Tag: Sarah Rodi

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.*

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.*