Golden Surrender (Vikings Trilogy Book 1)

This was one of my favorite books. I will definitely re-read this one. I read the reviews and I want to add some insight to the negative reviews. I believe the author did a wonderful job in trying to keep situations as realistic as possible without being totally offensive. As to the reviews that complained about the abuse and rape, in all honesty that was the way things were in that time. If anyone has any historical education, then you know that this book didn't even begin to touch down on what really went on. Woman were a possession, even if your husband did grow to love you. You still belong to him to do with as he pleased. So don't let the negative reviews offend you. Remember there was no "women's rights". The book is very entertaining. The range of emotions that you can feel from all the characters kept me engrossed. This is a must read in my opinion.

I loved reading this book about the Irish Viking connection and reading about Olaf the White who wanted a peaceful life of his own and found it with Erin the Irish Princess of Tara. But it came with a great many war battles and battles of their own. Heather Graham is a wonderful author. One of the things I loved about this book was the feeling and warmth of the people and family. I could feel the emotion from them. Aed the King I especially loved. What hard decisions he had to make for his beloved Ireland. His heart broke over the one decision to make peace for Ireland that took his favorite daughter from him. Olaf and Erin had a hard time with their pride. But they finally tell each other that they love each other. I love reading about the Vikings and Ireland. I am descended from both countries. Tongue in cheek: maybe I am descended from Olaf and Erin. HA

Princess Erin daughter of an Irish King was given in marriage to Olaf Prince of Norway. She could not believe her father would do this.She hated all Viking due to the death and destruction of her homeland.She even had to be drugged for the marriage. This book was written about medieval times where women had no rights. Husbands could do what they wanted with their wives. Olaf was cruel to Erin at first. He hit her several times, called her names and pulled her behind his horse .She tried to kill him and he tied her hands to the bed..He had loved before and she was killed. He intended never to love again.He did do some good things one he was going to send his mistress away after Erin asked him to. He had not slept with her .I like Viking stories I know love does not come easy in them. If you can realize that this is how people loved back then and a HEA was in the picture. You will enjoy this book. If you want a sweet cute book this one is not for you.I have read this book twice.

Summary: Olaf the White, a Prince of Norway, has set sail to Ireland with his Viking clansmen. Olaf isn't in this new land to pillage and raid in typical Viking fashion, he is there to build a home and establish a new legacy of leadership in the country. He intends to battle for control of Dublin, but that is where it will end for him. He isn't a power-hungry man, nor does he want to spend the rest of his life in war.Although Olaf is not interested in taking spoils of battle in the form of women and property, some of his warriors choose to stick with this old custom. The first Irish village they reach upon landing on Ireland's shore, is the home of several relatives of the Irish High King. His youngest daughter, Erin, is there visiting and manages to escape, but she witnesses the death of her aunt and uncle, and the rape of her friend before getting away. From this moment on, Erin's sole goal in life is to kill Olaf the White to avenge the death of her family.Years later, Princess Erin has not lost her craving for revenge. But it isn't only the Vikings who are threatening her world. The Danes have also arrived in Ireland, and they are enemies of both the Irish and the Vikings. In the bloodiest battle of his life, Olaf loses his lover, a large portion of his army, and almost his own life. On the verge of death, he makes his way to the edge of a river and passes out. It is Erin who discovers his body. He is so covered in dirt and blood that she doesn't recognize him at first. She knows only that he is a Viking and she intends to take him to her father as a prisoner. They are both warriors, but Erin wouldn't have stood a chance if Olaf had been at full strength. They both manage to gain the upper hand at different points of the day, but eventually they part ways without a winner. And now Erin isn't the only one who wants revenge - Olaf swears to pay her back for her ruthless attack on him during his weakest moment.Eventually, the Irish and the Vikings decide to form an alliance in order to defeat their common enemy - the Danes. As High King, it is up to Erin's father to finalize this treaty. He does it in the form of giving Erin's hand in marriage to the Viking King - Olaf the White. Since Olaf never knew his attacker's name, he had no idea he had agreed to marry the woman he'd love to punish severely. Erin, on the other hand, finds out who she is supposed to marry and adamantly refuses. She certainly doesn't suspect that her own sister (a nun) would drug her in order to get her to the altar, but sure enough..... When the drugs wear off, she is married to her worst enemy and being prepared to consummate their marriage.Is it crazy to think that these two enemies might find forgiveness, acceptance, and love in each other's arms? Even if they can find some measure of peace with each other, finding peace in Ireland might prove to be the more difficult task.Review: What a page-turner! After the first few chapters, there wasn't another mild moment in this book until the epilogue. The constant intensity was exhausting! I can't imagine what it would be like to live in a time when death waited around every corner and entire generations had no knowledge of a life without war. Whether they were fighting for their lives, land, vengeance, hate or love, it was all done with unrestrained passion. This is exactly how I like my books. I will forget dozens of other ho-hum books I read this year, but this one will stick with me like a tattoo.The best part?? Although this book is a work of fiction, it is based on real events, real wars and real people, both Viking and Irish, from the 9th century. Olaf the White was indeed a Viking Sea-King who became King of Dublin in 853. He really did marry the daughter of Aed Finnlaith, although he may have been married to someone else first. Basing this book on the life of a real Viking King was brilliant. It truly blurs the line between fantasy and reality.Something else I appreciated was the absence of an infidelity-misunderstanding plotline. I know that might sound strange, but I get really tired of reading that same old song and dance in so many romance novels. In this book, there were several threads of betrayal, both real and misunderstood, including one major event that was predicted earlier in the book by the Druid Mergwin. But there was nothing generic about how these storylines played out. Without question, Olaf and Erin had their moments of jealousy, but the author never fell back on the overly-used and totally predictable love triangle. I'd like to send her a thank you note for that. I'd also like to give her a high-five for writing some of the best bedroom scenes I've ever read.One last note... when a historical romance is set as far back as the Middle Ages, there is a very good chance that it will include some controversial content. A few examples might be: 13 yr old girls married to men more than twice their age, women forced or sold into marriage, men exercising their rights in the marriage bed absent willingness or consent from their wives, torture, abuse, war rape, slavery, etc. Obviously, these concepts in modern times are considered heinous crimes. But whether we like it or not, they were acceptable practices in various cultures throughout world history until tapering off in the last century. So.....why do I bring this up? Because if you are likely to judge the behavior of 9th century book characters based on our 21st century standards of law and human rights, then you might want to skip this book. In order to enjoy a novel like this one, you have to be able to put it into the context of acceptable behavior in that time period. I loved this book, but I don't want to sugar-coat the fact that it does include several of the examples I listed above.I can't come up with anything negative to say about it. I'd highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and/or historical romance. Due to the occasional Druid magic performed by Mergwin, and the constant references to Norse Gods, this book might appeal to fans of Fantasy also. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

These along with Lord of the Wolves make up a great viking trilogy from Heather Graham Thoroughly enjoyed these books would recommemd

I enjoyed the book

I didn't realise there were 3 books in this series and read this one last. aBsolutely loved the whole series and am sorry there weren't more!! My only disappointment was that this book was not available on Kindle and had to purchase the book which is a shame

I really was not sure what I thought about this book after I finished reading it. I really, really liked the idea of the story. Erin as a strong and fierce woman, a warrior so to say and then Olaf, as the infamous Viking, leader of the invaders. They are forced to marry but they are obviously attracted to each other from day one. I was really excited about it but after a while I was getting more and more frustrated with the story. Mainly, because she was always insulting him just because he is a viking, not caring about his explanations although they make perfect sense etc. Do not get me wrong I like it when the girls are stubborn and fierce and tell the guys what they are thinking but this was just too much. She does not seem confident anymore just childish because she is too stubborn to listen to what he has to say.However, I have to say that I really liked the style the story and I really liked Olaf which is why I am torn between hating and loving this book.

Fluent reading, the tension between Olaf and Erin is palpable right from the start, and you'll catch. Highly recommended throughout the trilogy.