Scandinavia & Finland

Author: Robert Low

Second book in Oathsworn series.

First book in Oathsworn series.

Corban Loosestrife's returns to his home in Ireland only to find his family slain, but his twin sister,  Mav, is not among the dead--she has been taken as a slave. 

In 922 A.D. an ambassador from Baghdad falls in with a group of Vikings and, though horrified by their barbaric ways, wanton sexuality, and human sacrifices, goes adventuring with them.  See also Movies for The Thirteenth Warrior..

The Beowulf tale from the monster's point of view

The Legend of the Last Vikings
Author: John Halstead

As the Viking age draws to an end in 1066 with ignominious defeat at the battle of Stamford Bridge, a rag-tag group of Vikings decide to "go a Viking" one last time. But where will their journey lead them?  Starts in Scandinavia, but most action is in Central Asia and China.

Hamlet's Ophelia tells her own story.

Love and intrigue when an English lute player is hired for the Danish court orchestra.  Intelligent, different.  NH

Civil war rages through the country as three kings vie
for supremacy, while in the strategic city of Slesvig, another contender
watches, waits and plots. Then a jester comes to town.

Based on Finnish epic poem.

Mostly takes  place in Scotland but has an exciting if improbable sequence in Iceland.  Not sure about this one.  It has lots of chilling drama and even two volcanoes... but so much seems to happen for no reason and even to be outlandish for the sake of outlandishment.  Hopefully the next one is more focused.  I can tell you this... if you thought you hated Henry before... whoo doggie. Very down ending. NH

NLS

Fascinating and dark tale of three women settlers in Greenland, told alternately in each woman's voice. I love this book!!  NH

Also available as audiobook.

The Church tries to stamp out paganism in 14th century Greenland.

EBOOK.  They should be enemies — instead they become lovers. Aedan Hakonson spent his childhood hating the Norse and his adult life fighting them. The son of a Norse warrior and a Caithness noblewoman, he's never forgiven his father for abandoning his mother and him. Battle weary and heavy-hearted, Aedan is wary of relying on anyone for anything. Kara Thorddatter is a Viking warrior. For all intents and purposes, she's her father's second son and better suited for the world of a Viking warrior than her studious older brother. If only her father and stepmother would acknowledge that fact and let her lead the independent life she wants. When Kara's brother disappears in a storm off the coast of Alba, she and Aedan are drawn together into a mutual quest for a hidden Viking hoard—a quest that reveals love is the real treasure. JG

Fans of Kristin Lavransdatter will like it, although female characters
not as good.

See Scotland.

A biographical novel of Queen Christina who dressed and behaved like a man, but was all woman.

Young adult novel from the "Royal Diaries" series.

Singurd Undset

Kristin's bad judgment when it comes to men lands her in hot water. NH

Kristin's husband persists in being a jerk.  NH

Have an idiot for a husband?  Turn to God, that's what Kristin did.  NH