Karen Michelle Nutt's Blog, page 73

P is for Paranormal Worlds

This is the 15th day of the A to Z Challenge.

P is for Paranormal Worlds

Paranormal romance touches on themes ranging from horror, fantasy and science fiction while keeping a darker gothic feel to the story. The characters may range from human to vampires, ghosts, werewolves, shifters, witches, demons and fallen angels. Even time travel, ghosts and aliens may fall under this genre. Paranormal romance is stepping into another world to enjoy the magic of legends—new and old.

Create a Believable Paranormal World

If you’re creating a world from scratch, you’ll need rules for your preternatural beings to follow. Research legends, folklores and mythologies, to help inspire your muse. For your paranormal world to work you’ll want to create a convincing mythology to go with it. You may take an old mythology and expand upon it or you may want to rewrite your own and only touch on some of the traditional lore. Either way is fine.

It’s a great idea to keep a journal of the world you created. This is especially helpful if you’re going to write a series. The rules in your world must be followed. You don’t have state all the rules on page one of your story. You can pace and reveal throughout the tale. The important thing is to be consistent.

Here are some examples to keep in mind for your character building:

Where did they come from?

Do they have powers?

Are they soul survivors of a species?

How have they learned to live among the humans?

What laws do they have?

Do they have an enemy that could destroy them? 

Again, consistency is crucial. Establish the rules and stick with them. Building your paranormal world is the fun part. Keep it fresh and reveal your secrets gradually. It’ll give your characters a chance to grow and it will give the readers a reason to keep reading.

A few of my paranormal tales:

Fallen Angels

Eli: Warriors for the Light

Ol’ Hallow’s Eve is the day the veil between worlds are thin. It’s the only day out of the year the preternatural beings are allowed to walk among the humans as their true selves. With Eli’s wings bound and his glamour stripped, the Elders send him back in time before Ryden O’Sullivan knew the truth about him. If she is truly his soul mate, then her heart should recognize him.

There are those among the Watchers who are afraid Eli might succeed in his quest for love. If he does, everything will change within the brethren. Hashasheen demons, assassins for hire are sent to take out Eli and Ryden. Eli is a warrior and will fight to keep Ryden safe, but time may be his biggest enemy. The Elders gave him until the end of Ol’ Hallow’s Eve. Ryden must fall in love with him by then or his life will be forfeited.

Lucca: Warriors for the Light

Lucca Marlowe is half human, half angel, one of the Nephilim. Banished for crimes against one of his fellow brethren, the elders bind his glamour and wings, casting him to the human's realm. He'll either learn to respect his human side of existence or live out eternity trying.

Lucca does not live a mundane life. Angels and demons demand he do their bidding. His estrange father resurfaces after centuries of being absent and he's brought a friend from Hell.

To make his life more complicated, he fears he found his soul mate in a human female. Only Juliet Romeo has a secret that will bring the wrath of Heaven down upon their heads.

It's a race against time to find out who will end up with his soul.

Shapeshifters

Destiny's Prerogative (Werejaguar/shapeshifter)

"Destiny's Prerogative the Lovers, is a thrilling, beautifully written, romantic tale. Gabriel is a very noble and charming character. Shay is independent, strong and brave. When you have three gorgeous brothers, one strong, intelligent lead woman and throw in a mysterious figure threatening everything you come up with one breathtaking, fast paced romance story." Paranormal Review

The Magic of the Loch (Shapeshifter/Loch Ness Monster)

Michaela Grant travels to Scotland for a holiday, knowing this vacation is her last. A medical condition threatens her life and any chance of a future—until she meets Alan MacLachlin, a man forced to exist between two worlds.Alan is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Once every fifty years he returns to human form in search of his soul mate, the one woman who can break his curse. He believes he has found forever with Michaela, but to claim it he must figure out how to save her life.

Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat looms. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he’s threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it’s too late.

Historical Time Travel

Creighton Manor (Time Travel)

The last thing Gillian Metcalf remembers before she passes out is being aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, where she witnesses a dog disappearing as if it were a phantom. So how did she end up in 1870 and in a man's room aboard  the Ida Belle, traveling down the Mississippi?Zachary Creighton, a gambler with one goal: to win back Creighton Manor. Marriage is not part of the plan, but since he is found with Gillian in his room, reputations are at stake, his included.To keep peace with his reluctant bride, he makes a bargain with her. He needs a tutor for his nephew Tyler, and she needs a roof over her head until they can annul their sham of a marriage. However, Zachary finds himself falling for Gillian's oddly charming ways despite the fact the woman claims to be from the future.

The gamble is trust, but will the stakes prove too high for Zachery to risk it all and win Gillian's heart?

Thank you so much for visiting. Come by tomorrow for Q is for Queen Mary. Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!

O is for Omens

This is the 15th day of the A to Z Challenge.

O is for Omens

Do you really believe a four-leaf clover will bring you luck? Or if you see a penny and pick it up, you’ll have good luck?  How many of you have a St. Christopher medal in your car?  Maybe you wear a talisman of some sort or perhaps it is simply a lucky shirt.  Many people believe in charms and their magical properties of luck and protection.  Whatever it may be, you are not alone. Below are a few omens and good luck charms that may or may not be familiar to you.

Animals

Never disturb the swallow’s nest. They are wise birds and will take note of your behavior. They will either give you a reprimand, or perhaps if they think you are worthy, grant you a kindness.

If you happen to find a horse’s back tooth, you should carry it with you as long as you live, for you will never want for money.  Remember you have to find it by chance, not by extracting the tooth yourself.  You cannot give it to someone else for the charm will be broken.

If a dog follows you home it is a good omen.

Sparrows are thought to carry the souls of the dead. So it is bad luck if you kill one.

If a bird flies through your house, there will be important news, but if the bird cannot get out, the news will be death.

Wednesday's child is full of woe,

Thursday's child has far to go,

Friday's child is loving and giving,

Saturday's child works hard for its living;

But a child that's born on the Sabbath-day

Is handsome and wise and loving and gay."

Which birthday omen is yours? Do you have any omens to share?

Print: Barnes and Noble

E-book: Amazon

In my historical time travel, A TWIST OF FATE, a fortuneteller interprets her vision. She has seen Arianna's death, but she also predicts Arianna will travel back in time where her true path awaits, and where she will find true happiness.  Is this good omen or bad omen? lol

P.E.A.R.L Finalist for Best Time Travel 2008

Has a twist of fate sent her back in time? This is a question which plagues Arianna Ward when she wakes up to find her memory in fragments, like a long forgotten dream.

Everyone claims her name is Annabelle. The year is 1814 and she’s married to Captain Keldon Buchanan, a man who despises her. The more she learns about her life, the more she realizes why she’s chosen to forget it. She’s a liar and an adulteress. She doesn’t understand why she wanted to destroy her marriage when her heart tells her she belongs with Keldon.

Keldon harbors his own secrets. He's the Highland Pirate and secrecy is the difference between life and death. He doesn’t trust his wife, but he finds his heart softening to the woman his wife has become. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear he's married to another woman and he’s fallen in love with her.

Thank you so much for visiting. Come by tomorrow for P is for Paranormal. Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!

***Free Photos from Desktop Nexus

N is for Necromancy

It is the 14th day of the A to Z Challenge.

N is for Necromancy

What is Necromancy?

It’s a form of magic involving the ability to speak to the dead. The Necromancer can either summon the spirit or actually raise the decease, animating the body.

Seems difficult to believe someone would want to attempt such a feat, but there were those who believed the dead could foretell the future and find out knowledge only the dead would be able to reveal. They believed they could question a murdered victim and find out who preformed the bad deed.

Early accounts of such practices were associated with Shamanism. This practice calls upon spirits of ancestors. There are numerous recorded practices of Necromancy in Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It is believed the practice was widespread in Persia, among the Sabians, or star worshipers. The Babylonian necromancers were called manzazuu. The spirits they raised were called etemmu.

Did you know?

The oldest literary account of necromancy is stated in Homer’s Odyssey.

Necromancer’s Tools:

Necromancer rituals can involve magic circles, talisman, and incantations. The Necromancer might use items associated with death such as wearing the decease’s clothes.  Another more morbid ritual was the Necromancer consumed a part of the corpse. The rituals could last hours to days just depending on how stubborn the spirit could be.

Summoning:

Necromancers preferred to summon a recently deceased soul to have a clearer communication, but it didn’t mean a Necromancer wouldn’t summon a spirit who had passed away for a longer period of time, but the spirit would materialize rather than animating the body. (Thank goodness. It would prove a bit messy unearthing a body weeks later—not to mention smelly.)

Some cultures believed the dead would retain knowledge of their life here on this plain of existence. The Greeks and Romans believed the ‘shades’ (the name they called the spirit) retained only limited information. 

Present Day:

Necromancy is a term used to describe manipulating death through the use of ritual magic or ceremony. You might say séances, channeling and Spiritualism are a form of necromancy since they involve invoking spirits to find out information.

In my tale, Soul Taker, Isabella Lucci’s family is from a long line of Necromancers. Her mother had summoned her from death, but in doing so there came a price. Death can never be cheated. Her mother paid the ultimate price with her life. Isabella has not been trained, but she’s a natural. She can see the world beyond the veil. It is why Harrison wants to recruit her to help Garran and him find the Soul Taker. She uses a cell phone to communicate with the dead. The shades text their response via the cell phones.

Thank you for stopping by for the behind the scenes look at Soul Taker.

Blurb:

No soul is safe…

A vampire from the Grim Sith sept is sucking the souls out of young women from the Boston area, but this sinister crime is far worse than a vampire seeking substance. He’s selling the souls to the highest bidder and it seems business is booming.

A vampire, a werewolf, and a Necromancer are a most unlikely team, but Garran, Harrison, and Isabella plan on putting a kink in the dubbed Soul Taker’s plans. It’s personal now. One of their friends has fallen victim to the Soul Taker’s charms, but to stop him from hurting anyone else, their efforts may involve raising the dead. Purchase a copy of Soul Taker at: Amazon

 Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!

***Necromancer Photos are a free wallpaper for your desktop at Desktop Nexus

M is for Magical Mirrors

This is the 13th day of the A to Z Challenge.

M is for Magical Mirrors

I bet you’re wondering how an ordinary mirror could be magical. At one time they were thought to be a gateway to another realm.

Now, we look at them to check our appearance and brush our hair. We might even have mirror or two that is strictly for decoration.

From the beginning of time, humans were able to gaze at their reflections in pools of water. Very few animals recognize their own reflection. These first humans who caught sight of their reflection in a pool of water, loch or river, may have been startled at what they saw. Perhaps this is where the earliest superstitions first began.

Superstitions

To gaze at your own reflection was believed to be a way to enter another world where you could divine your future. Some believed if the image was distorted it meant their would be a death.

Breaking a mirror brings seven years bad luck. (Who hasn’t heard that one?) Romans believed that it took seven years for the soul to renew itself. They believed the reflection in the mirror was their soul. So if you broke the mirror, it would shatter your soul.

However, you could overcome this stroke of bad luck if you buried the pieces deep in the ground, or threw the broken pieces of glass into a river that flowed south.

A mirror falling from a wall was a sign that someone was going to die.

At one time it was common practice to cover all the mirrors in the house if someone died. This would prevent the soul of the decease from being trapped in the glass by the devil.

Another superstition is that you can find out whom you’re going to marry by sitting in front of the mirror and eat an apple. Then you must brush your hair, and your future beloved will appear behind you in the reflection.

The first time a couple locks gazes in the mirror, this is a sign they will have a long and happy marriage.

The legend that a vampire cannot see his or hers reflection in a mirror is due to the belief vampires do not have souls.

Bad luck will follow you if you gaze at your reflection with only candlelight to light the room.

Actors do not look at their reflection over another’s shoulder for it will bring bad luck.

Infants were not allowed to gaze into a mirror for the first year of their life, for fear bad luck will befall the child.

Tidbit of History

Greek or Roman mirrors were disks of metal with a polished face. These mirrors usually had a handle attached, and some had a design etched or painted on the back.

Mirrors were used for fortune telling and scrying. John Dee, the astrologer and court magician for Elizabeth I of England was supposedly an excellent scryer.

In the 17th century, mirror making was a secret process monopolized by Venetian Republic. To furnish the Palace of Versailles Hall of Mirrors, Jean Baptiste Colbert, French Minister of Finance at the time, hired Venetian workers to create these mirrors. After the completion of the Hall of Mirrors, it is believed the Venetian Republic sent secret agents to poison the workers so to keep the mirror making process a secret.

Illusionists used ‘smoke and mirrors’ to make it look like objects appeared and disappeared. The mirrors are extended and retracted amid a burst of smoke.

A Chinese magic mirror is an art creation. The face of the bronze mirror projects the same image cast on the back. The effect is due to the curvatures on the front. This ancient art that can be traced back to the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 BC – 24 AD).

Mirrors or Reflective Devices used in Literature

Oscar Wilde’s novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”: The portrait is the magical mirror in this tale, reflecting the true visage of Dorian Gray’s soul.

Narcissus of Greek mythology: Narcissus wastes away while he admires his reflection, and think of nothing else.

The Lady Shalott by Tennyson. She possesses a mirror that enables her to see the people in Camelot. Only the curse prevents her from seeing Camelot directly.

I only named a few. Can you think of others? Hint for one: "Mirror, mirror on the wall..."

So the next time you look into a mirror, reflect on what you see. Perhaps you’re peering at your soul, or maybe you’ll see your future as you floss your teeth, or brush your hair. Then again, maybe it is simply your reflection smiling back at you, and encouraging you to take on the day.

Tidbit from my tale Soul Taker: Alexander traps the souls he steals in Witch Balls, colorful glass baubles.

Amazon Kindle
Blurb:
No soul is safe…

A vampire from the Grim Sith sept is sucking the souls out of young women from the Boston area, but this sinister crime is far worse than a vampire seeking substance. He’s selling the souls to the highest bidder and it seems business is booming.

A vampire, a werewolf, and a Necromancer are a most unlikely team, but Garran, Harrison, and Isabella plan on putting a kink in the dubbed Soul Taker’s plans. It’s personal now. One of their friends has fallen victim to the Soul Taker’s charms, but to stop him from hurting anyone else, their efforts may involve raising the dead.

Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!

**Public Domain photo: An illustration from page 30 of Mjallhvít (Snow White) an 1852 icelandic translation of the Grimm-version fairytale.
**Magic Mirror Free Desktop Photo: http://abstract.desktopnexus.com/wall... ***Magic Mirror Free Wallpaper Photo http://mi9.com/wallpaper/magic-mirror...

 

M is for Magical Mirror

This is the 13th day of the A to Z Challenge.

M is for Magical Mirrors

I bet you’re wondering how an ordinary mirror could be magical. At one time they were thought to be a gateway to another realm.

Now, we look at them to check our appearance and brush our hair. We might even have mirror or two that is strictly for decoration.

From the beginning of time, humans were able to gaze at their reflections in pools of water. Very few animals recognize their own reflection. These first humans who caught sight of their reflection in a pool of water, loch or river, may have been startled at what they saw. Perhaps this is where the earliest superstitions first began.

Superstitions

To gaze at your own reflection was believed to be a way to enter another world where you could divine your future. Some believed if the image was distorted it meant their would be a death.

Breaking a mirror brings seven years bad luck. (Who hasn’t heard that one?) Romans believed that it took seven years for the soul to renew itself. They believed the reflection in the mirror was their soul. So if you broke the mirror, it would shatter your soul.

However, you could overcome this stroke of bad luck if you buried the pieces deep in the ground, or threw the broken pieces of glass into a river that flowed south.

A mirror falling from a wall was a sign that someone was going to die.

At one time it was common practice to cover all the mirrors in the house if someone died. This would prevent the soul of the decease from being trapped in the glass by the devil.

Another superstition is that you can find out whom you’re going to marry by sitting in front of the mirror and eat an apple. Then you must brush your hair, and your future beloved will appear behind you in the reflection.

The first time a couple locks gazes in the mirror, this is a sign they will have a long and happy marriage.

The legend that a vampire cannot see his or hers reflection in a mirror is due to the belief vampires do not have souls.

Bad luck will follow you if you gaze at your reflection with only candlelight to light the room.

Actors do not look at their reflection over another’s shoulder for it will bring bad luck.

Infants were not allowed to gaze into a mirror for the first year of their life, for fear bad luck will befall the child.

Tidbit of History

Greek or Roman mirrors were disks of metal with a polished face. These mirrors usually had a handle attached, and some had a design etched or painted on the back.

Mirrors were used for fortune telling and scrying. John Dee, the astrologer and court magician for Elizabeth I of England was supposedly an excellent scryer.

In the 17th century, mirror making was a secret process monopolized by Venetian Republic. To furnish the Palace of Versailles Hall of Mirrors, Jean Baptiste Colbert, French Minister of Finance at the time, hired Venetian workers to create these mirrors. After the completion of the Hall of Mirrors, it is believed the Venetian Republic sent secret agents to poison the workers so to keep the mirror making process a secret.

Illusionists used ‘smoke and mirrors’ to make it look like objects appeared and disappeared. The mirrors are extended and retracted amid a burst of smoke.

A Chinese magic mirror is an art creation. The face of the bronze mirror projects the same image cast on the back. The effect is due to the curvatures on the front. This ancient art that can be traced back to the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 BC – 24 AD).

Mirrors or Reflective Devices used in Literature

Oscar Wilde’s novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”: The portrait is the magical mirror in this tale, reflecting the true visage of Dorian Gray’s soul.

Narcissus of Greek mythology: Narcissus wastes away while he admires his reflection, and think of nothing else.

The Lady Shalott by Tennyson. She possesses a mirror that enables her to see the people in Camelot. Only the curse prevents her from seeing Camelot directly.

I only named a few. Can you think of others? Hint for one: "Mirror, mirror on the wall..."

So the next time you look into a mirror, reflect on what you see. Perhaps you’re peering at your soul, or maybe you’ll see your future as you floss your teeth, or brush your hair. Then again, maybe it is simply your reflection smiling back at you, and encouraging you to take on the day.

Tidbit from my tale Soul Taker: Alexander traps the souls he steals in Witch Balls, colorful glass baubles.

Amazon Kindle
Blurb:
No soul is safe…

A vampire from the Grim Sith sept is sucking the souls out of young women from the Boston area, but this sinister crime is far worse than a vampire seeking substance. He’s selling the souls to the highest bidder and it seems business is booming.

A vampire, a werewolf, and a Necromancer are a most unlikely team, but Garran, Harrison, and Isabella plan on putting a kink in the dubbed Soul Taker’s plans. It’s personal now. One of their friends has fallen victim to the Soul Taker’s charms, but to stop him from hurting anyone else, their efforts may involve raising the dead.

Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!

**Public Domain photo: An illustration from page 30 of Mjallhvít (Snow White) an 1852 icelandic translation of the Grimm-version fairytale.
**Magic Mirror Free Desktop Photo: http://abstract.desktopnexus.com/wall... ***Magic Mirror Free Wallpaper Photo http://mi9.com/wallpaper/magic-mirror...

 

Snippet Sunday: Magic of the Loch (The Legend #13) #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday

Hello Everyone!  This month I'm participating in the A to Z Challenge. Come by each day for a new post. Next up is M is for Magic and Mirrors. The post goes live Monday Morning. Hop to the other participants' blogs. Meet new people and have lots of fun!

Now for Snippet Sunday and this is another snippet from Magic of the Loch.  This is the legend and how it all began... Snippet #13.

The Wild Rose Press

Kindle

NOOK

Blurb:

Michaela Grant travels to Scotland for a holiday, knowing this vacation is her last. A medical condition threatens her life and any chance of a future—until she meets Alan MacLachlin, a man forced to exist between two worlds.

Alan is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Once every fifty years he returns to human form in search of his soul mate, the one woman who can break his curse. He believes he has found forever with Michaela, but to claim it he must figure out how to save her life.

Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat looms. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he’s threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it’s too late.

Update: This scene takes place a few paragraphs later from snippet 12 and has been tweaked a wee bit to fit the sentence limit. 

Alan demands that he and his brother should have a chance for redemption. The Druid agrees to this, but he is not going to make it easy. The brothers will live within the loch for a half a century, then they will be allowed to come ashore to find their soul mate to break the curse.

Now for the snippet:

*************************************************************************************************

“We will be human and no’ the beast,” Alan asked, wanting the terms clarified. “We will be able to search as far as needed for our soul mate, aye?”

“Ye will still be chained to the loch, and will no’ be able to resist its pull. Only during those fifteen years will ye be able to shift from beast to human and back again. If ye doonae find yer soul mate, ye will return to the loch as the beastie for another half a century.” His shoulders lifted in a shrugged. “Ye’ll have to bide yer time for another chance and so on through the years.”

 

“An endless cycle,” Alan murmured with grim acceptance. He looked to his brother. “Ye need no’ share my fate. I will do this myself.”

 

“I shall go where ye go, brother.” He clasped Alan’s shoulder.

 

“So be it.” Druid Daly raised his staff and commanded the magic.

 

*************************************************************************************************

There were a few extra sentences, but this concludes the Legend portion of Magic of the Loch!

Come by next week for a new snippet. How about a sneak peek of Soul Taker? Sound good?

If you’re a writer (regardless of published/unpublished status) come join us and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.

Participating Authors are listed at these sites: Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday

http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group

L is for Loch Ness Monster Facts

It is the 12th day of the A to Z Challenge.

L is for Loch Ness Monster Facts

The Loch Ness Monster is not considered a mystical creature, but one of the most famous cryptid in the world. For a beast to be qualified as a cryptid there must be some sort of evidence either in folklore or sightings.

The first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster dates back to 565 AD by St. Columba. St. Columba arrived in Inverness to find some Picts burying the remains of one of their people who had been attacked by the Loch Ness Monster. The dead man’s boat was on the other side of the loch, and St. Columba ordered one of his followers to swim to the other side and retrieve the boat. When the follower entered the water, the Loch Ness Monster attacked him. St. Columba invoked the name of God, commanding the beast to return to whence it came. The Loch Ness monster dove beneath the surface of the water.

In 1933, another sighting was listed by Mr. and Mrs. Spicer, who reported seeing a large animal cross in front of their car.

December 1933, the famous Loch Ness Monster hoax took place. Marmaduke Wetherall was hired by Daily Mail to prove the Loch Ness Monster existed. When Wetherall found footprints, he had casts taken of them and sent the casts to the Natural History Museum in London. The experts proved the footprints were hippopotamus footprints. It was never proven who orchestrated the hoax.

It wasn’t until 1975 that the beast had a more scientific name: Nessiteras Rhombopteryx. The public shortened the named to Nessie. So for those who didn’t know, the Loch Ness Monster was not always thought of as female.

The Loch Ness Monster is described as having a small head and long neck. The body is described as broad with four flippers and a large tail.

Nessie doesn’t like bacon. Yep, it’s true. In 1976, an attempt to lure the Loch Ness Monster to the surface was to toss bacon onto the Loch from a Hot Air Balloon.

With all the sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, this beast has never harmed anyone since St. Columba’s encounter in 565 AD.

In my paranormal romance/mystery, the Loch Ness Monster makes another appearance.

E-book Available at: The Wild Rose Press

Kindle

NOOK

Bookstrand



Blurb:

Michaela Grant travels to Scotland for a holiday, knowing this vacation is her last. A medical condition threatens her life and any chance of a future—until she meets Alan MacLachlin, a man forced to exist between two worlds.

Alan is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Once every fifty years he returns to human form in search of his soul mate, the one woman who can break his curse. He believes he has found forever with Michaela, but to claim it he must figure out how to save her life.

Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat looms. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he’s threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it’s too late.

What would you do if you spotted the Loch Ness Monster?

Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!

Photo of Nessie Attribution: StaraBlazkova

K is for Kylemore Abbey

This is the 11th day of the A to Z Challenge.

K is for Kylemore Abbey

The gothic style castle is located in Connemara, in County Galway, Ireland.

Kylemore Abbey's History

After honeymooning at Kylemore and falling in love with the wild countryside, Dr. Mitchell Henry, a prominent tycoon, promised his wife Margaret he would build their home there. The castle was funded by an inheritance Dr. Mitchell Henry received when his father passed away in 1862. He abandoned his medical career when he purchased the Kylemore lodge and the land surrounding the mountains and lake. By 1885, the magnificent turreted castle was built.  There are 33 rooms, 4 bathrooms, ballroom, billiard room, library, study, schoolroom, smoking room, gunroom, and offices and staff residences for the butler and the cook, and other servants.

By the time the castle was completed, the Henrys had nine children, and Dr. Mitchell Henry started his political career, representing Galway in the British parliament. (Britain ruled Ireland then.) They were away from the home more than they lived there.

Tragedies

On their holiday in Egypt, Margaret became ill and died at the age of 45. Her body was brought back to Kylemore. A mausoleum and Gothic church was built in the memory of Margaret.

Tragedy struck again in 1892 when Henry’s daughter Geraldine, who was married to an American and had a daughter, was killed in an unfortunate horse and cart accident.

Henry finally put the castle on the market. In 1903, the Duke and Duchess of Manchester bought it, but because of gambling debts they were forced to sell the castle.

When Dr. Henry died at the age of 84, his ashes were brought back to Kylemore and laid to rest beside Margaret in the mausoleum.

The Abbey

In the 1920s, the Benedictine Nuns purchased the castle. They established an all girls’ school. The nuns had their share of problems, too. In 1959, a fire destroyed part of the abbey and the school.

When I visited the Abbey in 1998, the nuns offered tours to view parts of the castle, grounds, and the Gothic church. The serenity of Kylemore Abbey has stayed with me long after my visit.

 

Lost in the Mist of Time

As you can see by the book cover the cover artist chose Kylemore Abbey to portray Dunhaven where Sir Dougray Fitzpatrick resides.

Blurb:

Aislinn Hennessy's love life was almost laughable, with a trail of disastrous relationships to show for it. She long ago gave up thinking a knight in shining armor was going to sweep her off her feet, but then she never expected to run him off the road either.
Sir Dougray Fitzpatrick, Lord of Dunhaven already buried one wife and had no wish for another, but it was foreseen that he would go to the future to seek a vision, a crucial venture to secure his future born. Only he hadn't bargained on it being a woman that would insist on battling against him at every turn.
Dougray finds that Aislinn is fearless in the face of an enemy, but shies away from what her heart holds true. Aislinn discovers that Dougray is honest and brave to a fault. He would die for her if necessary. They were thrown together by a twist of fate, a magical mist that sends them back to sixteenth century Ireland where conspiracies, feuds and unexpected violence are commonplace threats, but along the way, they discover a few surprises that neither one expects: a chance for love even when they're: Lost in the Mist of time
What would your dream house look like?

Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants.

J is for Jinn

It is the 10th day of the A to Z Challenge.

J is for Jinn.

The Jinn are spirits mentioned in Islamic theology. They inhabit the unseen world. In Arabic Jinn literally means ‘hidden’.  They are made of smokeless and ‘scorching fire’, more like an energy being.

Like humans, they also have free will. They can be good or evil. They are supernatural beings with great power, but they are less powerful than angels or devils. They can take human or animal form, but most likely would not take the shape of an inanimate object. A person who knows the proper magical procedure can control the Jinn.

In Middle Eastern folklore and Islam believe the jinn are born, grow up, marry, have children and eventually die, though they have very long lives. The Jinn are mentioned frequently in the Qur’an.

In popular Western media ‘genies’ are immortal beings trapped inside a lamp or a bottle, materializing through a puff of smoke. (Do you remember “I Dream of Jeanie”?) The genie must grant three wishes, and hopefully the wishes are what you really wanted and not a messed up version of it.

The correct Arabic grammar is: One jinni and two jinn.

Jinni is also spelled djinni.

Jinn is also spelled djinn.

My work in progress features the jinn. Isabella (Necromancer), Garran (Vampire), and Harrison (Werewolf) from Soul Taker will have another adventure when a controlled jinni is forced to animate the dead to perform crimes to enrich his master. Think Zombies going on a crime spree. lol

I'm still working on the title. Does Jinn in a Bottle sound too corny? Or maybe Jinni in a Body. Or how about Smoke and Mirrors? The story is an urban fantasy/ mystery, but there is wee bit of humor, too.  I’m open to suggestions for a title.

Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!

*Photos are free wallpaper

I is for Interesting Places in Ireland

It is the nineth day of the A to Z Challenge!

I is for Interesting Places in Ireland

Lynch Castle

In 1493, James Lynch Fitzstephen was the mayor of Galway. He was received in Spain with open arms, and wished to return the hospitality by offering to take the host's son back with him to Galway.

The mayor also had an only son. His name was Walter.  Unfortunately, Walter did not keep company with the best Galway had to offer. Si the Mayor was pleased when his son finally took notice of a young woman who came from a good family. He had hoped his son would change his ways. Who knows, perhaps Walter would have eventually changed his ways if he hadn’t believed his young lady fancied the Spaniard his father had brought home with him. One night George followed the Spaniard when he left the castle, stabbing him, and leaving him to die.

James was furious when he found the Spaniard had been killed. He vowed to hang the culprit. Unfortunately, he was not aware it had been his son who did the evil deed when he made this vow. Upon realizing the truth, it was too late to retract his words. He hanged his son from the window of the castle.

The inscription recalls reads: ‘This memorial of the stern and unbending justice of the chief magistrate of this city, James Lynch Fitzstephen, elected mayor in A.D. 1493, who condemned and executed his own guilty son, Walter, on this spot.’ He was one son who was not spared.’

Below this is a stone with a skull and cross-bones and this inscription: “1524 Remember Deathe Vaniti of Vaniti and al is but Vanti.”

St. Michan’s Church

I shook hands with an 800 year old mummy thought to be a crusader. No lie. Our tour of St. Michan’s included the visit beneath the church where five mummies are housed. The identities of these five souls remains unknown. Our tour guide claimed if we shook the hand of the crusader, we would all have good luck. A few hours later it hit me: I shook hands with a dead guy. Let me tell you, I couldn’t find a washroom fast enough.

Not surprisingly, many visitors to the vaults have heard mysterious disembodied voices and others have felt ice-cold fingers run down their neck as they bend to inspect the corpses. Fortunately, I did not.

St. Michen’s was built on the site of an early Danish chapel (1095), and the current structure dates back to 1686. It is probably the only church on the north side of the Liffey that has a Viking foundation.

The Blarney Stone

For over 200 years people have climbed the steps to the Blarney Stone so they could gain the gift of eloquence.

The Stone is set in the wall below the battlements. To kiss it, you must hold onto the railings and lean backwards from the parapet walk. My brothers went before me and I almost chickened out. I stood there staring down …all the way down, and my legs started shaking. I never knew I was afraid of heights until that moment. Only determination not to miss out on this opportunity prevented me from bolting.

There are many more interesting places in Ireland, but we’ll save those for another day.

In my vampire tales, TWILIGHT'S ETERNAL EMBRACE and LOVE'S ETERNAL EMBRACE, both stories are set  in medieval Ireland.

Twilight's Eternal Embrace (Full length novel for only 99 cents right now.)

Adryanna, a Lathe Sith, mourns the death of her recently mated sister, but she finds solace in the most unlikely place—in the arms of Bram, an Oiche Sith. She should fear him, loathe his existence, but instead she longs for their twilight embraces. Bram admires Adryanna’s strength and wishes only to protect her, even if it’s from him.

If Bram cannot find a way for Adryanna to survive the blooding ritual, the romance is doomed. They seek help from Sheerin, Bram’s cousin, who believes he’s found a way for the Lathe Sith to survive, but others in the Oiche Sith clan do not wish for them to succeed. Amazon Kindle

Love's Eternal Embrace (Vampire Tale of Ireland's legendary Dearg-du.) (shot story for 99 cents.)

A knight... A lady... And a deadly dark secret...

A fiend dwells in the forest and Sir Liam Cantwell sets out to slay it. Only the fiend is a fair maiden named Glamis Drui. Will Liam fall prey to her deadly embrace or will his knightly charms be her undoing? E-book : Amazon Kindl

Have you been to Ireland? Do you live there? Please share an interesting place to visit. If you haven't been there, do have a place you'd like to visit in Ireland?

Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants.