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.

Fun Facts About Norse Mythology – The Getting of Wisdom

The Norse god Odin was willing to sacrifice a lot in the pursuit of knowledge. He exchanged one of his eyes to drink from Mimir’s well of wisdom, for example.

But wait, there’s more…

Among Odin’s many names are God of the Hanged and Hanged One. Óðins Rune Song, a section of Hávamál, details how Odin hung himself from a windy tree for nine nights in order to discover magical runes.  During his ordeal, Odin didn’t eat or drink anything, and he suffered from a spear wound besides.  The runes gave rise to eighteen different spells.

Times sure have changed.

When I was in college, the getting of wisdom involved hanging out at the library.

~ 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 – The Creation of Mankind

“I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree.”

–  Joyce Kilmer

Perhaps Kilmer was on to something.

After Odin and his two brothers killed the giant, Ymir, they used his body and blood to create the world. Afterward, they came to Midgard (Earth) and went for a nice relaxing walk on the beach.

The trio found a couple of lovely trees and worked together to make people out of them.  The gods made sure they had souls, intelligence, good looks and clothes.  They called the man Askr and the woman Embla.  These two humans became the progenitors of the human race.

So if you’ve only ever felt truly at home when walking in a forest, you now know why.  You might have stumbled into a family reunion.

~ 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.

Loki Quakes In His Cement Shoes

Alas, poor Baldur!  Pierced by a spear of mistletoe, Odin and Frigga’s son perished and went to Helheim.

In a last-ditch effort to save her son, Frigga sent an emissary to make a deal with Hel.  If everything and everyone mourned Baldur, Hel agreed to let him go.  Since Baldur was beloved, it was a sweet deal.  A hue and cry went up on Baldur’s behalf, and it seemed as if Baldur was a free áss.

But…Loki couldn’t leave well enough alone.  He transformed himself into a giantess who wouldn’t join in the mourning and the deal was off. 

When the gods learned about Loki’s latest mischief, there was no place in the nine worlds of Norse mythology for him to hide. The gods seized Loki and gave him cement shoes, Norse style. They lashed him to a bed of rocks and suspended a snake possessing acid-like venom over his head. Loki’s wife, Sigyn, stuck a bowl under the drip to spare her husband.  Unfortunately, the bowl had to be emptied every so often, which left Loki exposed.  Whenever the acid dripped on Loki, the result was an earthquake.

Otherwise known as a Teutonic shift.

~ 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 – Hi-yo, Sleipnir! Away!

Budge over, Silver.  Today the spotlight shines on Odin’s grey steed, Sleipnir.  The most awesome of horses ever, Sleipnir has eight legs.  Not only is he fast, he can fly high enough to clear the gates of Helheim.  Described in various accounts as “splendid,” “the best of horses,” and “a marvelously good horse,” Sleipnir must have a stellar pedigree, right?  Er, no.  His daddy was an extraordinarily strong stallion named Svaðilfari, and his mommy was…Loki.  You see, as a shape-shifter, Loki turned himself into a mare to horse around with Svaðilfari, and later gave birth to Sleipnir.  Neigh, I kid you not.  The other Norse gods thought this was weird, too, and called Loki “perverse” and a “pervert.” In all fairness to Loki, he did it to save a bet. Word is that Loki wrote a screenplay about the affair and shopped it to Hollywood.  It was called Nightmare on Æsir  Street. Although there were no takers, given the success of Jersey Shore there’s been some interest in turning it into a reality TV show.

~ 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 – 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

Savannah’s Secret Underground Tunnel Conspiracy Revealed

There is an urban legend in Savannah which is rooted in fact.  There are tunnels underneath the city, constructed a long time ago, for which no definitive explanation exists.  Some were supposedly used to kidnap hapless men from taverns, to be pressed into service as deckhands by passing pirates. Others may have been used as underground morgues during a Yellow Fever outbreak in the late 1800s.  Perhaps the tunnels were used as drainage systems, or for shelter during hurricanes.  Although one or two tunnel entrances are still accessible, most of the network has long since crumbled, been walled off, or been built over.  Nevertheless, speculation continues…until now.

I managed to score an interview with the receptionist at the Asgard Embassy, downtown Savannah.  Rodentia (last name withheld) is a bureaucRat, the administrative class of beings from Asgard.  She agreed to answer a few questions about the tunnels and how they relate to a deeper conspiracy of silence.

Rodentia, can you tell us a little about where you work?

(Giggles) There are several Asgard Embassies around Midgard—I mean Earth—but they’re all secret.  I work at the embassy built underneath a bookstore in downtown Savannah, Georgia.  The embassy helps expatriates and tourists with any problems they might encounter in Midgard. We’re a major stop on the Rainbow Bridge subway system.

What is the Rainbow Bridge subway system?

The subway leads to Asgard, of course.  Heimdallr, or Mr. H as he likes to be called, is the Station Master.  The Rainbow Bridge is the passage between the Nine Worlds. It used to be a lot more primitive, but Mr. H modernized it considerably over the years.

Can anyone use the Rainbow Bridge? 

Oh, no, but there are rules and regulations I’m not at liberty to divulge.  The immortals don’t mind if I talk about things in a general way because they rather enjoy the glamour it brings.  But if I were to go too far, Mr. H would have me brought to Odin for a hearing.  I wouldn’t want Odin to turn me into a cat or something (shudders).

Are you saying the stories that compose Norse mythology aren’t myths?

The immortals are as real as I am (giggles), but much of the rest has changed over time.  Many of the old stories were exaggerated or flat-out wrong.  Even Emrys Drew used a lot of the old myths in his novel The Asgard Adventure.  He’s so good-looking, though, I’d forgive him anything (sigh).

Thanks, Rodentia!

Kidnapped from Earth and abandoned in Asgard of Norse mythology, Dani Avery must fight to return home.  When she stumbles upon a band of outlaws, Prince Rein agrees to take her to the Rainbow Bridge personally. Although Dani is attracted to the handsome elf, his only interest seems to be in separating her from the magical sword and shield at her side. In Asgard City, rules, regulations and bureaucrats stymie Dani’s quest.  Increasingly frustrated and desperate, she seeks help among powerful immortals. Unfortunately, Dani becomes ensnared in a devious trap that may leave her stranded and alone in Asgard forever.

 

The Druid – An Asgard Adventure Book One fantasy novella available from Musa Publishing (all formats) and Amazon. ($2.99) Look for Book Two in June!

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