Monday, October 14, 2013

Blind Allegiance by Violetta Rand

BLIND ALLEGIANCE By Violetta Rand

BLURB:

It’s a risk of a lifetime loving a man you’re supposed to hate…

Betrayed by a brother she hardly trusted before the bloodthirsty Viking, Jarl Randvior Sigurdsson, attacks her home, Noelle Sinclair is conveniently bartered as a means to save her cowardly sibling’s skin. Forced to leave her homeland and accompany the petulant Viking to the untamed wilderness of central Norway, Noelle is ever-aware of the burgeoning dangers around her—including her weakening resolve to resist Randvior.

Should Noelle surrender to his resplendent charms and seduction, or fight with every ounce of strength she possesses to get home?

Excerpt:
     Dark clouds always gathered in Noelle Sinclair’s dreams. Hundreds of nightmares had played out in her mind since childhood. Why should tonight be any different? 

The smell of burning wood invaded her sleep. Smoke snatched her breath and she tried to purge her lungs by taking deep breaths. She ran for the great hall and all she could see were scorched rafters and floorboards. Guards scrambled to the battlements, while women and children fled the castle. She searched for her sisters among the people migrating outside ...

“Fire!” 

Noelle’s eyes snapped open at the sound of dire warning. By God, this was no dream! She flung blankets aside and rolled over, shook her older sister awake, and jumped out of bed. 

“What’s wrong?” Margaret asked sleepily.

“The castle’s on fire. Get up, now!” 

 Margaret scurried from bed and ran with Noelle to the windows overlooking the eastern edge of the castle. Through the swirling fog, Noelle could make out a tangle of men with torches and weapons in the courtyard below. She further scanned the shoreline where the North Sea pounded against the rocks and dunes. The castle was under siege and poorly defended. Most of the soldiers and her father were in Ireland, leaving only her brother and a skeleton army behind. 

Her gaze still locked on the beach, Noelle caught sight of three, silvery-white longships anchored beyond the walls. Their blood-red sails snapped in the wind. She stared in horror as the pattern on the sails came into focus—the shape of a dragon. 


AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Violetta Rand holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and a master's degree in Environmental Management. Serving as an environmental scientist in the state of Alaska for over seven years, she enjoys the privilege of traveling to remote places few people have the opportunity to see. 

Violetta has been "in love" with writing since childhood. Struck with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, at five, she wrote short stories illustrated by her best friend and sold them in her neighborhood. The only thing she loves more than writing is her wonderful relationship with her husband, Jeff. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading whatever she can get her hands on, music, and losing herself in the ancient worlds she enjoys bringing to life in the pages of her stories.

http://www.violettarand.com/ 


One randomly drawn commenter will win a $15 Amazon gift card.  Comment often for a better chance of winning, follow the tour here.

My Review:  September 2013   ~ Review Copies ~


Blind AllegianceBlind Allegiance by Violetta Rand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First, I would like to thank the author Violetta Rand for giving me this book for an honest review. I really enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed. I love historical romances, vikings right up there with Scotsmen for me. I am looking forward to more from this author and more of this series.

View all my reviews

6 comments:

  1. I'm a huge fan of the cover. Did you have any say in the design or artwork?

    andralynn7 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for reading Blind Allegiance Dalene, I'm thrilled you enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Andra. Yes, I had a large part in choosing the cover that best fit the tone of my book. Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's been a long time since I read anything with Vikings. I can understand the appeal. Did you do a lot of research on the Viking culture?
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the excerpt and the chance to win!
    Sounds really good!!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete