Viken Haakon Haroldson comes to Lindisfarne, Northumbria with his felag to do business and more importantly to get the money lawfully owed him. In a flash of a second mayhem breaks out. A monk kills his man Erik and a blood lust drives Bjorn into a frenzy. Annis and her maidservant Mildred fled to hiding but no one is safe from the maddened beserker or the secret of what really happened in that room. As a business deal with the church turns into a raid, this strange handsome Viken protects Annis and then absconds with her, taking her to his homeland planning to ransom her and the captive monks. Haakon delivers the high born Annis of Birdoswald into the hands of his stepmother Gudrun and her maidservant Tove. Removed from all that she held dear, Annis must work with the other Viken women as she waits for the ransom that she knows may never come. Forced to work at demanding tasks, can she find joy in her captivity as she forms friendships and tries to maneuver among the internal household politics especially when her Lindisfarne home is so far away? As a Christian women whose uncle was Abbot of Lindisfarne, duty and faith compels her to protect the captive monks but her trust might just endanger herself and the monks! As the truth of the raid events comes to light can Haakon prevent a blood feud and protect the captive woman who has claimed his heart? Will one kiss lead to love?

In TAKEN BY THE VIKING, Michelle Styles has an exquisite sense for detail that transports the reader into the landscape scenes and the community. Michelle Styles grabs the reader's heart with her portrayal of Annis's faith and her commitment to the monks. At the same time, TAKEN BY THE VIKING creates an intriguing contrast between Annis and the Lindisfarne Abbot and the monk Aelfric showing the political and less idealistic sides of religious life in the Middle Ages. Through her secondary characters and her detailed settings, Michelle Styles creates a wonderfully felt contrast between the two cultures of the Viking world and Lindisfarne, including their economic differences and the resulting differences in their daily lives and concerns.

With its subplots, community portrait and descriptive detail, TAKEN BY THE VIKING reads like fiction without sacrificing the romance because Michelle Styles makes the reader feel and understand the Viking community. Secondary characters and the inside view of home politics among the men and women adds depth of character and exciting, dramatic subplots. All those elements give a rich depth to TAKEN BY THE VIKING, making the hero and heroine more real, more memorable to me. I cared for them and I did not want this book to end. TAKEN BY THE VIKING is a good example of what medieval romance can be for people who love Medieval literature/history and romance. Michelle Styles allows the reader to see domestic scenes that are less available to readers of Old Norse literature. Michelle Styles combines impeccable research into the time period with her experience of writing romance in other periods to bring the story and the Medieval time period more alive in the imagination and heart.

I'm not usually a romance reader, but I'll read anything that is written well and offers a historical tale.

I'm not really impressed with this book. Right from the beginning, it has a hard time pulling a reader into the action. The author seems to jump too quickly from one thought to the next with little to bridge the ideas. It's like she wrote the book while watching the story unfold in her head, but then failed to proof-read to ensure the story had continuity. Maybe this is just me? I have a hard time following the emotions of these characters.

Also, there are numerous spelling and grammatical errors. I'm not sure if this is a difference in standard English spelling and American spelling? For example, the author spells "realized" as "realised". It seems to me that this is an oversight on the editor's part, unless this is correct English. However, to an American reader, these errors are distracting.

If you'd like a really beautifully told romance story from the Viking era, I would suggest reading Josie Litton's Viking trilogy. They're fascinating, well written, and have great character development.

All in all, this book was okay for a read, but I just don't know that I'll be tempted to ever pick it up again for a re-read.

I am a sucker for Viking novels and this is a good one. Widow Annis is at a monastery in Northumbria seeking guidance from her uncle. Should she marry the odious man her father has planned for her or enter a convent? The decision is taken from her when Vikings land on the shores.

Jaarl Haakon is there only to trade but when a member of his group is unnecessarily attacked a full war occurs. Annis is terrified and when a large Viking looks to kill her she is saved by Haakon. The berserker Viking turns his blade toward Haakon and Annis saves him by killing the berserker. Haakon vows to protect her stating he killed the Viking, knowing that he will have to answer for this back home.

Haakon claims Annis as his captive fully planning on ransoming her back to her family. He recognizes she is nobly born. Back in his homeland Annis is given chores around the house and is under the watchful eye of Haakon's stepmother, Guthrun.

Haakon is very attracted to Annis and her to him but both realize that they have a doomed romance. Haakon has every intention of sending her back to her family and Annis knows Haakon will marry a noble person from his own country. It does not stop them from wanting to be together.

Annis is accused of stealing and their relationship undergoes a radical change. Haakon feels betrayed and Annis is hurt that Haakon does not believe her. She plans and executes a daring escape but realizes quickly that she is in deep trouble in the Scandinavian woods. Haakon comes to her rescue and offers her the position of concubine. The ever resourceful Annis accepts this position. One reason I enjoyed this novel is that Annis is logical. She understands her position is precarious and she loves Haakon and desires to have more of his time before she is sent back to her family. She also recognizes that this new position as concubine gives her more authority and influence to help the other captives. Usually, captives cannot think beyond their own escape but Anis does so and this makes her unique.

Haakon is thrilled to have Annis by his side but worries about their future. He also must keep the secret that Annis not he killed the Viking in Northumbria. This requires him to present himself before his king and the slain Viking's family who have an agenda of their own.

I highly recommend this book. Haakon is not a domineering hero but one that is kind but firmly in charge of his emotions. Annis is brave, thoughtful and her healing gifts are wonders both physically and emotionally.