The Winter Serpent [NOOK Book]

An Interesting Epic

I picked up the book by chance after reading the two other reviews. I felt as if I were reading a "Gone with the Wind" for the Viking era. A great historical fiction that offers up a rich tapestry of the early Scottish and Pictish societies as they struggle against the Viking invaders as well as old beliefs that still hold sway in the acceptance of Christianity. However, be warned that this is definitely not a romance novel. The heroine, even accounting for the time when she lives, is not a likable person and keeps making rash, unwise decisions that hurtle her from one disaster to another. The only redeeming quality is her constant devotion to her son. The jarl, despite being a berserker and all that it entails, comes across as a more sympathetic character. The book left me wondering what'll happen to them once her famed beauty fades and her son is properly assimilated to the Viking society. "Gritty" is the right word.

A Marvellous tale of one woman's fight for pride!!

I love historical romances, but often bemoan the past few years where the majority of historical romances are 99% romance and 1% history. You often wonder why the writer bothered to set it in a historical era when they book is virtually a contemporary romance with a horse tossed in for show. I love history as much as I do the sweeping passion, so I am delighted there are still a few writers out there that remember the HISTORICAL. Maggie Davis is one of the best historical romance writers around. I love her OUT OF THE BLUE, HUSTLE SWEET LOVE and THE LAST MALE VIRGIN (rumour has it Hollywood is looking to do it as a movie - cool!!). However, I am shocked her historicals have often not gotten the attention they deserve. The Winter Serpent is heavy on history and it is absolutely amazing!! It is a gritty story of a Scot's lass, beautiful and strong-willed, who will let no man break her pride. Dorieann is the beauty daughter of a Scots Chieftain and Pict mother. Her foster brother kills her father and assumes control of the Scots Clan. He desires Dorieann, but she refuses his advances. In his fury, he sells her to the Viking settles, fierce warriors of the Norse Bear Cult, believing she will kill herself rather than submit to them. Dorieann is surprised to learn she has been bought for Thorsten, their leader. She survives, adjusts, and earns Thorsten's approval so much that he takes her as his wife. This is not the way her stepbrother wanted her fate to go, so he begins to ferment trouble for her and the Vikings. Maggie Davis pulls no punches as she gives you a true historical romance, full of details and realistic portrayals of a woman surviving, yet keeping her pride and spirit, making life the best she can in a world that was very harsh to woman. Applause for her not taking the easy road, but sticking to a believable depiction of a woman of fire. So if you want more historical in your historical romance, this wonderful tale of the Scots, Picts and Vikings is just your cup of tea!

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