Guest Post by Nicola Marsh
BELTANE
I had to extensively research Celtic legends and the calendar to write SCION OF THE SUN. It was intriguing. And discovering the importance of Beltane made my imagination spark.
Technically, Beltane is the Gaelic May Day festival, held on 1st May. It’s one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals, including Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh. Beltane marks the beginning of summer and special bonfires are lit, with the flames said to have protective powers. Fires in households are be doused and re-lit from the Beltane bonfire.
With Holly’s link to Belenus, the sun god, and her affinity for heat, I knew Beltane had to take centre stage in the book.
In SCION OF THE SUN, festival-goers wear white robes made from cambric and crown made from their tree sign. They leave produce offerings (fruit, vegetables and flowers). And they extinguish their candles at dawn, before relighting from Bel’s fire (which never goes out
In the book, Beltane is also where Holly is inducted into the Sorority of the Sun. It’s a big deal. And then it goes horribly wrong…
For a writer, it’s so satisfying when researching one topic (in this case, druids and Celtic legends) sparks an entire plot thread.
I had a ball.
About the Book:
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Summary-
When she least expects it, sixteen-year-old Holly Burton’s unremarkable life is shaken to the core. A vision of the mother Holly never knew leaves her questioning everything she believes.
Eager for answers, Holly enrolls at a boarding school for highly gifted students in Wolfebane, New Hampshire. But Holly's complicated life worsens when she accidentally transports to a parallel existence where she's confronted by a dark and ancient evil.
With the help of Joss, a sexy alpha warrior sworn to protect her, and her new BFF, the equally swoon-worthy Quinn, Holly faces her fears and an unlikely adversary in a showdown that is worse than anything she could’ve possibly imagined
Eager for answers, Holly enrolls at a boarding school for highly gifted students in Wolfebane, New Hampshire. But Holly's complicated life worsens when she accidentally transports to a parallel existence where she's confronted by a dark and ancient evil.
With the help of Joss, a sexy alpha warrior sworn to protect her, and her new BFF, the equally swoon-worthy Quinn, Holly faces her fears and an unlikely adversary in a showdown that is worse than anything she could’ve possibly imagined
Author Bio:
USA TODAY
bestselling author Nicola Marsh writes flirty fiction with flair for adults and
riveting, spooky stories for teens.
She has
published 43 contemporary romances with Harlequin, Entangled Publishing and
indie, and sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Her first mainstream romance
BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD was nominated for Romantic Book of the Year 2012. Her first
indie romance, CRAZY LOVE, was a 2012 ARRA finalist.
Her debut
young adult novel, a supernatural thriller BANISH, released with Harlequin Teen
August 2013, and her YA urban fantasy series kicks off with SCION OF THE SUN,
November 2013, with Month9Books.
She’s also
a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY (Romantic
Book of the Year) and National Readers’ Choice Award winner, and a
multi-finalist for a number of awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers’
Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath,
More than Magic and has also won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice
Awards.
A
physiotherapist for thirteen years, she now adores writing full time, raising
her two little heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, and her
favorite, curling up with a good book!
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I love reading books that are based on hard core research. They are more realistic and resonate in my mind. This is such a book. I cannot wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so interesting to me. I can't wait to read and review it :)
ReplyDeleteI love discovering "new" authors that have already published so many books so that I can read more of her work without waiting a year for the "next"book.
ReplyDelete