About the Book
Book II, Norse Adventure series: ICELAND 980 A.D.
A BRUTAL LEADER. A GROWING STORM.
Secrets that could topple a tyrant-but destroy those who carry them. "Kidnap. Torture. Cheat. Steal. Lie. Bend the law and break it." Kel Coesson's corrupt chieftain Naldrum is scheming to take over all of Iceland...and he's getting away with murder.
As the story opens, an intrepid
vikinger, tricked by the chieftain, sails straight into danger.
Kel has become an unwitting hero as he walks a knife-edge of betrayal in hopes of one desperate chance to stop Naldrum--and Kel's unraveling. But if he yields, Kel and everything he cares about will be destroyed, including his onetime-love Aldís, with whom a glimmer of hope glows again.A mysterious captive joins the characters of The Plains of Althing; the defiant slave Tor known as 'The Black Mountain', a lonely widow, a traumatized young priest, an honest old Lawspeaker...and Naldrum's bloodthirsty daughter, jealous of Kel and bent on destroying Aldís.
Mistrust spreads like disease among the valleys as Naldrum reveals his hand-and Kel, horrified, finally breaks with his chieftain, propelling Aldís towards a terrifying journey.
As a long-held secret takes on a life of its own, Aldís must choose to protect her own safety, or stand up for truth and rule of law-a decision that may utterly destroy her, or at last set her free.
Does desperate courage stand a chance against brutal corruption?
Buy VIKING: Thunder Horse to experience this epic novel of Norse adventure for yourself!
Katie Aiken Ritter is a 2016 AWC Novel Award winner and 2017 Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society Finalist.
This second novel of the series continues the prelude to an Icelandic family saga: five books spanning two generations and two continents explore themes such as the hero's journey, loyalty under duress, accurate everyday life in medieval Scandinavia, slavery in European societies, the rule of law against corruption and creeping authoritarianism, the world's first democracy at Althing, pagan beliefs, conversion to Christianity, and strong female, Norse, enslaved and black protagonists-all amid Iceland's dramatic landscape in the land of fire and ice. Readers who enjoyed Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear, Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth, or the History Channel's Vikings may appreciate this well-researched and historically-relevant novel.
VIKING: THUNDER HORSE is Book 2 of the Norse Adventure Series.
"This writer crafts a well-researched, well-written story. MORE, PLEASE!"
About the Author: Katie Aiken Ritter is active in the Alliance of Independent Authors and the Historical Fiction Authors Cooperative, as well as the international Historical Novel Society and its Chesapeake chapter. She holds a degree in biology from Swarthmore College.
