NORTH OF NEED is my newly released contemporary fantasy romance, and the first in my new four-book series featuring the Anemoi. The four Anemoi brothers were directional wind gods the Greeks associated with the seasons, and they have a really interesting mythology. One of the great things about using Greek mythology is there’s so much rich drama to draw from, and that’s just as true with these gods as it is with the better-known Olympians. So, by way of introducing NORTH OF NEED, I thought I’d place it in the context of the overall series mythology.

NORTH OF NEED tells the story of Owen, a snow god who is the adopted son and designated successor of Boreas, one of the Cardinal Anemoi and Supreme God of the North Wind and Winter. The relationship between Owen and Boreas was one of the surprises of the book for me. I didn’t realize how important Boreas was going to become to the story, and his will be a consistent presence throughout the series.

About Boreas, Owen tells the heroine, Megan:

I was originally from what is now Northern Ireland, but my parents died before I was old enough to know them, so I lived with Boreas, the Supreme God of Winter. I would have ended up with him anyway, when I was older, as he calls the most gifted children of the lesser northern deities into his service, develops their powers, and teaches them how to use them in the service of Winter. His main citadel is in the Kingdom of Hyperborea, beyond the North Wind, in the Realm of Gods, though he maintains residences all throughout the world’s colder climes. I lived where he lived, most of the time, at least when I was not elemental. Boreas became like a father, included me in his family, trained me in my godhood.

There is a real affection between them, despite a situation that in the past strained their relationship:

Owen stilled his body and extended his mind. Issued the request for an audience. Head bowed, he waited.

An electric ripple and whirl of wind announced Boreas’ arrival. “Owen.”

“My Lord, thank you for coming.” The wind grazed Owen’s hair. He lifted his head.

Boreas nodded. “All you ever have to do is ask. I only hope you know this.”

The sentiment made Owen stand taller. “Yes.”

“You want to know about Zephyros.”

Owen met the Supreme God’s serious metallic gaze. “Any change?”

Boreas tugged at his beard. “No. He’s ignoring me, completely refusing to recognize my summons.”

Owen blew out a breath and looked up at the star-brightened sky. “Three days, then.”

“Yes, no more, and maybe less. I’m sorry, son.”

The older god’s affection bolstered him. “I appreciate that, Boreas, but this is no fault of yours.” Owen managed a small smile. Even though there wasn’t much else he could do, Boreas’ support made him feel like he wasn’t in this all alone. First Megan, now his god. How he’d missed this sense of belonging and connectedness he’d suddenly found after so very long. “Well, I suppose I best get back inside.”

Boreas gave a wry smile. “Good luck.”

The wind caressed Owen’s hair, kicked up around him, and left him standing alone in front of the cabin.

Boreas also develops a real soft spot for Megan. Not right away. But once she gets under his skin, she has him hooked. And I love watching an all-powerful being softened by love and affection. Here’s an early, cute exchange between them:

“Boreas?” she called. His mammoth silhouette filled her bedroom doorway, hesitated just outside. “Would you please sit with me? Until I fall asleep?”

He nodded, and had to duck and turn sideways to clear the door frame. The mattress tilted toward him when he sat on the bottom corner of the bed. Were his cheeks pink?

She sank into the pillows and buried herself under the covers. “When you’re not being all godlike and intimidating, you’re pretty good company,” she murmured, then yawned into her pillow.

Sleep pulled her down, as if she were anchored by lead weights.

“And you are amusing, for a human. Now, sleep.”

“’kay. Night.”

The mention of Zephyros up there moves us into book 2 in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, WEST OF WIND. Zephyros is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, and in the mythology is noteworthy for being jilted a number of times—by female and male lovers alike. An interesting problem for the most powerful of the Anemoi, don’t you think?

Book 3, SOUTH OF SURRENDER, features Chrysander Notos, Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer, renowned for his fearsome ability to bring summer storms and withhold life-giving rain. He’s the golden boy of the group, the playboy, the youngest, and the one taken the least seriously. And he is So. Much. Fun. Seriously!

Book 4, EAST OF ECSTASY, will feature a dire conflict between another father-and-son pair: Eurus, the Supreme God of the East Wind, and his son Devlin Eston. Unlike the generally good relationship between Boreas and Owen, Eurus and Devlin define dysfunction. And, quite nicely, the mythology supports this. The Greeks associated Eurus and the East Wind with unluckiness and evil—what great fodder for characterization!

So, that’s a quick introduction to the mythological characters in NORTH OF NEED and the whole Hearts of the Anemoi Series. I’m so in love with these characters and this world, and I sure hope you will be too! Do you have a favorite Greek god?

Thanks for reading, and thanks to Book Chick City for hosting me! Please enjoy the first three chapters of North of Need by clicking here!

WANT TO WIN NORTH OF NEED? The North of Need Book Launch Blog Tour runs October 25 – November 20. A giveaway everyday!

LAURA KAYE ONLINE
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance, Laura Kaye’s hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong. Laura is the author of the bestselling contemporary romance and award-nominated HEARTS IN DARKNESS and the bestselling and award-winning paranormal romance FOREVER FREED (NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011), as well as an erotic romance novella, JUST GOTTA SAY. Her fourth book, contemporary fantasy romance NORTH OF NEED, is the first in the 4-book Hearts of the Anemoi series. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she’s recreated the very thing she’ll never have.Called to life by Megan’s tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity. Megan is drawn to Owen’s mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration–before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow’s grief and learn to trust love again, or she’ll lose Owen forever.

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to Laura Kaye and Entangled Publishing I have two awesome prizes to giveaway!

1. An e-book copy of ‘North of Need’
2. A gorgeous Swarovski jewellery set

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and ends 21st Nov 2011!

To enter the giveaway please follow the instructions below.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

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