Celtic Viking

Heart of the Battle Series, Book 1

By: Lexy Timms

Narrated by: Hugh Loughlan

In a world plagued with darkness, she would be his salvation.

No one gave Erik a choice as to whether he would fight or not. Duty to the crown belonged to him, his father's legacy remaining beyond the grave.

Taken by the beauty of the countryside surrounding her, Linzi would do anything to protect her father's land. Britain is under attack and Scotland is next. At a time she should be focused on suitors, the men of her country have gone to war and she's left to stand alone.

Love will become available, but will passion at the touch of the enemy unravel her strong hold first?

©2015 WJ May (P)2015 WJ May

Disappointing

The performance was good. Enjoyed the narrator's voice immensely.

This book has the potential to be wonderful, however the historical inaccuracy completely ruined it for me. As a lover of history and historical fiction done well, I was immensely disappointed with all of the liberties that the author took. Vikings were not celts, and the author referred to these Vikings as Celts while giving them English descriptions, mannerisms, and dress. So many more issues in this very short book.

Celtic Viking

This is a good story, but it's a bit slow moving. I am excited to dive into the next book in the series I believe from here on out it will pick up.

Good Start on a Three Part Series.

This audiobook was a good start to a three part series; however, it ends on a cliffhanger.

I liked this story was told from the POV of the two main characters, Erik and Linzi, and has great character development. Erik leads Viking warriors into battle for his "king" but would rather go back to his own lands to find a wife and start a family. Linzi, who is coming of age lives with her father and brother and helps take care of their farm. However, after her brother goes to fight in the war, she left to care for her father and the farm. Linzi and Erik's paths meet when she comes across him wounded and unconscious.

Hugh Loughlan did a great job narrating the story.

I will be on the lookout for book 2 and 3.

This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast dot com.

1/3 of 3 part British vs. Viking Saga

This book needs to be done with books 2 and 3 of the same series for the whole story. Set in the 9th century, a Scottish lass has her life disrupted by Viking raids. Some language disrupted my belief in setting ("hand towel," using "pills" for medicine) but the beginning of an enjoyable story.


1/3 of 3 part British vs. Viking Saga

Great beginning to serialized historical romance!

Any additional comments?

Celtic Viking: Heart of the Battle Series, Book 1 by Lexy Timms is a good beginning to a larger story. It begins with Eric from Denmark leading Viking warriors fighting in The Borderlands of England in the 9th Century. Eric is everything you want in a hero- highly respected by his men and who takes no joy killing or pillaging, and one who loathes how many Vikings enjoy raping women from the villages they conquer as part of the "spoils of war." All Erik truly desires is land of his own, a wife, and a family.

Separately, we are introduced to Linzi who lives in the Scottish lowlands with her brother and father. Her family talks often about the war raging in Britain and prays that it does not move to the north. Shortly thereafter Linzi's brother and his friends sign up to join the fight about the same time when she starts to show interest in one of the friends. After her brother goes off to war, Linzi's father becomes gravely ill and she must venture out in search of the local medicine woman. It is while Linzi is outside her cabin fetching water that she stumbles upon Eric, who was deliberately wounded by an unknown Viking. Unfortunately this is where the story abruptly ends.

In fact, the ending is so sudden that you are left wondering if Audible only downloaded part of the story. This is disappointing because Lexy Timms does such a wonderful job of setting the stage for this very engaging story. What happened to "will passion at the touch of the enemy unravel her strong hold" as hinted in the synopsis? There is no passion and certainly no conscious touches between Lexi and Eric. Cliffhangers might be acceptable at the end of a season with a television series, but they don't work well in books. Even in trilogies there might be one overall story arch with three separate stories per book. Celtic Viking does not appear to be part of a trilogy, but instead appears to be only part of a serialized novel, with future installments in the works.

I listened to the Audible version of this segment narrated byHugh Loughlan, who did an admirable job. He read with a hypnotic brogue that was ideal for the setting and time period. His voice also fluctuated when appropriate to note urgency and emotions.

In short, this is a great beginning to a new serialized historical romance.

good book

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com"

i really enjoyed

cliffhanger much? or just a bad ending...

the ending was a little abrupt with an unfinished feeling. I relies it is a series but it didn't end with any idea of what could happen next.

Viking betrayal

This book was full of historic action and characters. I really enjoyed it and want to read more from this author.

Okay Story Inaccurate Use of Historical Terms

Over all the story was a good start to a story. This is one of those serialized chapter books books which I don't care for. The book ends in the middle of the story to be continued in the next installment.

My other major annoyance with he book was the inaccurate use of historical terms. For example Erick the major character and hero is referred to as a 'Dane'. a 'Viking', A 'Celt' and a 'Saxon'. Okay Dane and Viking may be interchangeable however a Dane isn't a Celt nor a Saxon and a Celt isn't a Dane nor a Saxon. These are three very different groups of peoples who warred with each other.

There was indeed a Great Heathen Army which invaded the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England, starting in 865 led by Halfdan who would become the Danish king. So that part of the book was accurate.

Linzi's Scottish brothers going off to aid the Anglo-Saxons repeal the Danes was also a bit unbelievable unless they went as paid mercenaries as the Scots and the Anglo-Saxons were enemies.

Although the story itself is fine the author needs to shore up her history and use of historical terms.

All in all I am looking forward to the next installment.

“I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot come”

A bit disappointing

I probably should have guessed that this book was NOT truly historical. After all, the title does say Celtic Viking. In my defense I thought it was a story about a Viking who converted to the Celtic goddess based religion. No. In this story Vikings call themselves celts. That glaring historical lie ruined this otherwise beautifully written love story. I adored the setting, the characters and the story...except for that major glaring error. I wish the author had said this was an alternate history novel. Then I would have gladly given it the five stars it otherwise deserved.

The narrator was marvelous! I could listen to him all day!

If you don't care about accuracy in your historical fiction, then I highly recommend it. Otherwise, I recommend her writing style and the narrator is pure magic.