July 10, 2008

Blogging with Patsy - Sounds like a country western song

Good morning everyone. It's Friday - TGIF! - and next week I'm on vacation. Going camping to the beautiful Sawtooths near Stanley, Idaho. This is a yearly campout and the family gathers. Lots of fun, great fishing and so relaxing.

Anyway, I'm the guest blogger for Friday, July 11. Thank you, Anna, for inviting me and, though I'm nervous, I hope to be a good influence on the participants.

I began my writing career just over two years ago. I have a vivid imagination and I would make up these stories and tell my husband and he kept at me to write them down. One day, he went out, bought a computer, brought it home and said "Now you don't have an excuse." Shortly after that, in January of 2006, I was watching the Discovery Channel about the Urumchi Mummies of the Taklamakan Desert in Northern China, and "Fiona" came into fruition (that sounds authorie). I finished her in August of 2006 and contracted for publication with The Wild Rose Press in late December 2006 or early January 2007. In February, 2007, I finished my second novel, "Riley's Journey", and submitted that one as well to TWRP and it was immediately accepted. So began my career.

I have since contracted for my third novel, "Aimee's Locket," which, although a time travel, will be released as a Cactus Rose, and a shorter story, "Heart of the Sorcerer." I have also submitted a short story to the free reads program and it is slated for publication soon, "Prophecy's Bride." Stay tuned for publication dates. I am currently working on my fourth novel, a vampire story.
As to my first three novels:

FIONA

Love survives the ravages of time. Set against the backdrop of the Taklamakan Desert, Fiona, a beautiful, modern young woman of Celtic heritage, finds herself transported to ancient China, to a time of barbarian warriors, marauding nomads from the northern steppes, and at what was then a crossroad between East and West. Fiona finds a new way of life in the arms of the handsome warrior, Kellach, a man of noble stature and a leader among the Celtic settlements ringing the great desert.
Desperate to return to the present and struggling against her mounting feelings, Fiona finally accepts her fate, exulting in the rapture and delights of Kellach’s love, only to have Voadicia, a beautiful seductress, destroy that dream of happiness. Kellach’s soul searches the mists of time, yearning to be reunited with his one love.


EXCERPT:

There it was again, Fiona thought, I definitely heard something this time. She slowly turned around and gasped. She was definitely hallucinating now. It appeared to her muddled mind that horsemen were standing in a line behind her. Because of the sun’s positioning and her injured eye, she wasn’t able to really see them clearly, but from their outline, they almost looked like Indians. But, no, the sun glinted off what appeared to be shades of blonde, red and brown hair. Perhaps they were from the Festival, they certainly looked the part. It was all just too confusing and she couldn’t grasp the significance of what was occurring.

Kellach’s men recoiled. The crone’s visage was a nightmare to be sure. The left side of her face was a mass of purplish bruises and her left eye was swollen shut. Dried blood covered the right side of face and her lips were swollen and cracked. She appeared to be ancient, so bent over was she. A shawl covered her head, and strands of dirty white hair hung around her face. Her clothing was filthy and torn in a good number of places. From a quick perusal, Kellach could see that she had tied her left arm to her body and was leaning heavily on the stick she carried.
Fiona dropped to her knees, “Thank god,” she croaked, “I had almost given up. What took you so long?” She almost didn’t recognize her own voice, it was so hoarse and gravelly sounding.
Kellach looked around the group, “Do any of you understand what she said?” They all looked blank.


RILEY'S JOURNEY
The research project was only supposed to be for an “extended period.” No one said anything about forever! So Riley’s journey begins. Sent back 40,000 years to be the mate of a man she had never before met, Riley struggles to understand and adjust. Her journey will take her into a world fraught with dangers - a world made more treacherous by savage beasts, primitive Neanderthals, and the incursion of the aggressive Cro-Magnon man.

Surviving alone for five years in this vast wilderness, Nathan, along with his enormous dog, Demon, carve out a life in the perilous environment. Though thrown together by forces beyond their control, love grows between Riley and Nathan – but will they survive?

EXCERPT:

Nathan bellowed a war cry and jumped into the fray, slashing and whirling in a lethal dance of death. More than one newcomer instantly fell beneath his onslaught, but more entered the battle. Riley’s hand fastened on her war club and, gripping it tightly, she moved into position behind Nathan, protecting his back as he dealt blow after blow on the now surprised and defensive warriors.

Moving in time with Nathan, Riley matched his ferocity, enraged by the unwarranted attack and fighting as though demons snapped at her heels. They fought as one, joined by their will to survive amidst overwhelming odds. Had Nathan had the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle, he would have applauded the intensity and determination with which she landed every blow. She was an Amazon woman of myth, a Valkyrie of the Asgaard, or a Warrior Queen. The months of combat training and warfare techniques drilled into her on a daily basis came into fruition, culminating in this single moment. She defended her position well, holding out against the rampaging aggressors, meting out vicious blows to those who ventured too close.

COMING SOON - AIMEE'S LOCKET
The antique ivory locket was the key! Exquisite and enchanting, it drew Aimee like a magnet. Though the locket cost every spare penny she had, it was money well spent – or so she thought! Catapulted back to the year 1847, Aimee finds herself alone in St. Louis, Missouri, the jumping off site for the Oregon Trail. The much touted slogan “Go West Young Man” takes on new meaning. Seattle, her home in the present, was a distant dream, and unless she found a suitable male willing to marry, Aimee would be left behind when the emigrant train departed, bound for the Oregon Territory.
Jake Marshall, scout for the Markham Party, was the perfect, if unwilling choice. Undaunted by his overt rudeness, Aimee entices Jake to the alter, promising her diamond earrings as payment for a marriage of convenience. Properly wed, she thereby secures passage on the wagon train, and embarks on a chain of events that would ultimately culminate in the far reaches of the great American West.
EXCERPT:
“Will you go anywhere near Seattle, Washington?”
“I told you before, I’ve never heard of Seattle and Washington’s east, but if you mean the Oregon territory – yes, we end up there, in the Willamette Valley to be exact.”
Aimee rapidly absorbed the meager information. “How long does the trip take and what does it cost?”
“Takes at least five months if nothing goes wrong - and it costs way more than you have. Why?”
“Oh . . . nothing. I just wondered.” Aimee turned to leave, lost in thought.
“Sure you don’t want to take me up on my offer?” He tried one last time.
“You wish!” Aimee growled, stalking out, forgetting to check the hallway first and barely avoiding running into a boarder who happened to be walking by. A lascivious leer replaced the boarder’s previously blank expression, his eyes devouring her lightly clad form.
“Looking for customers?” He smacked his lips loudly, reminiscent of a flapping sucker fish. “I just might be interested.”
Aimee’s shoulders drooped in disgust. “You are soooo sickening,” she spat angrily. “How about you get out of my face before I ream you a new orifice?”
Startled, the man’s mouth flew open as he gaped in surprise.
Jake stepped into the hallway, his voice ominous in the ensuing silence. “The lady was just returning to her room. I suggest you do the same.”
The hapless man, taking note of Jake’s stiff and threatening countenance, and the fact that Jake was a good head taller, scurried down the hall, happy to escape unscathed.
“Thanks . . . again! Seems like all I do is thank you for one reason or another.” Aimee mentally reviewed her dismal day. “I’ve had more creepy offers from more creepy men in one day than I’ve had in my entire lifetime!”
“If you keep running around in your underclothes, it’s pretty much what you can expect,” he said unnecessarily.
He followed her across the hall. “Stay in there and don’t answer the door, and if anyone bothers you – scream. I’ll hear it.”
Stepping into her room, Aimee turned. “Why are you helping me?”
He shrugged noncommittally. “Guess it’s because I’m a gentleman at heart.”
“Are you?” She asked. “Are you a gentleman?”
A tiny smile creased his lips. “I can be when I need to.”  


Best close this or I will have written another novel. Have a good day and I'll be blogging.
Patsy
P. L. Parker











41 comments:

Eva S said...

Thanks for the great excerpts, I love time travel, and these settings are something special!I'd love to read more and will be looking for your books.

peggy said...

wonderful excerpts

Estella said...

Sounds like great reads!

Debby said...

Great excerpts. I enjoyed reading them. I will be looking for your books

CrystalGB said...

Great excerpts. They all sound wonderful.

Zulmara said...

que cool are you...great excerpts...hope you have a blast camping with the fam...sounds like a great tradition...

ADELANTE!!!

Kimberly B. said...

Hi there! Thanks for sharing those excerpts. I like time travel books, and I especially like that your travelers visit time periods and places that most people don't write about. "Fiona" especially appeals to me.

P.L. Parker said...

Good morning everyone. Thanks for your comments. I have never really blogged much, maybe once last year for a short time, so this is a new experience. I love time travel and its a perfect genre for me. My current book is a vampire novel, but she is entombed in the 1400's and wakes up in the present.

DawnM said...

Thanks for the excerpts Patsy, I especially liked the concept behind Riley's Journey

P.L. Parker said...

"Riley's Journey" was such a fun story to write. I loved the research behind it.

P.L. Parker said...

By the way, here is a short blurb for "Heart of the Sorcerer," faery rosette, coming soon:

Drawn inexplicably back to her childhood home, Annalisa returns, seeking to fill the void existing in her loveless life. Granny Jean, Annalisa’s adopted grandmother, failing in health and mental acuity, endeavors to discover the secrets of Annalisa’s soul, wanting nothing more than Annalisa to be happy before she leaves this earth.
A picture hangs over the mantle of Gran’s cottage depicting a beautiful man of another time, a man who haunts Annalisa’s every dream, a man who calls to her relentlessly.
Unknown to Annalisa, Gran and Alec, the man in the painting, have set forth a course of events to send Annalisa back, back into the arms of Alec.

Anonymous said...

Great excerpts. I'm finding a lot of great reads here.

Chicks of Characterization said...

All these sound wonderful, but I was most taken by the cover for FIONA, absolutely breathtaking!!!!

Andrea :O)
andrea.snider@live.com

Anonymous said...

It's always wonderful to find new authors to read and books to add to your list, that's what happened to me today with your books.

P.L. Parker said...

Love your comments people! I think my head has swelled to twice its normal size :):)

Dede said...

I have read both of these books and I highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys wonderful character driven stories. Keep on writing Patsy, I can't wait for Aimee's Locket!

P.L. Parker said...

Thanks, Dede - appreciate your input.

Patsy

Cackleberry Homestead said...

Great excerpts - going to go and check out your books. Thanks so much for blogging.

P.L. Parker said...

Thanks, Crystal

P.L. Parker said...

Anyone have some great ideas for marketing? We could all use a few of those.

Patsy

Jane said...

Hi Patsy,
I saw that program on Discovery, too. They were confused as to why there was a Caucasian mummy in China. Very educational and interesting. Thanks for the excerpts.

P.L. Parker said...

Jane - welcome. As an ancient history nut, I loved the program.

Patsy

Anonymous said...

Thanks for being the guest blogger Ms. PLPARKER! We all loved your first two novels and can't wait for the third. You're a peach!

d

Anonymous said...

Patsy all of your books and short stories shows us how creative you are. Reading your excerpts got me extremely interested! Keep writing!!!

Cara Marsi said...

Nice article, Patsy. You have a wonderful husband to be so supportive. Not all of us are that lucky. I'm in awe that you've only been writing two years and are so successful. Wow!

I read Fiona and I highly recommend it. I bought Riley's Journey and can't wait to read that one. The cover for Aimee's Locket is beautiful. You know I'll buy that also.

Good luck.

Carolyn Matkowsky/Cara Marsi
www.caramarsi.com

Anonymous said...

Of your books so far, which is your favorite? Is it possible to say, to judge like that?

windycindy said...

Happy Friday! Reading your excerpts were very enjoyable! Your books sound great. Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]thotmail[dot]com

P.L. Parker said...

Thanks for your good words Cara and everyone else as well. As to my favorite, I really would have a problem deciding that. So funny, every one of my heroines becomes almost like a friend, I live their lives and their stories so I would have a really hard time picking a favorite. They are almost real to me and each one is so different. Now if I had to pick the hero, I would have to say Kellach from "Fiona." pant, pant - hee hee

Cherie J said...

These sound wonderful. Thanks for guestblogging.

Lani said...

P.L., I just want to say that your book, "Fiona" was one of the best books I've read in my lifetime -- and I'm (50 something). I have started Riley's Journey and can't wait to find some quiet time so I can get back to it. Your descriptions of people, places, things, are sooooooo detailed that I feel I'm actually living and breathing along with the characters in your book. After reading your comments in this blog of Anna Kathryn's, I can't wait to read your next 2 books. Please keep writing....

P.L. Parker said...

Lani - thank you for your kind thoughts and encouragement. I so appreciate them.

Patsy

P.L. Parker said...

Well, people, it's getting later on in the day and being Friday, probably everyone off to do their own things. I have enjoyed this session, not to say that I won't still be here for awhile, but wanted to thank everyone for their input today and good thoughts.

Patsy

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

P.L., thanks for blogging for me today. I really enjoyed your post, blurbs and excerpts. You're stories sound great. We'll be giving away a copy of "Riley's Journey" to a lucky winner today. "Fiona" will be part of my E-books Prize Package, that I'll draw for tomorrow night. Right now, it has six books in it. Anyone commenting yesterday, today or tomorrow will be in the drawing and the more you comment, the more your chances to win!

~Anna Kathryn

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Great excerpts, Patsy! I expecially like Aimee's Locket. :)

Michelle said...

I do love a good time travel romance and this one definitely sounds like it would be mighty entertaining.

Drea said...

Awesome excerpts! So many new reads, so little time!!!

Drea said...

Anna Kathryn ~ have fun camping...Idaho is where I am at. Beautiful country. Hope it is a nice relaxing time for you all.

Laura K said...

I love being introduced to new authors when I go on my blog tours. Your books sound so fascinating to me. Thank you for sharing!

Dena said...

Hi Patsy, Your excerpts were very interesting to me and they were stories I would love to read. Your a new to me Author and I am looking forward to reading your books. Have a great weekend.

P.L. Parker said...

Thanks everyone. Been so nice visiting with everyone. Hope we have another chance to visit soon.

Patsy

Anonymous said...

Best of luck with your writing and happy camping!