PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING!

 Caroline Clemmons subbing for Mary Adair, who is ill.

Back when our daughters were very young and Hero and I were trying for Super Mom and Super Dad, we strove to provide an environment that would foster their appreciation of fine things. I played classical music (okay, and some show tunes), we read to the children every day and made frequent trips to the library, and there were prints of well-known artists in their rooms. I hope we at least get credit for effort.

When Darling Daughter 2 was four, I was brushing her hair while she stared at the copy of Renoir’s Irene that hung on the wall of her room.

Darling Daughter 2 asked me, “Why do you think that girl has a blue fish in her hair?”

Ah, perception! I explained that it was a blue hair ribbon. There went my title of Super Mom. J By the way, whenever I see that painting/print, the ribbon has now become a blue fish to my eyes.

As a writer, I have to be wary of the same problem with readers. In other words, what I intend to convey isn’t always perceived in the way I expected. On a recent review of a historical romance, a reader/reviewer only gave me four stars instead of five because I used the words “cab” and “vehicle” and she thought they were anachronisms. 

What? “Cab” is from the word “cabriolet”, the type carriage usually used for hire. “Vehicle” has been used for hundreds of years. Apparently the reviewer thought of modern yellow cabs and motorized vehicles. Even though the words I used were correct for the time period, the reader’s perception was not what I expected.

Historical writers are unable to use some expressions that were used in the time period, but have become contemporary catch phrases. For instance, “fantastic”, which now is often used alone and drawn out, must be used carefully. I’m sure you can think of many other phrases or words that apply.

Contemporary writers are challenged to sound "current". There are too many words that have come to have a different meaning recently. After writing historical romances for so long, this is a challenge for me. Fortunately, our daughters are my first beta readers and they nail me on these words.

Writers are challenged not only to write our stories, but to do so while consciously avoiding anything that might be misinterpreted or perceived incorrectly. You can see that this is an impossible task, yet we work hard tilting at these word windmills.

When writing a historical romance, I work hard to avoid any anachronisms. When writing a contemporary, I want to avoid sounding “old-fashioned” and/or use words that now mean something entirely different than ten years ago. What a reader comprehends depends on background, state of mind, and other factors over which writers have no control.

My latest releases are RACHEL, Bride Brigade Book 5, and MURDOCH’S BRIDE. RACHEL is set in 1873 Texas and Murdoch's Bride is set in 1887 Montana Territory.

Here's a sneak peek at my next release's cover. On March 27, BRIDE’S ADVENTURE will be released, with the heroine (Amelia) introduced as a secondary character in MURDOCH’S BRIDE. 

But I'll also be releasing a contemporary, GRANT ME THE MOON, as a part of my Texas Caprock Tales series. 

Thanks for stopping by!     

APRIL FOOL BRIDE -- AN ALL BRIDES ARE BEAUTIFUL ROMANCE

April Fool Bride - An All Brides Are Beautiful Romance- by Joan Reeves

Reviewed by Mary Adair

Maddie has a problem. She needs a husband…and she needs one fast.

Maddie needs to find, a man who will actually agree to sign a prenuptial, marry her and then accept a hefty “pay off” to give her a divorce and exit her life. If she can’t find someone she can trust to pull off this marriage of convenience by April first her step mother will retain the control of her massive inheritance for another ten years.

There is only one man Mattie can think of that she could trust. Jake. He was her first love and the one special friend from her childhood she felt she could go to with her scheme. Jake’s mother worked for Maddie’s family when she and Jake were children. The two spent their childhood together and became fast friends, but Mattie had wanted more. Her impulsive nature put them in an embarrassing situation in which they were caught by Mattie’s stepmother. Jake’s mother lost her job and was kicked out. Jake’s well laid plans for a scholarship and his future crumbled. While Mattie’s life spun out of control, Jake struggled to achieve his dreams and over the years of their separation, unknown by Mattie, had done quite well for himself.  

Their meeting is uncomfortable, but Jake does agree to her scheme.  On April 1^st they are wed and the adventure begins.

This is a wonderful love story. April Fool Bride is well plotted and beautifully told. As the story came to an end I found myself wanting to read more.

I read a lot of books, but I don’t read them all to the end, and I only write a review on the ones I love. I thoroughly enjoyed April Fool Bride.  5 Stars!!

TIPS ON WRITING THE MIDDLE OF A NOVEL

By Mary Adair

Let me start off by saying I am a “Die-Hard” fly by the seat of my pants writer. Not the easiest way to write, but it is fun. I decided this month I would talk about writing “the middle” of a novel. For me this is the hardest part of a novel to keep a handle on.

Indeed, I believe for most writers, the middle portion of a novel is the hardest part. It’s that “mushy” middle that can stall and keep a potentially great novel from getting completed. The beginning is easy enough, just start off with a bang…a steamy love scene, a contentious first meeting, an adulterer gets caught in the act.  The end, to me, is also fairly simple. But the middle?

No, the middle is sometimes annoyingly complex. It’s where theme is explored, secondary characters are developed and the main character is forced to confront one or several of his or her worst fears. Diving into the middle of a novel is like wandering deep into the woods with no clear way out. 

It’s easy to lose steam trying to find a way to the ending, but it is also the most exhilarating part of writing for me. This is where my characters really come to life! It seems to me, the characters that give me the most problems turn out to the most interesting.

I often need to step back and take a broader look, view it as more of a series of events that push the main character(s) to the climactic end. I just love to throw a huge wrench into the main character’s plan. 

Example…A good friend dies or an old or new threat to your main character’s life takes center stage or for the characters I write, bring in a new threat to their love interest.

The more stumbling blocks I throw at my main characters the more secondary characters appear. As these people make themselves known, a beautiful thing happens. The story begins to build on itself and flesh out.  This sometimes means there is much too much “story” for one book. 

Oh yea! The beginning of a series!

   

BOOK REVIEW -- O'NEILL'S TEXAS BRIDE

By Mary A. Adair

Five Stars for O’Neill’s Texas Bride Book 2 in The McClintocks Series.

I enjoyed this second installment to the McClintock Series. You do not have to read the first book, The Texan's Irish Bride, to enjoy or follow Finn’s and Stella’s story, but you will miss out on another great story if you don’t. I love the way Caroline weaves the lives of her characters together and breathes such life into her stories that you long to read their next adventure

Finn O’Neill dreams of having a ranch of his own. A ranch that meets all his hopes and dreams comes up for sale. He can only swing a deal for the purchase if he is able to convenes Grandpa McClintock to help him with the purchase. Grandpa is happy to help, but he needs a favor of a covert nature, from Finn as well. He needs Finn to become a miner in the Farland Coal Mine and uncover who is behind the disastrous accidents happening in the mine. To do this Finn must pretend to be a miner. Though this favor may prove to be extremely dangerous, Fnn is willing to take the risk to get the ranch he has dreamed of for so long.

Stella Clayton’s father is a team leader of the most productive team working in the Farland Coal Mine. He is also on the short list of suspects for causing the deadly cave ins. Stella hates that her father must work in the mines and fears for her young brother who will someday have to join the workers in the deep, dark tunnels that have taken so many lives. Stella teaches school and dreams of someday finding a way for her and her family to leave the coal mines. Falling in love with a coal miner is something she will never allow herself to do.

This story is a delightful tale of mystery, dreams, love and happy endings. You can find it at most online venues. To purchase on Amazon, click here..

 Book two, McCLINTOCK'S RELUCTANT BRIDE, will be released on July 15th.     

SHOW WITH A TELL!

By Mary Adair

Show, don’t tell. Ever heard that? How ‘bout, Show, with a “tell”?

Definition:…Tweeked only a little to fit my point J

A tell in poker(a novel) is a detectable change in a player's (character’s) behavior or demeanor that gives clues to that player's(character’s) assessment of his hand (state of mind). A player (reader) gains an advantage (a deeper understanding and interest) if he observes and understands the meaning of another player's (character’s) tell, particularly if the tell is unconscious and reliable.

Like most authors, even before I seriously started writing, I loved to read. I didn’t realize it then, but the one most engaging aspect of the story was how I could get to know my favorite character. I liked being able to recognize that little ‘tell’ that clued me in on what he felt or was thinking or what he might do before the characters in the story figured it out. As I realized the small nuances of the author’s skill in showing the story I became more and more intrigued by the art and wanted to try my own hand at story telling.

Here are a couple of example from one of my favorite authors.

From BRAZOS BRIDE  by Caroline Clemmons

Zach rubbed his chin while he thought it over, slapped Joel on the back. "Hate to interrupt this much fun, but it couldn't hurt to cover Micah’s back. Some of his good neighbors might take him being alone as a gift." He leaned his shovel near Micah’s and mounted his horse.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1A0TbTN

From GABE KINCAID by Caroline Clemons

“My, what a hotbed of crime we circus folk are. Did Zara talk?”

“Not a word.” He [Gabe Kincaid] screwed up his face and tugged at his ear. “Well, none that I can use in mixed company. Matter of fact, I learned a few new curse words. Ben’s [the sheriff] determined to keep at her until he gets sentences that don’t insult his parentage or suggest movement impossible for the human body.”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1irY2CJ

Sometime, especially if you want to add a little mystery or a bit of humor, you have to build on the ‘tell’. In my story, Passion’s Price, I have a character,William Montgomery, aka, Willy, who, though he tries to present himself with a devil-may-care personality, is actually quite high strung. This is evidenced by his pulling Boading Balls from his pocket and twirling them nervously within his hand, causing an irritating clanking noise at the most inopportune times... 

Excerpts from Passion’s Price

William’s annoying habit tells on him.

Lady Gaylord took the opening to jump in. "We wanted to speak to you about Dawn."

"Yes," Lady Montgomery took up when the other stopped to take a breath. And so the discussion continued as it always did with these two; one starting and the other finishing the thought, leaving Raven with no recourse but to glance from one to the other.

"She is becoming quite popular, dear." Lady Montgomery watched several young men vie for a dance with Dawn.

"We know you are making arrangements to send her home, but she deserves a proper coming out," Lady Gaylord added.

"It would be a shame to send her home so soon," Lady Montgomery finished. "Her father has promised us for years that he would allow her a visit as soon as she was old enough. James knows what good care we have taken of you. This is the perfect time."

"Yes, of course. Just look at her. And to think she arrived just in time to attend this ball in honor of your birthday." Lady Gaylord placed a plump hand to her bosom and sighed.

William no longer pretended indifference to his grandmothers as the Baoding Balls slid more rapidly within his palm, the chiming increasing with his agitation.

"Yes, you must allow her to stay longer, at least until the Golden Lady returns."

"She will occupy a room upstairs. It will remain hers for as long as she likes."

"She likes the room." Lady Gaylord nodded and added, "And she and Sara get along well."

"Yes, they did. Sara can be her personal maid while she is here. I think they will both like that very much."

"Yes, I agree."

Lady Montgomery patted Raven's arm. "And, of course, your room is always ready any time you want to visit, same as Willie's."

Out of habit, William softly choked out, "Don't call me that, Gran."

Lady Gaylord laid her hand over William's. "Put those annoying balls away, dear. They are only going to get you into trouble." 

William blinked in confusion, but did as he was told.

Much later, that little nervous trait causes William a lot of pain.

Excerpt:

Lady Montgomery said, "Oh, it's those horrid chiming balls of Willie's. I had just told him they would get him in trouble. Victoria and I have told him time and again to stop playing with the infernal things. He refused to listen and see where it's landed him."

Her confused rambling gave Raven a chance to compose himself, though the content of her jumbled speech distracted him. He walked slowly around the two on the floor and retrieved a mug from the cupboard.

"I don't understand." He looked down at William. "Maybe you should explain."

William looked up at him. "What Gran said is true. Dawn charged in here and kicked my Baoding Balls right out of my hand. I'm not sure how I got here. Um, you'll be glad to hear the Golden Lady is in port."

"Tell the truth." Dawn pressed the blade against William's throat. "Your chiming balls just told on you."

"What's all this talk about balls?" Lady Gaylord said as she entered from the garden, her arms laden with freshly cut flowers.

Buy links for PASSION'S PRICE:

Amazon  http://amzn.com/B006UKCAG6

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/241931

PAYING IT FORWARD

By Mary Adair

Happy New Year!!

Now, the New Year Resolution.                                                           

I have decided that this year I am not going to proclaim, “I will go on a diet and lose XX# of pounds.”  

Why should I? It has never worked before. 

I spend months feeling bad about myself because I didn’t lose as much as I expected. I cheat and then feel guilty. I tell myself I am going through this torture for myself, yet think about how everyone can see how well I’m Not doing. I might lose a few pounds, but by the end of the year, guess what. Its back and it brought friends!

This year is different. This year I am proclaiming, “I will pay it forward.” That’s something I can do and new friends are always a blessing. 

The best part about paying forward, with The Golden Rule in mind as opposed to The Rule of Reciprocity, is you don’t have to wait for someone else to do something thoughtful for you, and you don’t have to think of what to do that will gain you a monetary reward. Just spend a moment counting your blessings, and you will soon realize that many of your most treasured, non-monetary, blessings came after doing something kind for another.

A smile and a hug are the best medicine in the world, not only for the receiver, but the giver as well. I love hugs. I love giving hugs. Hugs are one of my favorite things!  But, there are other great ways to help others feel accepted, or comforted or worthy.

I wonder if my New Year Resolution will make a difference to even one person other than myself. I believe it will. That is enough to make it worth my while.

#NATIVE AMERICAN #CHRISTMAS

By Mary Adair

The stories I am writing for the Passion’s Series take place in the 1700s and my characters are Cherokee. While researching for my Native American novels I came across some amazing information about Native American celebrations. Before the white man came to their land they had no knowledge of Christian teachings. As the missionaries introduced them to Christian traditions, the Native Americans found that the story of Christmas and Christ’s birth sounded similar to some of their own tribal prophecies and considered the familiarity of the message of Jesus with their own truths handed down by their ancestors.

Many Native Americans in North America did observe a celebration near Christmas time that we call the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year and falls on December 21-22. It was celebrated in the Americas long before European influence arrived. Different Native American tribes associate different beliefs and rituals with it.

For example, the Hopi tribal celebrations are meant to give aid and direction to the sun which is ready to return and give strength to new life. Their ceremony is called Soyal and lasts for 20 days. During this time there is prayer stick making, purification and other rituals. Soyal is concluded with a rabbit hunt, a great feast, and many blessings.

Hopi Rabbit Hunt

There is a Native American story of a brave named Handsome Fellow. He could be called a Native American Santa. He is a handsome brave who wears white buckskins and brings gifts to Indian children. Other gift bringers come at different times of the year, often in the summertime. What intrigues me the most about the Native American culture is their love for giving. The gift bringing and giving element is always a part of the American Indian culture, whatever the occasion is for a gathering.

I was struck by the words of Looks for Buffalo, an Oglala Sioux spiritual leader, the full-blood Oglala grandson of Chief Red Cloud and White Cow Killer, and a Cheyenne Oglala leader. He explains the meaning of Christmas to the traditional Indian people of the Americas. The following words are his own words:

Painting of Sioux titled
Inspiration For The Spirit

"Traditional American Indians are raised to respect the Christian Star and the birth of the first Indian Spiritual Leader. He was a Star Person and Avatar. His name was Jesus. He was a Hebrew, a Red Man. He received his education from the wilderness. John the Baptist, Moses, and other excellent teachers that came before Jesus provided an educational foundation with the Holistic Method."

"Everyday is our Christmas. Every meal is our Christmas. At every meal we take a little portion of the food we are eating, and we offer it to the spirit world on behalf of the four legged, and the winged, and the two legged. We pray—not the way most Christians pray—but we thank the Grandfathers, the Spirit, and the Guardian Angel."

"The Indian Culture is actually grounded in the traditions of a Roving Angel. The life-ways of Roving Angels are actually the way Indian People live. They hold out their hands and help the sick and the needy. They feed and clothe the poor. We have high respect for the avatar because we believe that it is in giving that we receive."

"We are taught as Traditional children that we have abundance. The Creator has given us everything: the water, the air we breathe, the earth as our flesh, and our energy force: our heart. We are thankful every day. We pray early in the morning, before sunrise, to the morning star, and the evening star. We pray for our relatives who are in the universe that someday they will come. We also pray that the Great Spirit's son will live again."

"To the Indian People Christmas is every day and they don't believe in taking without asking. Herbs are prayed over before being gathered by asking the plant for permission to take some cuttings. An offer of tobacco is made to the plant in gratitude. We do not pull the herb out by its roots, but cut the plant even with the surface of the earth, so that another generation will be born its place."

"It is really important that these ways never be lost. And to this day we feed the elders, we feed the family on Christmas day, we honor Saint Nicholas. We explain to the little children that to receive a gift is to enjoy it, and when the enjoyment is gone, they are to pass it on to another child, so that they, too, can enjoy it. If a child gets a doll, that doll will change hands about eight times in a year, from one child to another."

"Every day is Christmas in Indian Country. Daily living is centered around the spirit of giving and walking the Red Road. Walking the Red Road means making everything you do a spiritual act. If your neighbor, John Running Deer, needs a potato masher; and you have one that you are not using, you offer him yours in the spirit of giving. It doesn't matter if it is Christmas or not."

"If neighbors or strangers stop over to visit at your house, we offer them dinner. We bring out the T-Bone steak, not the cabbage. If we don't have enough, we send someone in the family out to get some more and mention nothing of the inconvenience to our guests. The more one gives, the more spiritual we become. The Christ Consciousness, the same spirit of giving that is present at Christmas, is present every day in Indian Country."

Looks For Buffalo resides on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and can be contacted at (605)867-5762 or P.O. Box 150, Pine Ridge, SD 57770. He is a contributor to www.ewebtribe.com.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, filled with many blessings and lots of giving.

Photos from Google Commons. 

   

THANKSGIVING AND SUKKOT (TABERNACLES) AND A BLESSING

By Mary Adair

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I give thanks every day for my blessings, but to have a day set aside for thanks giving is truly special.  Knowing many  (if not all) Americans celebrate by remembering all the good things and wonderful people in their lives for which they are thankful adds to the festivity.

I decided to look into the roots of the celebration, and this is what I learned. According to some scholars, before coming to the new world, the Pilgrims lived for a decade among the Sephareic Jews in Holland.  Holland was considered a safe haven from religious persecution at the time.  

The Pilgrims, being devout Calvinist and Puritans considered themselves as “new Israel”. I can see where they likely learned that Sukkot commemorated Israel’s deliverance from the religious persecution in ancient Egypt and thought of it as a parallel to their own situation.

After they immigrated to the promised land of America, it is not surprising to me that the Pilgrims may have considered the festival of Sukkot when planning their own celebration. The Pilgrims considered their perilous journey to the new world as a type of exodus and wanted to associate their new celebration to the appropriate Biblical holiday.

It is interesting to me that the Jewish observance of their holiday always falls on Thursday and there is a special prayer of “Thanksgiving” before eating the meal.  It is also interesting to note that the Hebrew word for turkey is tarnegol hodu, literally “Indian chicken”.  Is it a happy coincidence that we customarily eat turkey on thanksgiving?

We all have times of ups and downs. We all have something and someone (probably more than one someone) to be thankful for. My Thanksgiving wish for all my friends and family is well expressed in this:

Cherokee Prayer Blessing

May the Warm Winds of Heaven Blow softly upon your house.

May the Great Spirit Bless all who enter there.

May your Moccasins Make happy tracks in many snows,

and may the Rainbow Always touch your shoulder.

Mary Adair is the author of the bestselling Passion series in which Cherokee heroines are featured. You can learn more about her books on her Amazon Author Page and on her website

photos from Google commons

WRITING HUMOR IS NO LAUGHING MATTER!

By Mary Adair

I love to read stories that incorporate humor. To me humor is one of those “spice of life” things, so how could I not write humor? Well, writing humor is much harder than you would think. You would think having a sense of humor would be all you need. Not so, as I quickly learned.

So what did I do? Like any good writer, I researched the subject. Here is something I read…

Rule 1: Words with the k sound (Cadillac, quintuplet, sex) are perceived as the funniest, and words with a hard g (guacamole, gargantuan, Yugo) are almost as funny. I am sure this is a good rule, not that I understand it.

This is what I can get out of it… “Sex in the back seat of a Cadillac could lead to quintuplets.”   Okay! Not Funny!

My story, PASSION’S VISION, is filled with historical detail portraying the Cherokee People during a turbulent time of war, smallpox, great loses and miraculous victories. It is a fast-paced adventure containing intrigue and a dash of Native American mysticism.

New Moon is a Cherokee warrior. She and her husband fought together in many battles. She mourns the death of her husband, whose life was taken by a white man. To top that off, she is having visions of a white man soon to arrive in her village. She is not sure, but he sets all her warrior senses aquiver over not knowing if she is supposed to kill him or have his child. That is defiantly not the funny part, though just at this moment, it kind of struck me that way.

James Fitzgerald is an agent in King George’s court. He is commissioned to blend into Dancing Cloud’s village to uncover and botch the plans of a French agent creating discord and bloody conflict between the settlers and the Cherokee.

These are two warriors from different worlds who meet and clash. It does not take long before it is revealed their survival depends on their ability to overcome their differences and defeat those who seek to destroy them both.

This story needed a bit a humor. I chose James to be the brunt of my moments of humor. He was just so clueless at times when he stumbles into confusion over the nuances of Cherokee culture.

In PASSION’S PRICE, I really had fun with my characters.  Raven, Red Panther’s adoptive son is the serious one. Dawn, Red Panther and New Moon’s daughter is also very serious, strong headed and, a visionary…like her mother. Now imagine tossing a heavy dose of Cherokee culture into an English fountain, in the way of a Sun Greeting Ceremony, performed in the nude of course, or dropping into a Cherokee Death Sleep during a “Coming out ball” just to prove a point. You have to admit that would cause a bit of a ruckus among the English elite.

In PASSION’S PRICE I added in two precious grandmothers who are known for their matchmaking and meddling into other’s affairs. I also introduced Sir William, affectionately called Willy by his grandmothers. William is totally smitten by Dawn but is quick to realize he has no chance winning her affection, so settles back to watch the battle of wills between Raven and Dawn.

PASSION’S PRICE is every bit as serious a book as Passion’s Vision, but I really enjoyed and could not stop myself from stirring in a bit of humor at every opportunity.

PASSION’S VISION excerpt:

A shout rose up from the watchman of the gate as Red Panther and New Moon emerged into the clearing that surrounded the village. The Old Beloved Woman quickly hurried through the gate with a robe to place about New Moon. Clucking like an old hen the elderly woman ushered her back toward the village.

Just before disappearing through the gate New Moon looked back at him, her eyes twinkling with promise and her lips spread in a smile that made his heart jump and his stomach tighten.

As James passed through the gate Dancing Cloud met him and slapped him warmly on the shoulder.

"Panther, it is good you have returned to us. I see your scalp," he said, pointing to the scalp at James' waist.

"Will his blood cry?"

"He killed New Moon's brother. He would have killed New Moon. He got what he deserved."

Dancing Cloud nodded his approval, "Good. It is finished." With a sideways glance he asked, "Did New Moon accept you?"

"Yes."

"Good! I would not have given back the bride price." Dancing Cloud said jovially. Noticing Red Panther's downcast expression he said, "You do not look good, my friend. I do not understand. You saved your woman, killed your enemy, you were alone in the mountains with New Moon. You should have come back strutting like that new stallion of mine."

James looked confused as he stared at Dancing Cloud, "Yes, I killed my enemy." He sounded incredulous. "I saved my woman, but the nights alone with my conquest were the most difficult of all. This custom of yours, of a warrior not defiling himself when on the warpath, almost killed me."

Dancing Cloud fought valiantly with his features but soon gave up and crumpled over in great laughter. James waited patiently for the chief to regain his composure.

Finally the chief straightened and wiped his eyes as his face once again molded itself into the mask of total sobriety. "You must have strong medicine." He let his eyes casually roam about the village as if in thought, "Much control." With this last statement, he turned his back to James and walked away.

The village shaman hurried from his lodge, his hands filled with a variety of rattles and pouches of herbs, toward Red Panther. As he neared the chief, Dancing Cloud reached out and caught his arm. Pulling the old man close Cloud leaned toward his ear as if to whisper, but rather said very loudly, "You will not need all of those things. Red Panther did not break purification."

The old man looked at the chief in surprise and then to James. James, in an attempt to ignore the scene the Chief was causing, allowed his gaze to wander about the village.

To his dismay every face was turned his way. It seemed the entire village could find nothing of more interest than his sex life! Tucking his rattles back into his medicine pouch the shaman turned, and with one last glance at James, walked with Dancing Cloud back to his lodge.

PASSION’S PRICE excerpt:

"I can't believe everyone thinks that she fainted. I have a bad feeling about her," Dawn mumbled.

"And well you should, she's French you know." Lady Montgomery's words and tone of voice left little doubt as to her opinion of England's neighboring countrymen.

Dawn only half listened. The whole affair seemed a form of madness to her. The loud music, women's high, exaggerated giggles springing fourth in response to nonsense, men's blind doting over staged performances. This miss-matched accumulation of nonsense made this the most unpleasant and curious evening in all her experience with the white man's world.

Lady Montgomery interrupted her thoughts. "And no one really thinks she fainted, dear." She patted Dawn's hand. "Or, at least most of them don't."

"Then why all this?" She indicated the activity that was taking place a short distance from them, where men still thronged around Marguerite as she pretended to weakly accept their assistance.

"Why, dear, because it's expected. Ladies are supposed to swoon."

"They are expected to swoon?" Dawn asked incredulously. "Yes, of course, and some truly do," Lady Gaylord answered.

"Of course, the tight corsets, the drink, the crowd, the excitement. It's only natural that some sweet frail little thing will be overcome by it all and naturally swoon," Lady Montgomery added.

"But," she continued in what appeared to be an attempt to head off Lady Gaylord, "there are those who are not so overcome. When they feel they're being left out, they bring the attention back to themselves by feigning a swoon. I'd suggest Marguerite’s little performance was equal to that of a temper tantrum."

"Yes! She's angry," Lady Gaylord pushed forward.

Dawn gazed at her in surprise. "Why? With whom?"

"Why, with you, dear."

"Don't look so startled, dear. You've stolen her...thunder, you might say."

Dawn smiled. Knowing about her Cherokee ancestry the two dears continually tried to interject words into their speech they thought would make her feel more at home. Considering what they had just said, she looked hard in Marguerite’s direction and replied, "That is ridiculous. I never stole her thunder or anything else. Perhaps she's just insecure."

Both women swung their heads in Marguerite’s direction and stared for a short while before shaking their heads. "No," Lady Gaylord spoke decisively.

"No, you're wrong, my dear," Lady Montgomery agreed as she turned back to Dawn.

"She knows what she wants," injected Lady Gaylord.

"And she knows just how to get it. I'm sure she would stop at nothing. You, my dear, took away some of her thunder. She just took it back."

"You know, Victoria," Lady Montgomery tapped her fan against her hand speculatively. "I don't think she likes it at all that Dawn is here."

Dawn listened while the two matrons conversed between themselves as if she were not present.

Lady Gaylord nodded in agreement. "No, she's very unhappy about Dawn. Raven has given his new ward far too much attention to suit Marguerite."

"Well, why shouldn't he? She is his partner's daughter and she is here under his protection." Lady Montgomery smiled slyly, a hint of triumph in her voice. "And she's very beautiful."

"Yes, she is. More beautiful even than Marguerite, in my opinion." Lady Gaylord grinned wickedly, then sobered. "Dawn must be very careful of Marguerite." Dawn stiffened.

"Yes, she must," Lady Montgomery spoke softly as she moved closer, reminding Dawn of a mother hen shielding her chick.

Lady Gaylord, with the same air of protectiveness, put a reassuring hand at Dawn's waist. "We'll just have to help her."

"Yes, we must."

"Help me what?" Dawn could hold her tongue no longer.

Both women jumped and quickly exchanged secretive looks before they returned their attention to Dawn.

"Oh, nothing, dear. Nothing at all."

"You have nothing to worry about." Lady Gaylord patted Dawn's hand. "We'll not let Marguerite hurt you."

Dawn straightened. "I do not need anyone to protect me. I'm not afraid of some silly white woman who can't even achieve a proper death sleep."

"Oh, of course you're not afraid, dear." The grandmothers exchanged looks again. "You've nothing to fear. We just feel that you should not underestimate Marguerite. She is very cunning. By the way, dear, what is a death sleep?"

Dawn shrugged. "I'll explain later." She was stung by the older women's lack of belief in her. She was as much a warrior as her mother, and Marguerite had declared war.

She stole a glance at Marguerite, who now sat perched on a low stool where some gallant young man had placed her after he so graciously caught her in his arms. All around Marguerite silly young men, and not so young men, fretted and fluttered like wild birds in a mating dance.

Yes, this was war, a different kind of war. The rules, as she understood them, were confusing, but she knew she would win it. The stakes were too high to lose.

She looked at Raven leaning against the mantle, the look of a storm cloud on his face. The strength she saw in him did nothing to reassure her. Her vision was real. Raven was in mortal danger and his strength would not save him. It was up to her. The Great Spirit would not have sent her the dream if that were not so.

She saw him take a deep breath and push himself away from the backrest. He was about to go to Marguerite. It was time to let Raven's fiancée know her challenge had been accepted.

Without a word Dawn raised her wrist to her forehead.

***

A glance in Dawn's direction and Raven froze. "Great Spirit, no.”

William shoved himself from the mantle. "Good Lord, Raven, what's got into you?"

Raven watched as Dawn sank to the floor. As if in slow motion Lady Gaylord turned in Dawn's direction, placed a hand to her cheek and let out a wail to put any Cherokee mourner to shame. The resulting pandemonium gave credit to Dawn's flare for drama. Ladies, young and old, no doubt believing they had just witnessed the demise of one of their own, dropped faster than the bewildered gentlemen could respond.

RAVEN'S PASSION is also part of the Passion series, and falls between the two books mentioned above.

WRITING IS A DISCIPLINE, STORYTELLING AN ART, AND REVIEWS ARE A NECESSITY

By Mary Adair

Simply said, authors write because the stories inside their imagination clamor to be released. Any art needs discipline, you might say. Of course, that is true, but that special talent that resides within artists to express themselves in their craft is unique to them. If I picked up a book whose cover was hidden and began reading, and that book happened to be written by Kathleen Woodiwiss,  (http://tinyurl.com/pvbdy4l )  I would recognize her style of storytelling. I would know, without being told, that Ms Woodiwiss is the author.

The same is true for Bess Trissell (http://tinyurl.com/mop6kfq )  

and Caroline Clemmons. http://tinyurl.com/nxm2nkg )

All are great Storytellers, who excel in their craft and are easy to recognize. 

Every author I know wants to find and develop their own particular talent for storytelling, their “voice”. They study and research their topic, they plot, they outline, and then they “Create” the best story they have written.  Believe me, turning that baby you have just produced, and dressed up in the best, prettiest, most exciting cover, over to the publisher is both accelerating and frightful. Of course, a writer must write, so even though the author starts on their next book, they have not turned their back on the newly released book.

There are blogs to write, tweets to be tweeted, announcements to be sent and reviews to be checked. 

Believe it or not, Reviews are the most important. Honest reviews from readers and fans are necessary for the author to know how well they are doing. Sales are important, true, but it’s the reviews and comments from readers that make the whole process rewarding to an author. Even a bad review is not bad to receive. 

Reviews, the good, the bad and the ugly, not only help the author hone their craft, but they direct other story lovers to the books they would most enjoy.

So…after finishing your next book, make the author’s day by leaving an honest review on the site where you bought the book.

Award winning, PASSION’S VISION will be available FREE at Story Cartel for a short while in exchange for an honest review. 

WEATHER AS A CHARACTER?

By Mary Adair

Weather can play an important part in a story.

Weather adds dimension to the strength and weakness of your characters. Weather can be a villain, it can be a catalyst for romance. It can be scary and filled with clouds and flying specters. It can be fun as a gentle breeze tosses about colorful kites or fearful as strong winds threaten to sink a boat.

Boat on stormy waves
purchased from Dreamstime

We are having unusual weather in Oklahoma for the month of August. Last year this time we were breaking a record for the number of days above 100 degrees. Today it actually feels cool outdoors. The day is overcast and feels a lot like fall. This unusual weather, of course, brought to mind when we first moved to Oklahoma and the surprising weather was not so pleasant.

In my YA novella, CAPTIVE SPIRITS, Alexis had to escape with her small daughter during a snowstorm. I drew my inspiration for this from the ice storm we suffered through shortly after we moved to Oklahoma.

Snowy woods near our home

This storm became one for the records. We were without electricity, as was everyone else in the area. We lived in a rural area with tall pines all around us. The ice was so heavy on the trees that many trees broke, causing a sound very much like gun fire. The blast was very scary.

House in the woods, but not ours
photo purchased from Dreamstime

Ice also caused our power line to break. Because we lived in such an out of the way, hard to get to location, our electricity was off almost a week longer than our neighbors’. For three weeks, we and our four Italian greyhounds and our very old tomcat huddled before our wood stove in an otherwise totally electric home.

Can you spot the bird in the tree?

We had plenty of canned food for people and pets and, because we left the water trickling, we had water. However, keeping a fire going was a challenge with all the wet wood around. It really made an impression on me just how fragile people and animals are in the face of weather.

During that very cold, icy winter I developed a new respect for the strength of nature and the fragility of life. I now love to toss my characters into the fray of nature’s multiple faces while I explore their strengths and force them to display their character. 

  

AUTHORS ASK "WHAT IF?"

By Mary Adair

I have been asked where I get Ideas for my stories. My answer is everywhere I look. And of course the two most important words to an author, “What if”.

My husband and I took a trip to Heavener Runestone Park in Heavener, Oklahoma. It was a warm, overcast, misty sort of day. As we walked along the path that leads downward into a world of trees, large boulders, waterfalls and small ponds. I was entering a world long past. It was beautiful.

I wondered if it looked just this way when the Native Americans lived and thrived in that very spot several hundred years earlier. I wondered what if… during a hunt, they camped in one of the shallow caves created by the rocky overhanging ledges and just above them crept warriors from an opposing tribe?

We soon made our way to the carvings. They were protected by heavy glass, but were easily visible. I wondered how the area looked when the Vikings wandered through these woods and asked myself why they would trek downward rather than stay on higher ground.

What if…they were avoiding detection? Why did they carve into the side of the huge boulder? What if… It were actually a code? What if…the carvings were not made by Vikings? What if…they were travelers from a galaxy far, far, away? Better yet, what if… they were time travelers?   

I thoroughly enjoyed that trip. After we left the park we went to a small café in town. We walked toward the back and my dear husband, knowing I love to sit where I can watch everyone and everything around me, pulled out the chair with its back to the wall.  

While carrying on a delightful conversation with my husband I observed a darling little girl dressed up as a ballerina. Would she grow up to be a famous ballerina and travel the world over? What if…her mother was a world famous ballerina and wanted her daughter to follow in her footsteps? What if…the little girl hated to dance and wanted to be an astronaut instead?

A cute couple came through the door, I would say in their early twenties. They were holding hands. He was strutting like he had something to be proud of, she was flushed and looking at him adoringly. Were they newlyweds? Were they on their first date? Were they eloping? What if…he was already married and she didn’t know? What if…she is a serial killer and is playing to his ego till she could get him where she wanted him? 

I find that coming up with ideas for a story is not hard. Turning that idea into a full story can be tricky, but oh so much fun!