Mythical Monday (35)

It seems there are many books based on or influenced by Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are so many different Mythology and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.

This week we have:

Fantasy author Danielle Ackley-McPhail

Talking of Redcaps.

“Her eyes snapped open. The clawed hands returned, pinning her down, and her vision filled with wizened faces beneath brown caps that deepened to crimson as her blood flowed and the redcaps feasted.” –The Redcaps’ Queen: A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale

I’ve come to tell you another tale, to caution you against another fae.

Who am I to do so? Danielle Ackley-McPhail, one of the chroniclers of the Bad-Ass Faeries, (www.badassfaeries.com).

With some fae, respect will serve you well, that and perhaps some passing knowledge of the ways to protect yourself. With others, I can only entreat you to avoidance. The redcap is such a one; also called by the names dunter or powrie, though redcap speaks more boldly of their nature. Murderous fae are these ilk.

They are solitary creatures. In an effort to avoid competition, or to set their victims at ease? Either is a valid argument. According to legend they bear the appearance of wizen old men easily mistaken for tramps or hobos…or the ancient equivalent anyway. Not much mention is made of their clothes, other than their hobnail boots and signature red caps, and the fact they carry an iron pike (so don’t for a moment think cold iron will keep you safe). They are known to lurk in the ruins of old castles. There they are said to wait for weary travelers looking for a place to rest their heads at night. Woe to those who bunk down in the realm of a redcap for they won’t rise again. These fae must ever keep their caps red.

Simple enough, no? Too simple indeed for the redcap…

By murder they reach this end, killing the unwary and soaking said caps in their blood. It is believed should the hats ever dry out it is the death of the redcap.

This is what the legends say…but can we ever know? Not hardly. For it is also said that none ever survive an encounter with a redcap. Perhaps yes…perhaps no…

The Redcaps’ Queen tells another tale. Suzanne, an outcast princess of the faerie realm faced death at the hands of these vicious fae. She would tell you of their black, shark-like eyes and razor-sharp teeth and nails. She would tell you of their blood-thirsty ways, only able to do so for being rescued by Lance Cosain, her Halfling lover.

A triumph, you say? Perhaps, but only a temporary one. See, blood…it forms a bond, and redcaps have a reputation to uphold. Or perhaps to silence, else how would they come by their prey if we are successful in warning the mortal realm?

But all is not as it seems, and legend is rarely the full of the truth. What happens when a redcap meets its end? What truths have remained hidden by the mists of time? And can anyone ever be the same with blood on their hands?

Seek the answers in the pages of The Redcaps’ Queen: A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale

***

To learn more about The Redcaps’ Queen please visit www.sidhenadaire.com/books/RQ.htm

You can read an excerpt at www.sidhenadaire.com/books/RQ-EX.htm


Author Bio:
Award-winning author Danielle Ackley-McPhail has worked both sides of the publishing industry for longer than she cares to admit. Currently, she is a project editor and promotions manager for Dark Quest Books.

Her published works include five urban fantasy novels, Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories, Today’s Promise, The Halfling’s Court: and The Redcaps’ Queen: A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale. She is also the author of the solo science fiction collection, A Legacy of Stars, the non-fiction writers guide, The Literary Handyman, and is the senior editor of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series, Dragon’s Lure, and In An Iron Cage. Her work is included in numerous other anthologies and collections.

She is a member of the Garden State Speculative Fiction Writers, the New Jersey Authors Network, and Broad Universe, a writer’s organization focusing on promoting the works of women authors in the speculative genres.

Danielle lives in New Jersey with husband and fellow writer, Mike McPhail, mother-in-law Teresa, and three extremely spoiled cats.

In her down time she concocts her own cookie recipes (Spirited Delights), gets crafty, and makes costume horns. All the spaces in between are filled with reading…lots of reading!

If you want to know more about what fun I had with Irish myth I invite you to check out the Eternal Cycle trilogy or The Bad-Ass Faerie Tale series. Free excerpts of each book can be found on my website:
Yesterday's Dreams http://www.sidhenadaire.com/books/YesterdaysDreams-EX.pdf
Tomorrow's Memories http://www.sidhenadaire.com/books/TomorrowsMemories-EX.pdf
Today's Promise http://www.sidhenadaire.com/books/Today’sPromise-EX.pdf
The Halfling's Court http://www.sidhenadaire.com/books/HC-EX.pdf
The Redcaps' Queen http://www.sidhenadaire.com/books/RQ-EX.pdf

Find Danielle Ackley-McPhail:
Websites: www.sidhenadaire.com
Blogs: http://lit_handyman.livejournal.com, http://damcphail.livejournal.com, http://badassfaeries.livejournal.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/DMcPhail
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/danielle.ackleymcphail
Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Danielle-Ackley-McPhail/e/B002GZVZPQ/
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/989939.Danielle_Ackley_McPhail


Pick Up Danielle's Books At:
On Amazon:

Barnes & Nobles

Book Depository

Additional Books By Danielle:

On Amazon:
  

Danielle also has Science Fiction books. Find her whole book list on Amazon and any book selling site.