No words can describe how excited I am about tomorrow. A
book with my name on the cover will make its way into readers hands. Maybe even
readers that aren’t relatives or friends of mine! :-)
It took a while for VIKING WARRIOR RISING to find its way
into a good editor’s hands. I was a debut paranormal author shopping my
manuscript in a market that was no longer signing newbie writers in that genre.
But then Cat Clyne of Sourcebooks picked the book out of the slush pile and
happily ever after happened. Well, there were a lot of edits and improvements
in between, but you get the idea.
I couldn’t be happier about where I landed. I’ve been a
Sourcebooks reader for a long time and seeing my picture on this blog with so
many authors I admire is truly amazing. Not only do these writers put amazing
prose on the page, they are also incredibly supportive and encouraging to
newbies like me. Right after I had signed my contract, I attended the Romance
Writers of America national conference in San Antonio. My knees were shaking as
I attended the Sourcebooks Author dinner, which I very kindly had been invited
to despite having written nothing more for them than my signature on the
contract. My fears were unfounded. As soon as I joined the group someone
introduced themselves to me and when
they heard I was new, they took me around to meet everyone else.
I can only hope VIKING WARRIOR RISING get an equally warm
welcome on its way out into the world. Here’s the blurb and a teaser to wet
your appetite. J
Immortal Vikings are
among us.
Leif Skarsganger and his elite band of immortal warriors
have been charged to protect humanity from the evil Norse god Loki.
Under attack from Loki’s minions, Leif is shocked to
encounter a dark-haired beauty who fights like a warrior herself. Wounded and
feverish, the Viking kisses her, inadvertently triggering an ancient Norse
bond. But when Naya Brisbane breaks away and disappears before the bond is
completed, Leif’s warrior spirit goes berserk. If Leif doesn’t find her fast,
he’s going to lose himself to permanent battle fury.
But Naya doesn’t want to be found...and he’ll do anything to
track her down. Because they’re both running out of time.
Excerpt
Leif stepped through the doorway. A black long-sleeved
T-shirt strained over his shoulders and broad chest. A pair of black jeans hung
low on his hips. All that darkness highlighted the radiance of his ice-blue
eyes and the angled planes of his face.
Naya swallowed.
Leif strode toward her, stopping a few paces away, concern
on his face. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she croaked. The air between them crackled, making
the hairs on her arms stand up. Was she the only one feeling this?
He took a step closer and cupped her cheek in his palm. “Are
you sure? You look a little pale.”
She resisted the urge to rest her head in his hand. “No, I’m
fine.” She took a step back.
He frowned.
“We found one more bug in the game room.” Her voice sounded
rough.
“Ulf told me.” He stepped toward her, eyes blazing.
“We’re working on the computers tomorrow,” she whispered,
taking another step back. He crowded her. His body heat confused her, making
her want impossible things. She cleared her throat. “It shouldn’t take us long
to improve your firewall and install a few security checks.”
Leif watched her silently.
“You want to sit down?” She gestured toward the arm chairs.
“Sure,” he said, but didn’t move.
Naya had to step around him. Her skin sizzled when her arm
accidently brushed against his. Relieved, she sank down in one of the blue
chairs. A small table created a barrier between her and Leif. “So,” she said.
“You were going to explain what makes you different from regular humans.”
He sat down in the empty chair, elbows on knees, studying
his clasped hands. After a few moments he tilted his head and looked at her.
“I’ll try to answer all of your questions, but some of this may sound a little
crazy.”
“I’ll keep an open mind.”
Leif’s eyes met hers. Whatever he saw in them seemed to
satisfy him. “I died in 1050.” He paused, watching her reaction.
Naya kept her gasp from escaping and instead nodded
encouragingly.
“In the Norse culture, warriors who die in battle or die a
heroic violent death are sent to live with the gods in Asgard. The men spend
their time training in Valhalla with Odin. The women are schooled by Freya.”
Naya’s mind reeled. What he described didn’t seem possible,
but he was so sincere. Obviously he believed his story to be true. “I thought
there were only male warriors in the Nordic tradition.”
“Most stories are based on the old Icelandic sagas. They
describe Valkyries as leading the men to Valhalla.”
“And that’s not the way it is?”
Leif smiled. “The sagas were all written by men long after
the Viking age ended. They didn’t know what happened in Freya’s meadow and took
some poetic license.”
“So, typically male, instead of just saying ‘I don’t know,’
you make up shit instead.”
He smiled, his dimples stealing her breath. Again.
She looked away. “So, this place where the gods live, this
is the Nordic heaven?”
“Not exactly. It’s the warriors’ reward for dying an
honorable death. They are allowed to live on, to fight again.” He studied his
hands. “I don’t remember much of Valhalla. Time flows differently there. All my
memories run together as if they happened the same week.”
She looked up to find him watching her. “I’m sorry, I’m
trying to follow what you’re saying. But—”
“It is a little crazy?” He smiled.
“A little.” A lot.
“Is it any crazier than being abducted and kept in a camp?
Any crazier than enhancement injections?”
“Touché.”
So maybe her history was a little nutty, but living with
gods? Seriously, way crazier.
Get Your Very Own Copy of
VIKING WARRIOR RISING from these fine establishments
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Indie Bound ~ kobo ~ Books-a-Million
A Little About Me
I grew up in Sweden surrounded by archaeology and history steeped in Norse mythology, which inspired the immortal Vikings and Valkyries in my paranormal romances. I also writes romantic suspense and currently reside on a lake deep in the pine forests of the Pacific Northwest with a British husband and a rescue dog of indeterminate breed. You can find me in cyberspace in the usual social media outlets and on my website. If you sign up for my newsletter, you'll stay up to date about releases, receive exclusive content, and be automatically entered into a monthly drawing for fun and fabulous prizes.
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Cheers!
Congratulations, Asa! I welcome you too to the Casababes!
ReplyDeleteI recognise you from facebook,so I know we're already friends. It's great to learn more about you.
Your book sounds awesome! Vikings are HOT!
Thanks Ashlyn! I think we met at the Florida RWA conference on the cruise ship as well. :-)
DeleteCongrats! I love a Viking book, so I'll be checking it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shana! Hope you like Naya and Leif's story. :-)
DeleteYay! Congratulations Asa. Great excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sally! :-)
DeleteHappy book birthday and congratulations, Asa! I'm so thrilled to see this book hitting the shelves.
ReplyDelete