Character Interview ~ Éire's Devil King ~ Sandi Layne

As y'all know, I recently reviewed the final book in Sandi Layne's Éire Trilogy, Éire's Devil King. After following these characters in their journeys, I became especially fond of Agnarr, the viking who chose Ireland to be his home. I had the honor to being able to ask him a few things about his life. Here's what he shared with me.

***

Heill, Brandee. It's good to see you again. Thank you for having me.

*blushes* It's good to see you, Agnarr. Thank you for agreeing to be here.

You originally came to Éire in search of treasure. How does having made your home there, and the 'treasures' you've found, compare?

The life I've made for myself and my family in Tuaim Rithe is fulfilling. Here, I feel that I need not seek further to find a home. With Aislinn and our children, I have a home, and there is no restlessness to find more treasure.

How do you feel about Tuirgeis and other Northmen, as well as the Danes, invading your adopted home?

*frowns* In truth, I was angry to find that Tuirgeis wanted to, to try to make himself a king, here. If he and his men—men I knew, for the most part, men from my homeland—had chosen to settle in Éire, this would have been welcome for itself. *shrugs* I miss the men of my land at times. I miss the language of my youth. The customs. The midvinterbløt. 

It is those I do not know who worry me. The Danes, the others. I know how they think and what they want and I do not want them anywhere near my family. I have fought to defend my home, before, and I will do so as often as needed until I can fight no longer. 

I do not want the Danes on this island.

Do you have any regrets over the things you've given up for Éire?

Given up? *grins and gestures expansively* What have I given up? Long, frozen winters? Raiding every summer? Long sea voyages? 

Do I miss that? No. I think *pause* I think if I miss anything, it is my youth, sometimes. I am not a young man any longer. The times of a young man are filled with vigor. Filled with adventure. I do not have those things, now. But I do not think, after living here with my family, that they are only to be found in Nordweg. They are here, too. 

My sons will have a good life, here. And there is nothing I will regret about that. Not ever.

Takk, Agnarr. I appreciate your candor in answering my questions.

***

About the Book

Release Date: April 2 , 2015

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Genre: FICTION / Historical Fiction Time Periods/ Medieval / Viking

ISBN e-book: 978-1-61213-376-8

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble,

TWCS PH

Synopsis

A man of ability and ambition, Tuirgeis Erlingrson has nurtured the desire to carve a place of leadership for himself on the Green Island, Éire, that he has raided multiple times. After the death of his wife in Nordweg, he takes his surviving son to Éire. Having connections with his adopted brother, Cowan, and Agnarr, his former countryman, Tuirgeis feels he has the support he needs to make his claims strong.

Agnarr is torn. His promise to Aislinn to remain with her on Éire is still in force, and he resists Tuirgeis’s requests to join the conquering forces from Nordweg. He desires above all things to maintain a safe home for his wife and children in Dal Fíatach. Charis encourages Cowan to do the same, though this makes for tense moments between them.

After initial disastrous attempts to achieve his ambition, Tuirgeis comes to learn that there is more to claiming a kingship than merely overpowering the locals. Tuirgeis finds himself at odds with the very people he had hoped would reinforce him. In addition, he wants to establish his father-line. He has one son; he wants another to be born of Éire. Will the woman of his choice accept and support him?

At length, Agnarr and Aislinn—though she is heavy with child—sail with Cowan and Charis to join Tuirgeis as he battles over one final summer to attain the High Kingship of the island.

Tuirgeis knows he doesn’t have long to make his claims; the Danes are coming in greater numbers than before. As he wins men of Éire to his cause, he has to maintain the relationships he has already fostered with Agnarr and Cowan. Charis finds that her Otherworldly gifts are needed by a man she considers her enemy.