Press release - Assimilation, An Axe of Iron Novel

Today, a press release of my final novel in the Axe of Iron series went live on Amazon.com, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK, and Barnes and Nobel.

Here's the link to the press release authored by Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services, Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada, and released worldwide by PRWeb:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/10/prweb13795706.htm

(Ed.)

***

Author J.A. Hunsinger Launches Third Historical Fiction Novel, ‘Assimilation’, In His ‘Axe Of Iron’ Series

In his recently released historical fiction novel, ‘Assimilation: An Axe of Iron Novel’, J.A. Hunsinger shares his third and final exciting Viking story that addresses what may have happened to the early Norse settlers about 1000 years ago.

Hunsinger delivers a tale filled with action and adventure giving readers a fascinating look at life of the Norse settlers and native tribes about 1000 years ago. - Write Field Services

GRAND JUNCTION, COLARDO (PRWEB) OCTOBER 28, 2016

In his historical fiction novel, ‘Assimilation: Axe of Iron’, author J.A. Hunsinger takes readers back to a period of about 1000 years ago to the Norse settlement of Halfdansfjord and surrounding areas, located along the coast of North America on the east coast of James Bay, at the south end of Hudson Bay. His novel is the third and final story in hisTrilogy about the Norse settlers and native tribes the Naskapi (Cree), Anishinabeg (Ojibwa), and the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois). As historical fiction, ‘Assimilation’ presents a possible scenario about what may happened to the Norse people and their settlements.

Hunsinger continues with the adventures of Norsemen explorers Halfdan Ingolfsson and Gudbjartur Einarsson, and their families, ‘Assimilation’ delivers a more in-depth story of the native tribes and their impact on the Norse people and their settlements. Readers experience the conflicts, relationships, and integration of the settlers and the native peoples as well as native life, including the native customs, rituals, practices, hunting methods, cooking methods, battle tactics, and how the Norse living among them adapted and changed. The major conflict in the story which presents a possible scenario about what may have happened to the Norse people is the Anishinabeg tribe’s declaration of War with the settlers and their determination to destroy Halfdansfjord.

Hunsinger presents an adventure rich in historical detail, with careful attention paid to customs and practices of both the Norse settlers and the Native tribes. The struggles and threats to the Norse people highlight the difficulties of maintaining a settlement. ‘Assimilation’ will wet the appetite of the fans that have developed a fascination with the plight of the Greenland Viking settlers in the first two novels of the series, Axe of Iron - The Settlers and Confrontation.

The twists and turns of this continuing tale will engage the reader from the outset as the tall, fair-skinned invaders, knowing it is their key to survival, gradually assimilate with the savage natives of the pre-historical land that will become the Hudson Bay and Great Lakes regions of Canada and the US.

Assimilation: An Axe of Iron Novel
Series: Axe of Iron
Paperback: 424 pages
Publisher: Vinland Publishing; 1 edition (August 14, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0988945525
ISBN-13: 978-0988945524

‘Axe Of Iron’ Accolades

"Axe of Iron is populated with strong, vivid personalities, which mitigates some of the choppiness of the stilted dialogue. The novel avoids the trap of some historical fiction by limiting dry facts--depictions of the Norse people's penchant for fighting and healthy sexual appetites also keep the tale from becoming too staid. While the scarcity of extant Norse artifacts in North America makes it impossible to know for certain how the early Norse settlers lived, this book offers a plausible account. A descriptive and intriguing, if sometimes plodding, narrative." Kirkus Discoveries, Axe of Iron: The Settlers

About the Author

J. A. Hunsinger lives in Colorado, with his wife Phyllis. His Axe of Iron series represents his first serious effort to craft the story of a lifelong interest in the Viking Age, especially as it pertains to Norse exploration west of Iceland and extensive research and archaeological site visitations as an amateur historian. He has tied the discovery of many of the Norse artifacts found on this continent to places and events portrayed in his novels. Much of his adult life has been associated with commercial aviation, both in and out of the cockpit. As an engineering technical writer for Honeywell Commercial Flight Systems Group in Phoenix, Arizona, he authored two comprehensive pilots' manuals on aircraft computer guidance systems and several supplemental aircraft radar manuals. His manuals were published and distributed worldwide to airline operators by Honeywell Engineering. He also published an article, "Flight Into Danger," in Flying Magazine, (August 2002) Hunsinger is a member of the Archaeological Institute of America and the Canadian Archaeology Association.

If you are interested in reviewing 'Assimilation: An Axe of Iron Novel’, or arranging for a talk and book signing, or interview, please contact:

J. A. Hunsinger
Vinland Publishing, LLC
661 Tamarron Drive
Grand Junction, CO USA 81506
970-261-8777
northmantales (at) gmail (dot) com

RELATED LINKS

http://www.vinlandpublishing.com

http://www.vinlandpublishing.blogspot.com

Vikings and their descendants had a profound impact on Ireland

The National Museum of Ireland has one of the most fabulous collections of Viking artifacts extant. And, they are constantly adding to their collection. The history of the Vikings in Ireland are literally under the streets of Dublin.

We are going to Ireland in April, 2017, and this museum is at the top of our list. Click the link at the bottom of the article for a thumbnail sketch via a collection of eight videos of what you can expect when you visit the museum and Ireland in general. (Ed.)

***

Artefacts from Dublin excavations 

Viking Ireland Explore the Vikings and how they changed Ireland between 800 and 1150 AD. No Wheelchair Access Vikings and their descendants had a profound impact on Ireland, from their first appearance just before 800AD until after 1150AD. Traditionally seen as raiders and invaders, Vikings also helped transform Ireland economically, culturally and politically.

This exhibition explores the Viking Age in Ireland through surviving objects – including objects from Viking graves of the 9th and 10th centuries and from settlement sites of the 10 th to 12th centuries. At the centre of the exhibition is a display of finds from the Museum’s excavations in Dublin, the most important Viking site in Ireland. This is one of the finest collections of excavated finds from an early medieval site anywhere in Europe.

Viking artefacts

A final section displays church metalwork and other ecclesiastical material of the 11 th and 12 th centuries, which shows how Scandinavian features were absorbed into Irish culture, including art styles, in the later Viking Age.

Coinciding with this exhibition we have developed eight videos on Viking Ireland. Location: National Museum of Ireland ­ Archaeology, First Floor, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. From early raids to the formation of the first towns, Ireland changed profoundly during the the Viking Age. A decorated wooden gaming board found at Ballinderry was probably made in 10th­ century Dublin.

http://www.museum.ie/Archaeology/Exhibitions/Current-Exhibitions/Clontarf-1014/Viking-Ireland-Videos

1,000-year old Viking rune uncovered by accident outside Swedish church

Artifacts continue to resurface, in this case it's a rune stone in Sweden.

If you have an interest, read the article from The Local below, the Swedish English language newspaper that features a little different slant on the discovery and includes a couple more photos of the rune stone. (Ed.)

***

1,000-year old Viking rune uncovered by accident outside Swedish church

UK Independent

Will Worley@willrworley 

Thursday 6 October 2016

The 1,000-year-old-rune found during construction works in Sweden Emelie Sunding

Archaeologists believe they have identified the ancient stonemason who carved it

A thousand-year-old rune stone, missing for 200 years, has been discovered by accident outside a church in Sweden.

The Viking stone, dating from the mid-11th century, was found when workmen installed a lightning conductor outside a local church in Hagby in the south of the country. 

The artefact - measuring 1.8 metres long and 1.3 metres wide - is believed to have been made by Fot, a renowned Viking runemaster, because its style is consistent with his work.

Runes were typically carved in wood, with only stonemasons able to work on large stone slabs. 

The stone was found as construction work took place on the site of a medieval church - where it is thought to have lain since the 1400s - which was later destroyed. It is believed the rune was used as part of the entrance to the old church. 

"The stone is known from before,” said Emelie Sunding, the archaeologist charged with supervising the construction work, speaking to The Local.

“It was depicted in the 17th century and when the medieval church was torn down in the 19th century we have written records that mention the stone as lost and that it had maybe been moved."

With the exception of one missing piece, the stone is in good condition. The carvings include an animal head, a bird-like figure at the top of the stone and rune symbols drawn inside a scroll.

Part of the deciphered symbols said: "Jarl and …stone for Gerfast, his father". Researchers have not yet established who these people were. 

The stone has yet to be lifted from the ground and it is hoped there might be further carvings on its reverse side.

Celebrate the Discovery of the Viking Leifur Eiriksson

Wow, the US government has officially proclaimed October 9^th as Leif Erikson’s day. First of all they – the same government that lies to its citizens daily - misspelled his name. Of course what sane person believes the corrupt US government anyway? But I digress.

Assuming that Leif was literate – we do not know that he was – he would have spelled his name in the Old Norse way, Leifur Eiriksson, because he was the son of Eirik, therefore literally Eirik’s son and he spoke the Old Norse language.

Leifur was born on Iceland, and like his mother and father was of Norwegian extraction. His voyage of discovery occurred sometime between 997 and 1002. It is doubtful the exact date will ever be known, but that is close enough for our purposes.

The important thing is that the Norse accomplishment has finally been officially recognized – and Obama was not the first to recognize the day.

The Norse discovered America, not Christopher Columbus. Columbus, by the way, never set foot on the North American continent during his alleged voyage of discovery some 500-years after Leifur and his crew arrived.

As far as we know at this point the Norse were the first Europeans to set foot on the North American continent. Irish monks may have done it 400-years before Leifur, but we will probably never be able to prove that, it being difficult to even find any sign of an event that occurred 1400-years ago on this continent.

Leifur was not even the first Norseman to know of the land to the west southwest of Greenland, but we think he was the first to land. The first sighting was made by Bjarni Herjulfsson of Iceland. Storm-driven too far to the west of Greenland, he sighted either Baffin Island or Labrador before turning back to the northeast for Greenland.

But putting all the minutia aside, today is to officially celebrate the accomplishment of Leifur Eiriksson, who with his crew of hearty souls sailed to the west southwest of Eiriksfjord, Greenland, landing on Helluland (Baffin Island) and Markland (Labrador) along the way, before finding what he sought on Newfoundland at a place he called, according to the sagas, Leifsbudir (Leif’s Booths). We know the place as L ‘Anse aux Meadows, or Jellyfish Cove in English. You will find it on a map on the northeastern tip of Newfoundland, Canada.

So, take a moment during your day to celebrate what Leifur Eiriksson and his crew accomplished so long ago. They discovered and landed on an island within sight and just off the North American coast - a very big deal, folks. (Ed.)

***

Viking Ship Draken Harald Hårfagre - The final destination for 2016

For those who have followed the progress of Draken on her first voyage to the western hemisphere, I thought you might be interested to know where she will spend the winter. 

This article and the many links to view this magnificent ship and her fine crew are from the Viking Ship Museum website. (Ed.)

***

The final destination for 2016 – Mystic Seaport, Connecticut

The world’s largest Viking ship, the Norwegian Draken Harald Hårfagre, will be docking at Mystic Seaport beginning October 2

'It has been a tremendous adventure! A challenge extraordinaire, to explore the world with the largest Viking ship built and sailed in modern times. Im proud of our crew and all the challenges we have overcome to reach the final stop on this journey.'

– Captain Björn Ahlander

October 2, Draken Harald Hårfagre, will sail into Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, and it is the final destination for Expedition America 2016.

The ship departed Haugesund, Norway on April 26 2016 and sailed with 33 brave crew members across the North Atlantic Ocean stopping at Shetland Island, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland and reached the American continent and St Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada June 1st 2016. The journey continued into the St Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes visiting numerous ports and met thousands of people. The aim of the expedition is to explore and relive one of the most mythological sea voyages – the first transatlantic crossing and the Viking discovery of the New World, more than 1,000 years ago and to explore the world with the same courage and curiosity as the Vikings did.

The Draken will arrive at Mystic Seaport 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 2. They will be docked near the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, and there will be a brief ceremony welcoming the crew. Pending US Coast Guard inspection on Monday morning, the ship will be open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. each day from Monday, October 3 to Monday October 10.

Captain Björn Ahlander will recount their adventures as the first speaker in the Museum’s 2016-2017 Adventure Series. He will give two presentations Thursday, October 13, at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the River Room at Latitude 41° Restaurant. Tickets are $15 for

Museum members and $20 for the general public. Tickets are available online at the Museum’s website: http://bit.ly/2dmdSjU

Draken Harald Hårfagre will stay at Mystic Seaport for the winter, but the crew will cover the boat in November and she will not be open to the public. There are not yet any plans for next year.

Please follow the ships website and social channels for updates:

drakenexpeditionamerica.com