Book excerpt: A voyage of vengeance is Haakon the Dark's consuming passion. With his mighty golden ax in hand, he will defy kings and destiny to chase the evil Harud Olafsson halfway around the world. But even as Haakon's thirst for revnege sets him sailing into the midst of four powerful warring nations, his steading back home is falling under siege, and his great love, Rosamund, may soon perish in flames. And through the blood of battle and the torment in his warrior's soul, Haakon realized that his greatest enemy is his own vengeful heart, for now it may cost him his woman - and his life.