Hi booklovers!
I'm thrilled to welcome Gina Corkle to my blog today. I've read her wonderful book. Norse Jewel, and I LOVED IT. I'm hard to please, but I've been blown away by this Norse love story. I kept asking myself--how did she learn all this? How did she write this? I'm very impressed, so I invited Gina here today to give away the secret of writing an historical novel that has hooked me from beginning to end.
Gina’s a lover of history, books and romance, which makes the perfect recipe for an historical romance writer. Her passion for castles and old places (the older and moldier the better!) means interesting family vacations. Good thing her husband and two sons share similar passions, except for romance…that’s where she gets the eye roll. When not visiting fascinating places, she can be found in southern California delving into the latest adventures of organic gardening and serving as chief taxi driver.
Over to Gina for a One Word interview:
Gina's new release:
A mighty Viking Chieftain…
Thank you for visiting today.
I'd hoped to write a review for today's post, but time ran out. If you click on Reviews below you can read this review and others...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm thrilled to welcome Gina Corkle to my blog today. I've read her wonderful book. Norse Jewel, and I LOVED IT. I'm hard to please, but I've been blown away by this Norse love story. I kept asking myself--how did she learn all this? How did she write this? I'm very impressed, so I invited Gina here today to give away the secret of writing an historical novel that has hooked me from beginning to end.
Over to Gina for a One Word interview:
1. What's your current favorite word?
sliver
2. In one word, what inspires you?
writing
3. What's one word that describes your writing habits?
absorbed
4. What's one word that you wish you could get rid of in your writing?
prepositions
5. What's one word that describes your writing desk?
tight
6. Share the best writing advice/tool/quote that helps you. (Please limit to one sentence)
Ask yourself if writing’s a hobby or a profession.
7. What's your current project?
I have two projects going: Meet the Lady at Midnight (part of a Georgian romance series that
comes out next year), and Norse Fire, more of the Viking romance world in AD 1022.sliver
2. In one word, what inspires you?
writing
3. What's one word that describes your writing habits?
absorbed
4. What's one word that you wish you could get rid of in your writing?
prepositions
5. What's one word that describes your writing desk?
tight
6. Share the best writing advice/tool/quote that helps you. (Please limit to one sentence)
Ask yourself if writing’s a hobby or a profession.
7. What's your current project?
Gina's new release:
A stolen woman of rare qualities...
Seized by marauders and taken to the icy northlands by the wolf-eyed Viking warrior, Helena will do whatever it takes to earn her freedom and return to France.
A mighty Viking Chieftain…
Betrayal has turned Hakan’s heart to ice, but the spirited Frankish maid warms him in a way he’s never known. The spell she weaves leaves them both breathless, but can he keep his promise to return her home even if it means he’ll lose his precious jewel forever?
I'd hoped to write a review for today's post, but time ran out. If you click on Reviews below you can read this review and others...
Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle - a review.
Reviewed by Shirley Buchanan which I found at Contemporary Romance Reviews.
Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle
Entangled Publishing
Throughout history, lands have been invaded, pillaged, and burned by invading armies or marauding bands of heartless, cruel men. Stealing goods, livestock, and humans, these conquerors were often depicted as cruel, unjust men, but occasionally a just, honourable, and kind man was found. Fierce in battle, revered by his comrades, and honoured by his king, Haken was just such a man.
Weary of the constant demands of his ex-wife to relinquish her hold over his son, Haken constantly sailed on voyage after voyage to obtain more wealth to buy his son's freedom from her clutches, hardening his heart further against ever marrying again and letting a wife dictate terms. The only way left to obtain his heart's desire, if she is not satisfied with his latest offer, is the Althing, an public assembly to procure his son. With this on his mind and a jaded heart, he impulsively falls for the beseeching pleas of one of the latest group of thralls(slaves) from Frankia. Taken by her gentleness of spirit, organization of warmth for his home, and increasing the wealth of his lands, the walls around his heart start to crumble. Pleased with her work, he gives her gifts, but out of all the gifts he offers,there is only one gift she truly wants, but he is loathe to give it: her freedom. Setting impossible tasks for her to earn her freedom, he contemplates an important question. If she accomplishes these tasks, will he be able to let her go, or does he see heartbreak in his future?
Captured by a marauding group of Danes and taken far from her homeland, Helena refused to give up her hope that one day she would return home to her family and betrothed, Guerin, but the future looks bleak. Tied to a stake in a Danish marketplace, only two choices are open: be sold to Gudred, when he returns,a warrior who has already scarred her face, or be bought by another. Spying Haken, a Norse chieftain, she pleads for him to buy her, but when he walks away, her heart plummets. Hearing Gudred's horse's hoof beats growing closer, desperately she begs until he buys her. But has she really traded the devil's minion for the devil???? Dangling her freedom as a prize, he sets impossible tasks for her to accomplish. But the longer she stays and the closer she gets,she begins to ask herself this question. When the time comes to gain her freedom and return home, will it be with a glad heart or will she forever hide a broken one?
Excellent story written with a well thought out plot and well developed characters. The historical element of the tale showed the intense research done by the author into the times and customs of the Norse. Underlying subplots of intrigue, mystery, and treachery gave a biting edge to the story.
I would recommend to all historical romance readers.
5/5 stars Was freedom really what she wanted??
Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle
Entangled Publishing
Throughout history, lands have been invaded, pillaged, and burned by invading armies or marauding bands of heartless, cruel men. Stealing goods, livestock, and humans, these conquerors were often depicted as cruel, unjust men, but occasionally a just, honourable, and kind man was found. Fierce in battle, revered by his comrades, and honoured by his king, Haken was just such a man.
Weary of the constant demands of his ex-wife to relinquish her hold over his son, Haken constantly sailed on voyage after voyage to obtain more wealth to buy his son's freedom from her clutches, hardening his heart further against ever marrying again and letting a wife dictate terms. The only way left to obtain his heart's desire, if she is not satisfied with his latest offer, is the Althing, an public assembly to procure his son. With this on his mind and a jaded heart, he impulsively falls for the beseeching pleas of one of the latest group of thralls(slaves) from Frankia. Taken by her gentleness of spirit, organization of warmth for his home, and increasing the wealth of his lands, the walls around his heart start to crumble. Pleased with her work, he gives her gifts, but out of all the gifts he offers,there is only one gift she truly wants, but he is loathe to give it: her freedom. Setting impossible tasks for her to earn her freedom, he contemplates an important question. If she accomplishes these tasks, will he be able to let her go, or does he see heartbreak in his future?
Captured by a marauding group of Danes and taken far from her homeland, Helena refused to give up her hope that one day she would return home to her family and betrothed, Guerin, but the future looks bleak. Tied to a stake in a Danish marketplace, only two choices are open: be sold to Gudred, when he returns,a warrior who has already scarred her face, or be bought by another. Spying Haken, a Norse chieftain, she pleads for him to buy her, but when he walks away, her heart plummets. Hearing Gudred's horse's hoof beats growing closer, desperately she begs until he buys her. But has she really traded the devil's minion for the devil???? Dangling her freedom as a prize, he sets impossible tasks for her to accomplish. But the longer she stays and the closer she gets,she begins to ask herself this question. When the time comes to gain her freedom and return home, will it be with a glad heart or will she forever hide a broken one?
Excellent story written with a well thought out plot and well developed characters. The historical element of the tale showed the intense research done by the author into the times and customs of the Norse. Underlying subplots of intrigue, mystery, and treachery gave a biting edge to the story.
I would recommend to all historical romance readers.
5/5 stars Was freedom really what she wanted??
Read more Reviews
Buy Links:
Giveaway:
Win $50 Amazon Gift voucher-click on the rafflecopter link below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
- STOP PRESS! Norse Jewel will be available at the SALE PRICE of 99c for one day only -- set your reminder now -- 22nd October.
- Gina has joined the Write...Edit...Publish bloghop. Entries go live next week. You still have time to join - you can do it right here in my sidebar.
