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Sons of the North #1
The Warlord's Wife
A stunning historical romance from debut author Sandra Lake transports readers to 12th century Sweden, where a powerful Viking lord will discover a fierce heart cannot be taken by mere force.
Lida was married to the love of her life for just two months when she became a widow. Pregnant and disowned by her late husband’s family for suspected infidelity, she was forced to return to her family in shame. Eight years later, uninterested in the prospect of finding another husband, she finds herself the unwilling object of a marriage contract with a powerful warlord. In a day, she is wed, bed, and put on a ship headed for Tronscar; an unknown icy stone and steel fortress.
Jarl Magnus is pleased to have taken a strong wife who, however stubborn she may be, will surely produce sons. However, he is less pleased with his wife’s additional baggage—a young daughter. But despite himself, Magnus falls for the daughter just as hard as the mother, and Lida’s heart is warmed to see the cold, serious Jarl move surprisingly fast into the role of stepfather.
When enemies attack Tronscar, Jarl Magnus’s nerves of steel waver, as the warrior fears his love for Lida will weaken him. But when his family is threatened, he’ll go to war to protect them, discovering along the way that they have the strength to protect themselves.
Lida was married to the love of her life for just two months when she became a widow. Pregnant and disowned by her late husband’s family for suspected infidelity, she was forced to return to her family in shame. Eight years later, uninterested in the prospect of finding another husband, she finds herself the unwilling object of a marriage contract with a powerful warlord. In a day, she is wed, bed, and put on a ship headed for Tronscar; an unknown icy stone and steel fortress.
Jarl Magnus is pleased to have taken a strong wife who, however stubborn she may be, will surely produce sons. However, he is less pleased with his wife’s additional baggage—a young daughter. But despite himself, Magnus falls for the daughter just as hard as the mother, and Lida’s heart is warmed to see the cold, serious Jarl move surprisingly fast into the role of stepfather.
When enemies attack Tronscar, Jarl Magnus’s nerves of steel waver, as the warrior fears his love for Lida will weaken him. But when his family is threatened, he’ll go to war to protect them, discovering along the way that they have the strength to protect themselves.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2015
78 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Lake
3 books41 followersBerkley Romance/InterMix published Sandra Lake's debut historical romance, The Warlord's Wife in March 2015. The Iron Princess, book 2 in the Sons of the North series, is set for release June 16, 2015.
Sandra Lake was raised in rural Canada and married her childhood sweetheart (who at times was more like her childhood nemesis). They are currently living happily-ever-after along with their sons and unruly husky.
Sandra Lake was raised in rural Canada and married her childhood sweetheart (who at times was more like her childhood nemesis). They are currently living happily-ever-after along with their sons and unruly husky.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
February 9, 2015
I don’t even know where to start with how bad this was. From the blurb “a powerful Viking lord will discover a fierce heart cannot be taken by mere force”. I was expecting something like Fires of Winter (Haardrad Viking Family #1) by Johanna Lindsey, which is one of my all-time favorite Viking bodice ripper romances from the 90s. I spent much of my teenage years reading bodice rippers and I still have my well-thumbed copies by Johanna Lindsay, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers and many, many more.
So why did they work for me, even though forced seduction is a common trope in the early historical romance from the 70s and 80s: Because awaking to sexuality even if it is forced can still be described in a sensual way, because plays of dominance and submission is something everybody has at least once fantasized over. Maybe because also I like fantasizing about “taming the dominant alpha male” (which also is a kind of dominance & submission game) and seeing the control freak losing his shit completely because of LOVE, well that’s simply sweet.
Fires of Winter (Haardrad Viking Family #1) by Johanna Lindsey follows this definition of bodice ripper to the point if it were not for Lindsay’s heroine, strong-willed, dauntless but in some ways also still child-like and naïve Brenna. I loved how both Brenna and Garrick were forced to grow up, how they both prompted the other to think prejudices through and how against all conventions they finally managed to find the courage to compromise and to forgive. In my opinion it is one of the greatest romances, and I think after writing this review I will just go re-read the book for the 100th time.
So selling me a romance novel featuring a powerful Viking warlord and an unwilling bride should have been easy. Obviously it was hard. The Warlord's Wife is not a romance I would recommend in any way. I found the romance to be well unexplained?
Lida, who lost her first husband at the age of 16 after only 1 month, is now 8 years later being wed to the all-powerful warlord Jarl Magnus. This wedding and bedding takes place in one day and three pages later Lida Of Course participates quite lustfully the first time in the bedding. Only 10% into the story and we already have had 2 or 3 sex scenes. The rest of the story is only stupid dialogue, with Lida becoming accustomed to her new home: the icy stone and steel fortress. Boring. The only conflict in the romance is that there is none. Jarl Magnus is generous, honorable and caring right from the start. Not much growth to the character there. Lida enjoys her new husband right from the start. Only her pride and dourness prevent her from giving in. Not much growth to her character either.
There is not much character development or growth, there is also no sensuality to the romance. I did not get what Lida was so unwilling of: She consents to the marriage of her own free will, because of her illegitimate daughter. She marries man who looks of course beautiful and is a powerful, rich warlord. There is no big misunderstanding to overcome or a big mystery to solve. It's all so obvious right from the start.
All in all, this is not my cup of tea. I would have enjoyed a Viking romance. This was not it.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
So why did they work for me, even though forced seduction is a common trope in the early historical romance from the 70s and 80s: Because awaking to sexuality even if it is forced can still be described in a sensual way, because plays of dominance and submission is something everybody has at least once fantasized over. Maybe because also I like fantasizing about “taming the dominant alpha male” (which also is a kind of dominance & submission game) and seeing the control freak losing his shit completely because of LOVE, well that’s simply sweet.
Fires of Winter (Haardrad Viking Family #1) by Johanna Lindsey follows this definition of bodice ripper to the point if it were not for Lindsay’s heroine, strong-willed, dauntless but in some ways also still child-like and naïve Brenna. I loved how both Brenna and Garrick were forced to grow up, how they both prompted the other to think prejudices through and how against all conventions they finally managed to find the courage to compromise and to forgive. In my opinion it is one of the greatest romances, and I think after writing this review I will just go re-read the book for the 100th time.
So selling me a romance novel featuring a powerful Viking warlord and an unwilling bride should have been easy. Obviously it was hard. The Warlord's Wife is not a romance I would recommend in any way. I found the romance to be well unexplained?
Lida, who lost her first husband at the age of 16 after only 1 month, is now 8 years later being wed to the all-powerful warlord Jarl Magnus. This wedding and bedding takes place in one day and three pages later Lida Of Course participates quite lustfully the first time in the bedding. Only 10% into the story and we already have had 2 or 3 sex scenes. The rest of the story is only stupid dialogue, with Lida becoming accustomed to her new home: the icy stone and steel fortress. Boring. The only conflict in the romance is that there is none. Jarl Magnus is generous, honorable and caring right from the start. Not much growth to the character there. Lida enjoys her new husband right from the start. Only her pride and dourness prevent her from giving in. Not much growth to her character either.
There is not much character development or growth, there is also no sensuality to the romance. I did not get what Lida was so unwilling of: She consents to the marriage of her own free will, because of her illegitimate daughter. She marries man who looks of course beautiful and is a powerful, rich warlord. There is no big misunderstanding to overcome or a big mystery to solve. It's all so obvious right from the start.
All in all, this is not my cup of tea. I would have enjoyed a Viking romance. This was not it.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
May 23, 2016
Beautifully told story with stunning imaginative graphics and time frame. You can almost feel yourself transported back into that era and feel the furs clinging to your skin. Wild roasted meats are flavoring the air and the sound of sword play and battles draws your attention. A classic tale of betrayal, deceit, jealousy and greed fills the storyline.
August 27, 2024
Rereas: 8/27/24
ReRead: 7/13/20
Read: 2017
Setting: Finland and Sweeden
This was a great debut for an author! It contains some of my favorite tropes.
✔️ MOC! Forced
✔️ a lot of steamy sex scenes
✔️ a crazy, OTT villain
✔️ possessive H
✔️ a grumpy H with heart that only the h can melt.
Plot: Magnus is finally seeking a bride. He needs an heir. He was just about to give up when he spots Lida while passing through the forest. After meeting her family, he has decided that only Lida will do. He didn't count on her refusal. What woman would rather farm than marry a wealthy Swedish lord? Lida agrees to the marriage after he (sort of) blackmails her. Not cool, Magnus! Lida has one conditions. That he has to give her daughter his name. It took some time for their romance to happen. Unfortunately, there are people in Magnus's castle that want Lida gone and will stop at nothing to tear them apart.
Characters:
1. Lida was a beautiful mother, kind, clever, and has a strongback bone when it matters. So far, Lida has had a difficult life, especially with love. When her 1st husband died, she was accused of cheating on him because she was already far a long in her pregnancy. Yes, she had premarital sex with her then husband. She was shamed, beaten, and banished from her husband's clan. Ashamed, she returned to her father's home, vowing to never fall in love again. 7 years later, she mets a handsome strange. Lida is instantly attracted to Magnus until marriage is mentioned. Hell, it was his secretary who offered marriage, and she only accepts Magnus because she wants a better life for her daughter. Still, Lida hates being a broodmare and resents her lusty husband. It takes a while for her to finally see past his gruff personality. It doesn't help that the villain whispers poison into her ear. It's only in the second half of the book that she finally decides to trust him and admit her love.
He was straightforward but not unkind. He's just oblivious like most men
2. Magnus was a good H! He was good-looking, powerful, and protective of those in his care. He was straightforward but not unkind. Most of the book he's just oblivious like most men. Magnus was also possessive of his family. I trait I hate IRL but love in a hr.
Magnus was raised to believe that women are only good for warming his bed and having children. Thinking to please Lida, he offers to let her return home once she's given him a son. Yea, that didn't go over well!
Their marriage starts off with a rocky start. Magnus isn't used to anyone challenging him ever. I loved watching his personality change to an openly sweet, loving husband and father.
3. Katia was the star of the book! God, I adore this clever, little sprite! She melts the H's heart from the start. Magnus and Katia interactions were some of the best and funniest moments in the book.🥰 it showed what manner of man he was. Example:their first week at his home, Magnus feels left out because Katia draws pictures for everyone but him. When she finally gives him a pucture, he puts in a place of honor like it's the most precious thing he ownd. 😍Magnus also trains her (Katia asked) and gets her a dog so she can be protected.
4. Villain/housekeeper was known from the beginning but how many other people were involved in their devious plot was astonishing!
Problems: This book was not perfect! I felt that Lida held on to her bitterness and stubborness a little too long. It was time to let it go. Luckily, by the 2nd half of the book the couple are united in their purpose.
This is probably a 4 star book but I've read it so many times.
Sidenote: I don't get the h being shamed for have sex before marriage. The vikings were pretty open about sex. Maybe, early Christianity taught them shame 🤔 They were still allowed 2 wives.
***************** Orginal review *********
This is one of my favorite Vikings books!
ReRead: 7/13/20
Read: 2017
Setting: Finland and Sweeden
This was a great debut for an author! It contains some of my favorite tropes.
✔️ MOC! Forced
✔️ a lot of steamy sex scenes
✔️ a crazy, OTT villain
✔️ possessive H
✔️ a grumpy H with heart that only the h can melt.
Plot: Magnus is finally seeking a bride. He needs an heir. He was just about to give up when he spots Lida while passing through the forest. After meeting her family, he has decided that only Lida will do. He didn't count on her refusal. What woman would rather farm than marry a wealthy Swedish lord? Lida agrees to the marriage after he (sort of) blackmails her. Not cool, Magnus! Lida has one conditions. That he has to give her daughter his name. It took some time for their romance to happen. Unfortunately, there are people in Magnus's castle that want Lida gone and will stop at nothing to tear them apart.
Characters:
1. Lida was a beautiful mother, kind, clever, and has a strongback bone when it matters. So far, Lida has had a difficult life, especially with love. When her 1st husband died, she was accused of cheating on him because she was already far a long in her pregnancy. Yes, she had premarital sex with her then husband. She was shamed, beaten, and banished from her husband's clan. Ashamed, she returned to her father's home, vowing to never fall in love again. 7 years later, she mets a handsome strange. Lida is instantly attracted to Magnus until marriage is mentioned. Hell, it was his secretary who offered marriage, and she only accepts Magnus because she wants a better life for her daughter. Still, Lida hates being a broodmare and resents her lusty husband. It takes a while for her to finally see past his gruff personality. It doesn't help that the villain whispers poison into her ear. It's only in the second half of the book that she finally decides to trust him and admit her love.
He was straightforward but not unkind. He's just oblivious like most men
2. Magnus was a good H! He was good-looking, powerful, and protective of those in his care. He was straightforward but not unkind. Most of the book he's just oblivious like most men. Magnus was also possessive of his family. I trait I hate IRL but love in a hr.
Magnus was raised to believe that women are only good for warming his bed and having children. Thinking to please Lida, he offers to let her return home once she's given him a son. Yea, that didn't go over well!
Their marriage starts off with a rocky start. Magnus isn't used to anyone challenging him ever. I loved watching his personality change to an openly sweet, loving husband and father.
3. Katia was the star of the book! God, I adore this clever, little sprite! She melts the H's heart from the start. Magnus and Katia interactions were some of the best and funniest moments in the book.🥰 it showed what manner of man he was. Example:their first week at his home, Magnus feels left out because Katia draws pictures for everyone but him. When she finally gives him a pucture, he puts in a place of honor like it's the most precious thing he ownd. 😍Magnus also trains her (Katia asked) and gets her a dog so she can be protected.
4. Villain/housekeeper was known from the beginning but how many other people were involved in their devious plot was astonishing!
Problems: This book was not perfect! I felt that Lida held on to her bitterness and stubborness a little too long. It was time to let it go. Luckily, by the 2nd half of the book the couple are united in their purpose.
This is probably a 4 star book but I've read it so many times.
Sidenote: I don't get the h being shamed for have sex before marriage. The vikings were pretty open about sex. Maybe, early Christianity taught them shame 🤔 They were still allowed 2 wives.
***************** Orginal review *********
This is one of my favorite Vikings books!
January 14, 2022
This wasn’t perfect but I mostly enjoyed it genre-wise it’s a historical romance set in the twelfth century our heroine Lida returns home to her family in Finland after being cast out by her deceased husband's relatives for becoming pregnant before marriage (it’s her late husband's child). Eights years later she’s offered marriage by Jarl Magnus Knutson a powerful Viking warlord. For the sake of her daughter, she accepts and returns home with him to his fortress The Iron Kingdom.
I definitely liked the premise of this one I’m a sucker for arranged marriage story’s and it’s been a while since I’ve sunk my teeth into a historical one. My main issue with this story though is Lida herself she accepts the union between them isn’t forced in any way but then behaves as if she’s under duress. She creates roadblocks and has grievances that just aren’t that logical instead of embracing the chance of future happiness and a fresh start.
Yes, Magnus is definitely a man of his time he’s arrogant slightly overbearing and certainly likes his own way in most things. He’s also stubborn set in his ways at times overbearing and can be rather jealous. But he was also upfront from the start about what he expects in a wife and whilst he’s all of these things he isn’t in any way cruel or even has any unreasonable demands in fact he’s a total sweetie to Katya Lida’s daughter which did score him major brownie points with me and when he does finally succumb to his new wife and daughters many charms he’s all in. I should also point out Lida did agree to all of Magnus’s expectations beforehand so I don’t get what her issue is.
The only time Magnus does do something that she would have had every right to feel maligned about she’s totally fine about it didn’t even ask for an apology which she so should have done I just didn’t get her.
We have drama. intrigue and betrayal, unreasonable behaviour and also some danger thrown in just for good measure. This was definitely a story of two halves and the second part of this was definitely the most exciting bit for me. This one is also definitely on the spicier side which was another plus in its favour. Overall this had positives and negatives with the good definitely winning out. I also really appreciated the lyrical language this used. I’m probably going to read the next book in the series at some point in the future as well.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
September 18, 2019
I've read more than a few books that started off well, but floundered as I moved along. However, The Warlord's Wife follows a less common path. The first half or two-thirds of this book is painfully terrible, so awful in fact that I found myself wondering if F- might possibly be a grading option. But the second half - or at least the last quarter? Well, the ending's a little too pat, but the author really does improve things by fitting in a cracking good action story amidst the crazy romance. If I hadn't had to suffer through the rest of the book to get to it, I actually would have enjoyed that part.
So, who's curious about that terrible beginning? Yeah, me too. The novel opens with drama as the pregnant and newly widowed Lida is exiled from her husband's family for the crime of having had sex with her husband(!) before marriage. Thankfully, Lida's parents are not total jerks so when she returns home to Finland, they take her in and eight years later, the story picks up with Lida living on her parents' farm as a single mother.
When Jarl Magnus Knutson passes through Lida's home settlement, he is quite taken with Lida and fixes on marrying her. He needs an heir and since his last wife died of pregnancy complications, he must find a bride to take back north to Tronscar. Lida's key selling point? Since she has a daughter, she obviously can survive childbirth. I know. Magnus is such a romantic.
Lida pragmatically agrees to the match. After all, not only are her siblings pressuring her to marry the wealthy Magnus, but the marriage would give her young daughter protection and a chance at an honorable marriage someday.
Once Lida sails to her new home with the Swedish jarl, things really get crazy. Basically, Magnus becomes that spouse you hear about in domestic violence awareness spots. He insists on telling Lida what to wear, gets irrationally crazy jealous at mentions of other men(including her late husband), and is pretty much obsessed with her complete obedience. Well, obedience and getting her pregnant. Magnus and Lida have lots of sex, and there's so little emotion attached to it that I frankly found it depressing.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
So, who's curious about that terrible beginning? Yeah, me too. The novel opens with drama as the pregnant and newly widowed Lida is exiled from her husband's family for the crime of having had sex with her husband(!) before marriage. Thankfully, Lida's parents are not total jerks so when she returns home to Finland, they take her in and eight years later, the story picks up with Lida living on her parents' farm as a single mother.
When Jarl Magnus Knutson passes through Lida's home settlement, he is quite taken with Lida and fixes on marrying her. He needs an heir and since his last wife died of pregnancy complications, he must find a bride to take back north to Tronscar. Lida's key selling point? Since she has a daughter, she obviously can survive childbirth. I know. Magnus is such a romantic.
Lida pragmatically agrees to the match. After all, not only are her siblings pressuring her to marry the wealthy Magnus, but the marriage would give her young daughter protection and a chance at an honorable marriage someday.
Once Lida sails to her new home with the Swedish jarl, things really get crazy. Basically, Magnus becomes that spouse you hear about in domestic violence awareness spots. He insists on telling Lida what to wear, gets irrationally crazy jealous at mentions of other men(including her late husband), and is pretty much obsessed with her complete obedience. Well, obedience and getting her pregnant. Magnus and Lida have lots of sex, and there's so little emotion attached to it that I frankly found it depressing.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
April 25, 2022
Here's s setting you don't read often, 12 century Sweden. good feel for the politics of the time. I liked it on the whole. The author did a pretty good job setting up the lack of choices women had in those days. He married her to get sons and she didn't piddle around making them fall in love before she got them in bed which is way more realistic than many authors of historical romance. I did feel like the heroine's about face on her feelings for the marriage and her husband were oddly miraculously instant. She did a good job with the characterization of the heroine's daughter.
July 18, 2015
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
Lida was practically a girl when she fell in love and married, but then her husband died and she was pregnant. Her husband's family kicked her out, claiming she was a whore. So Lida returned back to her family, mourning the man she loved and left alone to raise their daughter. Lida is content working on her family's farm and raising her daughter who is sweet, smart and innocent. But then Jarl Magnus and his entourage comes passing through and notices her. Lida is fine not having another husband, but she realizes that being married to a Jarl, that it would be in her daughters best interest. So Lida reluctantly agrees to marry Magnus, not knowing what her life will be like up north. Magnus needs a wife, so he can have heirs, and he doesn't care as long as she is strong and sturdy. While traveling he is drawn to Lida who is beautiful and a hard worker, and is tough, and he knows she can handle just about anything. Magnus never expected to be charmed by a seven-year old girl, or to fall hard for Lida. Right when Magnus and Lida are getting settled and comfortable with their life together, there are enemies who wish for power, Magnus' power and will do anything to get it, even if it means destroying their family...
The Hero
Magnus has battled hard to get to his position of power and prestige. He is dedicated and loyal to his king and is comfortable with his life. All he has ever wanted is to have sons to raise and continue his line. Magnus is highly respected but soon Magnus learns that there is more to life than wealth and power, and he begins to learn what family really means. Magnus is a hero who is your typical viking warrior. Handsome, strong, and can fight in a battle with great efficiency. But Magnus knows nothing about love or affection until he meets Lida Katia. Magnus is very proud at times, a capable warrior, and we see how he handles being married and boy does his life get turned topsy turvy. He is grumpy and has a temper but keeps it controlled. If you like alpha males, Magnus definitely falls into that category, and we see him become humble and slowly change but for the better. We see how he learns and handles conflict and a little girl who wins him over.
The Heroine
Lida is strong and passionate and what a character, I immediately fell in love with her. Just for the sole reason that she handles Magnus and the way she goes about it. Lida still grieves her husband and its been eight years, and you see how much she loves her daughter. Lida hasn't had it easy, she is rumored as a "whore" which is so sad but in that time that is what she would be considered as. And of course they don't blame the man right? But Lida handles it extremely well with dignity and pride, she has a tough skin, and even though it hurts especially from her family, she knows she did nothing wrong and isn't ashamed of her daughter. She stands up to Magnus at every turn and I really enjoyed seeing how she deals with Magnus, because he is one tough cookie.
Plot and Storyline
The Warlord's Wife is a viking romance and what a story. I fell in love with it, and its been so long since I have read such a fun viking romance that really kept me captivated all the way through. I fell for this pair and the little girl, oh boy was she a charmer. She could win anyone over and I loved her sweet and kind nature. And I loved the way Magnus and Katia are together, at first you see how Magnus doesn't care much for Katia, but he slowly gets won over and claims her as his daughter!! The relationship between Magnus and Lida is very rocky at first, and they have a tough time finding a common ground. But you see how that slowly drifts into a bond that is more, one full of love and intimacy. This story was so beautifully crafted, it will win any romance lover over. I almost felt like I was walking straight into the history books, and seeing this era come alive for me. Sandra Lake has done well with her research for this story, and I enjoyed the culture and the intricate details that makes you fall in love more with the story. What was also interesting was seeing some of the other side characters that adds more depth to the story. We have the brother of Magnus, who is charismatic, loves to play and have fun. Quite different from the brooding and grumpy Magnus. Then we have Lida's mother, who is so loving and just accepts Lida and doesn't judge just loves her family unconditionally. I was so thrilled to see the change in the characters and their personal growth throughout the story. It's quite engaging, to see them grow personally and in their relationship. It's a slow and steady one, with a little surprise here and then to keep it from being predictable. It's a romance that is packed with danger and mystery, a love story about two damaged people who need love and to make a fresh start, and seeing how love does conquer all!! This is a book that made me remember why I fell in love with viking romance in the first place.Riveting in history and emotion, and balanced in a way that makes your hunger for more. Well Done Sandra Lake!! I can't wait for the second book..Katia's story.
The Cover
I love the blue and green hints of color, and it really gives the impression of a VIKING ROMANCE, love how it matches so well with the tone of the story.
Overall View
The Warlord's Wife is a story that slowly and magically weaves its way into the reader's heart. A love story that is full of sensuality, intrigue, some enemies to destroy, characters you can bond with, a tale of love that wins over the battle!! EXHILARATING!!
"Mama, you loved my father. Grandma told me that love is not in our choice, but in our fate, remember? She told me that you had no choice but ot love my father and that I am a result of your love. Most people do not understand these things, Mama." Her daughter patted her her hand. "Grandma understands everything. She said the same as you, that I should feel sorry for foolish people who do not understand. She says that most of those people will never understand love, even if it bit them on the bum."
"Hush, your grandma did not say that."
"Well, she said 'nose' instead of 'bum', but I said 'bum' because it sounds more funny."
"'Tis an unnatural feeling, " he said through a clenched jaw. "I have never felt this desire to surrender before. I tried to fight, but I grew tired of pushing it down. I wanted to posses you, make you mine in body and soul.
The Warlord's Wife (1) Magnus and Lida
The Iron Princess (2) Lothair and Katia
Summary
Lida was practically a girl when she fell in love and married, but then her husband died and she was pregnant. Her husband's family kicked her out, claiming she was a whore. So Lida returned back to her family, mourning the man she loved and left alone to raise their daughter. Lida is content working on her family's farm and raising her daughter who is sweet, smart and innocent. But then Jarl Magnus and his entourage comes passing through and notices her. Lida is fine not having another husband, but she realizes that being married to a Jarl, that it would be in her daughters best interest. So Lida reluctantly agrees to marry Magnus, not knowing what her life will be like up north. Magnus needs a wife, so he can have heirs, and he doesn't care as long as she is strong and sturdy. While traveling he is drawn to Lida who is beautiful and a hard worker, and is tough, and he knows she can handle just about anything. Magnus never expected to be charmed by a seven-year old girl, or to fall hard for Lida. Right when Magnus and Lida are getting settled and comfortable with their life together, there are enemies who wish for power, Magnus' power and will do anything to get it, even if it means destroying their family...
The Hero
Magnus has battled hard to get to his position of power and prestige. He is dedicated and loyal to his king and is comfortable with his life. All he has ever wanted is to have sons to raise and continue his line. Magnus is highly respected but soon Magnus learns that there is more to life than wealth and power, and he begins to learn what family really means. Magnus is a hero who is your typical viking warrior. Handsome, strong, and can fight in a battle with great efficiency. But Magnus knows nothing about love or affection until he meets Lida Katia. Magnus is very proud at times, a capable warrior, and we see how he handles being married and boy does his life get turned topsy turvy. He is grumpy and has a temper but keeps it controlled. If you like alpha males, Magnus definitely falls into that category, and we see him become humble and slowly change but for the better. We see how he learns and handles conflict and a little girl who wins him over.
The Heroine
Lida is strong and passionate and what a character, I immediately fell in love with her. Just for the sole reason that she handles Magnus and the way she goes about it. Lida still grieves her husband and its been eight years, and you see how much she loves her daughter. Lida hasn't had it easy, she is rumored as a "whore" which is so sad but in that time that is what she would be considered as. And of course they don't blame the man right? But Lida handles it extremely well with dignity and pride, she has a tough skin, and even though it hurts especially from her family, she knows she did nothing wrong and isn't ashamed of her daughter. She stands up to Magnus at every turn and I really enjoyed seeing how she deals with Magnus, because he is one tough cookie.
Plot and Storyline
The Warlord's Wife is a viking romance and what a story. I fell in love with it, and its been so long since I have read such a fun viking romance that really kept me captivated all the way through. I fell for this pair and the little girl, oh boy was she a charmer. She could win anyone over and I loved her sweet and kind nature. And I loved the way Magnus and Katia are together, at first you see how Magnus doesn't care much for Katia, but he slowly gets won over and claims her as his daughter!! The relationship between Magnus and Lida is very rocky at first, and they have a tough time finding a common ground. But you see how that slowly drifts into a bond that is more, one full of love and intimacy. This story was so beautifully crafted, it will win any romance lover over. I almost felt like I was walking straight into the history books, and seeing this era come alive for me. Sandra Lake has done well with her research for this story, and I enjoyed the culture and the intricate details that makes you fall in love more with the story. What was also interesting was seeing some of the other side characters that adds more depth to the story. We have the brother of Magnus, who is charismatic, loves to play and have fun. Quite different from the brooding and grumpy Magnus. Then we have Lida's mother, who is so loving and just accepts Lida and doesn't judge just loves her family unconditionally. I was so thrilled to see the change in the characters and their personal growth throughout the story. It's quite engaging, to see them grow personally and in their relationship. It's a slow and steady one, with a little surprise here and then to keep it from being predictable. It's a romance that is packed with danger and mystery, a love story about two damaged people who need love and to make a fresh start, and seeing how love does conquer all!! This is a book that made me remember why I fell in love with viking romance in the first place.Riveting in history and emotion, and balanced in a way that makes your hunger for more. Well Done Sandra Lake!! I can't wait for the second book..Katia's story.
The Cover
I love the blue and green hints of color, and it really gives the impression of a VIKING ROMANCE, love how it matches so well with the tone of the story.
Overall View
The Warlord's Wife is a story that slowly and magically weaves its way into the reader's heart. A love story that is full of sensuality, intrigue, some enemies to destroy, characters you can bond with, a tale of love that wins over the battle!! EXHILARATING!!
"Mama, you loved my father. Grandma told me that love is not in our choice, but in our fate, remember? She told me that you had no choice but ot love my father and that I am a result of your love. Most people do not understand these things, Mama." Her daughter patted her her hand. "Grandma understands everything. She said the same as you, that I should feel sorry for foolish people who do not understand. She says that most of those people will never understand love, even if it bit them on the bum."
"Hush, your grandma did not say that."
"Well, she said 'nose' instead of 'bum', but I said 'bum' because it sounds more funny."
"'Tis an unnatural feeling, " he said through a clenched jaw. "I have never felt this desire to surrender before. I tried to fight, but I grew tired of pushing it down. I wanted to posses you, make you mine in body and soul.
The Warlord's Wife (1) Magnus and Lida
The Iron Princess (2) Lothair and Katia
May 21, 2015
Originally posted at SmexyBooks
http://smexybooks.com/2015/03/review-...
Favorite Quote:
“In our fathers’ day, you could have tossed her in your ship and be halfway to Tronscar by now.”
“Our forefathers had all the fun.”
Married and widowed in a two month span, Lida returns to her family’s home. Eight years later, happily raising her daughter on her own, she inadvertently captures the attention of a powerful viking warlord who will do anything to make her his wife. Before she knows it, she’s wedded, bedded, and placed on a ship headed to her new home.
Jarl Magnus has already buried one wife and now seeks another. Wanting a strong woman who can survive the harsh conditions of his homeland and bear him many sons, he is pleased by his new wife’s beauty and spirit but is quite unprepared to find himself actually liking her and his new stepdaughter.
As Lida and Magnus strive to set aside their ingrained prejudices towards one another, dissent begins to reign within their home. As the lies and distrust push Lida and Magnus further apart, an enemy’s need for revenge will either unite them as one or separate them forever.
Sandra Lake’s debut, The Warlord’s Wife is a historical romance based on a favorite trope of mine – reluctant bride and pushy groom. Set in the 12th century Sweden, this heavily character driven novel combines old skool dramatics and misunderstandings with modern sensibilities creating an engaging romance with some bursts of predictable angst, drama, and laughter. Fast pacing and a solid plotline gives readers the setup and background information needed without over burdening. The romance is strong, offset with a bit of mystery and suspense.
Lida was married at a very young age to the man of her dreams. He coerced her into sleeping with him before they tied the knot, marking her as a whore in her in-laws eyes when she is further along in her pregnancy then she should be. Her in-laws send her back to her parents, barring her return. Luckily for Lida, her parents are more open minded than most and accept her and her child with open arms. Happy in her widowhood with no plans on re-marrying, she is shocked and dismayed when she told the Jarl wants to marry her. Not one to hold her tongue, she tells him no, despite being told she should be grateful for this honor.
Why is it the most strikingly attractive men are always the most cantankerous?
Jarl Magnus is a gorgeous, rich, arrogant, grumpy man who is not used to be told no by anyone. Powerful in both strength and politics (his cousin is the King of Sweden) he is in Turku to find a new wife and solidify alliances. Already irritated by having to remain in Turku for too long, he sees Lida and instantly wants her. When she denies him, he uses blackmail her into accepting his suit.
“You will learn I possess nothing that has been given. What I have has been forged or earned. Be wise and make your counter offer, before I finalize the contract with your brother.”
Lida resents Magnus’s maneuvers but agrees to the marriage if only to ensure her daughter will have a chance at a decent life. Lida’s stubbornness and Magnus’s cluelessness was amusing at times. They both come into the marriage with preconceived notions. Lida doesn’t love Magnus and knowing he doesn’t love her, she fears she will be nothing more than a body to warm his bed and a womb to birth his children. She is strong, intelligent, and a very diplomatic strategist, knowing when to push and when to back off.
Magnus is a 12th century man whose father warned him time and time again to never fall in love, that women have only one job and that to service men. He is the alpha ruler of all he sees and makes sure no one forgets it. Lida confuses him. He wants her gratitude for a marriage she didn’t want and for the gifts that she never asked for and can’t understand why she refuses to give it to him. Though crabby and quick to accuse, Magnus is in general a kind man who doesn’t purposely treat Lida or her daughter unkindly.
“I am not your jarl in here, Lida. I am Magnus, your husband.”
As Lida and Magnus get to know one another, the sparks fly and the chemistry heats up. Despite their antagonistic beginnings, Lida and Magnus have a strong physical attraction to one another which is alluded to but very little is shown on scene. Luckily, both POVs are shown, enabling readers an intimate view of their thoughts and feelings. While Lake stays well within the boundaries of this time, the subtle power plays invoked by all are fun to watch, adding wit to their banter and personalities.
“I fear I will never understand the Jarl.”
“Shall I enlighten you? Suppose you are an idiot, then suppose you are a man. But I repeat myself.”
A well developed cast of characters add delight and depth to the story. Tero, Magnus’s stewart, offers advice and tries to calm the pathway to love between his mistress and master. Katia, Lida’s daughter, steals the show and is the perfect plot device to soften Magnus’s prickly nature. A vengeful villain sows seeds of malcontent, playing on Magnus’s jealous nature and the feelings he has for his wife. This is where the predictability comes in. The usual accusations come into play, attempting to destroy the bonds that are developing between Magnus and Lida but Lake brings in a character who helps to take the blinders off their eyes. I hope he gets his story soon.
The mystery reveals itself early on but the path to resolution is action packed with lots of dramatic demands for vengeance and revenge. There were some scenes that resolved off page, diminishing their impact, and I felt overall this weakened the storyline at certain points. Regardless, Lake’s debut historical romance is sure to appeal to those who enjoy spirited heroines, grumpy alpha heroes, and a slow sweet journey to everlasting love. I look forward to book two of the series, The Iron Princess, which is set to release June 16, 2015 by Intermix. I have a feeling Katia’s story will be very amusing considering her father’s (Magnus) attitude towards men and his daughter.
RATING: B-
http://smexybooks.com/2015/03/review-...
Favorite Quote:
“In our fathers’ day, you could have tossed her in your ship and be halfway to Tronscar by now.”
“Our forefathers had all the fun.”
Married and widowed in a two month span, Lida returns to her family’s home. Eight years later, happily raising her daughter on her own, she inadvertently captures the attention of a powerful viking warlord who will do anything to make her his wife. Before she knows it, she’s wedded, bedded, and placed on a ship headed to her new home.
Jarl Magnus has already buried one wife and now seeks another. Wanting a strong woman who can survive the harsh conditions of his homeland and bear him many sons, he is pleased by his new wife’s beauty and spirit but is quite unprepared to find himself actually liking her and his new stepdaughter.
As Lida and Magnus strive to set aside their ingrained prejudices towards one another, dissent begins to reign within their home. As the lies and distrust push Lida and Magnus further apart, an enemy’s need for revenge will either unite them as one or separate them forever.
Sandra Lake’s debut, The Warlord’s Wife is a historical romance based on a favorite trope of mine – reluctant bride and pushy groom. Set in the 12th century Sweden, this heavily character driven novel combines old skool dramatics and misunderstandings with modern sensibilities creating an engaging romance with some bursts of predictable angst, drama, and laughter. Fast pacing and a solid plotline gives readers the setup and background information needed without over burdening. The romance is strong, offset with a bit of mystery and suspense.
Lida was married at a very young age to the man of her dreams. He coerced her into sleeping with him before they tied the knot, marking her as a whore in her in-laws eyes when she is further along in her pregnancy then she should be. Her in-laws send her back to her parents, barring her return. Luckily for Lida, her parents are more open minded than most and accept her and her child with open arms. Happy in her widowhood with no plans on re-marrying, she is shocked and dismayed when she told the Jarl wants to marry her. Not one to hold her tongue, she tells him no, despite being told she should be grateful for this honor.
Why is it the most strikingly attractive men are always the most cantankerous?
Jarl Magnus is a gorgeous, rich, arrogant, grumpy man who is not used to be told no by anyone. Powerful in both strength and politics (his cousin is the King of Sweden) he is in Turku to find a new wife and solidify alliances. Already irritated by having to remain in Turku for too long, he sees Lida and instantly wants her. When she denies him, he uses blackmail her into accepting his suit.
“You will learn I possess nothing that has been given. What I have has been forged or earned. Be wise and make your counter offer, before I finalize the contract with your brother.”
Lida resents Magnus’s maneuvers but agrees to the marriage if only to ensure her daughter will have a chance at a decent life. Lida’s stubbornness and Magnus’s cluelessness was amusing at times. They both come into the marriage with preconceived notions. Lida doesn’t love Magnus and knowing he doesn’t love her, she fears she will be nothing more than a body to warm his bed and a womb to birth his children. She is strong, intelligent, and a very diplomatic strategist, knowing when to push and when to back off.
Magnus is a 12th century man whose father warned him time and time again to never fall in love, that women have only one job and that to service men. He is the alpha ruler of all he sees and makes sure no one forgets it. Lida confuses him. He wants her gratitude for a marriage she didn’t want and for the gifts that she never asked for and can’t understand why she refuses to give it to him. Though crabby and quick to accuse, Magnus is in general a kind man who doesn’t purposely treat Lida or her daughter unkindly.
“I am not your jarl in here, Lida. I am Magnus, your husband.”
As Lida and Magnus get to know one another, the sparks fly and the chemistry heats up. Despite their antagonistic beginnings, Lida and Magnus have a strong physical attraction to one another which is alluded to but very little is shown on scene. Luckily, both POVs are shown, enabling readers an intimate view of their thoughts and feelings. While Lake stays well within the boundaries of this time, the subtle power plays invoked by all are fun to watch, adding wit to their banter and personalities.
“I fear I will never understand the Jarl.”
“Shall I enlighten you? Suppose you are an idiot, then suppose you are a man. But I repeat myself.”
A well developed cast of characters add delight and depth to the story. Tero, Magnus’s stewart, offers advice and tries to calm the pathway to love between his mistress and master. Katia, Lida’s daughter, steals the show and is the perfect plot device to soften Magnus’s prickly nature. A vengeful villain sows seeds of malcontent, playing on Magnus’s jealous nature and the feelings he has for his wife. This is where the predictability comes in. The usual accusations come into play, attempting to destroy the bonds that are developing between Magnus and Lida but Lake brings in a character who helps to take the blinders off their eyes. I hope he gets his story soon.
The mystery reveals itself early on but the path to resolution is action packed with lots of dramatic demands for vengeance and revenge. There were some scenes that resolved off page, diminishing their impact, and I felt overall this weakened the storyline at certain points. Regardless, Lake’s debut historical romance is sure to appeal to those who enjoy spirited heroines, grumpy alpha heroes, and a slow sweet journey to everlasting love. I look forward to book two of the series, The Iron Princess, which is set to release June 16, 2015 by Intermix. I have a feeling Katia’s story will be very amusing considering her father’s (Magnus) attitude towards men and his daughter.
RATING: B-
January 28, 2022
3.5/5.0
My journey through “The Warlord’s Wife”:
First 40% = 3 stars: Story was engaging but LIda was such a shrew I could hardly continue reading. Good grief, could she not even TRY to be nice?
Next 59% = 4.5 stars: Lida decides to be nice, Magnus softens because of it and love blossoms. The characters are engaging to read about and the story slowly ratchets up the suspense. Klara, the villain is a bit cliche and melodramatic but it is all fun and keeps one happily turning the pages.
Last 1% = 2.5 stars: What? Wait a minute! What happened to the bad guys? We don’t get to see the terrible demise? We don’t even know what happens at all? That is a HUGE part of the story and it’s left hanging!! GRRRRRR.
Still, it was an awful lot of fun and a great escape for an evening of reading.
My journey through “The Warlord’s Wife”:
First 40% = 3 stars: Story was engaging but LIda was such a shrew I could hardly continue reading. Good grief, could she not even TRY to be nice?
Next 59% = 4.5 stars: Lida decides to be nice, Magnus softens because of it and love blossoms. The characters are engaging to read about and the story slowly ratchets up the suspense. Klara, the villain is a bit cliche and melodramatic but it is all fun and keeps one happily turning the pages.
Last 1% = 2.5 stars: What? Wait a minute! What happened to the bad guys? We don’t get to see the terrible demise? We don’t even know what happens at all? That is a HUGE part of the story and it’s left hanging!! GRRRRRR.
Still, it was an awful lot of fun and a great escape for an evening of reading.
March 4, 2015
I was in the mood for an historical book but didn't fancy the usual regency or even highland type romance so was quite interested when I spotted this book on Netgalley. It's the authors debut and set in the frozen north of Sweden so the idea of reading a romantic novel about Vikings piqued my interest.
Lida is our heroine and she has survived very rough treatment at the hands of her late husbands family ( queue mother in law jokes here!) but eight years later she is raising her daughter Katia with the aid of her own family when Magnus a powerful Warlord decides that she's the right type of woman to make him a good wife. Now Lida is not exactly sold on the idea but the thought of raising her daughter safely with a feared Jarl to protect them sways her but she's a strong woman and demands certain concessions. Yes she will sail away as his bride and give him the offspring he wants ( but no promise of just sons obviously) but in exchange Katia will bear his name and be treated as his daughter. Magnus has little time for women and their frivolities but cannot deny the attraction he feels for his new wife and is more than happy to bed her but what he hadn't expected was to actually enjoy the company of Lida and Katia. As they begin their new life the brutish and distant Magnus finds himself wanting to understand these strange females that he has taken into his home but not everyone is pleased with the new additions and betrayal and treachery are about to bring danger to all.
I have no wish to spoil the plot for other readers so will try to be informative without ruining this book for others. Magnus is a character who does not understand love and yet there are scenes with his brother that show his true nature. He has always seen women as little more than chattels and a weakness that others might exploit and yet as this story progresses he grows as a character and his transformation made this a rewarding read. Do not misunderstand he is no ogre and always treats Lida and Katia with his idea of kindness but it's fair to say he is blinkered in many respects . Lida has been truly treated abysmally and it really brought home to this reader how awful life could be . I admired her strength and yet at times she surprised me but I never doubted her commitment to those she loves. What I particularly liked about Lida was she is written as a woman with keen intellect but she is canny enough to know that sometimes you have to play the game in order to win.
A lot happens as this story progresses and I've no doubt that for many little Katia will steal the show . This is more than just a romance though. Yes there are a lot of sexy scenes although I didn't find them particularly arousing if honest but it's all the shenanigans around the family that feed this story. Trouble and corruption are rife in Tronscar and jealous machinations are set to bring war to their door . I enjoyed the portrayal of the thoroughly nasty protagonist but was not quite convinced by Lidas unexpected family if truthful.
So in hindsight I did enjoy this book but did not find it to be particularly sensual in spite of the bedroom activities. I would have liked to see Hok the brother of Magnus get his story told but I note that the next book is about Katia so I'm a tad disappointed . An interesting story that held my attention and perhaps ideal for those like myself looking for something a little bit different to other historicals .
I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for an honest review
Lida is our heroine and she has survived very rough treatment at the hands of her late husbands family ( queue mother in law jokes here!) but eight years later she is raising her daughter Katia with the aid of her own family when Magnus a powerful Warlord decides that she's the right type of woman to make him a good wife. Now Lida is not exactly sold on the idea but the thought of raising her daughter safely with a feared Jarl to protect them sways her but she's a strong woman and demands certain concessions. Yes she will sail away as his bride and give him the offspring he wants ( but no promise of just sons obviously) but in exchange Katia will bear his name and be treated as his daughter. Magnus has little time for women and their frivolities but cannot deny the attraction he feels for his new wife and is more than happy to bed her but what he hadn't expected was to actually enjoy the company of Lida and Katia. As they begin their new life the brutish and distant Magnus finds himself wanting to understand these strange females that he has taken into his home but not everyone is pleased with the new additions and betrayal and treachery are about to bring danger to all.
I have no wish to spoil the plot for other readers so will try to be informative without ruining this book for others. Magnus is a character who does not understand love and yet there are scenes with his brother that show his true nature. He has always seen women as little more than chattels and a weakness that others might exploit and yet as this story progresses he grows as a character and his transformation made this a rewarding read. Do not misunderstand he is no ogre and always treats Lida and Katia with his idea of kindness but it's fair to say he is blinkered in many respects . Lida has been truly treated abysmally and it really brought home to this reader how awful life could be . I admired her strength and yet at times she surprised me but I never doubted her commitment to those she loves. What I particularly liked about Lida was she is written as a woman with keen intellect but she is canny enough to know that sometimes you have to play the game in order to win.
A lot happens as this story progresses and I've no doubt that for many little Katia will steal the show . This is more than just a romance though. Yes there are a lot of sexy scenes although I didn't find them particularly arousing if honest but it's all the shenanigans around the family that feed this story. Trouble and corruption are rife in Tronscar and jealous machinations are set to bring war to their door . I enjoyed the portrayal of the thoroughly nasty protagonist but was not quite convinced by Lidas unexpected family if truthful.
So in hindsight I did enjoy this book but did not find it to be particularly sensual in spite of the bedroom activities. I would have liked to see Hok the brother of Magnus get his story told but I note that the next book is about Katia so I'm a tad disappointed . An interesting story that held my attention and perhaps ideal for those like myself looking for something a little bit different to other historicals .
I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for an honest review
May 28, 2015
Amazing Story!
What an amazing story that shows the endurance of heartache and suffrage from one tragedy to the next. My mind was blown away with the imagery I depicted from this incredible visionary story.
The Viking savagery is expected you might think but not all Viking tales are the same and this one handsome Viking - Jarl Magnus - Warlord of Tronscar changes the meaning into a man of worth and honor for his time. His sacrifice and love builds his character as he falls in love with Lida.
Lida is a very strong willed woman and my heart went out to her especially after losing her husband and visualizing the scenes of how her deceased husbands family treated her and disowned her. Especially when they denied her child, their own grandchild.
I have to say though that Lida's attitude kind of aggravated me because she was too rebellious at times when she and Jarl first got together, however at the same time the author did an amazing thing by showing the struggle and defiance from each character and as they learned to be husband and wife as well as learning to submit to a different culture of the Viking World.
I really like Jarl and could actually hear his big bear of a voice and could visualize how he looked in a brutal sexy way. His brutal actions towards his enemy were fierce but he was one big softy when it came to Lida once he figured out what made her tic.
The sexual encounters were not brutal or savage but very sensual in a passionate clean way. (3 Flames)
The build up to the plot of the story kept me turning the pages, I just couldn't put it down. The deceit and back stabbing of his supposedly loyal kinsmen had me reeling with anger and I was so glad when they all got what they deserved in the end.
I loved the happy ever after ending and loved how Jarl and Lida's relationship grew through the story. I loved Lida's daughter and how Jarl accepted her as his own. This was just a wonderful refreshing story.
I highly recommend this Historical Romance to all Viking Lovers.
Excellent Read!
What an amazing story that shows the endurance of heartache and suffrage from one tragedy to the next. My mind was blown away with the imagery I depicted from this incredible visionary story.
The Viking savagery is expected you might think but not all Viking tales are the same and this one handsome Viking - Jarl Magnus - Warlord of Tronscar changes the meaning into a man of worth and honor for his time. His sacrifice and love builds his character as he falls in love with Lida.
Lida is a very strong willed woman and my heart went out to her especially after losing her husband and visualizing the scenes of how her deceased husbands family treated her and disowned her. Especially when they denied her child, their own grandchild.
I have to say though that Lida's attitude kind of aggravated me because she was too rebellious at times when she and Jarl first got together, however at the same time the author did an amazing thing by showing the struggle and defiance from each character and as they learned to be husband and wife as well as learning to submit to a different culture of the Viking World.
I really like Jarl and could actually hear his big bear of a voice and could visualize how he looked in a brutal sexy way. His brutal actions towards his enemy were fierce but he was one big softy when it came to Lida once he figured out what made her tic.
The sexual encounters were not brutal or savage but very sensual in a passionate clean way. (3 Flames)
The build up to the plot of the story kept me turning the pages, I just couldn't put it down. The deceit and back stabbing of his supposedly loyal kinsmen had me reeling with anger and I was so glad when they all got what they deserved in the end.
I loved the happy ever after ending and loved how Jarl and Lida's relationship grew through the story. I loved Lida's daughter and how Jarl accepted her as his own. This was just a wonderful refreshing story.
I highly recommend this Historical Romance to all Viking Lovers.
Excellent Read!
January 15, 2026
Old fashioned bodice ripper with Scandinavian setting. The h is super woman who does everything perfectly, but she's been unlucky in love. The H is rude, rough and realises his incompetence only when his family is in peril. HIs carelessness allowed evil OW to establish herself in his demesne. OTT drama thanks to the H being a poor leader.
November 21, 2022
4.5 out of 5
I've been reading a number of Viking romances this Miranda this is added to the list.
Lida is a widow with a young daughter. She was banished from her husbands family when her pregnancy was further along than they'd been married and branded a harlot. She wasn't. She and her husband just jumped the gun a bit. she's living a quiet life on the family farm, that is until she comes to the attention of a rich and powerful Jarl, Magnus, who is looking for someone to bear him sons and he decides Lida is the one.
Lida wants nothing to do with marrying this overbearing lout but after some heavy duty negotiations agrees to wed him for her daughter. The only thing that shows any hope is their incredible chemistry between the sheets. He wants sons but the producing of them is no hardship at all.
Though he does start out as a real autocratic jerk, Magnus does have a few redeeming qualities, the best one is the care he shows her daughter.
So its funny watching this alpha on steroids start developing real feelings for his wife. And I love how Lida shows no hesitation in standing up for herself. She has an inner strength I appreciate contracting with his much more bombastic nature and its fun watching him fall.
I enjoyed this one and have been quite pleased with this romance.
I've been reading a number of Viking romances this Miranda this is added to the list.
Lida is a widow with a young daughter. She was banished from her husbands family when her pregnancy was further along than they'd been married and branded a harlot. She wasn't. She and her husband just jumped the gun a bit. she's living a quiet life on the family farm, that is until she comes to the attention of a rich and powerful Jarl, Magnus, who is looking for someone to bear him sons and he decides Lida is the one.
Lida wants nothing to do with marrying this overbearing lout but after some heavy duty negotiations agrees to wed him for her daughter. The only thing that shows any hope is their incredible chemistry between the sheets. He wants sons but the producing of them is no hardship at all.
Though he does start out as a real autocratic jerk, Magnus does have a few redeeming qualities, the best one is the care he shows her daughter.
So its funny watching this alpha on steroids start developing real feelings for his wife. And I love how Lida shows no hesitation in standing up for herself. She has an inner strength I appreciate contracting with his much more bombastic nature and its fun watching him fall.
I enjoyed this one and have been quite pleased with this romance.
September 26, 2017
"She had conquered him. Oh, how he despised her for it."
I had read this book once, years ago and absolutely loved it. I'd found it by accident and, as it takes place mostly in Sweden, where my father's side is from (I even found my name with correct spelling in the book!), I was fascinated! Putting you in mind of Vikings and The Last Kingdom, both tv shows I absolutely love and though they are set far earlier than this book is written, this is the enthralling story of a brave half Finnish/half Swedish woman named Lida and the Swedish warlord who claims her, Jarl Magnus.
I needed to read a 'Lake' book for the Hunger Games Arena Competition in Sector 5 and when I searched up the word 'Lake' in my lending library, I found this book again and thought why not?
May I just say that I finished it in 24 hours.... again!
"So near are love and hate, the two most powerful and devastating emotions that control men, nations, life."
Honest to goodness... could not put it down --- for the second time! Lake is a gifted story teller, with the unique ability to build a scene around her characters so that you feel like you are there, 1200 AD Sweden! The historical accuracy is just spot on as far as I can tell.
I adored Lida's character so much! As a modern woman I sometimes chaff when females are made to 'submit' to their men, but then again, that was the way in those times. The way Lida behaved, the fierce protector of her daughter, bravely standing up to a bear of a warlord and, essentially knocking him flat. Her character is one to be absolutely admired and revered! Who wouldn't want their daughter to grow up with Lida's wisdom, character and backbone?
And Magnus. Oh he raised my hackles a few times, but the way he treated Lida, even in the very beginning, you knew this was not a cruel man. Just a great bear with a thorn in his paw. THe struggle he went through right up to the end. AH! Lida showed great strength in her ability to forgive him when he returned in time.... and he was properly humbled. Granted he had help having the sense knocked into him by his brother, Hok, another gleefully entertaining character I'd like to see more of!
I've read Katia's story, The Iron Princess as well, but it was several years ago and now I see there's a third book, The Northman's Bride about the next generation of Tronscar jarls!!! *SQUEEEE* Guess I'm going to need to re-read Princess so I can get to this one!
"Love is not in our choice, but in our fate."
"Never worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries."
Wonderful book, wonderful series - can we all just agree that Showtime or Netflix or someone need to grab hold of this story?! Stat!
I had read this book once, years ago and absolutely loved it. I'd found it by accident and, as it takes place mostly in Sweden, where my father's side is from (I even found my name with correct spelling in the book!), I was fascinated! Putting you in mind of Vikings and The Last Kingdom, both tv shows I absolutely love and though they are set far earlier than this book is written, this is the enthralling story of a brave half Finnish/half Swedish woman named Lida and the Swedish warlord who claims her, Jarl Magnus.
I needed to read a 'Lake' book for the Hunger Games Arena Competition in Sector 5 and when I searched up the word 'Lake' in my lending library, I found this book again and thought why not?
May I just say that I finished it in 24 hours.... again!
"So near are love and hate, the two most powerful and devastating emotions that control men, nations, life."
Honest to goodness... could not put it down --- for the second time! Lake is a gifted story teller, with the unique ability to build a scene around her characters so that you feel like you are there, 1200 AD Sweden! The historical accuracy is just spot on as far as I can tell.
I adored Lida's character so much! As a modern woman I sometimes chaff when females are made to 'submit' to their men, but then again, that was the way in those times. The way Lida behaved, the fierce protector of her daughter, bravely standing up to a bear of a warlord and, essentially knocking him flat. Her character is one to be absolutely admired and revered! Who wouldn't want their daughter to grow up with Lida's wisdom, character and backbone?
And Magnus. Oh he raised my hackles a few times, but the way he treated Lida, even in the very beginning, you knew this was not a cruel man. Just a great bear with a thorn in his paw. THe struggle he went through right up to the end. AH! Lida showed great strength in her ability to forgive him when he returned in time.... and he was properly humbled. Granted he had help having the sense knocked into him by his brother, Hok, another gleefully entertaining character I'd like to see more of!
I've read Katia's story, The Iron Princess as well, but it was several years ago and now I see there's a third book, The Northman's Bride about the next generation of Tronscar jarls!!! *SQUEEEE* Guess I'm going to need to re-read Princess so I can get to this one!
"Love is not in our choice, but in our fate."
"Never worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries."
Wonderful book, wonderful series - can we all just agree that Showtime or Netflix or someone need to grab hold of this story?! Stat!
July 22, 2016
C'etait court mais c'etait biiiiien *-*
Je sais plus ce que disait exactement le review des smart bitches mais ça m'a motivé à le lire et je regrette pas... Magnus *soupirs* (et ya pas que lui Tero et Hök se démerdent pas mal dans la couinitude)
Et Magnus et la petite Katia c'est trop chouuuuuu et Katia est l'héroïne du tome 2, je vais me jeter dessus xD
Je sais plus ce que disait exactement le review des smart bitches mais ça m'a motivé à le lire et je regrette pas... Magnus *soupirs* (et ya pas que lui Tero et Hök se démerdent pas mal dans la couinitude)
Et Magnus et la petite Katia c'est trop chouuuuuu et Katia est l'héroïne du tome 2, je vais me jeter dessus xD
February 2, 2024
The first half was a five star read… too bad the author lost opportunities to drive the storyline and let angsty setups fizzle out. She had all the elements in
Place and didn’t follow through…I thought the last half was so boring and skimmed a lot.
Place and didn’t follow through…I thought the last half was so boring and skimmed a lot.
Read
March 10, 2022DNF
I cannot stand shrew women.
The only shrew I like is Auntie Shrew!
I cannot stand shrew women.
The only shrew I like is Auntie Shrew!
March 17, 2015
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.
Oooh this book was my first foray into a really, REALLY historical romance! This one is set in, like, the freaking 1100's in Viking country. It was touch and go for a while but I'm pretty sure that I liked this book!
Lida was awesome. I felt for her right away since she was being accused of being a whore. Not an auspicious way to start a book but it was pretty great. I liked how she wouldn't cower or lie to save her own ass. She just stood her ground and accepted that whatever would be would be. Of course, there were times, later on in the book, where I just wanted her to speak up and say what was on her mind. But that's just how things were back then, you know? Women weren't good for much but breeding. I also didn't love the parts where she didn't really like the Warlord yet but when he was Sexy Timing her, she all but melted into a puddle. I just hate when heroines do that - have a spine of steel until the almighty hero penis swoops in and all bets are off. Okay, so there weren't any swooping penises here but I hope you see my point! Thankfully, that was only for a short while and then it was back to the Lida I loved. Lida is a true heroine. She's brave in the face of danger and she won't be scared by people who may want to do her harm. She was a total bad ass, especially towards the end and it was awesome!
Magnus was a tougher one, as far as warming up to him went. It was pretty obvious from the start that he's a good man. He's looking for a wife but not just any woman will do. He's not sure what he's looking for but he'll know when he finds it. He actually has a list of attributes that he does not want in a wife but they were actually really funny... like, she should not have bad breath, etc. But after he meets Lida, I liked him a lot less. I disliked him and then I hated him. I also quit the book for hating him so much. Finally around the halfway point, he starts to get more and more likable. Instead of seeing what a cold, heartless, unfeeling bastard he was, it was easier to see that he had a huge capacity for love and that he had an open mind. It didn't hurt that he was a huge and fierce warrior. No, that didn't hurt at all! LOL!
I wouldn't really say that Lida and Magnus had a lot of emotional chemistry at first. They had sexual chemistry, for sure though. But that wasn't enough for me. I was much happier when they started getting along. I was so glad that Lida never resorted to theatrics with Magnus. It would have made her so much less. The fact that she dealt with him with honesty and whatever affection she had for him at the time made me respect her and I think it made Magus see her as more than just a brood mare. I also loved how Magnus slowly came to care for Lida's daughter and how surprised he was that he liked her so much. In fact, he finally realized that he wouldn't mind having more daughters!
It took me a while to like the hero but everything else about this book was spot on! Of course, I'm sure that I wasn't meant to like the hero so the author played me just right! LOL! There was a surprising amount of intrigue in the book and I'm not ashamed to tell you that it totally stressed me right out! I wished Lida would have seen it sooner but I can't fault her for trying to see the good in people. Oh and the secondary characters were pretty great too. The bad guys were just awful. But the good guys, like Magnus's second in command and like his brother, Hok, were amazing and funny. Especially, Hok since he added a lot of humor to his scenes. I don't love the chamber pots and the general lack of conveniences of this time period but dammit I really liked this book! I was surprised by how much I liked it. You should definitely give this book a chance... I can't wait to get to the second book in this series!!
Oooh this book was my first foray into a really, REALLY historical romance! This one is set in, like, the freaking 1100's in Viking country. It was touch and go for a while but I'm pretty sure that I liked this book!
Lida was awesome. I felt for her right away since she was being accused of being a whore. Not an auspicious way to start a book but it was pretty great. I liked how she wouldn't cower or lie to save her own ass. She just stood her ground and accepted that whatever would be would be. Of course, there were times, later on in the book, where I just wanted her to speak up and say what was on her mind. But that's just how things were back then, you know? Women weren't good for much but breeding. I also didn't love the parts where she didn't really like the Warlord yet but when he was Sexy Timing her, she all but melted into a puddle. I just hate when heroines do that - have a spine of steel until the almighty hero penis swoops in and all bets are off. Okay, so there weren't any swooping penises here but I hope you see my point! Thankfully, that was only for a short while and then it was back to the Lida I loved. Lida is a true heroine. She's brave in the face of danger and she won't be scared by people who may want to do her harm. She was a total bad ass, especially towards the end and it was awesome!
Magnus was a tougher one, as far as warming up to him went. It was pretty obvious from the start that he's a good man. He's looking for a wife but not just any woman will do. He's not sure what he's looking for but he'll know when he finds it. He actually has a list of attributes that he does not want in a wife but they were actually really funny... like, she should not have bad breath, etc. But after he meets Lida, I liked him a lot less. I disliked him and then I hated him. I also quit the book for hating him so much. Finally around the halfway point, he starts to get more and more likable. Instead of seeing what a cold, heartless, unfeeling bastard he was, it was easier to see that he had a huge capacity for love and that he had an open mind. It didn't hurt that he was a huge and fierce warrior. No, that didn't hurt at all! LOL!
I wouldn't really say that Lida and Magnus had a lot of emotional chemistry at first. They had sexual chemistry, for sure though. But that wasn't enough for me. I was much happier when they started getting along. I was so glad that Lida never resorted to theatrics with Magnus. It would have made her so much less. The fact that she dealt with him with honesty and whatever affection she had for him at the time made me respect her and I think it made Magus see her as more than just a brood mare. I also loved how Magnus slowly came to care for Lida's daughter and how surprised he was that he liked her so much. In fact, he finally realized that he wouldn't mind having more daughters!
It took me a while to like the hero but everything else about this book was spot on! Of course, I'm sure that I wasn't meant to like the hero so the author played me just right! LOL! There was a surprising amount of intrigue in the book and I'm not ashamed to tell you that it totally stressed me right out! I wished Lida would have seen it sooner but I can't fault her for trying to see the good in people. Oh and the secondary characters were pretty great too. The bad guys were just awful. But the good guys, like Magnus's second in command and like his brother, Hok, were amazing and funny. Especially, Hok since he added a lot of humor to his scenes. I don't love the chamber pots and the general lack of conveniences of this time period but dammit I really liked this book! I was surprised by how much I liked it. You should definitely give this book a chance... I can't wait to get to the second book in this series!!
July 26, 2016
DNF at 50% and the only reason I held out so long is because it was late in the evening and I did not have the brain capacity for a fresh book but still wanted to read something. Congratulations, this is the one of the worst books I've read this year. And again, I bought this on sale without having a look at the reading sample.. when do I ever learn?
I was hoping for some hot viking sex but instead I got terrible plot, irritating characters (the MC's daughter started out cute and then went from grating to eye-rollingly annoying), romance-through-rape (and so much awful sex), and fucking awful writing. Just.. no. The characters did not behave in any way fitting to their time and period, and everybody was behaving super anachronistically.
This whole thing seemed as if the author had just slapped some current time people templates into a Scandinavian setting and called it a day. Look, I am willing to suspend some measure of disbelief for the sake of entertainment in my historical romances but the historical inaccuracies were just all over the place. Yes, the MC's mother, a landowner's wife who worked on her farm every day, speaks five languages. And the MC's kid also speaks various languages. At the age of eight. In rural Finland. In 1050 AD. I DON'T THINK SO. I would have also liked to be more impressed by our heroine Lida's ability to identify a carpet as Persian but come on, so unlikely?! Where would she have seen such a thing in her life? I don't want to say that everybody who lived during the time in the region was primitive (far, far from it) but this was just incredibly shoddy writing, it was very jarring to read and made me increasingly angry. One of the later "highlights": kiddo decided to name some kittens "Mittens" and "Grouchy" and things just went even more downhill from there.
WHHHYYYYY
I was hoping for some hot viking sex but instead I got terrible plot, irritating characters (the MC's daughter started out cute and then went from grating to eye-rollingly annoying), romance-through-rape (and so much awful sex), and fucking awful writing. Just.. no. The characters did not behave in any way fitting to their time and period, and everybody was behaving super anachronistically.
This whole thing seemed as if the author had just slapped some current time people templates into a Scandinavian setting and called it a day. Look, I am willing to suspend some measure of disbelief for the sake of entertainment in my historical romances but the historical inaccuracies were just all over the place. Yes, the MC's mother, a landowner's wife who worked on her farm every day, speaks five languages. And the MC's kid also speaks various languages. At the age of eight. In rural Finland. In 1050 AD. I DON'T THINK SO. I would have also liked to be more impressed by our heroine Lida's ability to identify a carpet as Persian but come on, so unlikely?! Where would she have seen such a thing in her life? I don't want to say that everybody who lived during the time in the region was primitive (far, far from it) but this was just incredibly shoddy writing, it was very jarring to read and made me increasingly angry. One of the later "highlights": kiddo decided to name some kittens "Mittens" and "Grouchy" and things just went even more downhill from there.
WHHHYYYYY
July 21, 2019
Set in Viking times, the research was clearly very well done but the plot - and heroine - were very old-school dumb; I found the heroine's constant whining (and stupidity) so annoying that I really couldn't continue with the book.
May 8, 2022
I did not like this but really can't explain why.
September 15, 2023
Definitely more than four less than five stars. A good book plot 8(1-10) steaminess 7(1-10)
July 4, 2023
Well done!
August 25, 2022
DNF : 10%, this book is not for me
February 15, 2015
The Warlord's Wife was a good historical romance. It wasn't the best but I enjoyed it overall.
Let me start with what I liked about the book:
Magnus was amazing. Sweet, kinder than he let on, and always honorable. I loved how kind he was with Katria, Lida's daughter, and how protective he was of everyone under his care. He was wonderful and I totally adored him.
The second half of the book was great (we'll get to the first half later). It came with a few twists and thrills as a troublemaker continued to try to gain power. I could have done with some more build up of the secrets that came up, but that wasn't a big problem.
Katia was an adorable character. This little girl was vivacious and sweet and I really liked the addition of her character.
On the downside was mainly Lida. While, in the later half of the book, I appreciated her determination and strength, in the first half, I found myself constantly frustrated by her stubbornness. To start, she willingly agreed to marry Magnus, yet she constantly thought and acted like an unwilling bride. I didn't think she had any reason to, considering Magnus had specifically asked for her agreement to the marriage. And, I really didn't like how shrewish she was to Magnus. He was nothing but caring and kind and way more patient than he had reason to be. Yet, she constantly assumed the worst of him, even coming up with the stupidest accusations out of nothing. For example, within two minutes at arriving at his fortress, she meets two maids who were friendly with Magnus and she immediately came to the conclusion that they must be part of a whole harem that Magnus kept and painted herself as the martyr wife. I mean, even if he had been with them (which he hadn't) it would have been before their marriage and, consequently, none of her business to get upset about. And, when Magnus later got jealous about her clinging to her first husband's memory, she got upset about it, as if she hadn't done the same thing with less cause. I just felt like she created all these problems in her own mind and that was basically the entire conflict of the first half of the book. So, I wasn't happy with that.
In the second half, she did figure herself out and got a little better in my eyes. She still wasn't my favorite heroine, but I didn't openly dislike her anymore.
The fact that I didn't like the first half of the book but really liked the second half made this an overall okay book. In the end, I did like the story and Magnus's character made up for Lida. So, while not a great book, I thought The Warlord's Wife was a good read.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Let me start with what I liked about the book:
Magnus was amazing. Sweet, kinder than he let on, and always honorable. I loved how kind he was with Katria, Lida's daughter, and how protective he was of everyone under his care. He was wonderful and I totally adored him.
The second half of the book was great (we'll get to the first half later). It came with a few twists and thrills as a troublemaker continued to try to gain power. I could have done with some more build up of the secrets that came up, but that wasn't a big problem.
Katia was an adorable character. This little girl was vivacious and sweet and I really liked the addition of her character.
On the downside was mainly Lida. While, in the later half of the book, I appreciated her determination and strength, in the first half, I found myself constantly frustrated by her stubbornness. To start, she willingly agreed to marry Magnus, yet she constantly thought and acted like an unwilling bride. I didn't think she had any reason to, considering Magnus had specifically asked for her agreement to the marriage. And, I really didn't like how shrewish she was to Magnus. He was nothing but caring and kind and way more patient than he had reason to be. Yet, she constantly assumed the worst of him, even coming up with the stupidest accusations out of nothing. For example, within two minutes at arriving at his fortress, she meets two maids who were friendly with Magnus and she immediately came to the conclusion that they must be part of a whole harem that Magnus kept and painted herself as the martyr wife. I mean, even if he had been with them (which he hadn't) it would have been before their marriage and, consequently, none of her business to get upset about. And, when Magnus later got jealous about her clinging to her first husband's memory, she got upset about it, as if she hadn't done the same thing with less cause. I just felt like she created all these problems in her own mind and that was basically the entire conflict of the first half of the book. So, I wasn't happy with that.
In the second half, she did figure herself out and got a little better in my eyes. She still wasn't my favorite heroine, but I didn't openly dislike her anymore.
The fact that I didn't like the first half of the book but really liked the second half made this an overall okay book. In the end, I did like the story and Magnus's character made up for Lida. So, while not a great book, I thought The Warlord's Wife was a good read.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
March 5, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
The Warlord's Wife is book one from brand new author Sandra Lake.. and a very nice first book it is!
Lida married young, well typical for her time period, but her first child came just four months after the marriage and after the death of her husband. Politics abound and she was accused of having a bastard and disowned by the family. Turned away she was lucky to return back to her own home. Now 8 years later a visiting warlord wants her, as his wife. Only Lida doesn't want anther marriage. She just wants to grow old with her family.. But Jarl Magnus refuses to take no for an answer.. and Lida? Well she finds herself, bedded and wedded and on her way to a new home in less than 24 hours. Now she has to once again navigate her way into a new life.
Jarl Magnus wants a sturdy wife. Soft women don't last in the colds of the north. But he also wants a Swedish wife, to help cement treaties.. But all of the offerings leave him cold. Except on his way out of town he falls for a simple farm girl.. She's the one he wants. Magnus wants Lida from the very beginning. Her beautify captures him and her spirit keeps him bound but he can be something of a nitwit when it comes to women and he is constantly trying to control Lida or at least to make her do things beyond her wishes. Most of the time it's just because he wants more than a cold wife. That he has been captivated by the beautiful Lida.. only he is rather clueless on how to go about it.
These two have to struggle to discover who they are, how they work together and if they can ever become a true team. That should be hard enough but there are those who want them to fail and are willing to try anything to destroy them. It takes time and a true desire for their relationship to last and even that, could be too little too late.
This wasn't a perfect book but it was a good one. I am really looking forward to watching this author grow and develop her skills. She certainly has the talent..
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Warlord's Wife, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on March 17, 2015
The Warlord's Wife is book one from brand new author Sandra Lake.. and a very nice first book it is!
Lida married young, well typical for her time period, but her first child came just four months after the marriage and after the death of her husband. Politics abound and she was accused of having a bastard and disowned by the family. Turned away she was lucky to return back to her own home. Now 8 years later a visiting warlord wants her, as his wife. Only Lida doesn't want anther marriage. She just wants to grow old with her family.. But Jarl Magnus refuses to take no for an answer.. and Lida? Well she finds herself, bedded and wedded and on her way to a new home in less than 24 hours. Now she has to once again navigate her way into a new life.
Jarl Magnus wants a sturdy wife. Soft women don't last in the colds of the north. But he also wants a Swedish wife, to help cement treaties.. But all of the offerings leave him cold. Except on his way out of town he falls for a simple farm girl.. She's the one he wants. Magnus wants Lida from the very beginning. Her beautify captures him and her spirit keeps him bound but he can be something of a nitwit when it comes to women and he is constantly trying to control Lida or at least to make her do things beyond her wishes. Most of the time it's just because he wants more than a cold wife. That he has been captivated by the beautiful Lida.. only he is rather clueless on how to go about it.
These two have to struggle to discover who they are, how they work together and if they can ever become a true team. That should be hard enough but there are those who want them to fail and are willing to try anything to destroy them. It takes time and a true desire for their relationship to last and even that, could be too little too late.
This wasn't a perfect book but it was a good one. I am really looking forward to watching this author grow and develop her skills. She certainly has the talent..
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Warlord's Wife, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on March 17, 2015
March 19, 2015
Historical romance was my very first love. It was my first introduction to the genre in the sixth grade. I was 11. Since then, my love for historical romance has grown and expanded to other genres under the romance umbrella and beyond, but I always find that reading a well written historical romance always hits the spot.
The Warlord's Wife is one of the first romances I can recall reading set in the 12th century and only the second or third set in Sweden. I was hooked from the very first page. My introduction to Lida was brutal and I couldn't help but be shocked at how she was being treated. Fast forward eight years and Lida is happy with her circumstances. Until Jarl Magnus arrives and all of a sudden expresses interest in her.
It was interesting seeing an uninterested-in-marriage-Lida clash with a Magnus who used to unquestioned obedience. It was also interesting to see how Magnus handled his immediate duties acting as Katia's parent, even though little girls bewildered him. I love seeing him with her and the care he had for her. It's funny, the only place Magnus didn't struggle much with Lida was in bed. There the two of them were amazing. However that slowly changed as they came to learn about one another and trust each other.
Of course it didn't help there were forces outside their marriage trying to force them apart. I couldn't believe Magnus didn't see the threat, but then again he was used to men attacking him from the front and not behind, unlike this cunning enemy. I really wanted to do some violence to the perpetrators of treachery. I could feel Magnus's worry and Lida's fear for her family. I also liked how information was revealed that added twists I didn't see coming.
Thankfully, my journey with these wonderful characters will not end here. It seems Sandra Lake is now writing Katia's story and I can not wait to read it. I really think Sandra Lake did a phenomenal job with this book and I can't wait to see what wonderful stories she writes. If you're a fan of historical romance or just stories that have you on the edge of your seat, this one is for you!
The Warlord's Wife is one of the first romances I can recall reading set in the 12th century and only the second or third set in Sweden. I was hooked from the very first page. My introduction to Lida was brutal and I couldn't help but be shocked at how she was being treated. Fast forward eight years and Lida is happy with her circumstances. Until Jarl Magnus arrives and all of a sudden expresses interest in her.
It was interesting seeing an uninterested-in-marriage-Lida clash with a Magnus who used to unquestioned obedience. It was also interesting to see how Magnus handled his immediate duties acting as Katia's parent, even though little girls bewildered him. I love seeing him with her and the care he had for her. It's funny, the only place Magnus didn't struggle much with Lida was in bed. There the two of them were amazing. However that slowly changed as they came to learn about one another and trust each other.
Of course it didn't help there were forces outside their marriage trying to force them apart. I couldn't believe Magnus didn't see the threat, but then again he was used to men attacking him from the front and not behind, unlike this cunning enemy. I really wanted to do some violence to the perpetrators of treachery. I could feel Magnus's worry and Lida's fear for her family. I also liked how information was revealed that added twists I didn't see coming.
Thankfully, my journey with these wonderful characters will not end here. It seems Sandra Lake is now writing Katia's story and I can not wait to read it. I really think Sandra Lake did a phenomenal job with this book and I can't wait to see what wonderful stories she writes. If you're a fan of historical romance or just stories that have you on the edge of your seat, this one is for you!
August 1, 2016
Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
The Warlord’s Wife by Sandra Lake is a deliciously Old-Skooly historical romance set in 12th century Sweden. The hero was occasionally an alphahole, but like a lot of Old Skool heroes, it made his redemption all the more satisfying.
At first I thought this book wasn’t going to work for me, but then Magnus emerged from his emotional constipation tent. He finds that he loves Katia – a lot – and there are some really adorable scenes between the two of them. He displays her artwork like a proud papa. He orders another Viking to play horsies with her to which the other Viking dryly replies “Excellent, I always wanted to be a mama horse.” He gives her a dog, but not a sweet puppy, a well trained hound who will rip the face off of anyone who tries to hurt her. He decides she has to be trained to be a shield maiden because she might need to kill a dude someday (Magnus is practical like that). It is adorbs.
Then there’s the crazy dramatic plot. There’s an agent in Magnus’s household who is plotting to get rid of Lida so her own daughter can marry Magnus. Lida’s shitty ex-family-in-law might be causing shenanigans. Winter is coming.
If you don’t mind a hero in serious need of redemption or some over-the-top villains and you dig medieval historicals, this book is right up your alley. It’s like The Wolf and the Dove minus all the rape and enslavement.
I’m really enjoying the balancing of Old Skool themes in modern historicals, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the Sons of the North series.
- Elyse
The Warlord’s Wife by Sandra Lake is a deliciously Old-Skooly historical romance set in 12th century Sweden. The hero was occasionally an alphahole, but like a lot of Old Skool heroes, it made his redemption all the more satisfying.
At first I thought this book wasn’t going to work for me, but then Magnus emerged from his emotional constipation tent. He finds that he loves Katia – a lot – and there are some really adorable scenes between the two of them. He displays her artwork like a proud papa. He orders another Viking to play horsies with her to which the other Viking dryly replies “Excellent, I always wanted to be a mama horse.” He gives her a dog, but not a sweet puppy, a well trained hound who will rip the face off of anyone who tries to hurt her. He decides she has to be trained to be a shield maiden because she might need to kill a dude someday (Magnus is practical like that). It is adorbs.
Then there’s the crazy dramatic plot. There’s an agent in Magnus’s household who is plotting to get rid of Lida so her own daughter can marry Magnus. Lida’s shitty ex-family-in-law might be causing shenanigans. Winter is coming.
If you don’t mind a hero in serious need of redemption or some over-the-top villains and you dig medieval historicals, this book is right up your alley. It’s like The Wolf and the Dove minus all the rape and enslavement.
I’m really enjoying the balancing of Old Skool themes in modern historicals, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the Sons of the North series.
- Elyse
December 17, 2015
This tale of Northern Europe during the Viking period is really well researched and written. A young woman in Finland is thrown out after her husband dies, and raises her baby in her own family's hall. A few years later a Swedish jarl or landowner is returning from a trade mission and sees this fine strong young woman, who has already had a healthy child, and decides that she would make a good wife.
Magnus finds it hard to win the trust of Lida, but her family is willing to haggle and the bishop has decreed stealing women to be forbidden. Magnus has to bargain with Lida who demands a name and land for her daughter. Thus begins Lida's new life with Katia to care for and Magnus, and his people, to respect.
I really failed to see why Lida did not accept her circumstances and make the best of them, given that she could lead a very comfortable life with thralls and food and clothes beyond the dreams of most women at that time. She is mourning her lost husband, but surely the hard farmwork would have knocked that out of her and she would have grabbed the new status with both hands. Instead she keeps quarrelling with her new husband and refusing him the support he badly needs to feed dozens of his tribe. This aside, it's a fine romance and historical exploration.
Magnus finds it hard to win the trust of Lida, but her family is willing to haggle and the bishop has decreed stealing women to be forbidden. Magnus has to bargain with Lida who demands a name and land for her daughter. Thus begins Lida's new life with Katia to care for and Magnus, and his people, to respect.
I really failed to see why Lida did not accept her circumstances and make the best of them, given that she could lead a very comfortable life with thralls and food and clothes beyond the dreams of most women at that time. She is mourning her lost husband, but surely the hard farmwork would have knocked that out of her and she would have grabbed the new status with both hands. Instead she keeps quarrelling with her new husband and refusing him the support he badly needs to feed dozens of his tribe. This aside, it's a fine romance and historical exploration.
September 25, 2015
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
This book has a solid 5 star idea, but unfortunately, the execution was only 3½ stars for me. In this way, it reminds me a bit of Beautiful Wreck, where there is a great idea, but the exection leaves the reader a bit wanting. But my 3½ star rating is not certainly a bad thing, but I feel as if this story could be so much better if:
- I would have a better idea of the timeline of things (I felt that the timeline was kind of skippy (?!)).
- I had had a chance to get to know our hero Magnus better. He was pretty cool in this version as well, but I wish that I had gotten to know him better.
- The whole conflict part between the hero and heroine was solved more delicately or in more detail for the reader. Our heroine Lida does not really want to wed Magnus in the beginning and I felt that their hating each other was solved too easily and fast.
On the positive side of things, // My review continues HERE.
This book has a solid 5 star idea, but unfortunately, the execution was only 3½ stars for me. In this way, it reminds me a bit of Beautiful Wreck, where there is a great idea, but the exection leaves the reader a bit wanting. But my 3½ star rating is not certainly a bad thing, but I feel as if this story could be so much better if:
- I would have a better idea of the timeline of things (I felt that the timeline was kind of skippy (?!)).
- I had had a chance to get to know our hero Magnus better. He was pretty cool in this version as well, but I wish that I had gotten to know him better.
- The whole conflict part between the hero and heroine was solved more delicately or in more detail for the reader. Our heroine Lida does not really want to wed Magnus in the beginning and I felt that their hating each other was solved too easily and fast.
On the positive side of things, // My review continues HERE.
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