Review: To Tempt A Viking by Michelle Willingham

To Tempt A Viking by Michelle Willingham

Book Two of the Forbidden Vikings series

Publisher: Harlequin

Publication Date: January 21, 2014

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

She’s Testing His Resolve!

Warrior Viking Ragnar Olafsson stood by as his best friend claimed the woman he desired the most. There was only one way to quench the deep darkness within him—become merciless in battle.

When Elena is taken captive, fearless Ragnar risks everything to save her. Now they are stranded with only each other for company. Suddenly every longing, every look, every touch is forbidden. Elena could tempt a saint—and sinner Ragnar knows he won’t be able to hold out for long!

What I Liked:

After reading To Sin With A Viking, I knew I could not wait to read the companion sequel novel! Yes, it featured Elena, and I was not a huge fan of her in the first book. BUT, it featured Elena, meaning that she would get her own happy ending! That was something I wanted to read.

Ragnar Olafsson has been in love with his best friend's wife since the three of them were kids, and no one was promised to each other yet. But he has never acted on his feelings or desires, nor will he ever do so, while Styr and Elena are married. Elena has always cared for Ragnar as a friend, as she has seen him through his worst as a young boy and young man, especially with the unique death of his father.

This book parallels with book one. Meaning, the events of book one overlap with the events of book two. This book starts with the capture of Elena and the other men by Caragh's brother Brendan, but the end of book one (Styr leaving for Caragh) occurs about halfway through this book.

The other half of this book is spent on Ragnar and Elena, and their broken relationship. Elena is no longer married to Styr, but that doesn't mean that she can just climb into Ragnar's bed. Ragnar will not allow that, because he has his own demons to face. Ragnar has a twisted sense of self-worth, and doesn't believe that he deserve Elena. Nor does he believe that she could be safe from him.

I loved seeing the romance between Ragnar and Elena progress. There was always something there, but the time alone, the need for each other, Styr's departure, Elena's desire for children... everything just came together. The chemistry between these two sizzles, but neither can actually act upon their desires until way past Styr and Elena's divorce.

I liked how Willingham resolved the child issue. Elena is barren, and believes that she will never have children, because she never had a child or got pregnant for Styr. Well, Willingham created the prefect solution for Elena (and Ragnar) - doubly, if I may say so. I saw one of them coming, but not quite the entire scenario. Very cool!

Overall, I really liked this companion sequel novel. I really, really liked Ragnar, and while I didn't like Elena in the first book, I came to understand her in this book, and even like her. It was fascinating to see how the stories overlapped and intersected - it made things much more intriguing! This book is definitely worth the read.

What I Did Not Like:

I thought the first quarter of the book was a bit slow. I sort of powered through it, and by powered through I mean skim, sort of. Once I got past it, things started to get, um, interesting, between Ragnar and Elena, which helped me keep reading.

Not that I was ever in danger of NOT finishing this book. This book was too good for me to even consider that notion. 

Would I Recommend It:

If you read and liked the first book, DEFINITELY follow up by reading this book. I thought I would hate reading Elena's story, because I thought she wasn't particularly pleasant in the first book of this series, but when you see her side of things, everything makes sense. I'm really glad I read this book. I recommend both books, for historical romance fans!

Rating:

4 stars. Definitely an interesting and enjoyable companion novel! I wonder if Willingham has any more Forbidden Vikings books up her sleeve.

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Review: To Sin With A Viking by Michelle Willingham

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 Goodreads):

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! 

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