Ascent: A tale of danger, adversity, and love

A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty - the House of NormandyNeustria, Kingdom of the West Franks

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Fourteen-year-old Poppa’s life changes when Northmen land near Bayeux. Count Berengar, her father, submits to them, and she is handfasted to Hrolfr, the Northmen’s heathen leader, as part of their agreement.

To her relief, Hrolfr leaves immediately in search of further conquest, only returning to claim her years later. In the face of retaliating Franks, they flee to East Anglia, where she gives birth to their son and daughter.

When Hrolfr and Poppa return to reclaim Bayeux, his new campaign strikes at the heart of Frankish power, and King Charles of the West Franks offers him a pact he cannot refuse. In exchange for vast tracts of land in Neustria, Hrolfr must convert to Christianity and accept marriage to Gisela, the king’s illegitimate daughter.

Poppa’s world shatters. She remains in Bayeux, with her daughter, Adela. When Gisela arrives one day, demanding she hand over Adela, to be raised in Rouen, Poppa’s patience is at an end. But Gisela makes for a dangerous enemy, and only one woman will survive their confrontation high up on the cliffs.

Will Poppa live to witness the dawn of a new era?

ASCENT is the first in a new series about the early women of the House of Normandy - women whose stories have been forgotten. Almost!

Readers of Viking and medieval fiction will enjoy ASCENT, a fictional account of the life of Poppa of Bayeux, handfasted wife of Rollo the Viking.

Trigger warning: contains child loss and fight scenes