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900 AD. Under the fiery Middle Eastern sun, two enemy worlds collide.
JARL, a powerful Viking leader, returns to the rich lands near the Caspian Sea at the helm of his magnificent new longship, The Treasure Huntress. His forces cut a wide swath through the land, taking everything of value—capturing or killing any who stand in their way.
NENA, daughter of a regional war-chief, is an accomplished warrior in her own right. Proud, strong and fiercely disciplined, her tribe has dominated the territory for centuries, and they fear no opponent—certainly not the beast-like, invading Northmen.
In the smoldering aftermath of a grueling battle, they find themselves in unfamiliar positions—Nena as a captive—Jarl wanting something he cannot have. A fierce clash of wills ensues. Torn between passion and prejudice, conviction and taboo, love and obligation, each is forced to question everything they knew and everything they were sure they wanted. But realizing their heart's true desire is not enough. Their people are still mortal enemies. To be together they must be willing to sacrifice everything—even their lives.
ABOUT The Viking Treasure Huntress Series:
The books in this series center around the current captain of the mysterious Viking longship, the Treasure Huntress, and, at the end of each story, the next captain is revealed from the supporting characters.
422 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2018
446 people are currently reading
1545 people want to read
About the author
Ann Boelter
2 books76 followersInternational Bestselling Author
Romance Gold Medal Winner - 2019 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards
2019 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
Ann's Thoughts on Writing:
I believe that a series should be a series of related stories, not one story chopped into multiple pieces to sell more books.
Love scenes should be tastefully erotic and occur where they fit—after a buildup of attraction and sexual tension, not gratuitous random sex thrown in.
I strongly believe that a book should be well-edited and proofread prior to being released. Anything less is still a draft copy and should not be offered as a finished product. As a reader I want to get lost in a story, not be constantly slapped in the face with misspelled words, grammatical errors and plot contradictions.
Ann's Writing Style
My goal is to provide enough detail to create a vivid image in the reader's mind without boring them. I want the reader to FEEL as they read—to laugh out loud, to hold their breath in anticipation, to cry—not be bogged down with irrelevant details
While I recognize the writing skill necessary to fill five pages with intricate details of an empty white room, I personally don't care to read that. I want the details of the room that are pertinent in that moment.
Is the character trapped? Then it might be a stark white room with no window to escape through. To me, it makes no difference if the walls are eggshell white or oyster white, or that the paint is textured in repeated scallop patterns. You get the idea. :)
About Ann
For those of you who want to know about me—I must admit, that's a lot harder to write than creating a character. :)
I'm a private person. My husband and I live on a farm in the western US, where I enjoy anything and everything outdoors. I'm an avid horsewoman and gardener. I love raising goats and growing giant pumpkins.
When I was younger I traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe, Africa and the South Pacific. While in college I worked at a variety of jobs, from packing caviar at a salmon cannery in South Naknek, Alaska, to driving a forklift in Key Largo, Florida, before ultimately becoming a medical professional.
Through all of that, I always felt the draw to write fiction. After placing second with two novels in two separate genres (historical romance and contemporary mainstream) in a national contest, I began to focus more seriously on writing.
No matter the genre, I try to draw upon my travel experiences and diverse cultural exposures to create vivid, unique characters set in rich, deep, believable settings.
Romance Gold Medal Winner - 2019 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards
2019 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
Ann's Thoughts on Writing:
I believe that a series should be a series of related stories, not one story chopped into multiple pieces to sell more books.
Love scenes should be tastefully erotic and occur where they fit—after a buildup of attraction and sexual tension, not gratuitous random sex thrown in.
I strongly believe that a book should be well-edited and proofread prior to being released. Anything less is still a draft copy and should not be offered as a finished product. As a reader I want to get lost in a story, not be constantly slapped in the face with misspelled words, grammatical errors and plot contradictions.
Ann's Writing Style
My goal is to provide enough detail to create a vivid image in the reader's mind without boring them. I want the reader to FEEL as they read—to laugh out loud, to hold their breath in anticipation, to cry—not be bogged down with irrelevant details
While I recognize the writing skill necessary to fill five pages with intricate details of an empty white room, I personally don't care to read that. I want the details of the room that are pertinent in that moment.
Is the character trapped? Then it might be a stark white room with no window to escape through. To me, it makes no difference if the walls are eggshell white or oyster white, or that the paint is textured in repeated scallop patterns. You get the idea. :)
About Ann
For those of you who want to know about me—I must admit, that's a lot harder to write than creating a character. :)
I'm a private person. My husband and I live on a farm in the western US, where I enjoy anything and everything outdoors. I'm an avid horsewoman and gardener. I love raising goats and growing giant pumpkins.
When I was younger I traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe, Africa and the South Pacific. While in college I worked at a variety of jobs, from packing caviar at a salmon cannery in South Naknek, Alaska, to driving a forklift in Key Largo, Florida, before ultimately becoming a medical professional.
Through all of that, I always felt the draw to write fiction. After placing second with two novels in two separate genres (historical romance and contemporary mainstream) in a national contest, I began to focus more seriously on writing.
No matter the genre, I try to draw upon my travel experiences and diverse cultural exposures to create vivid, unique characters set in rich, deep, believable settings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 10, 2021
3.5 STARS!
"She is not lost to me until she is dead - or I am - and maybe not even then."
June 30, 2020
This was a terrible book for the sole reason that the hero spent 1/2 the book sleeping with another woman as the heroine was forced to watch. IDK why anyone would think this is interesting to add to the story but the fact that the lady was also smug and the hero chided the heroine to not be rude to her made me want to puke. I think the author wanted us to pity the woman he kept on sleeping with because she is only a slave but no its disgusting. Add to it the lady even tells the heroine how he is such an amazing lover and I wanted to barf.
The heroine is strong but the story was so boring. I didn't understand why they liked each other, it dragged on and on, it was said at least 20 times that the heroine had to escape, but she never did.
She only escaped because she was blackmailed by the slave lady, who was providing her herb birth control.
THIS WAS ATROCIOUS IMO, and I will not be reading any more of this author's work.
The heroine is strong but the story was so boring. I didn't understand why they liked each other, it dragged on and on, it was said at least 20 times that the heroine had to escape, but she never did.
She only escaped because she was blackmailed by the slave lady, who was providing her herb birth control.
THIS WAS ATROCIOUS IMO, and I will not be reading any more of this author's work.
March 22, 2024
I am on a viking binge recently working through that GR list of best Viking romances. Nena was so great to read. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding done on the Teclan culture. Even though she was with Jarl and the Vikings for most of the story, what we learn about her culture is fascinating. Some moments of angst and scandal. Overall it’s an engrossing story.
Have more thoughts on it. Full review to come.
Have more thoughts on it. Full review to come.
September 2, 2021
Found this book thru Booktok and I am once again late to the game. But man I'm glad I found it, because I really really enjoyed it. It's just my type of fantasy romance although thus far no magical creatures and more GOT/Viking Warrior thematic settings then high fantasy, so I guess the classification really isn't fanstasy. But I digress.
The story begins with the building of a viking boat. The will of the gods seem bound to it and and I found the prologue seriously did the story justice. I was immediately invested, and tbh I dont know if I would have had as much patience with the hero for some of his early deeds in the book without it. Which I suppose was exactly the point.
We meet the titular heroine after the long prologue. And yes, I immediately liked her. Her skills of course are quite mad in the warrior princess set, but I totally bought it because she comes from a conquering desert clan herself. She also didnt lose to the marauding Vikings without a serious fight.
Now a captive slave, her stubborness didn't allow her to give up on escaping his chains the entire time with him- and she eventually played the part it took to find her release. But in this game of survival, how much is playacting and how much is the truth?
She feared far too much of it was the latter because her captor was never the dumb barbarian she initially thought and its certainly obvious to us the reader and for that matter the gods of Nena and Jarl it would seem, that he is the only one worthy of her strength.
SO, yeah. Lets talk about the other MC, Jarl. In the beginning of their relationship Jarl does some things that many romance readers right now hate. He doesn't beat or rape her (thank God), which let's be honest would be more historically accurate. He in fact ends up wooing her. But .
And this is how we are introduced to the girl who is basically Nena's second nemesis for the rest of the book, and for me she is more loathsome, because of how she betrayed the sisterhood. Although the author does show us why she is who she is.
But hang in there with Jarl- things change. Boy do they ever.
The last quarter of the book took a bit too long for me to find its denouement. But I might find it more engaging on a second read. which I will be doing.
For those that want to know, this book is a romance novel so yes, we get sex. Not in a slow burn way but neither in an every other page way either, so, up until that last part of the book, the pacing worked for me.
Im super looking forward to the next book!
The story begins with the building of a viking boat. The will of the gods seem bound to it and and I found the prologue seriously did the story justice. I was immediately invested, and tbh I dont know if I would have had as much patience with the hero for some of his early deeds in the book without it. Which I suppose was exactly the point.
We meet the titular heroine after the long prologue. And yes, I immediately liked her. Her skills of course are quite mad in the warrior princess set, but I totally bought it because she comes from a conquering desert clan herself. She also didnt lose to the marauding Vikings without a serious fight.
Now a captive slave, her stubborness didn't allow her to give up on escaping his chains the entire time with him- and she eventually played the part it took to find her release. But in this game of survival, how much is playacting and how much is the truth?
She feared far too much of it was the latter because her captor was never the dumb barbarian she initially thought and its certainly obvious to us the reader and for that matter the gods of Nena and Jarl it would seem, that he is the only one worthy of her strength.
SO, yeah. Lets talk about the other MC, Jarl. In the beginning of their relationship Jarl does some things that many romance readers right now hate. He doesn't beat or rape her (thank God), which let's be honest would be more historically accurate. He in fact ends up wooing her. But .
And this is how we are introduced to the girl who is basically Nena's second nemesis for the rest of the book, and for me she is more loathsome, because of how she betrayed the sisterhood. Although the author does show us why she is who she is.
But hang in there with Jarl- things change. Boy do they ever.
The last quarter of the book took a bit too long for me to find its denouement. But I might find it more engaging on a second read. which I will be doing.
For those that want to know, this book is a romance novel so yes, we get sex. Not in a slow burn way but neither in an every other page way either, so, up until that last part of the book, the pacing worked for me.
Im super looking forward to the next book!
June 7, 2020
This was a really fresh and gritty take on the “Viking/conquerer takes a slave lover/wife” trope. Ann Boelter pulls no punches on how terrible it must have been to be a woman living in these times. In fact there were truths and realities that were sometimes hard to read - be warned.
In fact, I’m rounding this up to 5 from 4.5 because this was such a well-researched, well-written and realistic feeling tale that is so engaging you can’t stop reading. But there were moments towards the beginning that I didn’t want to keep reading. I don’t really consider this a spoiler because this happened in the first 1/4 of the book, but I was physically sickened by Jarl having relations with his consort in front of Nena not once but several times early on in the book. Could have been worse considering the times but it was hard for this romantic heart to read and it made me want to take a star. But it was critical to the tale and made subsequent concerns that Nena struggled with very realistic and understandable. So I had to give the star back in the end.
While this tale may seem familiar, the author really did a terrific job anchoring the main story with a sweet pro-and epilogue explaining the history of the Viking ship Jarl sailed on (sort of a Red Violin-like story) and her full side characters, emotional investment, angst, action, etc. created a very immersive experience, keeping you on the edge of your seat to see what would happen next. Maybe most importantly the romance had a very satisfying conclusion.
In fact, I’m rounding this up to 5 from 4.5 because this was such a well-researched, well-written and realistic feeling tale that is so engaging you can’t stop reading. But there were moments towards the beginning that I didn’t want to keep reading. I don’t really consider this a spoiler because this happened in the first 1/4 of the book, but I was physically sickened by Jarl having relations with his consort in front of Nena not once but several times early on in the book. Could have been worse considering the times but it was hard for this romantic heart to read and it made me want to take a star. But it was critical to the tale and made subsequent concerns that Nena struggled with very realistic and understandable. So I had to give the star back in the end.
While this tale may seem familiar, the author really did a terrific job anchoring the main story with a sweet pro-and epilogue explaining the history of the Viking ship Jarl sailed on (sort of a Red Violin-like story) and her full side characters, emotional investment, angst, action, etc. created a very immersive experience, keeping you on the edge of your seat to see what would happen next. Maybe most importantly the romance had a very satisfying conclusion.
March 2, 2022
Reread 3rd time.
February 5, 2021
WELL written. The only thing keeping this from 5 stars is I would like to have had a little more emotion form Nena! Jarl after about the first quarter of the book was fabulous.
Warning it does have typical Viking ect behavior most
intimacies in that time where just a physical thing and sleeping with slaves ect where very common place so if that is offensive you may not like as much, but it is extremely well written. I very much enjoys it.
This is my first book by this author and I like her.
Play 6.5 (1-10) steaminess 6.5(1-10)
Warning it does have typical Viking ect behavior most
intimacies in that time where just a physical thing and sleeping with slaves ect where very common place so if that is offensive you may not like as much, but it is extremely well written. I very much enjoys it.
This is my first book by this author and I like her.
Play 6.5 (1-10) steaminess 6.5(1-10)
June 2, 2019
Nena knew the gods would one day choose a man for her, but at nineteen it seemed they were waiting. In earnest, Nena had no qualms about this delay. She loved her life as a warrior, the feel of a weapon in her hand, the thrill of battle. All the things she loved about her life would cease to be when the gods revealed the one they chose for her. The gods had their methods, but she had never expected the attack on a friendly tournament to be part of their plan. She had intended to fight to the death, and take as many of the enemy with her as possible. Fate had other plans. The proud warrior princess found herself at the mercy of the enemy. There was one way to secure her freedom, to give herself willingly to the one who holds her captive. Their people are enemies, and yet she sees something in her captor, something that makes her question everything she thought she knew, and her path no longer seems clear.
Nena is the first book in Ann Boelter's The Treasure Huntress series. Straight off, I am going to say this is without a doubt a must read book. It has everything you could ask for, action, adventure, romance, conflict, and amazing characters. Whether main or supporting characters you will find them rich, vibrant, and believable as you join them on their amazing journey. As I neared the end, I found myself releasing a breath when I discovered another chapter. This is a tale I did not want to end. I loved the bonds and relationships between the characters, the intense wanting and drives. The intimate scenes were written to encompass passion, yet handled with taste. I loved this story, and I highly recommend every page of it. From prologue to epilogue Nena will captivate your attention, and hold you in its clutches long after the final page. I whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story, whether you're looking for action, romance, historical fiction, adventure, or just a tale to entertain. In my eyes, this is a brilliant read, and I look forward to seeing more from Ann Boelter in the future.
Nena is the first book in Ann Boelter's The Treasure Huntress series. Straight off, I am going to say this is without a doubt a must read book. It has everything you could ask for, action, adventure, romance, conflict, and amazing characters. Whether main or supporting characters you will find them rich, vibrant, and believable as you join them on their amazing journey. As I neared the end, I found myself releasing a breath when I discovered another chapter. This is a tale I did not want to end. I loved the bonds and relationships between the characters, the intense wanting and drives. The intimate scenes were written to encompass passion, yet handled with taste. I loved this story, and I highly recommend every page of it. From prologue to epilogue Nena will captivate your attention, and hold you in its clutches long after the final page. I whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story, whether you're looking for action, romance, historical fiction, adventure, or just a tale to entertain. In my eyes, this is a brilliant read, and I look forward to seeing more from Ann Boelter in the future.
June 18, 2019
I actually took a day off work to finish reading this book after I started it the night before! I loved the shipbuilder & his wife so much, their tender communications made me cry. You know the author understands tested and true love. As she convinces him to build Jarl's ship, and as the work begins, the pride actually swells in her as he finds purpose --- and the little nuances the writer portrays is absolutely perfect. The book was an incredibly fun read, with great conversations (I hate stilted conversations among characters) and a wild ride of a story.
I recommend this to anyone who likes characters with heart and the details of "feeling" there in the story. I warn you, you might have to curl up and take a day for yourself!
I recommend this to anyone who likes characters with heart and the details of "feeling" there in the story. I warn you, you might have to curl up and take a day for yourself!
January 5, 2019
* I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway*
This book was a delight! I couldn’t wait to see how the issues resolved themselves in the end. It will keep you on your toes for sure! I also really appreciated how tactful the author in the romance section of this book.
This book was a delight! I couldn’t wait to see how the issues resolved themselves in the end. It will keep you on your toes for sure! I also really appreciated how tactful the author in the romance section of this book.
July 16, 2023
For me, the deep feelings that Jarl and Nena experienced, was similar to that of Matthew and Diana (A Discovery of Witches) and Jamie and Claire (Outlander). When you know you know.
If you like historial stories with a deep seeded romance, where the man knows instantly that a woman needs to be his partner, and he will do anything and take out anyone in his path to get her, then this book is for you. This has moved to my top five books. If my man isn't knocking buildings over, tearing people down, and offering his life for me (even after I'd been captured against my will) then I don't want him lol.
The story of Sigurd and Leila also added SUCH a beautiful touch to this journey, one of which I reflected on the entire time. I thought this book was really really well written. The romance, top notch (I'm not a huge fan of crazy sex scenes where its just explicit descriptions of private parts and thrusts.) Nena and Jarl have made it to one of my top favorite couples :)
If you like historial stories with a deep seeded romance, where the man knows instantly that a woman needs to be his partner, and he will do anything and take out anyone in his path to get her, then this book is for you. This has moved to my top five books. If my man isn't knocking buildings over, tearing people down, and offering his life for me (even after I'd been captured against my will) then I don't want him lol.
The story of Sigurd and Leila also added SUCH a beautiful touch to this journey, one of which I reflected on the entire time. I thought this book was really really well written. The romance, top notch (I'm not a huge fan of crazy sex scenes where its just explicit descriptions of private parts and thrusts.) Nena and Jarl have made it to one of my top favorite couples :)
February 16, 2020
Beautifully written, impeccably researched, this first-in-series is also a debut novel.
Now and then, a story captures me so thoroughly that I literally can't put it down, and despite work obligations the next day, I sometimes (rarely) pull an all-nighter to finish it. Reading Nena was one of those times. Events pulled me along, unable to stop turning pages, until the romance, which couldn't possibly end well, (could it?) finally did. Since it's a romance and required to have a HEA, I don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying how satisfying the ending was.
I love a long book. The story feels so much more solid when there's plenty to it. Ups and downs. Twists and turns of fortune. Nena has it all. If you regularly skip prologues (who does that?), don't miss this one, because it sets up the intriguing premise for the series.
I can't wait for the next book!
Now and then, a story captures me so thoroughly that I literally can't put it down, and despite work obligations the next day, I sometimes (rarely) pull an all-nighter to finish it. Reading Nena was one of those times. Events pulled me along, unable to stop turning pages, until the romance, which couldn't possibly end well, (could it?) finally did. Since it's a romance and required to have a HEA, I don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying how satisfying the ending was.
I love a long book. The story feels so much more solid when there's plenty to it. Ups and downs. Twists and turns of fortune. Nena has it all. If you regularly skip prologues (who does that?), don't miss this one, because it sets up the intriguing premise for the series.
I can't wait for the next book!
May 30, 2020
Wow wow wow
This is one of those books that when you finish it you just want to go back and start reading it again. This is a stunning book, easy to read, to understand and so freshhhhh, thought its fantasy its psychological intense, making it feel almost real, the way the author portraits the emotions of the main character and questions and choices she is faced with makes it hard to put the book down. I just cant wait to read more from this author. Read this book , buy it and support the author. It's really worth it.
This is one of those books that when you finish it you just want to go back and start reading it again. This is a stunning book, easy to read, to understand and so freshhhhh, thought its fantasy its psychological intense, making it feel almost real, the way the author portraits the emotions of the main character and questions and choices she is faced with makes it hard to put the book down. I just cant wait to read more from this author. Read this book , buy it and support the author. It's really worth it.
July 11, 2019
Ann Boelter is an exceptional writer. I cannot wait for the next novel in the series. The book grabbed me from the first page--the introduction had me crying. From then on, I could not put down the book. The romance feels real; not contrived. But written in very good taste. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical romances, especially Viking.
January 24, 2020
Fierce love
When warriors fall in love, they begin the greatest battle of their lifetime. The greatest treasure is always worth fighting tooth and nail for. Blessed by the Gods, they charge foward to fight for each other. Wonderful story. It was jusf as the bards would sing.
When warriors fall in love, they begin the greatest battle of their lifetime. The greatest treasure is always worth fighting tooth and nail for. Blessed by the Gods, they charge foward to fight for each other. Wonderful story. It was jusf as the bards would sing.
June 19, 2020
Loved the story
I was very enchanted with this story it had everything a good story should have love ❤️,drama,action.sadness, and very strong leading lady. I would totally recommend this book.
I was very enchanted with this story it had everything a good story should have love ❤️,drama,action.sadness, and very strong leading lady. I would totally recommend this book.
May 14, 2019
Great book
Very well written love all the characters and everything in the story felt into place. Cannot wait for the next book
Very well written love all the characters and everything in the story felt into place. Cannot wait for the next book
November 17, 2019
Fabulous read. I really enjoyed the storyline and characters and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
January 23, 2020
Loved it
I really liked that she is a strong female character who knows how to fight and pursuit what she wants.
I really liked that she is a strong female character who knows how to fight and pursuit what she wants.
January 2, 2019
Throughly enjoyed the storyline and read
April 30, 2022
If you enjoy period pieces like Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, or The History Channel's Vikings, but wish they had more emphasis on romance, you'll love this book!
May 3, 2019
Really loved this book! Hope there will be another with the same characters. :)
September 23, 2019
We are proud to announce that NENA (The Viking Treasure Huntress Series - Book 1) by Ann Boelter is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
December 31, 2019
Page Turner
I loved this book and could not put it down. Reminded me of books from authors like Rebecca Brandywine back in the day. Most enjoyable!
I loved this book and could not put it down. Reminded me of books from authors like Rebecca Brandywine back in the day. Most enjoyable!
August 7, 2021
Avoid. Not safe for safety gang.
Hero fucking other females in front of the heroine half the book. Who’s idea of a romance novel is this….🙄
Hero fucking other females in front of the heroine half the book. Who’s idea of a romance novel is this….🙄
November 23, 2023
If you can get past the writing, this may actually be enjoyable to some.
October 26, 2024
"𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞- 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐞."
I'm at a loss for words. I love Viking romance stories, and this one did not disappoint. If you enjoyed Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young, I think you will LOVE Nena by Ann Boelter. Fully developed characters, great dialogue, intense action, a compelling storyline, uncomplicated worldbuilding, brutal violence, steamy romance (with great buildup), different cultures, and Vikings!! I just adored this book so completely!
I'm at a loss for words. I love Viking romance stories, and this one did not disappoint. If you enjoyed Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young, I think you will LOVE Nena by Ann Boelter. Fully developed characters, great dialogue, intense action, a compelling storyline, uncomplicated worldbuilding, brutal violence, steamy romance (with great buildup), different cultures, and Vikings!! I just adored this book so completely!
January 2, 2020
Welcome to Throwback Thursday my fellow Book Dragons, our last for this year. And we are going far back. The end of the 9th Century, in fact. This Gem is quite beautiful, like a piece of Aquamarine held in the light of a sky just after a storm. It glows a silken, shimmering blue-green. When you clutch it in your claw you can feel the power of destiny vibrating from it, what does it hold for you? Adventure? Romance? Treasure? Danger? All of them? This Gem is “Nena” by Gem Maker Ann Boelter.
“Nena” starts out on the south coast of Norway. There a great Long Ship is commissioned. It is built by a man, but it’s bow is designed by a woman. It is incredible it’s design. Tall, foreboding, intimidating, it will terrify it’s Master’s enemies. It will be a Dragon (wonderful, isn’t it) but each individual scale will be special, for it will not be a regular dragon scale, but each will have the attribute of a different animal and takes it power from it. The agility of an eel, the swiftness of a bird, the strength of a bear. No, this will be no ordinary ship and it’s Master, no ordinary Master.
Jarl is his name and his plan is to travel the world taking treasure and plunder wherever he goes. He is a Viking. He will not relent. He has a plan to make himself rich and powerful and he is determined to fulfill it. He sails away from the coast on his new ship The Treasure Huntress and begins to do what Vikings were known for – taking plunder, capturing or killing all those who stood in their way. It was not for nothing that in churches across the coasts of Europe their prayers included the line, ” From the wrath of the Northmen, O Lord, deliver us ” .
But then after a fierce battle and the capture and pillage of a people not easily taken, he finds himself captivated by a warrior, Nena. He wants what he cannot have. She begins to want him in return…aaaanddd…this is where I put the book down for a moment and crossed my claws..because normally this is where Viking fiction becomes a real downer for me. Everything gets Hollywood-ish. Suddenly he’s going ga-ga..she takes over. It’s mad, passionate, explicit sex for pages and pages and it gets boring and I lose interest. Insert tea and biscuits here, played with the puppies here – when you are a dragon 47 pound dogs count as puppies – and then braced myself and picked the book back up… continued reading. And wouldn’t you know it… I WAS WRONG! Ann Boelter absolutely deserved every single kudo and award she has gotten for this book. I care about these characters. I want to see them survive and thrive. I want to see what comes next.
I loved this book. I have studied Vikings. My ancestors were models for some of those wonderful ships and shields, you know. Boelter gets it right. The surroundings, food, clothes, transport, weaponry. She even makes the conversations plausible because the dialogue is not over done. Communication is a very difficult thing to get right as one goes back in time and she makes it seem fluid. Her secondary characters are waiting to be fleshed out more, but this is a three part series so I would expect that we will see some of them again in the future.
If you are in search of a good, old fashioned Viking romp, where no punches are pulled and the Vikings are allowed to be Vikings, this is the book for you. If you have read incidents like ‘A Viking Burial’ in Faber’s Book of Reportage, this is the book for you. This is book is very reasonably price in paperback, and the cover is magnificent. It is also currently free on Kindle Unlimited.
Until tomorrow, this is your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
“Nena” starts out on the south coast of Norway. There a great Long Ship is commissioned. It is built by a man, but it’s bow is designed by a woman. It is incredible it’s design. Tall, foreboding, intimidating, it will terrify it’s Master’s enemies. It will be a Dragon (wonderful, isn’t it) but each individual scale will be special, for it will not be a regular dragon scale, but each will have the attribute of a different animal and takes it power from it. The agility of an eel, the swiftness of a bird, the strength of a bear. No, this will be no ordinary ship and it’s Master, no ordinary Master.
Jarl is his name and his plan is to travel the world taking treasure and plunder wherever he goes. He is a Viking. He will not relent. He has a plan to make himself rich and powerful and he is determined to fulfill it. He sails away from the coast on his new ship The Treasure Huntress and begins to do what Vikings were known for – taking plunder, capturing or killing all those who stood in their way. It was not for nothing that in churches across the coasts of Europe their prayers included the line, ” From the wrath of the Northmen, O Lord, deliver us ” .
But then after a fierce battle and the capture and pillage of a people not easily taken, he finds himself captivated by a warrior, Nena. He wants what he cannot have. She begins to want him in return…aaaanddd…this is where I put the book down for a moment and crossed my claws..because normally this is where Viking fiction becomes a real downer for me. Everything gets Hollywood-ish. Suddenly he’s going ga-ga..she takes over. It’s mad, passionate, explicit sex for pages and pages and it gets boring and I lose interest. Insert tea and biscuits here, played with the puppies here – when you are a dragon 47 pound dogs count as puppies – and then braced myself and picked the book back up… continued reading. And wouldn’t you know it… I WAS WRONG! Ann Boelter absolutely deserved every single kudo and award she has gotten for this book. I care about these characters. I want to see them survive and thrive. I want to see what comes next.
I loved this book. I have studied Vikings. My ancestors were models for some of those wonderful ships and shields, you know. Boelter gets it right. The surroundings, food, clothes, transport, weaponry. She even makes the conversations plausible because the dialogue is not over done. Communication is a very difficult thing to get right as one goes back in time and she makes it seem fluid. Her secondary characters are waiting to be fleshed out more, but this is a three part series so I would expect that we will see some of them again in the future.
If you are in search of a good, old fashioned Viking romp, where no punches are pulled and the Vikings are allowed to be Vikings, this is the book for you. If you have read incidents like ‘A Viking Burial’ in Faber’s Book of Reportage, this is the book for you. This is book is very reasonably price in paperback, and the cover is magnificent. It is also currently free on Kindle Unlimited.
Until tomorrow, this is your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
March 1, 2023
Loved this book! It's exactly what I've been looking for! Strong, smart heroine is captured by enemy alpha male and doesn't instantly fall head over heels for him, instead she tries to find a way to kill him. (I hate those books where 5 minutes after an invader has killed the heroine's family, she's thinking how handsome he is. Really? ) Nena and Jarl are so well matched and so equally determined, I couldn't stop reading to see how it was going to end. The scheming "other woman" only added to the intrigue. Sex was detailed, but sensual (not disgusting, like so many are now) and the Vikings were tough and very realistic - I'm tired of reading vikings being portrayed as perfect gentlemen in viking clothes. Definitely 5 stars for me and I can't wait for the next book in this series!
February 10, 2022
This was good, I absolutely loved the heroines characters she was so strong and didn’t take sh*t from anyone. I really liked the way this was written and the characters, the plot.
However, i think more should’ve happened between them, the hero just fell for her over nothing, maybe her personality and feminist let her looks but not any of her actions. I wish there was more of an adventure between them.
Also, then ending, i think dragged a bit too much, he made a huge romantic gesture, which was fine, but i think they still were not in LOVE LOVE for him to be doing the most. I wish she was more useful and brave in the ending like she had been for most of the book.
It needed a bit of romatical depth for me to give it 5 stars.
However, i think more should’ve happened between them, the hero just fell for her over nothing, maybe her personality and feminist let her looks but not any of her actions. I wish there was more of an adventure between them.
Also, then ending, i think dragged a bit too much, he made a huge romantic gesture, which was fine, but i think they still were not in LOVE LOVE for him to be doing the most. I wish she was more useful and brave in the ending like she had been for most of the book.
It needed a bit of romatical depth for me to give it 5 stars.
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