Idunn’s Secret of Youth

How did the Norse gods stay looking so fresh and dewy? A visit to the goddess Idunn was much better than Botox to the immortals. The lovely goddess was associated with fertility and eternal youth. What was her secret? An apple from Idunn’s orchard kept the gray at bay for the Norse pantheon known as the Æsir.

In the Prose Edda, a full-blown midlife crisis develops when Loki lures Idunn from Asgard at the behest of a giant named Pjazi. Pjazi then spirits Idunn off to his crib in the land of the giants, Jötunheimr.

The gods freak out as wrinkles and age spots began to appear on their formerly pristine bodies. A little sleuthing leads them to the usual suspect, Loki. Under threats of death and dismemberment, Loki agrees to rescue Idunn from Pjazi. Upon her return to Asgard, disaster is averted and the immortals are revitalized. The story ends well for everyone except for Pjazi, who is burned to a giant apple crisp when he tries to reclaim Idunn.

Eternal youth has allure, but chasing after it bit Pjazi in the ash.

In Dani & the Immortals, a drink from the long-lost Cup of Immortality has the same effect as a bite of Idunn’s apple. If you had the Cup, would you keep it to yourself or sell it to the highest bidder? And if you knew you had all the time in the world, would you still be able to live life to the fullest?

As for me, I think immortality might be a little overrated. As time marches on, however, I certainly don’t mind a teaspoon of applesauce now and again.

~ Suzanne
When the Cup of Immortality is stolen in Asgard, anger and suspicion is leveled at Dani Avery. Ordered from Asgard by Odin and –even worse– discovering Prince Rein has been betrothed to Leanna of the Faeries, Dani sets out to find the Cup and save Rein from an unwanted marriage.

Dani, Rein, and Emrys begin their desperate search for the real thief and the missing Cup. Unfortunately, the sultry and self-centered Leanna insists on tagging along, and causes them to run afoul of a ruthless crime boss who will stop at nothing to gain their silence…including kidnapping.

As the clock ticks away, Dani has to make a choice between continuing the search for the Cup or finding her missing friends. Will Dani unwittingly sacrifice Rein’s life in her attempt to save their relationship? Or will she deliberately sacrifice their relationship in order to save his life?

EXCERPT:
Dani and the Restive Forest Ljósálfar had left their mounts in a clearing a little way down the mountain. They’d fanned out as they crept toward the entrance to the cave. Dragon wriggled and strained to be free, but Dani held him back by his collar.

“Shh,” she whispered. “Not yet.”

“I can lead the charge,” Katt offered.

Dani shook her head. “It would be better to draw them out, Katt. We don’t know how many bad guys are in there.”

She whispered instructions to Dragon and set him down on the ground. The dog trotted around the boulder, barking and wagging his tail. As he drew closer to the cave, the ogres laughed and pointed.

“Look! It’s a doggy!”

Dragon stood up on his hind legs and danced around. The ogres clapped and giggled. Then the Pomeranian rolled from side to side on the ground. The ogres roared with appreciation. Dragon sat up and extended a dainty paw, as if to shake hands.

When the ogres bent closer, Dragon lit them up like a blowtorch. The ogres panicked. They abandoned their posts and tore down the mountain as if their hair was on fire—which it was. Afterward, the dog sat at the entrance of the tunnel and barked.

“Dragon, hush!” Dani whispered. “Come back here!”

After a long pause, Dragon whined, turned tail and ran. Ogres and dark elves poured out of the hole in the side of the mountain, armed to the teeth.

Newt aimed his bow. “That drew them out.”

Dani & the Immortals is available at Amazon!