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dragon_lion64's review
2.0
Reading this book was shear torture for the first 20%. I only read it because it was sent to me to review by the New England Readers' Choice Awards. I probably would have stopped reading it if it weren't for the fact I needed to give a review. Good thing I kept reading because it did get a lot better.
The plot and historical aspect of this book were superb but the constant over-explaining and introspection annoyed and bored me. These are my two biggest complaints for any story. I wish authors would give readers a little credit. We're not stupid and can get subtle hints and we prefer them to over-explaining or making the character have paragraphs and paragraphs of introspection. It ticks me off.
The other thing that was wrong with the first part of the book was how the sexual tension was written. Instead of being sexy, it was awkward and smutty. I had to look to see if the book was listed in the erotica genre. Don't get me wrong. I like sexual tension and sex scenes but this was kind of juvenile and uncomfortable like the uncomfortable you feel when someone is making out next to you in church. It just doesn't seem right.
Thankfully, it got better. The over-explaining and introspection decreased so I was able to focus on the interesting storyline.
Safira was a high born lady who was abducted and sold into slavery in 930AD. She made a bargain with a Viking named Rurik to take her away from her master and drop her off in Paris.
Rurik was the Viking who made a bargain with Safira but he may have bit off more than he could chew. She was obviously not born into slavery or being a thrall as she claimed. His aspirations to become rich and hold lands came before a woman so he would be making a detour before he dropped her in Paris.
if the author could rewrite the first 20% of this book and edit out all of the unneeded explainations and tone down the creepy sex stuff, this would be a really good book.
The plot and historical aspect of this book were superb but the constant over-explaining and introspection annoyed and bored me. These are my two biggest complaints for any story. I wish authors would give readers a little credit. We're not stupid and can get subtle hints and we prefer them to over-explaining or making the character have paragraphs and paragraphs of introspection. It ticks me off.
The other thing that was wrong with the first part of the book was how the sexual tension was written. Instead of being sexy, it was awkward and smutty. I had to look to see if the book was listed in the erotica genre. Don't get me wrong. I like sexual tension and sex scenes but this was kind of juvenile and uncomfortable like the uncomfortable you feel when someone is making out next to you in church. It just doesn't seem right.
Thankfully, it got better. The over-explaining and introspection decreased so I was able to focus on the interesting storyline.
Safira was a high born lady who was abducted and sold into slavery in 930AD. She made a bargain with a Viking named Rurik to take her away from her master and drop her off in Paris.
Rurik was the Viking who made a bargain with Safira but he may have bit off more than he could chew. She was obviously not born into slavery or being a thrall as she claimed. His aspirations to become rich and hold lands came before a woman so he would be making a detour before he dropped her in Paris.
if the author could rewrite the first 20% of this book and edit out all of the unneeded explainations and tone down the creepy sex stuff, this would be a really good book.
hannas_heas47's review
5.0
Thanks Netgalley for a copy to read and give a review. Hot cover alert...
Read it in one sitting. I am a sucker for a Viking tale....oh yea. Rurik and Safira's story was poignant and a sexy dance. I enjoyed the tale as Safira enters Rurik's life as a woman who needs protection and in exchange for information he will see her home to her family in Paris. Rurik has no idea who this woman is but reluctantly agree's to a barter in exchange for what he wants....her. I found the story to just grab me and take me for a delicious ride. Five stars of entertainment! Loved it.
Read it in one sitting. I am a sucker for a Viking tale....oh yea. Rurik and Safira's story was poignant and a sexy dance. I enjoyed the tale as Safira enters Rurik's life as a woman who needs protection and in exchange for information he will see her home to her family in Paris. Rurik has no idea who this woman is but reluctantly agree's to a barter in exchange for what he wants....her. I found the story to just grab me and take me for a delicious ride. Five stars of entertainment! Loved it.
rachel93's review
4.0
This was an enjoyable book. It was evenly paced, well written, and not so easy to put down. This was the first time I’ve read anything by Gina Conkle and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. Especially the next book in the Forgotten Sons series. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a way to kill time.
mina_reads_30's review
5.0
I love love love love love it!
Its one of the first books that I read were Vikings are depicted a people looking for a better life! I cant wait for the next one! I am so happy I randomly choose this book to read. Great Book!
Its one of the first books that I read were Vikings are depicted a people looking for a better life! I cant wait for the next one! I am so happy I randomly choose this book to read. Great Book!
izziede's review
3.0
This is a good book. Who doesn't love a good Viking story?
It's well written. Good plot. The Hero has to choose between a promise of land for him to build a future on or the woman who he has sorted of agreed to help, who has worked her way under his skin.
It's well written. Good plot. The Hero has to choose between a promise of land for him to build a future on or the woman who he has sorted of agreed to help, who has worked her way under his skin.
deannasworld's review
2.0
I picked up this book because I like Vikings. What I wasn't prepared for were medieval Vikings. That's likely my fault for not reading the blurb of the book properly and getting caught up in the romanticism and fantasy of the Vikings themselves. I think I prefer modern day Vikings steeped in lore and myth. My preferences run more towards paranormal romance than historical romance. On the whole, I thought the writing for the story was pretty good but I was not captured by the story. It did not excite me. I kept checking my reading status to see how far I'd read frequently, willing the time and the percentage read number to go up faster. That could have been the pacing of the story or my own impatience. I do not know which. Aside from that, I also didn't like Safira, the heroine. She's feisty and proud and provocative and much too bold. All of those are probably not bad characteristics to have but she rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like the way she challenged and teased Rurik when it was she who imposed herself upon him to further her own ends. I didn't like the way she kept taunting him and digging into him while keeping her own secrets. I generally just didn't like her. And I've long since decided that if I don't like the heroine, I'm not going to torture myself by reading the entire book and disliking her every minute of my reading experience. It makes me cranky. I'm sorry Ms Conkle, but Rurik and Safira (mostly Safira) didn't do it for me. This didn't work for me but it wouldn't stop me from recommending it to people who enjoy this sort of story. I'm sure there are other people out there who will be more patient with Safira than I was.
See more from Deanna's World
See more from Deanna's World
reremac's review
3.0
It was plain old historical romance. I personally don't know the era well so I can't tell if it was historically accurate. Not very fast paced but enjoyable nonetheless.
kjharrowick's review
5.0
Why I picked up this book:
I stumbled across this book when chatting with a critique partner about cover designs. This particular one stood out like a beacon. It’s stellar, and I love the colorization. When I read the blurb I got sucked in, and by the time I read the first page I was doomed. Hooked, whatever you want to call it. I was all in.
This review may contain spoilers.
What I loved:
Gina Conkle’s voice is stellar. The way she weaves her words together and how she tells this story is absolutely gorgeous. It’s rare that the voice of the author shines through so well it almost dims the story in comparison, but both were so powerful that this tale packed a powerful punch. Right around the 65% mark I was in book hangover mode. I kept setting it aside to drag out all the wonderful because I did not want this story to end. That perfection and balance writers are always looking? Conkle delivers.
I fell in love with the hero and heroine. Both were such a strong blend of complexity, yet each one held a strong balance. Following either one as a solo POV would have been easy, but the blend offered a sweet harshness to both their personalities as they battled the terrain of the land, Viking politics, and their blossoming trust.
This book is dark, and I love it for that. I tend to find romances often gloss over some of the darker themes, but this one dives right in and keeps that grimdark feel from start to finish.
Areas needing a touch of refinement:
This is a super nit-picky thing and purely subjective. The only thing I had trouble suspending belief for is Rurik’s mission. Fighting for himself, his men, and the woman he loves, all to give another the power and decisions over his life. He was so strong, and the guy in charge was a bit of a gray character for me, that (again… this is my own tastes shining through… nothing wrong with the way it’s told) Rurik upturning everything and taking full command felt like a more authentic route.
Overall:
In the end, this author has me as a reader for life. This book has everything I love in my stories: dark worlds, dark themes, and a hero/heroine combo that keeps you fighting for them right to the end. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in this saga.
I stumbled across this book when chatting with a critique partner about cover designs. This particular one stood out like a beacon. It’s stellar, and I love the colorization. When I read the blurb I got sucked in, and by the time I read the first page I was doomed. Hooked, whatever you want to call it. I was all in.
This review may contain spoilers.
What I loved:
Gina Conkle’s voice is stellar. The way she weaves her words together and how she tells this story is absolutely gorgeous. It’s rare that the voice of the author shines through so well it almost dims the story in comparison, but both were so powerful that this tale packed a powerful punch. Right around the 65% mark I was in book hangover mode. I kept setting it aside to drag out all the wonderful because I did not want this story to end. That perfection and balance writers are always looking? Conkle delivers.
I fell in love with the hero and heroine. Both were such a strong blend of complexity, yet each one held a strong balance. Following either one as a solo POV would have been easy, but the blend offered a sweet harshness to both their personalities as they battled the terrain of the land, Viking politics, and their blossoming trust.
This book is dark, and I love it for that. I tend to find romances often gloss over some of the darker themes, but this one dives right in and keeps that grimdark feel from start to finish.
Areas needing a touch of refinement:
This is a super nit-picky thing and purely subjective. The only thing I had trouble suspending belief for is Rurik’s mission. Fighting for himself, his men, and the woman he loves, all to give another the power and decisions over his life. He was so strong, and the guy in charge was a bit of a gray character for me, that (again… this is my own tastes shining through… nothing wrong with the way it’s told) Rurik upturning everything and taking full command felt like a more authentic route.
Overall:
In the end, this author has me as a reader for life. This book has everything I love in my stories: dark worlds, dark themes, and a hero/heroine combo that keeps you fighting for them right to the end. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in this saga.
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