Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie follows a warrior destined to become a dragonslayer and king, and a divine-blessed shieldmaiden fated for the Valkyries, as their bond helps them confront prophecy, vengeance, and dragonfire. What drew you to retelling the legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr through the lens of romantic fantasy?

While writing my first Viking trilogy (the Valiant Vikings series set in 10th century Normandy), I delved into Norse mythology and discovered the legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr. I also learned how this epic Norse saga was interwoven with two other legends, including the captivating story of Ragnar Loðbrók and his völva queen Áslaug. Once I had finished writing Falcon of the Faroe Islands— the conclusion of the Valiant Vikings trilogy– I began to write Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie:  The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr.

Since I had already researched many aspects of Norse mythology, including seiðr magic, Viking rituals, and reading runes, I decided to bring the legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr to life as a romantasy filled with passion and prophecy.

How did you balance honoring Norse saga traditions with creating your own emotional and sensual interpretation of the story?​ 

Although I incorporated as much of the original Norse saga as possible into my novel, I found many unanswered questions and inconsistencies in the various versions of the legend as I delved into my research.

 Not only did I need to bring the familiar characters to life, I had to create  the immersive worldbuilding in Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie. For example, I envisioned the realm of the Valkyries and their training, explaining how and why they selected the slain for Valhalla. I created the various kingdoms and rulers in Norway, Sweden, and West Francia, weaving their royal politics and ploys for power into the intricately developed plot. I chose the French Alps for the location of Mount Hinterfjall, because the Norse legend tells how  Odin cursed Brynhildr with the Thorn of Sleep, imprisoning her in a Ring of Fire atop an ice-peaked mountain. Since Sigurd meets the Burgundian royal family after freeing her, I decided that the French Alps would be the perfect location for the Ring of Fire, since it is near Burgundy and the Rhône River, which leads to the Danish port of Hedeby, where the Sea Wolves could await Sigurd’s return.

Brynhildr is portrayed as powerful, divinely blessed, and self-directed. What was most important to you in shaping her character?​

I needed to portray her as a powerful shieldmaiden whom Odin selects to rise as a Valkyrie. I therefore developed her training with Ulric Ironshield, the merciless weapons  master who molds her into the Sun Falcon Shieldmaiden. Since Brynhildr is also gifted with seiðr sight, I developed her training as a seeress with the völva Yrsa. When Brynhildr triumphs in battle, she becomes a Valkyrie, the goal she has longed to achieve her entire life.

Yet in the Norse legend, Brynhildr defies Odin and selects King Agnar to triumph over King Hjálmgunnar in a decisive Viking battle. I needed a plausible reason why she, newly chosen as a Valkyrie, would dare risk her prestigious and coveted position by defying the Allfather and incurring his wrath. None of my research gave credible reasons for her defiance, so I created the interwoven plot of the bloodsworn oath between Sigurd and Agnar, her seiðr vision of Sigurd’s fate, and her love for him– her soulbound mate–as the reasons why she defied Odin and guided Sigurd to his destiny as a dragonslayer.

What do you hope readers take away from Sigurd and Brynhildr’s relationship, especially the idea that love can help fulfill destiny rather than distract from it?​

The transcendent love between Sigurd and Brynhildr strengthened them both and empowered them to fulfill their destinies and triumph over evil.  I hope my readers will love Dragonslayer’s Valkyrie:  The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr, the romantasy in which I brought the epic Norse saga to life! 

It is book 1 of my new Viking Dragonslayers trilogy, incorporating three interwoven Norse legends. Book 2 is  Dragonslayer’s Daughter:  The Legend of the Viking Witch Kráka, and book 3, the conclusion of the trilogy, is Dragonslayer’s Queen:  The Legend of Ragnar Loðbrók and Áslaug, both to be published in the near future by Green Mermaid Publications!

Author Links: GoodReads | BlueSky | Facebook | Website | Instagram