Customer Reviews

Hearts Aflame

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

While I'll admit that "Hearts Aflame" is not great literature, it is a fun romp in the medieval romance style and I stayed up half the night finishing it.

I loved the character of the heroine, Kristen Haardrad, a spirited Viking girl who stows away on her brother's ship and ends up being taken captive by Saxons when the Viking raiding party is ambushed. My favorite part of the book was the beginning when the Vikings are trying to hide the fact that Kristen is a woman from their captors. She is discovered (of course) by the virilely handsome Saxon lord, Royce of Wyndhurst, a man who, unfortunately for Kristen, saw his family murdered and his beloved fiance raped and murdered by Viking raiders five years previously.

Royce is a decent-enough hero (although he has the usual "medieval romance hero" attitude toward women--i.e. women as sex objects to be used at will) and this grates on modern sensibilities. Kristen is definitely a fiesty heroine and not afraid to go after what she wants and I did like her for those things. I was disappointed that she fell so *quickly* for the man who was enslaving her and became his mistress. It seemed a bit out of character for a girl who was so *very* proud and raised in a strong family such as hers. And she is *definitely* not the poster girl for the "No Means No" campaign against coercive sex. (I'll admit, I am not a big fan of that kind of raped-but-still-enjoyed-it sex scene that was so popular in the 1980's.)

The book has alot of action and Kristin is one heck of a tough heroine (I loved the part when she goes after Royce's cousin with a knife!) My book did *not* have Fabio on the cover, but it is certainly a "Fabio-on-the-cover" kind of book, albeit a really fun one!

Recommended for readers who like medieval romance (with warnings to those who are offended by the "woman as love slave" plotline.)

This is the second book in a trilology. The first is Fires in Winter and the third is Surrender My Love. I think this one was the best of the three, the characters better drawn and more likeable. It is an exciting book with a storyline that has plenty of action. In all three books Ms. Lindsey plays on the theme of slave/prisoner. She handles it differently each time so the theme does not become boring. This is a book worth reading, though not "her best".

I'm a big fan of Johanna Lindsey and have read many of her books because of the way she mixes real romance and eroticism with adventure. HEARTS AFLAME is the best one yet.

The beautiful Viking, Kristen, stows away on ship with her brothers and clansmen to enjoy adventure before she's forced to marry one of the locals who she definitely does not love. But on this voyage, she, posing as a lad, and her crew are captured and enslaved by Lord Royce, who hates Vikings for personal reasons.

Soon Lord Royce finds out the true sex of Kristen and orders her into his home as a shackled servant. But Kristen is proud, unyeilding and unashamed, vowing that her Viking father will come and rescue her and her clansmen. Royce is, against his will, drawn to Kristen and her unbreakable spirit. She proves herself to be the opposite of everything he expected.

The two of them begin to want each other. Kristen readily admits it because she has been taught the normalcy of sexuality. Royce can't because to do so would only mean that he'd allowed Kristen to have power over him. The coming together of these two is nothing less than beautiful.

Soon Kristen wonders that, if her father comes to rescue her, will she really want to leave this new place.

Johanna Lindsey is undoubtably one of my favorite romance writers. I can't tell you why. She was one of the first authors I read, and I've kept pace with her over the years. If a reader has read more than say 3 of her books, they sense very definate patterns. While that formula is very successful, it does get a bit tedious in its endless repetition. This book, while enjoyable, follows that same predictability of plot.

Kristen stows away on her brother, Selig's ship and finds herself inadvertantly going raiding with the Vikings. Unfortunately, their intended victims are a bit more prepared for them than they ever knew. This leads to the enslaving of Kristen and her band of Viking warriors. Enter predictable "dueling of fiery woman who is enslaved/held captive by a dangerous and ridiculously handsome master" storyline. In its execution, this story was well written. If you've read a Lindsey or two, this book holds no surprises. But, if that formula still captures your attention? Then this book is as good as any of her books. Strongly written characters and a very interesting time of history inhabited.

I have read a lot of romance novels of late and this is the first one I could not put down! Johanna Lindsey, this book is superb! The sexual tension and attraction between Royce and Kristen was WOW! So much action without too much history, just enough to explain what was going on. I loved that Kristen was such a strong woman, so sure of herself. She knew she wanted Royce and didn't deny it! I also loved how Kristen came from such a strong family background and the closeness she shared with her parents and brothers! And Royce, he was so gorgeous and sensual, no wonder Kristen couldn't deny herself! Johanna Lindsey, please, I beg you, write a sequel for Royce and Kristen. I did not want this book to end!

If you like books that have the same conversations over and over and the same situations over and over... this is for you. I was very dissapointed with this book. I kept reading and reading hoping it would get better. Please don't waste your time on this.

Kristen Haardrad smuggled herself in her brothers' ship bound, she thought, on a trading voyage. However Selig has plans to raid a Saxon church, supposedly easy pickings. The raid goes horribly wrong, Selig is struck down and the remainder of the force taken prisoner. At first, Kristen is taken for a man (due to her Viking height and men's clothing) but once it is discovered she's a woman she is removed from her compatriots and sent to work in the hall of Royce of Wyndhurst. And now for a battle of another kind, as master and prisoner become attracted to one another. Who will win the battle of lust and love?

For a seemingly straightforward plot, there is much that is complex here. The relationship of the Haardrad family members is in turn endearing, frustrating, funny and heart-warming in their dedication to one another. Kristen is not the normal mould of Viking, due to her mother's teachings and beliefs (her mother herself was taken captive by Kristen's Viking father). Yet her fierceness, exuberance and willingness to fight is pure Viking, and very different from the Saxon way. Kristen never considers herself a slave, although all the Saxons including Royce do. Kristen quickly realises that she wants Royce for her own, and has few maidenly hesitations about using whatever it takes to make him hers, dedicating herself entirely to the task. Much about the book may be uncomfortable from the modern perspective - the issue of slavery, of the Viking culture and attitude to women taken prisoner being prime examples - and may give some readers pause. The action scenes are excellent, the development of the relationship developing between Kristen and Royce is well described.

Once reconciled to the cultural issues, there is much to enjoy about this romance as Kirsten sets about winning her man.

Kristen, a norsewoman of Viking heritage finds herself a captive slave in England, after stowing away on her brother's boat which set sail intending to raid a wealthy monastery in England. Her captor is Royce, a saxon knight under the reign of Alfred the Great. Both Royce and Kristen have a mutual attraction. But will love overcome his prejudice and hate for the Vikings?

Another captivating JL book. The attraction between Royce and Kristen is sizzling.Kristen is neither afraid of Royce nor her feelings for him. She's trained in the arts of fighting and will not let any man take her if she is not willing. Royce carries a pain from his past and will not trust anyone but he will protect all those he loves.

The prequel to this book is Fires of Winter, Garrick and Brenna's story. The Sequel is Surrender My Love, Selig's story. It's a fun series to read but repetitive as the same story is rehashed three times.

Lealing

After having read „Prisoner of my desire" I swore never to read a Joanna Lindsey romance novel again. I was truly appalled. But the customer reviews persuaded me that I probably would like that one-and I did! Usually I don't like medieval romances but that one was different. I liked sassy and daring Kristin who is a really strong heroine and also Royce who is a true match for her. I could understand both point of views which is seldom the case when I read romance novels. It is so sweet to see how Royce and Kristen eventually admit their love for each other. The only thing I did not like was the spanking scene. It was unnecessary and didn't fit at that moment. It was as if Lindsey only brought it in because she has a liking for such scenes. The bondage scene (only a mild one) seems to be one of Lindsey's favourites, too but at least it fitted into the storyline. Nevertheless I did enjoy the book thoroughly.

The Viking tales are some of Lindsey's best. This book is only second to it's prequel, Fires of Winter, another excellent read. I actually own the trilogy, though Surrender my Love is a little disappointing.