Whispers of the Nordic Draugr ,Historical Paranormal Romance, Romantasy by Caroline Helenasdotter Book Sale with Guest Post and Giveaway
In 16th-century Scandinavia, Katarina's fate intertwines with Ulrik's dark demonic past. Love and darkness converge in a captivating tale of redemption amidst ancient legends.
Whispers of the Nordic Draugr
by Caroline Helenasdotter
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance, Romantasy
In the misty realms of 16th-century
Scandinavia, where myths dance with reality, Katarina finds herself
ensnared in a perilous dance between the mortal and the ethereal.
Possessed by the elusive mare, her world fractures, and the shadows
grow darker. But amidst the chaos, a reluctant guardian emerges -
Ulrik, the enigmatic master of her estate, harboring demonic secrets
darker than the midnight sea.
Haunted by a past veiled in
blood and sorrow, Ulrik battles not only his own demons but the
sinister machinations of Vasilij, his tyrannical draugr maker. Bound
by an unholy pact, their fates entwine with Katarina's, as love and
darkness collide in a deadly game of fate.
As Ulrik and
Katarina traverse the treacherous landscapes of love and fear, they
must confront not only the malevolent mare but the looming specter of
Vasilij, whose hunger for power knows no bounds. In a tale woven with
romance and terror, their journey unfolds, where every step taken
could lead to salvation or damnation.
Enter a world where
passion ignites amidst the howling winds, and where the line between
hero and villain blurs in the flickering light of ancient legends.
Prepare to be ensnared in the spellbinding tale of Katarina and
Ulrik, where love defies even the darkest of shadows.
Experience
a spellbinding blend of love, passion, folklore and mystique.
**Only .99 Cents! **
As the night approached and
darkness swallowed the surroundings, the room was illuminated by candlelight.
October was on the horizon, with autumn's cold and merciless winds already
making their presence known. Summer had been spent preparing for the inevitable
arrival of autumn and winter. The harsh, unforgiving winters could mean the
difference between survival and ruin for the household. The eerie howling winds
outside served as a warning of the bitter night ahead, a harsh reminder that
those who were ill-prepared would face grave consequences.
Katarina pondered how to initiate a
conversation, she felt hesitant in the presence of Ulrik. With insecurity gnawing
at her insides, Katarina grappled with the uncomfortable silence that pervaded
the room. The weight of unspoken words flowed rhythmically in the air. Ulrik
continued to stare into space, seemingly lost in his own world, his gaze fixed
upon some unseen horizon. In the suffocating stillness of the night, the
boundaries between reality and nightmare blurred, casting a curtain of
uncertainty over the promised nightfall.
"I remember," she said, her
gaze fixed on Ulrik, her words infused with gratitude.
"You remember
what?" Ulrik inquired, his voice echoed with an unnerving calmness, devoid
of any traceable emotion.
"Everything,"
Katarina replied, stumbling over her words like a startled deer. Ulrik remained
motionless, his gaze fixed on the darkness beyond the candlelight. Suddenly, with a fluid grace that disguised his towering
stature, he rose from his chair. Striding towards Katarina with purposeful
steps, Ulrik came to a halt right in front of her. His presence seemed to command time itself, catching Katarina off guard. She knew he was a dangerous man, yet she couldn't bring
herself to fear him anymore. Instead, a curious blend of apprehension and
fascination coursed through her veins. After years of working for Ulrik, if he had intended
harm, he could have inflicted it easily. An intense longing emanated from his
eyes, his desire to protect her rooted in their childhood acquaintance. Over
time, his feelings had evolved into something deeper, and Katarina could sense
the passion coursing through his veins.
"Tell me, what do you
mean by 'everything'?" Ulrik's voice was a low, rumbling growl, his scent
and energy made her nervous.
"The mare is trying to
claim my soul, and you are trying to protect me from its foul grip,"
Katarina almost whispered the words, her voice hoarse. She met Ulrik’s gaze,
his eyes delving into the depths of her soul. Katarina could clearly see the
reflection of a man willing to slay all demons and devils to rescue her from
harm. He was a man haunted by the phantoms of his past yet fuelled by an
unquenchable flame that burned within the hollows of his tormented soul. A man
who would not bend or yield, invigorated by a fire that would consume all who
dared to threaten those he held dear.
"You should not be
able to remember that." Ulrik said in a low voice, his words slithered
through the air like a serpent's hiss.
"I do remember,"
Katarina continued, her lips caressing the words. Each syllable was filled with
an eerie certainty. He had given her hope within a dangerous situation.
"Are you not
afraid?" Ulrik asked, curiosity etched in the darkness dancing across his
face.
"The mare is a very
dangerous creature," Katarina began, her blond hair catching the light
from the flickering candles. "I do fear for my life and the state of my
soul."
"I mean, are you not
afraid of me?" Ulrik asked, lingering on his words as he took a step
closer, standing just centimetres from Katarina. She could feel his presence,
every ounce of his character leaning in towards her. Everything that was dangerous
about him, and everything that was good about him, echoed within her soul.
There was something truly perilous about him, the abilities of a demon combined
with the past of a vicious monster. But there was also something safe about
him, the memory of an innocent boy with hopeful dreams and a kind heart,
blended with the ideals and morals of a noble man. Cruel and gruesome
experiences had extinguished the light in his once hopeful eyes. Was Ulrik
capable of killing her and every villager with his powers? Without a doubt. Had
he committed heinous crimes during the war? Undoubtedly. He wore the suffering
of his victims like a mask of shame. Ulrik was no longer human, he was a
draugr, a demonic creature swallowed by darkness. It would be foolish not to
fear him. And yet, Katarina felt no fear when looking into his eyes. Not
anymore. She was confident that he would not wield his abilities to cause her
harm or injury. The fear she once felt had transformed into a calm assurance.
Now it seemed like Ulrik held the key to her salvation. Despite the darkness
that cloaked him, she sensed a kindred spirit, a beacon of light among the
endless darkness.
"No," Katarina
uttered, surprising Ulrik, who found contentment within her words.
"Why not? You know my
true nature; you know that I am a draugr. What is a draugr?" Ulrik's
inquiry lingered in the air.
"A demon,"
Katarina replied in a low voice, each syllable heavy with the weight of
forbidden knowledge. "A demon with powers capable of transforming into a
vicious monster that devours humans. A monster with the strength, speed, and
abilities of twenty men. A demon weakened by the sun, dwelling in the dark,
often feeding on humans and capable of turning whomever it desires into one of
its own. A creature of the night that prowls the shadows in search of prey
" Katarina whispered, her response was scarcely more than a breath.
"And still, you do not
fear me?" Ulrik paused, his question swayed in the air, a fragile thread
poised on the precipice of oblivion.
"You said that you
wanted to protect me, you said that you would fight for me," Katarina said
honestly. "I trust that you will not harm me, even though you easily
could."
"No, I will not harm
you," Ulrik affirmed, sitting down on a chair, running his hand through
his dark hair.
Can you, for
those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you
became an author?
I have been writing stories ever since I
learned how to read and write. When I was a child I loved fairy tales, that
love never really subsided. The Moomins were some of my absolute favorites
growing up. Today I love to read fairy tales with my children. Jan Lööf is one
of our favorites. My daughter is particularly fond of Pippi Longstocking.
What is
something unique/quirky about you?
In 2012, I had the unique experience of
studying Russian in Russia, residing in St. Petersburg. I am also a taekwondo
black belt and a capoeira graduada. Martial arts are a true passion of mine.
As a
writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
The
caracal definitely. It is my spirit animal.
When did you
first consider yourself a writer?
At
the age of 12, I completed my first young adult book. For me, anyone who writes
is a writer, regardless of whether they've been published. During my teenage
years, my love for Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings fueled my passion for
writing, particularly in the high fantasy genre. I was absolutely obsessed with
Harry Potter and The Lord of the rings (I still am).
Who designed
your book covers?
My mother, Anna
Helena Annika Karlsson, is a brilliant artist. My surname, 'Helenasdotter,'
actually means 'daughter of Helena' (since 'dotter' means 'daughter' in
Swedish). In Sweden, surnames typically derive from the father's name, using
'son' for sons and 'dotter' for daughters, such as Andersson, Nilsson, or
Karlsson. However, I chose to take a name that celebrates female energy and
honors my mother instead.
In Swedish
tradition, it's more common to create a surname from your father's name, even
if you use a 'dotter' name instead of a 'son' name. My father is named Thomas,
so conventionally, my surname would be 'Thomasdotter.' Yet, I wanted to pay
homage to feminine energy and decided to take 'Helenasdotter' instead.
Which of your
novels can you imagine being made into a movie?
So far, I have only
published two books. My first one, 'Saga of the Swedish Water Spirit,' is much
spicier than 'Whispers of the Nordic Draugr.' It would probably be difficult to
adapt that one into a movie
Advice to
writers?
I am going to quote
Jack London on this one: 'You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after
it with a club.'
And believe in
yourself. It can be really tough out there for authors. Do not let anyone make
you feel that you are less than you are. Never give up, never give in; stay
true to yourself and remember to be kind to yourself.
What inspired you to write this book?
I have always been
interested in Scandinavian mythology and folklore, and I love to incorporate
fantasy with folklore/mythology into my writing. My main female characters are
always women over the age of 30. I believe there is a lack of female characters
in the romantasy genre who are middle-aged or approaching middle age. I would
love to see more books with female romantasy leads in their 30s, 40s, or even
older than that!
What did you
enjoy most about writing this series?
I have a very vivid imagination, and I love
to write about fantasy and love. The brain does not know the difference between
writing/reading about something or experiencing it in real life. The same
neural patterns get activated in the brain when you imagine something or when
it is actually happening. Writing and reading about love gives you the chance
to experience falling in love time after time.
Have you written
any other books that are not published?
Yes, several. I have about 10 unfinished
books and even more ideas. When inspiration strikes, I just have to write it
down and start crafting a story. Hopefully, I will have time to finish many of
them. However, time with two small children is very limited; I only have time
to write during the night. I also find that having limited time to write
inspires me even more; it forces me to truly value the time I can devote to
writing and make the most of it. Writing becomes my reward after a long day.
What can we
expect from you in the future?
I have another book
coming up at the end of the year. It is something that I have been working on
for a very long time. I will continue writing romantic fantasy and
folklore/mythology with a lot of romance
What book do you
think everyone should read?
"The Power of
Now" by Eckhart Tolle had a profound impact on my life. When you read this
book, one of two outcomes is likely: either you'll stop after a few pages,
feeling it's a waste of time and that you don't understand it at all, or it
will deeply resonate with you.
Caroline Helenasdotter is a Swedish author born in 1986, living in the south of Sweden with her partner and two small children aged 3 and 6. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and language from the University of Lund. Helenasdotter has lived and worked in Switzerland, Norway, Portugal, and Russia, and she is fluent in Portuguese. When not writing or spending time with her family, she enjoys practicing yoga, martial arts, and running.
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The blurb and excerpt sound great. I enjoyed the guest post.
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