Dani & the Immortals • Wide Release

My fantasy tale Dani & the Immortals has gone wide to booksellers everywhere.

Kidnapped by Odin’s Ravens and taken to Asgard, Dani becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Worse, when the theft of a magical artifact becomes an explosive political debacle, accusations of blame turn her into an outlaw. To clear her name and save the only man she has ever loved, she’ll do anything…including defying Odin himself.

 

Find your favorite retailer through this universal link.  Enjoy the book and if you like it, please don’t forget to leave a review!

~ Suzanne

 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, and please help me celebrate the release of my fantasy romance, Dani & the Immortals!

When Dani was a teen, she had it all; a starring role in her own television series, a wonderful family, and her health. A few years later, everything has changed for the worse—and her time is running short. All she wants to do before she dies is to fall in love, but when she’s kidnapped and taken to Asgard of Norse mythology, she becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Prince Rein lends a hand in her quest to return home, and she begins to think the handsome elf has captured her heart. After a magical artifact goes missing, however, he may be forced to marry another woman to avert a diplomatic catastrophe. To find the artifact and save the prince, Dani must undertake a dangerous quest involving ogres, dark fairies, and underworld criminals. Ultimately, however, she’ll have to defy Odin himself.

To pick up your Kindle copy, go HERE.

Excerpt from DANI & THE IMMORTALS

When Dani emerged from the building, Rein was lounging on the Embassy stoop. He sprang to his feet as she approached.

“Did you have any luck?”

“Are you following me?”

“Just looking out for the Druid’s girl. I’m sure he’d do the same for me if the situation were reversed.”

“For the last time, I’m not his girl.”

A glimmer of a smile lifted the corners of Rein’s lips. “Good. I wouldn’t want him mad at me.”

“Why would he be mad?”

“For putting moves on you.”

“You haven’t put moves on me.”

“Not yet.”

His gaze riveted onto hers and the air between them seemed to smolder…until Dani remembered her condition.

“Rein, there’s something you should know about me. I’m—” She broke off when she noticed an Asgard City police patrol striding toward them. “Uh-oh.”

He followed her glance. “Hang on.”

When the elf pulled her close and kissed her, ripples of pleasure went down her spine. The kiss seemed to go on for a long time, but she made no effort to break it off. Admittedly, being kissed passionately by a handsome prince hadn’t been on her bucket list. Had she known how good it would feel, however, it might have been at the top.

When Rein released her, two bright red spots had appeared over his cheekbones. “Sorry about that.” He averted his eyes. “I-I didn’t want the police to recognize us. I’m unwelcome and you’re illegal. It wouldn’t be a good thing for either of us to be detained.”

“Don’t apologize. Are we safe now?”

He glanced around. “Yeah, they’re gone.”

“That was quick thinking on your part.”

“I hope you weren’t offended.”

“Not at all.” Her lips were still tingling from his kiss.

“You said before there was something about you that I should know.”

Dani made a split second decision against telling him about her condition. The bad news would spoil the moment they’d just had, and a long-term relationship didn’t matter anyway since she’d hopefully found a way home.

“Oh…just that I’m not so illegal anymore. It seems I have a job.”

Blurb: When Dani was a teen, she had it all; a starring role in her own television series, a wonderful family, and her health. A few years later, everything has changed for the worse—and her time is running short. All she wants to do before she dies is to fall in love, but when she’s kidnapped and taken to Asgard of Norse mythology, she becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Prince Rein lends a hand in her quest to return home, and she begins to think the handsome elf has captured her heart. After a magical artifact goes missing, however, he may be forced to marry another woman to avert a diplomatic catastrophe. To find the artifact and save the prince, Dani must undertake a dangerous quest involving ogres, dark fairies, and underworld criminals. Ultimately, however, she’ll have to defy Odin himself.

Dani & the Immortals is available for the Kindle

at a special pre-release price HERE

Fun Facts About Norse Mythology – Valhalla

Although there’s no sorting hat in Norse mythology, dead folks ARE separated into categories.  Those that die an inglorious death go to Helheim.  Among fallen warriors, the Valkyries lead half to Valhalla. The rest go to Fólkvangr to hang out with the goddess Freyja.

Valhalla is Odin’s realm.  Located in Asgard, the “hall of the slain” is quite a swanky destination.  Vast enough to house legions of heroes, the roof is covered with golden shields. Food is abundant, but the menu seems to be somewhat limited.  The goat Heidrún produces an unlimited supply of mead and a boar named Sæhrímnir is slaughtered for its meat. Like a nightmare version of the movie Groundhog Day, poor Sæhrímnir is brought back to life each morning to be killed and eaten for dinner.

The residents of Valhalla, known as the einherjar, don’t lack for recreation either.  After donning war gear, these intrepid souls go out into the courtyard and practice fighting every day. They are expected to pitch in to fight for Odin when the ultimate battle, Ragnarök rolls around.

Valkyries pull double duty as waitpersons in Valhalla.  Rumor has it that the working conditions in Valhalla are good, but the tips are terrible.  ~ S.G. Rogers

When Dani was a teen, she had it all; a starring role in her own television series, a wonderful family, and her health. A few years later, everything has changed for the worse—and her time is running short. All she wants to do before she dies is to fall in love, but when she’s kidnapped and taken to Asgard of Norse mythology, she becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Prince Rein lends a hand in her quest to return home, and she begins to think the handsome elf has captured her heart. After a magical artifact goes missing, however, he may be forced to marry another woman to avert a diplomatic catastrophe. To find the artifact and save the prince, Dani must undertake a dangerous quest involving ogres, dark fairies, and underworld criminals. Ultimately, however, she’ll have to defy Odin himself.

Dani & the Immortals is available for the Kindle HERE

Fun Facts About Norse Mythology – Going To Hel

In Norse mythology, if you don’t die a heroic death, you’re going to Hel.

Helheim is the ninth of the Nine Worlds, and unlike the corresponding Christian underworld “Hell,” there are no pitchforks and flames.  In fact, it’s next door to Niflheim, the world of ice and mist.  Hel, Loki’s daughter, presides over the realm, having been appointed by Odin.  The real estate of Hel is quite posh, with a great many mansions having high walls and oversized gates.  Hel receives the dead and tends to their needs, but there is no indication she does so cheerfully.  Hel lives in a hall named Eljudnir, which is frosty outside.  Garm, a bloodstained dog, guards the gates of Hel.

There is no indication whether the road to Hel is paved with good intentions. 🙂

~ S.G. Rogers

When Dani was a teen, she had it all; a starring role in her own television series, a wonderful family, and her health. A few years later, everything has changed for the worse—and her time is running short. All she wants to do before she dies is to fall in love, but when she’s kidnapped and taken to Asgard of Norse mythology, she becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Prince Rein lends a hand in her quest to return home, and she begins to think the handsome elf has captured her heart. After a magical artifact goes missing, however, he may be forced to marry another woman to avert a diplomatic catastrophe. To find the artifact and save the prince, Dani must undertake a dangerous quest involving ogres, dark fairies, and underworld criminals. Ultimately, however, she’ll have to defy Odin himself.

Dani & the Immortals is available for the Kindle HERE

Happy Frigga’s Day! Fun Facts About Norse Mythology

Frigga (Frigg/Friggja/Fricka) was THE major goddess in Norse mythology.  As Odin’s wife, she was the queen of Asgard. *snap*  She’s the only other being allowed to sit on Odin’s throne, Hlidskjalf.  That was a pretty big honor because from his ‘high seat,’ Odin could see into all realms.  Although Frigga had the power of prophecy, she kept her prophecies to herself for some reason. Fensalir is Frigga’s abode in Asgard. Although ‘fensalir’ translates to ‘marsh halls’ nobody knows if Frigga was really into marshes or if Fensalir was just a name.

Although Frigga is Æsir, and the goddess Freyja is Vanir, some historians believe they ultimately may be the same figure.  The debate rages on.

Much more interesting is the naughty story about Frigga committing adultery in order to gain some bling. But don’t feel too sorry for Odin, because he was a ‘wanderer’ in more ways than one.  He had several children with other women, so perhaps life in the Odin household was often, er, lively.

Frigga had an über-cool spinning wheel she used to spin clouds.  Orion’s Belt is also known as ‘Frigg’s Distaff.’ The Norse name for Venus was ‘Frigg’s Star.’

Now on Thor’s Day, I mentioned the rather weird beginnings of life, according to Norse mythology.  And now for the rest of the creation myth story…

The first god, Búri, was grandfather to Odin and his two brothers, Vili and Ve.  Odin and his brothers grew up and killed the giant Ymir.  Thereafter, the gods created seven more worlds (for a total of nine) using bit and pieces of poor Ymir.

Similarly, I used bits and pieces of Norse mythology in Dani & the Immortals. Just remember, any resemblance to actual Norse mythology is purely accidental. *wink*

~ Suzanne

After Dani is kidnapped by Odin’s Ravens and taken to Asgard, she becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Worse, when the theft of a magical artifact becomes an explosive political debacle, accusations of blame turn her into an outlaw. To avert disaster, she must undertake a dangerous quest involving ogres, dark fairies, and underworld criminals. Ultimately, however, she’ll have to defy Odin himself.

Dani & the Immortals is available at your favorite online bookstore or in paperback.

 

Thor’s Day – Fun Facts About Norse Mythology

It’s official…Thor was a ginger.  He’s generally described with a red beard and hair.  Thor was Odin’s most famous son and a superstar of the Norse pantheon.  Although Odin was married to Frigga, apparently ‘All Father’ stepped around a little because Thor’s mom (Jörd) was a giantess.

Thor’s the fellow to have on your side during a battle because of his fierce fighting technique.  Every Thor costume kit should have at least three things: the super-cool hammer Mjölnir, the strength-doubling belt Megingjörd, and the iron gloves Járngreipr.  If you have extra money left over, you might also consider investing in a magical staff Gridarvölr. Not only is Thor associated with thunder and lightning, he’s also known for strength, healing, fertility, and the protection of mankind. 

Thor was such a popular figure during the Viking Age, many folks wore a Mjölnir pendant as a symbol of opposition to Christianization.

Quick! How the heck do you pronounce ö?  It’s like the ‘i’ in ‘sir’

How the heck do you pronounce j?  Like ‘y’ in ‘yoga’

Furthermore…

Another factoid from the Norse creation myth…involves a cow.  In the beginning, only the worlds of fire (Muspelheim) and ice (Niflheim) existed.  When the warm air of Muspelheim hit the cold ice of Niflheim, the jötunn (giant) Ymir and the cow Audumbla were born. While Ymir slept, he sweated out a man and a woman from his armpits.  While Audumbla suckled Ymir, the cow licked the first Norse god (Búri) out of a salty block of ice.

Okay, I know it sounds bizarre, and it is.  I didn’t make it up.  But Norse mythology lends itself to all sorts of flights of fancy, wouldn’t you say?  If you’d like to read my flight of fancy, check out Dani & the Immortals.  ~ S.G. Rogers

When Dani was a teen, she had it all; a starring role in her own television series, a wonderful family, and her health. A few years later, everything has changed for the worse—and her time is running short. All she wants to do before she dies is to fall in love, but when she’s kidnapped and taken to Asgard of Norse mythology, she becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Prince Rein lends a hand in her quest to return home, and she begins to think the handsome elf has captured her heart. After a magical artifact goes missing, however, he may be forced to marry another woman to avert a diplomatic catastrophe. To find the artifact and save the prince, Dani must undertake a dangerous quest involving ogres, dark fairies, and underworld criminals. Ultimately, however, she’ll have to defy Odin himself.

Dani & the Immortals is available for the Kindle HERE

Fun Facts About Norse Mythology – All Things Odin

It’s Wodensday, so this post is devoted to All Things Odin.

As is the case with most Norse myths and legends, it’s hard to pin Odin down.  He’s known by 200 different names, among them ‘All Father.’ A preeminent member of the Æsir and the ruler of Asgard, Odin was thought to be a seeker of wisdom.  In fact, legend has Odin sacrificing one of his eyes in exchange for a drink from Mimir’s Well of Wisdom.  Thereafter, he sought the services of two ravens, Huginn and Muninn. These ravens were to fly around the world and bring him information on what they saw and heard.  A pair of wolves, named Geri and Freki, accompanied him in his travels, because Odin was also a wanderer.  To complete this menagerie was an eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, which could leap great distances.

Odin had several places he stayed in Asgard, but the most notable was Valhalla, the hall of the slain.  Fallen warriors were entertained in Valhalla so they could battle on Odin’s behalf should the final battle (Ragnarök) come about. Odin was married to Frigga, and his most famous son was Thor.

Norse mythology predates Christianity, so many of the Norse pagan legends and symbols have been morphed, merged or co-opted over the years.  Did you know that Santa Claus is a merger of Odin and the Christian legend of Saint Nick? Back in the day, children would leave their shoes, filled with carrots or other edibles, near the chimney for Sleipnir to eat. In exchange, Odin would leave gifts or candy.

Of course for some authors (such as myself), the above-referenced information would be considered a jumping-off point, as it were. Hehehe.  ~ S.G. Rogers

When Dani was a teen, she had it all; a starring role in her own television series, a wonderful family, and her health. A few years later, everything has changed for the worse—and her time is running short. All she wants to do before she dies is to fall in love, but when she’s kidnapped and taken to Asgard of Norse mythology, she becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Prince Rein lends a hand in her quest to return home, and she begins to think the handsome elf has captured her heart. After a magical artifact goes missing, however, he may be forced to marry another woman to avert a diplomatic catastrophe. To find the artifact and save the prince, Dani must undertake a dangerous quest involving ogres, dark fairies, and underworld criminals. Ultimately, however, she’ll have to defy Odin himself.

Dani & the Immortals is available for the Kindle HERE