ABOUT the DAUGHTER of VENUS SERIES

Wondering what the series is about and what to expect? Find out here!

Daughter of Venus takes place in a parallel world on the magical planet of Ayandoh (eye-an-doe). Earth and Ayandoh are connected by Veils that are scattered throughout both planets. These Veils only open during the Transit of Venus, an astronomical event in which Venus passes between Earth and the sun, appearing as a small black dot on the sun’s surface. Transits occur in pairs less than once per century, with the two transits separated by eight years. The most recent Transits occurred in 2004 and 2012. There won't be another until 2117. Each Transit lasts approximately six hours.

Lexi Guinel, an eighteen-year-old from Earth, accidentally stumbles through one of these Veils just before the Transit ends and the Veil closes, trapping her in Ayandoh for eight years. See the blurb for book one, A Journey Unveiled, below.

Representation is one of my goals for the series. For example, Lexi is biracial. Her father is a descendant of Haitian slaves, while her mother is Irish. Yendar, the potions master of the light elves (the Loinnai, pronounced low-in-eye), is a gay Black man. Representation increases in book two, An Enemy Defined, as the world expands. You’ll meet characters of a variety of races, sexual orientations and identities, and abilities, including shifters, the most revered of the Loinnai. Shifters appear neither male nor female and use the pronouns they/them.

I based some of Ayandoh’s humanoids on Earth’s paleontology, an interest of mine since my undergrad years at the University of Guelph. However, I took liberties with such characteristics as their levels of intelligence and linguistic abilities.

Earth myths and legends inspired some of Ayandoh's creatures. I imagined Earthlings who crossed to and from Ayandoh telling stories of the creatures they saw there, as well as Ayandonians who passed through Veils to Earth.

Themes include respect for nature (including kindness to animals), diversity, and tolerance. Because I’m appalled by the lack of Holocaust awareness in today’s society, the series contains allegories to the Holocaust and Nazism.

I confess. I am a huge geek. That's why you'll find references to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, and Indiana Jones. I also pay homage to my favourite TV show, Supernatural, through some of the names I chose.

Stay tuned for more information! The next post will discuss the differences between and origins of the Loinnai and the dark elves (Selenites). And if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask.

A JOURNEY UNVEILED

A plane crash. A cave. A magical journey begins.

It’s June 8, 2004. The first Transit of Venus in more than a century. Lexi Guinel and her family are flying high above the Italian Alps when a storm sweeps in, knocking their plane from the sky. While seeking help, Lexi stumbles through a mysterious veil into a world of magic and evil.

Crown Prince Aeric of Gower obeys his father’s every command, no matter how dark or cruel. When elves and dwarves seize the city Aeric commands, he is grateful for his critical wounds. He’d rather face death than the king’s wrath. Unfortunately, the witches and elves have other plans.

Lexi has more to learn than magic. Life in Gowerland is dangerous, especially after her fate becomes entwined with that of Prince Aeric. They have important roles to play...provided they don’t kill each other first.

Step through a crack, you can't go back.