Name: The Last Viking
ISBN: 9780505522559

Sandra Hill

When medieval historian Meredith Foster finds a man in a leather tunic, she comes to realize that he knows much about the tenth century and nothing about the 20th. Should she surrender to the fantasy that Geirolf Ericsson really is a Viking from 1,000 years ago? Reissue.

The Last Viking

The hypnotic voice on the self-motivation tape was supposed to help Ruby Jordan solve her problems, not create new ones. Instead, she was lulled from a failing marriage to an era of hard-bodied warriors and fair maidens. But the world ten centuries in the past didn’t prove to be all mead and mirth. Ruby had to deal with a Norseman who had her husband’s face, habits, and desire to avoid Ruby. Determined not to lose the same man twice, Ruby planned a bold seduction that would conquer the reluctant Viking—and make him an eager captive of her love.

The Reluctant Viking

Danielle Crain

I am so glad I took the time to finish this book. I put it down a few times because the time travel element seemed a little unbelievable. Sandra Hill also updated many of the pop-culture references in this book when she revised it in 2011 and I have to say that was completely unnecessary. It seemed odd that the references were updated, but some of the song references continued to be dated. I would've been fine with dated across the board.

...on to the story portion. The story basically follows Ruby, who is married to Jack. It starts off with their marriage falling apart and basically Jack walks out. Ruby falls asleep listening to a meditation CD and when she wakes up she discovers herself on a Viking ship in the 10th century. There she meets up with Thork (our hero), who ironically is the spitting image of Jack. Finding this completely unbelievable I continued to read because I identified with the heroine a bit... we are the same age, and although I cannot relate to the failing marriage, I can relate to my some of the the feelings she has when she evaluates her life. Now that I am in my late 30's I do often look back and wonder "what-if?" or "what could I have done differently?" We all have made mistakes in our past, but we are not able to relive the past in order to make things right. We also need to learn to have some satisfaction for what we have and what we have done up until this point. Because of that I think the time-travel element actually works because she is able to re-live her youth and remember what it was that made her fall in love with her husband in the first place. 

I felt at times that this book could have wrapped up a bit quicker than it did. Also, dragging the 20th century into the 10th century (complete with Nike sneakers, Kenny Rogers Songs and sexy lingerie) just didn't do it for me. The story-line in general though was pretty decent which earned this book 3 stars from me. I do have the next book in this series waiting for me by my bed. I'm thankful that I have the original edition and not the updated so I don't have to deal with all the Jessica Alba references. REALLY?!?

My Ratings:

5*****I loved this book, consider it an all time favorite
4**** Thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it
3*** I liked it well enough,
2** Brain Candy - It was okay. Writing mediocre, will
keep/re-read if part of a series
1* didn't like/possibly not finished. (less)

Lover of Romance 

A modern-day woman is suddenly transported back to medieval times and falls in love with a Viking warrior.