Bend or Stand?   Today’s post takes you back to Normandy with a funny, but true tale of humor and diplomacy a la Viking style.   Thanks to History Channel’s Vikings, most people know Ragnar Lothbrok and his Viking raiders pillaged Paris to the bone. He and his massive army camped out on the Seine River, conducting raids from 845-846. Yes, that’s right. He gave monasteries, villages, and the citadel of Paris a...

Read More

  We’ve all heard, “Behind every great man stands a woman.”  I’d push the adage further. Beside every great man stands a great woman.  Especially when it comes to Vikings. Archaeologists have lately declared Viking women fought alongside Viking men — like this is a thrilling revelation. Many assumed the bones found at historical digs belonged to Viking men. Recent DNA tests corrected this.  Turns out a lot...

Read More

October 14th marks the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. History lists battle after battle, so what’s the big deal? William the Conqueror changed the face of Europe on that fateful day, moving England…the world into a new era.    How did William get there?   Here’s Five Fast Facts:   1. Son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy and Herleva (aka Arlette), William didn’t let his illegitimate birth stop him...

Read More

Vikings…Or Putting Your Best Foot Forward     I stand firmly in the “love” camp, but could never say why. My first book, Norse Jewel, poured out of my head ten years ago, and I kept going back to that one story. Why? How could I stay passionate about an unpopular era? My Viking manuscript met with editor and agent brick walls with phrases like: “Too true to the times.” “Vikings?  Ugh! Stop there.” “Our readers expect...

Read More