on the page, and I thought Willingham's depiction of him was great. Piers and Gwendoline were by far my favorite characters, and I am so excited for their own book. They had so much chemistry, and I was swooning the whole time.

This is a pretty typical Willingham novel: initial plans made by the hero and heroine quickly fall apart, the plot then veers in unexpected directions to keep the reader guessing, the leads work through their trauma, then they magically heal in one night and get together when all hope seems lost. It's fun. It's entertaining. It's a way to pass the time.

[Fedora]

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

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

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

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

[Lucy Hudson]

This book definitely took a left turn for me.

At the start, I found the relationship between Morwenna and Robert to be a bit ho hum. I didn't mind her as a heroine, but he wasn't doing much for me. I was also expecting low heat between the two of them.
Ok, I was wrong.
The heat was high medium and actually very good. Robert had a great character arc and by the end definitely fit the bill of "medieval romance hero."
There were some side characters who I believe are getting their own books, which I would be interested in reading.
3.75/5 stars

[Mary's Bookcase]

Michelle Willingham was the reason I fell in love with historical romance. Michelle is, without a doubt, my favourite historical romance author of all time and once again she has nailed the proverbial nail on the head. I thought this book was fabulous from beginning to end. It had all the right ingredients for a great romance, and you can really get behind the characters and root for them.

The elegance of the writing, the historical detailing and the characters made this book unputdownable. I highly recommend this book and, indeed, this author to those who love quality historical romance.

[Christine]

These Harlequin Historicals always serve as a dish of entertainment. They're not too deep but they still manage to draw me into the whatever historical setting the author is writing about. 

The Iron Warrior Returns is full of the usual romance, mystery, and the third act drama that one can expect. But I really did enjoy the characters in this one. They were not the two-dimensional archetypes that you can sometimes get, which was welcome. 

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Sagas, Medieval Romance
Miniseries
The Legendary Warriors (Book #1)

[♥ Suger Honey ♥]

Lovely book
Great story and characters

[Marie Andersson]

I really love the heroes that Michelle writes! :) Her historical romances are enjoyable and good.

[Susan]

Good friends to lovers story. The book opens as Robert of Penrith, his half-brother Piers, miller's daughter Morwenna and her younger brother Brian have all been taken captive after Penrith castle was attacked. They don't know why, but they sense that escape is their only option if they want to live. They pull it off and go into hiding for the next two years.

Robert was sickly as a child, so he didn't have the warrior training he should have had as the heir to Penrith. Instead, he was kept indoors and spent much of his time reading. After the attack that killed his father and gave his lands to someone else, Robert felt guilty that he hadn't been able to defend his people. He spent the two years of exile training every day, waiting for his opportunity to regain his lands. He was aided by Piers, with whom he has a strained relationship, and Morwenna, who trained alongside the men. When Robert hears that the new Earl of Penrith will hold a competition to choose his daughter's husband, he sees it as the perfect opportunity to regain his lands.

However, this isn't as easy as it sounds. Robert can't just ride up, announce who he is, and join the competition. He disguises himself as a serf and sneaks in to check things out, accompanied by Morwenna. While things look prosperous and well run, he quickly learns that everything is not as it seems. An encounter with a serf who remembers him reveals that the new earl rules with cruelty and an iron fist. He also finds resentment from the others that he didn't stay and fight. Wracked with guilt over what he's learned, Robert swears that he will find a way to rescue his people. He spends a few days undercover before presenting himself under an assumed name as a contender for Lady Gwen's hand.

In the meantime, Morwenna wants to do her part, even though Robert has refused her help. She disguises herself as a lady in distress and gains entrance to the castle and access to Lady Gwen. Morwenna tries to push Robert as the best contender, but Gwen has her eye on someone else. Her deception becomes especially dangerous when the new earl suspects she isn't who she says she is.

The tension ramps up as unexpected twists put both Morwenna and Robert in extreme danger from the earl. There is nail-biting drama as they barely escape with their lives. Robert still has big plans on winning back his lands and pursues an idea that Morwenna feels has a low chance of success. Meanwhile, Morwenna gets some shocking news about a pendant that belonged to her mother and what it may mean to her future. A final encounter with the earl causes a change in perspective for Robert and presents a different path.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Morwenna and Robert. She has loved him for years and can't help dreaming of the impossible. I loved her strength of will as she trained alongside the men so that she could be near him. I ached for her when Robert started talking about using marriage to Gwen to get his lands back. Robert is blind to Morwenna's feelings for him and treats her the same as the others. That changes when they play their parts at Penrith, and he suddenly sees her for the beautiful woman she is. Unfortunately, he still has tunnel vision regarding regaining his lands and fights his feelings for her. Even rescuing her from mortal danger doesn't derail his plans, though he admits that there's something between them. I ached for Morwenna as she gave up her dreams. Though I mainly wanted to shake Robert for turning his back on love, I also understood his motivation. There are a couple of twists and turns yet to come, where Morwenna and Robert have choices to make that could change everything. I liked the ending and the decisions they made. The epilogue was terrific.

The secondary characters are critical to the story. Morwenna's younger brother Brian is protective of her but is only fifteen. There are several scenes where he plays a vital role, but he feels like he let her down. He joins a group on the way to the Crusades as a penance for his failings. Robert's half-brother, Piers, has always resented his illegitimacy and Robert's place as heir. He sees the competition as a way to get what he's always wanted. There is an interesting turn of events involving him, and I liked how Robert stepped up to support him. Lady Gwen turned out to be a bit of a surprise. I thought she'd be one of those spoiled and over-protected types, but she's a kind and compassionate woman with a stronger will than I expected. I liked her immediate friendship with Morwenna, even when she knew the truth. Her appearance later in the book was a surprise, and I loved her part. I hope these characters get their own books because I'd love to see what happens to them.

#netgalley

[Andrea (Hammock and Read)]

I'm really liking going back into medieval times this one 1200's aka King James time in England. We get friends to lovers with this one, Morwenna has had a crush on Robert the whole time they get away and learn how to fight. Robert is trying to figure out how to help his people, but he is a little bit an ass and doesn't notice Morwenna for who she really is, even when its right in front of him.

Loved the setting, castle and woods- the characters and the set up for more of this series. I'm excited to see where we go!

4 stars
3.5 steam

Thanks to Harlequin for a copy of this book.

[Lisa H]

Medieval best friends.

I liked this medieval best friends to more book.
Robert is trying to help his people, his solution? Marry.
Only, his best friend has been crushing on him for ever, but Morwenna is willing to help him marry to help his people. By marry, I mean to marry someone who is not Morwenna. Robert is definitely a bit clueless (or tunnel visioned). I did enjoy the settings, the medieval time period and that Robert and Morwenna were friends.

Recommend.
4.5