Eva Gordon's Blog, page 5
September 25, 2016
Eva's Letters of the alphabet. M is for Murder of Crows.
M is for Murder of Crow/Ravens.
A murder is a group of crows. You can say a murder of ravens (like crows, ravens fed on the remains after battles), but traditionally it’s a congress or unkindness of ravens. I love including raven shifters in my novels and prefer to say murder of ravens. It just sounds so deliciously dark. For authors who write bird shifters here is a link to bird collectives from the Palomar Audubon Society.
http://palomaraudubon.org/collective.html
Book 2 in my After the Bane series features a raven shifter.Amazon
A murder is a group of crows. You can say a murder of ravens (like crows, ravens fed on the remains after battles), but traditionally it’s a congress or unkindness of ravens. I love including raven shifters in my novels and prefer to say murder of ravens. It just sounds so deliciously dark. For authors who write bird shifters here is a link to bird collectives from the Palomar Audubon Society.
http://palomaraudubon.org/collective.html
Book 2 in my After the Bane series features a raven shifter.Amazon
September 12, 2016
Eva Gordon's Alphabet: L is for Listening as in Back to School Audio Book Giveaway Sept 12-16
Back to school Audio Book Celebration – ABC!
Enter now to win one of 34 great audio Paranormal romances guaranteed to make you howl! Stories feature sexy wolves, burly bears, vampires, dragons, witches, tigers, mages, ghosts, kick-ass heroines, superheroes, bodyguards, psychics, Greek gods, hauntings, enchantments, and much more! Date: Sept 12-16.Entry Link: https://goo.gl/forms/D53c6XhHPWjPgvuB2
Landing page for Facebook Hop: http://www.tashablack.com/abc
Listen to Sample of Alpha Wolf's Pet
Click HERE
August 28, 2016
K is for You have got to be Kid-ding me.
K is for Kid-ding
You’ve all heard of “adulting”, a term that has gone mainstream and means doing ‘adult’ things. Paying the bills, going to a 9-5 job, buying groceries, paying taxes…I can go on and on. Many people hate the term, which they rant is simply a term for “living”. Millennials or twenty-somethings love the term, but you know what? So do some baby boomers, like, me. Baby boomers protested against the establishment. How many young hippies wanted a 9-5 job where you had to cut your hair and wear a suit? Or in the end, “sold out” by eventually becoming part of the establishment or “adulting”.
Anyway, I want to coin a new term, “kid-ding”, where an adult acts like a kid. You get to play like you once did as a ten year old kid. Coloring books, playing tag, dress-up sleepovers and other fun things kids do. Okay, I know, adults have hobbies where they get to have fun. But adults especially Americans tend to work longer hours and less vacation than other cultures. I think adults need more time to play or do more “kid-ding”. Life is too serious. “Kid-ding” is more than just doing a favorite weekend hobby. Children have that sense of wonder and joy. Ask questions. Discover. Imagination. Act like a child without being childish. Of late there are way too many adults in the media acting childish, but not enough simply being childlike. The way I see it, it’s important to act like a kid, without (another ‘k’ word) kvetching or whining.
So while people are kvetching about “adulting” I’ll be searching for clouds that look like dragons, finding polliwogs, pretending I'm a condor, or on a swing “kid-ding”.
You’ve all heard of “adulting”, a term that has gone mainstream and means doing ‘adult’ things. Paying the bills, going to a 9-5 job, buying groceries, paying taxes…I can go on and on. Many people hate the term, which they rant is simply a term for “living”. Millennials or twenty-somethings love the term, but you know what? So do some baby boomers, like, me. Baby boomers protested against the establishment. How many young hippies wanted a 9-5 job where you had to cut your hair and wear a suit? Or in the end, “sold out” by eventually becoming part of the establishment or “adulting”.
Anyway, I want to coin a new term, “kid-ding”, where an adult acts like a kid. You get to play like you once did as a ten year old kid. Coloring books, playing tag, dress-up sleepovers and other fun things kids do. Okay, I know, adults have hobbies where they get to have fun. But adults especially Americans tend to work longer hours and less vacation than other cultures. I think adults need more time to play or do more “kid-ding”. Life is too serious. “Kid-ding” is more than just doing a favorite weekend hobby. Children have that sense of wonder and joy. Ask questions. Discover. Imagination. Act like a child without being childish. Of late there are way too many adults in the media acting childish, but not enough simply being childlike. The way I see it, it’s important to act like a kid, without (another ‘k’ word) kvetching or whining.
So while people are kvetching about “adulting” I’ll be searching for clouds that look like dragons, finding polliwogs, pretending I'm a condor, or on a swing “kid-ding”.
June 20, 2016
So you want to date a shifter?
So you want to date a shifter?
Howlo Peeps, please comment by asking Luna Lupine advise about your shifter love interest or friend. For Newsletter Subscribers only Contest Or Sign up for Eva Gordon's Newsletter and then Comment to be entered to win a Proof Signed Copy of Slade (Paperback available soon for purchase). Second place winner will win an ebook copy of Slade.
My name is Luna Lupine and I'm an advice columnist for the Shifter Times.
I advise werewolves and shifters on anything from dating to fashionable easy wear with shifting in mind. I'm a wolf(see my photo below) shifter, but I help with all shifter dating issues.
I was invited by the fabulous Eva Gordon to advise you on the ins and out of having a relationship with a shifter. I am of the lycan persuasion and in a relationship with a bear shifter. My pack refuses to give their blessing, but hey, shift happens.
Today I will give a bit of advice and answer questions for all you humans who want to date a werewolf? Or any other shifter. Author Eva Gordon's characters have had to confront the problem with dating a werewolf and so my emphasis will be on dating werewolves. But I'm open to any shifter questions. Some of you want a big cuddly bear, others may want a steamy hot relationship with a dragon, tiger, lion, hawk, gargoyle, or even in Bayla’s case) Hand of Miriam), a golem.
Let's start with how can you tell if your boyfriend/girlfriend is a werewolf. Winks. Keep in mind, this will depend on the author's universe. Using he pronoun because I'm lazy. Answer each.
1. When you go out to eat he always orders a steak (medium rare). Avoids the salad, but seem to enjoy
berries.
2. He is anxious to leave before the full moon rises.
3. He growls when other men check you out.
4. Shaves often.
5. You often see a hint of fangs and feral like eyes.
6. He can see in total darkness.
7. Likes to stick his head out of the car window while you drive.
8. When you come home from work you find thick dog fur on your furniture, but you don't own a dog.
9. Loves going on long walks.
10. Postpones introducing you to his family.
11. When approaching his home, you hear howling.
12. Prefers wooden chopsticks over using silverware.
13. Never goes out on a full moon.
14. Has an uncanny ability to smell and hear things you don't.
15. He stalks you, or at least knows where you've been.
16. Your cat runs and hides when he comes over.
17. Tells you what full lips you have, the better to kiss you, what a nice round ass you have, the better to spank you...and on and on.
18. Hottest guy/girl you have ever dated. Muscular toned body as if he works out in the gym 24/7
19. During the heat of making love, he always says, MINE.
20. After having sex with him, he's pretty much ruined you for normal men.
If you have answered yes to at least five of these comments/questions you better get a place with a bigger yard. And please, seek my advice.
Dating a werewolf can have complications, but don't worry, finding out your boy friend is a big bad wolf is not always a bad thing. No need to run out and buy silver bullets, and adorn your door with garlic. Here are some examples.
Howlo Peeps, please comment by asking Luna Lupine advise about your shifter love interest or friend. For Newsletter Subscribers only Contest Or Sign up for Eva Gordon's Newsletter and then Comment to be entered to win a Proof Signed Copy of Slade (Paperback available soon for purchase). Second place winner will win an ebook copy of Slade.
My name is Luna Lupine and I'm an advice columnist for the Shifter Times.
I advise werewolves and shifters on anything from dating to fashionable easy wear with shifting in mind. I'm a wolf(see my photo below) shifter, but I help with all shifter dating issues.
I was invited by the fabulous Eva Gordon to advise you on the ins and out of having a relationship with a shifter. I am of the lycan persuasion and in a relationship with a bear shifter. My pack refuses to give their blessing, but hey, shift happens.
Today I will give a bit of advice and answer questions for all you humans who want to date a werewolf? Or any other shifter. Author Eva Gordon's characters have had to confront the problem with dating a werewolf and so my emphasis will be on dating werewolves. But I'm open to any shifter questions. Some of you want a big cuddly bear, others may want a steamy hot relationship with a dragon, tiger, lion, hawk, gargoyle, or even in Bayla’s case) Hand of Miriam), a golem.
Let's start with how can you tell if your boyfriend/girlfriend is a werewolf. Winks. Keep in mind, this will depend on the author's universe. Using he pronoun because I'm lazy. Answer each.
1. When you go out to eat he always orders a steak (medium rare). Avoids the salad, but seem to enjoy
berries.
2. He is anxious to leave before the full moon rises.
3. He growls when other men check you out.
4. Shaves often.
5. You often see a hint of fangs and feral like eyes.
6. He can see in total darkness.
7. Likes to stick his head out of the car window while you drive.
8. When you come home from work you find thick dog fur on your furniture, but you don't own a dog.
9. Loves going on long walks.
10. Postpones introducing you to his family.
11. When approaching his home, you hear howling.
12. Prefers wooden chopsticks over using silverware.
13. Never goes out on a full moon.
14. Has an uncanny ability to smell and hear things you don't.
15. He stalks you, or at least knows where you've been.
16. Your cat runs and hides when he comes over.
17. Tells you what full lips you have, the better to kiss you, what a nice round ass you have, the better to spank you...and on and on.
18. Hottest guy/girl you have ever dated. Muscular toned body as if he works out in the gym 24/7
19. During the heat of making love, he always says, MINE.
20. After having sex with him, he's pretty much ruined you for normal men.
If you have answered yes to at least five of these comments/questions you better get a place with a bigger yard. And please, seek my advice.
Dating a werewolf can have complications, but don't worry, finding out your boy friend is a big bad wolf is not always a bad thing. No need to run out and buy silver bullets, and adorn your door with garlic. Here are some examples.
June 15, 2016
J is for Journey (Author Eva Gordon's Alphabet)
J is for Journey
As in the classic journey a protagonist takes. Plenty of blogs, classes and books talk about the Hero's Journey narrative. The class I took used Star Wars to discuss the Hero's Journey.
To quote Joseph Campbell: "A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man."(Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces . Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1949. p.23.)
I'm a pantster( I write by the seat of my pants) not a plotter, yet my story always ends up as the classical Hero's Journey. Without even trying.
Trust me you don't want to be protagonist in my stories, because before you get your happily ever after and save mankind you have one intense journey.
For example, imagine waking up one morning to the zombie apocalypse. All you know is that you need to cross the country of flesh eating zombies to find your brother and niece. This is what happens to Dora in Apocalyptic Moon. Would you survive? I've got my vehicle but it sure would be nice to have a little help.
Blurb: Dora's journey begins.
Dr. Dora Adler's life has been in disarray since the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, but when she gets bitten by one of the undead, her whole world is turned upside down. Held captive in a secret underground lab, the tall, muscular hunk in the next cell is her only hope for salvation. Unfortunately, he claims to be a werewolf. Yeah, and she's supposedly a witch.Dirk Gunderson is an alpha Arbor pack werewolf. Captured and collared, he's sold to the zombie lab in hopes his blood serum can create a vaccine. He needs to escape, but not without the hot little brunette witch.In the midst of enemy werewolves and the hordes of undead, Dirk and Dora's sexual tension ignites a blaze hotter than the desert highway. Along their journey, they battle the inevitable: a werewolf must never take a witch as a mate.
Looking for a True Blood meets The Walking Dead read> Start your journey HERE
As in the classic journey a protagonist takes. Plenty of blogs, classes and books talk about the Hero's Journey narrative. The class I took used Star Wars to discuss the Hero's Journey.
To quote Joseph Campbell: "A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man."(Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces . Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1949. p.23.)
I'm a pantster( I write by the seat of my pants) not a plotter, yet my story always ends up as the classical Hero's Journey. Without even trying.
Trust me you don't want to be protagonist in my stories, because before you get your happily ever after and save mankind you have one intense journey.
For example, imagine waking up one morning to the zombie apocalypse. All you know is that you need to cross the country of flesh eating zombies to find your brother and niece. This is what happens to Dora in Apocalyptic Moon. Would you survive? I've got my vehicle but it sure would be nice to have a little help.
Blurb: Dora's journey begins.
Dr. Dora Adler's life has been in disarray since the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, but when she gets bitten by one of the undead, her whole world is turned upside down. Held captive in a secret underground lab, the tall, muscular hunk in the next cell is her only hope for salvation. Unfortunately, he claims to be a werewolf. Yeah, and she's supposedly a witch.Dirk Gunderson is an alpha Arbor pack werewolf. Captured and collared, he's sold to the zombie lab in hopes his blood serum can create a vaccine. He needs to escape, but not without the hot little brunette witch.In the midst of enemy werewolves and the hordes of undead, Dirk and Dora's sexual tension ignites a blaze hotter than the desert highway. Along their journey, they battle the inevitable: a werewolf must never take a witch as a mate.
Looking for a True Blood meets The Walking Dead read> Start your journey HEREJune 4, 2016
Eva Gordon's Alphabet: I is for Imagination
I is for Imagination
Imagination is the mind’s ability to be creative. Everyone has and uses their imagination, but writers, artists, dancers, and musicians use it as the driving force in their daily lives. As an author and a perpetual daydreamer, I am in a constant state of imagination. Don’t worry. I try not to daydream while driving, operating heavy machinery, or crossing a busy street. I still function in day to day life. However, malls often are imagined to be future dystopian worlds, or a hike in the forest becomes a path to Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother’s cottage. While standing in line at a grocery store, I study people and wonder what historical period they’d live in or whether I should classify them as an angel, vampire or werewolf? Fortunately, my mind brings me back to reality, but not for long.Once I sit to work on my novel, typical of a panster or a psychic channeler, I let my imagination create characters who let me know what’s up and create fantastical worlds. I also like to mix genres, because this really let’s my imagination go wild. Werewolves that are first born wolf before becoming human, werewolves that work for the Lycan Intelligence Agency, a golem that wakes up in a Victorian world, werewolves in fantasy historical stories, witches who combat zombies with the help of shifters, a woman who escapes Nazis and ends up in an alternate magical earth are just a few examples of how my brain works.
Me sitting in a wine cellar that inspired my underground werewolf caverns.Final thought of the day.
Sticks and stones might break my bones, but my imagination will turn them into cyborg limbs so you better start running.
May 21, 2016
H is for Hero/Heroine
Hero and Heroines in my novels are often flawed, but on their journey they develop courage to battle adversity and finally earn their happily ever after. I will focus on Bayla, the heroine from my Bayla and the Golem Novels.
Bayla Gideon is a bluestocking(an intellectual or literary woman). She is obsessed with archaeology and natural history. I like women who show their strength by breaking barriers(in this case the Victorian view of a woman's place) to follow their passions. Smart women. Brains always beats brawn. Like most of my heroines, Bayla has a wry sense of humor. A sense of humor is a must. If you can't laugh at yourself, why not laugh at the bad guys/gals?
Typical of my heroines, Bayla gets into trouble. While on an archaeological expedition, Bayla finds an ancient Hand of Miriam or a hamsa, a small amulet shaped like a hand and embedded with an eye on the palm. It is common amulet used to ward off evil or the evil eye.
Bayla can now detect evil. On her return to England, she must deal with reading peoples negative thoughts and the ire of other kind creatures.
Danger lurks everywhere and despite her flaws and fears, she will use her gift for good. Click below to watch a teaser.
Watch Book Trailer for Bayla and the Golem Duology
Click to view Book 1 on Amazon Click to view Book 2 on Amazon
May 10, 2016
May 6, 2016
Author Eva Gordon's Crazy Alphabet G is for Golem Giveaway (Choice of golem ebook) Must comment
G is for Golem Giveaway: How to enter.Comment at end of article, about what you would do if you had a golem of your own. Smash your enemies or pick up your kids for soccer practice? Feel free to be creative. One commenter will win his/her choice of one of my three ebook novels that include a golem as one of the characters. Winner will be selected on May 13.
The golem character is based on the Jewish mythology that tells of a creature magically made of inanimate matter such as clay or mud. Golem myths date back to early Judaism and there are many versions of a golem story.
The most famous story is the Golem of Prague. In the late 16 century, Rabbi Lowe created the golem to guard the Jewish ghetto against pogroms (massacres of Jewish people) There are numerous other versions, including one in which the golem falls in love and becomes violent. A 1915 silent horror film about the golem, titled Der Golem has a very funky looking golem. Reminded me of Frankenstein.
I had a chance to visit the Altneuschul synagogue in Prague where the golem is said to reside.
Unfortunately, he was sound asleep when I was there. But I did have a chance to bring home a replica of the golem.
I love the golem so I pursued the golem as a minor character in my fantasy novel, The Stone of the Tenth Realm. The golem of Prague helps Sophie enter into the Tenth Realm in order to escape the Nazis.
If you like fantasy novels : Click to visit on Amazon
The golem is the hero in my Bayla and the Golem steampunk paranormal romance novels, Hand of Miriam (Book 1) and Her Majesty’s Witch(Book 2) My main character, Bayla Gideon is a British Jew who discovers she has an ability to detect evil. Faced with dangers, I team her up with the ultimate automaton protector, the Golem of Prague.
My golem is based on a mixture of several versions, but I added my own new twist into the old legend and explain who the golem really is. I loved the romance between Bayla and Gesher (Emmet) the golem.
To find out more about Bayla and the Golem Novels Click to Amazon for Hand of Miriam or pre-order Her Majesty's Witch. You can also visit on iBooks, Barnes and Noble or Kobo.
May 4, 2016
Eva Gordon's Crazy Alphabet : Letter E is for Epic list of European Words for Werewolf
E is for Epic European list of the word Werewolf in various European Languages
You have probably seen this list before, but I wanted to post it to show how universal the concept of the werewolf happens to be.
Albania (oik) , France (loup-garou), Greece (lycanthropos), Spain, Mexico (hombre lobo), Bulgaria (valkolak), Turkey (kurtadam), Czech Republic/Slovakia (vlkodlak), Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia(vukodlak / вукодлак), Russia(vourdalak , оборотень), Ukraine(vovkulak(a), vurdalak(a), vovkun, перевертень), Croatia (vukodlak), Poland(wilkołak), Romania (vârcolac, priculici), Macedonia (vrkolak), Scotland (werewolf, wulver), England (werewolf), Ireland (faoladh or conriocht), Germany (Werwolf), the Netherlands (weerwolf), Denmark/Sweden/Norway (Varulv), Norway/Iceland (kveld-ulf,varúlfur), Galicia(lobisón), Portugal (lobisomem), Lithuania (vilkolakis and vilkatlakis), Latvia(vilkatis and vilkacis), Andorra(home llop), Hungary (Vérfarkas and Farkasember), Estonia (libahunt), Finland (ihmissusi and vironsusi), and Italy (lupo mannaro).
