It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. - Seneca

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Day 3 of Kris Tualla's blog Tour- The True Story behind Kris Tualla's second book "A Prince of Norway" ...*contest*


The true story behind "A Prince of Norway."

Most 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. And when the British invaded France in 1814, 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 refused to accept this attempt by Norway to become independent, with the Danish prince as their new king.

Following a brief show of strength by Sweden, King Christian Frederick caved, renounced all claims to Norway's throne, and fled the country.

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.

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) to candidate for a reclaimed throne. 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.

This is the set-up for A Prince of Norway.

The back-cover blurb: 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?

"Norway is the new Scotland!"

Links for all three books can be found at:
http://www.kristualla.com/
http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/
*CONTEST*
The offer still stands: For every 10 people who comment, 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. Winners will be picked at random and will be posted on Jan 27th.

*Contest winners will be posted DAILY in the WINNERS BOX*

Norway is the new Scotland. ~

Tomorrow: Dirty Politics - or - Some Things Never Change.

12 comments:

Audrey said...

First time being the first comment... Sometimes living in France is good ^^
Those books seem really, really, REALLY good. Might as well try to comment on each book.
Thank you for the contest!
ps: i'll always wonder if those words we have to verify actually exist

jean hart stewart said...

Nooot sure I'll be around for the whole contest, but loved this excerpt. I right historical romance woo and have two novels set in the period of 184 and 1815, Don't you just love researching that period?

Riley said...

Great post, as usual Kris! :) Are you exhausted from your "tour" yet? Feeling the jet lag?

Judy said...

I enjoyed the history lesson. I think I have learned more reading books than I did in school. Maybe, I am more interested in the books and the authors research than listening in class:) Your books really look very good.

RFTC Blog said...

Loved learning about Norway. I really want to read this book.

iqb99@yahoo.com

Kris Tualla said...

Hello, everyone! When I started writing "A Woman of Choice" I had NO idea Nicolas was royal... He surprised me with that one!

And then it just "happened" to be that Norway was in upheaval at that time and considering independence!

BTW - the annecdote in the book about Stefan designing a flag is a popular urban myth in Norway. Myth or not, it worked for me!

Thanks for all your encouraging words! :)

Kris <--who makes up words in her books now and again and is pretty sure those verification thingys aren't words at all.

Eliza Knight said...

Fascinating Kris!

Barb H said...

It's exciting to read historicals in "new" :) areas, Kris. Thanks for being brave and venturing into Norway.

The books sound really intersting. Good luck!!!!

Judy said...

Wow, Kris! I knew you put a lot of work into your research but somehow I missed that you tracked down everyone and gave them stories! Amazing! So, will you be expanding those, or are they simply to give your main story depth?

hotcha12 said...

OOH I SOOO WANT IT CHRIS!

Di said...

Love to hear about the true historical facts that are the basis of a historical novel. Many times that's how I learn things that are helpful for Jeopardy & Trivial Pursuit.

Brandy B aka Brandlwyne said...

Kris I think this sounds like a great story. I am always amazed at the amount of work that goes into historicals. I can't wait to read it!!!

-Brandy
brandyzbooks@yahoo.com

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