Norse #2
Gina Conkle
Historical Romance
Published in September, 2016 [requested review]
H/h - Brandr/Sestra
Setting: Svea, AD 1022.
Read in October/November, 2016.
My rating:
[spoiler alert]
I read Norse Jewel,
Gina Conkle’s debut novel and thought it was a wonderful read. At that
time, I didn’t know it was going to be a series. But the story ended in a
way that left some confusions, felt like there were “more”. A year or
two later, when the author told me she was going to develop this story
into a series, I was super excited. To Find a Viking Treasure is the book 2 of Norse series.
Now,
let me tell you that I read book 1 in 2013 so my memory is a bit vague.
I do remember the initial storyline, and the characters, H Hakan, a
Viking lord and his newly bought Frankish slave, Helena who was the h of
the story. Hakan was returning home and bought Helena from a slave
trader on the way. Actually he bought some slaves, Helena and her friend
Sestra were among them. I remember that Helena came from a good family,
but circumstances brought her where she was, while Sestra, in true
sense, have always been a thrall.
Hakan was
married before but that was over with his nutcase first wife. He had the
need of womanly touch in his longhouse. He had a little boy named Erik,
whom Astrid won’t even let him visit. But the boy would always find a
way to steal away to meet his father when he was back from one conquest
or the other. The father-son bond was much stronger than what Astrid
could do. Soon Hakan also begins noticing Helena for who she was— a
loyal, kind-hearted woman who was also a hard-worker. She was the polar
opposite of Astrid; both in looks and in temperament. For Helena, she
was apprehensive at first about her treatment, but soon she finds that
Hakan is a kind, fair as well as a generous master. She soon begins
having feelings for Hakan, though she knew the only thing she can ever
be to him is a mistress if there’s anything. But Hakan even wasn’t like
that, take pleasure from his slaves or thralls then discard them.
Things
weren’t going well in Uppsala with the rebellion fired on by King
Olof’s son Anund Jakub. Time were about to get worse. The bond between
Helen and Hakan are put to test a few times before they finally begin to
realize that they need each-other. Helena knew Hakan would always keep
her safe, while Hakan knew Helena won’t break his heart the way Astrid
had. What she did left Hakan extremely bitter and disillusioned. Until
Helena, he was cold and distant where women were concerned.
Sestra
was a secondary character but I didn’t find her so noticeable to have
her own book. But there was a sad, heart-breaking story there that
would’ve remained undiscovered had the author not given her her own
voice. I don’t really remember Brandr much from book 1, if he was even
there or not but when I was reading To Find a Viking Treasure
(formerly titled “Norse Fire”) that was the only thing that bugged me.
Even though Helena and Hakan are seen in this book, and I’d recommend
that you read book 1 before as the story is a continuation from how it
ended there, To Find a Viking Treasure is a commendable
stand-alone because it was more focused on building Brandr and Sestra’s
relationship than anything else. Their past and histories are revealed
as they bonded as confidences, rather than an actual narration of it.
Norse Jewel
was a clean romance as a whole because there weren’t anything but a few
kisses between Hakan and Helena. However, don’t make that mistake with To Find a Viking Treasure if you’ve read book 1 already. It’s much hotter, definitely not a clean romance! ;)
When
the story begins, King Olof has left after a rebellion by his son
Jakub, who wants to bring back the old ways of worshipping the Gods. He
has gathered quite a bit of support, yet also has the means to force
people who would not agree with his ways. He’s got people working for
him, what we’d call outlaws, vicious, murderous Vikings who care for
nothing or no one but themselves. Mercenaries too.
Gorm, the
villain we saw in the previous book, who was also Astrid’s lover, has
taken over the area and Hakan is extremely worried about it. Gorm is
supposed to be working for Jakub, while Hakan and his people were
serving Olof. Sorry for my vague reference because I don’t really
remember a lot about the history and I wouldn’t like to confuse anyone.
But as I said, this didn’t hinder my enjoyment since the focal point of
this book was Sestra and Brandr’s relationship. They had their own
history to share with us.
Enemies finally catch up with Hakan to
punish him for not bending to the new law and the leader. With that
Helena, Hakan’s new wife, his sister Lady Madred, her husband Lord
Madred and their children are now in grave danger. No telling of the
thralls and servants since no one really cares for their well-being.
Well, most masters apparently don’t. The man who captures Hakan betrayed
everyone’s trust. He was also the son of the couple who were holding a
celebration of sort where everyone was present. It’s there the hell
breaks loose. His dislike for Hakan was apparent but it seemed he wasn’t
willing to spill blood right away. He also had no intentions of
supporting Gorm, who has been murdering and pillaging throughout the
area, burning down houses and killing livestock, looting whatever he and
his men could.
This man wants to “work” with Hakan, if he can
find the gold and the looted stash Gorm has hidden away somewhere. He’s
willing to set Hakan free, for a price. Hakan and Lady Madred’s
longhouse and everything else have to be burned and destroyed to show
Gorm that he’s working with him. In exchange Hakan and his family and
servants would be able to escape with their lives. At that point, Hakan
had no other option but to accede to this man’s demand. He needed to
save his loved ones first. Revenge can come later.
Sestra and
Brandr were present at that celebration. In fact, Sestra was residing
with that man’s family and been working there to help out. She has made a
few good friends too. Helena’s station in life elevated greatly for her
to call her a “friend”, though Helena herself doesn’t mind at all. But
the reality was, Sestra was still a thrall and she would have to be sold
to a new master soon. In the beginning of the story, she even gets the
news that she’d indeed been sold and would be soon going to her new
master, whoever he was.
Sestra had known Brandr for a while now
and had a strong crush on him. Keep in mind, being a thrall, she often
had to sleep with men, most of the times against her wish, to “comfort”
or “entertain” them as asked by whoever she was working for. Her
previous masters were like that; she’s still forced to do it. Though
Sestra has gotten used to with her station and this lifestyle, she
didn’t like it by any means. Brandr wasn’t one of those men though. He’s
one odd looking Viking with dark hair, instead of platinum blonde. He
also seemed foreign, almost exotic for some reason. There were stories
and secrets Brandr hid, Setra was pretty sure of it but no one really
knew of his origin. He had been working for Hakan for a long time now
and that’s all he liked others to know.
For all their banters and
easy flirtations with sometimes playfully biting remarks, Brandr has
never made a move on Sestra, a truth that stung her a lot. He would’ve
been someone she would’ve given herself to unconditionally. But why had
he never done so when so many men had in the past? It was apparent that
the chemistry was there… Maybe he doesn’t really want her, who knows.
After all, she’s nothing but a thrall without any hope of ever being
freed, no matter how much she pined for freedom. Brandr didn’t seem
particularly wealthy, so there was no way he could afford buying her
either. Those were the questions that would haunt Sestra, though she
tried her best to show she didn’t care at all.
On this way, it
seemed Brandr was paying a lot of attentions to her. Either his eyes
were tracking her or she’d find him waiting when she was expecting him
the least. His dark, rugged good-looks and that almost imperceptible
flicker of smile would set Sestra’s heart racing. And she’s no green
girl on her first crush. Well, for all intents and purpose, Brandr
probably was her first crush; someone she craved desperately but had no
idea what would come from this craving. Besides who says he feels the
same?
When the trouble begins and Gorm’s gold is being sought,
Sestra steps up even knowing this was a dangerous path. She had come
across a place such as they were describing on one of her excursions,
which is in a close by island. But Sestra wanted to help Hakan and
Helena in any way she could.
Even though Brandr had other plans,
he would’ve fought and helped Hakan in anyway. He was leaving for
Gotland, never to look back. His service to Hakan has ended, and now
he’s determined to do something on his own. Even though Sestra has
tempted him since the day he’s set his eyes on her, his feelings for her
weren’t that of simple lust. Brandr had deeper feelings for the
beautiful, red-headed thrall but he had nothing to offer her. He didn’t
have much, no way to even buy her to be with her permanently. So he’d
decided to move on in hopes that someday he can start anew.
But
things weren’t that simple or even easy. At first, Brandr couldn’t leave
Hakan in these dangerous times. His ship was waiting to leave the next
day, yet he couldn’t. Hakan has become more of a friend than his master
in the long years he’d served him. Then, when Sestra offers herself up
to help on this quest, he couldn’t imagine letting her go with someone
else. He also offers to help, escorting Sestra to that island and search
for that illusive looted stash of Gorm and his men.
Sestra and
Brandr sail for the island all by themselves. But this journey to
proverbial unknown becomes one of the most important journeys of their
lives. It wasn’t just about finding gold or even buying freedom. When
they’re stuck on that island for a few days with danger dogging their
steps, both are willing to open up about themselves; about their past,
present… and what future may hold for them with or without the gold. To
one, the much needed freedom and a life with the love of her life, and
to the other the woman he craved but thought he couldn’t have. It wasn’t
just about discovering each-other once again; it was also a journey of
self-discovery. But the best discovery was to learn that they’d loved
each-other all along, only circumstances weren’t on their side.
I really enjoyed To Find a Viking Treasure
and now, interested for the upcoming installments. It hinted at some
new characters and from the blurb of the next book, I can see whose it’s
going to be. Really excited to find out more! 4 solid stars and highly
recommended.
Complimentary copy received from the author
in exchange of an honest review... thanks Ms. Conkle! x Review posted as
a part of To Find a Viking Treasure review tour hosted by Goddess Fish
Promotions, December 2016.
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