Wolf of the Nordic Seas follows a fierce shield maiden and heir to the coastal Viking stronghold of Étretat, who, after her father is captured by a ruthless Frankish count who demands her hand in marriage, finds herself caught between political alliances and personal vengeance. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

In Wolf of the Nordic Seas (book 2 of the Valiant Vikings trilogy), I wanted to have the story take place within the same setting that I introduced in Dragon of Denmark– the alabaster coast of Normandy known as the Pays de Caux (the Land of the White Chalk Cliffs). I wanted to continue the political tension between the Franks and the Vikings of Normandy, by creating a shield maiden who seeks to avenge her brother’s death through powerful alliances with Richard the Fearless (the Viking Duke of Normandy in the tenth century) and my fictional character–the Danish Jarl of Ribe known as the Wolf of the Nordic Seas.

What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?

Political alliances between Viking rulers were often secured through arranged marriages, so I used that historical premise as the basis for the interaction between my main characters. Since Richard the Fearless was a political ally of Harald Bluetooth (the Viking King of Denmark and Norway), I created an arranged marriage between the daughter of the Norman Count of Étretat and the powerful Danish Jarl of Ribe to solidify Viking power in Normandy against the Franks.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

It was essential that for me to create a fiery, rebellious Viking shield maiden for a strong female lead character. I also wanted to create a fierce Danish warlord with an unexpectedly tender heart beneath his brutal exterior.

In Dragon of Denmark (book 1 of the Valiant Vikings trilogy), I introduced some intriguing characters and plot developments based on Viking myths and legends. For Wolf of the Nordic Seas, I wanted to delve much more deeply into Norse mythology by creating such characters as the Úlfhéðnar wolf warriors, a Viking völva with malevolent seiðr magic, and the magical realm of Álfheim.

I also chose to incorporate Celtic and Nordic legends, such as the Druid priestesses of the Gallizenae– the shape-shifting mermaids who transform into mammoth sea dragon warriors of the Norse Goddess Rán.

When will book three be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?

I am currently writing book 3, Falcon of the Faroe Islands, the thrilling conclusion of the Valiant Vikings trilogy, which I expect to be published in late summer of 2025.

It will take readers into the mystical realm of the Lofoten Islands in the wild, rugged north of Norway, where we meet the prophesied Son of the Dragon. We’ll venture into the fiery, frosty world of medieval Iceland, and to the remote Faroe Islands, home of Haldor Falk– the shape-shifting vitki who transforms into a falcon, first introduced in Dragon of Denmark.

I hope my readers will enjoy the sizzling blend of historical fiction, paranormal fantasy, Norse mythology, and the steamy Viking romance between the völva Úlvhild and the Falcon of the Faroe Islands, Haldor Falk!

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Amazon