Im a Viking and <title>I'm a Viking and I Protest

Karl Gustavsen is proud of his Nordic heritage. He runs a small business, The Viking Museum and Impost Shop of Minneapolis, alongside his sister, Ingrid. The blood of Vikings runs strong in their veins; both siblings are tall, pale blondes. He is irate to learn that erotic Viking based books are selling like hotcakes, yet his genuine Viking merchandise sits gathering dust on the shelves of his small shop. He believes that the eroticism of author Rose Jacobson is blatant pornography and an insult to generations of hard working Viking descendants, so takes her to court.

Rose is unwilling to change the settings for her stories because they are so popular. Although her eroticism features rape and pillage, the women are willing and the Viking heroes are always described in the most complimentary manner. When she attempts to meet Karl head on, things begin to go awry. Maybe it is the rune stone in the corner of the shop, but suddenly Karl is the very essence of an overpowering, primitive male. Fortunately the quick witted Rose is able to control him by quoting the lines of heroines in her books. (This scene is hilarious!)

Jackie Rose grabs your attention right from the start with a scene from an imaginary best seller- “Ravished by Ragnar”. It is a highly erotic book and a clever introduction to set the tone and prepare readers for the bedside antics ahead. There is quite a bit of campaigning as Karl tries to gain support for his cause, I found this part a little difficult to slog through because I was eager to see him meet his match. For a short tale, the main and secondary characters are very well established and their motivations clear. The lovemaking is urgent, intense and some of the barbarian-like comments had me laughing out loud. With Jackie Rose, you never know what to expect next; her books are certainly never dull!

Reviewed by: Naomi