"action-packed medieval romance"

In 917 AD Essex, England, the Saxons defeat the Danes routing them out of the village in an act of vengeance. With her berserker husband Ragnor Wolfcoat dead, Sigrit flees the invaders. Trapped she tells her pursuers that she already belongs to Saxon warrior Liefwin. The widower affirms her position.

Liefwin asks a frightened Sigrid where he can safely leave her. She says she should go to her cousin at Shealdford though Sigrid expects her protector will rape her. Despite the fact that her kin killed his wife, he escorts her and soon they fall in love, but in this world of vengeance and chaos, a relationship between a Saxon and a Viking is impossible, isn't it?

Fans will enjoy this action-packed medieval romance starring two appealing star crossed lovers. Liefwin is the star of the show as a unique warrior who is as fierce as anyone is, has cause for vengeance, but wants peace for everyone. The story line moves forward at a fast clip though it adheres to sub-genre boundaries quite closely except perhaps for Sigrid's realistic initial fear of her savior. The support cast adds the dimension of displaying how difficult it is for a Dane and a Saxon to forge something permanent even with love. Helen Kirkman provides a strong debut that will leave readers awaiting her sequel FORBIDDEN.

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 25, 2003

Summary

Their passion could not be denied — but could their love transcend all that had gone before?