Baltic
Mist
A
Timeless Saga
Jennifer
Lohr
Genre: Cultural Heritage, Legends, Mythology
Publisher: An Ancient Approach
ISBN:
978-0-61593-442-6
ASIN: 0615934420
Number of
pages: 113
Word Count:
27,452
Cover Artist:
Jennifer Lohr
Book
Description:
Baltic
Mist - A Timeless Saga is Jen Lohr's next big creation.
It all began
when she came across Egil’s Saga, written in the mid11th century, chronicling
the life of Egil Skallagrimsson. The history surrounding the Viking awakened
within Jen an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of the Norse culture. A story
was soon born, seen through the eyes of a young woman named Helga, originating
from a character in Egil's Saga.
Baltic Mist
begins on a farm Norway, and takes the reader through the epic adventures of
Helga's enchanting life. Beginning in Book One, her tale falls against the
backdrop of Scandinavia's conversion to Christianity. The saga continues in Books two and three to
a finale that no one, even Helga herself, could have ever imagined!
A must read!
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/goKQig-LkjU
My name is Mist, and know it was your
fate, decided ages ago, to hear my tale. I am
a legend
whose legacy you are now part of,
as
you join me in history. Know as you read this:
all is as it should be, for
there are no accidents. Destiny has brought you and I together, our connection has finally been made. This day was
once foreseen, and your
time to know me has come. Although I breathed
in the air centuries before as you do now,
pieces of me continue on. Come,
as
I now wish to show you not who I was, but rather who I am….
Follow me
back to my time, before
the likes of all that you know now,
here and today. Visit alongside
me my beloved northern
homeland as it once was, so very long ago.
Behold its massive forests
- so lush, green, and already ancient by the time
of my existence. Come to
where great cascading rivers
spill over rocky cliffs,
where their spray can be felt, splashing on the
rolling hills below.
The dawning
of my life was a special time for my parents.
I would be their firstborn maid-child. I took my first breaths
during the period after the Yule Festival and
before the
coming of spring, when the
earth gave way to a warmer
sun and seeds of growth. After
my
birth it was told my mother, Hilde, accepted
me by permitting me to nurse milk from her
breast. It
was then my father tearfully
held me on his knee and passionately announced,
"It is known, a daughter has been born: Helga Thorfinsdotter…she belongs to me, Thorfinn Bondesson. I choose her name in honor of my mother, who is now among the dead." He then sprinkled drops of water over my tiny infant body.
This was the way I became a member of my family, officially, and they rejoiced in the goddesses Frigg and Freyja. Many were grateful to the two goddesses for delivering me safely from my mother’s womb, while leaving her unscathed and in good health, for I was brought forth humbly, with the assistance of only a single helping-woman when typically two were needed.
"It is known, a daughter has been born: Helga Thorfinsdotter…she belongs to me, Thorfinn Bondesson. I choose her name in honor of my mother, who is now among the dead." He then sprinkled drops of water over my tiny infant body.
This was the way I became a member of my family, officially, and they rejoiced in the goddesses Frigg and Freyja. Many were grateful to the two goddesses for delivering me safely from my mother’s womb, while leaving her unscathed and in good health, for I was brought forth humbly, with the assistance of only a single helping-woman when typically two were needed.
Mother bore me
at our home in the region of Eida Skog, within the immense forest at the heart of
Norway.Soon after, my mother’s belly brought
upon our household another blessing of a child.This
birth was that of a boy-child. He healthily suckled and grew past
the age
of concern where,
sadly, many an infant did not thrive beyond.
He was named
Helgi, and grew to be a strong,
fearless young man.
His bravery matched
warriors twice his age,
and he lived true to the
laws of the land.
Helgi was a fine addition to complement the pride found
in our honorable name.
My parents’ marriage was not the typical wedded arrangement of our time. Hilde’s parents hadn’t the chance to follow through in their own agreement; sadly, they succumbed to a terrible illness - one which she and her brothers thankfully survived. After their parents were gone, the hardship of managing their sheep farm was very difficult for Hilde’s brothers; and they decided against marrying her off. They guarded her interests of any wedding negotiations, in replacement of their father. Two men very suitable to wed had been turned down by her brothers. It became apparent to Hilde their indecision was not the reason for the refusals, but rather their reluctance to become short-handed. Legally, she was permitted to accept the third proposal from Thorfinn’s family, and she did.
After the feasting of the celebration, she joined Thorfinn in Eida Skog. Accompanied by her rightful portion of sheep from her family’s farm, she began her new role as woman of the house. This was the way we Norse lived. Ownership of livestock, land, and other assets over- ruled love, a factor absent in the conditions of a marriage. Hilde often stated I would follow her lineage of women-folk, all of whom were versed in the distinctive and specialized gift of seiðr - the ability to see things that others could not, and know truths unspoken to most. Hilde herself was acclaimed as a well-known prophetess, known to my people as a völva.
Since mother was versed in the art of seiðr, she frequently traveled to assist others with her skill. With her wand as her companion, she donned an elaborate cloak - hooded, lined with fur, and ornamented with jeweled pieces. Its blue shade held special meaning, symbolizing death; but such reference did not indicate evil, but rather the wisdom held by these seeing women. It was believed by my people much knowledge could be gained from those who had passed on into the realm of the dead, just as our god Odin did, when he desired to learn of his future. He rose up from death a very wise völva, so ancient she was older than the giants that once walked the earth She was present at the very beginning of creation. She explained to him how all came to be.
My parents’ marriage was not the typical wedded arrangement of our time. Hilde’s parents hadn’t the chance to follow through in their own agreement; sadly, they succumbed to a terrible illness - one which she and her brothers thankfully survived. After their parents were gone, the hardship of managing their sheep farm was very difficult for Hilde’s brothers; and they decided against marrying her off. They guarded her interests of any wedding negotiations, in replacement of their father. Two men very suitable to wed had been turned down by her brothers. It became apparent to Hilde their indecision was not the reason for the refusals, but rather their reluctance to become short-handed. Legally, she was permitted to accept the third proposal from Thorfinn’s family, and she did.
After the feasting of the celebration, she joined Thorfinn in Eida Skog. Accompanied by her rightful portion of sheep from her family’s farm, she began her new role as woman of the house. This was the way we Norse lived. Ownership of livestock, land, and other assets over- ruled love, a factor absent in the conditions of a marriage. Hilde often stated I would follow her lineage of women-folk, all of whom were versed in the distinctive and specialized gift of seiðr - the ability to see things that others could not, and know truths unspoken to most. Hilde herself was acclaimed as a well-known prophetess, known to my people as a völva.
Since mother was versed in the art of seiðr, she frequently traveled to assist others with her skill. With her wand as her companion, she donned an elaborate cloak - hooded, lined with fur, and ornamented with jeweled pieces. Its blue shade held special meaning, symbolizing death; but such reference did not indicate evil, but rather the wisdom held by these seeing women. It was believed by my people much knowledge could be gained from those who had passed on into the realm of the dead, just as our god Odin did, when he desired to learn of his future. He rose up from death a very wise völva, so ancient she was older than the giants that once walked the earth She was present at the very beginning of creation. She explained to him how all came to be.
"You, too, will practice as a völva one day, daughter. Know of the
lineage from which you come, since my mother
and her clan of mothers
before are of the goddess Frigg. This is
where my power of
prophecy comes from, little Helga." She first
told me when I was a small
child, only three years of age,
in her usual confident tone.
"When will I see, mother?" My tiny voice asked her
as
I squinted my eyes,
to better concentrate and focus.
Mother looked
down at me, smiling.
About
the Author:
Jen was first published when she was a sophomore in High School, and has been writing short stories ever since. The Baltic Mist series is her fictional novel debut. She lives in upstate New York with her husband and their four children.
It's an honor to be featured & thank you so much for this opportunity! And while you're at YouTube watching the above-linked 'Author's Interview,' please also watch the Official Book Trailer for 'Baltic Mist - A Timeless Saga' at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ4nc8VfooE
ReplyDeleteSo happy to be able to feature you, Jennifer, good luck with your book, it sounds wonderful. And I'll embed your trailer in the post to maker it easier for people to watch.
ReplyDelete