Scandinavia & Byzantium, 900 AD:

The raiders have just slaughtered Magnus Silver-Throat, the only father Rika Magnusdottir has ever known. She and her gentle but slow brother have now been captured by Bjorn the Black, the second son and brother to the Jarl of Sogna. Rika will not show weakness to this blood-soaked raider. Seeing justice done to the man responsible for her father's death is her reason to keep breathing.

Rika starts an arduous journey into a foreign land with this man who is so huge, so strong, so intimidating and yet so gentle. Bjorn proves to be her protector is many ways and soon, against her will, she begins to care a great deal for him. Bjorn is intoxicated by her strength and fiery red hair. Rika knows this is the man she could have loved for all her life if the gods had been on her side.

There is no love lost between Bjorn and his brother, Gunnar, the jarl. But he's taken an oath of fealty and "oath breaking" is as bad as killing a man, for a man that goes back on his word is worthless.

Rika is forced to make a secret bargain with Gunnar in order to protect her sweet, simpleminded brother along with Bjorn's honor. She can't purchase her own happiness at the cost of the man she's grown to love more than life itself. Rika agrees to marry Abdul-Azziz and Bjorn is the one who must escort her to Miklagard. Rika only hopes she can store treasured moments from this journey to be savored for the rest of her life once the harem doors are slammed shut.

MAIDENSONG is a very unique and beautiful love story unlike any I've ever read before. At first, I thought the Slavic words were a bit cumbersome and confusing. But as this wondrous love story began unfolding, they became nothing short of enchanting. Bjorn and Rika are an unlikely couple but it doesn't take long before they become entrenched in our hearts. The story is bold and fierce, yet soft and gentle. MAIDENSONG takes us on a whirlwind journey to new lands with unique characters and a heart-stopping adventure. I think Diana Groe's debut novel shows an incredible amount of storytelling talent and is a winner. I look forward to many more stories by this author. Take this wonderful journey -- you'll be glad you did.