When it comes to Viking romances, it seems the readers have
their absolute favorites–over 200 readers responded to our
query and although there are tons of Viking books out there,
most nominated the same titles. For those who are curious, the
most recommended title was Johanna Lindsey's Fires of Winter,
with Heather Graham's Viking's Woman a close second. Thea Mileo, one
of our Booksellers That Care, says "Fires of Winter is such a
good Viking romance–we just can't keep it in stock!" Although
we have many classics listed for this favorite theme, not too
many Viking-theme romances are being released in today's romance
market.
Most readers will agree that a Viking "plunders" like no
other hero! These warriors were indeed ferocious and terrible
yet many were also poets who appreciated the written word and
so prized their language, that to this day, it remains intact.
The ancient Viking eddas and sagas, cherished documents which
tell the history of these brave warriors, are preserved in vaults,
and like the wonderful books written about Vikings today are
treasures to be read again and again.
What's The Appeal?
Vikings. Call them what you
will: heathens, barbarians, brutal savages or "The Scourge of
the North." But do realize that these tall, blonde, strikingly
handsome Nordic warriors were as busy winning hearts as they
were conquering nations!
Brutal they were, a monk wrote about the
arrival of the first Vikings in Northumberland, "they were like
stinging wasps and they spread in all directions like horrible
wolves, wrecking, robbing, shattering, and killing. These heathens
came and slayed everything alive."
If these warriors were so
monstrous, why do they appeal to us gentle romance readers? Because
Viking heroes are the epitome of the alpha male! As much as we
proclaim a desire for independence, we do indeed fantasize
about being dominated by a fierce barbarian (the right one anyway!).
Alan Alda may be an OK mate in the 20th century, but he wouldn't
make a very good protector in the ninth or tenth century.
Women
love the fantasy of domesticating the barbarian; there really
is is nothing like "taming" a wild beast. Just ask any romance
reader–she knows how it should be done! No matter how
fierce these warriors, there weren't many women who could resist the
charms of these Scandinavian heroes. For like Odin (Viking God
of War, Wisdom and Poetry) they had the mind and body of a warrior
but the heart of a poet.
History allows us to be reflective.
And in retrospect, the Vikings were impressive as a culture and
as conquerors. At a time when travel was at its most difficult,
Vikings were inveterate adventurers, founding and conquering
colonies all over the globe.
However, no culture likes to be
dominated by another. Unfortunately, prejudice is part of human
nature. The Saxons and the Normans had good reason to hate the
Vikings. Yet, when they came to know the Vikings as people–they
discovered they had much to learn and much to love.
-Kate Ryan
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