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Forbidden Vikings #1
To Sin with a Viking
Playing With Fire! Ìý
Caragh Ó Brannon defended herself bravely when the enemy landed—only, now she finds herself alone with one very angry Viking…�
Styr Hardrata sailed to Ireland intending to trade, never expecting to find himself held captive in chains by a beautiful Irish maiden.Ìý
The fiercely handsome warrior both terrifies and allures Caragh, but he is forbidden territory. He is the enemy…and he is married. Yet Styr harbors a secret that just might set them both free…�
Forbidden VikingsÌý
Resist them if you can!
Caragh Ó Brannon defended herself bravely when the enemy landed—only, now she finds herself alone with one very angry Viking…�
Styr Hardrata sailed to Ireland intending to trade, never expecting to find himself held captive in chains by a beautiful Irish maiden.Ìý
The fiercely handsome warrior both terrifies and allures Caragh, but he is forbidden territory. He is the enemy…and he is married. Yet Styr harbors a secret that just might set them both free…�
Forbidden VikingsÌý
Resist them if you can!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 23, 2013
37 people are currently reading
1028 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Willingham
164Ìýbooks614ÌýfollowersRita® Award Finalist Michelle Willingham has published over fifty books and novellas. Currently, she lives in Virginia with her family and is working on more historical romance novels. When she's not writing, Michelle enjoys baking, playing the piano, and avoiding exercise at all costs. Visit her website at: or interact with her on Facebook at .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
May 10, 2023
Der Wikinger Styr ist auf der Suche nach seiner Ehefrau Elena, die von Caraghs Bruder Brendan entführt wurde. Gemeinsam machen sich Styr und Caragh auf die Suche - er möchte Elena wiederfinden, während Caragh natürlich ihren Bruder finden möchte. Obwohl Styr und Caragh eigentlich auf verschiedenen Seiten stehen, kommen sie sich näher.
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Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich lese die „Historicals� eigentlich immer unterwegs, da sie so gut in die Tasche passen. Jedoch habe ich immer mehr festgestellt, dass mir die Geschichten leider immer weniger gefallen bzw. mich nicht mehr fesseln können. Das ist auch hier der Fall. Ich habe das Buch auf Seite 130 abgebrochen (von 253 Seiten). Dabei kann ich gar nicht mal sagen, dass die Geschichte oder der Schreibstil schlecht waren. Es ist einfach nur so, dass der Inhalt der „Historicals� mich leider nicht mehr anspricht. Ich hatte auch hier keine Freude beim Lesen und konnte mich nicht in die Geschichte hineinfallen lassen. Schade!
💖💖💖💖
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich lese die „Historicals� eigentlich immer unterwegs, da sie so gut in die Tasche passen. Jedoch habe ich immer mehr festgestellt, dass mir die Geschichten leider immer weniger gefallen bzw. mich nicht mehr fesseln können. Das ist auch hier der Fall. Ich habe das Buch auf Seite 130 abgebrochen (von 253 Seiten). Dabei kann ich gar nicht mal sagen, dass die Geschichte oder der Schreibstil schlecht waren. Es ist einfach nur so, dass der Inhalt der „Historicals� mich leider nicht mehr anspricht. Ich hatte auch hier keine Freude beim Lesen und konnte mich nicht in die Geschichte hineinfallen lassen. Schade!
November 22, 2015
I adore Michelle Willingham’s Viking and Irish historical romances! They’re sweet, sexy, intriguing, and I love being swept away to those ancient places in time. Her latest book, To Sin with a Viking, gave me more of what I’ve come to love about her stories, but was disappointing in a major way.
In her introduction to the story the author says:
Author NoteThe thing about this statement is that infidelity is not just a sexual betrayal of vows, infidelity can also be manifested through the heart and mind. Such is definitely the case with this story. While sexual intercourse doesn’t occur until after Styr is divorced, there are other physical, sexual, and emotional intimacies taking place between he and Caragh, and so I was horribly disappointed in them as people - and in the author for going there, while stating she hadn't gone there.
Sometimes arranged marriages in historical romance end in happily-ever-after. And sometimes two good people are never meant to be together. I wanted to explore the idea of a marriage between a husband and a wife who want to make it work but are unable to connect. And what will happen to them when they meet their true soul mates?
This duet of books, beginning with To Sin with a Viking, explores that theme without trespassing into the realm of adultery. Both Styr and Elena Hardrata deserve a happy ending…but it will not be with each other...
This is so out of the norm for this author, so by no stretch of the imagination am I thinking of giving up on Ms. Willingham’s stories. I have every intention of reading the next book, but I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed this one. In fact, it broke my heart. As brilliant as the characters are, as poignant as the story is, dishonoring ones vows, however it’s done, is as unacceptable to me in my romance reads as it is in real life.
Had there been zero infidelity, this would have easily been a 4 star read but, I cannot, in good conscience, overlook what took place between Styr and Caragh and rate it more than 2 stars. That said, other reviewers have given this story 4 stars and higher, so please, if infidelity isn't an issue for you, read To Sin with a Viking. There's much to love about the story, so you'll probably enjoy it!
My thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2013
He wished for a moment, that another life could be his.
What a compelling story! I honestly thought To Sin With a Viking was going to be a 5 star rating because I was completely enraptured with my read...until one scene evoked feelings of extreme frustration in me. But we'll get back to that nitpick later. :p
In short, this is the story of a Viking lord who was captured under unusual circumstances by a woman that managed to intrigue him more than he was expecting...
No man ever wanted to admit his marriage was dying. He'd been married to her for five years, and it still felt as if they were strangers.
Trigger Warning : Emotional Unfaithfulness. I almost didn't put in the trigger warning because the book explains over and over that Styr was in a loveless, arranged marriage in which he honestly tried to be faithful, when his wife wasn't wanting him at all. So this isn't cheating in the traditional sense of the word.
It was as if she'd awakened a part of his spirit that had been shielded for a long time.
So there you go. I can't say that there weren't feelings and desires and a few stolen moments, but the story was not meant to be about cheating. This is about a man who went without love for his entire life, and how he discovered the meaning of love.
Because of the success of the t.v. show Vikings, it looks like there might be a new trend arriving with an assorted batch of Viking romances. Sure, there had been Viking romances penned before the show (case in point, Believe in Me, which I recently read), but this is still a fairly untapped market for mainstream romance. While I tend to despise trends and tons of authors jumping on a bandwagon just to make money (death to gajillionaires!), I can't say that I'm sorry to see any sort of historical romance outside of the tired Regency set getting some attention.
After all, the world of the Vikings is extremely interesting to observe, especially when you get to see how layered their culture was. We know something about the raping, pillaging and conquering, but when you peel back that initial layer and see how they worshipped (there's mention of the different gods and even traditions, such as human sacrifice), how they ran their households (the scene which showed Styr's knowledge of fishing was a great one), and how they lived their every day lives, you realize that there's a lot to discover. And who knew that the were making ivory dildos back then? IT'S ALL JUST SO FASCINATING!
Many fans of romance like to read a story in which a rough, hard-edged man is somehow softened by love. This story does not disappoint. Styr is not quick to waver from his responsibilities. It takes time and care from Caraugh to melt the ice around Styr's heart. Theirs is a beautiful love story, full of moments in which both characters need to learn to bend and listen to the other person. What I most appreciated about this story was that all of the obstacles were real, and not imagined in the characters' heads. There wasn't time for ridiculous misunderstandings and people running away out of misinformation, because there were actual issues at work trying to keep these two people apart.
There was such a depth of storytelling present. I fell in love with each phase and stage of this book, never skimming to get ahead, because each intriguing moment led to another intriguing moment. I was engaged in a way I haven't been very often with any kind of romance lately.
You might be wondering why there was a scene which angered me, if I didn't have an issue with Styr having feelings for Caraugh, in spite of having a wife. For those who have read the book (or those who don't mind being spoiled), this is why :
Even though there was one scene which could have been handled differently, I still relished Styr and Caraugh's journey. I look forward to the next tale that's been planned for Elena and hope that this author adds even more stories in the future. If you're curious about Viking romance or are a fan of the Vikings show like I am, I'd highly recommend giving this a try.
This book provided from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes taken from the pre-release copy and may either be altered or omitted from the final copy.
May 11, 2016
FIRST READ: February 1, 2014
SECOND READ: May 11, 2016
875 A.D.
Caragh went to fetch a linen cloth, soaking it in more cool water. Without asking his leave, she went and touched the sore spot, bathing it to prevent the swelling from growing worse.
He stared at her in disbelief. "Do you always strike your enemy and then tend to his wounds?" His eyes held suspicion, as if he weren't accustomed to anyone taking care of him. It made her feel foolish, and she pulled the cloth away.
"I've never taken a man prisoner before." Her cheeks burned, and she retreated, wishing she'd never dared to touch him. Everything about this man threatened her, from his fiercely handsome face, to his raw strength. It was like charming a predator, and she needed to remember that he was not to be trusted.
*Carmen highlights entire book*
Well. If I tell you this book is about a starving Irishwoman who bashes a Viking over the head with a wooden staff and chains him up in her hut, you'll probably buy it instantly. And yes, I mean, obviously I understand this urge, however, this book is EVEN BETTER than what you are thinking, so I want to explain to you the HIGH GOODNESS of this book so that you know what you are getting into here.
Caragh O'Brannon is starving. Her two brothers, Terence and Ronan, left weeks ago to find food, leaving her alone with her 17-year-old brother, Brendan. She spends her days wandering around in desperate search of meat or vegetables, fighting off dizziness, headaches, and struggling to stay upright.
When she and Brendan see the Viking ship in the distance, they fear Death has finally come for them, not the slow savage hand of starvation but the bloody battleaxe of a Viking raid.
The Lochlannach were here. Caragh's heart beat so rapidly, she could hardly breathe. There were a dozen men walking through the shallow water, and their size alone dwarfed her kinsmen. Battleaxes and swords hung from their waists, while they carried round wooden shields. Several of the men wore chainmail corselets and helms with narrow nose guards. One man was taller than all the others, possibly their leader.
When Brendan gets the brilliant (read: extremely stupid) idea to steal supplies from the Vikings, a battle occurs. Styr's, the Viking leader, wife gets taken hostage at knifepoint by Brendan and Styr is knocked unconscious by a blow from Caragh's staff.
Styr Hardrata is searching for a new life. Trapped in a miserable and barren marriage with Elena, he has long despaired of ever finding any happiness. Although he works very hard to make his woman happy, Elena is devastated by their inability to have children. Both are wretched and consumed with sadness. After being married five years,
No man ever wanted to admit his marriage was dying.
Styr Hardrata stared out at the grey waters cloaked with mist, watching over his wife Elena. She stood with her hands upon the bow of the ship, her long red-gold hair streaming behind her in the wind. She was beautiful and strong, and he'd always been fascinated by her.
But that strength had now become a coldness between them, an invisible wall that kept them apart. She blamed herself for their childlessness, and he didn't know what to say. He'd tried everything until now, she grew sad every time he tried to touch her. Lovemaking had become a duty, not an act of passion.
Though he'd tried to ignore her growing reluctance, he was tired of her flinching whenever he tried to pull her near. Or worse, feigning pleasure when he knew she no longer wanted his touch.
The slow burn of frustration coiled inside him. This was a war he didn't know how to fight, a battle he couldn't win. Styr approached the front of the boat and stood behind her. He said nothing, staring out at the grey waves that sloshed against the boat.
“I know you're there,� she said after a time. But she didn't turn around to look at him. There was no smile of welcome, nothing except the quiet acceptance she wore like armour.
Styr is constantly trying to reach out to his sad wife.
But Elena rarely spoke to him any more, never telling him what she was thinking. He couldn't guess what was going on inside her head, and when he demanded answers, she only closed up more.
He didn't understand women. One moment, he would be talking to her, and the next, she'd be silently weeping and he had no idea why. It made him feel utterly helpless.
But there's not much he can do about their inability to have children.
But he strongly suspected that there was nothing he could do to make his wife happy again. He stole a last look at her, and at that moment she turned back. Her pale face was shadowed, her eyes holding such pain, he didn't know how to heal it.
In the end, he busied himself with the ship, unable to bridge the growing distance between them.
He hopes to make a new life for them in Ireland, or, as it's called in this book, Éireann. However, he and his men are not expecting to be attacked by the starving villagers.
Although Caragh is shocked and dismayed to see her brother take Styr's wife captive by knifepoint, she knows she can't let the Viking kill him, and delivers a blow to his temple that knocks him out.
He awakens chained in her hut.
I know what you are thinking... super-hot erotic fun-times are going to happen now, right? Wrong. (Sadly?) Caragh's starving and let me tell you that nothing kills your sex drive like starvation.
Styr is baffled at Caragh's decision not to kill him and her insistence on feeding him - sharing what precious little food she has - and tending to his wounds.
This whole scenario leads to very hot sexual tension slowly building up as she cares for this dangerous, wounded man who is chained up in her house.
Frustration drew his face taut with silent rage. “I have to find her. Let me go.� His command was spoken in a steel voice, one meant to be obeyed.
Though she understood his need, she couldn't possibly free him from the chains. “I can't release you,� she protested. “You'll kill me if I do.� In her mind, she envisioned him taking his chains and wrapping them around her throat.
“I don't usually kill women. Even the ones who try to crack my skull.� He tested the post, straining against his bonds.
Styr also feels pity and compassion for the rail-thin Irish woman who soft-heartedly tends to his needs. He wants to teach her how to fish and is loathe to leave her starving when he makes his (in his mind) inevitable escape to rescue his wife.
...
THE GOOD
- Incredible built-up sexual tension. First, Styr is Caragh's prisoner. Tons and tons of sexual tension builds up as Caragh sweetly cares for this murderous warrior and he's baffled by her soft heart. THEN, he . Super-hot. Other things happen, but the sexual tension is building and building and building and Styr is SO honorable, he's fighting this attraction so hard because he is married and his wife could be dead or enslaved somewhere.
- The story is very heart-wrenching due to the MCs circumstances. He's married. She's falling in love with a married man. He is too honorable to betray his spouse even though he is trapped in a miserable marriage.
- The writing. Willingham is a strong writer.
- The sex. OMG. OMG. So, there's this one scene where it's 73%... they don't have any kind of "sex" until 73%, I wasn't kidding about the slow burn here, and he
Then, in a scene which is even better.... OMG so much goodness, is when due to reasons, Caragh refuses to see him or have anything to do with him, and
Let's talk about Elena. It would have been so easy for Willingham to go the usual route and make Elena a horrid woman whom you have no sympathy for. But no. Not only is it stressed how attractive Elena is all the time, but she is an honorable and good woman (just not the right one for Styr). You see her going through some shit about her marriage and her inability to deal with her childlessness peripherally here, AND she's going to be Willingham's heroine in the next book in which Elena finds happiness with her hero. And you're thinking, how is Willingham going to pull this off? But it's fucking brilliant and Willingham is brilliant and the next book is good and you're going to feel such pity and sympathy and empathy for Elena in the next book.
CHEATING
Obviously this book involves cheating. If that bothers you, please skip it. I often avoid cheating books because authors are unskilled or unable to write this in a good, thorough, and sympathetic way, but Michelle Willingham - much like Robert James Waller - writes about infidelity and the motives that drive it in a very human way.
INFERTILITY
I also love the kind, gentle, and heartfelt way Willingham deals with the issue of infertility in this book and how it can affect marriages and romantic relationships. Excellent job.
THE BAD
There is bad in this book. I hated the dildo scene (it's not a sex scene) which I felt was humiliating to poor Caragh, and I hated the whole extended plot with And that made up a lot of the book, unfortunately. I couldn't understand or tolerate how stupid Caragh was being about and it really pissed me off.
That being said, I still feel as if this book deserves five stars.
Tl;dr - I picked up this book quite by accident, and was completely blown out of the water by how good it was. I immediately bought the sequel, which is also excellent (but this one is better). Harlequin Historical really puts out some gems sometimes which just baffle you with how amazing they are.
So much Viking romance is crap. Unreadable, unsophisticated garbage and Willingham just delivers on everything a Viking romance CAN be without even once resorting to stereotypes, garbage plot and garbage motivation, or ridiculous over-the-top writing. You can read 20 Viking romances and not find anything that holds a candle to this, AND I HAVE. It's extremely sad. So, extra points for Willingham. Vikings, starvation, infidelity, infertility and marriage are topics she delicately and exquisitely explores here - seemingly without any regard for the more crass and idiotic tropes of the genre.
The fact that I enjoyed a book that deals with infidelity is a testament to Willingham's good writing and my heart also blossomed reading the next book and seeing Elena find her HEA after everything she's suffered. Even though Elena is the "frigid wife" in this book, Willingham never paints her that way - or unsympathetically or in an ugly way. You feel her despair and her pain just like you feel Styr's and the fact that Willingham can pull this off IN A ROMANCE NOVEL is honestly mind-boggling.
A perfect duology in my opinion.
Harlequin Historical July 2013
SECOND READ: May 11, 2016
875 A.D.
Caragh went to fetch a linen cloth, soaking it in more cool water. Without asking his leave, she went and touched the sore spot, bathing it to prevent the swelling from growing worse.
He stared at her in disbelief. "Do you always strike your enemy and then tend to his wounds?" His eyes held suspicion, as if he weren't accustomed to anyone taking care of him. It made her feel foolish, and she pulled the cloth away.
"I've never taken a man prisoner before." Her cheeks burned, and she retreated, wishing she'd never dared to touch him. Everything about this man threatened her, from his fiercely handsome face, to his raw strength. It was like charming a predator, and she needed to remember that he was not to be trusted.
*Carmen highlights entire book*
Well. If I tell you this book is about a starving Irishwoman who bashes a Viking over the head with a wooden staff and chains him up in her hut, you'll probably buy it instantly. And yes, I mean, obviously I understand this urge, however, this book is EVEN BETTER than what you are thinking, so I want to explain to you the HIGH GOODNESS of this book so that you know what you are getting into here.
Caragh O'Brannon is starving. Her two brothers, Terence and Ronan, left weeks ago to find food, leaving her alone with her 17-year-old brother, Brendan. She spends her days wandering around in desperate search of meat or vegetables, fighting off dizziness, headaches, and struggling to stay upright.
When she and Brendan see the Viking ship in the distance, they fear Death has finally come for them, not the slow savage hand of starvation but the bloody battleaxe of a Viking raid.
The Lochlannach were here. Caragh's heart beat so rapidly, she could hardly breathe. There were a dozen men walking through the shallow water, and their size alone dwarfed her kinsmen. Battleaxes and swords hung from their waists, while they carried round wooden shields. Several of the men wore chainmail corselets and helms with narrow nose guards. One man was taller than all the others, possibly their leader.
When Brendan gets the brilliant (read: extremely stupid) idea to steal supplies from the Vikings, a battle occurs. Styr's, the Viking leader, wife gets taken hostage at knifepoint by Brendan and Styr is knocked unconscious by a blow from Caragh's staff.
Styr Hardrata is searching for a new life. Trapped in a miserable and barren marriage with Elena, he has long despaired of ever finding any happiness. Although he works very hard to make his woman happy, Elena is devastated by their inability to have children. Both are wretched and consumed with sadness. After being married five years,
No man ever wanted to admit his marriage was dying.
Styr Hardrata stared out at the grey waters cloaked with mist, watching over his wife Elena. She stood with her hands upon the bow of the ship, her long red-gold hair streaming behind her in the wind. She was beautiful and strong, and he'd always been fascinated by her.
But that strength had now become a coldness between them, an invisible wall that kept them apart. She blamed herself for their childlessness, and he didn't know what to say. He'd tried everything until now, she grew sad every time he tried to touch her. Lovemaking had become a duty, not an act of passion.
Though he'd tried to ignore her growing reluctance, he was tired of her flinching whenever he tried to pull her near. Or worse, feigning pleasure when he knew she no longer wanted his touch.
The slow burn of frustration coiled inside him. This was a war he didn't know how to fight, a battle he couldn't win. Styr approached the front of the boat and stood behind her. He said nothing, staring out at the grey waves that sloshed against the boat.
“I know you're there,� she said after a time. But she didn't turn around to look at him. There was no smile of welcome, nothing except the quiet acceptance she wore like armour.
Styr is constantly trying to reach out to his sad wife.
But Elena rarely spoke to him any more, never telling him what she was thinking. He couldn't guess what was going on inside her head, and when he demanded answers, she only closed up more.
He didn't understand women. One moment, he would be talking to her, and the next, she'd be silently weeping and he had no idea why. It made him feel utterly helpless.
But there's not much he can do about their inability to have children.
But he strongly suspected that there was nothing he could do to make his wife happy again. He stole a last look at her, and at that moment she turned back. Her pale face was shadowed, her eyes holding such pain, he didn't know how to heal it.
In the end, he busied himself with the ship, unable to bridge the growing distance between them.
He hopes to make a new life for them in Ireland, or, as it's called in this book, Éireann. However, he and his men are not expecting to be attacked by the starving villagers.
Although Caragh is shocked and dismayed to see her brother take Styr's wife captive by knifepoint, she knows she can't let the Viking kill him, and delivers a blow to his temple that knocks him out.
He awakens chained in her hut.
I know what you are thinking... super-hot erotic fun-times are going to happen now, right? Wrong. (Sadly?) Caragh's starving and let me tell you that nothing kills your sex drive like starvation.
Styr is baffled at Caragh's decision not to kill him and her insistence on feeding him - sharing what precious little food she has - and tending to his wounds.
This whole scenario leads to very hot sexual tension slowly building up as she cares for this dangerous, wounded man who is chained up in her house.
Frustration drew his face taut with silent rage. “I have to find her. Let me go.� His command was spoken in a steel voice, one meant to be obeyed.
Though she understood his need, she couldn't possibly free him from the chains. “I can't release you,� she protested. “You'll kill me if I do.� In her mind, she envisioned him taking his chains and wrapping them around her throat.
“I don't usually kill women. Even the ones who try to crack my skull.� He tested the post, straining against his bonds.
Styr also feels pity and compassion for the rail-thin Irish woman who soft-heartedly tends to his needs. He wants to teach her how to fish and is loathe to leave her starving when he makes his (in his mind) inevitable escape to rescue his wife.
...
THE GOOD
- Incredible built-up sexual tension. First, Styr is Caragh's prisoner. Tons and tons of sexual tension builds up as Caragh sweetly cares for this murderous warrior and he's baffled by her soft heart. THEN, he . Super-hot. Other things happen, but the sexual tension is building and building and building and Styr is SO honorable, he's fighting this attraction so hard because he is married and his wife could be dead or enslaved somewhere.
- The story is very heart-wrenching due to the MCs circumstances. He's married. She's falling in love with a married man. He is too honorable to betray his spouse even though he is trapped in a miserable marriage.
- The writing. Willingham is a strong writer.
- The sex. OMG. OMG. So, there's this one scene where it's 73%... they don't have any kind of "sex" until 73%, I wasn't kidding about the slow burn here, and he
Then, in a scene which is even better.... OMG so much goodness, is when due to reasons, Caragh refuses to see him or have anything to do with him, and
Let's talk about Elena. It would have been so easy for Willingham to go the usual route and make Elena a horrid woman whom you have no sympathy for. But no. Not only is it stressed how attractive Elena is all the time, but she is an honorable and good woman (just not the right one for Styr). You see her going through some shit about her marriage and her inability to deal with her childlessness peripherally here, AND she's going to be Willingham's heroine in the next book in which Elena finds happiness with her hero. And you're thinking, how is Willingham going to pull this off? But it's fucking brilliant and Willingham is brilliant and the next book is good and you're going to feel such pity and sympathy and empathy for Elena in the next book.
CHEATING
Obviously this book involves cheating. If that bothers you, please skip it. I often avoid cheating books because authors are unskilled or unable to write this in a good, thorough, and sympathetic way, but Michelle Willingham - much like Robert James Waller - writes about infidelity and the motives that drive it in a very human way.
INFERTILITY
I also love the kind, gentle, and heartfelt way Willingham deals with the issue of infertility in this book and how it can affect marriages and romantic relationships. Excellent job.
THE BAD
There is bad in this book. I hated the dildo scene (it's not a sex scene) which I felt was humiliating to poor Caragh, and I hated the whole extended plot with And that made up a lot of the book, unfortunately. I couldn't understand or tolerate how stupid Caragh was being about and it really pissed me off.
That being said, I still feel as if this book deserves five stars.
Tl;dr - I picked up this book quite by accident, and was completely blown out of the water by how good it was. I immediately bought the sequel, which is also excellent (but this one is better). Harlequin Historical really puts out some gems sometimes which just baffle you with how amazing they are.
So much Viking romance is crap. Unreadable, unsophisticated garbage and Willingham just delivers on everything a Viking romance CAN be without even once resorting to stereotypes, garbage plot and garbage motivation, or ridiculous over-the-top writing. You can read 20 Viking romances and not find anything that holds a candle to this, AND I HAVE. It's extremely sad. So, extra points for Willingham. Vikings, starvation, infidelity, infertility and marriage are topics she delicately and exquisitely explores here - seemingly without any regard for the more crass and idiotic tropes of the genre.
The fact that I enjoyed a book that deals with infidelity is a testament to Willingham's good writing and my heart also blossomed reading the next book and seeing Elena find her HEA after everything she's suffered. Even though Elena is the "frigid wife" in this book, Willingham never paints her that way - or unsympathetically or in an ugly way. You feel her despair and her pain just like you feel Styr's and the fact that Willingham can pull this off IN A ROMANCE NOVEL is honestly mind-boggling.
A perfect duology in my opinion.
Harlequin Historical July 2013
May 17, 2016
4 I'll always be your prisoner Stars
Don't let the title of the book or the publisher fool you. This is much better that you could ever surmise by these things alone. Of course there are vikings, it is a romance, there is a HEA, but the storytelling is strong and incredibly compelling, especially on a couple of very serious themes treated surprisingly well.
I have no other viking book in my shelves to compare this with, unless we're talking real historical books, even so I am pretty confident that this is above the average out there, especially with the theme being in fashion right now. If you are looking for accurate, detailed, fully rendered descriptions of the Viking world and traditions, you'd be sorely disappointed, it is history light, yet not empty, there are very well placed scenes about sailing, fishing, longhouses, raiding and trading. The Irish reality is also well rendered, even if a very specific bit of it.
More than anything, I think this is a story of two miseries meeting. On one side an Irish community decimated by hunger, desperate for scraps, on the other a group of Norwegian Vikings that chose Eire to start their lives over, their leader and his wife giving one final go at trying to save their marriage. The clash of these two groups will lead to fighting, captivities, escapes and rescue parties, with a lot in between. What really made the book for me, was the attention to the personal relationships. The viking leader Styr is strong, skilled and powerful, yet I never felt him as the cold hearted killer he was feared for and supposed to be. He gets clubbed in the head and made prisoner by a tiny, starving Irish woman after all. He's a man bound to duty and traditions, incredibly alone behind all the layers. Such Irish woman, Caragh, scared, weak, emaciated, still has the strength to defend her younger brother, the will to keep him alive starving herself even more, and the compassion to share her almost non-existing food with her prisoner, feeling guilty for such imprisonment. It's their miseries that meet, that understand each others. The slow burn and ensuing UST was OFF THE CHARTS, finally! It's more than that though.
What really gripped me were the quiet, painful, spot-on observations and reflections of Styr over his marriage, an arranged one which he had positevely embraced at the beginning. A childless marriage, reason alone to divorce a wife in their culture. His wife Elena is beautiful, quietly strong, he feels compelled to protect her and find her throughout the book, he never sees her as an enemy or the guilty one. He doesn't know her and feels like he will never reach her. The more he sees her pain grow, the farther away he feels shut out. There is no communication, sex has become a duty and he feels not only rejected but completely unwanted. He had adjusted to what she wanted and gave up his desire to sail around the world, trying hard to give her a child instead. Unwanted, unloved and probably infertile...Styr's self-esteem is shattered. And both of them are smothered in silence and their community expectations. It is painful, very.
Caragh is a woman fighting to stay alive, with dead parents, an ex fiancé who decided to go shag someone else the day they were supposed to get married, who threw herself into helping the community afterwards and three brothers who basically left her alone when she most needed help, even if not intentionally. She's used to take care of everyone but herself. She's fiercely loyal to her family, very generous too and always trying to do the right thing, she has her own mind and stands her ground, she's self-conscious over her extreme weightloss and has given up on love and relationships, finding food is the only priority. She has only a couple of naive moments that turn into foolish, dangerous decisions, but for the rest she prooves determined and very mature, unselfish to a fault perhaps.
Needless to say, Styr will get free, will feel compelled to help Caragh survive, even teaching her how to fish, and will keep her with him during the search for his wife. Their ever growing attraction and need through all the action (which will include saving Caragh's brother from the slave market and Danes raiding Duh Blin) is so real, the writing will make you feel it rub against your skin, burn like a heavy stone in your stomach. They want it, they fight it, they aknowledge it...they're still bound by honour, duty and simply trying to do the right thing.
You will have to make your own mind up about infidelity and cheating. Caragh and Styr will have intercourse only after he's no longer married, but they are in love long before that and they manage to share some of their desire and bodies somehow, in a scene simply combustable, of raw, undiluted desire. I was not offended nor angry and I usually don't appreciate cheating. But nothing is perfect in life and there is no point in sitting on a high horse when one's emotional life is in tatters. We're not talking of a husband fucking around for kicks on an unsuspecting wife or a young nymphette seducing the older guy in a power-game. These are two people who really find each others and know they can't have each others. What they have is beautiful and they deserve it. The way every little spontaneous physical touch from Caragh came as a shock to Styr really had me in knots...so ignorant he was of a loving, wanting touch. He's starved for love and he doesn't even know it, his conviction of being cursed and inadequate running deep. Caragh risks her heart on him even knowing that he could still choose his wife over her once they find her, because she couldn't do anything else but being true to her own feelings. They will both heal and break each others. When Styr finally finds Elena and it seems she is pregnant after all, your heart will break along Caragh's, knowing he has only one choice at that point.
What felt incredibly refreshing to me was Caragh's reaction after Styr goes back to her. His time back with his wife had not been easy at all, silences, even more isolation, guilt, pining...until Elena divorced him, she wasn't pregnant after all and she finally stopped holding on to their misery, she even blesses him and Caragh. He expects Caragh to pick up where they left off and marry him...but she shoots him down. Because she's rightfully hurt, she didn't like being broken, he needs to grovel and convince her she's not the second best choice, someone who he could easily set aside if, again, no children came from their union. I was proud of her. No fits, no stomping feet, no accepting him back immediately either...I don't know if I could have been so steady. She will go back to this important point every time they're together, until she gets the answers she needs to hear. His big atonement scene was absolutely FAB: chained himself in her house again, practically begging her to use him for her pleasure, pleasuring her several times every way he could and as she asked, including with the chains, before he finally lets go. Even in this scene, where they both speak of love and are finally free to explore all their desires, she has to break through Styr's fear of failing her too, she will insist that she wants him and his permanence at her side above all else, no matter what, children or not, she has to convince him she really loves HIM, just him.
I think in this sense the author has done a superb job at treating delicate, painful, real couples situations in a light historical romance, with all its shortcomings. It was not dramatic but truly touching. The UST was drugging, its explosion fulfilling, the MCs are good for each others in every aspect. I didn't rate it five stars for all the things I wished had been treated: what was really going on in Styr's village with his brother in charge, the life in such village, more tales of Viking's travels and pillaging, more background on Caragh, what did her brothers really have to do to get provisions for the village when they left, what happened to their little brother in captivity...just to name some. I will be reading the sequel, I want to know Elena's voice as well.
Don't let the title of the book or the publisher fool you. This is much better that you could ever surmise by these things alone. Of course there are vikings, it is a romance, there is a HEA, but the storytelling is strong and incredibly compelling, especially on a couple of very serious themes treated surprisingly well.
I have no other viking book in my shelves to compare this with, unless we're talking real historical books, even so I am pretty confident that this is above the average out there, especially with the theme being in fashion right now. If you are looking for accurate, detailed, fully rendered descriptions of the Viking world and traditions, you'd be sorely disappointed, it is history light, yet not empty, there are very well placed scenes about sailing, fishing, longhouses, raiding and trading. The Irish reality is also well rendered, even if a very specific bit of it.
More than anything, I think this is a story of two miseries meeting. On one side an Irish community decimated by hunger, desperate for scraps, on the other a group of Norwegian Vikings that chose Eire to start their lives over, their leader and his wife giving one final go at trying to save their marriage. The clash of these two groups will lead to fighting, captivities, escapes and rescue parties, with a lot in between. What really made the book for me, was the attention to the personal relationships. The viking leader Styr is strong, skilled and powerful, yet I never felt him as the cold hearted killer he was feared for and supposed to be. He gets clubbed in the head and made prisoner by a tiny, starving Irish woman after all. He's a man bound to duty and traditions, incredibly alone behind all the layers. Such Irish woman, Caragh, scared, weak, emaciated, still has the strength to defend her younger brother, the will to keep him alive starving herself even more, and the compassion to share her almost non-existing food with her prisoner, feeling guilty for such imprisonment. It's their miseries that meet, that understand each others. The slow burn and ensuing UST was OFF THE CHARTS, finally! It's more than that though.
What really gripped me were the quiet, painful, spot-on observations and reflections of Styr over his marriage, an arranged one which he had positevely embraced at the beginning. A childless marriage, reason alone to divorce a wife in their culture. His wife Elena is beautiful, quietly strong, he feels compelled to protect her and find her throughout the book, he never sees her as an enemy or the guilty one. He doesn't know her and feels like he will never reach her. The more he sees her pain grow, the farther away he feels shut out. There is no communication, sex has become a duty and he feels not only rejected but completely unwanted. He had adjusted to what she wanted and gave up his desire to sail around the world, trying hard to give her a child instead. Unwanted, unloved and probably infertile...Styr's self-esteem is shattered. And both of them are smothered in silence and their community expectations. It is painful, very.
Caragh is a woman fighting to stay alive, with dead parents, an ex fiancé who decided to go shag someone else the day they were supposed to get married, who threw herself into helping the community afterwards and three brothers who basically left her alone when she most needed help, even if not intentionally. She's used to take care of everyone but herself. She's fiercely loyal to her family, very generous too and always trying to do the right thing, she has her own mind and stands her ground, she's self-conscious over her extreme weightloss and has given up on love and relationships, finding food is the only priority. She has only a couple of naive moments that turn into foolish, dangerous decisions, but for the rest she prooves determined and very mature, unselfish to a fault perhaps.
Needless to say, Styr will get free, will feel compelled to help Caragh survive, even teaching her how to fish, and will keep her with him during the search for his wife. Their ever growing attraction and need through all the action (which will include saving Caragh's brother from the slave market and Danes raiding Duh Blin) is so real, the writing will make you feel it rub against your skin, burn like a heavy stone in your stomach. They want it, they fight it, they aknowledge it...they're still bound by honour, duty and simply trying to do the right thing.
You will have to make your own mind up about infidelity and cheating. Caragh and Styr will have intercourse only after he's no longer married, but they are in love long before that and they manage to share some of their desire and bodies somehow, in a scene simply combustable, of raw, undiluted desire. I was not offended nor angry and I usually don't appreciate cheating. But nothing is perfect in life and there is no point in sitting on a high horse when one's emotional life is in tatters. We're not talking of a husband fucking around for kicks on an unsuspecting wife or a young nymphette seducing the older guy in a power-game. These are two people who really find each others and know they can't have each others. What they have is beautiful and they deserve it. The way every little spontaneous physical touch from Caragh came as a shock to Styr really had me in knots...so ignorant he was of a loving, wanting touch. He's starved for love and he doesn't even know it, his conviction of being cursed and inadequate running deep. Caragh risks her heart on him even knowing that he could still choose his wife over her once they find her, because she couldn't do anything else but being true to her own feelings. They will both heal and break each others. When Styr finally finds Elena and it seems she is pregnant after all, your heart will break along Caragh's, knowing he has only one choice at that point.
What felt incredibly refreshing to me was Caragh's reaction after Styr goes back to her. His time back with his wife had not been easy at all, silences, even more isolation, guilt, pining...until Elena divorced him, she wasn't pregnant after all and she finally stopped holding on to their misery, she even blesses him and Caragh. He expects Caragh to pick up where they left off and marry him...but she shoots him down. Because she's rightfully hurt, she didn't like being broken, he needs to grovel and convince her she's not the second best choice, someone who he could easily set aside if, again, no children came from their union. I was proud of her. No fits, no stomping feet, no accepting him back immediately either...I don't know if I could have been so steady. She will go back to this important point every time they're together, until she gets the answers she needs to hear. His big atonement scene was absolutely FAB: chained himself in her house again, practically begging her to use him for her pleasure, pleasuring her several times every way he could and as she asked, including with the chains, before he finally lets go. Even in this scene, where they both speak of love and are finally free to explore all their desires, she has to break through Styr's fear of failing her too, she will insist that she wants him and his permanence at her side above all else, no matter what, children or not, she has to convince him she really loves HIM, just him.
I think in this sense the author has done a superb job at treating delicate, painful, real couples situations in a light historical romance, with all its shortcomings. It was not dramatic but truly touching. The UST was drugging, its explosion fulfilling, the MCs are good for each others in every aspect. I didn't rate it five stars for all the things I wished had been treated: what was really going on in Styr's village with his brother in charge, the life in such village, more tales of Viking's travels and pillaging, more background on Caragh, what did her brothers really have to do to get provisions for the village when they left, what happened to their little brother in captivity...just to name some. I will be reading the sequel, I want to know Elena's voice as well.
June 18, 2016
This is the second Harlequin I've read this month, and I didn't like it any more than I did the first. These books are just not for me.
One thing I don't like about them is that there seems to be sections of information missing in parts of the story. I don't know if this is just bad writing or an effort to keep the word count down, but I noticed it in both Harlequins. For example, in one part Caragh is looking at a group of men, hoping to see her brother. Then it's revealed that these men will be a sacrifice. And suddenly she's upset because her brother is among the group. No one tells her this and there's no mention of her catching sight of him, so I have no idea how she arrived at that conclusion.
What I disliked most about this were the characters. Caragh was too nice and meek, although I think she was supposed to be strong-willed. Styr didn't come off as a badass Viking. Both of them were too plagued by their consciences and inner voices for me to sympathize with them. Their inner musings were repetitive and didn't give me enough insight into their characters. Caragh was literally starving, and she didn't go out on her boat to fish because she was afraid. Yet her fear wasn't explored in depth, so she just seemed like an idiot for not trying harder to find food so she wouldn't die.
By the time the sex rolled around at the very end of the book, I didn't even care.
I liked the setting well enough, and the writing was serviceable other than the issues I mentioned. But it took me way too long to read a book that's less than 300 pages.
Carmen liked this a lot more than I did. You can read her review here.
One thing I don't like about them is that there seems to be sections of information missing in parts of the story. I don't know if this is just bad writing or an effort to keep the word count down, but I noticed it in both Harlequins. For example, in one part Caragh is looking at a group of men, hoping to see her brother. Then it's revealed that these men will be a sacrifice. And suddenly she's upset because her brother is among the group. No one tells her this and there's no mention of her catching sight of him, so I have no idea how she arrived at that conclusion.
What I disliked most about this were the characters. Caragh was too nice and meek, although I think she was supposed to be strong-willed. Styr didn't come off as a badass Viking. Both of them were too plagued by their consciences and inner voices for me to sympathize with them. Their inner musings were repetitive and didn't give me enough insight into their characters. Caragh was literally starving, and she didn't go out on her boat to fish because she was afraid. Yet her fear wasn't explored in depth, so she just seemed like an idiot for not trying harder to find food so she wouldn't die.
By the time the sex rolled around at the very end of the book, I didn't even care.
I liked the setting well enough, and the writing was serviceable other than the issues I mentioned. But it took me way too long to read a book that's less than 300 pages.
Carmen liked this a lot more than I did. You can read her review here.
February 10, 2016
I read this book in 1.5 hours. This was supposed to be a full length book. So suffice it to say that I was not particularly entertained by reading this book.
I wasn't sure what I wanted to read yesterday, not being exactly in the mood to start anything in particular. I thought I'd shake things up by reading a sub-genre read. So I decided on a viking story.
The Viking theme is fine. The tough Viking hero and kind Irish maiden are also fine. But other than that I could not say that I liked anything else in the book. It has little substance, flat characters, an inconvenient background (hero was married and his wife is the heroine of the 2nd book in the series). For the first 50% of the book Styr was thinking about how to save his wife who he felt so protective of so I assume he loved her or at least there was some tender feeling?? I was really confused. What was Styr thinking? He liked his wife and still tried to be a good husband but at the same he was falling in love with Caragh by going fishing with her? (WHAAAAAT?)
I want to say that I have no problems with a married couple being featured in 2 books as hero and heroine but being paired with someone else. It does not bother me. But I think the writing and story must illustrate their despair and loss of hope so that we as readers could understand why they did what they did. I would like to refer readers to Mary Balogh's for a married hero falling in love with another woman. Now that is how you do an unsuccessful marriage as a ruse in a romance novel.
There is little emotional depth in this book. The hero was married but fell in love with the heroine. I mean, this is one hell of a story driver. But it is so ill-used. Heavy weight ruse, really unsatisfying execution.
I have read quite a few Michelle Willingham's books. I have the impression that she has good ideas for characters and is not a bad writer (please forgive me when I say this: not a great one either). But some storytelling skills are lacking because while she could create a very intresting backdrop and characters for a story, what follows in the book rarely does the background and lead characters justice. It is really quite a shame.
I wasn't sure what I wanted to read yesterday, not being exactly in the mood to start anything in particular. I thought I'd shake things up by reading a sub-genre read. So I decided on a viking story.
The Viking theme is fine. The tough Viking hero and kind Irish maiden are also fine. But other than that I could not say that I liked anything else in the book. It has little substance, flat characters, an inconvenient background (hero was married and his wife is the heroine of the 2nd book in the series). For the first 50% of the book Styr was thinking about how to save his wife who he felt so protective of so I assume he loved her or at least there was some tender feeling?? I was really confused. What was Styr thinking? He liked his wife and still tried to be a good husband but at the same he was falling in love with Caragh by going fishing with her? (WHAAAAAT?)
I want to say that I have no problems with a married couple being featured in 2 books as hero and heroine but being paired with someone else. It does not bother me. But I think the writing and story must illustrate their despair and loss of hope so that we as readers could understand why they did what they did. I would like to refer readers to Mary Balogh's for a married hero falling in love with another woman. Now that is how you do an unsuccessful marriage as a ruse in a romance novel.
There is little emotional depth in this book. The hero was married but fell in love with the heroine. I mean, this is one hell of a story driver. But it is so ill-used. Heavy weight ruse, really unsatisfying execution.
I have read quite a few Michelle Willingham's books. I have the impression that she has good ideas for characters and is not a bad writer (please forgive me when I say this: not a great one either). But some storytelling skills are lacking because while she could create a very intresting backdrop and characters for a story, what follows in the book rarely does the background and lead characters justice. It is really quite a shame.
November 11, 2017
The writing was ok but there seems to be jumps here and there in the narration. I never liked the characters enough to root for them. In fact, the best chapter was the one with Styr's wife, Elena.
The sexual tension at the beginning felt out of place and did not do much for me. But the sex scenes were good, once I got there (chapter 12 out of 15).
The sexual tension at the beginning felt out of place and did not do much for me. But the sex scenes were good, once I got there (chapter 12 out of 15).
avoid
April 14, 2020The hero is married and he is attracted to the heroine.
July 4, 2013
‘What do you want from me?� she whispered. ‘Everything.� His voice was resonant, pushing past her defenses.
Something rare happened when I stepped into my first Michelle Willingham novel, the historical romance world that I know and love became a little less unpredictable. There is just something new and fresh about To Sin with a Viking.
What takes place within the pages of To Sin with a Viking may ruffle the feathers of some. You see Styr Hardrata is a married man, he's taken prisoner by Caragh Ó Brannon because her brother in a fit of stupidity and youthful ignorance takes Styr's boat with his wife still in it. Styr's finds himself chained to Caragh's home and from the moment he sees her he's infatuated with this starving young woman.
So here lies the dilema. Styr's married to Elena, their arranged marriage has produced no children and they're almost living separate lives. He loves her, provides for her and protects her but there is no spark and Styr's making a last ditch effort to take Elena away from their home, to start anew somewhere else. In hopes that they can be happy. His loyalty for Elena is touched on again and again in his internal monologs but at times Styr's actions are not very loyal. You know the scene i'm taling about if you've read the book. Trust me it's hot but at the back of my mind I also knew he would hate himself in the morning.
This continued back and forth between Caragh and Styr's is like weeks for foreplay. They're intensely attracted to each other and Ms. Willingham writes this attractions beautifully.
He was the sort of man to carry a woman off and claim her. Without warning, her mind conjured the image of kissing a man like this. He would not be gentle but would capture her mouth, consuming her. A hard shiver passed over her, for she’d never before imagined such a thing. It was madness to even consider it.
She has you in this constant state of anticipation. Waiting for either Caragh or Styr to snap, breaking his vows and promises to Elena. At the same time you have Caragh, this young, strong, and vibrant woman who doesn't know how beautiful she in from the inside out and these feeling are so new to her. But it was this new found attraction that Styr found that was so interesting to read.
He couldn’t remember the last time a kiss had affected him in this way. His body and mind were at war, his honour caught up in the softness of a woman’s mouth.
This book is chast untill almost the end but it's not tame at all. Caragh and Styr's feeling for each other and the attraction they share is moving. I found myself grinning when Ms. Willingham wrote a scene with an early dildo...
‘Tying up your lover,� he explained. A snort erupted from Styr, and finally he burst out in a broad laugh. Caragh’s face turned scarlet, as she suddenly understood what the man had been selling. Not only chains to tie up a lover, but the ivory cylinder was a perfect replica of a man’s� Oh dear God.
In conclusion, I enjoyed the uniqueness of this book. It was a fun fast read with a few twists I didn't see coming, which was great. If you're looking for somehting a little different, then this is a great choice. VIkings are in right now, I for one am loving the new History Channel Show, Vikings. This is a great way to get my Viking fix while the show is on hiatus. This may have been my first book by Michelle Willingham but it's not my last. I'm excited to read her next book in the Forbidden Viking Series.
This ARC was provided by Harlequin thru Netgalley for an honest review.
May 30, 2013
I have been addicted to Viking books since Johanna Lindsey introduced them to me about 15 years ago. Sadly there aren't that many books around based around these hunky stud muffins :)
To Sin with a Viking is on a completely different level from any of my old steamy viking novels, but when I requested to read that I didn't know.
This book was very well written but not really what I like in a book, or maybe I was just disappointed because of my expectations of hot plundering Vikings. Yeah, my bad for being a horn dog. There is attraction and a few stolen moments between the characters but because Styr is actually married to someone else, it doesn't go further than that. It is more of a relationship building book.There is obviously emotional cheating in this story and if that is not your thing I advise you to stay away.
All in all though this was a very well written book with an interesting story, just not for me.
To Sin with a Viking is on a completely different level from any of my old steamy viking novels, but when I requested to read that I didn't know.
This book was very well written but not really what I like in a book, or maybe I was just disappointed because of my expectations of hot plundering Vikings. Yeah, my bad for being a horn dog. There is attraction and a few stolen moments between the characters but because Styr is actually married to someone else, it doesn't go further than that. It is more of a relationship building book.There is obviously emotional cheating in this story and if that is not your thing I advise you to stay away.
All in all though this was a very well written book with an interesting story, just not for me.
April 12, 2015
Je vous pris, la prochaine fois que je tente de lire un historique de chez Harlequin, de me l'interdire. À chaque fois je dis plus jamais, et de frustration face à l'absence de diversité et bonnes nouveautés de chez A&P, je flanche.
Le héros est donc marié. Il ne se passe rien de concret entre les 2 protagonistes durant tout le livre car c'est un homme d'honneur, hors de question de faire cocu sa femme ! Ils ne consommeront donc qu'à la page 194 sur les 200 pages du livre, après que sa femme à lui ne le répudie (oui les femmes vikings sont des femmes modernes).
Le héros est donc marié. Il ne se passe rien de concret entre les 2 protagonistes durant tout le livre car c'est un homme d'honneur, hors de question de faire cocu sa femme ! Ils ne consommeront donc qu'à la page 194 sur les 200 pages du livre, après que sa femme à lui ne le répudie (oui les femmes vikings sont des femmes modernes).
October 20, 2014
★★½☆☆ Well written, but I'm not into one of the main characters being married to someone else while lusting after another.
July 22, 2013
Michelle's Willingham has a way of captivating from cover to cover , I read this book in one day. It is one of those I can't put it down books and thank goodness it was a weekend. If you are fan of Ms. Willingham's previous books you will be thrilled to know this books is about Styr Hardrata who is the ancestor of Tharand Hardrata in her previous book The VIking Hidden Love-Slave and later Kaal Hardrata hero of The Holly and The Viking in Warriors in The Winter and the heroine is Caragh Ó Brannon ancestor of Kieran Ó Brannon My Warrior Slave book 1 of The MacEgan Brothers series.
Styr and Caragh are both two troubled souls who have both been hurt by the past and very mistrusting of others as to guard there hearts from more heart break. Styr only comes up to this starving clan with the intention to trade and start a new life with his wife hoping to mend his troubled marriage, but then he meets Caragh under let's say not too comfortable circumstances, but as they get to know each other the magic starts to happen is all I am going to say. I don't want to give much away all I can say is this book is really beautifully written and it had me from page one to the very last sentence. I loved this book and also if you love viking book or a fan of the new television series The Vikings on the History Channel this book is one you don't want to miss . There is even a Ragnar in this book though a minor character in this book, but to be a major one in the next to follow this series To Tempt A Viking which I can't wait to read myself. Michelle Willingham is really so gifted as a storyteller and I look forward to more books in this series? Loved this book as I can't praise it enough!
Styr and Caragh are both two troubled souls who have both been hurt by the past and very mistrusting of others as to guard there hearts from more heart break. Styr only comes up to this starving clan with the intention to trade and start a new life with his wife hoping to mend his troubled marriage, but then he meets Caragh under let's say not too comfortable circumstances, but as they get to know each other the magic starts to happen is all I am going to say. I don't want to give much away all I can say is this book is really beautifully written and it had me from page one to the very last sentence. I loved this book and also if you love viking book or a fan of the new television series The Vikings on the History Channel this book is one you don't want to miss . There is even a Ragnar in this book though a minor character in this book, but to be a major one in the next to follow this series To Tempt A Viking which I can't wait to read myself. Michelle Willingham is really so gifted as a storyteller and I look forward to more books in this series? Loved this book as I can't praise it enough!
July 31, 2013
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit .
Expected Release Date: July 23, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin Historical
Author’s Website:
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, Forbidden Vikings
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: Emotional Affair (Minor Issue)
Favorite Tropes: Captive/Hostage, Starving Heroine
The one thing I loved the most about this book was the fact that the author was able to explore the despair of the end of a marriage, and the emotional torture of falling for someone that is unavailable, without ever actually falling into the realm of physical adultery. That is no easy feat, and Ms. Willingham did an wonderful job in creating characters and a relationship that was both sympathetic and realistic.
Throw in the hostage situation, the search for Styr’s wife and Caragh’s brother, and the wonderful historical tidbits, and I was in love.
A very solid 4/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: July 23, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin Historical
Author’s Website:
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, Forbidden Vikings
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: Emotional Affair (Minor Issue)
Favorite Tropes: Captive/Hostage, Starving Heroine
The one thing I loved the most about this book was the fact that the author was able to explore the despair of the end of a marriage, and the emotional torture of falling for someone that is unavailable, without ever actually falling into the realm of physical adultery. That is no easy feat, and Ms. Willingham did an wonderful job in creating characters and a relationship that was both sympathetic and realistic.
Throw in the hostage situation, the search for Styr’s wife and Caragh’s brother, and the wonderful historical tidbits, and I was in love.
A very solid 4/5 Stars
October 5, 2023
from the blurb you can tell that the hero is married when he meets and falls in love with the heroine. they do not do the deed, despite the heroine throwing herself at him, he resolves to stay faithful. also, the marriage was arranged and they are estranged, his wife will not sleep with him, they’re just friends.
and yet, people still decided to read it then give it a negative review because they hate cheating, even if it’s just “emotional.� very understandable to feel that way! but why read this book?! I don’t get it! every book where cheating is part of the premise, you have these reviewers. the author even wrote a forward saying she wanted to explore the idea of an arranged marriage that doesn’t end in an HEA and what happens when those people meet their soulmates. anyone reading this book knew exactly what was happening but decided to trash it anyway.
not that there’s anything great about it, it’s just a regular harlequin historical. but this is a pet peeve of mine.
and yet, people still decided to read it then give it a negative review because they hate cheating, even if it’s just “emotional.� very understandable to feel that way! but why read this book?! I don’t get it! every book where cheating is part of the premise, you have these reviewers. the author even wrote a forward saying she wanted to explore the idea of an arranged marriage that doesn’t end in an HEA and what happens when those people meet their soulmates. anyone reading this book knew exactly what was happening but decided to trash it anyway.
not that there’s anything great about it, it’s just a regular harlequin historical. but this is a pet peeve of mine.
September 29, 2020
I’m always looking for a good Viking romance, and I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
July 10, 2013
Rating 3.5 Stars - Also posted at my blog, the .
If you've often wondered what it would be like to have a Viking chained as a prisoner in your home, Caragh and Styr's story explores that fantasy as part of their reality. Alpha Viking Styr Hardrata has met his match in strong-willed Irish lass Caragh Ó Brannon. An unusual plot increases the anticipation for book two.
Struggling to survive during a terrible famine, Caragh Ó Brannon and her youngest brother, Brendan, are starving along with the rest of their tribe in Ireland. Her two oldest brothers should be home soon, having traveled to trade for supplies to sustain them. Their parents died last year while trying to provide for their family, so hope is wearing thin. Under these circumstances, it's overwhelming when they must fight for their meager existence against Vikings about to invade their shores.
Styr Hardrata and his wife, Elena, have tried for years to have children, without results. They have become more and more distant as a couple when the pressure of a childless marriage becomes too much for Elena to bear. Their arranged marriage wasn't her choice but her father's wish. So add in the strain of not having a child as a benefit of their arrangement and Elena is pushed deeper within herself, not wanting to bother with Styr's advances. When Styr suggests that they travel to a new land to make a fresh start, Elena surprisingly agrees to go with him and his men to start over.
When Styr and his men arrive in Ireland, they're hoping for a quiet life, trading amongst the Irish. Caragh's brother and his friends capture Styr's wife with the full intent of using her to bargain for much needed supplies from the Vikings' ship. The Vikings give chase and in the end, Caragh's brother disappears with Elena, then Caragh captures Styr when she catches him off guard.
When the battle and confusion is over, Caragh has a Viking chained up in her home and Brendan and his friends have disappeared with the man's wife, along with Styr's men. Even though he is captured and imprisoned by Caragh, Styr is moved by her kindness in tending his wounds, as well as sharing her paltry amount of food with him. He realizes that he can't leave her alone to starve when he finally escapes to find his wife, so Styr plans to take Caragh with him whether she wants to go or not...
Filled with adventure, TO SIN WITH A VIKING looks at the possibility of finding love elsewhere when two people are in a loveless marriage and are separated by the cruelties of aggression. In this first book of the FORBIDDEN VIKINGS duo, Styr struggles with his attraction to Caragh, who is everything his wife is not. He cares deeply for his wife's well-being and is committed to her welfare, but does he love her? Caragh is the temptress without realizing what she's doing to this very alpha male.
There's a fine line when introducing an attraction to another woman in a married man's life in traditional romance. It's not easily done without showing someone as the injured party and for the most part, I felt satisfied with how this was handled. I'm still not sure that I like that part, yet, and I don't think I can be sure until I read Elena's story. Personally, I think I would enjoy this book more if I knew I could jump right into Elena's story right away. I just have too many unanswered questions and I think that the two books should have been published closer together. That said, the fact still remains that neither spouse knew if they would ever see each other again, so who knows what any of us would do in that situation.
Although I prefer reading historical romances with more detail, this book contains enough flavor to envision the historical setting. Caragh is a strong heroine and a good offset to Styr's extra alpha maleness, which seems a bit over the top for a modern male, but perfect for a Viking who knows what he wants and isn't shy about going after it. When the characters travel and end up in a marketplace, the setting comes alive and drives the plot, adding some tension and realism that I did not expect. I especially enjoyed that part of the story.
All in all, a very unusual plot that's both emotional and clever makes TO SIN WITH A VIKING a thought-provoking way to spend an afternoon. I'm really curious about Elena's story, TO TEMPT A VIKING, which will be available in February 2014. In the end, isn't that what we all want? Stories that make us think and wonder and wish for more?
Book and Review courtesy of .
If you've often wondered what it would be like to have a Viking chained as a prisoner in your home, Caragh and Styr's story explores that fantasy as part of their reality. Alpha Viking Styr Hardrata has met his match in strong-willed Irish lass Caragh Ó Brannon. An unusual plot increases the anticipation for book two.
Struggling to survive during a terrible famine, Caragh Ó Brannon and her youngest brother, Brendan, are starving along with the rest of their tribe in Ireland. Her two oldest brothers should be home soon, having traveled to trade for supplies to sustain them. Their parents died last year while trying to provide for their family, so hope is wearing thin. Under these circumstances, it's overwhelming when they must fight for their meager existence against Vikings about to invade their shores.
Styr Hardrata and his wife, Elena, have tried for years to have children, without results. They have become more and more distant as a couple when the pressure of a childless marriage becomes too much for Elena to bear. Their arranged marriage wasn't her choice but her father's wish. So add in the strain of not having a child as a benefit of their arrangement and Elena is pushed deeper within herself, not wanting to bother with Styr's advances. When Styr suggests that they travel to a new land to make a fresh start, Elena surprisingly agrees to go with him and his men to start over.
When Styr and his men arrive in Ireland, they're hoping for a quiet life, trading amongst the Irish. Caragh's brother and his friends capture Styr's wife with the full intent of using her to bargain for much needed supplies from the Vikings' ship. The Vikings give chase and in the end, Caragh's brother disappears with Elena, then Caragh captures Styr when she catches him off guard.
When the battle and confusion is over, Caragh has a Viking chained up in her home and Brendan and his friends have disappeared with the man's wife, along with Styr's men. Even though he is captured and imprisoned by Caragh, Styr is moved by her kindness in tending his wounds, as well as sharing her paltry amount of food with him. He realizes that he can't leave her alone to starve when he finally escapes to find his wife, so Styr plans to take Caragh with him whether she wants to go or not...
Filled with adventure, TO SIN WITH A VIKING looks at the possibility of finding love elsewhere when two people are in a loveless marriage and are separated by the cruelties of aggression. In this first book of the FORBIDDEN VIKINGS duo, Styr struggles with his attraction to Caragh, who is everything his wife is not. He cares deeply for his wife's well-being and is committed to her welfare, but does he love her? Caragh is the temptress without realizing what she's doing to this very alpha male.
There's a fine line when introducing an attraction to another woman in a married man's life in traditional romance. It's not easily done without showing someone as the injured party and for the most part, I felt satisfied with how this was handled. I'm still not sure that I like that part, yet, and I don't think I can be sure until I read Elena's story. Personally, I think I would enjoy this book more if I knew I could jump right into Elena's story right away. I just have too many unanswered questions and I think that the two books should have been published closer together. That said, the fact still remains that neither spouse knew if they would ever see each other again, so who knows what any of us would do in that situation.
Although I prefer reading historical romances with more detail, this book contains enough flavor to envision the historical setting. Caragh is a strong heroine and a good offset to Styr's extra alpha maleness, which seems a bit over the top for a modern male, but perfect for a Viking who knows what he wants and isn't shy about going after it. When the characters travel and end up in a marketplace, the setting comes alive and drives the plot, adding some tension and realism that I did not expect. I especially enjoyed that part of the story.
All in all, a very unusual plot that's both emotional and clever makes TO SIN WITH A VIKING a thought-provoking way to spend an afternoon. I'm really curious about Elena's story, TO TEMPT A VIKING, which will be available in February 2014. In the end, isn't that what we all want? Stories that make us think and wonder and wish for more?
Book and Review courtesy of .
July 25, 2013
4.5 stars!!
Oh my! Where do I begin?
I enjoyed this book very much! Michelle Willingham captured my attention and held it until the last page.
I love reading Viking romances. I don't think enough authors venture out and write about them but more should. I'm no stranger reading Viking romances and so I devoured this one. Devoured. It. So, how does To Sin With a Viking stack up to others I've read? This has to be one of my favorite Viking romances (so far).
What makes it stand out? The hero is married to another.
Styr, the yummy hero, is married to Elena. While they wanted to make the five year marriage work, they've really grown apart. Styr decides to travel to Ireland with Elena to find a fresh start and to save their marriage. Upon reaching the shore, Styr is captured and Elena is kidnapped and took out to sea.
Styr is Caragh O'Brannon's prisoner. Her brothers have left her alone and she's slowly starving to death. She intrigues Styr more than he cares to admit and yet he remains faithful to his wife (physically, emotional unfaithfulness is another story).
Styr is a fiercely handsome warrior. I liked him immediately. He's went without love his entire life and he finds by the end of the book. This story is so unlike any romance I've read lately and it doesn't disappoint.
Caragh is a strong willed heroine. While I wanted to not like her, I found myself loving her personality. She's a tiny slip of a woman that makes the rough and tough Viking fall hard.
"Every day I've spent with you is a betrayal of her." The words were like a blade twisted inside her, wounding her heart. Then he added, "I won't forget a single moment of it, Caragh. Or you."
His embrace only deepened the heartbreak. But leaving him now would only heighten the loneliness. Her eyes blurred, and she admitted, "I shouldn't have come here."
"Why?"
"Because it only makes me desire you more."
His deep voice was a breath of heat upon her skin. "From the moment I saw you, Caragh, you captured me."
Michelle Willingham is brilliant! She writes with such passion and all the research that goes into her books isn't overlooked. One example in this book is when Styr and Caragh played the board game. I loved reading about researched things like that.
I cannot wait to read Michelle's next book. I simply can't resist those forbidden Vikings!
**ARC graciously provided by Harlequin via Netgalley in exchanged for an honest review**
Oh my! Where do I begin?
I enjoyed this book very much! Michelle Willingham captured my attention and held it until the last page.
I love reading Viking romances. I don't think enough authors venture out and write about them but more should. I'm no stranger reading Viking romances and so I devoured this one. Devoured. It. So, how does To Sin With a Viking stack up to others I've read? This has to be one of my favorite Viking romances (so far).
What makes it stand out? The hero is married to another.
Styr, the yummy hero, is married to Elena. While they wanted to make the five year marriage work, they've really grown apart. Styr decides to travel to Ireland with Elena to find a fresh start and to save their marriage. Upon reaching the shore, Styr is captured and Elena is kidnapped and took out to sea.
Styr is Caragh O'Brannon's prisoner. Her brothers have left her alone and she's slowly starving to death. She intrigues Styr more than he cares to admit and yet he remains faithful to his wife (physically, emotional unfaithfulness is another story).
Styr is a fiercely handsome warrior. I liked him immediately. He's went without love his entire life and he finds by the end of the book. This story is so unlike any romance I've read lately and it doesn't disappoint.
Caragh is a strong willed heroine. While I wanted to not like her, I found myself loving her personality. She's a tiny slip of a woman that makes the rough and tough Viking fall hard.
"Every day I've spent with you is a betrayal of her." The words were like a blade twisted inside her, wounding her heart. Then he added, "I won't forget a single moment of it, Caragh. Or you."
His embrace only deepened the heartbreak. But leaving him now would only heighten the loneliness. Her eyes blurred, and she admitted, "I shouldn't have come here."
"Why?"
"Because it only makes me desire you more."
His deep voice was a breath of heat upon her skin. "From the moment I saw you, Caragh, you captured me."
Michelle Willingham is brilliant! She writes with such passion and all the research that goes into her books isn't overlooked. One example in this book is when Styr and Caragh played the board game. I loved reading about researched things like that.
I cannot wait to read Michelle's next book. I simply can't resist those forbidden Vikings!
**ARC graciously provided by Harlequin via Netgalley in exchanged for an honest review**
June 24, 2013
Caragh O' Brannon and her people are starving. Famine has brought her family and those around her to their knees. When the enemy lands on their shores, Caragh's brother is determined to take whatever they have on their ship to survive, even if it means his end.
Viking warrior, Styr Hardrata has landed on Ireland's shores to attempt to revive his failing marriage. His wife, Elena's inability to give him a child has made her resentful of him. They were thrown together at a young age and five years into the relationship, both Elena and Styr are fighting a losing battle. When their ship is attacked upon landing, Styr fights to save Elena from being taken prisoner by the Irish. Instead, he finds himself in chains and prisoner to the starving waif, Caragh and his ship, along with his wife and men, gone.
Once Styr awakens in chains, he sees that Caragh's situation is dire. She is weeks away from expiring of hunger.While showing Caragh how to take control of her destiny, Styr begins to feel a swell of emotions for Caragh, emotions her never felt before, even for his own wife Elena. Styr knows he must stay true to his wife. He must find her and make sure she is safe and secure, but Caragh plagues his every waking moment.
When Caragh's older brothers return from foraging for supplies and find Styr in their only sister's companym they are suspicious of the situation.
Soon, the brothers set off with Styr and Caragh in search of Caragh's brother and Elena, but danger strikes when the Danes attack. Will Caragh and Styr achieve their goals? Will Caragh be left behind when and if Styr is reunited with Elena? These questions and more are answered in Michelle Willingham's newest fast-paced romantic adventure, To Sin With a Viking.
To Sin With a Viking, the first book in Michelle Willingham's Forbidden Viking series is a great start. Styr's flailing relationship with his life is real, whether it is 875 AD or 2013. How he chooses to deal with it makes this story all the more interesting. This is the first book by Michelle Willingham that I have read and it won;t be the last. I was pleasantly surprised by To Sin With a Viking and I think other readers will be as well.
~KIMBERLY~
4 Stars (Brilliant)
August 1, 2013
Silly--plot, hero, heroine. Romance novels are not supposed to be REAL. We recognize that we have to "suspend disbelief" about some of the things that happen. But, give me a break! The heroine is part of a clan in Ireland which is starving to death. Although they live by the sea, the people don't know that crabs come out at night? Nor do they know much about fishing except for those designated as fisherman who have left so the others can't catch any fish. Does this sound a trifle too far-fetched to you? Read on. There is a boat they could use to go out to deeper waters on to enable them to be more successful at fishing but the heroine's father died while fishing on it so no one will set found on board. Really? Even though they are starving? The heroine is strong but clueless. She babbles a lot and feels guilty a lot and can't see to do much right. Well, at least in the first part of the book. I was so fed up by Chapter 4 I couldn't stand the stupidity of the plot, the clueless heroine, the stereotypical hero and threw in the towel.
December 31, 2019
Je remercie les éditions Harlequin, Net galley et l'auteure pour l'obtention de ce service presse.
Harlequin nous présente ici un livre regroupant deux romans de l'auteure,j'aime beaucoup tout ce qui se rapporte aux vikings et j'ai passé un superbe moment de lecture.J'ai tout de suite plongée dans "L'orgueil d'un viking" et j'ai trouvé ce roman hautement addictif.
Dans le village de Kiera la famine fait rage et les habitants meurt de faim petit à petit, la jeune femme sait que ce sera bientôt son tour si ses frères, partit chercher de la nourriture au delà de leurs terres ne rentrent pas. Orpheline, Kiera ne peut compter que sur ses frères pour prendre soin d'elle.Lorsque Brendan son plus jeune frère resté à ses côtés aperçoit un bateau viking au large il a l'idée d'aller voler de la nourriture à bord.Sans se douter que les vikings eux-mêmes n'ont plus rien...Désireux de s'établir sur de nouvelles terres ils n'ont que des intentions pacifiques mais lorsqu'ils débarquent, les jeunes du village dont Brendan ont une très mauvaise idée: prendre une femme viking en otage, évidemment les vikings n'acceptent pas cela sans sourciller en prenant les armes.Brendan risque de mourir, Kiera assomme donc le chef viking qui semble être proche de la femme hurlant de désespoir.Styr sera alors le prisonnier de la jeune femme.
Le viking Styr a de multiples talents, c'est un homme loyal qui est fou de rage de ne pas savoir ce qu'est devenue son épouse, kidnapée.La geôlière de Styr est pourtant loin d'être tyrannique.C'est une femme forte et fragile à la fois.Le lochlannach ne la laisse pas vraiment indifférente mais elle comprend que cet homme bien différent des hommes de son village est marié.Kiera est une rêveuse et rêve d'aventures et d'amour, le retour de Terrence et Renan, ses frères aînés va précipiter ses rêves d'aventure.
Dans le roman "L'amant des mers du nord" , nous faisons la connaissance de deux vikings Elena et Ragnar.Ils sont amis d'enfance, Elena est une femme forte, intelligente qui a beaucoup souffert car elle n'a pu avoir l'enfant dont elle a tant rêvée, elle sent que son mariage tourne au désastre et n'arrive pas à arranger les choses,Ragnar éprouve depuis longtemps des sentiments très fort pour Elena mais le problème est qu'elle est mariée à son meilleur ami, elle lui est donc interdite.Bloquée tout deux après une attaque, ils sont parvenus à fuir le drakkar et en attendant que leur chef puissent venir les chercher, ils sont face à face et Elena s'aperçoit que Ragnar est peut-être bien plus qu'un simple ami.
Les deux romans sont bien écrit et franchement passionnant, dénués de clichés avec des personnages forts.Le seul mauvais point est que la première histoire spoile la deuxième, cela gâche un tout petit peu le suspens mais pas le plaisir de la lecture!
Cet intégrale vous est indispensable si vous aimez l'histoire, l'aventure et les histoires d'amours compliquées!C'est vraiment un livre à ne pas rater!Prenez la mer et laissez vous tenter!
Harlequin nous présente ici un livre regroupant deux romans de l'auteure,j'aime beaucoup tout ce qui se rapporte aux vikings et j'ai passé un superbe moment de lecture.J'ai tout de suite plongée dans "L'orgueil d'un viking" et j'ai trouvé ce roman hautement addictif.
Dans le village de Kiera la famine fait rage et les habitants meurt de faim petit à petit, la jeune femme sait que ce sera bientôt son tour si ses frères, partit chercher de la nourriture au delà de leurs terres ne rentrent pas. Orpheline, Kiera ne peut compter que sur ses frères pour prendre soin d'elle.Lorsque Brendan son plus jeune frère resté à ses côtés aperçoit un bateau viking au large il a l'idée d'aller voler de la nourriture à bord.Sans se douter que les vikings eux-mêmes n'ont plus rien...Désireux de s'établir sur de nouvelles terres ils n'ont que des intentions pacifiques mais lorsqu'ils débarquent, les jeunes du village dont Brendan ont une très mauvaise idée: prendre une femme viking en otage, évidemment les vikings n'acceptent pas cela sans sourciller en prenant les armes.Brendan risque de mourir, Kiera assomme donc le chef viking qui semble être proche de la femme hurlant de désespoir.Styr sera alors le prisonnier de la jeune femme.
Le viking Styr a de multiples talents, c'est un homme loyal qui est fou de rage de ne pas savoir ce qu'est devenue son épouse, kidnapée.La geôlière de Styr est pourtant loin d'être tyrannique.C'est une femme forte et fragile à la fois.Le lochlannach ne la laisse pas vraiment indifférente mais elle comprend que cet homme bien différent des hommes de son village est marié.Kiera est une rêveuse et rêve d'aventures et d'amour, le retour de Terrence et Renan, ses frères aînés va précipiter ses rêves d'aventure.
Dans le roman "L'amant des mers du nord" , nous faisons la connaissance de deux vikings Elena et Ragnar.Ils sont amis d'enfance, Elena est une femme forte, intelligente qui a beaucoup souffert car elle n'a pu avoir l'enfant dont elle a tant rêvée, elle sent que son mariage tourne au désastre et n'arrive pas à arranger les choses,Ragnar éprouve depuis longtemps des sentiments très fort pour Elena mais le problème est qu'elle est mariée à son meilleur ami, elle lui est donc interdite.Bloquée tout deux après une attaque, ils sont parvenus à fuir le drakkar et en attendant que leur chef puissent venir les chercher, ils sont face à face et Elena s'aperçoit que Ragnar est peut-être bien plus qu'un simple ami.
Les deux romans sont bien écrit et franchement passionnant, dénués de clichés avec des personnages forts.Le seul mauvais point est que la première histoire spoile la deuxième, cela gâche un tout petit peu le suspens mais pas le plaisir de la lecture!
Cet intégrale vous est indispensable si vous aimez l'histoire, l'aventure et les histoires d'amours compliquées!C'est vraiment un livre à ne pas rater!Prenez la mer et laissez vous tenter!
June 1, 2013
To Sin with a Viking was a brilliant historical romance! Full of rich emotion, intense forbidden romance, and hot Vikings, this book was a fantastic read. Loved it!
I've read only a couple of historical romances about Vikings. They seem to be underrepresented in the genre. So, this book ventured into somewhat unknown territory for me. Add to that the fact that the hero was married and trying to make his marriage work, and we've got a completely new thing going. With all that, I was a bit wary going into this book. But, it turns out there was no need to be worried because this book was perfectly done. It treated the possibility of adultery with respect and put Vikings way up on the hotness list next to Regency rakes and passionate highlanders. Seriously, it was a wonderful read.
Caragh was a likable heroine. She's incredibly selfless, the kind of person who always thinks about others first. Even when it came to her detriment. But, even starving and scared, she was strong enough to take down a Viking when it came to fighting back. And she fought tooth and nail when it came to protecting her loved ones. Her conflicted feelings about Styr were interesting. On one hand, she's in love with him and hurt that he chooses to stay true to his wife despite her feelings for him. On the other, part of the reason she loves him is because of that steadfast honor he shows in his marriage and in everything else. A recipe for disaster and heartbreak, right? Worry not, it all turns out well in the end. But, not before some intense emotional conflict. Back to Caragh, though. I thought she was a great heroine. I truly liked her character and I think other readers will as well.
Styr was just as great a character. He's a very honorable and noble man. He sticks to his morals, no matter the temptation. He went to Ireland to try to make his marriage work. But, his plans went awry and he ended up falling in love with another woman. Still, he was an honorable man throughout it all. I felt really bad for him. His honor is telling him to stay true to his wife while berating him for hurting Caragh with his rejections. Again, intense emotional conflict. And I felt really bad that he was getting berated by Caragh's brother's (and a few other people) for hurting her, but all he was trying to do was stick to his wedding vows. I liked him from page one and grew to adore him not long after. He was very honorable, intensely loyal, determined to do whatever it took to protect his loved ones, and so sweet. In other words, a perfect hero.
Now, there is a glaring issue that has to be addressed about this book: adultery. This was a huge concern for me going into this book because if it wasn't done right, then people would probably get offended. However, it was treated with respect. As I stated, Styr was a very honorable man. He wouldn't forsake his wedding vows for anything. And it wasn't as if his wife was a bad person. She was a good woman, but they were never in love and their inability to conceive a child drove a wedge between them that just couldn't be fixed. And, Styr never cheated on her. I guess some people might say he emotionally cheated, but it wasn't treated flippantly. Styr went through so much torment just for his feelings for Caragh. And Caragh might have been heartbroken about their situation, but she never crossed the line, either. So, I think that issue was deftly handled. There is divorce in this book as well, and I already read a review about one person who didn't like that. But, this is a romance. There has to be a happy ending for the couple. If the hero is married, the only way that could happen is divorce or widowhood. And Styr's wife has to be alive for her story in the next book, so there was only one option. I had absolutely no issue with it, but if you do have an issue with divorce, think about that before getting into this book.
The romance was very intense. Emotionally, not physically. Because they couldn't physically do anything, their emotions doubled in intensity. Their feelings for each other were palpable. There was still a bit of spice in this book. The attraction between Caragh and Styr was constantly present. And, that did come to fruition later in the book, when adultery was no longer an issue. The romance was very well done and I found Styr and Caragh to be a lovely couple.
I've mentioned this a few times, but it was awesome enough to bear specific mentioning: the emotions. They emotions in this book were so well depicted. I felt every one of the emotions. Kudos to the author doing such a great job on that front.
The plot was fast paced. I was utterly hooked throughout the entire book. And the ending was perfect.
To Sin with a Viking was a magnificent historical romance. I absolutely adored it. Lovers of the genre, you have to read this book!
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Books for a copy!
I've read only a couple of historical romances about Vikings. They seem to be underrepresented in the genre. So, this book ventured into somewhat unknown territory for me. Add to that the fact that the hero was married and trying to make his marriage work, and we've got a completely new thing going. With all that, I was a bit wary going into this book. But, it turns out there was no need to be worried because this book was perfectly done. It treated the possibility of adultery with respect and put Vikings way up on the hotness list next to Regency rakes and passionate highlanders. Seriously, it was a wonderful read.
Caragh was a likable heroine. She's incredibly selfless, the kind of person who always thinks about others first. Even when it came to her detriment. But, even starving and scared, she was strong enough to take down a Viking when it came to fighting back. And she fought tooth and nail when it came to protecting her loved ones. Her conflicted feelings about Styr were interesting. On one hand, she's in love with him and hurt that he chooses to stay true to his wife despite her feelings for him. On the other, part of the reason she loves him is because of that steadfast honor he shows in his marriage and in everything else. A recipe for disaster and heartbreak, right? Worry not, it all turns out well in the end. But, not before some intense emotional conflict. Back to Caragh, though. I thought she was a great heroine. I truly liked her character and I think other readers will as well.
Styr was just as great a character. He's a very honorable and noble man. He sticks to his morals, no matter the temptation. He went to Ireland to try to make his marriage work. But, his plans went awry and he ended up falling in love with another woman. Still, he was an honorable man throughout it all. I felt really bad for him. His honor is telling him to stay true to his wife while berating him for hurting Caragh with his rejections. Again, intense emotional conflict. And I felt really bad that he was getting berated by Caragh's brother's (and a few other people) for hurting her, but all he was trying to do was stick to his wedding vows. I liked him from page one and grew to adore him not long after. He was very honorable, intensely loyal, determined to do whatever it took to protect his loved ones, and so sweet. In other words, a perfect hero.
Now, there is a glaring issue that has to be addressed about this book: adultery. This was a huge concern for me going into this book because if it wasn't done right, then people would probably get offended. However, it was treated with respect. As I stated, Styr was a very honorable man. He wouldn't forsake his wedding vows for anything. And it wasn't as if his wife was a bad person. She was a good woman, but they were never in love and their inability to conceive a child drove a wedge between them that just couldn't be fixed. And, Styr never cheated on her. I guess some people might say he emotionally cheated, but it wasn't treated flippantly. Styr went through so much torment just for his feelings for Caragh. And Caragh might have been heartbroken about their situation, but she never crossed the line, either. So, I think that issue was deftly handled. There is divorce in this book as well, and I already read a review about one person who didn't like that. But, this is a romance. There has to be a happy ending for the couple. If the hero is married, the only way that could happen is divorce or widowhood. And Styr's wife has to be alive for her story in the next book, so there was only one option. I had absolutely no issue with it, but if you do have an issue with divorce, think about that before getting into this book.
The romance was very intense. Emotionally, not physically. Because they couldn't physically do anything, their emotions doubled in intensity. Their feelings for each other were palpable. There was still a bit of spice in this book. The attraction between Caragh and Styr was constantly present. And, that did come to fruition later in the book, when adultery was no longer an issue. The romance was very well done and I found Styr and Caragh to be a lovely couple.
I've mentioned this a few times, but it was awesome enough to bear specific mentioning: the emotions. They emotions in this book were so well depicted. I felt every one of the emotions. Kudos to the author doing such a great job on that front.
The plot was fast paced. I was utterly hooked throughout the entire book. And the ending was perfect.
To Sin with a Viking was a magnificent historical romance. I absolutely adored it. Lovers of the genre, you have to read this book!
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Books for a copy!
August 8, 2014
*
To Sin With a Viking by Michelle Willingham
Book One of the Forbidden Vikings series
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: July 23, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ):
Playing With Fire!
Caragh Ó Brannon defended herself bravely when the enemy landed—only, now she finds herself alone with one very angry Viking�
Styr Hardrata sailed to Ireland intending to trade, never expecting to find himself held captive in chains by a beautiful Irish maiden.
The fiercely handsome warrior both terrifies and allures Caragh, but he is forbidden territory. He is the enemy…and he is married. Yet Styr harbors a secret that just might set them both free�
Forbidden Vikings
Resist them if you can!
What I Liked:
I knew as soon as I read the synopsis of this book that it would be something that I would potentially enjoy. I don't read a lot of Viking-history books. Actually, I don't think I've read any! But, it's historical fiction, and I love historical fiction (especially historical romance), so I knew I had to give this one a try.
Ms. Willingham certainly knows her Viking history! I admit, I have not read a ton of Viking-history books, BUT, I do have a bit of knowledge of the Vikings from studies in school. I think Ms. Willingham did her research well, as I found the historical aspects of this book very authentic. I watch for anachronisms in every historical fiction book I read, and I didn't find any glaringly obvious ones in this book.
The story of this book is pretty simple. Styr and his crew land on Caragh's island. Caragh captures Styr, because she doesn't want him to hurt her people. Styr's people sail away, held captive by Caragh's brother. Caragh and Styr eventually come to an agreement to look for Caragh brother and that ship with Styr's people - and Styr's wife.
There were so many things that were wrong about Caragh and Styr's relationship. For one, Caragh captured Styr. Styr and his people had no intentions of attacking Caragh's people, but that's what Caragh's people thought. Caragh's people needed food, so they thought that the Vikings would have food. So, Caragh captures Styr. Styr's wife and his people are captured and taken away by Caragh's brothers. Styr is married. Caragh's brothers dislike Styr. So many things wrong with Caragh and Styr's relationship!
Yet, Caragh and Styr's relationship (and the growth of it) was beautiful. I believe in the beginning of the eARC that I got, Ms. Willingham talked about how she wanted to explore the possibility of falling in love, when one's marriage is no longer filled with love. Styr never once touched Caragh, but his feelings betrayed him eventually, even if he never did anything unfaithful.
So, I love what Ms. Willingham decided to do with this story! Caragh understands that Styr is married, but she can't help but fall in love with the person that escaped from her capture and still helped her find food, and agreed to help her find her brother and his people. Styr knew that he should be happily married, and not once did he stop thinking about his wife, but he cannot help but fall in love with Caragh as well.
There is a particular part of this book that I love - when Caragh and Styr find out where Styr's brethren are (in slavery by a very rich man). This part in the book is quite funny, because the rich man is totally lusting after Caragh, and she is definitely pitting him and Styr against each other without meaning it. Her choice with the man nearly broke my heart, but that choice is negated by Styr swooping in to take Caragh away.
So, I really liked the story. I really liked the romance. The characterization is pretty good - we definitely see growth in Caragh, even until the end. She lets go of Styr, even though she thinks she can't. She doesn't want to accept him, because she knows that his marriage to Elena is what matters to him.
Rest assured - there is a happy ending. It doesn't come obviously or immediately, but it's a happy ending for everyone. I can't wait to read Elena's story!
What I Did Not Like:
I think this is a small thing, but I felt like the story could have picked up sometimes just a tiny bit. Like, at times, the story dragged on a bit, but then, at other times, I couldn't read fast enough. So, there were slight pacing issues? This was definitely not a huge thing that made me cringe or anything, but it's something that I noticed.
Would I Recommend It:
I totally would recommend this novel! My first Viking historical romance read was a success! If you love historical fiction (and not just Regency or Edwardian historical), then give this book a try!
Rating:
4 stars. As I said before, I cannot wait to read Elena's story!
To Sin With a Viking by Michelle Willingham
Book One of the Forbidden Vikings series
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: July 23, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ):
Playing With Fire!
Caragh Ó Brannon defended herself bravely when the enemy landed—only, now she finds herself alone with one very angry Viking�
Styr Hardrata sailed to Ireland intending to trade, never expecting to find himself held captive in chains by a beautiful Irish maiden.
The fiercely handsome warrior both terrifies and allures Caragh, but he is forbidden territory. He is the enemy…and he is married. Yet Styr harbors a secret that just might set them both free�
Forbidden Vikings
Resist them if you can!
What I Liked:
I knew as soon as I read the synopsis of this book that it would be something that I would potentially enjoy. I don't read a lot of Viking-history books. Actually, I don't think I've read any! But, it's historical fiction, and I love historical fiction (especially historical romance), so I knew I had to give this one a try.
Ms. Willingham certainly knows her Viking history! I admit, I have not read a ton of Viking-history books, BUT, I do have a bit of knowledge of the Vikings from studies in school. I think Ms. Willingham did her research well, as I found the historical aspects of this book very authentic. I watch for anachronisms in every historical fiction book I read, and I didn't find any glaringly obvious ones in this book.
The story of this book is pretty simple. Styr and his crew land on Caragh's island. Caragh captures Styr, because she doesn't want him to hurt her people. Styr's people sail away, held captive by Caragh's brother. Caragh and Styr eventually come to an agreement to look for Caragh brother and that ship with Styr's people - and Styr's wife.
There were so many things that were wrong about Caragh and Styr's relationship. For one, Caragh captured Styr. Styr and his people had no intentions of attacking Caragh's people, but that's what Caragh's people thought. Caragh's people needed food, so they thought that the Vikings would have food. So, Caragh captures Styr. Styr's wife and his people are captured and taken away by Caragh's brothers. Styr is married. Caragh's brothers dislike Styr. So many things wrong with Caragh and Styr's relationship!
Yet, Caragh and Styr's relationship (and the growth of it) was beautiful. I believe in the beginning of the eARC that I got, Ms. Willingham talked about how she wanted to explore the possibility of falling in love, when one's marriage is no longer filled with love. Styr never once touched Caragh, but his feelings betrayed him eventually, even if he never did anything unfaithful.
So, I love what Ms. Willingham decided to do with this story! Caragh understands that Styr is married, but she can't help but fall in love with the person that escaped from her capture and still helped her find food, and agreed to help her find her brother and his people. Styr knew that he should be happily married, and not once did he stop thinking about his wife, but he cannot help but fall in love with Caragh as well.
There is a particular part of this book that I love - when Caragh and Styr find out where Styr's brethren are (in slavery by a very rich man). This part in the book is quite funny, because the rich man is totally lusting after Caragh, and she is definitely pitting him and Styr against each other without meaning it. Her choice with the man nearly broke my heart, but that choice is negated by Styr swooping in to take Caragh away.
So, I really liked the story. I really liked the romance. The characterization is pretty good - we definitely see growth in Caragh, even until the end. She lets go of Styr, even though she thinks she can't. She doesn't want to accept him, because she knows that his marriage to Elena is what matters to him.
Rest assured - there is a happy ending. It doesn't come obviously or immediately, but it's a happy ending for everyone. I can't wait to read Elena's story!
What I Did Not Like:
I think this is a small thing, but I felt like the story could have picked up sometimes just a tiny bit. Like, at times, the story dragged on a bit, but then, at other times, I couldn't read fast enough. So, there were slight pacing issues? This was definitely not a huge thing that made me cringe or anything, but it's something that I noticed.
Would I Recommend It:
I totally would recommend this novel! My first Viking historical romance read was a success! If you love historical fiction (and not just Regency or Edwardian historical), then give this book a try!
Rating:
4 stars. As I said before, I cannot wait to read Elena's story!
January 2, 2015
Very good book with a different sort of theme. Caragh and her people are slowly starving to death. She has been left in charge of her younger brother while her two older brothers go trade for supplies. One day a Viking ship is spotted landing. Her brother and his friends decide to attack the ship and take its supplies. Styr and his wife and men have come to Ireland for a fresh start. Theirs is an arranged marriage that is not doing well. They have no children and Elena is withdrawing more from him every day. When they are attacked the Irish take Elena and his men captive and sail away and Styr is taken prisoner by Caragh.
I really liked both Caragh and Styr. Caragh was doing her best to keep herself and her brother fed, but finding food had become increasingly difficult. During the fight when Brenden and his friends attacked the Viking ship she used all the strength she could summon to stop Styr from attacking her brother. When she took him prisoner she felt bad about chaining him but not for protecting her brother. She has a soft heart and cares for the people of her tribe. She also treated Styr's injuries and made sure he had food, such as it was. She was attracted to him but fought it because of who he was, and even more when she found out he was married. Her fiance had cheated on her and she has a hard time trusting men now, but finds herself trusting him. I liked the way that she worked with him over getting food and then making sure that he takes her along to find Brenden and Elena. She had a pretty good understanding of what makes men like Styr the way they are and was able to use it to get what she needed. I liked the way that she respected his vows even as she fell in love with him. Their love grows slowly, but always with the knowledge that nothing can come of it. I also enjoyed her ability to get the men in her life to behave around her. She broke up several altercations between the various male characters. Her heartbreak was obvious when they finally caught up with Elena, but she had the strength to do what had to be done. I enjoyed the ending and look forward to Elena's story to see how it all turns out.
Styr was an interesting hero. He and Elena had married young. It was an arranged marriage where they had been friends but there was no love between them. In the five years they had been married she had never gotten pregnant and was growing to resent Styr because of it. He was determined to do whatever necessary to save their marriage and planned to start a new life with her away from the bad memories. Styr was frustrated because no matter what he did for Elena nothing seemed to help. It had gotten to where what little affection they had for each other was gone. When they were attacked and Elena was kidnapped, Styr was furious that he hadn't been able to protect her. When he regained consciousness he was stunned to find himself chained and captive of Caragh. Her care of him was something completely outside his experience. He found himself intrigued by her and wanting to help her. I liked the way that he tried to help her without her being aware of it. Her kindness to him touched something in him that he hadn't even been aware he was missing. As they worked together to find his wife and her brother, Styr found himself caring for her more than was wise. He fought very hard to resist his feelings as he refused to dishonor his vows to his wife. I really liked that sense of honor that caused him to fight against his own happiness. I loved seeing his protectiveness toward Caragh. He really wanted to find a way for them to be together. It hurt to see how unhappy he was once he found Elena and that he had to give Caragh up. I loved his surprise at Elena's actions and the difference it made to his life. Also loved the way that he still had to make things right with Caragh and that her brothers weren't pushovers.
I really liked both Caragh and Styr. Caragh was doing her best to keep herself and her brother fed, but finding food had become increasingly difficult. During the fight when Brenden and his friends attacked the Viking ship she used all the strength she could summon to stop Styr from attacking her brother. When she took him prisoner she felt bad about chaining him but not for protecting her brother. She has a soft heart and cares for the people of her tribe. She also treated Styr's injuries and made sure he had food, such as it was. She was attracted to him but fought it because of who he was, and even more when she found out he was married. Her fiance had cheated on her and she has a hard time trusting men now, but finds herself trusting him. I liked the way that she worked with him over getting food and then making sure that he takes her along to find Brenden and Elena. She had a pretty good understanding of what makes men like Styr the way they are and was able to use it to get what she needed. I liked the way that she respected his vows even as she fell in love with him. Their love grows slowly, but always with the knowledge that nothing can come of it. I also enjoyed her ability to get the men in her life to behave around her. She broke up several altercations between the various male characters. Her heartbreak was obvious when they finally caught up with Elena, but she had the strength to do what had to be done. I enjoyed the ending and look forward to Elena's story to see how it all turns out.
Styr was an interesting hero. He and Elena had married young. It was an arranged marriage where they had been friends but there was no love between them. In the five years they had been married she had never gotten pregnant and was growing to resent Styr because of it. He was determined to do whatever necessary to save their marriage and planned to start a new life with her away from the bad memories. Styr was frustrated because no matter what he did for Elena nothing seemed to help. It had gotten to where what little affection they had for each other was gone. When they were attacked and Elena was kidnapped, Styr was furious that he hadn't been able to protect her. When he regained consciousness he was stunned to find himself chained and captive of Caragh. Her care of him was something completely outside his experience. He found himself intrigued by her and wanting to help her. I liked the way that he tried to help her without her being aware of it. Her kindness to him touched something in him that he hadn't even been aware he was missing. As they worked together to find his wife and her brother, Styr found himself caring for her more than was wise. He fought very hard to resist his feelings as he refused to dishonor his vows to his wife. I really liked that sense of honor that caused him to fight against his own happiness. I loved seeing his protectiveness toward Caragh. He really wanted to find a way for them to be together. It hurt to see how unhappy he was once he found Elena and that he had to give Caragh up. I loved his surprise at Elena's actions and the difference it made to his life. Also loved the way that he still had to make things right with Caragh and that her brothers weren't pushovers.
July 23, 2013
Caragh O’Brannon is trying to survive during a famine; her older brothers have gone in search of supplies and her younger brother is trying to help.
Most people of the village have left and the area has been picked clean of food. They are all very weak. Her parents died last year and they do not have enough supplies to leave.
Styr Hardrata is a man looking for a new life in a new area. He has left his home with several loyal men to avoid conflict as his brother becomes Jarl. His wife, Elena also accompanied him, he is in hopes they can make a new beginning together. Their marriage has been strained for a long time and they can barely tolerate each other, nothing angry, just indifference.
Caragh’s brother Brendan notices a ship heading for their shores and he plans to raid the ship for supplies. He is seventeen and although she tells him not to, he thinks he knows what is best. It goes terribly wrong and Styr is knocked out, his ship taken along with his wife and men. When he comes to, he is tied up in a small cottage.
Styr is desperate to find his wife and men and all that stands in his way is a small woman who is very determined. Styr teaches her how to fish, to provide for herself and the villagers and when she trusts him enough, she releases him. In the meantime her older brothers return with supplies and they all take off in search of the missing.
Adventure and danger are ahead while they search, along with deepening feelings between Styr and Caragh, forbidden feelings as he will not forsake his vows to Elena.
I really enjoyed this story about honor, love and desperation. I felt for Caragh and how she wants to help everyone even as she could barely help herself, she has a very gentle soul. A very compelling story filled with adventure and intrigue. I thought Ms. Willingham’s writing was so realistic and truly caught the essence of how people lived in those days. It was a brutal world.
Both Styr and Caragh are hurting from relationships that are shaping their current lives. She falls in love with him yet he must find out about his wife and see if he still has a life with her. The struggle is heartbreaking for both. I liked Caragh, she is a strong individual that has endured much, however is kind and thoughtful. She sacrificed herself several times for others. I also liked Styr; he is strong, caring and loyal yet torn between his wife and her safety and his growing attraction to Caragh.
The secondary characters were also well done, I enjoyed her older brothers, Ronan and Terence, Ronan was funny and sided with his sister more than Terence did. The younger Brendan was a bit annoying but then most seventeen year old brothers seem that way. I am excited to read the next book about Elena and Styr’s best friend Ragnar, I hope she gets a bit more likeable as she treated Styr’s poorly however I do not really know both sides of the story and I am sure she will have plenty to say.
Copy received from NetGalley for an honest review
Most people of the village have left and the area has been picked clean of food. They are all very weak. Her parents died last year and they do not have enough supplies to leave.
Styr Hardrata is a man looking for a new life in a new area. He has left his home with several loyal men to avoid conflict as his brother becomes Jarl. His wife, Elena also accompanied him, he is in hopes they can make a new beginning together. Their marriage has been strained for a long time and they can barely tolerate each other, nothing angry, just indifference.
Caragh’s brother Brendan notices a ship heading for their shores and he plans to raid the ship for supplies. He is seventeen and although she tells him not to, he thinks he knows what is best. It goes terribly wrong and Styr is knocked out, his ship taken along with his wife and men. When he comes to, he is tied up in a small cottage.
Styr is desperate to find his wife and men and all that stands in his way is a small woman who is very determined. Styr teaches her how to fish, to provide for herself and the villagers and when she trusts him enough, she releases him. In the meantime her older brothers return with supplies and they all take off in search of the missing.
Adventure and danger are ahead while they search, along with deepening feelings between Styr and Caragh, forbidden feelings as he will not forsake his vows to Elena.
I really enjoyed this story about honor, love and desperation. I felt for Caragh and how she wants to help everyone even as she could barely help herself, she has a very gentle soul. A very compelling story filled with adventure and intrigue. I thought Ms. Willingham’s writing was so realistic and truly caught the essence of how people lived in those days. It was a brutal world.
Both Styr and Caragh are hurting from relationships that are shaping their current lives. She falls in love with him yet he must find out about his wife and see if he still has a life with her. The struggle is heartbreaking for both. I liked Caragh, she is a strong individual that has endured much, however is kind and thoughtful. She sacrificed herself several times for others. I also liked Styr; he is strong, caring and loyal yet torn between his wife and her safety and his growing attraction to Caragh.
The secondary characters were also well done, I enjoyed her older brothers, Ronan and Terence, Ronan was funny and sided with his sister more than Terence did. The younger Brendan was a bit annoying but then most seventeen year old brothers seem that way. I am excited to read the next book about Elena and Styr’s best friend Ragnar, I hope she gets a bit more likeable as she treated Styr’s poorly however I do not really know both sides of the story and I am sure she will have plenty to say.
Copy received from NetGalley for an honest review
July 21, 2013
I won this book through Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ First Reads program. It has been a number of years since I read a Harlequin Historical, and I forgot what I had thought about them in the past, but reading this book confirmed my earlier opinion. They are like Book Lite books, very superficial fluff pieces. This book took me about 1-1/2 hours to read. It was a quick and easy read.
One of the main things that Caragh keeps telling Styr in order to defend her younger brother is that "he's just a boy." Please don't hurt him for kidnapping your wife and possibly getting her killed- he's just a boy. But it's 875 AD, and there's no way that anyone would think of a 17 year old male in that time as a boy. He's a man. Not even his overprotective sister would think of him as being a boy. If you're going to set your historical book in a time period, don't screw up such major facts. If you as an author want to apply current mores and sensibilites, set your book in contemporary times! So this book started out on a sour note for me, and did not recover.
Caragh is left behind at home by her older brothers, while they go to trade for the food that her starving village desperately needs to survive. She is left with her younger brother Brandon. A viking ship carrying Styx and a small number of men comes to the village, where they plan to land and settle nearby. Brandon decides to take the vikings' food for himself and his sister. In the process of attacking the ship to get their food, Styx's wife Elena jumps overboard. Styx is not sure if Elena is dead or not, but he believes Brandon may have her. So now we've got family unit versus family unit set up as the antagonists. And of course Styx and Caragh fall in love very quickly.
I will give Willingham credit, she does manage to make the budding romance between Styx, who is married, and Caragh, both believable and yet still keeps Styx honorable. Often it's hard for me to feel any sympathy for characters who are married but fall in love with another person anyway or stray from their marriage vows. This book sets the stage for the next book in the series about Elena, who of course becomes free so that Styx can end up with Carach, and Ragnar, who loves her. While the next storyline interests me, I did not enjoy this lite reading style enough to want to read the next book to find out what happens to Elena.
While I always appreciate the chance to read a new book, this one just didn't do it for me. If you are in the mood for a light and quick read and aren't picky about historical details, though, this might be right up your alley.
One of the main things that Caragh keeps telling Styr in order to defend her younger brother is that "he's just a boy." Please don't hurt him for kidnapping your wife and possibly getting her killed- he's just a boy. But it's 875 AD, and there's no way that anyone would think of a 17 year old male in that time as a boy. He's a man. Not even his overprotective sister would think of him as being a boy. If you're going to set your historical book in a time period, don't screw up such major facts. If you as an author want to apply current mores and sensibilites, set your book in contemporary times! So this book started out on a sour note for me, and did not recover.
Caragh is left behind at home by her older brothers, while they go to trade for the food that her starving village desperately needs to survive. She is left with her younger brother Brandon. A viking ship carrying Styx and a small number of men comes to the village, where they plan to land and settle nearby. Brandon decides to take the vikings' food for himself and his sister. In the process of attacking the ship to get their food, Styx's wife Elena jumps overboard. Styx is not sure if Elena is dead or not, but he believes Brandon may have her. So now we've got family unit versus family unit set up as the antagonists. And of course Styx and Caragh fall in love very quickly.
I will give Willingham credit, she does manage to make the budding romance between Styx, who is married, and Caragh, both believable and yet still keeps Styx honorable. Often it's hard for me to feel any sympathy for characters who are married but fall in love with another person anyway or stray from their marriage vows. This book sets the stage for the next book in the series about Elena, who of course becomes free so that Styx can end up with Carach, and Ragnar, who loves her. While the next storyline interests me, I did not enjoy this lite reading style enough to want to read the next book to find out what happens to Elena.
While I always appreciate the chance to read a new book, this one just didn't do it for me. If you are in the mood for a light and quick read and aren't picky about historical details, though, this might be right up your alley.
March 19, 2015
3.5 stars
I am quite split on this book to be honest. Let me first start out by saying that I absolutely love the change of usual scenery we find in historical romance.
This is set in 900 something, pardon me for not recalling the exact year. :). It is set in Ireland at a time where the Norse were also mingling with the locals, not always peacefully and there were other enemies like the Danes.
I have read several by this author and I always love the way she pulls me into the time and place and gives me fully fleshed out characters. I wasn't disappointed on that score here. The land and its people as strange as they are to me, it felt real.
I could almost smell the sea.
The reason I picked this particular book was reading the reviews of people I follow and how split the opinions are. That intrigued me. I addition to the setting that is. I think the only other Viking romance I read was some Sandra Hill and those are very very different. Those are meant to be funny.
As this book starts we get a sense of the despair and hunger of the people in the settlement and how they have basically given up. I guess its hard to think positive when your body and spirit are weakened by hunger. It set the somber tone of the book that stayed with me to the end.
As the hero is married, I wasn't really sure how this would work out. The times were very different then and there really weren't any bad guys so to speak in it. I felt horrible for all involved. Nobody was happy about the situation.
But some of the emotional cheating that is going on between the hero and the heroine did bother me. Even though I could somehow understand it in some way. And to me there very much was cheating. Emotionally and also on a intimate level, just not going all the way so to speak.
Even though I loved this setting and the world and the people, because of the subject and the somber tone throughout, it was a bit depressing. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to live and survive in those days.
I found the customs and beliefs that were touched upon here very interesting.
I can totally see how some would hate this book for its contents and others liked it. It really is one of those personal things.
Overall I found it very absorbing and it really did pull me into the world. Which is why I probably need something a bit more happy and fluffy as my next read :)
I am quite split on this book to be honest. Let me first start out by saying that I absolutely love the change of usual scenery we find in historical romance.
This is set in 900 something, pardon me for not recalling the exact year. :). It is set in Ireland at a time where the Norse were also mingling with the locals, not always peacefully and there were other enemies like the Danes.
I have read several by this author and I always love the way she pulls me into the time and place and gives me fully fleshed out characters. I wasn't disappointed on that score here. The land and its people as strange as they are to me, it felt real.
I could almost smell the sea.
The reason I picked this particular book was reading the reviews of people I follow and how split the opinions are. That intrigued me. I addition to the setting that is. I think the only other Viking romance I read was some Sandra Hill and those are very very different. Those are meant to be funny.
As this book starts we get a sense of the despair and hunger of the people in the settlement and how they have basically given up. I guess its hard to think positive when your body and spirit are weakened by hunger. It set the somber tone of the book that stayed with me to the end.
As the hero is married, I wasn't really sure how this would work out. The times were very different then and there really weren't any bad guys so to speak in it. I felt horrible for all involved. Nobody was happy about the situation.
But some of the emotional cheating that is going on between the hero and the heroine did bother me. Even though I could somehow understand it in some way. And to me there very much was cheating. Emotionally and also on a intimate level, just not going all the way so to speak.
Even though I loved this setting and the world and the people, because of the subject and the somber tone throughout, it was a bit depressing. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to live and survive in those days.
I found the customs and beliefs that were touched upon here very interesting.
I can totally see how some would hate this book for its contents and others liked it. It really is one of those personal things.
Overall I found it very absorbing and it really did pull me into the world. Which is why I probably need something a bit more happy and fluffy as my next read :)
July 13, 2013
Ms. Willingham tackles a potentially sticky story with her typical graceful storytelling and elegant characterizations.
My alarm bells immediately went off after just reading the blurb--adultery is a hot-button issue for me, and I feel strongly that couples need to honor their vows to be faithful to each other. That said, Ms. Willingham lets the story unfold beautifully.
Caragh lives in a small Irish sea-side village with her brothers. The area has been suffering a severe famine, and her brothers leave in search of food.
Styr and his wife and men have come to an Irish village to seek a new home. Exhausted by their journey, they are caught off-guard and captured.
The circumstances that follow give Caragh and Styr an opportunity to come to know the other, and to recognize both their attraction and the impossibility of furthering their relationship. While Styr and his wife have been increasingly unhappy in their arranged marriage for some time, they are nevertheless still married.
Ms. Willingham tells their heartwrenching emotional journey in a well-paced way, and while there is one scene that crossed the line for me,* overall, this story is definitely another example of Ms. Willingham's excellent storytelling. I do look forward to the companion story to come. Ultimately I enjoy reading Ms. Willingham, but because of the themes, To Sin with a Viking won't be one of my favorites. It is every bit as well-written and emotionally gripping, but probably won't be one I re-read.
*There is a scene where they were not touching each other, but I felt that emotionally it was the same as if they had, and I had a hard time justifying that.
My alarm bells immediately went off after just reading the blurb--adultery is a hot-button issue for me, and I feel strongly that couples need to honor their vows to be faithful to each other. That said, Ms. Willingham lets the story unfold beautifully.
Caragh lives in a small Irish sea-side village with her brothers. The area has been suffering a severe famine, and her brothers leave in search of food.
Styr and his wife and men have come to an Irish village to seek a new home. Exhausted by their journey, they are caught off-guard and captured.
The circumstances that follow give Caragh and Styr an opportunity to come to know the other, and to recognize both their attraction and the impossibility of furthering their relationship. While Styr and his wife have been increasingly unhappy in their arranged marriage for some time, they are nevertheless still married.
Ms. Willingham tells their heartwrenching emotional journey in a well-paced way, and while there is one scene that crossed the line for me,* overall, this story is definitely another example of Ms. Willingham's excellent storytelling. I do look forward to the companion story to come. Ultimately I enjoy reading Ms. Willingham, but because of the themes, To Sin with a Viking won't be one of my favorites. It is every bit as well-written and emotionally gripping, but probably won't be one I re-read.
*There is a scene where they were not touching each other, but I felt that emotionally it was the same as if they had, and I had a hard time justifying that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2013
I really enjoyed the beginning of the story, and the ending. However, the middle just kind of slogged on with alot of repetition. We are told repeatedly that which brings me to the other issue with It felt like the author did not give the characters much of anything else to do throughout the book, except focusing on this one point. If there was a subplot, perhaps it would not be necessary to constantly remind me of what was going on between the two lead characters, I got it.
Characters - both were very interesting and well thought out. Caragh was so sweet you could not help cheering her on with finding happiness. Styr was surprising in that, considering his childhood, he showed compassion towards those less fortunate. Both personalities complimented each other.
I thought the setting was interesting and well described and I am grateful that the author did not find it necessary to have the character's dialogue reflect some strange lingo, which I find really distracting.
Characters - both were very interesting and well thought out. Caragh was so sweet you could not help cheering her on with finding happiness. Styr was surprising in that, considering his childhood, he showed compassion towards those less fortunate. Both personalities complimented each other.
I thought the setting was interesting and well described and I am grateful that the author did not find it necessary to have the character's dialogue reflect some strange lingo, which I find really distracting.
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