In just a few days, autumn
arrives, and with it, a Viking Invasion! Norseman's Revenge, Book 1 in my
newest series, The Norsemen Sagas, will be released September 23. It's
available for pre-order now at Amazon and Kobo; you can find those links below.
I'll also put up an updated list of links once the book rolls out next week.
I've mentioned before
that this book was an experiment for me in a lot of ways, and while it took a
little longer than I'd planned, in the end it was worth it. I'm not a patient
person by anyone's stretch of the imagination, but somehow, I managed to make
it through a good year and half of said experiment without adding too many more
grey hairs. I had some amazing help putting this together as well, and this
book has been dedicated to some very special and awesome women.
So obviously, I'm very
excited that Norseman's Revenge's release day is finally approaching. I can't
help it - I'm about halfway through the second book, and my focus has been a
little distracted related to that book. Having Norseman's Revenge released will
hopefully help in that situation, thought a part of me feels kind of like I did
when I left my daughter at college a few weeks back. I'm scared out of my mind,
but still proud and looking forward to what the future holds.
And because I am such
an impatient person, I thought I'd share a little bit of Norseman's Revenge.
Geira's wedding night is about to take a turn she never expected!
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.
Everywhere, the huts and homes of the clan
burned, the longhouse where the celebration had been taking place also eaten by
flames. Judging from the screams, many people remained trapped inside. Her
stomach rolled, sweat ran down her face, mingling with tears. Shrieks, shouts
and the sounds of weapons clanging together filled her senses. Grunts and
bellows of pain pounded her ears. The entire village was under attack. The
acrid scent of smoke mingled with the bitter smell of spilled blood, nearly
choking her.
Where were her brother and father? Perhaps
their disappearance saved them from the slaughter now taking place. The urge to
weep grew stronger. All around, bodies littered the ground. No! That wasn't… it
was, she realized, recognizing one of the women from her village. An agonized
howl escaped her. The warrior continued on his way and her clanswoman's body disappeared
from Geira's view
Terrified she was about to meet the same fate,
she squirmed, searching the chaos, desperate to find someone to help.
"Papa!" she cried, hoping someone in
her family would hear. But her voice was drowned by the sounds of battle, the
screech and thud of weapons against flesh, shrieks of terror and agony, and
wailing sobs. She offered a silent prayer to Thor to keep her father safe,
wherever he might be
As the giant continued to stride out of the
village and to the water, she realized he carried her away instead of raping
and killing her here. Why?
She fought again, pounding the man with her
fists, trying uselessly to kick against the arm wrapped around her legs. His
hand slammed into her ass, briefly startling her into stillness, but just as
quickly she fought once more. Again, the giant's hand came down hard on her
rear and she screamed her outrage. It did nothing to stop him. All too quickly,
they were at the water's edge and he paused only to shift her before making his
way to the boat anchored at the shore
"No! Let me go!"
Her efforts to free herself failed again and
soon she found herself on the oselvar, roughly shoved to a seat in the middle.
Shocked at the speed with which she'd been captured, she fell momentarily still.
*****
As promised, here are the
pre-order links for Norseman's Revenge. Check back next week for a complete
listing of retailers where the book will be available.
