Michelle Styles: Shield Maidens -- Legend or Fact? plus giveaway

For many years, various historians and archaeologists have doubted if Viking shield maidens actually existed. Women warriors who fought along side and sometimes commanded men.  In fact, the first English woman mentioned in any context is a warrior – she objected to be jilted, hunted down her man and married him after some persuasion. True the archaeologists would say, the various sagas and legends speak of them but… women didn’t actually do such things.  As proof they would cite no grave had been found with both women’s brooches and weaponry together.  This was supposed to be the end of the argument.

Very recently, they started DNA testing bones found in various Viking cemeteries. Perhaps to the surprise of the male archaeologists, they discovered that some of the graves designated as male because of the weaponry actually had female bones  in them! The type of weaponry found in these graves was mostly throwing spears or bows and arrows — items which women could actually use with ease. Because of the differences in upper body strength, the broad sword can be difficult for most women to use effectively.

So it does look like there were female warriors after all.  But why no both items? The sagas  which mention shield maidens and women warriors make it very clear  that there is a difference. Women warriors do not do feminine or peace weaver things. In other words, women had a choice they could be warriors or they could be wives. The word wife in Old English literally means one who weaves. And a wife wove the fabric of a family together. 

Could a shield maiden ever become a wife? The sagas do speak of this but often it seems she does not continue her warring ways. However her husband can sometimes count her advice for strategy. T this stage, I would assume, she would be buried with her spinning whorls, brooches and other accouterments of female power over the household.

Anyway, as I wrote TAMING HIS VIKING WOMAN before some of this DNA evidence started becoming widely available, I was very pleased that the archaeological record is now showing something that I felt to be true.

GIVEWAY:

And because TAMING HIS VIKING WOMAN will be published on 20 January, I wanted to offer the Tote Bags Readers a chance to win a signed copy of TAMING HIS VIKING WOMAN (void where prohibited) . Please send the answer to the following question: 

What are the names of the hero and heroine of TAMING HIS VIKING WOMAN to contest@michellestyles.co.uk.  before Wednesday 20 January 2015.

You can read an excerpt here

UPDATE: I drew Denise's name out of the hat and will post off her copy later today. Many thanks to all who entered.

The sea-king's warrior bride 

Legendary shield maiden Sayrid Avildottar will marry no man unless he first defeats her in combat. And in powerful sea-king Hrolf Eymundsson she has finally met her match. 

Hrolf may have won her lands—and her body—but can Sayrid welcome a stranger to her bed? The world of fighting is all she knows! With a husband intent on seducing his new bride, perhaps, just this once, Sayrid will discover that surrender can bring the greatest pleasure of all…

Michelle Styles writes warm, witty and intimate historical romance for Harlequin Historical. TAMING HIS VIKING WOMAN is out on 20 January. To learn more about Michelle and her books please visit www.michellestyles.co.uk 

Tinnitus, caffeine and me by Michelle Styles

My ears ring. In other words I have tinnitus.  The ringing started about four years ago or so and I was certain I was suffering from hearing loss.

 My younger sister has a hearing aid because of her cookie bite hearing loss. She has trouble with the sound in the middle register. It is apparently genetic.  My family, in particular my husband, complained that I wasn’t always hearing them. This could be because I was in another room and working...

I had my hearing checked. Yes there was some loss but nothing to require action. Fast forward two years (more complaints and the ringing increasing), and I had it checked again. Again not enough hearing loss to warrant a hearing aid. In fact, a hearing aid would make things worse.

However this time when I explained about the ringing in my ears, the audiologist suggested I try giving up caffeine. I was desperate enough to try.

Now I will freely admit that I drink too much tea and coffee. And then there is chocolate. Okay I was addicted. The headache the first few days was incredible and nothing would touch it, but the ringing in my ears was significantly diminished. Within a few days, it vanished completely from my left ear. I also noticed that I was able to concentrate much more and was much more productive. My hearing also improved.  While some ringing in my right ear remains, it is much less and on occasion, it does go.

It is somewhat of a sigh as I do like the taste of coffee and tea. But the taste of coffee is nothing to the silence. It is fantastic not to have a high pitched whine all the time. So I shall remain caffeine free for the time being.

Tinnitus can have many causes. So if you do experience prolonged ringing in the ears, it is best to see a health professional. Caffeine, alcohol, excessive salt and strong cheese can cause it as well as excessive noise, too many painkillers and a host of other things. It is a nuisance but it doesn’t mean you are necessarily suffering from terrible hearing loss. And things can be done. Sometimes it is as simple as going caffeine free.

In general people as they get older should get their hearing test once a year, just like you would do with your eyes. Hearing aids are constantly improving and many people who have attended loud concerts in their youth will suffer from some sort of noise related hearing loss. Equally there are things you can do if you suspect your hearing isn't  as good as it once was. Insisting that you are in the same room as someone when they speak to you is a start!

In other news:

Michelle Styles with pixie cut

The cover for my latest Viking --Taming His Viking Woman arrived in my inbox last month. I am terribly excited about the book as it is my Shield Maiden book. The cover gods decided to give me a female model with short hair again and I realised that I must be channelling heroines with pixie cuts. Unfortunately, my hair looks best in a pixie cut. I have known this since I was about three. I would love to be someone who looked best in shoulder length hair but I’m not. So I have given into fate and am now back in a pixie cut.

Sometimes, you just have to go with what the universe is whispering…

Michelle Styles writes warm, witty, and intimate historical romance in a wide range of time periods. Her next novel, Taming His Viking Woman will be published on 20 January 2014. You can learn more about Michelle and her books on www.michellestyles.co.uk