Tempted by the warrior…
But she’ll never wed!
Brynhild had once been close to Erik—until he’d betrayed her, and she’d hoped never to see him again. Now the fiercely independent shieldmaiden needs Erik’s skills to rescue her sister. Striking a truce with the tough, isolated loner, they reach a mutually beneficial deal: help her and, in return, she’ll help him in his quest to find a wife—by teaching him how to please a woman in bed!
| Title: | Tempted by Her Outcast Viking |
| Author: | Lucy Morris |
| Series: | HMB Historical The Shieldmaiden Sisters (Book 2) |
| Pages: | 192 |
| Category / Genre(s): | Harlequin / Mills & Boon Historical |
| Trope(s): | Viking Romance Road Trip Romance |
| Point of View: | Third Person, Past Tense, Dual Viewpoint (H & h) |
| Location: | Jorvik and across England |
| Setting: | 913 AD – Viking |
| HEA: | ✔️ |
| Release Date: | 27th September, 2022 |
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A Viking road trip romance
Having read and enjoyed Valda, the first Shieldmaiden sister’s story, I was looking forward to getting my hands on the next in the series, about Brynhild and Erik. While the three books are about three sisters, I really don’t think you need to have read Vada’s story (The Viking She Would Have Married) to read and enjoy this one. But really, do read that one, too, as it’s just as good as this one.
Brynhild is the eldest of three sisters and counts herself as the dependable, protective one. With her middle sister recently married and away on adventures, Brynhild realises that the task of looking after her aging mother and sweet and delicate younger sister, falls to her. The guilt she feels for wishing for more for her life, has her on edge. As does the gorgeous, recently freed son of a powerful man, Erik. When the pair find themselves on an adventure to save Brynhild’s sister, each has to put aside what they believe in order to get what they want.
On the surface, I wouldn’t have imagined I’d have much in common with a strong, vital, kick-ass shield maiden warrior like Brynhild. But that was far from the case. She was a very conflicted woman – she had a responsibility for those that she loved but she also had dreams that she felt she had to put aside to be the protector for her family. I really felt for her and totally understood her dilemma. But even more so was her assertion that she wasn’t a desirable women because she wasn’t small and delicate like her sister. That properly broke my heart and made me root hard for her to get her happily ever after.
Like Brynhild, Erik had a dilemma in his life – but his was more of taking a chance to make his life what he wanted, now that he was free. He had quite a horrible back story of death, abuse and torture, but he was still a likeable character as he didn’t let his past either define him or let it overwhelm him. Or us as readers. I loved the way that he was clearly all-in with Brynhild and he definitely appreciated her strong, feisty character.
“Engaging characters, rich detail and a sigh-worthy romance – this is another for your keeper shelf.”
There’s always some heat going on in a Lucy Morris book but this one just smouldered. There was a touch of the ‘teach me about passion’ trope going on which naturally fit with the palpable chemistry our pair had. Add to that, the couple go on a long, cross-country trip together so there are plenty of opportunities for lying, lusting after each other by the campfire, then later, getting properly on in barns, under the stars etc etc etc.
Again, I’ve come to expect vivid historical accuracy from Lucy Morris and that’s exactly what we get here. She manages to weave detail in with the romance so a rich world is built for our characters but in an organic and natural way. You realise that you’ve learnt something about the Vikings in Britain and Ireland but without ever realising you’re being taught. It makes a romance all the more believable, I feel, when you’ve got such a vibrant and realistic setting.
While I loved Brynhild and Erik’s romance, and even had those happy butterflies in my stomach at their final declarations, I have to admit that my heart went into giddy overdrive as we get teased by the next book in the series, Helga’s story. In this story, Helga is kidnapped by a beastly Welsh prince, setting off the chain of events that leads to Brynhild and Erik’s adventure. But what will happen when the sweet Helga decides to flee her captor – will he let her go? Gah! I cannot wait!
Whether you’re a Viking romance fan, a fan of Lucy Morris, a historical Mills & Boon fan, or none of the above – I’m sure you will love this story as much as I did. Engaging characters, rich detail and a sigh-worthy romance, this is another for your keeper shelf. 5 stars.
* I received this book in exchange for my honest review*
Lucy Morris lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two young children, and two cats. She has a massively sweet tooth and loves gin, bubbly and Irn-Bru. A member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association, she was delighted to accept a two-book deal with Harlequin after submitting her story to the Warriors Wanted submission blitz for Viking, Medieval, and Highlander romances.
Writing for Harlequin Historical is a dream come true for her and she hopes you enjoy her books!
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The Shieldmaiden Sisters
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Review: Beguiling Her Enemy Warrior by Lucy Morris - Jo Reads Romance
3 February 2023 at 10:47 pm[…] on youngest sister, Helga. This book takes place at the same time as the second book in the series (Tempted by Her Outcast Viking) and despite character crossover, you don’t need to have read either of the other […]