Guest Blogger – Kris Tualla

A Good Historical Romance needs Good History

The second book in my historical romance trilogy – A Prince of Norway – continues the story of Nicolas and Sydney Hansen, which begins in 1820 in the Missouri Territory and travels to Norway and back.

Most of us Americans don’t realize that Norway was under the control of Denmark for centuries: from the late 1300s until 1814. And in order to understand the period of Norwegian history that A Prince of Norway deals with, we must take a brief look at Napoleon.

At one time, Napoleon Bonaparte dominated Europe, defeating Austria, Britain, Russia and Prussia. Suffice to say, the little dude grabbed a lot of power. 

But Napoleon made mistakes. Big ones. Long story shortened: by the end of 1812 Napoleon had destroyed (as in frozen and starved) most of his own army. When the British invaded France in 1814 and Paris surrendered without a fight, Napoleon abdicated as Emperor of France, and hid out on an island.

Now back to Norway.

After Napoleon’s defeat in 1814, the Danish Prince, Christian Frederick, convened the National Assembly in Norway, where he was elected as King. But Austria, Britain, Russia and Prussia all refused to accept this attempt by Norway to become independent, with the Danish prince as their new king. 

Furthermore, the Treaty of Kiel stated that Denmark – because they sided with the defeated Napoleon – must cede Norway to Sweden. Following a brief show of strength by Sweden, King Christian Frederick caved, renounced all claims to Norway’s throne, and fled the country. 

Norway’s Storting (Parliament) reluctantly accepted the shift of control to Sweden. But the new alliance never sat well with Norway – the seeds of independence had been sown.

When I created the setting for A Prince of Norway I backed up a couple of generations to King Christian VI. His son, Frederick V had seventeen children by 2 wives and a mistress – and one short-lived sister. So I gave Frederick a stronger, fictional sister.

My Marit Christiansen married and escaped her brother’s lifestyle by emigrating to the New World. Settled in Philadelphia, she birthed a daughter, the princess Kirsten Sven. Kirsten’s life was saved during the Revolutionary War by a handsome American soldier of Norse heritage – Reidar Magnus Hansen.

These are Nicolas’s parents.

Now we have an unbroken link from the Kings Christian VI and Frederick V to Nicolas. And – thanks to his father – a purely Norse bloodline.

Before I could see which of the seventeen descendents of King Frederick might be involved in the 1814 switch of regents, they needed to be charted, tracked, and fictionalized if they fell off the radar, which almost all of then did. That was fun. (And the family tree is posted on my website: http://www.kristualla.com/)

So in 1818, the oldest and most powerful of these fictionalized descendents sent Nicolas a letter, strongly requesting that he return to Norway (he went there in 1806 at age 19). They wanted one of two things from him: either actively candidate for a reclaimed throne, or sign over his 10,000 acres and his title as Greve (Count) to their cause.

The times being what they were, the letter didn’t reach him until 1820, at which point he had remarried and had a second child.

So. Is it time you found a new brand of hero? Please allow me to help.

For every 10 people who comment here, I will give away one free e-copy of A Woman of Choice – the beginning of the trilogy. And, yes. Commenter #11 warrants 2 copies! Comment #21? I’ll give away three.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

 In February at the end of my blog tour, I’ll give away one SIGNED PAPERBACK SET of the trilogy. Here’s how you can get in on that deal:

1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/ and find the “Secret Word” on my home page.

2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net with “Signed Trilogy Giveaway” in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.

3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day’s blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/

A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/

A Woman of Choice – Missouri Territory, 1819

A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.

A Prince of Norway – Christiania, Norway, 1820

American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather’s throne. His new wife Sydney isn’t about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?

A Matter of Principle – St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821

Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren’t about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it’s a matter of principle.