Customer Reviews

Fires of Winter

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Trained in the art of war, Brenna Carmarham vowed to never take a husband until her father made a deal with the hated Vikings in hopes of saving her home. Not long after the deal is made, her much-loved father dies, but reluctantly Brenna decides to honor her father's vow anyway and awaits her intended with trepidation. On the day of her father's funeral, the Vikings finally come, but not with a bride-groom as expected. Instead, the Vikings raid Brenna's home, kill most of her family and take her prisoner, making her the slave of the man she'd once thought to marry.

Having been spurned by a money-hungry woman, Garrick Haardrad has vowed to never love again. While he's away on a trading venture his father makes a false deal with the hated Celts to join Garrick with a Celtic lord's daughter. However, the marriage-pact is just a smoke-screen to allow the Vikings to raid the Celtic village and take revenge on the Celts for long-ago wrongdoing. And now, the woman who might have been his wife is his slave.

I first read _Fires Of Winter_ many years ago and to this day it remains one of my favorites by Ms. Lindsey. In fact, I'd have to say it's one of my favorites in the entire genre. Johanna Lindsey always delivers well-drawn and likeable characters, and Brenna and Garrick are no exception. Brenna is fiery, brave and headstrong while Garrick is stoic, courageous and stubborn. When these two first meet, sparks fly and wills clash in a battle that will leave you wanting more. And, since you will want more, it's lucky that Ms. Lindsey expanded this book into a trilogy (this one is followed by _Hearts Aflame_ and _Surrender My Love_).

One of the most fascinating aspects, for me, is the history. You're thoroughly immersed in the Viking culture. While sometimes the inclusion of historical details can weigh a book down with unnecessary information, I've always found that Ms. Lindsey incorporates history perfectly, weaving it into the story in such a way that only makes it more enjoyable. In fact, she's so good at this, that I often wish more of the history had been included.

I've noticed a few of the reviewers commenting on the brutality included in the book (the rape, pillaging, murder and abuse), but when reading this book you have to consider the time period (both when the novel was written and when the novel takes place). After doing so, I think you'll be able to see these scenes in a different light. While I am far from condoning rape or the abuse of women in any form, such was the way things were in times past. The hero *does* rape the heroine on several occasions, but as he grows to love her he grows as a person. You have to understand that Garrick, though having a Christian mother, has been raised a true Viking -- someone who is used to treating women like chattel. When looked at in that way, you come to see that it's not completely Garrick's fault that he is the way he is, he's a product of a brutal and unforgiving society. And he doesn't stay that way, he does grow into a likeable character.

All in all, _Fires Of Winter_ is a roller-coaster ride of love, passion and history. You'll be hard-pressed to put the book down, so make sure once you start you have a significant amount of time in which to finish it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical romances -- you won't be disappointed.

Contrary to most readers' opinions, one of the main reasons that I was intrigued by Fires of Winter is because it conveys a realistic plot. When spinning a tale concerning Vikings and Norseman, Lindsey could not make characters that were all sweet and kind-hearted. This was not the reality then. The actions of Garrick and his family reflect how things actually were back then. You can't expect Lindsey to change history just because it disturbs some of her more fragile readers to hear some violence. As for the content of the story: it was breathtaking. As soon as Brenna lost her stubborn edge and Garrick let himself feel again, I was mesmerized with it. And, my God, are the sex scenes incredible!

I first read Fires of Winter about eighteen months ago and remembered a powerful and highly alluring storyline. Last week, I decided to read it again and found it was even better than I remembered.

I have discovered, as I read through the backlists of many authors, that most romance writing today is very different from the romances of the 1980s. I often find that the formula romances written during that time frame can be very trying to read. But I have also learned that some of the very best gems of romance writing were written during the 1980s. Of all the hundreds of romance books I have read, my top five favorite books include at least three from this 1980s period. I love a story with rich historical detail that concentrates primarily on the hero and heroine. Length of the story (longer than 350 pages), unusual plot lines, and depth of characters are extremely important. Fires of Winter is one such novel that fits all of these criteria as well as just being a downright delicious read. I consider Johanna Lindsey to be one of the best authors of these sweeping historical novels during this period although I have read a couple of hers that I would consider some of the worst.

Garrick Haardrad is a Viking who makes his living through trading overseas. He is the younger son of a Viking chieftain, Anselm the Eager. Unknown to Garrick, his father, Anselm, had promised his hand in marriage to a Celtic lord's daughter. When Anselm arrives in England to supposedly collect his younger son's future bride, he instead attacks the Celtic settlement. The marriage betrothal was merely a trick to allow the Viking raiders easy entrance to the Celtic settlement. Not only does Anselm and his warriors kill the majority of people and steal all that can be stolen, he also takes with him seven captives who will become slaves once they reach Norway.

Lady Brenna is the Celtic lord's daughter that had been promised in marriage, unwillingly, to the Viking chieftain's son. She is one of the seven captives taken back to the Vikings' homeland of Norway. Brenna is a very independent woman and has always been treated like a son rather than a daughter by her father. She is very adept at warrior skills such as wielding a sword, archery, and defending herself with a knife. When Anselm and his warriors attack Lady Brenna's home, she fights the Vikings just like a man. She is a very uncooperative captive and is considered dangerous if not a little mad. Brenna refuses to accept her new role in life - that of a slave. Anselm discovers he actually respects Lady Brenna and decides to give her to his son, Garrick. Brenna is extremely bitter towards Anselm and cannot bear the thought that she will be Garrick's slave rather than his wife.

Brenna's behavior is my main complaint about Fires of Winter. She was always angry. There are few pages in which she is NOT angry. This behavior actually makes Brenna appear immature. But, to give her character due credit, I will admit that she was dealing with one of the hardest heroes I have ever read. Garrick could be just down right mean and he was - many more times than once. Lindsey can write some of the meanest heroes that we still find a way to accept wholeheartedly. Part of the intrigue of Lindsey's heroes is the change they undergo. So, although we see Garrick as unkind, we also see him evolve to a hero you will love.

Usually, I don't appreciate a great deal of fighting as occurs between Garrick and Brenna. It was, however, a really outstanding battle of the wills. I found that I relished this battle of wills because both characters are so well written. They both clearly have their strengths and weaknesses and Lindsey lets us see them as the imperfect people they are and it only adds to the overall appeal of the story. The sensual scenes rate about a 3.5 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). Although Lindsey does not write these scenes in explicit detail, they are still highly sexual. Be warned - these scenes are both consensual and non-consensual. At times, women are not treated with much respect in this book. This story takes place during the Viking era and I actually think this mistreatment of women is true to the time period.

This book had extreme highs and lows and was a fascinating read. There are few books that I find hard to put down but Fires of Winter was definitely in that category. I like to savor the really, really good books and make the reading last. But I found myself making excuses to read the next chapter and then the next. Fires of Winter is probably one my favorite top ten books. This is a book that is about the leads and it is very satisfying. I will soon choose another Lindsey book from her backlist and hope to find yet another jewel.

I know these books are pure fantasy and usually I don't get uptight about the way charcters are treated, but this one really bothered me.

The heroine was great but she was put through such terrible things being done to her and her family -- deception, murder rape, pillage and enslavement -- and all for a hero who really wasn't worth it all. Seems he hates all women and lets his female slaves be used by mutliple men because once a women he loved married another man? Get over it!

Breena is raped and enslaved but wants to be freed with dignity and everyone (even her family members who have been deceived, had husbands murdered and been multiply raped by Vikings) tell her to accept her lot with a smile!! Why not? They are all thrilled!! Make sense? Not to a normal brain.

This book was too much. Yuck.

I actually read this after reading HEARTS AFLAME. I don't know what I expected since these two were so great in their daughter's story, but I didn't expect constant feuding. When exactly did these two get along? Every day they fought, which would make for a very unhappy life. They didn't seem at all in love, either. Every story needs a little bickering, as long as no one loses sight of the fact that love is still in the air. But when an argument happens almost every time the couple converses, it makes for a very depressing story. I dreaded turning to the next page because I knew nothing happy would take place.
There wasn't one romantic love scene in the entire book! No woman, even then, would have put up with being violated over and over again. And I don't believe all men of that era were such pigs, either.

Joanna Lindsey has been one of my favorite authors since I picked up my very first book. Unfortunately, I must say that this is the worst one. I've read every Lindsey book written and this one remains the worst in my opinion. I've read it more than once to give it a fair chance, but it didn't get any better. Not only do the main characters hate each other through 9/10 of the book, but he rapes her many times. The don't seem to even like each other until the very end. This book has too much violence against Brenna. I hope the review helps.

If I had the ability to give this book a negative rating I would. If you are into RAPE, HUMULIATION, AND BRUTIAL VIOLENCE this book is for you, if not, run for cover if you see this book. I should have known better when the first rape scene showed up on page 5. I didn't get any farther than the first 100 pages when our "Hero" started to rape our heroin as a means of submission.

Reading this book left me with a very disturbed feeling and I would hope this review will prevent you from making the same mistake.

I am ordinarily a huge fan of Johanna Lindsay, but i will never understand why romance writers have the hero rape the heroin and then everything turns out peachy in the end. The female lead always seems to forgive and forget something that is unforgivable. The male lead is usually unremorseful using the "she made me do it" argument. I've read too many romances where this happens. How is this romantic? How is this sexy? I like my romance novels with a heady dose of sexual tension and and rousing love scenes, not heinous and villainous acts perpetrated by the hero. Isn't that what the villain is for?

I have read every one of Johanna Lindsey's published novels and this is by far her best. You will fall in love with Garrick and Brenna. The Norse culture details are interesting and believable. The romance is wonderful and and full of fire. I could hardly put it down!

This is one of her earlier works and shows her talent as a writer. The story line is fully developed and doesn't have the formula feel of her later offerings. It's a great read on a cold winter night!

This is a wonderful romance - I love romances where the heroine is a really strong woman and Brenna is! Humour and adventures throughout the book and a wonderful setting made this, for me, a great JL first read!

P.S. Could Amazon please give a list of the sequel books - this would be sooo useful as there is nothing more irritating than realising you have started half way through a series!