Monday, January 23, 2012

Guest Post with Author Cornelia Amiri + Contest

Daffodils and The Prince of Powys
By Cornelia Amiri

I live in Houston, Texas, a climate that is usually warm, so I’m already thinking about and looking forward to spring. The ancient Celts like most people loved spring. The ancient Celtic festival Imbolc, which takes place next month, February 1st, ushered in spring. When I think of spring, I often think of Daffodils. Not only are yellow daffodils the essence of spring but they also hold a place of sacred honor to the Welsh.

One of the daffodil's many Welsh names is Cenhinen Bedr (Peter's leek). St. David, also known as Dewi, the patron saint of Wales, was a monk who lived on bread, water, herbs and leeks. The day he died, March 1, 589 A. D., is celebrated each year in Wales as St. David’s day. At the battle of Heathfield in 633 AD, which took place in a field of leeks, St. David told the Welsh warriors to wear a leek on their helmet so they could tell them apart from the Saxons they were fighting. Legend has it that the wild daffodils open their buds on March 1st to remind people of Saint David. Also Welsh soldiers wear a leek or daffodil in their caps each year on St. David's Day. Daffodils are often worn in place of leeks in hats and buttonholes, because they’re prettier and smell much sweeter.

Even warriors, both present and past, loved daffodils. The 8th century Welsh Warrior King, Elisedd, has a pillar, a standing cross his grandson erected to honor his deeds in battle, which still stands in Powys near Eglwyseg Mountain.

In my new young adult novel, The Prince of Powys, King Elisedd picked daffodils at the hill fort of Dynas Bran and discovered the magic within them as he said, “Men like your sire and I are warrior kings. We have no time for pretty words and daffodils. We must look after our land and our people." As the stern-faced king spoke those words, he twirled a daffodil in hand.

Branda covered her trembling lips to keep from laughing. She gathered a bouquet of the yellow flowers and handed them to the king.

”Don’t tell Carthann that you picked these flowers," Elisedd said.

“No." Branda leaned in close to him. "Are you going to give her the daffodils?"

"Yes. Let her think I picked them, for it was my intent. It is why I offered to bring you here, I remember a time when I picked daffodils for her. The summer scents and a pretty maid meant much to me. You make me feel young again girl."

Blurb for The Prince of Powys:
In an age of heroes, Branda, a Saxon princess helps Blaise, a Prince of Powys, escape her father’s stronghold. In turn, he vows to escort the princess to her sister in Scotland so she can escape an arranged marriage. Instead, he holds her captive as his hostage in the unbreachable hill fort of Dinas Bran, where she captures his heart. Will Blaise be forced to throw away his honor for love or to tear out his heart for honor?


I included a picture of me with daffodil balloons at the Dafodill Festival in Round Rock Texas. For more more information about my young adult fantasy/romance, The Prince of Powys, please visit http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615725823 or my website http://CelticromanceQueen.com.

Blogging Contest:
I am giving away a Celtic leather bracelet. Please post a comment or question below and a winner will be randomly selected. Include you email so I can contact you if you win.

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Thanks for stopping by Cornelia!
And be sure to check out her website and comment below to win the bracelet :)

14 comments:

  1. I never knew St. David or about March 1st every spring I have about 100 daffodil's sprout I will now look at them differently :) I'm glad I now know more about them, thank you! The Prince of Powys sounds amazing!!

    savannah
    brandon_savannah@yahoo.com

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  2. Cool interview Cornelia :)
    I'm a daffodill person too, they are a perfect harbinger of spring up here in Pennsylvania. I love European history and how flowers and herbs played such an important part in it. I love the blurb for The Prince of Powys, it looks like another cool read.

    Mindy :)
    Birdsooong@aol.com

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  3. Savannah, your garden sounds beautiful with 100 daffodils. Thank you for your interest in the Prince of Powys, I'm sure you'll like it.

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  4. Thank you so much Mindy. i bet the daffodils are lovely in Pennsylvania. Thank you for the kind words, I'm glad you like the blurb for The Prince of Powys.

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  5. Hi Cornelia, congratulations on your book. I'm interested to know if you did extensive historical research prior to actual writing...it sounds like it's research you enjoy! I love Celtic history, although I'm more familiar with the Scots than the Welsh. :) Enjoyed your post and will look for your book.

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  6. Hi,Cornelia!

    Did you know that a Welshman is an Irishman who learned to swim?
    Or - sometimes - a Scotsman whose Dad had a bike? LOL

    I love all the Celtic myths, and have dipped into this eternal fountain for inspiration in several of my own stories.
    Is "Prince of Powys" a standalone, or is/are there prequel[s] I ought to read before it? And do I have to order it online or will I find it in UK bookshops?

    Found an interesting recipe for leeks in a 3-types-of-mustard and cheese sauce last week - they certainly taste better than daffodils!

    Best of luck with all your books
    Paul McDermott

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  7. Hi once more, Cornelia!

    I thought I'd posted a comment a couple of hours ago,but it doesn't seem to have got through!!

    Once again ...

    I've read your sensitive handling of the Celtic traditional tales before, and always enjoyed them. I've also dipped into this eternal fountain of inspiration for a number of my own creations from time to time.
    Is "Prince of Powys" a standalone or is/are there other prequel[s] I should read first to get better enjoyment of the tale? And am I obliged to order it online or is there a UK bookseller who might have it on the shelf?

    BTW: Did you know that the definition of a Welshman is either(1) an Irishman who learned how to swim or (2) a Scot whose Dad had a bike .... LOL

    Found an interesting recipe this week for leeks in a 3-mustards-and-cheese sauce. They definitely taste better than daffodils!!

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  8. Ops!

    Time lag = doublepost --> twice the luck with your books, I hope!
    Paul

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  9. Thanks for a truly interesting post. You did a masterful job of blending info with promo. I love daffodils because they remind me of my mum. She was born on the last day of August in 1926 and that's when our daffodils are in bloom. The double ones grow wild in our paddocks. My great great grandmother Mary Ann planted them. I also make a mean leek soup...

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  10. Dear S.A. Hunter, thank you so much for your comment. Yes I love history and the Celts from bronze age to the dark ages are my favorite culture and time period. I researched the culture and mythology for well over fifteen years. This is the first young adult book I've written but it is also my 10th Celtic/Romance book. If you like the Scots I have The Scottish Selkie on Amazon for 99¢ which is set against the back drop of Kenneth Mac Alpin and also Druid Bride which you can get at Amazon or Barnes and Nobles in EBook or paperback and it is set in 1st century Scotland when the Caledonii and other Northern tribes fought the Romans. However they are not young adult books but they both have heat levels of about three flames. Just to let you know. Welsh history is very interesting and between the Welsh the Scots and the Irish I find the history to be equally compelling for all three, I don't find one more interesting then the other. The further you go back in history the closer they are tied to each other. The similarities between them or as interesting as their differences.

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  11. Dear Paul thank you so much for your comments. I know you write Celtic Historicals as well and it's always so nice to see your post. I think the best way to get the book for those in the UK is to get it online at Amazon UK in your choice of EBook or paperback. It's always to good to hear from you. I appreciate your comments so much.

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  12. Sally thank you so much for your comment and your kind words. I try to write guest blog post that are more than just a blurb and an excerpt. Daffodils are such a happy flower and yours sounds wonderful. It's so fantastic that they were planted by your grandmother. I wish I could fly over to Tasmania and see your daffodils and have some of your leek soup. It sounds yummy.

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  13. What a beautiful blog you have Adrienne! Found you through Danyelle Leafty ...

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