Thursday, January 30, 2014

BEST VIKING ROMANCES!


Every now and then I love a good Viking Romance. Not fantasy, not paranormal, just straight up historical romance from the time of the raiding Norse warriors. There’s nothing like a Viking raid and a strapping tall warrior to get your blood boiling, right? Well, of course, it must be well done and we want a strong heroine to give the guy a hard time. And a little history thrown in doesn’t hurt either. If you like ‘em, I have a list of those I’ve rated 4 and 5 stars just for you.

Blind Allegiance and Blind Mercy by Violetta Rand
Dawnfire by Lynn Erickson
Dream of Me, Believe in Me and Come Back to Me, trilogy by Josie Litton
Edin’s Embrace by Nadine Crenshaw
Fires of Winter, Hearts Aflame and Surrender My Love, trilogy by Johanna Lindsey
Golden Surrender, The Viking’s Woman and Lord of the Wolves, trilogy by Heather Graham
Lord of Hawkfell Island and Lord of Raven’s Peak by Catherine Coulter
Maidensong by Diana Groe
Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle
Northward the Heart by Maureen Kurr
Odin’s Shadow by Erin Riley
Raeliksen, Mac Liam and The Temperate Warrior by Renee Vincent
Season of the Sun by Catherine Coulter
Tara’s Song by Barbara Ferry Johnson
The Enchantment (first published as My Warrior’s Heart) by Betina Krahn
The Pagan’s Prize by Miriam Minger
The Viking’s Defiant Bride by Joanna Fulford
The Viking’s Sacrifice by Julia Knight
Twin Passions by Miriam Minger
Viking Captive by Emma Merritt
Viking Gold by Nadine Crenshaw
Viking Passion by Flora Speer
Viking Rose by Ashland Price

Let me know if I’ve missed one you love! I know there are good ones out there and I am always looking for a great Viking romance.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

My Guest Today, Violetta Rand, author of Viking romances!


My guest today is Violetta Rand, author of Viking novels Blind Allegiance and Blind Mercy, who will be giving away her first novel, Blind Allegiance to one lucky commenter (so leave your email or send it to me!). I asked Violetta to tell us what she loves about Vikings and what inspired her latest story.

Why I Love Vikings by Violetta Rand

Many things attracted me to Vikings. I’ve been in love with history forever. As a highly imaginative child, prone to telling tall tales, reading and writing came naturally. Of course what I read and wrote is another story. It started with sneaking peeks at my eldest brother’s collection of Conan the Barbarian comic books and developed into a full blown obsession with heroes. What’s more compelling than a warrior’s tale? Combine romance, action, and a touch of mysticism and I’m hooked—in a big way.

Lacking any central authority during the early raids, Norsemen seized this opportunity and often returned from pillaging in glory and wealthier than they ever dreamed. Commoners became princes, men of reputation and honor. That’s where I draw inspiration. All Vikings sought one common end—a seat at Odin’s table in Valhalla.

Imagining the glories of Asgard, the heavenly realm where Odin and his children lived, made it easy to develop my latest hero, Tyr Sigurdsson (Blind Mercy). Tyr might appear the typical Alpha at first glance, but he’s not. Born in Scotland, he chooses to return to his Norse roots and follow in his father’s footsteps. Life would have been so much easier in Scotland.

Tyr differs greatly from his siblings. He’s not a Christian. Odin speaks to his heart; and so does the temptation to be a true warrior.

Blind Mercy offers a glimpse into the turbulent life of a Viking who gives his heart to a woman he’s not supposed to love. It opens up at the Battle of Stamford Bridge (September 1066), the moment some scholars consider the end of the Viking age. However, it’s widely accepted that this battle simply forced the Vikings to reinvent themselves. Two of my favorite historians (Somerville and McDonald) say it best: It might be more useful to think in terms of several Viking Ages rather than a single Viking Age. They base this observation on Scandinavian roots and history, where the Vikings settled and how their culture took hold in different countries.

Here’s a quick overview of the Battle of Stamford Bridge (from Britain Express):

When Edward the Confessor died he left no direct heir, and the throne of England passed to Harold of Wessex. Harold's brother Tostig influenced the legendary Viking warrior, King Harald Hardrada of Norway to invade England.

While a second claimant to the throne of England, William of Normandy, labored to launch his own invasion fleet, the Norwegians sailed by way of the Orkneys and landed at Riccall, near York with a force probably numbering 10,000 men. Harold had been well aware of the dual threats to his new kingdom, and he called out his levies. These were free men from the shires who owed two months of military service each year. By September the two months were up and rations were low, so Harold reluctantly released these irregular troops. This left him with a trained force of about 3,000 mounted infantry known as house-carls. When the news came of the Norwegian landing, Harold quickly marched his men north by the old Roman road known as Watling Street.

The Earls of Northumbria and Mercia, Morcar, and Edwin, advanced their men from York and met Harald Hardrada at Fulford on September 20. The experienced Norwegian commander completely routed the earls, depriving King Harold of valuable allies for the fatal battle with the Normans which lay ahead.

The Norsemen appointed Stamford Bridge as a meeting place for an exchange of hostages with the city of York. The confident victors of Fulford were relaxing in the meadows surrounding this crossroads 12 miles from York when to their shock they saw a fresh Saxon army streaming up from the South.

Well, perhaps "fresh" is too strong a word, for Harold had just pushed his men an amazing 180 miles in 4 days, and they were doubtless exhausted. The Norsemen were caught completely off-guard; most had discarded their mail shirts and helmets in the hot sun. They were soon to pay for their carelessness.



Unfortunately, this war cost the Norwegians dearly. With their sovereign dead, command of Norway was split between his two sons, Magnus and Olaf. But I’ll save that for another tale!

You can keep up with Violetta and her Vikings on her new website HERE.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

New Review: Violetta Rand’s BLIND MERCY – Another Fast-Paced Viking Tale!

This is Rand’s second novel and book 2 in the Blind series. The story begins in York in 1058, as Rachelle Fiennes’s parents are killed and her uncle Sir Henry Fiennes becomes her guardian. Years later, in the aftermath of the Battle at Stamford Bridge in 1066, where King Harold defeated the forces of the King of Norway, Rachelle searches the battlefield for her uncle, worried he may be dead, and stumbles over a Norwegian warrior, Tyr Sigurdsson.

Tyr, a powerful half-English jarl, wants to recoup his losses from the failed invasion and so takes Rachelle back to Norway thinking to ransom her, but his passion for the English girl leads him in another direction. Tyr has his enemies, however, and soon the bastard son of the fallen Norwegian king decides to claim Rachelle as his own. All of which leads to an exciting finish.

This is a novel that takes you to the very end of the Viking Era. Rand writes very well and the story is quite entertaining. As with Rand’s first novel, BLIND ALLEGIANCE, at times the story seems a bit modern in the choice of some words and phrases and the behavior of the heroine. And, of course, they didn’t use surnames in the 11th century. But the story will nevertheless hold your interest. If you ever wondered what happened to the Vikings, this will answer that question!

Friday, January 24, 2014

New Review: Catherine Coulter’s LORD OF RAVEN’S PEAK – Intriguing Viking Tale with a heroine who is a Skald, a teller of stories

This is the third in Coulter’s Viking series (see list below) and the second in her Viking trilogy. As with the others, it’s a good one. And, it’s rather unique. The heroine is a skald (a storyteller), so there are stories within the story and very cleverly done, too. I admire Coulter’s ability to do that so smoothly. She gives us a feeling for how important storytelling was to the Viking culture while weaving it into an intricate plot and a great romance. I loved it.

Set in 916, beginning in Kiev (and thence to Norway and Normandy), this is the story of Merrik Haraldsson (younger brother to Rorik from Lord of Hawkfell Island), a Viking who stops at the slave market to buy his mother a woman to help with the weaving. What he gets instead are two young boys he saves from a fate worse than death. And, as it turns out, one of the boys is actually a girl—18-year-old Lauren. A girl with beautiful breasts and a sharp tongue—and a mysterious past she won’t speak of.

Lauren has some ability as a skald, a teller of stories, and holds Merrik and his men spellbound with her tales. Lauren’s purpose is to gain their silver to buy her freedom and that of her younger brother, Taby. The two of them were abducted from her home and sold into slavery two years ago and they have barely survived. Merrik finds her enchanting, no matter her red hair and her skinny body (from near starvation) and he loves Taby and has no intention of letting him go.

Richly drawn characters and meticulous research are blended with the Viking culture, treachery, murder, cruelty and lust—a superb job. It’s going on my best Viking Romances list along with the others in the series I’ve read. I recommend it!

Viking Series:

SEASON OF THE SUN (related but not a part of the trilogy)
LORD OF HAWKFELL ISLAND
LORD OF RAVEN'S PEAK
LORD OF FALCON RIDGE

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

New Review: Erin Riley’s ODIN’S SHADOW – Great Storytelling in this first in a 3-Part Viking Saga!

This is Riley’s first novel and it’s a great one. Set in Ireland and Norway in 876, this is the story of Selia who, along with her twin brother Ainnileas, were found in the woods when they were two and raised by a kind Irish merchant. One day when Selia is 15, she decides to go to Dubhlinn (despite her family’s wishes) hoping to see the Finngalls, the warlike Vikingers and their ships. While Selia is watching the Finngalls, one of them, Alrik Ragnarson, is watching her.

Alrik follows her home and tells her father that she will come with him when he sails to Norway, either as his wife or as his thrall. Though her father is distraught, he would rather see her a wife than a slave and consents to the marriage. Alrik is a brute who at times can be vicious, and at times tender—definitely a disturbed individual. His Norwegian name is Alrik Blood Axe (sorta describes him well). Though Selia is small in stature and not much of a match for the powerful jarl, she finds Alrik attractive and thus endures his rough ways, trying all the while to avoid his temper.

On the way back to Norway, she develops a friendship with his half Irish brother Ulfrik, who teaches her the Norse language. Unlike his brother, Ulfrik has softer ways and seems more intelligent, more stable. He is aware of Alrik’s seeming madness when angered and tries to protect Selia.

When Selia learns Alrik has murdered children in the past, she tries to escape, unsuccessfully, and in the process, Alrik and Ulfrik learn a secret about who she really is, but neither tells Selia. Meanwhile, Selia suffers from spells where she remembers an attack she and her brother once experienced.

I found this story exciting and captivating. I could not put it down. It is well told and obviously based on solid research, which I so appreciate. Riley does not spare us the brutality of the Viking warriors who were quick to kill to take something they wanted. And her characters reflect her understanding of human psychology so there is great depth here. It is unusual story in that the tale does not end with this book, but continues on through the next two, but you can still enjoy this one while waiting for the next.

I highly recommend this story to all you Viking romance lovers. There’s no fantasy here, no paranormal and nothing modern to distract. It’s a pure authentic Viking saga and, in my opinion, great storytelling!

Note: Selia’s story is told in 3 parts and ODIN’S SHADOW is only the first. For the whole story, you’ll need to read the next two: A FLAME PUT OUT coming in late 2014 and OATH BREAKER coming in 2015. I'll be reading them, you can be certain!

If you like to plan ahead, Erin has agreed to be a guest on my blog next January when book 2 is out and we are again deep in Viking stories!

Monday, January 20, 2014

New Review: Julia Knight’s THE VIKING’S SACRIFICE – An Unusual Love Story of a Viking and a Saxon

Set in Northeast England in 836 (the beginning) and Norway in 844, this is the story of Einar, who as a young man goes raiding with his brothers and sets upon a village in which Wilda, then 11, lives. Her mother is slain before her eyes by one of Einar’s brothers, Bausi, who then kills Einar’s older brother and tries to kill Einar. But Wilda saves him and then he saves her, telling her to “renn, renn” (run, run). Years later, they meet again when Wilda is captured in another raid and brought back to Norway.

Bausi, having been thwarted in his plans to kill both of his brothers, threatened Einar with a curse: he will kill their younger siblings if Einar speaks of what happened. To make matters worse, Bausi spreads a lie of Einar’s cowardice, which the whole village believes.

I thought the author’s research was well reflected and the story had an authentic feel. Her writing is excellent and she made good use of the language differences in giving us a picture of what life might be like for the thralls taken captive by the Vikings. And Einar’s feelings for Wilda were sweet and tender.

A few things kept me from giving the author full marks: There’s a fair bit of introspection, which at times slowed an otherwise absorbing story. The story was a bit depressing with Einar continuously the recipient of his people’s scorn and living on the edge of their society. (He was a whipping boy for most of the book.) Finally, he stood up and fought but it came very late. And, lastly, I had trouble visualizing what people and places looked like, including the hero and heroine, but then I’m very visual and like vivid descriptions.

Still, it was a well-told Viking tale of two young people who eventually cross their cultures to find love together. And it has a great cover!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Best Bodice Ripper Romances--the Preview!


This is a preview of my new list that will, after this, be permanently slotted in September, beginning this year.

I belong to a group on Goodreads, Bodice Ripper Romance Anonymous that has sent me some of the greatest recommendations for historical romances. And so I could not resist this new list, however difficult this category may be to define. Some think this subgenre is comprised of just the classics. That is not so. While many of the classics were bodice rippers, certainly not all were. And, lest you think it’s a subgenre of the past, there are new bodice rippers being released today (some of which are on this list).

At least one of my Goodreads pals defines this subgenre as stories “containing an element of sexual peril.” Possibly that is so, as the ones on my list all have this. But for me, there is usually more. Typically there is a forced seduction involved, an actual ripping of the heroine’s bodice, or even rape, but not always. Let’s just say I know it when I see it.

These won’t appeal to all, but certainly they are all well done. All have been rated 4 or 5 stars by me. If you like an alpha male hero who begins demanding his way, but falls at the heroine’s feet at the end to confess his love, you’ll find them here.

If you think one on the list is not a bodice ripper, please tell me, as I read some of these quite a while ago and was tapping my memory for the list. And do let me know if you have read a good one I’ve missed. This is a new list; as with my others, I’ll be updating it. I have a large shelf of books “to read” for this subgenre, so September will definitely have some new books on the list.

A Dangerous Love and The Border Lord’s Bride from The Border Chronicles by Bertrice Small
A Gentle Feuding by Johanna Lindsey
A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught
A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey
And Gold Was Ours by Rebecca Brandewyne
Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught
Bound by the Heart by Marsha Canham (particularly the original version)
Callista by Cordia Byers
Chance the Winds of Fortune by Laurie McBain
Crimson Rapture by Jennifer Horsman
Damsel in Distress by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
Dark Before the Rising Sun by Laurie McBain
Dark Fires by Brenda Joyce
Dawnfire by Lynn Eirckson
Deceive Not My Heart by Shirlee Busbee
Desire in Disguise by Rebecca Brandewyne
Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain
Devil's Embrace by Catherine Coulter
Dream of Me by Josie Litton
Embrace and Conquer by Jennifer Blake
Edin’s Embrace by Nadine Crenshaw
Fair is the Rose by Meagan McKinney
Fires of Winter and Hearts Aflame from the Viking trilogy by Johanna Lindsey
Forbidden Love by Karen Robards
Forever and a Lifetime by Jennifer Horsman
Forever My Love by Rebecca Brandewyne
Golden Fancy by Jennifer Blake
Gypsy Lady by Shirley Busbee
Innocent Fire, Firestorm and Fires of Paradise (from the Bragg Saga) by Brenda Joyce
Island Flame, and the sequel, Sea Fire by Karen Robards
Keeper of the Dream by Penelope Williamson
Lady of Fire by Anita Mills
Lady Vixen by Shirley Busbee
Lespada by Kathryn Le Veque
Lie Down in Roses by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
Lions and Lace by Meagan McKinney
Love, Cherish Me by Rebecca Brandewyne
Love Only Once and Gentle Rogue from the Mallory series by Johanna Lindsey
Love's Tender Fury by Jennifer Wilde
Love's Wild Desire by Jennifer Blake
Magic Embrace by Jennifer Horsman
Midnight Masquerade by Shirlee Busbee
My Lord Monleigh by Jan Cox Speas
My Wicked Enchantress By Meagan McKinney
No Gentle Love By Rebecca Brandewyne
Notorious Angel by Jennifer Blake
Once and Always by Judith McNaught
Ondine by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
Pirate Royale by Cordia Byers
Princess of Fire by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey
Rose of Rapture by Rebecca Brandewyne
Season of the Sun by Catherine Coulter
Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale
Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Silver Storm by Cynthia Wright
Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small
Surrender in Moonlight by Jennifer Blake
Swan Road by Rebecca Brandewyne
Sweet Savage Eden by Heather Graham
Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers
Tara’s Song by Barbara Ferry Johnson
Tender Betrayal by Jennifer Blake
The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux
The Black Swan By Day Taylor
The Conqueror by Brenda Joyce
The Darkest Heart by Brenda Joyce
The Demon Lover by Victoria Holt
The Falcon and the Flower by Virginia Henley
The Flame and The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss
The Game by Brenda Joyce
The Ground She Walks Upon by Meagan McKinney
The Pagan’s Prize by Miriam Minger
The Prize by Brenda Joyce
The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys
The Spanish Rose by Shirlee Busbee
The Storm and the Splendor by Jennifer Blake
The Wind and the Sea by Marsha Canham
The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Till Dawn Tames the Night by Meagan McKinney
Until You by Judith McNaught
Virgin Star by Jennifer Horsman
When Angels Fall by Meagan McKinney
When the Splendour Falls by Laurie McBain
While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
Wild Bells to the Wild Sky by Laurie McBain
Winter's Heat by Denise Domning

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

New Review: Teresa Denys’ THE SILVER DEVIL – Enthralling, Terrible and Wonderful, a Bodice Ripper set in 17th century Italy

This was my first by Denys. Her only other novel is THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL, which I have and intend to read shortly. Both are set in 17th century Europe.

THE SILVER DEVIL begins in 1605 north of Naples, Italy, at the time of the plague. It tells the story of Felicia Guardi, a commoner beauty who comes to the attention of Domenico della Raffaelle, the new Duke of Cabria, the one they call "the Silver Devil.”

When her mother died, Felicia learned from her brother that she was bastard born. Forced by him and his wife to live in their house as a servant, Felicia becomes a sort of Cinderella. Though Felicia has had a hard life, she has virtue, integrity and wisdom that outshine all those around her. Surely that is what Domenico saw when he chanced to glimpse her. Without her knowing it, Domenico buys Felicia from her half brother who drugs her so she can be taken to the duke’s palace.

Already ruined by having been taken to the duke, Felicia nevertheless fights the man who would have her (“a demon’s eyes in the face of a fallen angel”… “as graceful as a leopard and as treacherous as murder”). After he takes her maidenhead, she realizes she has no choice but to stay with him until he tires of her, which according to what she is told, may be very soon as he runs through mistresses quickly. But Felicia is unlike any woman Domenico has ever known and he does not cast her off.

Having just come to power, Domenico is aware of the seething treachery swirling around him. There are those who would prefer to see his half brother Alessandro rule the duchy. And Domenico knows he must take a wife and sire an heir so there a choices to be made. But Felicia has fallen in love with him (“…it was then, as I went to him like a falcon flying to his fist, that I realized I loved him”); and even knowing she will be set aside, she stays.

I can’t say enough good about this classic. Brilliantly written with attention to detail reflecting much research into the era and the politics of the time, it is a fascinating story of warring families and the vicious actions some would take to stay in power. The prose is nearly lyrical at times and Denys’ writing is truly beautiful in its descriptions. Few authors could do it so well. The plot is intricate and captured me from the start. Though told from the first person (we are only ever in Felicia’s head), it works for an intriguing story as we can only wonder what the Silver Devil is thinking behind his black eyes. Felicia is a wonderful heroine, and though he was often wicked, Domenico was a very worthy alpha male hero. I did not want to put it down. I highly recommend this one and it’s going on my Best Bodice Ripper list, My Favorite Heroes & Heroines list and my Top 20 list!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

New Review: Johanna Lindsey’s A PIRATE’S LOVE – Superbly Told Bodice Ripper—a Privateer and the Woman He Seized and Would Not Let Go

Set in the 17th century beginning in France in1667, this is the story of Tristan Matisse, whose family was brutally slain by a Spaniard who plundered the coastal towns of France, and Bettina Verlaine, who was betrothed by her father to a wealthy count living in St. Martin. On her way to meet her betrothed, who she does not know, Bettina’s ship is seized by the privateer Tristan who sails for England plundering Spanish ships.

From the beginning, it is clear that Tristan intends to have Bettina in his bed. He considers her spoils, no matter she is an innocent. And high-spirited Bettina will have none of it, so he rapes her each night. Though he told her he was taking her to St. Martin for ransom by her wealthy betrothed, he decides instead to take her to his island hideout and keep her some months until he “tires of her.” What quickly becomes apparent is that he has no intention of letting her go. While he holds Bettina, he searches for the man who killed his family, Don Miguel Bastida.

Lindsey did a superb job of describing the emotions experienced by Bettina—she could not give in to the pleasure she might experience with Tristan because to do so would be to betray her betrothed. She was feisty and courageous and I loved her. While it was a bit difficult to understand Tristan’s comfort with rape given his childhood, somehow Lindsey made us believe it was possible. And I came to like Tristan in spite of his treatment of Bettina, for he genuinely cared for her. Eventually, his more noble side comes out, and even Bettina, who has suffered his “ruining her life,” comes to see it.

There are many well drawn characters along the way, including Jules, the man who watches Tristan’s back, and Bettina’s mother who confesses to Bettina the cold man she thought was her father actually is not. Lindsey makes this an exciting tale with subplots and twists and turns—and the visits to many ports in the Caribbean. She had me turning pages late into the night. I recommend it and it’s going on both my Best Bodice Rippers and my Best Pirate and Privateer Romances lists.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

New Review: Meagan McKinney’s NO CHOICE BUT SURRENDER – Late 18th Century Bodice Ripper Light

Original cover
One of my Goodreads friends dubbed this a “faux bodice ripper” and I tend to agree. There’s seduction, certainly, and there is the threat of sexual ruin but not the classic bodice ripper as I think of them (and I love those!). I should also say that I am a fan of Meagan McKinney.

Set in 1780-81 in England (with prologue in Maryland) and with an awareness of the ongoing war between the Colonies and England, this is the story of Avenel Slane, an American with English roots, who has lost much due to the cruelty of the Earl of Laborde. Having won his estate of Osterley Park back in a card game, Avenel plans to return to England and have his revenge.

When her mother dies, Lady Brienne Morrow, daughter of Lord Laborde, finds herself without funds and so leaves her meager cottage in Wales to return to Osterley Park, the place she had once lived as a child, the estate owned by her father (the cruel earl). She arrives penniless to learn the magnificent estate has a new owner (Avenel) who decides to hold Brienne prisoner. Supposedly this is just until her father comes, but he is enthralled with the beautiful girl and tries to seduce her all the while. (It is clear she is somehow tied up in his revenge.) But the cruelty Brienne’s mother experienced taught her to fear both her father and rape, so she resists Avenel’s charms.
Newer cover


It’s a good story, and though perhaps not McKinney’s best (try The Ground She Walks Upon), it has sufficient twists and turns to keep you well entertained wondering just what Avenel’s plans are for the young woman he has taken captive, and whether (and when) Brienne will succumb. As a bodice ripper “light,” I certainly recommend it. For McKinney fans, it’s a must.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

New Review: Karen Robards’ FORBIDDEN LOVE – Masterful Regency Era Bodice Ripper Kept me Reading Very Late Into the Night!

The New Cover
Karen Robards’ historical romances always tell a great, lusty story. This one grabbed my attention and would not let me go. Though no date is given it seemed to be roughly set in the Regency era, and while there were some errors in forms of address and clothing color choices (a mauve “coming out” gown when it would have been white, and reference to a white wedding gown when it would have been a color), the story still gets full marks from me because these did not distract from what was a well-written, captivating story I could not put down.

Seduced by her guardian, Justin, Earl of Weston, when she was 17 while at his estate in Ireland, Megan Kindead is made to pay the price. And oh how she pays. Though Justin was very aware his behavior was despicable, he “couldn’t help himself” and ruined her just the same. And, in return, the young innocent fell in love. Of course, he forgot to tell her one thing: he could not marry her as he was already married. Finding she is pregnant, Megan knows to give her child a name, she must wed and soon.

The old cover

Megan is a high-spirited young woman with courage and convictions. I loved her. Justin was an otherwise honorable nobleman who was so obsessed with his ward. He would have her no matter the consequences, even making her his whore when he could not make her his wife.

It’s a bodice ripper, oh yes, it is. And a very good one. Originally published in 1983 (see the old cover which has so much more emotion), it is just as good today. The emotions are at times subtle, at times violent, but in all, believable; and the tension is non stop. Robards is simply a master of this sort of romance and I count myself among her many fans.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

New Review: Josie Litton’s COME BACK TO ME – An Independent Saxon Woman and a Powerful Norse Warrior wrap up the Viking trilogy

This is book 3 in Litton’s Viking trilogy—a saga of two Viking lords and one Saxon lord who must make marriages to bring peace between the Norse and King Alfred of Essex. In each case, the bride they get comes with a special gift, a gift of feeling, of calling and truth telling. This latter aspect, to me, gave the stories a more whimsical feel that is not characteristic of your classic Viking saga, but it seemed to work.

The first one, DREAM OF ME, was my favorite, a well written Viking story with historical accuracy in the details, the life of the Norse well described and an endearing romance between two strong willed people. Wolf was a worthy leader but not your usual Viking—-more of a merchant than your typical pillager. After the “perfect” couple of Wolf and Cymbra, it had to be difficult to find another pair that could hold the readers’ interest as well. Some readers may feel a bit of a let down with the second story, BELIEVE IN ME--a tale of the Saxon Hawk forced to take a bride not of his choosing, Krysta. Hawk was a very capable leader but without the stormy side that Wolf had, which made him such a compelling Norseman.

Finally in this third one we have Wolf’s younger brother, Dragon and the Saxon maiden Rycca. Dressed in her brother’s clothes, her hair tucked into a cap, Rycca flees an arranged marriage she does not want. In her effort to run away, she runs right into Dragon, who insists he tend her bump on the head that she got when she ran off a cliff. Neither will tell the other who they are. Little does she know he’s the man to whom her father would give her. Supposedly, Rycca has the gift of discerning truth from lies, yet when Dragon lies to her about the names of his horses, she does not recognize it. But the gift, such as it was, came in handy after they marry and there’s a big theft at Dragon’s keep in the Northland.

The story starts out a bit slowly, but picks up speed as they sail to the Norse country. Dragon, who was a lover of all women, finds himself content with his feisty new bride and Rycca, who didn’t want to give up her freedom, finds she has a fulfilled life being the jarl’s wife. It’s a wrap up to the trilogy: the first two couples make strong appearances, and there are threads from the first two books tied up in this one, so I do not recommend reading it as a standalone.

DREAM OF ME (Wolf and Cymbra)
BELIEVE IN ME (Cymbra’s brother, Hawk and Krysta)
COME BACK TO ME (Wolf’s brother, Dragon and Rycca)

Friday, January 3, 2014

New Review: Johanna Lindsey’s HEARTS AFLAME – Superb Viking-Saxon Romance—and a Keeper!

This is one of my all time favorite Viking romances. It is the 2nd in a trilogy, stories of a Viking family (FIRES OF WINTER, HEARTS AFLAME and SURRENDER MY LOVE), but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. It is quite wonderful--an engaging story and well-told. In a bit of a twist, it’s a Saxon lord capturing a Viking maiden.

Set in the late 9th century when Vikings sailed south to England, Scotland and Ireland to raid, it tells the story of Kristen Haardrad, the independent, strong-willed and much loved daughter of a wealthy Viking merchant (whose story is told in FIRES OF WINTER). Having spurned her many suitors because she can find no spark of love with any of them, she stows away on her brother's ship believing he is headed to the southern coastal towns for trade where she hopes to find a husband. But her brother is not sailing to trade, but rather to raid. And he is not pleased when he discovers his sister is aboard his ship. Still, he proceeds with his plans. It all goes awry when Kristen is captured and made the slave of the Saxon lord, Royce of Wyndhurst, a favored knight of King Alfred.

Royce is a tough but fair leader who is betrothed to a manipulating female he doesn't really want. He fights his attraction to his beautiful Viking slave, but Kristen, who has finally met a man who stirs her passion, has decided he is her "heartmate" and will have no other. Kristen is proud and determined to win his heart and not just his body.

Lindsey keeps you intrigued with rich characters, snappy (and sometimes funny) dialog, great action scenes and wonderfully believable tension between Kristen and Royce. I loved this story and will certainly re-read it. It's the best of the trilogy (in my opinion) and definitely a keeper!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

New Review: Rebecca Brandewyne’s SWAN ROAD – Exciting Viking Saga Incorporating Real Historical Events!

Set in 865-866 A.D., this is the story of Wulfgar Bloodaxe, the bastard son of a Norse king who, with the advice of the “wise woman” who raised him, rises to claim his place among his people as a jarl. When Wulfgar learns that Rhowenna, Princess of Usk (in Wales) has been betrothed to the Prince of Mercia, he goes down the “Swan Road,” (the path the swans take flying south to the southern isles) to capture and hold her for ransom. Rhowenna has the “sight” her dreams give her. So, she was forewarned the Vikings were coming and that a golden-haired one would claim her. Wulfgar and his men strike, taking Rhowenna back to the Northland.

To protect her from his father, Ragnar, and evil half brothers who he knows would use Rhowenna for their purposes, he suggests Rhowenna and her maid, Morgan, change places since they both have long dark hair. They do, and Rhowenna becomes Wulfgar’s chatelaine (mistress of his household), while slowly succumbing to his advances for he wants Rhowenna for his own. Wulfgar warns Rhowenna of what he believes will be the future for the southern lands if his father, Ragnar, is spurred to an invasion.

Brandewyne can tell a good story, there is no doubt about it. I have been a fan of her historical romances for some time. Like her others, this novel reflects much research and attention to detail. For us history lovers it’s a boon. You can learn much about the ways of the Norsemen who raided the coasts of England, Ireland (Eire) and Wales from reading this novel. She tells us how they built their longboats and of their religious practices (including the human sacrifices they engaged in). And, of course, central to the story is their practice of capturing Christians and using them as slaves.

It’s an exciting adventure with an intricate plot and great characters. Brandewyne takes advantage of all the legends surrounding Ragnar and his sons and turns them into a captivating, well-written story. Included is the Danes’ conquest of Britain (Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia) in 866.

While Rhowenna is never raped, and Wulfar only treats her with kindness, her maid is, so there are definite bodice ripper aspects, as one might expect from a Viking tale. But there is also a captivating love story of the Viking and the Welsh princess. Wulfgar’s sweet words to Rhowenna are beautiful. (“I dream of waking every morning for the rest of my life to see you lying beside me, the waves of your raven hair rippling across the pillows, a black sea in which I would gladly drown forever.”) It’s a wonderful, well-written Viking saga. I recommend it.