Monday, March 05, 2012

Transylvanian Inspiration

Congratulations to Nikki, who was chosen via random.org as the prize winner! Thanks everyone for participating, and good luck with the prizes at the other blog's and the rest of Barbara's party!
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Today begins Barbara Vey's 5th Anniversary Party, celebrating her blog, Beyond the Book, at Publisher's Weekly. I've joined with Lisa Kessler, Rachel Firasek, Kinley Baker, Sarah Makela, Bella Street, Linda Wisdom, and Chris Marie Green to give away a Kindle AND a $50 Amazon gift card AND whatever swag Lisa can fit into the package! Go comment on Barbara's post today and be in the running to win!

Also go check out tie-in posts at my fellow author's blogs:


The anniversary party paranormal day theme is Transylvania. That is all well and good for people like Lisa, whose characters are vampires. But how could I tie my goddesses in?

Uh...how about by talking about Hungarian goddesses? Yeah, I was amazed by the obviousness, too. Only took me four-point-seven minutes to think of it.

So Hungarian mythology is not, I think, all that well known in the United States. Certainly not as well known as Greek/Roman and Viking mythology. But in all fairness, it's hard to name superheroes and comic book characters after Boldogasszony (goddess of motherhood) or Boszorkány (a supernatural witch, she'd play the villain in a comic book). Those names don't roll off the tongue of non-Hungarians. (Note: time-limited research is from that unreliable cauldron of interesting stuff, Wikipedia.)

Hungarian myth is heavy on the gods, and even heavier on demons. But it's entirely possible that some of my Goddesses Rising have this ancestry. Not that they know it. It's kind of hard to do genealogy that far back, so no modern goddesses know exactly from whom they're descended.

Transylvania has a dark and moody reputation, but honestly, it's gorgeous country. I mean, look at this!

© Lenard denes, used with permission via GNU Free Documentation license
Who wouldn't want to visit there? During the day, you can hike in the gorgeousness, meet friendly locals, and collect unique memorabilia. At night, the looming hills and fog and shadows will cloak the vamps and demons the region is famous for. Best of everything!

Have you ever been to Transylvania, or any other part of the country? What part of the world do you associate with the supernatural? Comment here to WIN a copy of Megan Hart's Collide and an Under the Moon coffee mug (with a couple of other seekrit goodies thrown in). Don't forget to go to Barbara Vey's blog party for a chance to win the BIG prizes, and hop on over to my fellow authors' blogs for chances to win additional goodies. Have fun!

19 comments:

Lisa (Lisa's World of Books) said...

Wow how beautiful! I would for sure pick to live just like this. I have never been but wow!

lisasworldofbooks@charter.net

bluesun1218 said...

I have never been there but it looks gorgeous! I'll get there someday, I hope! I definitely think of Transylvania when I think about supernatural places as well New Orleans :)
bluesun1218@yahoo.com

Bella Street said...

As a Hungarian, I approve this message :)

MarilynDieckmann said...

As a Slovak... I approve as well!
I must admit my impression of Transylvania was "colored" by scenes from a horror movie, but I also remember the farmland and I've always been drawn to images of the "old world" and it's charms.

Kinley Baker said...

I would love to travel to Transylvania! I'm with Marilyn. I love the charm. That picture is truly gorgeous!

Chris Marie Green/Crystal Green said...

You make me want to take a vacation right now, Natalie!

Gena Robertson said...

Omigosh, I had no idea Hungary was so gorgeous! I would love to take a trip there :)

I think I always associated Ireland with the supernatural - something about the foggy moors and haunting winds *giddy goosebumps*.

Thank you so much for celebrating with us! I've signed up for all of your newsletters and liked your facebook page :D

Gena Robertson
robertsongena@hotmail.com

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

I had to add it to my "must go" list, too, Lisa, after seeing it! Thanks for commenting!

Definitely New Orleans, bluesun! (I wonder if I should be blocking you, evil corporation that you are... ;) )

Thank you, Bella and Marilyn, for your approval! :)

IKR, Kinley and Crystal?! We booked our vacation last night, but alas, we didn't get to pick Transylvania. :)

Gena, Ireland is definitely another country mired in the paranormal, both in legend and in reality, I think!

Thanks for commenting, everyone!

Linda Wisdom said...

Your goddesses fit in perfectly, Natalie!

A good friend visited Transylvania with her husband. She said best thing to take there was toilet paper! :}

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Ooh, good to know! Thanks, Linda! LOL

Lisa Kessler said...

Transylvania does look beautiful!! :) I'd love to go there someday!

Thanks for hopping with us today Natalie!!! Love the Goddesses! :)

Lisa

Unknown said...

Hmm I reland is also shrouded in mystery..so I think of there and of course Transilvania!! Who doesn't, especially if they love vampires? LOL...That is a beautiful picture, I'd love to see it someday, as well as Greece. But your absolutely right about the goddesses names not rolling of the tongue! But I think they fir in perfectly here!! Thanks so much!!
viajeradelmar@aol.com

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Greece definitely! It's a less spooky kind of paranormal, I think, but that could just be because of the sunshine. One of my books just got licensed to be published in Greek. I should do a book tour out there, don't you think? :)

Thanks for coming by!

Unknown said...

This is my #1 place to visit when I become a famous megobillionaire. :) I love it. Waving madly and trying to catch up! :) Woot!

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

I think you're well on your way, Rachel. :)

You are flying all over the intarwebs tonight! I can barely see you, you're moving so fast! LOL

Unknown said...

Ireland and Greece :) I love mythology and would love to tromp through all the great halls and buildings!! :) Awesome post and that is a beautiful picture...kind-of older-worldly..lol.

viajeradelmar@aol.com

wanda f said...

The places I associate most with the paranormal are of course Transylvania mmm vampires and the US we have so many legends any unexplained happenings zombies,voodoo,ghosts,mothman etc.Id say the good ol usa is my most associated paranormal place.

flanagan@mebtel.net

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Wanda, you're right. The USA has provided the TV show Supernatural with pah-lenty of fodder for 7 years! We have it all here. :)

Thanks for commenting!

I'm not feeling too well tonight, so I'm leaving comments open through Wednesday midday and will post the winner then. Stay tuned! :)

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

And the winner is Nikki!

I'll e-mail you about sending your prize. Thanks, everyone!