A horde of battle-hardened, ferocious Nordic warriors. A Pictish village at the mercy of its enemies. A harrowing bargain struck for nine fearful and reluctant brides.Delivered into Viking hands, claimed and conquered, each bride must accept that she belongs to her new master. But, as wedding nights bring surrender to duty, will fierce lovers also surrender their hearts?The Highland wilderness is … also surrender their hearts?
The Highland wilderness is savage, life is perilous, and the future uncertain, but each Viking has sworn protection, and there are no lengths to which a man will not go to safeguard the woman he loves.
Begin the journey here…
Enter a world of suspense, seduction and adventure, told against the forbidding backdrop of medieval Scotland.
Journey together with indomitable heroes and intrepid heroines, as they discover that the raging storms of fear and passion can transform into enduring devotion.
The Prologue to the Viking Surrender series is 12,000 words long.
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Terrific Story & Narration Fascinating & Thrilling!
Vikings
Prologue: Viking Surrender, Book 1
By: Ashe Barker
Narrated by: Emma Parry
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is the prologue that lays the foundation for the the books that follow in the “Viking Surrender” Series. The story is set in the year 912 AD a time when Vikings sailed to different villages, raiding them and stealing their riches and anything else they wanted. This story takes place in Achnaryrie Village, Gaillaibh, the land of the Picts, Scotland a village that once flourished but due to illness and injury most of the men died out leaving the village weak and vulnerable. The villagers fear the Vikings and when they see three Dragon ships approach their shores most go into hiding. Eithne, she comes up with a plan, decides to approach them and make a deal with them. Her sister accompanies her but is not happy about it. Eithne strikes a conversation with who appears to be the leader, Bradr Gunnarson, Jarl of Skialanes. He hears her pleas and offer and agrees to follow her back to the village to check it out and see if it is something he wants. When they come up with an agreement the village woman will each get a Viking for a husband. I loved this premise, the next books in the series will be about each couple. I am looking forward to the next book, Brandr and Eithne story, two strong and brave characters. Thank you for this terrific story, I am loving the original and interesting storylines and characters.
I listened to the Audible edition, Emma Parry is a talented narrator and voice artist. She does an amazing job portraying the characters, bringing them to life, giving each their own voice and personalty. She sets the perfect tone for the story and delivers the dialogue naturally and with ease. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this terrific listen
What started as a logical and practical agreement turns into a mutually passionate marriage. As personalities become involved between Brandr and Eithne we are given a glimpse of the emotional baggage that comes with individuals that have been in previous relationships. This is an emotionally packed storyline you won’t be able to put down.
I enjoyed the prologue of Viking Surrender, I can’t wait to listen/read to Brandr and Eithne’s story next, and then the rest of the series. Narrator Emma Parry does a great job with the story and the characters. I have both the e-book and the audiobook.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Compelling Introduction!
Having read the original box set (each story written written by a different author) about ten months ago, it was interesting to reread the Prologue by Ashe Barker as a separate entity today.
What struck me was the strength in compromise as the Viking leader, Brandr and a villager, Eithne come to an agreement to save the Pictish villiage made up of mainly women and children and this is done with verbal communication not through the battle of war.
It is a well written introduction and I for one feel compelled to reread the other nine stories because of it.
I was gifted a copy of this ebook and my voluntary review above is unbiased.
Vikings is book one in the Viking Surrender series, and is the prologue or the beginning of how these nine battle-hardened warriors strike a bargain with nine brides. While matches get decided, the connections are rocky at best and hostile at worst, but open ended to find happiness in their own stories. Oh my, I am so intrigued with this collection of Viking stories and I can’t wait to read and listen to more already! I absolutely loved that there’s a slight humor, a bit of suspense, and a whole lot of tension in this short novella to get some of the romances started as well as the random pickings to find out the rest of the couples. I felt like I was right there with the women as they fought to save their people and their home! I am so excited for the next book in this series!
This is a quick listen, but it’s quality not quantity that counts. Very much enjoyed listening and have gone on to the next one.
I have this in audiobook and it’s fantastic. I highly recommend it.
It was a good bargain and a new beginning for all.
by sewsummore
With no strong warriors to defend their village, the people of Achnaryrie fell prey to the scavaging attacks by their neighbours. When the Vikings came, they had no choice but to try and bargain with them for a chance to survive and prosper. The Viking men would take to wives the unwed women of the village, they would protect the village and in time the village would once again grow strong. This is a prologue for a new series, strong Viking warriors and pictish women united in a cause close to all. The survival of their village and in the future children to carry on their traditions. I was captivated by this tale of long ago, the women had once faced the frightening future of stavation or death. It was a good bargain and a new beginning for all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Eithne in her haste to save her village from the deadly Vikings dared to make a deal with them. Their village was down to just two broken men and a bunch of women and children and she felt she had no choice. But then her sister by married is the unimaginable and caused her plan to backfire on her. Now she was included in this exchange and to their jarl no less. Good story
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an amazing and easy book to read. Each turn of the pages reveals how well the characters are developed and engaging with their chemistry making the smooth storyline flow smoothly…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Perfect beginning to the next series of books!! It establishes about the village, Vikings and brides to be. Looking forward to reading each individual book about each bride to be and the Viking that has taken her to be his.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a collection of Viking stories. Each of the authors in this series have written a short unique story and this prologue draws these stories together. You get a snippet of how Eithne and Viking comes up with a way to save the village and stop the bloodshed. They agree to 8 brides picked by warriors and each marriage has a story of its own. There is excitement, drama, adventure, and plenty of spankings and Lusty love. These stories will wet your appetite for more of the Viking Surrender Books. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Prologue or book one in the Viking Surrender series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Will Bjorn live, will Gladys learn to love the man to be her husband, will Rhiannon realize the damage she has done, will Rinda and Graeme learn to love each other, will Eithne and Brandr find balance in their life, so many questions to be answered I want to read the next book.
PROLOGUE by Ashe Barker
Achnaryrie Village, Gaillaibh, the land of the Picts, Scotland 912AD
Achnaryrie is a village of women. Most of the men have been killed, they are lacking in everything, they are defenseless against any attackers. Then, one day, three longships sail in. The Vikings have arrived. The chieftain is ill, and his daughter-in-law Eithne decides to deal with the invaders. She proposes that they not rampage, but settle down and take women for brides.
This is a fabulous prologue and almost a story in itself as Ashe Barker sets the stage for this anthology. At first, I thought there were too many characters to keep track of, but it’s to introduce everyone, and it was all right since they all have their stories later on. Ashe Barker was a new author to me, and I was very much impressed with her crisp descriptions, her ability to concisely and clearly establish the setting. She provides all the necessary information, and made me feel the danger and apprehension of the women, and want to know more about the characters. By the end of the prologue, I knew I wanted to read Brandr and Eithne’s story. It’s very exciting, and Ms. Barker writes exceptionally well; I look forward to read more by Ms. Barker.
Solid world-building/establishing prologue
As the title suggests, this short story is a prologue to a series of short stories, and it does a really nice job of establishing the world, key characters, and the community in which we can expect the following stories to take place.
This prologue has the feel of “desperate times call for desperate measures” , and you would be amazed just how interesting the results can be.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This prologue has me demanding for more. This small village has become almost nothing but women, children and old, disabled men due to sickness and constant attack from neighboring villagers intent on plunder. Three Viking ships appear on the coastline. Eithne, the widowed daughter-in-law of the ailing chief comes up with a plan to save the village from the Vikings and other attackers. She meets with their jarl, Brandr, and offers six of them wives and homes for their protection. As Brandr’s home is overcrowded, he accepts with a few conditions – there will be 8 brides, including his own sister to Graeme in this village. Eithne must also agree to be his bride. The stage is set. Now on to each marriage, each story of its own. This short prologue has grabbed me and pulled me in. Read it. This premise will reel you in also. On with the stories!
I wasn’t sure about this when I started, but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the series.
Great start to a new series
The village in Gaillaibh, Scotland, has been decimated by attacks from neighboring villages, wanting their lands. When the Viking Jurl Brandr Gunnerson and warriors arrive.
Eithne, daughter in law to the ailing chief, comes up with a plan to save her home. She offers brides, widows with children to the warriors, giving them a home in their once prosperous village in exchange for protection.
Eithne, widowed with no children, is shocked when the Kiel chooses her as a bride as well. She
Great start to this series. Ends in a cliffhanger of sorts, looking forward to Brandr and Eithne’s story.