Come experience a mystical winter as we welcome author Megan Barnard to discuss her new novel, The Winter Goddess. Megan will share about her reimagining of an Irish myth that teaches us about the beauty of being human and the love of being alive. Afterwards, Megan will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Winter Goddess will be available for purchase at the event.
This event will be held at Give Rise Studio, and is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.
About the book: “The Winter Goddess is a gripping, bittersweet tale that explores love, loss, and the price of power and immortality. . . a perfect read for cold winter nights. I couldn’t put it down.” —Genevieve Gornichek, bestselling author of The Weaver and the Witch Queen
“Utterly bewitching. . . Barnard’s novel pairs the beauty and fragility of the human experience with the sharp bite of winter. The result is an enthralling and emotional saga mythology lovers everywhere won’t want to miss!” —A.D. Rhine, author of Daughters of Bronze
A goddess is cursed to endlessly live and die as a mortal until she understands the value of human life, in this inventive, moving reimagining of Irish mythology.
Cailleach, goddess of winter, was not born to be a blight on humanity, but she became one. She would say with scorn that it was their own fault: mortals were selfish, thoughtless, and destructive, bringing harm to each other and the earth without cause or qualms.
One day, Cailleach goes too far. Thousands die, lost to her brutal winter. In punishment, her mother Danu, queen of the gods, strips the goddess of her powers and sends Cailleach to earth, to live and die as the mortals she so despises, until she understands what it is to be one of them. Though determined to live in solitude, Cailleach finds that she cannot help but reach for the people she once held in such disdain. She loves and mourns in equal measure, and in opening herself to humanity, hears tales not meant for immortal ears—including a long-buried secret that will redefine what it means to be a god.
About the author: Megan Barnard is the author of novels born from an obsession with ancient myths, powerful women, and forgotten voices. When she’s not writing, she’s falling down rabbit holes of research and can share many a random fact, some of which occasionally even inform her writing. She lives in Maryland with her husband and her pup, Pippin.