Follow my blog with Bloglovin   This month we’re turning back to the Viking Age with the Jarls, Kings, and Leaders blog series. The first outline I did looked like a Who’s Who of Viking men. And that was my problem. The line-up didn’t feel right. We won’t neglect the men, but I’m not going to start with them.  So, we’re starting with the heart and soul of this series. With Viking women. Get cozy and warm because we’re turning...

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The Dark Ages. Those times conjure bad images. Disease. Famine. Poverty. When barbarians trounced Rome, a power vacuum hung over Europe. The vast connection of roads once protected by Roman soldiers gave way to outlaws. By the 6th century, the great empire was reduced to a fraction of its might. But, were the Dark Ages so bad? If you travel north, you’ll find the law of primogeniture (the tradition of oldest male relative — ie eldest...

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If you’re a woman… People tend to have preconceived notions of a woman’s place in history. Some true, many not. I challenge you to peel back the layers of time. Take another look at people and places worthy of deeper consideration. I write Viking and Georgian romance. Yet, every time I open a non-fiction book on these eras, I discover fascinating nuggets of history. Here are three to consider:   Thralls (slaves) Throw out everything you...

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5 Reasons Vikings are Cool (click to tweet)   And all of these reasons are non-violent. I bet you didn’t think you’d find that on this Viking list?   5. Great Engineering Simply put: Ships.  Vikings lacked complex tools for shipbuilding.  Their primary tool? The ax…a simple broad blade ax. Yet, they mastered bending wooden planks to sleek “Drakkar” ship designs (Drakkar meaning dragon).  Key to Viking...

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