Rating: 
Summary: A DEFINITE KEEPER
Review: My second book by Karyn Monk - the first being "The Prisoner" - and I continue to be more than pleased with her work. This one, as in "The Prisoner", is like a breath of fresh air. Different and delectable. A flawed hero, a brave heroine, and a beautiful love story that happens gradually - not love at first sight. A truly wonderful romance. You won't be disappointed.
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Summary: A beautiful love story to savor
Review: Once a Warrior is my first Karyn Monk book I read. I picked it up because of I just grew fond of the cover and it didn't betray me as I got hooked on at the very first pages. I love Scottish romance and I love tortured/imperfect heroes so this book is perfect for my taste because it's all about a shattered Scottish warrior. The hero, Malcolm MacFane, seems so real. He has weaknesses of a real human and I like that. The heroine, Ariella MacKendrick, is a real fighter who never falters. The secondary characters are also lovely and they pleasantly add life to the story. This book is very well written. Ms. Monk is blessed with storytelling gift. She also has a wonderful sense of humor and cleverly added a good portion of it to the story. All in all, this is a beautiful love story with unforgettable characters that will linger in your heart for a long time.
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Summary: Strong woman with guts becomes a wimp in the end.
Review: Once a Warrior starts strong and boasts a maiden who actually has class and personal strength. The story unfolds with wisdom provided by an elder and self-knowledge becoming evident. Unfortunately, the ending is shallow and weak. Why does this strong heroine have to just cave in to the hero's decisions? Can she no longer think for herself just because she is in love? Except for the frustrating ending, an enjoyable tale. I hope Karyn Monk reconsiders weakening her females like this and allows them to remain strong even in the face of a man.
Rating:
Summary: A Romance with Substance!
Review: People often refer to romance novels as weak and plotless. Karyn Monk, however, has broken down those stereotypes, and written a romance novel with substance! Once A Warrior is a beautifully written book, with exceptionally strong main characters. The heroine, a brave woman, handles her responsibilites with a passion that is to be admired. She is strong-willed, but clearly displays a graceful and tender side as well. The hero, a refreshingly original character, has more than one battle to fight, adding excitement to this historical romance. VERY IMPRESSIVE!
Rating:
Summary: At last, a hero who's not perfect!
Review: Pick up "Once a Warrior", and be prepared to be glued to it to the end. Karyn Monk's characters are as unpredictable as predictable. Alpin, the seer, smacks of Disney's Merlin in "Sword in the Stone"; Ariella, the heroine, is the stereotype beautiful-slender-smart combination so loved in romances; Roderic, the villain, is the classic self-centered, cruel, but handsome bad guy. The surprise character in this book is the hero, Malcolm, a.k.a. the Black Wolf. A once fearless warrior, the man has been reduced to drinking excessively to kill the pain of battle wounds that twist and torture his body. The story is thick with deception and truth, realism and fantasy, humor and horror. You'll cheer for the good guys, snarl for the bad, and applaud for the entire book.
Rating:
Summary: Great storytelling
Review: Seldom are love scenes written with such sadness as in this book, and the story was sweet and poignant, reminding me a little of Beauty and the Beast. TITLE:Once a Warrior AUTHOR:Karyn Monk CUSTOMER-ID:2747308 SOURCE:pontmarie EMAIL:pontmarie@yahoo.com DISPLAY-EMAIL:source USER-LOCATION:California TIME:905463273 RATING:5 PRIORITY:2500 SUMMARY:Great storytelling REVIEW: Seldom are love scenes written with such sadness as in this book, and the story was sweet and poignant, reminding me a little of Beauty and the Beast.
Rating:
Summary: It's a great book, but pales beside her next one
Review: This is a truly wonderful book, but having just purchased Ms Monk's next book "The Witch and the Warrior", it can't quite compare. How wonderful that an author's books improve!My advice is to read this book first, then the next one (although they have nothing in common in their story lines). That will avoid any disappointing comparisons in the reading of this wonderful book. I agree with another reviewer who feels this author should be writing hard cover novels. I wish they were LONGER, however!
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Summary: First Time Reader of Karyn Monk
Review: This is the first book of Karyn Monk's that I have read. It was utterly brilliant. I read it in about 5 hours. Couldn't put it down. She had me laughing and crying the entire time. Wonderful story of honor, courage, committment, and self-forgiveness. Off to the bookstore now to buy all her books I can find.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice reading
Review: This story show us how a woman can give a man strength to be alive, Malcolm wanted to be dead until he saw Ariella, you also find out that if you want something you really have to fight for it, because if you don't do anything for yourself nobody will, and another interesting point is that maybe for you something is perfect, but for anyone else won't be so perfect.
The story of the book is nice, not amazing, not incredible, just nice, is not a page turner but you can relax and read it, for example (as I did) on two or three rainy days, when you just must be at home.
Rating:
Summary: Great read! Funny and touching
Review: This was my first book by Monk and I wasn't disappointed. 'Once a Warrior' is a simple, funny, heartwarming novel, and within it, Monk reminds us that not all heros come in perfect packages. Ariella and Malcolm are meant to be together; both are strong-willed yet tormented by their pasts and their future duties. The MacKendrick elders, as well as Alpin, the seer, are a great comic relief. I was surprised at the end when the true traitor was unmasked - it wasn't who I thought it would be. If you like the works of Julie Garwood and Jude Deveraux, you'll enjoy this book!
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