A Viking For The Viscountess was a whirlwind of surprises for me, I don’t get a chance to read this author very often, but I always have a good time when I do. I had been on the search for a good time travel romance so when I came across this story, I knew that I needed to pick it up. Plus…VIKINGS….GIMME GIMME NOW!! Yep I have a weakness and its vikings. I really found the set up of the story very unique and when I saw that this book was narrated by BRAD WILLS…I might have freaked out a bit, because I love his narrations and I was curious to see how he would do with this author’s style of writing…which was excellent like always. I don’t think there is a book out there he couldn’t narrate.
This wonderful story begins with ourhero, Arik, who is a Viking and upon learning that his betrothed was sleeping with another man, a bit furious when to confront them and ended up with a ax in his spine and he passed away. So thinking that he would be on his way to Valhalla on the sea. But then on his ship searching for Valhalla, he sees a young woman and thinking her his fiancée rescues her.
Our heroine, Juliana, The Viscountess of Hawthorne is looking for a way to get herself out of this mess. Seven years ago, she thought she fell in love during her first season, they married in Gretna Green and then he disappeared for six years leaving her to raise their son all alone. But then his brother six months ago had to force them out since there was proof that their marriage wasn’t legal and her son had no inheritance. So now they are living in her father’s fishing cottage and barely making it through the winter. When her son’s nursemaid tells her to go on a walk she does, and fixes something on her father’s little fishing boat and finds herself on the sea and unable to get back to shore and then she is rescued by a tall stranger. Who touches her in certain ways that she never knew could be pleasurable. She wakes up to realize she just made love to a stranger, on his boat and this stranger wants to be her protector and keep her safe. At first she is appalled at the notion, he has certain attitudes that she isn’t used to and he comes up with a strange story that could never be true…or could it be?
This was such a different time travel romance that I am ever used to seeing. I rarely see a hero time traveling forward from viking era times to a regency era period. So It was a bit different but I really enjoyed it. First off, what I liked and wasn’t quite expecting was the full consent when it comes to sex between the pair here. Viking heroes have a very alpha male vibe, and yeah Arik does have that, but he is also a man who doesn’t force a woman. Their first meeting is a bit unusual, but both are VERY willing. Our heroine is new to discovering pleasure with a man sexually, her husband was very cruel and demeaned her all the time and with Arik the experience is the exact opposite. I love how he just lets her “use his body for her pleasure” that he wants her to explore her sexuality and discover what she likes for herself.
We see Arik in a bind though, he is a time that is a thousand years in the future, and seeing him react to certain things like a grandfather clock and trying to take his ax to it was HILARIOUS!! I mean the simple things that even though in the 1800’s took for granted was pretty fun at times. We also have a mixed plot line with the fact that Arik resembled a Duke’s son and that they have switched bodies somehow. We see reconnect with the man who could be his father in another life. We see the charming way he is with Juliana’s six year old son who is a charmer. I loved how endearing this little boy is and how he takes to Arik pretty quickly…he is such in need of some male guidance and Arik is just perfect.
I found the romance that develops between Arik and Juliana to be sensual and strong yet have it sweet moments too. There is so much that divides the both of them, the fact that they know Arik’s time is small and that he will die soon. We see they just try to live in the moment as much as possible and enjoy what they have while they can. I found this element to be very curious and really added to the bit of mystery to the plot. We don’t know what is in their future, but I did like how devoted Arik is to Juliana and the way he treats her is so tender at times.
Overall I found A Viking For The Vicountess to be a love tale that shows the true power of real love….the sacrifices, the desire, and the loyalty that it encircles….BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURED!!
About Michelle Willingham
Rita Award Finalist Michelle Willingham has published over twenty books and novellas. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her husband and children and is working on more historical romance novels. When she's not writing, Michelle enjoys baking, playing the piano, and avoiding exercise at all costs.