Set in 9th century Ireland (Eire), England and the north coast of France, these are the stories of Prince Olaf of Norway, the first Lord of the Wolves, and his bride, Princess Erin, daughter of the Irish High King, the Ard-Righ of Tara. I warn you that the Viking men are strong willed, arrogant and domineering, even though the two in the last books are half Irish. Their women are independent, stubborn and courageous and can fight with the best of the men. They have no intention of allowing a Viking male who has taken everything from them to dominate them.
Wolves and the cubs of wolves mate for life or so says the druid who is advisor to the Irish king's family and these men are wolves. Each of the marriages is arranged over the objection of the females who fight the husbands who have laid claim to their lands and to them.
This one tells of Rhiannon, King Alfred's favorite niece, who has lands on the Saxon coast of England, and Eric, second son of Olaf, King of Dubhlain in Eire (who we encountered in Golden Surrender). Alfred seeks Eric's aid to fight against his enemies, the Danes, and to defend Rhiannon's lands as most of her men are fighting with Alfred. But the message to tell Rhiannon that Eric is coming at Alfred's invitation is diverted through treachery.
This one tells of Rhiannon, King Alfred's favorite niece, who has lands on the Saxon coast of England, and Eric, second son of Olaf, King of Dubhlain in Eire (who we encountered in Golden Surrender). Alfred seeks Eric's aid to fight against his enemies, the Danes, and to defend Rhiannon's lands as most of her men are fighting with Alfred. But the message to tell Rhiannon that Eric is coming at Alfred's invitation is diverted through treachery.
When Eric comes to her castle in his Viking ships, she thinks he's attacking and she defends. In the ensuing fight, she wounds him with her own arrow. When Alfred learns how Eric was greeted, he knows he must make up for it as he needs Eric's sword. So he decides to give both Rhiannon and her lands to the Viking lord. But while Eric wants the land badly, he does not want the woman.
Meanwhile, Rhiannon loves one of her own people, Rowan, who she believed she would marry. Though Eric doesn't want her, he consents to the arranged marriage thinking he'll send Rhiannon to Ireland and be rid of her. As predicted, Eric does not treat her well. It is a battle between them for most of the book. But love wins in the end.
Graham's writing is, as always, very well done with superb historical references woven into a complex love story that befits the cultures of the hero and heroine. Wonderful characters, too. I recommend it.
Graham's writing is, as always, very well done with superb historical references woven into a complex love story that befits the cultures of the hero and heroine. Wonderful characters, too. I recommend it.
The Viking Trilogy:
Golden Surrender
The Viking's Woman
Lord of the Wolves
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