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Book Details
The Viking She Shouldn’t Crave
A spicy, forbidden love Viking romance
Their forbidden tryst…
Is treason!
Helena’s spent her life preparing to be the Byzantine Prince’s bride. But when his cruel disinterest turns her position perilous, she finds salvation in fierce warrior Viggo. As the Prince’s personal guard, he knows her betrothed like no other. Could Viggo help her win his affections?
Only, Helena swiftly discovers the man she craves is not her husband-to-be…but thrillingly rugged Viggo! To act on their desires would be committing treason. Getting caught could be fatal. And yet, resisting their illicit connection feels like a fate worse than death…
The Viking She Shouldn’t Crave is set in 10th century Constantinople, where skilled Viking warriors fought for emperors in return for great riches, and the royal princes picked their wives at bride shows.
The story begins when the bishop’s daughter, Helena, is chosen at the bride show. Prince Marianos must marry to sire an heir, and Helena must wed to save her family from financial ruin, but during their first moments alone, the prince’s charming façade drops, and Helena’s ideas of a romantic union are shattered.
She is surprised when his Varangian commander, Viggo, is kind to her, despite his belief that she is marrying the prince for wealth and status.
As Viggo helps her to win over the prince’s affections, they grow closer, and she soon discovers it is not the prince’s heart, but that of his right-hand man she cares about. In this scene, they are growing increasingly aware of the attraction between them – but know it is forbidden, and they must resist temptation… so Helena pushes him away.
‘I’m confused. One moment you want my help, now you don’t?’ Anger began to seep into his words. He turned around and rested his back on the balcony, crossing his arms over his chest.
‘I’m confused, too,’ she said.
‘About what?’ he asked.
‘You!’ she wanted to yell.
But she couldn’t tell him the real reason—that she was starting to have feelings, romantic feelings, for him instead of the Prince. He would think she was a fool. He would surely walk away anyway.
This was for the best. She needed a little distance from him to regain perspective. For her own preservation.
‘So the first sign of approval from Marianos—a spark with the Prince that you so desired—and that’s it, I’m gone?’ he spat.
She reared back. Spark? What spark? She hadn’t felt one.
‘I thought we were friends,’ he continued, shaking his head.
‘We are.’
He pushed off the wall and came towards her. He looked down into her eyes. ‘No, I’m not sure that’s what we are.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ she said, her heart pounding painfully in her chest.
‘I get it. You needed my support until you got what you wanted and, now you have the Prince’s attention, you don’t need me any more. You’re going to walk away.’
‘No, that’s not it.’ She shook her head fiercely.
He gave a bitter laugh. ‘That’s exactly it, Helena.’
‘You’re so…so cynical! Not everyone’s like your mother and father, Viggo.’
He recoiled. Stilled. His eyes turned glacial. And she knew, instantly, that she’d said the wrong thing.
‘Don’t talk about my parents. You know nothing about it.’
‘I know they had a bad marriage. That they abandoned you. Now you think every other person will do the same.’
He stepped towards her and she backed away, her shoulders hitting the wall.
‘You think you know me and my family? You’re right, my mother deserted me. She left while Sofie and I were asleep one night, when I was just ten winters old. Because she didn’t love us enough to stay.’ He took another step towards her, so his chest was almost pressing against hers. ‘But did you know that with her gone, there was no one to protect us from my father—from his drunken rages and his nightly beatings?’
The breath left her.
His eyes roamed over her face. ‘No, I didn’t think so. So don’t tell me you know anything about my parents, Helena. Or me. You don’t.’
‘I’m—I’m sorry,’ she said, her voice breaking, her heart splintering—for him and his sister. She didn’t want to think of him suffering, ever hurting.
‘You know what?’ he said, suddenly moving away from her. ‘I don’t need to be here, wasting my time, doing this, helping you. I think you’re right. I think we’re finished here.’
And with a last hard look, he turned on his heel and walked away from her.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Viking-She-Shouldnt-Crave-ebook/dp/B0F445WTQ7/
Author Bio
Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her grandad, or devouring love stories from the local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Berkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, her two daughters and their dog. She has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Mills & Boon. Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy ever after. You can contact her via @sarahrodiedits or sarahrodiedits@gmail.com. Or visit her website at sarahrodi.com
Social Media Links –
@sarahrodiedits
