Series:
Shieldmaiden Sisters (Book 1)
In close quarters…
With the Viking she'd loved and lost
A Shieldmaiden Sisters story -- with her family fallen on
hard times, Valda's forced to join the crew on Halfdan Ulfsson's merchant ship
as he sets sail on the treacherous silk route. But this handsome jarl's son is
the man she'd planned to wed, until his bitter betrayal. Knowing she can never
trust him, she must focus on saving her sisters…and not the intense connection
that still burns between them!
Terrific second chance romance. Valda returned home to
Jorvik after confessing her love to Jorund (
A Nun for the Viking Warrior) and
finding it was not reciprocated. Upon arrival, she found her mother and sisters
in dire straits, the money they planned to use to buy a farm stolen by her
mother's unscrupulous love. Determined to raise the funds they need, Valda tries
to find work on a merchant ship, but no one is hiring. Then she receives an
offer from Halfdan, the former love who betrayed her. The offer is too good to
pass up, but Valda is determined to protect her heart this time.
Halfdan is the son of the local jarl who plies his trade
as a merchant to escape his cruel father. He lost Valda once because of his
father and doesn't want to lose her again. However, he isn't free to pursue her.
He promised his father to marry the bride he chose to save his half-brother, Erik,
a slave. He sees this voyage as fate giving him another chance.
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship
between Valda and Halfdan, though I sometimes wanted to knock their heads
together. Each has a wide stubborn streak and pride that keeps getting in the
way. Halfdan wants to take care of Valda, but her pride won't allow her to be
an object of pity. The first part of the voyage is spent with Valda pushing
back at Halfdan for everything he tries to do for her. Eventually, they talk
enough about their past to discover that their parting was caused by
misunderstanding, not betrayal. Their past attraction grows stronger as they
get to know each other again. Valda gives in to her feelings, even though it
will only be for a short time before she gives him up again.
There are obstacles to a future together. Halfdan is
promised to another and cannot honorably renege on his word. I was unhappy that
his solution was to set Valda up as his mistress. I loved that Valda had the
self-respect to stand up for her needs. At the same time, Valda questions her
plans for the future, torn between her duty to her family and her love for her
work. Halfdan struggles to find a way to save his brother, keep his word, and
have the life that he wants with Valda. There were some unexpected developments
at the end that opened up new possibilities. I loved how everything worked out,
and the ending was terrific.
One of the most riveting things about this book, besides
the relationship between Valda and Halfdan, was the intriguing look at Viking
life. The skillfully woven details of the journey from Jorvik to Miklagard
(Constantinople) and back made scenes so vivid I felt I was there. I can't wait
to see what is in store for the next book.
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