Linnea Tanner's Blog, page 46
July 15, 2018
M.J. Bell Author Interview
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M. J. Bell, Science Fiction & Fantasy Author
Introduction
It is my pleasure to introduce M. J. Bell, an award-winning Science Fiction & Fantasy author from Colorado. I met M.J. at the 2018 Denver Comic Con, where I had the opportunity to learn more about her books. Check out my Goodreads review for her newest time travel book, Next Time I See You, which was recently released.
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Denver Comic Con: Tony Soehner, M. J. Bell, & Linnea Tanner
M.J. Bell graciously accepted my invitation to interview. Below is her biography, responses to my interview questions, and ways you can contact her. Click on the book covers below to purchase her books at Amazon.
M.J. Bell Bio:
M.J. Bell is an award-winning author (Gold from Mom’s Choice Awards) of the Teen/YA Fantasy trilogy, Chronicles of the Secret Prince, and the Science Fiction & Fantasy, Next Time I See You.
Having escaped the mosquito-infested land of Iowa where she grew up, and the scorpion-infested land of Arizona where she was transplanted for way too long, she now lives happily ever after in Colorado, spreading magic wherever she can as a full-time writer, full-time babysitter, full-time cheerleader, full-time cook/housekeeper, and full-time taxi cab driver.
M.J. Bell Author Interiew
Would you provide an overview of the newest book that you have released this year?
Next Time I See You is about a University of Colorado student, Kat, whose life has been turned upside down by the murder of the man she planned to marry. She feels there is nothing left to live for until she encounters an intriguing stranger who leads her to the discovery of a time machine. Kat takes this as a sign and convinces herself that she is supposed to go back in time, kill the murderer, and then she will get back the life she was supposed to have and no one will be the wiser. Unfortunately, once she steps out of the time machine, she discovers it’s not that simple and things don’t quite go as she plans.
What inspired you to write Next Time I See You about time travel to the past so the main character can stop the tragedy of a mass murderer killing her beloved boyfriend and other victims.
I love time travels and have always wanted to write one. But I wanted to make it believable, which meant I needed a time machine that a normal, everyday kind of person could use. Regular people can’t just jump into a rocket ship and travel faster than the speed of light or close to a black hole or along the cosmic strings—those were the only ways physicists said one could time travel. But I kept searching and a couple years ago, I stumbled upon an article about a professor back East who had developed a hypothesis that stated light could bend the space time continuum into a loop in which a person could then travel forward in time. He was even working on building a real time machine. I was so excited. I had finally found a feasible way to get Kat back in time, and I immediately dropped the story I was in the process of writing and started Next Time I See You.
How much research is involved in writing your books? How did you go ABOUT researching the grieving process and common traits of a mass murderer in Next Time I See You.
I did a TON of research for this book, not only on time travel and quantum physics, but also on grieving and James Holmes, who I modeled my killer after. And I have to say, it was really hard. My brain is 100% creative and trying to make sense of the equations and technical terms of quantum physics would put my head in a spin in a matter of minutes! But the hardest part was researching Holmes and getting inside his head to make my killer real. It really affected me in not so good of ways reading and learning all that I did about him and I was so glad when I finished the book and could put that behind me.
Provide an overview of other books you have published.
I also have a fantasy trilogy out—The Chronicles of the Secret Prince. It’s about a young boy, Deston, who is lured into the mystical realm of Tir na-nÓg, where the fae reign. Merlyn the magician then persuades Deston to join the epic battle of the light VS the darkness. It’s a fun high fantasy with swords, battles, monsters, and a lot of King Arthur characters and references, because I’m a huge fan of the Arthurian legend. The three books in the trilogy are: Before the Full Moon Rises, Once Upon a Darker Time, and How Dark the Light Shines.
Do you have a favorite character from any of the books? Explain why.
Gosh, when I’m writing a book, that character is always my favorite. But I’m going to have to say that I really love Merlyn. He was also my favorite character in King Arthur, so that may have something to do with it. I didn’t like that he just rode away and disappeared in the Arthur legend and nothing more was ever said about him or what happened to him after. So I decided to bring him back in my books and let the world know just what did happen to Merlyn!
How often do your characters surprise you by doing or saying something totally unexpected?
Oh my gosh—ALL the time! I’m not an outliner, so my characters totally write their own stories. It’s as much of an adventure for me to write it down, as it is for my readers to read. (though something that gets a little stressful when I don’t know how a character is going to get out of a situation they’ve put themselves into!)
Have you received reactions/feedback to your work that has surprised you? In what way?
Actually, I have and the first instance that comes to mind was a real shock to me. Someone reading Next Time I See You immediately took a disliking to Kat and thought she was a horrible person because she was going back in time to kill someone. This reader didn’t understand how broken Kat was and that the complicated grief she was going through affected her way of thinking. Kat never want to kill anyone and it tortured her to think about doing so, but she couldn’t see any other way to stop the mass shooting. And though Kat isn’t a real person, it bothered me that she was seen as a bad person, when I know she isn’t.
Do you have any other books planned? If so, would you give an overview of what the book(s) are about?
I am going back to the book I was writing when I learned about the time machine. It’s an urban fantasy with three young adults, and it’s title is, Three. Since I’ve picked it back up, though, I’ve decided to change it up a bit, so I’m still in the process of getting it put together and don’t really have a full overview of it yet. But it’s going to involve an ancient alien race, pyramids, special powers, and a villain, of course, and that’s about all I can say for sure at this point.
If you could have one skill that you don’t currently have, what would it be?
I would love to know how to paint or draw. One of my sons is an amazing artist, though he doesn’t believe he is. But I love art and am in awe of those who can bring their imagination to life on a canvas—like my trilogy cover artist, Aria Keehn. She’s an amazing talent and I love her work.
What might we be surprised to learn about you?
I didn’t read as a kid, other than what was required of me for school. I was too busy playing outside, riding my bike, spending my summers on my aunt’s farm with the animals and all the chores involved with that to read. I was in my thirties before the reading bug hit me and then it hit me HARD, and I couldn’t get enough. Still can’t get enough!
What simple pleasure makes you smile?
Spending time with my kids. They’re all grown now and so I don’t have to be so much of a mother around them and can just enjoy them for the amazing people they have grown to be. Nothing brings me more pleasure.
You can contact M.J. Bell as follows:
Books by M.J. Bell can be purchased at Amazon. To purchase, click on the book cover below.
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Chronicles of the Secret Prince (3 Book Series) by M. J. Bell
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Next Time I See You by M.J. Bell
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July 10, 2018
Book Review Next Time I See You by M.J. Bell
Next Time I See You by M J Bell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Next Time I See You by M.J. Bell is a contemporary science fiction, time travel story with elements of romance. It is a story of a young Colorado woman, Kat, whose life is shattered when the love of her life is senselessly killed in a mass murder. After more than a year, Kat has “complicated grief” and is struggling to get her life together. In a deja vous moment, she is strangely attracted to a young man, who she follows to a University of Colorado physics lecture where advances in a time machine are discussed. After that, she becomes obsessed with traveling back in time to stop the mass murderer from killing her boyfriend and the other victims in the heinous crime. When Kate finally finds the way to travel back in time, the suspense heightens. She only has a limited a time to stop the mass murderer. The tale takes unexpected twists and the ending will tug at your emotions.
Author M.J. Bell has masterfully crafted a story that is both suspenseful and poignant. It is obvious the author has done research on the grieving process and the common traits of a mass murderer. The story is told from first person perspective of Kat in the present, but then switches to third person in the past to introduce another character who aids her. The story is relevant to our modern times and shows the perspective of a person who has lost a loved one in the heart-breaking tragedy of a mass murder. It is rare that a book moves me like this one. It is thought-provoking and has a universal message that a person can survive a tragedy and still find love and meaning. It asks the age-old question as to whether events in life are fated or do we have the ability to change what happens to us.
I highly recommend this book to both adults and mature young adults who like the elements of science fiction and romance which are relevant for our times.
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July 2, 2018
Curse of Clansmen and Kings on the Horizon
Changes are on the horizon for my epic Celtic series now titled Curse of Clansmen and Kings. Although the award-winning tale in Book 1: Apollo’s Raven will remain the same, it will premiere a new book cover in the near future that will reflect the heroine journey of the Celtic Warrior Princess Catrin and her relationship with Marcellus—the great-grandfather of Marc Antony. The series will follow the star-crossed lovers whom are partly based on the legacy of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, but with a Celtic twist.
Book 1: Apollo’s Raven Book Cover Reveal
Based on the feedback I’ve received, below is the final front cover for Apollo’s Raven:
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Newly Revised Apollo’s Raven Book Cover
A Celtic warrior princess is torn between her forbidden love for the enemy and duty to her people.
AWARD-WINNING APOLLO’S RAVEN sweeps you into an epic Celtic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. In 24 AD British kings hand-picked by Rome to rule are fighting each other for power. King Amren’s former queen, a powerful Druid, has cast a curse that Blood Wolf and the Raven will rise and destroy him. The king’s daughter, Catrin, learns to her dismay that she is the Raven and her banished half-brother is Blood Wolf. Trained as a warrior, Catrin must find a way to break the curse, but she is torn between her forbidden love for her father’s enemy, Marcellus, and loyalty to her people. She must summon the magic of the Ancient Druids to alter the dark prophecy that threatens the fates of everyone in her kingdom.
Will Catrin overcome and eradicate the ancient curse? Will she be able to embrace her forbidden love for Marcellus? Will she cease the war between Blood Wolf and King Amren and save her kingdom?
You will be informed where to purchase APOLLO’S RAVEN with the next cover beginning in August on my website. The availability of the digital books will include more online choices.
Book 2: Dagger’s Destiny Book Cover Reveal
Book 2 in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series will now be titled DAGGER’S DESTINY. Subscribers will have an opportunity to win free advance copies of this book before it is released to the general public on October 1. The book cover for this book is shown below. Its theme is in keeping with Book 1: Apollo’s Raven.
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Book 2: Dagger’s Destiny Front Cover
A Celtic warrior princess accused of treason for aiding her enemy lover must win back her father’s love and trust.
In the rich and vibrant tale, author Linnea Tanner continues the epic tale of Catrin and Marcellus that began with the award-winning novel APOLLO’S RAVEN in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings Series.
War looms over 24 AD Britannia where rival tribal rulers fight each other for power and the Romans threaten to invade to settle their political differences. King Amren accuses his daughter, Catrin, of treason for aiding the Roman enemy and her lover, Marcellus. The ultimate punishment is death unless she can redeem herself. She must prove loyalty to her father by forsaking Marcellus and defending their kingdom—even to the death. Forged into a warrior, she must overcome tribulations and make the right decisions in her quest to break the curse that foretells her banished half-brother and the Roman Empire will destroy their kingdom.
Yet, when Catrin again reunites with Marcellus, she is torn between her love for him and duty to King Amren. She must ultimately face her greatest challenger that could destroy her life, freedom, and humanity.
Will Catrin finally break the ancient prophecy that looms over her kingdom? Will she abandon her forbidden love for Marcellus to win back her father’s trust and love: Can King Amren balance his brutality to maintain power for the love he feels for his daughter?
You will be informed on where to pre-order DAGGER’S DESTINY beginning in August on this website.
Radio Interview
I am pleased to announce that I was interviewed by Patricia (Pat) J. Rullo—an author, national radio talk show host, and a sought after speaker. In 2012, Pat teamed up with Salem Media Group to produce a radio talk show based on her book – Speak Up and Stay Alive, the patient advocate hospital survival guide. The radio program became a broadcast success through Salem and other stations across the United States, including iHeart Radio and over 5,000 stations via XDS Cumulus Satellite.
At Speak Up Talk Radio Network, the interview is available on ‘live streaming’ combined with ‘on demand.’ Below are links where you can listen to the interview:
Speakuptalkradio Linnea Tanner Interview
iheart radio podcast Linnea Tanner Interview
Thank you for your continued support and joining me on the heroine mythological journey of Catrin in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings Series.
Best wishes,
Linnea Tanner
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June 15, 2018
APOLLO’S RAVEN Free Amazon Limited Time
I’m pleased to announce that APOLLO’S RAVEN is free on Kindle at Amazon for a limited time until June 16, 2018. The offer is extended to you to share my excitement and to celebrate that APOLLO’S RAVEN has won the Silver Medal in the 2018 eLit Book Award in Fantasy / Science Fiction. Be sure to take advantage of this offer by clicking on the book cover below:
Genre: Historical Fantasy, Fantasy Historical
A Celtic warrior princess is torn between her forbidden love for the enemy and duty to her people.
AWARD-WINNING APOLLO’S RAVEN sweeps you into an epic Celtic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. In 24 AD British kings hand-picked by Rome to rule are fighting each other for power. King Amren’s former queen, a powerful Druid, has cast a curse that Blood Wolf and the Raven will rise and destroy him. The king’s daughter, Catrin, learns to her dismay that she is the Raven and her banished half-brother is Blood Wolf. Trained as a warrior, Catrin must find a way to break the curse, but she is torn between her forbidden love for the enemy and loyalty to her people. She must summon the magic of the Ancient Druids to alter the dark prophecy that threatens the fates of everyone in her kingdom.
Will Catrin overcome and eradicate the ancient curse? Will she be able to embrace her forbidden love for Marcellus? Will she cease the war between Blood Wolf and King Amren and save her kingdom?
Vision of Catrin, Celtic Warrior Princess
“If you’re looking for something entertaining with a fast, action-paced rhythm, Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner is a definite must. For a woman who is trying to figure out where she belongs in her world, this tale is relatable to other young women in our timeline who are also trying to figure out where they belong.”
—Literary Titan (Gold Book Award)
“Apollo’s Raven is a soaring epic that carries its audience on an adventure full of ancient magic, passionate romance, and political intrigue.” —IndieReader (IndieApproved)
Thank you for your continued support and helping me to celebrate!
Best wishes,
Linnea Tanner
Linnea Tanner, Author, Apollo’s Raven
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June 10, 2018
Celtic Sovereignty Goddess
When I was writing the second book, Dagger’s Destiny, in the renamed series, Curse of Clansmen and Kings, the story went into a direction I had not anticipated. It is based on the concept of the Celtic sovereignty goddess. The goddess associated with the land confers kingship upon a mortal man whom she decides is worthy to rule. The sacred marriage ritual of the sovereignty goddess is hinted in The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The mystical Morgaine is chosen as a symbol of the Goddess to sleep with her brother, Arthur, and confer kingship to him.
Below is an overview of some of the mythology and rituals associated with the Celtic sovereignty goddess.
Celtic Sovereignty Goddess
The idea that the divine female personifies sovereignty is persistent in early Irish mythology. She is the goddess of the land, the spirit or essence of Ireland itself. Fortunes, fertility, and prosperity of her territories depend upon her guardianship. The Celtic sovereignty goddess legitimizes a mortal king by marrying or having sex with him. Stone carvings of a divine couple representing the Goddess of the land and the mortal king have been found in ancient Celtic regions of France, United Kingdom, and Ireland. The goddess often carries a cornucopia, a symbol of abundance. Her male companion often bears a spear, a symbol of protection.
The Celts and Roman venerated the horse-goddess Epona as a protector of their soldiers and their mounts. She represents the well-being of the tribal land with domestic prosperity and fertility. However, lands must be protected and defended through warfare. Both Romans and Celts prayed to Epona to protect their horses used in battle.
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Epona and her horses
The nature of the Celtic Sovereignty Goddesses is dynamic and complex. She is responsible for the fertility of the land. In this role, she symbolized sexual promiscuity and polyandry. Her marriage to several successive mortal kings is not the result of unbridled sexual appetite but the need to choose the best consort for the benefit of the realm. Sexual prowess and the ability to shape-shift were also frequently linked. For instance, Morrigan had the power to transform herself into a raven.
Many of the sovereignty war goddesses were represent as triplicate goddesses with different functions. She was first and foremost a goddess of war and destruction, but was also strongly linked with fertility and sovereignty.
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Stone Carving of Celtic Triplicate Goddesses at Bath
Sacral Kingship
A key aspect to the Irish sovereignty myth was the sacred marriage. It is the ritual union of the goddess of the land with the mortal king. The key element of the sacred marriage—and kingship—was the consummation between the king and the goddess of the territory he was to rule over. The goddess only enters this marriage if the king is suitable, and even after marriage, she can reject a weak ruler in favor of a man who is better suited.
The ritual of the goddess handing the sacred goblet of wine to the king symbolizes his sacred partnership with his kingdom. Their sexual union legitimizes his rule over the land, which should as a result make the kingdom prosper. The goddess Eriu, after whom Erin (Ireland) is named, gives her mate a golden cup of wine, interpreted by some as symbolic of the sun.
Mebd of Connacht
One of the best known figures in Irish mythology is Medb from the Ulster Cycle. She is a queen-goddess who emerges as the great Connacht leader of the conflict with the neighboring province of Ulster. She is sexually vigorous and a warrior, with the death-dimension seen in the Irish Goddesses Macha and the Morrigan. She emerges as a powerful ruler with substantial wealth and leads her kingdom’s army as a battle-commander in the campaigns against Ulster. Mebd would ride her chariot around the battlefield, encouraging her soldiers. She started quarrels and bribed warriors to take up arms against friends and relatives. She glorified in war, bloodshed, and destruction; she was the essence of death. She mated with nine kings and allowed no man to rule at the royal court of Tara unless he slept with her.
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Mebd of Connacht in Chariot
Mebd is interpreted as “she who intoxicates,” and is associated with mead. Drinking of liquor emboldens the warriors with a fighting temperament and symbolizes the union of the sovereignty goddess with the mortal ruler. Given the close relationship between inauguration and drinking, part of the king’s inauguration involved his intoxication (at the hands of the goddess, in the process of their marriage). The ritual drunkenness during inauguration opens the king up to an ecstatic state in which he is lifted out of himself in the hope of contacting with the divine. The drink itself is representative of sovereignty. Accepting the drink being served by the goddess of the land is the same as accepting the kingship.
Conclusion
The Celtic goddesses were guardians and protectors of the land. Much of the power of these goddesses stemmed from their sexuality. Sexual energy was not only linked to fertility and abundance, but it was also associated with warfare, sovereignty, and healing. They were powerful entities that embraced the entire religious spectrum: from warfare to healing; from sovereignty to destiny; from creation to destruction. They could be capricious and vengeful but also gentle and benevolent. Their treatment of humans depended on the respect shown to them.
References
Miranda Green, Celtic Goddesses: Warriors, Virgins, and Mothers; British Museum Press, London, 1995.
http://www.juleswatson.com/myth.html
Thank you for your continued support.
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Best wishes,
Linnea Tanner
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May 23, 2018
New Vision Apollo’s Raven
The Apollo’s Raven series is undergoing exciting new changes, which I hope will help distinguish it as an epic Celtic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Pre-Arthurian Britannia.
Based on feedback and reviewer comments on Book 1: Apollo’s Raven, the series will be re-titled Curse of Clansmen and Kings to highlight a continuing theme that a curse looms over the families of the Celtic heroine, Catrin, and her Roman lover, Marcellus.
The term, “clansmen” is often associated with Celtic traditions. However, Roman names such as Gaius Julius Caesar consisted of a personal name (praenomen), a clan name (nomen), and a family name (cognomen). For Marcellus, a curse looms over his clan name of Antonius in which his forefathers—great-grandfather, Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) and grandfather, Iullus Antonius—were brought down as a consequence of their liaisons with powerful women.
Catrin’s father, a Celtic king in Britannia, also lives under a shadow of a curse cast by his former queen, a powerful Druidess.
Title of Books Revealed in Curse of Clansmen and Kings Series
The title of books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series are revealed below.
Book 2: Dagger’s Destiny
A Celtic warrior princess accused of treason for aiding her enemy lover must win back her father’s love and trust
Book cover soon to be revealed!
Book to be launched on October 1, 2018.
Book 3: Amulet’s Rapture
The overpowering forbidden love between a Celtic warrior princess and Roman nobleman supersedes their loyalties to families and national traditions.
Book 4: Skull’s Vengeance
A Celtic warrior queen and her Roman lover join forces to take revenge on their enemies and to rise in power in each of their respective homelands.
Book 5: Raven’s Sacrifice
A Celtic warrior queen must make the ultimate sacrifice to save her Roman lover and their families from the forces of the debauched political corruption of the Roman Emperor Caligula.
New Book Cover Design Apollo’s Raven
Book 1: Apollo’s Raven will be relaunched at the end of August 2018 with a new book cover and series title, but will keep the same award-winning story. Help me decide what will be the new book cover that will capture the vision for this series. Vote for the cover design that you like the best below. Feel free to leave additional comments on what you think of the new vision for for the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series.
Revised Synopsis Apollo’s Raven
AWARD-WINNING APOLLO’S RAVEN sweeps you into an epic Celtic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. In 24 AD British kings hand-picked by Rome to rule are fighting each other for power. King Amren’s former queen, a powerful Druid, has cast a curse that Blood Wolf and the Raven will rise and destroy him. The king’s daughter, Catrin, learns to her dismay that she is the Raven and her banished half-brother is Blood Wolf. Trained as a warrior, Catrin must find a way to break the curse, but she is torn between her forbidden love for her father’s enemy, Marcellus, and loyalty to her people. She must summon the magic of the Ancient Druids to alter the dark prophecy that threatens the fates of everyone in her kingdom.
Will Catrin overcome and eradicate the ancient curse. Will she be able to embrace her forbidden love for Marcellus? Will she cease the war between Blood Wolf and King Amren and save her kingdom?
Vote for your favorite Book Cover Concept
Concept 1 Magical Hands
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Apollo’s Raven Cover Magical Hands
Concept 2: Forbidden Love
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Apollo’s Raven Cover Forbidden Love
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
Thank you for voting and for supporting the mythological adventure of Catrin and Marcellus in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings Series
Best wishes,
Linnea
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Linnea Tanner at Roman Wall in Colchester, England
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May 21, 2018
Book Review The Athenian Women
Below is my book review of The Athenian Women by Alessandro Barbero which was selected as an Editor’s Choice in the most recent Historical Newletter HNR Issue 84 (May 2018) and is posted on Goodreads.
The Athenian Women by Alessandro Barbero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Alessandro Barbero’s The Athenian Women is a complex tale highlighting the class struggles of women subjugated under a patriarchal system and of common citizens defending their democratic principles. It is set toward the end of the Peloponnesian War during the Athenian coup of 411 BC, when a short-lived oligarchy replaced the democratic government. The story centers around two humble farmers, veterans of the infamous battle of Mantinea, and their two daughters. When the men travel to Athens to see Aristophanes’ latest comedy, their daughters secretly accept an invitation by the son of a wealthy nobleman to visit his house. The story alternates between scenes depicting the enactment of the play by actors dressed as women to protest against misogyny and war, and the abuse carried out by three young noblemen on the two girls. These seemingly unrelated scenes and chance encounters ultimately tie together in a satisfying climax with unexpected twists.
Barbero masterfully uses the omniscient point of view to capture the universal message that common men can rise to defend their freedoms and effect change. It is also a compelling story of women’s valiant struggles to maintain their dignity in a misogynistic society. The author skillfully weaves the ancient Athenian culture and political backdrop into the dramatic storytelling. The scenes of the noblemen’s mistreatment of the two girls are at times disturbing and incite raw emotions, but leave a powerful impact for embracing the theme that oppressed men and women can find the courage to fight against the status quo. The story has modern-day relevance in which we must continue to defend our democratic principles against the corruption of power and wealth.
The Athenian Women is highly recommended for readers who enjoy compelling ancient historical fiction. I voluntarily reviewed this book for the Historical Novel Society, and the review is posted in the Historical Newsletter HNR Issue 84 (May 2018).
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May 15, 2018
Paperback Giveaway AuthorsXP
Greetings everyone. Check out the paperback giveaway (multi-genre) sponsored by AuthorsXP for a chance to win the grand prize of 45+ books. My historical fantasy, Apollo’s Raven, is included in the giveaway.
Win up to 45+ Paperback Books!
(1) Grand Prize “Gift Basket” of ALL Books!
(45+) Winners of Individual Books (randomly selected titles)
Winner of March/April Subscriber Giveaway
Congratulations to Jane Davis for being a winner of a signed, special edition hardcover of Apollo’s Raven in the March/April GIVEAWAY.
For those who would still like to subscribe and receive my newsletters, updated news, and blog posts, Click Here to subscribe and you’ll receive a free sample of Book 1: Apollo’s Raven as an added bonus.
Thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes,
Linnea Tanner
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April 13, 2018
Party Like a Celt: Festivals in Celtic Spirituality
Contributed Post
This post, Party Like a Celt: Festivals in Celtic Spirituality, was contributed by Jane Johnson, a freelance writer and editor. She has written for both digital and print across a wide variety of fields. Her main interest is exploring how people can improve their health and well being in their everyday life. And when she isn’t writing, Jane can often be found with her nose in a good book, at the gym or just spending quality time with her family.
Also check out Jane’s previous post, Exploring Magical Powers of the Celts, which was posted on this site.
Introduction
Like many other early civilizations, the Celts had their own myths and legends to describe how the world was created and run. They told stories of mythical creatures and wrote folk stories about their culture, which ultimately translated into many different popular fiction and movies. However, one of the most important things that the Celts did was celebrate their heritage. There are many celebrations throughout the Celtic calendar that embrace myths, spirituality, and what it truly means to be Celtic.
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Epona Surrounded by Horses
The Imbolc Festival
The first festival celebrated in the Celtic year is known as Imbolc. Held in February, the event marks the ending of winter and the resuming of the normal life that the winter had once put on hold. The name “Imbolc” comes from the Gaelic word, “Imbolg”, which translates to “in the belly”. This refers to the pregnancy of ewes and the Goddess that is celebrated during the festival. Brigid is a goddess associated with poetry and fertility. To entice her to enter their homes, Celts offered gifts such as food or tokens outside the door. If she came to visit, Brigid would bless the family with good spiritual health and physical wellbeing through her healing and fertility powers.
The Bealtaine Festival
Also known by some people as Gaelic May Day and Beltane, Bealtaine is held on the first day of May. The festival is held in honor of the God, Bel, and marks the beginning of summer and warmth. The most important aspect of this festival is the lighting of the Bealtaine fires that is meant to be a symbol of purification. Bealtaine is also a day in which otherworldly denizens can more easily cross into our world.
Beltane Fire Festival Red Men Wikipedia Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Lughnasa Festival
Lughnasa is the next festival in the calendar year and is held on August 1st. The main reason for this event is to appease the Sun God, Lugh. It all started as a day to honor his deceased mother, Taitlin, who had cleared Ireland’s fields to promote agriculture. During Lughnasa, the Celts worshiped Lugh and ensured a rich and prosperous crop for the upcoming season. The festival utilizes the first feast of crops gathered that year and also has matchmaking and athletic games for everyone to enjoy.
1905 illustration of Lugh’s bloodthirsty magical spear by H. R. Millar
Samhain Festival
The last Festival, Samhain, marks the beginning of winter. The festival is a time when the animals need to be brought back in from the pastures or slaughtered to provide for the rest of winter. It shares a few similarities with Bealtaine, as it involves special flames with purifying and protective powers. Samhain, much like Halloween in other cultures, is also a day when spirits and fairies can cross into our world.
Every culture has festivals that celebrate its traditions, myths, and spirits. Now that you know about the Celtic’s special events, why not expand your spiritual health and celebrate one this year?
Best wishes,
Linnea
Linnea Tanner, Author, Apollo’s Raven
The post Party Like a Celt: Festivals in Celtic Spirituality appeared first on Linnea Tanner - Author of Apollo's Raven.
April 10, 2018
Linnea Tanner Interview by AllAuthor
I’m excited to share my recent interview by AllAuthor which provides insight into my epic historical fantasy series: Apollo’s Raven. Book 1: Apollo’s Raven has been released and Book 2: Empire’s Anvil is planned for release in early Fall of 2018.
One of the questions in the interview which I most enjoyed answering was what made the father-daughter duo and the entire process of creating King Amren and Princess Catrin special. Their relationship is explored in Book 2: Empire’s Anvil as an integral part in the over-arching theme of balancing duty and love. Catrin must find a way to win back her father’s trust and love after he accuses her of treason for her forbidden love affair with the Roman enemy, Marcellus.
Click below for the full interview.
Author Linnea Tanner’s mother always gave her an assortment of books to read and emphasized the importance of education, inspiring her by myths and legends of powerful female warriors, sorceresses, and goddesses. Her fascination with Celtic lore began when she traveled to the United Kingdom on business trips. Linnea always wanted to be a writer, and originally took chemistry because she wanted to go into the medical field. Her degree in chemistry gave her the background and discipline for her writing. One of her favorite mythological characters is Welsh goddess, Rhiannon. Characters, to her, are a mixture of her own creation and traits she observes in herself and other people. Read full interview…
Presentation Historical Southern England
As part of the adult programming at Windsor-Severance Library, I will be presenting a slide show of my adventures to Southern England where I visited places described in the Apollo’s Raven Series. If you are in the northern Colorado area, please join me on a journey through southeast England from the time of the Roman and Saxon invasions, through medieval times, and up to World War II. You will be given a tour of the historical highlights of Dover, Bath and beyond. No registration required. Click below for more information.
Well-Traveled: Historical Southern England you’ll be giving at the Windsor-Severance Library on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
GIVEAWAYS For Select E-mail Subscribers
The winner of the March GIVEAWAY of the signed copy of Apollo’s Raven has been selected and will be announced once the gift is claimed.
Monthly GIVEAWAYS will continue for subscribers of my select e-mail list until the release and launch of Book 2: Empire’s Anvil in Fall. GIVEAWAYS will include Amazon gift cards and e-books and autographed printed books of Apollo’s Raven.
Click here to subscribe to my newsletter.
Thank you for your continued support and patience during the maintenance of my website in March.
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Best Wishes,
Linnea
The post Linnea Tanner Interview by AllAuthor appeared first on Linnea Tanner - Author of Apollo's Raven.
