Ms Dunn has painted a vivid and compassionate picture of the period. The characters and the settings leap off the page, and the book is both entertaining and educational. Ascent is highly recommended, and I eagerly await the further novels in the series.
In the meantime, read on to find out more about the book, and a chance to win a signed paperback copy of this excellent novel.
More about Ascent:
A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty – the House of Normandy
Neustria, Kingdom of the West Franks, AD 890
Fourteen-year-old Poppa’s life changes when Northmen land near Bayeux. Count Bérengar, her father, submits to them, and she is handfasted to Hrólfr, the Northmen’s heathen leader, as part of their agreement.
To her relief, Hrólfr leaves immediately in search of further conquest, only returning to claim her years later. In the face of retaliating Franks, they flee to East Anglia, where she gives birth to their son and daughter.
When Hrólfr and Poppa return to reclaim Bayeux, his new campaign strikes at the heart of Frankish power, and King Charles of the West Franks offers him a pact he cannot refuse. In exchange for vast tracts of land in Neustria, Hrólfr must convert to Christianity and accept marriage to Gisela, the king’s illegitimate daughter.
Poppa’s world shatters. She remains in Bayeux, with her daughter, Adela. When Gisela arrives one day, demanding she hand over Adela to be raised in Rouen, Poppa’s patience is at an end. But Gisela makes for a dangerous enemy, and only one woman will survive their confrontation high up on the cliffs.
Will Poppa live to witness the dawn of a new era?
ASCENT is the first in a new series about the early women of the House of Normandy – women whose stories have been forgotten through time.
Until now!
Readers of Viking and medieval fiction will enjoy ASCENT, a fictional account of the life of Poppa of Bayeux, handfasted wife of Rollo the Viking.
Trigger warning: Loss of a child. Some battle and fighting scenes.
Purchase Links
International Buy Link: http://mybook.to/NormandyAscent
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RNB6N5L/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RNB6N5L/
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09RNB6N5L/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09RNB6N5L/
Cathie Dunn is an award-winning author of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The focus of her historical fiction novels is on strong women through time.
Cathie has been writing for over twenty years. She studied Creative Writing online, with a focus on novel writing, which she also taught in the south of France. She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites. A voracious reader, primarily of historical fiction / romance, she often reviews books on her blog, Ruins & Reading.
Cathie is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Richard III Society, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
After many years in Scotland, Cathie now lives in south of France with her husband, and rescued Charlie Cat and Ellie Dog. Discover more about Cathie at www.cathiedunn.com.
Social Media Links –
Website: https://www.cathiedunn.com
Amazon Author Page: https://author.to/CathieDunn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cathiedunn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathieDunnAuthor/
Ruins & Reading FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/722966445318513
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cathiedunnwrites/_saved/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5066224.Cathie_Dunn
Giveaway to win a signed paperback copy of Ascent by Cathie Dunn. Please click here to enter.
Terms and Conditions: Worldwide entries welcome. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
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