Baltic Mist - A Timeless Saga is Jen Lohr's newest creation. Jen is here today to tell us about
this new cultural heritage,
legends, and mythological novel.
Jennifer
will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during
the tour. To be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too.
Bio:
It all began when she came across Egil’s Saga,
written in the mid11th century, chronicling the life of Egil Skallagrimsson.
The history surrounding the Viking awakened within Jen an unquenchable thirst
for knowledge of the Norse culture. A story was soon born, seen through the
eyes of a young woman named Helga, originating from a character in Egil's Saga.
Baltic Mist begins on a farm Norway, and takes the reader
through the epic adventures of Helga's enchanting life. Beginning in Book One,
her tale falls against the backdrop of Scandinavia's conversion to
Christianity. The saga continues in Books two and three to a finale that no
one, even Helga herself, could have ever imagined!
A must read!
Welcome, Jen. Please tell us about
your current release.
Baltic Mist is a series of three books following
the life of a young girl during the Christian conversion. She lives on a farm
in Viking-age Norway. After an encounter with Egil Skallagrimsson (an actual
Viking, from the famed Egil’s Saga)
Helga, our heroine, undergoes some very significant changes guiding her on a
path to fulfill her destiny. The reader joins her as she experiences loss,
love, death, and relationships during the tumultuous time in Scandinavian
history.
What inspired you to write this book?
A long-time
history buff, I am fascinated by ancient cultures. I came across Egil’s Saga and there was mention of a
young girl who has a life-altering experience, and then the reader hears
nothing else of her. I saw a blank canvass and decided to write about her, and
what may have happened to her – what she may have been ‘all about.’
Excerpt:
(from
Chapter 8 – Frideberg’s Daughter)
There
was already a Thing taking place, deciding whether or not to make a marital
union official. The idea of it brought me back to the day Helgi mentioned it to
Hendrik not too long before, as we all stood in the hall of my home. How I
missed father, Helgi and the farm.
Now,
these two rival clans were settling their pasts, calling a truce. I stood in
the distance, over-hearing a random word here and there. Then I noticed the
name of the man who was to marry the young woman.
“…Stormi
Bjornsson,” My eyes could not help themselves as they intently looked to see
the man who was being referred to. To my surprise, there he stood – the same
man who had approached me the previous day near the market. With his confident
glare, he embodied warrior strength. I could see the sword he held at his side
and the signature name engraved near the handle - it was a famed Ulfberht
sword, brandished by only the wealthiest of warriors. Its blade was known to be
most resilient and best of its kind.
Indeed,
I was not surprised Stormi owned such a prized possession, as he was example to
all things larger than life. Others admired him as well, and his smile was one
that could win over the grittiest of demeanors. He truly looked as a bear:
strong, respected and magnificent.
I
forced my eyes to look away from him, as I likely could have for the remainder
of the day. I was quickly distracted when a man spit on the ground and spoke up
angrily at the idea of unity.
“I
would not wife my mangiest bitch to their fattest swine, let alone my sister,
here…even if it meant we would be clans who find ‘peace’! They are filthy, the
Bjornssons!” One spoke up with harsh words. I chuckled, since there was irony
in the moment: This man now accused Stormi and his kin to be less refined, when
the crowd here held witness to his ill meaning declaration. As another spoke to
him, I learned of his name.
“Resist
speaking these ill words, Muerich – leave it!” I could surmise it was his
father who urged him under his breath, in hopes no one would hear.
“Ha!
I must ask, then Muerich. How filthy would I be standing a hand’s distance to
you with my blade at your throat? Do you think I have dirt in my fingernails?” Shouting
a question was a man likely to be Stormi’s brother. From the whispers in the
crowd around me, I learned his name was ‘Geir.’ He, Stormi and the rest of
these men were well-known Swede Vikings and warriors.
No
one said a word, and tension grew thick in the field we all now awkwardly stood
in.
“I
would most enjoy …” Geir smiled as he continued his threat, “giving you such an
opportunity to investigate the extent of my filth… ” He fearlessly tuned out
the glares from the men in Muerich’s crowd. Boldly, Geir fixated the promising
smirk at him.
“Let
us see, Geir!” a random voice provoked.
“Yes!
Come at us and we can seek the answer for you!” another man called out.
“No
– this is the union we seek, here, today!” Reasoned an uncle of Stormi and
Geir.
Suddenly,
Muerich pulled his sword and charged at Geir. Stormi raised his Ulfberht,
waiting the perfect moment to strike it down, and as brutally as he could.
What exciting story are you working on
next?
I’m currently
completing books Two and Three in the series (Book Two will be released later
this year) and I have a few more projects on the table, which are not
Viking-related – I can tell you both take place during the 19th
century in Western America. Once I complete those two stories, I will be
focusing back on the ancient Scandinavians, once again. My head is just buzzing
with tales!
When did you first consider yourself a
writer?
When I was
in grade school was the first time I decided writing came easily for me. I was
very comfortable with my outlet.
Do you write full-time? If so, what's
your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find
time to write?
I commit to
my writing the same way I do to my life, because all of my stories are a piece
of me – I give it my all. But, with that said, there is a balance with the
other pieces of my life – like my children, family, and home. I’m a
stay-at-home mom of four children (all of which are under the age of 10)…so
we’re a pretty busy house! Depending upon the day, I commit 4-6 hours of
writing when completing a project.
What would you say is your interesting
writing quirk?
I don’t
know if you could call it a ‘quirk’ but more like a habit: I usually need music
to set the ‘mood.’ Almost like an actor / actress getting into character. It
just opens the floodgates of creativity, for me.
As a child, what did you want to be
when you grew up?
My first
ambition was to work at Burger King so I’d be able to provide my father with an
endless amount of free Whopper sandwiches!
Anything additional you want to share
with the readers?
I’d like to
thank you very much for this opportunity – I enjoy answering questions about
one of my passions. This experience has been wonderful, even interviews such as
this – thank you!
Social media links:
Book’s Website | Facebook
| Twitter | Sellfly | Book Trailer
(YouTube) | Character
Profile Youtube) | Author
Interview (YouTube)
Buy links:
