Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Buddy read discussion for Sunset Fire by Renee Vincent.



Start date TBD!

Synopsis: (view spoiler)[*Previously published as Raeliksen. (This new edition has been partially rewritten and professionally edited, along with a new title and new cover.)

Mara, the daughter of an Irish king, was raised to believe the Northmen are murderous pagans without a moral bone in their bodies. Despite warnings of their violent raids and the growing threat of another incursion, Mara is continually drawn to her favorite place - the River Shannon.

Dægan Ræliksen, a wealthy chieftain from Norway's frozen fjords, secretly discovers Mara at the water's edge. Charmed by her beauty and sensuous grace, he decides his search for a wife has ended.

Mara and Dægan come face-to-face in a time when every Irishman is being called up to fight against the Viking foreigners. To acquire the woman he treasures, Dægan must make peace with Mara's father, but can Mara move past her fears and find the noble man within the savage? (hide spoiler)]

Are you planning to start reading tonight or tomorrow?

Maybe one chapter? What are your plans?

Or what works best for you?

I read the first page last night but was too tired to even read the first chapter.

I'm ready to actually read tonight. 2 chapters?

I didn’t make it far either last night. Two chapters sounds good.

I read 2 chapters last night and 3 today.

It's an unusual premise. Dægan has chosen Mara to be his wife due to her beauty and singing voice before he takes/saves her. Usually a captive bride is for political or financial reasons and attraction and love come later.

The writing style is also unusual. Sometimes it is quite poetic and beautiful. Other times it seems simplistic and unedited even though I know this is the partially rewritten and professionally edited version.

Mariana wrote: "I read 2 chapters last night and 3 today.

It's an unusual premise. Dægan has chosen Mara to be his wife due to her beauty and singing voice before he takes/saves her. Usually a captive bride is fo..."

I am through Chapter 3. I don’t think I will read any more tonight because I am getting a headache, but I agree about the writing. It is a bit uneven. Seems to be easily readable, shows potential but not great.

It is an unusual Viking story. I am glad that it doesn’t seem to be a rape and plunder story but I hope we get more Viking culture at some point.

That first kiss was too soon, and I find it unrealistic that Mara would be just fine after being unconscious for the better part of a day.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Mariana wrote: "I read 2 chapters last night and 3 today.

It's an unusual premise. Dægan has chosen Mara to be his wife due to her beauty and singing voice before he takes/saves her. Usually a cap..."

I also am glad it is not a rape and plunder story.

Mara's whole demeanor after being unconscious seems inconsistent with how hard she fought beforehand. Maybe she was affected by that bump on the head.

I read another four chapters today. Not much more Viking culture yet, but there is a little twist to the story.

Chapter 9

Well, I finally found out that Dægan is 15 years older than Mara, so 19 and 34. I was wondering.

(view spoiler)[Even more that the first kiss, sex/Mara giving away her virginity happened WAY too fast, day 2! It doesn't describe it. She makes the decision. Then, it just fades to black with the scene coming back up afterward. This was choppy and frustrating to me in more ways than one. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10

(view spoiler)[The morning after losing her virginity, Mara is a seductive vixen swaying her hips as she walks around completely nude and not even embarrased when Dægan's brother walks in. Rediculous!

Dægan leaves her completely alone with no instructions. He finds out there are high rewards on both their heads. When he finally returns to his home, he's barely concerned he can't find Mara anywhere. He just waits around for her. That's love! (hide spoiler)]

I am through Chapter 6. Will try to catch up tonight. Mara’s change has been quick. I guess there was a hidden desire to see places unknown? I enjoyed their conversation on the fear of the unknown.

Will try to catch up tonight!

I paused after chapter 10 and read another book, but I will be ready to resume tomorrow.

A couple of friends who have made great book recommendations rated this 5 stars. I am surprised I am not enjoying it more.

However, after downing an entire other book in 24 hours, I realize the writing style is just not to my personal taste.

Chapter 11

(view spoiler)[This was a tragic chapter, but I am not emotionally invested in the characters. I didn't feel the sadness or the pain. I did find it interesting that Eirik's widow only blamed Mara (as if she originally chose to be captured). Now Dægan is taking only his sister-in-law and Mara out of town with him. We'll see how that plays out. (hide spoiler)]

I am having trouble investing in it too. The writing isn’t bad but it’s not captivating. I can’t read it quickly.

Yeah, a little bit a day is best. My goal is to finish by Sunday.

I have not made any more progress, so I will be finishing this month's read late.

Me too! I made some progress yesterday and am through Chapter 13. I would not say I was reading closely though. The characters don’t feel real. Their reactions seem to be disproportionate to the time spent.

I will try to at least read chapters 12 and 13 today.

Well, I had some time today; so I read 12 through 16. Not much going on for me to comment.

I have not made any additional progress after chapter 16. I am stuck at 45%. I hope I can finish this one.

I think I have read two pages or something lame like that. Considering calling it a game except it doesn’t feel like something that is reasonable to not finish.

Yeah, I think I will press on slowly but surely. Maybe it will pick up in the last half.

I just finished Chapter 14 and thought the mother’s reaction strange. Sorrow is understandable but accusing her only son left of not doing enough. I don’t feel like it’s authentic. Maybe I am wrong in assuming Vikings were tough people but weren’t they? Wouldn’t there have been more of ‘‘tis life but thankful for the what I have mentalities?

I don’t think I am going to continue reading it. Probably no rating here.

Yeah, I agree that his Viking mother should have been tougher. I read through chapter 19, and I am not finding it more engaging.

The same could be said of the widow. Their reactions just feel off. As do other things.