Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 38

Stars and More Stars for Windmaster Golem #mfrwhooks

 

The best gift for an author (besides you, the reader, purchasing the book) is a review. To start off the New Year on a good note, Windmaster Golem received not one, but two, 5 Star reviews.

One described Windmaster Golem as a "fantastic world of mages, danger, romance, and survival." 

Find the complete review at amazon.com/dp/B08JTZD6K7/. Read as a stand-alone or as the final book in the series.

 

If you want to start at the beginning of The Windmaster Novels, the first book in the series is on sale in Kindle format for $1.49 at Amazon.  Act now ... the sale ends soon.

 

If the reviews for Windmaster Golem are not enough to convince you, as a proud writer, find a few words from the four and five star reviews and other comments made about my other babies (Oops, I mean my creations) at helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com/2017/11/stars-and-more-stars-mfrwauthor.html.

 

 

 
And, if one of the books looks interesting, click on the cover at the top of the blog for excerpts and buy links.  

~till next time, Helen

For more excerpts and posts as part of the Hop, go to mfrwbookhooks.blogspot

Naval Terms

 

How many books have you read that contained words that originated with sailors? Probably as many as the number or characters that had a past related to the sea. There are entire series dedicated to men in uniform, so many readers have encountered one. But use of the words that came from the sea aren't necessarily restricted to romance writers. A term might creep into the ships that sail among the stars. And don't forget ships that transverse the oceans of fantasy worlds.
 

A tip to writers. 

A word or two (don't use the entire dictionary) can add a hint of authenticity to a work. A little work will find glossaries of naval slang that has worked its way into common English. Whether you want to bamboozle or use "know the ropes" in its original meaning (which wasn't complimentary), check out naval slang.

till next time ~ Helen

New Year's Resolutions - What's Yours?

 

Image by Bella H. from Pixabay

New Year's Resolutions. They are meant to encourage us to start off the next year in a positive frame of mind, to make the new year better than the outgoing one. Yet the older some of us get, the worst each year seems to be. It might be the aches and pains from the damp and cold of winter or the melancholy left over after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. For some, the darkness is caused by the simple handwritten message scrawled in the yearly card, "We lost xxx this past spring." A reminder that with the passage of another year, another friend won't be there to share the new year with. Or it could just be exhaustion from isolation and dealing with Covid-19.

With all that it is easy to lose the passion and joy that marked earlier times in my writing career. The happiness when a story is completed or the excitement of a new contract paled in the face of the reality of the sales and royalty numbers in each month's email.

I came across what is for me as a writer, the best New Year's resolution and one I hope to adopt for the upcoming year. So with acknowledgement to Linda S. Clare who voiced the original resolution, here's mine:

Resolved: In 2021, to fall in love with writing again.

So to all my writer friends, that is my wish for you. And for the readers my wish is for you to find a new favorite author and to enjoy your old ones."

The person behind the resolution, Linda S. Clare, is described in her bio as a daydreamer, artist and storyteller. Read more about this resolution and why authors need to at least consider it at http://lindasclare.com/2016/12/the-best-writers-resolution/.  And here's an additional note if you start wavering. http://lindasclare.com/2017/01/keeping-writing-resolutions/

~till next time, Happy New Year. In the upcoming days,

 

May your troubles be less,

And your blessings be more.

And nothing but happiness come through your door.

 

Helen

Looking Back on 2020

If there ever was a year to be happy to say good-bye to, 2020 is it. Before we say goodbye a final goodbye to the old year, let's take a look at what were, according to you, the readers as evidenced by your page views, my top 10 writing posts of 2020.

Now counting down. ~till next time, Helen

 

  

  10.  A Friend Lost, A New Friend Gained 

    9.  Leave-Taking, a battle looms and an enemy resurfaces  

    8.  Turn's End - First Dance  

   

   7.  Fog Attacks

   6.  The Sentry. A poem on the cost of duty:
   A wreath laid, a solitary bagpiper atop a hill,
   a line of helmets atop empty boots.

    5.  Vision in the Bowl

 4.  Consolation and Hope at the Kapuna Tree 

 

 

 

   3.  Turn's End Celebration (The Men)

 

  

   2.  Revenge Approaches

 

   1. A proposal had been made and accepted.
       Now the date for the handfasting approaches.

  

 

Thanks and Wishes

 

Surviving #mfrwauthor

 

Welcome to this week's post in the MFRW 52-week challenge. The year is winding down and this is the final post for 2020. "Greatest accomplishment of the year" is similar to one that was done a few years back when we posted "Our Greatest Achievement" so I'm going to keep the answer short and simple. 

In a normal year, the release of a new book would be the greatest achievement. But 2020 is not a normal year. So, how to answer in a year where apocalypse bingo trended with boxes checked for killer hornets and locusts, wildfires, hurricanes and earthquakes, and the threat of an asteroid collision. 

 

Image by Yuri_B from Pixabay

Then there was the novel corona virus, commonly referred to as COVID-19, isolation, shortages, and face masks.

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay
As far as I am concerned there is just one way to answer the prompt of my greatest achievement for the year ... SURVIVING.

~As this is the last post of the year, a special wish. May you fall in love again with reading. Helen

 

 

Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/

Hooked on Imprisoned, Turn's End (First Dance) #mfrwauthor

Wrapping up the year with a continuation of the celebration of the winter solstice with more of the Turn's End celebration from the dark fantasy, Imprisoned in Stone. To set the stage, like our New Year's Eve, Turn's End is time for reflection and celebrating new beginnings. It is also a time for parties and dances. Even in the backwoods glen of the fighting wizard, Tralin, they will celebrate. First, we saw Tralin and her apprentice, Maerva, getting ready for the Turn's End dance. Then the male residents of the vale were presented in best outfits. In response to requests made, the first dance.

Excerpt:

Taking the pot from Tralin, Colwynn set it on the table. “Now, my fair lady, if I may have the honor of the first dance?” He slid an arm around the older mage’s waist and walked her to the center of the aisle over smooth stones swept clean of its usual carpet of straw. Not even a single crunch or hint of dust accompanied their footsteps.

Maerva’s gaze followed the pair as arm in arm they glided in time to the music. Resentment that Colwynn asked Tralin and not her flickered through Maerva’s mind.  

“Shall we join them?”

Startled at the soft voice in her ear, she looked up. Gareth’s shy smile expressed a feeling his words never had. Without waiting for an answer, he slid the pan from her nerveless fingers. She didn’t resist when he took her hand and pulled her close. Ever since he arrived, the only time he touched her was to illustrate a strike point or to offer a hand to help her to rise to her feet. The globes shifted to a pair’s dance common among fishermen. On a count of three, he led her into the opening steps. “I’m the lucky one,” he whispered.

Whether it was the wine or a consequence of Gareth’s growing magical abilities, Maerva sensed a change in him. Shyness no longer overwhelmed his wry smile. He was no longer the stern instructor in weaponry or the hesitant visitor who first came to the cottage. Now, he acted more lover than friend. And with each quiet word or caress, her skin flamed. With a sigh, she leaned her head against his chest. For a period of time, nothing existed except the sound of his heartbeat... and hers.

 ~ ~ ~

As a holiday present to end out the year, a special bonus of how the first dance was decided. But as far as to who among the suitors Maerva will ultimately decide, so as not to be a spoiler, you have to read Imprisoned in Stone for that.

Bonus Excerpt:
 

“Colwynn bowed to Tralin and escorted her to a seat against the wall. He poured her a glass of wine and watched Gareth and Maerva dance. Although he was sure he had kept his emotions from showing in his face, Colwynn was glad the time to switch partners was near. The strain of watching Maerva threatened his vow for a harmonious new year.

“Thank you, Col,” Tralin said. “You’ve made an old lady very happy. I know you would rather be dancing with Maerva.” Her voice lowered. “How was it decided? Coin toss or dagger drop?”

“Coin toss. I figured it was fairer. As a weaponsmith, Gareth would have too much of an advantage if we decided the issue by flipping daggers.” Frustration caused a grimace to twitch his lips before he remembered his companion and forced a lighter emotion. “I still lost.”

“I guess I never told you. Gareth is lucky with coins. The same affinity he has for the metal in weapons, also applies to money.”

““Now, you tell me,” he muttered.

 * * * * 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL - $1.49 for the Kindle at Amazon 

 * * * *  

Four paths--one destiny. With the power to bind souls and control all magic in the balance.

Imprisoned in Stone--available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and elsewhere. 

Books We Love Insider Blog: Lights Aglow by Helen Henderson

Holiday traditions on the Books We Love Insider Blog: Lights Aglow https://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/2020/...

Bravery is ?? #mfrwauthor

Welcome to this week's post in the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "What have you done in life you consider brave."

My first thought in response to the topic was too flippant so I decided to give some more thought to the question. First was what constitutes a brave act?  It could be helping in a medical or other emergency. Or simply doing something outside our comfort zone, against our personality or our own interests.

I would like to think of myself as brave, but we don't know how we will respond to a situation until we are in it. I tried to think of times when an action set the path of my life. It could be times when I conquered fear. 

First article submissionQuerying WindmasterPresentation at a national convention Taking the helm of an organizationOrganizing tours of a historic home

Note the theme? There is one choice that set the tone for almost 50 years. I said, "Yes," and accepted a ring.

Those decision were made for a variety of reasons. Several of them were influenced by the urgings of others or to assist someone. 

At the end, there is the one time the traditional concept of bravery comes into play--taking responsibility for another person and being in charge of every aspect of their life. There is the care of the body and mind, the emotional and the financial, and the knowledge that if you make a mistake, guess wrong that a symptom is just their normal chronic illness when it is the sign of something critical, it could kill them. Although at least two members of my family wanted to be nurses and several had careers as either a nurse or worked in some aspect of the medical profession, I never had any such aspirations. For me, becoming a caregiver is an act of bravery. One that I have to gear up the courage to do and face it every day.

~till next time, happy holidays and may all your wishes come true. Helen

Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/

Hooked on Imprisoned, Turns End - The Men, #mfrwauthor

In celebration of the winter solstice, a snippit from the dark fantasy, Imprisoned in Stone of the Turn's End celebration. To set the stage, like our New Year's Eve, Turn's End is time for reflection and celebrating new beginnings. It is also a time for parties and dances. Even in the backwoods glen of the fighting wizard, Tralin, they will celebrate. In the first post, we saw Maerva and Tralin getting ready for the Turn's End dance. Now it is the male residents of the vale's turn.

Excerpt:

As part of the barn’s transformation into a grand hall, linen cloths transformed wide planks into an impromptu table. Cookies, an iced cake and bowls of candied fruit formed part of the holiday feast. Gareth had made a spicy nut bread popular with the mountain clans with flour ground from nuts collected earlier in the season. Slices of the special food surrounded a silver carafe of honey. Platters covered with cheese and several bottles of red wine comprised the rest of the refreshments.

Cascades of small, translucent globes dangled from invisible strings to form a curtain across one of the stalls. Colwynn ran a finger over one of the spheres. An ancient tune shimmered in the air. Maerva’s blood danced to the spirit melody.  

For the past week, Maerva had wondered what colors Gareth and Colwynn would be wearing, and if her dress would complement or conflict. A single glance answered what the men refused to divulge despite her questioning. Instead of their usual rough spun shirts and leather breeches, both wore finery worthy of a royal court. Colwynn had chosen a light blue long-sleeve shirt and a deep contrasting shade of the same color for his matching pants and vest. Gareth’s clothes were hues of hunter green. Even their scuffed boots shone

 ~ ~ ~

Will Gareth or Colwynn have the first dance? That I might reveal in the near future. As to who will eventually capture Maerva's heart and help her fulfill her destiny? So as not to be a spoiler, you have to read Imprisoned in Stone for that.

 * * * * 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL - $1.49 for the Kindle at Amazon 

 * * * *  

Four paths--one destiny. With the power to bind souls and control all magic in the balance.

Imprisoned in Stone--available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and elsewhere.