Fires of Winter

Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: I am not a big fan of Johanna Lindsey but this book is good. The characters are alive and they appeal to me so that's good.
The story is interesting, at times funny.
I recommend it.
She also has another book about Brenna's daughter but I do not remember the name. Please, somebody give me the name and I'll buy it.
Thanks!:)

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I believe this was one of the first books that I read of JL. I HAD LOVED IT. It was so fun to read. Even the sad parts added an excited feel to it. I recommend anyone to read this books because I really do believe it is good. The characters are so stronge and funny. Even after all the struggles they go threw they find a way to find a true happiness that last. (You see this happiness when you read their daughters story.)

Rating:
Summary: One of my all time favorites.
Review: I first read Fires of Winter about eighteen months ago and remembered a powerful and highly alluring storyline. Last week, I decided to read it again and found it was even better than I remembered.

I have discovered, as I read through the backlists of many authors, that most romance writing today is very different from the romances of the 1980s. I often find that the formula romances written during that time frame can be very trying to read. But I have also learned that some of the very best gems of romance writing were written during the 1980s. Of all the hundreds of romance books I have read, my top five favorite books include at least three from this 1980s period. I love a story with rich historical detail that concentrates primarily on the hero and heroine. Length of the story (longer than 350 pages), unusual plot lines, and depth of characters are extremely important. Fires of Winter is one such novel that fits all of these criteria as well as just being a downright delicious read. I consider Johanna Lindsey to be one of the best authors of these sweeping historical novels during this period although I have read a couple of hers that I would consider some of the worst.

Garrick Haardrad is a Viking who makes his living through trading overseas. He is the younger son of a Viking chieftain, Anselm the Eager. Unknown to Garrick, his father, Anselm, had promised his hand in marriage to a Celtic lord's daughter. When Anselm arrives in England to supposedly collect his younger son's future bride, he instead attacks the Celtic settlement. The marriage betrothal was merely a trick to allow the Viking raiders easy entrance to the Celtic settlement. Not only does Anselm and his warriors kill the majority of people and steal all that can be stolen, he also takes with him seven captives who will become slaves once they reach Norway.

Lady Brenna is the Celtic lord's daughter that had been promised in marriage, unwillingly, to the Viking chieftain's son. She is one of the seven captives taken back to the Vikings' homeland of Norway. Brenna is a very independent woman and has always been treated like a son rather than a daughter by her father. She is very adept at warrior skills such as wielding a sword, archery, and defending herself with a knife. When Anselm and his warriors attack Lady Brenna's home, she fights the Vikings just like a man. She is a very uncooperative captive and is considered dangerous if not a little mad. Brenna refuses to accept her new role in life - that of a slave. Anselm discovers he actually respects Lady Brenna and decides to give her to his son, Garrick. Brenna is extremely bitter towards Anselm and cannot bear the thought that she will be Garrick's slave rather than his wife.

Brenna's behavior is my main complaint about Fires of Winter. She was always angry. There are few pages in which she is NOT angry. This behavior actually makes Brenna appear immature. But, to give her character due credit, I will admit that she was dealing with one of the hardest heroes I have ever read. Garrick could be just down right mean and he was - many more times than once. Lindsey can write some of the meanest heroes that we still find a way to accept wholeheartedly. Part of the intrigue of Lindsey's heroes is the change they undergo. So, although we see Garrick as unkind, we also see him evolve to a hero you will love.

Usually, I don't appreciate a great deal of fighting as occurs between Garrick and Brenna. It was, however, a really outstanding battle of the wills. I found that I relished this battle of wills because both characters are so well written. They both clearly have their strengths and weaknesses and Lindsey lets us see them as the imperfect people they are and it only adds to the overall appeal of the story. The sensual scenes rate about a 3.5 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). Although Lindsey does not write these scenes in explicit detail, they are still highly sexual. Be warned - these scenes are both consensual and non-consensual. At times, women are not treated with much respect in this book. This story takes place during the Viking era and I actually think this mistreatment of women is true to the time period.

This book had extreme highs and lows and was a fascinating read. There are few books that I find hard to put down but Fires of Winter was definitely in that category. I like to savor the really, really good books and make the reading last. But I found myself making excuses to read the next chapter and then the next. Fires of Winter is probably one my favorite top ten books. This is a book that is about the leads and it is very satisfying. I will soon choose another Lindsey book from her backlist and hope to find yet another jewel.

Rating:
Summary: One of the very best Viking romances
Review: I first read Fires of Winter about eighteen months ago and remembered a powerful and highly alluring storyline. Last week, I decided to read it again and found it was even better than I remembered.

I have discovered, as I read through the backlists of many authors, that most romance writing today is very different from the romances of the 1980s. I often find that the formula romances written during that time frame can be very trying to read. But I have also learned that some of the very best gems of romance writing were written during the 1980s. Of all the hundreds of romance books I have read, my top five favorite books include at least three from this 1980s period. I love a story with rich historical detail that concentrates primarily on the hero and heroine. Length of the story (longer than 350 pages), unusual plot lines, and depth of characters are extremely important. Fires of Winter is one such novel that fits all of these criteria as well as just being a downright delicious read. I consider Johanna Lindsey to be one of the best authors of these sweeping historical novels during this period although I have read a couple of hers that I would consider some of the worst.

Garrick Haardrad is a Viking who makes his living through trading overseas. He is the younger son of a Viking chieftain, Anselm the Eager. Unknown to Garrick, his father, Anselm, had promised his hand in marriage to a Celtic lord's daughter. When Anselm arrives in England to supposedly collect his younger son's future bride, he instead attacks the Celtic settlement. The marriage betrothal was merely a trick to allow the Viking raiders easy entrance to the Celtic settlement. Not only does Anselm and his warriors kill the majority of people and steal all that can be stolen, he also takes with him seven captives who will become slaves once they reach Norway.

Lady Brenna is the Celtic lord's daughter that had been promised in marriage, unwillingly, to the Viking chieftain's son. She is one of the seven captives taken back to the Vikings' homeland of Norway. Brenna is a very independent woman and has always been treated like a son rather than a daughter by her father. She is very adept at warrior skills such as wielding a sword, archery, and defending herself with a knife. When Anselm and his warriors attack Lady Brenna's home, she fights the Vikings just like a man. She is a very uncooperative captive and is considered dangerous if not a little mad. Brenna refuses to accept her new role in life - that of a slave. Anselm discovers he actually respects Lady Brenna and decides to give her to his son, Garrick. Brenna is extremely bitter towards Anselm and cannot bear the thought that she will be Garrick's slave rather than his wife.

Brenna's behavior is my main complaint about Fires of Winter. She was always angry. There are few pages in which she is NOT angry. This behavior actually makes Brenna appear immature. But, to give her character due credit, I will admit that she was dealing with one of the hardest heroes I have ever read. Garrick could be just down right mean and he was - many more times than once. Lindsey can write some of the meanest heroes that we still find a way to accept wholeheartedly. Part of the intrigue of Lindsey's heroes is the change they undergo. So, although we see Garrick as unkind, we also see him evolve to a hero you will love.

Usually, I don't appreciate a great deal of fighting as occurs between Garrick and Brenna. It was, however, a really outstanding battle of the wills. I found that I relished this battle of wills because both characters are so well written. They both clearly have their strengths and weaknesses and Lindsey lets us see them as the imperfect people they are and it only adds to the overall appeal of the story. The sensual scenes rate about a 3.5 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). Although Lindsey does not write these scenes in explicit detail, they are still highly sexual. Be warned - these scenes are both consensual and non-consensual. At times, women are not treated with much respect in this book. This story takes place during the Viking era and I actually think this mistreatment of women is true to the time period.

This book had extreme highs and lows and was a fascinating read. There are few books that I find hard to put down but Fires of Winter was definitely in that category. I like to savor the really, really good books and make the reading last. But I found myself making excuses to read the next chapter and then the next. Fires of Winter is probably one my favorite top ten books. This is a book that is about the leads and it is very satisfying. I will soon choose another Lindsey book from her backlist and hope to find yet another jewel.

Rating:
Summary: Johanna Lindsey's BEST novel--great story with great details
Review: I have read every one of Johanna Lindsey's published novels and this is by far her best. You will fall in love with Garrick and Brenna. The Norse culture details are interesting and believable. The romance is wonderful and and full of fire. I could hardly put it down!

This is one of her earlier works and shows her talent as a writer. The story line is fully developed and doesn't have the formula feel of her later offerings. It's a great read on a cold winter night!

Rating:
Summary: Very disturbing...
Review: I have read several Lindsey books and enjoyed them thoroughly, but this book (and the other two of this trilogy) disturbed me a great deal. The heroines are repeatedly raped, kept on chains, told they are worthless. It was horrible. I kept waiting for the "moment" in every romance where the hero realizes the error of his ways and changes into a likeable human being. These Vikings did not change. Even though they finally admit they love their women, they continue to display chauvinistic attitudes toward all other women in general. I did not enjoy these books at all and will be getting rid of them as soon as possible.

Rating:
Summary: Lindsey is one of the best
Review: I have read this book several times and I think it is great. As for all the negative comments about rape, I only have one thing to say..this is a fictional book. No one is saying rape is good, but it is only a story. If I read a story about Vikings or Pirates and they sent flowers to the woman the first time they saw them I would think it was really unbelievable. This was the time and that is what happened. This was a great book and that was how life was then. Don't let a few unpleasant things make you miss this book.

Rating:
Summary: One of Johanna Lindsey's best!
Review: I have started reading Johanna Lindsey's work since I was a teenager. I have read all her books and I am still in my teens. This one has been an absolute favourite of mine. The characters are so strong and captivating that it pulls you in right into the story and you feel that you are actually part of it. It's sad moments gripped my heart and I actually felt like crying. I have read it over and over again and loved it every time!

Rating:
Summary: Brutal and Violent
Review: I heard some good things about Johanna Lindsay, so I decided to give her a try so I read the first of her viking trilogy because it seems to be highly rated. What a mistake. Taking the viking period into account, I expect detailed battle scenes, rough around the edges heroes, explosive battle of wills between the hero and heroine, maybe forced seduction. I draw the line at rape.

This story does have a number of rape scenes that I found repulsive. The rape scene is described in a way that is absolutely unforgiveable. The hero hurts the heroine physically and emotionally, and feels no remorse. In fact, he commits rape on the heroine in anger with the express purpose of hurting her. I understand, this story takes place a long time ago where this was totally acceptable and commonplace. Doesn't wash with me. This action shows the hero to be brutal and vicious man, who will inflict physical and emotional pain on the heroine whenever he is angry with her.

Well, the rape scenes aside, Fires Of Winter just did not draw me into the story. I thought the characters were one dimensional, the plot non-existent, and the romance disturbing. Fires Of Winter does not even compare to Heather Graham's Golden Surrender. I will try another of this author's stories, but I am not taking another chance on her viking trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: No heroine should have to go through this stuff
Review: I know these books are pure fantasy and usually I don't get uptight about the way charcters are treated, but this one really bothered me.

The heroine was great but she was put through such terrible things being done to her and her family -- deception, murder rape, pillage and enslavement -- and all for a hero who really wasn't worth it all. Seems he hates all women and lets his female slaves be used by mutliple men because once a women he loved married another man? Get over it!

Breena is raped and enslaved but wants to be freed with dignity and everyone (even her family members who have been deceived, had husbands murdered and been multiply raped by Vikings) tell her to accept her lot with a smile!! Why not? They are all thrilled!! Make sense? Not to a normal brain.

This book was too much. Yuck.