Kathleen Kirkwood’s THE VALIANT HEART – A Great Viking romance!

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

 

 

Victoria Vane’s BRETON WOLF – Excellent Viking Novella Set in 10th Century Brittany

 

Set in 10^th century Brittany, this is the story of Adele of Vannes, the daughter of a duke and granddaughter of a king and the Viking who claims her. Adele was bartered at birth in a marriage treaty for the sole purpose of producing a royal heir. When her philandering husband, the duke, is slain by Norse marauders, she marries their chief in order to protect her home and her people.

Valdrik Vargr, “the Norse Wolf”, has dreams of a dynasty and so he uses his might and his shrewdness in statecraft to conquer Brittany and claim Adele’s hand to sire sons from royal blood to solidify his hold.

 

Vane does a wonderful  job of bringing us into the times of the Norsemen who arrived in France (Brittany in this case) not to pillage but to conquer and settle. Vane does her research and it shows. This is the first of three short tales that involve the matches made by Valdrik and his men. A great short read and the trilogy is related.

The Wolves of Brittany Trilogy of Novellas:

Breton Wolfe
Ivar the Red
The Bastard of Brittany

 

Mary Gillgannon’s STORM MAIDEN – Entertaining Viking Tale with an Irish Heroine

 

First published in 1997, and re-released by the author in 2011, this is a Viking story with an Irish heroine. It begins in Ireland in 805 A.D., but with a Viking raid, moves to the land of the Norsemen where Gillgannon puts you in the middle of the Viking culture.

 

Fiona of Dunsheana, daughter of an Irish chieftain, faced a marriage she didn’t want, one arranged by her father. Being a clever girl, she conceived of a bizarre plan to avoid the marriage by giving herself to a Viking prisoner, Dag Thorsson, which would render her unworthy. Though she goes to Dag and sheds her clothes, he believes she’s one of the fairies he’s heard about and is too injured to do anything anyway. Taking pity on him, Fiona tends his wounds. He recovers—just in time for a Viking raid by his brother where Fiona is taken captive.

 

Fiona is allowed to live because she saved Dag’s life. Immersed in the Vikings’ culture, she is exposed to a language she does not speak and is dependent upon Dag’s protection. Amazingly, Dag does not take Fiona to his bed, at least not until it’s her idea. Fiona has her challenges. She is mistrusted by the Norse for her understanding of herbs and her modern views that women should be able to control when they have children. Like many Norsemen, when the woman he is coming to care for is shunned by his people, Dag begins to wonder if his future might lie in Ireland.

 

The pace of the story may seem a bit leisurely, but I appreciated Gillgannon’s research into Viking life reflected in the details of her story, the long houses, the clothing, the food. You get a picture of what it was like to live as a Norseman. Fiona is a strong heroine who continues to see herself as the Irish princess even though she is now a slave. She can also be foolish. Dag seems the understanding male with a soft side for both animals and women, especially Fiona. Some might find him a bit modern in his views, especially for a Viking, but there had to be such men even among the Norsemen at the time.

 

Gillgannon has included a poem that is delightful. Here are some of the first lines:

 

My Viking

He says he’s Irish

But I look into those eyes

Blue as the North Sea

And I know he’s an immigrant

Like all the rest

 

Betina Krahn’s THE ENCHANTMENT– Simply Wonderful Viking Tale!

I have come to appreciate Krahn's attention to detail in her well told romances…it's excellence in romance writing. I always know I’m going to find a well woven tale that spends time with character development, and gives me a feel for the culture of the time. This is a Viking romance that takes you into the late Viking period when the Swedish Vikings sailed all the way to Byzantium. It was also a time when the old Asa gods were being replaced by Christianity and the "White Christ." Krahn treats this subject with great care, showing us how the old often combined with the new in this story that begins with belief in myths and ends in very real action.

Since she was a young girl, Aaren, daughter of Serrick, understood she was unusually tall and strong, trained to be a warrior, a battle-maiden, and not a woman of the hearth, because her mother was a Valkyr, a daughter of the Viking gods. She is beautiful with a long, lean body, dark red hair, and golden eyes. Aaren had two beautiful sisters, also daughters of Serrick, and born from another blond Valkyr.

 

Serrick brings his three daughters to the village of Borger, a powerful jarl, and gives them in payment of a tax debt--but with conditions. No man may touch them or wed them until one man can defeat Aaren in sword fighting; then each may be given in marriage. Borger accepts the conditions with his eldest son, Jorund, in mind. Jorund is a huge, handsome Viking, who two years ago tired of battlelust and the "dew of wounds" (blood), so he has no intention of fighting any woman. But after Aaren defeats two of Borger's best warriors, Borger decrees that no man may fight Aaren save Jorund. Aaren wants to end the curse and the condition to her sisters' ability to marry, so she prods and taunts Jorund into fighting her. He resists.

That's the basic storyline, and except for the myth underlying Aaren and her sisters' introduction to the village, which myth Jorund doesn't accept since he is a follower of the White Christ, the rest of the story is pure historical romance. It's an unusual courtship, to be sure, and there is more than one romance in this one.

 

I highly recommend it. It's not a fast-paced light read, however. You need a good rainstorm, a cup of tea and a fireplace to settle in with this one.

NOTE: This was previously released under the title THE WARRIOR’S HEART.

 

Summer Warrior by Regan Walker...the 1st in the new Clan Donald Saga!

Summer Warrior, book 1 in the new Clan Donald Series!

Somerled’s parentage was noble, of the Kings of Dublin, the royal house of Argyll and the great Ard Ri, the High Kings of Ireland. But when the Norse invaded Argyll and the Isles, his family’s fortunes fell with those of his people. When all hope seemed lost, he rose from the mists of Morvern to rally the Gaels, the Scots and the Irish.

Sweeping across Argyll and the Isles like a fast-moving storm, brilliant in strategy and fearless in battle, Somerled began retaking his ancestral lands, driving away the invaders and freeing the people from the Norse stranglehold. In doing so, he would win the title Somerle Mor, Somerled the Mighty, Lord of Argyll, Kintyre and Lorne and, eventually, Lord of the Isles.

This is the unforgettable saga of his path to victory that forged the Kingdom of the Isles and won him the heart of a Norse king’s daughter.

On sale while on preorder! 

See it on Amazon US UK, Canada.  

Read an Excerpt. 

See the Pinterest Storyboard.

Tracey Ann Miller’s LOVEWEAVER –Viking Weaver of Spells Falls for Saxon Warrior

The story begins in Hedeby, Denmark in 895 as Llyrica, a weaver who weaves spells into her beautiful trimming design, disguises herself as her old Aunt Solvieg, an expert weaver and resident “old crone”. Llyrica is discovered by a flesh peddler who would have her for himself. He takes her from her home, along with her brother. They end up in the waters off Wessex, she in the hands of a Saxon warrior named Slayde the StoneHeart, ealdorman of Kent, and her brother (unknowingly) in the hands of their Viking father.

It’s pretty much instant lust on Slayde’s part, no matter they are in freezing water and he is saving her from a shipwreck. But, being the strong “I need no woman” man he is, Slayde ignores his sexual attraction for her and goes about his business. During the day, he berates her in front of his men, accusing her (without reason) of being a whore. But at night he “sleepwalks” to her bed where he whispers sweet words of love.

Llyrica is determined to reach the Danelaw where her father, Haesten, is a feared warrior. (She has no idea that’s where her brother ended up.)

Initially, I found the author’s word choices and writing style a bit difficult to wade through, but once I got accustomed to it, I found the story entertaining and wanted to see what happened. Miller has obviously done much research into the Viking culture and London of the time and I really enjoyed the historical detail.

Llyrica is a clever heroine who will have Slayde on her terms. Slayde, determined to resist, has not a prayer. Many secondary characters add to the story, making it a rich tapestry. And some exciting scenes will keep your heart pumping. It’s also intriguing with the spells woven into the cloth by the “songweaver”.

Viking lovers will enjoy the match between a Saxon loyal to King Alfred and a Viking maiden from Denmark.

Guest Author Sabrina Jarema on Viking Helmets

My guest today is Sabrina Jarema, the award-winning author of The Viking Lords series, a family saga set in Norway during the ninth century. Always been fascinated by this intriguing, complex people and culture, she uses her love of research about this time to bring her stories to life. Sabrina lives north of Ocala, Florida, the Horse Capital of the World. She has a herd of fat, lazy Arabians on 40 beautiful acres, including the multi National Champion Sport Horse Mare Ivory Shaddara, aka Dumplin’. She also breeds and shows white German Shepherd Dogs and currently has several Grand Victrixes taking over her house. They’re joined by a menagerie of tortoises, turtles, fish and cats.

 To avoid farm work as much as possible, she loses herself in the worlds she creates through her novels, her art, music, dollhouses and jewelry. She has worked as a professional fantasy illustrator and has written fantasy romance for many years. Today, Sabrina is talking about the Vikings’ helmets. 

The Origin of the Image of the Viking Horned Helmet

Everyone knows the iconic image of the brave Viking warrior—tall, strong, wielding a sword and wearing a horned helmet. This portrayal can be seen in everything from paintings to an NFL football team logo. But it’s not entirely accurate. The Vikings rarely wore helmets during battle and none of those helmets ever had horns.

Think about it. A horned helmet would be heavy, unwieldy and unbalanced. Any means of fastening the horns to the metal would have to be large enough to support them and could dig into the wearer’s head. The horns would get caught in the rigging of ships or could stab other warriors, causing fights to break out before they ever got to the real battle.

In a fight, an enemy might grab them and control the wearer, making it easy to slay him. The horns would create a larger target area, catching any weapon aimed at the wearer’s head, directing the blow toward him. They’d get in the way of striking overhead with a two-handed sword, and block a spear thrower’s arm.

I think if a Viking were to see someone wearing such a contraption, he would either laugh himself silly or kill the fool for being so insulting. 

 

We know of just one complete helmet from the Viking era. It’s from a tenth-century chieftain’s grave in Norway. A rounded cap made of iron, it has an eye and nose guard with no projections of any kind. Such equipment would have been very expensive. Many Vikings may not have worn any head protection at all. And some might have worn helmets made of leather that didn’t survive the centuries.

Examples do exist of helmets with decorative projections from over a thousand years before the Viking Era (793-1066). They’ve been found in several places including Viksø, Denmark and Sutton Hoo, England. The latter was most likely from Sweden. These were ceremonial and would not have been used in battle.

There is an image of a man wearing a horned helmet on a tapestry found in the ninth century Oseberg ship burial that was excavated in Norway in 1904. The figure is believed to be that of a priest or a god. Again, none of these portrayals have anything to do with warfare. They are associated with religious rites and rituals.  

So where did this unfortunate horned image come from? There’s a lot of blame to spread around. It started with the Romans and Greeks. They wrote of the northern European tribes who had all manner of wings, antlers and horns sprouting from their headgear. The Germanic priests may, indeed, have worn such things for religious reasons, but this practice had faded over a century before the Viking era began.

During the Romantic period of the later seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries, people in Europe began a love affair with all things Germanic and heroic. Teutonic myths became a popular subject for books and paintings. Artists and writers regarded the Romans as “experts” about the northern tribes and so relied on them for their inspiration.

Unfortunately, the Romans weren’t picky about the facts. They didn’t specify what these fancy helmets were used for. Artists wanted to make their paintings as dramatic as possible and, not being too concerned about historical accuracy themselves, used their artistic license with abandon. They painted grand battles with the warriors sporting highly decorated helmets to add to the drama.

 

At that time, it was popular to depict wings on helmets. Gustave Malmstrom, a Swedish artist in the early 1800s, was the first to paint horns on headgear and little by little, the practice spread into the rest of the century. 

Richard Wagner wrote his famous opera, Der Ring des Nibelungen in the mid 1800s. It is about the Germanic gods, but over time people made the mistake of connecting the opera to the Vikings. The costume designer for the opera, Carl Emil Doepler, gets a lot of the credit—or the blame—for the “classic” Viking look.

He followed this romantic Teutonic trend, most likely from plays about ancient Germans, and created a horned helmet for one of the characters. The Valkyries in the opera had wings on their helmets, but after Wagner’s death, they also got horns. Thus was born the iconic image of the spear-wielding blonde woman in a brass brassiere, singing with a horned helmet on her head.

Later in the 1800s, children’s books on Vikings, myths, and legends perpetuated this inaccuracy through their illustrations. This belief faded in the early twentieth century until it was later resurrected in popular culture through comic books and cartoons.

Today, the Vikings symbolize strength, bravery, and the adventurous spirit. They had all these aspects and so much more. However, the next time you see a picture of a warrior wearing a horned helmet on everything from product packaging to the logo of the Minnesota Vikings, remember that the image came from women’s costumes in an opera and erroneous illustrations in old children’s books.

Not quite the image it’s meant to project, is it? It just might be time to change that logo. 

Lord of the Runes

Following his father’s murder, Eirik Ivarson plunges into a maelstrom of brutal warfare. As outsiders threaten his homeland and all he holds dear, Eirik vows to maintain his focus and avenge the jarl’s death. In his quest for revenge, he will leave everything behind, all he knows, and all he loves.

Asa Sigrundsdottir, a spirited shieldmaiden with warm brown eyes, is wary of the golden-haired warrior discovered half-frozen in a storm. It is clear Eirik is a man of valor, bestowed with the gift of reading runes and destined for greatness. And despite the shadows in her past, he chooses her to help him on his journey. But when their bond is tested, it will take the strength of a hero to keep their love alive.

See it on Amazon. 

Comment for a chance to win Sabrina's book (your choice of ebook or paperback if you live in the US and ebook if outside the US). 

Keep up with Sabrina on her Website and Facebook. 

Review: Theresa Scott’s FORBIDDEN PASSION – Worthy Viking Tale with an Irish Hero

Set in 10^th century in Ireland and Greenland, this is the story of Yngveld Sveinsdatter whose father once contracted her to wed Ivar Wolfson of Dubh Linn. Since Yngveld lives in Greenland, Ivar sends his trusted Irish bodyguard, Thomas Lachlann, bastard son of Viking Lord Harald, to retrieve her. Meanwhile, Yngveld, whose father is dead, has no idea of the prior contract. Her biggest worry is avoiding marriage to a ruthless man in Greenland who wants her and her lands.

Thomas sails for Greenland only to have his ship seized by the same evil man who is after Yngveld. When she seeks a ship and a crew to escape to Norway where she has relatives, she purchases a ship and slaves to sail it, which turn out to be Thomas’s ship and he and his men. Ah, but Thomas has no intention of remaining a slave…

The story takes off and held my attention as Scott brought me into the Viking world, sailing on a Viking ship to Greenland. All that was to the good. And the hero and heroine are a worthy pair. I really liked Thomas. The middle of the book meandered a bit, but the ending was exciting. Viking fans will love it.

Review: Flora Speer’s VIKING PASSION – A Thinking Viking Traveling the Trade Routes with a Strong Heroine

Set in the late 9th century, this well researched, well-written Viking tale does not disappoint. It is rich in character development, rich in the customs of the Vikings and shows what happened to many in England and Ireland whose unguarded villages were easy prey for the marauders from the North.

On the day her brother was to wed her good friend, Lenora’s East Anglia village was struck by the Norseman Snorri Thorkellsson and his Danish Vikings. All the men were killed and she and her close friend were taken as slaves back to the Vikings’ lair in Denmark, where Lenora was given to the chieftain’s youngest son, Erik Thorkellsson. Lenora hates them all but learns what she must to survive. Treachery and hatred abound, as Snorri hates his half brother, Erik, and plots to take all that is his. 

As Erik's slave, Lenora travels the trade routes to Constantinople (“Miklagard”), and we get to see much of that ancient world. (“You must have Norse blood, Lenora. You have the Viking passion for adventure, and the desire to see new sights, just as I have.”) It’s interesting and at times intriguing. Lenora must face her growing love for Erik even as she is repelled by the Vikings who stripped her of her family and her old life.

This one held my attention and I recommend it.

Review: Catherine Coulter’s SEASON OF THE SUN – Superb Tale of Love with a Norseman

This is a well-told Viking tale set in the Danelaw (Danish-ruled territory of England) and Norway in the late 9th century. Like others of Coulter’s, she doesn’t hold back when it comes to the violence of the times nor the cruelty inflicted on a worthy heroine by a bold alpha male who has his information wrong. I love that about her writing, but some who are looking for a softer story might not. If you can get past that (and I did), the story will hold your attention and I highly recommend it. Coulter’s portrayal of loss and grief were, in my opinion, nothing short of brilliant.

It tells the story of Magnus Haraldsson, a jarl from Norway and a merchant, who on a trip to York, spots the woman he wants for his wife, beautiful Irish Zarabeth (I pictured a young Maureen O’Hara). He introduces himself to her, basically telling her she will wed him. He’s direct about his accomplishments and knows when he kisses her she finds him attractive. Innocent Zarabeth will have the Viking if he’ll take her young deaf half sister, Lotti, which he will. But her evil stepfather, Olav the Vain, who wants her as his own wife, forces her to reject the Viking threatening to kill Lotti who he loathes.

Zarabeth rejects the Viking and he sails away, bitter at her action. Olav weds her, but never beds her due to his poisoning by his son’s greedy wife. Zarabeth is framed for Olaf’s murder and at her trial, Magnus arrives to persuade the court to make Zarabeth his slave instead of killing her. Thus it is that Zarabeth sails for Norway with Magnus, but as his slave, not his wife.

Talk about the perils of Pauline! This heroine had her troubles in spades. Both she and the hero at times seemed a bit dense. Initially, she failed to trust Magnus to help her and he believed the lie she did not want him. But each has courage that is compelling. The whole time I was reading her misadventures, I kept thinking that this is one hero who is going to have to grovel big time in the end. And I was not disappointed. Neither will you be. Both Zarabeth and Magnus will suffer before they find happiness.

I thought Coulter did a superb job in this well-researched tale of the Norsemen. It’s exciting, fast-paced, detailed and well written. For Viking romance lovers, it is not one to be missed. A keeper!

Coulter’s Viking Series:

Season of The Sun

Lord of Hawkfell Island

Lord of Raven’s Peak

Lord of Falcon Ridge

Review: A.M. Westerling’s A HEART ENSLAVED – Entertaining Viking Romance

The story begins in Frisia (today a large part of the Netherlands) in 850 as Thorvald Stronghawk, a jarl from Norway, banished by a false accusation of murder, has gone raiding and attacks Gisela’s home, killing her father and taking her captive. Thorvald finds few treasures because Gisela’s father has wisely hidden them. Only his two daughters had keys to the buried chests, Gisela and her sister, who escaped the Vikings.

Thorvald intended to sell Gisela to gain the money to pay compensation to regain his place, but Gisela challenges him to clear his name with the truth, not money. When his evil half brother Karl Wormtongue tries to buy her, Thorvald buys her back, giving up his gold and his sword to keep her. So, Gisela is forced to accompany him back to his home. She is determined to have her freedom and return home, but he treats her kindly, unlike any thrall and she knows she could have done much worse.

A well-written story with some good scenes traveling on a Viking longship and then at the Hedeby market where slaves were sold. The author has done much research into the customs of the Norse and their mythology, which also shows. All in all, an entertaining read.

Review: Barbara Ferry Johnson’s TARA’S SONG – A Viking Saga and a Worthy Read

For those of you who love a good Viking romance, but have trouble finding one, this may be the book for you. It’s available used in paper very reasonably priced. The story of an unlikely, but true, love between two people from different cultures will hold your attention and your heart.

Told from the first person, our heroine, Tara, this is a sweeping saga that covers many years in the life of a young woman you will come to love. You will experience the time period (the 10th century), and how the Vikings lived, including what they wore, what they ate, what they believed, their governing bodies, the ships they sailed in and their marriage and family customs. You also get a feeling for the extent of their raiding and travels in the world at the time, and the use of slaves by the various countries. It was fascinating.

Tara is the beautiful flaxen-haired, younger daughter of an earl living in the south of Britain in the 900s. At 15, she falls in love with Ian, the son of a neighboring lord and they become lovers. He tells her he loves her, but that is something she doubts when Tara's father betroths her older sister to Ian with Ian's full consent. Tara is so distraught she runs away to the nearest abbey where she takes vows and lives for the next 7 years. While she would not have chosen the cloistered life, she finds peace and meaning there.

The story begins when she is 21, and Vikings raid the south of England. The abbey is in their path and all of the nuns are raped and/or killed and the abbey burned. Tara escapes rape only to be taken captive, saved as a prize for the Viking leader who was not at the abbey.

The leader, Rorik, is the eldest son of a Viking jarl. Once Rorik takes Tara onto his ship, he tells her she will become his wife. He ostensibly gives her time to consider this, but then tricks her into a quick marriage. From a nun to a pagan's wife is a giant leap, but Tara is willing to accept her lot and begins to have feelings for Rorik...that is, until they reach his home, Hordaland, where she learns some hard truths. And that is just the beginning of this extraordinary tale.

The story kept me turning pages until late at night. You had to feel for Tara, who is betrayed on so many levels by almost all the men in her life and faces challenges most of us will never know. Of course, at that time women were merely possessions, there for the pleasure of men and their political gain; but it was possible to find love in all of that. And Tara does, amazingly.

If you're looking for a different romance, one that is well written and gives you a real feeling for the time period, I can recommend it. It's a believable Viking romance with lots of action (including storms at sea, adventures on land and on ship, captives, slave trading, wolf attacks, etc.), as well as heartbreaking and heartwarming episodes.

Review: Sandra Hill’s THE BEWITCHED VIKING – Unusual, Clever, Whimsical Viking Tale

While this one of Hill’s many Viking stories is not fantasy, it is fanciful. And witty, at times funny and, while not a serious historical romance and sometimes modern sounding, it is also very entertaining.

Set in 952 AD, this is the story of Tykir Thorksson, a wealthy Viking trader in amber, who is sent by the King of Birka (present day Sweden) to find a redheaded witch who, the king is certain, has cursed his male part. The target of Tykir’s quest, Lady Alinor of Yorkshire has been thrice widowed and is done with men. She prefers to be left alone with her sheep. But her two ridiculous brothers want to betroth her once again, this time to a fat man Tykir dubs the Lord of Lard.

Alinor denies she is a witch and resists going with Tykir, but he gives her no choice and so she and her dog and some of her sheep follow Tykir into Northumbria and eventurally to see the king. In a clever story, Tykir comes to believe she is a witch when things happen he cannot explain.

It took me a while to get used to Hill’s style as she begins each scene with a line that forecasts what you’ll see (I thought it was someone’s thinking but it’s the narrator), but eventually I rather liked that feature. She does manage to drop in some historically interesting tidbits so that I could see she knew her subject well and had done much research for her story. The place names are all there, too. The characters are wonderfully drawn and some quite funny. Bolthor the Skald comes to mind with his silly verses.

If you like witty, off beat historical romances with extended love scenes, this is a good one. I suppose all of Hill’s may be similar. I would read another of hers, particularly Rurik’s story (The Blue Viking).

The list of her Viking romances that Hill says are not fantasy:

The Tarnished Lady

The Bewitched Viking

The Blue Viking

A Tale of Two Vikings

Viking in Love

The Viking Takes a Knight

The Norse King's Daughter

Review: Tracy Ann Miller’s LOVEWEAVER – Viking Weaver of Spells Falls for Saxon Warrior

The story begins in Hedeby, Denmark in 895 as Llyrica, a weaver who weaves spells into her beautiful trimming design, disguises herself as her old Aunt Solvieg, an expert weaver and resident “old crone”. Llyrica is discovered by a flesh peddler who would have her for himself. He takes her from her home, along with her brother. They ends up in the waters off Wessex, she in the hands of a Saxon warrior named Slayde the StoneHeart, ealdorman of Kent, and her brother (unknowingly) in the hands of their Viking father.

It’s pretty much instant lust on Slayde’s part, no matter they are in freezing water and he is saving her from a shipwreck. But, being the strong “I need no woman” man he is, Slayde ignores his sexual attraction for her and goes about his business. During the day, he berates her in front of his men, accusing her (without reason) of being a whore. But at night he “sleep walks” to her bed where he whispers sweet words of love.

Llyrica is determined to reach the Danelaw where her father, Haesten, is a feared warrior. (She has no idea that’s where her brother ended up.)

Initially I found the author’s word choices and writing style a bit difficult to wade through, but once I got accustomed to it, I found the story entertaining and wanted to see what happened. Miller has obviously done much research into the Viking culture and London of the time and I really enjoyed the historical detail.

Llyrica is a clever heroine who will have Slayde on her terms. Slayde, determined to resist, has not a prayer. Many secondary characters add to the story, making it a rich tapestry. And some exciting scenes will keep your heart pumping. It’s also intriguing with the spells woven into the cloth by the “songweaver”.

Viking lovers will enjoy the match between a Saxon loyal to King Alfred and a Viking maiden from Denmark.