Sometimes arranged marriages in historical romance end in happily-ever-after. And sometimes two good people are never meant to be together. I wanted to explore the idea of a marriage between a husband and a wife who want to make it work but are unable to connect. And what will happen to them when they meet their true soul mates?
This duet of books, beginning with TO SIN WITH A VIKING, explores that theme without trespassing into the realm of adultery. Both Styr and Elena Hardrata deserve a happy endingâ¦but it will not be with each other. Styr is taken captive by Irishwoman Caragh à Brannon, and the forbidden attraction between them is searing. He must decide whether to maintain his loyalty to a wife who is heartbroken in their marriage or whether to reach out to the woman who has taught him how to love. Elenaâs story will follow, when she is rescued by fellow Viking Ragnar Olafsson.
I hope youâll enjoy these Irish-Viking stories. If you want to read more about my Hardrata heroes, Styr is the ancestor of Tharand Hardrata, the hero of THE VIKINGâS FORBIDDEN LOVE-SLAVE, and later of Kaall Hardrata, hero of The Holly and the Viking in WARRIORS IN WINTER.
Youâre welcome to visit my website at www.michellewillingham.com for excerpts and behind-the-scenes details about my books. I love to hear from readers, and you may e-mail me at [email protected] or via mail at PO Box 2242 Poquoson, VA 23662, USA. I can be found on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans and Twitter at www.twitter.com/michellewilling.
RITA>® Award Finalist MICHELLE WILLINGHAM has written over twenty historical romances, novellas and short stories. Currently she lives in south-eastern Virginia with her husband and children. When sheâs not writing Michelle enjoys reading, baking and avoiding exercise at all costs. Visit her website at: www.michellewillingham.com
Previous novels by this author:
HER IRISH WARRIOR*
THE WARRIORâS TOUCH*
HER WARRIOR KING*
HER WARRIOR SLAVEâ
THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESSâ â
THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESSâ â
TAMING HER IRISH WARRIOR*
SURRENDER TO AN IRISH WARRIOR*
CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR**
SEDUCED BY HER HIGHLAND WARRIOR**
TEMPTED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR**
WARRIORS IN WINTER*
THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCEâ â
Also available in Mills & Boon>® Historical Undone! eBooks:
THE VIKINGâS FORBIDDEN LOVE-SLAVE
THE WARRIORâS FORBIDDEN VIRGIN
AN ACCIDENTAL SEDUCTIONâ â
INNOCENT IN THE HAREM
PLEASURED BY THE VIKING
CRAVING THE HIGHLANDERâS TOUCH
And in M&B:
LIONHEARTâS BRIDE (part of Royal Weddings Through the Ages)
*The MacEgan Brothers
â prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series
**The MacKinloch Clan
â â linked by character
Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk
Irelandâad 875.
The tribe was slowly starving to death.
Caragh à Brannon stared at the grain sack, which was nearly empty. One handful of oats remained, hardly enough for anyone. She closed her eyes, wondering what to do. Her older brothers, Terence and Ronan, had left a fortnight ago to trade for more food. Sheâd given them a golden brooch that had belonged to their mother, hoping someone would trade sheep or cows for it. But this famine was widespread, making anyone reluctant to give up their animals.
âIs there anything to eat, Caragh?â her younger brother Brendan asked. At seventeen, his appetite was three times her own, and sheâd done her best to keep him from growing hungry. But it was now evident that they would run out of food sooner than sheâd thought.
Instead of answering, she showed him what was left. He sobered, his thin face hollow from lack of food. âWe havenât caught any fish, either. Iâll try again this morning.â
âI can make a pottage,â she offered. âIâll go and look for wild onions or carrots.â Though she tried to interject a note of hope, both of them knew that the forests and fields had been stripped long ago. There was nothing left, except the dry summer grasses.
Brendan reached out and touched her shoulder. âOur brothers will come back. And when they do, weâll have plenty to eat.â
In his face, she saw the need to believe it, and she braved a smile she didnât feel. âI hope so.â
After he went outside with his fishing net, Caragh stared back at the empty hut. Both of their parents had died last winter. Her father had gone out to try to catch fish, and heâd drowned. Her mother had grieved deeply for him and had never recovered from the loss. Sheâd given her own portion of food to Brendan numerous times, lying that sheâd already eaten. When theyâd discovered the truth, it had been too late to prevent her death.
So many had succumbed to starvation, and it bled Caraghâs conscience to know that both of her parents had died, trying to feed their children.
Hot tears rose up as she stared at her fatherâs forge. Heâd been a blacksmith, and she was accustomed to hearing the ring of his hammer, watching the bright glow of hot metal as he shaped it into tools. Her heart was as heavy as the anvil, knowing she would never hear his broad laugh again.