Fires of Winter (Haardrad Family, 1)

I bought this book because it said "HARDBACK" but what do i get when it gets here a soft cover I'm not happy camper. That is the only reason i bought it because i am only getting the hard backs. It may not be a big different to you but to me it does...

Lady Brenna Carmarham, a Celtic beauty raised with the fighting skills of a boy, is taken captive by the Vikings, when Anselm Haardrad, who tricked her father by offering his second son to marriage, raided her home. Captured and enslaved, Brenna vows vengeance for her people and promised never to be owned by anyone, most especially Garrick Haardrad, to whom she was given. As a powerful chieftain's son, Garrick is used to commanding people. After a long voyage trading overseas, he comes home to find Brenna in his bed and learns that she is a gift from his father's. Trouble starts as he finds himself incapable of getting her to submit to his will and this is where the battle starts to see who enslaves whom. I found this story very engaging and the characters interesting. Brenna's continuous refusal to accept her status of a slave causes the many clashes between her and Garrick. It is exciting to read as you get to see a real battle of wills. While some may be put off by Brenna's constant anger and Garrick's cold-heartedness, we are given good reasons for these - Brenna has known freedom all her life and found it hard to adjust to her new life, while Garrick was hurt by a woman who left him for a wealthy man, which also explains why he has sought wealth for himself at such a young age and why he feels such hate for women in general. It is also this hate that makes the story interesting, as you find yourself fascinated by his actions while he continues to deny his feelings. The way he could be so gentle towards Brenna is a treasure to read. And towards the end, you will appreciate him more as you learn how deeply he cares for her and how much he loves his son. Some readers commented on the brutality in the book such as the treatment of women, murder, pillaging, but I think you have to keep an open mind and consider the period that this was based on. Such things were normal occurrence in those times. Men ruled over women. And the fact that they did is all the more reason why it's good to see tough heroes soften towards women and eventually fall in love. You will not be bored with this book and will fall in love with Garrick and Brenna. You can read more of them on Hearts Aflame and Surrender My Love.

Trained in the art of war, Brenna Carmarham vowed to never take a husband until her father made a deal with the hated Vikings in hopes of saving her home. Not long after the deal is made, her much-loved father dies, but reluctantly Brenna decides to honor her father's vow anyway and awaits her intended with trepidation. On the day of her father's funeral, the Vikings finally come, but not with a bride-groom as expected. Instead, the Vikings raid Brenna's home, kill most of her family and take her prisoner, making her the slave of the man she'd once thought to marry. Having been spurned by a money-hungry woman, Garrick Haardrad has vowed to never love again. While he's away on a trading venture his father makes a false deal with the hated Celts to join Garrick with a Celtic lord's daughter. However, the marriage-pact is just a smoke-screen to allow the Vikings to raid the Celtic village and take revenge on the Celts for long-ago wrongdoing. And now, the woman who might have been his wife is his slave. I first read _Fires Of Winter_ many years ago and to this day it remains one of my favorites by Ms. Lindsey. In fact, I'd have to say it's one of my favorites in the entire genre. Johanna Lindsey always delivers well-drawn and likeable characters, and Brenna and Garrick are no exception. Brenna is fiery, brave and headstrong while Garrick is stoic, courageous and stubborn. When these two first meet, sparks fly and wills clash in a battle that will leave you wanting more. And, since you will want more, it's lucky that Ms. Lindsey expanded this book into a trilogy (this one is followed by _Hearts Aflame_ and _Surrender My Love_). One of the most fascinating aspects, for me, is the history. You're thoroughly immersed in the Viking culture. While sometimes the inclusion of historical details can weigh a book down with unnecessary information, I've always found that Ms. Lindsey incorporates history perfectly, weaving it into the story in such a way that only makes it more enjoyable. In fact, she's so good at this, that I often wish more of the history had been included. I've noticed a few of the reviewers commenting on the brutality included in the book (the rape, pillaging, murder and abuse), but when reading this book you have to consider the time period (both when the novel was written and when the novel takes place). After doing so, I think you'll be able to see these scenes in a different light. While I am far from condoning rape or the abuse of women in any form, such was the way things were in times past. The hero *does* rape the heroine on several occasions, but as he grows to love her he grows as a person. You have to understand that Garrick, though having a Christian mother, has been raised a true Viking -- someone who is used to treating women like chattel. When looked at in that way, you come to see that it's not completely Garrick's fault that he is the way he is, he's a product of a brutal and unforgiving society. And

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 adm

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!