Today we have a blog tour stop from author and blogger Yolanda Renée. You can find Yolanda's blog at Defending The Pen. Leave a comment on this post and you'll be eligible to win a copy of one of Yolanda's e-books. Details at the end of this post...
Lucifer
S Reynard is the antagonist of my soon to be released novel Memories of Murder, the second book
in the Murder trilogy. A young man raised by his prostitute mother to believe
that he is Lucifer's son. She gives him the name Lucifer and calls him Lucii
for short. She promises him that his future holds a place of power and raises
him to believe that he is the devil incarnate. While still a child, friends
point out to him a picture of his father, the horned Beast, which is Lucii's
first introduction to the real monster. At first horrified, Lucifer, with his
mother's support, learns to accept his fate, and as an
adult transforms himself into the Beast. Lucifer is a man determined to fulfill
his mother's vision.
During
the research for Memories of Murder, I found that
there are at least 1500 people with the first name of Lucifer in the United
States. Not that unusual when you consider that the name Lucifer is Latin for morning star and the morning star refers to Venus. However,
what I also found was that Lucifer and Satan are not the same, yet most of us
believe that they are, therefore the title of this blog, What's In A Name. Well, if your name is Lucifer, quite a lot,
especially if it's linked so deeply to Satan, the Beast, the Evil One. FYI – there are at least 40 names for the
Devil.
Why do
most of us attribute the name Lucifer to Satan, or the Devil? Apparently,
scribes made a bit of a mistake when deciphering the Old Testament. A
Babylonian king named Lucifer was condemned for his treatment of the
Israelites, but that incident was and still is, interpreted as the fall of
Satan from heaven. Therefore, the Prince of Darkness, Satan, and The Morning
star, Lucifer, became one and the same, but because of theologians, poets, and
writers—myth and doctrine became interwoven, and the fall of Lucifer a
Babylonian king, became not a man but an angel condemned by God.
Interesting
isn't it? Words do have power, and some mistakes last ages, but a lie can never
really become truth, no matter how often it's repeated.
Thanks
Lee, for allowing me to discuss Lucifer, and my book Memories of Murder
to be released on October 4, 2013. Murder,
Madness & Love is now available, and one lucky commenter will receive
an eBook copy of Memories
or Murder, their
choice. The winner will be announced next Wednesday on Tossing It Out.
Yolanda Renée
Defending The Pen
Memories of Murder
October 4, 2013
Decades ago, the seeds were planted …
Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the
image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers
screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle
suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction.
A jagged smile rips through his smooth,
hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body.
A laugh of hideous resonance emanates
from his gut as the demons of hell welcome Lucifer into their fold.
In a dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith
awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun, groomed to fit the final piece in the
complex puzzle for world domination. Will Lucifer marry his bride, on the
summer solstice?
Only two things stand in his way ...
His greed ...
Detective Steven Quaid.
~ Murder,
Madness & Love is available now at ~
~ Memories of
Murder will be available October
4, 2013 ~
~Yolanda Renée~
~Facebook~
~Twitter~
The opinions expressed in today's post are those of guest Yolanda Renee and not necessarily held by the owner of this blog.
Be here on Friday as Alex J. Cavanaugh raises another controversial literary topic.
That would be a real bummer to have the name Lucifer.
ReplyDeleteGlanced through my Bible. He's referred to as Satan. Better translation I guess.
Alex,
ReplyDelete"Lucifer makes his appearance in the fourteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Isaiah, at the twelfth verse, and nowhere else: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" King James version.
What's in a name?
ReplyDeleteIt ALWAYS reminds me of Shakespeare's line: "that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet..." but maybe, for all these centuries, we have mistakenly believed that Shakespeare agreed with Juliet, when he gave her these words...
To some degree, names DO have power. They are not like a pair of shoes that you can change without changing your personality, or who you are.
Michelle, there are many such mistakes out there, I found this one interesting since I too thought Lucifer and Satan were one and the same. Words do hold power, and yes, even names.
ReplyDeleteMost interesting and enjoyable post Lee.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Oh wow I can't wait to read this one. Lucifer sounds like a fascinating character! Have to admit I'm surprised so many people have that name. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteI always assumed they were one and the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks Yvonne, for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteJulie, I was surprised to. Thanks for all your support!
Diane - I know, I was surprised too!
I once heard a woman in a mall yelling at her son, "Lucifer! Come here!" . . .
ReplyDeleteThe name "Satan" means "adversary." It is used in the book of Job. But there is another passage in a different biblical book (I can't remember which, Isaiah somewhere I think) wherein a reference to "morning star" is largely interpreted as referring to Lucifer/Satan/the Devil. (Sorry for the lecture, but my mother is a minister, so I grew up with this stuff.)
~MPL
PepperWords
What a creepy concept for a book, Yolanda! I'm intrigued. ;) And how fascinating to find out the origin of the name Lucifer, and that Lucifer was really a Babylonian king. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat is so creepy. Names are extremely important and Lucifer is an extremely awful name to have.
ReplyDeleteMPL - what I find to be the true irony here is that "Satan, the Devil, is also known ironically as the Prince of Darkness."
ReplyDeleteAnd that's part of the problem - most of us grew up with it!
Did you know that at one point:"Jesus refers to himself as the morning star in Revelation 22:16: "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."
Chrys: Thanks, it only takes a little research - it's out there, and I found it curious, that's all.
I never knew that was where the name Lucifer came to be linked to Satan. Sounds like the poor Lucifer has some mother.
ReplyDeleteShe's some character that's for sure, Thanks Susan! I didn't either until I did some research.
ReplyDeleteI agree that names that you have might not seem important at the time of the birth or might sound cute but they can stick with you and come back to haunt the child and it's a bit sad, at the end of the day the person is way more important than the name of the person, great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks YeamieWaffles, I agree, depending on that name it can influence a life and sadly not in a positive way. Appreciate your comment!
ReplyDeleteHi Lee and hi Yolanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to note that Yolanda's blog tour has arrived at your site, Lee.
I'm wishing Yolanda much fulfilment with both of her books. And names, I'm not fussed about such things. Of course, that certain Johnny Cash song might imply that our name might impact on how we turn out in later life.
Take good care and happy writing to Yolanda and your good self, Lee.
Sue um, Gary :)
Thanks Gary, for adding humor to the mix! I forgot about 'Sue' - made him a man though didn't it! LOL
ReplyDeleteSay hello to Penny for me!
Fascinating post! A lesson on Lucifer and you also made me think twice about names. Nice work. Someone should research criminals and their names to see if there is a correlation to unusual names where they might have gotten more ridicule in school when they were growing up. Some of those celebrity kid names are pretty out there as well. We'll see how they turn out. Thanks for sharing and loved your book snippet!
ReplyDeleteThanks Buck Inspire, appreciate your comments, that would be an interesting study, will have to do some research and see if there is such a study!
ReplyDeleteHi Arlee. Hi Yolanda. Great post. I attribute the name Lucifer to Satan. It is one of his names, right? It always has evil undertones to me and I guess a lot of other people.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your next release in the Murder series, Yolanda.
Denise
Denise, I always thought so too. But not the case! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteLee, thank you so much for the opportunity to talk about my book and a most controversial character - Lucifer.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lively discussion and I look forward to learning who the winner is!
Wow, those are interesting facts Yolanda. I'd never associate Lucifer with Venus.
ReplyDeleteMy last son was named by his father. I hated the name, but Dad said it was a family name, so my son was named Clayton Donald. It only took about a month for me to feel the name fit the kid - we call him Clay. Now he's 15 and I can't imagine him with any other name. He seems to fit the clod-hopper origins.
do you think he'd be more of a lover if we named him Lucifer? LOL.
......dhole
How interesting! I love origin stories- they're always so fascinating. This reminded me of the origin of the word "apocolypse" in terms of events of the time tying in with biblical stories. Congrats, Yolanda!
ReplyDeleteGreat job hosting, Lee!
Donna, Clayton Donald sounds like a solid name to me, but no, the name Lucifer does not mean 'lover' at least in my story.
ReplyDeleteBeverly - thanks - I enjoy learning such things too, one favorite past time is a history channel show - 'how the states got their shapes'. Amazing stuff!
Thanks, both of you for stopping by and commenting! Lee is a most excellent host!
Hi, Lee, Hi, Yolanda,
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew that about the name Lucifer... fascinating.
The meaning is lovely. I will never look at this name the same again.
Kind of sad really. It would be such a cool name to have if it didn't have the demonic reference to it.
ALL the best with your new book, Yolanda! I can't wait to read it! Still loving the blurb!
Hi Lee and Yolanda!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know- I love learning about names.
I am kinda freaking though my daughter is playing a song and guess what it is?!
Say My Name-by Destiny's Child! She didn't know I was reading this post...Full Moon is causing some weird stuff tonight!
Nicely done Yolanda!
Thank you, Yolanda, for a good dose of controversy and discussion in your visit to my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who stopped in to visit. Be sure to check back next Wednesday to see who won a copy of Yolanda's book.
Lee
I've never considered this interpretation. I'll have to check it out over the weekend. Thanks for the brain riddle. I needed that.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I found it all very interesting and am glad to know I'm not the only one. I still love that blurb too!
ReplyDeleteElla, that is so weird, the harvest moon does that. The night light is amazing coming off it!
Stephen, please do and let me know what you find.
Lee, thanks again - this was truly one of the more fun posts.