To Sin with a Viking (Harlequin Historical, #1150) (Mills & Boon Historical) (Forbidden Vikings, #1)

by Michelle Willingham

[Angie]

To Sin with a Viking is, sadly, boring. There are things about it that I really liked, but for the most part I was just waiting for it to get to the happy ending. There's not much sinning, nor much vikining, which was disappointing. Caragh's village is facing a rough famine, and she's on the brink of starvation when a viking vessel pulls up to their docks. Her brother decides that he's going to lead a raid on the vikings' supplies when they come ashore, but it doesn't go according to plan. Caragh's brother grabs the leader's wife as a hostage, and Caragh knocks out the viking when he threatens to kill him. Now viking leader, Styr, is a captive while Caragh's brother takes off with his ship. He's not one to just give up, he's going to get his wife back, and he's going to get his revenge, unless Caragh can stop him.

Now, you may be wondering if To Sin with a Viking is an infidelity book since Styr is married. It's not really, but kind of. Maybe. It depends on what you consider cheating. Do he and Caragh ever have sex before his marriage eventually ends? No. Does he want to? Yes. Is there some kissing? Yep. There's also a scene that definitely straddles the line between cheating and not. I think it kind of was, but by that point, it was inevitable. Although, it would have been an interesting change for the couple to keep their hands and mouths off of each other, until both are available. I do have to mention that Styr's marriage is presented as failing from page one, almost as a way to excuse his attraction to Caragh. Whether you except that or not, is up to you. I just found it annoying. If the characters are going to cheat, just cheat! Don't dance around the issue and try to make it "better."

There's not much romance until the last couple of chapters of To Sin with a Viking. The story's main focus is on Caragh and Styr's journey to locate her brother and his men and wife. He's very adamant about retaining his honor, and Caragh respects that. I wish there had at least been some sexual tension, but my feelings toward this pairing was lukewarm at best. The end of Styr's marriage is the ultimate cop out, but it is what it is. It allowed him to get his happily ever after with Caragh which is what he wanted.

To Sin with a Viking was seriously lacking in romance and viking goodness. Styr could have been any kind of romance hero based on his lack of anything vikinglike. No, I didn't want him to be some violent barbarian, but a bit more aggression could have helped him not be so boring. I just wanted more out of this than it gave.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.