Embracing
Vikings
Little did I know it at
the time but I first met Viking King, Naðr
Véurr almost ten years ago when I started writing the original MacLomain
Series. As it turned out, he’s the Viking depicted in the castle’s largest
tapestry. While he played a small role in Sylvan
Mist, we learn more about him years later in Faith of the Highlander and Plight
of the Highlander, the last two books in The
MacLomain Series: Next Generation.
As his character slowly developed excitement grew. I’d never written
about Vikings so was getting ready to enter new territory. Now it was time for
research. Lots of it. But I’ve always enjoyed that part of the writing process.
What did they eat and drink? What was daily life like? How did they dress? What
did they do for pleasure? What types of weapons did they use? On and on it went
until I had folders and folders of information. Then, of course, I had to study
up on nautical knowledge and the various types of Viking ships. And let’s not
forget learning about Norse Mythology.
Soon enough, I had everything I needed to bring my Viking king to life
and wow did he surprise me. I’ve spent the greater part of a decade in medieval
Scotland with sexy Highlanders but quickly found myself equally drawn to Vikings.
But then I’ve always been a huge fan of the sea and the hearty men who weather
it.
I figured my Viking king would be every bit as captivating as his
MacLomain Scottish descendants and he didn’t let me down. Not only is he
powerful, fierce, a warrior to the bone, but he’s a great leader with an
unexpected mischievous side and the ability to love deeply. It’s safe to say
that both Naðr Véurr and his Viking culture have thoroughly drawn me in. I hope
you enjoy reading about my Vikings as much as I enjoyed writing about them.
Available now for pre-order: Viking
Claim (Book 2). Coming soon: Viking
Heart (Book 3)
Thanks so much for
hosting me!
Viking King
The MacLomain Series
Viking Ancestors
Book 1
Sky Purington
Genre: Time-travel fantasy romance
Date of Publication: January 16, 2015
ASIN: B00Q8TK1W4
Number of pages: 240
Word Count: 82,000
Cover Artist: Tamra Westberry
Book Description:
Determined to take a break from her past, Megan cozies down in her million dollar Winter Harbor Maine home and focuses less on money and more on dreams. Building boats was a childhood desire she’s determined to pursue. With a love for Viking shipwright skills, she constructs a small scale longship. What she doesn’t anticipate is an unexpected call from the past.
Of dragon blood, Viking King, Naðr Véurr Sigdir ‘the bold’ knew that the bargain he struck with the seers would likely lead to an unpredictable outcome. What he didn’t foresee is a beautiful, headstrong woman from the future washing up on his shores.
Caught between twenty-first century America and ninth century Scandinavia, two souls connect. Both determined and willful, their battle soon becomes not one made of the eras separating them but all the unexpected moments that drive them closer together.
Anger. Need. Distrust. Hope. Never-ending desire. All merge, warring and passionate, when a modern day woman and a Viking king surge forward together to conquer not only their enemies but what lies within their hearts.
Excerpt:
When a roar came
from the ship, a louder roar echoed all around her. Excitement crackled in the
air as three men left the boat and started down the dock. Megan narrowed her
eyes as they drew closer.
Tall, muscled,
all were too damned good looking no matter the century. But only one gave her
an acute case of tunnel vision. The one in the middle. A black fur cloak
stretched over his broad shoulders. With a black, leather jerkin and long
leather encased legs that led down to heavy boots, he had a confident, easy
swagger.
A searing burn
broke over every inch of her skin and she dug her nails into her palms as he
drew closer. Wind-blown, shoulder-length black hair brushed the nape of his
strong neck and a light beard did nothing to hide his well-sculpted face. Her
body started to tremble when he was only halfway down the dock. Clenching her
teeth, Megan breathed deeply through her nose, her need to smell his skin so strong she put her hand on Guardian’s head to ground
herself.
When had she
ever wanted to smell a man?
Valan pulled
Megan aside as several women were allowed to pass. There was never a more
torturous moment than watching the young, beautiful women swarm around him.
Like any ‘normal’ red-blooded pirate, sailor, or Viking, who had been out to
sea for days would do, all three men linked arms with the women so that they
each had one on either side. Megan barely comprehended that the low growl she
heard was coming from her own throat until Valan looked at her and shook his
head.
Megan cleared
her throat and continued to stare at the man approaching.
To look away was
impossible.
Suddenly, he
stopped. When he did the girls on either arm purred and leaned closer. But it
didn’t much matter. It almost seemed that he caught a scent on the wind because
he leaned his head back slowly, closed his eyes and inhaled.
All went silent.
Megan watched,
enthralled by the display. How did one man make so many people go silent in a
moment? But somehow she knew deep down inside. A simple man couldn’t.
But a king could.
It almost felt
like the shock wave she’d felt eighty feet beneath the Atlantic once more hit
her when his eyes turned her way. Megan dug her hands further into Guardian’s
pelt as he untangled from his women and approached. His eyes flickered to Valan
then back to her before he stopped.
Holy mother of any god listening was he gorgeous.
Skin darkened by
the sun, his face was a masterpiece up close. A little over a foot taller than
her, his lips curved so well they’d make a woman stare forever. His jaw line
was a fraction off from being square and his eyebrows arched slashes. But none
of that compared to his eyes.
They were his everything.
A light but
bright cobalt blue framed by a bizarre circle of dark blue with flecks of
silver, they were so unusual that it almost seemed a mirror was behind them. In
fact, one nearly got the impression they were looking back at themselves when
they looked into this man’s eyes. Megan was tempted to look away from his
unusual gaze but knew she couldn’t…that she never would. He’d captained that
Viking longship. Desire pounded through her blood so harshly it took years of
dealing with powerful men to keep her body tremble-free and eyes locked.
Because there could be no doubt…
He was her Viking
king.
“Naðr Véurr,”
she whispered.
And she knew she
was right.
Of course he
wasn’t fazed by his name on a stranger’s lips. He’d likely dealt with it
before. And unlike most men, he wasn’t put off by her unnatural eye color in
the least. Rather, he seemed to spend an overly long moment holding her gaze,
so much so that she had to work at keeping a neutral face. No easy task. One
thing was for sure, she’d never had such a strong sexual reaction to a man.
He smelled of
sea and storms, of dark nights and even darker pleasures.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Hell, was her
heart going to beat out of her chest?
Megan worked at
breathing evenly and never let go of his gaze. For a split second, she thought
he sensed her nervousness. And it seemed she might be right.
About the Author:
Sky Purington is the best-selling author of fourteen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.
Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com.
Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases?
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2 comments:
Thanks for hosting Viking King today. :)
S. Purington
Sky is a great author and a truly sweet person. I loved all of the MacLomain series and the Viking's have certainly lived up to them. Can't wait for the next book!
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