About the Book:
Title: Claimed by the Viking chief
Author: Sarah Rodi
Page Length: 288
Publication Date: May 23, 2023
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Synopsis: She can be his lover…
…but never his wife!
Forced into servitude, Wren is quietly miserable…until Jarl Knud arrives at her settlement, seeking an alliance through marriage. Despite their initial sizzling attraction, Wren despises everything the jarl represents—and he needs a high-status bride to save his people, not a servant like her. As Wren uncovers the man beneath the fierce Viking chief, she’s tempted to claim one forbidden night of passion…but will it ever be enough?
My Review:
I’m excited to be on the blog tour today for Claimed by the Viking Chief, a swoon-worthy historical romance by Sara Rodi. The story follows Wren, a woman who was forced into servitude when she was young, and Jarl Knud, who is seeking a marriage alliance with a high-status bride, Earl Ingrid, in order to help his people. Though they can’t be together, they also can’t deny their feelings.
Wren and Knud are both well-developed and layered characters, and I like that we see both of their perspectives throughout the story. Wren is strong and smart, and she remains optimistic even though she has had a very hard life. Enslaved since childhood, Wren doesn’t know a world where she is free, but meeting Knud and learning about his people changes her.
Knud’s views are very progressive and forward-thinking, especially when compared to many of the other leaders. He seems to want a more unified clan with people being treated as equals and no slaves at all. This is so different from what Wren, enslaved since childhood, knows. She has had no control over her life for so long that she is desensitized to the unfair and sometimes cruel treatment she receives. Knud and his unconventional views open Wren’s eyes to a different kind of future.
I enjoyed Wren and Knud’s forbidden romance. They have amazing chemistry, and the angst between them is pretty fantastic. The story also has some action and intrigue, and compelling secondary characters, some that I loved and others that I loved to hate. (Yes, I’m talking to you, Earl Ingrid!) Overall, it’s an entertaining read and one I would definitely recommend this to historical romance readers.
Thanks to Harlequin Historical and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
About the Author:
Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her grandad, or devouring love stories from the local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Berkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, her two daughters and their dog.
She has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Harlequin/Mills & Boon. New for 2023, she is the New Writers Scheme Coordinator for the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy ever after.
Social Media Links – @sarahrodiedits www.sarahrodi.com
Follow Sara Rodi on Twitter – https://twitter.com/sarahrodiedits
UP FOR GRABS! A ‘VIKING’ BUNDLE (Open to UK Only)
To mark the launch of her latest book, Claimed by the Viking Chief, author Sarah Rodi of Harlequin/Mills & Boon is giving away a signed copy of her latest historical romance, PLUS a bottle of Nordic Spirits Valhalla liqueur, A Melt In Time wax burner and Viking wax melts.
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
