Oak & Thorns by Yasmine Galenorn

July 10, 2018

I want to talk a little bit about the Wild Hunt series. Reception of THE SILVER STAG* has been extremely gratifying, and I can’t tell you how incredibly happy this makes me. Well, perhaps I can try. I am thrilled that people are loving the book because this is a series that speaks to my heart. The Wild Hunt speaks to something deep inside of me, to my nature as a priestess in the Craft, as a witch who follows the Gods of the Hunt, Forest, and Fae. This series speaks to part of my heritage — I’m mostly Irish and Cherokee, and it dives deep—and will go deeper still—into Celtic mythology bound together with the land of my native ancestors.

Caught between the worlds of Light and Dark Fae, Ember Kearney was born with the mark of the Silver Stag. Rejected by both her bloodlines, she’s turned her back on her people to become a freelance investigator. Ember and her best friend Angel are led into a glittering world of conspiracy and danger when they are recruited to join the Wild Hunt, run by Herne, son of the god Cernunnos and the Faerie goddess, Morgana. Now, Ember must not only face her heritage, but she’s bound to preserve the balance between the Fae Courts, for if order isn’t maintained, war and chaos will spill out into the mortal realm

The Wild Hunt series embraces my love for the ancient woodlands and the ocean. It touches my passion for Mother Moon, for the seductive dance of the Fae, for the wild abandon of the Lord for his Lady, of the dark secrets the shadows hold, for the ancient beings who walk this world. As I write deeper into the series, I’m lured into its magic, both from legend and lore, and the depths of my own imagination.

When I wrote OAK & THORNS* the world really began to expand, and it’s growing with every day that I work on the books.

I’ve just finished IRON BONES*, book 3 of the series, and am gearing up to write the fourth one and if you haven’t started the series yet, I encourage you to give it a try. I’m embracing this new world and where it’s taking me — and I truly hope you jump aboard for the ride.

My husband and I went out on a couple of drives this past week. I needed to get out—I’ve been working overtime the past few weeks and I needed a break.

I am never quite as happy as I am when I’m out in the woods, whether it be a city park or the actual forest. When I’m surrounded by trees or near the water, I feel a peace that I seldom feel otherwise. So I thought I’d show you a few pictures that I took from around here, from the past few days and even from a few years back.

These pictures show you the land I write about. The ravines that permeate my books? They’re everywhere, reminding us of the forces that formed them: the massive glaciers that once ground their way through the land and the earthquake faults that riddle our area.

The land here is vibrant and alive. Here, the earth spirits listen, and watch and bide their time. Here, the Wild Hunt is alive and very much part of the area. The elk and deer thrive, as do bears, cougars, coyotes, and other wildlife. (In fact, we recently had a bear roaming around our very-suburban neighborhood for awhile).

I hope these pictures give you a glimpse of the land that inspires my work, for they are the trees and waters that find their way into the pages of my books. My settings are practically characters in themselves, for our forests and ocean and rivers are all haunted. There’s a reason I write regional work—I know this land like I know my own heart.

I know I sound a wee bit enthusiastic, but really, what can I say? I’m an animist. I believe that there is a spirit within every tree, every forest, every lake, and they speak to me. Even within our cities here on the western coast of Washington state, life is green and vibrant, and the wild still takes hold.

So, here are a few pictures from the area, and also, links to a few songs and videos that inspire the magic within the Wild Hunt Series. And I hope you’ll consider coming to run with the Ember and the Hunt.