In the Dark Ages arranged marriages are expected, but not usually to an enemy-or a Viking. What will a stubborn Irish lass do?
Excerpt
Ireland 856 CE
“I renounce Father for this.” Kaireen threw the elderberry gown. Dressed only in her
leine, she glared at the new gown on the stone floor.
“Shame on you and your children for speaking such.” Her handmaid, Elva, gathered the damask and then dusted off the rushes. “It’s a wonder one of the clim has not scolded you from your hearth for such talk.” She wore her white hair twisted in a chignon, underneath a linen head cloth. Strands of white hair poked out the sides of her covering.
“No, curse Father for a fool.” She plopped on her bed and a goose feather floated away. With a huff, she leaned against the oak headboard. Red curtains puffed like a robin’s chest around oak poles supporting her wooden canopy.
Her bare feet brushed against the stone floor. Why was she not born plain like her two older sisters? Already they had married and expected their second bairns by spring. Well, at least so far she had enjoyed twenty years of freedom. Neither of her sisters had had matrimonial dreams of love matches. Both were arranged marriages.
“You know your da arranged a marriage within a season.” Elva smirked.
Kaireen shook her head. “To another land holder,” and waved a hand in disgust, “not t-this heathen. Twice they raided our land in the last month alone. Many a raid has come from them. Now father wants me as wife to one of them?” She clenched her fists. “No, I will not marry this Viking.”
Elva smiled, reminding Kaireen of the rumors of her handmaid’s uncanny foresight.
Whispers of Elva making strange things happen and often blamed as the cause of
Kaireen’s stubborn refusal to behave as a laird’s daughter should.
“You’ve not seen him yet.” Elva wiggled her brows.
“So?” Kaireen shrugged. “I would like to never see him.”
“Well then, would you not like to know if you have a handsome husband or not?” She waited for her response, but Kaireen scowled at her. Elva chuckled. “I would rather get a good look at him now than the morning after.”
Kaireen’s ears heated. “I am not marrying.” She shook her head for emphasis. “So there will be no morning, nor night, nor wedding.”
“If he is handsome, I may fight you for him.” Elva smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.
“Welcome to him either way.” Kaireen laughed.
Professional Reviews
4-star review
The story of Kaireen and Bram starts off on a rocky road. Heavens, after all it is told from the point of view of a young, spoiled daughter of the laird when she first learns that she shall be forced to marry a man who by his very birth, she is bound to hate. She thinks.
Kaireen soon finds is secretly attracted to Bram, yet cannot delve into her feelings out of a deep-seated hatred for his heritage of being a Viking. Bram is self-assured and good natured, more mature than Kaireen, and a bit cocky. Kaitreen comes from being somewhat sheltered and has a rather limited view of the world, which little by little the veils of childhood are lifted in the challenges she must face. Over the course of the story, Bram is able to prove time and time again the meat of his character, breaking down the walls of Kaitreen's reserve until she is able to decide for herself whether or not he is a man worthy of her love. The story is laced with fine details of the time, making for an interesting read, and filled with secondary backstabbing characters. I was glad to see the young Kaireen come into her own and over the course of the story, she grows into a heroine that the reader can appreciate and cheer on. Of special note, I thoroughly enjoyed the botanicals mentioned throughout Viking Fire. The author does an excellent job of creating the atmosphere of the time, allowing the reader an ample vista of the historical period.
5-star review
This was a fast-paced read with lots of action and intrigue. The story hit the ground running and never let up.
I loved the descriptions of period food, clothing and customs which added to the richness of the world. Bram and Kaireen had loads of chemistry and fun romance.
Kaireen is a worthy heroine who began as a bit entitled but came into her own through the tale.
I loved the touch of mysticism and would recommend the read to not only historical buffs but fantasy and paranormal fans as well.
5-star review
Kaireen Liannon, third daughter to Laird Liannon and the feistiest one at that, is being forced into marriage with a stranger, and may the Gods help her, a Viking! She'll have nothing to do with those kind, pillagers, and not so long away, their enemies. But, time changes, things aren't the way they used to be, and the striking Viking grows on her, from his audacity to the way he works under her skin.
Bram, a Viking by birth and soon to be an Irishman by marriage, has seen the young Kaireen, and even from a distance, he knew that one day, should Valhalla be willing, she would be his wife. Little does he knows that enemies abound and are hatching vile plots to steal what is his, and an attempt to take his life is in the making. Can he be saved? Will Kaireen?
It's not until Bram is nearly lost that Kaireen discovers her mistaken ways.
Viking Fire by Andrea R. Cooper is a sweet romance filled with action, adventure, and a stronghead lass against the will of an unrelenting Viking that makes the reader wish you could spend a little more time with the characters. And the Viking, Bram, is super sexy (just like a Viking should be!). Their marriage is going to be wild and cantankerous to say the least. There were several laugh out loud moments and moments when you wondered if Kaireen was ever going to admit her attraction to the maddening Bram (by the way, I love his name!). It was easy reading, you could almost heard the brogue.
Viking Fire will lit up your summer reading list. It's a fun, fast read, and I enjoyed it immensely! I found myself smiling as the book came to an end. For those who love lite historicals, this is a must read as well as for those who love sweet romance. I felt fortunate to be able to read an early copy of the forthcoming book. Thanks go out to Ms. Cooper!
Ireland 1947. Seven weeks of relentless snow. Guard Eamon Foley is searching for a missing child.
At Toby Appleyard’s farm, he discovers the kitchen littered with dead cats. And the skeletal remains of a woman. Upstairs, Toby is dead in his bed.
Ireland 1947. Seven weeks of relentless snow. Guard Eamon Foley is searching for a missing child.
At Toby Appleyard’s farm, he discovers the kitchen littered with dead cats. And the skeletal remains of a woman. Upstairs, Toby is dead in his bed.
