Silk Dreams

Diana Groe AMAZED me! My favorite viking romances are those from Josie Litton. I thought NOTHING could compete with them, after the numerous OTHER viking novels I read. That is, until I reluctantly picked up Silk Dreams at the library. I fell deeply in love! The story floated me easily from page to page, was enticing enough to make me blush, and emotionally charged enough to have me crying. If you're looking for a Viking romance that is well researched (the pagan parts as well as the history) look no further! Unique and engrossing, this novel was more than well written, and I look forward to more from Diana! BRAVA!

Valdis found herself sold into slavery by her family after a horrible affliction stopped the wedding her family was banking on. She possessed the knowledge of seid but did not truly believe she had the Sight. As time would tell, Valdis was more skilled than she could ever imagine. Reoccurring dreams plagued her, and if they were correct, the love she is soon to find will meet his death. Damien and Erik both began to bid on Valdis as she stood on the auction block, being a virgin could make the right man very happy. But what about a man that didn't want a woman? Erik was in her thrall, something about her called to him. Was it the two different colored eyes known to be two souls inhabiting one body, or was it the beauty and strength of the woman before him? Being out bid by at the eunuch Damien, he finds himself curious as to why a ball-less wonder would want such a treasure as Valdis. Damien needs Valdis to feign all knowledge of the seid and Sight in order for his plans to work with the silk merchant. When he requests the best tutor to teach Valdis Greek, he is appalled at the man standing before him. Erik, the Northman, the other bidder. Warning Erik to keep his distance only added temptation to the fire. Erik was falling hopelessly in love with Valdis but he knew she must keep her purity in hopes to ever regain her freedom Valdis is sold to the silk merchant, he is a vile man and the only thing that gets her through the day is knowing Erik has found a way to be with her. A vow of love bonds two souls, only it seemed everyone tried to keep them apart. A battle is to come and bring the death of her lover, what will Valdis do? It seems she does possess the Sight after all. Silk Dreams by Diana Groe is a tantalizing epic-tale of love, honor and sacrifice. A true love story at its finest. Ms. Groe has the ability to make you fall in love with the characters from the very start. Once you start this novel, be prepared not to put it down. 5 Hearts Diana's website: www.dianagroe.com

Valdis, a woman turned out of her native Scandinavia because she can see the future, is sold on the auctioneer's block in Constantinople to Damian, a eunuch. Erik, an exiled warrior also from her homelands, is hired by Damian to teach her Greek so she can infiltrate the silk trader Mahomet's harem and find out his plans against the emperor. Chemistry sizzles between Valdis and Erik as their passion grows, and they struggle not only to help free Valdis from her enslavement, but also to prevent the terrifying overthrow of the emperor. Ms. Groe's novel is simply magnificent. The characters are realistically flawed, and the aching love between Erik and Valdis is nearly tangible. The setting is vibrant, colorful, and brings the whole book to life, playing nicely into the plot. This book lingered with me for days after reading it. Ms. Groe has penned an enthralling tale and has won herself a dedicated fan! Please, keep them coming!

Silk Dreams is a historical romance set in the time of the Byzantine Empire with glimpses of the Norse, Greek and Arab cultures of the time through the characters. The hero and heroine are drawn together by chance. They must fight their backgrounds and forces separating them while political intrigue threatens to disrupt the entire empire. The Scandanavian woman Valdis has been banished from her homeland right before her wedding because, being epileptic, she is considered evil and cursed when her seizures are seen by the groom and his family. Valdis is sold to a Greek eunuch Damian on an auction block in the Byzantine empire who teaches her in all the arts of an Odelisque (harem) woman in order to use her to political means within the Arab world of Constantinople. When he hires the Nordic warrior Erik, banished also for having committed murder, to teach Valdis Greek, will her heart and life be in danger? Will Erik remain true to his oath to serve the emperor? Will he protect Valdis within a world where sexual purity may be the only thing that can protect her from a brutal culture? Will the political intrigue of her captors interfere with Valdis and Erik's carefully laid plans? Silk Dreams creates a romance where suspenseful moments inspire a fast-paced read as historical politics and cultures clash around the characters' personal lives. The richness of the Odalisque culture combined with the secretive romance and sexuality heighten the passion. The unfolding politics and loyalties magnify the suspense as Valdis and Erik try quench their passion together yet hidden from the watchful eyes of others. Diana Groe's skill shines in the details surrounding the main hero and heroine romance. Chloe, who were basically prisoner even in an opulent Odalisque world demonstrated such courage and strength despite her punishment. Punished for impurity, Chloe tells Valdis not to look at the world through what she has lost. The romance between Erick and Valdis emerges more passionately because it is built on the grounds of their losses and the detours. The character of Damian the eunuch was superbly multi-faceted with all the many ways he dealt with love, women and his manhood. I loved him despite his devious plots! The author writes memorable secondary characters that intrigue as much as the hero and heroine --- memorable long after the cover is closed. In addition to the characters, Silk Dreams provides a rich culture and historical background for this romance. The scenes focused on with language learning and the use of runes in the book ground the historicity and the suspense. The stark contrast between the images of luxury in the harem and the brutal way the culture treated women added both atmosphere and depth to this romance. The glimpses at Christianity through the eyes of Valdis who worshipped the Norse gods add a layer that intrigued me. The understanding of one religion through the eyes of another revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of each i

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques Valdis was cast out by her people after a strange fit made them fear her. Sold into slavery by her own family, she ends up in the foreign city of Miklagard, where she is bought and placed in a harem. There, the man who purchased her intended to use her to infiltrate the enemy and pretend her fits were moments of psychic vision. Erik was banished from his home when he murdered his brother in a berserkr rage. Now he is a member of the Varangian Guard in Miklagard where his duty is to protect the emperor. When he sees Valdis on the auction block, he knows his destiny is linked to her and he will do whatever he must to gain the interest of the pale beauty with mismatched eyes. As Valdis grows closer to Erik, her dreams begin to portend of a dire future for him, she must find a way to use her position in the harem to save Erik and gain her own freedom as well. But if her master finds out about the bond between Valdis and Erik, it would be their death. Once again Diana Groe enchants readers with the brilliantly written Silk Dreams. The setting for the adventure is beautifully done, so that you can't help but see Miklagard in all its glory and the lushness of the palace in your mind's eye. It is a rare talent that can bring words to life so vividly that it's like watching a movie or living the life of the players. The story moves along at a steady pace, being more of a character driven novel than a plot driven one. Don't let that fool you though. So much happens from beginning to end that I was carried along on the emotional roller coaster ride. Valdis is a young woman who happens to have epilepsy, an ailment which of course no one understands in her time, so she is believed to be cursed. She is plagued with unfortunate circumstances from being cast aside by her own family to being forced to perform "parlor tricks" at the whim of a cruel owner. Yet in spite of it all, she manages to overcome her situation and stay strong until the time she can gain that which she wants most... her freedom... and the undying love of her Viking Warrior. Erik has much to atone for in his past so doesn't believe he will ever be happy again. When the fates bring Valdis into his life he finds the hope he's long been missing. Watching his personal struggle as he learns to forgive himself for his past is a very moving experience. Seeing this big strong man fall under the spell of the bewitching Valdis makes us sigh in happiness and long for our own dream hero. Each and every secondary character adds their own magic to the story from Valdis' cruel owner to Damian the eunuch, to the young Frank girl Valdis befriends. My personal favorite was Damian as you never knew quite what he had in mind for Valdis, even when you thought he did. He had quite a bit of depth to his story and I was so happy that we got to follow along on his adventure as well. I am always guaranteed an immensely enjoyable read when I pick up one of Groe's books and Si