Melinda's Writing Pages: Pen to Paper

I am proud and honored to have New York Times, Best Selling Author, Margaret Coel here with us. She is the outstanding author of The Wind River Reservation Mysteries, and her latest installment of the series, “The Silent Spirit.” So, Margaret lets get started

1. Tell us something about you and your books

I’m a not-wholly recovered historian who writes mystery novels set among the Arapahos on the Wind River Reservation. There’s lots of mystery in my novels, and a lot of history. I’m fascinated with the past the way it keeps creeping into the present and forcing us to deal with all over again.

2. Are there any new authors who have grasped your attention?

If you haven’t read Lisa Unger and Craig Johnson, get going! They are both great.

3. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Never give up. Keep writing, work on your craft, get better and better and never let the rejections discourage you. Keep going.

4. What’s your latest book “The Silent Spirit” about?

In “The Silent Spirit,” a young Arapaho, Kiki Wallowingbull, is found murdered on the reservation. When my main characters, Jesuit priest Father John O’Malley and Arapaho lawyer Vicky Holden, realize that Kiki had recently returned from Hollywood where he had gone to find out what happened to his great-grandfather in 1923 Hollywood, they follow Kiki’s trail, both to Hollywood and into the past. They soon find another murder, one committed almost a hundred years ago when the Arapahos were in Hollywood to appear in the silent Westerns. In order to solve Kiki’s murder, Father John and Vicky must first figure out what happened long ago in Hollywood and why someone is willing to kill to keep it secret.

5. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I do a lot of reading, and I spend time with my Arapaho friends on the reservation For “The Silent Spirit,” I had a good time reading about 1920s Hollywood, which was a crazy, anything goes kind of place. A columnist from that time, Walter Winchell, called Hollywood a place that had to be seen to be disbelieved. Since my character, Vicky, goes to Hollywood, I spent some time there, visiting the museums, walking Hollywood Blvd., going to Grauman’s Egyptian and Chinese theaters, and generally soaking up the atmosphere. I ate at Musso and Frank Grill, just as Vicky does, and just as actors did in the 1920s. Charlie Chaplin’s booth is still there.

6. What promotional ideas can you give to other beginning authors?

This is tough. The internet today is the most important place to promote your book. Keep an e-mail list and send out a notice when the book comes out. Tell people how to get it. Visit blogs. Start your own blog. By all means, get yourself a website, make it interesting, and keep updating it. Work with your publisher and try to fill in the things they are NOT doing. Hopefully they will send out review copies. It’s tough to get reviews on your own. They may even set up signings for you, and send you on a tour (although don’t expect that on the first book.)

7. What advice would you give to somebody trying to get a literary agent?

Pick up one of the great books on the subject and follow their advice. Many are written by agents, and they are very current on how to approach an agent today. I also like going to conferences and meeting agents face-to-face. A lot of connections are made that way.

8. Are there any thing you would like to say to other aspiring writers?

          Write, write, write.

9. As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?

Be a writer. That was my goal. I started writing stories when I was about 6, I think.

10. As a writer and published author how do you feel about e-publishing

E-publishing is a big term. My novels are available as e-books, which is arranged by my publisher. I think any way that books can become more easily available is good. However, in the case of e-publishing where the writer publishes her own book, you’re looking at a lot of problems in marketing and selling the book.

11. What advice would you give to other aspiring authors about getting their work placed with a big publishing company?

Get an agent. Spend the time and effort in getting an agent to handle your book. An agent can open the doors to a big publishing company. You can’t, at least not easily.

12. Please give us a list of all of your books currently available.

Oh, my. Here goes: Including The Wind River Reservation Mystery Series:

The Eagle Catcher

   The Ghost Walker

      The Dream Stalker

          The Story Teller

             The Lost Bird

               The Spirit Woman

                 The Thunder Keeper

                   The Shadow Dancer

                      Killing Raven

                        Wife of Moon

                          Eye of the Wolf

                            Drowning Man

                              The Girl with Braided Hair

                                  Blood Memory

                                    The Silent Spirit

And two non-fiction books:

                    Chief Left Hand (biography and history of the Arapahos.)

                      Goin’ Railroading, a book on railroading in early Colorado for Railroad buffs.

13. How long does it take you to do research on the books you write?

I spend a couple of months doing general reading, then I plunge in and begin the writing, As I go along, I realize the specific things I need to learn about. Then I go and research that. Sometimes that means doing more reading. Other times it means talking to experts.

14. How do you give credit to any research you do?

I always acknowledge the people who help me with my research in the front of the novels.

15. What inspired you to become a writer?

Wonderful stories that my parents read to me with I was a kid. Alice in Wonderland, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, David Copperfield. The list is long.

16. How did you go about getting published?

Followed the advice I gave above. First: Wrote the best book I could. Second: Went looking for an agent. Read books on how to find an agent to conferences to meet them. Then contacted those I thought I would like to work with.

17. Where do you do most of your writing?

In my study. I have a wonderful view of the Rocky Mountains and a beautiful expanse of hillside where all kinds of wild animals might show up, from herds of deer to fox, coyote and even a bear or mountain lion.

18. Are you working on other things, if so what are they?

I write short stories. A collection of my stories will be published in March.

19. What do you enjoy most about your writing?

Absolutely, hands down, the most fun is the writing process itself. Getting lost in the story that is unfolding on the screen in front of me, living with the characters, laughing and crying with them—it’s all wonderful.

20. What is your website address:

http://www.margaretcoel.com/

Well Margaret, I am so delighted to have learned so much about the Arapahos and all of your amazing books. I cannot wait to read the whole series of your Wind River Mysteries.

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda

I thought some of you might be interested in this.  I would love to go to it but at the current time there is no possible way.  Enjoy!!!

Standing Elk/Chief Golden Eagle, Tribal Chief of the Yankton Dakota Sioux. He will be speaking at a conference near Scottsdale, Arizona on September 19th.

The conference information is detailed below.

For additional information or questions, contact:

Marcella Kuna Tenanty

1108 North 84th Place, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257

kuna33@yahoo. com or 602-885-3937 

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _______

Hotel info. HILTON GARDEN INN

7324 E. Indian School Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

480-481-0400

Mention Star Knowledge Conference -Great rate $89.00 per night.

First Star Knowledge Conference in Arizona since 1998!

Standing Elk/Chief Golden Eagle Returns to Phoenix for Fall Equinox!

The Universal & Spiritual Laws of the Universe /

Star Knowledge Conference

Hold this date!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

8:30 am to 6:00 pm (+ optional evening panel 7:00 pm??)

Join us for an inspiring, spiritually- awakened day of teachings with NEW

information coming from the Star Nations. This is a rare opportunity to

hear these respected presenters as they speak candidly about the meaning

of the sacred STAR NATION symbols.

Featured Presenters:

Chief Golden Eagle

Rev. Jean Holmes

Grandmother Marcella Kuna

Dr. J.C. Richer

Grandmother SilverStar

Grandmother Chandra

Location:

Franciscan Renewal Center

5802 E Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Do NOT call the center to register. Please register at 602-885-3937

Registration:

Day program: $99 in advance until 9 /1/09; $111 / door

Optional Evening program: $20 extra (Star Teacher Panel)

RSVP/Lunch: $11 extra

RSVP/Dinner: $13 extra

Your early pre-registration helps our elders with their travel expenditures and is most appreciated!

Registration by check:

Marcella Kuna Tenanty

1108 North 84th Place, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257

kuna33@yahoo. com or 60...

Registration by credit card:

grandmachandra@ gmail.com

More event information:

 http://www.creativewritinganddesign.com/Chief_Golden_Eagle.html

Standing Elk/Chief Golden Eagle/Chief Black Spotted Horse

Golden Eagle is Chief of the Yankton Sioux and is also known as Standing Elk, and Chief

Black Spotted Horse, Dakota Spiritual Advisor and Sundance Chief. Golden Eagle is a member of the Dakota Ihunktowan Band of South Dakota and one of the seven Sundance Chiefs of the Yankton Sioux. Through years of fasting, prayer, and ceremony Chief Golden Eagle, with a group of spiritual teachers, has brought forth interpretations of Star Law. He was guided to share the Laws and interpretations as he felt that these Universal laws will help us through this period called "The Age of Coyote" or the "Age of Aquarius." As Standing Elk, he has co-authored MAKA WICAHPI WICOHAN, The Universal and Spiritual Laws of Creator; ANPAO WICAHPI WICOHAN, The Way of Morning Star; IKTOMI WICAHPI WICOHAN, The Universal and Spiritual Laws of Universal Mother; and CAN WAKAN WICOHAN, The Way of the Sacred Tree.

He also convenes Star Knowledge Conferences to share the Laws and invites the Elders and Spiritual Leaders to share their wisdom and knowledge with the people. Standing Elk has gone through some experiences which brought for a new golden energy. He is one of the original code carriers of Turtle Island. He is also known as Chief Golden Eagle and

Chief Black Spotted Horse of the Sungeska Sapa Tiospaye

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda

Today I am happy to have you here Lyn.  Thanks so much.  We have alot to cover so let's get started.

I'm a free lance writer, newpaper columnist, and third generation rancher whose business card reads, "purveyor of horse sense, nonsense, and occasional wisdom." I was a closet poet until age 50, when I was widowed, went back to school, began my column, and got invited to perform at the national Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko NV. The next year I helped coordinate a local poetry gathering where I met my current husband and a lady who has been a business partner and soulmate ever since. Deb Carpenter-Nolting and I have recorded two CDs of original poetry and music with an historical emphasis. The Heart's Compass is based on diaries of pioneer women, and Leaders and Legends chronicles the lives of characters like Annie Oakley, Sitting Bull, and Clara Brown. We travel for the Nebraska and South Dakota Humanities Councils, presenting these stories, as well as offering programs in schools and writing workshops.

My first poetry book, Downwind From The Smoke, was published in 1994; the second is Ground Tied, which won a Will Rogers Medallion award from the Academy of Western Artists in 2004.

My Sister Mariah is a daybook of short essays relating to lessons gleaned from a lifetime on the land.

I'm currently beginning, Family Matters, mostly memoir, but including stories about people in the community where my grandparents homesteaded and where I have lived all my 70 years, whose lives have shaped me and grounded my values. It may contain both poetry and prose, but who can tell? If I have learned anything at all about writing, it is this: one must let the writing tell you what it wants. And that would be my primary advice for aspiring writers. But what do I know? I am self taught, and self published! Still, I totally believe that after finding one's personal voice, a writer's main responsiblity to him/herself is to hone the craft and be true to that voice. For that reason, I avail myself of all opportunities to learn from other writers, whether local workshops or more formal retreats.

Newer authors whose work I particularly admire are Stanley Gordon West, Kent Meyers, Elizabeth Berg, Barbara Kingslover, and Wallace McRae. But I keep coming back to Robert Frost, Charles Badger Clark, and Ivan Doig, for inspiration, laughter, and healing.

My ideas come from the land, animals, conversations overheard or participated in, a song lyric, a line from something I'm reading; in other words, whatever I take time to pay attention to. Songwriter Andy Wilkinson says if the piece you are writing takes off in a direction you hadn't intended, it simply means you are paying attention. Songwriter Billy Joe Shaver says, "write it so you can pull a string through it," and Wallace McRae says, "write it as short as it will allow itself to be."

Simply put, I have no real advice for writers other than what I steal from my mentors!

As for research, I'm hooked on it! Sometimes I have to force myself to stop and just write, based on what I have gathered. I don't write scholarly pieces, nor many news articles, but for the historical work I gather any material which will give me a sense of the person, and after taking extensive notes, I choose one incident or period in that person's life which seems to show who they really were, and build my poem on that, usually in first person voice.

I queried approximately 60 publishers for My Sister Mariah, and all I got was experience in writing good query letters and a sense of how difficult it is to break into the markets. But it was good experience, and I wouldn't discount any of it. The book is mainly aimed at rural women, and I knew that is a limited market, and that publishers are looking for big sales.

I have worked with a good printer for my self publishing, and the only downside of that is personal expense and having to do your own marketing. And I dislike marketing, so have no advice to offer about that! E publishing may be the wave of the future, but I still like a book I can carry in my hands! Print on demand may be worth investigating, and I will probably look at that in the future.

I have no memory of ever wanting to be anything but a writer and a rancher. My actual experience in both fields has been very different that imagined, but then isn't life always so? I am blessed to have had the best of both worlds. When you love what you do you never really work a day in your life!

Thanks, Melinda, for inviting me along on your journey, it has been a pleasure.

Your welcome Lyn, and thank you for your insight on writing.  Hope to have you back again real soon.  I have a copy of your book "Ground Tied," which I truly enjoyed.

If you are interested in Lyn's books, here is how you can get your hands on them

Book list:

Downwind from the Smoke

Ground Tied

My Sister Mariah

With Deb Carpenter-Nolting

The Heart's Compass book/CD

Leaders and Legends CD

Available by contacting

Lyn Messersmith

4241 269th Trail

Alliance, NE 69301

ezrein@bbcwb.net

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda 

Hello everybody,

Hope the day has been wonderful for you.  I am being interviewed on the Essential Writers Page today.  Please stop by and leave me a comment.

Here is the link:    http://essentialwriters.com/melinda-elmore-3535.htm

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda

Hi Ken, I am so glad you can be here with us today.  Please lets get started on our interview.

1. Tell us something about you and your books

I am a person who has spent his life trying to understand the minds, hearts, and souls of humans  including myself. The avenues I have used have been liberal education, psychology (I have a PhD), religion (I'm an ordained minister.), travel (extensive), living my own life (including a marriage of 41 years and a great adult son), and writing. Not surprisingly my writing deals with personalities and with the questions of faith and religion that these characters must face. My first novel, Widow's Walk, was just released by All Things That Matter Press. It is the story of a woman who decides that it is time to start over, her relationship, and her grown children. Immediately after Widow's Walk was released, the publisher offered me a contract of Memoirs From the Asylum, a powerful novel of mental illness and of the human spirit. There is yet a third completed novel for which I am seeking a publisher. Songs For My Father, an anthology of my work was published by Inkwell Productions in 2002, and a great many of my poems have been published. Recently my first play, Right Number was workshopped to very positive reactions.

2. Are there any new authors who have grasped your attention?

Cormac McCarthy is very important to my development as a writer. Tim O'Brien's, The Things They Carried is also important. I studied with Ron Nash so of course he has my attention.

3. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Write. Then write some more.  Second, relate to your characters and let them help tell their own story. They are more than extensions of your ego.

4. What's your latest book about?

Widow's Walk, which is the novel that I'm hoping folks will buy now, is the story of a middle-aged woman who decides it is time to start her life over. It is also the story of her romance with a great guy and the stories of her two adult children and their attempts to have full lives. The two adult children are both unique. One works in a hospice and is very embittered. The other is a quadriplegic who is neither bitter nor sorry for himself.

Widow's Walk is also a very strong exploration of religion and of faith, which are not necessarily the same things. This is a book that investigates human values.

5. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I must admit that some of my characters are drawn from years of practice as a psychologist and a pastoral counselor. Situations, plot ideas, dilemmas, and emotional concerns: all come out of life as I experience it. However, I should add that once characters and situations have been started into the universe of a novel, they each take on their own unique qualities and dimensions.

6. What promotional ideas can you give to other beginning authors?

The only advice I dare give is don't be ashamed to talk about your work and to ask others to support you. If you are not for yourself, who will be for you?

7. What advice would you give to somebody trying to get a literary agent?

Since I haven't got one and wish I did, I can only say keep trying. I have been told that getting published in literary magazines helps, but getting into them often seems like trying to break into the proverbial Old Boys Network.

8. Are there any thing you would like to say to other aspiring writers?

Inspiration is usually not enough. This is a difficult trade, and perspiration is also very necessary. That means rewriting, deciding to throw away material, and editing. I might write a ten line poem and take three days to do it. When I'm finished I then ask others for their reactions and do some more rewriting if necessary.

9. As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a writer. Family pressures and expectations produced a professional, somebody with the first name of Doctor. Now I'm doing what I always wanted.

10. As a writer and published author how do you feel about e-publishing?

Writers deserve a decent wage for our efforts. I have no problem with any method of reproducing my work as long as I get paid in a reasonable manner. For myself, I like the smell and feel of paper in my hands and the look of a well-designed book cover.

11. What advice would you give to other aspiring authors about getting their work placed with a big publishing company?

Give me a call and tell me how you did it. While All Things That Matter is great to work with and the management has become good friends, I would much prefer to have the cachet of the big house imprint.

12. Please give us a list of all of your books currently available.

Right now only Widow"s Walk.

13. How long does it take you to do research on the books you write?

Since I've been writing fiction it isn't so much an issue. I do sometimes have to do a little digging on a specific. For example, in my next book there is some action in Machu Picchu. I used not only photographs but also some archeological papers to develop the idea I wanted.

14. How do you give credit to any research you do?

In fiction that isn't really necessary. If it were in a specific instance, I would probably resort to a foot note unless I was using a first person narrator who could tell somebody in the story.

15. What inspired you to become a writer?

As a child I read and read and read some more. The world of books became my reality.

16. How did you go about getting published?

I sent out copies to publishers until one gave me a positive response. I must admit

with some pride that once I got off the fantasy of the big houses it didn't take too many letters.

17. What is your novel Widow's Walk about?

Widow's Walk is the story of a middle-aged woman who decides it is time to start her life over. It is also the story of her romance with a great guy and the stories of her two adult children and their attempts to have full lives. The two adult children are both unique. One works in a hospice and is very embittered. The other is a quadriplegic who is neither bitter nor sorry for himself. Widow's Walk is also a very strong exploration of religion and of faith, which are not necessarily the same things. This is a book that investigates human values.

18. Where do you do most of your writing?

I write at my computer and I write in quiet places outside my home. For example, I still go to libraries, and I love to sit in coffeehouses with pen, notebook, and latte.

19. Are you working on other things, if so what are they?

I'm tuning up my next novel, Memoirs From the Asylum. There's another novel that is written but will need some work, Times to Try the Soul of Man. I am just starting a play, one that has me obsessed and helpless for the moment. Then, perhaps a non-fiction.

20. What do you enjoy most about your writing?

That is like asking me what enjoy about breathing. It is the very life-force of my day. I love my wife, son, grandkids, friends; but from writing I obtain sustenance for my brain and nourishment for my soul.

Here is Ken's Links, check them out 

http://widows-walk.webs.com/

http://www.allthingsthatmatterpress.com/buynow.htm

Well Ken your book is a must read.  Again thanks for being here today and hope to have you back in the near future.

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda

I am so happy today to have Carol Ann Didier here on my blog.  Her books are wonderful.  So, Carol lets get started:

1. Tell us something about you and your books

I'm a late bloomer.  I retired from a career in the secretarial/business administration field in 2005, and had never planned on becoming a writer. I never took journalism in school, or special writing classes but I have always been an avid reader. I loved anything that had to do with our American expansion of the west and particularly about our Native Americans, and had always felt our government did not do right by them as they were here first.. I used to say when people would ask me about my interest in Native Americans, that at 12 years old I fell in love with a dead Jewish actor who played a dead Indian. Jeff Chandler captured my young, and imaginative, heart in the movie BROKEN ARROW. After that every term paper and book report I did was on the west. When I grew up, I had the pleasure of visiting some of the places I had written about because I had a friend who was a missionary to the Apaches and Navajos, and I spent many summer vacations with her on the reservation. So, naturally, when I did decide to write, I knew the subject matter would be about the taboo love between a Native American Indian and a white woman as the underlying love story, but it would also contain the historical events happening at that time, the culture and belief of the tribe I wrote about, and the prejudices of that day concerning such a mixed relationship.

2. Are there any new authors who have grasped your attention?

I'm looking forward to reading more your books. But I'm still partial to Karen Kay, Lucia St. Clair Robson, Constance O'Banyon and a few more. I have to think some more on this because I dont think I've picked up many new authors who write in this particular field.

3. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Read. Read. Read. Especially in the genre you hope to write in. See what is being sold in the market place. . .research the publishing houses to see what they are looking for.

4. What's your latest book about?

A Navajo Holy Man who loses his young wife while performing a healing sing for her and is devastated when he cannot save her. Forever haunted by his failure, he determines he will never lose another patient. He plans to devote himself entirely to his tribe and his twins and become the best Holy Man they have ever had. He vows never to love that deeply again either, until he meets the gentle white preachers daughter, and his vow flies away on her lilting laughter and sweet smile. The white girl is captivated by the Holy Man's devotion to his tribe but she has been born with a crippled foot. That turns inward and feels that someone as perfect as he, will never look at someone as imperfect as she. However, when they are thrown tog ether during The Long Walk, they find themselves in need of each other if they are going to survive and have a normal life again.

5. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Well, my APACHE WARRIOR book came out of my love for Cochise in the movie. I knew I would write a story about Apaches, and I guess you could call that the book of my heart. My next tribe was Navajo because I had met so many of them over the years and respected them as a people. While I was doing some background study on them and discovered the tragic period in their history known as the Long Walk (if you aren't familiar with that piece of history, you'll have to get my book) I knew I had to include that in any story I did about them. I can't tell you exactly what triggers it, I may hear of an incident that happened to a particular tribe, or a scene in a movie or something I've read will trigger a new idea. I'm not one that can sit in front of a blank computer screen and start writing. It comes to me, then I go write it down in long hand, then I take it to the computer. I have bits of conversations, a scene, a quote from something or somebody, and then I put them in a new folder entitled whatever he new work is, and then I combine them into a story.

6. What promotional ideas can you give to other beginning authors?

As far as promotional ideas, I use bookmarks with the story on one side, and a blurb and picture of me on the other. I've ordered pencils engraved with my title and my name on them. I make up a flyer to include with any query letters I send out to local libraries, bookstores, ladies groups, the newspaper, etc. Anyone you think might be interested in doing a book signing for you. Then on the day I do a signing, I take along a Indian woven basket and put a bag of chocolates in there for the people to take along with the book marks, and the pencils.

7. What advice would you give to somebody trying to get a literary agent?

There is a book in the library that lists all the literary agents and tells you what they are looking for. You can also go on line and google Literary Agents. If you have a friend who has an agent, ask her if she would ask her agent if she would be willing to read something from you. Finding an agent is almost as hard as finding a publisher. Its just keep at it, and the Guide in the Library will usually tell what the agent is looking for and what they like to represent.

8. Is there any thing you would like to say to other aspiring writers?

Dont give up your dream. Keep at it, improve your craft, joining writers groups in your area, get a critique partner(s), and stay with it. It took me ten years to finally get my book published, but it was certainly worth it. For some, it happens overnight and thats wonderful, but I could paper a desktop with rejection slips before I got picked up. So, dont be discouraged, just keep writing until you get it right.

9. As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?

Marry Cochise, well, no, I really only wanted to be a wife and a mother, not very ambitious, but that was my dream and when ti died, I raised two little boys alone and went back into the business world.

10. As a writer and published author how do you feel about e-publishing?

I think its great. I'm partial to holding a book in my hand, but many of the ladies in my particular writing group are doing the e-publishing venue and are doing very well at it.

11. What advice would you give to other aspiring authors about getting their work placed with a big publishing company?

Try, try, again. You never know when the right editor will pick it up and say, This is just what Ive been looking for! Keep sending our query letters after you have researched a particular publisher and know what they like, but be sure they accept unsolicited offerings because if they do not, it may just go into a slush pile from which it may never rise again, or they will reject it out of hand.

12. Please give us a list of all of your books currently available.

APACHE WARRIOR, Kensingtons Zebra line, debuted April 2008, NAVAJ NIGHT, out September l, 2009, again for Kensington.

13. How long does it take you to do research on the books you write?

 A couple of months. I usually figure out what I need more information on as I write the story, so then I go look up those particular things, culture, beliefs, dress of the period, speech, etc.

14. How do you give credit to any research you do?

So far I haven't had to do that as I dont use information that is not free to the public or available on line, at libraries, etc. You would certainly have to contact the publisher, or writer, etc., about using something before you use it, and then at the end, or in the acknowledgement somewhere give them the credit.

HAPPY READING EVERYONE AND MY BEST WISHES FOR GREAT SUCCESS WITH YOUR CAREERS.

Carol Ann Didier

Historical Releases

Romance Sells Fall '09 Edition 79                                    

Navajo Night

by Carol Ann Didier

Publisher:

Kensington Books,

Zebra HIstorical Romance

ISBN-10: 1-4201-0377-6

ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-0377-9

Price of Book: $5.99

Release Date:

September 1, 2009

Also Written by Author:

Apache Warrior

Hometown:

Palm Bay, Florida

www.carolanndidier.com

Can a Navajo Holy Man with a crippled heart,

heal the white woman with a crippled foot?

JoAnna Lund and her father are risking everything to

settle safely out west and leave their tragic past behind.

As a lone rider blocks their trail, they are prepared for

trouble.

But from the moment JoAnna locks eyes with the tall,

proud Navajo brave, she feels an instantaneous, dangerous

attraction. But she feels someone as perfect as

he, will never look at someone as imperfect as she.

Notah Begay wonders why the young woman and her

father have ventured so deep into his peoples territory.

They look harmless, but he needs to be sure, for trouble

is coming to Dinétah, Navajoland, in the form of

the United States Army in a desperate move to put the

Navajos on a reservation in southern New Mexico.

Forever haunted by his failure to cure his young wife

during a healing sing for her, Notah has sworn never to

love that deeply again. With all his Holy Man training,

he fights his growing desire for the gentle, spirited

JoAnna. At least, until she is threatened, and then nothing

and no manwill prevent him from claiming the

woman who has made him hers forever.

An outstanding romance novel...pure reading pleasure

and hard to put down.   "Affaire de Coeur"

Didier creates likable characters, a romantic setting

and romantic tension.   " Romantic Times"

Thank you Carol Ann for being here today!  Your book "Navajo Night"  is a must read.  I am so partial to your work. 

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda

Knoxville, TN

On the cold night of January 6, 2007 an horrific crime was committed against a beautiful couple in Knoxville TN. On this night Channon Christian (21) and her boyfriend, Chris Newsom (23) were carjacked, then held hostage, tortured and raped, then murdered.

My heart goes out to the parents:

         Deena and Gary Christian-Channon?s Parents Photo Insert

         Mary and Hugh Newsom-Chris?s Parents Photo Insert

To the parents of both wonderful children, I am sure they would say to you:

Dear Mom & Dad,

    We are fine here in heaven. It is so peaceful and calm. We walk hand in hand, sharing our love just like we did on Earth. Please be strong and carry on. We love you and shall always live through you.

                                                                         Our love always,

                                                                         Channon and Chris

Photo Courtesy of WATE News

I want to dedicate this blog to Channon and Chris and to their parents.

The love a parent holds for their child is unconditional so the pain shall remain until they meet again.

I ask everybody to stop for a moment of prayer for Channon, Chris, and their parents.

I want to thank WATE for permitting me to use the photo of Channon and Chris.

 www.wate.com

Walk in peace and harmony, Channon and Chris. You are loved and missed so much from everybody that knew you but you are especially loved and missed by your parents

Melinda

The Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara, CA this year caused these two to take shelter together. The fawn is about 3 days old and the bobcat about 3 weeks.

They immediately bonded and snuggled together under a desk in the Santa Barbara County Dispatch Office for several hours.

Animal Planet is reporting the bobcat kitten was rescued near Arnold Schwarzenegger's ranch, where it was dehydrated and near death.

 http://animal.discovery.com/

They rescued the fawn during the wildfire. Although wild animals, especially of separate species, are never placed together due to regulations, in this emergency situation, they had no choice. During the mayhem of the fire, they were forced to put animals anywhere they could, since they had run out of crates large enough for the fawn. The kitten ran to the fawn, and it was instant bonding.

This just shows how everything is related to one another

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda

MariJo

I am so glad to have you here today.  You have a world of talent.  So, lets get started.

MariJo Moore, of Cherokee, Irish and Dutch ancestry is an author/ artist/ poet/ essayist/ lecturer/ editor/ anthologist/ publisher/ workshop presenter/ psychic/medium.

 Tell us something about you and your books

MariJo Moore of Cherokee/Irish/Dutch descent resides in the mountains of western NC.

Here is a list of books:

Crow Quotes, Desert Quotes, Spirit Voices of Bones, Tree Quotes, Red Woman With Backward Eyes and Other Stories, Confessions of a Madwoman (also on CD), The Diamond Doorknob, and its sequel When the Dead Dream (rENEGADE pLANETS pUBLISHING)

Feeding the Ancient Fires: A Collection of Writings by North Carolina American Indians (editor, Cross Roads Press)

The Ice Man, The First Fire, The Cherokee Little People, (children's books published by Rigby Education)

Bilingual edition (Dutch/English) Woestijnwoorden (Desert Words) translated by Annemarie Sauer, published by Uitgeverij Kramat, Belgium

Genocide of the Mind: New Writings by Native Americans (editor, Nations Books/Thunders Mouth Press NYC)

Eating Fire, Tasting Blood: Breaking the Great Silence of the American Indian Holocaust (editor, Thunders Mouth Press NYC),

Birthed From Scorched Hearts: Women Respond to War (editor, Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, CO).

 

Today I have Mary Connealy blogging about her upcoming book.  She is one of the fillies from the Petticoats and Pistols Blog.

I am thrilled she is here today, so Mary tell us about your book.

No holiday seems to have the same capacity for joy as Christmas.

That?s why I was so excited when Barbour Publishing let me write Cowboy Christmas.

Christmas stories, done right, have a richness that doesn?t come from things. And in the materialist world we live in, to touch that chord of the true meaning of Christmas can be tremendously powerful and fun all at the same time.

I think the reason I love stories like this is because I get as caught up in the commercial whirl as anyone and try hard to remember what it?s really all about. A baby in a manger. God becoming man. The birth that leads to the ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate act of love on the cross.

All great Christmas stories transcend materialism and reveal the true meaning of Christmas. Even non-Christian stories do this with a focus on family or peace but no where is it done better than in a Christian setting and I hope so much that I managed it in Cowboy Christmas.

I wanted a chance to do that with a Christmas book.

I wanted a character who?s heart grew three sizes that day.

I wanted a tiny voice saying, ?God bless us everyone.?

I wanted that moment when we all hope we?d be wise enough to abandon our sheep to the wolves and follow a star to where the Christ child lay.

I know, I know, it?s 100 degrees outside. Doesn?t matter, like everything else about Christmas, things start early and my book is releasing in September. So I?m talking about it now.

Cowboy Christmas

A beautiful songstress hiding from danger.

A wounded hearted cowboy who hates secrets.

An evil man obsessed with the wealth he can garner with that stunning voice.

The Rockies in the brutal cold of winter.

A family who takes in a damsel in distress regardless of their suspicions.

And one perfect chance for a man and woman to follow a star that will lead them to true love.

Cowboy Christmas

Leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas tradition ? yes, in this heat! Just do it! That will get your name in the drawing for a signed copy of Cowboy Christmas.

And God Bless Us Everyone.

Mary thanks for being here today.  

Visit Mary's other links:

http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com

http://www.maryconnealy.com

http://www.mconnealy.blogspot.com

http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda