Tracy Falbe's Blog, page 56

Rys Rising bargain pick of the day at Flurries of Words

Thank you to Flurries of Words for choosing Rys Rising: Book I as the bargain pick of the day for Kindle.

At an irresistable 99 cents, or its foreign currency equivalent, Kindle users can immediately sample or purchase this passionate fantasy epic told from many angles.

See Rys Rising at Flurries of Words.

While you're there also note that prolific and popular author M.R. Mathias is the Interview of the Week. There's even a Part 2 of the interview coming up.

For those Kindle users interested in Rys Rising, you can get it for free right here if you don't mind adding content from independent sources to your Kindle with your USB cord. When you download the free version, select the .prc file type. This is an unencrypted mobipocket format that will work on Kindle.

My current selection of hardcover vintage books at Etsy

Although it is the off season in my region for estate and garage sales, I still managed to score some good finds at a moving sale a couple weeks ago. I've been going through a box of goodies and was pleasantly surprised by the eclectic mix of quality vintage books I found. They are interesting and in great condition.

1. A 1944 hardcover copy of The Odyssey by Homer. This is a prose translation by Samuel Butler. There are black and white illustrations at the start of each chapter. This book is in wonderful condition.

2. The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam, vintage hardcover with illustrations. This delightful book is a translation of a 12th century Persian Poet. It has 74 black and white illustrations to go with each quatrain of poetry. It's a marvelous book. The illustrations are by Edward J. Sullivan. This example from the vintage book should be familiar to Grateful Dead enthusiasts.

3. 1974 unused vintage diary with blank pages with weekly quotes from Kahlil Gibran. This is a lovely diary full of meaningful quotes to help inspire one's inner reflections. 
It's just amazing what sits around on shelves and in forgotten boxes until it's time to move.

Please visit my Etsy shop Perfect Pages to peruse vintage supplies and of course you can find all my fantasy fiction there too.

Thank you JoeyPinkney.com for the great interview

Here's the link to my interview at the book blog JoeyPinkney.com.

5 Minutes, 5 Questions with Tracy Falbe

My novel Rys Rising: Book I will be featured for the rest of the month of January at his blog. If you want to get it from Amazon, use the link in the lefthand column next to my interview.

Authors of all types getting attention at JoeyPinkney.com

Rys Rising: Book I featured during January at JoeyPinkney.comI have an interview coming up at the book blog run by Joey Pinkney. He contacted me for an interview after one of his readers bought my fantasy novel Rys Rising: Book I. In his system this triggers a feature of my novel in the sidebar at his book blog.

His author interviews are styled as quick 5 minute get-to-know-you posts with 5 questions.

There are numerous author interviews already at this site. Joey Pinkney interviews all types of authors, which makes his site a good place to browse no matter your taste. With so many choices out there for readers, book blogs like this offer a comfortable place to discover new works.

JoeyPinkney.com also offers authors affordable advertising options.

I am looking forward to having my interview appear here, and thank you to whoever bought Rys Rising and got me some unexpected attention.

Pomegranates and Silphium: Fertility Control in the Ancient World

Persephone depicted with pomegranate, the fruit of the underworldPomegranates and Silphium: Fertility Control in the Ancient World

By Elisabeth Storrs, author of The Wedding Shroud

Childbirth is dangerous. The Western world often forgets this. The advances made in medicine and mothercraft to improve the mortality rates of both mother and babies have been remarkable but are now taken for granted. So too the use of effective forms of contraception. Many forget that the development of the 'Pill' only occurred in the 1960s. And it can be argued that the introduction of oral contraceptives gave impetus to the feminist movement as women were at last given the opportunity to plan their pregnancies as well as their careers.

Women of the ancient world did not have access to such sophisticated medicine, instead they relied on more humble forms of contraception. I was absorbed when researching the methods that were used in classical Greece, Rome and Etruria when writing my novel, The Wedding Shroud.

My protagonist is a young, innocent Roman girl who is married to an Etruscan man to seal a truce between two warring cities. Caecilia discovers her husband's society offers independence, education and sexual freedom to women. Such freedoms, however, do not excuse her from the duty of bearing children. In her quest to delay this destiny she learns that there are two plants that can offer her a chance to avoid falling with child: pomegranate and silphium.

Pomegranates were associated with the myth of Persephone and the vegetation cycle. Persephone was the child of Zeus and Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. When Hades, God of the Underworld, abducted her daughter, Demeter was so grief stricken she left the earth barren. Zeus intervened and demanded Hades release Persephone. Hades grudgingly agreed but before the maiden left his realm she ate part of a pomegranate, the fruit of the underworld. As a result Persephone was bound to return to her husband for one third of the year. And so, during those months of winter, Demeter refused anything to grow.

Ancient physicians such as Hippocrates, Soranus and Dioscorides prescribed the seeds and rind of the pomegranate to prevent conception but details of the preparation or the quantities used are unknown. There is mention of the fruit being eaten while some sources state that the seed pulp was used on pessaries. It is uncertain, though, whether this was for contraceptive or abortive purposes. Strangely enough, in the Etruscan wedding ceremony the bride holds a pomegranate as a symbol of fecundity. It is ironic that the same image could also signify the potential for a woman to prevent pregnancy.

Although the efficacy of pomegranates is inconclusive (there is mention of studies showing reduced fertility in rats and guinea pigs after ingesting the fruit) there is another plant that may have been more effective - silphium.

Silphium was a member of the giant fennel family. The plant was rare, growing in the dry climate of northern Africa (modern Libya). The pungent resin from silphium's stems and roots was known as laserpicium and was used as an additive which gave food a rich distinctive taste. It was also used to treat coughs, sore throats and fevers. More importantly it was used as a contraceptive.

The crop became the main commodity of Cyrene, a city colonized by the Greeks in C7th BCE. The wealth brought from exporting silphium to the rest of the ancient world led Cyrene to recognize its importance by stamping its coins with an image of the plant. One coin even depicted a woman touching the plant and pointing to her womb.

Silphium must have been relatively effective because it became extinct presumably because demand outstripped supply. Another member of the fennel family, asafoetida, was then cultivated although it was less effective. ( It was also cheaper.) This plant has survived and gives Worcestershire sauce its characteristic flavour.

Soranus recommended women use about a chick pea's size of silphium juice dissolved in water once a month. It is clear that he also considered it had abortive effects, as did Dioscorides.

Modern testing of asafoetida and other plants from its genus has established they have notable anti-fertility effects.

There was a veritable pharmacopia of other plants used by women of the ancient world too: wild carrot, rue and penny royal to name a few. Cedar resin plugs were another method.

The effectiveness of all these natural remedies were far from effective as can be evidenced by the fact that the average life expectancy of women of the iron age was approximately 27-30 years of age. The mortality rate was low due to both maternal and infant deaths in childbirth. And we cannot forget, either, the barbarous act of killing girl children.

The image is that of Persephone holding a pomegranate as painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (12 May 1828 – 9 April 1882) who founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848 with William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais.

For more information on fertility control in the ancient world, I recommend reading John M Riddle's Eve's Herbs: A History of Contraception and Abortion in the West.

About The Wedding Shroud by Elisabeth Storrs
In 406 BC, to seal a tenuous truce, the young Roman Caecilia is wedded to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman from the city of Veii. The fledgling Republic lies only twelve miles across the Tiber from its neighbour, but the cities are from opposing worlds so different are their customs and beliefs.

Leaving behind a righteous society, Caecilia is determined to remain true to Roman virtues while living among the sinful Etruscans. Instead she finds herself tempted by a mystical, hedonistic culture which offers pleasure and independence to women as well as a chance to persuade the Gods to delay her destiny. Yet Mastarna and his people also hold dark secrets and, as war looms, Caecilia discovers that Fate is not so easy to control and that she must finally choose where her allegiance lies.

Pick your preferred book seller to purchase The Wedding Shroud. (print or ebook)

Read numerous glowing reviews of The Wedding Shroud.


Elisabeth Storrs graduated from the University of Sydney in Arts Law having studied Classics and has long held an interest in the history, myths and legends of the ancient world. Her first novel, The Wedding Shroud, is set in early Rome and Etruria and was released by Pier 9 /Murdoch Books. She is currently writing a sequel to be released in 2012/13.The Wedding Shroud can be purchased online or downloaded as an ebook via Elisabeth's website http://www.elisabethstorrs.com/buybooks.html

Thank you Elisabeth Storrs for sharing your illuminating research!

Upcoming guest post by historical fiction writer Elisabeth Storrs

This Sunday I will publish a guest article written by Elisabeth Storrs, an Australian writer whose splendid novel The Wedding Shroud I had the pleasure of reviewing a little over a year ago.

Her novel is set in ancient Rome during the period when Rome is just rising as a city state and the Etruscan civilization still holds sway on the Italian peninsula but is in decline. The story follows the young Roman woman Caecilia who is married off to the Etruscan Mastarna to seal a peace treaty. She finds herself in a very foreign culture. Everything is different. The food is different. The religion is different. The clothing is different. The outlook of the Etruscans is much more libertine than the sober Romans. Etruscan women have more freedoms. The sexual mores are quite different, and Caecilia struggles to cope with the radical changes in her lifestyle.

A pervasive element in the novel is the ancient pharmacopoeia, including recreational drugs, ceremonial drugs, and contraceptive drugs. I found this aspect of the historical novel quite fascinating. Storrs even had an afterword that explained her research on the contraceptive based on an ancient plant that was driven to extinction presumably because of massive demand by the women of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Storrs guest post on Sunday will explain this ancient medicinal herb called Silphium that is now lost to the Earth.

Until then, please read the review I wrote of The Wedding Shroud for Historical Novel Review. I highly recommend this thoughtful and rather unique historical novel. Since reading it I've often found myself reflecting on the ancient civilization that Storrs brought to life. Happily Storrs is writing a sequel.

Please come back on Sunday to read Storrs' guest post. I'm rather flattered to have it at my blog.

25% off coupon for Rys Rising & Savage Storm hardcovers or paperbacks

For readers wishing to obtain either hardcovers or paperbacks of Rys Rising: Book I and Savage Storm: Rys Rising Book II, you can use this coupon code for 25 percent off at Lulu.

LULUBOOK305


This code will work through January 31, 2012.

The print versions of my newest two novels are provided by the print-on-demand service Lulu.

Follow this link, make your selections, and enter the coupon code at checkout.

Shop for my hardcovers or paperbacks. 

Update on New Religion: Rys Rising Book III

I have just finished the second major edit of my next fantasy novel, New Religion: Rys Rising Book III. This was my second edit done on a paper. I edit my novels both on paper and on screen two or three times as I develop the story, improve the prose, and fix errors.

I estimate that I am still on track to finish editing New Religion in the month of January. There are still some details in the story I am tinkering with, but overall I am happy with the story.

The cover art is expected by February, so I remain on schedule for a February release. I'm very excited about it of course and once it's published I can get back to writing the next book. Love Lost: Rys Rising Book IV is about half written. I like what I have so far but pulling all the characters and story lines of an epic together is hard work. Writing the other novels in a series is always easier than writing the conclusion.

As I work to finish the Rys Rising series, please be sure to download your free copy of Rys Rising: Book I and know that Savage Storm: Rys Rising Book II is available for sale right now.

Not for sale: Vintage art print of The Duel After the Masquerade

Vintage art print of The Duel After the Masquerade by 19th century French painter Jean Leon GeromeAlthough I enjoy selling my vintage finds, I have decided not to list this one for sale. I plan to frame it and hang it my house. The Duel After the Masquerade excites my imagination and I think it will add a stimulating influence to my home decor.

While going through the 12 volume 1958 Metropolitan Seminars in Art I found this extraordinary print. I had never seen this work of art before and I was immediately dazzled by it. Beyond the obvious technical skill of the painter, I was captivated by the story. The Duel After the Masquerade tells so much. The frivolous costumes of the men tell of the party in the night where the fun apparently took a bad turn and the honor of men was offended. The frosty forest still bleary in the first light of dawn tells of tempers that stayed up all night impatient for satisfaction. The spray of tracks in the snow tell of the quick flurry of steps as the angry men met over swords. The concern of the friends huddled around the dying man, clothed in white to match his pale dying flesh, tell of grief that will linger. Even the victor of the duel has turned away, his sword discarded in the snow. His posture speaks of regret.

The silly costumes of the participates also comment on the stupidity of tempers and the violent tradition of dueling. The reason for the argument was surely trivial and now blood is spilled.

Art such as this inspires me as a writer. It also teaches me about conveying details with one mere snapshot. This is a picture worth a thousand words and many more. I could write a whole story from this scene. Creatives of all disciplines inspire each other. Artists inspire writers. Writers inspire artists. Musicians inspire everybody although they too can take their inspirations from other artists.

I love surrounding myself with inspiring objects. They are food for my fiction writer's brain to feed upon.

I can't bring myself to sell The Duel After the Masquerade, but I do sell many of my vintage findings that you can find at my Perfect Pages Etsy Store.

Best of the Quest 2011

The end of the year brings all those articles where people reflect on the year gone by. Then there are all those best of and worst of lists. Mostly what it's all about is not having to actually think or do much in the final days of the year and just slopping together some old content.

So here's my effort at not being particularly productive.

January

Interview with Lindsay Buroker

She was just starting out then on her first blog tour. I've noticed she's gone on to be a hit.

February

I was blogging a lot that month, and I have two posts that deserve repeat attention.

My glowing review of Demon Lord by T.C. Southwell

Review of Wallstreet: Money Never Sleeps

I liked this movie and it's message that Gordon is hardly the bad guy anymore in these hard times.

March

I'll be selfish and highlight my character profile of Dreibrand Veta.

April

This month I pondered real world matters in my post Real life more epic than any fantasy novel. I wrote about an article I read about Doma in the Democratic Republic of Congo that is thronged with war refugees and apparently destined to be destroyed by its nearby volcano.

May

I just have give a second shot to my review of Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie. The Cold War atomic bomb video in this documentary is jaw dropping to behold and to think about. And for the kicker, it's narrated by William Shatner.

June

Once again I want to mention two posts from this month.

Reflections on the Battle Creek tornado

I inspired somebody

Taken together, these posts remind me that I never know what will happen and sometimes people are actually noticing what I do.

July

Author W. Brondt Kamffer posed the question Can good fantasy be good literature? in his guest post. This post actually proved to be a popular one and drew traffic for months.

August

If you like music, romance, history, and epic action, I suggest you read my review of Jodhaa Akbar. Awesome movie.

September

It was a long time in the making, but the audiobook podcast of Union of Renegades started in this month. Chapters are still being added. It's an epic.

October

I lost my beloved dog Sasha on the 22nd. This is my tribute to her. It's been over two months, and I've only begun to emerge from my grief-stricken fog. Her absence is a constant sorrow.

November

Reviewer Meagan Morin of the Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community lavished a five raven rating on my novel Rys Rising: Book I. Thank you!

Throughout 2011 I met many great and supportive people online.

Happy New Year.