Lisa Hendrix

Cool! A paranormal romance set in the Middle Ages with tortured heroes, brave heroines, and a wickedly evil witch! "Immortal Warrior" is the first book in a new 'Immortal Brotherhood' series by Lisa Hendrix and if you like your paranormal in a different setting, this just might be for you. This first story has a lot of world building which was sometimes irritating, but necessary to set up the rules and boundaries of Hendrix' creatures.

Ivo has been around for a long, long time. His curse show more changes him into an eagle by day and back into a man each night. This transformation has kept him apart from humanity for so long as he can't risk discovery. Just because he's immortal doesn't mean he can't feel pain. His loneliness and the thrill of battle led him into contact with humans, and now he's come to the attention of the king. For his latest reward he requests a castle. He gets a castle...and the woman in it too.

Alaida is tired of being besieged by prospective husbands...especially since they're beginning to lose patience with wooing and she's pretty sure at least one is contemplating force. So when yet another group of three knights appears at her gate, she dutifully goes to greet them intending to turn them away if possible. Instead, she learns her grandfather is a prisoner of the king and the beautiful man looking at her with fire in his eyes is her new lord...and soon to be husband.

This first story did stretch my credulity a bit. I thought a strong female like Alaida would be a little more aggressive with finding out why her husband is gone every day! And how the super-sexy Ivo managed to restrain himself was another sore point for me. But overall, I did enjoy the characters and the story and I think the setting actually helped with both the above. There was quite a bit of relationship building instead of just action and sex and I enjoyed that change of pace. I was even a bit surprised by exactly how the ending played out and that doesn't happen as often as I'd like.

I definitely want to get the next book, "Immortal Outlaw", which comes out in June 2009 and see where the author intends to take her series next. show less

Alnwick Castle is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Northumberland, and Hogwarts students learned to fly in its bailey. So say the historical notes at the back of Immortal Warrior by Lisa Hendrix. The fact that I’ve actually seen the castle in real life only adds to the attraction.

The immortal warrior of the title is Ivo, which is in fact the name of the Norman lord given charge of the castle after a 1095 uprising against William the Conqueror. The historical lord’s descendants held the show more castle for 200 years, though he may not have been quite as intriguing a character as the one portrayed by the author. Here, Ivo is an immortal Norse warrior, eternally cursed by the sorceress whose son died at his friend’s hand. Each of the survivors of that long-ago battle now lives a strange half-life, unable to die, and shape-changing between animal and human as the sun rises and sets.

As an eagle, Ivo spies out the land for his king. And as a man he reports what he’s learned. But one thing the king and his Christian men must never learn is Ivo’s shape-changing, which they would surely call demonic. And when Ivo is given a castle and a bride, he must keep his terrible secret in a far more public place, and hide his darkest fears from his dearest love.

Romantic Times describes this as “a bold and beautiful fairy-tale for grown-ups.” I’d have to say they’re right. The love-scenes are sensual and sweet, the history is delightfully convincing and well-researched, the characters are tortured and wonderful, the plot twisting, surprising, satisfying. The author combines myth, adventure and romance in well-seasoned proportions and creates a delightful whole. I shall eagerly watch for the next in this series. show less

I enjoyed Immortal Warrior so much I just had to read the next in Lisa Hendrix’ series. Immortal Outlaw is a fine romance set in the time of Robin Hood, and as soon as the characters Robin and Marian appear, the reader starts wondering, how will this all fit together. Well, it fits together great. Lisa Hendrix spins a really good tale, with fascinating historical detail interwoven with delightful mythology and enticing romance. These Viking warriors make deep and complex characters as they show more struggle through the centuries of their curse. Steinarr’s situation is possible worse than the others’, the fierceness of his night-time lion always on the fringes of his thoughts. But Marian has hidden strengths that will all be drawn on this tale. The basic treasure hunt is great fun to follow, and the growing romance between the main characters is delightful to watch, though fraught with danger. Another really fun book, with well-played and touching romance. Here’s hoping there’s more… show less

I really loved this book. Very reminiscent of the Wolf and the Dove, an old Kathleen Woodiweiss favorite, only this one's got more (and better) sex scenes. Strong male protagonists, strong female protagonists, a good love story with a HEA, plus well-researched historical background. One of my pet peeves is historical fiction where the author can't be bothered to do her/his homework, and there are disturbing elements that throw one out of the story. Not the case here.

Now I want to read ALL in show more this series! show less