Category: Ancient Britain

Second Chance with His Viking Wife by Sarah Rodi

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Second Chance with His Viking WifeSecond Chance with His Viking Wife by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: N/A, Standalone Title

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Revna of Greenland has known much loss in her life, first her mother and brother, then her home. She and her father arrived in Anglo-Saxon England with their clan and hopes for a new life. But soon after they arrive, battles break out and she is caught in the fight, but is saved by a handsome Saxon. A truce is called, but when the Queen is killed, Prince Teon launches another attack. This time to stop the fighting, Revna’s father Ravn, and King Edmund agree to have their children wed to to seal their alliance. Revna is happy to learn her betrothed is none other than the man who saved her, it gives her hope that she may have a happy marriage, but those hopes are crushed as soon as she is brought to his room after their wedding feast. Wounded but not broken, Revna refuses to return home to her father and soon finds her way to the hearts of the royal family and many of the castle’s residents. If only her husband would return and realize she is not his enemy.

Furious that he was forced to marry the daughter of the man he believes killed his mother to cement an alliance between King Edmund and Ravn of Greenland, Prince Teon verbally takes his rage out on his young bride and leaves her without a thought for eight long years. But upon learning that his father has passed, he returns to claim his throne and is shocked to see the young girl he left behind has grown into a lovely woman. He is angry at his attraction to her and that a heathen will Queen but he knows he cannot set her aside without causing a war. Instead, he vows to keep her at arm’s length and will never taint his royal Saxon bloodlines by siring children with her. Time after time, he rails at her, blaming her for the sins of others, it isn’t until she she leaves that he realizes he has made the biggest mistake of his life, and wonders if it is too late for a second chance.

This is a fast-paced, action-packed story, with wonderful characters and lots of emotion. This story is filled with feuds, betrayal, lust, murder, battles, culture clashes, steamy love scenes, angry words, secrets, shocking revelations, and finally forgiveness leading to HEA. I enjoyed this story, even though I absolutely despised Prince Teon until almost the end of the book, but he managed to win me in the end. I also enjoyed the love scenes that were spicier than are normally found in these books. I would warn that if you are a “history purest”, you will probably take exception to the modern verbiage in this book, but I would recommend ignoring it and just enjoy the story.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Blog Tour ~ Claimed by the Viking Chief by Sarah Rodi

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Blog Tour, Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, VikingLeave a comment

Claimed by the Viking Chief

She can be his lover

…but never his wife!

Forced into servitude, Wren is quietly miserable…until Jarl Knud arrives at her settlement, seeking an alliance through marriage. Despite their initial sizzling attraction, Wren despises everything the Jarl represents—and he needs a high-status bride to save his people, not a servant like her. As Wren uncovers the man beneath the fierce Viking chief she’s tempted to claim one forbidden night of passion…but will it ever be enough?

Purchase Links :

UK ~ US

Author Bio:

Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her grandad, or devouring love stories from the local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Berkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, her two daughters and their dog.

She has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Harlequin/Mills & Boon. New for 2023, she is the New Writers Scheme Coordinator for the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy ever after.

Social Media Links:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ BookBub

Tracy’s Review:

Claimed by the Viking ChiefClaimed by the Viking Chief by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: May 23, 2023

When she was just five years old, Wren was ripped from her family during a raid and taken captive by the Chief of Boer. When he returned to his home the chief gave Wren to his daughter Ingrid as her personal slave and companion. Over the years Wren has settled into her life and gives Ingrid her complete loyalty when Ingrid becomes the Earl, secretly hoping that Ingrid will free her from slavery. But with the real threat of attacks from the Earl of Forsa, the leader of a neighboring tribe, and the impending arrival of Jarl Knud who is intent on marriage to unite their tribes against Forsa, it is clear that freeing Wren is the last thing on Earl Ingrid’s mind. Wren doesn’t trust the Danes and worries that once Ingrid marries her new husband will never free her. But despite her initial dislike of Knud, she can’t deny the attraction she feels and knows that as a thrall, she could never be anything more than a lover to him, but that doesn’t stop her from wanting to explore the passion simmering between them.

Knud is tempted by the lovely and feisty Wren, but she stirs feelings that he doesn’t want to feel. His people have suffered enough thanks to his emotions and it is important that he doesn’t fail them again. He doesn’t want to hurt Wren, but he can’t risk falling in love with her, so he will marry Ingrid to protect both tribes from the Earl of Forsa and protect his heart from breaking. But a surprising twist will change everything, and with Wren’s life hanging in the balance, he will finally accept that he is in love with her, but is it too late?

This was a great read, well-written and nicely paced, albeit heavy on angst. Wren has suffered, but she is a kind soul and loyal to a fault, even after incredible betrayal. Knud has also suffered although in a completely different way, and he wears his pain like armor. He feels such guilt over his past actions and is willing to sacrifice his happiness to try and make up for his past mistakes. This story is filled with a lot of emotion; a lot of sorrow, pain, and angst, so it is not a light read, but neither is it depressing or dark. There will be many things keeping our lovers apart, but ultimately, love will win the day and Knud and Wren will find their HEA! This book is loosely connected to the previous book and those characters play a role in this story, but it can easily be read as a standalone title. I liked this story, but it was a bit heavier than I had anticipated, so be warned, this is not a light, fluffy read, but I would recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*