I love a good Viking hero and when I read the synopsis for this book I knew that it would be one that I wanted to give a try. This is not in any way a typical paranormal story. There is an immortal Viking, but he is very much a modern soldier. Despite being able to heal even the worst of wounds sustained in battle. Wulf fits in with his group of Special Forces brothers and has earned and received respect from his fellow soldiers. Our heroine, Theresa, is a confident and competent military doctor who figures out what makes Wulf so different from all of the other soldiers.
The first part of First to Burn mostly focuses on how Theresa figures out what is different about Wulf and there is lots of military action. There is some tension between Wulf and Theresa and as they are on different sides of the fraternization line they are not allowed to pursue a relationship. I am not sure why there was a disconnect for me with these characters because the book is well written. Richland has provided an immortal alpha hero who is strong, capable, committed to his friends, and who has not lost touch with his ability to care for other people. Theresa is a strong lead female who faces a challenge that would make many people falter and give up, but it does not keep her from moving forward.
The story line all makes sense, flows together and leaves enough questions both answered and unanswered so that the story may continue without leaving too much open at the end. So why didn't I fall in love with this story and the characters? I'm not really sure. When I think of this book I can't point to any one thing and say that it is why I didn't get sucked in the way that I wanted to, it just didn't happen for me. There are many good reviews for this book so I figure maybe I am just the anomaly on this one and I somehow missed the boat.
Happy Reading!
Monica
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the author through the LoP on Goodreads*
Synopsis
A soldier with secrets
Immortal Viking Wulf Wardsen once battled alongside Beowulf, and now serves in Afghanistan. He trusts the mortal men on his elite special operations team to protect his secret, until an explosion lands him in a place more dangerous to him than a battlefield: a medevac helicopter.
A doctor with questions
Army captain Theresa Chiesa follows the rules and expects the same from others, even special forces hotshots like Sergeant Wardsen. She's determined to discover the secret behind his supernaturally fast healing, and she won't allow his sexy smile to distract her.
An enemy with nothing to lose
Even as Theresa's investigation threatens to expose him, Wulf is stirred by her passion. Dreaming of love and a normal life, he wants nothing more than to build a future with her. But the lost Viking relic needed to reverse his immortality is being hunted by another--an ancient enemy who won't hesitate to hurt Theresa to strike back at Wulf.
Thanks for the review, Monica! I'm an NPR junkie too, which is totally why I couldn't resist giving Carl, Theresa's step-father, a line about NPR in the scene where he meets Wulf.
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