Fun Facts About Norse Mythology – Loki’s Loose Lips

Loki shot his mouth off a lot. His boasts and bad bets often led to fascinating and unintended consequences. After his naughty prank on Thor’s wife Sif, Loki became acquainted with the workmanship of the smithy dwarves, the Sons of Ivaldi.

From the Sons of Ivaldi, Loki bought Sif’s golden headpiece, an awesome ship for Freyr, and Odin’s famous spear. Not a bad haul, don’t you think? Loki was so pleased with himself that he trash-talked all the other smithy dwarves.  Smithy dwarf Brokkr made the bad boy a bet. As a result, Brokkr’s über talented brother fashioned a glow-in-the-dark boar, Odin’s golden ring, and Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir.

Speak to the hand, Loki.

Here’s the conundrum: If Loki hadn’t messed around with Thor’s wife, Thor might not have come into his weapon of choice. So do you think Dr. Phil could Brokkr a truce between Thor and Loki, or is this just a Freudian Sif?

~ 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

Taming of the Shrew (Not)

Clash of Wills (The Wild Rose Press)

In the wild and untamed Uncharted Region, the greatest danger is falling in love.

Princess Samantha’s magical compass will help her locate her long-lost brother, but only if she manages to escape her royal parents for a few weeks. When an unwelcome suitor comes to call, Samantha seizes her chance. She beguiles the prince into taking her north, intending to abandon him at her earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, his captivating good looks and charming manner present an unforeseen complication—especially when she is forced to accept help from the very man she has deceived.

To maintain his bachelorhood, handsome Prince Wills is not above deception. Although reluctantly entangled in Samantha’s scheme, he vows to protect her…until a lie threatens to destroy their alliance.  Can his powerful attraction to Samantha overcome his mistrust?  And can they survive a dangerous quest to the wild and magical Uncharted Region?

Excerpt:

Samantha hastened in the same direction Wills had gone, but her heart began to pound when she realized she was lost. Someone pointed her down the alleyway that led to the general store, but Wills had already left. Panic quickened her pace as she retraced her steps.

Halfway through the alley, two men blocked her exit. They’d followed her from the tavern. A sense of dread gripped her so tightly she found it hard to breathe.

“Well, looky here, we’ve got ourselves a little mouse,” one sneered.

His companion laughed. “More like a piece of cheese, I reckon.”

Samantha turned to find her retreat cut off by the other two. She dropped her pack to the ground but before she could reach for her sling, the scarred bandit rushed forward and held a knife to her throat.

“Your tall friend is just around the corner,” he murmured into her ear. “Call him.”

“No.”

“Do it, or I’ll ventilate your windpipe.”

Samantha flinched as she felt the blade slicing into her skin. She knew if she called Wills, the men would kill him. She chose to die instead.

“Would that your hands burn with the strength of your evil,” she spat.

CLASH OF WILLS, a romantic fantasy novella, now available from Amazon (current price $0.99), BN.com and The Wild Rose Press ($1.25 MSRP).

To add to your to-read list on Goodreads, go HERE.

To return to Sweet Saturday Samples, go 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

Fun Fact about Norse Mythology: The Rainbow Bridge

What is the rainbow bridge of Norse mythology?  Called Bifröst, it’s a burning or shimmering rainbow that reaches from Midgard (ie: Earth) and Asgard, the world of supernatural beings known as Æsir.  The bridge ends at the residence of the god Heimdallr, who possesses foreknowledge, keen eyesight and hearing. He also has gold teeth. The scuttlebutt among scholarly types is that the Rainbow Bridge may represent the Milky Way.

How did I work the Rainbow Bridge into The Druid?

I took advantage of the fact the myths, legends and beliefs comprising Norse mythology went through two centuries of oral preservation before ever being written down anywhere.  In other words, things might have been garbled, exaggerated or distorted over the years.  Think about the tall tales told about a relatively recent historical figure, George Washington.  He admitted to his father having chopped down the cherry tree because he couldn’t tell a lie?  Never happened.

The Rainbow Bridge plays a large part in The Druid, but not in the way you might think.  To find out more, look for The Druid on April 20^th.

Any resemblance to actual Norse mythology is purely accidental.

~ S.G. Rogers

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.

Coming Friday, April 20th from Musa Publishing.

Fresh Fairytale. Timeless Romance.

The Magical Misperception of Meridian

Excerpt:

On the final day of the term, a fancy horse-drawn carriage waited in front of school, flying the royal flag of Meridian. Rumors and speculation about an illustrious visitor ran rampant through the school halls. Just after the beginning bell rang, however, Jona was called to the office of the headmaster, Mr. Widgette. The blood left her face, and rightly so. Getting that sort of summons was never a good sign.

“What did you do?” Fiona whispered, but Jona had no reply.

Many of her schoolmates gave her a sympathetic smile as she left the classroom, but Quinton smirked. Jona smirked back. With an air of resignation, she trudged down the hall to meet her doom. She’d only been called to the headmaster’s office once before, when she’d accidentally poured ink down Chet Bettle’s pants for calling Holly stuck up. If she’d somehow managed to get expelled on the last day of school, her mother was not going to be pleased.

Upon entering Mr. Widgette’s office, Jona saw a strange little man sitting in a chair, dressed in an expensive suit. The headmaster rose from behind his desk.

“This is Mr. Phipps, Queen Gaia’s representative,” he said, without ceremony.

Proper etiquette demanded she acknowledge the man in some fashion, so Jona gave him a wobbling curtsy. Then, feeling foolish, she wondered if she ought to have offered him her hand instead.

“Jona, Mr. Phipps wishes to have a word with you,” Mr. Widgette said.

In the silence that followed, Jona waited for someone to start laughing and let her in on the joke, but nobody did.

“Miss Haever, Queen Gaia would consider it a personal favor if you would live at the castle for the summer and assist her in a matter of some delicacy. In return, you would be paid a salary, and your parents’ tea shop would be awarded the royal Seal of Approval,” Mr. Phipps said.

A relieved grin spread across Jona’s features. “That’s very generous, sir, but I think you must be looking for my sister, Holly. I’ll go fetch her if you’d like.”

“We are most definitely looking for you, Miss Jona Haever,” Mr. Phipps said. “Mr. Widgette has agreed to release you from school this morning. If you would be so kind as to accompany me, we will drive to the Haever Tea Shop and discuss the matter with your parents.”

Romantic fantasy novelette available at Amazon & MuseItUp Publishing