Gina Conkle’s TO FIND A VIKING TREASURE – An Exciting Viking Tale!

Set in 1022 in the kingdom of Svea (Sweden), this is the story of warring Viking leaders and a rough yet noble warrior who serves the man who saved his life. Brandr wants to leave Uppsala to start a new life, but his desire to protect the slave, Sestra, keeps him from leaving.

 

Sestra is a thrall who has known only abuse from men who lust after her beauty. But when she tells the Viking leader of a treasure hidden by their enemy, Brandr and she are sent to find it. To Sestra, Brandr is a mysterious figure, a man of strength whose only words are ones meant to tease yet he always treats her with respect.

 

This is a Viking version of lost on a desert isle. Alone and facing the enemy who would be eager to kill them, Brandr and Sestra discover passion between them as they fight to survive. Choices must be made by each as to what is truly important. Brandr is a freeman and Sestra longs to be free. She hopes the treasure will bring her that freedom.

 

Conkle has obviously done considerable research into the Viking life, which enriches the tale. Some exciting scenes will hold your attention and for those who like a spicy romance, Conkle has delivered a romance with many scintillating love scenes.

The Norse series:

 

Norse Jewel

To Find a Viking Treasure

To Steal a Viking Bride

To Heal a Viking Heart

Gina Conkle’s NORSE JEWEL – Intriguing Viking Story

 Set in 1022, the story begins in the “land of the Franks” (today’s France, since she lived near Paris). It tells of Helena from the village of Aubergon who was taken in a raid by the Danes and is now to be sold as a slave. Norse chieftain Hakan the Tall of Svea (the word means Swede so perhaps he’s from Sweden), is tired of war and intends to become a farmer. He wants to buy a slave to teach him Frankish and help him in his wine trade.

 

I found the beginning of the story intriguing as Helena waits on the slave block while she and another woman are looked over by prospective purchasers. Though he wanted a docile older woman, Hakan buys Helena and they sail back to Svea. Once there, though she is a thrall, he elevates her to care for his house and lands, giving her much freedom and status. But the only thing she wants is to go home. Though Haken is attracted to Helena, he has no intent to marry again. His first wife divorced him and is a selfish woman who keeps his son, though by their law the boy should live with his father. Meanwhile, King Olof requires Haken’s sword in akendealing with some bad guys who are in league with the Danes. And Haken makes a deal with Helena that if she can get back his son, he will return her to her home.

 

This is the author’s debut novel. Her style is a bit different and took a bit of getting used to but once I got past that, I thought it an absorbing story. She has created a believable Viking world, though one has to wonder if any thrall was ever treated like Helena. I thought Conkle’s treatment of emotions and the growing feelings between Haken and Helena very well done. However, there is only one abbreviated love scene which some may find surprising at this for a Viking story. Let’s just say the Viking hero here is a gentleman.

 

It has the feel of part one of the story as much is left unresolved when you get to the last page. Haken’s land and security—even his king—are threatened by betrayal and the avarice of others yet we don't get to find out what happens. I could only assume that 199 pages were not enough to finish the story and perhaps there will be a next installment. And since his wine trade did not feature in this book, it may be in the next.

Gina Conkle’s NORSE JEWEL –Intriguing Viking Story

Set in 1022, the story begins in the “land of the Franks” (today’s France, since she lived near Paris). It tells of Helena from the village of Aubergon who was taken in a raid by the Danes and is now to be sold as a slave. Norse chieftain Hakan the Tall of Svea (the word means Swede so perhaps he’s from Sweden), is tired of war and intends to become a farmer. He wants to buy a slave to teach him Frankish and help him in his wine trade.

 

I found the beginning of the story intriguing as Helena waits on the slave block while she and another woman are looked over by prospective purchasers. Though he wanted a docile older woman, Hakan buys Helena and they sail back to Svea. Once there, though she is a thrall, he elevates her to care for his house and lands, giving her much freedom and status. But the only thing she wants is to go home. Though Haken is attracted to Helena, he has no intent to marry again. His first wife divorced him and is a selfish woman who keeps his son, though by their law the boy should live with his father. Meanwhile, King Olof requires Haken’s sword in akendealing with some bad guys who are in league with the Danes. And Haken makes a deal with Helena that if she can get back his son, he will return her to her home.

 

This is the author’s debut novel. Her style is a bit different and took a bit of getting used to but once I got past that, I thought it an absorbing story. She has created a believable Viking world, though one has to wonder if any thrall was ever treated like Helena. I thought Conkle’s treatment of emotions and the growing feelings between Haken and Helena very well done. However, there is only one abbreviated love scene which some may find surprising at this for a Viking story. Let’s just say the Viking hero here is a gentleman.

 

It has the feel of part one of the story as much is left unresolved when you get to the last page. Haken’s land and security—even his king—are threatened by betrayal and the avarice of others yet we don't get to find out what happens. I could only assume that 199 pages were not enough to finish the story and perhaps there will be a next installment. And since his wine trade did not feature in this book, it may be in the next.

 

Gina Conkle’s TO FIND A VIKING TREASURE – An Exciting Viking Tale!

Set in 1022 in the kingdom of Svea (Sweden), this is the story of warring Viking leaders and a rough yet noble warrior who serves the man who saved his life. Brandr wants to leave Uppsala to start a new life, but his desire to protect the slave, Sestra, keeps him from leaving.

Sestra is a thrall who has known only abuse from men who lust after her beauty. But when she tells the Viking leader of a treasure hidden by their enemy, Brandr and she are sent to find it. To Sestra, Brandr is a mysterious figure, a man of strength whose only words are ones meant to tease yet he always treats her with respect.

This is a Viking version of lost on a desert isle. Alone and facing the enemy who would be eager to kill them, Brandr and Sestra discover passion between them as they fight to survive. Choices must be made by each as to what is truly important. Brandr is a freeman and Sestra longs to be free. She hopes the treasure will bring her that freedom.

Conkle has obviously done considerable research into the Viking life, which enriches the tale. Some exciting scenes will hold your attention and for those who like a spicy romance, Conkle has delivered a romance with many scintillating love scenes.

The Norse series:

Norse Jewel

To Find a Viking Treasure

To Steal a Viking Bride

To Heal a Viking Heart

Gina Conkle’s KEPT BY THE VIKING – Exciting, Authentic Viking Love Story

Set in the 10^th century in Normandy, this is the story of Rurik, a leader of the “Forgotten Sons” band of Vikings. Successful in raiding, he now wants land and a home. When William Longsword offers him land in Normandy and a Viking wife, Rurik leads his men there to take advantage of the offer. The Parisian maid he rescues intrigues him but he won’t be dissuaded from his path.

Safira, a Hebrew, is not the thrall she appeared to be. Taken from her home in Paris and sold north, she is clever and full of secrets she won’t reveal, even to Rurik, the Viking who rescues her and to whom she is attracted. Several times she saves Rurik and helps him gain the favor of monks and Jarl Longsword. He comes to admire her and value her opinion.

Conkle has built a complex 10^th century world that will serve well in this series that will bring to life the stories of the Forgotten Sons, a band of lesser Vikings who are bonded to each other with a strong loyalty. I love that her story is based on solid research with insight into the era. It has an authentic feel and the characters are richly developed. Lots of action scenes keep up the excitement as Rurik and Safira find their love growing.

If you love Viking stories, you will love this well-written tale!

Guest Author Gina Conkle shares from her research on Vikings!

My guest today is Gina Conkle, author of Viking and Georgian romances, some of which have been featured on Historical Romance Review. Gina grew up in southern California and, despite all that sunshine, she loves books over beaches and stone castles over sand castles. Now she lives in Michigan with her favorite alpha male, Brian, and their two sons and where she occasionally gardens and cooks.

She has graciously agreed to share a bit about the Vikings from her research. Her latest Viking story is Kept By a Viking, which I have reviewed.

Be sure and leave a comment with your email as Gina is giving away a ebook copy of Kept by a Viking!

What Does A Hero Have To Do To Get Ahead? 

By Gina Conkle

Paris was long a favorite raiding spot for Vikings and other marauders. Rouen, the many abbeys, and neighboring towns were prime targets. The famed Siege of Paris (845-846 AD) earned the north men 7000 livres of silver and gold.

The Siege of Paris

Greedy Vikings came back for more, executing another Siege of Paris in 885-886 AD. This time they left with lesser reward: 700 livres of silver. That didn’t stop them from carrying on their mayhem all the way to Burgundy.

And Vikings kept coming, waves of them, harrying the Franks up and down the Seine River.

But it took an unsuccessful Viking warrior to change history.

Viking leader Rollo the Walker camped out along an estuary of the Seine River for 10 years and became the first leader of what we call Normandy. 

Normandy Countryside

 

Rollo earned the name “Walker” because he was supposedly so big, no horse could carry him. Hence, he had to walk everywhere. He attacked Paris and lost. He regrouped and attacked Chartres and lost. The Franks were getting better at fighting the Vikings. Yet, Rollo and his Vikings were determined to attack again, and again, and again.

Then Charles the Simple, King of the Franks, was struck with an idea: Why not ask the unrelenting raiders to be his neighbors? Then, the Vikings will fight for them.

King Charles wanted Rollo and his men to create a defensive buffer between Paris and other sea invaders…and what a beautiful buffer the king offered! Normandy.

More than a few Parisian leaders thought the king was bonkers. Northmen for neighbors? Many thought King Charles was putting the fox in charge of protecting the chicken coop. Tempting Parisian wealth would be that much closer to the Viking and his blood-thirsty men.

Rollo was no fool. He took the offer.

Maybe land is worth more than silver and gold?

To seal the deal, Charles offered his daughter in marriage to the Viking chieftain, requested he convert to Christianity, and by the way, be baptized and become known as Robert. Rollo agreed.

Technically speaking, the Vikings were subject to the Franks (but try telling that to a tough Viking!). For decades, the Franks and Vikings lived as uneasy neighbors. Rollo and his son, Will Longsword were called chieftain and jarl by their own people (almost all Vikings). Rollo and his son Will, were called “Count” by Christians.

During a celebratory event, one of the wary bishops decreed Rollo should kiss the king’s foot. Meant as a sign of submission, this was Frankish payback—Viking humiliation.

No kiss, no land.

Rollo was a crafty one, ever adaptable in politics. He conferred with his men in the back of the hall and offered up one of his warriors to kiss the kingly foot.

The warrior approached King Charles seated on his throne, but he wouldn’t bend. The king realized he'd have to meet the proud Norseman part way, so he lifted his foot.  The Viking grabbed the foot, raised it high to his mouth, and knocked Charles off his rear.

The hall erupted with laughter. The Franks quit messing with the Vikings, and Rollo and his followers took over a vast domain in AD 911.

Under Rollo's rule, the region prospered.

Vikings intermarried. They took on the language of the region (mixed with their own). And, Rollo made Rouen his city center. His strong presence turned the oft-attacked area into a peaceful place.

From raiders to businessmen and landowners, Vikings settled in, adapting to their new home. The Norse leader ran a prosperous kingdom.

Apparently, a fox can run a chicken coop.

My Viking romance series, The Forgotten Sons, is based on a band of warriors fighting for fame and finding love as they establish Viking Normandy.

 

Rurik is loyal only to his men, the Forgotten Sons, until an offer of land from Normandy’s chieftain intrigues the low born warrior. But, the sultry Parisian thrall he finds in his bed intrigues him more…

Safira needs Rurik’s help to secure safe passage home. Full of secrets, she’s a challenge—one he’s determined to conquer, but their arrival in foreign lands marks a new chapter. An old enemy surfaces and impossible decisions must be made. With alliances fraying, past promises may not be enough to save Rurik from betraying those he’s sworn loyalty to—including Safira, the woman who stole his heart.

True love will test the brotherhood

See the book on Amazon, B&N and Kobo. And visit Gina's Website and connect with her on Facebook!

Gina Conkle’s KEPT BY THE VIKING – Exciting, Authentic Viking Love Story

Set in the 10^th century in Normandy, this is the story of Rurik, a leader of the “Forgotten Sons” band of Vikings. Successful in raiding, he now wants land and a home. When William Longsword offers him land in Normandy and a Viking wife, Rurik leads his men there to take advantage of the offer. The Parisian maid he rescues intrigues him but he won’t be dissuaded from his path.

Safira, a Hebrew, is not the thrall she appeared to be. Taken from her home in Paris and sold north, she clever and full of secrets she won’t reveal, even to Rurik, the Viking who rescues her to whom she is attracted. Several times she saves Rurik and helps him gain the favor of monks and Jarl Longsword. He comes to admire her and value her opinion.

Conkle has built a complex 10^th century world that will serve well in this series that will bring to life the stories of the Forgotten Sons, a band of lesser Vikings who are bonded to each other with a strong loyalty. I love that her story is based on solid research with insight into the era. It has an authentic feel and the characters are richly developed. Lots of action scenes keep up the excitement as Rurik and Safira find their love growing.

If you love Viking stories, you will love this well-written tale!

Gina Conkle’s TO FIND A VIKING TREASURE – An Exciting Viking Tale!

January is Viking month! Stay with us as I present some wonderful stories of those Norsemen of long ago. I’m beginning with an exciting one my Gina Conkle.

Set in 1022 in the kingdom of Svea (Sweden), this is the story of warring Viking leaders and a rough yet noble warrior who serves the man who saved his life. Brandr wants to leave Uppsala to start a new life, but his desire to protect the slave, Sestra, keeps him from leaving.

Sestra is a thrall who has known only abuse from men who lust after her beauty. But when she tells the Viking leader of a treasure hidden by their enemy, Brandr and she are sent to find it. To Sestra, Brandr is a mysterious figure, a man of strength whose only words are ones meant to tease yet he always treats her with respect.

This is a Viking version of lost on a desert isle. Alone and facing the enemy who would be eager to kill them, Brandr and Sestra discover passion between them as they fight to survive. Choices must be made by each as to what is truly important. Brandr is a freeman and Sestra longs to be free. She hopes the treasure will bring her that freedom.

Conkle has obviously done considerable research into the Viking life, which enriches the tale. Some exciting scenes will hold your attention and for those who like a spicy romance, Conkle has delivered a romance with many scintillating love scenes.

The Norse series:

Norse Jewel

To Find a Viking Treasure

To Steal a Viking Bride

To Heal a Viking Heart

How the Hungry Viking Family Ate by Gina Conkle, my guest author today

My guest today is author Gina Conkle, who grew up in southern California, but despite all that sunshine, loves books over beaches and stone castles over sand castles. Now she lives in Michigan with her favorite alpha male, Brian, and their two sons where she occasionally gardens and cooks. She writes Viking and sensual Georgian romances. Her books offer witty banter and sexual tension that readers love. Today she is sharing with us some of her research for her Vikings stories.  (See my review of To Find a Viking Treasure from her Norse series, posted below this post.)

One lucky commenter will receive a $5 Amazon gift card to purchase a book if she likes! So do leave your email.

And now to Gina’s post on the Viking menu…

How the Hungry Viking Family Ate

Food is a universal language. In it we express love for our families whether we’re celebrating holidays with big feasts or simpler dinners. This common thread runs through the centuries. No matter the culture, we share the common bond of gathering together at day’s end to do one thing—eat.

As a historical romance writer, how a culture approaches food interests me. I bounce between reading cookbooks on lavish Georgian feasts and practical Viking fare. Learning how and what people ate tells me a lot about their era and what they valued. We often come with preconceived notions about long ago cultures. Some ideas are founded in truth. Others not. Say “food” and “Vikings” in the same breath and most picture a bearded warrior with a horn of ale in one hand, a hunk of meat in the other. You wouldn’t be far off from the truth. Vikings didn’t fuss with multiple utensils. They used knives and a rough version of a spoon. Thralls (slaves) served meals from trenchers in medieval fashion.

But, peel back the layers of time, and you might be surprised at these 3 basic things:

Vikings Ate Twice a Day

The first meal was more like an early lunch called dagvard. Common dishes for dagvard were porridges or stews. For the common Viking, animals were tended first and then you ate and got back to your day.

The evening meal, kvallsvard, was the time to enjoy a bigger feast. Families joined together to wind their day. Ale was consumed. Tales were told. No guest at the door was ever turned away. That’s the code of Viking hospitality. For the humble longhouse, cheese, smoked or dried meat, baked turnips, or other dairy products were typically served. Butter was common but not the full spice rack you and I enjoy today. Pepper was worth its weight in gold.

Grand longhouses of jarls, kings, and wealthy Vikings dug into fried breads, dried berries, pork (on special occasions), venison, dried fish, cheese, and more.

What about the hungry laborer in need of a mid-day snack? Soured milk (buttermilk) was popular to tide you over. Even Viking warriors were known to guzzle buttermilk.

 

Ovens, Fire Pits, and Kitchens

Typical longhouses had a center fire pit dug in the middle of the home. Viking women fried bread rather than baked it. Soapstone vessels were popular because they were more durable than pottery, acted like a “slow cooker,” and retained heat long after removal from a fire. They also looked better than black kettles (yes, Vikings used those too). Soapstone was the way to go. A Viking matron could put her ingredients in one of those pots and go about her day confident dinner would be ready come twilight.

While most Vikings cooked inside their longhouses, there are interesting examples of kitchens as outbuildings. Wealthy and high-ranking Vikings would’ve had an eldhus, literally a “heated room.” Sometimes the kitchen was referred to as bur pat er konor hafa matreido, a mouthful that means “the room in which women prepare food.”

In other words, kitchens were so unusual, the room never got its own name. The other unusual cooking implement? Ovens.

Vikings cooked over open fires with the exception of one place—Uppakra in southern Sweden. This rich settlement boasted a massive temple that drew crowds by the hundreds. Logic follows that massive feasts were held there too. Archaeologists unearthed a large, domed-shaped oven in Uppakra, evidence of baking. Clay analysis ruled out the possibility of it being a kiln (the dome never reached temperatures that high). Large amounts barley, emmer, and rye were found in the oven, leading to one conclusion: the oven baked bread.

Vikings Ate Their Kale

With kale being all the rage these days, it makes me smile to think Vikings ate healthy greens. Vikings also grew leeks and turnips (roasted and buttered turnips were quite common).

Other common foods were hazelnuts, white goosefoot (considered a weed in most places), sorrel (a spinach-y plant), and camelina. Camelina grows well in cold, arid regions. It’s called “False Flax” because the seeds are ground for their oil. Camelina is great for cooking (tastes like almond oil) and has many healthy properties.

 

The other power food Vikings ate? Lingonberries, a tart cranberry-like fruit. You’ve heard that blueberries and acai berries are chock full of antioxidants. You might be surprised to learn lingonberries (also called cowberries) have almost double the antioxidants! The hardy lingonberry thrives only in frigid climes.

No wonder Vikings grew big and strong.

For more Viking food nerdery, take a look at my blog series How to Eat Like a Viking. I cooked Viking meals as reconstructed from seven Viking archaeology sites and served them to my family. It was so much fun that I’m going to do it again next summer.

Now you tell me: When you hear "Viking" what foods do you think of? Did something surprise you today in what you read? If so, please tell me in the comments below, and you’re in the drawing to win a $5 Amazon e-gift card.

To Find a Viking Treasure...

  

Rough-souled Brandr’s ready for a new life far from Uppsala, but the Viking has a final task —protect the slave, Sestra. Her life's full of hardship…until she learns the location of a treasure. With war coming, stealing the enemy's riches will save lives, but only one man can defend her —the fierce Viking scout, Brandr.

The two have always traded taunts, now they must share trust. Passions flare as secrets unfold, leading one to make a daring sacrifice on their quest To Find a Viking Treasure.

On Amazon, B&N, Kobo, iBooks. And keep up with Gina on her Website and on Facebook!