A spicy, forbidden love Viking romance 

Their forbidden tryst… 

Is treason! 

Helena’s spent her life preparing to be the Byzantine Prince’s bride. But when his cruel disinterest turns her position perilous, she finds salvation in fierce warrior Viggo. As the Prince’s personal guard, he knows her betrothed like no other. Could Viggo help her win his affections? 

Only, Helena swiftly discovers the man she craves is not her husband-to-be…but thrillingly rugged Viggo! To act on their desires would be committing treason. Getting caught could be fatal. And yet, resisting their illicit connection feels like a fate worse than death…

From Harlequin  Your romantic escape to the past.

AMAZON

 

The Viking She Shouldn’t Crave is set in 10^th century Constantinople, where skilled Viking warriors fought for emperors in return for great riches, and the royal princes picked their wives at bride shows.

The story begins when the bishop’s daughter, Helena, is chosen at the bride show. Prince Marianos must marry to sire an heir, and Helena must wed to save her family from financial ruin, but during their first moments alone, the prince’s charming façade drops, and Helena’s ideas of a romantic union are shattered.

She is surprised when his Varangian commander, Viggo, is kind to her, despite his belief that she is marrying the prince for wealth and status.

In this scene, it’s the eve of the wedding and Viggo is helping Helena prepare for the ceremony – and the kiss. But any attraction between them is forbidden, and Viggo must resist temptation – he needs the wedding to take place to receive his coin and help his pregnant sister…

‘How are you feeling about the ceremony?’ he asked.

‘I’m worried I’ll trip on my veil, fall on my face…’

‘Your maids of honour will hold up your veil,’ Viggo said. ‘And I won’t let you fall.’

‘I know that, too,’ she said. ‘But I’m still afraid I will get the words wrong, or that I’ll mumble or stutter.’

‘You just need to repeat what the Bishop says,’ Viggo reassured her.

‘And if I get to the altar and Marianos refuses to marry me, in front of all those people?’

‘He’d be a fool.’

She gave him a shy smile.

Helena got to her feet and took a breath, as if she was preparing herself once more. ‘So I will stand tall, I’ll speak loudly and Marianos will come round,’ she said determinedly.

Viggo stood, encouraging her on, not wanting her to feel worried. ‘Exactly. He will place the ring on your finger and you will do the same to his.’

‘The Bishop will do the blessing, the crowning, the sipping of the cup, the dancing round the book,’ she said, gesturing with her hand to where they had just pranced around, moments before Marianos had stormed out. ‘And then he’ll tell the newly crowned Emperor he can kiss his bride and he’ll…’

‘Kiss you,’ Viggo said and then frowned.

‘I don’t know that part.’

‘Just…follow his lead,’ he said, his eyes dipping helplessly to her plump lips.

She looked up into his eyes. ‘I’m frightened, Viggo.’

‘I know,’ he said, stepping towards her, lifting his hand to stroke her cheek.

So was he—of the traitorous feelings rushing through him. Of the force of his feelings for this woman. Of how much he absolutely didn’t want her to go through with this.

‘Viggo,’ she whispered. ‘Will you…kiss me? Show me what to do?’

The breath left him.

He had spent years in the Prince’s service, serving him loyally. To kiss his bride in the very cathedral where they were to be married tomorrow would be an act of betrayal. She was forbidden. And yet he could already be deemed a traitor, for his body had unexpectedly hardened in reaction to her request, his heart hammering in his chest with desperation to fulfil her plea.

The flickering pulse beating fast in her throat intrigued him and he wanted to reach out and run his thumb gently over it. Her lips parted, her green eyes held him in their snare. But he mustn’t succumb. He must remember his oath. He had to stay away from her, to protect her—and himself—from certain death.

So he pulled back.

 

Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her grandad, or devouring love stories from the local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Berkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, her two daughters and their dog. She has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Mills & Boon. Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy ever after. You can contact her via @sarahrodiedits or sarahrodiedits@gmail.com. Or visit her website at sarahrodi.com

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