THE GOLDEN VALKYRIE
Iris Johansen
Bantam
ISBN: 0-553-59167-5
August 2008 (re-release)
Contemporary Romance

Newly re-released, THE GOLDEN VALKYRIE was initially published in 1984. Die-hard fans hoping to get their hands on this hard-to-find novel will be delighted to finally be able to locate this sweet tale. Honey Winston, private investigator, is barely making it from one paycheck to the next, and she jumps at the opportunity for a well-paying opportunity. Hired to steal a set of letters from Prince Rubinoff, media hound and playboy, Honey believes she'll be able to snag the letters and disappear. When an unfortunate allergy causes Honey to reveal herself, she is stunned by Rubinoff's quick interest in her. Determined to keep Honey close as he explores his unexpected interest in her, Prince Lance Rubinoff pulls a few strings with the U.S. government to hire Honey as his own body guard. With bills piling up, Honey can't decline, but she doesn't know how she can possibly protect Prince Rubinoff when she is so interested in getting to know him better instead.

THE GOLDEN VALKYRIE is a sweet, classic romance with wonderful archetypal characters: a misunderstood prince, an innocent ingénue, a brooding best buddy, and a dangerous sect determined to cause harm. Light hearted, sweet, and intense, THE GOLDEN VALKYRIE taps into fantasy by bringing together a normal girl and a handsome prince. Honey and Lance have hidden depths, and Ms. Johansen shares these more intimate glimpses into their souls through a blend of humor and well-crafted dialogue. In comparison to Ms. Johansen's more recent releases, THE GOLDEN VALKYRIE is very different in that it is decidedly romantic in tone. It is very interesting to see how much Ms. Johansen's style has changed and matured over the course of her career, and THE GOLDEN VALKYRIE is a wonderful read!

Reviewed by Angela Etheridge
Rating: 4