"Love and Norse culture in 1012 A.D."
Let me say that I enjoy a love story with a quest and
where "love conquers all". The fact is, if you are reading
a romance novel, you are reading for entertainment. What
would not be acceptable in another genre -- the suspension
of reality -- is acceptable in a romance novel. Even so, I
found some story events hard to accept. Ms. VanNuys
presented a story that shows the variety of lifestyles
during 1012 AD. The Norse culture in this time period is a
cross between settled family farmers and violent
conquerors. Sunniva Melby's life is typical and she is a bit spoiled as
the pampered daughter of the house. Her Norse family is
prosperous, with customs, family and survival the major
directives of life. Her father watches and worries about
her unusual beauty. When she delays too long in choosing a
groom, he chooses for her. Once his word is given, it
cannot be changed much to Sunni's dismay. Sunni had always considered Raven, her brother's best
friend, as a family member, but when he comes back from his
Viking travels, they see each other with adult eyes. Sunni
realizes she has always loved Raven and wants no other.
While she and Raven plan to thwart her father's marriage
plans, the proposed groom disappears. Now there seems to
be no hindrance to their wedding plans. After a kidnapping attempt, Sunni is sent to the convent
for her protection until the wedding. The morning of the
wedding, Viking Rolf Gunnarson kidnaps her. He did not
accept her refusal of his marriage proposal and he wants
her for himself. Rolf's lifestyle presents the darker
aspects of Viking life during this time period. (Now, here
is where you have to suspend belief.) Sunni convinces him
not to bed her until they are wed. After reaching his
holding, she receives aid to escape from another thrall.
Unfortunately, although she escapes Rolf and finds Raven,
she ends up in the hands of another Chieftain who desires
her for his wife. This book does have a HEA (Happily Ever After) ending for
Raven and Sunni but you have to suspend reality more than I
usually prefer, even for a romance novel. Except for
those points, the characters are true to form and to the
time period. The story reads smoothly with interesting
plot twists and action. Cy Korte © Copyright November 1999
for eBOOKISLE.com &
ParaNormal Romance Reviews
Reviewed by Cy Korte
Posted November 4, 2001
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