Spirit of the Mountain- Paty Jager

Anna Kathryn, Thank you for having me here today to talk about Spirit of the Mountain, my first historical paranormal release.

This is the first book of a trilogy set among the Nez Perce of the Wallowa Valley in NE Oregon. I have sibling spirits and each one has their own story and how they fall in love with a mortal. I kept the day to day life of the Nimiipuu factual and inserted all the fun spirit stuff, which is only a figment of my imagination. While the Nez Perce did believe in spirits and the Creator, I have made up my own sense of how the Creator and the spirits in my books influenced the band and my characters.

Nez Perce were animists; They believed that everything in creation- animals, birds, fish, rocks, trees, stars, plants and all natural phenomena- had spirits or a supernatural side that appeared to humans in visions and could influence them for good or harm. I took this notion and brought good and bad spirits to life in my book. With this ingrained belief in their society it was easy to make my heroine believe in the hero when she sees him for the first time as a man and realizes he is the wolf she has been talking to about her fears.

Blurb for Spirit of the Mountain
Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, her world is torn apart.

Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.

When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…

Excerpt
She knew not of this man. He was not from any of the Nimiipuu tribes. He would not have gone unnoticed. She had heard stories of a band with flaxen hair who lived before the coming of the horse in the area far beyond the River of Many Bends.
Could he be of that band? If so, why was he here, on this mountain?
“Come, Wren,” he bid in a deep, soothing voice.
She started forward at his command then stopped. How did he know her name?
Wren moved a foot backward to step into the trees and run if necessary. “How do you know me?”
“Your friend called you that.” His gaze never left her face. She stared into his eyes, recognition flashed, warming her to her toes.
His presence didn’t threaten her. It puzzled her. Why did he stand in the clearing where she met the wolf? She took a step forward.
“You are called?”
“Himiin,” he said with a slight tip of his head.
Wolf. She stared in disbelief. Was he the wolf?
She gazed into his eyes. The recognition she saw within the depths set her heart racing. How could he be? It was not possible.
“You have received bad news?” His light blue eyes turned a deep blue, showing her he was the wolf she sought.
But how could this be?
She took a step back, unsure of this man and the turmoil within. Her mind grasped at all the tales told by the elders around the winter campfires.
Many stories told of shape shifters and how they showed themselves to only a few. Could her wolf be a shape shifter? If so, could this be a sign about her future? Her heart thudded in her chest. If he truly was the wolf, he knew everything about her, and she knew nothing of him.
“How do you come to be both man and wolf?” Her father always told her she asked too many questions, but this seemed a very good time to ask many.
“I am the spirit of the mountain.” He shrugged.
“The creator has given me the ability to take many forms.”
“How is it you have come to me?” She took a step forward. The warmth of his voice and unguarded stance drew her.
“You came to me. I merely tended my wounds, when you came upon me.”
She gulped in air and choked.
He was truly the wolf.

You can visit my website and enter my monthly contest or stop by my blog and learn more about me and my writing life. You can purchase my books in e-book of print from The Wild Rose Press or Amazon.com.

Alternative Meanings

Alternative Meanings

The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. The winners are:


1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.


2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.


3. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.


4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.


5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.


6. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absent mindedly answer the door in your nightgown.


7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.


8. Gargoyle (n.), olive-flavored mouthwash.


9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.


10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.


11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.


12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.


13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.


14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.


15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your Soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.


16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
http://www.aklanier.com/  
http://annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/

Fund Raiser for My Grandson

My grandson, Ethan,  is selling "Entertainment Books" to raise money for his school. These books are hundreds of pages of coupons that you can use in and around your area. The prices start at $25, but some areas are a little more.


Go to www.entertainment.com/support to check it out. Under the Student ID # enter 482047 for Ethan to receive credit, should you decide to order a book.

The fund raiser ends on Monday, August 30th. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated. 

Anna Kathryn Lanier

The Friday Record - Elizabeth Blackwell

First Female Doctor in America

I’m back to referring to LADIES FIRST: History’s Greatest Female Trailblazers, Winners and Mavericks by Lynn Santa Lucia. This is a great selection of biographies on fantastic women who broke the rules and over came prejudices to conquer their chosen field. Ms. Lucia writes about America’s first female doctor, Elizabeth Blackwell on page 131.

As a young girl, Elizabeth Blackwell declared, “I don’t know what I’m going to be when I grow up, but it’s going to be hard.” What an understatement!

Elizabeth was born in 1821 in Bristol, England, the third child of nine surviving children. Her father was a successful businessman who believed the education of his daughters should be equal to that of his sons.

After selling his business, the family moved to the United States in 1832.

Elizabeth’s first job, at the age of seventeen, was that of a school teacher when she and her older sisters opened a school for young ladies. After it closed, she floundered for direction in her life. It was the dying words of a dear friend who encouraged her to become a doctor. That, of course, was better said than done. Even with practical training under The Reverend John Dickson, a former doctor, sixteen schools refused her admittance.

Geneva College in upstate New York decided to ask the student body if they would accept Elizabeth as a co-ed. The all-male, high-spirited students thought it was a hoax and overwhelming voted ‘yes.’ On November 7, 1847, to the horror of the faculty, Elizabeth reported to the Dean’s office.

Though her enrollment caused a stir in both the college and the town, Elizabeth ignored it all. She interned at Blockley Almshouse in Philadelphia, training on the ward for poor women with venereal diseases. Though the staff and some patients snubbed her, she found the experience invaluable.

In 1849, Elizabeth not only graduated in half the time it took most students, she graduated first in her class. The prestigious medical degree, however, didn’t help her enter the world of practicing medicine. No other doctor would allow her to join his practice. Nor would any other medical school accept her so she could continue her studies to become a surgeon. Eventually, she accepted a position at La Maternité, a midwifery school in France. Her dream to be a surgeon was ended at there when she lost the sight in one eye after contracting an ophthalmic infection from a child suffering with gonorrhea.

In 1850, she was accepted into St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London and was on staff throughout the winter of 1850-51. She then returned to America, but continued to find the doors to private practice soundly closed to her, despite her additional training. She eventually bought her a house and set up own practice. “Patients came very slowly…I had no medical companionship; the profession stood aloof, and society was distrustful of the innovation,” she later wrote.

In 1857, Elizabeth along with her younger sister Emily (the second woman in America to become a doctor) and German immigrant Dr. Marie Zakrzewska, established the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. It was the first hospital for women staffed by women. Set in the slums, it was desperately needed and the beds were filled within a month.

The three doctors didn’t end their work there, despite the critics. In 1868, they opened Women’s Medical College. It was devoted entirely to the medical education of women. The course study was much more rigorous than any other medical college of the time and it became the first school to require four years of study. It also gave the first medical degree to an African-American woman, Rebecca Cole.

In 1869, Elizabeth returned to England, leaving the infirmary and college in Emily’s care. After garnering support for a college of medicine for women, Elizabeth joined forces with Dr. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, England’s first female physician. The two established The London School of Medicine for Women in 1875. Dr. Blackwell accepted the Chair of Hygiene (gynecology) for a year before retiring from practice in 1876.

She then moved to Hastings, England and set to write books, including an autobiography, PIONEER WORK IN OPENING THE MEDICAL PROFESSION TO WOMEN. By the time she died in 1910, more than 7,000 women were licensed to practice medicine in America.

Read more about Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D.:

http://www.sarahgoslee.com/2010/03/24/an-elaborate-practical-joke/
http://www.pocanticohills.org/womenenc/blackwell.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_35.html

Other Women in Medicine:

Agnodice
Florence Nightingale
Mary Edwards Walker
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

Kisses

The sunlight clasps the earth
   And the moonbeams kiss the sea;
What are all these kissings worth
   If thou kiss not me?
                ~Percy Byshee Shelley

Wednesday's Chow - Coconut and Pecan Cake

Coconut and Pecan Cake
Treasured Traditions: Recipes from Southern Louisiana

Ingredients:

1 12-oz package vanilla wafers
½ cup milk
2 sticks butter
6 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 small can coconut
1 cup pecans

Glaze:

2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp milk
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Pour milk on vanilla wafers and let stand for ½ hour.

Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time and beat. Add vanilla.

Mix wafers, coconut, and pecans by hand into egg mixture.

Pour into ungreased tube pan and back at 350° for one hour and 20 minutes. Let cool.

To make Glaze:

Mix butter, milk and powdered sugar together. Pour on top of cake when cooled.

Release Date

If you've been waiting for Jacob's Story.....your wait is almost over!

I just heard today that A Gift Beyond All Measure will be released on December 8, 2010!

This is book is the sequeal to my first The Wild Rose Press story, The Perfect Gift. 

Arriving home for Christmas, the last thing Jacob Scott expects in his house is a sexy, shotgun-toting stranger. Worse, his attraction to her bothers him even more than the gun. Still reeling from the deception of his long-time girlfriend, he’s not looking for romance.

Tessa Jones has learned one hard lesson—when everyone in your life has failed you the only one you can trust is yourself. Facing the whispers of the townsfolk and an arson charge, Tessa unexpectedly finds herself trusting Jacob with more than her legal troubles.

Struggling between the promise of the present and the hurts of the past, can these two lost souls overcome their pain long enough to discover a gift beyond all measure?


Anna Kathryn Lanier
http://www.aklanier.com/

Guest Blogger - Joyce Henderson

Joyce Henderson is a multi-published author who writes Native American Romance set in Central Texas where she was born. Joyce writes "what she knows," horses and ranching, and she loves researching Indian lore.

Her books have finaled in national contests: National Readers' Choice Award, Georgia Romance Writers Maggie, and several others. During her 25-year writing career, she's mentored a half-dozen or more writers who have gone on to publication. And she worked for local newspapers for several years writing a by-lined column "It Ain't Necessarily So."

Learn more about Joyce at http://www.joycehendersonauthor.com/

Promotion: It sucks. Words of wisdom (?) from Joyce Henderson

Hellew!

Thanks for having me, Anna Kathryn. Although, you may rue the day.

I'm here to discuss promotion. What does that have to do with writing novels?

Precisely. I'm so glad you asked! It's the conundrum most published authors find themselves dealing with when we'd rather be left alone to write our stories.

Some of us are sorting through all the promotion avenues open to today's writers. This blog venue is one platform many writers believe works for them. Other online promotions are: a website, newsletter, teaching online classes, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, book trailers, interviews, both online and live―on TV or radio.

Then there's the in-your-face promotion. I along with about 2000 other Romance writers recently attended Romance Writers of America National Conference in Orlando, FL. I didn't count the workshops published authors or wannabies could attend, but I'd wager there were 150 or more. Live individuals (versus dead?), or several, stationed themselves at microphones and delivered "words of wisdom," to which authors avidly listened. Publishing professionals: agents, editors, web designers, booksellers, publishers gave of their time, and so did many published authors. A few individual "chats with," or panels of three or more discussed a subject they'd either experienced themselves or taken the time to research.

Authors might do live presentations for readers groups and at libraries. In the case of those writers, like me, who belong to RWA, we travel to different chapter meetings and do workshops for beginning writers and the seasoned as well.

One of the worst types of promotion, for me, anyway, is book-signings―alone. Ack! The heart-in-the-throat, wobbly-kneed, worst deer-in-the-headlights situation I can think of! Writers are all so different. I'm a private person, though most people wouldn't know that because I put on a "great" show! But so many writers I know are shy and don't like to talk in public, let alone try to catch a shopper's eye and get her/him to stop and speak to the author sitting right there in front of God and everybody in a bookstore.

Most all of us have been in that situation and invariably when we are approached it's to be asked where the shopper can find such 'n' such type of book. Or the classic: "Can you tell me where the restroom is?" Do me a favor. The next time you see a person in a bookstore with a pile of books in front of her/him, engage that person. If nothing else, just stop and ask, "How's it goin'?" You don't have to buy the book, but you'll give that author a moment of respite from "loneliness."

There are undoubtedly other promotion ideas that I know nothing about. But hey, these that I've mentioned work for many authors; and I'll mention one more: reviews. Not my favorite, since reading tastes are sooo subjective. One review may be a sucker punch, but the next might send you into joyful celebration. Alas, there are readers who heed these opinions. It's a throw of the dice.

Time is the nirvana all writers seek. Time to network, time to promote, and most of all time to write their stories. I mean, really, how does one balance all the promotion time and still have time to write those stories lurking within? I don't have the answer to my own question, but I'm here, aren't I, blathering? Hopefully I'm engaging readers and other writers to look for my books. The latest, Capture an Eagle may be found at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.com, both print and digital.

Before I insert an excerpt from Capture an Eagle, I'll explain another promotion many authors do. We giveaway bookmarks and/or copies of our books. This instance right here is no exception. For those who comment, you will be in a drawing for a free print copy of Capture an Eagle. If you win I'll ask you to contact me privately, jhenderson2@comcast.net for your snail-mail address so that I may send a signed copy. Thanks for stopping by…

ISBN: 1-60154-630-0
Mount your horses and ride with me into Silver Eagle and Mariah Kelly's world…

Central Texas, 1865

Drawing Nutmeg in, Silver Eagle murmured in Comanche, "Work well for Mariah."

The horse nodded as if she understood. Dark eyes watching him, her ears twitched. He scratched her pole. "You have not felt a body's weight for many suns. Do not shy when she mounts."

Still rubbing the mare's fine coat, he looked to where the sun would rise. His favorite time of day. So still, he often wondered if the Great Spirit held His breath awaiting the sun's first peek over the horizon. A cock crowed. He smiled.

Behind him a voice shattered his peace. Hot desire seared through him.

"Do you always talk to horses, Silver Eagle?"

Surprised she had arrived without his knowledge, his body tightened. He had thought to have this one last morning workout with no one the wiser. Still not prepared to face her, he now
had no choice.

Giving himself time, he removed the lariat and coiled it with callused hands. After a deep breath, he turned to the woman who had filled his thoughts for so many suns and dark nights. Unwise of him but truth.

"Welcome back to Broken Spur, Miss Mariah." Thank the Spirits his voice did not betray his thudding heart.

"Miss? Sounds strange coming from you." When he failed to respond to her taunt, she said, "You could have welcomed me yesterday."

Did he hear hurt in her voice? Surely not. He had chosen not to greet her. Cowardly, perhaps, but he had needed, still needed, more time to mask his desire. Somehow he must find a way to go about his business on this ranch while staying as far from Mariah Kelly as possible.

Long ago he had known she would be a beautiful woman. Her glorious hair was caught at the nape with a rawhide strip similar to those his sister coiled through two braids.

As Mariah's spring-grass eyes inspected him from dark hair to booted-feet, his member threatened to betray him. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he clenched his teeth in an effort to suppress the wayward flesh.

"You and Tanner have grown to manhood in my absence."

"Boys grow." Could she not speak of something else? He was a man, all right, one who would gladly throw her to the ground and take her right now.

She lifted the gate latch and stepped inside the corral. Nutmeg backed away and trotted to the other side, then turned to watch her.

Mariah smiled. "She's forgotten me. Will I have to repeat the get-acquainted process you taught me, Silver Eagle?"

He shrugged. While he did not think so, he could not be sure. The horse was intelligent and would surely remember her scent. That scent that teased him now.

"Where Tanner is?"

"Finishing breakfast. I was anxious to see Nutmeg. I plan to ride with you and Tanner today."

His heart clenched. Not a good idea.

Before he could object aloud, she continued, "Ma says it's okay. Pa won't be back until this evening about suppertime." She smiled self-deprecatingly. "I still don't do house chores very
well."

Unconventional to a fault, Mariah had donned attire similar to that she had worn as a young girl: a boy's shirt, jeans, and boots. Her long legs, encased in tight denim, did nothing to cool his blood. She carried a broad-brimmed hat in gloved hands, and a canteen hung from a shoulder strap.

Stalling as best he could, he asked, "What Tanner think?"

She laughed, a pleasant sound that rippled over him like water spilling over rocks.

"I don't know. He has nothing to say about where I go, what I do."

"Gone two day, maybe. Round up stray take time. Sleep on ground, eat hardtack."

"Oh, I think I can manage." She grinned. "I've been sleeping on little better than a cot for a couple years at school. The ground might be a welcome change."

"Ground hard." Like my body! Before his thoughts ran away with him, he said, "Horse no seasoned. Most day she penned, no long ride."

"But Tanner says you've exercised her every single day since I left."

Thank you, my friend. She did not need to know that. He shook his head. "No same."

"Maybe, but I'm going to get my saddle and test her while you're here. If she doesn't buck me off, I'll ride along." She shrugged. "Maybe not all day. I'll see how she goes."

"She no buck. Better see she let you near, Miss Mariah."

The Spirits knew the mare would respond to Mariah. So did he, but it had not stopped him from voicing the lame excuse. Having her along did not fit his plan of distancing himself from her.

She turned on her heel and headed for the barn, her hips swaying enticingly. As the sun broke over the horizon, her hair lit to a fiery hue before she disappeared through the open double doors.

What would it be like to release those curls, feel them spill through my fingers?

That thought snapped shut when the screened door slammed.

At the same time that Tanner loped toward the corral, Max Stoddard stepped out of the bunkhouse on the barn's far side. Samuel and two other hands followed. The workday on the Silver Spur would now begin in earnest.

Kisses

Her lips on his could tell him better than all her stumbling words. ~ Margaret Mitchell

Wednesday's Chow - Barbecued Spareribs

Summer's still here, and so is grilling season...though you can cook these ribs in the oven, too. Great for a family get-together!

Barbecued Spareribs


Ingredients:

4 lbs baby back spare ribs
(Fresh pork ribs)
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Sauce:

½ cup vinegar
½ cup light brown sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
½ cup ketchup
½ cup chili sauce
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ cup honey (optional)

Directions:
In large Dutch oven, place ribs, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in three quarts water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer one hour, uncovered, until tender. Drain off water.

Meanwhile, in medium saucepan combine all ingredients for the sauce. Add honey if you want a sweeter sauce. Simmer uncovered for one hour.

Place ribs on rack in broiler pan. Brush with sauce and marinate for one hour. Broil, basting frequently with sauce, 10 minutes on each side or cook on the grill, basting often.

Guest Author - Cinsearae S

Please welcome my guest today, Cinsearae, is the creator of the dark paranormal/horror series, ABRAXAS. Be sure to leave a comment.  One lucky person will win e-copy of BOLEYN-Tudor Vampire and some other goodies--pins, stickers, a signed bookmark and mini posters as well.

Please, tell us what drew you to the subject of Boleyn-Tudor Vampire?

Like a lot of my stories, my muse started to bug me about this one, lol. I’m a big fan of Showtime’s The Tudors, and after watching the first three seasons a few times, my muse started talking about writing a very dark ‘revenge’ story for Anne Boleyn, having her come back as a vampire. I actually had an argument with my muse about this, knowing Anne was beheaded, therefore, there’d be no way of her ‘coming back’ for said revenge. But again, my muse said, ‘It’s only fantasy…’ , lol. So I altered her death sentence in order for her to return, and after that the rest is history.

Don’t you just love how your muse pushes you around? Mine really gets on my nerves at time. The Boleyn-Tudor Vampire sounds very interesting. Can you tell us a little about your book?

The story is told from Anne’s POV, from the time of her execution and afterward. When her sentence is changed from beheading to hanging (an even bigger insult to her since usually commoners are hung) she curses God and denounces her faith right before she dies. Then days later, she rises from her grave, bewildered and confused as to why this has happened, but, since it has, she intends on taking full advantage. She also resurrects her brother George--who unfortunately is a zombie--and tries to resurrect Mark, who refuses to walk the earth that way, and instead returns as a ghost. Her former lover, Thomas Wyatt has his moment of disbelief, but eventually comes around and tries to help her in her plans for revenge as well. Things escalate as she starts executing her plans on those who wronged her, from her own father, to Charles Brandon, Henry’s best friend, and Henry himself. There are also situations between her revenge that cause problems too. As Anne is a vampire and needs to feed, she feeds from one of Henry’s guards as well as Thomas. They eventually become vampires as well, and then their victims start showing odd behaviors….

What a great twist on history. What’s your favorite thing about your book?

I never ever thought I’d write a period story, and Boleyn-Tudor Vampire is my very first one, I’m happy to say!

What do you consider your strengths in terms of your writing?

Character development and dialogue, only because I know I’m a good observer and listener, lol.

And on the flipside, what do you consider your weaknesses?

I absolutely HATE promoting. To me that’s like my kryptonite. The thought of doing it makes me want to hurl sometimes.

What authors do you admire?

Stephen King was the first author I admired. I started reading his stuff in junior high, and was fascinated with the stories he created. When it comes to the classics, I cite Edgar Allan Poe. His work will always be timeless.

I have to admit, Stephen King scares the beejeebies out of me. I have trouble reading him, but I love The Stand. What’s your favorite quote?

I have three favorites, actually!
“Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.” --Albert Einstein

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” --Isaac Asimov
And
“Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting.” --John Russell

Love those quote. Tell us, is there a time period besides your own would you like to experience?

Probably the early 20th century. Horse-and-buggies were still around, and the first cars were being introduced. I also liked the style of clothing, and things were not as nearly polluted and overcrowded as it is now.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I’m either working on my magazine, Dark Gothic Resurrected, reading submissions and finding cool people of the paranormal/horror/gothic genres to interview, or doing jewelry crafting for my Etsy store. I also love taking my camera with me wherever I go, taking shots of anything that catches my eye, especially cemeteries.

What would you like to learn to do that you haven’t?

I’ve always wanted to play the violin for some odd reason, lol. I’d also LOVE to do monster movie makeup. With the advancement of CGI, I feel like it’s becoming a lost art. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer getting down and dirty, lol.

Thank you for having me here too, Anna, this was a lot of fun.

Thanks for stopping by!

__________________

BOOK BLURB

The slightest tweak in history makes all the difference its outcome…

Tudor England. It is during the reign of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. As her time in power nears an end, Anne is greatly disheartened by the false accusations of adultery, high treason and incest she is arrested for, and the cold heartedness of her father for his lack of defense in her honor. Upon her death, she vows revenge on those who have wronged her, and the simple change of her death sentence from beheading to hanging grants her the opportunity to execute her wish on those who betrayed her.

Unknown forces of inconceivable dark magic abounds. Anne discovers she has risen from her grave because of her denouncement of God just moments before her hanging, and resurrects two others from their untimely, wrongful deaths--her brother, George, and her favorite court musician and dear friend, Mark Smeaton. This unlikely trio will drive Whitehall Palace to madness, bringing those closest to Anne to their knees, begging for mercy and forgiveness.

Once Anne executes her justice among those who failed her, the last and final question will be whether Anne will finally have peace, or find comfort in haunting England forever.

BIO
Cinsearae is the creator of the dark paranormal/horror series, ABRAXAS. A digital artist, jewelry designer, and still-photographer, she is also Editor/Publisher of Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine -- a top ten finalist in the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll for 2008 and 2009 and winner for “Best Magazine Art.” She also received the Author's Site of Excellence Award in December 2007 from P & E, and is a Cover Artist for Damnation Books. An avid fan of 'old school' horror movies (Freddy, Jason, Michael, Pinhead…) Halloween is her favorite time of the year. She has always been drawn to the flipside of life -- the supernatural, odd, bizarre, Gothic and 'darkly beautiful' always being an inspiration to her.

She can be reached at GratistaVampires@yahoo.com, or http://bloodtouch.webs.com/

Lone Star Writer’s Conference

Mark your calendars and sign up online for our annual Lone Star Writer’s
Conference at http://www.nwhrwa.com/conference.htm

-------------------------

DATE:
October 16, 2010

LOCATION:
Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint
255 N Sam Houston Parkway East

Houston, Texas 77060
Telephone: 281-875-4000

$69.00/night - Direct Link for reservations:
https://resweb.passkey.com/go/NWHoustonRomanceWriters

Richard Dix
Event Manager
Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint

REGISTRATION FEE: $120.00

***First 35 to register will be invited to a special Meet and Greet
Reception on Friday, October 15, 2010.

SPEAKERS AND AGENT LINEUP to date:

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Randy Ingermanson

Randy Ingermanson was both the class clown and the class nerd in high
school. He earned a Ph.D. in physics from UC Berkeley and then went on
to publish six novels and win about a dozen awards for his writing. His
most recent book is "Writing Fiction For Dummies." Randy is known around
the world as "the Snowflake Guy" in honor of his widely used Snowflake
method for writing a novel. He is the publisher of the free monthly
Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, which has over 21,000 subscribers. He
has a wife and three daughters, and works full-time serving the needs of
three tyrannical cats. Visit his web site at
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/.

LUNCHEON SPEAKER: Christine Witthohn
Book Cents Literary Agency - “How to maximize your chances of getting
published or staying published in this volatile market.”

***

Agents:

Naomi Hackenberg
Elaine P. English, PLLC
http://www.elaineenglish.com/

Naomi Hackenberg joined The Elaine English Literary Agency in 2008,
where she began by assisting with the agency’s commercial fiction
projects and selling foreign translation rights. She is currently
building her own list and is actively seeking commercial manuscripts
with strong writing, stand-out narrative voices and compelling
characters. In addition to reading (of course!), Naomi likes cooking and
going to baseball games. Naomi’s academic background is in American
Studies and Creative Writing, and she holds a Bachelor’s degree from The
George Washington University and a Master’s degree from The University
of Chicago. She’s an associate member of the Association of Authors’
Representatives and a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers
and Illustrators.

Naomi will be looking for manuscripts for herself and Elaine English at
the Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star Writer’s Conference. She’s looking
for young adult fiction of all ilk (including contemporary, romance,
dystopian, multicultural, paranormal with a brand-new hook, normal
protagonists in paranormal worlds, etc.); romance (historical,
contemporary, sweet, erotica, dark and gothic, multicultural,
paranormal, etc., but not time-travel or inspirational); women’s
fiction; mysteries of all types; psychological, legal and medical
thrillers with believable characters and well-constructed plots. Naomi
is not seeking non-fiction or picture books. Above all, she’s looking
for a strong narrative voice and unique, well-paced plot that keeps her
up past her bedtime just to find out what happens next.


Amy Boggs
Donald Maass Literary Agency
http://www.maassagency.com/

Amy is an associate agent at the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Born and
raised in Utah, Amy came to New York to attend Vassar College and pursue
a career in publishing. During college, she worked at a children's
bookstore, a library, and a quarterly magazine, as well as interning at
a literary agency. After a short stint at a psychology magazine, Amy
joined DMLA as an intern. She is now actively building her list looking
for fantasy and science fiction, especially urban fantasy, paranormal
romance, steampunk, YA/children's, and alternate history. Historical
fiction, multi-cultural fiction, westerns, and works that challenge
their genre are also welcome.


Christine Witthohn
Book Cents Literary Agency
http://www.bookcentsliteraryagency.com/

Christine Witthohn is a literary agent and the founder of Book Cents
Literary Agency. She is one of the main sponsors of the International
Women’s Fiction Festival held annually in Matera, Italy, and has strong
ties to the international market. She is member of AAR, RWA, MWA and is
actively building her client list. She is on the hunt for well-written
commercial and women’s fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and would love to
find some great new YA projects. Christine is looking for: middle
grade, young adult, mystery/suspense, thrillers, romance: contemporary,
rom coms, paranormal, fantasy.

Christine is NOT looking for: inspirational, westerns, sci fi, horror,
erotica, or poetry.

------------------

Don't forget the first 35 to register will be invited to a special Meet
and Greet Reception on Friday, October 15, 2010.

Sign up online for the Lone Star Writer’s Conference at
http://www.nwhrwa.com/conference.htm

------------------------------------------------

Kisses

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous. ~ Ingrid Bergman

Wednesday's Chow - Chicken Salad with Pecans

Chicken Salad with Pecans


Ingredients:

3 whole chicken breasts
2 stalks celery cut up, including tops
1 small onion sliced
Salt to taste
3 cups boiling water

½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup to 1 cup chopped celery
2 cups diced apples with skin on
½ cup chopped green pepper
2 teaspoons onion

¾ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons light cream
½ teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon salt

1 can sliced pineapple
Black or green olives (optional)
Pecan halves (optional)

Directions:

Combine chicken, celery, sliced onion and salt in pan of boiling water. Simmer covered for 30-40 minutes. Remove chicken and cool.

Cut breasts into 1/2–inch cubes. In large bowl combine chicken, pecans, celery, apples, green pepper and onion.

In small bowl combine mayonnaise, cream, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add to chicken and toss.

Refrigerate at least one hour. Spoon salad into one slice of pineapple on a bed of lettuce. Decorate with olives or more pecans, if desired. Serves 6-8.

Kisses

"There is the kiss of welcome and of parting; the long, lingering, loving, present one; the stolen, or the mutual one; the kiss of love, of joy, and of sorrow; the seal of promise and receipt of fulfillment." ~ Thomas C. Haliburton

August Contests - win books

Okay, I took both June and July off from the contest mill...now I'm back and you could be the winner!  I have not one, not two but THREE contests going on in August.  All end at midnight, August 31st, so be sure to enter by then and all three will give away four books:

1) On my blog, just leave a comment on any post and you'll be eligible to win a set of four books: CHASED BY MOONLIGHT and MARKED BY MOONLIGHT by Nancy Gideon (both autographed) WICKEDLY EVER AFTER by Michelle Marcos (autographed) and IT HAD TO BE YOU by Francis Ray. The more you comment, the more chances to win.

2)Join my facebook fanpage before August 31st to win a set of "National Books" ... four books I picked up at RWA's National Conference in Orlando:  SECRET DESIRES by Laura Lee Guhrke (autographed), NEVER MARRY A STRANGER by Gayle Callen (autographed), KILLING ME SOFTLY by Maggie Shayne and RISK NO SECRETS by Cindy Gerard.  One chance to win

3) On my website, http://www.aklanier.com/, leave a comment in my guest book this month and you could win a set of historical books: THE PERFECT POISON by Amanda Quick, THE WICKED WAYS OF A DUKE by Laura Lee Guhrke (autographed), NEVER MARRY A STRANGER by Gayle Callen and A GROOM OF ONE'S OWN by Maya Rodale. The guest book link is at the bottom of my home page. One chance to win.

Wednesday's Chow - Shrimp Bisque

Howdy ya'll!  I'm back from RWA National's conference.  It was great!  I'll have blogs and pictures over the next few weeks.  In the meantime, back to Wednesday's Chow.  Looks and sounds delicious to me.  I hope ya'll enjoy it!

Shrimp Bisque

Ingredients:

¼ cup diced onions
1 tablespoon butter
½ teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
1 tablespoon flour
½ lb cut up shrimp, plus six whole shrimp, cooked.
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1 cup cream

Directions:

Sauté onion in butter until transparent. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper, stirring constantly. Cook until smooth and just beginning to boil. Stir in water, milk and cream. Boil one minute. Add shrimp, heat through. Serve hot with whole shrimp floating on top. Serves six.