Highlighting Historical Romance: The Savage from the Sea, A Viking Romance
Clair Harris shares her research and motivation with us:
I have always been interested in history. It was my favorite subject in school; igniting my imagination and inspiring me to travel the world. Over the years I discovered that history is a tangled web of stories, written by the victors to elaborate their prowess or those on the losing end to demonize the conquerors. However, the underlying theme usually relies on the glorification of deeds carried out by men. Women are often overlooked, mentioned as an afterthought or for their ability to produce heirs. This makes it difficult to trace their involvement in significant events.
During one of my general reading sessions I stumbled upon accounts of females in traditional male roles in some cultures. Such stories were quickly thought to be unrealistic interpretations used to strike fear or confusion in others. I believe every legend has a grain of truth and decided to dig further into the matter. Were these women real? What kind of proof is there for their activities? Turns out, I wasn’t the only one asking these kinds of questions. Scholars and authors alike were searching for evidence and using cutting edge techniques like DNA analysis to do so. Both relics and female burials with weapons have been found from Scandinavians (commonly known as Vikings today) and Amazons, suggesting that some women bore arms and fought alongside men. While these females were not the norm or even abundant in their societies, they certainly did cultivate warrior skills, either by choice or necessity for survival.
These findings made me consider how such a woman lived and what she struggled with in that role. Such thoughts ultimately led to this story, which focuses on a strong heroine who fought for the prosperity of her people and found love along the way.
About the Book
The pagan Vikings pillage the shores of Anglo-Saxon England, striking fear in the hearts of the people. Fighting alongside the men, Finna Vidisdóttir is all too happy to participate in their destruction, until a near-fatal defeat lands her in the hands of the enemy.
Ealdorman Colby de Beaufou is the man responsible for her downfall. Shocked to find a woman on the battlefield, he holds Finna captive while he barters with her people. Though she is a sworn enemy, Colby cannot deny his growing desire for the headstrong prisoner.
Finna intends to hate him, but finds Colby far more honorable and handsome than she ever expected . . .
A deep, heated passion ignites between them, testing the bounds of their loyalty and love. Will Finna surrender her heart or remain true to her blood ties?
~Excerpt~
The stench of salt and rotting seaweed hung heavy in the air. Several longships were anchored off shore, rocking in the early morning waves. Finna Vidisdóttir grasped the rope mooring to steady herself as the seas surged again, the deck of the ship dropping away from her feet. She caught glimpses of the rocky shoreline shrouded by fog.
They had been sailing for the last eight days, making the trip from the cold lands in the far north to the southern Saxon coast. The journey had been tedious as the sun beat down on their backs and the chill at night bit into their bones. The long hours spent alternating between the sail and oars paid off, and by the end of the eighth day, they spotted land. Based on the tides and rocky landmarks, they had arrived at a village on the shore of Northumbria.
The men shifted around the confines of the ship, tightening the leather belts they wore, running thumbs along the edges of blades to check their sharpness. It was almost time, and Finna’s heart pounded. An early morning attack would catch the Saxons off guard.
Jarl Olaf gripped the mooring tight in one hand for balance, then rose above his men, holding his shield. He wore a tight leather tunic, his blond hair whipping in the breeze. The jarl’s broad face was etched with deep lines on his forehead and at the corners of his eyes. Though an aged man, Olaf was strong and just as fierce as he had been in his younger years.
The jarl had spent most of those years presiding over a small tract of land that was part of the larger kingdom of Vestford, ruled by their King Halfdan the Black. The jarl’s prowess had often extended to the Saxon lands in the far south. He led their people in many successful raids, providing both wealth and food supplies for the families of Larvik.
The wind died down and Jarl Olaf took advantage of the break. His voice boomed above the crashing waves. “Be strong and Odin will reward your efforts.”
Excitement filled the air; his men murmured in approval.
Olaf motioned to the beach. “We go ashore!”
With their shields in hand and weapons strapped onto their belts, the warriors moved to the rail. Finna followed, lowering herself into the surf. The cold water reached her hips and made her teeth chatter. A swell lifted her body and for a moment she drifted loosely like a leaf riding on the current of a stream. But she fought against the pull and finally her leather boots struck the rocky sea floor again. With steady steps she followed the line of men snaking to the shore.
About the Author
Claire Harris has been an avid reader from a young age. As a child she spent hours lying in the grass, absorbed in the tales and characters of a story. After many years of reading the books penned by others, she finally decided to start writing her own.
When Claire is not writing, she enjoys traveling and teaching. One of her favorite places to visit is the United Kingdom. The landscape and the castles are majestic and each has a rich history that inspires the imagination. Aside from writing, a large portion of her day is spent teaching biology classes at a local college as she holds both a masters and doctorate degree in biological science. She is passionate about education and getting students interested in science. She is a true southern girl, raised in Florida and currently lives in Tallahassee with her family.
Please visit my author page at: http://www.clairelharris.com/
Sure why not. Women can do anything. Sounds awesome. Thank you for sharing.