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Viking Roots #2
The Rover Defiant
Torstein is a free man, but the Viking nobility will never forgive or forget he was once a slave. The high-born woman he loves has too much pride to give herself to a former thrall.
186 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2014
About the author
Anna Markland
246 books254 followersAnna Markland is a Canadian author with a keen interest in genealogy. She writes historical romance about family honor, ancestry and roots. Her novels are intimate love stories filled with passion and adventure. Following a fruitful career in teaching, Anna transformed her love of writing and history into engaging works of fiction. One of the things she enjoys most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research required to provide the reader with an authentic experience.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 18, 2014
★★★★★
I was lucky enough to receive an A.R.C. of this but that does not colour my review in any way.
This is another marvellous historical romance from the time when the Norse men were looking for new lands to settle in.
The Vikings have made peace with the Franks, and now go to push the Brettons from the north western reaches of the region.
Torstien is a freed slave, and nephew to Bryk, who is a mighty warrior under the command of the great leader Rollo.
Bryk takes Torstien under his wing to train as a warrior, and finds he has a natural gift for the work.
Torstien has more than training on his mind, he has his heart set on a woman so far above his station.
Sonja is the youngest daughter of a local nobleman. Her father is trying to find her a suitable husband, she hates the whole idea of marriage and babies. Until at the christening of Bryk and Cathryn's son. Sonja sees a handsome young man in the family retinue, and he is watching her.
She thinks he is Cathryn´s brother, A romance between a freed slave and a young noble woman just will not be acceptable to anyone.
I wont say any more about the story line because I don´t want to spoil it for you. It can be read as a stand alone but it would be better if you have read The Rover Bold first so that you know the Family involved.
I loved this book , all the characters are strong and interesting. the history behind the story is fascinating without overwhelming you .We have battles, adventure, humour and a beautiful love story. These books give us the start of what will become the Montbryce family known to us from Anna´s medieval series.
I was lucky enough to receive an A.R.C. of this but that does not colour my review in any way.
This is another marvellous historical romance from the time when the Norse men were looking for new lands to settle in.
The Vikings have made peace with the Franks, and now go to push the Brettons from the north western reaches of the region.
Torstien is a freed slave, and nephew to Bryk, who is a mighty warrior under the command of the great leader Rollo.
Bryk takes Torstien under his wing to train as a warrior, and finds he has a natural gift for the work.
Torstien has more than training on his mind, he has his heart set on a woman so far above his station.
Sonja is the youngest daughter of a local nobleman. Her father is trying to find her a suitable husband, she hates the whole idea of marriage and babies. Until at the christening of Bryk and Cathryn's son. Sonja sees a handsome young man in the family retinue, and he is watching her.
She thinks he is Cathryn´s brother, A romance between a freed slave and a young noble woman just will not be acceptable to anyone.
I wont say any more about the story line because I don´t want to spoil it for you. It can be read as a stand alone but it would be better if you have read The Rover Bold first so that you know the Family involved.
I loved this book , all the characters are strong and interesting. the history behind the story is fascinating without overwhelming you .We have battles, adventure, humour and a beautiful love story. These books give us the start of what will become the Montbryce family known to us from Anna´s medieval series.
July 14, 2015
Second in the Rover Vikings series that are a pre-quel of sorts to the Montbryce Legacy series.
This is the continuation of Bryck and Catherine's story but the romance is the love between Sonja and Torstein. This is not a sweeping, epic romance but it is... in its own way... a quiet and perfect one.
What I felt was fantastic about this story was the evolving relationship between Bryck and Torstein who is his nephew. Following Viking custom after the death of his father, Bryck's brother, Torstein became a slave. This was because his mother was a slave, and was later sold with many other slave women when they became a burden on resources.
Torstein is in the service of his uncle Bryck and yearns to be recognised as something more than a slave. When Catherine convinces Bryck to free his nephew, and to treat him as one of the family, Torstein is finally, slowly, brought into the family. He dreams of getting married, loving his wife, and having children; none of which he dared dream of when he was a slave.
Torstein wants to be the best Norman of their new world. He wants to prove his worth to his uncle, and he wants to be worthwhile to the family of the woman he loves.
The relationship between Torstein and Bryck is wonderful to read, to witness, as the two men find that it is permissible for uncle and nephew to love each other.
This is the continuation of Bryck and Catherine's story but the romance is the love between Sonja and Torstein. This is not a sweeping, epic romance but it is... in its own way... a quiet and perfect one.
What I felt was fantastic about this story was the evolving relationship between Bryck and Torstein who is his nephew. Following Viking custom after the death of his father, Bryck's brother, Torstein became a slave. This was because his mother was a slave, and was later sold with many other slave women when they became a burden on resources.
Torstein is in the service of his uncle Bryck and yearns to be recognised as something more than a slave. When Catherine convinces Bryck to free his nephew, and to treat him as one of the family, Torstein is finally, slowly, brought into the family. He dreams of getting married, loving his wife, and having children; none of which he dared dream of when he was a slave.
Torstein wants to be the best Norman of their new world. He wants to prove his worth to his uncle, and he wants to be worthwhile to the family of the woman he loves.
The relationship between Torstein and Bryck is wonderful to read, to witness, as the two men find that it is permissible for uncle and nephew to love each other.
November 22, 2023
I was taken in by Torstein in the first book of this series. He was a slave to Bryck and never spoke unless he was spoken to, which was the Viking way. He was the strong, silent type although he wasn't a big guy as far as Vikings go, but he was a hell of a warrior. To add to his intrigue, he was also Bryck's nephew, even if Bryck didn't realize it. No spoilers here. That was all in the first book Viking Bold.
It's been an uphill battle for Torstein to be accepted as more than a thrall. He has to try harder,work harder, be better than everyone else. Some people accept him. Some people shun him, despite the fact that he is Bryck's nephew and has Cathryn's favor. Even Bryck has trouble accepting him. But the one he wants to favor him is of Viking nobility. He watches Sonja from a distance, knowing he can never have her because of his status, but that doesn't stop him from falling in love with her.
Sonja kind of reminded me of a spoiled rich kid. Her parents indulged her and never told her no and chose the man they wanted her to marry. Needless to say, it wasn't Torstein, but it was his best friend, Sven. She didn't want to marry him. She was in love with Torstein.
Torstein's and Sonja's moments alone were fire and strengthened their feelings for each other, all while Sven is going through the motions of courting Sonja, creating a ton of angst for Torstein. He was jealous and I wondered just how far he would take that.
Ultimately, this is a beautiful story about acceptance, love, and friendship. I thought Torstein was more of a hero than Bryck, who spends a lot of time in this book, too, for good reasons. My heart went out to Torstein and there were a few times I just wanted to hug him and tell him everything is going to be okay.
I'm devouring this series and have already started the final book.
*This is part of a series and the books should be read in order
It's been an uphill battle for Torstein to be accepted as more than a thrall. He has to try harder,work harder, be better than everyone else. Some people accept him. Some people shun him, despite the fact that he is Bryck's nephew and has Cathryn's favor. Even Bryck has trouble accepting him. But the one he wants to favor him is of Viking nobility. He watches Sonja from a distance, knowing he can never have her because of his status, but that doesn't stop him from falling in love with her.
Sonja kind of reminded me of a spoiled rich kid. Her parents indulged her and never told her no and chose the man they wanted her to marry. Needless to say, it wasn't Torstein, but it was his best friend, Sven. She didn't want to marry him. She was in love with Torstein.
Torstein's and Sonja's moments alone were fire and strengthened their feelings for each other, all while Sven is going through the motions of courting Sonja, creating a ton of angst for Torstein. He was jealous and I wondered just how far he would take that.
Ultimately, this is a beautiful story about acceptance, love, and friendship. I thought Torstein was more of a hero than Bryck, who spends a lot of time in this book, too, for good reasons. My heart went out to Torstein and there were a few times I just wanted to hug him and tell him everything is going to be okay.
I'm devouring this series and have already started the final book.
*This is part of a series and the books should be read in order
November 11, 2018
I write this review after reading this story as part of "Warriors of Odin" compilation.
A freed thrall (Viking slave) falls in love at sight of a nobleman's daughter. They face a great deal of adversity towards their union. However, a new land, support from his prominent family and sheer guts, pay off.
An engaging tale.
A freed thrall (Viking slave) falls in love at sight of a nobleman's daughter. They face a great deal of adversity towards their union. However, a new land, support from his prominent family and sheer guts, pay off.
An engaging tale.
August 8, 2024
Defiant describes our hero
Full of a rich mix of early settlers from Norway in their newly acquired lands in France. Love loss, battles and angst. A true Markland novel. I’m only sorry I didn’t read the book 1 in the series first.
Full of a rich mix of early settlers from Norway in their newly acquired lands in France. Love loss, battles and angst. A true Markland novel. I’m only sorry I didn’t read the book 1 in the series first.
November 12, 2019
loved the action and the drama, romance was good too, no mistakes in the book
July 12, 2020
From thrall to warrior, Torstein finds that changing the minds of people’s biases is a lot harder than changing his circumstances. Winning the hand of his love is quite a feat and the acceptance of their relationship makes for a wonderful story.
March 16, 2015
For a full review visit my blog post at http://t.co/fzZ4Dnm0HX
brought this because firstly I love viking romances and secondly all the reviews were highly positive and raved about its excellence. So despite my misgivings about the covers (too much flesh/mascara) and the shortness of the blurb I decided to give it a go. I can’t say this is a decision I regret but I also doubt this is a book I will re-reading or recommending. The plot of The Rover Defiant revolves around Torstein’s and Sonya’s forbidden love due to differing social class. I love forbidden love stories, it is one of my favourite tropes and this book had it in spades. Torstein in particular had a lot of insecurities due to his former position as a slave.
What lunacy had prompted him to hope he and this woman might ever have anything in common? He desired her, but their worlds were too far apart.
I feel like this was book with so much potential, Anna Markland had all the ideas for a great forbidden love story. All the characters were interesting, although I would have liked to see less of the secondary characters as I felt they took over from the hero and heroines love story. The reason I say this had the potential is the author committed one of my major pet-peeves. Insta-love. I hate it. I don’t believe in it and I don’t read romance to have the hero and heroine fall in love after one glance...
brought this because firstly I love viking romances and secondly all the reviews were highly positive and raved about its excellence. So despite my misgivings about the covers (too much flesh/mascara) and the shortness of the blurb I decided to give it a go. I can’t say this is a decision I regret but I also doubt this is a book I will re-reading or recommending. The plot of The Rover Defiant revolves around Torstein’s and Sonya’s forbidden love due to differing social class. I love forbidden love stories, it is one of my favourite tropes and this book had it in spades. Torstein in particular had a lot of insecurities due to his former position as a slave.
What lunacy had prompted him to hope he and this woman might ever have anything in common? He desired her, but their worlds were too far apart.
I feel like this was book with so much potential, Anna Markland had all the ideas for a great forbidden love story. All the characters were interesting, although I would have liked to see less of the secondary characters as I felt they took over from the hero and heroines love story. The reason I say this had the potential is the author committed one of my major pet-peeves. Insta-love. I hate it. I don’t believe in it and I don’t read romance to have the hero and heroine fall in love after one glance...
February 20, 2015
I discovered this author through a giveaway of Goodreads First Reads.
The story is quite short, 170 pages and it’s the second book of the serie.
I haven’t read the first one and I could enjoy this book without any problem.
In the beginning of the book you have a little resume of what happened before, a description of each character and the relation between them.
Here we follow the adventure of Torstein, his evolution from a slave to a freeman and how he is building his new life. He fell in love with the wrong person, Sonja and they will have to fight for their love. I appreciated that it was graduated, not sex on the first scene, even if they fell in love at first sight. It was gradual, consistent and believable.
The story is very cute, we just don´t follow their love story, we discover how other characters live, we learn about the history of that time, what happen during the different battles.
I enjoyed it a lot for that. I love love stories, but sometimes you want to learn more about their time, what happens around them, following others stories.
It is very easy to read and when the authors uses specific vocabulary it is explained so you don´t get lost. You even have a Viking recipe at the end of the book!
Now I want to follow the adventures of the next character, and read the first book too.
The story is quite short, 170 pages and it’s the second book of the serie.
I haven’t read the first one and I could enjoy this book without any problem.
In the beginning of the book you have a little resume of what happened before, a description of each character and the relation between them.
Here we follow the adventure of Torstein, his evolution from a slave to a freeman and how he is building his new life. He fell in love with the wrong person, Sonja and they will have to fight for their love. I appreciated that it was graduated, not sex on the first scene, even if they fell in love at first sight. It was gradual, consistent and believable.
The story is very cute, we just don´t follow their love story, we discover how other characters live, we learn about the history of that time, what happen during the different battles.
I enjoyed it a lot for that. I love love stories, but sometimes you want to learn more about their time, what happens around them, following others stories.
It is very easy to read and when the authors uses specific vocabulary it is explained so you don´t get lost. You even have a Viking recipe at the end of the book!
Now I want to follow the adventures of the next character, and read the first book too.
July 14, 2015
Second in the Rover Vikings series that are a pre-quel of sorts to the Montbryce Legacy series.
This is the continuation of Bryck and Catherine's story but the romance is the love between Sonja and Torstein. This is not a sweeping, epic romance but it is... in its own way... a quiet and perfect one.
What I felt was fantastic about this story was the evolving relationship between Bryck and Torstein who is his nephew. Following Viking custom after the death of his father, Bryck's brother, Torstein became a slave. This was because his mother was a slave, and was later sold with many other slave women when they became a burden on resources.
Torstein is in the service of his uncle Bryck and yearns to be recognised as something more than a slave. When Catherine convinces Bryck to free his nephew, and to treat him as one of the family, Torstein is finally, slowly, brought into the family. He dreams of getting married, loving his wife, and having children; none of which he dared dream of when he was a slave.
Torstein wants to be the best Norman of their new world. He wants to prove his worth to his uncle, and he wants to be worthwhile to the family of the woman he loves.
The relationship between Torstein and Bryck is wonderful to read, to witness, as the two men find that it is permissible for uncle and nephew to love each other.
This is the continuation of Bryck and Catherine's story but the romance is the love between Sonja and Torstein. This is not a sweeping, epic romance but it is... in its own way... a quiet and perfect one.
What I felt was fantastic about this story was the evolving relationship between Bryck and Torstein who is his nephew. Following Viking custom after the death of his father, Bryck's brother, Torstein became a slave. This was because his mother was a slave, and was later sold with many other slave women when they became a burden on resources.
Torstein is in the service of his uncle Bryck and yearns to be recognised as something more than a slave. When Catherine convinces Bryck to free his nephew, and to treat him as one of the family, Torstein is finally, slowly, brought into the family. He dreams of getting married, loving his wife, and having children; none of which he dared dream of when he was a slave.
Torstein wants to be the best Norman of their new world. He wants to prove his worth to his uncle, and he wants to be worthwhile to the family of the woman he loves.
The relationship between Torstein and Bryck is wonderful to read, to witness, as the two men find that it is permissible for uncle and nephew to love each other.
June 17, 2015
Love At First Sight, With A Twist
As the saga of this family continues in the second installment of this series, we get to experience life through the eyes of a former thrall. Torstein proved his loyalty to his family in the past (Book 1) and all he wants to do now is to truly feel like he belongs to it. How he and others adjust to his new life as a free man, is an insightful story and the reader gets a true understanding of the culture of the day.
The well-written plot is a wonderful blend of old and new characters, and the forging of new lands presents unique opportunities and challenges for many. Torstein is a fascinating character and Sonja is a real down-to-earth, intelligent woman. I found myself rooting for she and Torstein to get their happy ending!
Anna's books are always a treasure to read. They are a masterful blend of history, the land and it's people. One always walks away more knowledgeable and thirsting for more of her wonderful stories.
As the saga of this family continues in the second installment of this series, we get to experience life through the eyes of a former thrall. Torstein proved his loyalty to his family in the past (Book 1) and all he wants to do now is to truly feel like he belongs to it. How he and others adjust to his new life as a free man, is an insightful story and the reader gets a true understanding of the culture of the day.
The well-written plot is a wonderful blend of old and new characters, and the forging of new lands presents unique opportunities and challenges for many. Torstein is a fascinating character and Sonja is a real down-to-earth, intelligent woman. I found myself rooting for she and Torstein to get their happy ending!
Anna's books are always a treasure to read. They are a masterful blend of history, the land and it's people. One always walks away more knowledgeable and thirsting for more of her wonderful stories.
December 8, 2014
This is the second book in the trilogy by Anna Markland of the Vikings settling in France,It's a love story of Torstein a thrall who was given his freedom by his uncle Bryk and Sonja a highborn horsewoman and their fight against adversity to be together it's a heartwarming story that will have you enthralled from the first chapter definitely not to be missed.
May 17, 2016
Rover Defiant
This wasn't a strong storyline but I did enjoy that Anna Markland kept the family saga going with the previous characters. This alone made the pages fill with mild drama and romance. Still a worthy read with a promise of more to come in the next t follow-up book.
This wasn't a strong storyline but I did enjoy that Anna Markland kept the family saga going with the previous characters. This alone made the pages fill with mild drama and romance. Still a worthy read with a promise of more to come in the next t follow-up book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews