The True Tale of the Viking Woman Who Took Charge by Gina
Conkle
Get cozy because I’m turning back the clock to the real
life story of Audr the Deep Minded, a leader in Iceland.
Iceland’s settlement began in 874. Vikings like to claim they
first settled the island but there’s evidence Celtic monks lived on Iceland in
the 7th or 8th century before abandoning it. Little
wonder! The island of fire and ice sits close to the Arctic Circle. Early
settlers contended with a landscape bubbling with geysers and hot springs on
one hand and isolation in frigid climes on the other.
Yet, none can deny Iceland is beautiful. And a little like
Viking woman—mysterious, strong, and having little patience for fools.
When Viking nobleman, Ingolfur Arnarsson, settled first
Iceland, he knew he’d need capable leaders. Icelandic life was too harsh and
the beginning too fragile to mess around with weak people at the helm. Ingolfur
divided the island into four parts and selected four of the best Vikings to
lead each quadrant. One of them was Audr the Deep Minded. A woman.
This is her story…
The daughter of Ketill Flatnose, a Norwegian chieftain,
Audr came from wealth and privilege. Nothing is known of her until she married
a Norse king of Dublin. Historians say Audr enjoyed even greater freedom in
Dublin than she did (or would have in Norway). She was certainly quick to take
charge when things went sideways.
By all accounts, Audr was not a shield maiden or a young
woman when history records her greatness.
Upon hearing her husband and son, Thorsteinn, died in
battle, she decided it was time to leave Dublin. Iceland was her destination
because she had two brothers there. Calm and decisive, Audr prepared a ship in
secret with the help of twenty men who served her (thralls). All were loyal to
her and she managed to slip away with her considerable household.
Family-minded, she took in Thorsteinn’s daughters. On the
journey to Iceland, one granddaughter married in Orkney and the other was
married in the Faroe Islands.
Despite having married off two granddaughters, her retinue
was so vast that one brother balked at hosting Audr. He offered to host half
her household which is a slight in Vikingdom. No matter how rich or poor the
longhouse, no one in need of food and shelter is turned away. Ever. Especially
with winter approaching.
Incensed, Audr went to her second brother where she and her
household stayed until spring. Warm weather got the older woman exploring new
lands. Audr took off to Breidafjordur, deciding to settle there.
Here is where she sets herself apart with wisdom and
generosity.
This was about the time Ingolfur Arnarsson divide Iceland
into four sections to be ruled by four capable Vikings. In the northwest, he
asked Audr to lead. She would have to secure the loyalty of her people and
settle the land.
Audr already had twenty loyal male slaves. She could’ve
kept the status quo. Instead, Audr told those twenty men, if they pledged
allegiance to her, she’d give them their freedom and land to own.
Was it a wily political move on her part? A show of
gratitude for men who stayed by her side through tough times? History never
tells us.
What we do know is she settled in Hvammur. We also know man
sites have funny, anecdotal names because of her such as Kambsnes, which means ‘Comb headland’ because she lost a comb
there. A Christian, she raised a cross in Hvammur (though her descendants later
chose paganism.)
Audr was all about family, making sure the rest of her
granddaughters married well. Kind and giving to the end, the deep-minded woman
invited relatives to a magnificent feast that went on for three days. During
that time, she gave lavish gifts and wise advice to those she loved. At the end
of the three days, Audr bade her household hold the feast another three days-a
funeral feast. She knew she was dying and she wanted to spend her last days
celebrating with the people she loved.
Now that is a wise, wise woman.
Kept by the Viking
Forgotten Sons Book 1
by Gina Conkle
Genre: Historical Viking Romance
Loyalty
to the Brotherhood comes before all. Including women.
Formidable
Viking leader Rurik knows the law. His loyalty to the Forgotten Sons
is his bond, and no woman will threaten what he’s built from the
ground up. But the Sons are a roving band of Vikings, and Rurik is
growing restless—so when Normandy’s chieftain offers land, the
proposal intrigues him. And the sultry Parisian thrall he finds in
his tent intrigues him even more…
Safira
is cunning and clever and full of secrets. Rurik’s men have no
interest in securing her safe passage home, but, piqued with lust,
Rurik views Safira’s wiles as a captivating challenge—one he’s
determined to conquer, even if lying with her is as defiant as it is
inevitable.
Traveling
with Safira has been a fantasy come true—what started as lust is
quickly turning to the kind of partnership Rurik could never have
dreamed. But their arrival in foreign lands marks a new chapter, one
that demands a Viking wife. With impossible decisions to be made,
Rurik’s alliances are fraying, and past promises may not be enough
to save him from having to betray those he’s sworn loyalty
to—including Safira.
This
book is approximately 83,000 words
One-click
with confidence. This title is part of the Carina
Press Romance Promise:
all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a
promise!
Her Viking Warrior
Forgotten Sons Book 2
When
an outcast goes home and meets a woman seeking justice, hearts will
clash…
Eighteen
years ago, Bjorn was exiled from Vellefold. Honor-bound to return,
he’ll fight for the settlement…then walk away. First, he must
work with his childhood friend, now a beautiful, high-ranking Viking
lady.
Fierce
of spirit, Ilsa will do anything to save her people, including
convincing the banished son to take the jarl’s seat. But she has
her doubts about the stone-hearted Viking, despite the lust between
them. It’s only a matter of time before Bjorn discovers that Ilsa
is hiding dangerous secrets, secrets that may jeopardize all they’ve
worked for.
When
the darkest hour comes, the once-rejected warrior must choose: rescue
his men, the Forgotten Sons—or Ilsa, the woman he craves, body and
soul.
One-click
with confidence. This title is part of the Carina
Press Romance Promise:
all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a
promise!
Gina's
fate was sealed when her mom read 'The Highwayman' for a bedtime
story. She was five years old at the time, but from then on, Gina was
doomed to love history and romance.
Some
days she pens sparkling Georgian romance. Other days, she writes
evocative Viking romance full of heat and adventure. Gina spent most
of her life in southern California but now lives in Michigan with her
husband where snow days are perfect for reading and writing. Her
books have won awards and garnered critical acclaim. Poke around her
website and you'll run across those accolades.
Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
