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Merciful Surrender: Viking Historical Romance
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2026
About the author
Violetta Rand
51 books286 followersRaised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Violetta Rand spent her childhood reading, writing, and playing soccer. After meeting her husband in New England, they moved to Alaska where she studied environmental science. Violetta spent a decade working as a scientist before quitting her day job to pursue her dream as a full time writer.
Violetta still lives in Anchorage, Alaska, and spends her days writing evocative contemporary and historical romance. When she’s not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys time with her husband, pets, and friends.
Violetta still lives in Anchorage, Alaska, and spends her days writing evocative contemporary and historical romance. When she’s not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys time with her husband, pets, and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 3, 2026
I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy a good book dedication, and this one did not disappoint. Unfortunately, this was the high point for me. The premise was good, and I thought the cover art was pretty- which made me ask for a copy.
The biggest detractor for me was the actual writing. The world building was not done well, characters were one dimensional and many of their actions didn't make sense, based on the information the reader had. The sentences were short, incomplete or started with "And" which I have been taught is a major "no-no." Here are a few examples, without giving away plot points:
"And Rachelle feared there was no one to speak on her behalf. Or to protect her interests."
"Those dark eyes moved rapidly over."
"She eyeballed the sword at his hip."
"And that friar was here out of duty, and nothing more."
"And his gut moaned from hunger."
This writing seemed more like a first draft than a complete book ready for publication. It was distracting, and ultimately so frustrating for me that it was difficult to see past it to read the story. I was constantly "pulled out of the story" and unable enjoy what was going on. This book would benefit from several more deep dives by proofreaders.
Another issue I had with this one was the gratuitous use of Viking language (my ignorance is showing here...I am not sure what language it was, I am assuming.). I don't have a problem when authors do this, usually it is one or two words, used as an endearment or expletive, and either way the meaning can be inferred using context clues. Other times the meaning is conveyed by another character subtly defining it or the main character doing it- all works for me, and doesn't take away from the story. In this case, there are whole paragraphs that are in this language and then immediately afterwards it is defined. It felt pointless when it was done this way and maybe even an attempt to make the story longer, for no reason other than increasing the word count.
I feel like I have been pretty harsh, and I feel conflicted about that because when someone shares their stories with others I understand there is an inherent vulnerability there. This one good be good, but the writing detracts so much that I just can't get past it. Maybe take this one back, do some major revisions, flesh out characters and the world better and it could be really good.
I enjoy a good book dedication, and this one did not disappoint. Unfortunately, this was the high point for me. The premise was good, and I thought the cover art was pretty- which made me ask for a copy.
The biggest detractor for me was the actual writing. The world building was not done well, characters were one dimensional and many of their actions didn't make sense, based on the information the reader had. The sentences were short, incomplete or started with "And" which I have been taught is a major "no-no." Here are a few examples, without giving away plot points:
"And Rachelle feared there was no one to speak on her behalf. Or to protect her interests."
"Those dark eyes moved rapidly over."
"She eyeballed the sword at his hip."
"And that friar was here out of duty, and nothing more."
"And his gut moaned from hunger."
This writing seemed more like a first draft than a complete book ready for publication. It was distracting, and ultimately so frustrating for me that it was difficult to see past it to read the story. I was constantly "pulled out of the story" and unable enjoy what was going on. This book would benefit from several more deep dives by proofreaders.
Another issue I had with this one was the gratuitous use of Viking language (my ignorance is showing here...I am not sure what language it was, I am assuming.). I don't have a problem when authors do this, usually it is one or two words, used as an endearment or expletive, and either way the meaning can be inferred using context clues. Other times the meaning is conveyed by another character subtly defining it or the main character doing it- all works for me, and doesn't take away from the story. In this case, there are whole paragraphs that are in this language and then immediately afterwards it is defined. It felt pointless when it was done this way and maybe even an attempt to make the story longer, for no reason other than increasing the word count.
I feel like I have been pretty harsh, and I feel conflicted about that because when someone shares their stories with others I understand there is an inherent vulnerability there. This one good be good, but the writing detracts so much that I just can't get past it. Maybe take this one back, do some major revisions, flesh out characters and the world better and it could be really good.
June 6, 2026
We have the second book in this series where Jarl Tyr Sigurdsson is rescued by Saxon Lady Rachelle Fuentes.
Rachelle has already lost her parents years ago and she only has her Uncle Henry left. She braves the battlefield looking through the wounded praying she can find him.
She does not she finds Tyr instead. When she follows him and he rescues her something shifts and he decides to keep her and take her home!
But Tyr is very virile and because of the lost of men a Saxon is not welcome!
Tyr does try to protect Rachelle but she is willful and somewhat stupid to trust strangers in a strange land! That trust leads her to get into a more dangerous situation! Will Rachelle ever reunite with her uncle and her best friend?
Can she trust the Jarl Tyr!? He tries to be patient but he is a man used to authority! I would have liked an epilogue since the ending was abrupt!
I received an ARC copy for my unbiased opinion from Netgalley!
Rachelle has already lost her parents years ago and she only has her Uncle Henry left. She braves the battlefield looking through the wounded praying she can find him.
She does not she finds Tyr instead. When she follows him and he rescues her something shifts and he decides to keep her and take her home!
But Tyr is very virile and because of the lost of men a Saxon is not welcome!
Tyr does try to protect Rachelle but she is willful and somewhat stupid to trust strangers in a strange land! That trust leads her to get into a more dangerous situation! Will Rachelle ever reunite with her uncle and her best friend?
Can she trust the Jarl Tyr!? He tries to be patient but he is a man used to authority! I would have liked an epilogue since the ending was abrupt!
I received an ARC copy for my unbiased opinion from Netgalley!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Religion, Revolts, Romance:
This fast-paced story took me through many different situations, various emotions, along with a cart load of betrayals, a few sizzling situations.
Rachelle is escaping from the battle and comes across Tyr a wounded warrior and from that point on their adventurous love story takes hold.
This book has been published before under a different name which I had not read so I am so delighted to get to read this remake which is an awesome story that had me on the edge of seat the entire book which the authors wonderfully descriptive writing made me feel like I was right
there with the entire cast of characters.
💋 Mature Advisory:2+/5
😡Cover was beautiful but it hit my failure button. Cover shows Tyr with black hair and in the story, he has blond hair. This is my pet peeve
This fast-paced story took me through many different situations, various emotions, along with a cart load of betrayals, a few sizzling situations.
Rachelle is escaping from the battle and comes across Tyr a wounded warrior and from that point on their adventurous love story takes hold.
This book has been published before under a different name which I had not read so I am so delighted to get to read this remake which is an awesome story that had me on the edge of seat the entire book which the authors wonderfully descriptive writing made me feel like I was right
there with the entire cast of characters.
💋 Mature Advisory:2+/5
😡Cover was beautiful but it hit my failure button. Cover shows Tyr with black hair and in the story, he has blond hair. This is my pet peeve
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews