THE SEAFARER’S BRIDE by Laura Strickland
Fiction, Viking Historical Romance
4****
Blurb: A year ago, Magnus Tolljursson helped repel a treacherous attack from his father’s enemies, and discovered he carries the berserker’s seed of madness. Now he must sail to the settlement from whence those attackers came, and fulfill a promise to a friend. He doesn’t know what he’ll find in Husavik and never suspects he may lose his heart. In her father’s absence, Embra Fritisson has been engaged in a desperate battle to keep leadership of the settlement. When Magnus arrives saying her father is dead, she fears her unstable family will splinter into factions and destroy one another. She must retain control, but how can she hope to keep her head while falling in love with the enemy?
Thoughts: This is the third in a series, though I have not read the first two. Still, this is a well-written stand-alone that does not need the previous books for you to understand what’s going on and enjoy the story.
The characters are well-developed, especially Magnus and Embra. They are strong characters whose differences create enough conflict for an entire story just by themselves. Add in the “feud” between Magnus’s people and Embra’s and you have another layer. Add in Embra’s family—some of who are not exactly nice people—and you have even more. In other words, there is a lot of conflict in this book. But there is also a lot of love—and not just the romantic kind. This is a book full of emotions. There is also political intrigue and treachery and more. And the world building and descriptions add to the flavor of the book, putting you right there in the Viking village and on the ships.
In other words, it’s a book with a lot to offer for a good read. And a satisfying ending caps everything off beautifully.
Recommendation: Recommended.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
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