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For the Love of Dogs! How a Real-Life Canine Inspired a Mythological Goddess

  • Writer: Michaela Riley
    Michaela Riley
  • May 29, 2025
  • 2 min read


Michaela Riley, Morrigan and Carlos
Michaela, Morrigan and Carlos

The world of fantasy literature is often woven with threads of ancient mythology, drawing inspiration from figures and legends that have captivated imaginations for centuries. In Michaela Riley's "Witch's Rebirth Series," a prominent character is the Goddess Morrigan, a powerful entity rooted in Celtic, particularly Irish, mythology. Often depicted as a triple goddess embodying war, fate, death, and sovereignty, the Morrigan, also known as the "Phantom Queen," can manifest in various forms, including a warrior queen or a raven. But in Riley's series, the Morrigan also takes the captivating form of a beautiful red wolf, a fierce protector who appears to the reborn witch, Merona, on her 12th birthday.


But where did this unique interpretation of the Morrigan come from? The surprising answer lies in the unwavering loyalty and protective nature of a four-legged friend. Riley reveals that the inspiration for her Morrigan is none other than Morrigan, her beautiful red German Shepherd who guides her on daily hikes through the trails of Virginia. Just like the mythological figure, this real-life Morrigan is a fierce protector and loyal companion, mirroring the essence of the goddess she inspired.


This heartwarming connection highlights a crucial point about the creative process: inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places. It demonstrates how the everyday can intertwine with the extraordinary, transforming a beloved pet into a powerful force in a fantasy world.

Riley's story encourages us to celebrate the unconditional love and unwavering companionship that pets of all kinds offer to their humans. They are more than just animals; they are family, protectors, and even, as in this case, muses that can spark the imagination and bring legendary figures to life.


So, if you're looking for a fantasy series with a strong female lead, a touch of Irish mythology, and a powerful canine connection, be sure to check out the "Witch's Rebirth Series" by Michaela Riley. You can find the series on Amazon and wherever books are sold. For discounted prices on hardback and paperback editions, be sure to check out the provided links in the books section. You might just discover a new favorite series, inspired by the love and loyalty of a very special dog.

Critics' Requiem

Echoe's Never Die

The Editor's Shadow

What if the worst thing you ever read about yourself was true—and the whole world believed it?

Arthur Penwright’s debut novel was supposed to make him a star. Instead, he becomes the target of an online mob, as anonymous critics tear his life apart with words sharper than any knife. In this gripping psychological thriller about writers and critics, Arthur’s quest for vindication spirals into obsession, revenge, and murder as he hunts down those who ruined him.

Set in the ruthless world of publishing and social media, Critics’ Requiem is a dark and twisty suspense novel about the power of words, the danger of cancel culture, and the line between justice and madness. Fans of literary thrillers, meta-fiction, and books like The Silent Patient or Gone Girl will devour this page-turner where every review can be deadly.

Perfect for readers searching for:
literary thriller series, psychological suspense, books about writers and critics, novels about online bullying, dark fiction about internet mobs, fiction about toxic online culture, book reviewer murder mystery, psychological revenge stories, books for writers and book lovers

The story isn’t over. The legend of Arthur Penwright returns with a vengeance.

Across Europe, literary critics are turning up dead—each murder foretold by a chilling manuscript leak, each scene echoing the crimes of the infamous Penwright case.

 

Detective Elias Mercer is called out of retirement, Maia Walsh is drawn back into a web of obsession and betrayal, and Arthur finds passion and peril with the mysterious Sabine Leclerc.

Echoes Never Die is a dark literary thriller about love, betrayal, and digital justice. As new killings sweep Paris, Prague, and beyond, the line between victim and villain blurs. Who controls the narrative when legends refuse to die?

Perfect for fans of:
psychological thrillers, global suspense series, dark academia, novels about betrayal and obsession, European thrillers, books about viral crime, books with strong female leads, books about digital scandals, trending booktok thrillers

Every ending is a new beginning. The final story is being written.

A new apprentice steps from the shadows, orchestrating copycat killings and leaking chapters that shake the literary world. As the body count climbs across Lisbon, New York, and beyond, Arthur, Sabine, Maia, and Mercer are forced into a final, deadly showdown.

 

In this international murder mystery, old legends and new obsessions collide.

The Editor’s Shadow is a gripping psychological suspense novel about redemption, legacy, and the mythic power of narrative. Perfect for readers who crave dark fiction, meta-narrative thrillers, and stories where every secret can kill.

For readers who love:
copycat killer thrillers, psychological suspense series, novels about redemption and justice, gripping suspense novels, international murder mysteries, books about myth and legacy, fiction about narrative power, trending thrillers for adults

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