Myths Endure in Maine: New Books in 2023!

The Myths Endure in Maine series totals 4 books:

Kouros Underground

After dozens of foster homes, Cord knows how to protect himself and make his own way. Yet he agrees to a dubious if tempting offer from the god Hermes and follows him into an adjoining world. In that world, Cord too becomes a god, the god of springtime.

In his new home, Cord finds he is the linchpin of an ongoing conflict: those who support Cord's fated soulmate, Hades, and those who are pressuring Hades to change the rules of death.

Cord prefers to be left alone to carry out his duties--until he gets attached to his post and to Hades. To keep both, he must challenge the world's system, especially the other gods.

Kouros Underground is the first Myths Endure in Maine book. The books do not need to be read in order.

His in Herland or Astyanax in Hiding: A Retelling of Gilman's Herland

Navigating an uncharted tunnel, three male explorers unexpectedly find they are invaders in a country of only women--supposedly. Narrator Terry Nicholson begins to doubt the country's self-reported history when he encounters a disguised male inhabitant with connections to ancient Troy.

A tribute and critique of Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, His in Herland or Astyanax in Hiding tackles the problem of utopias. It also gives a voice to the original villain as well as a male in disguise. 

Posts about the problems of utopia are available on Votaries.

Catherine Morland & The Matchmaker: A Retelling of Austen's Northanger Abbey

 

Suppose Catherine Morland lived in a world run by Greek gods? And met descendants of Oedipus Rex? Would her life still be prosaic and ordinary?

 

Yes. 

 

Catherine Morland & The Matchmaker retells Austen's gently satiric novel Northanger Abbey in a steampunk fantasy world. A god of love learns to be a matchmaker. Eleusinian deities make cryptic prophecies. A trickster god claims omniscience through stolen technology. Lots of other gods plan festivals. In the meantime, Catherine Morland navigates the banal, boring, weird, confusing, unexpected and sometimes delightful world of dating.

Cupid in Captivity

Kidnapped by a fellow student, Billy Stowe carries out an unofficial investigation to identify his abductor, Jonas West. His primary purpose? To protect Jonas and keep him from confessing.

Nearly a decade later, Billy resolves problems for the wealthy elite while Jonas is celebrated as a renowned nature photographer. Yet repercussions of the earlier deed persist, demanding retribution or reenactment. Billy and Jonas must out-maneuver social media-influenced peers and legal authorities as they strive to escape the worst repercussions of Jonas's deed and adapt to the best.

Based on classic myth, the story of Billy and Jonas captures the unanticipated and unique links that arise and survive between human beings, links that last for years and transcend labels. Can the captor and captive fall in love? Why shouldn't they? Who gets to decide?

 

The resolution may surprise even these two soulmates.

All books in the Myths Endure in Maine series may be read separately.

The Myths Endure on Mars series can be reached here.