Reviewed by Tammy
TITLE: Raider: M/M Viking Historical Gay First Time Romance 
AUTHOR: Jerry Cole
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 150 Pages
RELEASE DATE: April 30, 2016
BLURB:
The dull misery of Aiden’s peasant life in 8th century Northumbria is shattered forever when Norse Vikings land on his shore. The bastard child of a pagan woman who died when he was a child, Aiden’s life in the devoutly Christian village has never been easy, but it is unremarkable. Isolated and lonely, he tends his sheep and resigns himself to being alone; at night, however, he dreams of someone— anyone— taking him away from his misery. His prayers are answered in the last way he would have wished for when a band of Vikings raids his coastal village, burning and killing everything in sight. Just when he is certain they will kill him too, a handsome blond man intercedes, insisting that he wants to take Aiden for a thrall, a slave. The warrior Einarr claims Aiden as his bounty from the raid and forces Aiden into servitude in his house. Despite the collar around Aiden’s neck, he can tell Einarr does not treat him as a normal thrall, and the desire in the warrior’s eyes is unmistakable. Taken by brutal barbarians, Aiden struggles with his new place in the world and with the religious upbringing— which tells him that giving into Einarr’s advances would be an abomination. Meanwhile, a terrible threat looms on the horizon, threatening to wipe out Aiden’s new owners and Aiden with them. Can Aiden resist the affections of the man who owns him? And what will become of him when he’s forced to take up arms and fight alongside that man to save his own life? Can Aiden learn the Viking way, forge his own destiny, and choose the life he wants, or will he forever surrender and let himself be tossed by the tides of cruel fate? Aiden can feel himself falling, unsure if Einarr will be there to catch him, or if he wants him to…
REVIEW:
Raider is set in 8th century England when Norse Vikings are raiding the English coast. Aiden is a shepherd who lives in a devoutly Christian village. Because his mother was a pagan and he is a bastard by birth Aiden’s life is very miserable. Aiden spends his days tending his sheep and dreaming of a better life until one day a group of travellers wanting to trade come into the village. This is the day Aiden meets Einarr. Einarr wants to trade Aiden for the tokens Aiden has carved. Aiden agrees to the trade and when Einarr returns the next day with the rest of the traders he is inadvertently warned by Aiden that everything is not what it seems with the rations being traded. The travellers immediately turn on the townsfolk and slaughter everyone except for Aiden, Einarr saves him. Several days later and Aiden wakes up in a Vikings longboat with Einarr and the others who attacked his village.
When they arrive back at Einarr’s village Aiden discovers that he is now what is called a thrall, basically a slave. Except, Einarr doesn’t treat Aiden like a thrall, he treats him more like a lover, he does all these little things for Aiden and Aiden doesn’t have a clue! Several times instead of running away Aiden does something to save either Einarr or his daughter Agna’s life.
Aiden settles into Viking life, helping to harvest the crop and growing closer to Einarr every day. When Einarr kisses Aiden the first time, Aiden is very conflicted because the priest from his old village constantly drummed it in that homosexuality is a sin! As the weeks go by not only does Aiden and Einarr grow closer but Aiden gets close to Einarr’s daughter and develops friendships with the majority of the other villagers.
I would definitely recommend that you get yourself a copy of Raider and delve into the world Vikings and shepherds and all that good stuff!!
RATING: 
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