Warrior Untamed/Take a Chance by Melissa Mayhue – reviews

Melissa Mayhue has two releases within weeks apart.  Warrior Untamed is part of her Warrior series, and Take a Chance is Melissa’s first book in a new romance series. Below are the reviews of each book.

Warrior Untamed
Warrior series – Book 3
by Melissa Mayhue
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Links to order Warrior Untamed:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
If only Bridget MacCulloch, descendant of the mighty Picts, could control her temper and overcome her lack of patience, she’d likely be the most formidable warrior of her day. But how’s she supposed to master that temper when all the men she encounters seem determined to thwart her every move, suggesting that she find a good husband and settle down? Her only interest in life is avenging her father’s death—a goal which in no way includes spending time with the arrogant, domineering Norseman who saved her life.

As a descendant of the Norse god Thor, Halldor O’Donar carries his ancestor’s title as the Protector of Man. Though he’s plagued by interfering Faeries, he’s determined to save Mankind from a monster that escaped from his ancestors’ world. The last thing he wants is a wild-tempered woman to distract him from his quest.

But the Fates have other ideas. Brie and Hall find that the only way to meet their individual goals is to work together. To succeed, she must learn to harness her negative emotions to free the power of the warrior within, and he must let down his protective walls to allow one very special woman inside…


 Review:

Warrior Untamed is the 3^rd book in Melissa Mayhue’s Warrior series.  When we left off in Warrior Reborn, I suspected that our heroes would be Bridget and Hall, and I was right. Warrior Untamed picks up with Hall rescuing and bringing Brie back to Castle MacGahan.  Brie and Hall have very strong feelings for each other.  Hall though tries desperately to hold back his feelings, as he is a descendant of Thor, and knows he cannot take Bridget with him, when he returns.  Brie is a one of a kind heroine, tough, confident, temperamental, independent and stubborn, not to mention a perfect female warrior.  She truly is a perfect match for Hall.  But despite her feelings for Hall, Brie senses his distance, even though she can see the desire in his eyes, and just takes it as meaning he isn’t interested in a woman like her.

It is Brie’s stubbornness and intense desire to enact revenge against our villain, Torquil for killing her father.  She will not let anyone stand in her way, which is difficult as both Hall and her brother, Jamesy want to protect her by forcing her to stay back in the Castle.  Brie sneaks out more then once along the way, always a step of ahead of them, though Hall does catch up with her a few times. 

The villain, Torquil, is actually a beast that has taken over his body. Fenrir lives inside Torquil, and will stop at nothing to kill anyone who tries to lock him up again.  Hall knows that Brie’s stubbornness will get her killed, or worse yet, the beast will overtake her body.  She keeps escaping Hall, and each time he comes to her rescue, but Brie will not be stopped, as it is her right to kill Torquil.  This is an exciting adventure, and Hall and Brie made a fabulous couple.  The sexual chemistry between them is hot, and despite their misgivings, they are both very much in love with each other.  Will Hall be able to find a way to have Brie as his mate?  Will Hall be able to save a reckless Brie?  Will both Torquil and Fenrir meet their deserved end? 

Melissa Mayhue once again creates a fabulous story, and brings everything to a conclusion.  I loved the epilogue when we get to see all of the fabulous heroes of the three books, and see how they are doing in their lives.  I am a huge of fan of Melissa, and am dying to know what is next (besides her contemporary romance Take a Chance)?  Warrior spinoff?  Daughters of the Glen?  If you have not read this series, you need to start with Warrior Redemption and then continue on to Warrior Reborn and Warrior Untamed.  Great series for the always fantastic Melissa Mayhue.

Take a Chance
Chance Colorado series – Book 1
by Melissa Mayhue
Release Date: December 16,2013

Links to order Take a Chance: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / ITunes / Kobo

Description:
Allison Flynn has spent the last eight years struggling to build the life of her dreams.  But a cheating boyfriend, the loss of her beloved job, and her mother’s illness have all conspired to bring her back home again, shutting the door on those dreams.

Logan O’Connor is a man driven by guilt and haunted by the what-ifs of his choices in life.  Betrayed by the woman he’d thought he loved, he’s given up any dream of the Happy Ever After he’d once assumed his life would have and devoted himself to his work.

When Allie and Logan cross paths, they’ll need to risk their hearts once more to have any chance at finding what they really want.

Sometimes you have to take a chance to make your dreams come true

Review:

Take a Chance by Melissa Mayhue is her first book in her Chance Colorado series.  Take a Chance is a contemporary romance, which is a new genre for Melissa. The story takes place in  Chance, a small town in Colorado.

Allison (Allie) is our heroine, whom we meet as a teenager, 8 years before present time.  Allie has always had a secret crush on her brother’s friend, Logan.  But Logan doesn’t even know Allie exists, especially since he only sees her as his friend’s little sister.  At her prom, she is with Ryan, Logan’s brother, and he finds out that she has been using him to be able to meet Logan.  With her best friend betraying her, and her embarrassment for doing that to her friend, Ryan, Allie leaves town soonafter graduation.

The story picks up 8 years later, as Allie’s brother Matt, has been injured while stationed oversees, and with her mother ill, Allie decides to go home with Matt and help take care of both of them.  Having caught her current boyfriend having an affair, made it easier for Allie to go home again, something she swore she would never do.

No matter how much she tries to avoid some people, she does come face to face with Logan, the boy she crushed over 8 years earlier.  This time Logan notices the beautiful young woman, whom he does not really know.

This is a sweet romance that has such a nice hometown feel.  I loved Allie and Logan together, as they took their time to build this romance.  At first, Allie shied away from Logan, thinking he knew the story of why she left town.  But no one cares what happened years earlier, especially when she was just a teenager.  Melissa Mayhue has created some wonderful characters that make this story so good.  I loved the cousins, Desi and Dulcie, and their coffee shop. I want to go there and taste their fabulous cakes and great coffee.  It is the cousins who help Allie settle in Chance, to build her own life.  I also loved Logan’s brash sister, Katy, and Logan’s friend Tanner, a hot hot fireman.  I can foresee a budding romance with Katy and Tanne. Melissa also gives us a glimpse at some new characters that we can be sure will have their own story.

If you enjoy a pure romance; a small town atmosphere; a wonderful couple; great secondary characters; then this book is perfect for you.  Take a Chance is a new genre for Melissa Mayhue, but no matter what she does, she is a fabulous writer.  Being a big fan of Melissa, it is no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed Take a Chance.   I wholly recommend that you also Take a Chance.  🙂

Reviews by Barb

Copies provided by Author/Publisher