Danegeld

Susan Squires is known for her 'Companion' series of vampire stories set in the Regency period or earlier. However Danegeld was her first published novel and it's set in the time of the Vikings and with a rather different supernatural element. Britta is a Saxon woman whose parents have been killed by local chieftain Offa. After her parents' deaths Britta was raped by Offa but eventually escaped and made her way to a local island where she lives with her dog, Fenris, and collects herbs for her healing medicines. Her mother was known as a witch and healer and it seems that Britta may have inherited those talents - she trades with the local villagers for food and other necessities by carrying out healings and wound dressings. When the Vikings come to the Saxon village they are defeated and all but one of the group of raiders is killed. The leader of the group is taken by Offa and tortured. Britta finds herself rescuing this man, Karn, and tending his wounds back on her island. Initially Karn is afraid of Britta, assuming that he is being restored to some strength so that he can be tortured again, but as time moves on he realises that she is doing this on her own. As Offa tries to kill them Britta and Karn have to work together, to learn to trust each other and to try to find a place for themselves somewhere in Anglia. Britta needs to learn more about her magical skills and what causes them and Karn has to find a future for a man who isn't physically whole and who is a member of a race that the Saxons hate. Susan Squires is always a good author and, like her other books, this one moves along with great pace and some good characters. The setting in this period of history, not one that I regularly come across in fiction, was fascinating and Squires has included many historical people and places in the story. I particularly liked the way in which she described Karn's feelings of despair over his situation as a injured foreigner in a hostile land. This isn't a particularly cheerful book - the times were too difficult for that - but there is a deep love story within it and the central characters are both very endearing. It's certainly a book to enjoy for those who like Squires' other work and who are interested in different periods in history.

With so many of the writers in the romance field today opting for the lighter touch, a person that loves sweeping, gritty historical drama is finding it harder to discover such, strong realism. Susan Squires weaves a strong period drama about the Vikings and Danes that were in East Angelia, and since that is one of my homebases, I was thrilled to see someone writing about this period of history.She writes with a passion unafraid to take on the dark history of that era, with detail and history so strong you will feel you lived it.So if you like your historical with more 'meat to the bone', pay attention to this new writer in the field. You will definitely be hearing more for her (her next book Dominion comes out next month - so heads up Vampire fans...I have heard this one is a stunner!!)WISE WRITERS and READERS Book of the Month for July 2001

Days after finishing this book, it lingers in my thoughts. The characters seemed real, not the cardboard cutouts that I so frequently encounter. This means that they had their faults as well as their beautiful strengths, making them so very memorable.I loved how I could smell, see, hear, taste and touch the era of so long ago. I lived the story right along with the protagonists, thanks to the vivid writing and knowledge of the author.Whatever Ms Squires writes in the future, I will buy and devour, no question. She is one of the brightest, most talented new authors out there.

Danegeld is a truly fine book, one I found myself unable to put down and thinking about long after I finished it. The setting comes alive with the author's use of authentic detail, and she manages to capture the "feel" of the Saxon era. The love story is genuinely moving, the action scenes gripping, and the story line in each and every chapter carries high interest. I haven't read a historical romance this good in a long, long time! Carolyn Woolston

During the Dark Ages in Dunford, Britain, Britta earned a reputation as a healer though followers of the new religion felt she was a disciple of the devil. Everyone feared her that is except for the Saxon warrior leader Offa. Five years ago he learned about Britta’s prowess and raped her to gain her powers. No one came to her aid and Britta fled to Devil's Island, a place everyone is afraid to step foot on. When Britta needs supplies, she visits Dunford to offer healing services in exchange for them. On a trip to the village, Offa forces Britta to heal his wounded men having just fought against Viking raiders. Included among the injured is Karn, the Viking leader. Offa tortures Karn to obtain information, but Britta manages to free and take him to her island. Both have suffered at the hands of Offa, but that is not why love has sprung up between the healer and the Viking. This Dark Ages romance needs to carry a label: not to be read by the faint of heart. The story line is loaded with action and a deep depiction of the era including that of torture and cruelty that will give readers the shivers. DANEGELD is graphically well written with strong characterizations representing a period of violence between Saxons and Viking, and Christians and Pagans. Skillful scribe Susan Squires shows her ability to paint a very interesting saga worth reading by those who relish a crimson Beowulf....