Mythology, Vikings, Romance… Yes!
This book definitely lived up to my expectations.
Loved all the Viking related elements and thought the romance was a delight!
The writing was easy to lose myself in and I really liked these characters.
It’s a gripping story and leaves me wanting more, so I’m glad it’s a series and I’m able to dive back into this world again with the next 2 books! I highly recommend if you like paranormal/fantasy romance and especially like Norse mythology!

Quite possibly one of the best starts to a series I encountered last year.

Brenna is a valkyrie, and as such, her duties lead her to reap the souls of brave warriors when they fall in battle. But Erik’s soul is one she finds herself making an exception for, and thus is punished. Stripped of her powers, she’s doomed to roam the Earth until she finds him again, and completes the task. And find him she does – but she still cannot do as she was ordered. Now it’s a race against her sisters who have also descended from Valhalla to do what she could not – only, this time, the man she’s come to care for and willing to protect is not the only target. She is, too.

Honestly, this was a fast-paced read and, while not on the small side, the book entertained me from page one. The writer took the term “valkyrie” and did it justice. Brenna was a battle-hardened woman, and so there were many battles in the story, and Erik was not left behind. Even when he knew he lacked his extraordinary pursuers’ supernatural abilities, he was determined to not go down without a fight – and he was hell bent on protecting Brenna, despite knowing what she was.

As I said, there was not much room to breathe with the book’s pace. Because Brenna’s sisters were in full possession and control of their powers, they were constantly on the couple’s tail, and some of them didn’t even care if they hurt innocent bystanders in the process, as long as the job was done. Almost every other chapter was filled with dread, the main couple frantically running and hiding, or fighting a losing battle.

Now, one might think that, with all this action, it would be hard for our leads to open up to each other and develop feelings properly. But Sheryl Nantus made it so for them to have small, brief reprieves. They weren’t much, but they were enough for them to talk things out and get closer. Plus, Erik was very open-minded and knew what he wanted, which was a good thing. That and the fact that he pretty much knew Brenna wasn’t normal and there was divine stuff at work around him almost from the start, so we didn’t have to lose time with the whole “unveiling” moment and aftermath that usually takes place in such cases.

The only part that sort of confused me was Freyja in the end – I didn’t really get what she was trying to say to Brenna, and I’m still not sure why she got punished in the first place if things were going to head that way. But as long as it all worked out, I guess I don’t mind.

Now it’s time for Kara to take the mantle. I didn’t really like her – and with good reason – but I kinda want to see how she’ll grow in her own story.

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

I was excited by this book. There were absolutely some great things. I loved that the author wasn't shy about confronting the ravages of war on the soldiers. Unfortunately, I just didn't really connect with these characters. That is rare for me. I might give this another shot in the future if there is a sequel with an intriguing premise but right now I'm just meh and I think the biggest reason was the ending. It just felt a bit contrived.

This was a new author for me and I was pleasantly surprised. Especially since I do not read many paranormal romance novels. The characters were likable and realistic. It was well-written and had a twist at the end of the book that was totally unexpected. It held my interest from start to finish and had some really great action towards the end of the book. It begs the question: What would you do for love? Would you stand up for a love that you believe in? Absolutely loved it! Very good read!

This premise of this book doesn’t really interest me right now, might get back to it later.
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Erik Harrison is a former soldier who should’ve been dead with the rest of his unit. Because of this, he’s very unsettled, fighting in underground cage matches and never staying in one place too long. The one thing that’s bothered him is a mysterious woman he saw on the field when his teammates died. Valkyrie Brenna Lund has spent her entire life guiding the souls of dying warriors. She’s not sure why she didn’t retrieve Erik’s but since he didn’t die, she’s in trouble and must remedy the situation so that she can return to her proper place. When another Valkyrie shows up and tells her she’s out of time, Brenna and Erik go on the run together.
This was a decent book. The premise was pretty good. The characters were very well written. Unfortunately it dragged a bit and took me a while to finish.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Her Alpha Viking by Sheryl Nantus is a sexy paranormal romance that takes a myth from the Norse gods and dying wounded warrior to produce an emotive story .
Brenna Lund has been sent to earth to claim Erik's soul but fails in her task . Another Valkyrie is sent to complete her task ………… but ………….. with her attraction for Eric growing they find themselves on the run . Can they keep Brenna's sister from catching and killing them or can they change fate and have their own happy ever after ?

This was an entertaining book that kept me hooked from the beginning .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Adventure, myths, love, and more, what could you want? This original story will have you up all night reading! These characters will have you experiencing all the emotions <3

Her Alpha Viking by Sheryl Nantus is a sexy paranormal romance that takes a war weary soldier and up-ends his thoughts on life and death when a creature he'd thought to be a myth turns out to be real – and wants him dead.

Erik Harrison is mortally wounded on the battlefield and knows he's dying when he sees a vision – a beautiful woman with wings, a Valkyrie, who releases his friends' souls to make the journey to Valhalla. He's not supposed to be able to see her or talk to her, but he does and in her shock she is unable to release him to his death. Erik recovers and is living a life somewhat in limbo, haunted by the events of that day. He's got a gig as an underground fighter, using his physical strength to power himself from day to day.

Brenna Lund has been sent to earth to claim Erik's soul like she was supposed to that fated day when she failed in her task. She's lost most of her immortal abilities but plans to find him and kill him to release his warrior soul and return them both to Valhalla. But when she catches up to him, he recognizes her. In that moment, Brenna finds herself again drawn to him and unable to fulfill her quest. Because of this, another Valkyrie is sent to finish the job. Now Brenna and Erik are both on the run, hooking up with a traveling group of military veterans. It's only a matter of time before Brenna's Valkyrie sister Kara will find them – and she means to kill them both. Can Erik and Brenna live long enough to change their fates, and get their own happy ending?

What an exciting story! I was enthralled from the very first page with this different take on a wounded warrior romance and how the author skillfully blends the harsh reality of modern warfare with the mythology of the Norse Gods. From the moment Erik and Brenna meet things don't fall out the way they are supposed to, and figuring out why that is and what has drawn them to each other is part of what's revealed by the end of the story. Meanwhile, they have to contend with the sexual attraction that simmers between them as they try to evade a Valkyrie who will stop at nothing to fulfill her task.

I really enjoyed the relationships that Erik and Brenna build with the group of traveling former soldiers who talk about the costs of war in various locations across the country. It's a road trip with meaning and each of the characters has their own back story for where they fought and why they are on this trip. It's easy for Erik and Brenna to blend in with them, though Erik has a reputation on the underground fighting ring and has to keep a lower profile. Brenna's presence and odd stories are explained as a manifestation of PTSD since they know people won't understand who she really is (and even Erik sometimes has difficulty with the truth). There is a lot of action and suspense as the story moves to its climactic finale, and yes, a happy ending for the couple. If you are looking for a sexy, exciting and unique paranormal romance, I highly recommend this one. I am looking forward to reading more in this series!

This review has been posted at Harlequin Junkie and feedback updated with the link. It's been posted at sale sites, and has been posted at Goodreads.

The concept for this story was intriguing, but there was no substance to the plot. The Norse myth was brushed over and the main character was bland.

I apologize for my harsh review.

Former Soldier Erik Harrison survived the ambush that killed the rest of his team. However, it seems time is running out for him since his soul was supposed to be reaped and sent to Valhalla by Valkyrie Brenna Lund and she's back to accomplish the task. Yet, Eric isn't about to go down without a fight. Unfortunately, Brenna isn't the only one after him. When another Valkyrie is dispatched to take out both Brenna and Erik, will they survive the battle or will they lose their shot at happy ever after?

What an incredibly satisfying, fast-paced, highly entertaining read Ms. Nantus has delivered in this first book of her Odin's Bastards series where the main characters were absolutely engrossing; the dialogue was compelling and a total page turner because of all that Brenna and Erik go through on their journey to happy ever after; and the tough obstacles these face to be together, especially whether they'd survive the battle they face against an immortal being had me reading quickly, determined to discover if they would win.

The way this story started had me hooked immediately because of what the hero goes through since survivor's guilt is a powerful thing, especially after what he witnessed. How come the angel from his dreams did what she did for him? However, it was from the moment Erik and Brenna come face-to-face again after a year when he lost his team in the ambush where this story really gets interesting, as Brenna has a job to do and she's determined to do it. Will Brenna be able to kill Erik? Will Erik be able to get the truth out of Brenna about why she has to kill him?

With the main characters, I absolutely loved the hero and heroine due to the their back stories, their growing relationship and the journey they take to happy ever after. Both Brenna and Erik have been through so much and I could understand how much Valhalla and being a Valkyrie means to Brenna. It's the only life she's ever known and to have it stripped away is heartbreaking for her. Will she get back in the good graces of the one that made her a Valkyrie? Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous, feisty and I liked how determined she was to fight for the hero, even if -- in the end -- things don't work out the way they hope. Will Erik and Brenna survive the final battle? Will Brenna choose love over family? Certainly, I could understand why she's so conflicted when it comes to fighting the Valkyrie after them.

While the hero, I couldn't help but sympathize with his situation in him being the only one to survive the ambush that killed his team. Will he ever be able to move on and not feel the guilt he does that he survived? Furthermore, I loved the hero's resilience, his determination to protect Brenna, his courage to fight because he will not go down without a fight and I liked how determined he was to win Brenna over. Certainly, seeing the angel from his dreams is a dream come true, especially when he has so many questions for her. Will he believe the truth about who she really is and where she comes from?

Overall, Ms. Nantus has delivered an amazing read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was off-the-charts; the secondary characters were just as entertaining as the main ones; the romance was nicely-detailed and had me loving how Erik treats the heroine with such tenderness because she's so inexperienced; and the ending had me worried for the main characters because it's palpable they might not be able to win against the immortal being coming after them, but left me completely satisfied how things work out for this pair. Clearly, they have a guardian angel. However, it was the final chapter that wrapped this story up perfectly, because Erik and Brenna are so happy together and have found their calling when it comes putting their skills as a Former Soldier and Valkyrie to good use. I would recommend Her Alpha Viking by Sheryl Nantus, if you enjoy paranormal romance, stories revolving around Mythology and that have a good dose of romance; or books by authors Dana Marie Bell, Abigail Owen, Juliette Cross and Nina Croft.

Let me start by saying this concept is GREAT! I have read plenty of Valkyrie Fantasies and never understood why there weren't enough dealing with the modern-day warriors in the Armed Forces. I enjoy the very slow burn of the romance between Brenna and Erik. It is the most realistic aspect of the entire novel. The romance develops over months of them traveling with the veterans while running from the antagonist. I enjoyed their morning sparring matches and the fact that, despite the novel referring to Erik as an Alpha, he respects Brenna as a warrior and never attempts to take control of any situation they or the group is in. Jake, a side character, is the clear alpha of the group and Erik always defers to him. More on that in a moment.

What caused the novel to lose points for me?

First, while I love all of the other characters and the band of brothers and sisters they created, they distracted from this being a romance. So much time was spent creating relationships with everyone else that I'm not sure how this was labeled a romance at all. A lot of the time the main characters spent together was glossed over as "for weeks they sat together in the middle row of the van." The roles and descriptions of Helen and Jake made them a bit more than supporting characters in my opinion. In fact, so much of the novel was spent on the other four that I was angry at how the overly-convenient ending wiped out the possibility of any of them being part of later books. What did I get invested in these people for?

There were also several moments that were thrown in for convenience or to add excitement. The group did not have much money and were surviving on food and financial donations, yet they were able to gamble in Vegas, have extravagant spa days, play stall games at a fair until the giant dog was won, and catch a plane with minutes notice, something most readers know costs hundreds of dollars so to expect us to be okay with it happening when Erik was sleeping in a homeless shelter the night before is no bueno.


In addition, Erik Harrison's name and the series title of Odin's Bastards gave the final moments away from the very beginning. I would have loved more of a twist. Also would have loved it if the god/goddess shows up, explains everything, and wipes away all damage done trope hadn't happened. It cheapened the ending.


Would I recommend this book? Not really. I thought the author wrote very well despite a few instances of head-hopping (which may have been cleaned up before released to the general audience), but the story needed a bit more originality considering all of the things she could have done with this great story concept.

As Erik and Brenna become closer, the more they realize they want to risk everything for a future together.

This mythological based story is fascinating and romantic with strong, compelling characters that easily draw readers in and refuse to let go. The romance of this story has quite a few obstacles in the way of the happily ever after, one of which is the fact that Brenna was sent to kill Erik in order to correct her mistake. This causes quite a bit of emotional confusion as they struggle to stay alive and fight their very magnetic attraction to each other and readers can’t help but become ensnared by their journey to their future. The romance is also on the sweet side as it is a first love for Victoria and because of what she is, she doesn’t have much understanding of what is happening between her and Erik which makes readers smile and even gives them a few chuckles.

The plot is steady paced and flows smoothly from beginning to end, although the battles do seem to move at a faster pace because they are so thrilling and really get readers’ adrenaline pumping. There is never a dull moment to be found as the intriguing story is full of intrigue and exciting twists and turns that keeps readers guessing during this well developed and mesmerizing world.

This captivating new world has a unique take on Norse Mythology, is full of Valkyries and soldiers, and captivating characters that ensure readers will come back for more.

Surrounded by sand and blood, a soldier watched as all the rest of his team died. Now a year later as Erik Harrison is fighting his way back to normality the woman he thought he dreamed up appears again. That starts a very dangerous series of events that could cost many lives.
Brenna Lund is or was a Valkyrie . She hesitated in her duty on the battlefield and has been sent, without her abilities, to complete her mission.
Why does this one man have the power to turn her world upside down.?
This is a very exciting story set in today's world and covering the troubles some our soldiers face in everyday life, with a lot of extras.
It's part of a series if stand alone books, and I can't wait to read the next one.

Truly amazing paranormal romance. Book delves into the effects of trama and post traumatic stress disorder. I will definitely recommend this book. Ends in a HEA.

What a smart, sexy take on Norse god history! I wholeheartedly enjoyed this brewing romance between Erik and Brenna. Erik and Brenna's shared history is a fantastic basis for the friendship and love that develops. If you want to call Brenna's hunt to reap Erik's soul to send it to the glory of Valhalla as shared history.

I loved Brenna's loyalty to her sisters, the Valkeries, as well as her faith in Freyja, the leader of the Valkeries and also the Norse Goddess of Love. And I loved Erik's need to love and protect Brenna at all costs.

Her Alpha Viking is a bit of a slow burn romance. And great world building for more of these Odin's Bastards stories.

Pretty good read. Interesting Viking lore set in modern day. It just seemed to drag at points and I wanted it to get to the heart of the story faster. I loved the side characters and the story of the vertrans. It made me sad at points, but they all were such survivors that helped each other. Everyone wants to glorify war, but it is far from glorious and destroys so much.

Breanne was tough and she truly didn’t loose her faith in her gods. I think Kara got off too easy and I wish we had some of her POV to see what her motivation truly was. Erik was sexy and strong.

Good read. Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Because the lead female character is a Valkyrie this is technically Urban Fantasy. However, there are hardly any fantasy elements to the story. There is a vision at the very beginning, and a appearance of the gods at the very end. The entire majority of this story is two people traveling, making new human friends, and worrying about an impending attack. It’s nice that veterans are so heavily featured in this story, and that is this book’s only redeeming quality. Because while they are on the run, they aren’t attacked until the very end. Which makes this boring, I don’t know if I would continue with this series. It would depend on if the format changed and there is more action and mystical occurrences. This is a 2.5 book to me.

I really liked this entertaining read. The story is a romance wrapped in mythology, Brenna should have killed Erik on the battlefield so that he could be with his brothers instead he lived remembering the vision of an angel but living with the guilt he is still alive. Will she complete her mission before another is sent to kill them both? This is a fast-paced read with great characters and an entertaining story. I liked it.

Sheryl Nantus is a new to me author. The cover for Her Alpha Viking is what caught my attention. Reading the blurb and learning the heroine was a Valkyrie had me reaching for the book. The first line grabbed me and had me thinking I was in for a good read.

Brenna Lund is a Valkyrie. She’s a warrior princess tasked with collecting the souls of warriors on Earth and taking them to Valhalla. It is a job she’s had for centuries, and one she’s very good at. She’s even one of Freyja’s favorites. Things for Brenna change when she’s sent to Afghanistan to collect the souls of military personnel killed in a rescue mission. As she’s collecting souls, she comes across Erik Harrison, the leader of the squad. Erik isn't supposed to see Brenna. He definitely isn’t supposed to see what she’s doing or have the ability to speak to her.

Erik Harrison knows his last moments on Earth are going to be watching members of his team succumb to their injuries. Erik knows there isn’t much time left for him either. Laying on the hot sand, he’s drifting away. He’s finding peace when a beautiful blond woman appears before him. When he sees her taking the life of his people, he screams in protest, challenging the woman. Brenna is surprised by Erik’s actions, but she’s more surprised by her own. In a move out of character for her, Brenna kisses Erik and leaves him to be rescued.

For failing to collect Erik’s soul, Brenna is banished to Earth to kill him and send his soul to Valhalla. Brenna believes this is the only way for her to return home. She knows what she must do, but she has to find Erik first. What Brenna doesn’t know is that she isn’t the only Valkyrie on Earth looking for Erik. Kara, her Valkyrie sister, is tasked with killing Erik and seeing him to his rightful place in Valhalla. She’s also tasked with killing Brenna and sending her to Helheim, as punishment for her misdeeds. And so the cat and mouse game begins with Kara as the hunter and Erik and Brenna as the hunted.

As Brenna and Erik run for their lives, they meet new people who become friends. They themselves also become friends and ultimately lovers, never knowing the kind of love they now share. As with everything, their time runs out and the result is an epic fight worthy of any warrior preparing for Ragnarok.

Her Alpha Viking was a good story that had the potential to be a great story. For me, I felt the story dragged on too long in the middle. I wanted more fight scenes in the middle of all the kumbaya and love. However, I was thoroughly impressed with how Sheryl resolved the conflict. If I’m being honest, I have to admit the story brought tears to my eyes. The final fight and aftermath were definitely my favorite parts of the book. After such a high, the ending was a little bit of a let down. However, it does allude to more books. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. I’m curious to see what Sheryl is going to do next.