The best medieval romance with feisty female vikings and fiery maids with blades

Helena of Rivenloch is a feisty, sword-wielding wench who refuses to be tamed by any man.

When an unsuitable suitor wishes to wed her younger sister, Helena attempts to slay the bridegroom, abducts his right-hand man, and demands her sister’s freedom. But her plans go awry when her captive captures her fiery, rebellious heart.

I loved how Helena was as fierce a fighter as any knight, capable of capturing Sir Colin du Lac. I loved her independent, fierce spirit, as she forged her own destiny. And I especially loved the passionate romance that bloomed between Helena and Colin, who respected her as his equal as she won his heart.

Throne of Glass is a paranormal fantasy adaptation of Cinderella, where—instead of going to the ball with the hopes of meeting and marrying the Prince—the heroine is an assassin who hopes to win her freedom by emerging victorious in a deadly competition,

I loved how Celeana was a fierce warrior, adept with a blade and endowed with lightning-quick reflexes and survival instincts. I also loved the medieval romance between her and the hero Chaol, who respects her as his equal as they become friends and ultimately lovers.

I loved the compelling story of Moira, the fierce, sword-wielding oldest daughter of the recently slain Scottish clan chief who had to summon the strength to lead her people.

Her prisoner—the enemy—was the last man she should have fallen for, but her love for him went beyond all reason. He spoke to her in dreams and told her that she was his destiny.

Farlan, the mighty warrior captured during battle and tortured as a prisoner, fell for Moira, the fesity maid with a blade who was his equal in every respect.

With vivid characters, breathtaking descriptions of Scotland's savage beauty, and a gripping tale of love triumphing over hate, this powerful novel stirred my very soul.

Rúna Isaksson is feisty, fiery Viking who, as the heir to her father’s jarldom, will soon replace him as the leader of their clan.

Since she must marry a warrior from another clan to form a powerful alliance, her father creates a contest to determine the strongest suitor. Determined to choose her own husband, Rúna demands to compete as well—and finds herself battling the man she once loved whose heart is as hardened as his warrior body.

I loved how Rúna was a fierce Viking, a shield maiden supremely skilled with a blade. And I adored the passionate romance between Jordan, the warrior who loved and respected Rúna as his equal.

Poppy has been destined since birth to serve as the Maiden chosen for Ascension, a noble honor of self-sacrifice for the good of her country.

Yet, feisty Poppy—secretly trained with the sword by a knight who was a close friend of her late father—would rather fight alongside the royal guards, battling the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods.

I loved how Poppy defied convention and secretly trained to be a knight rather than remain a sweet, innocent maiden. The passion between Poppy and Hawke, the knight assigned to ensure her Ascension, is palpable and swoon-worthy. But Poppy earns Hawke’s respect as a warrior as she slowly wins his noble heart.