Her Viking Warrior by Gina Conkle

Her Viking Warrior
Forgotten Sons #2

Gina Conkle
Historical Romance
Published in 2019 [ARC review]

H/h - Bjorn/Ilsa
Setting: AD 930.

Read in August/September, 2019.

My rating:

                                                      [spoiler alert]

I’ve loved Gina Conkle’s books ever since I read her first book back in 2014. She writes well-researched Viking romance that has everything from hot romance, actions and a healthy dose of what you’d call the ancient Viking lifestyle. Book 2 of her newest Viking series Forgotten Sons wasn’t any different. Her Viking Warrior had everything that you can expect in a romance novel.

The series titled Forgotten Sons is based on a band of Viking brothers where they’re mainly connected by circumstances, rather than bloodline. Book 1, Kept by the Viking largely focused on the H and h’s relationship and everything surrounding it, rather than building up a backstory for the heroes of the Forgotten Sons, as they call themselves. Then again, with 6 of them in total, I’m sure the author will reveal their stories one by one in their own books. This, I’d say, works as an element of surprise since right now you don’t know much about the Sons except for the 2 who had already had their stories told. These 6 Viking warriors had known each-other since childhood. They share a very strong bond and would do anything for one another. They’re called Forgotten Sons because of some circumstances or the other has made them leave their own home in search of glory, financial stability and, if possible, a home of their own where they can settle.

In Kept by The Viking, we’re introduced to the leader of the Sons, Rurik and a Frankish slave girl called Safira. They weren’t meant to be together though Safira needed Rurik’s help in getting away from a sh!tty household. In the end it was discovered that Safira was abducted from her wealthy merchant father’s household and sold into slavery. She wanted to get away and return to her family. Little did she know while she was planning that, that a handsome Viking would escort her. She wasn’t expecting much, but got more than what she bargained for. The story had actions and suspense, as Rurik was fighting for a land to settle down, but in a twist of fate he would have to fight someone with whom he shares his bloodline, even though no love was lost between the two. Someone who he’d hated all his life and tried his best to avoid. One of the reasons why he left his home and became a mercenary. Thankfully, with Safira by her side, Rurik would find the strength to claim what he can then rightfully call his own.

Kept by the Viking by Gina Conkle

Kept by the Viking
Forgotten Sons #1

Gina Conkle
Historical Romance
Published in 2018 [requested review]

H/h - Rurik of Birka/Safira Alzaud
Setting: AD 930.

Read in May/June, 2018.

My rating:

                                                     [spoiler alert]

Gina Conkle is known for her hot and well-written Viking romances. Kept by the Viking, book 1 in a brand new series, is the latest in her growing backlist. Though I had a slow beginning, I really enjoyed the storyline and thought the H and h were absolutely adorable together.

The series titled Forgotten Sons is based on a band of Viking brothers where they’re mainly connected by circumstances, rather than bloodline. But Kept by the Viking largely focuses on the H and h’s relationship and everything surrounding it, rather than building up a backstory for the heroes of the Forgotten Sons, as they call themselves. Then again, there are 6 of them and I’m sure the author will reveal their stories in their own books. All I could gather that they had known each-other since childhood. They share a very strong bond and would do anything for one another. They’re called Forgotten Sons because of some circumstances or the other has made them leave their own home in search of glory, financial stability and, if possible, a home of their own where they can settle.

Kept by the Viking is the story of Rurik, the leader of the Forgotten Sons; a son of Birka, his birthplace. Rurik didn’t have a great childhood, and the aftermaths of that shaped his entire life every way possible. His father, Vlad, was a mean, merciless man whose show of ‘affection’ came with the use of his fist. He had treated Rurik’s mother like the dirt, and at one point, when the young Rurik rebelled against it he was beaten mercilessly. There are more stories of Vlad’s violence, but needless to say, since he left them Rurik or his mother, brother and sisters didn’t shed a single tear for that POS. He hates his father with a passion that rivals his need to possess his own lands.

Review Tour and Giveaway: To Find A Viking Treasure by Gina Conkle

Today, I'm delighted to host Gina Conkle's latest in her Norse series, To Find A Viking Treasure, as a part of the ongoing review tour. Also find an excerpt for your enjoyment.

I recently finished the book and found it to be marvelous. It was rather a long wait but so glad I was finally able to read it! I hope you'd give it a try too. Since my review is rather long, I posted it separately. It be found HERE for those who are interested. I also reviewed book 1, Norse Jewel, if you'd like to check it out.

Gina Conkle will be awarding a Samsung Galaxy Tablet (a 7" Nook) US Only to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour
 

To Find A Viking Treasure

Gina Conkle

(Norse #2)

Published: September 13, 2016

Survival’s in his blood…

Rough-souled Brandr’s ready for a new life far from Uppsala, but the Viking has a final task —protect the slave, Sestra. Her life's full of hardship…until she learns the location of a treasure. With war coming, stealing the enemy's riches will save lives, but only one man can defend her —the fierce Viking scout, Brandr.

The two have always traded taunts, now they must share trust. Passions flare as secrets unfold, leading one to make a daring sacrifice on their quest To Find a Viking Treasure.

Buy Links:
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To Find a Viking Treasure by Gina Conkle

To Find a Viking Treasure
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.

Her Lord and Master by Aileen McNaughton

Her Lord and Master (novella)

Aileen McNaughton
Medieval Romance/Erotica
Published in 2013

H/h - Ragnor of Lejre/Elizabeth of Alnwick
Setting: Medieval era. 

Read in Oct, 2013.

My rating:

                                          [spoiler alert]

So, I caved in and also got Her Lord and Master by Aileen McNaughton. This one was another story set in the medieval ages; almost good for the most part but there were still those ridiculous types of dialogues that bugged me in Her Lord's Pleasure. Also this ends in a freakin’ big cliffhanger!! Ugh.

I was mainly interested in this was because the H, Ragnor was a Viking. Love me some Vikings was all in my mind. But the story opens up with our h, Elizabeth, who is kept in a convent because... because her family ‘donated’ her to the convent so that all her other family members can go to heaven. Really? OMG! I couldn’t keep my head straight when I read about what they did. Elizabeth is the youngest of 13 children of a Lord and a Lady. She was ‘donated’ to the convent at the age of 13, making her life as bleak and dark as it was narrated at the beginning of the story. She was kept in rags, fed crappy food and would have nothing but to pray all day long. It pained me that parents would be so disgusting to their kids, mainly if it’s a daughter, also the fact that Elizabeth never chose this life in the first place but she’s forced to live it nonetheless. It was clear as daylight that all the coins her family donated (yep they did) was never used for her or on her comfort. Sadly that’s the general story of all the women who are kept here.

Reluctant by Kerrigan Byrne

Reluctant (novella)
Highland Historical #6/The Mackays #3

Kerrigan Byrne
Medieval Romance/Fantasy/Paranormal
Published in 2013

H/h - Soren Nielson/Kamdyn MacKay
Setting: Medieval Scotland.

Read in June, 2013

My rating:

                                                    [spoiler alert]

In my review of Redeemed, I mentioned that finding out what’s next in Kerrigan’s book is like unwrapping a gift. And that Reluctant truly was. At the end of that book, I had no clue as to what is going to happen to Kamdyn, the last MacKay sister. But I was more than surprised to find who it is Kerrigan made Kamdyn’s H. Surprises were aplenty in this book; some definitely good, some... not so much. I’ll try to explain as I go.

Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle

Norse Jewel
Norse #1

Gina Conkle
Medieval Romance
Published in 2013 (ARC review)

H/h - Lord Hakan Lange/Helena
Setting: Svea, AD 1022.

Read in June 2013.

My rating:

                                                [spoiler alert]

Reading Gina Conkle’s debut novel, Norse Jewel (Norse #1), felt indeed like discovering a jewel. When I requested for the ARC, honestly it was because of the nice cover as GC was a new-to-me author. But, she totally had me at Hakan and Helena’s first meeting, so much so that I think I spend the whole time in a trance. Norse Jewel was a pure feel-good romance, from top to bottom... till the end. I loved the storyline, the era, GC’s writing and her portrayal of the ancient Vikings. Lest not forget about our H Hakan the Tall (and Sexy *heehee*) and the adorable h, Helena who also made my reading worthwhile.