Is Freedom What You Think It Is? You were free.You were taken and enslaved.If you earn back your freedom, is that enough? A Viking Romance Approx 33,000 words
What an intense historical storyline!! Vikings, their raids, the slaves taken, the battles. Mercia, a Saxon, was taken in a Viking raid as a slave. A young woman who fought bravely to protect and save her younger brother. This is her story and how it affects those around her. It’s exciting, bloody, heart palpating intense in spots. And then there is Bjorn, who was immediately captivated by her, her bravery, her fierceness and her beauty from the moment he saw her. What a wonderful introduction to a new side of an author that I have followed for such a long time. I was spellbound by this one.
Author
sl
2 years ago
Interesting story, not what I am used to reading. But I did enjoy reading how she overcame her enslavement. This story has danger, violence and acts of courage which keeps you reading. A tale of Viking life for a women.
Very well written. Can’t wait until the next book.
Author
007fleurdelis
2 years ago
Mercia is a brave child taken as a slave who becomes a warrior. Bjorn is the one person who has always seen her worth. The main characters are likable, honorable and well-suited for each other. They are not allowed to be together for many years so as a reader I appreciated this view of a female lead growing into herself as an individual – using her wits and her spirit to survive in a harsh environment. This story is rich in detail, descriptions & emotions. There is danger, violence, and acts of courage. “Shieldmaiden” is a satisfying tale of Viking life and the personal journey of one woman who eventually gets everything she needs. I hope the author writes more about her journey. 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
april
2 years ago
This is a great story full of great characters and action. This is a must read especially if you like Viking stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
mybattista
2 years ago
Mercia is a strong-willed captive who fights to become a female warrior
I purchased Once Upon a Pirate which contains Shieldmaiden as love Simone’s stories! This may be a change in setting but still centers around one feisty, determined female character, Mercia. Mercia is captured by the Vikings and accepts her new life as a slave, but always dreams of something more for herself. Bjorn is on the raid when Mercia is captured, and is drawn to her, despite her slave status. Yet when Mercia risks her life for the owner’s son, she may finally be able to achieve her dreams? But will Bjorn fit in with Mercia’s dreams is the question? As I do with all of Simone’s stories, I read this in one sitting as just love how Simone pulls you into the story from the start and makes you feel the characters thoughts. I would love for a follow-up story!
Author
athenamichellefortune
2 years ago
This book brings the Viking and Saxon worlds to life. I immediately fell into the story and did not want to leave. You fell all of the emotion that Mercia feels and hope everything turns out okay for her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
pttalton
2 years ago
Another great story! I was so wrapped up in Mercia and Bjorn’s story that I didn’t realize the story ended. What a fierce love story! Is it really over? Will there be a new beginning for them?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
tburbr
2 years ago
This was an entertaining read with great character work and story line. The book had a fairly smooth flow to it. I’m ready for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
zismaniac
2 years ago
Shieldmaiden is the powerful tale of a young girl whose family was slaughtered as
Vikings invade their village. The marauders abducted her, among others from the village, and took her back to their Viking settlement to live in servitude as a slave. At first, her existence is brutal, hard, and filled with grueling labor from pre-dawn until well-past sunset. Eventually, she proves her worth and is granted freedom for a noble deed she had done. She gains friends, love, and a respected position in Viking society. Even as a free woman, however, life is not carefree. We witness the result of one wrong choice on her part: the possible loss of everything she has worked for. She learns she may never truly be a Viking no matter how many years she lives with them. This story was beautiful and poignant as it explored vital ideas. What does freedom really mean? Can you have everything taken from you, including your identity and still find happiness?—Family?—Love? Great story with plenty of angst, suspense, and love. Five stars.
Author
dma
2 years ago
This book had me gripped from cover to cover.
This is a beautifully crafted tale. The words weave an exquisite picture of the people and lands.
It is breath taking in its simple complexity.
I have loved all of the books this author has written but this one comes it straight to the top.
The imagery is stunning and shows the story in Crystal bright colour!
Highly recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
sweetleaf112
2 years ago
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. As a young child Marcia is Slaved by norseman who invaded her family lands . As she grows she wants to be freed . Awesome story
Author
ljones3
2 years ago
Born Mercia, captured and renamed Gunhildr! Can so many major changes in a short amount of time leave a young female able to survive? When Bjorn finally gets through to her and she agrees to be his wife, the things that she learned as a child are truly forgotten and her new life begins. Anger, mistrust and jealousy cause problems and only time will tell if Love can prevail.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
sharonreif
2 years ago
This is a fantastic Viking story that has a very strong female character who goes through a lot to come out even stronger at the end. She has wonderful chemistry and loyalty to and from her main male character. The writing is superb to the point where the scenes are literally jumping out of my kindle as they are so well written. Although it’s a brilliant standalone novel I certainly hope there is going to be a book 2 or more as the story is one that drew me in from the get-go. The only disappointment was when it ended as I really wasn’t ready to leave this world that the author had made.
By simoneleigh
What an intense historical storyline!! Vikings, their raids, the slaves taken, the battles. Mercia, a Saxon, was taken in a Viking raid as a slave. A young woman who fought bravely to protect and save her younger brother. This is her story and how it affects those around her. It’s exciting, bloody, heart palpating intense in spots. And then there is Bjorn, who was immediately captivated by her, her bravery, her fierceness and her beauty from the moment he saw her. What a wonderful introduction to a new side of an author that I have followed for such a long time. I was spellbound by this one.
Interesting story, not what I am used to reading. But I did enjoy reading how she overcame her enslavement. This story has danger, violence and acts of courage which keeps you reading. A tale of Viking life for a women.
Very well written. Can’t wait until the next book.
Mercia is a brave child taken as a slave who becomes a warrior. Bjorn is the one person who has always seen her worth. The main characters are likable, honorable and well-suited for each other. They are not allowed to be together for many years so as a reader I appreciated this view of a female lead growing into herself as an individual – using her wits and her spirit to survive in a harsh environment. This story is rich in detail, descriptions & emotions. There is danger, violence, and acts of courage. “Shieldmaiden” is a satisfying tale of Viking life and the personal journey of one woman who eventually gets everything she needs. I hope the author writes more about her journey. 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story full of great characters and action. This is a must read especially if you like Viking stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mercia is a strong-willed captive who fights to become a female warrior
I purchased Once Upon a Pirate which contains Shieldmaiden as love Simone’s stories! This may be a change in setting but still centers around one feisty, determined female character, Mercia. Mercia is captured by the Vikings and accepts her new life as a slave, but always dreams of something more for herself. Bjorn is on the raid when Mercia is captured, and is drawn to her, despite her slave status. Yet when Mercia risks her life for the owner’s son, she may finally be able to achieve her dreams? But will Bjorn fit in with Mercia’s dreams is the question? As I do with all of Simone’s stories, I read this in one sitting as just love how Simone pulls you into the story from the start and makes you feel the characters thoughts. I would love for a follow-up story!
This book brings the Viking and Saxon worlds to life. I immediately fell into the story and did not want to leave. You fell all of the emotion that Mercia feels and hope everything turns out okay for her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another great story! I was so wrapped up in Mercia and Bjorn’s story that I didn’t realize the story ended. What a fierce love story! Is it really over? Will there be a new beginning for them?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an entertaining read with great character work and story line. The book had a fairly smooth flow to it. I’m ready for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Shieldmaiden is the powerful tale of a young girl whose family was slaughtered as
Vikings invade their village. The marauders abducted her, among others from the village, and took her back to their Viking settlement to live in servitude as a slave. At first, her existence is brutal, hard, and filled with grueling labor from pre-dawn until well-past sunset. Eventually, she proves her worth and is granted freedom for a noble deed she had done. She gains friends, love, and a respected position in Viking society. Even as a free woman, however, life is not carefree. We witness the result of one wrong choice on her part: the possible loss of everything she has worked for. She learns she may never truly be a Viking no matter how many years she lives with them. This story was beautiful and poignant as it explored vital ideas. What does freedom really mean? Can you have everything taken from you, including your identity and still find happiness?—Family?—Love? Great story with plenty of angst, suspense, and love. Five stars.
This book had me gripped from cover to cover.
This is a beautifully crafted tale. The words weave an exquisite picture of the people and lands.
It is breath taking in its simple complexity.
I have loved all of the books this author has written but this one comes it straight to the top.
The imagery is stunning and shows the story in Crystal bright colour!
Highly recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. As a young child Marcia is Slaved by norseman who invaded her family lands . As she grows she wants to be freed . Awesome story
Born Mercia, captured and renamed Gunhildr! Can so many major changes in a short amount of time leave a young female able to survive? When Bjorn finally gets through to her and she agrees to be his wife, the things that she learned as a child are truly forgotten and her new life begins. Anger, mistrust and jealousy cause problems and only time will tell if Love can prevail.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a fantastic Viking story that has a very strong female character who goes through a lot to come out even stronger at the end. She has wonderful chemistry and loyalty to and from her main male character. The writing is superb to the point where the scenes are literally jumping out of my kindle as they are so well written. Although it’s a brilliant standalone novel I certainly hope there is going to be a book 2 or more as the story is one that drew me in from the get-go. The only disappointment was when it ended as I really wasn’t ready to leave this world that the author had made.