Intrigued by the premise and excerpts, I recently picked up a copy of Felicity Brandon's latest release, The Viking's Conquest.
Just look at that cover. Fan. Me.
I'm a fairly slow reader, and it usually takes me a few weeks to finish a full-length novel. I finished this one in record time, because it was absolutely riveting. When I read a romance, I have three main criteria: excellent writing, a well-developed plot, and hot as hell sex scenes. Ms. Brandon hit every one of those points expertly.
I love books that explore various aspects of the power exchange. On the grand “spectrum” of the power exchange, I would put this book at the highest end of the spectrum, veering toward master/slave with hardcore BDSM elements. But make no mistake –The Viking's Conquest is not just about sex and spanking. At the core, The Viking's Conquest is a well-written historical romance, complete with well-rounded characters, and a fast-paced, engaging plot line. The emotional pull was magnetic.
The book begins with Aurelie, princess of Donrose, defying tradition and entering into battle, an attempt to defend her kingdom against a nearly hopeless invasion from the North. She is fearless, and fights well until she is captured and taken prisoner. Immediately, the plot advances as she is taken to the Prince, who has saved her life in favor of choosing her to be his captive.
Handsome Prince Anders takes her to his chambers and has her wounds treated; he is surprisingly gentle with the woman who has become little more than his property. However, he insists on absolute obedience from the very first encounter.
“My lady of Donrose, although you are my prisoner, I am not a savage. I would like to treat you well and with respect, but – let me be clear – if you choose to disobey me, I will not be kind or respectful. You will be punished,” his eyes swell with emotion as he speaks slowly and clearly to me. “Do you understand me?”
He insists she refer to him properly and address him as Prince in his native tongue. She balks, unable to humble herself and refer to her enemy in such a way, and thus earns her first punishment. But when he spanks her, she finds, to her shock and dismay, she cannot help but be drawn to his authority, her sexuality immediately awakened at his discipline. The captivating sessions with the Prince held me spellbound, the lead up and flawless execution of the power exchange absolutely compelling.
From the onset, Aurelie is stripped of her pride, and she fears she will be taken against her will. The Prince makes it very clear he will never violate her in this way; however, he insists he has other means of ensuring her obedience...and does he ever. Anders insists on her public humiliation, but does so in such a way that slowly, her desire for him is stoked, and by the time they are once again alone, she is craving his sexual attention.
Typically, I'm not one that enjoys humiliation scenes, and humiliation is a heavy focus in Anders' training methods. However, what I appreciated about these scenes was that they were so well written, that I understood not only the purpose, but ultimately the sexual appeal. I found myself as a reader forgiving Anders' methods, because of Aurelie's response: she is left aching for the Prince, aroused by the objectification, and near begging him for release.
“With my head, neck and chest forced up, my legs still spread apart and my ass punished over and over again, that strange feeling is beginning to come over me again. I begin to feel little more than a thing – his thing – a thing to be used, fingered and punished as and when he chooses. A thing with no will of its own – existing only to serve his desires. This acknowledgment of my objectification fills my mind, sending me into some sort of dream-like reality.”
When he is finished with her, she is ratcheted up to a near-desperate desire for him, and his lovemaking in response is tender and attentive, though utterly dominant.
These are not merely gratuitous sex, punishment, and humiliation scenes. Every one of these exquisitely-executed scenes advances the central plot. Aurelie is sexually aroused and hopelessly attracted to her sadistic captor, but his methods ignite her own deep-seated masochistic desires. When she finally succumbs to his will, she is rewarded with his devotion, and the two find their needs met in one another. No longer is she merely his plaything, but instead, a woman he now claims above all others, the crux of their relationship summed up in Anders' proclamation: “You are mine after all – mine to use, mine to punish, and mine to adore.”
She realizes she is now a changed woman, stripped of her pride and brought to the most basic needs, yearning for his dominance and power.
“Your punishment, though harsh, cleansed me – and brought us together again...”
And later she realizes, “For every nuance of his manner which frustrates me, there is a gracious and giving master, dedicated to my needs and desires.”
But what will become of them when Donrose comes to rescue Aurelie from captivity? Can Aurelie return to life without her captor?
Absolutely riveting from page one, The Viking's Conquest explores the appeal of the power exchange in the most expertly written prose, a flawlessly executed historical romance. Highly recommended.
*I received a copy of this book from the author. Review for Spanking Romance Reviews.
OR
$4.95 with 62 percent savings
Print List Price: $12.95 
The Print List Price is the lowest suggested retail price provided by a publisher for a print book format of this title, available on Amazon (e.g. hardcover, paperback, mass market paperback).
Learn more
Learn more
These promotions will be applied to this item:
Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.
Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now
Customers who read this book also read
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016
- Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2016
Top reviews from other countries
- sheila wisemanReviewed in Canada on November 8, 2016
Thanks Felicity this book was amazing look forward to reading many more of your books ...
