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Warriors #2
Temptation of the Warrior: An Epic Highland Romance Where a Chieftain's Lost Memory Meets an Orphan's Dangerous Deception
A new land, a new time . . .
To protect his people from a great evil, Merrick Mac Lochlainn, newly crowned high chieftain of his clan, must travel forward in time nearly 1,000 years. But when he awakens in nineteenth-century England, he has no memory of his mission to save his race, nor can he recognize Jenny Keating, the spirited young beauty who calls herself his wife.
A new love . . .
Orphaned and on the run from a cruel headmaster, vulnerable and alone, Jenny never dreamed of being rescued by any man, much less a chivalrous and handsome warrior like Merrick. Drawn to his powerful physique and mysterious ways, she begins a dangerous deception and poses as his beloved. But her feelings of desire are all too real. Together they will battle a dark threat that jeopardizes their very lives, all the while tempting each other with a passion too powerful to resist.
To protect his people from a great evil, Merrick Mac Lochlainn, newly crowned high chieftain of his clan, must travel forward in time nearly 1,000 years. But when he awakens in nineteenth-century England, he has no memory of his mission to save his race, nor can he recognize Jenny Keating, the spirited young beauty who calls herself his wife.
A new love . . .
Orphaned and on the run from a cruel headmaster, vulnerable and alone, Jenny never dreamed of being rescued by any man, much less a chivalrous and handsome warrior like Merrick. Drawn to his powerful physique and mysterious ways, she begins a dangerous deception and poses as his beloved. But her feelings of desire are all too real. Together they will battle a dark threat that jeopardizes their very lives, all the while tempting each other with a passion too powerful to resist.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
5 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Margo Maguire
63 books146 followersAs a nice, sane break from the drama and fast pace of working as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit, Margo Maguire returned to college to study history, and fell in love. Writing about the historical characters she encountered in her classes was a good way to unwind from a crazy day in the unit. She soon started creating her own fictional characters and putting them into historical settings.
Margo is the author of twenty historical romance novels. Her books have been published in numerous languages, and have even come out in Japan as manga—animated books. She is the mother of three grown children and lives with her scientist husband in southern Michigan.
Margo is the author of twenty historical romance novels. Her books have been published in numerous languages, and have even come out in Japan as manga—animated books. She is the mother of three grown children and lives with her scientist husband in southern Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 6, 2015
I'm going to say that although I've listed it as "time-swept romance", it's really not much of a time-travel as opposed as switching realms.
I won't lie, it had a great premises, but I grazed most of the story. The author spent way too much time on things that weren't important. The characters spent time with some gypsies and the author put in too much effort describing the gypsy life and day-to-day freedom. I get that the characters are going to consider things like how "free" the gypsies are, and how happy, but you don't have to put it into your story. If it doesn't help progress the story, then it's not needing in the book. I always thought that was a simple thing to remember.
I'm not too sure I can even say the author used an educated way of writing this, either. I mean, the heroine seemed to just jump right into practicing her "skills" when, for the most part, she avoided them because they weren't safe to possess. Here she is in her abusive religious "home" and she has to avoid letting this particular talent consume her, but the moment she's free of said place, things just start falling into place like that? Not so much.
For as much as the author built up the world and the characters, she wound up pushing the story through with needless details. Too much time spent on excess things and not enough on the main importance.
I also REALLY have a dislike on how the author made the main characters sexual. Okay, so the heroine came out of said abusive religious home--she would still be a virgin, right? And with her being a virgin, she'd suffer the first time she and the hero have sex. If she weren't a virgin, then the author should have explained why not and HOW not, considering where she used to live. But if she were a virgin, having her just jump right into a sexual encounter with this man without showing the reader any of the signs of "breaking her in" just doesn't cut it for me.
This book is not a keeper. And if you're an intelligent reader, I'd avoid it. There's a lot more to tell for a review, but honestly, I wound up reading many other books since and only now am writing the review.
I won't lie, it had a great premises, but I grazed most of the story. The author spent way too much time on things that weren't important. The characters spent time with some gypsies and the author put in too much effort describing the gypsy life and day-to-day freedom. I get that the characters are going to consider things like how "free" the gypsies are, and how happy, but you don't have to put it into your story. If it doesn't help progress the story, then it's not needing in the book. I always thought that was a simple thing to remember.
I'm not too sure I can even say the author used an educated way of writing this, either. I mean, the heroine seemed to just jump right into practicing her "skills" when, for the most part, she avoided them because they weren't safe to possess. Here she is in her abusive religious "home" and she has to avoid letting this particular talent consume her, but the moment she's free of said place, things just start falling into place like that? Not so much.
For as much as the author built up the world and the characters, she wound up pushing the story through with needless details. Too much time spent on excess things and not enough on the main importance.
I also REALLY have a dislike on how the author made the main characters sexual. Okay, so the heroine came out of said abusive religious home--she would still be a virgin, right? And with her being a virgin, she'd suffer the first time she and the hero have sex. If she weren't a virgin, then the author should have explained why not and HOW not, considering where she used to live. But if she were a virgin, having her just jump right into a sexual encounter with this man without showing the reader any of the signs of "breaking her in" just doesn't cut it for me.
This book is not a keeper. And if you're an intelligent reader, I'd avoid it. There's a lot more to tell for a review, but honestly, I wound up reading many other books since and only now am writing the review.
January 3, 2016
The writing style was nice, the pacing was good and I liked the couple, but I wish the world was better constructed and the paranormal aspect of it better explained. The ending felt a little rushed and too convenient.
April 14, 2010
Interesting spin on the Arthurian legend…without actually saying much about it.
A lot of inconsistencies with the premise. Or, perhaps, too many ‘convenient’ turning points that left me hanging.
Like the fact that Merrick’s amnesia and subsequent inadvertent ‘dawdling’ with the gypsies seem to hardly make a dent in his timetable for finding the stone. He’s been using his powers during his blissfully ignorant days and yet, despite the proclaimed fears at the start of the story that these are as good as waving his whereabouts to the bad guys, no one traces and pursues him till after he regains his memory. How convenient.
Despite the looming, persistent threat of the gypsy guy (see, I can’t even recall the name) who has perverted designs on Jenny, he is made to ‘conveniently’ disappear by the time Merrick and Jenny leave the gypsy camp. No more threat. No more troubles. It’s like he was just there to sprinkle in a bit of tension while Merrick and Jenny live out their stay there as a married couple.
And then there’s Reverend Usher’s threat, and his use of ‘goons’ to pose as men of the law in order to flush out Jenny. The fake constables were hardly heard from ever again (their portrayal became superfluous, then). And, even if Usher’s demise was a fitting one, the way in which it was done was too abrupt – hardly meriting the protracted fear that Jenny had over him.
Oh, and yeah. Merrick can turn back time. Whoopee. Jenny is made to live again.
Did I fail to mention that the woman gets slain? Don’t worry. (Refer to above).
Then come the time when Merrick (with Jenny) went back to his own time and place. A little skirmish here and there, followed by that ridiculous it-would’ve-funny-if-it-wasn’t-so-sad stupidity in the villain’s end by whispering his sorcery on Jenny’s wrong ear…and everything was happily ever after. Nice.
Even Merrick’s taken-for-granted ‘agreement’ (read as betrothal) with that supposedly powerful woman of his clan did not even escalate into something dramatic when she was confronted with Jenny. I was hoping that that at least would be a soap operatic turn of events. But no. Hardly a buzz.
To say that I was frustrated with the whole thing is a bit of an understatement.
And what’s with the author’s preoccupation with describing Merrick’s uhmm… ‘organ’ always as a c--? Has she no other adjectives on her arsenal? Even erotica fiction are imaginative when it comes to describing the male tumescence. By sticking to the c-word all the time (I would say it out loud…but people are so squeamish), Maguire makes it appear as if she’s just compensating for mediocre writing by telling the reader that she can use a hardcore word when it comes to the sex scenes.
But, really, take that ‘vulgarity’ (I use it sparingly) away and what’s left? Hardly any chemistry. Barely any thrill.
Other romance readers may love the story. But I think from now on I would have to edge away from any book with Maguire’s name on it. And that really makes me sad.
A lot of inconsistencies with the premise. Or, perhaps, too many ‘convenient’ turning points that left me hanging.
Like the fact that Merrick’s amnesia and subsequent inadvertent ‘dawdling’ with the gypsies seem to hardly make a dent in his timetable for finding the stone. He’s been using his powers during his blissfully ignorant days and yet, despite the proclaimed fears at the start of the story that these are as good as waving his whereabouts to the bad guys, no one traces and pursues him till after he regains his memory. How convenient.
Despite the looming, persistent threat of the gypsy guy (see, I can’t even recall the name) who has perverted designs on Jenny, he is made to ‘conveniently’ disappear by the time Merrick and Jenny leave the gypsy camp. No more threat. No more troubles. It’s like he was just there to sprinkle in a bit of tension while Merrick and Jenny live out their stay there as a married couple.
And then there’s Reverend Usher’s threat, and his use of ‘goons’ to pose as men of the law in order to flush out Jenny. The fake constables were hardly heard from ever again (their portrayal became superfluous, then). And, even if Usher’s demise was a fitting one, the way in which it was done was too abrupt – hardly meriting the protracted fear that Jenny had over him.
Oh, and yeah. Merrick can turn back time. Whoopee. Jenny is made to live again.
Did I fail to mention that the woman gets slain? Don’t worry. (Refer to above).
Then come the time when Merrick (with Jenny) went back to his own time and place. A little skirmish here and there, followed by that ridiculous it-would’ve-funny-if-it-wasn’t-so-sad stupidity in the villain’s end by whispering his sorcery on Jenny’s wrong ear…and everything was happily ever after. Nice.
Even Merrick’s taken-for-granted ‘agreement’ (read as betrothal) with that supposedly powerful woman of his clan did not even escalate into something dramatic when she was confronted with Jenny. I was hoping that that at least would be a soap operatic turn of events. But no. Hardly a buzz.
To say that I was frustrated with the whole thing is a bit of an understatement.
And what’s with the author’s preoccupation with describing Merrick’s uhmm… ‘organ’ always as a c--? Has she no other adjectives on her arsenal? Even erotica fiction are imaginative when it comes to describing the male tumescence. By sticking to the c-word all the time (I would say it out loud…but people are so squeamish), Maguire makes it appear as if she’s just compensating for mediocre writing by telling the reader that she can use a hardcore word when it comes to the sex scenes.
But, really, take that ‘vulgarity’ (I use it sparingly) away and what’s left? Hardly any chemistry. Barely any thrill.
Other romance readers may love the story. But I think from now on I would have to edge away from any book with Maguire’s name on it. And that really makes me sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2008
Take a magical battle, add in some steamy romance, stir with a bit of Merlin/Aurthur lore and you have "Temptation of the Warrior" by Margo Maguire. This book is the second in her warriors series. The first was "A Warrior's Taking". This is a historical romance series and the books are a quick, pleasurable read.
Jenny is trying to escape from her miserable life at the orphan's school where she was abused by a sadistic headmaster with a penchant for young blondes. She's off to find her locket, the only reminder of her parents, which was stolen from her at the orphan school. Taken up by gypsies after being saved from brigands by a handsome stranger who is injured in the battle, she claims him as her husband and nurses him back to health. She knows you can't count on men, but determines to enjoy this brief happiness.
Merrick has come 1000 years into the future to find one of the brigha stones to save his people from enslavement by an evil sorceress and her henchmen. When he happens upon a beautiful lass in trouble, he jumps in to save her and is wounded, tho successful, in his attempts. When he wakes, he can't remember who he is and he only wishes he could remember his beautiful...wife?
Tension, battles, good versus evil, wicked headmaster, beautiful orphan...this one has it all.
Jenny is trying to escape from her miserable life at the orphan's school where she was abused by a sadistic headmaster with a penchant for young blondes. She's off to find her locket, the only reminder of her parents, which was stolen from her at the orphan school. Taken up by gypsies after being saved from brigands by a handsome stranger who is injured in the battle, she claims him as her husband and nurses him back to health. She knows you can't count on men, but determines to enjoy this brief happiness.
Merrick has come 1000 years into the future to find one of the brigha stones to save his people from enslavement by an evil sorceress and her henchmen. When he happens upon a beautiful lass in trouble, he jumps in to save her and is wounded, tho successful, in his attempts. When he wakes, he can't remember who he is and he only wishes he could remember his beautiful...wife?
Tension, battles, good versus evil, wicked headmaster, beautiful orphan...this one has it all.
October 2, 2018
Nortúmbria, 981
Uma nova terra. Um novo tempo... Um novo amor.
Merrick Mac Lochlainn precisa viajar quase mil anos para o futuro, para descobrir a mágica capaz de proteger seu clã de um grande mal. Porém, ao acordar na Inglaterra do século XIX, ele não se lembra de sua missão, e tampouco reconhece Jenny Keating, a jovem linda e graciosa que afirma ser sua esposa...
Vulnerável e sozinha, e fugindo de um homem cruel, Jenny nunca imaginou que seria salva por um galante cavalheiro, muito menos um guerreiro bonito e charmoso. Atraída pela beleza máscula e pelo jeito misterioso de Merrick, Jenny dá início a uma farsa perigosa e se faz passar por esposa dele. Porém, seus sentimentos nada têm de fictícios, ao contrário, são reais e intensos, até demais... E, juntos, eles terão de combater uma terrível ameaça, que põe em perigo as suas vidas, ao mesmo tempo que têm de lidar com uma paixão forte demais para resistir...
Uma nova terra. Um novo tempo... Um novo amor.
Merrick Mac Lochlainn precisa viajar quase mil anos para o futuro, para descobrir a mágica capaz de proteger seu clã de um grande mal. Porém, ao acordar na Inglaterra do século XIX, ele não se lembra de sua missão, e tampouco reconhece Jenny Keating, a jovem linda e graciosa que afirma ser sua esposa...
Vulnerável e sozinha, e fugindo de um homem cruel, Jenny nunca imaginou que seria salva por um galante cavalheiro, muito menos um guerreiro bonito e charmoso. Atraída pela beleza máscula e pelo jeito misterioso de Merrick, Jenny dá início a uma farsa perigosa e se faz passar por esposa dele. Porém, seus sentimentos nada têm de fictícios, ao contrário, são reais e intensos, até demais... E, juntos, eles terão de combater uma terrível ameaça, que põe em perigo as suas vidas, ao mesmo tempo que têm de lidar com uma paixão forte demais para resistir...
January 13, 2024
I enjoyed the book and the unveiling of the two mysteries that drive the plot. However, I had to knock it down a star as I didn't really like that the story had a few racist undertones going on. The main bad guy is described as looking like a Native American (the only person actually in the story described as such). This is particularly bad considering the author Margo Maguire is from Michigan, USA, and thus is from a country and culture that has maligned and mistreated Native Americans for hundreds of years. Maguire is sure to have been aware of this even in 2008 when this book was published. Additionally, I was not fond of the unnecessary Romani child bride story line. I had actually somewhat enjoyed Maguire's attempt at writing the Romani as helpful and kind people until then.
December 25, 2022
Awesome, amazing well written.
August 6, 2025
Merrick, the clan chieftain who has vowed to protect his people from the evil wizard, travels forward in time to get his hand on a powerful artifact. Instantly though, he is knocked out saving a woman from getting robbed, which has stripped him of his memories. Not knowing who he is or more importantly, what his mission was, Merrick stays with the beautiful woman who claims to be his wife.
Jenny is not married to this hulking man who saved her from robbers, but he is injured and needs someone to look after him and she needs a husband to protect her from the dangers of the world outside the abbey. Spending most of her life in the church, beaten by the cruel headmaster, Jenny has finally broken free. But they hunt her still and she knows it’s only a matter of time before they find her.
I grew bored with this book very quickly. No problem really seemed to be dire. The betrayal of learning Jenny lied to Merrick about their marriage? Brushed over within the first 100 pages. Merrick’s amnesia? Gone randomly a hundred pages in from that. This paired with the feeling that theses characters didn’t love each other made this a hard book to finish.
I found Jenny to be the most dreadful character I’ve read in a long time. She was stupid, she was ignorant and worse, she thought she was independent. Every second she got she was planning on running away from Merrick – the only person able to protect her! Merrick
Jenny is not married to this hulking man who saved her from robbers, but he is injured and needs someone to look after him and she needs a husband to protect her from the dangers of the world outside the abbey. Spending most of her life in the church, beaten by the cruel headmaster, Jenny has finally broken free. But they hunt her still and she knows it’s only a matter of time before they find her.
I grew bored with this book very quickly. No problem really seemed to be dire. The betrayal of learning Jenny lied to Merrick about their marriage? Brushed over within the first 100 pages. Merrick’s amnesia? Gone randomly a hundred pages in from that. This paired with the feeling that theses characters didn’t love each other made this a hard book to finish.
I found Jenny to be the most dreadful character I’ve read in a long time. She was stupid, she was ignorant and worse, she thought she was independent. Every second she got she was planning on running away from Merrick – the only person able to protect her! Merrick
October 19, 2008
Hero's a mythical warrior who lives in Avalon, or Faery or somewhere like that. He has to come to Earth to find a talisman to defeat a wicked sorceress, and when he gets back, he'll marry the most powerful magic user woman, and defeat the great evil. Heroine is an orphan working as a teacher at a horrible girls' school, who's been saving up money to quit. She was sent there when her parents died and has never left, but now, she's made her plans. Except someone's stolen her mother's necklace--she suspects another "teacher" who's also run away. But while she's walking to town, she's set upon by thieves--and rescued by a chance passerby who's hit on the head during the battle. When he wakes, he can't remember who he is, and when they come across a band of gypsies, she claims he's her husband. The gypsies take them in, in exchange for her teaching the leader and his son to read... And things go from there. The evil wicked schoolmaster is after her for some reason. The hero can do odd things--and so can the heroine. Lots of action. Good read. This is the 2nd or 3rd story in a series, so people pop in and out, but it's not terribly confusing, or annoying.
March 31, 2011
i have to say that i had no idea what to expect when opening this book, but i was actually surprised with quite a few things. it was a little difficult getting into it at first only because of all the magical talk of 'Druzai' and all, but this turned out to be a great book. The girl Jenny seemed to me like a caged animal when in the school, especially with Reverand Usher always watcher her like a hawk. When Merrick stumbles upon her after she leaves the school for good and is accosted by some ruffians,one shot to the head during the fight and he was struck with amnesia. When he awoke, Jenny had come up with a story for their rescuers, gypsies, and tells them that Merrick and her are married, and that his name is 'Matthew'. From that moment on it's a constant question of when will he get his memories back, and what will happen when he does? Wonderful book i will read again. Please read if you like time travel romances. Sorry if my grammar is bad, very tired.lol
July 21, 2008
The one thing that really turned me off to this book was that there was no glossary for the words that were in "Druzai". Since this is a Sequel (in a story about 2 brothers) I wonder if there was a glossary in the first? Anyway, it's very frustrating and impolite, in my mind, to not include explinations of special terms contained within the book.
The story dragged on in a few places, and the ending seemed a little rushed (I don't know why I always think that about most endings, maybe I don't like any book to end). But, the romance was sweet and the leading lady was someone you liked and identified with.
The story dragged on in a few places, and the ending seemed a little rushed (I don't know why I always think that about most endings, maybe I don't like any book to end). But, the romance was sweet and the leading lady was someone you liked and identified with.
May 9, 2011
I ate this historical/paranormal romance up. I was delighted to read a romance where the hero and heroine knew and admitted their love interest, yet the conflicts came from their life styles. It was a difficult task for them to control their future, so I rooted for the hot hero and strong, yet kind, heroine.
January 28, 2015
I'm so sorry, but this magical book didn't quite do it for me. The writer used a lot of words to tell a small story. I wanted to love this book, especially since the cover was so hott, but it didn't fit with the bold way paranormal books are written these days. I believe this writer would do well with basic romance novels.
May 13, 2008
Middling, liked the characters, plot needed some work. Want to know more about my opinion?
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December 31, 2015The writing style didn't work for me and I felt like the world building was lacking, making it difficult to understand all that was happening. I won't be continuing with this series.
June 2, 2013
pretty good read
April 16, 2017
The writing was very good the story adventure,charectures,and explanations where great there's lots of romance wink wink and likable people but my only downside is its reptative.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews