The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey

The Call of the Sea
by Sian Ann Bessey

ISBN-13: 9781524422257
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: November 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.

Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter―Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.


My Review:
The Call of the Sea is a historical romance set in 1141 in Wales and Ireland. It's based on some events that really did happen, and the author filled in the details with fictional events and characters. The main characters were engaging, interesting, and reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. Initially, Rhiannon and Leif were on opposite sides: a Viking under Leif's command killed Rhiannon's father, leaving her without immediate family, a home, or a dowry. Her mother's sister's family took her in, putting her in the middle of political scheming.

A distraught Rhiannon told Leif something like "may God have mercy on you." Leif had always been more interested in sailing than raiding, and this moment haunted him. He talked to an Irish priest to learn about Rhiannon's God, one that has mercy. As a Viking chief's son, though, he's still expected to be useful when someone needed to secretly find out the truth about who killed Rhiannon's cousin's betrothed. When they meet again, Rhiannon must decide if she should forgive this changed Norseman and help him find the truth or expose him as an enemy.

Leif and Rhiannon shared interests and values and supported each other. There were plenty of exciting bits where the good guys were in danger from the bad guys. Leif came to a saving belief in Christ. There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting adventure and slowly-building romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.