I don't seem to enjoy a lot of the books that were written in the 80's and very early 90's. There's too much violence and raping and abuse in some of them. It seems like a crap shoot any time I pick one up. This book was one that I read years ago in the early days of my romance reading. (I started when I was about 12) I had so much fun reading it that I have kept it all these years and have reread it multiple times. I get a kick out of it each time I read it.Kristen stowed away on her brother's ship for some adventure and to avoid an irritating situation. Things go badly for the Vikings and they get captured by the Saxons. Fearing rape, the Vikings disguise Kristen as a boy, but their protective nature soon leads to more trouble for her. It's soon discovered that Kristen is a female and she's taken into the house to be a slave their and to act as a hostage to keep the Vikings from trying to escape.Kristen is so much fun to read about. She takes insults about her heritage and her attractiveness in stride and continues to smile. She doesn't care what's thought about her. She is good-natured and cheerful throughout the book, although she does get angry a time or two. But when she gets angry she takes action. She is not a weak woman and she will not let herself be turned into a doormat.I loved watching her relationship with Royce. Her perspective was very refreshing. She didn't expect marriage and didn't punish him for being surprised by the very idea. She was very frank and open about sex and the pleasure she finds in it. I think that if she had been a different personality type Royce's personality would have come off as too dominating. But with her he never could because she was just as forceful and dominant as he was. There are some dominance struggles in this, but I never felt that it crossed the line or even came close to the line. Their antics and struggles actually made the book more enjoyable for me.
Superb Viking-Saxon Romance!This is one of my all time favorite Viking romances. It is the 2nd in a trilogy, stories of a Viking family (FIRES OF WINTER, HEARTS AFLAME and SURRENDER MY LOVE), but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. It is quite wonderful--an engaging story and well-told. In a bit of a twist, it’s a Saxon lord capturing a Viking maiden.Set in the late 9th century when Vikings sailed south to England, Scotland and Ireland to raid, it tells the story of Kristen Haardrad, the independent, strong-willed and much loved daughter of a wealthy Viking merchant (whose story is told in FIRES OF WINTER). Having spurned her many suitors because she can find no spark of love with any of them, she stows away on her brother's ship believing he is headed to the southern coastal towns for trade where she hopes to find a husband. But her brother is not sailing to trade, but rather to raid. And he is not pleased when he discovers his sister is aboard his ship. Still, he proceeds with his plans. It all goes awry when Kristen is captured and made the slave of the Saxon lord, Royce of Wyndhurst, a favored knight of King Alfred. Royce is a tough but fair leader who is betrothed to a manipulating female he doesn't really want. He fights his attraction to his beautiful Viking slave, but Kristen, who has finally met a man who stirs her passion, has decided he is her "heartmate" and will have no other. Kristen is proud and determined to win his heart and not just his body. Lindsey keeps you intrigued with rich characters, snappy (and sometimes funny) dialog, great action scenes and wonderfully believable tension between Kristen and Royce. I loved this story and will certainly re-read it. It's the best of the trilogy (in my opinion) and definitely a keeper!
What do You think about Hearts Aflame (1987)?
I'm really puzzled about this book. Normally, I love a good love/hate relationship. While it is not entirely this genre, it mostly fits and that was enough for me. Not to mention, I love Vikings. (I blame Eric. All his fault being so evil and yummy.)I enjoyed this book for the time spent, but I won't read it again. I like the fact that the heroine decides she wants the hero way before he even has a clue. I also like the fact that she's a clear, contrasted opposite to the other non-Viking females in the book.What I absolutely hated was the descriptions about her size. She's supposed to be tall and strong and all the other women are tiny and weak. Okay, I'll bite. But every scene leaves me thinking that Kristen is the She-Hulk. Kristen SMASH! is what every fighting scene with her feels like.I do like the fact that she's level-headed, smart, good with weapons and knows what she wants. But the descriptions about her family and Royce (gosh I love that name <3) left me with the visual imagery of Hagrid-sized people. Compare all those descriptions to the cover (which is horrible) and it just doesn't flow.Three stars simply because it was pure gold every time Kristen left Royce flabbergasted.
—Anna
Heroine is the highlighting character of the book , not because she is Heroine , but because , you simply cant imagine rating this book without thinking about her spirit.I liked her enthusiasm , her honesty , her NO bull Shit attitude and her love for her friends - family and the Hero.I also liked Vikings nature , they were so damn optimistic , even in the face of tragedy , like losing you means of escape they were laughing and glad they had that piece of entertainment atleast... Lols... now thats kinda spirit you need to lead a life.Last but not the least , Hero , he was good , I liked him, he was not cruel or mean, he was also not thick headed. He made it clear to everyone , that heroine was off limits to everyone , and he didnt hesitated to show his feelings in front of not just his people but the King himself. He made sure to bring smile on her lips. (view spoiler)[There was this scene , were both our leads were captured & how it was Heroine who saved them and brought them to safety back... lolz.. that was something fresh. ... (hide spoiler)]
—Sammy
Follow up to "Fires of Winter"Kristen Haardrad smuggled herself in her brother Selig's ship bound to go on a trading voyage. But once aboard she finds out they are going "Viking", meaning they are going raiding. The plan is to raid a saxon church but it goes wrong and they are captured. Because of her height and boys clothes Kristen passes herself off as a boy but Royce of Wyndhurst soon realises she is female and puts her working in his hall. He makes her wears chains and fights his attraction for her as she realises that he is the man for her.Now the battle of wills between these two begins and the sexual tension is sizzling. Kristen does not hide her attraction to Royce as she is no shy miss. This is a good sequel and I enjoyed it as much as Fire of Winter. Looking forward to Selig's story next. A great series from JL
—Maureen Feeney
