I love to travel and it was a series of trips to Mexico that inspired not only my upcoming romantic suspense release, THE FIFTH KINGDOM, but also my earlier paranormal novella, AZTEC GOLD.
I blogged a little about those trips and an inspiring and frightening trip up a Mexican pyramid. You can read a little more about that by clicking here.
The entire time I was walking around the pyramids and down the “Avenue of the Dead” my mind was whirling with ideas. Too many ideas to fit into just one book!
While the pyramid inspired AZTEC GOLD, meeting a young merchant who was selling an assortment of obsidian objects helped to inspire THE FIFTH KINGDOM. You see, somehow I got started in collecting frogs from all my travels and this young man had a frog made of gold obsidian.
I just loved the look of it and while we were chatting, the young man explained about how obsidian, especially pure black obsidian, was actually quite rare to the Aztecs and that’s the reason that many of their sacrificial knives and the like, were made from this precious substance. Obsidian was more prized than gold in fact.
That got me thinking about a relic made with obsidian and also, what kinds of powers such a relic might have!
In THE FIFTH KINGDOM, the ancient relic is discovered in what could be Montezuma’s tomb. Montezuma was not the last of the Aztec rulers, but probably one of the best known. The relic in my novel is based on the Aztec Sun Stone sitting in the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. The original sun stone is about 12 feet in diameter and weighs about 24 metric tons. You can read more about the original here.
The relic in the book is similar in terms of its look, but it is small enough to hold in your hands and made of obsidian (inspired by my frog) and silver on stone. But the obsidian and silver relic is very different from the original in one important way: It has mystical powers which are released once it comes in contact with something very sacred: Blood.
Now I won’t spill about whose blood awakens the energy in the relic or what powers are revealed it because I don’t want to spoil the story for you. Let’s just say that it’s very unexpected. Very. Those of you who have read the book, I ask that you please not spill that really big surprise!
For the Aztecs, the original sun stone was not only a calendar or sorts, but also a way to tell the history of the Aztec people. It tells the story of the four kingdoms of their past history and hints at what might end their fifth kingdom. The fact that some believe we are now living in that FIFTH KINGDOM is what inspired the title of the book.
I’ll leave you with the Aztec Sun Stone and it’s supposed abilities to predict the end of THE FIFTH KINGDOM and also, the video premiere for the novel.
For now I’ll leave you with a question: Do you believe relics and other artifacts can possess unique powers?
For more information on THE FIFTH KINGDOM, please click here.
Caridad Pineiro is the NY Times bestselling author of over twenty-six paranormal romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas. Look for THE FIFTH KINGDOM, a romantic suspense from Carina Press in July 2011 and THE LOST, the first book in the new SIN HUNTERS paranormal romance series in August 2011. Caridad has also done the foreword for OBSESSED: EROTIC ROMANCE FOR WOMEN edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel which will be available in August 2011. Her popular THE CALLING vampire series returns in 2012, but vampire lovers will enjoy A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS (October 2011) which includes Caridad’s novella, WHEN HERALD ANGELS SING. For more information on Caridad, please visit www.caridad.com, follow @CaridadPineiro on Twitter, “Like” Caridad at her Facebook Fan Page or friend her at Goodreads.
Yes, I do believe that relics and other artifacts can possess unique powers. Well, at least the non-scientific part does!
I don’t know about relics and supernatural powers, but obsidian is used in surgical instruments because it has a sharper, smoother edge than steel, and stays sharp longer. It’s pretty amazing stuff. I like the kind that looks black, but when you hold it up, light passes through it. Like magic!
I’d love to be convinced. (I’m waiting for Legend Quest to come on syfy right now:)
I don’t know if relics have power in themselves. Perhaps it’s the importance we mortals imbue in them that makes them powerful.
Thank you all for coming by! I do think relics have power, even if that power comes solely from our belief in those relics. But it would be fun to think of what would happen, like in FIFTH KINGDOM, if there was some other power in them.
As for obsidian, I recently discovered that it’s actually not a stone, but natural glass created by lava flows that cool very quickly. Because of that quick cool, less crystals are formed which makes it possible for you to shape the obsidian very thinly. Way cool, don’t you think?
It’s always fun to step outside the box and open ourselves to what we might normally find impossible. It is one of the reasons I read. I want to escape to a situation that I would never experience on a day to day basis. FIFTH KINGDOM is up high on my TBR. Now if we could find a relic that would extend the length of my day by 10 more hours so I could get more reading done! Congratulations, Caridad!
Thank you, Maureen. I’m with you. Just a little more time each day would be great.
Several years ago, my father travelled to Australia and visited Ayers Rock (Uluru, in the native Aboriginal language.)While climbing the sacred rock, he picked up a small pebble and slipped it into his pocket, unaware of the legend that whomever took any part of it – would be cursed. Upon returning home, he fell ill with a brain absess that came so close to killing him, it wasn’t funny. Needless to say, when he read sometime later about the curse – he immediately packaged the small piece – and sent it back! Just saying is all
Hello Caridad,
Your career is looking great. Just stopping by to say Hello!
Sorry, I left out my last name.
I love the post and can’t wait to read The Fifth Element. I loved Aztec Gold.
I like to think that ancient artifacts have some sort of mystical power.
I love the obsidian frog. We collect frogs for my little granddaughter. Her name is Lilly and she gets called Lilly pad some.
OMG, Amanda. That is downright scary. I’m glad he’s okay. I had not ever heard of that curse. Hmm. Sounds like a good story idea.
Thanks, Kathryn. I’m hanging in there.
Heather – so good to hear from you. My frog collection just kind of happened. First one and then another. Now I’ve got about 25 or so from all over the world. I love the stone and crystal ones, but also have a tiny amber one. Love your granddaughter’s nickname! Lily Pad.
Thank you all for dropping by!
I do believe each and every item on Earth is imbued with a life force containg memories, vibrations, something!
Can’t wait to read your latest book!