Set
in 912AD in Valseme, France, part of Duke Rollo’s Normandy where the Norsemen
have settled, this is the story of Rurik, a Northman whose father, Gruel Atli,
made Baron Valseme by Rollo, is given the Valseme’s heiress, Brienne, to wife.
It seems King Charles desires to cement his relationship with the Northmen and
Brienne has been biding her time in a convent. But just after the wedding, Atli
suffers a heart attack and dies.
Even before her new husband dies, Brienne fell in love with his oldest son,
Rurik. So when Duke Rollo grants Rurik’s request to give him Brienne’s hand,
she is thrilled.
The story has an intriguing beginning as Rurik sends his brother, Lyting,
disguised as a monk, to the abbey at Levroux where Brienne is in training to be
a healer. And it was a good thing, too, since Brienne’s French brother-in-law
has designs on her to make her his mistress. Soon Brienne realizes it’s the
Northmen who seem to be honorable.
Great writing and a story that will draw you in make this a wonderful Viking
romance. The inclusion of real history reflects deep research, just like
Kirkwood’s other stories (I read book 2 first not realizing it was the second—I
do recommend reading the trilogy in order). Rurik is a worthy hero and Brienne
does have a “valiant heart”.
If you’re looking for a worthy Viking trilogy of romances, this is the place to
start.
The trilogy:
The Valiant Heart
The Defiant Heart
The Captive Heart
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