THE HEART'S WARRIOR by Leigh Bale

This was a great viking era tale. Kerstin is a healer but she is known to everyone as the 'Witch of Moere' because she uses herbs. She is betrothed to one she loves but the King commands she marry Jonas, the Beast of Hawkscliffe, to ensure peace between their families so they may fight a common enemy. Though she greatly opposes the marriage she finally agrees. There is a strong attraction between Jonas and Kerstin but they don't trust each other. Kerstin believes he is cruel and wants to see her dead and Jonas believes Kerstin poisoned and killed his brother. Slowly but surely they begin to see each other in a different light. Jonas is kind when he could be cruel and Kerstin is helping his people. But there is a traitor in the group. When Kerstin finds out who it is she sets out to warn Jonas. But will she make it in time? and will they ever find peace in their marriage?

The Heart's Warrior was very engaging and kept me reading from start to finish. The characters were very well drawn and seemed natural to the story. I liked both Jonas and Kerstin. Jonas was a hulk of a man yet had a tender heart. Kerstin had fire and grit yet in her heart she really did want peace. There was a mystery concerning who killed Jonas' brother that you don't find out until the end. There is also a spot in the end that sucked the breath out of me. I loved it because it was unexpected. This would not be considered 'Christian Fiction' but it is what I would call "clean with an edge" (with the exception of a few words).