Category: Viking

The Warrior’s Forbidden Viking Bride by Sarah Rodi

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Medieval - Early (410 - 1066), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, VikingLeave a comment

The Warrior's Forbidden Viking Bride (Harlequin Historical)The Warrior’s Forbidden Viking Bride by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: July 17, 2025

After Christians raided her village in Denmark and killed her husband and infant son, Alivia has seethed with hatred for them and when she has the opportunity to raid an English monastery, she jumps at the chance for revenge. But things don’t go as planned and she accidently starts a fire in the church – endangering her life as well as her twin brother and a young boy. When they are trapped in the burning building, it is a Christian priest that saves them. The priest agrees to go with them as long as they promise not to hurt the boy or sell them into slavery. Alivia is not happy about this turn of events and can’t understand why her brother Jurgen would bring them along. She takes every opportunity to vent her rage at the priest and is even more upset that she finds him attractive – something that hasn’t happened since the death of her husband. Can she let go of her hatred and allow love to fill her heart again or will her grief win?

Ryce wasn’t always a priest, he was once married to King Eardwulf’s sister and served the king as a warrior. But when his wife and child die during childbirth, he is consumed by grief and takes it out by slaying the king’s enemies. But when he is injured and sent to the monastery to recover, he turns to his faith to find peace. Later he agrees to care for Aldfrith, the king’s illegitimate son and vows to never touch another woman. An easy vow to keep in a monastery – but when pagans attack and he and Aldfrith are taken captive by a Viking Shield Maiden and her brother – he finds himself tempted for the first time in years. Alivia is not like any woman he has ever known and despite his vows and her hatred, he finds himself drawn to her. Like Alivia, Ryce is holding tight to his grief and his faith, making him believe that there is no chance for a future with her.

This was a very emotional, enemies to lovers romance that had wonderful characters who have been crippled by grief and given a second chance at love – if they have the courage to take it. I loved Ryce and Alivia, they have both known indescribable loss but have each coped with that loss in a different way; Ryce through his faith and Alivia through vengeance. Neither is eager to open themselves up to pain again and will have to be willing to let go of the past in order to have a future. This book is filled with heartache, loss, second chances, steamyish love scenes, battles, and a hard-won HEA. This book does have things that might be triggers for some readers, so I would suggest checking the content warning before reading, but I do think the author handled these sensitive subjects with empathy and respect.

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

Her Secret Vows with the Viking by Sarah Rodi

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Medieval - Early (410 - 1066), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Viking3 Comments

Her Secret Vows with the VikingHer Secret Vows with the Viking by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Lady Ædwen of Eastbury has agreed to marry Lord Werian, the man her father Lord Manvil has chosen for her, in the hopes that her father will keep his word and let her see her daughter. Just over a year ago, Ædwen fell in love with Stefan, a Dane warrior who was injured in battle and left for dead. She nurtured him back to health and learned he had no memories of his life prior to waking up and seeing Ædwen. They grew close and fell in love, exchanging vows in secret and becoming intimate, some of his memories return and he tells her of his life in Demark and the choice his father made to come to England for a better life. But the very next day, he sees her speaking with her father and his lost memories come rushing back, her father killed his father and brothers and tried to kill him. Enraged at what he perceived as deceit by Ædwen he leaves her without a second thought. Never knowing she carried his child. A child her father took from her and a child he used to make her bend to his will. She feels she has no choice and is about to exchange vows when Stefan bursts in the church and declares himself her husband and insisting that she leave with him. She is torn, she doesn’t want to marry Lord Werian, but neither does she want to lose the chance to see her daughter Ellan. In the end the choice is made for her, but Ædwen isn’t willing to reveal all to Stefan, she isn’t sure she can trust him after he abandoned her, but she goes with the hope she will find Ellan, even if there is no chance for them to be happy. Can their love be revived or are they doomed for a life of unhappiness?

Stefan left Ædwen convinced that he had been deceived by yet another woman whom he thought he loved. He makes his way to Wintacaester and proves himself to Canute, the Danish King of England and is named the King’s commander. He is content to in his new life, until he learns he has a child and believes that Ædwen gave up that child and knowingly kept her existence from him. When he further learns she is to remarry, he decides to reclaim her, just to ruin her father’s plans. He hates her, at least he thinks he hates her, but he cannot deny the passion and desire he felt for her is still strong. He tries to get her to confess to him about their child, but it isn’t until they reach the city, and she is attacked that she finally admits the truth and her deep shame for having lost their child. He then revealed that he has Ellan and decides that they will be a family. But without trust, happily ever after seems impossible. Is their love gone or can they find their way back to each other?

This might be my favorite Sarah Rodi book to date! It was a very well written, nicely paced story about second chances and forgiveness. The story is very intense, emotional and surprisingly steamy (not complaining!!!), and filled with secrets, past hurts, betrayal, presumptions, shocking revelations, twists and finally forgiveness and love leading to HEA. Ædwen and Stefan make a lot of mistakes on their road to HEA, but they are both likable, relatable characters who are easy to root for. This book was part of a author collaboration duet but could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems. I am happy to recommend this title to medieval romance lovers or anyone who enjoys a touching second-chance love story.

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