Chieftains and Slaves. Fighters and Priests.
Healers, Lawmakers and Mystics.
In this epic novel series fiction, Iceland’s Viking-era democracy–forged in a remarkable valley that straddles two continents–is vulnerable, when bad harvests threaten and a ruthless chieftain seeks to exploit his people.
Fighting him are a man and a woman,
bound by ideals and torn apart by a tragic lie.
Foreign rulers seek a foothold and priests venture forth, eager for converts in a place of pagan beliefs. Tensions mount as the young country’s rule of law faces growing corruption. And all the while, an undiscovered land lurks silent in the western seas.
What could possibly go wrong?
ICELAND, 979 A.D.
A GOOD MAN, BETRAYED.
A WOMAN, THREATENED.
Two people bound by brave ideals—and torn apart by a terrible secret.
A corrupt chieftain plots to rule of all Iceland, and [read more…]
ICELAND, 980 A.D.
A CORRUPT LEADER.
A TORMENTED WOMAN.
Secrets that could topple a tyrant—and destroy those who carry them.
Kidnap. Torture. Cheat. Steal. Lie. Bend the law and break it.
[read more…]
ICELAND, 982 A.D.
A SHIP OF OUTLAWS.
A WOMAN, ALONE.
Dangerous seas…and even more dangerous secrets on board.
Iceland’s powerful Althing Council has convicted seafarer Tiller
[read more…]
Norse forebears called, and fate beckoned: author Katie Aiken Ritter has delved into Nordic history, Icelandic sagas, and archeological publications to verify the substance of this story.
She has experienced (far too briefly!) sailing on the Draken Harald Harfagre, a real Viking longship,, and has traveled to Iceland to research historic sites.
Awards for her works include an AWC Novel Award and a Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society Novel finalist designation.
“Better to fight and fall than to live without hope.”
– Volsunga, circa 1200
The saga-stories of Icelandic people of the Viking era over a thousand years ago bear testament to the Norse power of storytelling: they are still fresh, able to inspire feelings, and deal with themes of human nature that have not changed one whit.
These novels (three currently published and two sequels to come) mix elements of history, saga and imagination to bring to life a world where corruption comes face to face with raw courage, and where long-buried truths demand to be told.
This first novel sets up the prelude to an Icelandic family saga of five books spanning two generations and two continents.
The novels explore themes such as the hero’s journey, loyalty under duress, everyday life in medieval Scandinavia, slavery in European societies, the rule of law against corruption and creeping authoritarianism, the world’s first democracy at Althing, pagan beliefs and conversion to Christianity, and with strong female, Norse, enslaved and black protagonists—all amid Iceland’s dramatic landscape in the land of fire and ice.
Readers who enjoyed Jean Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear, Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, or the History Channel’s Vikings may appreciate this well-researched and historically-relevant novel.
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