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Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're getting back on the bookish bus with another two-fer sort of day, so hold on tight...to your reading list! Maybe grab a pen too because yeah, there's definitely some great reading ahead. Speaking of which, let's shine the BOOK SPOTLIGHT a little brighter as we focus in on blog tour guest numero uno via Rachel's Random Resources and Mills and Book! It's a Historical Romance set back in the times of the Vikings, so put your war face on as we take a peek between the pages of...
Escaping With Her Saxon Enemy
by
Sarah Rodi
Mills & Boon
About the book...
Her tempting enemy is a chink in her armour!
Viking shield maiden, Svea Ivarsson, would far rather face Saxon warriors than be on the run with the fiercely captivating Lord Ashford Stanton, protector to the Saxon King. Reaching Ash’s family castle, Svea must swap her chainmail for life as a Lady. She can wield a sword like an expert, but no training has prepared her for craving the touch of her greatest enemy…
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~~~ EXCERPT ~~~
Danish shield maiden Svea Ivarsson and Saxon Lord Ashford Stanton were leading the royal convoy through the forest when they were ambushed and got separated from their people. Now they are heading to Ash’s fortress to raise an army, but before they get there, they are approached by a group of Saxon men on horseback...
‘Can’t you tell them who you are? That you’re a Saxon too?’
‘It’s not me I’m worried about! By the colour of your hair, your eyes—hell, even the markings on your skin—they’ll know you’re a Dane,’ he said, sounding almost annoyed with her, his hand coming up to curl over her braids and pull them down over her neck to cover up the dark swirls. ‘It will be better for you to be seen as my property, not my ally,’ he said, nodding to the makeshift bonds to explain why he’d created them. ‘Give me your sword.’
Her hand gripped the hilt firmly. ‘No!’ It was her mother’s sword and her only protection. She prided herself on being able to defend herself or die trying…
‘I’m your protection now,’ he ground out. ‘Please believe I’m doing this for your own good. I don’t want to frighten you, Svea, but now is not the time to argue.’
She scowled, gripping the sword even tighter. By the deafening sound of the horses’ hooves, and the feel of the ground rumbling beneath her feet, she knew their enemy was almost upon them.
‘Svea,’ he pressed, leaning in close. ‘You’re an incredibly beautiful woman and those men… Most of them would probably love to get their hands on you. I don’t want that to happen, do you?’
It was as if he was iterating her deepest, darkest fears. A shiver ran down her spine as his words hit their mark. She tried hard to make sure she wasn’t attractive to men, had thought it was working, even on him… Yet he was saying he thought she was beautiful? No man had ever dared tell her that before—for fear she might pummel them. But Ash…
His warm hand covered hers, coaxing her fingers to release the weapon. ‘Now give me your blade.’
The sword slipped deftly from her fingers into his.
‘Put this on,’ he said, handing her his cloak. ‘Keep it wrapped around you. Keep yourself covered up. Don’t draw any attention to yourself.’
Suddenly voiceless, and defenceless, she let him drape the woollen garment around her shoulders. If he was worried, she knew she should be. And she felt as if this time she had even more to lose.
Ash tugged her to the back of him and they stepped away from the shelter of the horse just as the large group of riders bore down on them. ‘Stay behind me. Keep your head down. And don’t say a word,’ he whispered.
The armed men reined in their horses and came to a stop in front of them, surrounding them. Ice-cold dread flowed through her. She had been surrounded like this before…
‘Good day to you.’
A man with a menacing appearance cantered forward, he and his horse heaving from the exertion of their ride. He removed his crested helmet and smoothed down his greasy hair. He reminded her of a peacock. He had a mean, conceited face and his eyes raked over their attire, assessing Ash’s Saxon armour and no doubt realising he must be a man of status if he could afford a slave.
‘And to you.’
She noticed Ash was careful not to place his hand on the hilt of his sword, not wanting to incite any conflict. He just stood proud, assured. But with the point of view of someone who was beginning to know his behaviour, from spending so much time in his company, she saw the tension visible in his neck and in the rigidity of his stance.
The leader turned his eye to his spear, which he was twirling in his hand, as if the long, sharp weapon somehow proved his manhood. Svea resisted rolling her eyes. She wished she could snatch her sword back from Ash.
‘We’re looking for a Saxon camp in Alderbury Forest. Have you passed through that way?’
Ash nodded. ‘Aye, we saw it. You’re heading in the right direction. If you keep going, you’ll be sure to come across it.’
The man’s eyes narrowed on them. ‘Then you must have heard. Calhourn soldiers are rallying men to march on Termarth. The people have had enough of our King making friends with the Danes. Won’t you be joining us?’
Ash inclined his head casually. ‘I may well be. But I have a situation of my own to sort out first.’ His voice was unwavering, as if he was in total control. And his response had been non-committal. She knew he was trying to calm the situation before it escalated. But how did he do it? How did he hide his anger so well? She had struggled with that for years, taking her resentment out on all men—especially those she encountered on the battlefield.
‘Saxon lords have been promised more land, gold and spoils from the fight, if that helps to sway you. But it seems you have already found spoils of your own.’ The man smirked, trying to peer around Ash.
Svea felt sick as the man’s blatant beady-eyed stare scraped over her. She felt the slow creep of dread sweeping across her skin and saw Ash’s fingers bunch into fists at his sides, while a muscle flickered in his jaw.
‘We have orders to kill those who oppose our cause. If you’re not with us, you’re against us… Of course I’d be happy to keep quiet, but my silence is going to come at a cost.’
She felt Ash take a deep, steadying breath. ‘I’m not a bargaining man. But even if I were, I have no silver to pay you. And, as you can see, I’m travelling light.’
‘From where I’m standing, it looks like you have all the riches in the world. Especially to me and my men, who have been riding for two days. We could do with some entertainment. Tell you what—just hand over that pretty slave girl of yours, soldier, and we’ll allow you to be on your way.’
Svea swallowed. Normally she would have reached for her sword, lashed out by now. But she was beginning to realise she didn’t just have herself to think about. If she started a fight she would need Ash’s help to finish it. They really were in this together.
‘The girl is mine,’ Ash said. ‘If you want her, you’ll have to fight me for her.’
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About the author...
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.
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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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