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Cathie Dunn writes historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The focus of her historical fiction novels is on strong women through time.
Cathie has been writing for over twenty years, and studied Creative Writing, with a focus on novel writing. She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites.
At the moment, Cathie is working on two novels: Treachery, #2 in the House of Normandy series, about Sprota the Breton, handfasted wife of William Longsword, the son of Poppa and Rollo; and The Alchemist's Daughter, #2 in the Affair of the Poisons series. She also continues to plot a medieval murder mystery series set in 13th century Languedoc at the height of the Cathar persecutions.
Cathie's stories have garnered awards and praise from reviewers and readers for their authentic description of the past.
Cathie is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Romantic Novelists’ Society, and the Alliance of Independent Authors. She is also a promoter of historical fiction at The Coffee Pot Book Club.
After many years in Scotland, Cathie now lives in south of France with her husband, and rescued Charlie Cat and Ellie Dog. Discover more about Cathie at www.cathiedunn.com!
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Ascent: House of Normandy Book 1 by Cathie Dunn is a richly textured historical novel that features a little-known yet pivotal woman in medieval history, the enigmatic Poppa of Bayeux. We find ourselves back in the 9th century in Neustria, during a time of Viking incursions and fragile alliances. The story follows Poppa as she’s handfasted to Hrólfr, a powerful Norse warrior. Their relationship begins as a political necessity, but it grows into a complicated bond as Hrólfr’s ambitions threaten to divide them. When Poppa’s place is threatened by court politics and Hrólfr’s royal aspirations, she must draw on her inner strength to protect herself and her daughter.
Author Cathie Dunn has a flair for detail and a clear enthusiasm for history, and as such, she excels at transporting readers into the heart of the Viking era with vivid descriptions and emotional precision. I was captivated by Poppa’s strength and intelligence because she’s not a passive historical footnote, but a vibrant and realistic person navigating love, betrayal, and survival. She's someone we can get behind and relate to even as modern readers because the common threads of her humanity are foregrounded for us. The political and cultural dynamics between the Franks and the Vikings were also explained well, but without overwhelming the personal story. There’s romance too, and it's an enjoyable one, but it’s also the kind that’s hard-won and tested by real-world stakes, so it feels relevant and never idealized. Overall, Ascent is a beautifully written, thoroughly researched tale of medieval power and personal endurance, and it's perfect for fans of historical fiction that celebrates the resilience of forgotten women.
