Lawson’s review of Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 May 08

I have to admit that I’ve never actually read a Harlequin Historical. For whatever reason I’ve just never picked one up. Even when Sybil threw one at me. I was rather excited that this month’s feature was Harlequin Historicals, so maybe I could finally start reading them. It’s rather odd though that the first one I read is about Vikings. I had a bad experience with a Viking romance some years ago and haven’t really liked them since. I think Michelle Styles has made me change my mind about that though.

Annis of Birdoswald is at Lindisfarne monastery visiting her uncle and getting his advice about an possible betrothal with a second husband. While there a group of Vikings land with a missive giving them gold from the abbey’s coffers. After a scuffle on the beach which one of the monks start, the Vikings attack Lindisfarne pillaging, stealing and taking captives. While hiding, Annis and her maid are discovered and nearly killed by a berserker overcome with blood lust.

Haakon Haroldson comes to her rescue, only to trip while her maid is escaping. Annis stabs the berserker in the neck and kills him, saving Haakon’s life. Though he tries to see her to safety and freedom, she gets caught by his brother and is taken captive and sails back to Haakon’s estate. Treated as a servant and forced to work, Annis makes the best of things, but there be schemes and plots afoot and Annis can only hope to make it out alive so that she can be with Haakon.

Not knowing much about the Vikings, there was a great feel to the book. More than just pirates, pillagers and marauders, Styles gives all the Vikings, noble or villainous good characterization and makes it all seem rather real. The lifestyle, the customs and the protocols all make the most sense with the small amount that I do know about Viking culture and history.

Annis is a pretty good character. She’d been rejected in her marriage because she brought the wealth and didn’t get pregnant after only a few nights with her husband. She’s in constant fear that Haakon with get his pleasure and move on, which makes here a little spineless at times, but she never does anything that doesn’t make sense. She does what she needs to survive and always holds her head up.

Haakon is her Viking captor and is dealing with so many threats to the peace and safety to his home, it’s a wonder he’s as nice as he is. He’s got a stepmother who’s shady and manipulative, fellow Jaarls (nobles) that want his lands and idiotic monks who escape their captivity. He still treats Annis pretty well, until he lets his own judgment get clouded by his emotions. He’s afraid to care fully about any woman.

With some things that were rather cliched, such as the villainous Jaarl and Haakon’s stepmother’s behavior toward Annis, it still was a good read and I breezed through it with a satisfied feeling by the time the epilogue came around. I’ll have to give Vikings more chances, especially if Styles writes them.

Grade: B+

Blurb:

A Viking raid. They claimed they came in peace, but soon Lindisfarne was aflame. Annis of Birdoswald fled in fear, but she could not escape the Norse warriors.

An honorable captor. One man protected her—Haakon Haroldson. The dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland, taking her away from all she held dear.

A new life—as his mistress! Now Annis must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive, or a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking’s arms!

Read an excerpt.