When up-and-coming actor Ash is
unexpectedly turned by ancient vampire Emma, he revels in the freedom of
his new life. But freedom soon turns to crushing oppression. As Emma’s
grip on him tightens, he begins to lose everything decent, everything
human, inside him. When he realizes the strange woman who haunts his
dreams is the same one Emma wants dead, will he stand by while Emma has
her way again?
Mara killed her demons and left
everything behind–so why does it feel like she’s still not free? She
doesn’t know if she’s being haunted or hunted, but one thing she’s sure
of is that she’ll have to face a reckoning for her past. Will she find a
way to the future, or lose everything?
Bleeding Heart is a dark fantasy novel
about nightmares, illusions, control, and revenge. Old meets new meets
ancient in this follow-up to Love Lies Bleeding.
I’m happy to announce that Bleeding Heart has been released
as an e-book! Don’t worry, if you prefer a hard copy, the
paperback will be out soon.
At the moment, Bleeding Heart is available on Amazon and the Smashwords site (click on the links to download now!)
I just want to thank everyone for your support and patience: I hope the wait was worth it ♥
Fun fact: the statue is part of the “Monument à Denis Diderot,” located in the Panthéon in Paris (a great place to visit, by the way). I chose this as the image for my next book way back when I chose the image for Love Lies Bleeding.
Just a reminder that Bleeding Heart will be available in October
(just in time for Halloween!). In the meantime, you can download my
other books:
If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
Cheers,
Aspasía S. Bissas
[This was originally posted on my official site. Follow me at AspasiaSBissas.com]
If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
Also, now is a great time to follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com
As a writer, I love words. As a vampire fan, I write about vampires.
It seems natural to combine it all into one post; and so, I bring you
words about vampires…
Related: “Sanguisugent” (adj), blood sucking or blood thirsty.
Wikionary says “sanguisuge” is obsolete, but I think it’s due for a
comeback.
I’ve written about revenants, if you’re curious to find out more. The word itself was coined in 1814 by Laetitia Matilda Hawkins in Rosanne:
“‘Well, but what is it? What do you call it in French?’ ‘Why, revenant, to be sure. Un revenant.'”
“Philosophy will clip an Angel’s wings,
Conquer all mysteries by rule and line,
Empty the haunted air, and gnomèd mine—
Unweave a rainbow, as it erewhile made
The tender-person’d Lamia melt into a shade.” -John Keats, “Lamia”
Fun etymology: Lamia literally means “swallower, lecher,” from laimos “throat, gullet.” (Source). Read more about them in my post here.
The first use of “undead” was c. 1400, but its use as a noun to mean vampires and other creatures dates from 1904. (Source)
“It’s a reflex. Hear a bell, get food. See an undead, throw a knife. Same thing, really.” -Ilona Andrews, Magic Bites
I know the word exsanguinate from the X-Files episode “Eve,” but it was first used around 1800, coming from the Latin exsanguinatus, meaning bloodless or deprived of blood.
“My first word of the new year was ‘exsanguinate.’ This was probably not a good omen.”
-Charlaine Harris, Dead to the World.
And of course, we can’t forget the word that all the others relate to:
The earliest form of the word “vampire” dates to only 1734, although
stories of monsters that rise from the dead and attack the living can be
found even in ancient times. The idea of blood-gorged walking corpses
goes back to at least the 1100s. There’s some debate as to where the
word comes from, but it most likely has its roots in the Old Church
Slavonic “opiri.” (Source)
“It was too much, the weight of it all was too much. Maybe that was
why emotions were deadened in vampires; the alternative was to be
overtaken by them, crippled, left stranded and isolated and trapped by
unbearable sensation. How could they hunt if they felt sympathy,
empathy, love for their prey? How could they —how could she —live with
themselves?” Aspasía S. Bissas, Love Lies Bleeding
Yes, that’s a quote from my own book (I’m sneaky that way). Get my books to find even more words about vampires:
If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
Did I miss your favourite word about vampires? Let me know in the comments…
Dragonscale Clippings recently shared a review of Love Lies Bleeding:
Love Lies Bleeding by Aspasia S Bissas Although this novel starts off almost predictably (for a vampire tale) it soon develops into something quite unusual. Read more…
Give it a read, and don’t forget to stop by Dragonscale Clippings’s blog and follow and like! Many thanks for the kind review ♥
Speaking of reviews, if you’ve read and enjoyed any of my books,
please take a minute now to leave a rating or review (links below). And
if you haven’t read my books yet, now is the perfect time to start…
Paperback available from Bookshop
– when you use this link, a portion of each sale goes directly to
independent bookstores, as well as to myself. (It’s also available on
most other online book sites.)
Blood Magic
Myth and magic collide in this story about choices, transformation, and retribution.
If you've read and enjoyed any of my books, please take a minute now to leave a rating or review (links below). And if you haven't read my books yet, now is the perfect time to start...
Paperback available from Bookshop – when you use this link, a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. (It's also available on most other online book sites.)
Blood Magic
Myth and magic collide in this story about choices, transformation, and retribution.
Love Lies Bleeding‘s
readers know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist.
Trained when she was still human, she continues to study plants and
have a garden. This post is seventh in a series exploring Mara’s plants.
Are you interested in botany, gardening, or plant lore? So are some
vampires…
Please note: Medicinal uses are given for informational purposes
only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or
treating yourself or anyone else.
Botanical Name:Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) and Chamaemelum nobile (Roman or English chamomile).
Common Names: chamomile, camomile, German chamomile, Italian chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, wild chamomile, scented mayweed, Matricaria recutita, Roman chamomile, English chamomile, garden chamomile, Water of Youth, ground apple, mother’s daisy, whig plant, Anthemis nobilis, Anthemis, chamomilla, Flores Anthemidis, Grosse Kamille, Romische Kamile, manzanilla, sweet chamomile
History: Found near populated areas throughout
temperate parts of the world, chamomile will grow in any disturbed soil,
including along roadsides, near landfills, and in cultivated fields. It
has been used medicinally since at least Ancient Egypt, and in beer
making (and love potions!) since the Middle Ages. Roman chamomile was
thought to be the superior form, hence the use of “nobile” (noble) in
its botanical name, although research shows that German chamomile is
actually the more potent of the two. Chamomile is the national flower of
Russia.
Victorian Language of Flowers Meaning: Patience
Cultivation: Zones 3 to 9. German chamomile is an
annual that readily self seeds. Roman chamomile is a perennial.
Chamomiles like moist but well-drained soil and full sun (or part shade
in hotter climates). Start seeds six weeks before last frost. Seeds need
light to germinate, so scatter on top of potting mix, press firmly into
the mix, and keep moist. Transplant outside after risk of frost has
passed. (You can also directly sow seed outdoors in autumn.) Thin plants
to 15 to 18 inches (38 to 45 cm) apart. Blooms June and July. After
(Roman chamomile) plants flower, cut them back to soil level to ensure
strong plants next season.
Uses:
Medicinal: Whichever type of chamomile you use, make a tea from the
flowers and drink or apply externally, depending on what you’re
treating. German chamomile in particular has been found to be
antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory, making it ideal for menstrual and
intestinal cramps, as well as coughs and colds. Chamomile is calming and
has been traditionally used to help anxiety and insomnia. Cooled tea
can be applied to skin to calm irritations and help with swelling (it
can also be used as a mouth rinse for sores or inflammation). You can
make a pot of strong tea and add it to bath water for a healing bath.
Chamomile is a mild laxative, but has also been found to help treat
diarrhea in children.
Caution: Chamomile can cause allergic reactions in anyone allergic to pollen or plants in the ragweed family. Chamomile may also negatively interact with other herbs and medicines. Avoid using if you’re taking anti-coagulants, NSAIDS, or sleep aids (including herbal kinds).
Caution 2: Pregnant and nursing women are advised to
avoid using Roman chamomile. Infants should not be given chamomile, as
(like honey) it may be contaminated with botulism spores, which a baby’s
immature immune system can’t handle.
Cosmetics: Chamomile extract or essential oil can be added to skin
creams as a soothing ingredient. Cooled chamomile tea can be used as a hair rinse to bring out blond highlights. Chamomile can also be added to homemade bath products, such as bath bombs.
Food: Home brewers can use the entire chamomile plant to add bitterness to beer. Chamomile flowers can be used in drinks (lemonade, smoothies, cocktails), in homemade popsicles, or in baking and other desserts. The flowers have a sweet apple or pineapple scent, and are worth experimenting with.
Crafts: Chamomile makes a nice addition to potpourri.
You can also scent your home by gently simmering chamomile (fresh or
dried leaves and/or flowers) in a pot of water on the stove (do not
leave unattended; keep a close eye on water levels).
Gardening: Prevent damping off in seedlings by watering them with
cooled chamomile tea. Planting chamomile near sick plants often results
in healthier plants.
Mara’s Uses: Mara orders a cup of chamomile tea in Blood Magic (download your free copy here). Chamomile would also be included in remedies she sells via her apothecary business in Love Lies Bleeding, as well as the ones she used to help her fellow passengers in Tooth & Claw (download your free copy here).
If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
Going with the flow of Awen and with the “Creativity comes with other
people” theme from my other post, I felt compelled to write this one!
I haven’t done a book review before and I am thrilled that my first is for my fellow blogger and friend, Aspasía S. Bissas’ novel ‘Love Lies Bleeding’.
Firstly, ‘Love Lies Bleeding‘ is a romance. I don’t do romance books, but this was a first. Ok, technically Dracula could be classed as one- alright, a love story!
Secondly, this is a story in a world that has vampires in it.
I love vampires. I especially love the modern version of vampires
being sexy, having cool powers and using blood drinking as a metaphor
for sex.
Our main protagonists are Mara and Lee. Mara’s a young (looking) vampire who is…
Love Lies Bleeding‘s
readers know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist.
Trained in botany and herbalism when she was still human, she continues
to study plants and have a garden. This post is third in a series
exploring Mara’s plants. Are you interested in botany, gardening, or
plant lore? So are some vampires…
Please note: Medicinal uses are given for informational purposes
only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or
treating yourself or others.
Latin Name:Lavandula (Species include angustifolia, stoechas, latifolia, and dentata)
Common Names: Lavender, English Lavender, French Lavender, Spanish Lavender, nard
History: Part of the mint family, Lavender is native
to Europe, northern and eastern Africa, and large parts of Asia. Its
use goes back at least to Ancient Egypt, where the oil was used in
mummification. The Greeks and Romans used the plant in their public
baths. In the Middle Ages lavender was used as a strewing herb, where it
was sprinkled on floors to repel insects and sweeten the air with its
scent. The word lavender comes from the French, “lavendre” meaning “to wash,” which itself comes from the Latin name Lavandula, from the verb lavare, “to wash.”
Victorian Language of Flowers Meaning: Loyalty, love, devotion
Cultivation: Perennial (although in less ideal
conditions, it should be considered an annual). Cold hardiness depends
on variety–English lavender (L.angustifolia) tolerates zones 5 to 8; French lavender (L. dentata and L. stoechas)
is suited to zones 8 to 11. Lavender likes full sun and dry sandy or
rocky soil. If you live in an area with heavy clay soils, try growing
lavender in containers or raised beds. The plants need good air
circulation, so don’t crowd them. Lavender generally doesn’t need to be
fertilized. Avoid organic mulches in areas with high humidity (gravel or
rock mulches should be okay). Plants generally bloom from June until
August, and you can extend blooming time by planting a variety of types.
Flowers range in colour from white to pink, light purple to deep
blue-purple, and yellow, depending on variety. Lavender is difficult to
start from seed–it’s best to purchase plants. Water seedlings
consistently until they’re established. Prune plants in spring. Deadhead
spent flowers throughout the season to encourage more blooms. Harvest
just before the flowers are fully open.
Lavender has become invasive and/or weedy in parts of Australia and
Spain. Check with your local authorities before growing it in those
areas.
Bonus: Bees and butterflies love lavender.
Uses:
Medicinal: Lavender
may help calm anxiety and ease insomnia. It’s also been traditionally
used to treat intestinal disorders and cardiovascular diseases, and has
been found effective in fighting fungal infections.
Essential Oil:
Lavender essential oil is distilled from the flowers and is used in
perfumes, soaps, bath products, and in aromatherapy. The oil is
antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, making it useful for treating minor
burns (including sunburn), wounds, and stings. It also repels
mosquitoes. Generally a drop or two of the oil can go directly onto
skin, but if you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin you might want to
dilute the lavender oil in a carrier oil
(like sweet almond or olive) before applying to skin. Lavender oil,
when combined with essential oils of rosemary, thyme, and cedarwood, has
been found to be effective in combatting hair loss.
Cautions: While lavender is generally safe, the NIH
recommends that boys avoid lavender essential oil as it may cause
hormonal effects leading to gynecomastia. Lavender oil can irritate the
skin in some people (use with a carrier oil–see above) and can cause
photo-sensitivity, so avoid sun exposure if you’ve used lavender
essential oil on your skin. The NIH also says people who take sleep
medication or blood pressure-lowering medication should use caution when
combining lavender with these drugs. Lavender oil can be poisonous if
taken internally.
In addition, Essential oils are toxic to pets: never
use to treat pets. Do not diffuse essential oils in an enclosed space
when pets are present. Do not apply oils externally to pets. Never let
pets or children ingest essential oils.
Culinary: English lavender is the most commonly used kind in cooking. Lavender is usually included in “Herbes de Provence”
mixes. Lavender flowers can be incorporated into baking, drinks, stews,
and salads. Lavender pairs well with berries, sheep’s milk- and goat’s
milk-cheeses, “spring mix” type salad greens, beef, honey, lemons, and
custard. Lavender leaves can replace (or be used with) rosemary in
savoury foods and breads. The dried mature stems can be used as skewers.
Remember to use the dried flowers sparingly to avoid a soapy or
perfumey taste
Place about a teaspoon of dried flowers into a cup of superfine sugar
and let the mixture sit for 2 weeks. Use the lavender-flavoured sugar
in place of regular sugar in desserts and drinks. It’s particularly good
sprinkled on berries or in lemonade.
Flower buds and lavender leaves are infused to make tea.
Lavender syrup (homemade or commercial) can be used in drinks, desserts, ice creams, or candy making.
Lavender honey can be used like regular honey and has a subtle lavender scent and flavour.
Other: Tie a bundle of lavender and eucalyptus to your shower for a relaxing, spa-like bathing experience.
Mara’s Uses: Mara uses lavender to soothe herself by
brushing her hand over the plant and inhaling the scent. Lavender is
also part of her apothecary business, in teas, tinctures, and salves.
If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
Bookshop is offering free shipping starting today and going until
Monday. They give a portion of each sale directly to independent
bookstores, and if you use This Link to buy my novel, Love Lies Bleeding, I’ll also get a bonus (best of all, they don’t charge more than any other online store).
What happens when a predator loves its prey?
Centuries-old Mara is dying a slow death when she meets Lee, a young
man whose life has never belonged to him. Thrown together, they’re
forced to fight those who would destroy them and survive a slew of
enemies they never expected, even as Mara falls into a downward spiral
of delusion and obsession. Will she make a devil’s deal to save both
their souls? With pasts like theirs, can they ever have a future?
Books make great gifts and buying through Bookshop is the perfect way to support independent bookstores, as well as authors ♥
Photo via Mary’s Heirloom SeedsLove Lies Bleeding‘s readers know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist. Trained in
botany and herbalism when she was still human, she continues to study
plants and have a garden. This post is second in a series exploring
Mara’s plants. Are you interested in botany, gardening, or plant lore?
So are some vampires…
Please note: Medicinal uses are given for informational purposes
only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or
treating yourself or anyone else.
Latin Name:Symphytum officinale
Common Names: Boneset, Bruisewort, Knitbone, Slippery Root
History: Native to Europe and parts of Asia, comfrey has a long history (at least 2000 years) in healing. It has been used to treat coughs and lung ailments, stop excessive bleeding, treat stomach problems, and to ease joint pain and inflammation. Its most common use, however, has been to heal wounds, bruises, and broken bones; in fact, almost every name (in all languages) for comfrey refer to knitting or mending bones or healing cuts and contusions. "Comfrey" comes from a Latin word meaning "to grow together," and the botanical name "Symphytum" comes from the Greek, meaning plant that knits bones together. It was once also used as food for both people and animals.
Caution: Comfrey has been found to be toxic to the liver when taken internally in large amounts. It's generally safe to use externally, but is best avoided by pregnant and nursing women, infants, and by people with liver, kidney, or vascular disease. It's also toxic to animals, so be sure not to let them eat it.
Victorian Language of Flowers Meaning: Home sweet home
Cultivation: Perennial in zones 4 to 9. Easy to grow from seed, comfrey prefers full to part sun and rich, well-drained soil. It's quite adaptable and can survive less-than-ideal conditions, including drought. Sow early indoors or outside as soon as soil can be worked. Sow just below surface of soil and tamp down--keep seeds moist (not wet). Sow seeds or seedlings with 2 feet (60 cm) of space around them as the plants get fairly large. Once plants are established in a spot they can live for decades and be difficult to remove, so take care when selecting a site. Comfrey is generally non-invasive, although it can self sow.
Uses: Comfrey is still used externally to treat inflammation, joint pain, and closed wounds and bruises. You can crush fresh leaves to make a poultice, apply fresh leaves to the affected area, use a salve, or apply oil that has had comfrey steeped in it. Treat poison ivy blisters by rubbing a fresh leaf on them. You can also use the chopped roots to make salves, ointments, and oils (or use a combination of leaves and roots). Leaves are best used before the plant blooms; roots are best harvested in late autumn or early winter.
In the garden, nitrogen- and potassium-rich comfrey leaves are used as fertilizer, in compost, and as mulch. Avoid using stems as they can take root and spread the plant where you don't want it. You can also make a compost tea with the chopped leaves by steeping them in water for several weeks and then straining and diluting the resulting dark liquid 12:1 before applying to the garden.
Mara's Uses: She makes a poultice of comfrey leaves to help speed up healing of a particularly bad injury. Comfrey would be one of the herbs used to make salves and oils for her apothecary business.
If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
