Mary Quast's Blog, page 44

Poetry Corner - I Close My Eyes

The 5th book in The Soul Series, Dark Soul, features the band Dark Cloud. My original songs are featured throughout the story. Alas, this is currently a work-in-progress so take this as a little tease.


"I Close My Eyes"
(This is a song that took 3rd place in a national song lyric competition.)

They say there is an emotion;
It exists but only for a few.

(chorus) It has no name,
No words can describe.
I close my eyes,
I am filled.

Stronger than love,
transcending time.
It knows not birth nor death,
only existence.

(chorus)

Felt in the touch of your hand,
Lost in the darkness of my soul.
Heard in the heartbeat,
against my cheek.

(chorus)

Memories of skin on skin may fade,
the emotion continues on.
Thriving in the confusion,
hidden in the emptiness inside.

(chorus)

Never to leave,
but a part of me for eternity.
Hungry for more,
I will remain content.

(repeat chorus 2X)
fade w/ repeated "I close my eyes".

A Special Visitor

The hero in Crow Magic is a Native American Crow Shifter. The storywas inspired by a series of tales told by a family friend, “Indian Dave”. Sitting around the bonfire as kids, he taught the spirituality side of the gifted animal shifters. Even today when I see an animal, I wonder if it is a shifter or not.
A couple days ago a young hawk took a tumble in the fog while hunting in our wood. He found a quiet perch to dry off and rest, allowing my son and I a rare opportunity for a friendly visit. We approached him carefully and spoke to him in Chippewa. His reaction surprised us as he calmed down and simply watched us. He gazed at us as if settling in for conversation. At one point he showed curiosity regarding my cell phone.

Hawks are considered messengers. I asked “Gekek” (Chippewa for Hawk) if he had a message for me. Words entered my mind. “You need to begin writing a Hawk Shifter story.”
I told him I would obligate his request. 
After several hours, he flew over my house with a call. What a blessing to have had him for the day!


At time of blog post publishing: I currently have the first few chapters completed for Hawk's Honor.

Poetry Corner - The Silver Circle

Touch the silver chain,Precious links wound ‘round your neck.
Let your fingers strokeThe tiny silken circles.
The cool of metalAgainst the warm heat of skin.
Each link is a word.Forming thoughts.Creating ideas.Weaving stories.
What words do you hear?“Once upon a time…”“In the terror of the storm…”“Look to the west, the sun is rising…”
Listen to your heart.How does your story end?
Search, find the last link.You know the one, sad but true.
Tired not broken,Holding the silver circle.
Staying together,Not willing to be destroyed
What are the last words?I love you eternally.                                    - Mary Quast

#SneakPeekSunday – Crow Magic

Enjoy six paragraphs from Crow Magic.

Hearing her name, she focused on him. He had removed his shirt, his bare chest shining with sweat while his arms commanded the night. As every muscle rippled, he emitted supernatural power, sending erotic shivers through her. With a quick bow, he began an ancient dance, moving in a series of mystical twists and turns. Through the graceful movements, he became god-like in the candlelight. Not able to take her eyes off the shaman dance, she caught sight of a large tattoo of black wings covering most of his back with the wing tips hidden under the edge of his pants.
The flames continued to stroke her without pain. Tongues of pleasure lapped her skin. She closed her eyes, the vision of black feathers embracing her returned. Was it her crow spirit or his? Power coursed through her veins and the inferno absorbed fear and apprehension. The face of a crow appeared and whispered her name. A violent renewal of forgotten vigor and confidence emerged. Inhibitions developed into sexual recognition. Fiery fingers caressed her torso and cupped her breasts. Her back arched in pleasure.
“May the flame continue to burn and always remind Lucy of her power as a woman.”
His voice drew her attention. She managed to open her eyes. Firelight painted his rigid muscles in gold and bronze. A lean warrior stood his ground, calling upon the elements to do his bidding. Silken wings emerged from his back and flexed behind him and in one fluid motion he unlocked his grasp and with his palms turned, plunged his arms downward.
“So be it!” His voice roared with the blare of many voices.
He held her gaze. The flames extinguished and electricity shot through her in a sudden piercing pain, followed by a wave of emotional warmth and comfort. The fire destroyed the demons of her past. Never again would she be harmed by a man or her fear. She commanded her own sensuality. Love poured from her inner core and encompassed her.
The hero in this story is a Native American Crow Shifter. If you had an animal spirit which would it be? 

Mindful Moment

Love is a source of bliss and  infinity

Leading Ladies & Fellas

When I was a teenager way back around 1980, my mom belonged to the Harlequin Readers Service and she would receive a box of romance books every month.  She would pour over those books with a hunger only another book lover would understand. Sometimes I'd sneak a book and hide in the basement to discover the adventures that lie within the pages.
Mom’s favorites depicted historical with brawny manly men such as cowboys and damsels in distress or rich educated hunks such as doctors with an established woman in search of a man accepting of her liberation.
As I grew as a reader then became a writer, I came to appreciate the variety of characters behind well written romance stories. Personally, I don’t care for the wimpy gal who can’t tie her shoe without help. However, a gal does have the right to be doted on by a loving man…as long as she tends to her own footwear, unless he’s taking off said footwear to give her peds some undivided attention.  After all, who doesn’t love a good foot massage?
Anyways…..back to my original trail of thought.


Creating characters is actually pretty fun. (That is until they take over a writer’s mind and keep thus writer up all night until a scene or story is finished.) Let’s take the overly confident guy who helps a meek gal find her inner sensuality and eventually turns the table on him. He becomes empty and she is the only one who can fill him. This is much like my characters in Crow Magic .



Let me tease you with a couple characters…. how about a dominating hot cop and a submissive lawyer? Sounds hot! In  Handcuffs & Silk , the rough, tough female cop learns a bit about herself when she has a one night stand with a hot male big-city lawyer who’s a bit submissive and passive. 



I’m a sucker for a good romance story with well built characters. (Not referring to muscular build…well maybe. Duh!) Nonetheless, I believe heroes can have weakness and leading ladies can be strong. They are certainly fun to create!
What kinds of characters in leading roles do you prefer?

Young Love

Over the weekend, we hosted an engagement party for my son and his fiance. Everyone was in town for a local festival so we embraced the opportunity to pull the wedding party, parents and grandparents together. The bride and groom came up with created ideas to ask their closest friends (& brothers) to stand with them. My son gave each fella a nice soft cooler filled with a 12 pack of their favorite brew. The bride gave each gal a pair of colored sneakers (that will be later hand-painted with flowers). With each gift was a personal card with their request. Love and joy flowed as high school friends, college friends and relatives began a special bond.

The event gave me reflection of my own engagement. My future hubby and I had been dating for a mere six months when he popped the question. His parents threw us an engagement party with our closest friends who we asked to be in our wedding. I'll always remember that night because it was one of only two times I was allowed to drive his beloved IROC. Well... that and how fun it was and how it seemed as if our friendships grew stronger.

Thinking back and looking at my dear hubby of 29 years, I remember how young we were and so much in love. Back then, love seemed fast, hot and intense. Now?  It's not as fast, maybe not as intense but more like slow and sensual...like savoring great flavors and sensations. Perhaps even hotter than what it was in the beginning. Maybe over the years we've learned to "read" each other. That sizzling glance that used to mean "I want you" now means "You know how I can make you scream my name". That comes with time and experience.

Ah... but young love. Nothing compares to it. The time of feeling your heart beat out of your chest. Time of learning each other. The time of uncontrollable happiness. (Remember how you were always trying to fix up your single friends?)

What memories do you have of your beginnings?

Firefighter Friday

Other than being a writer, I am also the Treasurer for my township. I share a building with the Police and Fire departments. Every day I watch as the vehicles rush out of "the barn" to someone's aid.

Today, my hat (if I wore one) is off to honor firefighters. They put their lives on the line everyday to save property and lives. They are every day heroes, but will always humbly state, "I'm just doing my job."

Thank you!

(Note: these are none of my township firefighters - they are a bit camera shy and their wives don't like to share.)

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Movie Quotes

I'm a sucker for a good movie... can't help myself. Here's a list of some of my favorite great lines.

1. "Death can not stop true love, it can only delay it for a little while."
- from the movie "The Princess Bride"

2. "I want you to get swept away. I want you to levitate. I want you to sing with rapture, dance like a dervish."
- from the movie "Meet Joe Black"

3. "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."
Christian, - from the movie "Mulan Rouge"

4. "I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you."
John Smith, - from the movie "Pocahontas"

5. "A name makes no matter to me, as long as I can call you my own."
- from the movie "A Knight's Tale"

6. "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with a person, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
Billy Crystal, - from the movie "When Harry Met Sally"

7. "I would rather spend one lifetime with you - than face all the ages of this world alone."
- from the movie, "Lord of the Rings"

8. "Love is that can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, world series kinda stuff...."
- from the movie "Angels in the Outfield"

9. "Never knew I could feel like this, like I've never seen the sky before. Want to vanish inside your kiss and I love you until the end of time."
- from the movie, "Moulin Rouge"

10. "It's a wonderful thing, as time goes by, to be with someone who looks into your face, when you've gotten old, and still sees what you think you look like."
- from the movie "The Bachelor"

11. "A woman's heart is an ocean of secrets."
Rose Dawson; - from the movie "Titanic"

12. "The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more; that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds."
- from the The Notebook

13. "The hardest thing is loving someone and having the courage to let them love you back."
- from the movie, "Wedding Date"

Happy TT!

Poetry Corner - The Moon

In this busy week, take a moment and enjoy the world around you. I love the day, but I prefer the night and the midnight sun. My favorite is when I can see the moon during the day. Sit back and enjoy my rambling.


The Moon
I looked up from the cement worldand saw the moon today.
What a pleasant surprise!He may have even looked my way.
I stood in my white cloakMade of angels small.
I wanted to find my voiceBut my body headed the call.
Every night I look to himWondering if he looks back at me.
Perhaps when I turn around,He casts a glance to see.
Did I give him a smile?Did my heart jump on my sleeve?
He graciously walked away,Oh, the webs that we weave!
My mind tells me that he is dead,My heart calls out to him.
I pray for him each day,My hope never grows dim.
Only at night to I stand to gazeIn my cloak of white.
The small angles sleepingHidden from sight.
I speak in soft whispersI’m sure he never hears.
I just wish for him to knowHow I hold him so dear.
He loved me once thenCast me to earth.
But my love remains,And admiration grows from this dirt.
Memories of tenderness comeRays of moonlight caress my skin.
Emotions never forgottenBut hidden within.
With my arms, I reach to the moonEmbracing the light cast below.
I’m sure he does not see me,To him I am only a shadow.
I was surprised to see the moonIn the daylight, alive and well.
Tonight I will send him a smileAnd in the shadow’s I will dwell.
                                                                      - Mary Quast