<>

Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

a family tree rooted in secrets - Dreadlands: Wolf Moon by Jaimie Engle

Leif Erikson abandoned the settlement in Labrador, Canada, when the ferine attacked and murdered his small crew. A band of families stayed behind to rebuild. Now, the Wolf Moon approaches, a single night when the ferine’s binds to the Dreadlands are broken, freeing them to hunt. 

Description:

Release Date: April 22nd, 2016

With a grandmother who is unnatural, an anxious mother, and a missing father, Arud’s family tree is rooted in secrets.

Leif Erikson abandoned the settlement in Labrador, Canada, when the ferine attacked and murdered his small crew. A band of families stayed behind to rebuild. Now, the Wolf Moon approaches, a single night when the ferine’s binds to the Dreadlands are broken, freeing them to hunt. But when one appears beneath Arud’s window, his mother rushes him off, urging him to take care of his sister whose sickness grows worse. His world is shaken and family deceptions unravel, when Arud learns his sister may be the key in a century old prophecy. The stakes are raised, and getting safely to the city in the sea becomes more than a quest. It becomes survival.

GUEST POST
Never too old for myths, folklore and fantasy

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. It really means a lot to be able to do what I love, and having people help share my passion, makes the journey so much more fun. This is a great topic for me, as I tend to write history into my novels. The lessons in myths and folklore are based in the very human design we all share. They unite us. They explain the world we live in. They highlight where we are alike as humanity; our fears, our joys, our future. They enable authors to create vivid, round characters that the reader feels like they already know, because they recognize themselves on the pages. 

In my novel DREADLANDS: Wolf Moon, a Viking boy leads his sister across the realm before the full moon rises, releasing the ferine--arctic shifting wolves--from their binds to the Dreadlands. It’s my take on werewolves. But to be in a Viking culture, there needs to be focus on the Norse mythology that so many believed in at that time in history, which I include in the prayers and daily rituals of the characters. I researched the history of Leif Eriksson to determine the setting and give the motive for the existence of this people, claiming that he landed on the shores of Labrador, Canada, built a settlement, and thrived until these creatures began to show and kill. He decided to leave, but a small band of settlers stayed behind, and two-hundred years later, this civilization is nearing it’s apocalypse. This is the setting for Arud and his sister, Lykke.

Arud is a typical Viking, although his faith in the lore and myths is shaken by the idea of god. As we do in this day, he questions things like death, love, and sacrifice; god, prophecy, and faith. These issues are not explainable, no matter how intelligent our world becomes. Why is there death? What binds love? Is prophecy truth or a result of faith? 

Mankind has always tried to explain the unexplainable, and having the opportunity to explore these thoughts through fiction is one of the greatest parts about being an author. In the second novel in the series, DREADLANDS: Blood Moon, I plan to incorporate Mayan lore through the god Camazotz, and attribute the classic monster rules of vampires to the story. DREADLANDS: Snow Moon will utilize Inuit mythology with Tornarssuk, the polar bear associated with re-birth as I present my take on the zombie culture. Classic monsters, weaved with history, set in Viking era Canada. 

In this way, myths, folklore, and fantasy are the foundation of a young adult series with the intention of inspiring, empowering, and educating the reader. I love to write and I love to teach, so my novels will always carry elements of education and social issues hidden beneath some fantasy adventure or horror story, because those are the types of books I love to read. 

Thank you so much for opening your blog to me and allowing me to introduce myself to your followers. I am honored to be able to write and speak for a living. #jmebooks

About the author:
Jaimie Engle was once sucked into a storybook, where she decided she would become an author. She has modeled bikinis, managed a hip-hop band, and run a body shop. Her passion is talking to kids about writing and social issues because words have power. When not writing, she’s probably editing or playing trivia. She lives in Florida with her awesome husband, hilarious children, and the world’s best dog. Become a fan at:

Author's Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

No comments: