El deseo del vikingo

Called by a Viking #1

by Mariah Stone, Carolina García Stroschein (translator)

Una viajera en el tiempo cautiva. Un jarl vikingo con una misión. ¿Será el matrimonio el precio de la libertad?

Holly, una directora ejecutiva estadounidense, viaja a Escocia en busca de sus raíces. Un fresno antiguo no es exactamente el tipo de árbol familiar que busca, pero cuando toca un huso dorado tallado en el tronco, acaba en el siglo IX y capturada en un ataque vikingo.

El guerrero Einar Birgirsson rescata a la hermosa desconocida. Pero para reclamar su lugar como jarl, debe liberarse de todos los bandidos que habitan en las islas Orcadas y tomar una esposa en menos de dos meses. Por eso, le promete liberarla si accede a casarse con él.

Devastado por el fallecimiento de su primera esposa durante el parto, Einar le asegura que solo será un marido de palabra. Sin embargo, no logrará mantener a esa ingeniosa seductora alejada de su cama o de su corazón durante mucho tiempo.

Holly sabe que debería marcharse ante la primera oportunidad que se le presenta, pero por fin experimenta la sensación de pertenecer con ese hermoso jarl vikingo y su encantadora hija.

Cuando un embarazo inesperado reaviva los peores temores de Einar, ¿enviará a Holly de regreso a su época o se arriesgará a perder el corazón para mantenerla a su lado?

Todos los libros de la serie AL TIEMPO DEL

Libro 1 - El deseo del vikingo
Libro 2 - El reclamo del vikingo
Libro 3 - La novia del vikingo
Libro 4 - El amor del vikingo
Libro 5 - La cautiva del vikingo

Todos los libros se pueden leer por separado. Final feliz garantizado.

* Traducido al español de Latinoamérica

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Historical, Fantasy, Historical Romance, Audiobook, Historical Fiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2024

About the author

When time travel romance writer Mariah Stone isn't busy writing strong modern women falling back through time into the arms of hot Vikings, Highlanders, and pirates, she chases after her toddler and spends romantic nights on North Sea with her husband. Mariah speaks six languages, loves Outlander, sushi and Thai food, and runs a local writer's group. Subscribe to Mariah's newsletter for a free time travel book today!

Reviews

[Nelly❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance: 3.5❤️‍🩹
Trama: 4.0
Lágrimas: 0.5 💧
Spicy: 3.0🌶
POV: Dual ✅️
Frustración: 0.5😣
General: 4.0✨️

[Rachel Smith Horn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holly is disillusioned with men and all that comes with it. She's defective, even her biological parents didn't want her and her adoptive mom is quick to point out all her faults. Even though Holly leads a huge company, adoptive mom still has something to say. Tired of dealing with relationships, but unwilling to give up on her dream of having children she tries and fails invitro. During a trip to Scotland where she is tracing her family tree, her guide sends her back in time from 2019 to 880. Holly lands in Einar's path and he plants a baby in her womb.

Einar, after losing his wife in childbirth a couple years earlier, is done with marriage. That is, until the king orders he marry in order to gain a position as jarl. The king even leaves a watcher in place to make sure Einar does get married. Holly being rescued recently, not too old, or young and completely single is a good candidate. So, the marriage happens, and despite Einar's resolve he ends up falling for Holly and to his horror, puts a baby in her.

The conflict in this book? His struggle was real. Hers? Meh. To me, she came off as kind of whiny and manufacturing drama. Holly, a thirty five year old woman thinks that Einar's standoffishness has everything to do with her and nothing to do with his unresolved grief. Holly thinks that he doesn't want her, but Einar believes it would be best if she went back to the future so she too doesn't die in childbirth. I'm really surprised Holly didn't see that. Sometimes people are weird, though.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and the book was enjoyable enough to queue the second. I like time travel, and I like Vikings.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooooo good that I couldn't put it down and when I had to my mind stayed with this story. If you love adventure, mysteries, romance, fighting and such don't miss out on this story. I've read many books but nothing in this story reminded me of another book. I don't want to give spoilers but the story synapses is more than enough to reel you in! Enjoy, I know I did and can't wait for the next book.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars!

I adored Svanhild, the mmc's daughter. She was the most sweet adorable child. Holly and E(I forgot how to spell his name.) both went round and round each other. It was a little frustrating... But I did want them to work it out and be together. I will probably read the next book. Happy reading!

[Fer Muni · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro es una pavada. Pero es lindo y hace sensación linda en el corazón. Nos da todo lo que queremos las chicas. Hombre fuerte y amoroso. Padrazo. La salva…. La cura.
100% predecible y disfrutable.
Buen libro para pasar el rato, incluso para salir de bloqueo lector

[Lixi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me lo leí en tres horas, fue demasiado bueno 😭💗

[Ash Juillet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept. Looking forward to reading the next books in this series.

I liked the unique plot and characterisation of the main leads, although the book focused more on sending Holly back to her time rather than their relationship, which didn't fully flourish by the end. I really think the author could have taken some more time to develop the characters a bit more, shown their emotions for each other changing over time, and also increased the level of their chemistry. Their chemistry wasn't lacking, per se, but I didn't find myself rooting for them to stay together.

The one part that did make me feel excited was when Einar found out Holly and his daughter were kidnapped. That had just the right amount of drama and terror.

Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this book.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

1,5* Bastante mediocre, básicamente porque nada se relata con profundidad, ni lo del viaje en el tiempo, ni la adaptación de ella, ni la relación de ellos. Y sobretodo porque es un instalove con cero desarrollo, todo pasa en tan poco tiempo que es imposible conectar y meterse en la historia. Los protagonistas son irritantes por momentos. La madre de ella insoportable, cuando la hija vuelve no les sorprende que haya desaparecido durante 2 semanas, vuelve y les dice que conoció a alguien, se caso y quedo embarazada todo eso en 15 días y a ellos no les sorprende.
Le desaparecieron las llaves del coche pero no un test de embarazo que convenientemente tenía en el bolsillo, osea lo único que tenía era eso, ni el móvil tenía.
Muchas incoherencias, poco desarrollo y aunque no fue horrible no logre conectar.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨Time Travel Romance
✨2019 Woman Falls Back In Time
✨869 AD Viking Warrior MMC
✨MMC Sworn Off Love
✨Viking Single Dad
✨Unplanned Pregnancy 👀 (love this trope)

Ålesund, Møre Province, Norway, April 880 AD

FMC Holly goes from a penthouse apartment with floor to ceiling windows, white furniture, modern amenities, home always smelling like coffee, and views of the lake to the darkness of Norway with its earthy smells, dreary landscape and far from modern village living.

Holly falling through time couldn’t have happened at a better time because Viking warrior Einar has to find a new wife asap by demands of his king- who seems to want to punish him. Einar’s wife died during childbirth, taking his second child with her in death. He has sworn off love. He does not want to remarry but the king has demanded this of him. The girls in the village are either taken or just children. Holly presents herself at a the end of the deadline and becomes his new bride.

Here we have an emphasis on “abandonment” because the FMC is bothered by her biological parents giving her up as an infant- despite loving her adoptive parents. This is exactly what brought her to Scotland in the first place. In search of ancestral history. Holly feels her real parents didn’t want her. Her ex boyfriend’s ditched her. She feels everyone always leaves. She wants to do a sperm donor and become a biological mother- in hopes to pour herself into a child and give them the very thing she feels she didn’t have.

However when forced to marry to Einar and become a mother to his daughter- who is motherless, she realizes by going back to her own time- she would be the one abandoning the people counting on her.

Really awesome story. There are pro’s + con’s of this read. This book reads much like a contemporary romance not a historical romance. Which makes the read easy to read. Smooth. Mindless. Easy. There is no deep historical context- which is something I normally prefer. Deep history dives. So positive and negative. If you are looking for a HR that feels SIMPLE to read- this would be it.

Dislikes? I didn’t like the talk of other time travelers with the Vikings. Like it’s just some common thing. Even tho- this is book one in a series of what seems to be other time travelers romances. I don’t like the historical characters knowing of the future. I wanted them to be oblivious to this. They didn’t even act surprised. I find that strange. 🤨

*Also* how wild it is that a modern day woman fell through time and just happened to have a pregnancy test from modern present day time on her so that she could squat in a field and pee on it to see if she’s pregnant by the Viking man in the year 869. Be for real.

I didn’t find FMC babbles of no one wanting her to be annoying lol but it didn’t kill the story. It just felt a little much at times.

But overall fun story and I liked it!

The wrap-up at the end was a little far fetched but I think this is the point. This is an easy simple time travel romance. It’s not deep level historical fiction.

[Lela · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of the time, my "reviews" are less of a review per se and more a collection of notes that I write for myself so that I can remember what happens in each story, along with what I liked, disliked, had questions about, favorite parts, etc. I have a TBI and otherwise my memory will not serve me. Others may not find them helpful, just as a disclaimer.

I have not read the other books in this series. I started with this one because it was the first one available on Audible. As always, I love Tim Campbell as a narrator- that being said, I'm not really digging Marian Hussey as a narrator, especially the way she voiced the mother.

This book was a struggle for me to finish. I didn't find either of the main characters, Holly or Einar, likeable. I felt like Holly was searching for a way to be a victim- Like girl, yes, your other relationships failed, but there was no indication given that they ended violently or did anything intentionally to damage her, but she is written like she was traumatized and her self esteem crushed. I understand the thought that she's not good enough and unwanted was built upon because she was given up for adoption, but even still- it's almost like as a character, that's her whole personality. Einar was a little more multidimensional, but not by much. He grieves the traumatic loss of his first wife during childbirth, and his account of it was indeed horrific and emotional.

I appreciate the author touching on the heartbreaking subjects of infertility and miscarriage.

Einar didn't mind Holly not being a virgin? Seems like that was kind of a big deal in historical romances. It's refreshing that it didn't bother him, just pointing out that it doesn't seem to be the norm and I'm not sure if it was a detail that was accidentally missed, or intentionally not mentioned.

Interesting as well that Holly being a witch/vala/volva/time traveler was so easily accepted, as opposed to her being burned at the stake. I appreciate that before Christianity, the witches/wise women/valas were revered instead of feared, and as a witchy person it's nice to see that represented.

"Choose love. No matter how long or short, choose love."- Einar

Holly bringing medical books along was a great idea on her part. I imagine there are a lot of books I would've wanted to bring to the past. I appreciate the significance of the birth scene, and I loved the midwife calling Holly a "Maiden"-like shield maiden. Butttt, Hypnobirthing? Mooing? Surges? That part definitely was not for me.

Holly came to terms with being adopted, but we never find out why she was adopted or who her birth parents were. I'm not sure how I felt about her monologue to the ash tree at the end. I like that she planted it, it was just the -idk... sappiness?- of her speech that kind of put me off.

All in all, this book wasn't for me. And that's okay.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viking's Desire
A time travel Romance
Mariah Stone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book previously published as The Tree of Time

Holly is the CEO of an American company and searching for her roots she takes a trip to Scotland. The ancient ash tree isn't exactly what she had in mind, but when she touches a golden spindle that is carved into the trees, rough bark, she is transported back through time to the ninth century- and immediately captured in a Viking raid.

Viking warrior Einar Birgirsson rescues a beautiful stranger not knowing what is to come. He finds out that to claim his place as Jarl, he must get rid of all of the outlaws in the Orkney Islands and take a wife in two moons. As Holly is in his home, he offers her a deal. He will set her free if she agrees to be his wife.
Einar is still devastated by his previous wife's death in childbirth and vows to be Holly's husband in name only. But he can't seem to stop thinking about her, and he can't keep himself from doing his husbandly duties that he swore off.

Holly knows she has to leave, and she should leave at her first opportunity, but after being kidnapped and almost killed, she realizes that she finally feels like she belongs somewhere for the first time in her life and she really loves Einar's daughter as if she were her own.
Then Holly ends up pregnant, much to her surprise, and Einar's fears come back full force.
Will he send Holly back to her own time where he feels she will be safe, or will he risk his heart to keep this lovely lady with him.

Oh my gosh, wow, just wow. Mariah Stone is absolutely incredible. I could find absolutely nothing wrong with this book. It had me hook line and sinker from the minute I started reading until the last word was finished. I really enjoyed the characters. Holly was strong, but ever so hard on herself. Einar was one tough cookie, but he let his fears get in the way. Svanhild was such a sweet little girl and totally adorable. She was definitely her father's child with her fighting spirit, and she loved Holly as if she was the Mom that gave birth to her. All in all, when Ms. Stone puts pen to paper or taps the story out on a keyboard it's always worth reading. I thought this book was amazing, and if you enjoy Vikings and time travel, it's a must-read.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 38%
First of all, everybody just accepts everything like it's a normal Thursday. Time traveler? Sure, I know a bunch of them. Witch? Yeah, okay. She's wearing super weird clothes? Whatever, none of my business. She might never see her family again? Huh? Who are those people? her work is more important, God Forbid this MALE coworker take over her position. Mom who? She's adopted anyway, let's focus on how her bio mom didn't want her, who cares if her adoptive parents actually chose her, right? They don't count. All those boyfriends who “rejected” her (there are no details, just that they didn’t want her) are more important, too, to hell with her adoptive mom’s opinion, she’s not her real mom (seriously, being adopted was her entire personality). The writing was choppy, and sometimes they kind of change topics mid-scene and I was confused a lot of the time. For example, one time they were arguing because she wants to leave, he forbids it, says something like “swear you won’t leave”, she says something like, “oh, yeah? whatcha gonna do ‘bout it?” he says “oh, you’re not gonna like it” and then takes off his shirt, takes a shovel… and starts working in the garden. And I’m like… what’s happening? Because she acts like that’s perfectly normal, and starts working too.
Einar was manipulative and selfish. During their wedding night, she’s so hyped that he “had her back” just because he told all the drunk creeps to fuck off their room because “she won’t consummate with you here”. She was practically crying, and he (and everyone) acted like this was a major concession and such an inconvenience on her part, with a “Let’s do what the dramatic princess wants while we roll our eyes so hard we see the back of our heads” attitude.And then this asshole c*ums inside her, and freaking goes off on her for “letting him do that”. He blames her. And she freaking apologizes and comforts him!! ARGHH!! That’s when I decided I couldn’t continue with this.
And let’s not talk about how her infertility issues are treated, and the fact that “love will repair what’s broken” becomes “she’s pregnant because, love, duh”. Because all she needed to get pregnant wasn’t a gazillion fertility treatments, it was the jizz of the man she loves! Barf.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting read starts this new series off, original scenario wonderful characters

I have been waiting earnestly for this new series and I have to say that I was not at all
disappointed it was simply wonderful; the characters were unforgettable and the scenario was
absolutely amazing.

Channing has completely reinvented himself and in doing so now believes that he is a much
better man than he was previously but he has left himself without friends, family and all he
seems to live for now is his work and nothing else.

Ella is a different kettle of fish and although she has known heartache and loss, she has still
continued on with her life in the best way she can, she is generous of soul and even though
she is poor would never turn away anyone in need. She has however been working very hard
on one particular case and now that Channing is nearly in her net, she breaks an oath by
allowing her heart to rule her head by being more than just a little involved with a suspect.

I do not want to go in to the plot too much because I do not want to spoil the plot for other
readers but this is a classic tale of love, betrayal, hate and loneliness, and a need to be loved
and needed so desperately you can almost feel it with every breath.

As well as the time travel element and the desire to return to that time, if at all possible, after
trying to build a piece of apparatus that would allow this transportation if at all possible.

I will not say any more than this so I hope that like myself you will be as enamoured with this
book as I am and also with these characters and the plot.
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an overall nice read with some great tropes (Viking man/modern woman, time travel, marriage of convenience).

What I liked:

- I really liked the MFC's unconventional career choice. It isn't everyday you read about a woman in the construction business. And it served her well living with the Vikings. 😌 I also liked that the author did not shy away from the MFC trying for children without a man involved (IVF). Those tries ultimately failed (and no, she isn't infertile).

- I enjoyed reading about the MMC and his daughter and their overall dynamic and how it grew into something beautiful. 🤍

- I loved how the relationship between the MFC and the MMC's daughter grew. The MFC became the mom that little girl needed and the little girl became the child the MFC always wanted. 💖

A few nitpicks:

- It starts off slow but it does pick up eventually. But when it picks up, you get whiplash at how fast it goes. It's either too slow or too fast.

- The spicy scenes, while hot, were way too short! I would have loved to see a longer first time spicy scene, for example. It's a pity, because the author does write hot spicy scenes.

- The MFC would constantly use modern words while talking to the MMC and his daughter and it annoyed me. The MMC and his daughter both tell her they don't understand her words and yet she keeps on talking how she does.

- It seems to me the MFC has never read a time travel book or watched a time travel film/show. She introduces futuristic ideas to the Vikings that could have consequences in the timeline and she doesn't even think about it. It's odd that this doesn't cross her mind...and yeah, it's also odd that she doesn't know any of the popular mechanics of time travel...does she live under a rock??

Anyway, give this romance a read if you enjoy modern MFC's traveling back in time to the Vikings era via some old Norse magic (and a sprinkling of ~destiny~), falling in love with a Viking MMC, and assimilating into that culture. 😉

Note: I received a free copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that this is about Vikings. All the historical romance I’ve come across has been about England, the clansmen in Scotland, and sometimes the clansmen in Ireland. That being said, I always assume there will be some out of place dialogue with historical romances, especially those that travel back in time, so I suspend my disbelief in this area to a point (though this fem MC was bad at explaining what she meant in simpler terms). However, I don’t understand how the fem MC and everyone else was able to communicate as, to my understanding, the Vikings spoke old Norse which is nothing like English.

**Spoilers** Barring that, the rest of the book was okay. I didn’t get the back and forth with the will she stay won’t she stay. When he thought she’d lost the baby, he wanted her to stay, but when he found out she was still pregnant he wanted her to go back home? That was a little confusing to me, though I understood the general idea that he was afraid of childbirth and wanted her to get better care back in the future. The fem MC, on the other hand, never tried to understand it from his perspective. She just kept harping on the fact she was pregnant and assumed he didn’t want the kid or her, but he was afraid, and basically said as much. I think the resolution was reached too easily. For how much they argued about this, it really shouldn’t have been so easy.

I didn’t feel love between the MCs. I felt lust, yes, but what exactly about him was she deeply attracted to the point where she left her family? He’s a cold dad, we don’t really see him interacting with anyone in a friendly way, so we can’t say anything about his leadership or connections to loved ones, what else is there? Maybe he liked her because she cared to his daughter, but that doesn’t really happen until she’s pregnant. Meh. Didn’t feel it.

For what it was, there wasn’t a much meat to this story, but it wasn’t terrible.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Her Past AND Future in the Viking Age

When this series first came out five years ago, I somehow missed book 1, reading books two and three. The author has reissued the series with new titles and covers, reminding fans (old and new) of this delightful series. The heroine, a workaholic from Orlando, Florida, is thrown back into Viking-age Scotland when the Orkney Isles were still in dispute between the Scandinavian people and those who lived in what is now Scotland. This book opens as the hero learns he must not only drive the outlaw Vikings off the islands in order to become their jarl, but his king expects him to marry within two moons’ time. Things aren't looking so good on the latter front—as most of the women in the village he lives in are too old, too young, or taken—until our heroine time-travels and becomes a part of his world. He essentially asks her for a brief marriage of convenience so he can become the jarl; he will return her to where she believes she can get back to her time. (Though he doesn’t quite buy the time-travel thing for a while!) Frankly, I didn't think her modern world compared favorably to the fuller life she led in the Viking-age Orkney Islands. She not only had a husband who cherished her (and was falling for her), but she became a mother figure to his motherless 10-year-old daughter, whose mother died in childbirth. The heroine herself is adopted, so she understands the little girl's plight somewhat. Because the hero lost his wife in childbirth, he does not want to put any woman in that possible situation again. So, what will happen when our time traveler becomes pregnant? You'll have to read the book to find out! If you love time-travel romance, this is a well-done story.

TRIGGER: Infertility

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great time-travel romance! This is Einar and Holly's story. Holly is from present day and owns her own company. Even though she is financial successful she feels she is defective as her biological parents gave her up for adoption. Also as an adult her past romantic relationships haven't worked out and attempts at pregnancy have failed as well. She travels to Scotland to try and find something out about her heritage hoping it will answer her questions and fill the void she feels. Einar is from the past. The king has promised Einar he will become jarl if he can rid the Orkney's of outlaws and he remarries. Einar has no intention of remarrying as he lost his first wife in childbirth and does not wish to relive the pain. He has one child Svanhild with her but has trouble being close to her since his wifes death. On Holly's trip to Scotland she meets a Norn who says there is a Viking from the past that needs her. She hands her a golden spindle and Holly is transported to the past and lands right in the middle of a raid that outlaw Thorir is conducting on a village. She is rescues by Einar and his men and tranported to his village. As there are no women of suitable age that are not married Einar asks Holly to marry him so that he can become jarl and help his people. The stipulation is that it is really a marriage in name only and once his obligation is met she will go back to her own time. Things don't always go as planned though and real feelings begin to emerge. Will Holly and Einar face their fears so that they can finally have the future they always wanted or will they let their insecurities stand in the way of true happiness. Check this story out to see. You won't regret it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marion Löw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Viking time-travelling romance novel with its marriage of convenience, found family and second chance tropes involving a successful but insecure 21st century businesswoman and a widowed 9th century Viking warrior who has lost the love of his life. The gripping plot is very well written and is full of emotion, action, danger and a few steamy love scenes. I liked the characters and the instant chemistry between them, and it was nice to see their relationship develop.

As successful as she is in business, adopted Holly is less fortunate in her private life. Her relationships always fail and her big dream of having her own child seems unattainable. She travels to Scotland to research her roots and miraculously ends up in a battle in the 9th century, where she is rescued by the Viking Einar Birgirsson.
Einar has lost his beloved wife at the birth of their second child and no longer wants to marry. King Harald promises him that he will become the jarl of Orkney if he manages to defeat the outlaws and marry within two months.
When Einar meets Holly, he is immediately attracted to the strange woman, but she wants to return home as soon as possible. He offers to help Holly if she agrees to a marriage of convenience. The fact that she is apparently infertile suits Einar. They soon develop deeper feelings for each other, but then Holly unexpectedly becomes pregnant and Einar wants to send her back to the future so that he doesn't have to witness his wife die again during the birth of their child...

Overall, a action-packed romance with very likable characters, some spice and a heartwarming epilogue that I am happy to recommend!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Einar is sent to the Orkneys to get rid of the Viking criminals there who are causing problems. He is sent there by King Harald and it is the year 880. Einar has lost both his wife and second child in childbirth. He has only his daughter Svanhild. They and Einar’s men are sent to colonize and get rid of the criminals and if he does this, as well as marry in two moons, he will become Jarl. Svanhild has a little kitten named Loki. Lol. He lives up to the name somewhat.

Holly is from Orlando, Florida 2019 and she wants to meet with a genealogist as she was adopted. Plus, the fact that she hasn’t been on a vacation in 3 years. She is 35 and desperately wants a child. Ms Verdandi meets with her and hands her a gold spindle with runes etc. Yup, she is one of the 3 Norns or Norse Fates. Holly appears in 880 and one of the criminals sees her appear and thinks she is a volva or witch. This of course, is a big problem! Einar saves her and then the true roller coaster ride of the story begins. Holly is the only female of marriageable age that is unwed so she ends up with Einar. The book is funny, awesome fight scenes, a bit bloodthirsty but hey- Vikings! There are misunderstandings because of what time they are from and Holly and Svanhild are beautiful together. Sometimes bringing tears to my eyes because of it. There are a few nail biting sections of the book. It is also steamy, romantic and hot. I loved it. I’m already reading the next book, I loved it so much. The series has been remastered and steamlined. It is awesome. Lol

[Denise riemer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book,a part of a series of Time travel stories,by a wonderful authors who writes a wonderful story. Holly is in 2019 and CEO of a company that she loves, would love her own family but boyfriend isn't working out. She goes to Scotland and meets a old woman by the name of Ms.Verdand,who is really a norm.Holly is in Scotland to research her family history,the norm gives a golden thimble while Holly is in side a tree. The old woman is suppose to be researcher from Inverness,they are at Tongere Scotland,Einar is from 880AD.He is a Viking warrior,living in Orkneys Island,he has lost his wife, his king is forcing him to move to new country to get rid of pirates and had to get a new wife.If Einar stays there for a year he will be made a Jaarl. Holly is transported to the nineth century and arrives in the middle of a battle.Einar is a very large man,he takes her to his clan.I have read all the books in the series and they get better with each one,all were great reading.The chemistry was fantastic and happened fast between them. I received this ebook as a ARC for honest review and with out giving away to much of story say I enjoyed this ebook,and can't wait to read the next story of this author.Would recommend anyone who enjoys a good Scottish time travel books to get this one and the other previous books in the series.

[Tara Heilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I don't typically read historical or contemporary romance. This is a mix of the two. But the time travel aspect gives it more of a paranormal feel. Which is exactly why I started the series. I am so happy I did. Einar and Holly's story was full of so much emotion. The story itself was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Einar was strong and confident, but he suffered an inner turmoil that weighed heavily on him. Holly was a successful business woman in her mid 30's (thanks for that, it gets a bit old when everything you read has a lead female that is barely 20). Holly travels to Scotland to find out more about her birth family. She has always felt like something was missing in her life. This results in her being transported back to the 9th century. Einar and Holly definitely have chemistry. But he will need to overcome his fears, and Holly will need to move past her insecurities. The story is well written and has an easy flow to it. I almost felt as if I was a part of the story. I will tell you they get their HEA. But to find out how they did it, read the book. You won't be disappointed. I am sorry to see the series end, but all good things do. A must read if you ask me.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Windswept romance for a time traveler: great hero!😊
4.5 🌟stars
I found this story a moving time travel romance set on the windswept Orkney Islands just north of Scotland in the Viking era. The writing is good and moved the story along at a good pace through both action and emotion-packed scenes until the arduous climax.

👥The hero is definitely a keeper. Einar, the Viking leader who saved modern executive/time traveller Holly from a marauding nightmare of an outlaw, breaks the harsh Viking warrior stereotype. He is swept up in grief for a beloved, dead wife and child and unwilling to make another woman suffer the dangers and agony of childbirth. He also has difficulty connecting with his young, motherless daughter. This is the type of hero I love, one whose stiffness is not macho and who knows how to treasure a woman and value her future and comfort, even to risking his own peace and happiness.

I would characterize the intimacy as mild to medium heat. The romance of emotion that bridges centuries and cultural differences is what draws me to time travel romance and it's all here in Viking's Desire.

I received a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion..

[Amber Keehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to see Mariah Stone re-release her Called by a Viking series with updated covers. I had read most in the past but wanted to dive in again with the women and their Vikings. Holly is a mid-30s construction company CEO who goes to Scotland on vacation. She meets an old woman who gives her a thimble and is suddenly thrust into the 9th century...still in Scotland. Holly meets Einar after being attacked by raiding Vikings and he more or less commands her to become his wife. From the outset, both are dealing with past emotional trauma that makes it hard to let the other in- Holly has had bad luck with love and was in the process of IVF while Einar lost his wife in childbirth and vowed never to marry or have more children than the one surviving child, his daughter Svanhild. The book reads very well and moves swiftly through their love story. The author also did an impressive amount of research into the time period while introducing modern elements with the time-travel component. For example- Holly got the kitchen to move more like an assembly line to drive efficiency, much like she would do in real life. Very enjoyable read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marty Solotki · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Holly’s eyes watered. Why was it that people closest to her had the capacity to hurt her the most?”

Also known as THE TREE OF TIME, this 2024 Audible edition is somehow listed as both the first and last of five books in a series? Not sure if this is a Mandela Effect, so let’s move on.

9th Century Viking Warrior, Einar, is ordered by his king (and brother) to take a new wife: against Einar’s wishes, after his true love had died in childbirth. 21st Century superstar CEO, Holly, is heading to Scotland to research her family tree…when she magically time travels right into Einar’s clutches. Is it kidnapping, is it romance, or is it Stockholm syndrome?

I’ve taken a break from erotic fiction because, let’s face it: if it’s not gay hockey, why are we bothering?

All jokes aside, two-thirds of this book is very good; the other third? Well it’s not written for me as the target audience, so I get that maybe I rolled my eyes or it fell flat. The erotic parts are very hot, and as long as you don’t obsess about BACK TO THE FUTURE rules, the time-travel portions won’t annoy you too much. Just enjoy the Viking battles and the hot sex and live your life.

P.S. Marian Hussey and Tim Campbell are a great narrating duo for Audible, with a solid little repertoire of voices between them.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this story.
880AD The Orkneys - Einar, widowed and grieving with a 10 year old daughter to raise.
Decreed by the king to take a new wife and be married in two moons or forfeit the Orkney’s he has conquered and made his own.
Orlando, Florida 2019 - Holly, single and 35, desperately wanting a child but unsuccessful, heads to Scotland trying to find her roots.
Instead she finds a little old lady who tells her of a man who needs her back in the ninth century - your roots lie with The Vikings…but also your future.
Holly, being thrown back in time, captured by an outlaw, sacrificed (as he thinks she’s a witch) and then saved just in time by the Viking Einar. From there the adventure together begins.

I get so engrossed with Mariah’s stories and this one definitely pulled me in from the very start.
What a gamut of emotions.
Anxiousness - through the danger, sadness - being teary eyed at times and then the happiness.
There were danger and battles, fear, loss, responsibilities, regrets, the love of a small child and loving each other.
Both characters were flawed in their own ways and loveable for it.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Rosie Trzewik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Highlander’s series, but my the Vikings is starting off sooooo good! Holly is trying to find her roots in Scotland. She never felt like she was good enough, that she was lacking. Thinking if she finds out why her birth parents abandoned her, maybe she will discover that missing part of herself. Meeting with someone to help her didn’t go as she expected. Holly is thrown back into the past in the middle of a Viking raid. When she appears out of thin air she is captured and proclaimed a witch.
Einar Birgirsson has been given the task of ridding the Orkney Islands of outlaws by the King. Once the land is freed he will be the jarl, but he also has 2 moons to find a wife or he will get nothing. He plans to secure his future for him and his daughter. Doing as promised he and his men attack the raiders and rescues a beautiful but strange looking women who dresses like a man. Now to find a wife.
Love the pacing and the spark between the MC, the fears and insecurities they both have to overcome to reach their HEA….on the the next Viking story.
Thank you for opportunity to read and review. All opinions are mine and mine alone. #VikingsDesire #MariahStone

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding work/life balance in the Viking era. Both Viking Einar and American CEO Holly have high aspirations and the talent to get there. They're dedicated to achieving their objectives and have the strength of personality and highly developed sense of responsibility that successful leadership requires. No matter how hard they strive to achieve their goals, what each one is missing is the partnership of a loving companion. Their own self doubts give them obstacles to overcome, but together they're able to get past their fears and risk taking a chance on love. Ultimately, their profound need for each other prompts a second chance for their love (for each other and their family) to cross the barrier of time itself. I loved the characters, and the complexity of their relationship. I got teary at several points when their emotions and mutual vulnerability became intense. Very good recreation of the time period, too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Simply Jex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest: at the beginning, I was in full ugh mode. Outlander has absolutely wrecked me for time‑travel love stories, in the best, most unfair way, and I walked in already convinced nothing could measure up. That wasn’t fair to this book, and I knew it, but the bias was there. I was super uninterested at first and kind of grumpy about it.

But I pushed through because I wanted to see if I could fall in love with a different kind of time‑slip romance. And honestly? It worked out. I ended up liking it. A lot of it was meh, sure, but it was still worth the read. The spice scenes were spicing, and I’m genuinely happy I finished it.

If I have one big note, it’s this: the “she’s always been told she’s not good enough” theme gets hammered so hard I started getting emotional whiplash. Trust the reader, we remember. I didn’t need to hear it every other chapter like a trauma alarm clock.

But overall? I’m glad I read it. It surprised me in a good way, and it reminded me that stepping outside the Outlander shadow can still lead somewhere enjoyable.

[Morgana Lefaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance, with a noble (or lawful good if you think in D&D) but rather inarticulate widowed hero, with a sweet motherless daughter , and a heroine with an inferiority complex. All the ingredients for a happy family ending. The storyline involves a marriage of convenience trope, but the pull between the two main characters is evident from their first meeting. There is some personal growth for both of the main characters, some nice spice, some misunderstandings between the two main characters, danger from an outside source, and of course, an HEA. While sweet romance might be what I look for in real life, in my fiction I prefer an MMC who is morally grey (or even black), and a bit of a Dom, hence only three stars. I feel no need to continue this series, but if you like sweet romances, this is definitely a good choice.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Helen Lemus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a pleasure to read. The steamy romance within its pages kept me coming back for more. I thoroughly enjoyed the strong female characters and the strong, sensitive hero.

The action was sexy but wasn't trite or tawdry but romantic and furthered the plot. The suspense lay in a problem of time travel and something which is on the minds of many, regardless of the century, choosing career or romance.

A power-driving woman who has been unlucky in love and believes to be flawed travels to Scotland to find her biological parents. While there, she is transported magically to the time of the Vikings where she is immediately caught up in a battle that is not hers. She must survive. She's got a multi-billion dollar merger scheduled to go down in the present day. She doesn't have time to fall in love with a complete and total hunk with a sweet heart and an even sweeter daughter.

Nice premise and sweet story that has you rooting for them from page one. 🙂