THE VIKING TAKES A KNIGHT

Author: Sandra Hill ISBN: 9780061673504 9/2010 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: North Umbria 920

The Viking Is a Princess . . . All Ingrith wants is refuge for herself and a group of orphans from a vicious Saxon commander who would harm the children and destroy her honor. At her age, she no longer expects to find a husband, or even a lover, especially not the arrogant Lord of the Bees! John of Hawk's Lair longs for peace and quiet, not a nagging wife and noisy children. As a knight in the king's service, he spends his cherished time at home working on his beekeeping experiments. So when an irksome Viking princess comes barging into his castle with a horde of orphans, he does everything he can to get rid of her. But then a sexual attraction sparks between them, despite their differences, one that soon has them making honey, rather than war . . .

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE VIKING TAKES A KNIGHT is written in the witty and fun Sandra Hill style that makes her such a beloved author. From the dialogue to the setting, Hill enchants with her quirky banter and surprisingly fresh scenes. Yes, the story still has the same bent as the others preceding it; and yes, at times, it can be boring and familiar. However, there is something irresistible to all of the Viking tales, regardless of how tired I think I am of them.

The silly little anecdotes at the beginning of every chapter, the goofy misunderstandings between the hero and heroine, and the funny descriptions of the supporting cast, are all here in the story. In that way, THE VIKING TAKES A KNIGHT is predictable and cute. However, it does surprise, at times, with its depth of emotion and cleverness with bees. Yes, I said cleverness with bees!

For all its familiarity, THE VIKING TAKES A KNIGHT is another good, solid story among many. Just when I think my tastes have outgrown her Viking tales, Hill manages to get me where I am most susceptible—my funny bone.

Shannon Johnson