Linnea was a Valkyrie. As a Valkyrie she was able to go forward and backward in time plucking dying men from the battlefield. Once these men were removed from their own time periods, they began an intensive training regime to become a part of an elite army chosen to take part in the forthcoming apocalyptic battle. Linnea, however, had special gifts that others of her kind did not: ones that the elders in her tribe found useful because she was able to find specially gifted male individuals through visions. These individuals were recognized as necessary if they were to be able to fight the war against the supernatural elements and the demon vampires. While on assignment to ancient Scotland to find a man name Bhreac Laochailan, Linnea encountered a man unlike any other-a man she was struck speechless by!

When the two them came together, Linnea discovered that Kerr was none other than Bhreac Laochailan, the man she'd come in search of. Now, she'd broken the elders biggest rule-that of not having sex with a potential. But she couldn't leave him where he was for fear that the demons and vampires would find him, so she was going to have to return with him regardless of the elders' feelings. However, before they could go through the portal, Bhreac fell victim to the Darkside and she, herself, was severely injured. On awakening in Valhalla she became withdrawn and changed her name to Valerie in remembrance of Bhreac.

Sometime thereafter, demons and vampires attacked Valhalla: their desire-to capture Valerie. The leaders of Valhalla ordered Valerie and company to the earth to find more talented males. As they left, Valerie's mother warned her that it was a trap. She left anyway following orders. Once there she was attacked. When she awakened she had no memory and an inordinate desire for sex. Oh, one other thing, she was a vampire too!

Mandy Roth does it again. VALHALLA-THE VALKYRIE BEGINNINGS pulls the reader in and doesn't let go until the very last page. Released as a prequel to THE VALKYRIE, it ties up most of the loose ends about Linnea/Valerie's origins, yet still leaves plenty of room for future books. While VALHALLA has some romance in it, it is by no means a Romantic novel. This is a Dark Erotic Paranormal that reads very much in the way of suspense. The story ends in a cliffhanger, which is almost where THE VALKYRIE picks up. Linnea makes for an awesome Valkyrie and an even more awesome vampire. Lovers of vampires and the Paranormal thriller will like Ms. Roth's VALHALLA-THE VALKYRIE BEGINNINGS.

Reviewed By: RogueStorm

(c) August 2004