Thanks Yankee Romance for asking me to blog!Since I am a relatively new voice to the vampire sub genre, I thought I’d write a bit about that. My specialty has been the paranormal historical romance (witches specifically).
When I decided to write a couple books about vampires I ran into a challenge—historical accuracy. Now, when you talk about paranorma
l happenings and magical creatures, worrying about historical accuracy seems a little foolish, but really it’s not. History is full of mysticism, legends, and myths filled with magical beings.It is easy to be historically accurate to the mystical beliefs of the period. My period has always been the 16th century (though my Immortal books take place at the beginning of the 17th century). My challenge was to uncover the vampire in history—specifically Scottish history.
When most people research the vampire they are inevitably led to Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Vlad the Impaler. But the word “vampire” first appearance in the English language in the 18th century, which left me with the challenge of what to call my vampires. I couldn’t have them referred to by a word that wasn’t even in use. Of course, I have always operated on the theory that just because the word wasn’t used doesn’t mean the creature or object didn’t exist. And sure enough, I found the Scottish equivalent of the vampire, the Baobhan Sith, or blood witch.
So, to those that lived back in the 16th and 17th centuries, a vampire was nothing more than a witch—one that fed on blood and skulked about at night. There is much more to my baobhan siths than feeding and skulking of course, but this gave me a jumping off point grounded in history.
My Imm
ortal Promise, the second of the Immortal books, but the 5th in the McDonnell Bride series, isn’t due out until November, but in anticipation of its release, I am giving away the first 4 books in the series (My Wicked Highlander, My Devilish Scotsman, My Shadow Warrior, and My Immortal Protector), drawn from among those who comment.You can visit me at my website http://www.jenholling.com/, but I am sorry to say it hasn’t been updated recently. However, I do plan to get an excerpt from My Immortal Promise up within the next few weeks.
39 comments:
These sound very interesting. I'd love to be entered for a chance to win.
First of all, how do you pronounce baobhan siths?
This is an intriguing turn on the vampire lore and I definitely love to read vampire stories in all aspects so long as they are well written and interest me.
I would love to be entered to win one of the books.
VWinship at aol dot com
I've actually been meaning to read this series for awhile now...I keep getting sidetracked, but I've heard a lot of great things about it.
Hi, Jen! *waves*
Hi, YRR ladies! *waves some more*
Okay, I've got to confess: I'm fascinated by this idea that the word "vampire" didn't exist in the 16th century. I wonder why Baobhan Sith died out and Vampire became the term of choice.
As always, ladies, no need to enter me. I'm just dropping in to say hello and do some thinking on a Sunday evening.
Fascinating! I've had "My immortal protector" in my TBR for a while...looks like it's time to pull it out, though I think I'd like to read the three earlier books in the series first.
Please enter me...and thanks!
Thanks for visiting with us Jen!
I have My Immortal Protector on Mount TBR and didn't realize that it went along with these others, so I would love to win them, so I know how the story starts!
mbentz1 at comcast dot net
I love how you always learn something new when you meet new people. I've always loved books based in old Scottish history as I am originally from there (born in Dundee) but we moved a lot when I was a kid so I don't know everything about our history. So I find it rather fascinating to learn the term "baobhan siths".
i love historical romance/fiction and i love it that you think that historical accuracy is important. i mean what the use of writing historical fiction that is only fiction and nothing historical in it? the accuracy is what makes it interesting and inaccuracy is what really grates in some novels and decreases from the story. i would definitely put your books on my tbr!
i love historical romance/fiction and what i think really is important in these type of fiction is the historical accuracy, it's that that makes it interesting and it's the lack of historical accuracy that would make a historical fiction grating and not joyful to read. i would definitely add your books to my tbr pile!
Both Paranormal and Historical Romance books are favorites of mine to read. So I have your books already on my wishlist here.
Vampires are always interesting paranormal creatures, especially in paranormal historical romances. You novels sound interesting and I will be looking into them. Love to be entered to win the books.
I found this fascinating. I recently wrote a story in the Wild Rose Press 'Song Of The Muses' series and set it in 5th Cen tury Wales. I faced a similar problem, trying to tie up the legends of the time with modern interpretations, keeping the time line acurate etc. It's easy to think that because it's 'fantasy' there's no research involved, but in fact it's quite the opposite in fact, get it wrong, and someone's bound to notice!
Your books sound fascinating, I'd love to be entered for a chance to win one of them.
Hi Jen,
Oh I love historical paranormal but unfortunately not a a lot available. Usually you only get a glimpse of the characters history set in a modern day world. I have read/heard the term "Baobhan Sith" before but I'm drawing a blank right now. Sounds like a great series to read & I would love the chance! Thank you for a chance at the awesome give away of all 4 previous books in the series.
Thank you,
Susan B.
sbussey AT windstream.net
One thing I do love is when people take time to create something new and interesting. I'd love to read about your take on vampires.
Daalmonette@gmail.com
Will admit to being drawn to books about things that go bump in the night. Got hooked on vamps after Frank Langella's Dracula.
I love Scottish romances and adding paranormal into the mix is even better. I cannot wait to read
them. I read MY WICKED HIGHLANDER and I loved it. I found this to be as breathtakingly exciting book. Now I can't wait to read the other 2 books.
I would love to enter.
This sounds like a really fascinating idea and I will definitely add these to my TBR list, whether I win or not.
Wow! These sound terrific! I'd love to be entered in the giveaway as well.
Thanks,
Lili
Hi Jen, you're books sound very interesting! I've been hooked on Vampires for quite some time now, and just recently began devouring Scotland-set romances, so sounds like a great mix.
I have read a few of your books but none of the vampire ones. I would love to open my reading to a new series of yours. Thanks for entering me in your contest.
Good Morning Everyone and Welcome Jen! It's an honor to have you here and just to let everyone know, I have read every one of your books and love them. Keepers in my personal collection.
Sorry it took so long to post but I've been busy, busy this morning and haven't even made it to the coffee pot yet. UGG! Gonna go do that now and I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Good luck to all in the contest!
huggs,
Terra
Wow!! by reading the synopsis' on these books I am totally interested. I know there are not many historical paranormal novels and I would love to read them.
I would love to be entered for a chance to win.
Thank you for this opportunity
I LOVED 'My Immortal Protector'. I haven't WON the other three yet, so I'll be expecting them very soon.
My Immortal Promise sounds great. I can't wait to read about Drake.
Sounds like wonderful books!! I like vampires and historicals, more books to my wishlist, thanks!
Hi Jen :)
I love Romance books in many ‘shapes & sizes’ ;)
I'd love to win 4 of your books and I'm looking forward to all your books eventually!!
Hope you have a great day :)
A Book Lover & Reviewer,
Bobbie Crawford-McCoy
http://ablaze232323-bookreviews.blogspot.com/
I never really consider that the historical facts I'm reading are true or not true. Maybe I should. I appreciate that you care enough to make them accurate. I'd love to read these. Please include me in the drawing.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth
Your books sound great. I love paranormal romances.
kissinoak at verizon dot net
Hi Jen! I have very much enjoyed all of your books. You are an author on my watch list for new releases.
I just wanted to show my support, so no need to enter me in your drawing for the first four books since i have them. But if you have bookmarks or the like, I'm interested!! :)
Wow! I work a day job, so I haven't had a chance to drop by until now--I had not expected so many comments! Thanks to everyone who has enjoyed my past books and who would like to give the new ones a chance!
Vickie--I do not know how to pronounce baobhan sith--I wish I did. I know nothing in gaelic is pronounce the way it looks tho!
Again, thanks everyone for your wonderful comments!
F.Y.I. This is how to pronounce baobhan sith.
(pronounced baa'-van shee)
Enjoyed reading your post! I went over to your site to read more about these stories. They all sound so good! Adding to my wish list!
My daughter drew the winner a few minutes ago. The winner of the first 4 books in the series is Dev--congrats! Send your mailing address to jen@jenholling.com and I'll get them in the mail to you.
Next month I plan to have my website updated and run another contest, so stop by in a few weeks (www.jenholling.com)!
Thanks for the warm welcome ladies!
These books sound great. Please enter me in.
Your novels sound really good! I've always been fascinated by historical times in Scotland and Vampires, so it's the perfect mix for me. :)
I'd love to be entered for a chance to win.
Terra -- thanks for posting the pronunciation of baobhan sith! Since that sounds close to banshee, I had to google both words to see if there was a relation, and Wickipedia says the baobhan sith is similiar to the Irish banshee. Boy, the things you learn!
sex men in kilts...ohhh you have me at hello!
Oh that's awesome!!! Thank you so much. Jen, I emailed you and cannot wait to read these!!!
Hi Dev--I didn't get your email. Try emailing me at my othe email address: jsholling@msn.com
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