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Ella’s Author Notes
My grandmother used to tell me Grimm’s Fairy Tales that were a far cry from the sanitized Disney versions most young Americans grow up with.
In Germany, the stories are darker, meant to warn children in the olden days to avoid forests because of predators lurking there. Modern psychological theories have found deeper meaning within the tales, warning children of human predators in wolf’s clothing.
If you’ve watched Neil Jordan’s Company of Wolves (1984), you’re familiar with the idea of shapeshifting as allegory for the dark sexuality that lurks in some of us.
I grew up in Germany and studied English, Spanish and Italian Literature and Language at Heidelberg university. Part of my entry examination was a presentation on Fairytales and their Deeper Meaning.
Ever since I’ve been hooked on folktales and their influence on society and culture. These tales have been passed down the generations for thousands of years. Drawings found in caves at Les Trois Freres in France point towards the connection of shamanism and animal spirituality 20,000 years ago. There is evidence of people being tried as suspected werewolves in 16th century Japan.
Not a great surprise then that I married an Irishman from the South West of Ireland, an area rich in folk-tales and fairy stories. I spent 6 years in Co. Kerry, encountering a strange mix of Christian belief mixed with pagan superstitions.
Rosaries are fine, but dawn rosaries at the crossroads? That’s some serious spiritual mix-up! Or the local priest refusing to disturb the fairy-fort on the hill…
You don’t have to scratch the surface very deeply to find old lore right underneath all that new-fangled religion. Fascinating stuff.
When you live in an ancient place like the West of Ireland, believing the old stories is easy. Walking home one foggy night over the old bog road, my torch light reflecting off drifting mist, an old woman dressed all in black walked just off in the distance.
When I looked away, I could see her from the corner of my eyes. But when I looked at her directly, there was nothing there. She followed me all the way home and I was so freaked out, I locked all the doors and windows. And jumped into bed in case something grabbed my foot from underneath the bed!
Another night the electricity died in the house (not an unusual occurrence). Both my kids were fast asleep and my husband away for work. I fetched a flashlight and was about to walk up to my bedroom when I saw a little blond-haired boy run past behind my back. I whirled around but he was gone.
I checked my boy’s bedroom just in case and no, he was out like a light. Besides, my son was only 3 at the time and the kid I saw seemed older. I walked all around the house, checking every room, front and back doors were locked. To this day, I swear I saw this child that wasn’t there.
Ghostly apparition, overactive imagination, I don’t know. He seemed very real and it left me with a lasting impression of creepiness. I hid under my blanket with my flashlight and called my husband on my cell phone. I’m not very brave.
So there you go, those are my inspirations. I’ve already outlined the next few books in the Spirit Walker Series, Spirit Elfen (set in Heidelberg) and Spirit Warrior (set in Honi’s reservation). I hope you’ll stay with me - visit my website www.ellajsmyth.com and sign up for a FREE copy of Spirit Hunger and occasional updates.
You can also contact me via ella@ellajsmyth, I love hearing from my readers! :)
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Also by Ella J. Smyth
In the Spirit Walker Series
Spirit Child, Prequel to Spirit Hunger
8-year-old Adi grows up in Germany in a normal family. As long as she can remember, she sees strange animals all around her. When her parents find out, they fear for her mental health. Only her grandmother knows that Adi isn't crazy. But even she can't prevent her grand-daughter undergoing psychiatric treatment. Shortly after, a tragedy rocks the family. Will the young girl stay strong in the face of her parents' fears?
Spirit Hunger
Adi is an ordinary student with an extraordinary talent. All around her, she sees strange animals attached to people. When her visions turn into terrifying nightmares, Adi fears for her sanity.
Honi is a young Mekui’te Indian studying law to help his people. He has long ago come to terms with his gift. When he meets Adi, he’s drawn to her against his will. But when he witnesses the damage her visions cause, he knows that without his help, she will die.
Can the two head-strong individuals stop fighting long enough to save each other?
A gritty, sexy, fantastical adventure that will make you look at our world with different eyes. Two people from very different cultural backgrounds must pull together or they’ll both be lost.
Available end of January 2017, check the website for announcements!
Spirit Elfen
Adi has moved to Germany to finish her degree. After her near-death experience, she craves peace and quiet in beautiful Heidelberg. When she makes friends with a gorgeous student, she doesn't realise that she's about to become trapped in a nightmare.
Her boyfriend Honi can't wait to kiss Adi after six months apart. When he arrives at Heidelberg University, he finds her to be his perfect partner. Studious, sexy, submissive. There's only one problem: this isn't Adi.
While Honi is trying to find the truth, Adi is fighting for her life. Can Honi find her in time or will they both be trapped in a nightmare forever after?
Not yet available
SPIRIT QUEST - PREQUEL: THE SPIRIT WALKER SERIES by Ella J. Smyth
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book onscreen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 Ella J. Smyth
All rights reserved.
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