Book Review-Golden Surrender

Golden Surrender
Viking Saga
Heather Graham
Dell,
398 Pages
Published March 1989
Medieval/Viking
ISBN: 0-440-12973-7

Synopsis:
TWO BOLD WARRIORS, TWO PROUD LANDS, UNITED BY PASSION—AND REVENGE. . . .

PRINCE OLAF OF NORWAY—Lord of the Wolves, the golden Viking warrior who came in his dragon ship to forge a great kingdom in the Emerald Isle.

PRINCESS ERIN—Daughter of the Irish High King, the ebony-haired beauty who swore bitter vengeance on the legendary Norseman who had brought death and destruction to her beloved homeland.

Yet, in the great Norse and Irish alliance against the invading Danes, it was her own father who gave her in marriage to her most hated enemy. Bewitched by Olaf's massive strength, seduced by his power, still Erin vowed that neither the wrath of his sword nor the fire of his kiss would sway the allegiance of her proud and passionate heart.

MY REVIEW
 
Summary 
 Erin Mac Aed, daughter of the Irish king. Erin, is the one of the few of her siblings that has remained unmarried. Erin is also a favorite of her father, who has spoiled her throughout the years. Erin has learned how to fight with swords and the like from her brothers, whom she loves dearly. When the Lord of Wolves invades Ireland, she encounters him and her hatred for the man deepens, for all those on her side that have been killed, a couple that were dear to her and she blames Olaf for it. Now a year later, her father demands that she marry Olaf of Norway, so they can have a powerful alliance against the Danes. However Erin hates having to join with her enemy, but the passion the Olaf ingnites in Erin weakens her resolve and steals into her heart.

The Hero 
Olaf, Prince of Norway also known as the Lord of the Wolves, is a great warrior and leader of his people. After fighting so many battles, and losing a woman he has loved for years on the battlefield, he desires a alliance with the Irish. Olaf then agrees to a alliance with the daughter of the King of Ireland however he knows that their life especially at first will no be a easy one. So he endeavors to show her his other side of himself, and show her the passion that exists within her but he only needs to bring it out in her.

The Heroine 
Erin Mac Aed, the daughter and princess of the King of the Irish. Erin is the most spoiled of all of her father's children, and most loved, however when she is forced into this alliance against her will, she feels betrayed by the one person that means the world to her. Now she must go and live in another land, strange to her and unknown, feeling more alone than ever. Not knowing what to expect from the man she refers to as the "barbarian". She has much hatred for the Wolf, however he also awakens a desire in her, that she can't deny especially to herself, and where finds that her alligience is weakening to her husband.

My Thoughts 
Golden Surrender is the first installment in the Viking Saga written by Heather Graham. I have read only historicals from this author, and I love them, and Golden Surrender is my favorite so far from her books that she has written. I have read Golden Surrender before but it has been a while, and since I saw this on the library shelf, I decided to pick it up since I was in the mood for this type of story. Its a powerfully written love story, back in the medieval age around 900 A.D. I find that there aren't that many books that are written in this era, and so I love to read every one that I can get my hands on, because I find it so fascinating, especially the Viking people. Throughout this story, we learn what kind of people they were, even though they could very well be barbarians, they had a passion for life and for their beliefs.There was only one problem I had with the story, was Erin, her character, it just seemed to me that she was too strong, and had so much hatred within her and treated Olaf pretty horribly, but as the story progressed I loved seeing the change within her.  Both of these characters are stubborn, loyal and strong personalities, so they definitely clash especially at the beginning of the story. But as the love between them depends, so does this passionate love story. Golden Surrender is on my list of favorite romances, and one well worth reading for any romance lover.

My Grade On This Book 
4.5 Blossoms

Other Books in The Story
The Viking's Woman
Lord of the Wolves