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Dark Viking (Viking II #10)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 315 ratings · 36 reviews

After a sea operation gone wrong, Navy SEAL Rita Sawyer awakens to find herself still clad in her wetsuit and in a cage with a bunch of Vikings staring at her, including one very tempting warlord.

Steven of Norstead has been in a cold, dark mood for many weeks. But perhaps this unusual woman, with her sharp tongue and irksome ways, could be the one to light his fire.

Mass Market Paperback, 283 pages

Published October 5th 2010 by Berkley

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Oct 15, 2010 ♡KarLynP♡ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, genre-historical, genre-paranromal, published-2010, read-2010, steam-hot

It was OK, but I think I prefer her viking stories set in modern day, not the ones set 1000 years back in time. I also prefer the female vikings MUCH better, as the male vikings are just too alpha and barbaric for me to find interesting. I normally love Sandra Hill and her humorous sexy novels, but this one isn't a favorite.

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Oct 20, 2010 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

All I can say is ....I loved this book! I've read all of Hill's Viking/Navy SEALS/WEALS series and they are all good. This one was so good I just smiled and giggled throughout the entire book. Steven and Rita were wonderful together. I loved the way He was always trying to teach her to submit to him even in "bedsport." The sex scenes were HOT but, they just seem to fit in because she is such an aggressive female and he is a major Dominant Viking. I still wish she'd tone down the descriptions of...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Samantha rated it 2 of 5 stars

The latest installation in the Viking Series by Sandra Hill is packed with a lot of humor and steamy love scenes.

Rita Sawyer is a stunt woman who is recruited into the Navy SEALs, assuming she can pass hell week. Rita thrives on a challenge and being athletic definitely helps her. She is on a water test when she is zapped back in time. When she wakes up she is surrounded by Vikings.

Steve Norstead embodies what a true alpha Viking male is. He is a warrior who is strong, fierce and respected by hi...more The latest installation in the Viking Series by Sandra Hill is packed with a lot of humor and steamy love scenes.

Rita Sawyer is a stunt woman who is recruited into the Navy SEALs, assuming she can pass hell week. Rita thrives on a challenge and being athletic definitely helps her. She is on a water test when she is zapped back in time. When she wakes up she is surrounded by Vikings.

Steve Norstead embodies what a true alpha Viking male is. He is a warrior who is strong, fierce and respected by his people. The sea mermaid that washes up on his land defies him at every turn and he is not use to woman boldly expressing themselves. Her unusual ways intrigues him and Steven finds himself falling for a woman who he is not sure belongs in his world.

One of the things that frustrate me about Rita, is that she rarely appears as though she is trying to return back to her time. She is almost complacent with her situation. There is never a real effort displayed throughout the book to show that she really wanted to leave this time period and return home. In the beginning the Vikings believe she is a sea siren and they hold her in captivity. They are not mean to her but the fact that they held her captive, makes it interesting that she did not try to escape immediately.

The humor in this book is laugh out loud funny. Rita interacts with the Vikings realistically and her dialogue is some of the funniest in the book. Steve even throws in a few funny lines from time to time as he learns Rita’s quirky jokes and ways. I especially love the scene where she informs Steve that the Vikings have bad B.O. and she swears she is going to invent deodorant. However, the humor is almost, in my opinion, fillers for the lack of plot. While the humor is fun and contributes to the story, it also distracts from the real story.

My problem with this book is that there is no clear, concise plot. The story is not structured properly. Aside from Rita going back in time, there was no other conflict. The story moves along, showing Rita and Steve’s relationship developing. Rita is finally presented with a way to go home but she has to decide whether to stay with Steve or go back to her former life. Old characters from a previous book surfaces and helps Rita with her decision.

Overall, this story was entertaining but not nearly satisfying as I had hoped.
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Mar 08, 2011 M A rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-viking, romance-historical, romance-time-travel

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is one of Hill's shorter novels. About three quarters into the read, I couldn't help feeling a tad short-changed because I suspect the entire purpose of this novel was to recycle many plot points already visited in some of Hill's earlier works, possibly with the intent of attracting a new/younger audience who prefers shorter novels. This didn't make it a bad read, just repetitive. Long-time readers of Hill will recognize a lot of recycled ideas and situations.

"Dark Viking" introduced an int...more This is one of Hill's shorter novels. About three quarters into the read, I couldn't help feeling a tad short-changed because I suspect the entire purpose of this novel was to recycle many plot points already visited in some of Hill's earlier works, possibly with the intent of attracting a new/younger audience who prefers shorter novels. This didn't make it a bad read, just repetitive. Long-time readers of Hill will recognize a lot of recycled ideas and situations.

"Dark Viking" introduced an interesting mix of characters. Rita Sawyer, AKA "Spider," is a former stunt woman training for WEALs. Strong and athletic, laid-back and easygoing, Rita's life seems to be falling into place after nursing her terminally ill mother through her final year. A bizarre accident during a challenging military training exercise transports her through time into the keep of Steven of Norstead, younger brother to Thorfinn, a Viking/SEAL who traveled into the future. Steven's had the blues ever since his big brother's mysterious disappearance and several local concerned witches took it upon themselves to cast a spell to restore "light" to the good jarl's dark mood. Is Rita the answer to their prayers?

The romance and sexual tension broils between Steven and Rita. I really liked them together, and I felt Hill, as always, did a great job working the historical time/culture clashes into the storytelling. Yes, she takes some liberties, but it's for the book's own good. I was also very excited by the prospect of a heroine like Rita adjusting to 9th Century life in a sexist society. That quickly got old. Apart from a few early action scenes, Rita doesn't fare all that well. So much for all the high-tech military training. As far as Steven and his buds are concerned, she's just another woman, and a somewhat annoying one at that.

Lots of bondage and domination permeate this read. Rita is confined in a cage. At one point Steven forces her to wear a slave collar and leads her around by an attached chain. This would not have bothered me so much if Rita had been okay with it, but she is not. I found it offensive when Steven utilizes sexual blackmail to coerce Rita into his bed. Such lazy writing! I mean, surely Steven had the savvy, looks, and talent to seduce Rita without the force, threats, and bondage.

Despite these "lows," I still found the characters interesting and compelling. I kept waiting for Steven to experience some kind of epiphany, but he never does. I think this is the one Hill time travel romance I've read where I believe the couple won't make it in the long run, but reading their story was still pretty fun. (less)

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Jan 15, 2011 Marina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-love-stories

The one word I can summon for this book is that it just "okay". It's a passable romance novel, but not a particularly good romance novel. There is nothing realistic or plausible about the story:

1. Considering Rita speaks American English (a Germanic language) and the hero speaks 10th century Norse, I found it a mircale that the two understood and managed to converse with each other. How they talk to each other I do not know.

2. Pop culture references abound, and there are a lot of them in the sub...more

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Sep 30, 2010 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dark Viking by Sandra Hill
Paranormal Romance- Oct. 5th, 2010
4 ½ stars

Looking for a book that is hilarious, outrageous and guaranteed to perk up your day? If you aren’t familiar with Sandra Hill’s exuberant humor then you are in for a treat. She writes light hearted books that really transport the reader into a world you wished you could inhabit. Her characters are a hoot and the heroes in particular are so hunky! In Dark Viking, she continues her Navy SEALs, time travel Viking series.

In this...more Dark Viking by Sandra Hill
Paranormal Romance- Oct. 5th, 2010
4 ½ stars

Looking for a book that is hilarious, outrageous and guaranteed to perk up your day? If you aren’t familiar with Sandra Hill’s exuberant humor then you are in for a treat. She writes light hearted books that really transport the reader into a world you wished you could inhabit. Her characters are a hoot and the heroes in particular are so hunky! In Dark Viking, she continues her Navy SEALs, time travel Viking series.

In this novel saucy stuntwoman Rita Sawyer is recruited into the new WEALs (Woman on Earth, Air, Land, and Sea). While in the grueling training camp Rita in scuba gear she is suddenly transported in time. When she wakes up she finds herself caged in a place that looks like an old Viking village. The head honcho named Steven dubs her the ugly Sea Siren. He states she is dangerous and keeps insisting they are Vikings. Rita is sure someone is playing a joke on her but she isn’t one to be pushed around.

Steven of Norstead is depressed. As the last of his noble Viking line he has great responsibility for 2 Viking estates. He used to be happy and carefree but when his brother Thorfinn disappeared life lost its appeal. When out on his longboat Steven discovers a strange female monster and immediately cages this treacherous creature. But when this 'Ree-tah' takes off her outerwear he is dazzled by her beauty. However, he still does not trust her and her eccentric ways. But when she mentions a man that she met similar to him named Thorfinn Steven is determined to discover what she knows and find Thorfinn again.

This novel bursts with joy. The characters are bold, bright and just laugh out loud funny. I loved the indomitable and spunky Rita. She has a lot of grit and doesn’t let a brawny and sexy Viking push her around. The jokes in the story are just so original and corny that you have to love them. The hero Steven had some surprising depth as he really feels the burden of responsibility since his brother was lost and misses his brother dearly. I loved Steven's befuddlement with his ‘Ree-tah’ and how he sets seducing her with his confident charm. The only quibble I have with the story is the rather abrupt ending and how stubborn Steven is at confessing he cares for Rita. But for sheer joy and laughter this book hits right at the funny bone and will lift your spirits.

The author’s special brand of humor, wit and sensuality make her books something to look forward to after a long day. Dark Viking is no exception. I loved it!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club (less)

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Mar 05, 2011 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have always loved Sandra's writing. And she didn't let me down with DARK VIKING. The story is engaging, emotional, funny, and greatly written! I loved it. This is a time-travel and so great you'll swear you are there with Rita. DARK VIKING is part of Ms. Hill's Viking series, but can be read as a stand alone. I'd suggest you be prepared to laugh out loud, literally at moments, so please keep that in mind. You may find yourself getting teary-eyed as well, but when the final page is turned you'l...more

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Dec 23, 2011 Dianne Socci-Tetro rated it 3 of 5 stars

If there isn't another book after this I'm going to have to hunt the author down and chain her to a chair and force her to continue writing books. She ends this book with a "The End---Or is it?" How cruel is that?

This is a funny series with well drawn, believable characters and you just know if they were real they would be among your best friends.

An amusing and briskly moving story line keeps you glued to the page and makes this a fairly quick read. The mystery was such that I just didn't see th...more

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Dec 20, 2010 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dark Viking is part of the Viking Series II novels by Sandra Hill.

Book Blurb:

If life weren't dangerous enough, stuntwoman Rita Sawyer has been recruited by the Navy SEALs. Now instead of being lit on fire and hurtling through skyscraper windows, she's trying to survive her grueling SEALs training.

But when a sea operation goes wrong, Rita awakens to find herself still clad in her wet suit and in a cage with a bunch of Vikings staring at her. With no idea how she traveled back in time to the Nors...more

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Oct 11, 2010 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: time-travel, paranormal, romance

Loved this book. Once I started reading I was enjoying it sooo much I didn't want to put it down. To the point where I had a serious debate after finishing it about going and buying more books by this author to read next, even though I have 30+ books already purchased and sitting in my to-be-read pile!

I do have to admit that thinking back on it, a couple days after reading, that this book seems more in line with a normal Viking romance books (her latest series releases) than time traveling. Ther...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Eastofoz rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: viking-earlier, 2011, time-travel, books-with-cooties

I’ve read this book by Sandra Hill countless times already only with a different title and characters :-/ It’s so superficial, filled with bad romance novel stereotypes and now that she’s venturing into light erotica it’s also dumb with just plain bad writing.

I had high hopes for this book because the (misleading) back blurb sounded good. Well the “strong” SEAL/WEAL trainee heroine turns into a weakling who never once tries to take down the oafish Viking hero who appears to be suffering from de...more

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Oct 19, 2010 Amy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fv-review

Quick Rundown: Rita Sawyer, former movie stunt woman, is now training to become a female Navy SEAL. She is knocked out cold (hit on the head) during a routine SEAL training session and time travels to Norstead during the Viking age. Steven, leader of Norstead, discovers Rita, believes she is a sea creature (given that she arrives in a wetsuit) and decides to jail her until he figures out what she is and what to do with her. The witches of the land believe they have cast a spell to summon Rita's...more Quick Rundown: Rita Sawyer, former movie stunt woman, is now training to become a female Navy SEAL. She is knocked out cold (hit on the head) during a routine SEAL training session and time travels to Norstead during the Viking age. Steven, leader of Norstead, discovers Rita, believes she is a sea creature (given that she arrives in a wetsuit) and decides to jail her until he figures out what she is and what to do with her. The witches of the land believe they have cast a spell to summon Rita's arrival and that she is the light to Steven's dark, brooding demeanor.

First Impression: I had not read any of Sandra Hill's books before, but I understand now that she writes with and emphasizes humor. Going in, I had no idea how silly it would be. Silly as in cheesy. So much so that even within the chapters there are sub-titles such as "He was the Donald Trump of the dark ages...." and "They weren't Reva and Josh, but there was a Guiding Light...".

The Hero: A depressed, barbaric Viking that Rita says "has the blues." (As a form of punishment, he decides to parade "Ree-tah" around town with a slave collar to assert his power and control.)

The Heroine: An independent, feisty woman who adjusts unrealistically well to her new way of life in the Viking age. (She decides to make the best of it and invent deodorant and condoms, the two things she feels is needed most.)

What worked: Ms. Hill has a flair for description and two of her passions are food and sex! I have never heard an author be so descriptive with food and the sex scenes were sensual, hot and probably the only non-corny part of the book! Also, Ms. Hill references Clark Gable and Johnny Depp who are two of my favorite men, so I will give her kudos for that!

What didn't work: While I enjoy books with humor, the overabundance of it in this case was a turn off for me. I believe Ms. Hill referenced pop-culture and modern day topics in an attempt to highlight the difference between the time periods. However, the jokes and on-liners ended up being more distracting and didn’t particularly forward the generally weak storyline. As a reader, I kept questioning why I was not laughing and ultimately felt no real connection between Rita and Steven and did not really care where they ended up, past or future.

Final conclusion: I don't think the Vikings are for me, but if someone enjoys (corny) references to pop culture that outweighs storyline and character, this is the book and world to chose.

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Jul 31, 2010 Judith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love, love, love this book! Of course, like so many of Hill's books, this is just chock full of funny, funny segments, conversations, repartee, observations on the part of the main characters. And how many of us would be able to keep a straight face as we are trying to explain our modern world to the Norse warriors of 1,000 years ago? Just a really great book and such a delight to read. And of course, it is a delightful love story with a great sizzle. Wouldn't mind having that Norse warrior arou...more

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Feb 25, 2011 Britta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, fiction, romance, romance-historical

check out my book blog at www.msbibliophile.blogspot.com

Rita Sawyer, experience and sought after stunt woman in Hollywood, is approached by two of the Navy SEALs’ finest and is encouraged to join the ranks of a newly formed class of WEALS (Women on Earth, Air, Land and Sea – the female equivalent of the SEALs. She readily accepts when she learns of the sign on bonus that will allow her to pay off her mother’s daunting medical bills (that piled up before her death).

Rita is on a training mission...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Jacqueline rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, chicklit-romance, historical-fiction, series, time-travel

I still prefer the earlier books in the series. It was nice to find out what happened to Steven who was, I guess, left behind two books ago when Thorfinn was dumped in the future but once again, I miss the Ericsson/Magnusson clan and the Navy SEALs. I keep wanting to know what happens to the rest of the Magnusson brood and some of the more mysterious SEALs. And I'm pretty certain now that I prefer the characters to time travel to the future in this series than to have the characters go back in t...more

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Nov 24, 2010 Darcy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

Reading this series I just know what I am in for and always look forward to it. These books are just "cheesetastic", it is just part of their charm. The way the couple has misunderstandings, one from the future, one from the past, makes for some great scenes.

This time around we have Rita, a modern day woman, thrust back to 9th century Viking time. Rita seems to be a very modern woman, a stunt woman, and almost Navy WEALS. She is shocked when she realizes just where she is and she seems to have...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Deanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this story. I liked Rita. The dialogue was cute and funny, not LOL but enjoyable. Steven was sex and a reluctant leader of his people, but a good one. I thought Rita should have initially been trying to get back to America and when she realized the truth, to her time. There was no other real plot lines, but I love Viking alphs. I was intrigued enough to want to read the others in the series.

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Apr 09, 2012 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: timetravel humorous historical fiction lovers

Shelves: contemperary, ghost-witches-paranormal, historical-romance, re-read, romantic-humor, time-travel, vikings

Hooray for Sandra Hill. I was in a dark mood when I started rereading this book. Of course she tickled the funny bone. I couldnt hardly put it down and just like Steven I am in a better mood. Rita Sawyer a stunt woman joined the Navy Weals to help pay off debt. Boy was she surprised to wind up in a wooden cage in eleventh century Norway when a mission went wrong. Steven of Norstead (Thorfinn from Viking Unchained brother) has been very down since his brothers dissapearance. He certainly doesnt s...more

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Dec 27, 2010 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

While I love her books, I just feel like the heroines are always losing thier backbones, especialy with this book. Rita gave it to him way to much and a modern women would have never put up with stunts (dog collar), even if she weren't a WEAL.

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Dec 13, 2010 Amelia-Irene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Take one female Navy Seal , ex-stunt womane, who time travels in her wet suit back to the 900's to a stuck in the mud Viking who has someone raiding his ships and the fun begins.... I laughed through a good part of this book.

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Sep 16, 2012 Amy D rated it 2 of 5 stars

Could have been more, much more. I was disappointed. She was a trained military stunt woman, that could have had a great many scenes making her more of a partner than a sex partner. Some parts are rushed and poorly executed. I wish it was better.

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Jan 23, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't expecting to get hooked into it but then i just had to finish it, made me laugh out loud so if you're looking for some humor plus hot vikings this is the thing for you.

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Jun 14, 2011 Karen L rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-time-travel, romance

This is Mrs. Hill 2nd book starring the WEALS, woman Navy SEAL. I do not like it as much as I liked the first one,

. Rita, a former stuntwoman before being a WEAL, and Steven, Thorfinn's brother who is in

, did not have the best chemistry the first two did in the first book. Both Steven and Rita were characters I really did not get into at all. Also, it was almost the same scenario as the first book.

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Jan 18, 2011 Ann Lorz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranomal, historical

No one writes like Sandra Hill. She makes you laugh until your stomach hurts. After reading one of her viking stories you"ll never look at a viking man the same way again.

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Jan 22, 2011 Kristine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-historical, 2011, mine

4.5 stars! I really enjoyed Dark Viking. What makes this book, and Joy's book before it, so funny is that they are strong--physically as well as emotionally--women from the 21st century. At one point Rita actually, literally knocks Steven on his arse. While I was laughing, Steven was completely dumbstruck and more than a little appreciative of the act.

A very fun, super quick read.

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Sep 17, 2011 Alexandra J rated it 5 of 5 stars

The humor that is used in this book is spectacular .. I was laughing the entire time! LOVED this book .. can't wait to read more from Sandra Hill!!

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Jun 06, 2011 Betty rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: passed

Lacked the humor a lot of the rest of the series had. I wanted to slap the main guy a lot.

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Dec 10, 2011 Catalina Santiago rated it 3 of 5 stars

A fun romance. Not beyond the unexpected but interesting and with very scorching moments.

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May 27, 2012 Mei rated it 4 of 5 stars

Strong women ROCK! I loved Rita and the other WEALs!

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Apr 16, 2011 Andrea Jackson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

I like this series, but this was not my favorite couple. I had trouble seeing what drew them together.

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About Sandra Hill

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Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. Sh...more

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Dark Viking (Viking II #10)

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