Novgorod, Holmgard and the Rus
Writing historical fiction often presents difficulties. In my most recent book, Sigurd’s Swords, one of those challenges was understanding the place called Novgorod.
Kissing beneath the Mistletoe – A Holiday Mystery
We all know mistletoe as the twig we hang in doorways and thresholds during the Christmas or Yuletide season and under which we kiss. But why? Where did this tradition come from and why is this parasitic and poisonous plant at the center of it?
Did Vikings Celebrate Halloween?
During previous Octobers, I have written about Viking creatures and things that go bump in the night. This October, I decided to investigate a simple question: did the early Scandinavians (who I will call Vikings for simplicity) celebrate Halloween? This blog post unveils what I found.
Did Viking Shieldmaidens Exist?
In my latest Viking Age novels, I introduce a female character named Turid who yearns to fight alongside men in battle. To me, it seemed natural that during the Viking Age, there might be women who wanted to –– and did –– fight. This post takes a closer look at the plausibility of that.
Viking Ship Economics
Much has been written about Viking ships. How they were constructed. Their various sizes and names. So rather than ply similar seas, this post takes a closer look at the resources, economics, and “person-power” it took to get just a single Viking ship into the water.
Forged by Iron is Now Available!
I am thrilled to share that today is release day for Forged by Iron and the first reviews are in!
The Saga of Olaf Tryggvason Begins
In my latest novel, I have the pleasure of bringing my readers into the world and life of Olaf Tryggvason. This post describes the background story of Olaf’s lineage, his birthplace, his early life, and the circumstances that defined his upbringing.
Longfellow’s Saga of King Olaf
You may have noticed my recent social posts in which I quote various stanzas from a poem. The poem is called “The Saga of King Olaf” and it was written by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Vikings and Pandemics: An Historical Perspective
With COVID-19 spreading globally, it made me wonder about diseases during the Viking Age and whether early Scandinavians (who I will call the Vikings) ever dealt with a pandemic. As it turns out, they did.
Announcing Forged by Iron, Pre-Orders Open
From the bestselling author of Hakon’s Saga comes Forged by Iron, the first in a series of thrilling books about Olaf Tryggvason, one of the most legendary and enigmatic kings of the Viking Age. Find out more in this post!