The Rose of Shanhasson — Joely Sue Burkhart

Book One of Blood and Shadows. Shannari is destined to unite the Green Lands and wear the Rose Crown, though she doesn't yet know how. She's the avatar of the Goddess, but she's only ever been betrayed in love. She's beset on all sides by enemies, including the current pretender to the throne who wants to marry her...and then kill her, cementing his claim. When she prays to the Goddess for Guidance, she doesn't expect her answer to come in the guise of a barbarian warrior who demands her hand. Now, all she has to do is survive a battle with the barbarian, marry him, escape him and his elite warrior band, kill her former fiance, and make it back home in one piece. The men in Shannari's life don't take no for an answer easily, and she's definitely worth fighting for, but Shannari never says yes. She doesn't believe in love. Now, Rhaekhar, her barbarian warrior, has to convince her that his love is worth fighting for, and keep her alive while doing it.