I am so excited to announce…

(Finnish Flag, found on Google search)

I am so excited to announce a new project! Before Helena and I began The Passion of the Dragon Saga, I started writing a novel of my own. That novel has expanded into at least three novels as of right now. I have titles my WOP as Pandemonium’s Shadows. The first novel is about a woman from a small town in South Carolina who travels to the land of the midnight sun, Finland, for the love of her life. Why Finland, you ask? Well, it all started back in high school…

(The sky still shines at midnight in Finland)

 

 

In my world history class, we spent a week on Scandinavia. And in that week, I learned about Finland. From the first time I heard the name of the capital, Helsinki, the name never left my mind. I would randomly heard the name in a show, news cast, or it would just pop in my mind. The more I heard or thought of it, I knew I had to go visit it some day. As with all people, life takes us in a different direction. The thought of Helsinki was put on the back burner as much as possible.

(Munkkiniemi Beach, Helsinki)

 

Fast forward to 2008, when I had a lot of time on my hands, so I wrote. And did I ever write! The majority of the first three novels flew out in just under four months. I had yet to visit Helsinki, but that did not stop me from writing what I believed it was like. Then I began to look at photos on the Internet and was amazed at how what I saw was almost the reality of what the city really looked like. It was almost as if I had been there before. This just spurred my love for Helsinki.

(The South Harbour)

 

In the summer of 2010, I was finally able to put my feet on Finnish soil. The wait had been so very long, but once I was there, it had been worth it. My co-author on The Passion of the Dragon Saga, Helena and I were lucky to live in Helsinki for a month. I fell in love with everything about that country; the architecture, the people, the food, the culture, and even the language. Leaving that hot, sunny day in July to head back to the States, I felt as if I was leaving home. It took me six years to be able to return. Unfortunately, I was only able to stay for just under two weeks. We were on our way to Romania! But you already know that story.

(They read my mind!)

 

Helsinki has become where I want to be. Where I can spend the day by the South Harbour or walk the trail by Munkkiniemi Beach. You can walk the city to find the Lutheran Cathedral, the Uspenski Cathedral, or my personal favorite, St. John’s Church. No matter the area of the city, you will never tire of the beautiful architecture.

(Lily Pads, Helsinki)

 

 

My love for Helsinki is what has given birth, to what I have been told by pre-readers, “could lead to greatness!” I am not looking for greatness; I just want to help others be aware of a beautiful place. In my next blog, I will tell you more about the story; the basis of the story, characters and their backgrounds. I hope you look as forward to reading this series as I do releasing it for all of you.

~ Rayna

All photo credits to me, with the exception of the Finnish Flag.