The Warrior's Prize

The True Love Brides, Book 4

By: Claire Delacroix, Deborah Cooke

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

The maiden was just another treasure to be won - until she stole his heart and changed his life forever.

Outraged that her beloved brother's soul is to be the Fae tithe to Hell, Elizabeth knows that she must save him. She is the only one in her family who can see the Fae, after all, and is already cursed by their king herself. Malcolm may have offered to replace his comrade out of honor, but Elizabeth knows who better deserves to live - and it is not the handsome rogue, Rafael, who is concerned with his own welfare alone. It should be easy to make a wager with a mercenary, especially as Elizabeth does not care about the cost to herself. To her surprise, though, Rafael proves to be the man who not only takes her dare, but banishes the Fae king's curse with kisses that turn her blood to fire. Could this hardened warrior, who appears to have no heart, be the destined love she has awaited?

At first glimpse, Rafael believes Elizabeth to be an angel sent to judge him - and he knows what her verdict will be. He has made choices in order to survive and is not proud of them. But Elizabeth dares him to change, with an audacity that awakens a nobility of purpose that Rafael has forgotten he possessed. Can this bold maiden heal the wounds of his past? Can Rafael earn the right to grant her the life she deserves - and do so before the Fae king springs his trap, making Elizabeth his captive forever?

©2014 Deborah A. Cooke (P)2016 Deborah A. Cooke

The team of Delacroix and Maarleveld Rock!

If you could sum up The Warrior's Prize in three words, what would they be?

Sexy, Period-perfect, epic

What did you like best about this story?

I love the sweeping vistas, the amazing characters and the fantastic storytelling voice of Claire Delacroix

What does Saskia Maarleveld bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

both her male and female voices, her melodious voice and her perfect accent

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was well worth the wait

Any additional comments?

Claire continues her prolific Lammegeir saga with Elizabeth and Rafael’s tale. Her breathtaking medieval historically correct Scottish backdrops and bygone dialogue sets a realistic, excellent era scene for readers, and her smooth mellifluous narrative sets the perfect pace. But it’s her hero and heroine that rule this novel with their interesting backgrounds, their hardships and their tenacity that really stand out. We also get to reconnect with all the Lammegeir siblings, the spouses and see how the clan is growing. Along with fabulous characters, an epic tale and a bit of fantasy plus the ending was fantastic.

Once again the audible version was put in the capable melodious voice of Saskia Maarleveld who brings listeners right into the story with her splendid accent, her skillful changing from female to male and her impeccable cadence that makes the story come alive and allows fans to enjoy an experience that’s more in depth than just reading it would be.
Have you ever from the beginning of a series known there was one story you couldn’t wait to read; well Elizabeth Lammegeir’s story was mine in Claire Delacroix’s True Love Bride’s series.
Elizabeth is the youngest of Roland and Catherine Lammegeir and has been a ward of her oldest brother Alexander since their parents’ death. She’s always been a force to be reckoned with and the most vocal of her sisters in regards to choosing her own spouse. She’s also the only one of her family with the gift/curse of being able to see the fey which has gotten her in and out of all kinds of trouble and it might just be that same gift/curse that will get her, her true heart’s desire; the most handsome companion of her brother Malcolm, Rafael Rodriguez.
Mercenary Rafael Rodriguez covets the beauteous maiden Elizabeth but knows that he is not good enough for someone of her status so he must convince her that she must look elsewhere for a husband but she is not so easy to deny. And he doesn’t want to!

The Warrior’s Prize ended up being my favorite boo

Any additional comments?

Oh, what a suspenseful tale we find in the Warrior’s Prize! Elizabeth is the last unwed sister of Alexander’s and takes place at Ravensmuir. The beginning of the story overlaps with the ending of The Frost Maiden’s Kiss, Malcolm’s story and we faced intense battles and dealings with the Fae. The overlap worked wonderfully. Elizabeth has always been able to see the Fae and has caught the Fae King’s eye who seeks to trap her forever.

Rafael is a mercenary who fought with Malcolm and the reason Malcolm found himself in trouble with the Fae. Elizabeth sets out to make Rafael surrender to the Fae, but finds herself smitten. Of course, she is young and fancies a life as a mercenary’s wife to be thrilling and exciting. Despite his attraction to Lady Elizabeth Rafael knows he cannot ask this of her.

I was not sure if Rafael would cause me to swoon as he did Elizabeth but swoon I did. He was a fierce warrior and soothing on the eye but I am not a wanderer and I wondered if he was honorable enough. Delacroix soon had me falling for him and I felt he was perfectly suited for Elizabeth.

Impossible love and the devious Fae had me completely caught up in the tale. I wanted my HEA and anxious to see how it would all play out. This had me listening into the wee hours of the night and looking for excuses to grab my earbuds. In The Warrior’s Prize Delacroix weaved in so many twists that I found myself holding my breath and yelling at the characters. I love when an author gets me so caught up in the story that the characters become real. Both Rafael and Elizabeth are strong, determined and stubborn characters. The two together created an electricity that you could actually feel. Finvarra, the Fae King was wicked and the perfect villain. I loved seeing previous characters and others from the fairy realm.

Saskia Maarleveld has been the narrator throughout the series and I absolutely loved listening to her. Even her male voices were soothing and not that hoarse tone we often hear from female narrators. I could easily identify who was speaking as she drew me into the story.

Warriors Prize

This was a very good book. I loved how everything came together. Love wins out ... better you than me!

Delightfully crafted by author and narrator!

Any additional comments?

I loved the ending to this truly delightful, emotional series. The author has created a wonder world, one easily touched with her brilliant descriptive scenes. This audiobook, with voiceover by Saskia Maarleveld takes the listening to the very source of magic! Maarleveld's lovely tone, perfect pacing and captivating accent will catapult you into this exciting world. I highly recommend this author and this series to those readers who believe in the unbelievable and who love the magic of dancing with the Fae!

I enjoyed the fact the author, using another character’s point of view, rewound the story to book three of scenes critical to the understanding of Elizabeth’s story and the dire position she is put in. This style of writing helped me recall the detail of book three, while heightening the suspense of what is to come.

I could not put this listen down, truth be known. It was highly suspenseful, layered with themes Malcolm, Elizabeth, and Raphael are struggling with -- the meaning of honor, how a person’s character drives choices made, and how events change how life is perceived. It also highlights the angst a person deals with in changing who they are, and accepting the challenge to be better.

Is there honor between warrior men? Raphael saved Malcolm’s life while in battle. Malcolm is indebted to Raphael, and the debt must be paid. Raphael, very foolishly, steps into the trap of the Fae. He is snared and will eternally be joining them. Should Malcolm pay his debt to Raphael by taking his place? It is obvious to Elizabeth, he should not.

We have watched Elizabeth grow in this superbly crafted tale. She is the shy one of the sisters, the one needing protection. She is also the only sister who is plagued with seeing the Fae, and has a connection to Dag, the spiggen. She also desires to experience life, to do more than embroidery and help with the Keep. Here in this story she blooms into the woman she is to become. She loves her brother, eager to see him back after so many years from home. She will not let the Fae have their way with him. After all, she knows they already own her, why take her brother? The Fae have found their sacrifice, the clever, but soulless Raphael. Can Elizabeth convince her brother not to take Raphael’s place with the Fae? What could save her and Raphael from the Fae?

If you haven’t started the series, do--a purely charming world told in a purely charming voice!

Good but not her best

Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld, I like her. She does a great job.

The story was good but it didn't captivate me as the other books did. It dragged way to much.
Got really interesting only at the end.

The Warrior's Prize

This is one of my favorite books in this series! The mixture of myth and magic makes this story a standout novel. Saskia Maarleveld is always an astonishing storyteller whose wonderful performance breathes so much life into the characters. I would recommend this book to any and all of my friends! It's a fabulous experience to listen to and to read such a well written book.

Exciting & Adventurous Story in Medieval Scotland

Any additional comments?

The Warrior's Prize is the final book in The True Love Brides quartet by Claire Delacroix. Set in 1400's Scotland, it is an enchanting medieval historical romance that is a fitting conclusion that began with "The Jewels of Kinfarlie" series and Alexander's quest to marry off his five sisters. This is Elizabeth's story who is mentioned in all of the previous books as the odd youngest sister who can talk with faeries. Like all the other stories in the series, The Warrior's Prize is well written, detailed, and adventurous.

This story begins during the events that transpired during Malcolm and Catriona's story, The Frost Maiden's Kiss. After living years as a mercenary, Malcolm returns to Ravensmuire with his band of mercenaries, including Rafael who soon falls victim to the Fae. Malcolm intervenes and offers to replace his comrade out of honor. This enrages Elizabeth who tries to persuade Rafael to save Malcolm. In doing so she soon falls in love with Raphael, due in part, to the instant physical attraction that they share (he thinks she's an angel sent to cast judgment on him). Elizabeth believes him inherently good, despite his outward appearances to the contrary. Raphael tries to teach Elizabeth a few lessons of being too trusting, but he too falls for Elizabeth. Elizabeth awakens his nobility of purpose and heals the wounds from abandonment that Rafael has carried with him for the past 20 years.

I listed to the Audbile version of The Warrior's Prize narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. She did an outstanding job bringing all of the characters to life giving each one every their own distinct voice, including a slight Spanish accent for Rafael. I cannot recommend this book enough and the entire series!

My fave of the series

I think this has to be my fave of the series. I loved them all, but this one speaks to me more. Elisabeth is a woman after my own heart, she believes in herself and goes for what she wants and she wants Raphael. I want him too LOL he joins the ranks of my fave book boyfriends. He is rough around the edges because of his life from an early age, but he is a good man. What a twist in the middle of the story, and a bigger one towards the end, bigger than the usual ones the author throws into the story. The story weaves wonderfully, I found myself one moment saying YES and the next OH NOOOO, or laughing the next, it kept me on the edge for sure. A true love-conquers-all story with a well deserved HEA ending *sigh*
Saskia Maarlaveld delivered a gem of a story as usual. Her talent amazes me every time, and her voice is truly a marvel. Thank you for the enjoyable story and the many hours of listening bliss.