The Warrior [Mass Market Paperback]

Laird Lochlan MacAllister is in France on a journey to find out any information about the whereabouts of his brother Kiernan, whom everyone thought dead. Along the way he stumbles upon his old nemesis Catarina. She is escaping her would be kidnappers. Lochlan could never turn his back on someone in distress and besides, she helped save his brothers life. So, Lochlan helps Catarina escape. Only then he finds out that she is not who he believed her to be (a peasant). In fact, she is royalty. Catarina is the illegitimate daughter of King Phillip Capet of France. The man who has ordered her capture in order to force her into a marriage of his choosing.

Realizing his fatal error and all the trouble it could bring to his clan, Lochlan wants to return Catarina to her father. She protests and begs him to aid in her escape. He concedes and both set off on a journey. She needs to get to the safety of her uncle Bavel and he needs to locate the men that know information about his brother.

At long last! The reserved and serious Laird finally gets his own book! And who is the heroine? None other than the shrewish and free spirited *gyspy* that drove Lachlan crazy, Catarina from 'Taming the Scotsman'. Macgregor does a wonderful job creating sexual tension between these supposed opposites. Who would have thunk that the priggish and by-the-rules-book man would fall for chaotic, dance-loving beauty? But it works well here. Lochlan is isolated as the leader of his clan and needs strong woman to help him share the burden. A woman who would give him all the affection and love he's in desperately lacking. Catarina is a woman, who on the other hand, needs stability. She's tired of running her whole life. And Lochlan is the first man, besides her uncle, whose shown her how to trust and love.

Another good book by Macgregor. Its the fourth book of the MacAllister series (Claiming the Highlander, Born in Sin *my fav*, Taming the Scotsman). And in The Brotherhood of the Sword series its the third (well really the fourth) -Midsummer Knight *in the 'Where's My Hero' anthology*, A Dark Champion, Return of the Warrior). As far as reading the prequels, you probably should. I don't think I would have liked the book as much without knowing the backgrounds of all the characters.

Why exactly its part of the Brotherhood series and not just another MacAllister book? That I won't reveal -too much of a spoiler. But many of the Brotherhood make appearances including Stryder, Simon and the mysterious masked and evil? Damien, who would make a great hero btw (Macgregor are you reading this?).

And as far as Kiernan goes...dead? Well all I have to say is that there is an definitely an eyebrow raising moment there in the end. You'll just have to read it to find out.

If you haven't read MacGregor's "Brotherhood of the Sword" and "MacAllister Brothers" series', start from the beginning. It's a terrific ongoing tale. This book, "The Warrior", combines the two series, and even sneaks in a connection to one of her other series.

The Brotherhood of the Sword/ MacAllister series:

Master of Desire

Claiming the Highlander

Born in Sin

Taming the Scotsman

A Dark Champion

Return of the Warrior

The Warrior

Now I know why the DH series has been lagging. Kinley MacGregor (AKA Sherrilyn Kenyon) has been putting her heart into this book instead. The MacAllister brothers, and the members of the "Brotherhood of the Sword", are back. MacGregor has kept her men in their original personalities. This time we are finally reading Lochlan's story. After so long, I was thrilled to be swept back into this world of powerful, honorable, brave men.

Lochlan MacAllister is the laird of his family clan. He has given up his own possibility of happiness to dedicate himself to the good of the clan. One of the most devastating blows to his family occurred several years ago when the youngest brother, Kieran, drowned himself in a river. His suicide has haunted Lochlan. When news comes that Kieran may have faked his death, Lochlan sets out on a journey to find the truth.

While searching for news of Kieran, Lochlan found something he wasn't expecting instead. He sees a woman who is being attacked by soldiers. He has met the woman before. Catarina was like a plague to Lochlan. Her rude insults were more than he cared to tolerate. Unfortunately, he owes her a debt that can never be repaid. She had saved his brother, Ewan's, life. Now he will save hers by helping her flee the soldiers.

Catarina will risk life and limb to escape her father's men. He has planned a marriage for her that she can't bare to accept. While trying to escape the soldiers, they catch her and begin beating her. She is shocked when an unlikely champion steps in to save her. It is Lochlan MacAllister. A man she never liked. Now, she will gladly follow him to safety.

During their journey, Lochlan makes a stop at a tourney. There, he knows he will find Stryder of Blackmoor, a member of the Brotherhood of the Sword. Lochlan has heard rumors that Kieran was last seen with Stryder. This may be Lochlan's last chance to find the truth. With a prayer, Lochlan approaches Stryder in hopes of receiving answers.

As their journey continues, Lochlan and Catarina grow attached to one another. They spend so much time together, they each begin to realize that thier first impressions were wrong. Both are brave and honest people. Each has long believed they are happiest living independently. Now they are learning how lonely they have been without love. If they have to, they will go on the run to prevent Catarina's father from taking her away to marry another man. Meanwhile, Lochlan's heart is half broken, wondering what the trail to his brother will reveal. Will he find Kieran alive, or long dead?

Want to read the whole series? Here are the links to the first 6 books. ("The Warrior" is number 7.) Enjoy!

Master of Desire

Claiming the Highlander (The MacAllisters)

Born in Sin: A MacAllisters Novel

Taming the Scotsman (The MacAllisters)

A Dark Champion (Brotherhood of the Sword, Book 1)

Return of the Warrior (Brotherhood of the Sword, Book 2)

What on earth was up with the epilogue?? This was a great book, possibly even my favourite of the MacAllister series, but the epilogue was ridiculous and spoiled what was a pretty powerful ending. My suggestion would be to stop reading at the end of the last chapter. Seriously!

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