Title: Snowed in with the Viking
Author: Lucy Morris
Published: December 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Viking Period, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Forced-Proximity, Opposite-Attract

Blurb:

An intense forced-proximity story – with an enigmatic Viking stranger...

Stranded in the Arctic

With a lone-wolf Viking!

Lost in the remote wilderness in snowstorm, Embla is rescued by local “Wildman” Runar and taken to his cabin – with just one bed! But as he warms her icy body with his, passion inflames them both... She’s been warned against this man her entire life – but as she realizes she could be stranded with him for weeks, it seems her only option is to trust him...and their intense attraction!

My Review:

What is the cosiest read you have had this year? I would shout from the rooftops that this is the cosiest book I have ever read for this year.

Set in Norway during the Viking age, I was lost into how freezing and thick the snow must be as Embla sets out to rescue three lost children she has been looking after. However fate brings her into a cave where Runar, the notorious Wildman, also stays. Runar is a big hairy man with a tender and the kindest heart albeit reclusive. Embla is soft, too kind and always thinks of others before herself. I think he falls in love with Embla at first sight, although he doesn’t admit it at the beginning.

To survive from the avalanche, Embla is rescued to Runar’s cabin where they are stranded until Embla is able to return to her tribe. Embla knows that Runar often trades to Gudvangen, where her tribe lives, but he is forbidden to enter the tribe because of his past sin. Oh my, I loved it so much when both Runar and Embla do their chores during the winter. Everything is so immersive and well-written! Not only did I love the food they served, the detailed garments and the cabin, but also their undeniable chemistry and devotion. Both Runar and Embla are confused by their own feelings. When the time comes for Embla to return to her tribe, she finds herself under the protection of the Jarl and his wife. After the dramatic situation, Runar is determined to stay outside the area and wait for Embla no matter what. Ah he is sweet and is devoted to Embla.

I couldn’t put the book down as I was thoroughly captivated by the story, the wonderful characters, the immersive setting, the cultures and the wonderful history of the Norse and Sami. The Sami and Norse culture are beautifully written and illustrated. Lucy Morris’s excellent writing kept me snuggled up in bed with a cup of tea. That is how I would recommend you to read it. The ending and epilogue are so uplifting that I couldn’t resist reading it again! Thank you, Lucy Morris for the e-arc which I volunteered to review.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Lucy Morris lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two young children and two cats. She has a massively sweet tooth and loves gin, bubbly and Irn-Bru. She is a member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association and is delighted to begin her publishing journey with Harlequin Historical in 2021 with her first release ‘The Viking Chief’s Marriage Alliance’.

She adores writing strong, passionate women and the brave honourable men who fall in love with them. Weaving her fascination with the dark age of medieval Europe with her compulsion to give her characters a happily ever after. But only after they’ve had an adventure along the way. Follow her on twitter https://twitter.com/LMorris_Author

 

Title: A Wedding to Stop a Scandal
(A Very Village Scandal Book #3)
Author: Virginia Heath
Published: December 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Regence Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Marriage-of-Convenience

Blurb:

A charming Regency romance with a touch of humor and sparkle

Caught unchaperoned in a blizzard

Forced into a convenient marriage!

The last words Rose Healy to say again were “I do.” Not after being jilted by her former betrothed. Until she finds herself in a seemingly compromising situation with Dr. Sam Able, the handsome widower caring for her aunt. Now a wedding is the only way to avoid a scandal! Rose vowed never trust a man again – can she vow to spend the rest of her life with Sam?

My Review:

Would you rather live in the centre of London ton where there’s a scandal, or in a village where there’s still a scandal?

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I think life in the Whittleston-on-the-Water was much more entertaining than in my current area.

Rose and Sam have always enjoyed each other’s company but that’s about it. When a nasty fall befalls upon Rose’s aunt, she instinctively attempts to save her but it may turn to no avail as she and her aunt get injured. Calling the most Able Doctor, I found Sam charming, caring and attractive because he is a man of science. I thought Rose and Sam were permanent residents of the village but apparently their past makes them hide there.

The chemistry between Rose and Sam is palpable from the beginning, but both deny their feelings and swear off love because of their too painful pasts. To fool the villagers in a bet, they agree to become partners in crime, yet it backfires as they find themselves in a compromising situation. When Rose’s past and current scandal are in tatters, there’s really no alternative but to marry and they both agree to live without loving one another. Despite the emotional roller-coaster, I found the sarcasm more than entertaining. I have always admired Virginia Heath’s excellent writing and her choice of words.

To be frank, I couldn’t stop feeling sympathetic for Rose every time I read how Rose thinks and feels about herself. It’s so emotionally distracting. She doesn’t deserve it and I couldn’t wait to see Sam in distraught when she leaves him. Thus I kept on turning the pages to see him chase after Rose. I loved how the people in the village care for one another, it’s so heart-warming and wonderfully drawn, particularly the meddling old lady, Mrs Fitzherbert. She is my most favourite character!

The last instalment of A Very Village Scandal is absolutely wonderful with lively humor and tender-hearted villagers. The epilogue almost fooled me but it’s worth it! Thank you, Virginia Heath for the e-arc, which I volunteered to review.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl, it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated – sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. One day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep. Follow her at https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/ or her facebook page Virginia Heath.

 

Title: To Charm a Highlander
(The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #5)
Author: Callie Hutton
Published: November 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Friends-to-Lovers

Blurb:

Love blossoms amidst secrets and suspicion...Lady Donella Sutherland has been ignored by most of her clan because she is thought to be simple-minded. She wasn’t always that way, her brother, Laird Haydon insists. But the years go on and she doesn’t change. Callum Gunn, second oldest son to Laird Gunn has been accused by his brother, Fraser of causing his father’s death on the battlefield. A charge Callum strongly denies. With a few men willing to testify on Laird Fraser Gunn’s behalf, Callum finds himself banned from his clan. A few months of wandering around brings him to Sutherland Castle where he asks Laird Haydon Sutherland to allow him to join his warrior forces. Not trustful of the Gunn Clan, Haydon refuses, but as Callum is about to leave, Lady Donella slips on the stairs and after smacking her head on a stone step, tumbles down, right into Callum’s arms. Grateful for saving his sister from a certain death, Haydon allows Callum to stay. When Donella awakens, she is surprised to find everyone treating her like a bairn. Her family and the clansfolk all act strangely toward her as she moves around castle, doing normal jobs. Callum finds the lass he rescued beautiful and charming. He sees nothing dim-witted about Donella and is confused by what he hears from others in the clan. However, as they grow closer he believes she is hiding a secret that could keep them from having a life together. If he wants that life with Donella, he must uncover what secrets she’s been hiding.

My Review:

This dramatic read with a charming Callum made me forget the schoolwork I had to do! Thanks to Callie!

Callum and Donella meet in the inevitable dramatic fall when Callum comes to join Sutherland Clan as one of the warriors. He doesn’t know Donella’s characters before the fall. Donella’s family and clanmen always look surprised when she does the usual things because she never went beyond the castle after the incident fourteen years ago. The secret from fourteen years ago which only Donella knows, made me wonder why and what happened. When she gets amnesia, no one can uncover it.

It’s an easy and quick read. I was led to believe that Callum and Donella would not have any complex issues yet I was wrong. When Callum begins courting Donella, the past eventually comes to the surface and it was so horrible! Oh Donella, how could you suffer alone without talking or even telling anyone? The change of the story line from sweet to dramatic was fascinating. Callie Hutton is a master of the plot twist. This is why I keep reading her books.

It’s a quick and easy read with an entertaining and dramatic storyline.

Rate: 4.5 of 5

About the author

My historical romances are full of heat, and quirky characters. I’ve always loved history, which was my college major. Things of the past fascinate me. Not those boring history classes in high school, but the history of people. How they lived their lives, what they ate, what they wore, the challenges they faced, what they worried about.

I have recently delved into Historical Cozy Mysteries. My very first one, For the Love of the Baron, a Historical Suspense novella, spurred me to try a full length, non-romance focused cozy mystery. A study in Murder released this year from Crooked Lane Publishing, and the reviews have been very good. The second book in that series, The Sign of Death, will release in April of 2021.

Although those books are not strictly romance, the main characters, William, Lord Wethington, and Lady Amy Lovell have formed a friendship while solving a murder mystery. Who knows where that will take them?

Take a look around my website and check out some of the books I write, and their lovely covers.

Please consider signing up for my newsletter to keep up to date on new releases, sales, and special offers. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! (This text refers to the Amazon edition). Follow her on http://calliehutton.com/newsletter/ and Twitter @Calliehutton