A warrior with a wounded heart….Strian Eindrideson has served alongside his friends since he was old enough to swing a sword, but beneath the handsome but brutal exterior lies a wounded heart. Separated ten years earlier from the only woman he ever loved, Strian searches for his missing wife until a pair of blue eyes captures his attention during a raid in Scotland. Those blue eyes could only … could only belong to one woman. A woman he feared was dead but always hoped he would find. Now returned to their homeland, Strian must prove that he can be the protector and partner he swore to be all those years ago.
Will love be enough to repair the damage caused by so many years apart?
A survivor with a painful secret…
Gressa Jorgensdottir thought she had everything her heart desired until a battle left her near death and torn away from the man she had married only months earlier. Ten years of living in Wales, first as a slave then as free woman, convinced Gressa that she would never again see the man who still holds a piece of her soul. When that man from her past returns her to a land where her Sami heritage makes her an outcast, Gressa must decide whether her life with Strian holds more promise than the pull from secrets that bind her to Wales.
Will their need to protect one another be their undoing?
Torn apart during one battle only to be reunited during another, Strian and Gressa must learn to trust one another again, sharing the truth of their time apart while relying upon one another to survive. Rivals for their affection, secrets and half-truths, and an ever present threat from a common enemy test Strian and Gressa’s resolve.
Will their pasts drive them apart even when their hearts call to one another?
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.
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What an insane journey this entire series has been! Strian is no different than Leif(book 1)!! One exception is you need tissues for sure. Heart racing, romantic, crazy journey of Strian and Gressa. Celeste knows how to tell a fab Viking story!
I reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Celeste Barclay is an amazing storyteller! This has been one exciting and adventurous series filled with danger, ruthlessness, misunderstandings, loss, survival, intrigue, passion, hope and love. “Strian” is a fitting finale to the series. I couldn’t put the book down until the very last word. The ending was great and the bonus epilogue was even greater. The beauty of the story is that two people lost to one another for 10 years would one day meet again. As in love as they ever were; there were still obstacles to overcome, trust, jealousies, political upheaval and time. The characters are well-developed, allowing you to feel their emotions. The story brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. Strian was a wonderful hero (sigh), and Gressa was a woman whose strength had been continuously tested; yet she was a true Viking survivor. Praise to Celeste Barclay for a spectacular series. Thank you so much Celeste for such an exciting reading experience. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
This was a wonderful, high-energy romance. Highly recommended!
Strian finally gets his story, and it is such a good one! After losing his wife during a battle ten years earlier, Strian has struggled to overcome his emotional turmoil. Gemma was the love of his life and he knew he would never marry anyone else. As the warriors prepare for another battle against Grimr and his forces, they travel to the Highlands to unite with some of their allies. When the battle is over, an female archer is still standing, and Strian recognizes her immediately!
Strian and the warriors finally return to their home with an extra piece of baggage in the form of Gressa, Strian’s wife whom he had thought to be dead.
There are a lot of battles of the wills between the two as they fight to overcome their lengthy separation and learn to trust each other once again. Those aren’t the only battles they face either, as Grimr continues to hunt the two jarls and their offspring.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
With this book being the last in this series, I feel like I am saying goodbye to a group of old friends. The writing makes each character jump from the page. I have very much enjoyed reading each of the books. Each of the couple’s love for each other is palpable throughout each of the books.
A memorable conclusion!
I loved Strian and Gressa’s story! So much passion and love after Syrian thought his wife dead for 10 years only to find her alive and fighting for their worst enemy in another country. He brings her home with him by force. Gressa loves him still with all her heart but she refuses to leave. She has a secret she’s keeping from Syrian to protect him. Most of Strians clan don’t want her back because they think she is a spy and because of their old hatred of her because she’s half sami. They have to go through so much to be together and to learn to trust each other again. Parts of their story brought tears to my eyes I was so wrapped up in the story. Celeste writes amazing books and draws you in with the wonderful characters and story line. Can’t wait to read her next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another excellent read in the Viking Glory series. This one is different than the others and I think it could probably stand alone, I just think you’ll have a more enjoyable read if you read the whole series in order.
Strian has always been a bit of an outsider and we find that he was married before and his wife was killed in battle. Ten years later, Strian finds her, still alive, having lived as a slave and then as a free woman.
Their love has endured and he is overjoyed to find her, but the time apart has changed her. There is a good bit of political drama going on as they find their way back together. I liked the book and wanted the couple to find happiness although at times it seemed everyone and everything was against them. Still a fast paced action read. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC).
With the fourth book in this series, I was not sure my heart could take much more. Celeste Barclay has expertly taken us back to this time in history with the vikings and their world of ruthlessness and triumph.
Strian and Gressa were married only a short time before they were pulled apart during a battle. It takes ten years for them to reunite and it is a very tense. She just wanted to go back to Wales where she had been, because she knew the coming back home would just make the people that did not like her because of her birth even harder.
This is a story of a strong love challenged by separation and insecurities that can destroy. Trying to find trust again and the bond that once was so strong. Danger lurks and secrets try to stay hidden but in the end, can a true love endure?
Excellent.
This is the fourth book in this wonderful series and now we get Strian story
He has lived with a broken heart for the last ten years This fierce warrior lost the woman he loved in battle on months after they married and his heart has never recovered Imagine his surprise and delight when he sees a pair of blue eyes that he recognised when he was in battle. Gressa was taken prisoner and has lived in Wales all this time first as a slave now as a free woman when she is reunited with her one true love will the past be more than they can overcome These two strong people will have history and mistrust to overcome before they can rebuild the love that they always had for one another.
Once again the research in this book makes it one of the best Viking series around you can almost feel the dust and dirt as you turn the pages
A well-written historical romance. Strain Eindrideson found his long lost wife Gressa Jorgensdottir, but it was not a happy reunion. They are protective of each other, but the secrets made for a stormy time together. All the characters were wonderfully developed. This story-line flowed throughout the series. I loved each book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed all of the books in this series, but I think this is my favorite. It had me tearful at times, on pins and needles at other times, and always trying to guess what twist would happen next. Ms. Barclay takes you into the minds – and camps -of the Norse warriors and war maidens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Strian Einrideson has never gotten over the loss of his wife Gressa in a battle ten years ago. When he is miraculously reunited with her in Scotland, he brings her back home with him, even though she’s a bit less than willing. Gressa still loves Strian and doesn’t deny it, but she believes they cannot resume their relationship where they left off. She was never very welcome amongst the women in her tribe due to her half Sami heritage and that is even more true now due to the jealousy her relationship with Strian causes. Strian has never stopped viewing Gressa as his wife and begs her to return to living with him and to allow the others to believe they have reconciled so he can keep her safe. Soon their reconcile becomes very real and Gressa and Strian begin making up for lost time, but the people still don’t accept her and that danger, plus the ongoing threat from another viking and his mercenaries, may threaten any future happiness they hope to reclaim.
This one was tough for me. It had a great ending and I really liked Strian as a hero. I wound up being okay with Gressa in the end but it was hard won and she really annoyed me for much of the book. I felt like the pacing was a bit off in term of the final battle scene; it took forever to get to it and at some points I had to take breaks because my interest was waning. Overall, however, this was a good book and a satisfying ending to this series for everyone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TIME CANNOT KILL TRUE LOVE
This seems to be the final book in the Viking Glory series. It has Strian and Gressa, the product of a Viking and a Sami, Strian’s lost wife being reunited and going through reunification. This is stressful as accusations fly and jealousy rears its ugly head. There still is the problem of the Viking traitor, Grimr, and the ongoing war that he has caused. Getting through events that occurred during their ten-year separation has Strian and Gressa at odds as they both want to take care of each other in their own ways. Sacrifice, heartache, love and a HEA are in store.
I received this story for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review
What an absolutely amazing epic story this is! I’ve read all the other books in this series and they were all excellent but this one stands out as my favorite. Strian and Gressa’s journey to their HEA is filled with heartbreaking loss, a love that exceeds all else, heated passion, violence and death. From page one, the story gripped my attention and I went through so many emotions, at times smiling and at times crying.
I also enjoyed seeing the other couples from previous books and knowing that they were all happy and so much in love:) Some of the Viking traditions were very interesting and some seemingly very cruel but that was their way and I like that this author doesn’t hide it, no matter how upsetting a scene might be. I really found this story so very well written and I absolutely recommend it!!
I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Book four in the Viking Glory series this is a very graphic story of a war scene that is in the story. Strian and Gressa have been apart for ten years after a battle where she was captured, he has never stopped looking for her, now he has found her. I enjoyed reading this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve come to find that no matter what I’m pretty much guaranteed to enjoy a book by Celeste Barclay. She manages to balance a lovely romance with tons of action, that at times can be pretty intense (which is very fitting for a group of no holds barred vikings). This is the story of Strian, the final friend of the group of vikings we were introduced to in this series. Strian has kind of remained a mystery throughout the other books, but come to find later on in the series that he was previously married. His wife, Gressa was thought to have died in a massive battle, is actually alive and well. These two have to fight hard together to over come a past that has kept them separated them for 10 years. This one is HOT as the sparks are flying now that these two have found each other again.
I was glad to see the villain of the series get his just deserves! But endings are always bittersweet and its sad to see the end of our time with this band of vikings and what has been a fantastic series!! I am however looking forward to a return to the Highlands with the next series planned!
Strian by Celeste Barclay is Book 4 in this fascinating series, “Viking Glory”. While, book 4 can be read as a stand alone. An exciting tale of grief, survival, love, danger, intrigue and romance. A steamy read.
Strain and Gressia are a complex couple, deeply in love, even after 10 years of captivity, their love never ceased. Steady paced, well written with an interesting, enjoyable storyline. The storyline flows seamlessly and effortlessly. The cast of characters are charming, complex, engaging and easy to connect to their story.
Once again, Ms Barclay, is talented storyteller one who pull the reader into her stories and keep them in awe. A delightful Viking Romance!
“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR
4 ½ Stars! Book four in the Viking Glory series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. Secondary characters are the same throughout the series and there is plenty of Viking battle action with a storyline that is woven throughout the series, but if you haven’t read the other books first you will have no trouble following. Full length told in dual POV with an awesome epilogue! Strain and Gressa were married young and were only married a short time before war ripped them apart. Meeting up by chance on opposing sides of the battlefield ten years later sets up their story. They have secrets, insecurities, jealousy, & accusations as well as a common enemy to battle before their HEA. I would recommend this book and this series if you like Viking or historical romance!
Strian Eindrideson has served alongside his friends since he was old enough to swing a sword, but beneath the handsome but brutal exterior lies a wounded heart. Separated ten years earlier from the only woman he ever loved, Strian searches for his missing wife Gressa until a pair of blue eyes captures his attention during a raid in Scotland.
Gressa Jorgensdottir thought she had everything her heart desired until a battle left her near death and torn away from the man she had married only months earlier. Ten years of living in Wales, first as a slave then as free woman, convinced Gressa that she would never again see the man who still holds a piece of her soul.
This is the fourth book in the series & follows on from Tyra & Bjorn the previous book. Another well written captivating read. Strian & Gressa have always loved each other but as they come together after ten years apart there are secrets, misunderstandings & a lack of trust, all of which they have to overcome even though their love for each other is never in question. It’s not helped when most of the clan view Gressa with suspicion & hostility. I loved the way their relationship developed & how they grasped their second chance. There has also been a thread running through all four books & this is finally resolved. It all made for an enthralling read. I’ve loved the whole series & highly recommend it.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The ongoing battles throughout the book leave you wondering if love will win. The story keeps you guessing. The historical plot is fascinating and keeps you reading non-stop. Strian is one you won’t want to miss.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.