THE SEA KING

Author: Jolie Mathis ISBN: 0425210650 6/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: BERKLEY SENSATION
Time Perid: Viking/Saxon

Kol Thorleksson, the powerful Viking warrior known as the Sea King, owes his life to the young Saxon woman who risked everything to free him from bondage. Two years later, he has returned to Norsex, this time to wreak vengeance on those who plotted to destroy him. He is shocked to discover that the lovely woman who helped him regain his freedom is the sister of the tyrant who sought to take it away. Not a day has passed without Princess Isabel of Norsex thinking of the handsome Viking who crossed her path. But when her peaceful world is threatened by barbarians, the last thing she expects is to find Kol at their helm. Now, with danger lurking in every corner of her kingdom, Isabel finds herself torn between her sworn allegiance and her traitorous heart...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE SEA KING, by debut author Jolie Mathis, is a fantastic read! It grasped my attention from the first chapter and didn't let go. Fans of Viking stories won't be disappointed with THE SEA KING!

At the beginning of the story we meet Saxon princess, Isabel. She's out horseback riding and decides to ride a little ambitiously. When she has an accident, a handsome man rescues her. Later, she finds out that this handsome man is in the castle jail and is being flogged. Poor Isabel tries to tell her side of the story that this man, who she finds out is a Viking, rescued her, not hurt her. She ends up rescuing him and thus changing her life forever.

Viking warrior Kol is dead set on revenge against the king who wrongfully beat him and tried to kill him. Upon arrival at the castle he was imprisoned in two years ago, he finds Isabel. But there's a surprise for Kol—not only did the king runaway, but Kol finds that he is father to Isabel's son. The only problem is, however, Kol did not sleep with Isabel and the child is not his.

As much sexual tension that there is between Kol and Isabel, there is as much mistrust and betrayal between them, too. That makes the story all the more interesting. There are also all the secondary characters in THE SEA KING who end up playing vital roles in the outcome of the story. One of the best parts of this story is a shocking twist at the end of it that I did not anticipate.

The real beauty of Ms. Mathis's THE SEA KING is the romance between Kol and Isabel. Kol is a hero to take your breath away, and Isabel is a very strong heroine. Put those two together and the book really heats up. Also, there's enough adventure in this story to keep you turning the pages!

Hopefully you will become caught up in the love affair between Kol and Isabel just as I was. THE SEA KING is a truly enjoyable read, one that you should not miss!

Julie Kornhausl