IMMORTAL WARRIOR ~~ Lisa Hendrix
Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-22454-0
November 2008
Historical Paranormal Romance

England, 1096

Viking Ivo Graycloak knows what it means to be cursed. For two centuries, he and a small band of others have lived as were-creatures; humans by night, animals by day. Ivo's particular curse is that of an eagle, and his life has been an isolated one, save for those who share his fate. So when he is offered a boon by the king, instead of gold, he asks for land. What he gets in return is a castle and a wife. It's not long before he makes Alnwick his own, along with the lovely Lady Alaida. She's as stubborn as she is beautiful, and, in her, Ivo finds the comfort he has been seeking for so long. But is their love strong enough to break the curse? Especially after a trusted friend has visions of danger should Alaida conceive?

The last thing Lady Alaida wants is a husband, especially one she doesn't even know. But despite the lure of the convent, Alaida realizes that she can't leave her beloved people and sets out to make the most of her marriage. What turns out to be a magical wedding night turns into confusion when she realizes that her husband is gone before dawn, and according to Ivo, that's how it will remain. Where does her husband go every morning? And how is she supposed to get to know a man who is rarely ever there?

Reminiscent of the cult movie "Ladyhawke," IMMORTAL WARRIOR tells the tale of a man cursed by magic and hatred, but who finds love in the arms of a woman he can't ever really know. Ivo never knew how much he wanted a family until he received one from the king, and now that he has Lady Alaida and a real home, he doesn't know how he will ever give it up. When he realizes his curse could pass to his offspring, the emotional turmoil of not being with the one he wants slowly takes a toll on him, causing Ivo to isolate himself further from Alaida. A feisty and stubborn woman, Alaida at first loathes the idea of being forced to marry, but it doesn't take long for her to fall under Ivo's charming spell. Her doubts about her husband's whereabouts during the day cause strife in their marriage, but it's enough to say this couple never goes to sleep angry. Ivo isn't alone in his curse, as fellow friends Brand and Ari also change into animals as well. Ari is the only one who changes overnight, thus he is able to soothe Alaida's fears for her marriage during the day, quickly becoming her close friend. And I doubt this is the last we've seen of this shape-shifter.

A sizzling and engrossing romance from the pen of Lisa Hendrix, IMMORTAL WARRIOR should not be missed.

Courtney Michelle