Blog
Was Olaf Tryggvason at the Battle of Maldon?
There has long been a debate about whether Olaf Tryggvason was at the Battle of Maldon, a battle believed to have taken place on Aug 11 in AD 991. This post will take a closer look at that question…
Kievan Rus’ and the Vikings
From the feedback I’ve received, it’s clear that more is known of the Vikings in England, France and Ireland, and that fewer readers know about this place called Kievan Rus’ or Gardariki – a place that will eventually become…
Sigurd’s Swords is Now Available on Amazon!
I am thrilled to announce that my fifth novel and the second in the Olaf Saga series of books, Sigurd’s Swords, is now available to order on Amazon in print and eBook formats.
Announcing Sigurd’s Swords! Pre-Order Today.
The second book of Olaf’s Saga, Sigurd’s Swords tells the story of the future king of Norway, Olaf Tryggvason, and his time living and fighting in the war-torn kingdom of the Rus. Read more and pre-order…
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…
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…
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 ––…
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…
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…
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.
