Heart of a Viking

by Samantha Holt

HEART OF A VIKING includes a bonus viking novella ALREK

Taken

Captured as a slave, Keita must use all her wits to survive the brutal world of the Norsemen. After a treacherous journey across the sea to a new world, her new owner bestows a blessing upon her--no man may touch her. Her purity becomes her salvation...and her curse.

Forbidden.

Thorarin had planned his revenge for ten years. He does not need his attention diverted by a slave girl. To touch her is to risk everything. Including his life.

Tempted.

The pull between them is strong. Thorarin must fulfil his revenge against Keita's owner and she must remain untouched or risk being tossed aside as nothing more than a tattered sail on a Viking ship. Can they resist one another, knowing that just one touch could mean the end of everything for them both?

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Historical Fiction

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 29, 2016

About the author

Samantha Holt resides in Warwickshire, England, with her twin girls, having followed her soldier husband around the UK for nearly 10 years. Growing up in Hampshire, she was inspired by the authors Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, both of whom lived and wrote only miles from her home town.

Samantha loves the romance genre and has been devouring romantic literature for as long as she can remember. History is another passion of hers and she loves to combine her love for history and romance into exciting and passionate tales.

Reviews

[Nessa]

Dropped.

Is it wrong of me to find the story boring because it features a good-hearted male lead out for revenge and a heroine who is tepid as weak tea?

[a_tiffyfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, quick to read romance. I like highlander romances, so vikings just go back a few more centuries to similar warrior style things I like. This one came with an extra novella that was a nice read. I would've liked more on that story, too...flesh it all out, but it was very satisfying.

The main novel focuses on a revenge story and a princess from the wrong side of the sheets, easily given up by her father as if she were no more than a farm animal. Given into slavery, she lucks out and isn't turned into a sex slave right away, the jarl thinking she brings him luck.

Enter new warrior, harboring a secret revenge, and that warrior and princess fall for one another. I enjoyed the read! This is currently free on amazon.

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Best Laid Plans💕of The Princess Slave👸💋

Alpha Viking Male Historical Adult Romance, Circa 839 AD.

Kieta💋👸, a young Virgin Pict woman, and illegitimate Princess daughter of the Pict👑King, is traded to Viking invaders, to get them to leave the Pict village alone.

Kieta👸💋 is taken back to Norway to become a pure, untouchable good luck charm for the Viking Jarl, Ragni👹. She is a slave, but no man can touch her without being beaten or killed by the 👑Jarl. All she thinks about is figuring out some way to escape.

One Viking man, Thorarin🐺🍆🌋🔪🔨, is a recent arrival to the village. He is a warrior🔪🔨 who tells Ragni👹 he lost his wife and child and wants to go back to fighting and raiding. He speaks Pict also and sees in Kieta🐺🍆🌋🔪🔨, a kindred soul, since they are two lonely people who do not fit in. Ragni👹 seems to like Thorarin, he's a man's man! Kieta👸💋 likes Thorarin🐺🌋🌋🔨🔨 too, but she doesn't know what a man is! Yet!

Thorarin🐺🍆🌋🔪🔨 has an ulterior motive for his presence in the Viking Village. Ragni👹 banished him as an eight year old boy, years ago, for a murder he did not commit. Thorarin🐺🍆🌋🔪🔨 barely survived for years. He has vowed to get his revenge by using Ragni's worthless son as leverage against him, and then killing him.

ARC Received for a Voluntary and Honest Review.
I also got The book📑 with KU.

The book is written in all modern English, with some archaic words used as nouns. Its first and foremost a fantasy 💘Love story centered around ancient culture.

I liked the book, but the reader won't really learn anything much about Viking history here. Just enjoy the Adult XXX Romance in an ancient setting!

The second book, a Novella was really good, too. Romantical!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance drives the plot not sex

Keita and Thorarin are hiding secrets. Even though she’s learned her place as a slave, she still plans to escape. Her protection as the jarl’s virginal good luck piece won’t last forever. Meanwhile, Thorarin bides his time to exact revenge on the jarl but worries when his actions endanger Keita.

This is a low key romance that focuses on love, not lust. The sex isn’t vulgar or explicit. I would have preferred more heat but that’s just a personal preference not a flaw with the book.

The second story takes up a third of the book and has the opposite plot. In Alrek, a young Pictish widow holds a Viking warrior captive after she rescues him from a shipwreck.

Both stories are about two people who are incredibly attracted to one another but resist their desire for a greater purpose—safety, revenge, honor. That resistance lets these stories build and their romance grow before giving in to their feelings.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keita is an illegitimate princess from Pictland and was given away by her family to the Viking raiders in exchange for them not to pillage her father's keep as well as to prevent bloodshed. While at sea, two of the Viking ships sank during a storm, only the one where Keita is was spared. As a result Ragni, the jarl, thought that Keita brought him good luck and so she remained a virgin yet still a slave. Then Thorarin came along to jeopardize her situation. Bent on revenge upon Ragni for banishing him when he was a boy (and killing his family after he left), Thorarin is the catalyst to most of the troubles that beset Keita and the villagers. By stealing the taxes for the king to make Ragni look weak, Thorarin also ensured that the jarl would again tax the people and punish even a boy for stealing due to lack of food and other resources owing to the burden of additional taxation. The theft and the damaged sail (so they can not go a~Viking) made Keita's 'charm' now dubious and useless. Such is the volatile situation Thorarin has created.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEART OF A VIKING is a stand-alone romance set in historical Norway.

I have to admit, for me part of the appeal was the cover. I’m not usually swayed by a pretty cover, but this guy actually looks like my son! He even gets that intense look on his face when he’s being serious.

Speaking of… I thought this story was intense and serious. Keita was in a precarious position as a virgin slave princess, especially when finds herself falling for Thorarin. It kept me turning the pages long after midnight.

I enjoyed the intrigue of their secrets and attraction. I adore any story that extols the idea that love can heal the wounded heart. Add in emotion and sexy temptations and it is sure to bring goosebumps again and again.

Note: while I was given this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.



Title: HEART OF A VIKING
Series: N/A
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Samantha Holt (as an ARC gifted copy)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting and gripping story of love, betrayal and revenge. Betrayals by harsh leaders led to heartache for Thorarin and Keita, but love heals them. A plan of revenge is what Thorarin has been living for, until he sees Keita, then he starts to wonder if revenge is the most important thing in his life. Drama and suspense play huge roles their lives, survival is not guaranteed. It's a captivating and engrossing storyline with characters that are fascinating.

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

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Exciting, suspenseful, hot, emotional and so much more. She is untouched and is a slave girl under him. They are attracted to each other big time. But he can't touch her. There is only so much temptation you can hold off. I loved and enjoyed this and will read it again. It grabs your attention and keeps it. l was given a review copy by booksprout and voluntarily review it.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two great reads

The Heart of a Viking was wonderfully written. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. It is a story of revenge, trust, and love. I do wish there was more to it. It was complete and had an epilogue, but I could have read more.
However, I must admit the the short story, Alreck, that is included was even better. Hate that it was so short. Full of love and emotion. Make sure you don't skip it.

[Florida Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The passion between Thorarin and Keita was sizzling, even before they spent the night together. Every time they were together, I was praying & hoping they wouldn't be found out. I didn't want them to be separated. You can't help but root for them! Great storyline and it kept me reading; I couldn't put the book down. I can't wait to read other books by this author.

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

[Susan Mcclellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mighty battle

The battle has been forstalled in exchange for gold, jewels, and the princess born out of wedlock. As the illegitimate daughter of the king, Keita had always imagined that her life would consist of an arranged marriage to the son of a minor player in the kingdom 's politics. To be given to a raiding party of Vikings. The twists in the intrigue to come keep you wondering what is going to happen. The bonus book tells ofijx

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two tales, two different couples in two different locations.

First we meet Keita and Thorarin. A story of a young Pict woman taken as a slave by Vikings and the Viking who stole her heart despite them both fighting against it.

Second tale we meet Alrek and Ilsa. A rugged Viking whose past included fighting Picts, now he has been rescued and fallen in love with one.

Short stories that both packed quite a punch to the heart, especially the second one.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

she is taken as a slave by the Norsemen but then they tell everyone no one is too touch her as she is a virgin. it is her protection but also a curse. she feel drawn to one who all he wants is revenge. see if they can keep their hands off each other

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

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story and was very entertaining. Once I started I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is sizzling hot. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a great love story.

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

[Devika Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorarin and Keita really captured my attention, and my heart. I liked it that the heroine was no weakling and that the hero showed kindness beneath his tough exterior. Ultimately, revenge didn't become the most important thing on his mind - and escape not the most important thing on hers. Vividly written, emotional and fast-paced, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brooding tale of repressed passion and underlying resentments. The story is well written and the frustrations are palpable. It's a story that feels realistic in the descriptions of the way of life of the Vikings and their slaves. A page turning romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end. Plus a really good bonus novella.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a long ago time with interesting characters and a simple but effective plot, this book will capture your imagination. I felt her pain when her father forced her new life on her. I read this book hoping that she might overcome her misfortune. I loved his character and his alpha maleness. A thoroughly engaging read.

[SuzyHD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Good Stories

I enjoyed both of these tales. In the first tale there was quite a lot of repetitive dialogue which made the story longer than it needed to be. The shorter tale for me was more enjoyable, short and right to the point. I gave this book four stars based on my lack of interest for repetitive dialogue.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and enjoyable read. It's a tale of survival, revenge, and undeniable passion. I liked Keita and Thorarin's story. I felt they had good chemistry and emotional connection. This is my honest, voluntary review.

[Ann L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books were you just keep turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Action packed and I liked it

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

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written book that I could not put down I had to know what was going to happen to Keita and if she and Thorarin would get a happy ending. I enjoyed reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I had also bought it.

[Ann Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging story about a girl sold into slavery by her family and a young man bent on revenge. Well-written, this book is interesting. I enjoyed it very much.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim F · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book. Extremely Entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.

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

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

The revenge thing kind of sputtered at the end. The romance was predictable. For all the talk of turning everyone against the old jarl, we didn't see much of that. Sort of felt like the bones of a story no one bothered to flash out properly.

[Cindy Coker · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book immensly, I felt at times that it didnt flow. The interactions between the H/H were enjoyable, the other interactions with sub-characters left a bit to be desired. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the heat in this book with the H/H. Well written and wonderfully steamy.

[Laila Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarm, well written, emotional, passionate and easy to read story. I like the author has taken time to research. Characters likeable. Standalone. Romance that is true to the timeperiod. Drama, chemistry, love, virgin, alpha male and twists are mixed together and makes it worth the read.

[Shirley Hamlod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like books written in this era but they are not common so this was a treat. I enjoyed the first story about love and revenge. It gave an insight into the lives of slaves in that time period. The novella was also a pleasant bonus which I also enjoyed. A good read.

[Mary Stockwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

Although this is categorized as a romance, it is mostly about surviving being sold into slavery and overcoming being wrongly accused and losing everything. Getting revenge and then true love. It is mostly dark and intense with a HEA.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Really good book. Very well written and the characters were well written. Loved the cover for this book too lol

[Cynthia Meyerhoefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two good books in one

Characters well developed. Plots are fun. Nothing terribly deep, but lots of fun. Both books are a good, enjoyable read.