The SPECIAL EDITION for the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE medieval romantic series is out! I must be getting famous!
Find it here: http://amzn.com/B0091HX7EE
This new release includes the first three novels in the series, PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE, PAGAN QUEEN, and SEDUCING SIGEFROI... and all at a super-friendly price!
I am delighted. Whether you love the series, or you haven't read any of the books yet, this is a treat, and a bargain. I'm glad Books We Love decided to make it easy for my loyal readers. And with Book 4, LADY OF LUXEMBOURG, coming out next season, this is the perfect timing.
If you are not familiar with this medieval romantic fantasy series, here is the theme:
From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.
You may also visit my website to enter a contest to win Book 4 when it comes out. Click on CONTEST at the upper right on my website (link below). Good luck!
Hope you enjoy the read, like many already did.
Also visit my website for other series, genres, and titles.
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Friday, August 24, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Going crazy with history - by Vijaya Schartz
What is an author to do when historians of the period do not agree? What could be more frustrating than the main expert on this particular place and time saying: "and here history gets rather confusing" Really? My hero is in a dungeon, suffering from malnutrition, and I can’t even know in which or whose castle along the Marne River he is detained?
That’s what I’m up against with my work in progress: LADY OF LUXEMBOURG, to be published late this year. And that’s what I get for dealing with historical figures. Of course it wouldn’t be a problem if I didn’t care so much about historical accuracy. But as an author, I want to be as believable as I can be. I want the good people of Luxembourg, if they happen to pick up this novel, to feel that I did a good job of portraying Sigefroi, their national hero and founding father.
Don’t worry, though, I won’t spoil the story for you. It’s just that sometimes, when dealing with early medieval history, research becomes very difficult. And don’t get me started about Wikipedia or other online sources... Of course, the legends are easier to handle and provide much fodder for all kinds of neat details that make the story intriguing.
But enough venting. Back to writing. Hope you are enjoying the series. The rewards of writing it outweigh the frustrations.
In the meantime, you can read the first three books in the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE series:
PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE:
PAGAN QUEEN:
http://amzn.com/B007Z8F7IA
SEDUCING SIGEFROI:
http://amzn.com/B008LW18EG
Have a wonderful summer.
Vijaya Schartz, Romance with a Kick
Twitter: @vijayaschartz
Labels:
Elinas,
Foundation of Luxembourg,
Historical romance,
history,
Luxembourg,
medieval fantasy,
medieval legends,
Medieval romance,
Melusine,
Pressine,
scotland,
Sigefroi
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Where Do Writing Ideas Come From--Especially for a Circus Romance?
Readers ask me where I get ideas for stories. Ideas come from everywhere, and often at times when I least expect them--from newspaper and magazine articles, dreams, personal experiences, books, and movies--and so forth. Yet from that germ of an idea my characters have sprung to life, fought their “dragons,” and won the battle!
Okay, now for an example. One day back when I first started writing, I read a magazine article about a circus family who performed as trapeze artists. The son who’d been interviewed for the article said he was always careful not to make friends with teens “on the outside” because soon the circus would move on and he might never see that friend again. What a perfect conflict between an everyday teen gal and a guy who is committed to travel and perform with the circus! I decided. I told my critique group, “I think I can do this!” So I started researching the realities of circus life, trapeze artists, and circus veterinary medicine. Then I began writing and rewriting. Several months later Merry Christmas, Marcie was born. Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from Silhouette’s YA editor only three days after I’d submitted the manuscript. I nearly jumped for joy when she offered me a contract!
Reviews for SUMMER MAGIC
"This breezy romance follows Lisa Prentice, a veterinarian assistant, as she begins her new job traveling with the Jessell and Stern Circus. She is interested in continuing the care of an Arabian horse named Ebony that she helped to save while the circus was on a layover in New York. Of course, she has other reasons for "running away with the circus". Her fiance', a prominent lawyer, has recently dumped her for another attorney. Lisa wants to heal by concentrating on her career. Enter Michael Figaro, the star aerialist with the circus and the son of the circus owner. Immediately, there are sparks between the two. However, Michael also has a jealous twin, a trapeze artist named Claudette, and Rita, the pretty aerialist who would like his attention. When Claudette begins to fall in the ring, Michael begins to spend more time with Rita, training her for Claudette's position. Will romance blossom between the two, or will his love for Lisa prevail?
This book is an example of the perfect romance. I enjoyed Ms. Voeller's ability to switch between the point of views of Lisa and Michael. I felt I knew all the characters very well. There were a few side plots beyond Lisa and Michael's romance, and I found that they only enhanced the feeling of the story. This is a great story to read in one sitting and spend a few hours swept away in the magic of the circus." Bethany Payne, Round Table Reviews
Readers ask me where I get ideas for stories. Ideas come from everywhere, and often at times when I least expect them--from newspaper and magazine articles, dreams, personal experiences, books, and movies--and so forth. Yet from that germ of an idea my characters have sprung to life, fought their “dragons,” and won the battle!
Okay, now for an example. One day back when I first started writing, I read a magazine article about a circus family who performed as trapeze artists. The son who’d been interviewed for the article said he was always careful not to make friends with teens “on the outside” because soon the circus would move on and he might never see that friend again. What a perfect conflict between an everyday teen gal and a guy who is committed to travel and perform with the circus! I decided. I told my critique group, “I think I can do this!” So I started researching the realities of circus life, trapeze artists, and circus veterinary medicine. Then I began writing and rewriting. Several months later Merry Christmas, Marcie was born. Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from Silhouette’s YA editor only three days after I’d submitted the manuscript. I nearly jumped for joy when she offered me a contract!
After Merry Christmas, Marcie was published, a spin-off evolved--Summer Magic. Now an
older Marcie has emerged (I changed her name to Lisa), plus the central
conflict has taken on on a slightly different twist. Lisa,
now a certified veterinarian assistant, accepts a job to work for the
circus vet whom we met in the first story. Although she realizes the
earlier assistants had lasted only a short time because the vet was so
difficult to please, Lisa is willing to take on the challenge. She
needs money to pay off medical bills following a serious snowboarding
accident. Soon, however, Lisa questions her ability to pass her
probation, especially as one calamity with the circus animals follows
another. Even Michael, the
dashing trapeze artist whom she’s strongly attracted to, expresses his
doubts, which disheartens her further. Still worse, Michael will not
follow her if she leaves. Recently, he’d given up circus life to work on "the outside" and was totally miserable. He knew he had to get back to the circus, no matter what. Again a barrier looms between Lisa and Michael: she,
the “townie” who will always most likely end up on the outside again,
and he, the devoted circus performer who will always stay.
Blurb for SUMMER MAGIC
When her fiance calls off their engagement, veterinarian assistant Lisa
Prentice joins the circus in hopes of escaping the everyday grind. But
life under the big top isn't quite what she expected. None of the
veterinarian's former assistants managed to please their short-tempered
boss, and Lisa fears that her days are numbered, too. Michael Figaro, a
dashing young trapeze artist, is also caution about whether Lisa can
stay, and because of that, he tries to keep his distance. Still, Lisa
finds herself overwhelmingly attracted to him. Although Michael is the
aerialist, it is Lisa who is flying on an emotional high wire. What
happened to her safety net? Will their love survive?
"This breezy romance follows Lisa Prentice, a veterinarian assistant, as she begins her new job traveling with the Jessell and Stern Circus. She is interested in continuing the care of an Arabian horse named Ebony that she helped to save while the circus was on a layover in New York. Of course, she has other reasons for "running away with the circus". Her fiance', a prominent lawyer, has recently dumped her for another attorney. Lisa wants to heal by concentrating on her career. Enter Michael Figaro, the star aerialist with the circus and the son of the circus owner. Immediately, there are sparks between the two. However, Michael also has a jealous twin, a trapeze artist named Claudette, and Rita, the pretty aerialist who would like his attention. When Claudette begins to fall in the ring, Michael begins to spend more time with Rita, training her for Claudette's position. Will romance blossom between the two, or will his love for Lisa prevail?
This book is an example of the perfect romance. I enjoyed Ms. Voeller's ability to switch between the point of views of Lisa and Michael. I felt I knew all the characters very well. There were a few side plots beyond Lisa and Michael's romance, and I found that they only enhanced the feeling of the story. This is a great story to read in one sitting and spend a few hours swept away in the magic of the circus." Bethany Payne, Round Table Reviews
Friday, August 10, 2012
Night Secrets by Shirley Martin
Fear
and betrayal threaten the kingdom of Avador. Keriam, a princess with
supernatural powers, must save her father from assassination. But can she trust
Roric, or is he part of the plot?
Roric loved once and lost. He wants to put his past behind him and love Princess Keriam, but he fears she is a witch. And witchcraft is forbidden in the kingdom. If found guilty, she will be burned at the stake. Not even her father could save her.
Reviews:
"Night Secrets" is a wonderful fantasy filled with magic, human kindness and evil...If you enjoy good versus evil fantasy, this one must be on your to be read list." Chere, Paranormal Romance Reviews
"Passionate, exciting, gripping and romantic, Night Secrets is as impossible to put down as it is to forget."
Julie
Bonello, eCataRomance
by
Shirley Martin
Chapter One
A slight tug released Keriam’s soul from her body. She floated to the ceiling, amazed as always that she could look down at herself in bed. With a certainty born of past experience, she knew this was no dream. Ever since her mother’s death two years ago, preternatural powers had evolved within her, and she often wondered why. Was it her mother’s way of watching over her from the Otherworld? These night journeys were even more recent and something she must learn to control, if only she knew how.
She drifted through the bedchamber walls, then once outside, flew over the maples and oaks that bordered the royal domain of Emain Macha, approaching the open countryside. Heading north, she traveled over the many farmsteads nestled in small groupings with their wattle-and-daub houses, the herds of longhorn sheep dotting the open fields. Here and there a hillfort guarded the country. Although it was deepest night, everything looked clear and luminous.
Maintaining her leisurely flight, Keriam
approached the capital city of Moytura, its shops and stores closed, its many
taverns and inns dimly-lit but alive with noise and laughter.
A heavy mist swirled around her, the night
air cool and damp. She headed westward to the Plain of Sorrows, a vast land
preceded by a meadow and transected by the winding Nantosuelta River. Through
the fog, she drifted down among the thick clusters of oak trees lining the
riverbank and smiled at the fairies who slumbered in the branches. To her
heightened hearing, the rippling water of the Nantosuelata echoed like a
waterfall.
The sound of hoofbeats jolted her. As quickly as her spirit form would allow, she took refuge within an earthberry bush, afraid someone might see her, even in the dim light.
The sound of hoofbeats jolted her. As quickly as her spirit form would allow, she took refuge within an earthberry bush, afraid someone might see her, even in the dim light.
Two men gathered by the river, their
voices audible as they secured their horses to tree branches. Focusing her gaze
in the hazy light, she recognized them as officers in her father's army,
although she didn't know their names. What were they doing here at this late
night hour? One bald and the other blond, they wore simple tunics and short
boots.
"Gamal just returned from a mission," the bald one said. "He should arrive shortly."
"Gamal just returned from a mission," the bald one said. "He should arrive shortly."
Was that Major Roric Gamal, her father's
courier?
Aimless talk ensued for several minutes, army gossip and tales of female exploits.
Aimless talk ensued for several minutes, army gossip and tales of female exploits.
They became silent when Roric Gamal rode
up, an officer she'd seen at the palace many times. He dismounted and looped
his horse's halter around a tree branch, then approached the others. Younger
and taller than the other two, his gait was steady and confident, like one accustomed
to authority.
"Where's General Balor?" Gamal asked. "He should be present." His clipped accent told her he came from one of the southern provinces, Mag Aurfolaig, perhaps.
"Where's General Balor?" Gamal asked. "He should be present." His clipped accent told her he came from one of the southern provinces, Mag Aurfolaig, perhaps.
"Couldn't come," the bald
officer explained. "The general sent me to represent him."
"Very well," the newcomer said, his baritone voice clear and resonant. "Let's get this business over with, so we can return to our quarters before dawn." Gamal raised his booted foot onto a tree stump and leaned forward, resting his hands on his knee, and lowered his voice. "No dissension now! We have already agreed we must kill him."
Kill whom? Keriam’s spirit body turned cold. Merciful Goddess, these men are plotting murder!
"Very well," the newcomer said, his baritone voice clear and resonant. "Let's get this business over with, so we can return to our quarters before dawn." Gamal raised his booted foot onto a tree stump and leaned forward, resting his hands on his knee, and lowered his voice. "No dissension now! We have already agreed we must kill him."
Kill whom? Keriam’s spirit body turned cold. Merciful Goddess, these men are plotting murder!
The
bald man stepped forward, shaking his fist. "Do it and get it over
with!"
"Think before you speak, Dothan! We must proceed with caution." Roric paused. "First, we must bribe a few government officials. Blackmail others. That will take time. The Lug Festival would be the best opportunity for killing him,” he said, looking at the other two. “Don’t you agree?” Receiving affirmative replies, he continued. “Gives us months to plan. And all the crowds there will make it easier for the assassin to disappear among the people and escape.”
"Think before you speak, Dothan! We must proceed with caution." Roric paused. "First, we must bribe a few government officials. Blackmail others. That will take time. The Lug Festival would be the best opportunity for killing him,” he said, looking at the other two. “Don’t you agree?” Receiving affirmative replies, he continued. “Gives us months to plan. And all the crowds there will make it easier for the assassin to disappear among the people and escape.”
The
Lug Festival, only four moonphases away. Keriam drew back, pressing her hand to
her mouth, then gasped when her hand passed through her face.
Roric
Gamal recaptured her attention. "We know the king intends to invite King
Barzad of Elegia to Avador soon to discuss forming an alliance between the two
countries. Last thing we need. If we can keep Avador weak, we should have no
trouble gaining control of the realm." He set his foot on the ground and
drew himself up to his full height. "But if Avador forms an alliance with
Elegia, there go our plans. We must kill the king!"
Keriam sank to the ground. Her father! They were talking about killing her father! Goddess, no! They must not get away with this evil.
"Agreed," the blonde man said. "But how do we accomplish this assassination? Remember, General Balor has the final word. Anything we decide must have his approval. Got to have the army behind us."
"Of course," Roric said. "Now, I've given the plan much thought. Here's how we'll proceed . . ."
Keriam sank to the ground. Her father! They were talking about killing her father! Goddess, no! They must not get away with this evil.
"Agreed," the blonde man said. "But how do we accomplish this assassination? Remember, General Balor has the final word. Anything we decide must have his approval. Got to have the army behind us."
"Of course," Roric said. "Now, I've given the plan much thought. Here's how we'll proceed . . ."
The
warble of a bird alarmed Keriam, daybreak graying the trees.
A tug pulled her spirit back. No, not now! She must discover more of their plan.
Within a heartbeat, Keriam found herself falling into her body, as if from a great height. She lay stunned, unsure where she was. At last recognizing her surroundings, she wanted to weep, so afraid for her father, her mind awhirl with panic. Somehow, she must discover details of the plot and warn him.
No one knew of her spirit travels, but what if someone found out? She'd be accused of witchcraft, a practice forbidden in the kingdom. And no one was aware of her other mental powers, of her ability to discern a person's past or see into the future by touching that person. Unfortunately, this talent often didn't work when she needed it most. By the Goddess, why couldn't she see into her father's future?
A tug pulled her spirit back. No, not now! She must discover more of their plan.
Within a heartbeat, Keriam found herself falling into her body, as if from a great height. She lay stunned, unsure where she was. At last recognizing her surroundings, she wanted to weep, so afraid for her father, her mind awhirl with panic. Somehow, she must discover details of the plot and warn him.
No one knew of her spirit travels, but what if someone found out? She'd be accused of witchcraft, a practice forbidden in the kingdom. And no one was aware of her other mental powers, of her ability to discern a person's past or see into the future by touching that person. Unfortunately, this talent often didn't work when she needed it most. By the Goddess, why couldn't she see into her father's future?
As
she heard her maid in the next room, a new fear crashed through her. What if
Maudina found out about her nightly trips? Superstitious girl that she was,
would her maid report her to the druids? Keriam prayed she wouldn't, hoping she
could count on the maid's loyalty. Like all the servants at the palace, Maudina
received a sufficient wage, and well-paid servants were more trustworthy than
poorly-paid ones. Surely that fact would ensure the maid's faithfulness?
The
druids held great power in the kingdom, and religion ruled the lives of all of
the country's inhabitants. Keriam closed her eyes, imagining her punishment
should she be reported to these wise men. If found guilty, she'd be burned at
the stake as a witch. Not even her father could save her, assuming he was still
alive to try. Keriam said a silent prayer to Talmora, the Earth-Mother Goddess,
to keep her father safe. Shifting her position, she thought hard. She must warn
her father of the plot against his life without revealing her means of
discovery. Would he believe her? He had to. She pushed her woolen bedcovers
aside and slid out of bed, tired and groggy but determined.
No one must ever learn how truly different she was.
No one must ever learn how truly different she was.
__._,_.___
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
THE HYPNOGOGIC TIME by Shirley Martin
There
is a time between wakefulness and sleep that is known as the hypnogogic time.
It is a creative time; some call it the genius state. Did you ever find that an
idea came to you, something you've pondered for a while, just as you were
falling off to sleep, or just as you were waking up?
No doubt, you think you'll remember it for later, but do you? Most likely, you'll forget the concept and probably forget that you ever had it.
It's a good idea to have a pen and tablet or a hand-held tape recorder near your bed. Then when you get an idea, you'll have a record of it.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Born
near Pittsburgh, Shirley Martin attended the University of Pittsburgh. After
graduating from "Pitt", she taught school for one year, then obtained
a position as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines. Based in Miami,
she met her future husband there. After raising three sons, she devoted
her time to writing, something she had always wanted to do.
With
a vivid imagination and a love of storytelling, Shirley has always enjoyed
writing. Her first published novel, "Destined to Love" reflects her
familiarity with western Pennsylvania, where she hails from, and her love of
romance writing. From this historical romance, she blossomed out to other
romance genres. "One More Tomorrow" is a vampire romance, one her
publisher dubbed "a sizzling seller". With several fantasy novels and
novellas, her writing should appeal to just about every reader of
romance. Her books have been sold at Amazon and most major book stores and
have garnered great reviews.
A
widow, Shirley lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her two cats.
Monday, August 6, 2012
A VISIT WITH CANADIAN AUTHOR JOAN HALL HOVEY
Interviewed
by Jean Henry Mead
Joan is featured
in the book, The Mystery Writers, with Sue Grafton, Lawrence Block and
other well-known and bestselling authors.
In addition to Joan Hall Hovey's critically acclaimed novels, her articles and short stories have appeared in a number of diverse publications. She has also held workshops and given talks at various schools and libraries, and taught a course in creative writing at the University of New Brunswick as well as tutoring with Winghill, a distance education school in Ottawa for aspiring writers.
Joan, your work has been compared to Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King. How would you describe your suspense novels?
I'm always flattered to be compared with authors I admire, but I like to think my own writing is unique to me. Of course being a voracious reader all my life, I'm sure my writing has been influenced by many fine authors. We all stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us and paved the way. I'm a big Stephen King fan. Other authors I enjoy are Edgar Allan Poe, Peter Straub, Ruth Rendell and more than I can list here. It's not easy to describe one's own novels, but I will say that I always strive to give the reader a roller coaster ride and a satisfying conclusion. And characters that will resonate with my reader long after the books is closed.
I like to write about ordinary women who are at a difficult time in their lives, and are suddenly faced with an external evil force. I didn't think a whole lot about theme until I had written a couple of books, but I realized with the writing of Chill Waters that my books generally have to do with betrayal and abandonment, and learning to trust again. And more important, learning to trust oneself. Almost any good book will tell you something about the author herself. (or himself.) You can't avoid it.
All my books are generally rooted in childhood. I draw on my life for inspiration and an emotional connection. Then I'm off and running. The seeds for Night Corridor, for example, were planted in my childhood. On Sundays, I went with my grandmother to visit an aunt in the mental institution, once called The Lunatic Asylum. She'd spent much of her life within those walls. They said she was 'melancholy'. Though the sprawling, prison-like building has long since been torn down, the sights, sounds and smells of the place infiltrated the senses of the 12 year old girl I was, and never left. Night Corridor is not about my Aunt Alice, but it was indeed inspired by her.
Are your novels set in your home territory of New Brunswick, Canada? And what inspired them?
My novels are set in fictional towns that could be anywhere in New Brunswick or Maine, since the flora and fauna are similar. Although I did set part of Nowhere To Hide (Eppie Award) in New York. I researched the city but I also spent time there. But New Brunswick, which lies on the Bay of Fundy, Canada, is part of my DNA. And the town where I live, whose streets and hills and shops are bred in my bones, is probably in essence where all my novels are set, whatever fictional name I give them.
What have you stressed in your creative writing classes at the University of New Brunswick?
I stress to students (and myself because we teach to learn) to relax and let the story come to them. Not that you don't have to think; you do of course. But sometimes we think too hard. Imagine, I tell them. Imagine.
Please explain the distance education school in Ottawa for aspiring writers.
I have been a tutor with Winghill School for writing for over 20 years. Most of the correspondence is conducted over the Internet, though a few students prefer to correspond by mail. It's a great school. I enjoy my work and get almost as excited when my students publish as when I do myself. I'm sure I learn as much from them as they do from me.
How has your writing evolved since your first books, Nowhere to Hide and Listen to the Shadows.
Language is important to me, and I hope my work is always improving in some way. Maybe the dialogue is crisper, the transitions smoother, the characterizations deeper, but always evolving. And that comes simply from being an avid reader of the best there is, both in my own and other genres. And writing and writing and writing. Since I both love to read and write, it's not a chore. Too, I like to think I've grown as a human being over the years. I've become more insightful, more compassionate. And that reflects in your writing.
What, in your opinion constitutes a good suspense novel? And what’s more important, character or plot?
With any novel, regardless of genre, characterization is the most important element. Without a character readers can care about and identify with at some level, the most ingenious plot won’t matter. That doesn’t mean your character is without flaws, quite the contrary. Consider the late Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley. He is a ruthless killer, but we are fascinated by his complexities and we're happy to follow him throughout the books.
In the end, I don’t think you can separate character and plot. They are interwoven. With suspense, I am always aware of the thread in my story and I hold it taut, letting it out a little at a time, but never letting the thread go slack. It should grow tighter and tighter until it fairly sings. This is what constitutes a page-turner. It’s a promise I make to my readers and one I take very seriously. Reviews tell me I’ve succeeded for the most part, and that makes me happy.
How has the ebook revolution affected your own work and are the electronic versions outselling your print editions?
Absolutely. It’s totally different now. My first two novels were published by Zebra/Kensington Books, New York, and sold thousands of books. They didn’t take the third one and I was suddenly without a publisher. I didn’t feel up to doing the rounds of agents and publishers again, so I went with a small Canadian publisher, BWLPP Publishing, mainly an ebook publisher who published authors with a track record, but also bring the books out in print.
With ebooks you promote in a totally different way, mainly on the Internet. Although I still do book signings in my local bookstores, I can see that my focus is different now. I’m quite sure I’ll not see those big numbers again, and I really don’t mind. That doesn’t mean I’m not always looking for new ways to promote the books, and without annoying people. Pretty much like most ebook authors. Once, my books could be found in bookstores across Canada and the U.S. That's no longer true.
Now they're available worldwide on the Internet. Sounds great, but that means that you're vying for readers with literally thousands more writers showing up every day, many of whom are self-publishing. Some of those books should never have seen the light of day. But I've also found some excellent new authors among them. We have stars like J.A. Konrath, James Scott Bell, Timothy Hallinan, L.J. Sellers and others who are making a very good living selling their ebooks. So in the midst of this gargantuan storefront window, you have to somehow find a way to make your books stand out. 'Ay, there's the rub'. But the possibilities are endless.
Describe your writing schedule.
I write in mornings when I’m freshest and the day has not yet had a chance to intrude on the muses. I work on other things in the afternoon – tutoring, promoting and whatever else needs doing.
Advice for aspiring suspense novelists.
Try to write true, whatever you write. Find that truth inside the fiction. Write out of yourself. That’s important.
Thank you, Joan.
My pleasure.
You can visit Joan at her website: http://www.joanhallhovey.com/
She's also on Facebook, Twitter, My Space and Booktown.
You can visit Joan at her website: http://www.joanhallhovey.com/
She's also on Facebook, Twitter, My Space and Booktown.
I am an award-winning suspense novelist. My novels include The Abduction of Mary Rose, Night Corridor, Nowhere To Hide, Listen to the Shadows, Chill Waters. Presently at work on a new suspense novel.
I also tutor writing students at
Winghill school, enjoy playing piano though I'm not very good but enthusiastic. And I do voice over work, some of which you can hear on my website:
www.joanhallhovey.com hear an excerpt of CHILL WATERS complete with music and sound effects.
I live in a modest home on the banks of the beautiful Kennebecasis River with my terrific husband Mel, and adorable beagle/lab, Scamp.
"Rockin' Robin" & the Derecho
Derecho! It’s a terrific new scary weather word, just
entering our vocabulary, thanks to Climate Change and our meteorologists. It’s a
straight line thunderstorm, the kind they speak of as showing a radar “bow echo.”
The eastern seaboard recently experienced a knock-out punch from a big one. We
here in south central PA took a sideswipe from the big storm, the
same one which disappeared the electricity from millions of people, in a swath
which ran from the Alleghenies onto the coastal plain of Virginia.
I woke in the night to hear it coming. At first, I thought
it was just Norfolk Southern, whose trains power up and down our valley all
night, but I grew up in western Ohio, near Xenia, in fact, which blew away in
the great tornado outbreak of 1974, so that kind of noise makes me anxious. When
I got up, wind was roaring through the open windows, and the night sky looked
thick, like a rushing wall of dirty water. Lightning came blasting in, then pouring
rain—time to stop staring and run to see if Bob was at the door, looking for
sanctuary. Next, run to close windows. Then it was time to get the heck away
from those windows, because, along with the lightning and roaring wind, limbs
were crashing down, things were striking the siding and there was a series of
huge cracks and house-shaking thuds. Someone’s trees—maybe mine—were going
over.
Now, I’ll walk back a step. All summer we’ve been serenaded
from the neighbor’s fine tall Norwegian maple by a catbird. IMHO the catbird is
the true subject of the old song—sure, you know the one. “He rocks in the tree tops all the day long, huffin’ and puffin’ and a
singin’ his song…” All members of the mockingbird family are genius jazz
musicians, riffing on their own—and everybody else’s songs. I’ve even heard
them do crows, as a sort of end of set caw-da-boom. They take the “catbird
seat” to best show off their talents, which is the highest tree or pole or, in
days of yore, TV antenna on the tallest house they can find.
Our storm came hard and fast and left the same way. At 5:30
a.m., the light was just coming up and the sky was clearing. The neighbors, I
could tell, were out walking around. When
I came out to join them, I was shocked by the damage. Three large, beautiful maples
on the street were ripped apart, looking as if a big hand had come down and yanked
the limbs off. Only shattered trunks remained. Enormous branches, leaves, dead
wood, siding and kid toys were everywhere. Across the street from me, where the
shapely old Norwegian maple had been, was only the shattered stub of trunk. All
the branches now lay on the roof of their house.
On the broken tip of the tree sat the cat bird, as he’d done
since spring. He kept moving around on the raw wood, gazing at the leafy
paradise in which he’d once lived, now on the ground below. He tried to sing
once or twice, just a few grace notes, but his heart wasn’t in it. The green
shade world in which he’d lived, loved and rejoiced was gone forever.
Labels:
catbirds,
Derecho,
Genesee,
Juliet Waldron,
life,
Rockin' Robin,
super storms,
writing
I am in the grandma zone, a long time writer and poet, posting at Crone Henge and BWL these days just because. Wish I could travel, and last year I was lucky enough to get back to the UK, specifically to Avebury to reconnect with the ancient temple. Hiking, camping, lover of solitude, cats, moons and gardens.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Popular Posts
-
Deadly Undertaking Click here to purchase ‘Tis the season of the year when the transformation occurs from the darkness of winter to th...
-
Goodbye winter. Hello spring. Another round of setting clocks ahead is behind us as well as all the rant on social media about why we co...
-
Please click this link for book and author information While researching 1918 fashion for my hist...
-
Click here for purchase options for this award-winning series. https://www.bookswelove.net/kavanagh-j-c/ In last month's blog, I told ...
-
I tied my manuscript up in an electronic bow and sent the final version off to BWL Publishing. Let me tell you, there were days during...
-
The cover of the Ontario offering for the Canadian Historical Mysteries Collection from BWL Publishing to be released November 2024 To fin...
-
AVAILABLE HERE I have a cousin in Australia who loves to travel. She and her husband are currently in Vietnam, and the photographs she share...
-
Sometimes I wonder how much one person’s voice can actually help when “fighting the good fight” against what seems like ...
-
Happy Belated Birthday, Dear Wolfgang! 261 years young & still delighting audiences... http://www.bookswelove.net/autho...
-
https://bookswelove.net/stover-karla/ BY THE SAME AUTHOR: Available through BWL Publishing Parlor Girls Wynter's Way Murder, When...