5 "I Need An Immortal Defender ASAP" Stars
The Immortal Defender was definitely a book I didn't see coming! I don't know exactly what I was expecting but this book definitely exceeded in preconceived notions about vikings, stallions and shape-shifters.
The Immortal Defender is about a man who is trying to break this curse that allows him to be man by night and yet stallion by day. At first I thought the whole stallion thing was a little funny and more of a joke than anything else, yet the author created the curse to be a burden and as I got to know the characters throughout the book, I saw the more serious side of the situation and the pain each of the men go through every day! Usually shifting from man to animal is this sexy thing that is done fluidly and with little stress... yah not so much in this book! Yet I loved this branch-off from mainstream and thought the author did an amazing job of creating tension and emotion with this part of the novel.
So the point of the book is for Torvald to finally find himself free of the curse which can only be broken if he has two things in his possession. I don't want to give away spoilers so I'm keeping it vague, but let's just say these things seem impossible! I couldn't help but fall in love with Torvald's dignity and sweetness throughout the novel! He really was this perfect warrior and to have to face Josian's disapproval and distrust about broke my heart for him, but I can understand her perspective.
Josian is a widow who's enjoying her independence when Torvald comes along. When what she thinks is a night of passion turns out a little differently than she expects... well she's reasonably upset. No matter how frustrated I got by Josian's rejection of Torvald, I couldn't help understanding her point of view. She grew up religious in a time where witch hunts are common and is faced with this obviously magical guy... I'd be a little hesitant too!
Yet the love story in this book is the perfect balance of rejection and acceptance as the characters work on staying out of trouble (which seems to be impossible for them) and staying alive! I like how Josian is a strong female lead who doesn't automatically accept the story she's given even in the face of honesty and truth!
Overall this book was definitely 5 stars for me as the author's writing takes the reader (me) on a journey through this undiscovered world where vikings are cursed to shape-shift and widow's who dare to be rescued by them!
In her Defender's strong arms, she has no defense...
Part of a band of Viking warriors cursed by an evil sorceress, Torvald has searched for years for a magic that can free him from his fate—to live forever as a were-creature, a man by night, a stallion by day. While studying with the alchemist to Queen Elizabeth, Torvald meets the lovely widow Josian Delamere and hopes she might be the one woman who can save him.
Unwilling to give up the independence of her widowhood, Josian expects to become merely lovers, but Torvald's tender seductions make her yearn for more. Just as she’s poised to surrender her heart, a hidden enemy reveals Torvald’s secret to her—and she flees the dark magic that surrounds him, in fear for her very soul.
The proud warrior can win any battle, but he cannot surmount the pain of losing Josian. Yet when her life is threatened, he will risk it all to come to the defense of the one woman who means more to him than his own salvation...
