Lord of Fire and Ice

Mason and Marlowe (Sins of the Highlander) collaborate on a Viking romance with intrusive fantasy elements. When widowed Katla takes Brandr Ulfson as a thrall in revenge for her husband’s death at Brandr’s father’s hand, the usual collision of hearts is set in motion. Katla yearns for inn matki munr, the telepathic communication possible only for those deeply in love, while Brandr finds himself increasingly drawn to his new owner while watching her run the island farmstead and judge the merits of the suitors her brothers present her with. The love story is steamy and well crafted, but Brandr’s abilities as a fire mage feel grafted to the book primarily to justify the title. While the intrusion of bloodthirsty gods does play more of a part in moving the plot along, the romance between Katla and Brandr takes center stage, making moments without them seem superfluous. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary Agency. (July)