You did it! We figured this one out! It is a truth universally acknowledged (by me for certain) that the Bitchery pretty much knows everything, and really, it's true. Scroll down to see the solution for this HaBO - and many thanks!
Rhonda wrote in looking for this book, and I *thought* I posted it, but maybe it’s a really vivid dream or something. I searched but it’s not coming up – but if this is a repeat, I beg your pardon.
I’m searching for a book. I remember reading it way back when I was
first married, so its something like 20 years old give or take.
The heroine, I remember her name, Dorcus, cause how could the author give
such a kickass female such a bad name. I mean Xena Warrior Princess had to
be an ancestor of hers cause she could fight!
Anyway, the book is set in Viking time and she is a shield maiden. The book
starts with the hero being gravely wounded in battle, by a redhead female in
battle gear whom he thinks is a Valkyrie come to take him away. She screams
her war cry and runs away to go kill more idiot men or something.A long time passes, and the hero is better and is going to a man’s house to
pick a bride. Probably in an effort to unit waring factions but, who cares.Anyway, he sees the redhead,all decked out with sword, etc. He’s not
interested in her younger sisters, he wants to marry her. Even after she
chops off the slimy dude who came with the hero’s, hand off. Said handless
dude dared touch Dorcus(ugh) after she said she’d chop something off if he
touched her again. I always thought the hero had some complex to want to
marry the chick who nearly eviscerated him in battle but to each his own.
The hero and heroine marry, and I’m sure the sex is fantastic,isn’t it
always. Hero takes his new bride back home to meet the parents.Eventually he pisses her off, cause she’s a kick ass female who don’t take
crap from no man and she hijacks a boat to take her back to her daddy’s
home. And of course she’s preggers by then, and being the beginning of
winter, hero can’t come get her cause the sea is to rough/ impassable at
this time.I think spring comes round and somehow she gets kidnapped, I don’t remember
if it was before or after the twins, yes, she had twins. Hero managed to
make it back and save her and I think they live happily ever after.Can anyone help me find this book, cause I’ve looked for it off and on for
over 3 years. I’ve LOVE to reread this one again.
Anyone recall this book? Or have any explanations as to why I’m dreaming about posting HaBOs?
The first part reminds me of a Coulter – Chandra and the last part of a Lindsay – Fires of Winter, though neither of them had heroines named “Dorcus” and I don’t remember if either of them were redheads.
Could it possibly be Passionate Warriors by Mary Ellen Gronau? The heroine’s name is Dorcas and the synopsis sounds similar.
I always thought it most unfortunate that a name that means “gazelle” (Dorcas, not Dorcus) sounded so… dorky.
Weird fact I learned while reading some of the writings of Far Side creator Gary Larson – “Dork” is the proper name for a whale’s penis. He found that out when he was censored for using the word “dork” in a comic.
So I can’t even see the name Dorcus without thinking of a whale’s penis.
Thanks, Gary Larson.
Sorry I can’t help out with the book. But have you noticed that Vikings always go for the women who can fight?
The Viking part and twin part sound a lot like “Sea Jewel,” a bodice-ripper one of my friends brought me when I was in the hospital. However, the heroine’s name was Freya and it contained FAR too much rape for my taste. Ugh.
I’m afraid I can’t help with the book title, but at least I can testify (sorta) that Sarah’s not crazy, because I remember reading this story, possibly verbatim, once already. But I can’t find it, either.
You ladies Rock!!!!!! It was Passionate Warriors and I’ve now got it on its way thanks to you wonderful bitches and Amazon!!
Dorcas is the greek translation of “Tabitha” which I know because some random dude once read me a passage from the bible that mentioned it.
I always remember Dorcas as one of the kidnapped chicks in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Even my seven-year-old musical-loving self knew that was really, really unhip.
And this book sounds pretty great, though I’d prefer it if she saved herself at the end.
I remember Dorcas from a play in high school drama. It was the name of a vampire queen.
random historical fact Dorcas was actually a very popular name going through records you run across a lot of Dorcas especially in colonial Massachusetts. So there have been many Dorcas in the world. also Dorcas in Seven Brides was Julie Newmar if you looked like her you get away with being Dorcas
Oh. My. God.
I just looked it up on Goodreads and the main character is called Neil McNeil! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! That is hilarious!
Also, the book cover is amazing and in the synopsis it says
“Her flaming red hair and regal stance make men speechless.” – that must be some good hair and standing !
@Sabrina:
Wait a minute, here…. I thought they were Vikings? How’d he end up with a mish-mash Scots/Irish name?
Depends on how far back you go. I mean, the Vikings had contacts with the Scots. Leod—the progenitor of my family name (helps if you know ‘Mc’ means ‘son of’)—was the adopted son of a Viking big man/king named Olaf the Black.
So I guess that makes me an infinitely-removed prince.
Sweet.
Most of the height to the tall Hieland Scots that we all know and love (cough-Jamie Fraser-cough) is owed to Viking and Danish invaders.
And Dublin was founded by Vikings.
I have an ancestor named Dorcas Sophronia. That was the family joke whenever someone was pregnant and picking names, ‘Well, you could always name the baby Dorcas!’
LOL
I’m glad this book was found, because I totally want to read it! I haven’t read a good old-fashioned, non-paranormal kickass heroine in a long time, especially a Viking one.
And I also associate Dorcas with Seven Brides (and thus a tall Junoesque figure which I would still kill to have), and so won’t mind that. Neil McNeil though…
Agree w/ Scrin about the Viking origin of many Scottish names (my heritage, too). McLeod, Faulk, Anderson, etc—many of them came from the Viking invaders.
But that doesn’t mean that the “history” in this particular book isn’t effed up.
BTW, I’m sure there’s something wrong w/ me for always wanting to read these HABOs. The more craptastic, the greater the allure.
Um, I totally have this book and LOVED it for so long (long time since reading it tho). Had twin’s book too (she has a twin brother and his is the 1st book in series). Also, they are Scottish and their clans are mortal enemies. Seriously, YEARS since I’ve read this book and I remember this. Am positive its in my keeper box deep in the closet.
Also, I like the name Dorcas *ducks head*