Page Turners: Book Reviews and Obsessions

Alright, so I planned on waiting until I finished the whole series to post my review, but I was so taken by the first work in the series that I HAD to share my love. The Sons of Odin is a 3 book series written by Erin S. Riley, and the first book - titled Odin's Shadow - follows Selia, a young Irish woman, as she meets and journeys to Norway with her new Viking husband, a handsome yet volatile man named Alrik. Alrik's brother Ulfrik, equally as handsome but sans the deadly temper, befriends Selia and tries to help her as she adjusts to her new life, and of course a certain tension builds between the two. I have to admit that when I first read the synopsis for this book, I almost didn't buy it because of the apparent love triangle angle. I just thought it sounded tacky and like this would be one of those cheesy romance novels - you know the ones, with the cover art featuring a fair maiden and some knight in shining armor. Gag! I let the many good reviews sway me into givin...

Dancing on Coals by Ellen O'Connell is a captivating and riveting story that follows Katherine Grant, a young woman who escapes stagecoach robbers only to be captured by a group of Apache Indians. One of the Apaches, Gaetan, has a particular hatred for white men and the evils they have perpetrated against his people, so it's safe to say he's way less than pleased when he ends up having to look after Katherine. They eventually form an uneasy bond of sorts that results in love, but of course they have to endure many hardships that threaten to break them apart. Set in 1881, this novel is a great glimpse into what life was like during such a pivotal time in America. As the white men began to build and expand, Native Americans still fought for their way of life - often resulting in bitter feuds, hatred, and mistrust as the government either took land or made false promises. With that in mind, it's no wonder that Gaetan harbors deep resentment for the whites - including the...