Interview/Giveaway/Blog Tour: Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle

Please welcome Gina Conkle today as she tells us about her new book Norse Jewel. Please give her a big welcome to make up for it!

To get started can you tell us what you are working on or have coming out?

First, let me say “thank you” for inviting me to join you here on “The Love of Bookends.”  I appreciate the opportunity to be here.

I write in two sub-genres of historical romance: adventurous Viking romance for Entangled Publishing and lively Georgian romance for Sourcebooks.

Norse Jewel, a Viking romance recently released.  So, I’m working on the follow up,  Norse Fire as well as working on the Sourcebook series tentatively titled “Meetings at Midnight.” The first book in that series comes out summer, 2014: Meet the Earl at Midnight.

Writing in both eras gives me variety and is lots of fun.

What made you realize that writing was it for you? Do you write full time?

I knew in 5^th grade that I wanted to be a writer. But, all in my fifth graderly wisdom, I thought that was something you did while married with kids and pursuing other full time careers.  There’s lots of amazing women who do that, but I have to focus full time on writing.

I’ve been writing for about 10 years, but with more focus for the last year. In the past, people told me my face lit up when I talked about writing.  There were lots of times it felt like walking on air after a great day of writing. 

If you were stranded on an island, what and who would you take with you?

I’d take Brian and our boys plus a crate load of books.  No electronics.

Tell us something that most people don’t know about you? (That you would be willing to share)

Most people see me as a conservative woman and are surprised at my impulsiveness. Brian and I eloped at midnight after he made a tricky 8 ball shot.  Right after he called the shot, he looked at me and said, “If I make this, we’re going to Vegas tonight.”

He made the shot. We drove all night to Vegas and were married the next morning --- but no drive thru or Elvis wedding.  I couldn’t do that. 

We bought $5 wedding rings on the fly at Circus Circus and wore them until they almost disintegrated.  Thankfully the marriage is still going strong!

Tell us about your current release.

That’d be Norse Jewel. Imagine a Viking chieftain who wants to lay down his sword and live a peaceful farmer’s life. On his way home, he crosses paths with a slave woman desperate for someone to save her. Helena wants her freedom since she wasn’t born a slave.  But, the chieftain takes her to his homeland where turmoil brews.  His thrall, Helena weaves a spell of kindness and happiness, two things in short supply for Hakan. He gets little rest as deceit and old loyalties call upon his warrior’s skill.

The big story question both face: How much would you pay for love and surrender?

If you’d like, here’s a Viking quiz just for fun:

https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/27763-viking-knowledge-quiz?retake=1

Thanks again to “The Love of Bookends” for sharing part of your day with me.  I welcome you and your readers to join me here:

On the web: http://ginaconkle.com/

On my monthly newsletter: http://bit.ly/11etrfM

On twitter: https://twitter.com/ginaconkle

On facebook: http://bit.ly/10Q5bAQ

On pinterest: http://bit.ly/180l9gu

Buy Links:

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/11ig4OX

On B&N: http://bit.ly/176y4kk

On Kobo: http://bit.ly/18IG7V7

On iTunes: http://bit.ly/121Cksb

A short excerpt:

“Why the tether? What harm can one woman do?”

His eyes widened at her show of courage, or so she guessed from the way he tipped his head in acknowledgment.

“Aye, one woman.” His mouth made a grim line and bitterness threaded his voice. “I have seen the destruction one woman can do.” He knotted the leather. “The bindings stay.”

Helena licked her lips, choosing silence. The chieftain’s nostrils flared like some predatory beast scenting prey. Was this anger barely restrained? Or something else?

He touched the wet rope of hair that hung over her shoulder, letting his fingers slip between tangled strands. His thumb and forefinger found a single lock and stroked the hair down to the curling tip. Goose bumps skittered across her flesh from the intimate touch.

“What is your name, thrall?” He asked in the gentlest voice.

“Helena,” she whispered.

“Helena.” He repeated her name softly. The corner of his mouth twitched. He seemed pleased to know her name, but the pleasure was fleeting, replaced by fierceness. “I care not about trust, but I require obedience.”

Helena swallowed the hard lump in her throat.

“Serve me, as well as Agnar—” His teeth gleamed wolf-like in the darkness. “—and you’ll be rewarded.” Rising, he towered over her. “Fail in your purpose, and you will suffer the consequences.”

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