Avelynn by Marissa Campbell

Publication Date: September 8, 2015
St. Martin’s Press
Formats: eBook, Paperback, Hardcover
Pages: 320
ISBN13: 978-1250063939
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

One extraordinary Saxon noblewoman and one fearless Viking warrior find passion and danger in this dazzling and sensuous debut.

Marissa Campbell’s debut novel is a winning combination of romance, history, and adventure sure to appeal to fans of Diana Gabaldon.

It is 869. For eighteen years, Avelynn, the beautiful and secretly pagan daughter of the Eadlorman of Somerset has lived in an environment of love and acceptance. She hasn’t yet found a man to make her heart race, but her father has not pressured her to get married. Until now. With whispers of war threatening their land, her father forces Avelynn into a betrothal with Demas, a man who only covets her wealth and status. The dreaded marriage looming, she turns to her faith, searching for answers in an ancient ritual along the coast, only to find Alrik the Blood-Axe and sixty Viking berserkers have landed.

Alrik is unlike any man she has ever known, strong and intriguing. Likewise, he instantly falls for her beauty and courage. The two stumble into a passionate love affair, but it’s more than just a greedy suitor who will try to keep them apart.

As the Saxons and Vikings go to war, Avelynn and Alrik find themselves caught in the throes of fate. Can they be true to their people as well as to each other?

Read an Excerpt of Avelynn by Marissa Campbell

I opened my satchel and pulled out an earthen bowl. From a small stoppered urn, I poured in enough water until it quivered on the edge of spilling. I made a tinder nest of dried fungus and grass and struck the flint with the steel fire lighter until a spark teased the kindling and it began to smoke. Cradling the nest, I blew on it softly until the glowing ember surged and caught the grass and a hungry flame emerged. I placed the nest carefully under a handful of small twigs. I reached my arms to the sky and offered a silent invocation to the Goddess and my mother’s spirit. I added an extra appeal to Thunor, the Saxon thunder god, Woden, the Saxon god of knowledge and prophecy, and Jesus, the Christian god, for good measure.

My mother and Bertram followed the Goddess, but since living in England, they readily adopted the English gods into their pantheon. As warrior and chieftain, my father—while a Christian—still held a soft spot for the powerful sky god, Thunor, so it was not uncommon to find the gods fraternizing with the Goddess in their worship and rituals.

I appealed to them all now. I needed to know what my future held and if I would be forced to marry Demas. I wanted to know if I would ever fall in love. And for these insights I needed the last item from my satchel—my divining bones. I opened the white silk pouch and tipped the small bleached bones onto the ground before me.

They fell into almost two distinct piles, with one small fragment traversing the void in between—a choice perhaps between two paths, or two sides. Each bone had an Ogham symbol carved into its surface. Huath/Hawthorn was turned upward—a test ahead, as was Tinne/Holly—attack or defense. Muin/Vine was also prominent—wealth . . . my inheritance, my legacy might be in jeopardy. I frowned. The most worrisome symbol was Ioho/Yew, for it stood for destruction and transformation.

I didn’t like the message. A test or challenge ahead—where I was either being attacked or must become defensive. My legacy, my wealth, and my status might be threatened. And before transformation and rebirth, there would be destruction.

PRAISE for Avelynn by Marissa Campbell

“Marissa Campbell brings a long-forgotten era splendidly to life in this adventurous and passionate debut.” – Susanna Kearsley, New York Times bestselling author

“Avelynn is a captivating tale of star-crossed lovers. He is a Viking and she is a Saxon. Their struggle to be together will lead you on an exciting journey through a background filled with rich and detailed description.” – Connie Mason, New York Times bestselling author of Viking Warrior

“Marissa Campbell’s Avelynn is a fast-paced, rollicking historical novel whose irresistible heroine starts out as the willful daughter of a Saxon earl and evolves into a warrior and leader, as fierce as she is passionate.” – Barbara Rogan, author of A Dangerous Fiction and Suspicion

“A hot-blooded tale of Viking invasion, Saxon valor, and a love that conquers kingdoms. Get ready to be bewitched by the bold, brave Avelynn.” – Barbara Kyle, author of The Queen’s Exiles

AMAZON US | AMAZON CAN | AMAZON UK | BARNES & NOBLE | CHAPTERS

About Marissa Campbell

Marissa Campbell is a published freelance author, and co-author of the award-winning, spiritual self-help book Life: Living in Fulfillment Every Day.

Look for her debut historical fiction Avelynn coming September 8th, 2015, from St. Martin’s Press. Currently, hard at work on the second book in the Avelynn series, she is a proud member of the Historical Novel Society, Romance Writers of America, Writer’s Community of Durham Region, and local critique group B7.

When she is not writing, she is busy looking after her wonderful children, spending time with her fantastic husband, hanging out with her awesome friends, teaching yoga, dancing, laughing, and having fun!

For more information visit http://marissacampbell.com. You can also follow Marissa Campbell on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Giveaway of Avelynn by Marissa Campbell

This giveaway is for one paperback copy and is open to Canada and the U.S.  This giveaway ends on September 26, 2015.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Tour Schedule for Avelynn by Marissa Campbell

Monday, September 7
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Tuesday, September 8
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Obsession

Wednesday, September 9
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Review & Giveaway at Unshelfish

Thursday, September 10
Interview at Unshelfish
Guest Post at Book Lovers Paradise

Friday, September 11
Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book

Saturday, September 12
Excerpt & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More

Sunday, September 13
Review at Genre Queen

Monday, September 14
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Tuesday, September 15
Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee

Friday, September 18
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection
Spotlight at Romantic Historical Reviews

Monday, September 21
Interview & Excerpt at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Tuesday, September 22
Review at Just One More Chapter

Wednesday, September 23
Review at Curling up by the Fire

Thursday, September 24
Review & Giveaway at 100 Pages a Day

Sunday, September 27
Review at A Bibliotaph’s Reviews

Monday, September 28
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews

Tuesday, September 29
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Review & Giveaway at Reading Lark

Wednesday, September 30
Review & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Thursday, October 1
Review & Giveaway at A Literary Vacation

Friday, October 2
Review at The True Book Addict