One year ago
today, I began my journey into self-publishing. It's been a very interesting year - some mistakes were made, and lots of information was embedded into my brain. I didn't know then how much my writing/publishing career would change, unexpected opportunities came up shortly after I started out and I was glad to have the chance to seize upon those. It's been a rather chaotic year, but it's been well worth the ride. And I'm still on it - I learn something new every day.
Anyway, today marks the first "birthday" for Norseman's Revenge! To celebrate, the book has been
graced with a gorgeous new cover, by my favorite cover artist, Winter Bayne. It
has also been marked down to .99 for a very limited time.
This tale, set in
9th century Scandinavia, is the first in The Norsemen Sagas. The idea for this
book came to me several years ago, and I began to craft Geira and Kori's story
right around the same time History Channel's "Viking" series began. I'll
admit, certain factors from "Vikings" did inspire and influence me,
though I found it more often sent me on a search for more information. I
learned a lot about the Scandinavian people, and they weren't as barbaric as
many think. In fact, they were actually quite civilized, most of the time. But
when they raided, or went a-viking, as they called it, they were ruthless in
their tactics, giving them their much-deserved terrifying reputation.
Another thing
that many people don't know is that in Scandinavian society, women had more
rights and were seen more as equals to men, in contrast to a lot of other
civilizations of the time. Thanks to "Vikings," many people are
familiar with Lagertha, a shield-maiden who becomes a jarl in her own right. A
shield-maiden is a female warrior and can be just as ruthless and brutal in
battle as her male counterparts. Even so, women did still tend the "traditional"
chores and tasks of caring for the home and family. They shared the farming or
fishing duties with the rest of the family. They pretty much did it all.
Personally, I think that shows what incredible strength Scandinavian women had –
and maybe puts them more on a par with today's women – I think of them as Dark
Ages working moms. Then again, it could also be a very heartbreaking time to
live in. As Vikings has portrayed, mortality rates were much higher back then,
particularly for children. Like any period in history, people tended to have
larger families, in the hopes that at least some of the children would survive
until adulthood. Surviving the loss of one child seems an insurmountable
mountain to get over, losing more than one would break many people. Yet, these
women did survive and continued to build their families, well aware of all the risks. They carried the sorrow of their losses throughout their lives, but they lived in a
time where death lurked everywhere. Then again, back then a sneeze could
raise the worries of a possible outbreak of disease, while now we pop a couple
of cold meds and go on our way.
But the Scandinavian people did not fear death the same way other cultures and societies did (and do). The warriors welcomed the chance to go to Valhalla and party with the gods. They entered battle with the hopes of winning, and if not, then dying bravely so the Valkyries would carry them away. The women also went to Valhalla, though unlike the warriors and shield-maidens, different reasons and acts got them in. Their version of heaven.
I think of Geira,
the heroine in Norseman's Revenge, as a very strong woman, though she is no
shield-maiden. Her instincts guide her in many ways – they have to, she's been
stolen away from her family on her wedding night and claimed as the slave of her
husband's enemy. Geira recognized early on that her husband was no prize, and
finds her abductor to be more honorable, even if he can be quite cruel.
Kori also realizes
Geira's strength. He knows that truthfully, she is innocent of the crimes that
have sent him on his quest for vengeance, but his honor demands that he treat
her as a slave. But he soon grows to admire her courage, her intelligence, and
of course, her passion. Wouldn't be a sexy romance without that, now would it?
:D
So, here's the
big reveal, the gorgeous new cover:
And the blurb and
the links to purchase the book:
* Kidnapped on her wedding night
might be a blessing from the gods. *
Geira Sorensdotter awaits her new
husband, but she's filled with doubts about the man and the marriage. Those
doubts are forgotten when the village is attacked, her husband is struck down
and she is tied up and carried off amidst the raid.
Kori Thorfinnson has waited years to
take revenge against the man who murdered his wife. But he soon finds the
innocent young woman he's taken as his personal slave is not his enemy, despite
her marriage to his foe. Her courage in defying him, her caring heart, and the
fiery passion she shares stirs feelings Kori hasn't known since his wife died. Afraid
to lose Geira, he binds her to him in many ways – not only with rope, but with
his body, his collar and his brand.
Geira quickly learns just how despicable her husband was, and despite her difficult circumstances, grows to care deeply for Kori, her captor. Still, dreams of freedom linger. But once she finds herself with child, she must plan her escape, to save herself and her baby.
However, Kori has plans of his own.
** Contains explicit love scenes featuring A
Kinky Twist on History! bondage, spanking, ménage à trois scenes and more!
All
Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-norseman039srevenge-1874028-147.html
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/576263
CreateSpace
(print): https://www.createspace.com/5667364
And lastly, an
excerpt to whet your appetite for this lusty tale of domination – it's Geira's
wedding night:
He stood beside the bed,
the comments and laughter continuing. Somehow the noise faded, drowned by her
thudding heart. Einnar held her stare, lust clear in his gaze. He leaned over
and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips, amid more howls and whistles. She
silently willed him to hurry, to remove her crown so the others would leave.
Instead, he continued
to kiss her, the warm pressure of his lips calming her agitation. When he drew
away, she found her fear had receded. Maybe her worries had been for naught. He
stared at her for several moments then smiled
"I now claim you
in body as well as spirit." He reached up and gently removed the crown of
branches and flowers. He set it aside and leaned close, running his fingers
through her unbound hair. Another kiss stirred warm sensations in her belly and
she found herself responding. This she could endure.
Einnar eased away and
looked behind him. "We are alone now."
She peered over his
shoulder and saw everyone had indeed left. A wave of relief came over her and
she sighed. While some clans still insisted on having witnesses to the
deflowering, she hated that idea and was glad his people didn't adhere to the
old custom.
He sat beside her and
reached for the pitcher on the table next to the bed. He poured the mead into a
wooden cup and handed it to her.
"Drink, you'll be
calmer."
That he showed concern
now further perplexed her. The charming flirt he sometimes appeared to be made
her curious. She peered closely into his face, finding only a troubling
arrogance and expectation. Accepting the goblet, she took a large swallow. When
she returned the cup, he did the same, then moved to climb under the blanket
with her. His warm body pressed against her. Worry churned in her gut.
"Geira, look at
me."
She lifted her head,
slowly, half-afraid at what she might find. Concern and tenderness softened his
expression, though a strange gleam kept her worries roused. The knot in her gut
tightened.
"I thank Freyr for
his blessings. He clearly found my sacrifice worthy."
Geira recalled the
gathering and spraying of the boar's blood. Her husband had shown great skill
in the ceremony. The ease of the sacrifice assured a fertile marriage. Still,
doubts about the joy to be found in the union lingered.
A gentle caress of her
shoulder didn't stir further fear. It didn't stir anything. Her earlier
yearning returned with force. Why didn't her husband inspire the passion she so
longed for? Though her mother had been gone for several summers, Geira recalled
the adoration her parents had felt for each other. Even if they stood just a
few inches away, the love they shared had shone clear in their longing gazes.
They always found a way to express their utter devotion, with a kiss, or a
glance, or a sliding of their hands as they passed. That's what Geira wanted.
But she didn't feel anything remotely similar to that now. Was that the root of
her concerns?
Another stroke of his
hand and she forced herself to concentrate, willing her body to respond to his
touch. Surprisingly, it did, her nipples peaking into tight buds. The sensation
was far less intense than she hoped
"We will share
many pleasures in this marriage. Trust me on this."
His voice had
thickened, deepened. His desire came easily. Why didn't hers? She took a deep
breath, determined to hide her true feelings
"I do, it's just
–"
The door crashed open,
screams of terror and pain now filling the air. In the doorway, a hulking dark
warrior stood, sword raised
Einnar leapt to his
feet, diving for the pile of clothes where his own sword lay. He barely had a
chance to raise it when the other warrior swung, forcing Einnar into a
defensive position. Geira screamed, terror pounding in her head.
"Einnar of
Fellsskoger, I claim my vengeance!" The invader's voice thundered within
the small hut.
Geira scrambled out of the bed when the intruder fixed his furious stare on her. Cold fear pooled in her belly when he strode across the room. Another slice at Einnar sent her husband to the floor, clutching his gut.
"Einnar!" she
shrieked and attempted to run toward him. The warrior caught her by the arm
before she darted past. She kicked and pummeled him with her free hand, but he
quickly captured her other wrist, forcing them both into his tight grip
"Bastard! Let me
go!" She looked over at her husband, who struggled to his feet, sword in
hand.
"Unhand my
bride!" His voice was not nearly as strong as before, blood seeping from
the wound slashing his stomach
Geira fought the urge
to retch, focusing instead on pulling against the restraining grip of her
captor. She swore at him, unable to free herself. His strength overpowered her,
her attempts to escape futile. Hopelessness welled within, but she forced it
aside, refusing to stop fighting, twisting and squirming against his hold
"She is mine now,
repayment for your crimes against me!"
The booming words sent
ice along her spine and Geira froze.
"What? No, I am
not yours! Let me go!"
She caught Einnar's
stare and her blood chilled. He knew exactly what this giant meant. Anger
speared the fear, escalating her panic. What had her husband done? The earlier
doubts flashed again in her mind. Had she been right all along, and everyone
else so terribly wrong?
"Einnar, what does
he mean?"
He took an unsteady
step toward her, then another before collapsing to the floor. She screamed
again, and tugged against her captor, surprised at how quickly he released her,
making her stumble. Just as quickly, she was brought up short by the rope now
binding her wrists.
"By the blood of
Odin I will see you dead!" she swore. Fright left her limbs heavy and
trembling. The strength to stand seeped from her legs, yet she somehow remained
upright.
The warrior threw his
head back and laughed. "You can try, but it's useless to fight."
"You killed my
husband." She looked at Einnar's lifeless body.
"He earned it.
He's lucky I killed him so quickly!"
Geira choked on a sob,
drawn by fear of her own fate, rather than her husband's. "Please let me
go. I don't know what this is about. I've done nothing to you. Please. Let me
see to him."
A fierce stare
accompanied a shake of his head. "He's dead."
Einnar's blood pooled
beneath him, the puddle growing larger. Oddly, Geira felt no real sadness.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she turned away from her dead husband.
The raider tugged on
the rope, drawing her close, then bent, hoisting her onto his shoulder. She
kicked and screamed, pounding his back with her bound fists.
He strode through the
open door. Geira twisted and tried to free herself, lifting her head. She froze
at the sight greeting her.
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