I am spotlighting BLIND REDEMPTION, the third book in Violetta’s Rand’s exciting Viking Blind series, which is released today.
ABOUT THE BOOK
(Blind series, #3)
Genre: Historical Romance (Viking – 11th Century)
Cover Blurb…
The past is something he’d sooner forget…
Aaron McNally hates his past. Banished for betrayal, he trades his tartan for a Norwegian title and sword to win back his honor.
She has a warrior’s heart…
It’s difficult for Kara Dalgaard to act like a lady, even when her father demands it. After the handsome Jarl Aaron McNally arrives at her home recruiting for the king’s army, she’s forced to participate in a cruel deception to humiliate him. She quickly regrets what she’s done.
However, duty comes before happiness.
Aaron wants a second chance at life—and Kara is everything he’s dreamed of. But the past always has a way of catching up.
Will Kara trust or condemn him to a life of loneliness?
Buy Links:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.ca
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EXCERPT
No voice had ever sounded so enchanting, so potent. Could this be a walking dream? The spirit-woman turned. Christ’s blood … the last person he wished to see again … Erik’s daughter. Bright blue eyes pierced him the same way they had in the hall.
Here in the moonlight, dressed in little more than a shift, she resembled a goddess. Their gazes met. Fire fueled fire. Although he wanted to touch her, he feared what would happen. He’d never be able to stop.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
Her words pulled him out of his dark thoughts. “I have no answer,” he admitted. “Something tempted me to swim across that lake. Or someone…” For a moment the world spun slowly around Aaron. Everything he wanted stared him in the face. The peace of nightfall, trees, water, and a fiery temptress who didn’t know when to shut up.
“Tempted?” she scoffed. “Perhaps my father outwitted you again and you came here to lick your wounds in private.”
What he’d give to be able to crawl back into that lake and swim out of Kara’s life forever. There was a better chance of Odin splitting his skull in half. “Who have you been talking to, lass? The tides have turned—your father no longer opposes me. And this chance meeting has nothing to do with your sire.”
“Oh?” She looked sharply at him. “Do you think I’ve been waiting for you?”
He shook his head. “The thought never crossed my mind,” he said. “Were you?”
“No. I come here to pray.”
“It’s a beautiful spot.”
“Aye,” she agreed. “Frequented by my mother, and now me.”
“You weren’t praying when I arrived.”
“No,” she said. “I enjoy the stars almost as much as the gods.”
“Odin’s universe is vast.”
“Odin’s?” she asked. “Don’t you mean God’s?”
“Whoever created the heavens,” he quickly corrected himself. “I often find myself mystified by its beauty.”
“What else interests you, milord? War? Politics?”
“Peace.”
She cocked her head. “Are you a negotiator for the king or a soldier?”
“My responsibilities require many skills.”
“Including intimidating my father?”
He scooted closer. “Unfortunately, milady, your father threatened me first. I am a principled man, slow to temper, but protective of my honor.”
“Why does my sire mistrust you?”
“Who am I to know your father’s mind?” She asked too many questions. Questions he wasn’t ready to answer. Maybe someday.
“Why does your father dress you in armor and train you to fight?”
She laughed. “For the same reason you held a dagger to my brother’s throat last night. For the sake of honor.”
He looked at her more closely. Endless beauty met his gaze, but there was something different about her. A quiet confidence. And her eyes…
Warm excitement flowed through him. He gazed heavenward again. “Look.”
“A shooting star,” she said excitedly.
“An omen.”
“From your prophets or Allfather?”
Aaron rested his right hand on her arm. “Why credit anyone?”
“You prefer mystery?”
“I prefer you,” he said.
She closed her eyes and placed her tiny hand over his. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
It took a moment for her words to sink in. By Odin, she’d declared her feelings. Only he wished she hadn’t. Every inch of his body screamed to get closer. “I’m trying very hard to control myself.”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth, she opened her eyes. “What if I don’t want you to?”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Violetta Rand holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and a master’s degree in Environmental Management. Serving as an environmental scientist in the state of Alaska for over seven years, she enjoys the privilege of traveling to remote places few people have the opportunity to see.
Violetta has been “in love” with writing since childhood. Struck with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, at five, she wrote short stories illustrated by her best friend and sold them in her neighborhood. The only thing she loves more than writing is her wonderful relationship with her husband, Jeff. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading whatever she can get her hands on, music, and losing herself in the ancient worlds she enjoys bringing to life in the pages of her stories.
You can connect with Violetta on:
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter
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THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
Violetta is kindly giving away TWO Kindle copies of BLIND REDEMPTION and you will need to have an Amazon account. To be eligible for the Giveaway just leave a comment together with your email address.
The Giveaway will run from June 25 – July 2.
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MY REVIEW
This is the third book in Violetta Rand’s Blind series and Aaron McNally’s story. I admit that when I started reading this book, I had serious doubts that Ms Rand could adequately redeem Aaron in my eyes. I don’t want to spoil Blind Mercy for those who haven’t read it, but I’ll just say that Aaron’s acts of betrayal did seem unforgivable. Well, it’s confession time, because by the end of the book, Ms Rand not only redeemed Aaron but he became my favourite hero of the series.
“Believe only in those things that draw you to his breast: strength, ferocity, magnitude, bravery, loyalty, victory, honesty, passion, and love.”
Aaron’s decision to renounce Christianity and follow Odin’s laws seems to symbolise a cleansing of his soul enabling him to turn his life around. I began to see many redemptive qualities in him…his loyalty to King Olaf; his firm but fair treatment of his men; the way he rushes to aid Kara regardless of the danger; working on the improvements to his home; wanting to honour tradition and present himself to Kara’s father as a formal suitor. Aaron fears he will always be judged by his past sins when he faces the hostility and distrust of Kara’s father, Eric the Bold.
Erik’s eyes flashed. “I’ve worked side-by-side with just about every sort of man, Jarl McNally. Criminals and saints. Pagans and Christians. Do you know what kind of man I have no tolerance for? An outcast who betrays his kinsman out of jealously and hate. Do you understand?”
Kara has the strength, determination and heart of a true Viking warrior. I could just see her wielding that sword. It’s easy to see why she resents her lack of freedom and the need to conform to her father’s expectations. Her desire for independence and adventure sometimes causes her to act recklessly…
Tomorrow? What if Erling killed her today? Kara stared heavenward. Where was the man she truly wanted? Please Odin. Send Aaron McNally to rescue me…
I enjoyed how the romance develops allowing for some heated exchanges, a moonlight kiss, a touch of jealousy, a woodland tryst, bitter condemnations, a declaration of love, a romantic poem and a special wedding.
Tyr and Rachelle (Blind Mercy) play an important role in this story and I was pleased to see the rift between Aaron and his cousin, Tyr, finally healed. The idea of a fierce warrior like Tyr playing matchmaker made me smile and the friendship between Kara and Rachelle was a nice touch too.
Once again, Ms Rand provides fascinating glimpses of the Viking world. I loved the reference to the Norse names for the constellations and the story of how earth was created. I was also fascinated by the details of the Norse wedding.
The plot had enough intrigue and action to keep my interest…kidnapping, betrayal, a dramatic rescue, a merciless villain and a revelation about one of the characters that I definitely didn’t see coming.
BLIND REDEMPTION is another worthy and enjoyable addition to this exciting series.
REVIEW RATING: 4.5 /5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
The Blind series so far (click on book covers for more details):
I would like to thank Violetta Rand for kindly providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
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