The 13th Floor Series - The Harbinger: Blog Tour - Greek Mythology Chat

One of my favourite book series is back with a new instalment. Yes, I’m here with Christine Rains to discuss the forth book in her 13th Floor Series, The Harbinger. We got together to discuss one of the books main themes – Greek Mythology. 

1)What is your favorite Greek mythological creature? 

Clare: I absolutely love Greek mythology, and my Granddad is from Cyprus, so I’ve been reading about Greek myths since I was a child. I’ve always been fascinated with Gorgons, especially Medusa – I think because of watching the stop-motion 1980’s version of Clash of the Titans. I always imagined Medusa has having a terrible beauty, and that added to her ability to turn someone to stone. She was almost too astonishing that she stunned people. 

Christine: That's so cool! I've always loved Greek myths too. Clash of the Titans is a classic! It's difficult to pick one creature I like the best. I've a few story ideas stored away about the Furies, goddesses of pain and revenge. Some myths have them created from women who lost children or who have been betrayed by their loves. 

2) What is your favorite Greek myth? 

Clare: I really like the myth of King Minos of Crete, the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. I actually went on holiday to Crete when I was sixteen, and we visited the Labyrinth in Knossos; the architecture is amazing. 

Christine: That's the one myth I'm near obsessed with! I would love to see the Labyrinth. I've always felt a great sympathy toward Ariadne, the sister who helped Theseus escape the Minotaur only later to be tossed aside for her sister. Have you ever read The Troy Games series by Sara Douglass? I highly recommend them. It's one of those books that build and build, and you don't think the ending could satisfy, but it's a beautifully written and complex ending. 

Clare: I will add The Troy Games series to my ‘to read’ list now. :D 

3) Who is your favorite Greek God or Goddess? 

Clare: I really like Hecate; I love her association with magic, witchcraft, sorcery and the Triple Goddess of Neopaganism. 

Christine: I've always liked Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt and twin to Apollo. Yet as I've gotten older, I'm leaning more toward Athena. I'd like to think I've gained some level of wisdom in life! 

4) What new god or goddess would you think has been born in this past century, or even the past few decades? 

Clare: Hum … I don’t know that any new gods or goddesses have been born. I think more likely, the original gods and goddesses have evolved, and taken on new facets for modern times. Like, maybe now Poseidon presides over fishing trawlers and if you get a good catch it’s because of his favour. Or asking for Athena’s favour will help you if you’re studying for an exam. 

Christine: That's a neat way of seeing it. I still think the gods and goddesses keep on breeding! *LOL* The way people worship their cell phones, there has to be a deity taking advantage of that! 

Clare: Well yeah, I couldn’t see Zeus keeping it in his pants! *LOL* And I do like your idea that deities take advantage of what people currently worship. 

5) If there was a Greek myth with you as the hero, what would it be about? 

Clare: I think it would have to be one related to family, and maybe a mother sacrificing herself for her children. Like the goddess in Greek creation myths, Gaia. 

Christine: The same thing for me. I'd turn into a Fury if anyone harmed my child! I'd do anything for those I love. 

Clare: I didn’t know what’s how the furies came about. Yeah, I’d defiantly be one of those if anyone harmed my babies! 

Thank you once again, Christine, for allowing me to beta for you, and including me on your tour. I’ll be so sad when this series is over. 

 Title: 1304 – The Harbinger (The 13th Floor series, #4) 

Author: Christine Rains 

Genre: paranormal romance 

Release date: March 13th, 2013  

Buy The Harbinger: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smahwords | Kobo | Barnes and Noble

Blurb: Meira Harper loves both her jobs: talking about beautiful shoes and fetching souls for Zeus. But the Thunder God threatens the harpy's loyalty to her job when she receives the call to bring the soul of gorgeous Sam Wright. Meira pleads with her boss to let him live. Zeus agrees, but Sam must fight for his life. If Sam can win three challenges, he can keep his soul. 

The gods never play fairly, though, so Meira needs to find ways to help Sam with the challenges. She cannot outwardly cross her master, but she refuses to let the man she loves lose his soul. They haven't even had a chance to start a life together. 

Sam's soul is on the line. Meira's will be too if she's caught, but that's a risk she's willing to take. 

Also, for those who've not started the series yet, Christine is offering the first book, The Marquis, for free. You can find it at Smashwords and Kobo. Hopefully Amazon will price match soon.

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Author Bio: Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has six novellas and twenty short stories published. 

Find Christine in the following places: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads