Sara Durham's Blog - Posts Tagged "romance"

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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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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