Denise K. Rago's Blog, page 7

Authors this Author Can’t Live Without ~ Part 3

March is such a long month as we transition from winter to spring and so I thought I would devote several blog posts to those authors I love to read whom I want to share them with you! Who knows, perhaps you have read them as well,  or maybe, like me, you will make a fabulous discovery and add these authors to your list of ‘must reads.” As an avid reader I am always on the look-out for new authors and I am sometimes amazed at how I discover them.

British author, Angie Marsons writes great detective novels.  Her protagonist, Detective Kim Stone is a very interesting lady with a past which is revealed over the course of each novel.  I like that I don’t know everything about her.  ‘Blood Lines’ is the Fifth D.I. Kim Stone novel but hopefully not the last.  I love her characters and her novels are truly nail biters.

American author Ronald Malfi wrote one of my all-time favorite novels, ‘Floating Staircase,’ the story of a troubled writer and a haunted house.  He knows how to weave a tale which is brilliant yet horrific. I’ll read anything he writes.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog this month as much as I have enjoyed sharing such great writers with you.  I always welcome your comments and please share your favorite authors with me too.

Authors This Author Can’t Live Without ~ Part 2

March is such a long month as we transition from winter to spring and so I thought I would devote several blog posts to those authors I love to read whom I want to share them with you! Who knows, perhaps you have read them as well, or maybe, like me, you will make a fabulous discovery and add these authors to your list of ‘must reads.” As an avid reader I am always on the look-out for new authors and I am sometimes amazed at how I discover them.

I discovered British author Elly Griffiths while scrolling through books on Amazon. I like the book title, ‘The Crossing Places’ and the cover image which I found dark yet inviting. Turns out her main character, Ruth Galloway is an archaeologist who lives in Norfolk, England and who manages to get herself involved in solving crimes with the local police department. I have read each novel in this series. #9 The Chalk Pit releases this spring. Mystery novels always draw me in as well as the complex human relationships that Griffiths pens so well.

The cover of ‘How the Light Gets In’ drew me into the world of Canadian author Louise Penny who writes about the fictional village of Three Pines and the numerous characters which inhabit this village, including Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. Her latest novel, ‘The Nature of the Beast’ is # 11 in this mystery series. I can’t wait for the next novel for she writes of a world which I find so welcoming, once I enter Three Pines I never want to leave.

I bought a signed, first edition of the Irish author John Connolly’s ‘The Black Angel’ having never heard of him. The novel came with a CD which featured a song by one of my favorite artists, Kate Bush. I was sold. As it turns out, yes, this was book #5 in the Charlie Parker detective series. 9 books later and I am still hooked on this series; a bit in love with Charlie Parker and amazed at John Connolly’s characters who are complex, unforgettable and dark. # 15, A Game of Ghosts releases in the USA on July 3, 2017.

Read An Ebook Week is Here!

“Read an Ebook Week” is HERE! What’s that mean? Now till March 11th, you can get “Immortal Obsession” and “Blood Tears” for 50% off! Visit my Smashword author page, go to the bottom of the page and click on the book you want, and purchase (coupon code is displayed on the book’s book page)! It’s THAT easy.

What are you waiting for? Go grab your copies and make sure you let your friends and their friends and their friends’ friends know! Oh, and there are a TON of other books on sale right now too so…have fun!

Authors this Author Can’t Live Without ~ Part 1

March is such a long month as we transition from winter to spring and so I thought I would devote several blog posts to those authors I love to read whom I want to share them with you! Who knows, perhaps you have read them as well, or maybe, like me, you will make a fabulous discovery and add these authors to your list of ‘must reads.” As an avid reader I am always on the look-out for new authors and I am sometimes amazed at how I discover them.

While in search of a book to take to the beach, I picked up ‘Among the Wicked’ by Linda Castillo. It was a mystery novel and had Amish women on the cover, two subjects which intrigue me. As it turns out this is the eighth book in a series so after reading it I had to go back and start at the beginning and read each one. I cannot wait for her next Kate Burkholder novel, a series about an Amish woman who leaves the fold only to become the Chief of Police in her home town. It’s so wonderful to learn about the Amish culture as well as trying to solve the mysteries along with Kate.

Another favorite author of mine is British author Sharon J Bolton. When I began reading her novels she was going by the name SJ Bolton. Her novels always contain a relevant social issue while being gripping and hard to put down. ‘Daisy in Chains’ was one of my favorites. Her newest release this spring, ‘Dead Woman Walking’ promises to be just a good.

Jennifer McMahon writes really suspenseful novels. ‘The Night Sister’ was hard to put down and her latest novel, ‘Burntown’ will release this spring. Again, I discovered her by chance and have read all of her novels. I’m not sure how she does it but she can weave a tale that puts me in a trance and her stories are really creepy. I like creepy.

Another Taste of Eternal Hunger

What is that saying about the best laid plans? Although my meeting with Victor was never far from my thoughts it seemed impossible to get away on a Friday night. It seemed when not being a parent to Julien all of my time was spent focusing on a housekeeper. Michel and I could not seem to agree on anyone and so we were at a stalemate. Either the woman did not want the job or the person I thought best for the job Michel did not like. Not that he would be around that much but he strongly opposed any mortals coming into our home. I totally understood. When I went to their townhouse in New York for the first time I was only the third mortal who had ever been allowed entry since 1901.

Vampires were not the most trusting souls and believe me, although I understood I was still annoyed. I wanted to slip out to the Louvre again and perhaps meet up with Victor. His words haunted me and I was convinced he knew more about Christian than he was telling me. Maybe I was desperate to learn something of his whereabouts but until I could get out I was no closer to learning the truth and I was losing patience.

Michel and I were ensconced in front of a roaring fire on a wintry November night locked in one of our typical debates.

“Julien is now two years old. I can’t keep him locked up forever Michel. He needs to get out and to be around other kids.”

He shrugged and gazed into the fire. I knew he knew I was right but he was trying to come up with a response.

I gently rubbed his arm. “Come on Michel. Surely you remember being a kid with Christian? Everyone needs a friend.”

He turned slowly, capturing me with his light green eyes.

“Everything you say is true but Julien is not your typical child. He is vulnerable to forces you cannot imagine. Even you are in danger every time you leave this house.”

“How many vampires do you really think know we are here? I went out to the Louvre one night and I was fine.”

I was waiting for a fight when the doorbell interrupted us.

“Are you expecting anyone?”

I was already at the door, wondering if Victor had also lost patience and was taking a more direct route.

He pulled me towards him before I could even speak.

I’m not sure how long we stood in the doorway but I never thought I would be so happy to see Tony. We had started out as adversaries, vying for the attention of a vampire we both loved and held in the highest esteem. Tony was their human servant in New York and then I came along and upset the delicate balance of their Upper East Side home.

I had been only the third mortal allowed into their world since they came to New York in 1901. Tony had been number two and I sometime wonder who had been the first person allowed in. I always assumed it was a woman, definitely a beautiful woman but who knows? I guess my jealousy was getting the best of me.

“Oh shit.” I wiped my eyes, leading him inside.

Versailles

The King and the Dauphin both like to see me on horseback. I only say this because all the world perceives it, and especially while we were absent from Versailles, they were delighted to see me in my riding habit.

~ Marie Antoinette

Little did Louis XIII know that the hunting lodge he built, nestled in the forest of Versailles would become one of the most revered monuments on the twenty first century. It was his son, The Sun King or as we know him, Louis XIV who would transform Versailles from a hunting lodge to the seat of the French government and the French court.

The Hall of Mirrors and the gardens became his obsession and so thousands of aristocrats would walk the halls and the gardens of Versailles in a world surrounded by politics, gossip, court intrigue and affairs. Each monarch would add to the palace creating the stunning monument to French culture that it is today.

Perhaps Versailles is most famous for the last King and Queen to rule France, Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette. Who does not imagine what their opulent lives were like against the background of the tumultuous times in which they lived and died? So many books recount their lives and their death. The Revolution Francaise is one of my favorite periods in world history. I am constantly searching for answers but like the many pieces of a puzzle, there were many factors contributing to the downfall of the French monarchy.

Still, I consider Versailles more than just a museum dedicated to the History of France. It is a reminder of the power of kings to make their vision of France into something tangible which captivates us to this day.

Tis the Season

 

It’s that time of year again.

These are two of my favorite Christmas songs.

Perhaps Jethro Tull got it right in the opening verse of A Christmas Song which derides humanity for focusing on gaiety and partying at a time of year when so many have so little.

Once in Royal David’s City, stood a lonely cattle shed,

Where a mother held her baby

You’d do well to remember the things He later said.

When you’re stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,

You’ll just laugh when I tell you to take a running jump,

You’re missing the point I’m sure does not need making

The Christmas spirit is not what you drink.

I must confess, I have so much in my life that is happy and good and if you know me at all, you know I am not talking about the material; but the joy of the company of my loved ones and the relationships I cherish with family, friends, co-workers and my social media “friends” as well. I have had a wonderful year. Not bragging, just tell you how blessed I feel to have such loving people in my life. At the end of the day it will be the experiences I have had with all of you that are my true gifts, not the presents under the tree.

On the heels of musician Greg Lake passing away so close to Christmas I would be remiss if I did not include at least one stanza from the beautiful yet sad, I Believe in Father Christmas.

I wish you a hopeful Christmas

I wish you a brave new year

All anguish, pain and sadness

Leave your heart and let your road be clear.

Until next year.

Denise

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Many Thanks

It is that time of year again, not that I don’t wake up each day and say to the Universe, ‘thank you,’ but next week we in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving. I feel the need to publicly thank my loved ones, this great country that I live in, and my creativity. I do not know where it comes from, but I feel blessed to enjoy writing and creating books that readers enjoy.

Each night as I put my head to my pillow I give a prayer of thanks to all those I hold dear. In the morning, usually while I am driving to work I give another prayer of thanks for all the blessings I have in my life.

A wonderful quote comes to mind as we approach Thanksgiving.

“It’s experiences, not material things, that bring enduring happiness.”

This has been my lifelong philosophy and at the end of my life it will be people I will miss, not the things that surround me. No one ever said, “I wish I bought more stuff.”; it’s time with our loved ones that matters the most.

Simple pleasures, honest relationships, good meals and great books.

I am blessed to be having Thanksgiving dinner with most of my family next week. A true blessing.

What more can I ask for?

May you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The Age of Conversation

Today we simply throw a party or run to our nearest Starbucks and grab a coffee with a friend, but there was a time when meeting with friends just to hang out and chat was not only unheard of, but the content of discussions was clearly though out.  Some topics were just not spoken about and other forbidden.  In the 18th century, Salons became most popular for many reasons.  Some argued that the salon was an extension of the French court, a place for high society to mingle, others: a place to practice manners, discuss divergent topics and yes, mingle with those of a lesser class.

Women played a profound role in the forming of the French Salon, creating a place to meet and discuss ideas, politics and bring together members of both sexes as well as aristocrats and members of the bourgeois; quite an interesting concept for each would influence the other in manner of dress, speech and the exchange of ideas. Women were the center of salon life with academics being the central theme.

In Eternal Hunger, the young mortal Josette Delacore is forced to be a part of her mother’s salon, by reading Tarot cards for her guests, a welcome diversion to the academic discussions of the day and as the city of Paris swelled with talk of a revolt, many sought to have their fortunes read.

It is on one such occasion she meets a mysterious man, one who her mother has set her own sights on, being recently widowed, only to discover he wants her daughter. Thus begins the secret affair between Josette and Monsieur Richard, who we discover is the vampire Gaétan.  He sees beyond her beauty to her blood which calls to him with dreams of immortality. In him, Josette sees a wealthy patron, someone who will give her an apartment of her own, clothing and jewels and allow her to create her own salon; away from the world her mother has created for her.

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Happy Halloween!

It’s the perfect time to once again dwell on my love of vampires and their continued hold over me and my writing.

My obsession began when I was a high school student and I read Interview with The Vampire by Anne Rice. This novel changed my perception of this creature and started my life-long love affair with the works of Anne Rice. She turned the myth of the vampire from a mindless creature of the night into an erotic being, wealthy, cultured and simply beautiful.

In my own writings, my vampires share the same characteristics and to this day I ask myself ‘what is it about this creature that continues to resonate with me?

Why am I writing ‘vampire novels?’

Perhaps it is the power they hold over us mortals; the power to control us, whisk us away never to been seen or heard from again, or to show us worlds we can only imagine. They possess the power to do good and they hold the balance of life and death in their hands. My protagonist, Christian, is a vampire who very much loves to be left alone to read and listen to great works of music, but he wields a machete with ease and has no qualms over taking a life whether it be vampire or mortal.

In my current project, Eternal Hunger, Amanda Perretti meets up with just this type of vampire: Ancient, handsome, charming and because of his love for her he protects her from beings much less scrupulous. He gives her and her son a home and a life that she could never have imagined. He lures her with his wealth which includes stores of remnants of furnishings from the French Revolution. She manages to live safely, hidden from those who would kill her and her son.

What is the price she must pay? All will be revealed as Eternal Hunger unfolds and I continue with this series.

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