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Viking Trilogy #1
Sea Jewel
TEMPEST OF FURYWhen arms of steel trapped her slender waist and hungry lips branded her lustrous skin, Freya's rage exploded. How dare her enemy ignore her noble birth and treat her like any other female captured in battle! But even as the wild-haired beauty vowed eternal revenge, the spark of ecstasy was kindled deep inside her, and her supple body betrayed her. Then she couldn't help but swear allegiance to the man who made her vibrate with passion and beg for satisfaction...WINDSTORM OF LUSTHot- tempered Alaric had long planned the humiliation of his hated foe's daughter. Finally he clasped her hard against him and made free with her ample womanly charms... but the ruthless prince never expected her musky feminine scent to intoxicate him, her full provocative curves to drive him wild. Alaric had thought only of making the wench from across the ocean his lowly bedchamber slave; he'd never accept that now she was mistress of his heart, his treasured, beloved SEA JEWEL(less)
492 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 1, 2023
Read:1/24/23
This was a proper Bodice-ripper! It had all the ingredients if you want a good Viking book.
✔️ kidnapping
✔️ alpha-male
✔️ strong opionated h
✔️ revenge
✔️ evil villians waiting in the wing
✔️ evil kind of OW
What I liked:
1. The writing was very good, and so was the pacing for the most part.
2. The story had some great twists and characters.
3. I didn't see the surprise at the end coming.
4. I liked the chemistry between the pair! Very electrifying!
5. It's just the Viking revenge story I needed!
Didn't like:
1. The storyline changed near the end, which saw the couple separated for a stupid reason. It was unnecessary and frustrating 😒
2. She didn't know he was a twin. Really?
3. The sex scenes were starting to get old.
All in all, if you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned Bodice-ripper, I'd highly recommend this book!
This was a proper Bodice-ripper! It had all the ingredients if you want a good Viking book.
✔️ kidnapping
✔️ alpha-male
✔️ strong opionated h
✔️ revenge
✔️ evil villians waiting in the wing
✔️ evil kind of OW
What I liked:
1. The writing was very good, and so was the pacing for the most part.
2. The story had some great twists and characters.
3. I didn't see the surprise at the end coming.
4. I liked the chemistry between the pair! Very electrifying!
5. It's just the Viking revenge story I needed!
Didn't like:
1. The storyline changed near the end, which saw the couple separated for a stupid reason. It was unnecessary and frustrating 😒
2. She didn't know he was a twin. Really?
3. The sex scenes were starting to get old.
All in all, if you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned Bodice-ripper, I'd highly recommend this book!
February 26, 2017
A Five-Star book, Albeit a Rating I Give Reluctantly.
After deliberation, I decided to give "Sea Jewel" by Penelope Neri five stars, although I do so with some high degree of reluctance. The explanation why follows.
The Story: The book begins with the hero of the book, Freya Jorgenson, being born. Her father, Thorfast, is a warring Viking who wanted a son. He orders his man, Sven, to kill Freya. Sven, however, being a kind soul, chooses not to and, with the help of a captured English slave, raises Freya as his daughter. Earlier, Sven did a similar thing. Years earlier, when Thorfast and his men went a-viking-i.e murdering, pillaging and raping-they sacked an English village, killing all the males and raping the females. One of the women, Wilone, wife of the head of the earldom Thorfast killed, offered herself as a sexual slave to Thorfast in exchange for sparing her life and the life of her unborn child. Thorfast raped Wilone and ordered Sven to kill her and her child, which he did not do. Wilone gave birth to twin boys. One, Farant, was a studious, bookish, quiet individual. The other, Alaric, the "hero" of this book, was more warlike, in particular after finding out what happened to his mother. Alaric vowed revenge on Thorfast and all Danes. He would get his chance many years later.
The book fast forwards. Freya is now the head of her hall, and she, like her sire, pillages English villages. She decides to pillage the same village Thorfast did many years ago, against the advice and admonition of Sven, who is a psychic and envisions, correctly, that the raid Freya is planning will have grave consequences for her. What Freya doesn't know is that there is a traitor, who informs the English that an attack is coming. When Freya and her men attack, many are killed and Freya is captured by Alaric. When he finds out who she is, he decides to exact his revenge on her father through her, by raping and dishonoring her the same way her father did his mother. Alaric rapes Freya, although she fights him, and even though he is her master and she his slave, they eventually fall in love! This relationship draws the ire of two people in particular; Alaric's sister-in-law-and former lover-Kendra, who wants Alaric both for his sexual prowess and his money and power. Kendra accuses Freya of two murders which Kendra herself committed. The first time, Kendra has to withdraw her charge after being caught committing adultery. The second time, Kendra kills Farant, and Freya mistakenly believes that it was Alaric who was killed. Freya runs away and faces various perils. The second person who disapproves of their relationship is Alaric's uncle, Ordway, who hates all Danes for what Thorfast did to Wilone, who, after seeing her husband and other children killed and being raped, became mentally unstable and now lives out her life in a religious abbey. After Freya escapes, she finds out that she is with child, and faces various perils as she makes her way back from England to Denmark. Freya eventually returns to Denmark, where she meets up again with her childhood friend, Olaf, who is in love with her and they get married. Freya, however, doesn't tell Olaf that she's not in love with him or that she is pregnant with Alaric's child. This truth, however, eventually comes out. Freya gives birth to twins, a son and daughter, and she and Olaf have a pleasant, if not totally loving, marriage, as he accepts her children despite their not being his by blood. However, the specter of Freya's love for Alaric-who she believes to be dead-hangs over their marriage. Olaf later learns that Alaric is not dead, although he doesn't tell Freya this. He tells the truth after being mortally wounded in another Viking raid on England. Freya then decides to return to England to be with Alaric, no matter what their relationship status is, and is accosted and imperiled which Alaric has to rescue her from. They do eventually get married, and Freya becomes a Christian and changes her name to Marissa-the Christian name meaning "of the sea."
Ordway, however, incensed that Alaric and Freya are marrying, kidnaps the twins and tries to kill them, he dies in a fire at the abbey, but the children survive thanks to Wilone, who saves them the same way she saved Alaric and Farant when they were babies. And they lived happily ever after.
Positives: As is the case with all of Penelope Neri's books, the main positive is the heroine. Freya is a strong, warlike, capable heroine. She never accepts being enslaved, fighting every step of the way, although Alaric overpowers her both physically and sexually. She faces many difficulties and survives and prospers. I always appreciate the strength that Ms. Neri's heroines have.
Negatives: The biggest negative is, of course,the fact that Freya is raped, twice, by Alaric and another male, and that she falls in love with the person who raped her. Since this book is set in the 9th century, the term "Stockholm Syndrome" wasn't invented, but that's exactly what this is. I have a big issue with that, as well as the fact of a heroine falling in love with the individual who rapes her, which, sadly, was a rather common thing in romance novels of the past.
As much as I care for Ms. Neri's heroines, I never feel the same caring for her "heroes." Primarily because Ms. Neri's heroes are just slightly above vermin.
Sex: lots of sex scenes. They are not overly graphic, but they are many.
Violence: Mildly graphic violence.
Bottom Line: In the past, I have stated that I would never give a book where the heroine is raped by the "hero" a positive grade, yet I am doing so with this book. Let me explain why I am doing so. My views have somewhat evolved. I feel now that it is important to view the books I read in their complete context, not solely based on one act. This is a very good book. As stated, there are parts I wish would have been changed, but that doesn't completely diminish the positives of the book. If one likes medieval romance, this book may be a good one to have.
After deliberation, I decided to give "Sea Jewel" by Penelope Neri five stars, although I do so with some high degree of reluctance. The explanation why follows.
The Story: The book begins with the hero of the book, Freya Jorgenson, being born. Her father, Thorfast, is a warring Viking who wanted a son. He orders his man, Sven, to kill Freya. Sven, however, being a kind soul, chooses not to and, with the help of a captured English slave, raises Freya as his daughter. Earlier, Sven did a similar thing. Years earlier, when Thorfast and his men went a-viking-i.e murdering, pillaging and raping-they sacked an English village, killing all the males and raping the females. One of the women, Wilone, wife of the head of the earldom Thorfast killed, offered herself as a sexual slave to Thorfast in exchange for sparing her life and the life of her unborn child. Thorfast raped Wilone and ordered Sven to kill her and her child, which he did not do. Wilone gave birth to twin boys. One, Farant, was a studious, bookish, quiet individual. The other, Alaric, the "hero" of this book, was more warlike, in particular after finding out what happened to his mother. Alaric vowed revenge on Thorfast and all Danes. He would get his chance many years later.
The book fast forwards. Freya is now the head of her hall, and she, like her sire, pillages English villages. She decides to pillage the same village Thorfast did many years ago, against the advice and admonition of Sven, who is a psychic and envisions, correctly, that the raid Freya is planning will have grave consequences for her. What Freya doesn't know is that there is a traitor, who informs the English that an attack is coming. When Freya and her men attack, many are killed and Freya is captured by Alaric. When he finds out who she is, he decides to exact his revenge on her father through her, by raping and dishonoring her the same way her father did his mother. Alaric rapes Freya, although she fights him, and even though he is her master and she his slave, they eventually fall in love! This relationship draws the ire of two people in particular; Alaric's sister-in-law-and former lover-Kendra, who wants Alaric both for his sexual prowess and his money and power. Kendra accuses Freya of two murders which Kendra herself committed. The first time, Kendra has to withdraw her charge after being caught committing adultery. The second time, Kendra kills Farant, and Freya mistakenly believes that it was Alaric who was killed. Freya runs away and faces various perils. The second person who disapproves of their relationship is Alaric's uncle, Ordway, who hates all Danes for what Thorfast did to Wilone, who, after seeing her husband and other children killed and being raped, became mentally unstable and now lives out her life in a religious abbey. After Freya escapes, she finds out that she is with child, and faces various perils as she makes her way back from England to Denmark. Freya eventually returns to Denmark, where she meets up again with her childhood friend, Olaf, who is in love with her and they get married. Freya, however, doesn't tell Olaf that she's not in love with him or that she is pregnant with Alaric's child. This truth, however, eventually comes out. Freya gives birth to twins, a son and daughter, and she and Olaf have a pleasant, if not totally loving, marriage, as he accepts her children despite their not being his by blood. However, the specter of Freya's love for Alaric-who she believes to be dead-hangs over their marriage. Olaf later learns that Alaric is not dead, although he doesn't tell Freya this. He tells the truth after being mortally wounded in another Viking raid on England. Freya then decides to return to England to be with Alaric, no matter what their relationship status is, and is accosted and imperiled which Alaric has to rescue her from. They do eventually get married, and Freya becomes a Christian and changes her name to Marissa-the Christian name meaning "of the sea."
Ordway, however, incensed that Alaric and Freya are marrying, kidnaps the twins and tries to kill them, he dies in a fire at the abbey, but the children survive thanks to Wilone, who saves them the same way she saved Alaric and Farant when they were babies. And they lived happily ever after.
Positives: As is the case with all of Penelope Neri's books, the main positive is the heroine. Freya is a strong, warlike, capable heroine. She never accepts being enslaved, fighting every step of the way, although Alaric overpowers her both physically and sexually. She faces many difficulties and survives and prospers. I always appreciate the strength that Ms. Neri's heroines have.
Negatives: The biggest negative is, of course,the fact that Freya is raped, twice, by Alaric and another male, and that she falls in love with the person who raped her. Since this book is set in the 9th century, the term "Stockholm Syndrome" wasn't invented, but that's exactly what this is. I have a big issue with that, as well as the fact of a heroine falling in love with the individual who rapes her, which, sadly, was a rather common thing in romance novels of the past.
As much as I care for Ms. Neri's heroines, I never feel the same caring for her "heroes." Primarily because Ms. Neri's heroes are just slightly above vermin.
Sex: lots of sex scenes. They are not overly graphic, but they are many.
Violence: Mildly graphic violence.
Bottom Line: In the past, I have stated that I would never give a book where the heroine is raped by the "hero" a positive grade, yet I am doing so with this book. Let me explain why I am doing so. My views have somewhat evolved. I feel now that it is important to view the books I read in their complete context, not solely based on one act. This is a very good book. As stated, there are parts I wish would have been changed, but that doesn't completely diminish the positives of the book. If one likes medieval romance, this book may be a good one to have.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2015
Enemies Can be Lovers, A Classic Viking Bodice Ripper with Superb Storytelling
Set in the late 9th century in Jutland (Denmark) and England, this is the story of Freya, daughter of Thorfast, Lord of Danehof, a powerful jarl, and Alaric, son of the high chieftain Aeldred, descendant of the kings of Kent in Britain, whose father and brothers were brutally murdered by Thorfast in a Viking raid.
When her father rejects her because she is not the son he wanted, Freya vows to become a warrior who will lead her father’s men a-Viking. Her guardian, Sven, the skald who sees visions tells her that she will be taken in a raid by a great bear. And so she is. Alaric, called the great Bear, now leads his people. He captures Freya and vows to make her his thrall (slave) and take his vengeance. Oh, yes, he does that. But in the process, Alaric discovers the Viking maid he has taken has captured his heart. What is he to do when he is betrothed to another, one worthy of a Saxon thane?
Neri writes very well and weaves a complex story that kept me turning pages. This is a classic sage and covers several years in Freya’s life, first a jarl’s daughter and a warrior, then a slave who wins respect, then freed to wed a man she counted as friend and then to find her true home and her greatest love. There are wonderful secondary characters, richly drawn: Robin the skald, entertainer and spy; Sven who became like a father to Freya; Olaf who she loved as a brother; and Ilse who Freya rescued, both to love the same man. And so many others.
Rich in historical detail based on much research into the era, Neri brings alive the 9th century and the villages of Denmark, Wessex and the Danelaw in Britain. And it is so well done—simply superb storytelling is.
Highly recommended.
Set in the late 9th century in Jutland (Denmark) and England, this is the story of Freya, daughter of Thorfast, Lord of Danehof, a powerful jarl, and Alaric, son of the high chieftain Aeldred, descendant of the kings of Kent in Britain, whose father and brothers were brutally murdered by Thorfast in a Viking raid.
When her father rejects her because she is not the son he wanted, Freya vows to become a warrior who will lead her father’s men a-Viking. Her guardian, Sven, the skald who sees visions tells her that she will be taken in a raid by a great bear. And so she is. Alaric, called the great Bear, now leads his people. He captures Freya and vows to make her his thrall (slave) and take his vengeance. Oh, yes, he does that. But in the process, Alaric discovers the Viking maid he has taken has captured his heart. What is he to do when he is betrothed to another, one worthy of a Saxon thane?
Neri writes very well and weaves a complex story that kept me turning pages. This is a classic sage and covers several years in Freya’s life, first a jarl’s daughter and a warrior, then a slave who wins respect, then freed to wed a man she counted as friend and then to find her true home and her greatest love. There are wonderful secondary characters, richly drawn: Robin the skald, entertainer and spy; Sven who became like a father to Freya; Olaf who she loved as a brother; and Ilse who Freya rescued, both to love the same man. And so many others.
Rich in historical detail based on much research into the era, Neri brings alive the 9th century and the villages of Denmark, Wessex and the Danelaw in Britain. And it is so well done—simply superb storytelling is.
Highly recommended.
October 4, 2019
Rapey bodice ripper that's full of stubborn protagonists, wicked villains and violence.
Loved it!
Loved it!
November 9, 2021
I tried rereading this on the open library but DNF after 100 pages because the book is in out of focus, and it isn’t good enough to buy a hard copy.
Safety spoilers up to 100 pages, I don’t remember the rest of the book, although I did read this 15 yrs ago.
Not safe.
Very descriptive love scene with the ow in the beginning,
the ow marries his twin brother but still wants him/H,
- and he continue to react to her throughout the book, since the ow is constantly chasing him. If she wasn’t married to his brother, he would be sleeping with her.
The ow is super hot. 🙄
H rapes the h.
Safety spoilers up to 100 pages, I don’t remember the rest of the book, although I did read this 15 yrs ago.
Not safe.
Very descriptive love scene with the ow in the beginning,
the ow marries his twin brother but still wants him/H,
- and he continue to react to her throughout the book, since the ow is constantly chasing him. If she wasn’t married to his brother, he would be sleeping with her.
The ow is super hot. 🙄
H rapes the h.
January 20, 2023
Read this for Regan Walker’s monthly theme/blog, Jan. is Viking month. 4 - 4.5 stars. I’m definitely leaning towards 4.5 because the first 2/3rds of the book it was a really great page turner. However, the last third at one point was a little less interesting, slower if you will in one place, and I wasn’t wild about the turn of events the book had taken. This period the H and h are apart and she is married to another. It doesn’t last too long, but it created a lull for me in the read. Once that passed and she was back on track towards the H I was really anticipating the rest of the book. All in all a very good, angsty, BR filled with many dramatic events and great characters.
October 5, 2023
Review of series:
Destiny Is All!! Penelope Neri’s Viking Trilogy are three books worthy of Uhtred. Set during the same time period as the The Last Kingdom on Netflix they combine heart stopping romance with thrilling adventure.
Sea Jewel (1986) is a true bodice ripper as the heroine Freya, who has been trained as a Viking warrior, on raid to Kent is captured by the Saxon lord, Alaric. He has her stripped, put in chains and paraded naked in the great hall in front of everyone to humiliate her. But no, she’s fiercely proud and vows revenge. He tosses her over his shoulder and 🔥. Best book of the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Has a super Pino masterpiece cover.
Enchanted (1993) is the story of Beorn, son of the MCs in the first book, and Rhiannon, a Cornish healer with a touch of magic. At 600+ pages way too long and meandering but interesting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Love Within (1997), written 11 years after Sea Jewel feels more modern in plot and scenes. No ripped bodices… an arranged marriage between the daughter of the MCs in Sea Jewel, Edana and an Irish-Viking prince, Kerrin who takes her back to Waterford. He’s cursed and haunted by a legacy of hate and doesn’t want to love her. Great use of shape shifting in this tale! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing Viking stories, can easily be read as standalones, especially as the first and third books are the best. Neri is an exceptional scenic writer, taking you into the setting of the countryside, dwellings, ships, people, weather etc. Very atmospheric! Enjoyable escapist reads.
Destiny Is All!! Penelope Neri’s Viking Trilogy are three books worthy of Uhtred. Set during the same time period as the The Last Kingdom on Netflix they combine heart stopping romance with thrilling adventure.
Sea Jewel (1986) is a true bodice ripper as the heroine Freya, who has been trained as a Viking warrior, on raid to Kent is captured by the Saxon lord, Alaric. He has her stripped, put in chains and paraded naked in the great hall in front of everyone to humiliate her. But no, she’s fiercely proud and vows revenge. He tosses her over his shoulder and 🔥. Best book of the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Has a super Pino masterpiece cover.
Enchanted (1993) is the story of Beorn, son of the MCs in the first book, and Rhiannon, a Cornish healer with a touch of magic. At 600+ pages way too long and meandering but interesting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Love Within (1997), written 11 years after Sea Jewel feels more modern in plot and scenes. No ripped bodices… an arranged marriage between the daughter of the MCs in Sea Jewel, Edana and an Irish-Viking prince, Kerrin who takes her back to Waterford. He’s cursed and haunted by a legacy of hate and doesn’t want to love her. Great use of shape shifting in this tale! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing Viking stories, can easily be read as standalones, especially as the first and third books are the best. Neri is an exceptional scenic writer, taking you into the setting of the countryside, dwellings, ships, people, weather etc. Very atmospheric! Enjoyable escapist reads.
May 3, 2016
The story dragged at parts and the rape scene will put a few people off. However I liked the authenticity and realism for the time. The story spans a good amount of time with plenty of action and the writing style reminds me of Virginia Henley.
Read
June 30, 2016Lost interest
January 19, 2018
I wish more contemporary historical romances had a sense of adventure like these old bodice rippers. I like when characters are put through the ringer before they get their happily ever after, and there was plenty of danger in this book - bloody battles, near-sacrifice by a pagan cult, a desperate trek through the wilderness with a pair of infants, to name a few. It really makes the ballroom gossip and society scandals of contemporary Regency romances seem so droll.
There were a number of maddening clichés in this book. We have a rapist alpha hero who's super swoll, a feisty heroine who frequently plants her feet with her hands on her hips and shouts "nay!" and a scheming rival female painted in the worst possible light. The prose is very purple and the love scenes are especially cheesy. However, it's so full of rich historical detail about the Vikings and the Saxons that I was able to overlook those flaws for the sake of the story. I hated Alaric most of the time, I just couldn't see the appeal, but in the end I admired Freya. I just wish she hadn't converted to Christianity for the sake of a man. Let pagan Vikings be pagan Vikings, I say.
I did think it was slightly longer than necessary. I skimmed the last 50 pages and I could have done without the babynapping, but I was pleased to see Ordway die in a fire.
There were a number of maddening clichés in this book. We have a rapist alpha hero who's super swoll, a feisty heroine who frequently plants her feet with her hands on her hips and shouts "nay!" and a scheming rival female painted in the worst possible light. The prose is very purple and the love scenes are especially cheesy. However, it's so full of rich historical detail about the Vikings and the Saxons that I was able to overlook those flaws for the sake of the story. I hated Alaric most of the time, I just couldn't see the appeal, but in the end I admired Freya. I just wish she hadn't converted to Christianity for the sake of a man. Let pagan Vikings be pagan Vikings, I say.
I did think it was slightly longer than necessary. I skimmed the last 50 pages and I could have done without the babynapping, but I was pleased to see Ordway die in a fire.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2022
Got a little crazy in the middle when Farant was killed and she was blamed so she ran and defame the sacrifice for the Wordans and Robin and Ilse saved her.
Want to read
February 27, 2023Good book, how do I get a hard copy?
March 31, 2009
I've read this one over and over. I'm not sure exactly why but I love it!
August 4, 2009
This was my first Romance novel that I read, after that I was hooked. lol. Now I read pretty much everything.
no-fcking-ways
June 16, 2025Note to me - Ow has predominance and she causes drama.
Also very boring storyline.
Also very boring storyline.
Currently reading
July 29, 2018OMG!This is a really fabulous book.Way to go Neri.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews