Technically May Day was yesterday, but since my latest release, Saje, is set on this holiday, I’m still in the spirit of May. 
Hi, my name is Deborah J Panger and I am an author of romantic and erotic fiction. With an interest in fairy lore, I blend fantasy with romance to weave enchanting love stories. I’m an active member of Romance Writers of America and their Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter and critique group. And I’m proud to say that I am a Breast Cancer Survivor. In addition, I am being tested for a rare disorder, called Conn’s Disease, but I’m here to show you that if you set your mind to something, you can do almost anything. I worked on Saje while undergoing a Mastectomy and Chemotherapy. One thing I’ve learned through all this is, is that life doesn’t stop after a diagnosis of cancer, no matter your prognosis. When I was originally diagnosed, I thought my life was over. No more good times. No more joy. But I’m here to tell you that there is. Sure, cancer sucks big-time, but my life has been enriched, and its brought my family and friends closer together. I give kudos to everyone that witnessed my never-ending battle with nausea and vomiting, both at work and at home.
Okay, enough of that. As I mentioned, Saje is set on May Day, and since this lesser known holiday seems to be fading as time goes by, I thought I’d share some of my early childhood experiences that are also in my book. When I was a wee little one, I recall making little baskets out of construction paper, glue, etc, and then filling them with candies and flowers. Next, my family and I would leave them on our neighbor’s porches, knock and run off before they came to the door. We had a blast, from what I can remember.
I also did a little research on May Day that I wanted to share:
History of May Day
May Day has ancient origins, and is a cross quarter day. This means it falls halfway between The Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. May Day marks the end of one half of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It has traditionally been popular and often a raucous celebration in Pre-Christian Europe.
The earliest May Day appeared in Europe with the Festival Flora-then Roman Goddess of Flowers. Also, in Germanic countries, they celebrated May Day as the Walpurgis Night.
During the Christianization of Europe, May Day celebrations were banned and a more secular version was observed in schools and churches well into the 20th century. This is best known for the traditions of dancing around the Maypole and crowning of the Queen of May. May Day has been celebrated with the giving of May Baskets-tiny baskets of flowers and sweets, usually left anonymously on neighbor’s doorsteps. In addition, Roman Catholics observe May as the month of the Virgin Mary and is the reason why a statue of Mary is sometimes included in baskets and May Day celebrations.
On the American continent, May Day was brought over by early European settlers. Although fading in popularity in recent decades, Minneapolis, MN has an annual May Day Parade and Pageant which attracts approximately 35,000 patrons since 1975.
I would love to here some of your thoughts and memories of May Day. And, I’m including a Contest! I will select a comment at the end of the day, as the winner. So be sure and participate by leaving a comment of your May Day experiences. The winner will recieve a $10.00 Gift Certificate from The Wild Rose Press. Whoot! Good luck.
Saje:
What could be worse than waking up lonely on May Day? Finding a naked male stranger with wings in your house.
That is exactly what Amanda Birchfield discovers when she stumbles out of bed to make her morning coffee. After rousing from a faint, Amanda learns her intruder, Saje, is a trinket-hoarding, seed-spreading Woodland Fairy. And he’s brought her a room full of May Day Baskets in hopes she’ll trade a little pleasure.
Instead of fleeing for her life–or admitting herself to the local looney bin–Amanda is drawn to Saje’s scrumptious body and carefree spirit. But once the brief, but oh-so satisfying sexcapade atop her dining room table is over, he refuses to leave. How will she get rid of him. Or will she want to?
Excerpt:
Amanda reached out and touched his wing. Soft, downy feathers spread through her fingertips, like a bird’s appendage. The pale skin of her fingers looked darker against their light, grayish-green coloring. She envisioned him soaring through the air, the wind sailing through each feather, separating the layers. Her anger slowed to a simmer. “What is your name?”
“Saje.”
“Like the spice,” she replied.
“Yes.”
His voice deepened, forcing her to look up. His ice-gray eyes had darkened to the point of slate. His features were fierce, breathtaking and inflamed. Gone was all semblance of play.
She swallowed. “My name…”
“Is Amanda M. Birchfield. It is written on the inner sleeve of a book over there.” He nodded to a pile of leather-bounds lying on her coffee table, but at the moment, all she could think about was his lips. They appeared full and inviting. She wished to taste them and nip them between her teeth.
As if reading her mind, Saje bent his head as she rose to her tiptoes. His mouth first brushed her lips, then captured her in a full kiss. All male and with tantalizing aggression, he parted the seam of her mouth with his tongue. Amanda was lost. No kiss ever tasted so thrilling. Hot. Wet. It was fire, meadow, earth and sage all rolled into one erotic delicacy.
Saje is available for download at http://www.wilderroses.com
Or the direct link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=679&zenid=7a40c6ea130d56273944c2ef86b20659
Well, that’s about it. Remember to leave a comment about May Day, for your chance to win a $10.00 Gift Certificate from The Wild Rose Press. 🙂
0 COMMENTS
Margaret Tanner
16 years agoHi Deborah,
You sound like a very brave person, and to come through such trauma yet to still have such an amazing attitude is awe inspiring.
Regards
Margaret
Susan Macatee
16 years agoInteresing post! And congrats on keeping upbeat despite your medical problems. I do believe state of mind helps a body to heal and writing is the best therapy of all. How do non-writers cope with problems?
As for May Day, the only first hand memories I have are when I was a child attending a Roman Catholic school. Every year, we had a May procession, where one lucky little girl got to be the May queen and crown the statue of the Virgin Mary. Of course, the girl was never me. LOL.
Ella Drake
16 years agoWhat a wonderful way to keep the tradition of a fading holiday alive, by centering a wonderful story around it.
I completely enjoyed reading Saje!
Cate Masters
16 years agoHi Deborah! Congrats on your release! Saje sounds very tasty!
As a Catholic school survivor – uh, student, I mean! – we used to have May Day processions. We’d make crowns out of wildflowers for the statue of Mary outside the church, and one lucky kid would get to crown her. I never realized May Day had its origins in pagan religions. Very interesting. Thanks for the great post!
Kelli Zel
16 years agoA few years back we had a neighbor who left dog treats on the door steps of animal owners… on the 1st of May…
So, I guess in the same token it would be nice for a neighbor to drop off naked men on the doorsteps of single women.
Barbara Scott
16 years agoLike Cate and Susan, my memories of May Day are religious in nature. I still can sing most of the words of the song we would sing in our procession to crown Mary with flowers. And I remember feeling the hurt of my Mom’s inadequate gardening that forced me to steel flowers from a neighbor’s yard to keep up with the girls whose mother’s planted armloads of Spring-blooming flowers.
But I also remember the intimidating May Day parades of weapons in Communist countries that helped reinforce our fears in the days of the Cold War. Odd, how a joyous celebration from ancient times can inspire such opposite tradiditons.
Mari
16 years agoOne of the things that I like about May Day is that it feels like finally Winter is left behind! Which is great for a midwesterner like myself!
I find the pagan origins of May Day to be quite fascinating. It is also interesting how many Christian Holidays like Christmas have their roots in pagan festivals, such as Saturnalia.
Debbie
16 years agoFirst, I want to thank everyone for responding. I love all of ya’lls comments, and I’m learning alot from ya’ll about May Day, too.
Susan, Cate and Barbara: I loved your memories of the Virgin Mary and celebrating May Day through the church. I personally do not recall any celebrations at church in my upbringing. I was raised Roman Catholic also. It may be my mind, though. It’s been 40 years. 😛
Ella Drake-I couldn’t have written Saje without you. Thanks for your help and I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Kelli-That is such a cool memory about the dog biscuits. I’ve never heard of that and what a great idea. Yep, I’d love for someone to leave a handsome man on my doorstep anytime. wink-wink
Margaret-thanks for your words of encouragment. It really helps me to continue when things look bleak. Thank you.
Mari-It would be interesting to see which holidays have pagaan origins. I bet most of them do.
thanks again, ladies.
Deb
chey
16 years agoHi Deborah,
Saje sounds great!
I remember reading about Mayday celebrations as a kid. (Maybe in Anne of Green Gables?)
Amy S.
16 years agoCongrats on the release! Saje sounds great!
lorettaC
16 years agoHi,
You are a cancer survivor and a fighter. You have wonderful friends and neighbors. I had 2 strokes the last in January,
we are 2 lucky people. Now when I was in fourth grade I was in a Mayday celebration and we did a Maypole dance this was a long time ago.
Goood luck,
Masha Holl
16 years agoGreat post, Deborah!
I grew up in a Catholic country (France), but May Day celebrations weren’t a big deal as far as I can remember. It looks like it was superseded by the Fete du Travail (Labor Day) by then, probably shortly after the French Revolution.
What I do remember is all the Lilies of the Valley being sold everywhere in anticipation of May Day, and on May Day proper. Florists sold them of course, but you had street corner vendors, too, and it was fun just to roam the neighborhood in search of a good deal on a pretty bouquet.
And of course the bakeries got in on the game with pastries shaped like baskets holding Lilies of the Valley. Those were so yummy! And so pretty you had to stop and admire them before you bit into them.
Debbie
16 years agoHi, Chey and Amy. thanks for the compliments on Saje. I had so much fun writing him.
LorettaC, I wish you the best with your health. I’ve took mine for granted in the past, but no longer. I’m currently being tested for Conn’s Disease and face another surgery, but it may be a means to the end of my health problems.
I recall a May Pole in early grade school, too. I don’t recall dancing around it,though. 🙂
take care ya’ll and thanks for stopping by.
deb
Debbie
16 years agoI want to express my deepest Thank You, to everyone that visited today. I have randomly selected a winner for the $10.00 Gift Certificate from The Wild Rose Press.
THE WINNER IS… (drum roll)
Susan Macatee.
Congratulations. Please contact me at deborahmacklinpanger@yahoo.com so that I may forward your prize.
Caffey
16 years agoHow did I miss this book! SAGE sounds so good!
I learned about May Day just a few books ago when I read it in an historical romance anthology! Now I love reading more about what May Day is! I’ve never did anything because I didn’t know about it and my kids are older now. I hope to be able to go back to work at a school for the deaf that I’m away from now, but would love to teach them about this! Great meeting you!
Debbie
16 years agoCaffey, its so nice to meet you also. That would be an awesome way to incorporate some of the traditions into the school for the deaf. I have so many fond memories as a child doing those little baskets. You take care,
Deb
M, L. Kiner
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