Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 17

Finding new sources

One of the issues when researching setting, events, or even the attributes for a character is finding a source. Which often can mean finding someone to talk. Historical societies can be a font of information. And not just dates and events, but town personalities as well.
A favorite cartoon that I used to to take to book signings and lectures related to the topic of people's memories. In the first panel, the author is interviewing several old timers, requesting information on town events. To a man they said things like, "nothing happened here," or "nothing to talk about." The next panel is at the book signing. These same old timers who provide any information on the town history when asked, are looming over the poor author. "Why didn't you include XXX?" and "Why didn't you mention YYY, he was important to the town."

Special events and anniversaries provide a unique view into the past of an area. And the way an event is commemorated (or not) provides insight as well. An advantage is that at anniversary events is that memories are at the forefront.

And at happy occasions, people are often more willing to talk. 

Happy researching. Click on the pull-down meni for more information on the dark side (aka non-fiction) books that required a lot of research.
~Till next time. Helen

Bonus 5 Fact Thursday, Hatchling's Mate

Bonus 5 Facts Thursday - What Happens When The Last Two Dragon Shifters Hate Each Other, showcasing Hatchling's Mate with Kryssie Fortune.

 

 

Out and About at the TBR Pile

[image error] Have you entered the #Giveaway for Windmaster Legacy at the TBR Pile for a chance to win a gift card or ebook yet?

Stop by and leave a comment at https://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2023/06/book-spotlight-and-giveaway-windmaster-legacy-by-helen-henderson.html. 

 

SALE *** SALE *** SALE

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Cast off and fill the sails for love and adventure. Journey the high seas, and from mountain heights to cavern depths on an epic quest to save the future of magic. The fantasy romance series, The Windmaster Novels is on sale at Smashwords.

Stone, Hooked on Hatchlings Curse #mfrwhooks

 

This weeks excerpt features the #Bookqw "Stone." To set the stage, the dragshi received an urgent messages from distant villages in desperate need of medicine. Lord Branin Llewlyn took on the dragon form of his soul twin, Honored Old One Llewlynn, and took to the skies to test whether the winter storms had abated enough to safely fly beyond the confines of Cloud Eyrie.

Excerpt:

For a moment the solitary beam lingered on the cliff face beneath Cloud Eyrie before vanishing in the gloom. Thick gray clouds obscured the horizon and signaled the approach of yet another winter storm. Pulling upon hidden reserves, Branin raced toward the safety of the complex the dragon shifters called home.

A gust plunged him toward the granite outcroppings below. Ice crystals fell from his amber pinions to vanish in the mist. He halted his fall. His long-vision showed the jagged rocks below and how close he had come to a life-ending collision. Hovering, he caught his breath, then pulled for the safety of the heights.

Cloud Eyrie’s stone walls appeared none too quickly. Winds swirled the thick haze covering the mountain and revealed another problem. His plan to land on the cliff ledge the dragshis used for takeoffs and landings vanished. The ribbons of snow showed erratic air currents which could send him over the edge before the transition from dragon form to human was complete.

Branin growled in frustration. Before he met Anastasia, he might have risked breaking a limb. Now the danger was too great, not only to himself, but to her as well. A broken wing might only cripple him, but if he died, so would Anastasia.

* * *

 The dragshi are more than just a man or woman, but two beings—one human, the other a dragon. The pair share one body in space and time and are able to change forms with the other at will. But be warned, a dragon form comes with more than just the freedom of the sky.

The Dragshi Chronicles-- action-filled, romance-laden fantasies.

Buy Links:   One Click Link to major book sellers.
Click here for another excerpt and a free read of the first chapter.

An Intruder, Imprisoned in Stone #WeWriWa

​Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write ... and read!
Today's excerpt is from the opening scene of the dark fantasy Imprisoned in Stone.

* * * *

Maerva opened eyes to a darkness, not only of her room, but of the soul. The sense of a presence held her motionless, even though she knew no entry was possible through the closed door or shuttered window. Air whispered over her skin as if someone touched her cheek. A breath later, the impression of an intruder vanished.

 The roar of waves crashing against the cliff, something she had heard since birth, comforted Maerva and pushed away the residual fear. Deep breaths removed more of the tension from her body, even though her skin remained clammy from perspiration. The moon reappeared from behind its filtering curtains of haze. No longer obscured, the low-hanging globe sent a shaft of white light streaming through the window. The beam moved up the wall beyond her bed, turning the darkness into a shadowed frame. Glimmering letters written by a ghostly hand resolved into words.

* * * *


Buy Links: 1-Click to Sales Sites
​I hope you like the snippet I shared from Imprisoned in Stone. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~til next time.

Helen

Hooked on Hatchlings Curse, Regret #mfrwhooks

 

An excerpt from Hatchlings Curse, Book 2 of the romance fantasy series, the Dragshi Chronicles. To set the stage, the raider, Lady Broch of Ky'Port has just stolen a dragon's egg and as an additional prize, kidnapped the newborn child of one of the dragshi.

Excerpt:

The call of, “Man off the starboard bow,” rang out from the crow’s nest.

Broch raced to the front of the ship. Her eyes strained, searching. However, the sea continued to hide its secrets. The body floating face down could not be identified. Hope warred with the fear it was Lludd. An urgent need to know seized Broch and in rapid fire, she issued orders. “Drop sails. Launch a boat. I want whoever that is brought aboard.”

Although the sailors hastened to obey, their progress seemed interminably slow. Finally, the small boat returned from its rescue mission and bobbed alongside. Grunts, rather than a chant, accompanied each tug on the line that raised the craft, then lowered it with a thud to the wet boards. Sailors hissed in disapproval. “A female.”

Broch pushed men aside until she had a clear view. “Let me see.” The body was too small for Lludd or Trailu. Despite being face down, curves betrayed the sex of the rescued. Regret darkened her heart. She had not realized how much she had come to depend on Lludd and his stolid presence. “Roll her. I want to see her face.”

His lips pursed, a sailor did as ordered. Roughly, he shifted the unconscious woman onto her back and pushed aside strands of wet hair to reveal the slack features.

Broch’s pulse sped with recognition—Anastasia. “The one who stole Branin from me.” Rage against those who’d killed her husband shook her frame.

The bosun’s voice broke into Broch’s reverie. “What do you want done with her?” A loud mutter from behind expressed what the older man’s face did. “Overboard, to feed the toothfish.”

For long moments, Broch stood, an unmoving statue. Her grin widened then she erupted into wild laughter. Now I have another weapon against the dragshi. My enemy is mine.

* * *

The dragshi are more than just a man or woman, but two beings—one human, the other a dragon. The pair share one body in space and time and are able to change forms with the other at will. But be warned, a dragon form comes with more than just the freedom of the sky.

The Dragshi Chronicles-- action-filled, romance-laden fantasies.

Buy Links:   One Click Link to major book sellers.
 

Click here for another excerpt and a free read of the first chapter.

Hooked on Hatchling's Mate, Jump, #mfrwhooks

An excerpt from Hatchling's Mate using the #bookqw "Jump." To set the scene, the newest dragon lord, Lady Lexii, and her bodyguard, Glyn, stop to enjoy the idyllic setting of a mountain pasture. But all is not what it seems.

Excerpt:

Lexii’s short, “Ohh,” accompanied her mount’s drop to its knees. Her louder, “No!” was overshadowed by the creak of leather as she clambered from the saddle. The seidheirn rolled onto its side. It struggled to get up, then with a last snuffle ceased moving. Feathered darts colored the gray hide. More covered the legs of Lexii’s breeches. 

The ether burned with the force of Glyn’s call to Kynan and Uaine. And although she knew he was too far away to help, reached out to Talann. <Under attack. Lexii’s mare is down. Buar will bring her to you.you.>  

Bugling defiance, the mare took a single leap. Gray blurred with dust and the seidheirn galloped away at the speed only achieved of its kind. 

A burly man in battered armor strode from the dozen pursuers now lined up before Glyn. Thick skin of a cross-shaped scar on his forehead marked him as an outcast from a mercenary troop. In the short time it had taken to get Lexii on her way, they had closed the distance and were within striking range. 

The men muttered amongst themselves giving Glyn a name, “Marbh.” 

Glyn tensed for a fight. No matter the cost, time had to be given for Lexii to reach the protection of Kynan and the others. “I’m sorry, Lexii,” she whispered. 

Marbh’s scan took in Glyn’s armor and well-cared for sword. He called out six names and pointed at Glyn. “Kill him,” he ordered. Those selected moved forward in trained unison. “And the rest of you, come with me. That dragon scum will not escape.” Without a backward glance, the leader of the raiders turned and headed after Lexii. 

A second and a third flew through the air. These didn’t hit metal or leather, but tender skin.Weaving against the effect of the drugs, she kept her blade lifted. “I’m not down,” she snarled.

 ~ ~ ~

Hatchling's Mate - From their birth it was expected that Talann’s and Lexii’s destiny would be entwined. However fate had other intentions. Lexii and Talann could not stand to be together.

Ebook Available at: Amazon   Kobo  
One click to more ebook stores

Paperback:  Amazon   Barnes&Noble

Click here for another excerpt and a free read of the first chapter.

Rejuvention Denied, From Hearth and Sand #WeWriWa #snippetsunday #SnipSun

 

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write ... and read.

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, an excerpt from "Live Or Surrender to Technology," a short story in the multi-genre anthology, Hearth and Sand. In a near future, a man’s journey to escape his future, reawakens his urge to live. The inspiration for the story was a dedication to my father on his final flight west.

 Excerpt:

The crowd on the moving walkway shrank away from the lean figure in the dark blue uniform. Although there were no outward symptoms, it was as if they knew he had within him a contagion from another planet. Staring at the crumpled message flimsy in his hand, John Chippi saw the words without really comprehending them. Riding without conscious thought, automatically switching between speed rails, he found himself on a small transfer platform. He felt alone, despite the press of riders around him. Once again, he straightened out the flimsy. This time the smeared words penetrated his mental fog. A glance skipped over the innocuous opening, “Sorry to inform you,” but his hands shook again as the official red stamp, “Rejuvenation treatments—Denied,” glared off the page.

* * *

Hearth and Sand: Stories from the Front Lines and the Homefront

Buy Links:   One Click Link to major book sellers.

Click here for more on the stories within Heart and Sand.

Spring Cleaning In Reverse, at the BWL Blog

Over on the BooksWeLove Blog, I'm sharing some thoughts on spring cleaning, only in reverse. ~till next time, Helen