Secrets of the Ash Tree
By Siv Maria Ottem
In the realm of the gods and fairy tales the mystery of life is an endless path with many secrets to be discovered. Some secrets are like dreams, just waiting in darkness hoping to get into the light.
‘Secrets of the Ash Tree’ is the story about Liv, a young woman who discovers her true nature through the unraveling of hidden secrets. Her adventures begin when she digs up a chest that was buried by her father under the old ash tree in her garden. What she finds inside the chest changes her life forever. Liv discovers one secret after another and is thrown into a world full of dangerous and strange creatures, mighty Norse warriors and perils beyond her belief. What started out as a fairy tale in her father’s journal was to become her legacy, a guide line to survival, and a map to the world she was about to enter. Each day, each mystery, each encounter will ultimately reveal her true destiny and behind the edge of a sword awaits a young god who is willing to share that destiny with her.
Available in Hardcover, softcover, kindle:
Amazon
Amazon kindle
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
I rap with Thor... sort of.
Thor: You must have noticed all the storms and extreme weather these past few years. Humans have little regard for mother earth. Pollution and the destruction of the earth’s natural resources will someday destroy this beautiful planet unless something drastic is done. Time is running out.
E.J: That's... cheerful? Let's talk happy! Your wife, the golden-haired goddess Sif, is pretty smoking hot--put the hammer down, that's not where this is going! Sheesh, you're very touchy. Anyway, I was just going to ask how you two met and what date night was like for two almighty beings?
Thor: I have known Sif most of my life but when her first husband, the giant Orvandil was killed in battle my father Odin decided that a union between the two of us would be beneficial for the earth. It was a divine marriage between myself as sky god and Sif as earth goddess. I guess you could say it was decided for me that I should settle down and bed a wife. Don’t get me wrong, I am rather fond of Sif and she is a great wife and mother. This date night you talk about, I have never heard of it. What is this date night?
E.J: Can't be easy following in the shoes of a giant in the romance department, am-I-right?
*E.J. holds up hand for high five*
*Thor stares at E.J.*
Right... You cruise around in a chariot pulled by goats I hear. Other than trying to stink your enemies to death, why goats and not some sweet winged horses or something? Is it a weird Norse masculinity statement I'm not getting, or do you just REALLY love goats?
Hey, I'm not judging, I've got a beagle and once owned some ducks. To each their own!
Thor: The answer to that is simple! These are special goats that can be resurrected. I find that since I am out in the wild where food can be scarce so much of the time, traveling with my meal is convenient. Goat is delicious and I have a rather huge appetite!
E.J: *clears throat and arches eyebrows*
No, that's not creepy at all... Boxers, briefs, or are you a wool leggings kind of guy? :)
Thor: Boxer’s…Briefs? What are these things, some kind of special armor? As you can see I have come in peace today…Should I have worn armor? Bring me this bearer of my wife’s name, it is she who has written this book Secrets of the Ash Tree, is it not? I pray she has the wits to bring me something for my thirst!
E.J.: Can we have a little man-to-god chat here? Might not kill you to "loosen" up a bit. Just sayin'...
Tell you what, why don't we kick it over to Siv to bring this thing home, shall we?
Siv: What’s the matter with you Wesley? You should know to offer this honored guest some ale and a bite to eat. Lucky for you I come prepared with some nice venison and bread, as well as a keg of ale. It is a pleasure to see you again Thor. Please eat and drink while we talk.
Thor: A lady after my own heart indeed!
*Tears off a chunk of bread and piles on a slab of meat with his greedy hands. Then chases the food down with a huge mug of ale, and gives out a large belch before continuing the process over again.*
E.J.: *Shakes head.*
Where are my manners? Didn't realize we were running a bed and breakfast for irritable and slovenly gods around here...
Siv: Last year we met and you got into a heated argument with Loki over his portrayal in the moving picture called Thor. There is a new Thor moving picture coming to the big screen soon. Will you have the chance to see this film and what do you think of the man who plays you in these moving pictures?
Thor: *Wipes his mouth with the palm of his hand and grunts.*
We have a hall of mirrors in Asgard where it is possible to see these moving pictures you speak of. The first movie about me was amusing although they made me out to be just another pretty boy with stupid thoughts of love. I hope this time they show me as a true warrior and make me more dirty. The pretty boy was too clean and not tough enough! They better not make Loki some kind of hero in this next film!
E.J.: Seriously, who hates on Tom Hiddleston?
Siv: They based this movie on comic books, which is why the characters do not remain true to the stories told from volumes of Norse mythology. If you could choose to make changes to the characters what kind of changes would you make?
Thor: Well for one thing, I would get my wife back and at home where she belongs… Also, her hair is not black! Her hair was restored again by the dwarves after Loki cut it off. Also, Heimdall is the shining god. He is pale like the moon, not black! Another thing…We do not fly all over the place and we are not from another planet!
Siv: Do you think that I did a fair job of describing you and the other gods in my book Secrets of the Ash Tree?
E.J.: Siv, you sure you really want an honest answer from Mr. I'm-Really-Into-My-Wife's-Hair? *grumbles*
Thor: *Gives Siv a hearty slap on the back, and lifts his mug of ale.*
Well done!
E.J.: There you have it! Be sure to check out Secrets of the Ash Tree. I's Thor approved, and he seems like the particular sort, so that's a ringing endorsement in my book!
And be sure to head over to Siv's blog and enter for a chance to win some awesome Norwegian chocolates and other goodies!
We have a hall of mirrors in Asgard where it is possible to see these moving pictures you speak of. The first movie about me was amusing although they made me out to be just another pretty boy with stupid thoughts of love. I hope this time they show me as a true warrior and make me more dirty. The pretty boy was too clean and not tough enough! They better not make Loki some kind of hero in this next film!
E.J.: Seriously, who hates on Tom Hiddleston?
Siv: They based this movie on comic books, which is why the characters do not remain true to the stories told from volumes of Norse mythology. If you could choose to make changes to the characters what kind of changes would you make?
Thor: Well for one thing, I would get my wife back and at home where she belongs… Also, her hair is not black! Her hair was restored again by the dwarves after Loki cut it off. Also, Heimdall is the shining god. He is pale like the moon, not black! Another thing…We do not fly all over the place and we are not from another planet!
Siv: Do you think that I did a fair job of describing you and the other gods in my book Secrets of the Ash Tree?
E.J.: Siv, you sure you really want an honest answer from Mr. I'm-Really-Into-My-Wife's-Hair? *grumbles*
Thor: *Gives Siv a hearty slap on the back, and lifts his mug of ale.*
Well done!
E.J.: There you have it! Be sure to check out Secrets of the Ash Tree. I's Thor approved, and he seems like the particular sort, so that's a ringing endorsement in my book!
And be sure to head over to Siv's blog and enter for a chance to win some awesome Norwegian chocolates and other goodies!
Posts
Loved it! E J - I'm surprised you didn't get a hammer over the head, but I'm sure Thor was only being kind in the presence of lovely Siv! Thank goodness she was there! LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat interview - very well done!
I'm surprised, too, Yolanda! I was definitely a little cheeky with old Thunder Head. ;) I had too much fun with this, as you can probably tell. :)
DeleteThanks Yolanda! I think I remind him of his wife, same name(different spelling) and golden hair :)
DeleteThat was great! Resurrection goats. Wonder where I can get some? Well, not that I would eat goat.
ReplyDeleteYou survived the interview - well, done, EJ.
I've heard goats BBQ nicely... but they're so darned cute, I'm not sure how I'd feel about eating one, either. :)
DeleteI used to think goats were cute too until I was repeatedly attacked by a visious one at my work place! Goat cheese is more to my liking :)
DeleteThat was pretty damn funny. ^_^ I'm a huge fan of Norse mythology, though I'm good with the Marvel portrayals too, since they're just another way to tell the stories. I'm glad Norse mythology is getting so much attention in fiction these days, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mason! I love that all of the Norse mythology is getting some spotlight as well. Such great characters and stories!
DeleteNorse mythology and culture does have a spotlight on them these days. Same with fairy tales. Glad you enjoyed the interview Mason
DeleteNow that is an interview!
ReplyDeleteEJ it might be a bad idea to call Thor irritable and slovenly!
I'm pretty sure I had to duck a few times in the interview, William. :)
DeleteI think E.J. was pretty damn brave William, but to be honest I was more than a little nervous at times!
DeleteThat was a fun read :)
ReplyDelete......dhole
Donna, glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteVery imaginative and lots of fun, EJ... really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bro! Glad you had fun reading this post. Wesley did a great job and I know he had fun with it as well.
Delete"Can't be easy following in the shoes of a giant..."
ReplyDeleteBwahahahaha. xD
Great interview. I could barely read it for the tears in my eyes.
Thanks Melissa! Wesley's sense of humor did a good job at bringing Thor to life!
DeleteLoved the morning laugh, E. J. and Siv! Goats, ducks AND mighty Thor all in one post. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteThor's not only mighty but he does have a good sense of humor as well
DeleteRatatoskr, the big, ah, little gossip, was hiding in the shadows, watching this whole interview. He was pretty sure E.J. was going to become a smoking stick man (no relationship to X-Files!) I really enjoyed the smiles and laughs of this interview: good going, E. J. and Siv! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Roland! Ratatoskr got all of E.J's Sugar as well!
DeleteThis is such a timely release with Thor 2 hitting theaters in November.
ReplyDeletePart of the plan Michael, hope you enjoyed my Norse blog tour interviews :)
DeleteI have to say the goats are better than the horses. In Jamaica there'd be a lot of curry goat eaten if Thor dropped by. I'm not big on goat but I'd try holy goat meat once. Fun interview, glad you made it out in one piece E.J.
ReplyDeleteLOL. That was fun. And, yeah, good timing on the Norse mythology. :)
ReplyDeleteHah! Very entertaining. I love it. :)
ReplyDelete