The Midsummer’s Day Wreath
almost 2 years ago
– Fri, May 13, 2022 at 05:58:38 AM
Earlier this week, we talked a little about the herbs. Today, we’ll tell you another special use of these magical herbs.
“Is this a portal to another world? Is this a circle to protect against black magic and evil spirits?”
These were questions in my mind when I looked at the colorful floral wreath on Midsummer’s Day many years ago. It was giant. I mean really giant… Woman, maidens, and girls were passing through the wreath. It felt like they are going to a different dimension.
It was magical experience, one which I always wanted to learn more about.
The wreath is made every year on Midsummer’s Day. It’s considered sacred and is woven from 77½ herbs. Not any herbs, but ones that are magical and healing. According to folk belief, the herbs in the wreath can cure illnesses, break spells, and drive away dragons (zmeys) and other malicious entities.
It’s well-known in Slavic folklore that dragons love to capture girls for brides, so the unmarried females need this extra protection as they approach adulthood.
Besides walking through the giant wreath, girls also crown their heads with a wreath made from herbs that repel zmeys and keep the beasts from loving the girls.
Sounds scary, right? Who wants to be abducted by a dragon and taken to a dark cave?
Here's another ritual that we talk about in the book.
Ready for More FREE Goodies?
almost 2 years ago
– Thu, May 12, 2022 at 07:40:20 AM
The early-bird perks are gone, but we have more FREE ebooks for you if you back the campaign at any pledge level. You have until the end of the day on Saturday, May 14 to snag these books. If you’ve already pledged at the early-bird level, don’t worry. You’ll get these as well, and any other weekly perks we offer during our campaign.
FREE ROMANCE BOOKS for backing early
Here’s a look at the perks for the rest of this first week.
Courage to Heal by Shanae Johnson
Grumpy Vincent Klause's plan to turn the town's Christmas Tree farm into a paper mill is not a popular one, especially not with the town's #1 holiday enthusiast, Isabella Snow. Not that a man like Vincent, who prefers sonnets to society, cares what the beautiful bookworm thinks.
When Izzy goes to chop down a tree for the holidays she doesn't expect her swing to land right at the heart of the handsome new owner... and give him a concussion. Now trapped in a snow storm with a grumpy beast, can Izzy get Vincent's heart to thaw before the storm is over?
Find out if love can truly heal all wounds in this light-hearted, sweet holiday romance. "Courage to Heal" is a standalone short story that can be read at any point in the Brides of Purple Heart Ranch series which features Wounded Warriors who are healed with the power of love.
Hunting Season by Kate Rudolph
This werewolf will protect his mate.
Owen has one job: keep Stasia from being abducted. Easier said than done when his fiercely independent client tries to fire him the moment they meet. His werewolf senses howl to life and he's certain of one thing: Stasia is his.
She's sick of cocky men.
When her wealthy father hires a bodyguard, Stasia says no. Not exactly a smart move after someone tried to nab her off the street. But she doesn't need a babysitter. Especially not a cheerfully overbearing bodyguard who makes her heart pound and her fantasies run wild.
When Stasia is yanked out of her glittering world and into Owen's she'll need to grapple with an impossible new reality that includes werewolves, silver bullets, and fated mates.
Is she ready to embrace her new world? Or will she run back to a universe of glittering high rises and leave her destiny behind?
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Love You Like a Catfish by J. Leigh James
Can a fake online profile lead to real love?
Fiona is forced to live with relatives while her parents pursue their dreams. Her aunt doesn’t want her there, and her cousin, Cyn, only wants revenge on her ex-boyfriend. That’s when Audra is born; a fake online profile using glammed up pictures of Fi. All Fiona wants is peace until she can convince her parents to come get her. Even if that means lying to a guy who may not be as evil as her cousin proclaims.
Nathan has enough to deal with. He needs his secret business to succeed and get his dad off his back. He needs to distance himself from his clingy ex-girlfriend. The last thing he needs is to get distracted by the mysterious new girl in town. But there’s something about Audra that’s captured his attention and interacting with her online is the most fun he’s had in a long time.
Catfishing is a dangerous game. Will Fiona get caught in her lies and ruin her chance for love?
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Magical Midsummer Herbs
almost 2 years ago
– Wed, May 11, 2022 at 09:35:14 AM
Here’s a little about the meaning behind the 77½ Magical Healing Herbs book. Today, we look at the half herb.
“On Eniovden (Midsummer’s Day), the stars fly down, infusing herbs and water with magical healing power.”
Every year on June 24, I remember these words spoken by my grandmother. She understood the power of herbs and used them to heal soul and body, protect the home and family, and bring fertility and prosperity to the household.
“There is an herb for every illness, and the half for all unknown.”
I never fully understood the meaning of the “half” herb as a child—and not even as an adult. How can you have a half herb? Even if you break it in half, it’s still an herb.
In Bulgaria and other Slavic countries like Ukraine, June 24 is a special day filled with magical rites. Healers gather herbs at dawn, because this is the time when they have the most healing abilities.
In our book, we go into more detail about what the half herb is, and provide folk beliefs and tales about the herb.
***
And don't forget, Early-Bird Perks will be ending tomorrow morning. Pledge now to make sure you get them.
Amazing! We made it!
almost 2 years ago
– Wed, May 11, 2022 at 03:25:03 AM
Thanks to all our early backers! Our project is now funded. We can't thank you enough for your support and belief in our project.
Stick around. We have some fun challenges planned for next week.
You're all amazing!
Early-Bird Campaign Perks
almost 2 years ago
– Tue, May 10, 2022 at 06:50:32 AM
We're off to a great start already! Thank you to our very early backers. Your support is appreciated.
We’re giving you and everyone else who backs the project within the FIRST 48 HOURS… some early-bird perks. If you support our project AT ANY PLEDGE LEVEL, we’ll add these FREE ebooks to your pledge. You’ll receive them, along with your other rewards after the campaign ends if we meet our funding goal.
In order to get these ebooks, though, you MUST back our project by 9 a.m., Thursday, May 12, Eastern time. Then, when the campaign ends successfully, these will be yours!
We’ll have more FREEBIES and GAMESthroughout the campaign, too, so be sure to read the daily updates. The earlier you help us reach our goal, the more goodies you’ll receive.
Thank you for your support.
FREE FANTASY BOOKS for backing early
Here’s a look at the early-bird perks we’re offering.
A Tribe of Kassia by Tom Leveen
For Family. For Vengeance. Tanin, a desert elf who's grown up in a peaceful desert enclave, is the only member of his clan not killed when White Riders ravage his town. They take few prisoners, but one of them is his betrothed, Memine.
Orrock of Guar has become a monk, taken in by a race of creatures not his own for the past ten years. With his training complete, he is sent back into the world to discover his creator's will for his life . . . never anticipating that he would be challenged to revert to his former barbaric nature to serve his god.
Despite crippling panic attacks after seeing the carnage back home, Tanin swears to track down the White Riders and rescue Memine. With Orrock's help and the aid of two other odd companions, he may stand a chance of finding the Riders somewhere in the wilds of Kassia . . . if his guide is truly leading the way . . .
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Dragonwar by Mirren Hogan
In Dargyn, war is looming.
As dragonrider of Dargyn, Laynin Laithorn is treated like royalty, given the best of everything, with little but the care of her dragon to occupy her time. But she wants more.
Travin, talented bard and magic user, just wants stop singing in the town's taverns and bond a newly hatched dragon.
News of a deadly invasion to the south shakes the Dragonhall to its foundations. It brings with it unease, and conflict between the draakin.
Their leader, Ara, is determined the dragons won't become involved. But as war draws near, it becomes clear she might have to lead the dragons into battle.
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Wyvern Awakening by Joanna Mazurkiewicz
A Wyvern dragon shifter. Revenge, lies and a deadly magical challenge.
When her parents were murdered eleven years ago, leaving her physically scarred during the event, dragon shifter Astri never learned the identity of their killer. That is until he appears to her in a nightmare.
The powerful Duke Jorgen not only rules the city of Rivenna where she lives, he is also responsible for her parents’ death and for the disability she’s had to bear most of her life. When the chance arises for her to compete to become Duke’s assistant, she realises this is her opportunity for revenge.
But everything in Astri’s world comes with a price. Can she overcome her disability and make Duke pay?
http://jmazurkiewiczauthor.com
