12 Days of Christmas with Caryn Moya Block
For our third day of the 12 Days of Christmas, please welcome Caryn Moya Block to the blog 
Christmas Lycan Style
By Caryn Moya Block
You would never guess how much research I do for my series, The Siberian Volkov Romance Series. Most would assume that since I write about “Werewolves” I could justify writing as much fantasy as I wished.
However, I want my world grounded in reality as much as possible. So when I decided to write “A Siberian Werewolf Christmas” I needed to research how Christmas is celebrated in Russia.
First of all Christmas in Russia is most widely celebrated on January 7, according to the Orthodox calendar. New Year’s Day, January 1st, precedes the Russian Christmas and is celebrated as a more important holiday. Being suppressed by the communist government for over seventy years, Christmas, like other religious festivals, did not have any special importance in Russia. Christmas was in fact replaced by the “Festival of Winter” in those times.
Ded Moroz is the Russian equivalent of our Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be “Old Man Frost”, although the name is often translated as “Father Frost” in light of the modern usage of “ded” to refer to a grandfather. Ded Moroz is said to bring presents to children, however, unlike the secretive Santa Claus, the gifts are often delivered “in person”, at New Year’s Eve Parties or New Year’s Day celebrations. He is normally accompanied by “Snegurochka” or “Snow Maiden” who is his granddaughter.
Also, according to legend, Baboushka, is an old woman who set out to visit Baby Jesus with some gifts, and still visits each house during Christmas leaving gifts for good children. Which one a family chooses as their tradition is unknown.
My Lycans are hidden away in Siberia and so I needed to research the regional differences. In the Sakha Republic “Chys Khan” is known as the master of cold, accompanied by the snow maiden “Khaarchana”.
Finally, there is the fact that Lycans, like the native peoples of the Sakha Republic, are Shamanic in how they view the world. So I included the pagan tradition of burning a “Yule Log” to the story.
I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit of the cultural differences that went into making “A Siberian Werewolf Christmas”. For your enjoyment, I also wrote a Lycan 12 Days of Christmas Carol. If you are familiar with my series, the lyrics will have a special meaning.
12 Days of Christmas Lycan Style
On the First day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: a mating bond attached to my heart.
On the Second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: two twin girls.
On the Third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Three cozy dens.
On the Fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Four Lada-Nivas.
On the Fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Five Asena Blessings.
On the Sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Six pack members mated.
On the Seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Seven young pups playing.
On the Eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Eight English pack members.
On the Ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Nine cakes of Pryaniki.
On the Tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Ten bowls of Kutya.
On the Eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Eleven Pork Steaks.
On the Twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Twelve Christmas Wishes.
Finally, to win a 12 days of Christmas Charm Bracelet, A paperback copy of “A Siberian Werewolf Christmas”, a wolf Christmas ornament and swag pack. Answer the following question: What is your favorite Christmas tradition and why?
A Siberian Werewolf Christmas
Margaret Brady knows she must be out of her mind to go to Siberia for Christmas. But her intuition won’t let her turn down the invitation of her best friend, Violet Volkov. When she meets the good looking Vyacheslav Putyatinov, she knows just what she wants for Christmas.
Vyacheslav “Slava” Putyatinov thinks any human woman coming to the Siberian Lycan village will be trouble. But one unmated could be a disaster. When he is put in charge of the American siren he finds trouble can lead to desire.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/ejxHxkowBiY
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/siberian-werewolf-christmas/id744693804?mt=11&uo=4
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFU6MWE
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Siberian-Werewolf-Christmas-Romance-ebook/dp/B00GFU6MWE
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-siberian-werewolf-christmas-caryn-moya-block/1117318101?ean=2940148875826&itm=1&usri=2940148875826
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/374608
About the Author:
Caryn Moya Block burst onto the paranormal romance scene with her debut e-book Alpha’s Mate in January of 2012. She was named one of the “Top 50 Indie Authors for April 2012” from E-Reader Reviews, and won the “Global E-book Awards for 2012” in contemporary romance. Caryn loves romantic movies and stories that end “Happily Ever After.” She is an avid reader and writer who currently resides in the Virginia Piedmont. Her pack consists of her husband of over thirty years, two grown sons, a beautiful daughter in law, and granddaughter, one cat, one turtle, and four Shetland Sheepdogs. She suffers from “Multiple Sheltie Syndrome”, because one is never enough. She has been intrigued with the paranormal since seeing her first ghost at three years of age. She would love to hear from you at CarynMoyaBlock@gmail.com
