The Viking in My Bed by Jan Irving

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1605

ISBN# 978-0-85715-933-5    

Story rating: 3.5 out of 5

Sting factor (kink): 3 out of 5

College student  Bailey wakes up with a heavy weight on his shoulders, quite literally. There’s a viking in his bed, who seems to know every little secret spot on Bailey’s body that will make him shiver with lust. He assumes the naked Norseman is some kind of prank by his  roommates. The blond bronzed god is out of his league. But the viking, Frey, insists he is there for Bailey. Frey is the Guardian and Bailey is the Guide.

It all sounds like part of the joke to Bailey, and fearing the powerful emotions Frey brings out in him, he flees to his classes. As the day wears on, strange things start to happen, which make Bailey believe that, however impossible it may seem, Frey really is a warrior from the past, or another dimension, sent to protect and help him. The two must work together to banish the demons that have been let into Bailey’s world.

Okay, it sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it? And it is, to some extent, but “The Viking in My Bed” knows it’s fantasy and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Somewhat in spite of myself, I found I was enjoying this book more than I expected. The story is quite readable – once you’ve suspended disbelief – and rather well constructed. The characters know they’re in a highly improbable if not impossible situation, and there are even occasional allusions to horror movie clichés.