Lora Ley - Book Three - The Swan Maidens

Fairy tales, fables and animal magic play important roles in folklore and culture in Germany and throughout the world. As the beliefs of early Germanic people are strongly rooted in nature, it's no surprise that elements of shamanism and animal spirituality still exist today. We're all familiar with fairy tale motifs such as swan maidens, princess(es) in peril, the wicked witch, enchanted castles, love fulfilled or unrequited, the handsome prince, the magic of love's true kiss, the battle of good versus evil.

"Lora Ley - Book Three - The Swan Maidens" is a fun read full of action, magic, danger, comedy, romance and a dash of dark humor. The story moves between the time of 1890s Germany to various realms of enchantment.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
When a Prince from a distant land and his entourage crash into Lora and Wolf's demesnes, our heroes are drawn into a vital quest - to discover why the sun didn't rise today. They meet Germanic goddesses such as Frau Holle, travel to the Realm of the Undead and uncover the secrets of the curse that affects both the Swan Maidens and the Sorcerer Queen Elisabet who holds them captive.

Meanwhile, her layabout nephew Jack from Cornwall throws a big birthday ball. Aided by two witches, a Shaman, a mortal police inspector, a violet orb name Orbit and various faerie folk, Wolf and Lora bring the Prince to the ball to seek answers and break the curse. By this time the Prince has discovered the American influence and becomes obsessed with cowboys. Back in his own realm, trouble brews are the Chief Advisor plots to assassinate the Prince, murder the King and take over the wealth of the Kingdom.

More complications arise when Jack falls in love with one of the Swan Maidens but his thoughts turn to evil as Elisabet spikes his drinks with mind control powder, which has the side effect of putting the recipient in a bad mood. Originally she had planned to sacrifice the Swans at dawn, but the Sun heard about and didn't rise. So, Elisabet plans the sacrifice of the Swan Maidens for the night of Jack's birthday bash. If she can catch a nixie or a witch, they'll strengthen Elisabet's magic even more.

Laboring under her own grindstone, Elisabet is in love with a hideous Beast, who was once a handsome Prince. He was cursed by her father, a Sorcerer, and must remain in meaningless luxury in a Palace of beauty, in a realm of enchantment. The only way he and Elisabet can meet is through her Divination Pool ... but every time they meet in person, the curse takes a grim toll on her too.

Now she is plagued by doubt. She fears the Beast is just using her to escape his realm of imprisonment, and for his own power. Her eyes wander and she feels a strong attraction on the the waiters, who is Wolf in disguise. She cannot resist her desire, not surprising as Nyx can be irresistible. She invites him to her chambers under a pretense. He discovers that Lora, the witches and their friend the Shaman have been thrown into the dungeon and even now await torture.

It is slowly revealed that, although the ambiance is fearsome, no one has yet been tortured in the dungeons. This changes as the mind control powder takes over Jack's mind and his desire for torture and pain take over. Wolf and police inspector Reiker hurry to save them, but are they too late?

As midnight approaches, a mini-Western plays out in the Great Hall of the Enchanted Castle. At the same time, battle heats up in Elisabet's Spell Room, as the forces of good fight to prevail over evil, and save the known world from eternal darkness and doom.