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Viking I #5
The Blue Viking
What in the name of Thor could be making this Viking so blue?
- Eating haggis?
- Listening to those insufferable bagpipes?
- Traveling through Scotland with the world's worst poet?
- Searching for the infuriatingly inept witch who's cursed his face…and even more important parts?
For Rurik the Viking, life has not been worth living since he left Maire of the Moors. Oh, it's not that he misses her fiery red tresses or kissome lips. Nay, it's the embarrassing blue zigzag she put on his face after their one wild night of loving. For a fierce warrior who prides himself on his immense height, his expertise in bedsport, and his well-honed muscles, this blue streak is the last straw. In the end, he'll bring the witchling to heel, or die trying. Mayhap he'll even beg her to wed…so long as she can promise he'll no longer be…the Blue Viking.
395 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 3, 2001
59 people are currently reading
794 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Hill
92 books1,313 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
own-tbr
June 13, 2018I found this sucker way back in the back of giant bookshelf that is stacked three stacks deep. Say that fast three times.
Bought it new, never read it. I know you are jealous! Just look at that classic early 2000's cover. Will I read it? I think I must now! It's been waiting 18 long years.
Bought it new, never read it. I know you are jealous! Just look at that classic early 2000's cover. Will I read it? I think I must now! It's been waiting 18 long years.
June 17, 2018
This book has a great development and good plot I liked it very much and I recommend it to everyone.
November 3, 2010
The Blue Viking by Sandra Hill
I needed some humor, so I turned to Sandra Hill. Well, I got the humor (Bolthor's poems continue to entertain), but I also got a touching love story. And a nice, lusty one, too. I am totally digging this author. She has an amazing way of blending humor, emotional depth of character, plot and conflict, and lusty loving. If I had a crystal ball, I would predict......more Vikings in my future. Oh yeah!
(My only beef with The Blue Viking was that it started out a little bit slowly. But I'm sure glad I stuck with it!).
Grade: A-/B+
I needed some humor, so I turned to Sandra Hill. Well, I got the humor (Bolthor's poems continue to entertain), but I also got a touching love story. And a nice, lusty one, too. I am totally digging this author. She has an amazing way of blending humor, emotional depth of character, plot and conflict, and lusty loving. If I had a crystal ball, I would predict......more Vikings in my future. Oh yeah!
(My only beef with The Blue Viking was that it started out a little bit slowly. But I'm sure glad I stuck with it!).
Grade: A-/B+
November 25, 2022
This was a fun quick read. I was in need of reading something not too complex, with interesting characters, set far away. This romance hit all my requirements, and didn't disappoint me. I have a particular fondness for red heads, being one myself in a family of lots of others, and the temper and quick wit were enjoyable. The ending was what I expected from a romance, and once again something I felt in dire need of. All in all, an enjoyable read.
October 12, 2016
Setelah kemunculannya di Bewitched Viking, Ruric si Tykir BFF lumayan menarik perhatian karena kebenciannya dengan sosok penyihir. Dan seperti pada umumnya dia kena karma. Setelah menyakiti hati salah satu gadisnya yang ternyata seorang penyihir, gadis itu mengecat wajahnya dengan garis biru yang sudah pasti menodai ketampanannya. Putri Viking yang di lamarnya memberi syarat garis itu harus dihilangkan sebelum mereka bisa menikah. Dan di mulailah perjalanan panjang Ruric ke tanah Scotlandia untuk berburu penyihir spesial.
Seperti bisa di duga, plot buku ini simple dan standar banget. Nyaris tidak ada twist baru dan konflik yang mendebarkan. Karaktet Ruric juga menurutku tidak di gali mendalam, kelakuannya khas Viking SH dan latar belakang ngenesnya tidak menyentuh seperti kisah hidup Selik.
Setting Scotlandia yang tampil beda tidak digambarkan dengan maksimal. Joke-joke slapsticknya juga tidak menawarkan hal baru. Ketertarikan Ruric dan Maire juga sukar dipercaya, cinta mereka tak terasa sampai akhir. Pernikahan mereka juga terasa dipaksakan. Unsur bahwa romace mereka dibangun dari status Ruric yang sudah bertunangan juga sama sekali tidak membantu.
My rating :
Star : 2.5/5
Seperti bisa di duga, plot buku ini simple dan standar banget. Nyaris tidak ada twist baru dan konflik yang mendebarkan. Karaktet Ruric juga menurutku tidak di gali mendalam, kelakuannya khas Viking SH dan latar belakang ngenesnya tidak menyentuh seperti kisah hidup Selik.
Setting Scotlandia yang tampil beda tidak digambarkan dengan maksimal. Joke-joke slapsticknya juga tidak menawarkan hal baru. Ketertarikan Ruric dan Maire juga sukar dipercaya, cinta mereka tak terasa sampai akhir. Pernikahan mereka juga terasa dipaksakan. Unsur bahwa romace mereka dibangun dari status Ruric yang sudah bertunangan juga sama sekali tidak membantu.
My rating :
Star : 2.5/5
November 21, 2021
I found this book at a used bookstore. A friend and I like to go and find outrageous covers and this did not disappoint. So I found it, giggled, but it back and immediately regretted not getting it.
I went and found this at my library and I’m so glad I did. This book was hilarious. It’s a silly premise and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It takes place in historical Scotland but it is very aware that it’s fan fiction of actual Scottish history. And honestly I just love that. It’s nice to see a book take a historical setting and make it funny without worrying too much on historical accuracy.
If you’re looking for a funny “historical” fiction. - this is for you.
I went and found this at my library and I’m so glad I did. This book was hilarious. It’s a silly premise and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It takes place in historical Scotland but it is very aware that it’s fan fiction of actual Scottish history. And honestly I just love that. It’s nice to see a book take a historical setting and make it funny without worrying too much on historical accuracy.
If you’re looking for a funny “historical” fiction. - this is for you.
September 7, 2017
Extremely silly but entertaining.
October 4, 2011
I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart website.
RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
I'm truly dreading to voice my thoughts on this book. I know that I'm going to offend a lot of Sandra Hill fans, but here it goes.
As I read this tale, I couldn't help but think of the movie `Robin Hood; Men in Tights'. That movie was a spoof on the Robin Hood legend, and this book, in my opinion, is a spoof on `Spartacus' in general, Vikings in particular.
The plot is simple. Rurik the Vein had a short liaison five years ago with Maire Campbell, or the Witch of the Campbell Clan as she's known. But instead of taking her for his wife or just taking her with him when he left, he rebuffed her and the little witch didn't like that so much. So, she marked him with a blue tattoo mark on his handsome face. From that point on, our Viking is in search of Maire so she can remove the tattoo and he can return to his homeland and marry another maiden.
Maire Campbell is a not-so-good-witch. She gets her spells all mixed up, and reminded me of Aunt Clara from `Bewitched'. After Rurik left Maire, she was forced by her brother to marry a Macnab, so the last five years were not so happy for our heroine. As our hero finally locates her, he's shocked to find her widowed and embroiled up to her neck in Macnab trouble. I didn't like her much.
This book was a slapstick comedy, both silly and humorous at times, but for some reason, I wasn't laughing that much. I just couldn't take it seriously, and in the end, I was disappointed in it.
I found the story unexceptional, and in all honesty, I can't recommend it. If you like slapstick comedy, by all means read this THE BLUE VIKING; I'm sure you'll like it. But if you're looking for a true Viking romance, a look into Viking life and the times in which they lived and loved, you'll probably be as disappointed in this book as I was.
Melanie
RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
I'm truly dreading to voice my thoughts on this book. I know that I'm going to offend a lot of Sandra Hill fans, but here it goes.
As I read this tale, I couldn't help but think of the movie `Robin Hood; Men in Tights'. That movie was a spoof on the Robin Hood legend, and this book, in my opinion, is a spoof on `Spartacus' in general, Vikings in particular.
The plot is simple. Rurik the Vein had a short liaison five years ago with Maire Campbell, or the Witch of the Campbell Clan as she's known. But instead of taking her for his wife or just taking her with him when he left, he rebuffed her and the little witch didn't like that so much. So, she marked him with a blue tattoo mark on his handsome face. From that point on, our Viking is in search of Maire so she can remove the tattoo and he can return to his homeland and marry another maiden.
Maire Campbell is a not-so-good-witch. She gets her spells all mixed up, and reminded me of Aunt Clara from `Bewitched'. After Rurik left Maire, she was forced by her brother to marry a Macnab, so the last five years were not so happy for our heroine. As our hero finally locates her, he's shocked to find her widowed and embroiled up to her neck in Macnab trouble. I didn't like her much.
This book was a slapstick comedy, both silly and humorous at times, but for some reason, I wasn't laughing that much. I just couldn't take it seriously, and in the end, I was disappointed in it.
I found the story unexceptional, and in all honesty, I can't recommend it. If you like slapstick comedy, by all means read this THE BLUE VIKING; I'm sure you'll like it. But if you're looking for a true Viking romance, a look into Viking life and the times in which they lived and loved, you'll probably be as disappointed in this book as I was.
Melanie
September 28, 2011
When I finished reading "The Bewitched Viking" I was very curious with Rurik's story. I was honestly wondering what was up with the Blue line. So, after i finished with Tyrik's tale, I immediately went down to my favorite bookshop and bought this book.
As for my review, I give it a 3. The story didn't exactly reach up to my expectations but i enjoyed it nonetheless. Rurik i think lacks depth. He is vain, and I know it was because of how he was treated before and everything, But i don't know if he was able to justify it enough for me. Somehow it needed a little more explanation. As for Maire, well, there's nothing new about her character. I didn't like her that much and I honestly don't know what Rurik found bewitching about her, besides the fact that she was beautiful. Anyways, overall, the conversations were witty, which is what i was expecting, and i did enjoy reading it. It gave me a couple of laughs and some heartache, but i still find "The Bewitched Viking" better than this. But, it doesn't mean I wont read it again.
Thank you Sandra Hill for making me love Viking Romance! :)
As for my review, I give it a 3. The story didn't exactly reach up to my expectations but i enjoyed it nonetheless. Rurik i think lacks depth. He is vain, and I know it was because of how he was treated before and everything, But i don't know if he was able to justify it enough for me. Somehow it needed a little more explanation. As for Maire, well, there's nothing new about her character. I didn't like her that much and I honestly don't know what Rurik found bewitching about her, besides the fact that she was beautiful. Anyways, overall, the conversations were witty, which is what i was expecting, and i did enjoy reading it. It gave me a couple of laughs and some heartache, but i still find "The Bewitched Viking" better than this. But, it doesn't mean I wont read it again.
Thank you Sandra Hill for making me love Viking Romance! :)
February 22, 2012
I was stripping mass markets last week and came across this one - once I read the jacket copy I knew I had to read it: hot Viking bags Scotswoman (a witch, of course), leaves her and receives a blue zig-zag on his face in retaliation; searches for like three years for her to make her remove the mark, finds her, decides to punish her by having lots of mind-blowing sex with her (if that's a punishment, sign me up!), and [spoiler] not only saves her clan from a murderous rival clan (in a fight you'd miss if you blinked) but decides he loves her and would rather have a blue zigzag and stay with her than a pretty face and leave her.[/spoiler]
After my Eloisa James binge I expect mostly-coherent plots and writing. And no anachronisms. There were so many anachronisms and odd sex talk that I laughed my way through it.
Vain Vikings aren't hot, they're just vain. And boring.
After my Eloisa James binge I expect mostly-coherent plots and writing. And no anachronisms. There were so many anachronisms and odd sex talk that I laughed my way through it.
Vain Vikings aren't hot, they're just vain. And boring.
April 23, 2012
This book makes me wish I could go A-Viking. LOL I enjoyed Maire's character a lot. She bungled up her spells so all her witchery came out wonky. A girl after my own heart. Rurik, was amazing to me, again another sexy Viking. Sandra Hill writes funny, so well in her romances. Some recurring characters from other books of hers made appearances. I love Bolthor the Skald. His poetry is the best! My favorite part in this book was all the men having a ribbon tied on one of there fingers. LOL I won't spoil it for you. You just have to read it.
November 30, 2011
I need to read this book again!!! I remember being introduced to his character in a prior book and thinking.. "What an ASS." And not in a good way. He was so annoying, how dare he mess with my hero-heroine???! So I was cautious picking up his story but KYAAAaaahhhh loved his story, loved his heroine,loved himXD I need another dose of The Blue Viking!!XD
July 19, 2007
There are some things you read just to escape, and this one fits the bill perfectly. Hilarious, like most of her books are, and set in the days of the Vikings (as you may have figured). Made me laugh right out loud!
October 18, 2010
The Blue Viking only added to my growing love for Viking novels, especially by the great Sandra Hill! I had to piece together why he was called the Blue Viking, and I absolutly love the reason! Great book, 10000 stars!
August 12, 2012
Utter fluffy bodice ripper and rather graphic. Bit of a laugh.
May 4, 2019
I tried. I was really looking forward to finally diving into this book, which had been on my TBR pile for several years (mainly on the strength of the 'blue Viking ' in the title being a double entendre for not just the mark on the hero's face, but his blue balls due to the curse). But the amount of telling, not showing and fake old-timey dialect in the first 10 pages was enough to have me put this down.
As an exemplar, this happens on page 2:
And the exchange that had me deciding to nope out:
TL;DR Might work for some people; does not work for me. Passing it on to a better home.
As an exemplar, this happens on page 2:
And the exchange that had me deciding to nope out:
TL;DR Might work for some people; does not work for me. Passing it on to a better home.
April 28, 2020
I had a hard time getting past the fact that the hero in this book hit the heroine in the previous book then had the nerve to be offended when the heroine in this book was afraid he’d hit her. He kept saying he’d never hit a woman but in the previous book he hit that heroine hard enough to mark her face. Did he develop amnesia sometime between the two books?
July 13, 2025
(inglés). (Explícito). No es un mal libro pero simplemente no me gustó la historia ni los personajes. Fue una mezcla de vikingos y escoceses.
Me aburrí mucho y sólo terminé el libro por compromiso. Nada emocionante.
Narrado en tercera persona de parte de los protagonistas.
Además aquí aparecen los personajes principales de los libros anteriores y dan un resumen de lo que pasó en sus vidas.
Me aburrí mucho y sólo terminé el libro por compromiso. Nada emocionante.
Narrado en tercera persona de parte de los protagonistas.
Además aquí aparecen los personajes principales de los libros anteriores y dan un resumen de lo que pasó en sus vidas.
August 19, 2020
This was a blast, it was funny, it was hot, and it was about a viking. I literally don't know what more I could have asked for. Except a second chance enemies to lovers with a secret child, which it also was. 10/10 would recommend.
May 23, 2018
Seeking the witch that left him with a streak of blue on his face, leads Rurik to Scotland. Good humor
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2019
Ridiculous allover. Naughty humor aplenty. Mule-headed character on every side (I'd say even too much, tbh).
November 20, 2021
I love the humor that Sandra Hill adds in to all her stories.
December 18, 2021
Very enjoyable
Got to love a good love story with Vikings! And, add the twins, Bolthar, and all the people from other book, then it just good fun. Thank you!
Got to love a good love story with Vikings! And, add the twins, Bolthar, and all the people from other book, then it just good fun. Thank you!
June 29, 2022
Great
Another great book. This series is hilarious all the bumbling about and the witches. The story keeps you guessing as to who will or won't be loved and happy.
Another great book. This series is hilarious all the bumbling about and the witches. The story keeps you guessing as to who will or won't be loved and happy.
January 3, 2024
Love Sandra Hill. I didn't want to like the hero since he was a little vain and a rouge. I don't usually read anything with magic but this was so funny I couldn't resist!
April 24, 2024
Reread. I again found this story very fascinating & quite funny.
July 16, 2025
loved this book so hilarious
December 27, 2025
Great book
Sweet, engaging and entertaining book. This is a charming romance novel that is hard to put down. I really enjoyed it.
Sweet, engaging and entertaining book. This is a charming romance novel that is hard to put down. I really enjoyed it.
August 14, 2012
Reissued after over a decade from its first publishing, this re-done Viking novel is another fine example of Sandra Hill's good writing, her attention to detail, her never-failing sense of humor that she interjects into her characters and their interaction with one another, as well as her evident desire to help contemporary fiction readers also learn some new and surprising information about the Viking culture and lifestyle in the 10th century. Her the Vikings re-visit a familiar location in Scotland only to find that the Campbell clan has been systematically decimated by its neighboring clan led by the uncle of the under-aged laird. The story centers around one of the warriors who has been friends to Eirik, Tykir, Bolthor the Scald, Vagn & Toste Ivarsson, and other characters who continue their presence through this first Viking series from this author. A very funny book but loaded with history, all encapsulated in a beautifully written love story.
August 22, 2014
This was a good historical romance with vikings, scottish Campbell clan, a very unskilled witch, that all comes together in the quest of freeing the Campbells from the MacNabs in exchange for a certain blue mark.
Well that's how it started at least. Rurik wants the blue mark the witch put upon his face removed so his betrothed will agree to marry him. Soon his gets dragged into helping the very witch Maire to free her clan from the MacNabs. However he only agrees to help her if she will remove the blue mark and claims he will put his mark on her everyday until she does.
So as punishments go bedding the viking seems to only punish me by envy. In the bed their passions exploade, hearts are a little trickier and when secrets come out whoooweee things got intresting.
Well that's how it started at least. Rurik wants the blue mark the witch put upon his face removed so his betrothed will agree to marry him. Soon his gets dragged into helping the very witch Maire to free her clan from the MacNabs. However he only agrees to help her if she will remove the blue mark and claims he will put his mark on her everyday until she does.
So as punishments go bedding the viking seems to only punish me by envy. In the bed their passions exploade, hearts are a little trickier and when secrets come out whoooweee things got intresting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews