Sara Durham's Blog

Ræliksen by Renee Vincent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A passionate work of historical fiction and a gripping love story set in 916 AD where the tensions between the Irish and Scandinavian foreigners from the North serve as a tumultuous backdrop. By choice and perhaps by providence Daegon Raeliksen, a sea merchant and Northman, spys an Irish beauty down by the River Shannon and is determined to make the woman his wife. Their first interaction is far from what he planned when the beauty turns out to be as fierce as she is lovely. Daegon has little time to contemplate his broken nose, however, as mortal danger descends upon them in the form of rogue Northmen raiders. Forced to flee for their lives, Daegon vows to protect Mara and return her to her family as soon as it is safe, and thus starts their adventure.

Raeliksen is a story of getting to know thine enemy and breaking down cultural barriers. As their attraction to each other grows, Daegon and Mara face many obstacles and conflicts inherent in these turbulent times. Ms. Vincent’s writing paints beautifully and realistically the setting and place, and reflects the in-depth research done by the author. Betrayal, murder, revenge, and ‘edge of your seat’ battle scenes are tempered with tender (sometimes steamy) love scenes that carry the reader along effortlessly.

The author renders the story with vivid sensory detail and description. In fact there is an especially memorable scene featuring a whiskey barrel. Also interesting is the history of the Aran Islands (Inis Mor) off the coast of Ireland and boat craftsmanship that’s nicely weaved in without bogging the story down. Even the exploration of monotheism vs polytheism isn’t too heavy handed.

Though Daegon is a peaceful merchant, his roots and duty as a warrior are never far from the surface making him the ultimate hero, and therefore, this book hard to put down. This is a Viking love story that is both heartfelt and timeless.


Kudos Renee Vincent! I am definitely looking forward to the next books in this riveting viking series.



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Excited to welcome talented Author ~ Editor, Nancy M. Bell over at Rockin' The Fodder! I'm interviewing Nancy about her research for her middle grade Cornwall Adventure Series and prying tips from her regarding editing and writing. And there is a give away!

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Christmas Storm by Nancy Marie Bell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars







After she finds an injured dog on her ranch in the middle of a fierce Alberta storm, Michelle reluctantly accepts the help of Cale Benjamin, the handsome new vet in town and incidentally her new neighbor. A bitter breakup has left Michelle angry and distrustful of men and relationships in general, so when the vet stirs up the heat between them she wants nothing more than to bolt.

Despite Cale’s best efforts to win Michelle’s heart he can’t quite get past the barricades she keeps erecting, but with a little help from friends and his sheer determination he begins to slowly break through Michelle’s wintered heart.

Nancy Marie Bell’s christmas romance blends lovely descriptions of the Alberta prairie with the gritty realities of life on a cattle ranch, creating a story about finding forgiveness in an embittered heart, and opening up to second chances.

Of course at the heart of this story is the stray dog, Storm and her puppies, the scenes of which are sweet and precious! Heartwarming and hard to put down, I highly recommend this one for your Christmas stocking!

For paperback version:

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Storm...
ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419273415&sr=8-1&keywords=Christmas+Storm+by+Nancy+Marie+Bell






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So you think you know the story of angels and demons...

My dark paranormal romance novel, The Powers,
is on sale for 99 cents from Amazon and Muse It Up Publishing for a limited time!


http://www.amazon.com/Powers-S-Durham...

Hello everyone,

I'm sharing highlights from this year's Surrey International Writers Conference over at RTF. I'd love to have you stop by and see what a fantastic conference this is!

Cheers, Sara


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Good day everyone!

If you like reading, or writing Historical mysteries, or just want to meet a fascinating gentleman, please stop by Rockin' the Fodder today for my interview with author of The Devil at my Heels, and several other historical mystery thrillers. Mr. Mossop shares invaluable insight into reliable historical research, the changing landscape of publishing, and everything in between! You won't want to miss this interview!


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I've got a giveaway (plus chocolate) over at Romance Junkies ~ February 14th through March 14th!

Come on over and enter ~


http://www.romancejunkies.com/valenti...

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1928 ~ 2013, Jack Germond was a legend in the American political reporting arena for nearly fifty years, and perhaps was most notably known for his liberal seat on the talk show panel: ‘The McLaughlin Group’, for more than a decade. What you may not know is that in the last years of his life Jack finished his first novel of fiction, a page turning story of political intrigue, which was published just short of his passing. Please join me over at Rockin’ the Fodder and give a warm welcome to my special guest, Alice Travis Germond, Jack’s wife, as she talks about the man, his professional life, and A Small Story for Page 3, published by Muse It Up Publishing, in August 2013.

Hope to see you there!



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Brenda Novak's Auction for Diabetes Research is a good cause and you might just come away with a few good reads:)

The Lycan Moon and The Jaguar Sun are in Romance Bundle #3~

http://brendanovak.auctionanything.co...

Romance Junkies gave The Jaguar Sun, Wild Magick Series, Book Two 4.5 Blue Ribbons! I'm dancin:)