Viking Blood Saga Series by E.J. Squires

It’s not easy being a seventeen-year-old adopted peasant girl in the Viking-inhabited Northlandic Kingdom, especially when you have terrifying mare dreams of an evil Empress named Eiess, and when your friends oust you because they think you are cursed. But Ailia's on the verge of discovering that she hasn't even seen the tip of the iceberg that sleeps below... On Winter Solstice Ailia visits her favorite place to ponder: a large cliff overlooking her hometown... moreIt’s not easy being a seventeen-year-old adopted peasant girl in the Viking-inhabited Northlandic Kingdom, especially when you have terrifying mare dreams of an evil Empress named Eiess, and when your friends oust you because they think you are cursed. But Ailia's on the verge of discovering that she hasn't even seen the tip of the iceberg that sleeps below... On Winter Solstice Ailia visits her favorite place to ponder: a large cliff overlooking her hometown. On her way home, Eiess and an army of Vikings capture her before attacking the Northlandic Kingdom. After usurping the Northlandic Throne, Eiess immediately suspends the seasons on the darkest and coldest day of the year and begins her preparations for the prophesied battle to end all battles. Princess Lucia, sole heir to the Nothlandic Throne, is taken prisoner by Eiess and is thrown into the castle’s tower. For months, Lucia wastes away, never knowing when this nightmare of beatings, starvation and bitter cold will end. But when she miraculously escapes, she learns that she has a twin sister she must find before Eiess completely destroys the Northlandic Kingdom. Months later, Ailia wakes up in a glacier cave with no memory of how she ended up there. On her way home, a handsome, yet mysterious young man named Soren rescues her from wolves and a dangerous shape-shifter. Ailia is immediately drawn to Soren, thinking she knows him from somewhere, maybe from her dreams of another life? He reveals he is a Sentinor sent by the gods to defeat Eiess and is waiting to be reunited with his soul mate, Lucia, so they together can defeat the Empress. As Eiess continues to amass her forces, Ailia, Lucia and Soren are about to discover that their destinies are intertwined behind a veil of dark secrets and lies. If they are to take back the Northlandic Throne, they must work together and form an alliance. But their mission to overthrow the Empress is stalled when the secrets and lies surface. And when a strong love develops between two, jealousy and duplicity arise between them, causing one of them to betray the others – a betrayal which puts their lives and the lives of humanity in grave danger. WINTER SOLSTICE WINTER is a Young Adult/New Adult fantasy romance set in the Viking Era. With Suspense, Norse paranormal elements and a breathtaking soul mate love story, it's a great read for those who enjoy a page-turning story. This is the first book in its series. less

Ailia and Soren have finally found each other, but their war against Eiess has barely begun. In order to save their lives, Soren and Ailia must escape to the Southlandic Kingdom with the rest of their family. But before they leave, they discover that the Aesira Jewel—the key to returning the seasons back to normal—has been stolen by darkelves. Despite her reluctance to separate from Soren again, Ailia sails for the Southlandic Kingdom to safety while Soren chases after the thieves... moreAilia and Soren have finally found each other, but their war against Eiess has barely begun. In order to save their lives, Soren and Ailia must escape to the Southlandic Kingdom with the rest of their family. But before they leave, they discover that the Aesira Jewel—the key to returning the seasons back to normal—has been stolen by darkelves. Despite her reluctance to separate from Soren again, Ailia sails for the Southlandic Kingdom to safety while Soren chases after the thieves. Lucia’s alliance with Eiess is proving a powerful one, but Lucia’s hunger for revenge and supremacy grows stronger every day. Unexpectedly, Lucia meets and falls in love with a Viking who is determined to give her whatever she wants, no matter the cost. Having been taken prisoner by the darkelves, Soren must find a way to escape their realm and find his way back to Midgard with the Aesira Jewel before it's too late. But with deadly storms raging in the Southlandic Kingdom, and war waging in the Northlandic Kingdom, it seems impossible for Soren and Ailia to win the battle against eternal darkness. ‘Summer Solstice Summer’ is the second book in the Viking Blood Saga Fantasy/Historical/Romance Saga series and picks up where ‘Winter Solstice Winter’ left off. less