Veena’s review of The Warlord’s Wife (Sons Of The North Romance, Book 1) by Sandra Lake
Historical Romance published by Intermix 17 Mar 15
Ms. Lake takes us on a Viking adventure in her debut novel, except the Viking chief is looking for a woman to bear him sons instead of the typical loot and pillage that we’re familiar with. Lida is scooped from her home, along with her daughter, to find herself wedded, bedded, and on a long boat on her way to Jarl Magnus’s stronghold before she can say Jack Robinson. Needless to say, this small, courageous woman has no qualms about making her displeasure felt at the public display of lust he exhibits in front of her child and his men. Poor Magnus, it doesn’t take long for him to realize that this marriage is as far from a business transaction he envisioned as it is possible to be. It’s sweet to watch this hardened warrior succumb to love for his beautiful wife and her equally brave and beautiful child.
I started off disliking Magnus as he rides roughshod over Lida’s desires and needs and streamrolls her into doing what he wants. Fortunately it does not take long for him to soften as lust rides him for his beautiful wife, but, more importantly, her young daughter worms into his heart. He’s finding warm fur cloaks to keep them toasty and pretty hair ribbons for the little girl’s hair. Lida has loved and lost before, so she’s not very receptive, even to the nice things he chooses to do for her. I really enjoyed the constant back and forth of the conflict between them as they work out their relationship.
While the love story between the couple is strong and beautiful with many lusty bouts, its the little girl Katia who steals the show as she undermines the defenses of this gruff warrior. He is definitely an anachronism in 12th century Scandinavia as he empowers his daughter and teaches her to defend herself and her mother. I thoroughly enjoyed the conflicts close to home of which he is completely oblivious in typical male fashion, until they sweep up and almost cost him everything.
This is a delightful romance with vibrant characters who seem to be true to the time period. I understand Katia’s romance will be up next and I, for one, am definitely looking forward to it.
Grade: B
Summary:
A stunning historical romance from debut author Sandra Lake transports readers to 12th century Sweden, where a powerful Viking lord will discover a fierce heart cannot be taken by mere force.
Lida was married to the love of her life for just two months when she became a widow. Pregnant and disowned by her late husband’s family for suspected infidelity, she was forced to return to her family in shame. Eight years later, uninterested in the prospect of finding another husband, she finds herself the unwilling object of a marriage contract with a powerful warlord. In a day, she is wed, bed, and put on a ship headed for Tronscar; an unknown icy stone and steel fortress.
Jarl Magnus is pleased to have taken a strong wife who, however stubborn she may be, will surely produce sons. However, he is less pleased with his wife’s additional baggage—a young daughter. But despite himself, Magnus falls for the daughter just as hard as the mother, and Lida’s heart is warmed to see the cold, serious Jarl move surprisingly fast into the role of stepfather.
When enemies attack Tronscar, Jarl Magnus’s nerves of steel waver, as the warrior fears his love for Lida will weaken him. But when his family is threatened, he’ll go to war to protect them, discovering along the way that they have the strength to protect themselves.
No excerpt available.
