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Taken: A Northman's Saga
Dear Author,
They have burned his village, raped the women, taken the children. This is a fight his people have fought before, but this time it’s different. They have taken his lover to torture and use against him. He is the one they want. But they have miscalculated... they took his soul when they hurt his lover. And a man without a soul will stop at nothing to get it back.
Photo Description:
He has long dark hair and a scruffy beard. His high cheekbones and lean face proclaim him a son of northern European lands. Piercing blue eyes stare out at you, full of sadness and menace, a warning to all. The hilt of a sword is just visible under his chin.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
They have burned his village, raped the women, taken the children. This is a fight his people have fought before, but this time it’s different. They have taken his lover to torture and use against him. He is the one they want. But they have miscalculated... they took his soul when they hurt his lover. And a man without a soul will stop at nothing to get it back.
Photo Description:
He has long dark hair and a scruffy beard. His high cheekbones and lean face proclaim him a son of northern European lands. Piercing blue eyes stare out at you, full of sadness and menace, a warning to all. The hilt of a sword is just visible under his chin.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
49 pages, ebook
First published July 20, 2013
73 people want to read
About the author
Brannan Black
21 books59 followersDark Dreams, Forbidden Fantasies. What if...
Brannan writes books that move people, balancing gritty realism with a sprinkling of humor and leavened with love. Her critically acclaimed books include post apocalyptic, fantasy and paranormal genres. Gender is no barrier to love so you'll find m/f, m/m and m/m/f couples sharing the adventures and romances of a lifetime. She loves to put average people in tough and unusual spots to see what makes them tick. OK, some are not so average and are from different realities but they are still as real to her as anyone.
Brannan can often be found writing out on her patio, while traveling with her hubby or squirreled away in her studio. She lives on a small ranch in Colorado and enjoys traveling, making stained glass windows and staring out the window over looking her ranch wondering “what if?”
Come lose yourself in Brannan’s worlds where passion and gritty action coexist.
Brannan writes books that move people, balancing gritty realism with a sprinkling of humor and leavened with love. Her critically acclaimed books include post apocalyptic, fantasy and paranormal genres. Gender is no barrier to love so you'll find m/f, m/m and m/m/f couples sharing the adventures and romances of a lifetime. She loves to put average people in tough and unusual spots to see what makes them tick. OK, some are not so average and are from different realities but they are still as real to her as anyone.
Brannan can often be found writing out on her patio, while traveling with her hubby or squirreled away in her studio. She lives on a small ranch in Colorado and enjoys traveling, making stained glass windows and staring out the window over looking her ranch wondering “what if?”
Come lose yourself in Brannan’s worlds where passion and gritty action coexist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 30, 2013
Great story!
Really nice handling of all the action/adventure. The pacing was perfect. It kept me totally involved from the beginning through the end.
Nice surprise having an Asian guy in with all those Vikings! It worked, although I'd have never have thought it would in a million years. Love the minimal but very important background to these events. It was just enough to have everything make sense and round out the relationship of the two MCs.
Great balance between darkness and light. Made reading about it all fun and exciting and not grueling, despite all the more gritty elements of hardship and violence of that time period.
Really nice handling of all the action/adventure. The pacing was perfect. It kept me totally involved from the beginning through the end.
Nice surprise having an Asian guy in with all those Vikings! It worked, although I'd have never have thought it would in a million years. Love the minimal but very important background to these events. It was just enough to have everything make sense and round out the relationship of the two MCs.
Great balance between darkness and light. Made reading about it all fun and exciting and not grueling, despite all the more gritty elements of hardship and violence of that time period.
July 21, 2013
LHNB Story released 20.7.13
This short story, told in turn by the two MC's - a warrior and his servant/lover - seemed to me to be part fantasy and part historical, with the setting not being made clear. There were some phrases that were overused and a couple of small niggles that pulled me out the story (probably a personal thing because I've done a fair bit research on Vikings, which was one of the tags to the story, and had to go back check my own source material). Quite violent in places but generally enjoyable.
This short story, told in turn by the two MC's - a warrior and his servant/lover - seemed to me to be part fantasy and part historical, with the setting not being made clear. There were some phrases that were overused and a couple of small niggles that pulled me out the story (probably a personal thing because I've done a fair bit research on Vikings, which was one of the tags to the story, and had to go back check my own source material). Quite violent in places but generally enjoyable.
July 29, 2013
Great, fast-paced read. Love the story world and the characters. Kol is the gentle giant with the heart and mind of a warrior, but Ren has his own ways of dealing with enemies. Ren's sense of humor is razor sharp and his view of his circumstances is as funny as his love for his masters is hot. Enjoyed this very much.
September 4, 2013
I found the shorty interesting, but it felt incomplete to me and because of that I disliked it. I would rather read how Ren and Kol met, fought and bounded. Overall, everything what happened before this shorty.
July 22, 2013
I Loved it! Great job with the prompt! I loved Ren and Kol and can't wait to read their backstory! Kol's twin sister was also intriquing. Great short!!
October 4, 2013
A fun plot undermined by repetitive, clumsy, and melodramatic prose.
September 10, 2025
I would've given it 5 stars except for too many out of place words -- "kids" instead of "children," "yeah" instead of "yes" (even "aye" or "truth" would've fit more). Still, very enjoyable overall.
November 23, 2013
Grrrrr Arrrrggg! I will crush you! Ok so maybe not that barbaric, but still this was some manly “mine” berserker raging. While I enjoyed this read very much I did wish that I’d gotten to read Ren and Kol’s story first and that this was maybe an added story for a little more fun time with two awesome characters.
Kolbrandr is the leader of his Viking clan. He and his warriors return from a raiding trip and discover their homes ransacked and their people either dead or missing. Upon finding some of the woman escaped into the forest they discover that Ballung, who they kicked out of the clan, had returned to get his revenge kidnapping all the children and Kol’s lover Renshu.
Renshu has been a slave for many years moved from master to master after he was taking from his home in Asia. When he and his master were captured by Kol’s clan he spent many moons trying to escape with his master, eventually though through all his tricks he and Kol fell in love. Even though he is still Kol’s slave it’s really in name only. He knows that he’s the only thing that has helped cool Kol’s berserker rages. Kol will be coming for him and the children.
Now, while I really enjoyed this story for what it was, I like a lot of the other reviewers would love to read the story of how Kol and Ren fell in love. I felt a little cheated because this feels like the middle of a longer book somehow. Like after the two men were finally able to declare their love the unthinkable happens to drag them apart. Of course all of that is too long for a short, but I wanted it anyway.
For this short itself though I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I loved Ren’s little tricks and the ways he let the kids know what he was up to. I liked the idea that his guidance is what helps Kol control his berserker rages. There’s some distinctly violent darkness to this story, but it’s not so overwhelming you’re getting bogged down in it. It mostly comes from the time period and the fact that as a whole the Vikings were a very violent race.
The author’s style was also very lovely. The story flowed along smoothly and even though I was switching heads between Kol and Ren I was never confused whose head I was in at any given time. The chapter titles were clear and distinct and made it very obvious when we were switching perspectives. Also the two men had clear, distinct voices that also added to the smoothness of the transitions.
All in all an enjoyable read and one which I hope the author would expand on at a later date.
Kolbrandr is the leader of his Viking clan. He and his warriors return from a raiding trip and discover their homes ransacked and their people either dead or missing. Upon finding some of the woman escaped into the forest they discover that Ballung, who they kicked out of the clan, had returned to get his revenge kidnapping all the children and Kol’s lover Renshu.
Renshu has been a slave for many years moved from master to master after he was taking from his home in Asia. When he and his master were captured by Kol’s clan he spent many moons trying to escape with his master, eventually though through all his tricks he and Kol fell in love. Even though he is still Kol’s slave it’s really in name only. He knows that he’s the only thing that has helped cool Kol’s berserker rages. Kol will be coming for him and the children.
Now, while I really enjoyed this story for what it was, I like a lot of the other reviewers would love to read the story of how Kol and Ren fell in love. I felt a little cheated because this feels like the middle of a longer book somehow. Like after the two men were finally able to declare their love the unthinkable happens to drag them apart. Of course all of that is too long for a short, but I wanted it anyway.
For this short itself though I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I loved Ren’s little tricks and the ways he let the kids know what he was up to. I liked the idea that his guidance is what helps Kol control his berserker rages. There’s some distinctly violent darkness to this story, but it’s not so overwhelming you’re getting bogged down in it. It mostly comes from the time period and the fact that as a whole the Vikings were a very violent race.
The author’s style was also very lovely. The story flowed along smoothly and even though I was switching heads between Kol and Ren I was never confused whose head I was in at any given time. The chapter titles were clear and distinct and made it very obvious when we were switching perspectives. Also the two men had clear, distinct voices that also added to the smoothness of the transitions.
All in all an enjoyable read and one which I hope the author would expand on at a later date.
September 18, 2013
Despite the fact that this story is very short, Ms. Black successfully achieves to tell a lot and to make this adventure very entertaining indeed. Strangely enough, the fact that it's a first-person narrative didn't really bothered me this time (usually not a fan). The writing and descriptions worked perfectly to convey the danger and the harshness of the "Viking-esque" era.
The addition of an Asian protagonist was a fabulous idea! Ren and Kol are a very unexpected and intriguing couple (to say the least) and I'd really like to know more about their first encounter ...
Thank you Ms. Black !
Want to Read
February 11, 2014
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 2. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
July 21, 2013
Intense barbarian tale of love and revenge. Kol's journey to rescue his lover Ren from the 'hairless worms' is action packed. I liked out we were given the backstory to the lovers meeting without it being a full-on flashback. Just significant details are dropped into the narrative and we are easily able to piece it together.
A tiny bit too repetitive, but Ren's skills are just as crucial to the rescue as Kol's.
Nice.
A tiny bit too repetitive, but Ren's skills are just as crucial to the rescue as Kol's.
Nice.
September 21, 2013
Too repetitive regarding several expressions.
I'm no fan of slave/owner relationships.
I was struggling with the fact, that (what was the berserkers name??) seemed to not mind much the abducted children but but his sole goal was to free his lover.
Back story was kind of incomplete (kings son and such).
I liked that Renshu wasn't the helpless slave but had some strengh to him.
I'm no fan of slave/owner relationships.
I was struggling with the fact, that (what was the berserkers name??) seemed to not mind much the abducted children but but his sole goal was to free his lover.
Back story was kind of incomplete (kings son and such).
I liked that Renshu wasn't the helpless slave but had some strengh to him.
July 21, 2013
I enjoyed this! I thought this story went very well with the prompt and the photo (Yum! Aragorn!). I really liked your characters, especially Renshu and his strength while being help captive. Thank you for a great story!
April 18, 2015
Nice interpretation of the photo and the story letter. Thank you Brannan Black for donating your story, your time and your talent.
August 15, 2013
2.5. Not for me. Interesting concept. Kept thinking of Conan the Barbarian.
August 27, 2016
3.5 stars rounded up for LHNB
I didn't like this until Renshu came into the picture. I loved the actions he took and how clever he was.
Solid free read.
I didn't like this until Renshu came into the picture. I loved the actions he took and how clever he was.
Solid free read.
September 11, 2017
A wonderful little gem I discovered. I do so adore this author, although I've not seen anything new in quite a while. Regardless, I enjoyed this short with the Viking-esque warrior and his Asian lover.
April 27, 2018
3.5* for a good strong intense DRitC story.
Not too long, characters you can get into, a story to fire the blood.
Ren and Kol seem like characters you should know and definitely call for a prequel!
Lots of gritty, dirty fighting, set in nordic/viking era with a bit of aura reading too.
Enjoyed.
Not too long, characters you can get into, a story to fire the blood.
Ren and Kol seem like characters you should know and definitely call for a prequel!
Lots of gritty, dirty fighting, set in nordic/viking era with a bit of aura reading too.
Enjoyed.
October 12, 2019
It was too redundant and the writing style didn't appeal to me. Sorrry.
June 7, 2021
Slavery and rape were everyday features of the time, it seemed. I'm not a fan of rape and slavery.
December 4, 2022
3+Stars
June 20, 2024
Download link doesn't work
March 10, 2016
This is a free story written as part of the Romance without boundaries event. This is where writers of M/m romance were asked to select a photo and writing prompt supplied by a fan of the genre and write an original tale.
This particular story is set in the time of Vikings and Saxons. The characters and clans are fictional but draw heavily from the Viking culture including the clan leader who is a berserker. Where this differs from that culture if the clan's acceptance that their lord is in love with and openly sleeping with another man, even if that man is a slave. This was not acceptable In cultures of the time even though they knew about the tendencies.
The rest of the clans seem to be very derisive of this and even go as far as to kidnap said slave and beat him intending to sell him into slavery. There is more to the story of course, but the bond between the two is strong. An unusual mix of things but a good saga style tale.
This particular story is set in the time of Vikings and Saxons. The characters and clans are fictional but draw heavily from the Viking culture including the clan leader who is a berserker. Where this differs from that culture if the clan's acceptance that their lord is in love with and openly sleeping with another man, even if that man is a slave. This was not acceptable In cultures of the time even though they knew about the tendencies.
The rest of the clans seem to be very derisive of this and even go as far as to kidnap said slave and beat him intending to sell him into slavery. There is more to the story of course, but the bond between the two is strong. An unusual mix of things but a good saga style tale.
September 2, 2016
3.4 Stars
No real complaints other than OMG could they all have used other curse words than something that started with "hairless" (worm, usually)? I mean, damn. I know that's the real insult to masculinity but a random "mangy cur" or "whoreson" would have been appreciated.
Or some other period specific terminology that would have been appropriate to the time...or not. Hell, nothing gave me more glee than hearing "Fuck the Gauls" on Spartacus and I'm pretty sure that wasn't a word often used back then. (Fuck, not Gaul, of course.)
No real complaints other than OMG could they all have used other curse words than something that started with "hairless" (worm, usually)? I mean, damn. I know that's the real insult to masculinity but a random "mangy cur" or "whoreson" would have been appreciated.
Or some other period specific terminology that would have been appropriate to the time...or not. Hell, nothing gave me more glee than hearing "Fuck the Gauls" on Spartacus and I'm pretty sure that wasn't a word often used back then. (Fuck, not Gaul, of course.)
June 16, 2015
3.5 Stars - alpha male Viking berserker rescues his not so helpless lover! Good story, though I wish the author was more inventive with their insults. 15 instances of hairless accusations (hairless cur, hairless worm) towards hairy bearded Vikings threw me out of the tale.
January 14, 2014
I really enjoyed this world building and definitely hope there is a sequel to finish off this story.
[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation.]
[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation.]
July 21, 2013
3.5 stars
February 11, 2014
Kol arrives to find out his village has been attacked. The story centers around the recovery of his lover and the children.
October 24, 2013
3.5 out of 5.
A little difficult to follow at the beginning, almost stop reading. It turned out better than I expected.
A little difficult to follow at the beginning, almost stop reading. It turned out better than I expected.
December 1, 2013
Slavery and lots of violence. Not for me. Add the pseudo-Viking/Fantasy setting and you've lost me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews