Husband and wife take on fierce Vikings

A husband-wife team of writers, Linda Newton-Perry and Christopher Perry of Sutherlin, collaborated to write a novel about mid-9th-century Vikings in Norway during a time period Christopher described in his prologue as “a much different country than the peaceful Scandinavian nation we know today.”

While it is not the first time the couple has worked together on writing projects, they have produced mostly non-fiction articles.

“We have always written together,” Linda said. “We are the founding editors of ‘Rapid Runner,’ the official publication of the Southern Oregon Power Boat Association, and we pioneered an on-line magazine called ‘Wave and Rapid.’”

“Forced Blood The Norseman” is the couple’s first venture into fiction and novel writing, but they are planning a series of at least two more novels about the Vikings and the characters in their first book. Linda is already deep into that second novel and the couple cleverly left a cliffhanger in “Forced Blood.” The last chapter ends with a battle at Gala Kot in which the reader is left wondering if Austri the plunderer is really dead or if he escaped to continue the blood feud.

The story is a fast-paced narrative about a decent, honorable man named Jarl Brand Ketilsson, one of the many monarch-like leaders of small, independent conclaves hugging the rugged coast and fjords of Norseland.

By and large the people who inhabited the villages are peaceful, industrious and loving. They are guided by King Ketilsson, a gentle leader who does not covet wealth or territory and only wants to maintain peace in his small realm.

As the story develops however, this is not possible with the other warring marauders inhabiting nearby lands. Ketilsson is forced to become a fierce warrior to protect his people and his land, thus, according to Christopher, comes the book’s title.

“The title is a composite of Ketilsson the Norseman who is forced into battle to protect his lands and people who look to him for leadership,” Christopher said in an interview. Viking history, he said “is every bit as romantic as it is brutal.”

The book interweaves romance with the exciting battle scenes. While Linda says most of the battle scenes were written by Christopher, the feminine influence is evident in the storytelling. She said the story is hers, a fact with which Christopher agrees. “I contributed the prologue and the writing of three chapters, those dealing with battles,” he said.

“I also assisted in the editing and proofreading.”

Regardless, it was Christopher's avid interest in history since age 11 and his fascination with the Viking era that led to this novel. The research that went into developing the story is incredible. I give particular praise for the inclusion of a glossary to assist the reader in understanding ancient Norse terms used in the story.

“We have built an extensive research library on the Viking era,” Christopher said. Christopher also credits his interest in writing and history to being the son of Air Force Colonel Paul Perry, who at 91 is retired and lives in Roseburg. “Because of my father's career I was able to travel extensively when I was young.”

Linda, who is a full-time writer, said “I knew I wanted to be a writer from early childhood.” Christopher, who is in his 37th year working for Nordic Veneer in Roseburg, says in the future, he too, would like to write full time, “still teamed with Linda.”

Christopher writes in the prologue that “no stratum of Norse society was immune from death by sword, axe, spear or arrow. Violence was simply looked upon as an inevitable part of life.”

Sounds like the Perrys are writing about current events.



<i>Bill Duncan is editor of The Senior Times. He also writes a weekly column on the Opinion Page of The News-Review every Thursday.</i>