Danegeld (Love Spell historical romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Susan Squires (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Witch or saint? That is the question Britta cannot answer as she tries to connect to the mysterious power she lost just as she discovered it. The many gods have not yet faded before the one God in Dark Age Britain, and miracles are still possible. DANEGELD is a carefully researched journey into another time and place, filled with adventure, laced with passion and magic.

All Britta wants is to reclaim her enigmatic gift, lost when Offa, a mighty Saxon thegn, raped her long ago. Karn, proud Viking warrior, is tried of wandering the world. He wants land where he can live in peace. That seems impossible for a fourth son. Their paths collide when Karn and his Vikings raid Britta's village. Offa captures Karn and tortures him. Britta is driven to heal him by a vision she hopes is the return of magic. But she cannot make his body whole. Pursued by Offa into the chaos of a world preparing for the final confrontation between Saxon and Dane, Britta and Karn both journey back from personal devastation to find new kinds of strength. Each must see past a traditional enmity to find their growing attraction to each other. Their struggle to carve a common language and a common destiny echoes the process alive in the land, as Saxon and Dane combine to build the island kingdom that will be called England.

About the Author
Susan Squires earned a Masters degree in English literature from UCLA and, as a by-product, learned how much fun research of other times and places can be. Several trips to Suffolk and Norfolk in the east of Britain created a life-long love of that area and its history. Danish on one side, and married to a very Saxon husband, she became fascinated with that time in East Anglian Britain when two cultures married and created a new language and a new land.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Love Spell (July 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0505524465
• ISBN-13: 978-0505524461
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #978,481 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars riveting historical romance, September 5, 2001

By	Susan Grant (USA) - See all my reviews

Days after finishing this book, it lingers in my thoughts. The characters seemed real, not the cardboard cutouts that I so frequently encounter. This means that they had their faults as well as their beautiful strengths, making them so very memorable.

I loved how I could smell, see, hear, taste and touch the era of so long ago. I lived the story right along with the protagonists, thanks to the vivid writing and knowledge of the author.

Whatever Ms Squires writes in the future, I will buy and devour, no question. She is one of the brightest, most talented new authors out there.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a wonderful book!, July 31, 2001

By	Carolyn Woolston (Felton, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Danegeld is a truly fine book, one I found myself unable to put down and thinking about long after I finished it. The setting comes alive with the author's use of authentic detail, and she manages to capture the "feel" of the Saxon era. The love story is genuinely moving, the action scenes gripping, and the story line in each and every chapter carries high interest. I haven't read a historical romance this good in a long, long time! Carolyn Woolston

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark but exciting Dark Ages romance, July 22, 2001

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

During the Dark Ages in Dunford, Britain, Britta earned a reputation as a healer though followers of the new religion felt she was a disciple of the devil. Everyone feared her that is except for the Saxon warrior leader Offa. Five years ago he learned about Britta’s prowess and raped her to gain her powers. No one came to her aid and Britta fled to Devil's Island, a place everyone is afraid to step foot on. When Britta needs supplies, she visits Dunford to offer healing services in exchange for them.

On a trip to the village, Offa forces Britta to heal his wounded men having just fought against Viking raiders. Included among the injured is Karn, the Viking leader. Offa tortures Karn to obtain information, but Britta manages to free and take him to her island. Both have suffered at the hands of Offa, but that is not why love has sprung up between the healer and the Viking.

This Dark Ages romance needs to carry a label: not to be read by the faint of heart. The story line is loaded with action and a deep depiction of the era including that of torture and cruelty that will give readers the shivers. DANEGELD is graphically well written with strong characterizations representing a period of violence between Saxons and Viking, and Christians and Pagans. Skillful scribe Susan Squires shows her ability to paint a very interesting saga worth reading by those who relish a crimson Beowulf....