Wildly Romantic: A Multi-Genre Collection
Page 82
She pretended to shudder, then smiled. “I’m not afraid, and I have Thor.”
He frowned, brushing his lips on hers. “Sometimes you are more afraid than you want anyone to see.”
She felt her face redden. “You know me too well. I am a little afraid.”
He pulled her into his embrace. “Fear can be a good thing, Ragna. You and I are embarking on a voyage full of unknowns. Life is like the sea, and our love is the boat. It won’t always be smooth sailing, but love will keep us afloat in troubled waters. We have witnessed that life can be full of unpleasant surprises, and have much to learn from each other. With Freyja’s blessings we’ll live an untroubled life here on Strand and sire many healthy children. But we will travel. To England, to Saxony. Vikings love to wander far and wide.”
She snuggled into him, relishing the warmth of his big body seeping into her. “I am your lady, Reider, until the rivers all run dry.”
He kissed her forehead. “And I am your man until the stars no longer shine.”
HISTORICAL POSTSCRIPT
The Danish island of Strand covered approximately 210 square miles prior to 1634. That fateful year, a disastrous storm tide tore the island apart. 6000 people drowned. Perhaps some of them were descendants of Reider and Ragna Torfinnsen.
One island became three, Nordstrand, Pellworm and Hallegin.
Nordstrand today is a peninsula, linked to the mainland by the Beltringerharder, a polder of land reclaimed from the sea. All three islands now belong to Germany.
ABOUT ANNA
Thank you for reading Wild Viking Princess. If you’d like to leave a review where you purchased the book, and/or on Goodreads, I would appreciate it. Reviews contribute greatly to an author’s success.
I’d love you to visit my website and my Facebook page, Anna Markland Novels.
Tweet me @annamarkland, join me on Pinterest, or sign up for my newsletter.
I was born and brought up in England, but I’ve lived most of my life in Canada. I was an elementary school teacher for 25 years, a job I loved.
After that I worked with my husband in the management of his businesses. He’s a born entrepreneur who likes to boast he’s never had a job!
My final “career” was as Director of Administration of a global disaster relief organization.
I then embarked on writing a romance, something I’d always wanted to do. I chose the medieval period because it’s my favorite to read.
I have a keen interest in genealogy. This hobby has had a tremendous influence on my stories. My medieval romances are tales of family honor, ancestry, and roots. As an amateur genealogist, I cherished a dream of tracing my own English roots back to the Norman Conquest...most likely impossible since I am not descended from nobility! So I made up a family and my stories follow its members through successive generations.
I want readers to feel happy that the heroes and heroines have found their soul mates and that the power of love has overcome every obstacle. For me, novels are an experience of another world and time. I lose myself in the characters’ lives, always knowing they will triumph in the end and find love. One of the things I enjoy most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research necessary to provide readers with an authentic medieval experience. I love ferreting out bits of historical trivia I never knew! I based the plot of my first novel, Conquering Passion, on a bizarre incident that actually happened to a Norman noblewoman.
I hope you come to know and love my cast of characters as much as I do.
MORE ANNA MARKLAND
If you prefer to read sagas in chronological order, here’s a handy list for the Montbryce family books.
Conquering Passion—Ram and Mabelle, Rhodri and Rhonwen
If Love Dares Enough—Hugh and Devona, Antoine and Sybilla
Defiant Passion-Rhodri and Rhonwen
A Man of Value—Caedmon and Agneta
Dark Irish Knight—Ronan and Rhoni
Haunted Knights—Adam and Rosamunda, Denis and Paulina
Passion in the Blood—Robert and Dorianne, Baudoin and Carys
Dark and Bright—Rhys and Annalise
The Winds of the Heavens—Rhun and Glain, Rhydderch and Isolda
Dance of Love—Izzy and Farah
Carried Away—Blythe and Dieter
Sweet Taste of Love—Aidan and Nolana
Wild Viking Princess—Ragna and Reider
Hearts and Crowns—Gallien and Peridotte
Fatal Truths—Alex and Elayne
Sinful Passions—Bronson and Grace; Rodrick and Swan
Series featuring the stories of the Viking ancestors of my Norman families
The Rover Bold—Bryk and Cathryn
The Rover Defiant—Torstein and Sonja
The Rover Betrayed—Magnus and Judith
Novellas
Maknab’s Revenge—Ingram and Ruby
Passion’s Fire—Matthew and Brigandine (2016) in Hearts Aflame
Banished—Sigmar and Audra (2016) in Sirens of the Northern Seas
Hungry Like De Wolfe—Blaise and Anne—Kindle Worlds (coming soon)
An Unkissable Knight—Dervenn and Victorine in The Kissing Bough (Christmas 2016)
Caledonia Chronicles (Scotland)
Book I Pride of the Clan—Rheade and Margaret
Book II Highland Tides—Braden and Charlotte
Book 2.5 Highland Dawn—Keith and Aurora (a Kindle Worlds book)
Book III Roses Among the Heather—Blair &Susanna, Craig & Timothea
The Von Wolfenberg Dynasty (medieval Europe)
Book 1 Loyal Heart—Sophia and Brandt
Book 2 Courageous Heart—Luther and Francesca
Book 3 Faithful Heart
If you like stories with medieval breeds of dogs, you’ll enjoy If Love Dares Enough, Carried Away, Fatal Truths, and Wild Viking Princess. If you have a soft spot for cats, read Passion in the Blood and Haunted Knights.
Looking for historical fiction centered on a certain region?
English History—all books
Norman French History—all books
Crusades—A Man of Value
Welsh History—Conquering Passion, Defiant Passion, Dark and Bright, The Winds of the Heavens
Scottish History—Conquering Passion, A Man of Value, Sweet Taste of Love, Caledonia Chronicles
European History (Holy Roman Empire)—Carried Away, Loyal Heart
Danish History—Wild Viking Princess
Spanish History—Dance of Love
Ireland—Dark Irish Knight
If you like to read about historical characters:
William the Conqueror—Conquering Passion, If Love Dares Enough, Defiant Passion
William Rufus—A Man of Value
Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy—Passion in the Blood
Henry I of England—Passion in the Blood, Sweet Taste of Love, Haunted Knights, Hearts and Crowns
Holy Roman Emperors—Carried Away, Loyal Heart, Courageous Heart
Vikings—Wild Viking Princess, The Rover Bold, The Rover Defiant, The Rover Betrayed,
Kings of Aragon (Spain)—Dance of Love
The Anarchy (England) (Stephen vs. Maud)—Hearts and Crowns, Fatal Truths, Sinful Passions
Scotland’s Stewart Kings—Caledonia Chronicles
Jacobites & Mary, Queen of Scots—Highland Tides
Link to Amazon page
MARKLAND'S MEDIEVAL WORLD
Cast of Characters
CP=Conquering Passion
AMOV=A Man of Value
ILDE=If Love Dares Enough
PIB=Passion in the Blood
DP=Defiant Passion
DB=Dark and Bright
WTH=The Winds of the Heavens
CA=Carried Away
STL=Sweet Taste of Love
WVP=Wild Viking Princess
DOL=Dance of Love
DIK=Dark Irish Knight
HK=Haunted Knights
HC=Hearts and Crowns
FT=Fatal Truths
Aediva Melton...Sister of the Saxon heroine of ILDE
Agnes...Norman scullery maid at Domfort Castle ILDE
Agnès...maidservant of Maudine in HK
Agneta Kirkthwaite...English Heroine of Danish and Saxon descent in AMOV
Aidan Branton FitzRam...Son of Caedmon and Agneta, twin of Blythe; named for Agneta’s brothers slain at Bolton. AMOV, CA; hero of STL
Aiweeda...elderly nun in DIK
Alain Cormant...steward at East Preston HK
Alexandre de Montbryce...Eldest son of Robert and Dorianne. Heir to the title Comte de Montbryce. Born in Caen during his father’s incarceration PIB; appears in HC; hero of FT
Alphonse Revandel... father of Letyce HK
Álvar Fáñez...historical figure; Spanish hero of the Reconquista, cousin of El Cid
Alys...maidservant of Peridotte HC
Amadour de Vignoles...Norman comrade of Caedmon during Crusade; hero of Civitote AMOV; DOL
Andras ap Rhys...Welshman...Friend and comrade of Rhodri ap Owain in CP and DP
Aneurin ap Norweg...Welshman...Friend and comrade of Rhodri ap Owain in CP and DP
Angeline Hugo...Norman peasant, rape victim of Arnulf de Valtesse CP
Anna...Dieter’s housekeeper, CA
Annalise de Vymont...Heroine of DB. Niece of the Earl of Chester.
Antoine de Montbryce...Norman hero of ILDE; brother of Rambaud and Hugh
ap Owain...Welsh patronymic...son of Owain
Arnulf de Valtesse...Norman half brother of Mabelle de Montbryce, heroine of CP. Bastard son of Guillaume de Valtesse. Murdered in CP by Simon Hugo
Artus Aubin...Norman steward of Giroux Castle DOL
Ascha (Bronson) Woolgar...Saxon mother of Caedmon; in CP and AMOV
Aurore de Pontrouge-mother of Peridotte HC
Barat Cormant...Norman steward brought to England by the Montbryces for Sussex properties; ILDE; son of Michel, brother of Théo.
Baudoin de Montbryce...Norman born in England; second son of Ram and Mabelle de Montbryce; becomes 2nd Earl of Ellesmere; marries Carys verch Rhodri; appears in CP, AMOV, DP and PIB.
Beathan...Elayne’s brother FT
Bemia Melton...Saxon sister of heroine of ILDE
Bernard Chauvelin...Norman soldier at Montbryce Castle PIB
Bernard de Montbryce...Father of Ram, Antoine and Hugh. Dies in 1066 while his sons are fighting in England.
Bernadine de Montbryce...daughter of Antoine and Sybilla
Bernhardt...Dieter’s valet, CA
Berthold de Quincy...Hospitaller Knight DOL
Bertrand de Poitou...herald of King Henry HK
Bileaud...Norman steward at Domfort Castle ILDE
Blythe Lacey FitzRam...Daughter of Caedmon and Agneta, twin of Aidan. Born in AMOV. Heroine of CA
Bonhomme...Normans; family name of the stewards of Montbryce and Ellesmere.
Bradick Ronan MacLaichlainn...name handed down through generations of descendants of Ronan, hero of DIK; FT
Bravecoeur...Gallien’s captain SP
Brémonde...Norman; one of Ram’s commanders at Ellesmere CP
Bronson FitzRam...son of Aidan, hero of SP
Brother Christian...religious name given to Aidan when he enters the monastery STL
Brother Tristan...Cellarer in charge of mead making at Lindisfarne STL
Caedmon Brice (Woolgar) FitzRam...Illegitimate son of Ram de Montbryce and Ascha Woolgar. Appears in CP, PIB, CA & STL; hero of AMOV
Caryl Penarth...Welsh healer; appears in CP and DP
Carys verch Rhodri...Welsh; healer; daughter of Rhodri and wife of Baudoin de Montbryce. Becomes 2nd Countess of Ellesmere. Appears in PIB, DP and DB
Catherine de Montbryce...Daughter of Robert and Dorianne PIB
Claricia Dunkeld...daughter of heroine of FT
Conall MacCathail...steward’s son DIK; helps Ronan escape
Cormant...Normans; family name of stewards at Alensonne in CP and at East Preston in ILDE
Coventina Brightmore...Saxon; friend of hero and heroine in AMOV; marries Leofric Deacon
Daegal...Saxon brigand DIK
Dagfinn Alfredsen...Dane; ally of Reider in WVP
Dagfrid...Dane; cousin of Kjartan in WVP
Dareau Revandel... brother of Letyce HK
Dda...Welsh surname of Rhonwen and Myfanwy; CP and DP and DB
de Valtesse...Maiden surname of heroine of CP
Denis de Sancerre...Angevin; son of Sybilla and adopted son of Antoine de Montbryce; dwarf ILDE & PIB; hero of HK
Devlin de Villiers...villain of HC
Devona Melton...Saxon; heroine of ILDE; marries Hugh de Montbryce
Dieter Von Wolfenberg...German hero of CA; marries Blythe FitzRam; appears in WVP
Dominguez...Aragonese; King Alfonso’s lieutenant DOL
Dorianne de Giroux...Norman heroine of PIB; marries Robert de Montbryce
Dugald Dunkeld...illegitimate son of King David of Scotland; 1st husband of heroine of FT
Edwin FitzRam...brother of Blythe, Aidan & Ragna; son of Caedmon & Agneta STL
Elayne Douenald...Scottish noblewoman, heroine of FT
Eldwyn...Saxon brigand DIK
Elenor de Giroux...Norman; mother of Dorianne de Giroux; wife of Francois. PIB
Emrys...Cook at llys Powwydd. DB
Emyle Bossuet...Norman commander of mercenaries in Ireland DIK
Enid...Saxon maid of Ascha Woolgar. CP & AMOV
Ermintrude de Calumette...Empress Maud’s confidant HC
Étienne Robert de Montbryce...Second son of Baudoin and Carys; DB,STL; HC
Farah...Aragonese; heroine (María Sancha Tarazona) Arabic word meaning ‘joy’DOL
Felicité...Gallien’s treacherous first wife HC
Fernand Bonhomme...Norman; second generation of his family to be steward of Montbryce Castle. Father of Mathieu and Honore. Married to Vangeline.
FitzRam...Norman patronymic surname bestowed on Caedmon by Ram. AMOV
Fleurie Mabelle de Montbryce...Daughter of Baudoin & Carys. Her mother almost dies giving birth to her. DB
Florymonde de Montbryce...daughter of Antoine and Sybilla
Fothud MacFintain...villain DIK
Francine Beaujoie...lady-in-waiting to Empress Maud; friend of heroine HC
François de Giroux...Norman father of Dorianne and Pierre PIB; sworn enemy of the Montbryces ILDE
Frederika...Dieter’s first wife, CA
Gabriel Duquesne...Norman Captain of Rhoni’s bodyguard DIK
Gallien Rambaud de Montbryce...Eldest son of Baudoin and Carys DB, STL; hero of HC; FT; SP
Gareth Bronson...Saxon brother of Ascha Woolgar; takes Ascha to Scotland. CP & AMOV
Gawain Bronson...Saxon nephew of Ascha Woolgar; CP & AMOV
Georges de Giroux...Norman, Crusader. Reappears in DOL
Gervais...Norman soldier; Ram’s second in command; CP & DP
Gerwint Isembart de Montbryce (Izzy)...Second son of Hugh and Devona. Named for his grandfather and great grandfather, and the rat catcher, Jubert. Prefers to be called Izzy.PIB; Hero of DOL
Gerwint Melton...ILDE Saxon grandfather of heroine
Gicotte...Norman soldier at Montbryce Castle; PIB
Giroux...Norman surname of the family sworn to avenge Valtesse's cruelty to their ancestor; CP, ILDE & PIB
Giselle...Norman maidservant who accompanies Mabelle to England and becomes chatelaine of Ellesmere; kidnapped with Mabelle; CP
Glain verch Llewelyn...Welsh bonesetter in DB
Godefroy de Cullène...villain of SP
Gorm...villain of WVP; step brother of Reider
Grace Mabelle Carys de Montbryce...daughter of Gallien and Peridotte; twin of Rodrick HC; heroine of SP
Grouchet...Anglo-Norman baron, villain of STL
Guillaume de Terrence...champion supposed to guard heroines in HK
Guillaume de Valtesse...Norman father of Mabelle; his cruelty begins the feud between the Val
tesses and the Giroux family; CP
Hélène de Fleury...Norman wife of friend of Montbryce brothers killed at Hastings. CP
Henry Dunkeld...son of heroine of FT
Hugh de Montbryce...Norman-virgin hero of ILDE; brother of Antoine and Ram CP, PIB
Hylda...Christian name of Mabelle’s mother, purported to have been strangled by her husband, Mabelle’s father.
Hylda Rhonwen de Montbryce (Rhoni)...Daughter of Ram and Mabelle born in captivity in Wales; CP, AMOV; heroine of DIK
Ingram Maknab...Scot; son of Neyll. STL
Isembart Jubert...Rat catcher from Montbryce; instrumental in saving the lives of Hugh and Devona; ILDE
Isolda verch Llewelyn...Welsh healer, heroine of WTH
Ivar Sigurdsen...Dane; captain in WVP
Jacquelle...Rhoni’s maid DIK
Jean Venestre...husband of Marguerite de Montbryce FT
Jennet...Northumbrian peasant woman STL
Johann Dieter Marius von Wolfenberg...Dieter’s son by his first marriage, CA
Johara...Arabic name given to María Catalina; means ‘jewel’ DOL
Joleyne...Norman mistress of Ram de Montbryce before he meets Mabelle; CP
Jolly...cook at Shelfhoc SP
Kirkthwaite...Surname of Agneta’s family AMOV
Kjartan Eldarsen...Danish; comrade of Reider in WVP
La Cuisinière...Legendary Norman cook at Montbryce Castle; her name simply means ‘The Cook’ CP
Laurent de Montbryce...son of Robert; brother of Alexandre FT
Laurent Deschamps...military commander at Montbryce in Ram’s absence CP
Leofric Deacon...Saxon friend of Caedmon AMOV; badly injured at Alnwick; marries Coventina Brightmore; appears in STL
Letyce Revandel...villainess HK
Lope Velasco...known as The Wolf; looks like a crow; henchman of Vermudo Díaz DOL
Lorcan MacFintain...villain DIK
Lucia...Grace’s maidservant SP
Lucien Lallement... brother of heroines of HK
Mabelle de Montbryce...Norman heroine of CP; wife of Ram de Montbryce; Countess of Ellesmere and Comtesse de Montbryce; AMOV, PIB, DP
Mabelle de Valtesse...Maiden name of Mabelle de Montbryce; CP, AMOV, PIB, DP