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Lone Warriors #1
To Burn
Bound by honor and driven by vengeance, a fierce Saxon warrior raids a secluded Roman villa in Britannia and takes a stunning Roman woman, who embodies everything Rome stands for, as his captive, but the tables turn when forbidden desire flares between them, forcing him to choose between love and duty. Original.
379 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2002
9 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Claudia Dain
37 books99 followersIt was while writing a descriptive essay in seventh grade English (that was the assignment, to write a 'descriptive essay') that Claudia first fell in love. With descriptive essays. Boys being what they are in seventh grade, there was hardly much choice.
By her ninth grade year, Claudia was spending hours each week in her bedroom writing descriptive essays that heavily featured older boys (eleventh grade). She also practiced her kissing technique on a pole lamp next to her bed. It was less than satisfactory, but the writing was fun.
She attended the University of Southern California as an English major. She'd mastered kissing by this time and writing, strangely enough, was still fun. 'Strangely' because while it had become obvious to her that almost everyone enjoyed kissing, it was equally obvious that very few people enjoyed writing. This was as peculiar to her as, well, not enjoying kissing.
Clearly, something had to be done. The idea of combining kissing and writing seemed the obvious course of action. While Claudia does not claim to have invented the romance novel, she certainly has a lot of fun describing kisses and inventing men to bestow them upon. And not a one of her heroes looks remotely like a pole lamp. (And don't act like one either.)
Claudia was first published in 2000, is a two-time Rita finalist, and a USA Today Bestselling author. Which just goes to prove that you can make a career out of kissing and writing about it.
By her ninth grade year, Claudia was spending hours each week in her bedroom writing descriptive essays that heavily featured older boys (eleventh grade). She also practiced her kissing technique on a pole lamp next to her bed. It was less than satisfactory, but the writing was fun.
She attended the University of Southern California as an English major. She'd mastered kissing by this time and writing, strangely enough, was still fun. 'Strangely' because while it had become obvious to her that almost everyone enjoyed kissing, it was equally obvious that very few people enjoyed writing. This was as peculiar to her as, well, not enjoying kissing.
Clearly, something had to be done. The idea of combining kissing and writing seemed the obvious course of action. While Claudia does not claim to have invented the romance novel, she certainly has a lot of fun describing kisses and inventing men to bestow them upon. And not a one of her heroes looks remotely like a pole lamp. (And don't act like one either.)
Claudia was first published in 2000, is a two-time Rita finalist, and a USA Today Bestselling author. Which just goes to prove that you can make a career out of kissing and writing about it.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 29, 2023
DNF 80%
Headache inducing book, where the h spent the entire book pissed off. No thank you.
- all told, not shown.
- this is a captive /slave situation romance, but it seemed politically correct, without rape or even slapping. ( up until 80% at least)
- very tame story considering it’s a middle age romance with Romans and Vikings.
Boring.
Headache inducing book, where the h spent the entire book pissed off. No thank you.
- all told, not shown.
- this is a captive /slave situation romance, but it seemed politically correct, without rape or even slapping. ( up until 80% at least)
- very tame story considering it’s a middle age romance with Romans and Vikings.
Boring.
July 11, 2014
Melonia hates all things Saxon. Wulfred hates all things Rome.
Melonia, daughter of the Roman villa attacked by Saxons, is hiding underground, so the leader Saxon warrior Wulfred tries to smoke her out so that he can kill her. She resigns herself to dying and will not come out, so Wulfred pulls her out. He decided rather than killing her immediately, to take out his revenge on Rome by making her suffer. He makes Melonia his slave. However, nothing works as he plans. Melonia is strong willed and determined to end her own life, depriving Wulfred of the opportunity. And so, the story becomes a battle of wills that is mildly entertaining – Melonia trying to devise ways to end her life while Wulfred’s attempts to ensure she stays alive and well.
Do not expect any quality historical references to the time period other than descriptions about the way they dress and the design of the villa. The story drags at times and is much longer than needed, especially considering the entire story takes place at the villa. There are some major logic holes and the characters fall flat. However, I liked the premise for the story and have a soft spot for the Dark Ages. I recommend skipping this one and reading Claudia Dain’s Tell Me Lies instead.
Melonia, daughter of the Roman villa attacked by Saxons, is hiding underground, so the leader Saxon warrior Wulfred tries to smoke her out so that he can kill her. She resigns herself to dying and will not come out, so Wulfred pulls her out. He decided rather than killing her immediately, to take out his revenge on Rome by making her suffer. He makes Melonia his slave. However, nothing works as he plans. Melonia is strong willed and determined to end her own life, depriving Wulfred of the opportunity. And so, the story becomes a battle of wills that is mildly entertaining – Melonia trying to devise ways to end her life while Wulfred’s attempts to ensure she stays alive and well.
Do not expect any quality historical references to the time period other than descriptions about the way they dress and the design of the villa. The story drags at times and is much longer than needed, especially considering the entire story takes place at the villa. There are some major logic holes and the characters fall flat. However, I liked the premise for the story and have a soft spot for the Dark Ages. I recommend skipping this one and reading Claudia Dain’s Tell Me Lies instead.
January 4, 2015
Saxon goes all barbarian on his Roman captive. As fabulous as that sounds, it wasn't... Wouldn't it be great it Claudia Dane wrote a new version of this, now that she's become a polished writer? I'd line up to read that. Issue: hero comes across as kind of a doofus. I don't know about you, but I don't think there's such a thing as a sexy doofus.
January 3, 2016
Melania is a roman, after her villa is attacked and her father killed she is taken captive by Wulfred, a Saxon warrior. Wulfred despises the Romans, after suffering great at their hands he vows vengence. Killing and rampaging any Roman in his way, as it is with his fellow Saxon's. However when he is faced with this Roman beauty, she is different and is definitely intrigued. At first Melania is bitter again Wulfred, always standing up to him in a very violent way. As time continues however, there is a sensual connection that fires up between the two. But who will conquer who? Will love be the conquering will power in their bonding?
I found that as much as I loved the cover and the book description however this wasn't a book that I enjoyed to the extent that I had a hard time reading it at time. Melania even though there were times that I enjoyed her personality, at the beginning of this book, I found her to have a very violent nature, and I had a difficult time liking this heroine. I think the time that I started to like her is when she started to gentle her nature toward Wulfred. Wulfred is pure alpha male, and I found him endearing, despite his domineering manner. Of course considering the fact that he is a commander in the Saxon army and what he has suffered in the past, but if amused by Melania's actions at certain times. Although there were times that I really enjoyed this love story that blossoms between two enemies, there were still some parts that I struggled with and it seemed like it didn't flow smoothly all the way through. But it was a good romance and had some enlightening aspects that was amusing and heated at times.
I found that as much as I loved the cover and the book description however this wasn't a book that I enjoyed to the extent that I had a hard time reading it at time. Melania even though there were times that I enjoyed her personality, at the beginning of this book, I found her to have a very violent nature, and I had a difficult time liking this heroine. I think the time that I started to like her is when she started to gentle her nature toward Wulfred. Wulfred is pure alpha male, and I found him endearing, despite his domineering manner. Of course considering the fact that he is a commander in the Saxon army and what he has suffered in the past, but if amused by Melania's actions at certain times. Although there were times that I really enjoyed this love story that blossoms between two enemies, there were still some parts that I struggled with and it seemed like it didn't flow smoothly all the way through. But it was a good romance and had some enlightening aspects that was amusing and heated at times.
November 20, 2014
The best part of this book was the heroine's constant insults to the hero. I couldn't help laughing every time she called him "imbecile." I don't know if I've read anything other book about the period in time when the Roman empire was falling to barbarians. It was interesting.
February 26, 2008
An excellent viking story! This is one alpha you won't want to miss!
January 7, 2020
I love, love, love this book. I first read it when I was a teenager and barely knew the meaning of love. I think this is my fourth or fifth time reading it and I still love it. Melania's strength and perseverance is commendable. Wulgar might be an oaf and a powerful warrior but when he raises a gentle hand, watch your heart. I just
April 29, 2018
From enemies to lovers in the times of Roman imperium faling down.
Thankfully, this is an old-school historical romance. Nowaday, all we got is lust as a central point of romance. Here are some steamy scenes too, but the authoress goes for love and I, for one, believe Wulfred and Melania.
Thankfully, this is an old-school historical romance. Nowaday, all we got is lust as a central point of romance. Here are some steamy scenes too, but the authoress goes for love and I, for one, believe Wulfred and Melania.
October 25, 2021
HOT. It really does BURN....
This was the 1st book I've read in this time period and the title is SO appropriate! The two leads literally HATE each other-and with good reason. But as time passes, anger turns into something else.
Wulfred takes over Melina's home. Hating him, hating all of his kind, she'd rather take death. Hers...or his. While Melina is Wulfred's prisoner, anger slowly burns into another passion. They are always aware of the other, they always affect the other. They can't ignore each other even if they tried-which they really don't. Wulfred's punishment to Melina is close proximity (not that either of them like it) and it affects them both. When they are forced into any kind of contact with each other, even when they aren't-they feel fire.
And then they touch each other in the way they both have been wanting to...and that passion turns into something that will last a lifetime.
Try to get your hands on a copy, this book is one of my favs and I've re-read it countless times. The chemistry is HOT and the dance they do around each other is scorching.
This was the 1st book I've read in this time period and the title is SO appropriate! The two leads literally HATE each other-and with good reason. But as time passes, anger turns into something else.
Wulfred takes over Melina's home. Hating him, hating all of his kind, she'd rather take death. Hers...or his. While Melina is Wulfred's prisoner, anger slowly burns into another passion. They are always aware of the other, they always affect the other. They can't ignore each other even if they tried-which they really don't. Wulfred's punishment to Melina is close proximity (not that either of them like it) and it affects them both. When they are forced into any kind of contact with each other, even when they aren't-they feel fire.
And then they touch each other in the way they both have been wanting to...and that passion turns into something that will last a lifetime.
Try to get your hands on a copy, this book is one of my favs and I've re-read it countless times. The chemistry is HOT and the dance they do around each other is scorching.
July 16, 2011
This story does some things that I love, delving into a historical period that isn't often featured in historical romance, and, at the end, touching on some of the religious changes that were such a profound part of history, and yet are so seldom even acknowledged in our PC world. For that reason, I recommend the story, even though it didn't fully engage my emotions. There was plenty of material that should have done so, and in the end I was caught up, but I think the relationship started on one note and continued on that note for most of the story. It took too long or the characters to move past the initial antagonism and engage in any believable way as lovers. And that initial antagonism, while it was justified, wasnt presented to the readers in ways that pulled us into the characters' feelings. That took a couple stars off the marks even though I think this book is well worth reading.
June 8, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. At times I found all the similar sound names of Wulfred's Saxon buddies hard to tell apart but all in all I was impressed with the story and the characters. I've never read anything like it. I'll be keeping this book to read again. Dain has an interesting writing style and a good use of language. I liked that the story was atypical of most historical genre romances. Also I think that the author did a good job of researching the period and proving rich details. I especially liked that the Saxon men are depicted as valuing smart women.
July 30, 2015
Thanks to the author for a copy to read and review.
Loved it! The dance between Melania and Wulfred was ripe with such a violent anger towards each other. Melania seeking death instead of slavery at the hands of a Saxon. Her rich noble Roman blood beckons her to resist the huge Saxon that invades her home and kills her father. I enjoyed the read but I'm not a history buff and I didn't really care if the period fit the book or not. My interest was the strife between characters, and I'm a big fan of this author. Amazing imagery! Five stars!
Loved it! The dance between Melania and Wulfred was ripe with such a violent anger towards each other. Melania seeking death instead of slavery at the hands of a Saxon. Her rich noble Roman blood beckons her to resist the huge Saxon that invades her home and kills her father. I enjoyed the read but I'm not a history buff and I didn't really care if the period fit the book or not. My interest was the strife between characters, and I'm a big fan of this author. Amazing imagery! Five stars!
December 11, 2013
Well what to say. As I'm fond of Historical Romance genre this book is something different which I'd been reading till now. In many ways it's different and of course a dark one. This was my first experience to read a love story between Roman and Saxon and thoroughly enjoyed keeping the logic of modern era away from mind though I liked the story certainly. A love story between Wolfred and Melania and both stubborn in their particular way. Loved writer's writing a lot.
February 11, 2013
the book is nice enough, but requires a bit too much patience to plod through the story. The author's note was given at the back of the book (was it only my copy), but the scenario didnt make much sense until i read it. Wud have been grt if that bit of history could have been covered with a few well-chosen para at the beginning.
The story doesnt grip, though the storyline itself is nice.
The story doesnt grip, though the storyline itself is nice.
March 4, 2020
I read this in my early 20's, days after breaking up with my boyfriend of two years (the longest relationship I had had at that point in my life). There is nothing award winning about this book, but it was fun and diverting enough to engage me despite the drama lama taking place in my own life at that time. I'll probably be partial to it because of that.
January 7, 2018
I have read this book at least 5 times, and so needless to say it is forever on my keep shelf. It will forever be a favorite and one I continually go to whenever I just need a good story to engage in :). I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a stubborn barbarian ;)
March 6, 2014
I didn't care for the characters that much, they were so adversarial, until the very end. Didn't really see the love growing. But it was a good story. I wish a group of people had been sent from the villa before the story ended, felt like that was missing. 3.5 stars.
August 24, 2015
Caludia Dain's historicals I've read so far had always been different from those of other writers.
So is this one.
Charmingly set up in early medieval (a very uncharming period by logic), Dain brought out a lot in the the couple, a Roman heroine and the Saxon hero.
So is this one.
Charmingly set up in early medieval (a very uncharming period by logic), Dain brought out a lot in the the couple, a Roman heroine and the Saxon hero.
Want to read
October 27, 2012Melonia is strong willed, which is ok - but she became very annoying. The book was lacking at times, but I really enjoy Wulfred and the story’s ending was great. So it gets it 2 stars.
December 21, 2011
An nice piece of fluffy fun. Not historically believable, and the characters seemed a bit one sided, but a fun read since my mind has succumbed to what my family affectionately calls "baby brain."
August 3, 2012
Steamy and hard to put down!
June 2, 2015
Interesting choice of time period typical enemies to lovers story, had some unique elements. Overall, cute read.
October 20, 2015
Bored me, couldn't finish it even after months of trying
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews