Review: HOT & HEAVY by Sandra Hill

I think the old cover is HOTTER than the new. :-)

Viking II Time-travel– VIKINGS in the modern world!
Avon

Since the disappearance of Madrene Olgadottir's family, she has had to fend for herself. She was doing a pretty good job of it too, until a neighboring enemy captured her and sold her into a harem. As she is trying to escape a harem, things really start to get interesting, unbeknownst to her, she is thrown ten centuries into the future.

Lt. Ian MacLean mistakes Madrene for his enemy's mistress, but when that is quickly corrected, he finds he cannot so easily detach himself from the quirky, quarrelsome woman. And soon discovers that he just might not want to.

*****

Hot & Heavy is peppered with Sandra Hill's signature humor. She has the knack of making the corniest phrases funny and she keeps the story hot. I loved how she had Maddie interpreting her experiences and the everyday objects, that were so new to her. 
 

New cover...not as sexy.

I really enjoyed Ian and Maddie's story, as they both had so much to learn from each other. They each had to face culture shocks, obvious for Maddie, who had just jumped across the lines of time, and Ian had to acclimate himself to living with her. I enjoyed their sexual tension and the way they steamed the pages up when they finally caved to their wants. 
 
It was great when Maddie found out that her family had also time-traveled, and she was able to reunite with them. And I loved revisiting with old friends. As always, I'm looking forward to what ever Sandra Hill has coming next...which I hear is going to be a mix of Viking Vampire Angels—in the modern times. Hmmm, it's definitely and original combination, I can't wait to see what she does with it.

Review: THE NORSE KING'S DAUGHTER by Sandra Hill

Viking I #10
Historical (Viking)
Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Sidroc Guntersson almost wooed Princess Drifa into marrying him 5 years ago. When Drifa learned his motive to court her, she let her temper get a hold of her and (accidentally) nearly killed him. Sidroc never forgave her for her actions. 
When they meet again in Byzantium, Drifa finds herself in danger, yet when she sees her guard, she knows that she is not exactly safe, for what will Sidroc demand in return for his protection.

*****

THE NORSE KING'S DAUGHTER was one of my favorite Sandra Hill books. She successfully weaved comedy and drama without missing a beat or making the story stumble.

Sidroc and Drifa both had good reason to be upset with one another, and Ms. Hill made me root for both of them. Having knowledge of Sidroc's background with his despicable father made it easy for me to understand him and his motives. He had good reason (or so he thought) to hate Drifa. Yet he couldn't deny the passion and chemistry that sparked between them.

Drifa tried to explain and apologize, for her actions (which I didn't feel to be at all out of line--she didn't mean to almost kill him. o.O) but of course, it's never that easy. I was pleased that their angst didn't go to the extent that the turn around from hating each other to loving each other wasn't so far out of the realm of believability. And I especially loved how the story played out in the end because it was such an “awww that's so sweet” moment.

Ms. Hill is one of my favorite authors to read and reread, and I will be rereading THE NORSE KING'S DAUGHTER. If you are looking for a laugh, along with some somber moments to get to the happily ever after, this is not to be missed.

Rating: 5

New Review: THE TARNISHED LADY by Sandra Hill

Historical Romance (Medieval / Viking 947 AD)

Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Lady Eadyth of Hawk's Lair is no stranger to scandal, as an unwed mother and a keen business woman, she has learned to strike when an opportunity presents itself. She shocks Eirik of Ravenshire with a frank proposal upon their first meeting. She is prepared for rejection from the loathsome lout, but she knows just how to sweeten the pot, the offer of revenge against his old enemy.

*****

THE TARNISHED LADY is probably Sandra Hill's most serious book. It's not missing any of her characteristic humor, but it's definitely more toned down than her other books. She tells Eadyth and Eirik's story in a more dramatic style, with their misunderstandings not turning into great laughs. It made me speculate more on how their match would work out in the end. It also made it a more emotional read for me. I could feel how Eadyth's and Eirik's decisions twisted them up as they tried to move forward.

I liked how Eadyth inadvertently fooled Eirik in the beginning of the book, as I think that it allowed his character's growth to start to show when he began realizing his attraction to her. Of course it also showed how sensitive he was to his own faults when it became apparent that he was tricked. Their passion lit up the pages and they had a great deal to learn about each other, which kept the story going.

I enjoyed the brief bits the children played throughout the book, never did they overpower the storyline. Also, Eirik's brother Tykir is a sexy riot, luckily we can find his own tale in THE BEWITCHED VIKING. Eirik and Eadyth's shared enemy had an interesting development that created a bit of sympathy, as unlikely as it seemed. All in all THE TARNISHED LADY finished as one to defiantly stay on my keeper shelves, because I will visit these guys again.

Rating: 4

Author's Website 

Review: THE BLUE VIKING by Sandra Hill

2011 cover

Viking I,  #5

Historical (Viking)

Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

349Pages

Five years ago, Rurik left Maire without any thought or consideration, heck the jerk outright laughed at her when she asked him to take her with. But Maire had the last laugh, when she cursed him with a bold blue bolt streaking down his face. 

 

Rurik has searched for the elusive witch since then, finally stumbling upon her. Having her right were he wanted, he was determined to make Maire remove the bolt, no matter how long it took him to convince her. As a matter of fact, he figured he could enjoy the benefits of having her in his seductive hands again.

*****

One thing I can always count on when reading any of Sandra Hill's books is a good laugh. Ms. Hill's hero's are characteristically arrogant, Alpha males and Rurik was no exception. While Maire was portrayed as a strong independent woman in the beginning of the story, her wants were quickly diminished under Rurik's will, which weakened her as a character. I could find the humor of her being the worst witch ever, with her spells continuously going awry, but her mistakes were so over-the-top, which after a while made her appear silly. It upset me that she was demeaned so. I was also a little put off by everyone's sexual freedom in this book, I'm not an expert on historical morals and I'm no prude, but it seemed odd to me, and it took me out of the story. 
 
While this wasn't my favorite Sandra Hill tale, it still was a decent read, and I will continue to read and reread her books. She is my go to author when I'm looking for a funny historical...and I love her Vikings. I wish there were more Viking tales being published.

Original cover

Rating: 3.5/ 5

Author's Website