Spotlight & Giveaway: Her Viking Warrior by Gina Conkle

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Gina Conkle to HJ!

Hi Gina and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Her Viking Warrior!

 
Thank you for the kind invitation. It’s an honor to be on Harlequin Junkie.
 

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

Her Viking Warrior is the love story of childhood friends, Bjorn and Ilsa, brought together after almost two decades apart. Bjorn wants to put old demons to rest and walk away from the land that rejected him. Ilsa’s on a mission: get Bjorn to save them and stay for good.

She has her doubts about Bjorn, a matter made worse when he learns Ilsa seeks to change settlement laws—and why.

You could say this is a slow burn Viking romance with some twists.
 

Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:

The setup: Ilsa’s traveled far but, as a woman of high standing, she won’t beg for Bjorn’s help.

By her narrowed eyes, she was just as determined to win his yes. “You’re big but not the biggest of warriors—”
“If size matters.”
“—and your band of men is small and outnumbered for the fight ahead.”
“Clearly you’re not trying to gain my favor with flattery,” he said dryly and took a long draught of mead.
“And something tells me you don’t take orders well.” Her tone was decidedly iron-pitched.
“Depends on who’s giving the orders.”
Her mouth twitched. “It would be me.”

The setup: Bjorn wants to know more about the shy childhood friend, now a confident sea huntress.

Brown leather hugged Ilsa’s thighs. A finger’s width of skin showed through a split seam where ox sinew bound her trousers with wide X stitching hip to boot. On her legs, tiny blond hairs gleamed golden in the sun. He lost seconds staring at the firm flesh from which they sprung.
“Why don’t your trousers fit? Are your garments cast-off too?” A blunt question, but he didn’t regret the asking.
“They were sewn for me last fall when I was thinner.”
Thinner? She was already on the verge of being underfed, but a smart man never asked why a woman’s thighs expanded.

What inspired this book?

Most of my stories spring from history books. In Bjorn’s case, I’d been reading about an illegitimate son banished for outshining the heir. That exiled son made a name for himself as a mercenary. It turns out, his former tribe begged him to come back and save them.

The enticement: If he defeated their enemies, they’d crown him king.

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

I freewrite in first and third person. Surprises do come! Ilsa shocked me with an announcement about halfway through the story. I kept it and built from there.

What was your favorite scene to write?

Ilsa’s learning to fight scene. She knows how to defend herself but needs to kick her skills up a notch. The problem is Ilsa’s on the jarl’s council, and Bjorn reports to her. This both amuses and irritates the seasoned warrior. It’s also the beginning of Bjorn and Ilsa being honest about past betrayal.

You’ll find this exclusive excerpt at the end of the post.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

The battle scene’s ending. It was a split, who would die, who wouldn’t, the outcome, etc. I can’t share because it’d be a spoiler.

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

It’s my Viking voice, which is distinct from my Georgian voice. My Viking romances tend to be evocative, atmospheric, and adventurous.

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

Viking history is rich and varied and so much more than Odin worshipping raiders! They were as diverse and conflicted in their beliefs as we are today. They were also artisans, big thinkers, and willing to let women take positions of power. Women and the friendships of women play key roles in this book.

While Her Viking Warrior is a stand-alone novel, it’s best to read the series in order. Each book reveals new facets of this band of Viking mercenaries called the Forgotten Sons.

Start with Kept by the Viking, book 1 and a Holt Medallion finalist, to get the full flavor of this series world.

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I’m working on The Viking’s Oath (book 3, Erik, the raven-haired Forgotten Son’s love story) and a Georgian novel, How to Steal a Kilt. The Viking’s Oath releases June, 2020. No date on How to Steal a Kilt.

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: 1 eBook copy of HER VIKING WARRIOR by Gina Conkle (open internationally – winner will get to choose eBook format)

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Tell me what historical romance eras you love to read. Do you ever venture to new settings and time periods? If so, when and where to?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Excerpt from Her Viking Warrior:

Bjorn toed her fallen shield. “Too heavy?”
She flexed her bandaged hand. “It was Halfdan’s. I’ll get used to it.”
“It’s not the right fit.” He kicked the disc painted with a black serpent and it skidded across the grass. By the satisfaction on his face, Bjorn was glad to give it his boot.
“Now I don’t have a shield.”
“You’re better off without it.” He walked to a pile of shields. “It didn’t meet your needs.” Wood slapped wood while Bjorn rummaged through the heap. “Don’t force yourself to adapt,” he said over the clatter, checking one shield, then dropping it to check another. “An ill-sized weapon does more harm than good.”
He pulled out a red and white swirled disc, held it up for inspection, and by his grunting nod must’ve found it acceptable. Bjorn was in his element, striding back to her, the line of his mouth softer.
“Never settle. Accept only what is right for you.”
There was a deeper message when he handed over the shield. Taking it, she was tongue-tied. The shield was not one she would have picked. Chipped in two places, the paint faded, this wood circle was smaller by four or five finger’s width, yet when her arm slid through the leather straps, the weight and size was just right.
How did he know?
Fingers curling around the hand hold, she was subdued. Knowing what fit her body was a small thing yet…attentive. Bjorn grasped what she needed, and that settled over her like a warm blanket. Understanding was a gift, lighter than air yet just as life-giving, and he gave it freely. Her lips parted and her lungs refused to properly work. Fumbling with the straps, she couldn’t look him in the eye.
“This is loose.” Her voice was uncomfortably hoarse.
“Let me see.” His eyes were gentle, asking permission.
Silence fell between them as she spread her arm just. Bjorn stepped into the fold her body and the shield made. Head bent, he inspected the leather. She breathed his presence, the iron, the autumn air clinging to him, a hint of apples. Twinges erupted under her breastbone, the cascade a flush beneath her skin. She was aware of her flesh awakening from a long sleep.
Because of Bjorn.
For a man of great size, the small things about him called to her. The line of his nose. Sun blond hair against his neck. Morning dew darkening the snarling wolf on his chest with bits of bark caught in carved leather. She wanted to pluck them off his vest one slow touch at a time.
Bjorn’s thumb stroked her hand where palm and fingers met. It set her on fire.
“An easy fix. I’ll tend it later.” His voice was a comforting rumble, thicker than usual. Lashes dropped, the warrior made a point of stepping back and setting the shield between them. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say Bjorn needed the protective barrier.
“Does this mean you are my friend again?”
His gaze was warm. “I never stopped.”
She stood taller, the ground light under her feet. Bjorn was steadfast and true. Qualities she hadn’t given to him.
“But I failed you.”
“When?”
She swallowed hard. “Eighteen Mabon seasons ago.” Yes. She’d marked every feast of unfinished business by looking quietly at Vellefold’s harbor. She’d learned to let go of what she’d held dear and spent too long holding what was wrong. The gods, Iduna, Ardith, and Valgerd all knew of her wrecked judgment. She was a ship blown off course, now finding her way back.
Ravens landed in a copse of pine trees. Their caws ripped shrill and harsh. If they judged her, it’d be no worse than the torment she’d put on herself.
Bjorn stared at the winged newcomers, a slow gust coming out of him. “You didn’t fail me.”
“But I did nothing to help you.”
“What could you have done?” he reasoned. “A girl of twelve stopping a tough jarl?”
“A young woman, even a girl, can do many things.” Her voice shook with certainty. “I should’ve hidden you in my grove.”
A wan smile broke his sadness. “Egil would’ve found me. Eventually.”
“We could’ve found a way. A true friend never gives up. I—I didn’t try hard enough to help you.”
“Ilsa,” he chided with more kindness than she deserved. “What happened was not your fault, nor was it mine.”
When she opened her mouth to refute him, Bjorn set a silencing finger on her lips. Shock rippled through her. His light touch muted her.
Pain scored eyes rimmed with well-traveled iron. “You are the sole treasure from my childhood. Don’t befoul it with undeserved blame.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

When an outcast goes home and meets a woman seeking justice, hearts will clash…

Eighteen years ago, Bjorn was exiled from Vellefold. Honor-bound to return, he’ll fight for the settlement…then walk away. First, he must work with his childhood friend, now a beautiful, high-ranking Viking lady.

Fierce of spirit, Ilsa will do anything to save her people, including convincing the banished son to take the jarl’s seat. But she has her doubts about the stone-hearted Viking, despite the lust between them. It’s only a matter of time before Bjorn discovers that Ilsa is hiding dangerous secrets, secrets that may jeopardize all they’ve worked for.

When the darkest hour comes, the once-rejected warrior must choose: rescue his men, the Forgotten Sons—or Ilsa, the woman he craves, body and soul.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Google |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Gina Conkle writes lush Viking romance and sensual Georgian romance. Her historical romances always offer a fresh, addictive spin on the genre, with the witty banter and sexual tension that readers crave. Her writing career began in southern California and despite all that sunshine, she prefers books over beaches and stone castles over sand castles. When she’s not reading or writing, Gina occasionally gardens and cooks for her favorite alpha male, Brian.

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