Quality historical television series such as Vikings, Game of Thrones, Outlander, Poldark, The Tudors and Peaky Blinders (just to name a few), are to blame for turning many of us into binge watching, fangirls/fanboys/fiends. Viewers and readers of all ages are becoming addicted to these historical settings without even releasing they are addicted until it is too late. How many of us work or live with a GOT junkie who comes into work on Monday morning hung-over and flipped out from Sunday nights episode? And after a Vikings or Outlander episode, fans lay siege to Twitter and Facebook, arguing, weeping, lusting over favorite characters.

And in-between seasons of our favorite historical series, many of us turn to historical fiction novels to relieve us of our withdrawal symptoms. Authors like Diana Gabaldon, Winston Graham, Jane Austen, George R. R. Martin (again just to name a few of my favorites) have established a lasting genre by developing stories, worlds and characters without bashing us over the head with a history book. We can believe in these worlds and characters, a foreign reality that is realistic, yet removed enough from our modern lives that they take us into a fantasy world.

Let’s face it; our modern world has solved most of the world’s ugly, stinky, cruel, and inconvenient problems. We live pretty, comfy lives. Forced marriages, stolen princesses, murdered kings, infected swordfight wounds and outdoor plumbing have vanished from our society (for the most part) and with them, some juicy conflicts and suspenseful plots.

Feminists, cover your ears and eyes for this next statement, but I would argue that modern women enjoy the fantasy of being swept off their feet by a scary, roaming Viking or Highland Lord. I know I do. Not to imply that the women depicted in historicals are wick-willed damsels in distress. On the contrary, the historical romances that are the most popular today always have feisty, brave and smart heroines that tame the wild rogue by stealing his heart, and in more recent plots, by fighting by his side.

So if you like to read about the hero and heroine being chuck overboard into a stormy sea, or into a dungeon, or being through over a pirates shoulder, or the beheading of a husband or two, or going on a deadly yet noble quest, stuff like that, then historicals are for you. You will definitely not find fun stuff like that a modern setting.

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About The Northman’s Bride

Passions flare in the icy north in the third Sons of the North Romance novel from the author of The Warlord’s Wife and The Iron Princess…

Sovia, daughter of Baron Losna, is on a mission to seduce Stål Magnusson, firstborn son of Swedish warlord Jarl Magnus Knutson and heir to his seat. With a civil war on, the stakes are high. The Baron needs the money and political alliance that Sovia’s marriage to Stål would secure. Fortunately, Sovia’s skill with men, not to mention the rugged good looks of her target, makes the assignment all too easy. But the tables turn when Sovia realizes she has taken the wrong Magnusson— Stål’s twin brother Hök—to bed. Wrong brother or not, Hök is enamored, and offers to marry Sovia. When that offer is rejected by her father, Hök’s heart and pride are broken.

Seven years later, as Lady Sovia is about to be executed by Norway’s usurper king, Hök, now a battle-hardened warrior, comes to her rescue—by finally taking her hand in marriage. Though his intent is to take revenge, as well as her hereditary land, he cannot help but be impressed by her unbreakable spirit. But Lady Sovia has secrets that will make it nearly impossible for them to live happily ever after…

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Sandra Lake is the author of The Warlord’s Wife and The Iron Princess. She was raised in rural Canada and married her childhood sweetheart (who at times was her childhood nemesis). They are currently living happily-ever-after along with their sons and unruly husky.

Sandra can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest and SandraLakeRomance.com.