Review: Liking the Viking
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 5, 2012
Set aside a dose of credulity, and enjoy a romantic trip to Viking territory.  Beautiful English twins, Gwendolyn (the tomboy) and Anora (the delicate one), are kidnapped by Hakon, a Viking captain.  The twins decide their best chance of escape requires Gwendolyn to impersonate a boy.  Hakon is captivated by Anora, and he makes it clear he intends to have his way with her, but she is already betrothed.  In order to spare her more fragile sister, Gwendolyn decides to impersonate Anora, and she instructs Anora to impersonate the boy that Gwendolyn has been impersonating.  Are you confused yet?  Hang in there - it's worth it!The impersonation angle was unique and a clever way to increase the romantic tension.  It seemed unnecessary and possibly detrimental, however, (Hakon is gallant, and the sister impersonating the boy would surely have received better treatment if Hakon knew the truth) and it was just one of those things I decided to ignore so I could enjoy the story.  We know the girls will eventually be discovered, but we don't know how, and we don't know how Hakon will respond to the deception.The story was exciting, with some unexpected moments and some expected moments I could have done without, including one villain who kept popping up like Jason from Friday the Thirteenth.  These are minor issues, though, and the book is easy to recommend because there is a lot that is done well.  The most important aspect in a romance novel for me is a likable hero and heroine, and "Twin Passions" succeeds in that regard.  I'm intrigued to read more from Miriam Minger.