This week, we're welcoming Sheila Lamb, who is celebrating the release of her debut historical title, Once a Goddess, set in ancient Ireland. Sheila is here to talk about the novel, answer questions and give away a copy.
Here's the blurb:
Two tribes battle for control of ancient Ireland, and Brigid must find her place among them, trapped between the will of her people and the desires of her heart.
For the sake of peace, Brigid of the supernatural Túatha dé Danann enters into an arranged marriage with Bres, the next chieftain of the enemy Fomorian tribe, whose iron weapons and brute strength challenge the Danann magic. The Danann instruct Brigid to spy for them, and to keep the source of their powers secret, dangerous tasks that complicate her goal of making the best of her forced union.
Sacrificing her own hope for love, Brigid faces the Fomorians alone. She must confront her rival, Morrigan, who competes for Bres's affections, as she begins to suspect that he is breaking the truce through lies and political manipulation. When his tyranny threatens the very existence of the Danann, Brigid must risk her life to unseat Bres from power.
Set in a time when myths were reality, Once A Goddess brings the legend of Ireland's magical Túatha dé Danann to life.
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Tell us about Brigid of
Ireland and how did she became the heroine for your book?
Brigid is a
woman who appears throughout Irish history and mythology. She's seen as a
pre-Christian goddess and one of the Túatha de Danann, a mythical tribe of
early Irish settlement. She later appears as a druid who converts to
Christianity and becomes the Abbess of Kildare.
I became
fascinated by her various incarnations in myth and legend, and decided to write
a trilogy based on each facet of her story. In the goddess cycle, she is known
as a goddess of poetry, of lament, and
of fire and is sometimes portrayed as a blacksmith. She is also known as
fertility goddess and is worshipped by the pagans and druids on Imbolc. Imbolc
also falls on St. Brigid's Day.
Who were the Túatha de
Danann?
The Túatha de
Danann (pronounced too-ah) are part of early Irish mythology. In the legends,
they are one of the first tribes in Ireland. They possess supernatural powers
which they use to fight off subsequent invaders such as the Fir Bolg and the
Fomorian. Stories describe them arriving
in Ireland on a cloud of mist. Celtic invaders, the Milesians, defeated them
and legend has it that the Danann turned invisible and live underground. Any
references to sidhe or fairies refer to the lost Danann.
These
supernatural powers bring out the paranormal element in Once A Goddess. The
Danann connect with a particular element of nature and can blend in with that
element. Brigid, for example, can become one with stone.
Bres walks the line between
villain and hero for much of the book. What motivates him?
Bres is a
complicated character. He wants what he cannot have. He wants his father's
acceptance yet knows there is something different about him that holds back
Elatha's total trust. He wants to be a Fomorian warrior but he is also drawn to
the Danann magic. Likewise, he is torn between his fanciful love for Brigid and
to the Fomorian women of his past. This makes him sometimes irrational,
vulnerable; until he finally decides which path he will follow.
What kind of research did
you conduct for Once A Goddess?
I spent a lot of
time in libraries, searching for Irish myths and legends. Two of my favorite
books are Irish Myths and Legends by Lady Gregory and Celtic Myths and Legends
by Charles Squire. There are many online sites about the Túatha de Danann as
well, and Timelessmyths.com was a valuable resource.
I read various versions of the myths and
different takes on characters to write a story that shows what life might have
been like in the ancient world. I really
searched for the role Brigid played in these stories. Sometimes she is written
as Dagda's wife, instead of his daughter, for example. In the stories where she
is married to Bres, they are said to have three sons, but one of them is
Ruadan, and Ruadan's story is one that is consistent.
What's next for Brigid?
Next, is the
second part of Brigid's incarnation in the sequel, Fiery Arrow, which I'm editing now. Brigid is a talented druid in
5th century Ireland, where she must come face-to-face with Patrick, as he works
to Christianize the pagan land. There are many connections to Once A Goddess and both Brigid and
Patrick must come to terms with their opposing missions and their tangled pasts.
Thank you, Sheila, and best of luck with Once a Goddess! Leave your comment for Sheila - you might win a free copy.
Thank you, Sheila, and best of luck with Once a Goddess! Leave your comment for Sheila - you might win a free copy.
