Vasilisa: 1 (Old Rus)

Award-winning Indie author Julie Mathison brings to life the primordial forest of a Russia marooned in legend cradled in song...Vasilisa has listened to the Old Tales all her life like every good Russian child - even one born in Edenfall Pennsylvania far from the rugged steppes of her ancestors. The tales keep her mind off her troubles what with Papka presumed dead on the fields of Flanders and Mama being courted by an absolute ogre. Even her grandmother dear Babka is acting strange.Then come the dreams and Vasilisa is drawn inexorably into a world she once thought fabled - a snow-laden forest rife with wolves and bears and creatures meant only for childs tales. Leshy the sprite green-limbed and acid-tongued. Old Koschei butcher of hearts. And the witch Baba Yaga ruling the border to the thrice-tenth kingdom where souls wander caught between life and death.Only Ivan seems to understand. Orphaned riding the rails in search of revenge he shows up on Vasilisas doorstep with nothing to offer but a burgeoning love he is desperate to deny. What can he give her but a heart broken by treachery blackened by hate?Together they are destined to cross the threshold between the worlds retracing the steps of their forebears back to Old Rus where the secret to Babkas cure and Ivans revenge lies hidden in the mists of the thrice-tenth kingdom. Baba Yaga and her sisters hold the key but it will take more than courage luck and a head for riddles if Vasilisa and Ivan are to survive the trials set for them let alone secure their hearts desires.Only love can show the way but that may prove to be the greatest test of all.