Reviewer: Robyn Roberts
Title: Silk Dreams
Author: Diana Groe
Publisher: Leisure Books
ISBN: 0-8439-5869-3
Release Date: July 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: Constantinople, 1100
Overall Rating: 3.25
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: Mild
Violent Content Rating: Mild/Moderate
Diana's Website: www.dianagroe.com
Valdis has been sold to slavers because she was deemed a witch. The fits that left her foaming and disoriented are signs for the Norsemen that she is cursed. Now she dreams of a man and sees his death---the very man who could help her escape.
She was sold to the highest bidder as a delectable specimen of virginity. She would be a gem in any harem with her blonde hair and two different-colored eyes. The Norseman of her dreams (Erik) bids to win her to appease his own demons but loses her to a chief eunuch, Damian Aristarchus. As she is taken away, she mouths, "Help me" to Erik. There’s no way to defy a public sale so he has to let her go.
Imagine his surprise at being transferred from soldier to translator and language teacher. Especially when he meets his pupil. Valdis is to learn to speak Greek from Erik. Can they keep their feelings at bay and keep Valdis alive? She is told to play a dangerous game of pretending to have the Sight in order to keep her life and eventually earn her freedom.
Both Erik and Valdis are incredibly strong characters. He is the exiled Viking and she the exiled beauty. To survive in a city teeming in corruption, they will have to guard their backs and be careful not to let the fire they feel for each other burn. As their love grows, so does the danger to each of them. Somebody wants Erik dead and is willing to do much to accomplish that end. In a city where politics is everything and loyalty to the emperor is demanded, working against the emperor’s plans means a certain death. Will Erik and Valdis be able to stay loyal to the ruler or will they be true to their hearts instead?
This book offered a romance filled with intrigue and mystery. It also offers us those wonderful Viking men who will sacrifice all for the woman they love. The strength Valdis shows during awful circumstances is a powerful thing. It was wonderful to have a woman stand up for herself in ancient times. I enjoyed their characters and the intrigue of politics of the city. I found Damian to be a character who made me like and hate him all at the same time. It was hard to take his presence in the story at different times.
Overall, I found Silk Dreams to be a pleasant diversion from everyday life. It’s a fascinating look into Constantinople and the Empire.
Robyn
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