Gina Dale – författare

When he met the beautiful, eloquent and aristocratic Marie, it was love at first sight. Even then, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. Their shared interest in art and their love of nature bonded them closely… ultimately creating an existence for Charles that he would never have dreamed possible.  Follow the couple’s relationship, from their fateful first meeting and Marie’s somewhat unwelcome rise to stardom as a result of their attendance as guests of honour at Napoleon III’s Arts’ Ball along with Manet, Courbet, Renoir, Monet and Degas.

As Marie-Ann embarks on one of the greatest adventures of her life to-date, she must navigate the social norms and rules of late-18th century Europe, dodging etiquette and risking her safety — and her family — to live the life of adventure that all Croizettes are drawn to.

Embedded in the history of the time and loosely based on the lives of Marie-Ann and her actor husband Georges Feydeau, this is a tale of love, loss, espionage... and women thriving in adversity.

Under Viking rule the rolling hills of Yorkshire are a dangerous place, particularly for women. Kidnapping, pillaging and infighting are rife.

When Ralf, a Viking, discovers his Saxon wife and daughter have been kidnapped, he is quick to suspect Ivar the Boneless, King of Jorvik.

Ubba, Ivar''s brother, has already befriended Ralf, admiring him for making a life in a new country as a lone Dane. When it emerges, that Ivar is not responsible, Ubba assists Ralf on a mission to reclaim his family from slave traders.

Torri, wife of Ubba and fierce shieldmaiden, will bloody her hands to protect her sons, the Ragnarsson heirs, at any cost. The might of their bloodline is recognised the world over, with tales of blood eagles and berserking striking fear into hardened warriors... but the whispers of war are getting louder.

Can Ubba the reluctant king put a stop to his volatile brother''s lust for power and destruction? Or will Ivar''s fits of rage and jealousy threaten everything they have fought for?