Violetta Rand is making a return visit to my site today with her Viking romance, Blind Mercy, the second installment in her Blind series. Keep reading to get a glimpse of this book along with my impressions of it, and learn even more about this release by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Make sure to fill out the form below for your chance to win a $50 bookstore GC too!
First though, let's learn more about Ms. Rand..........
-Any weird things you do when you’re alone?
I sing to my pets, read out loud, and call myself names when I can’t figure out the next scene in a story. Beyond that, I’m pretty normal.
-What is your favorite quote and why?
...Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove.O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken...Sonnet 116, William Shakespeare. For me, this quote captures the essence of love.
-What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Golden vanilla and strawberry
-Which mythological creature are you most like?
A Valkyrie--These are the celestial ladies of Norse mythology who came to the battlefields to select the best warriors who were slain and brought them to Valhalla to feast with Odin. I’m a warrior poet at heart. Need I say more?
-What are four things you can’t live without?
My husband, books, wisdom, and faith.
-What is your favorite quote and why?
...Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove.O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken...Sonnet 116, William Shakespeare. For me, this quote captures the essence of love.
-What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Golden vanilla and strawberry
-Which mythological creature are you most like?
A Valkyrie--These are the celestial ladies of Norse mythology who came to the battlefields to select the best warriors who were slain and brought them to Valhalla to feast with Odin. I’m a warrior poet at heart. Need I say more?
-What are four things you can’t live without?
My husband, books, wisdom, and faith.
A woman who prayed for a hero…
Orphaned at a young age, Rachelle Fiennes prayed for a hero to rescue her from her tragic life in England. When her only kinsman goes missing after the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Rachelle braves the aftermath of the battlefield to find him.
A man who lost everything…
Damned by the gods for surviving the bloodiest defeat in Norse history, Jarl Tyr Sigurdsson is still determined to get home. Hiding until nightfall so he can escape to his ship, his dangerous endeavor is disrupted when he’s accidentally discovered by a beautiful Saxon.
Brought together by war, Rachelle and Tyr face many obstacles. Can sworn enemies find peace through love, or will fate be cruel?
Orphaned at a young age, Rachelle Fiennes prayed for a hero to rescue her from her tragic life in England. When her only kinsman goes missing after the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Rachelle braves the aftermath of the battlefield to find him.
A man who lost everything…
Damned by the gods for surviving the bloodiest defeat in Norse history, Jarl Tyr Sigurdsson is still determined to get home. Hiding until nightfall so he can escape to his ship, his dangerous endeavor is disrupted when he’s accidentally discovered by a beautiful Saxon.
Brought together by war, Rachelle and Tyr face many obstacles. Can sworn enemies find peace through love, or will fate be cruel?
EXCERPT:
Since the first day they’d met, Tyr had been embroiled in strife and violence. Standing in this holy place, he seemed vulnerable, almost normal. Only once before had she seen this level of tenderheartedness in him. The degree of compassion he showed his deceased brother when he prepared him for funeral rites still haunted her. Of course, what man wouldn’t be moved by such tragedy? This was decidedly different. Baffled by this transformation, she watched him closely.
“I thank you for this kindness.”
He embraced her. The motivation behind his touch had changed, she felt it.
“I swear on this holy ground, I’ll never hurt you again,” he said.
He’d pledged it before. Could she be foolish enough to believe again? Didn’t he understand she couldn’t get past the fact he was holding her for ransom? Could she ever really forgive him for deceiving and shaming her? Caution did little to help her cause. Jolts of lust shot through her. It felt wonderful to be touched by him; but as welcome as those feelings were, they must stay hidden forever.
“I want to believe you,” she said.
He tipped her head upward. “I make no promises I can’t keep,” he assured her. “If there’s anything I can do to ease your pain, ask me.”
She remained silent. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, a place existed where happy thoughts thrived. She pictured how it would be if he dropped on his knees and declared his love. All of this was quickly swept aside.
“I’ll leave you now,” he announced. “My men are aware of your situation and will not disturb your observances. When you are ready, they will escort you back to the house.”
“I thank you for this kindness.”
He embraced her. The motivation behind his touch had changed, she felt it.
“I swear on this holy ground, I’ll never hurt you again,” he said.
He’d pledged it before. Could she be foolish enough to believe again? Didn’t he understand she couldn’t get past the fact he was holding her for ransom? Could she ever really forgive him for deceiving and shaming her? Caution did little to help her cause. Jolts of lust shot through her. It felt wonderful to be touched by him; but as welcome as those feelings were, they must stay hidden forever.
“I want to believe you,” she said.
He tipped her head upward. “I make no promises I can’t keep,” he assured her. “If there’s anything I can do to ease your pain, ask me.”
She remained silent. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, a place existed where happy thoughts thrived. She pictured how it would be if he dropped on his knees and declared his love. All of this was quickly swept aside.
“I’ll leave you now,” he announced. “My men are aware of your situation and will not disturb your observances. When you are ready, they will escort you back to the house.”
BUY AT AMAZON here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
In this second book in the Blind series the journey towards HEA for enemies to lovers Rachelle and Tyr is a rocky one due to outside forces of jealousy and greed along with betrayal from within. These two start out as enemies but their shared grief binds them together in an emotional coupling full of sexual tension and ultimately steamy encounters.
Rachelle is an admirable heroine who lost her parents at an early age and was then raised by her Uncle, who took care of her just like a father. After a bloody battle, while searching for her Uncle, she comes across Tyr and is immediately taken to his homeland where he plans to ransom her. Things soon change though and what follows is a compelling romance between two strong-willed individuals. Throughout her losses Rachelle has survived and accepts her change in circumstances with bravery. She's no shrinking violet in standing up for herself and I was rooting for her every step of the way in her dealings with Tyr's petty mistress Frida and her continuing hope in being reunited with her Uncle.
Tyr is the son of the protagonists in the previous installment and is the quintessential Viking in looks, words, and deeds. He's strong-willed, confident, and loyal with a surprisingly kindhearted side as witnessed by his reactions to his brother's death. There was great depth to him that was brought out most clearly in Rachelle's presence and made him an admirable hero.
The author depicted this bloody and harsh Viking world in a vivid manner showing her great care in research. From the compelling characters, to the dramatic twists and turns, to the villains coming from every corner, this read quickly immerses you in the action from the very first page. I'm excited that there's another book to come and am intrigued to see how the author will redeem the character of Aaron as he takes center stage in the next release. Fans of the historical genre should definitely read this as the Viking era isn't one seen very often in romance and Ms. Rand does an admirable job in depicting it.
My rating for this is an A-
*I received this book from the Author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
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.
BLOG: http://violettarand.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/
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.
BLOG: http://violettarand.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/
**********GIVEAWAY**********
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Thank you for hosting me again, Jody. I appreciate the honest review and look forward to visiting after Blind Redemption releases in June.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for being here with your new release! I look forward to Blind Redemption and glad we don't have to wait much longer.
DeleteThe Scarf Princess
Would love to win the Amazon gift card!
ReplyDeleteMandy D.
I want the Amazon card too, Mandy. LOL. Good luck on the giveaway.
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI laughed at your interview answers! OK, so you read aloud and yell at yourself when characters don't cooperate. Do you ever speak aloud the characters conversations as you have written them....just to hear that the story is reading the way you wrote it? I've often wondered about that because sometimes when I read a passage, I get a bit confused with a rather convoluted verbage and I think "didn't the author read this after it was written because it just doesn't flow".? But of course, that could be just me.
ReplyDeleteHello Karen. After I write a few chapters I often call one of my wonderful friends who are so willing to listen and read to them. This helps sort out any big issues. In fact, a few weeks ago, my best friend (we're thousands of miles apart) stayed up all night while I read her a 230 page novel I finished writing a few weeks ago. So for me, I do my best to catch any confusing dialogue before my story releases. Glad you enjoyed the interview. :)
DeleteGreat review! Loved the personal anecdotes in the author interview. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Elise.
DeleteWhat a great review, sounds like a fabulous read.
ReplyDeleteGood day Rita, thanks so much for taking the time to read the review.
DeleteIt looks very intriguing!
ReplyDeletevitajex(At)Aol(dot)com
Looks like a great book. I would like the Amazon gift card. wcraig5432@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, Violetta. What do you sing to your pets? Do they have favorite songs? Do they "sing" back?
ReplyDeletecatherinelee100 at gmail dot com