Review: Smokin'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 16, 2012
I didn't know what to expect when I won an ARC of Savagery in a contest late last week. Well, I was pleasantly surprised (okay, and maybe at times aroused *blushing*) by this erotic, historical romance. Savagery is a fantastic story set in 909 A.D., in Northern France. While I admit this is the first book I've read in this genre, I hope it won't be Ms. MacKenzie's last. Her writing is excellent, and I quickly found myself captivated by this erotic romance, and my only complaint is that it ended to soon.Cherine Cadet is a serf, who at the age of 18 is all to aware of her place in society, and the hopelessness that accompanies it. "We are serfs Marc. Peasants. We don't have a choice in life." Cherine has been raised by an uncaring mother, and dreams of a seemingly unattainable life of freedom. Her world is turned upside down early one morning when a Viking fleet led by Rolf the Walker, and his right-hand man Erik the Axe, arrive on her Lord's estate. Cherine watches in horror as her family, friends, and fellow serfs are brutally murdered by these monsters, these savages. Much to Cherine's surprise her life is spared-but at what cost? She is now held captive, by men that are not from her country and don't share her beliefs. She has gone through a horrible ordeal, and when both Roff and Erik take an interest in the beautiful girl that is before them, will it break her, or will her own defiant warrior spirit emerge?As much as Cherine tries to fight the attraction to her captors, it's a losing battle. She knows desiring her captor isn't right, but she is unable to deny her feelings. Like Cherine, I was torn by my emotions while reading. I knew the thought of Cherine being held captive as a sexual slave should upset me, but I was also caught up in the savages spell (hello two alpha males, nuf said). These two men were swoon worthy, and the sex scenes in this book were HOT! I found myself enthralled by this triangle and found it difficult to put the story down.Both Erik and Roff have their own plans for Cherine, but whose desires will win out? "She found a kindred spirit in him, someone else who was born to a life they didn't want, with only dreams of running away." Will Cherine find love? Who will it be with? What will this love cost her? Will it set her free? Will she find her own form of "Valhalla"?This was a wonderful read and one you should not miss out on. 4.5 stars!