Within the fragrant forests and beautiful mountains of Bulgaria lies a land of gold, a hidden world of ancient myth and folklore, of shape-shifting dragons, wild women, giant-hearted heroes, vampires and demons of the night. Beyond Nine Forests is a fabulous collection of Bulgarian traditional tales that range from the magical to the macabre, from fairy tale to heroic epic. In addition, the author delves into Bulgaria's folklore and ancestral mythologies going back to ancient Thracian times, to explore the roots of these stunning stories and their deeper meanings. Acclaimed British-Bulgarian oral storyteller Moni Georgieva Sheehan has retold the tales in a way that is true to the heart of the original narratives in this trailblazing work. Translated from authentic sources and little known in the West, they cross the boundaries of time and space to speak to the heart, mind and soul. With a foreword by Professor Ronald Hutton, the book features artwork from some of Bulgaria's finest artists.