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brobison's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
scoutmomskf's review
5.0
Terrific book that caught my attention from the beginning and kept me hooked to the last page. The story picks up immediately after the end of the previous book ([b:The Viking She Would Have Married|59684925|The Viking She Would Have Married (Shieldmaiden Sisters, #1)|Lucy Morris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644887800l/59684925._SY75_.jpg|93982469]). While this can be read as a standalone, I feel the reader gets a deeper understanding of these characters by reading the other book first.
Brynhild and Erik had once been friends until he betrayed her. Years later, she'd hoped never to see him again, but with his half-brother marrying her sister, that was a forlorn hope. Erik has been tasked with helping Brynhild, her mother, and her youngest sister, Helga, find land to purchase. But before he can do that, Helga is kidnapped, and Brynhild needs his help to rescue her sister.
I liked Brynhild and Erik. Brynhild is strong and capable, with a fierce reputation as a shieldmaiden; she sees herself as her family's protector. As a result, she doesn't plan to marry, though she occasionally finds herself wanting more. Though supremely confident in her fighting abilities, she is very self-conscious about her appearance. Tall and muscular, she's been teased and bullied about her looks since she was a child, and she feels unlovable and unattractive. But there is also a softness to her that she keeps well hidden.
Amazingly, Erik has turned out to be the good man he is. His mother was a Persian noblewoman captured and enslaved by his Viking father, making him a slave, too. He experienced humiliation and prejudice from both sides of his heritage and was accepted by neither one. His father was physically and emotionally abusive. Recently freed from his enslavement through the efforts of his half-brother Halfdan, Erik is ready for the next stage of his life. But he puts that on hold to help Brynhild rescue her sister. He also hopes to make amends for past mistakes he made with her.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Brynhild and Erik develop. Several flashbacks show their past and the events that drew them together and drove them apart. Brynhild still harbors a great deal of anger over his actions years ago and is not happy about the attraction she feels toward him. At the same time, Erik knows he wants Brynhild in his life but has no confidence that she would ever feel the same way. Forced together on their search, their sparks continue to grow while they work through their past issues. In an interesting role reversal, Brynhild is the experienced one of the pair. Erik has held himself back for reasons that are both admirable and heartbreaking. I loved seeing his first experiences with tenderness and passion happen with the woman who has held his heart for so long. Ultimately, will Brynhild's need to protect Erik from her family's troubles cause her to deny her feelings for him? Or will Erik be able to convince her that they can overcome anything if they are together?
I liked the intensity of the plot. Helga is kidnapped as a hostage by Rhys, the Black Dragon, who blames Erik's father for the failed marriage bargain that would have married his sister to Halfdan. Erik and Brynhild must find the sister, who ran off with her bodyguard and return her to Rhys to free Helga. While hot on the heels of the runaway couple, Erik and Brynhild experience various situations calling for their cooperation and trust. An unexpected twist changes the dynamic of their mission, and the result is different from what they wanted. I ached for Brynhild and her fears for Helga's safety. The epilogue hints at Helga's story, and I'm glad I already have it to read next.
One of the things I enjoyed about this book was the richness of the descriptions. Whether it was the landscape, the people, or the action, the depth of detail made the scenes come alive. I was intrigued enough to look up the names of the towns to see what they are today and follow along on a map.
Brynhild and Erik had once been friends until he betrayed her. Years later, she'd hoped never to see him again, but with his half-brother marrying her sister, that was a forlorn hope. Erik has been tasked with helping Brynhild, her mother, and her youngest sister, Helga, find land to purchase. But before he can do that, Helga is kidnapped, and Brynhild needs his help to rescue her sister.
I liked Brynhild and Erik. Brynhild is strong and capable, with a fierce reputation as a shieldmaiden; she sees herself as her family's protector. As a result, she doesn't plan to marry, though she occasionally finds herself wanting more. Though supremely confident in her fighting abilities, she is very self-conscious about her appearance. Tall and muscular, she's been teased and bullied about her looks since she was a child, and she feels unlovable and unattractive. But there is also a softness to her that she keeps well hidden.
Amazingly, Erik has turned out to be the good man he is. His mother was a Persian noblewoman captured and enslaved by his Viking father, making him a slave, too. He experienced humiliation and prejudice from both sides of his heritage and was accepted by neither one. His father was physically and emotionally abusive. Recently freed from his enslavement through the efforts of his half-brother Halfdan, Erik is ready for the next stage of his life. But he puts that on hold to help Brynhild rescue her sister. He also hopes to make amends for past mistakes he made with her.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Brynhild and Erik develop. Several flashbacks show their past and the events that drew them together and drove them apart. Brynhild still harbors a great deal of anger over his actions years ago and is not happy about the attraction she feels toward him. At the same time, Erik knows he wants Brynhild in his life but has no confidence that she would ever feel the same way. Forced together on their search, their sparks continue to grow while they work through their past issues. In an interesting role reversal, Brynhild is the experienced one of the pair. Erik has held himself back for reasons that are both admirable and heartbreaking. I loved seeing his first experiences with tenderness and passion happen with the woman who has held his heart for so long. Ultimately, will Brynhild's need to protect Erik from her family's troubles cause her to deny her feelings for him? Or will Erik be able to convince her that they can overcome anything if they are together?
I liked the intensity of the plot. Helga is kidnapped as a hostage by Rhys, the Black Dragon, who blames Erik's father for the failed marriage bargain that would have married his sister to Halfdan. Erik and Brynhild must find the sister, who ran off with her bodyguard and return her to Rhys to free Helga. While hot on the heels of the runaway couple, Erik and Brynhild experience various situations calling for their cooperation and trust. An unexpected twist changes the dynamic of their mission, and the result is different from what they wanted. I ached for Brynhild and her fears for Helga's safety. The epilogue hints at Helga's story, and I'm glad I already have it to read next.
One of the things I enjoyed about this book was the richness of the descriptions. Whether it was the landscape, the people, or the action, the depth of detail made the scenes come alive. I was intrigued enough to look up the names of the towns to see what they are today and follow along on a map.
glo68's review
5.0
My very first Viking novel and I found it exceedingly well written, thoroughly researched and captivating to read. The descriptions are astoundingly beautiful and compelling and the characters vibrant and larger than life! The heroine is a badass warrior, but she’s also very feminine, shy and bold at the same time. And the hero is so sweet, a big, handsome cinnamon roll of a Viking! Usually this is not my kind of hero, but I loved Erik, so honorable, so kind, so in love with the heroine… And I must confess that I’m already in love with the hero of the next book, who’s definitely my type! Dark, brooding, mysterious… I can’t wait!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ljwrites85's review
4.0
Romance is not my go to genre but I have to say I'm really enjoying these Mills & Boon historical romances!
This is the second in the Shieldmaiden sisters series but easily stands on its own as a story, something I can attest to having not read the first, although I will be going back to read The viking
she would have married as soon as I can!
Tempted by her outcast viking is a second chance romance with the added tension of a quest to pull our two protagonists together.
Brynhild was a fantastically fierce character. Strong and brave, willing to lay her life down in battle, she had a sensitive side, especially when it comes to her family. She is not willing to open her heart again to Erik, who hurt her in the past.
Erik is a loner, made that way by his awful upbringing at the hands of his brutal father. Like Brynhild, he seems hard and unforgiving on the outside but carries a lot of pain and insecurities on the inside.
I really rooted for them to get past their pain and become the people they were meant to be and have the love they deserved.
The historical details were wonderfully done, adding to the atmosphere in the story. I honestly don't know much about the viking times, but now I feel I know a bit more!
There was a setup for the next story at the end of the book, so I'll be looking forward to reading that!
If you like historical romance, second chance romances and a bit of spice, then I'd highly recommend Tempted by her outcast Viking.
This is the second in the Shieldmaiden sisters series but easily stands on its own as a story, something I can attest to having not read the first, although I will be going back to read The viking
she would have married as soon as I can!
Tempted by her outcast viking is a second chance romance with the added tension of a quest to pull our two protagonists together.
Brynhild was a fantastically fierce character. Strong and brave, willing to lay her life down in battle, she had a sensitive side, especially when it comes to her family. She is not willing to open her heart again to Erik, who hurt her in the past.
Erik is a loner, made that way by his awful upbringing at the hands of his brutal father. Like Brynhild, he seems hard and unforgiving on the outside but carries a lot of pain and insecurities on the inside.
I really rooted for them to get past their pain and become the people they were meant to be and have the love they deserved.
The historical details were wonderfully done, adding to the atmosphere in the story. I honestly don't know much about the viking times, but now I feel I know a bit more!
There was a setup for the next story at the end of the book, so I'll be looking forward to reading that!
If you like historical romance, second chance romances and a bit of spice, then I'd highly recommend Tempted by her outcast Viking.
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