Category: Viking

The Viking and the Runaway Emperess by Sarah Rodi

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

The Viking and the Runaway EmpressThe Viking and the Runaway Empress by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: February 20, 2024

Four winters ago, after Princess Livia was betrothed to the Byzantine Emperor Alexios, she fled her father’s kingdom in Rome and took refuge in her late mother’s castle in Saxony, hoping the emperor would forget about her. But unfortunately, her reckoning has come in the form of Northman, Destin, the commander of the emperor’s Varangian Guard. He has come to bring her to her future husband in Constantinople, but he also bears sad news, her father the king has been gravely injured and is dying. He tells her that her uncle Lothair is on his way to find her and most likely kill her as she is the only other claimant to her father’s throne. He insists they leave immediately and with good reason, as Lothair will stop at nothing to claim the crown. Destin is unlike any man she has ever known and despite his gruff exterior, he is a good man, whom she can’t stop thinking about, but they have no future, she is promised to his employer and royalty. So she should forget about him, right?

Destin was born with a paralyzed arm and subsequently left in the woods to die. Thankfully, he was found by a childless couple and raised as their own. Destin has overcome his infirmity and proven himself a fierce mercenary, climbing up the ranks and reaching the position of commander. Alexios has promised him titles and riches when he delivers the princess to him, which would mean the achievement of his dreams, but there is something about Livia. He finds himself wanting more, even if it is impossible, given their stations, but the heart wants what it wants. Hopefully he can fulfill his mission, claim his prize and forget about her. Ah, if it were only that easy…

This was such a great story, it is part road trip, part adventure story, and part forbidden love, which makes for a quick and delightful read! The book has something for everyone, class different, sort of enemies to lovers, forbidden love, life/death moments, loss, sacrifice, duty, dreams, fears, steamyish love scenes, heartache, and finally a happy ending that didn’t seem possible until it was as well as a very sweet epilogue. So why not five stars? Well, as great as this book was, it was set in the 12th century and it didn’t read like a medieval, there was way too much modern verbiage which ended up ripping this reader out of the era and gave the book a contemporary in period dress feel. I would still recommend the book because even with the modern lingo, it was still an amazing read.

*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.*