Tags
Book review, Regency, The Viking and The Courtesan, Time-travel, Vikings, Witless Dating After Fifty
The photograph depicts a sense of
danger and intrigue, in that the
stereoview device is looking
like a weapon and the gold
gloves look ominous. The
positions are accurately
depicting the foreboding
sense one gets reading
about Lady Malice’s
business of meddling
into affairs of
the
Heart.
When the case she
is requested to take on
involves breaking up her own
marriage: Watch out, folks!
This book I had the delight
and honor reading is called,
“The Viking and the Courtesan.”
Shehanne has done it again.
It is quite exciting and uniquely
plotted where a woman who has
a certain lifestyle stands a chance of
losing it all over another pretty
woman’s interest in her husband.
Lady Malice has her business to
carry her through destitute times,
where she is hired to bring in a
woman of the evening to besmirch
and defame the marriage of one
who needs “proof” of this to
get a divorce. Aptly named,
“Strictly Business” keeps
her in fashionable gowns
and Madame Faro’s shoes,
~ * Silver shoes with
pearl-encrusted
buckles, perhaps? * ~
I won’t reveal immediately the
unseemly circumstances, but
must proceed to entreat you
to set aside your distate for
unfaithfulness and hope
for the best! Shoes are her
passion which isn’t at
all distasteful. One parlour
subject matter for women of
breeding and social standing
should help you to rally and
cheer on Lady Malice’s behalf.
A twist revealed on the book cover,
should appeal to adventurous readers
who wish they could travel back in time.
But. . . would you wish to visit or stay
in the ancient year of 898 A.D.?
Incredulously, such a plotline
is designed to transport you
there, becoming attracted
to Sinarr, whose nickname
appropriately is “Sin.”
Imagine a Thor-like
ruggedly handsome,
physically fit man.
He is the proud owner of two
Viking ships, the Raven
and the Reindeer.
Horrors, dear Malice
is found amongst nuns,
when rousing from a foggy
recollection of kissing her
husband, Cyril, in one time frame
only to find her becoming a “bed slave”
in another more rough, primitive time.
She is meant to become a “wedge”
between Sinarr’s betrothed,
“Snotra” and marriage.
Snotra has humiliated Sinarr,
having twice taken another man’s
name in marriage, only to be
finally available (deaths). Sin
wants her to suffer and wait,
while he pretends to bed her,
taking advantage of Malice’s
1800’s knowledge of romance,
or practical lack of. . .
(A side note: don’t you love these
Viking, vividly rich character names?)
Will Malice once transported back
to correct period in time, miss
wild, passionate Sinarr?
Will she find her love in the
arms of her dear husband again?
There are many humorous situations
with nuns wishing to become
“bed slaves,” while one who
is heavy is called Gentle and
the head nun is Mother Bede.
Finally, Lady Malice finds herself
in not only a quandary about which
time and place she wants to exist in,
she also realizes she is in the ~
“Family Way.”
How embarassing and who
will she choose to be the father?
The story flows along with telltale
items and household details which
are distinctly recognizable for
each historical period.
Both pigs and bed slaves
in Viking cottages create
a funny and fume-filled setting.
The 19th century tea pots, cracked
windowpanes and rustling satin gowns
would hardly seem to be a contest
as to which would be preferable!
Shehanne Moore’s exciting,
romantic historical novel
has just the change of
pace style to keep you
reading as quickly as
you are able, to find out the
surprising and yet, satisfying ending
for Lady Malice Mallender.
Cyril’s story ends as quite modern
in its libertarian point of view.
Sinarr’s story concludes with as
much force and vigor as
Thor’s famous hammer
may thrust. . .
Or so, we hope!
This book is rated
five diamonds out
of five diamonds.
:::::::::::
Photo is taken by reocochran,
Items depicting an era which
Lady Malice started her
adventures out in.
We used to call
postcard viewing device
a “stereoptican.” My
research found out we had
mislabeled this wooden antique.
EXTRACT……
“Well, I…I do want a divorce but only because… I mean only so…”
“You can marry her for her money?”
“Malice…I am vexed you think so little of me that I would do that and set the law on you into the bargain…”
Her heart began to pound so loudly it drowned the strains of the Haydn minuet drifting through the open doors. After all these years. Years in which she had waited. Abandoned hope in. Lived like a drudge at times on a penurious income. She had him at a disadvantage. She reached inside her reticule.
“So you can live in a state you should like to become accustomed to? Ruining her as you have me?”
“Well, the thing is, the thing was, I had no choice regarding the law. That woman you sent to do whatever she was meant to do, she let you down badly.”
“Really?”
“I’m sure that your other ladies aren’t so workshy. Why, your business came highly recommended.”
She unfolded the square of gauze. His expression as she placed the square on her head then arranged it over her face was worth a king’s ransom. “That woman was me.”
Every scrap of color drained from his face. Not that there had been a great deal to start with. There never was. It was one of his many attractions, what gave him that boyish look at the age of thirty.
“You?”
“Yes Cyril.”
“Y-you mean… Well, Malice.” Give him his dues, his recovery was excellent. But then it had every reason to be. “May I say how very—”
“You may say nothing. But I will say I think we will agree there will be no divorce. How can there be when we are so very happy, so joyous together?”
“I don’t—”
“That I am having your child?”
“What?”
Was it any wonder his eyes widened? Widened so the wonder was they didn’t pop clean out his head and ping about the paving slabs? She tilted her chin. If there was ever a doubt she shouldn’t do this, that moment was past. What was he going to do? Have it all over London his wife ran a marriage wrecking business? That he was a cad who stole from the woman he had abandoned? Hardly. No, the man was a leech she would do well to stay married to. And one who would support her from now on.
“Yes, husband dearest. From that night, the one that was so special to both of us.”
“That’s a damned lie. That night you disappeared. Vanished right before my eyes. I shut them for a second. One second only and poof.” He snapped his fingers. Indeed, his face had contorted with such rage, the only wonder was he didn’t snap more with his fingers, he didn’t snap her neck. “If it was so damned special how come I don’t remember the first damned thing about it?”