A good story. ( )

This is a well written romance that was fun to read.

Epic Adventure and Bold Passion

Ronan was a legend among men…and the last thing he needed was a troublesome woman. Yet this fierce Irish warrior took a deathbed oath to protect a chieftain’s rebellious daughter.

Triona was a hellion of a woman…who would let no man rule her. Raised in the ways of a warrior, she defied Ronan’s every command. So he planned to marry her off, to be rid of the wild lass forever. But in the heat of battle—enflamed by her passionate spirit—Ronan decided he wanted this beautiful, impossible woman for himself. ( )

It was an enjoyable beach read- nothing deep, but with a decent plot and good pace. The characters were mostly realistic, and it was rather obvious that the secondary characters would be getting their own stories, since they were not entirely flat.

Triona O'Toole was found as a baby in the arms of her dead mother. Although she was a hated Norman, she doesn't know this secret history, and was raised in an Irish clan. Her father indulged her, especially after the death of his only son. In a word, Triona was a tomboy. She could hunt and shoot with the best of them- not high praise for an Irish maiden at the time. When her father suddenly dies, he leaves Triona as ward of his godson, Ronan O'Byrne. Triona had learned to hate Ronan, and she holds him responsible for her brother's death. Almost immediately, Ronan tries to remold Triona into the proper Irish maiden, and marry her off. Triona wants nothing to do with this plan, and seeks to cause him grief at every possible turn. While sparks are flying, each hide the obvious affection while denying the other could possibly have feelings for them. And just when things look like they are finally sorted, everything goes wrong...

I liked that Triona and Ronan were both fairly well developed characters, although they come off as very childish at times. It takes Ronan a long time to get over his guilt, and it continues to come back and haunt him, coloring his actions, long after he's finally let things go. The same could be said for Triona's fears. She is very impulsive and headstrong, often endangering others without thought, almost as if she doesn't expect others to care for her (which they obviously do).

Te only major complaint I have was that it took forever for the story to end. Rather than ending at what seemed like a natural ending place for me as a reader, the author continues on with the story, dragging out some parts while setting up for the sequel. It make the ending of the story feel awkward. ( )