About the Book:
Title: The Viking Chief’s Marriage Alliance
Author: Lucy Morris
Page Length: 288
Publication Date: May 25, 2021
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Synopsis: A challenging wife For a warrior Viking
When Thorstein Bergson rescues a beautiful woman from a storm-tossed longship, he little expects to broker a powerful marriage alliance with her. This high-status ice queen is not the comfortable wife the warrior chief is seeking. But maybe the bittersweet pain in Gyda’s eyes hides another woman beneath? The one he tasted that first night when she’d kissed him with such pent-up longing…?
From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.
Purchase Link – http://books2read.com/u/b5kD17?fbclid=IwAR3hXs574_WifoG0Uli0RvkjnRuCJ3KIvBhLMiUESsMDKqqHoU48hzzV_M4
My Review:
I’m so happy to be a part of the blog tour for this fantastic new historical romance! The Viking Chief’s Marriage Alliance is a wonderful read with great characters and a swoon-tastic romance. The story follows Gyda, a woman starting over after the death of her rotten husband, and Thorstein, a warrior chief who fights his feelings for the beautiful, stranded woman.
Gyda is a wonderful protagonist. Determined to maintain her independence after the death of her terrible husband, Gyda shows such strength and determination. Even at her most desperate times, Gyda refuses to fail and looks for ways to maintain her independence. As the story unfolds, Gyda’s resilience, intelligence, and kindness shine through. People, especially Thorstein, see an aloof ice queen, but that cold demeanor hides Gyda’s true personality. She, like Thorstein, put up convincing walls so that she won’t get hurt.
After the bitter dissolution of his first marriage, Thorstein is distrustful, especially when it comes to beautiful women. Though he has plans to marry again, he wants a plain and hard-working partner. He sees his ex-wife in the beautiful and seemingly-wealthy Gyda and doesn’t see past her high status and cool demeanor. Even when they are pushed into marriage, Thorstein resists his feelings and the pull he feels toward Gyda. Fear of abandonment and rejection and the wounds from his past threaten the potential for a happy future.
The romance between Gyda and Thorstein is amazing from the start when Thorsteing rescues Gyda after her ship crashes. They are instantly drawn to each other, and their chemistry is fantastic! Of course several obstacles, mostly internal, stand in their way and threaten their chance at love, but I so rooted for this pair! I understood their fears and their reluctance and hoped that they would embrace their growing feelings for each other.
The more Gyda and Thorstein get to know each other, the more they let their guards down. Gyda starts to see Thorstein for the honorable, hard-working, and kind man that he is, and Thorstein sees Gyda for the talented, resourceful, and selfless woman that she is. There are some great messages about hasty judgments and first impressions often being wrong, as both main characters fall victim to judging each other. They both had such heartbreak in their lives, and they deserve happiness and love.
Other characters throughout the story are well-developed and interesting. I enjoyed learning more about Thorstein’s people, his leader, and different villagers that Gyda and Thorstein encounter. The dynamic characters add so much to the rich world-building and offer insight into the two main characters.
A story about starting over, opening up to others, and finding love, The Viking Chief’s Marriage Alliance is the perfect book for readers who like swoon-worthy historical romance. Thanks so much to Rachel’s Random Resources and Lucy Morris for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance! Gyda and Thorstein have a fabulous love story!
- The world-building. This is an immersive and well-detailed story!
- The secondary characters are interesting and dynamic.
Favorite Lines:
Men would risk their lives on treacherous seas and raid lands for glory. But a woman’s battle is as dangerous as theirs.
Grief was her constant companion, and even after all these years it would never let her forget.
A man who lives in the past is impossible to love in the present.
Love is not an object to own. Our hearts are not bound by weight or value. There is always more love we can give and receive. We just need to allow room for it to grow.
Recommendations:
This is a great story for readers who like swoon-worthy romance with a bit of action and wonderful characters.
About the Author:
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!
Social Media Links:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055849813940
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LMorris_Author
- Instagram: lucymorris.author
Nice review Julie. I don’t think I have read anything about Vikings, especially romance. I will put this one on my wish list.
Thanks, Carla. I really enjoyed this one – great characters, a little bit of action. Though I tend to like most of the Harlequin books I read – I love a swoon-worthy romance! 🙂
I do enjoy a swoon worthy romance every now and then as well.