REVIEW: Viking for Hire (+$25 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: Viking for Hire

Author: Jo Grafford

Series: N/A

Pages: 60

Date Published: 2015

Publisher: 

Format: Kindle

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours
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Synopsis:
Branwyn O’Tyre’s estranged brother summons her for a healing ritual. Fearing he actually plans to arrest her for witchcraft, she drinks a protection potion before he arrives.

Eirik, a Viking sea captain pretending slumber in the tavern corner, witnesses Branwyn’s magic and offers her safe passage from Exeter if she will attempt to reverse a curse that plagues him. Alas, every woman who touches him falls madly but falsely in love with him.

There’s only one hitch. If she fails, Branwyn’s heart will fall prey to the same madness...forever!

~My Thoughts~

This was a shorty, a small-fry, a shrimp, a bitsy-bit, ...if I came up with a few more ways of saying short, my post may in fact be longer than the book! But sometimes you don't need length to get to the point. Sometimes all you need is a quick and dirty story, a "wham, bam, thank you ma'am"...so to speak...and that's what Viking for Hire is. While the book was short, it didn't try to take on too much in that short of a length and managed to satisfy despite the teensy length. 

Branwyn is forced to flee her country due to her step-brother's zealous fervor.This wasn't SUPER into the paranormal aspect of things. I wasn't even sure if magic did really exist in this world for a while there,  because the focus was more on the characters and the historical setting. Still, that magic and idea of witchcraft gave a bit more spice of interest to the plot that I liked. 

I enjoyed Jo's writing style, as it was a nice mix of modern day text with historical text that created a more understandable dialect than say, Jane Austen, but still created the tone of a rich historical fiction. 

I read this one on the metro in and then out of work. It took me a little over an hour in all and was a great and quick diversion that I enjoyed quite a bit! I would look for something longer from Jo next! 

~Try an Excerpt!~

Two of the knights separated themselves from the group and rushed forward. Alas, the one on the left slipped on a puddle of ale and crashed into his comrade. Their helmets collided with a dull clanking sound that made Branwyn wince. Then they crumpled to the floor.

The Viking stranger emitted a muffled guffaw and appraised her carefully. “Methinks I can guess the nature of the potion now. Come, lass. ’Tis getting late. We’d best be on our way.” The rogue actually crooked an arm at her as if preparing for a stroll in the park.

Branwyn could only gape.

With a sigh of resignation, he reached down to clasp her hand and drew it through his arm. She gasped as a powerful awareness sizzled through her. ‘Twas sharp and immediate, stopping just sort of pain. Branwyn’s shocked gaze locked with the stranger’s. When the clarity of his blue gaze took on a slightly dazed sheen, she realized he felt it, too.

Lord help her, but she was instantly drawn to his scent — a mixture of smoke and salt and mystery — as well as his strength. The pulse of his heart, the hum of blood through his veins, the aura of power and danger surrounding him. The air around them fairly crackled with the potency of their contact as skin brushed over skin.

Alarmed, Branwyn tried to tug her hand free, but the stranger clamped his arm tighter to his side, imprisoning her. She nearly cried out from the sensations flooding her. Light. Heat. Joy.

“Pray forgive the liberties I take with ye, lass,” he muttered in her ear. His breath on her lobe brought her just shy of the point of collapsing. “I will explain as soon as we are clear of this arse.” He steered her towards the door.

~Meet Jo!~ 

Jo writes high stakes romance. Her favorite books contain layers of intrigue with alpha males and strong-minded women who are willing to risk it all for love.

From St. Louis, Missouri, Jo holds an M.B.A. and has served as a banker, college finance instructor, and high school business teacher. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, From the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter, and the Writers Group of Ansbach/Katterbach/Illesheim.

Jo Grafford will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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