What happens when love and war don’t mix?Ivar Sorenson is not only his father’s heir to their jarldom, he’s his parents’ last remaining son. There isn’t much choice for the future jarl when his father demands an alliance with their feuding neighbor. That alliance can only come in the form of a marriage…to a woman Ivar doesn’t want and doesn’t like. Not when he already has the one great love … already has the one great love of his life already by his side. Can Ivar convince his father that a marriage is needed to end the feud? Can he prove that the woman he loves is the woman his tribe needs to lead alongside him?
What happens when the heart wants what the heart wants? Will these friends to lovers get a second chance?
Lena Torbinsdóttir has known Ivar Sorenson her entire life, growing up and training alongside him. As children, they were inseparable playmates and best friends. As adults, Lena and Ivar are soulmates. But ongoing conflict between their tribe and their neighbor may force Lena to give up the only man she has ever loved in the name of duty and politics. Can Lena walk away when Ivar faces marriage to another woman? Can Lena survive when her competition wants Ivar’s attention all for herself?
With help from their friends, Rangvald and Lorna, can Ivar and Lena find a way to create peace while protecting their future together?
Lena & Ivar is the prequel novel to the Viking Glory series. Meet the generation that laid the foundation for the unstoppable characters from this suspenseful and steamy series.
Viking Glory is a steamy historical series that will transport you back to the world of the ancient Norse with brave heroes and even stronger heroines. The series follows the lives and loves of five friends. Brother and sister, Leif and Freya, along with their cousin, Bjorn, and their friends Strian and Tyra sail the seas and conquer hearts. This is a four book series where each book can be read as a standalone but is best read as part of the series.
more
Love finds a way.
This is a prequel to Celeste Barclay’s Viking Glory series. It it the backstory of Ivar & Lena and perfectly sets up the situation we find characters later having to deal with. I enjoyed this book and understand why they needed their own story rather than us just learning their backstory as part of another book. Ivar is forced to marry someone he not only doesn’t love but also someone he doesn’t even really like. He’s been in love with Lena forever and is determined to end up with her.
There is so much detail and description that the characters come to life as does their setting. I can understand all the animosity and realize how much unnecessary drama is caused by jealousy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wonderful Viking Tale. This great storyline is filled with intrigue, danger, betrayal, vengeance and romance. It is good to learn more about Lena & Ivar in this prequel to the Viking Glory series as it answers some of the questions we might have about the background to Leif’s story and later books. We also meet the families of Strian, Bjorn and Tyra, and find out how close they all were. I loved this story and highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Loved it! Great series prequel. Kept me riveted and on edge the entire story. So much treachery and deceit! I received an ARC of this book.
Please excuse me while I fan myself….wow, this story is HOT and I absolutely loved it!! Such a treat to read Ivar and Lena’s story. I have read all the other books in the Viking Glory series and this one, being a prequel, really brings it all together.
Lena and Ivar are soul mates and have been since they were children. The author writes their story so eloquently and their love for each other comes through the pages. All they want is to be together but Ivar’s father, the Jarl, has plans for his only remaining son and it doesn’t include Lena! I felt so heartbroken for Lena and so frustrated for Ivar who has no choice but to do as his father wishes. I love how he fights for Lena, though, and their heated passion for each other knows no bounds.
It’s books like this one that makes me love Viking stories so much!! I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This was a wonderfully well-written story of love, honor and duty. These characters are very well crafted and you feel you know them and feel their feelings, frustrations, and victories. This is the 5th and last book in the Viking Glory Series and a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. I could not put the book down from start to finish you just could not get enough left you wanting more. With the twists and turns when his father wanted Ivar to marry one female, when he was in love with another. It was hot and steamy with emotions that makes you want more.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lena and Ivar are right for each other but when Ivar is forced to marry a neighboring Jarl’s daughter this pair is torn apart. They’ll have to fight to survive and to be with each other. There are enemies everywhere but together with their friends they find a way. Great characters in an unpleasant situation. The intended wife was nasty and a cheater and the two main characters were definitely in love with each other but the times are against them.
“Lena & Ivar” is book 5 in the series, and is truly a ‘Viking Glory’ read. The realism of life during the Viking’s age of Jarls, shieldmaidens, and marriages for alliances, brought to life what life was like during those hard fought years. The violence is not soft, the sex scenes hot and sexy, and the HEA is well worth the wait. It is a standalone read and a page turner of the genre. **I would like to thank Booksprout for gifting me “Lena & Ivar”. A special thank you to Celeste Barclay for her patience and help when my Kindle crashed and had to be sent to Amazon.** My review is voluntary and my own. 5 Stars for Book 5
” Lena & Ivar-Viking Glory Book 5 “ by Celeste Barclay is a tale of one Ivar Sorenson faced with a marriage his father thinks will cement two warring tribes into peace to a woman Ivar doesn’t need nor want…especially as his heart is already taken by another…..Lena Torbinsdóttir. Friends …Rangvald and Lorna, try to help the tormented young lovers…but Ivar’s father’s choice of a bride
Inga and her family have arrived and now Ivar is stuck…with a cheating “fiancé” and a hurt and confused love of his life Lena….what’s a future Jarl to do?!? Read and see. Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book
Prequel to Viking Glory Serie
Lena and Ivar is another well written story in the Viking Glory Series. This is Book 5 and the prequel to a great series. As with the other stories in the series the plot will hold your interest from start to finish, The characters are likable and relatable and give you a look at the culture of the Vikings of old. There is plenty of romance, angst and true love along the way to Lena and Ivar’s HEA..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Testing the bonds of love & duty
—>>> This historical Viking romance showcases the time-old tradition of marriage to strengthen and benefit the jarldom, and we catch Ivar and Lena’s emotional turmoil at the time of the impending union to a neighboring tribe…only Lena was not to be his wife. We get a solid sense of the politics as well as the way of life. The reality of Ivar and Lena’s relationship is put to the test, and we have the participation of a healthy cast of secondary characters who have a strong voice in the final outcome. We do have a POV from the Jarl, Ivar’s father, who sheds light onto his actions from the past leading him to the weighted decisions he now makes for his son.