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Conquered by the Viking
Eighteen-year-old Merewyn has seen enough of Vikings to know she hates them, so when a group of shipwrecked Norsemen decide to stay in her home for the winter she is quite upset. But these men are different from the Vikings she encountered previously, and their leader seems set on ensuring that Merewyn and her infant brother are kept safe. As the weeks pass, Merewyn finds herself falling for her uninvited guest, but will his people accept her as their leader’s wife?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2018
354 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Ashe Barker
140 books807 followersUntil 2010, Ashe was a director of a regeneration company before deciding there had to be more to life and leaving to pursue a lifetime goal of self-employment.
Ashe has been an avid reader of erotic romance for many years—historical, contemporary, fantasy—you name it. Now, at last in control of her own time and working from her home in rural West Yorkshire, she has been able to realise her dream of writing sexy and compelling stories herself.
She draws on settings and anecdotes from her previous and current experience to lend colour, detail and realism to her plots and characters, but her stories of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of her own imagination. She loves to craft strong, enigmatic men and bright, sassy women to give them a hard time—in every sense of the word.
When she’s not writing, Ashe’s time is monopolised by her role as grandma to a lively toddler. She shares her writing space with a tortoise called Teefer.
Ashe has been an avid reader of erotic romance for many years—historical, contemporary, fantasy—you name it. Now, at last in control of her own time and working from her home in rural West Yorkshire, she has been able to realise her dream of writing sexy and compelling stories herself.
She draws on settings and anecdotes from her previous and current experience to lend colour, detail and realism to her plots and characters, but her stories of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of her own imagination. She loves to craft strong, enigmatic men and bright, sassy women to give them a hard time—in every sense of the word.
When she’s not writing, Ashe’s time is monopolised by her role as grandma to a lively toddler. She shares her writing space with a tortoise called Teefer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
November 26, 2018
Not Bad
I was a bit disappointed by nice Vikings, but it wasn't terrible. I could have done without the multiple spankings too and the reasons were so contrived. Sigh...Not much plot, not much tension and the romance was limited.
I was a bit disappointed by nice Vikings, but it wasn't terrible. I could have done without the multiple spankings too and the reasons were so contrived. Sigh...Not much plot, not much tension and the romance was limited.
December 8, 2018
I read this book as part one of two, back to back with Her Celtic Masters. It may be read as a standalone but is so much better when read together with the second book. These two books are similar to Ms. Barker's trilogy of Her Rogue Viking, Her Dark Viking, and Her Celtic Captor. They take us through a bit of the expansion of the Viking culture through the spirit of some of it's people. It further explores the melding of the Viking and Celtic peoples.
Although beautifully historical, there is plenty of spanking, hot sex and D/s themes within the relationships of all main characters but with less BDSM than in some of the author's other works that I have read. The stories and excellent writing really helped me to feel the desires, drives and personal goals of Vikings and Celts during this period. The books have action, adventure and adversity, but superior HEA endings for a lot of characters. The HEAs in part one are good but many even more satisfying and uplifting at the end of part two.
Although beautifully historical, there is plenty of spanking, hot sex and D/s themes within the relationships of all main characters but with less BDSM than in some of the author's other works that I have read. The stories and excellent writing really helped me to feel the desires, drives and personal goals of Vikings and Celts during this period. The books have action, adventure and adversity, but superior HEA endings for a lot of characters. The HEAs in part one are good but many even more satisfying and uplifting at the end of part two.
March 27, 2020
Though the sexy times are hot, dirty, and very well done, I feel the rest of the plot is very mild and lacking. I liked reading about a different era and different group of people in a historical romance (especially an erotic one), but it often feels like the non-dirty parts are dry. There seems to be a lot of historical information about the Vikings and how they lived, but those parts are written in such a boring way that I want to skip it. It sometimes feels as if I'm reading a non-fiction book.
Along the lines of how this book is written, I do think a lot of the dialogue is clunky, stilted or amateurish. It just doesn't flow easily and reads as if the author had a checklist of things she needed the character to do and thought it'd be a good idea to have them talk about each individual point.
Despite all that ... I need to read the next book about Kristin and the twins. BRB.
Along the lines of how this book is written, I do think a lot of the dialogue is clunky, stilted or amateurish. It just doesn't flow easily and reads as if the author had a checklist of things she needed the character to do and thought it'd be a good idea to have them talk about each individual point.
Despite all that ... I need to read the next book about Kristin and the twins. BRB.
March 8, 2018
When a horde of marauding Vikings attack Merewyn's small settlement, she barely escapes with her life. When she returns, her father's dead. Her mother's barely alive after being raped, Her twin brothers have vanished. Desperate, alone, and afraid, rage and hatred for all Vikings engulf her. When her mother's rape results in pregnancy, she dies in childbirth. Merewyn's left alone to care for her brother, Connell. As winter approaches, can things get any worse? Absolutely! Unable to provide their most basic needs. Merewyn falls ill. Determined to care for her brother, she heads out in the bitter cold to forage for sustenance. When she sights a Viking dragon ship offshore, foundering in the stormy seas, she turns to race home only to be panic stricken when she finds a Viking warrior directly in her path. While he's unconscious, he won't be for long. As she uses her last bit of strength to raise a rock to kill him, she can't do it. She may hate the Vikings, but she's no murderer. Then her illness overcomes her, and she faints dead away. That's when Mathios and the rest of his surviving crew find her and Connell. As Mathios hauls the little Celt back to her half-destroyed dwelling, his only concerns are getting through the winter, repairing his ship, and returning to Norseland. He never expects the strange connection to the little Celt. Once recovered, Merewyn's a spitfire, defying Mathios and his commands at every turn. When his dominance takes over, Merewyn finds herself on the wrong end of severe punishment. So why does this attract her so? Is she still sick? Worse, is she some kind of pervert for enjoying the pain and pleasure dished out by Mathios? As the winter progresses, unexpected twists and turns turn life upside down for the Vikings and Merewyn. And Merewyn plays a starring role in most of the misadventures. As the time for the Vikings to leave fast approaches, they present Merewyn with two impossible choices. She can't believe it! How can this be? Mathios is a leader of his people. As much as he's drawn to the little Celt, he can't do anything but leave. Or can he? Then the final blow falls. Merewyn's devastated. After living in close quarters for months, depending on each other, learning mutual kindness and respect, this is her reward? What's she to do? Left alone, how can she survive? With everything the Vikings have taken from her, there only seems to be one answer. The question is, what will that answer cost Merewyn?
From the moment I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I was riveted by Merewyn and Mathios. Merewyn's an absolute delight. Filled with rage and hatred, she can't begin to fight Mathios and his men. As she recovers, she develops a grudging acceptance of their presence. She's even willing to admit they're helpful. But she refuses to willingly give in to their demands! And she can't account for her inexplicable attraction to Mathios. She certainly can't accept that the man's dominance calls to her on a visceral level.. Mathios is strong, determined, a commanding presence who seems to draw her like a moth to a flame. Mathios demonstrates an incredible dichotomy that's remarkable. He's a Viking in every way. Pillaging and plundering are a fact of his life. But he's also capable of deep affection, consideration, and caring. Mathios holds all the power. But he's not immune to Merewyn or her weapons and wiles. These two are the heart and soul of this story. Ashe Barker has crafted a tale wound around these two incredible people who have every reason to hate each other with the deepest of passions. I was utterly fascinated by these two. But if Merewyn and Mathios are the soul of the story, the supporting characters are the glue that make the story absolutely amazing. They lend so much depth and flavor to the story that it wouldn't be as rich without them. Mathios' fellow Vikings, especially Arne, little Connell, Rowena, and the others all add an intensity and authenticity to this story. Without them, the story wouldn't be as compelling. I'm truly impressed with Ashe Barker's incredible abilities. Conquered by the Viking deserves no less than five stars. Congratulations, Ms. Barker, on a very original and captivating book!
One final note. Be an informed reader! This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and sexual scenes. If you don't enjoy this genre, this may not be the book for you. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and Amazon. Use these resources. DON'T LEAVE A NEGATIVE REVIEW WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WON'T ENJOY THE BOOK. It's not fair to the author. She works very hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you'll object to a book's subject matter before you buy it, you're doing yourself and the author an extreme disservice.
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!
From the moment I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I was riveted by Merewyn and Mathios. Merewyn's an absolute delight. Filled with rage and hatred, she can't begin to fight Mathios and his men. As she recovers, she develops a grudging acceptance of their presence. She's even willing to admit they're helpful. But she refuses to willingly give in to their demands! And she can't account for her inexplicable attraction to Mathios. She certainly can't accept that the man's dominance calls to her on a visceral level.. Mathios is strong, determined, a commanding presence who seems to draw her like a moth to a flame. Mathios demonstrates an incredible dichotomy that's remarkable. He's a Viking in every way. Pillaging and plundering are a fact of his life. But he's also capable of deep affection, consideration, and caring. Mathios holds all the power. But he's not immune to Merewyn or her weapons and wiles. These two are the heart and soul of this story. Ashe Barker has crafted a tale wound around these two incredible people who have every reason to hate each other with the deepest of passions. I was utterly fascinated by these two. But if Merewyn and Mathios are the soul of the story, the supporting characters are the glue that make the story absolutely amazing. They lend so much depth and flavor to the story that it wouldn't be as rich without them. Mathios' fellow Vikings, especially Arne, little Connell, Rowena, and the others all add an intensity and authenticity to this story. Without them, the story wouldn't be as compelling. I'm truly impressed with Ashe Barker's incredible abilities. Conquered by the Viking deserves no less than five stars. Congratulations, Ms. Barker, on a very original and captivating book!
One final note. Be an informed reader! This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and sexual scenes. If you don't enjoy this genre, this may not be the book for you. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and Amazon. Use these resources. DON'T LEAVE A NEGATIVE REVIEW WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WON'T ENJOY THE BOOK. It's not fair to the author. She works very hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you'll object to a book's subject matter before you buy it, you're doing yourself and the author an extreme disservice.
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!
January 18, 2020
Winning The Jarl's🐺🍆🌋🔪 Heart💘
XXX Alpha Male Viking Romance with Spanking Scenes
This is a wonderful saga of a young Celtic woman from the Viking🐺🔪⛵ age who must fight not only the effects of a devastating Viking🐺🔪 raid on the village she lives in, she must learn to survive alone , and rebuild her home while at the same time caring for her baby brother.
Imagine the drudgery of day to day living and then having to start again with almost nothing when your meager belongings, food and home are destroyed. And doing it all alone.
The beginning of the book made me feel the hopelessness that the character, Merewyn💃💔, felt as her family is either killed or enslaved by the invading Vikings🐺🔪. Then the Vikings🐺🔪 burn and destroy most of what is left of her family farm.
Merewyn💃💔 survives only because the ships⛵ were seen, and she was able to run far into the woods and hide for several days. Her mother is raped and beaten and left for dead.
All is not lost, Merewyn💃💔 perseveres until another Viking🐺🔪 ship⛵ comes, this time wrecked on the rocks during a storm. The Viking Jarl, Mathios🐺🍆🌋🔪, decides to help her and take her back to his home, when and if they can get their ship⛵ repaired.
Not just an Adult romance! It's an interesting study into the hard life of ancient European peoples.
XXX Alpha Male Viking Romance with Spanking Scenes
This is a wonderful saga of a young Celtic woman from the Viking🐺🔪⛵ age who must fight not only the effects of a devastating Viking🐺🔪 raid on the village she lives in, she must learn to survive alone , and rebuild her home while at the same time caring for her baby brother.
Imagine the drudgery of day to day living and then having to start again with almost nothing when your meager belongings, food and home are destroyed. And doing it all alone.
The beginning of the book made me feel the hopelessness that the character, Merewyn💃💔, felt as her family is either killed or enslaved by the invading Vikings🐺🔪. Then the Vikings🐺🔪 burn and destroy most of what is left of her family farm.
Merewyn💃💔 survives only because the ships⛵ were seen, and she was able to run far into the woods and hide for several days. Her mother is raped and beaten and left for dead.
All is not lost, Merewyn💃💔 perseveres until another Viking🐺🔪 ship⛵ comes, this time wrecked on the rocks during a storm. The Viking Jarl, Mathios🐺🍆🌋🔪, decides to help her and take her back to his home, when and if they can get their ship⛵ repaired.
Not just an Adult romance! It's an interesting study into the hard life of ancient European peoples.
February 24, 2018
was really sad to see the previous Viking series end, so it made my day to see that the author had started a new series. Just like her earlier books this one pulled me in from the first page and kept me interested until the very end. The characters were well written and very likeable. I could really feel for Merewyn as she struggled with the reality of her situation. Mathios was almost too good to be true sometimes as he proved himself to be exactly what Merewyn needed. I really liked the ending and the set up for the next book was perfect.
I received an ARC of this book from Stormy Night Publications.
I received an ARC of this book from Stormy Night Publications.
January 22, 2020
Merewyn is an 18-year-old orphan and after what she has been through hates Vikings. When they take over her home and punish her for running off, sparks fly between her and Mathios. Fast-paced read with lots of steam. Great characters and an entertaining story. I was hooked from beginning to end. I loved it!
June 7, 2020
Barker's books, while different character names and places, have the same story line ....abduct girl, whip girl, whip girl some more .....
February 28, 2019
This was my first dark/erotic historical fiction book. Ashe Barker does a phenomenal job in creating a very real depiction of what life might have been like for the early Vikings and Celts. This story is about Merewyn, a young Celt girl coming into her womanhood. She experiences total devastation at the hands of the pillaging Vikings. Most of her family is murdered, her home is destroyed, and she is left in ruins. Her sole surviving relative is her mother, who is left for dead but survives the brutal rape. Unfortunately soon after her mother gives birth, she falls ill and dies. Merewyn is left to take care of her half brother in extreme poverty. As if that wasn’t enough, the Vikings return once more and it is here where the story between Mathios and Merewyn starts. She learns that not all Vikings are evil and starts to develop an intimate relationship with the leader Mathios. Soon, they have formed a family unit, the Vikings and her with her brother, but this all changes when it is time for the Vikings to pack up and return home. Though it is difficult for Merewyn to express her feelings, she has become dependent on the Vikings, and specially on Mathios as not only a leader of the tribe but as her master of her heart and her body. The author goes into great detail to illustrate how everyday life is for a Celt young woman coming into the abrupt and foreign ways of Vikings. Though there is violent and strong sexual scenes, the author does a fantastic job in making sure we feel different emotions associated with loss, death, hope, and fear.
January 1, 2019
After a group of Vikings devastate her small Northumbria settlement, Merewyn is barely left alive. If it was not for her quick-thinking mother she would have been caught or worse. However, the same cannot be said for her family. Merewyn finds that her father has been murdered, her brothers taken and her mother left barely alive. To top it all off, Merewyn’s mother discovers that she has fallen pregnant after the abuse she suffered at the hands of the Vikings. Not long after her baby brother is born Merewyn’s mother also dies leaving Merewyn completely alone to fend not only for herself but for her little brother as well.
Mathios has been caught in a storm and has landed on a small Northumbria settlement. He must gather what is left of his crew and settle in this small settlement at least until the winter is over and he is able to re-store his ship and make is way back home. First, he must find a place to stay...
This was a good story, I felt for Merewyn. She went through a lot for her young years. I can also understand her standoffish attitude towards the second group of Vikings. After all, all she knows about them is that they are cold blooded killers. The first part of the story was good, we get to know the characters a bit but I felt the second part everything happened so quickly and Merewyn seemed to ‘settle’ really quickly. Otherwise I liked this book.
Mathios has been caught in a storm and has landed on a small Northumbria settlement. He must gather what is left of his crew and settle in this small settlement at least until the winter is over and he is able to re-store his ship and make is way back home. First, he must find a place to stay...
This was a good story, I felt for Merewyn. She went through a lot for her young years. I can also understand her standoffish attitude towards the second group of Vikings. After all, all she knows about them is that they are cold blooded killers. The first part of the story was good, we get to know the characters a bit but I felt the second part everything happened so quickly and Merewyn seemed to ‘settle’ really quickly. Otherwise I liked this book.
February 20, 2018
Merewyn didnt have the best of a life but it was fair. Until a group of Vikings came. Her family was shattered. Her brothers, gone; father, dead, and mother barely alive. However, they made it through but not for long. Her mother gave birth to her brother but did not fare well after. Merewyn was alone and had to not only try to build back up a home but feed and care for her brother. It was a hard life. But when she spotted a Viking ship crashed on her shores, she feared for what was to come. Mathios and his men were ship wrecked. They needed to salvage what they had and repair the ship. When they came upon Merewyn, she was close to death. Her brother crying.
Mathios took care of Merewyn but she did not trust him. I have to say that could you blame her. The fact of her whole family was extinguished in a blink of an eye. She was left to raise her brother, alone. And all she saw of Vikings were pillaging or worse. I would be weary of them all too. But Mathios seemed to be a bit different as was his men. But as the days, weeks, and month passed these two became closer. Then the time came when the ship was fixed. OK, you know you have me when I am crying and we aren’t even done with the story. My heart broke for so many reasons. But thank goodness things worked out in the end. It shows that regardless of the different cultures, love conquers.
Mathios took care of Merewyn but she did not trust him. I have to say that could you blame her. The fact of her whole family was extinguished in a blink of an eye. She was left to raise her brother, alone. And all she saw of Vikings were pillaging or worse. I would be weary of them all too. But Mathios seemed to be a bit different as was his men. But as the days, weeks, and month passed these two became closer. Then the time came when the ship was fixed. OK, you know you have me when I am crying and we aren’t even done with the story. My heart broke for so many reasons. But thank goodness things worked out in the end. It shows that regardless of the different cultures, love conquers.
January 22, 2020
This is a tale wound around two strong characters who have every reason to hate each other with the deepest of passions but, they are drawn to one another like magnets. Merewyn is struggling to survive with her little brother when Mathios arrives with a demanding and dominant force that simultaneously infuriates her and makes her feel safe. The dichotomy between the two characters is fascinating to read.
This book felt well researched due to the exquisite world building, the nuances of everyday life and the relationship between both the main characters and the many supporting characters. In addition, the scenes of dominance and submission, the sexual scenes and the various ways they show each other how they feel are romantic, sexy, and a real turn on!
I can only hope this book inspires a series featuring the various characters supporting Merewyn and
Mathios - they are all well rounded characters in a fascinating world that deserve to have their own story and happily ever after!
I received this book free from the author for my honest review. Since I rely heavily on reviews to make decisions about purchases, I will never lie or over exaggerate my opinion. There is nothing worse than seeing a bunch of 5 star reviews and realizing the book is full of errors or just plain bad and not worth my hard earned money!
This book felt well researched due to the exquisite world building, the nuances of everyday life and the relationship between both the main characters and the many supporting characters. In addition, the scenes of dominance and submission, the sexual scenes and the various ways they show each other how they feel are romantic, sexy, and a real turn on!
I can only hope this book inspires a series featuring the various characters supporting Merewyn and
Mathios - they are all well rounded characters in a fascinating world that deserve to have their own story and happily ever after!
I received this book free from the author for my honest review. Since I rely heavily on reviews to make decisions about purchases, I will never lie or over exaggerate my opinion. There is nothing worse than seeing a bunch of 5 star reviews and realizing the book is full of errors or just plain bad and not worth my hard earned money!
March 1, 2018
Conquered by the Viking is a historical romance that focuses on overcoming your past and finding that one person you love and can’t let go. Merewyn had a traumatic and tragic experience with Vikings that led to her being the sole provider to her young brother. When her home becomes the only shelter for a different group of Vikings, she panics and eventually acts out in fear. After atoning for her actions, she realizes these men are entering her heart, one in particular, but when the spring comes, will she be able to say good-bye to all she holds dear?
Oh my goodness, this was a slow burn book that hit a soft spot with my heart. I really enjoyed reading Merewyn and Mathios’ journey to find love. Merewyn is so incredibly strong, even when she feels weak, never giving up and always staying true to herself. Mathios was strong and fair, the perfect Jarl, but was also sweet and caring. Together, they have a lot to overcome, and it only makes their connection so much better. One of my favorite parts of Ms. Barker’s historical romances is the snapshots she provides of the cultures. In this book, we get to see some of the traditions of a wedding, which was really cool and enchanting. If you are a fan of Vikings and love conquering all, this is absolutely the book for you!
Oh my goodness, this was a slow burn book that hit a soft spot with my heart. I really enjoyed reading Merewyn and Mathios’ journey to find love. Merewyn is so incredibly strong, even when she feels weak, never giving up and always staying true to herself. Mathios was strong and fair, the perfect Jarl, but was also sweet and caring. Together, they have a lot to overcome, and it only makes their connection so much better. One of my favorite parts of Ms. Barker’s historical romances is the snapshots she provides of the cultures. In this book, we get to see some of the traditions of a wedding, which was really cool and enchanting. If you are a fan of Vikings and love conquering all, this is absolutely the book for you!
January 15, 2020
New author for me and I admit the word Viking catch my intention to read it.
Told from third POV, I think that's why I feel distant with the characters.
I couldn't connect with them.
Their emotion feels flat for me.
The promise of historical stretch thin for I don't think the word " OK " is something Viking would say at that time. For some of the dialogue though, it's feels historical enough for me since my knowledge of that period are only the surface. But the gloom and catastrophic part, I'll say it captured the moment. I imagine in that time when Viking would come and destroy a village, it will be like something the author describe here. Although not in detail.
Not enough plot to keep me interested though. No chemistry between the main characters for me to believe there's romance between them.
And the spankin? They don't move me. I like good spankin books. But unfortunetly for the lack of chemistry, the spankin feels flat also.
Told from third POV, I think that's why I feel distant with the characters.
I couldn't connect with them.
Their emotion feels flat for me.
The promise of historical stretch thin for I don't think the word " OK " is something Viking would say at that time. For some of the dialogue though, it's feels historical enough for me since my knowledge of that period are only the surface. But the gloom and catastrophic part, I'll say it captured the moment. I imagine in that time when Viking would come and destroy a village, it will be like something the author describe here. Although not in detail.
Not enough plot to keep me interested though. No chemistry between the main characters for me to believe there's romance between them.
And the spankin? They don't move me. I like good spankin books. But unfortunetly for the lack of chemistry, the spankin feels flat also.
January 16, 2020
Now this is what I call a hot and sexy Viking story! I'm not usually into some of the erotic stuff in it but when it's well written, I don't mind it:) My heart went out to Merewyn and what she had to endure after a group of Vikings attacked her home and not only left her an orphan but destroyed everything around her. A year later, she comes face to face with more Vikings and although she is very ill, she lets them know how much she hates them, especially the leader, Mathios.
She soon learns that this group is not like the one who attacked her home but she still doesn't trust them and when she tries to escape, Mathios punishes her in a way that she actually starts to enjoy!!!! Little does she know the adventure her life will soon take and I really enjoyed learning some of the Viking traditions where weddings were concerned.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
She soon learns that this group is not like the one who attacked her home but she still doesn't trust them and when she tries to escape, Mathios punishes her in a way that she actually starts to enjoy!!!! Little does she know the adventure her life will soon take and I really enjoyed learning some of the Viking traditions where weddings were concerned.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
January 17, 2020
Merewyn's life is in jeopardy. Sick with fever she must get food for her brother. She and her little brother are the only ones left of her family. The horrific Vikings raided her home, killed her father, raped and almost killed her mother, and took her two older brothers as slaves. After giving birth to a half Viking boy, her mother gets sick and dies. Merewyn is barely surviving, and her brother and her are starving. Whether she's sick or not, she must feed her brother. Unbeknownst to her another Viking ship has crashed near her farm. Upon seeing the ship, Merewyn panics. What ensues is such a pleasure to read. The writer makes you feel the anguish and pain that Merewyn experiences. I enjoyed the relationship between her and Mathios, as there is an attraction that Merewyn tries to deny. Mathios treats her with respect, and his clan embrace her brother with open arms. Quite a delightful read that I can't wait to read the next in the series.
June 11, 2018
Shipwrecked viking leader Mathios and young Celt Merewyn meet just as she is about to kill his wounded comrade. After seeing her whole family and hone destroyed by Viking raiders, Merewyn sees nothing but doom and disaster ahead when the Vikings take over her farm for the winter whilst they fix their ship. I can’t say I blame her.
After she tries and fails to escape by poisoning the crew she enters into a BDSM type relationship with the viking leader. A lot of spanking basically. It’s not really my thing so I found it a bit repetitive and I really actually wanted Merewyn to kick him in the balls, but that’s probably just me.
It’s a hot story but I got a bit bored once they set sail for the Jarl’s lands. This was an ok read but I wasn’t quite it the right headspace for it. I need a bit more feisty banter and push/pull in my stories.
After she tries and fails to escape by poisoning the crew she enters into a BDSM type relationship with the viking leader. A lot of spanking basically. It’s not really my thing so I found it a bit repetitive and I really actually wanted Merewyn to kick him in the balls, but that’s probably just me.
It’s a hot story but I got a bit bored once they set sail for the Jarl’s lands. This was an ok read but I wasn’t quite it the right headspace for it. I need a bit more feisty banter and push/pull in my stories.
March 15, 2018
A amazingly fascinating and intriguing romance, a intriguing story of the love between a young Celtic girl and a Viking warrior. This was a great read filled with action,drama and the characters were interesting,while I thought that the more graphically portrayed erotic scenes could have been left out because they tend to take away from the story rather than add to it. The strength of this author's work lies in her ability to create a picture in the readers mind of how the life of the characters were in that time period. She gave vivid scenes of the hardships the young woman faced and of the Viking warrior and his way of life. For me good writing like this needs no eroticism to sell a good romance.
June 8, 2018
Eh.
Grammar/wording isn’t consistent throughout the entire novel which confuses me and jerks me out of the story. Why is someone who existed in a world, hundreds of year ago, calling his wife a “Slut”? It may have made it easier to swallow if the narrator had said some of these more “modern” words. (Perhaps it my Linguistics training getting the best of me)
The books description also makes the story seem shorter than what I expected it to be. It made me feel as if the whipping was going to be the climax of the book, when really it was just another instance of their BDSM D/s relationship forming. Also did not expect this to be a BDSM novel, which is why it’s rated two stars instead of one.
Grammar/wording isn’t consistent throughout the entire novel which confuses me and jerks me out of the story. Why is someone who existed in a world, hundreds of year ago, calling his wife a “Slut”? It may have made it easier to swallow if the narrator had said some of these more “modern” words. (Perhaps it my Linguistics training getting the best of me)
The books description also makes the story seem shorter than what I expected it to be. It made me feel as if the whipping was going to be the climax of the book, when really it was just another instance of their BDSM D/s relationship forming. Also did not expect this to be a BDSM novel, which is why it’s rated two stars instead of one.
June 14, 2018
Merewyn was left all alone after a Viking attack on her parents farm. The Norse men took her older brothers as thralls (slaves) and raped her mother who later finds herself pregnant. She dies shortly after giving birth to a son. Merewyn loves her baby brother despite his fathering. She hates the Vikings and so she is fearful when a band of shipwrecked Norsemen force their way into her home. To her surprise, these men are fair and kind toward her and her little brother but when Merewyn does something unforgivable the Norse leader - the Jarl, strips her naked and gives her a painful, and humiliating switching. The tale of how Merewyn survives among the invaders and her subsequent adventures had me gripped and turning the pages well into the night!
May 29, 2020
I found this story to be too stoic and unbelievable. The first half wasn't horrible, but I just wasn't able to learn enough about Mathios. He lived with her all winter and slept with her for months, but the fact that he has 2 kids never came up in converstation? Then there was the whole refusing to marry her thing, and the fact that she is okay with his having slaves, no matter how well they are treated. The spanking she asked for after Connell got hurt was weird. He doesn't think she deserves one, but she says she needs it to let go of the guilt. That I get, but then right away it's this sexual game. It just didn't seem to fit the situation. It made it awdward and cringey. The list goes on and on. This just wasn't the book for me.
April 29, 2018
A historical novel about a young woman who tries to overcome the destruction of her modest home and family, by Vikings. She awakens one day ill and hungry and fearing for her baby brother when she spots a shipwrecked viking ship in her harbour. After being thrown to the ground by a large viking she awakens 5 days later to discover they have taken over her house. They have cared for her baby brother while she was too ill to move but surely it is only a matter of time before they kill her. She hates them and plots her escape. Life rarely turns out as we expect. I really enjoyed this book. Who wouldn't love a sexy dominant Viking?
February 27, 2018
Merewyn and Mathios, Celtic peasant and Viking warrior, wary of each other, attracted to each other...this is their story.
And what a story!
There is bloodshed, rape, intrigue, slavery, and, most importantly, love.
The author does not sugar coat the events, but remains true to history as we understand it. She does however show that not all Vikings were rapists and killers....some were much more pragmatic.
I won't spoil the plot, just say that I thoroughly enjoyed the story...and there are surprises towards the end!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
And what a story!
There is bloodshed, rape, intrigue, slavery, and, most importantly, love.
The author does not sugar coat the events, but remains true to history as we understand it. She does however show that not all Vikings were rapists and killers....some were much more pragmatic.
I won't spoil the plot, just say that I thoroughly enjoyed the story...and there are surprises towards the end!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
June 21, 2018
A page turner from beginning to end
Absolutely and utterly loved this book. It has everything and then some more. I was completely entranced by the characters and the writing was so inspiring I truly felt like I had been picked up and transported back in time.
Whilst I do enjoy the romantic elements of a story, and trust me they were beautifully done, I also need much more to hold my interest. This fit the bill perfectly.
I look forward to more artfully created novels in the same vein. Thank you.
Absolutely and utterly loved this book. It has everything and then some more. I was completely entranced by the characters and the writing was so inspiring I truly felt like I had been picked up and transported back in time.
Whilst I do enjoy the romantic elements of a story, and trust me they were beautifully done, I also need much more to hold my interest. This fit the bill perfectly.
I look forward to more artfully created novels in the same vein. Thank you.
March 4, 2019
My rating for this is 3 stars.
In this story the heroine and her half brother are basically all alone in her village that was destroyed earlier by Vikings. After a time, different Vikings were ship wrecked and found her and her brother and the leader of this group and the heroine romance starts from there. However, for me, a ton of the story was "meh" including the bd elements. I get it, the heroine must experience pain (at least at first---enter the spanking scenes to fully enjoy sex and feel properly forgiven and one time a painful uncommon orifice. (view spoiler)
In this story the heroine and her half brother are basically all alone in her village that was destroyed earlier by Vikings. After a time, different Vikings were ship wrecked and found her and her brother and the leader of this group and the heroine romance starts from there. However, for me, a ton of the story was "meh" including the bd elements. I get it, the heroine must experience pain (at least at first---enter the spanking scenes to fully enjoy sex and feel properly forgiven and one time a painful uncommon orifice. (view spoiler)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2020
ANOTHER ENJOYABLE READ BY ASHE BARKER.
HERO VIKING's ship was damaged and he & his men had to stop by our heroine's homeland. There, he found her in the midst of killing one of his own and stopped her in time, only to realise she was terribly ill and taking care of a baby. The Vikings encroached upon Merewyn's dwelling, eventually building back her home and making a temporary life of sort together. Of course, she will develop a steady kind of romance with our Hero like most of A.B's books go.
OVERALL it was another average Viking story. I seriously wished there was angst though.
HERO VIKING's ship was damaged and he & his men had to stop by our heroine's homeland. There, he found her in the midst of killing one of his own and stopped her in time, only to realise she was terribly ill and taking care of a baby. The Vikings encroached upon Merewyn's dwelling, eventually building back her home and making a temporary life of sort together. Of course, she will develop a steady kind of romance with our Hero like most of A.B's books go.
OVERALL it was another average Viking story. I seriously wished there was angst though.
June 12, 2021
Rescue of the Celt
Merewyn lives through a Viking attack but loses her family in the violence. Left alone with her infant brother she becomes sick. Other Vikings come to her home and take care of them until she is better. She realizes they're different from the Vikings who attacked and begins sleeping with their leader. She is asked to go with them when they leave.
As she is cared for and disciplined by the viking, they develop feelings for each other. This story has some punishment but not a lot since she mostly behaves and many sex scenes with a high level of heat.
Merewyn lives through a Viking attack but loses her family in the violence. Left alone with her infant brother she becomes sick. Other Vikings come to her home and take care of them until she is better. She realizes they're different from the Vikings who attacked and begins sleeping with their leader. She is asked to go with them when they leave.
As she is cared for and disciplined by the viking, they develop feelings for each other. This story has some punishment but not a lot since she mostly behaves and many sex scenes with a high level of heat.
February 18, 2018
Ashe Barker takes us back in the past in this wonderful new book.
Merewyn has lost everyone she loved after a Viking Raid so when another ship lands, she is taken over y fear. Mathios and his men show here that not every Viking is the same.
I love the slow build up relationship between Merewyn and Mathios and how she struggles with the choices she has to make. Both of them aren’t perfect, which make them more real.
Merewyn has lost everyone she loved after a Viking Raid so when another ship lands, she is taken over y fear. Mathios and his men show here that not every Viking is the same.
I love the slow build up relationship between Merewyn and Mathios and how she struggles with the choices she has to make. Both of them aren’t perfect, which make them more real.
February 22, 2018
I would like to be conquered by him any day
I came across this book entirely by chance. The cover looked intriguing, the blurb, even more so. So I gave it a chance, and I'm glad that I did! It had just the right mix of steaminess, action and emotional angst that pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. As he Barker is now on my TBR list. I borrowed this book through the Kindle Unlimited program.
I came across this book entirely by chance. The cover looked intriguing, the blurb, even more so. So I gave it a chance, and I'm glad that I did! It had just the right mix of steaminess, action and emotional angst that pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. As he Barker is now on my TBR list. I borrowed this book through the Kindle Unlimited program.
July 1, 2018
Well this was a delicious little erotic tidbit which I'm sure revoked my feminist card whilst I read it. But, as with everything, moderation is key. This was just enough to satisfy my book sweet tooth and had a happy ending with lots of the oddly worded sex scenes typical to "historical" romance books, spanking/light/slightly confused BDSM, powerful Viking men and a happy bow at the end to wrap it all up. 4/5 for a satisfying read.
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