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Wolf Maiden Chronicles #2
Beast Warrior
Beast Warrior is an historical paranormal romance that takes place during the Viking Era of the Dark Ages. A time when only the strong survive. It is the second book in the Wolf Maiden Chronicles, which depicts alpha lycans and their human wolf maiden mates. Sigurd, an alpha Norse wolfskin, son of Gunnolf the Red seeks revenge against shape shifting bearskins, Bork the Mad and his son, Mord the Blood Claw for the death of his parents and his older brother Guda. Orphaned, he has been raised by his older sister Brynhild, who convinces him to take a wolf maiden in order to increase their small pack. Despite the warning by Hungerd the wolf witch, he takes a farmer's new bride with tragic consequences. Alone he joins a long ship until the day he can avenge his pack's demise. Emelisse, a Frank wolf maiden, has been raised and educated in the classics, science, literature and languages by female lycans of the Lupercal. Born a runt with a weak heart her father has been overprotective. She refuses to be treated like a delicate vase and rebels by seeking out riding and falconry. Now at age eighteen Emelisse frets that her father wants her to accept Radulf III the Cruel, an alpha lycan of a pack of powerful warriors. She tries to run away with her human lover. Viking werewolf, Sigurd rescues Emelisse, from the claws of the berserker bear men. He claims her as his ulf hexen or wolf maiden, but she wants to leave lycan society and live with humans. To complicate matters she has been called by her goddess Feronia to save the lycans from a dreaded disease. Their union is wrought with great peril in a world where werewolves must battle against their own kind as well as their fierce enemy, the berserker bear men. Will Emelisse accept Sigurd a foreign lycan as her alpha mate? Sigurd vows to protect her from their enemies but how can he save her before she dies from her ailing heart?
158 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2009
97 people want to read
About the author
Eva Gordon
32 books376 followersWebsite http://www.ravenauthor.com
http://evagordon.blogspot.com/
Eva Gordon writes genre bending paranormal/fantasy/steampunk and historical novels with a strong romantic element. Alpha heroes and brilliant feisty heroines. HEA with a kick. She loves to create stories that combine her passion for mythology, steamy romance, and action/suspense. Her imagination takes her from one universe to the next. Thus far, she has several series up as well as single titles waiting in line for production.
http://evagordon.blogspot.com/
Eva Gordon writes genre bending paranormal/fantasy/steampunk and historical novels with a strong romantic element. Alpha heroes and brilliant feisty heroines. HEA with a kick. She loves to create stories that combine her passion for mythology, steamy romance, and action/suspense. Her imagination takes her from one universe to the next. Thus far, she has several series up as well as single titles waiting in line for production.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 17, 2010
Okay -- I'm just not a romance novel-type girl. It's just not my thing to read very descriptive love scenes, or fantasies wherein the female is delicate and protected by a strong male. Let me clearly state that this does not make for a bad novel; it's just not my preferred reading.
So let me say -- I liked Beast Warrior: Viking Werewolf, and I'm looking forward to its sequel, White Wolf of Avalon, which is due to be released next month. In Beast Warrior, the heroine, Emelisse, is a bit delicate, but Eva takes pains to make her likeably stubborn and accomplished in archery, horseback riding, and falconry. The hero, Sigurd, is an alpha werewolf, tall and strong, but he is soft and gentle when it comes to Emelisse. What I really enjoyed about the novel was the story and the research behind it. Ms. Gordon spins an intricate tale of magic and shape-shifting (tying in the bear-skin-clad Viking berserkers with clans of humans who shape-shift into bears), of pack dynamics and human interactions. The research regarding life at the time during the Dark Ages, complete with Viking raids and the dreaded blood eagle, are all in there. I especially liked the fact that while men may be the dominant pack leaders, the women hold the magical power of witchcraft (and there's nothing like magic in a story to make it really enjoyable!). If you like historical romance with detailed love scenes then this really is a book for you. Even if you just like Vikings and want to read an historical fiction of the time period, I recommend it because it's a good, interesting read.
So let me say -- I liked Beast Warrior: Viking Werewolf, and I'm looking forward to its sequel, White Wolf of Avalon, which is due to be released next month. In Beast Warrior, the heroine, Emelisse, is a bit delicate, but Eva takes pains to make her likeably stubborn and accomplished in archery, horseback riding, and falconry. The hero, Sigurd, is an alpha werewolf, tall and strong, but he is soft and gentle when it comes to Emelisse. What I really enjoyed about the novel was the story and the research behind it. Ms. Gordon spins an intricate tale of magic and shape-shifting (tying in the bear-skin-clad Viking berserkers with clans of humans who shape-shift into bears), of pack dynamics and human interactions. The research regarding life at the time during the Dark Ages, complete with Viking raids and the dreaded blood eagle, are all in there. I especially liked the fact that while men may be the dominant pack leaders, the women hold the magical power of witchcraft (and there's nothing like magic in a story to make it really enjoyable!). If you like historical romance with detailed love scenes then this really is a book for you. Even if you just like Vikings and want to read an historical fiction of the time period, I recommend it because it's a good, interesting read.
January 21, 2019
Beast Warrior – Viking Werewolf is really an epic historical paranormal tale of sorrow, triumph, loss, revenge and love. Emelisse is a wolf-maiden (all terminology for this book in a glossary which I found ultra helpful) who is also born with a weak heart. She is promised to a cruel and vicious alpha Radulf. Plans to free herself of this "man" do not go well but she ends up being sent to a monastery for a year,with the demand to return to marry the horrible alpha. (You have to read to find out why she was sent away.)
In the meantime we meet Sigurd, the Viking werewolf who is set on revenge for the deaths of his pack. He infiltrates the band of killers, pretending to be human (thanks to a witch's charm) and bides his time but one of the pillaging ventures they go on is to the monastery that Emelisse is staying. They know they are meant to be mates but are concentrating on survival and he, of course, still wants revenge.
Fantastic fantasy lore of the werewolf is woven into this book as the couple adventure on through to danger and drama, twists and turns that come their way and find a way to be who they are meant to be. They are mates that grow to love and accept one another, she is feisty with dreams of her own and though he becomes devoted and protective of her immediately he knows she cannot be hidden away and protected. Lovely story with a lot of action, evil intentions that are put to task as only a werewolf can manage and a love that grows strong. I can't wait to get my hands on the next offering by this talented author.
In the meantime we meet Sigurd, the Viking werewolf who is set on revenge for the deaths of his pack. He infiltrates the band of killers, pretending to be human (thanks to a witch's charm) and bides his time but one of the pillaging ventures they go on is to the monastery that Emelisse is staying. They know they are meant to be mates but are concentrating on survival and he, of course, still wants revenge.
Fantastic fantasy lore of the werewolf is woven into this book as the couple adventure on through to danger and drama, twists and turns that come their way and find a way to be who they are meant to be. They are mates that grow to love and accept one another, she is feisty with dreams of her own and though he becomes devoted and protective of her immediately he knows she cannot be hidden away and protected. Lovely story with a lot of action, evil intentions that are put to task as only a werewolf can manage and a love that grows strong. I can't wait to get my hands on the next offering by this talented author.
September 28, 2009
Emelisse is a wolf maiden - she was not only born with a weak heart but also born with the five-toed birthmark of a wolf print on her hip. A prophecy has said she is destined to become the mate of a great alpha warrior. Growing up with her very overprotective alpha father, she craves independence from him and from the pack in general. She wants to live among humans and experience life.
After her father binds her to Radulf, a great warrior but cruel and vicous, Emelisse shocks her father with a secret. Emelisse gets sent to a monastery with the understanding she will marry Radulf after one year's time.
Meanwhile Sigurd wants revenge. Bork the Mad and his son years ago killed his family, and now Sigurd, an alpha male, want to make him pay. He has been searching for him for years and finally found him. With a charm from a witch, he hides his wolf identity and passes for a human and proves himself with Bork and becomes one of his men. His plan is to infiltrate and wait for the right time to kill him. They raid and pilfer a monastery and this is when everything changes.
Sigurd sees Emelisse and knows she is the one. He can sense it with every wolf instinct inside of him. Still trying to hide his wolf idenity from Bork, he now must keep Emelisse safe while still pretending to be one of Bork's men. Emelisse, being a wolf maiden, can smell that Sigurd is a wolf, and her mark burns every time he is near. Deep down she knows he is her mate and together they must work to escape Bork.
Although they both know they are destined for each other, they both still don't know each other. Sigurd still wants revenge on Borks' son, Mord and is an alpha and has dominance and protective issues. Emelisse is tired of being constantly protected, and the thought of living with pack scares her. Now they have Radulf hunting what he claims to be his, her father, thinking she has fallen slave to Sigurd, and the disgruntled Bear Skins who ware without their leader. They must face all their enemies and face each other, which may be the hardest part of all.
Beast Warrior has the feel of an epic tale. Not only is this a sweeping romance, but the werewolf lore is woven in. When Sigurd and Emelisse first meet, Sigurd is immediately devoted. It takes Emelisse more time - she has wanted her whole life to be away from the pack, and now she finds herself deep in the middle of it. She goes back and forth with her emotions, and this is where I found it to be a bit tedious. Sigurd saves her from the evil clutches of the bear skin, and yet she still doesn't have trust in him. Sigurd must walk a fine line between falling at the feet of Emelisse and granting her every wish, which is what he wants to do. But he must come across as a strong warrior in front of the men if he ever wants a chance to continue with them to find Mord and finish his revenge.
This is not a quick tale of love and conquer - much of the beginning of the book Sigurd and Emelisse have not even met. Then Eva Gordon takes her time with their journey, allowing them to discover each other. There is plenty of villains to keep the action strong throughout the book.
I found Emelisse to be a worthy heroine. She had spunk despite her weak heart and I enjoy heroines who crave their independence. Sigurd was a very serious devoted warrior but once in a while he would get a mischievous grin. He was very cocky in confidence he could take on anyone who dared harm his mate - very alpha to the core, with that soft spot for Emelisse.
Best of all, Sigurd is described as:
His brawny chest was lightly covered with red hair making him look like a flaming god of combustion.
Overall, this is a fun story that I would recommend to any historical romance fan.
After her father binds her to Radulf, a great warrior but cruel and vicous, Emelisse shocks her father with a secret. Emelisse gets sent to a monastery with the understanding she will marry Radulf after one year's time.
Meanwhile Sigurd wants revenge. Bork the Mad and his son years ago killed his family, and now Sigurd, an alpha male, want to make him pay. He has been searching for him for years and finally found him. With a charm from a witch, he hides his wolf identity and passes for a human and proves himself with Bork and becomes one of his men. His plan is to infiltrate and wait for the right time to kill him. They raid and pilfer a monastery and this is when everything changes.
Sigurd sees Emelisse and knows she is the one. He can sense it with every wolf instinct inside of him. Still trying to hide his wolf idenity from Bork, he now must keep Emelisse safe while still pretending to be one of Bork's men. Emelisse, being a wolf maiden, can smell that Sigurd is a wolf, and her mark burns every time he is near. Deep down she knows he is her mate and together they must work to escape Bork.
Although they both know they are destined for each other, they both still don't know each other. Sigurd still wants revenge on Borks' son, Mord and is an alpha and has dominance and protective issues. Emelisse is tired of being constantly protected, and the thought of living with pack scares her. Now they have Radulf hunting what he claims to be his, her father, thinking she has fallen slave to Sigurd, and the disgruntled Bear Skins who ware without their leader. They must face all their enemies and face each other, which may be the hardest part of all.
Beast Warrior has the feel of an epic tale. Not only is this a sweeping romance, but the werewolf lore is woven in. When Sigurd and Emelisse first meet, Sigurd is immediately devoted. It takes Emelisse more time - she has wanted her whole life to be away from the pack, and now she finds herself deep in the middle of it. She goes back and forth with her emotions, and this is where I found it to be a bit tedious. Sigurd saves her from the evil clutches of the bear skin, and yet she still doesn't have trust in him. Sigurd must walk a fine line between falling at the feet of Emelisse and granting her every wish, which is what he wants to do. But he must come across as a strong warrior in front of the men if he ever wants a chance to continue with them to find Mord and finish his revenge.
This is not a quick tale of love and conquer - much of the beginning of the book Sigurd and Emelisse have not even met. Then Eva Gordon takes her time with their journey, allowing them to discover each other. There is plenty of villains to keep the action strong throughout the book.
I found Emelisse to be a worthy heroine. She had spunk despite her weak heart and I enjoy heroines who crave their independence. Sigurd was a very serious devoted warrior but once in a while he would get a mischievous grin. He was very cocky in confidence he could take on anyone who dared harm his mate - very alpha to the core, with that soft spot for Emelisse.
Best of all, Sigurd is described as:
His brawny chest was lightly covered with red hair making him look like a flaming god of combustion.
Overall, this is a fun story that I would recommend to any historical romance fan.
August 5, 2009
Beast Warrior: Viking Werewolf by Eva Gordon
Paranormal Romance
4 ½ Stars
Beast Warrior is the second book in the Wolf Maiden Chronicles series and even though it’s the second book in the series it can easily be read on its own. This book has a wonderful mix of romance while still being true to the werewolf mythology.
As someone who isn’t a big fan of the paranormal romance genre I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but was very delighted to discover that the story grabbed me immediately right from the beginning.
Beast Warrior takes place during the Viking Era and is the story of the Alpha male Lycan (werewolf) named Sigurd, son of Gunnolf. He desires to find the shape shifting berserker (a man who turns into a bear) called Bork the Mad and his son, Mord the Blood Claw. These Bersekers killed many of his family and most of his pack. But his sister Brynhild wishes for him to take an ulf hexen or wolf maiden. A human woman who is destined to be a pack leader’s life mate. Brynhild wants to increase their pack instead. Unfortunately, things go disastrously wrong in the attempt and Sigurd loses his sister as well as the rest of his pack making him a lone wolf. He gives up any hope of finding a true life mate and heads out across the sea to seek revenge on the berserkers who killed his parents and brother.
Across the seas in the Frank Kingdom we meet Emelisse the daughter of a Alpha male who is a wolf maiden and despite being born a “runt” with a weak heart. She is promised by her father to Radulf the Third, an alpha lycan of a pack of powerful warriors but runs away with her human lover with disastrous results. She is captured by the beserker bear men where she luckily meets Sigurd who rescues her and claims her for himself. Despite their wish to live together among the humans they both have a destiny in the lycan world and are drawn back into it to save both their werewolf family as well as all of mankind.
Beast Warrior is an excellent story that is a fantastic mix of intriguing characters as well as a nicely developed story. Sigurd and Emelisse were both characters that made you like them right on the spot. In addition to the 2 main characters, the other cast members were vastly appealing and made me want to find out what will happen to them as well. I appreciated the author’s ability to explain some of the werewolf mythology in a way so that someone unknown could understand it without making it too difficult and confusing.
All of these benefits make this an excellent book and one that will make you want to go out right away to get this author’s other works!
Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance
4 ½ Stars
Beast Warrior is the second book in the Wolf Maiden Chronicles series and even though it’s the second book in the series it can easily be read on its own. This book has a wonderful mix of romance while still being true to the werewolf mythology.
As someone who isn’t a big fan of the paranormal romance genre I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but was very delighted to discover that the story grabbed me immediately right from the beginning.
Beast Warrior takes place during the Viking Era and is the story of the Alpha male Lycan (werewolf) named Sigurd, son of Gunnolf. He desires to find the shape shifting berserker (a man who turns into a bear) called Bork the Mad and his son, Mord the Blood Claw. These Bersekers killed many of his family and most of his pack. But his sister Brynhild wishes for him to take an ulf hexen or wolf maiden. A human woman who is destined to be a pack leader’s life mate. Brynhild wants to increase their pack instead. Unfortunately, things go disastrously wrong in the attempt and Sigurd loses his sister as well as the rest of his pack making him a lone wolf. He gives up any hope of finding a true life mate and heads out across the sea to seek revenge on the berserkers who killed his parents and brother.
Across the seas in the Frank Kingdom we meet Emelisse the daughter of a Alpha male who is a wolf maiden and despite being born a “runt” with a weak heart. She is promised by her father to Radulf the Third, an alpha lycan of a pack of powerful warriors but runs away with her human lover with disastrous results. She is captured by the beserker bear men where she luckily meets Sigurd who rescues her and claims her for himself. Despite their wish to live together among the humans they both have a destiny in the lycan world and are drawn back into it to save both their werewolf family as well as all of mankind.
Beast Warrior is an excellent story that is a fantastic mix of intriguing characters as well as a nicely developed story. Sigurd and Emelisse were both characters that made you like them right on the spot. In addition to the 2 main characters, the other cast members were vastly appealing and made me want to find out what will happen to them as well. I appreciated the author’s ability to explain some of the werewolf mythology in a way so that someone unknown could understand it without making it too difficult and confusing.
All of these benefits make this an excellent book and one that will make you want to go out right away to get this author’s other works!
Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
April 17, 2012
Emelisse is the daughter of rich Alpha with a prophesy hanging over her head that she wants nothing to do with. Born with a weak heart and strong spirit, she feels smothered by her fathers coddling and dreams of a human life away from pack law. Driven into the arms of a farm boy, she falls pregnant only to have her lover murdered by a cruel Alpha that lusts after her father's lands and lays claim to her for only that reason. Alone and brokenhearted, she is shipped to a monastery where she loses her child and is taken captive the Bear Men who are more animal than man. To her surprise, traveling amongst the Bear Men, Emelisse meets Sigurd, an alpha who hides his lycan nature with wolfen magic. He seeks revenge against his Bear companions for the death of his pack. Enthralled by Emelisse, Sigurd vows to protect her with his life. Where does this lone wolf fit into the prophecy and why does Emelisse now long for pack life?
This book is very different from the first, a true stand alone novel. However true to form, Eva Gordon brings an enchanting love story, a look in to the beginnings of Were lore and spine tingling action... I never turn down a book with Viking beheading each other and shifting from swords to claws mid-battle. I give this book 4 books.
This book is very different from the first, a true stand alone novel. However true to form, Eva Gordon brings an enchanting love story, a look in to the beginnings of Were lore and spine tingling action... I never turn down a book with Viking beheading each other and shifting from swords to claws mid-battle. I give this book 4 books.
October 29, 2009
WOW!! Once again Eva Gordon has created a opulent and chivalric historical werewolf story. She has taken us back in time to Vikings, Valhalla, Lycans, and Wolf Maidens! This is a romantic, smart, adventurous saga you simply will not be able to put down. Please do not do yourself a disservice by missing out on this superb tale of love and war in the Dark Ages!! BRAVO Eva!! Once again you have captivated me with your writing! I cannot wait to read your next installment, White Wolf Of Avalon!
August 3, 2009
You will find yourself turning pages non-stop just to find out what happens next. Sigurd is sexy and hot, Emelisse is delicate yet empowered - they make a perfect combination for each other.
This is another dynamite addition to the Wolf Maiden series! PLEASE keep them coming Eva.
This is another dynamite addition to the Wolf Maiden series! PLEASE keep them coming Eva.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews