She and her partner Don currently divide their time among a river home in Texas, a farmhouse in Minnesota, and an island cabin in Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada.From “pig farmer’s daughter” to teacher and author! Years of education and research have produced this transformation. Five years were spent studying materials on Viking Age culture a trip to Scandinavia offered such 'on-site' experiences as crewing on a Viking ship replica in Denmark and climbing funeral mounds in Sweden, all to discover what life might have been like for women in sixth-century Scandinavia. She adopted four children before beginning her teaching career in Texas, which included work at the University of Houston, Lone Star College and Kingwood High School, where she used drama and extensive student involvement to bring literature to life.Īfter retirement in 2001 she traveled the world, and then began to research and write Faces in the Fire, a novel inspired by her teaching of the Old English epic, Beowulf. A lifelong passion for learning was fueled by her education at Earlham, a Quaker college, and the University of Minnesota, culminating in a PhD in English Literature. With her survival at stake, Freawaru must decide whom she can trust-before it is too late.įrom her roots in rural Indiana, Donnita Lamb Rogers grew into a teacher, traveler and author. Meanwhile, two other contenders enter the picture: Beowulf, a boastful warrior who pledges to kill the monster with his bare hands and Ingeld, a feuding rival chieftain who gives his word to lay aside his thirst for blood vengeance in order to save the kingdom from evil.Įach man presents a challenge to Freawaru, whose path ahead seems unclear. When a stranger arrives and off ers his assistance to aid the kingdom in fi ghting the Grendel with magic, runes, and, shockingly, poison, everyone wonders if Unferth can live up to his promises. Without warning, darkness envelops Freawaru's innocence and brings unimaginable terror as a night-stalking monster invades the mead hall. But Freawaru has no hint of what is about to come. Only the arrival of her treacherous cousin Hrothulf, who intends to become a rival for her father's attention, mars her happiness.

Blessed with a strong mother and a loving nurse, she also bears a birthmark that promises future power. For Freawaru, proud daughter of Danish King Hrothgar, growing up in a sixth-century Viking settlement should be a wonderful adventure.

Faces in the Fire by Donnita L. Rogers