Customer Reviews

The Viking Takes a Knight

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

 

 

I love Sandra Hill's books. "The Very Verile Viking" was one of the first romances I ever read and it was hilarious!!
But the last few books have been just a little lacking. They're just a little too similar, just a little to lacking in back-story. These are characters whose stories I have been waiting to hear and I miss that they aren't as good as I hoped.
So I go back to the oldies, but goodies!! "The Last Viking", "Truly Madly Viking", "The Very Verile Viking", "Wet and Wild", and especially "Hot and Heavy". These were the best of the best!

I really enjoyed this book. I laughed out loud most of the time. I could just see the hero's expression when things went wrong. I picked this book up by accident; I usually do not like the Viking era. Yet, I'm so glad I did. Best book I have read in quite awhile. Sheila B

In order to protect Henry, King Edgar's illegitimate son, the Rainstead Orphanage, and prevent Commander Leo of Loncasterher from forcing her into marriage with him, Ingrith Sigrundottir decided to flee. After she seperated the orphans into groups and assigned each group, a member of the staff, she sent them to various sanctuaries. Ingrith also took a small group, along with Henry and Ubbi, her old bodyguard and sought refuge at Lord John Grave's Home, Hawk's Lair.

John had no intention of getting involved in a serious relationship, he was more interested in experimenting with his bees and honey. But, when Ingrith showed up with a group of children and an ornery old man, he was easily distracted. After reluctantly granting refuge, he began to see, his honey wasn't the only thing that was sweet.

I loved the chemistry between Ingrith and John. She was strong willed, determined and had a good heart. She quickly fell in love with John, but she believed his refusal to marry her was because, he was in love with Johanna, his former mistress. Especially after learning Johanna had turned him down for marriage. John wanted nothing more, than to have wife and children, but believed he had tainted blood. Johanna had been safe, she was a widow and couldn't have any more children. But, the longer Ingrith and John were together, he began to fall in love with her. Soon, thier relationship grew from honey sweet to sizzling hot....things begin to look hopeful to Ingrith.

Then the letter came from Commander Loncasterher informing John, he had taken Johanna as a mistress. It was a subtle message offering a trade, Johanna for Henry. John immediately goes to Johanna's rescue leaving Ingrith behind, to wonder what was happening. When she didn't hear word from John, she decided, she would trade herself for Johanna. But, when she arrived, she learned that John and Johanna were betrothed and that Johanna was returning with him to Hawk's Lair. Broken hearted, Ingrith returned home to her father.

Not only where the main characters enjoyable, but the supporting characters were fun as well. I loved Blothor and his warped sense of humor, especially when it came to his comical songs. I also enjoyed Katherine's character. She was always in Hawk's face blunt. You can't help but laugh, when she calls hawk a lackwit...basically a dumbass.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. In true Sandra Hill fashion, she managed to mix her romances with modern day humor and historical flair. I love that her characters are very engaging and realistic. Several of her characters remind me of people, I actually know. The Viking Takes A Knight is one of those books, that will have you constantly smiling and making those around you, wondering, what you are laughing at. If you like witty repartee, sweet obsessions, engaging characters and a solid plot, then you will enjoy this fun and light-hearted book.

In 970 Northumbria Princess Ingrith Sigrundottir proudly runs a local orphanage Rainstead. However, when brutal Saxon Commander Leo Loncaster visits her orphanage demanding she turn over King Edgar's illegitimate son Henry she disobeys the beast. Instead she flees with her children including Henry to Lord John Graves's home Hawk's Lair where she demands sanctuary for her, Ubbi her elderly guard, and thirty youngsters.

John is attracted to Ingrith, but knows she is off limits to him as the daughter of the king. Ingrith is attracted to her host but cannot get him away from his studies of honey. When Loncaster angrily burns down the orphanage, John sets off to get the king to intercede while directing the princess to remain safe inside his walls. Ingrith rejects his orders and instead follows him to her father's court. In love, they argue before he leaves the court to return to his honeybees while Thorvold announces his daughter will marry soon. John decides he will be her husband, but must persuade his beloved he is her man for eternity.

This is a fun lighthearted Dark Ages romp in which Sandra Hill uses humor to make the case that the tenth century was an enlightened period with researchers along side berserkers as warriors. The story line is fast-paced while Ms. Hill provides fascinating ways to use honey that the experimenters amongst readers will want to test with their significant other. The lead couple is a terrific pairing as each is fully developed so the audience will understand the motives and flaws of both as the almost aptly titled The Viking Takes a Knight as her honey.

Harriet Klausner

The vernacular not matching the time period is an immediate turn off for me. It was a complete distraction from the story. I almost put the book down at the start of the second chapter when the term "Chauvinist pig" is used. Getting through chapter 3 was an effort.

OMG! This book is so funny! I was up late reading this... You will laugh your butt off. So funny. The thoughts behind the actions... Great, keep up the laughs.... Sandra Hill.!!! We need it.

This may not be Hill's best, but it is still worth a read. This book is funny, engaging, sexy, and best of all, it has vikings. If that isn't a winning combination, I don't know what is.

Other reviewers have gone into lots of detail and done a great job, so I won't pick the story apart... suffice it to say that I would read it again, and it would put a smile on my face!

i've read this author before and i loved the book i read, but this...this was torture. I read this over a period of almost two months b/c i had to stop every now and then to almost throw up b/c it was that bad. it started out good, but i could only take small doses. Why did i continue? I hoped it would get better. it didnt. save the money.

This book lacked depth. The characters and plot were not developed well and the whole storyline felt rushed. Not impressed, but I usually love Sandra Hill. I'm hoping the next one is a better effort.

With one of the children in the orphanage she runs in danger, Ingrith is just looking for a place to hide. When John of Hawk's Lair's mother suggests that Ingrith hide in his home, John couldn't be more unhappy about it. There goes his peace and quiet. But the more that Ingrith is around him the more John comes to desire her and, very much against her wishes, Ingrith also desires him. John is haunted by the madness that infected his father and the possibility that he could be affected by it in time; a fear which has kept him from marrying or having children. Can he overcome it before he loses Ingrith forever?

Whenever I'm looking for a fun read, Sandra Hill is on the top of my list. I love the fact that I find myself giggling from page to page, and that was definitely the case with The Viking Takes A Knight. Funny, sexy and a thoroughly good time, The Viking Takes A Knight is great for a lazy afternoon!


Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed