Hello, Readers! 

I have debated with myself since first posting on Tapas whether or not to share the first full-length novel I ever wrote. It has undergone several changes until it has ultimately become the second part of a Viking-themed saga, but it can very much stand alone as its own novel. 

 A little about it:

 The initial title was "Loki," which was an intentional misspelling of the main character's name, Loti. She was lost at sea when she was a child and was found by viking raiders. In order to survive, she allowed them to believe she was the god Loki. 

 At some point, they discover her deception but her very real favor with Odin prevents most of them from retaliating. All but two of the most dangerous, one of whom is a long-time enemy of her father. She'll have to somehow survive their separate deadly plans for her and overcome tragedies with the help of her slavic mentor (previous captor). Her father's in shock when he finds out she's not only still alive but the chieftain of her very own ship, but not more surprised than the man she loved and lost.

 This story is full of Norse mythology and historical references, and it was my pride and joy for many years. I always referred to it as my baby. 

 It began in 1993 after I had met my Norwegian cousins and learned of my Norse heritage. I know it sounds cliché to say I'm a direct descendant of Erik the Red, but it goes a bit beyond just tracing a bloodline. Eirik Thorvaldsson is part of my family's history, even staying at our family farmstead for a short while. That farmstead still belongs to my Norwegian family. There are still very old and sacred trees planted on that farm to symbolize loved ones who died around his time.  

 While my grandmother was still alive, I was one of her caregivers. In all the time I spent with her, she never mentioned our heritage, so I didn't know until my cousins came to America. It was then that I learned she was forced to change her Norse name, Ragnhild, to a more christian name, Mary/Marie, when she and her parents came to America (around 1900). She was never allowed to speak of her family's past with not only viking relations but the Norse gods. I, also, learned she was named after a renowned volva that the church had burned as a witch when they were forcing conversion of Norway. 

 After a lot of research and learning what had been forbidden about my family, I wanted to pay homage to my heritage with a story. It was intended to be a short story, and I wanted it to be family-friendly so others of all ages could learn about Norse life and religion. 

 Fast forward to 1999 and another book I wrote. This second one seemed to be missing something until I tied it in with my first one. Even though the second one takes place in the future and is quite Americanized, I found that it could be written to tie into the viking story. I brought back a lot of the Norse mythology for this, as well. 

 "Loki" became "The Logbook" and lost every bit of family-friendly content. I decided a proper story about a girl being on her own during those years and relying on vikings and their superstitions to keep her alive deserved serious story-telling. Violence, sex, brutality, and gore were introduced. I, also, toned down her cutesy, cheery demeanor to better reflect a terrified young girl hardening herself and her heart to the harsh world around her. There is love, though, and it carries through to not only the second book but a novel that came next. 

 In 2003, I had an idea for my third novel to go with this unintended series. I hadn't done anything with the other two and had written a completely unrelated short story (still unsure if I'm going to post that one, too). This one tied in with the viking one as the modern day reincarnations of the two main characters from the original. The main characters in this modern story come across the logbook of the viking girl. 

(Briefly: The main male character in this third one is supposed to be a descendant of Garson from "A Moon For The Mountain". Garson Gabriel Wade ... "Gabriel" is the name of the male main character in that third book. If you notice while reading "A Moon For The Mountain," I make brief mention of Norse myths, Northern people, and Scandinavian culture. This was my little tie-in to my original novels. This is how my mind works. Welcome to my brain HAHA.)

"The Logbook" became Part 2. The second novel became Part 3. And The third became Part 1. The title for the series was "Possession of The Past," with "possession" having multiple meanings.

 After considering if I should publish it here, I wondered if the order would fair better differently for today's readers. I believe making "The Logbook" Part 1 would make more sense. The other two would still flow together well, with a few minor tweaks. 

 I'm not set on publishing the other two, but "The Logbook" is perfectly fine as its own short novel. If I do publish the others, it will be easy enough adding them later with a Prologue to blend them. 

 As for the title, since this will be published alone for the time being (notice I went from wondering if I will to saying I will...), I am going to change it. I'm not sure yet what that will be as I wasn't even sure until now that I was going to publish it HAHAHA.

 Date to expect it: As I stated before, I loathe uploading anything on Tapas during October because of all of their events. "A Moon For The Mountain" ends on October 16. I will need to re-read and edit "The Logbook" before I post it, as well. Maybe I'll make it January 1, 2023 as a 30 Year Anniversary celebration for my first full-length novel. Am I that patient, though? That's what it all boils down to! 

 Please let me know what you think of reading a viking story from me. Do you like those kinds of novels? Any requests on what to include? I probably won't start editing until next month, so if there's anything you'd like to see, I can add it at that time. If, of course, it doesn't contradict the plot. 

 Thank you for visiting my garden today! I hope you have a wonderful week! 

~ Lady Lily