New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Zoe York is a busy working mom of two young boys, wife to a very understanding soldier, and creator of modern, sexy, small town contemporary romances.
She lives in London, Ontario and is currently chugging Americanos, wiping sticky fingers, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.
Read for smutty bookclub... I would have liked this better if I didn't have persistent worries about WHY these vikings left earth & if the hero was secretly a red-pilled tiki torcher
This was a pretty good story. I liked Reinn and Ashleigh and their story was interesting and hot. This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked it well enough that I'll probably try more of her work in the future.
In this story, it's far in the future and many years before some Earthlings (specifically ones of Viking descent) decided to find another planet to live on in order to keep their traditions and such from being obliterated by the Earth government. They colonized a planet they call Midgard and it's a mix between older Viking traditions and newer technology.
Ashleigh is a member of the Earth space military/diplomatic force. The Midgard planet has a mineral that Earth needs and Ashleigh and others have been sent to the planet for a 3 month assignment to learn about the culture and try to pave the way to working together more in the future and opening trade avenues that were previously closed.
Reinn is the second son of the King of Midgard. He's a scientist that specializes in agricultural areas. He's a stanch supporter of the traditions and isn't happy about the possibility of people from off world coming to Midgard and ruining their planet. He's been assigned to be a liaison for the Earth diplomats coming to the planet but he's not exactly happy about how things could turn out.
When Ashleigh arrives on Midgard and meets Reinn the attraction is strong and mutual. They talk about things but Ashleigh is determined to be professional and tells Reinn they can't be together. That's easier said than done though and once Reinn realizes his feelings for Ashleigh aren't just about lust, he's all in to make her his. There is some effort in convincing Ashleigh of that though as well as the issue of figuring out how she could get out of her commission and be able to stay on Midgard with him. Ashleigh holds back but once Reinn gets her to seriously drop her defenses she's all in too and it's a lot easier for them. Things do get worked out so that Reinn adn Ashleigh end the story with a HEA.
This was a pretty enjoyable story. I liked Reinn and Ashleigh. Their story was quick but it worked for it's length as long as you're ok with "love at first sight" stories. Overall, this was an enjoyable story and I wouldn't mind reading more about Vikings in space. :D
The concept of Vikings in space is hilarious, so I assumed this would be somewhat amusing. It could be, I have no idea because I couldn't get past the second scene. The H is oversharing pointless shit as he broods in his own head about like, trying to fuck his best friend and his ex-wife cheating on him and his dad doesn't like him and I'm just like... who the hell is this guy and why should I care about his daddy issues? All I know about either of these characters is that they are from different planets and are making fucky-eyes at each other but I'm already getting their list of grievances with life? Can't somebody just tell me why we're on this planet and how the hell Vikings from Earth got there?
Previously found in the Vikings Unleashed collection
I loved this story! Even with its sci-fi theme, it's still the basic story of two people trying to bring their cultures together and create peace between them, at the same time discovering that they too share something in common - a deep attraction to each other that won't be denied. The world building in this story is fantastic and believable, bringing the planet of Midgard to life. Reinn is wonderful as a dominant handsome man with a tender and caring side that shows how important his people and his family are to him. Ashleigh is a determined young woman who takes her job seriously. She is beautiful and sweet and seeing Reinn's compassionate side makes her want things she shouldn't, like letting him in to her carefully guarded heart. The sexual chemistry between them is strong and compelling and the love scenes were really steamy! I hope to read more of this world Zoe has created in the future.
**Read as part of the Galloping Abs Society book club**
So, uh.
I mean, I've read worse.
Mostly it was really confusing, because the characters had no sense of consistency, or emotions, or, I don't know, ANY REASON WHATSOEVER FOR THEIR INTERNAL STRUGGLES?? Also, how did the Vikings get into space? Does it matter that no one is ever actually in space? Since they're always planetside? And why do they wear historic Viking garb? If these so-called Vikings came from historic Viking culture, how did they get spaceship technology to travel to a different planet? And if they came from our own time period, why have they become so obsessed with their history to the extent that they ride horses, drink mead, and wear furs and leather? And if-- OH NO I'VE GONE CROSSEYED.
If you want to read this, at least do so with a group of friends with whom you can share quotes and snippets, because that's what really made this worth it.
I was expecting more SF elements. It's way more romance with a dash of SF. Lots of references to sex and several sex scenes; not sure that I'd call it erotic romance but I could see how some might. And no arrows at all, despite the cover art. Not quite what I was hoping for but well done for what it was.
Went in looking for a fantasy/Sci-fi book with a nice helping of romance. Got an Erotica book with a healthy splash of a Sci-fi/Fantasy world. The world had limited impact on the plot, what there was of it. Also, a serious case of insta-love. The thing is, if the plot had been expanded and the novella expanded into a full book it likely would have been better for me. Probably won't be continuing on in this series.
I do think there is an audience for this novella I just think appropriate expectations will help. It is destiny to be disappointed in a book when you are expecting and craving something else.
I'm not really a science fiction fan, I like my contemporary or paranormal romances. To put it bluntly I only got this novel because, at the time, it was free after Christmas. I was expecting the literary equivalent of a low budget movie on Syfy. So, imagine my shock when I found myself no only liking this book, but looking forward to reading more.
This is the cute futuristic story of the Viking Reinn and the Earthwoman Ashleigh she is on a diplomatic mission and he is her liaison. Sparks fly between these two immediately ! I enjoyed watching them fight the chemistry between them. As the second son of the King and divorced he knows she's his mate and sets about seducing her with a vengeance . Cute short story that I enjoyed.
3 stars First let me start that this is a short story. As such i would have liked more story less sex so i took one star away for that. I am always hesitant to read novellas or short stories because they always leave me wanting more. So if i leave a review for one i stick to the writing style and not character development. This book had a good flow to it. A slight introduction that lead right into the catalyst that brings the mc's together. Since its short its an instant attraction. This is where things happen yet they sholdnt but it will be ok with no real explanation. Which I find is typical of these kinds of stories. The characters were likable, even a few supporting ones. So if you want a fast read where the MC's have an instant connection, several sex scenes, space travel (but not aliens, theyre humans) with a happey ever after then this book is for you.
It's 2 damn short!! It's good that he will try everything in his power 2 help his people and he felt very different than he has in the past and it makes him crazy. It's surprising that she felt the same way about him in the very short x they have known each other. Now they get 2 try and have areal future 2gether. I can't wait 4 more asap!!
Ashleigh was on a diplomatic mission. Reinn was to show them his planet. He was against this until he saw Ashleigh he knew she was his bride. Now he had to convince her. I enjoy Zoe York's stories. They are always steamy hot. This one is more so than usual. But when you consider the customs of the planet they are visiting not totally out of line.
The story's pace was well set, keeping you interested in what happens next. The chemistry between the characters was balanced and steamy. I truly enjoyed this book and look f
I really liked the idea of a culture that took off to live both in the past AND present. They had the best of both worlds without losing their history. And they didn't forgo the conveniences of modern day.
A fun read to begin a new series. A diplomatic mission to a planet colonized by Vikings (future). A unusual take on earth colonizing another planet then earth wanting to establish trade and tourism. A fun read. I liked it.
I liked the characters, the plot and the descriptions of the foreign world. The characters were entertaining. I am looking forward to book 2. HEA, No cheating, no cliffhanger, just a sort of lead-in to book 2. Enjoy!
I was so excited about this book! Vikings in space?! They reconstructed a whole world according to Viking lore and even have "unicorns" and "dragons," alien fauna that happen to conform to Earth ideals(?). But like these mysterious fauna that are mentioned but never actually seen, the idea of this book is way more awesome than the actual story.
The heroine is a young officer on a trade negotiation mission to the Viking world. The hero is a divorced prince/scientist who wants to ensure that the negotiations get the medicine (?) their world needs without opening them up to Earth exploitation (?). If they give in to their mutual attraction, both king and military will be pissed (?). And if the heroine decides to follow her heart and marry the prince, she will have to give up her promising military career (?) to stay on the Viking world.
Notice the number of question marks in the previous paragraphs? Yes. I spent most of this book being confused.
It's excellent writing. But it oddly felt like "Book Five" or something, where all the information has already been shared, and the reader already ought to know what's going on.
I bet this author is great with sports romance or contemporary. I can't read another Zoe York sf because I will drop dead of disappointment.
5 stars for ability to write, 1 star for confused plot and skipping all the good parts = 3 stars.