Hi all,
I just wanted to let you know "Kindertransport" will be released by The Wild Rose Press on the seventh of August.
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/kindertransport-p-3543.html Paste this link to the address bar to find it.
An excerpt:
I filled a syringe with morphine.Could innocent blood ever be washed away?
Would my hands ever be clean again if I continued on this course?
The gas would make them choke, gasping for breath as life was strangled to nothingness. Morphine would make them euphoric, and an overdose would put them to sleep, peacefully, with no pain. A sleep from which they would not awake, but they would be safe from the evil that awaited them otherwise.
I filled the second syringe. I thought of each child as I punctured the rubber stopper, the needle sucking up the lethal fluid filling the tube. Little Wilhelm. My treasured leader of the pack. The braces on his legs never stopped his imagination from soaring.
Lara. An artist’s soul expressed with the one good hand she had. Art reflective of the beauty living in her heart. The twins. Isn’t intelligence measured with creativity? I would sorely miss their energy.
My hand slipped., and the needle grazed the knuckle of my thumb. I swore and bit my lip. Perfect. I’ll kill myself before I get a chance to euthanize my children. Then, after I enter Heaven’s gate, if He lets me inside them, God can tell me I am an idiot and a murderer.
I rubbed my shoulders. They hunched with an invisible weight that made my back ache.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Author Interview:
First off, sorry I'm late posting this interview. Unfortunately, I was hospitalized with an illness and just was discharged yesterday. I've slowly getting better but today's the first day I've been on my feet.
ON to the interview:
I had the pleasure of interviewing fellow writer, Donna Marie Rogers, Author of 'Meant to Be'.
Debbie: Hi. Thanks for stopping by to answer a few questions. Can you tell us a little about your latest release?
Donna: Hi Deborah, thanks for having me! I would love to. Meant To Be is the sequel to There’s Only Been You and features Sara’s brother, Garrett Jamison. Garrett is a big moody cop (maybe crabby is a better word...LOL) with a heart of gold. He’s been careful not to become involved with anyone because of his familial duties. But his sexy new neighbor inspires feelings of hearth and home, taking Garrett completely by surprise considering their instant dislike of each other. Here is the blurb:
She's running from her past, he's unsure about his future. Maybe together they can figure out what was Meant To Be.Officer Garrett Jamison is at the lowest point in his life. He's lost faith in his ability as a police officer after unwittingly setting his sister up with a dirty cop. Garrett ended up getting shot, and his sister's son kidnapped right out of his own bed. He takes a leave from the force, in need of some time to make a decision about his future. Too bad he can't get a decent night's sleep thanks to his sexy new neighbor and her howling cat. Jessica McGovern moves halfway across the country to start a new life in Green Bay, Wisconsin after her ex-husband is convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their young son. Her new neighbor is as infuriating as he is handsome, but when her ex is released from prison early and shows up in town, Jessica discovers she's never needed anyone more.
Debbie: Sounds interesting. What or who inspired you to write it?
She's running from her past, he's unsure about his future. Maybe together they can figure out what was Meant To Be.Officer Garrett Jamison is at the lowest point in his life. He's lost faith in his ability as a police officer after unwittingly setting his sister up with a dirty cop. Garrett ended up getting shot, and his sister's son kidnapped right out of his own bed. He takes a leave from the force, in need of some time to make a decision about his future. Too bad he can't get a decent night's sleep thanks to his sexy new neighbor and her howling cat. Jessica McGovern moves halfway across the country to start a new life in Green Bay, Wisconsin after her ex-husband is convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their young son. Her new neighbor is as infuriating as he is handsome, but when her ex is released from prison early and shows up in town, Jessica discovers she's never needed anyone more.
Debbie: Sounds interesting. What or who inspired you to write it?
Donna: I knew before I’d finished the first draft of There’s Only Been You that I’d have to write Garrett his own happily-ever-after. He certainly deserved one after putting his own life on hold to take care of his family. I hope everyone enjoys his story. J
Debbie: How long have you been writing, and did you know at a young age you wanted to be an author?
Donna: I can’t say I wanted to be a writer when I was younger, although I was crazy for comic books and Mad magazines when I was a kid, and I distinctly remember trying to write my own Richie Rich comic...LOL. I have a box in my closet of the few copies I managed to save. J
I actually caught the writing bug about 15 years ago. I was a huge romance junkie, and decided one day to give writing my own novel a try. A stack of partially written stories later, I realized writing an entire novel was a whole lot harder than I’d thought, became discouraged and gave up. I started writing with serious intent to publish in early 2004, and eight months later I had a first draft of There’s Only Been You finished.
I actually caught the writing bug about 15 years ago. I was a huge romance junkie, and decided one day to give writing my own novel a try. A stack of partially written stories later, I realized writing an entire novel was a whole lot harder than I’d thought, became discouraged and gave up. I started writing with serious intent to publish in early 2004, and eight months later I had a first draft of There’s Only Been You finished.
Debbie: Do you have a special place in your home where you like to write? If so, what does it look like?
Donna: I have my desk set up in my bedroom with the TV mounted on the wall at the perfect angle. I can turn in my chair & prop my feet on the bed to watch TV, then spin around when inspiration strikes. LOL
Debbie: Okay, it’s time for a list of your favorites.
A. Color Blue
B. Number 5
C. Food I love BBQ chciken & ribs, grilled steak, Mexican, Chinese...
D. Drink Iced Tea. I drink it by the gallon, I swear...LOL
E. Music Rock! Classic, Hard, Metal. J
F. Author Lori Foster, J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, Jane Ann Krentz...I can’t decide!
G. Actor/Actress Lately, it’s Ryan Reynolds & Harry Connick Jr.; used to love Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson, Patrick Swayze, John Travolta. Actresses...hmm...well, I’ve always loved Goldie Hawn, and her daughter, Kate Hudson. Anne Hathaway has been growing on me. I’ve always loved Meryl Streep, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer.
H. Movie As far as all-time faves, Arthur (Dudley Moore), Easy Money, Back To School (love Rodney...LOL), Goodfellas, 48 Hours, Scarface. I just saw Gran Torino the other day, and it was excellent. Plus, I’m a huge horror movie fan, and The Changeling (George C. Scott) is my all-time fave scary movie. I loved The Ring, too. Oh, crap, was I supposed to only pick one of each? LOL
Debbie: If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one person there with you, who would it be, and why?
Donna: I have my desk set up in my bedroom with the TV mounted on the wall at the perfect angle. I can turn in my chair & prop my feet on the bed to watch TV, then spin around when inspiration strikes. LOL
Debbie: Okay, it’s time for a list of your favorites.
A. Color Blue
B. Number 5
C. Food I love BBQ chciken & ribs, grilled steak, Mexican, Chinese...
D. Drink Iced Tea. I drink it by the gallon, I swear...LOL
E. Music Rock! Classic, Hard, Metal. J
F. Author Lori Foster, J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, Jane Ann Krentz...I can’t decide!
G. Actor/Actress Lately, it’s Ryan Reynolds & Harry Connick Jr.; used to love Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson, Patrick Swayze, John Travolta. Actresses...hmm...well, I’ve always loved Goldie Hawn, and her daughter, Kate Hudson. Anne Hathaway has been growing on me. I’ve always loved Meryl Streep, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer.
H. Movie As far as all-time faves, Arthur (Dudley Moore), Easy Money, Back To School (love Rodney...LOL), Goodfellas, 48 Hours, Scarface. I just saw Gran Torino the other day, and it was excellent. Plus, I’m a huge horror movie fan, and The Changeling (George C. Scott) is my all-time fave scary movie. I loved The Ring, too. Oh, crap, was I supposed to only pick one of each? LOL
Debbie: If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one person there with you, who would it be, and why?
Donna: Okay, just going completely with the fantasy and not thinking about my husband and kids (LOL), I’d have actor Mark Lawson and pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. *sigh*
Debbie: What advice would you give someone just starting out in this business?
Donna: Take the time to learn your craft, enter a few contests for feedback, but always trust your gut. And never give up. If you’re serious about publishing, then never give up your dream. J
Debbie: And last but not least, is there anything else you would like to tell your readers? Perhaps something that no one would guess about you?
Donna: I cry at the drop of a hat. Commericals, sad news stories, happy news stories...*grin* A good singing performance, an amazing dance routine (yeah, I watch a lot of reality TV...LOL). Ever since I got pregnant with my oldest daughter, I’ve turned into a blubbering fool. And sometimes, it’s quite embarrassing! LOL
Again, thank you for stopping by. It has been a pleasure talking with you and I really enjoyed it. Take care.
Thank you so much for having me, Deborah! And thank you to everyone for stopping by! Please leave a comment about anything you’d like to, and I’ll draw a winner for a download of my new release, Meant To Be. J
Debbie: What advice would you give someone just starting out in this business?
Donna: Take the time to learn your craft, enter a few contests for feedback, but always trust your gut. And never give up. If you’re serious about publishing, then never give up your dream. J
Debbie: And last but not least, is there anything else you would like to tell your readers? Perhaps something that no one would guess about you?
Donna: I cry at the drop of a hat. Commericals, sad news stories, happy news stories...*grin* A good singing performance, an amazing dance routine (yeah, I watch a lot of reality TV...LOL). Ever since I got pregnant with my oldest daughter, I’ve turned into a blubbering fool. And sometimes, it’s quite embarrassing! LOL
Again, thank you for stopping by. It has been a pleasure talking with you and I really enjoyed it. Take care.
Thank you so much for having me, Deborah! And thank you to everyone for stopping by! Please leave a comment about anything you’d like to, and I’ll draw a winner for a download of my new release, Meant To Be. J
EXCERPT:
Excerpt: (I’m posting two excerpts, please use the one you prefer J)
1#
"Come here, Miss Crabbypants."
Jessica resisted, but it was no use. The big oaf outweighed her by a ton. "Look, I just want to finish my tea and relax. Today's my last day off for almost two weeks."
He leaned back and frowned down at her. "Why are you working so many hours?"
She rolled her eyes. "Um, I have bills to pay...?"
His gaze became pensive as he massaged the back of her neck. Slowly, she relaxed until she was leaning into his broad chest, eyes closed, inhaling his spicy masculine scent. He always smelled so good...Damn, the man was a magician; she'd already forgotten why she was mad at him...Wait, oh yeah. "So what's with all that hammering?"
"We're building a doghouse."
His busy fingers moved to her shoulders wringing a groan of ecstasy from her. Oh, God, was she drooling on his shirt? Then his words registered. Jessica leaned back and swiped her mouth with the back of her wrist. "A doghouse? But you don't have a dog...do you?"
"No, but Ethan's been begging for a puppy for a couple years now. I guess he finally wore Sara down. And Mike's still in the ‘buy-Ethan-anything-he-wants' phase." Garrett glanced down at his T-shirt and chuckled. He reached out and recaptured the back of her neck. "Liked that, did you? You do seem a little tense—"
"Oh, no you don't." She ducked out of his reach and took a few steps back. He started to follow but she held up both hands. "You stay right where you are."
He propped his hands on his hips. "So do I have a date tonight or what?"
"Or what."
He grinned. "Wear something sexy," he said with a wink before strolling out the back door. The jackass even had the nerve to whistle.
Jessica walked over and slammed the door with a muttered, "Nutjob." Then she headed into the bedroom to search through her closet.
2#
Standing there in nothing but a pair of black gym shorts, he was too hot for words. Damn him.
"So what can I do for you?" He leaned negligently against the doorframe, an almost pleasant smile curving his lips.
"I'm here to see Nick. Is he home?"
The smile disappeared. He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest, which made those huge biceps bulge even more. Jessica realized for the first time he had a tattoo. Huh. She wouldn't have thought him the type. Frankly, she thought tattoos were sexy, if they weren't garish, which his wasn't. It looked to be some sort of Chinese symbols.
Probably means `He-with-head-too-big-for-hat.'
"You're barking up the wrong tree there, honey. Nicky's married to his computer."
"Not that it's any of your business, but that's exactly why I'm here. I'm having trouble with my online service and was hoping he could help." Now why did she feel the urge to explain herself? Double damn him.
He looked her up and down in an insultingly blatant manner. "I know a thing or two about computers."
"No kidding? Great, next time I need help surfing the porno sites, you'll be the first one I call."
His eyes went cold. "You think I'm just some big, dumb Neanderthal, don't you?"
Jessica gave him the same insulting once over he'd given her. "If the leopard toga fits..."
"I happen to have a BS in Computer Science."
Hands on hips, jaw working furiously, he looked so offended Jessica was hard-pressed not to laugh. "I don't understand. You could be making a lot more money in computers than you are as a cop. And you wouldn't be putting your life in danger on a daily basis." She glanced meaningfully at the scarred flesh visible just above the waistband of his shorts.
"This didn't happen in the line of duty. Besides, I love being a cop."
He said it as if she should've instinctually known it. Jessica sighed. Garrett Jamison was turning out to be much deeper than she'd imagined. "It's a noble profession. It's also a very dangerous one."
"True enough. But it's not as if I have a family who's dependent on me."
She reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "What about your uncle, or your sister and brothers? Or your nephew? I'm sure they'd all be devastated if something happened to you."
"What about you?"
His voice had taken on a deep, sexy timbre that turned Jessica's knees to mush. Garrett Jamison was entirely too gorgeous for his own good--or for hers. "What about me?"
Before she knew what he was about, he reached out and cupped the side of her face, tracing his thumb over her cheekbone. "Would you miss me if something happened?"
"What a thing to ask," she breathed, her gaze centered on his full lips. "I barely know you." Was he going to kiss her? Right there where any of the neighbors could see? Not that she'd mind...
"Uncle Garrett, the game's set up. Can we order pizza now?"
Garrett snatched back his hand, and Jessica's gaze dropped to the little boy leaning possessively against his leg.
Was it her imagination, or was the little stinker glaring daggers at her?
"Hi, Ethan, my name is Jessica."
"I know."
Nope, not her imagination. In fact, the scowl on his face was downright hostile. Now what in the world had she done to warrant such disfavor?
"Ethan, you watch your manners," Garrett growled.
"Yes, sir."
He cast her one last mutinous scowl, then turned and ran back into the house. Jessica had to resist the urge to laugh. She wouldn't take his behavior personally. The boy obviously adored his uncle and didn't care to share him. Another fascinating layer of Garrett Jamison--loving uncle.
"Sorry about that. Ethan's a good kid. I'm not sure what got into him."
"My guess would be old-fashioned jealousy. You two apparently have plans for the evening, and when he saw us...talking, his young mind assumed I was trying to lure you away."
A frown creased his forehead. "I don't know. Ethan knows I'd never abandon him. For anyone."
Ouch, point taken. She shrugged. "You know him better than I do. I'm just telling you what I saw. Well, this has been fun, but I need to get back. Mr. Louie doesn't like to watch TV alone."
Garrett chuckled. "Give His Highness a scratch behind the ears for me."
"What? Just this afternoon you suggested I have him euthanized."
"Good Lord, woman, can't you take a joke?" Garrett winked at her, then stepped back and closed the door.
Jessica shook her head. The man was crazy, no doubt about it. He was also so handsome it should be a crime. With a sigh of frustration, she headed back home to watch Wheel of Fortune.
* * *
1#
"Come here, Miss Crabbypants."
Jessica resisted, but it was no use. The big oaf outweighed her by a ton. "Look, I just want to finish my tea and relax. Today's my last day off for almost two weeks."
He leaned back and frowned down at her. "Why are you working so many hours?"
She rolled her eyes. "Um, I have bills to pay...?"
His gaze became pensive as he massaged the back of her neck. Slowly, she relaxed until she was leaning into his broad chest, eyes closed, inhaling his spicy masculine scent. He always smelled so good...Damn, the man was a magician; she'd already forgotten why she was mad at him...Wait, oh yeah. "So what's with all that hammering?"
"We're building a doghouse."
His busy fingers moved to her shoulders wringing a groan of ecstasy from her. Oh, God, was she drooling on his shirt? Then his words registered. Jessica leaned back and swiped her mouth with the back of her wrist. "A doghouse? But you don't have a dog...do you?"
"No, but Ethan's been begging for a puppy for a couple years now. I guess he finally wore Sara down. And Mike's still in the ‘buy-Ethan-anything-he-wants' phase." Garrett glanced down at his T-shirt and chuckled. He reached out and recaptured the back of her neck. "Liked that, did you? You do seem a little tense—"
"Oh, no you don't." She ducked out of his reach and took a few steps back. He started to follow but she held up both hands. "You stay right where you are."
He propped his hands on his hips. "So do I have a date tonight or what?"
"Or what."
He grinned. "Wear something sexy," he said with a wink before strolling out the back door. The jackass even had the nerve to whistle.
Jessica walked over and slammed the door with a muttered, "Nutjob." Then she headed into the bedroom to search through her closet.
2#
Standing there in nothing but a pair of black gym shorts, he was too hot for words. Damn him.
"So what can I do for you?" He leaned negligently against the doorframe, an almost pleasant smile curving his lips.
"I'm here to see Nick. Is he home?"
The smile disappeared. He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest, which made those huge biceps bulge even more. Jessica realized for the first time he had a tattoo. Huh. She wouldn't have thought him the type. Frankly, she thought tattoos were sexy, if they weren't garish, which his wasn't. It looked to be some sort of Chinese symbols.
Probably means `He-with-head-too-big-for-hat.'
"You're barking up the wrong tree there, honey. Nicky's married to his computer."
"Not that it's any of your business, but that's exactly why I'm here. I'm having trouble with my online service and was hoping he could help." Now why did she feel the urge to explain herself? Double damn him.
He looked her up and down in an insultingly blatant manner. "I know a thing or two about computers."
"No kidding? Great, next time I need help surfing the porno sites, you'll be the first one I call."
His eyes went cold. "You think I'm just some big, dumb Neanderthal, don't you?"
Jessica gave him the same insulting once over he'd given her. "If the leopard toga fits..."
"I happen to have a BS in Computer Science."
Hands on hips, jaw working furiously, he looked so offended Jessica was hard-pressed not to laugh. "I don't understand. You could be making a lot more money in computers than you are as a cop. And you wouldn't be putting your life in danger on a daily basis." She glanced meaningfully at the scarred flesh visible just above the waistband of his shorts.
"This didn't happen in the line of duty. Besides, I love being a cop."
He said it as if she should've instinctually known it. Jessica sighed. Garrett Jamison was turning out to be much deeper than she'd imagined. "It's a noble profession. It's also a very dangerous one."
"True enough. But it's not as if I have a family who's dependent on me."
She reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "What about your uncle, or your sister and brothers? Or your nephew? I'm sure they'd all be devastated if something happened to you."
"What about you?"
His voice had taken on a deep, sexy timbre that turned Jessica's knees to mush. Garrett Jamison was entirely too gorgeous for his own good--or for hers. "What about me?"
Before she knew what he was about, he reached out and cupped the side of her face, tracing his thumb over her cheekbone. "Would you miss me if something happened?"
"What a thing to ask," she breathed, her gaze centered on his full lips. "I barely know you." Was he going to kiss her? Right there where any of the neighbors could see? Not that she'd mind...
"Uncle Garrett, the game's set up. Can we order pizza now?"
Garrett snatched back his hand, and Jessica's gaze dropped to the little boy leaning possessively against his leg.
Was it her imagination, or was the little stinker glaring daggers at her?
"Hi, Ethan, my name is Jessica."
"I know."
Nope, not her imagination. In fact, the scowl on his face was downright hostile. Now what in the world had she done to warrant such disfavor?
"Ethan, you watch your manners," Garrett growled.
"Yes, sir."
He cast her one last mutinous scowl, then turned and ran back into the house. Jessica had to resist the urge to laugh. She wouldn't take his behavior personally. The boy obviously adored his uncle and didn't care to share him. Another fascinating layer of Garrett Jamison--loving uncle.
"Sorry about that. Ethan's a good kid. I'm not sure what got into him."
"My guess would be old-fashioned jealousy. You two apparently have plans for the evening, and when he saw us...talking, his young mind assumed I was trying to lure you away."
A frown creased his forehead. "I don't know. Ethan knows I'd never abandon him. For anyone."
Ouch, point taken. She shrugged. "You know him better than I do. I'm just telling you what I saw. Well, this has been fun, but I need to get back. Mr. Louie doesn't like to watch TV alone."
Garrett chuckled. "Give His Highness a scratch behind the ears for me."
"What? Just this afternoon you suggested I have him euthanized."
"Good Lord, woman, can't you take a joke?" Garrett winked at her, then stepped back and closed the door.
Jessica shook her head. The man was crazy, no doubt about it. He was also so handsome it should be a crime. With a sigh of frustration, she headed back home to watch Wheel of Fortune.
* * *
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Author Interview:
'Choices Meant For Gods'.
Not even the gods noticed when Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now she and her wizard guardian seek shelter from a mad sorcerer in a household not just full of secrets and false hope, but watched by the god who will unwittingly reveal her role in an impending war.
When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?
When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?
Blurb:
This is a romantic scene as Nigel Taiman and Amanda Chariss ride from the estate at Arcana to Arcana City. Her wizard guardian has already clued her in to the fact that Nigel wants to court her, and she's upset over it. The scene mentions the bear-like ryfel creature that nearly killed Nigel in the training arena...Nigel frowned at her. Spurring his horse slightly, he reached out to take hold of Shadow’s bridle. Bringing them both to a stop, he turned in the saddle to face her.
“Hey!” she objected.
“Indeed. Have I done something to anger you?”
Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.
“’Manda?”
“You’re staring at me.”
“By the gods, Woman. All right, I’ll look at your horse. ’Manda,” he said to Shadow, “what have I done that’s made you angry?”
“I’m not angry.”
“You’re not a liar,” he spoke to Chariss again.
“All right, so I’m a little angry. It will pass.”
“And you don’t want to tell me what it is?”
She couldn’t blame her reticence today on worry over Drake. She also couldn’t blame her health because she’d completely recovered from her telabyrinth poisoning. With Hrazon and The Master attending the summer festival, she couldn’t blame some sort of timidity at being ‘alone’ in the city. No, she had to take a deep breath and be honest with him. Considering the number of suitors she’d sent packing in the past few years, this should have been an easy thing to do again. It wasn’t. She sighed, closing her eyes as if she could make the scene disappear.
“Do you agree that you’re my friend?” she finally asked.
He watched her open her eyes then, realizing where the conversation must be going.
“Yes.” It was said with exasperation.
“And that I’m your friend?”
“Yes.”
“And does that please you?”
He sighed, but didn’t get a chance to answer.
“You see, Nigel, it pleases me. I appreciate your kindness, and I would be disappointed if we hadn’t built such a…such a…”
“Friendship?” he retorted.
“Such a rapport.”
He rolled his eyes. “A fancier word with even less affection.”
“My stay at Arcana is much more pleasant because I have this relationship with you. But someone has tried to convince me that your…your…”
“Feelings?”
“Well…your…”
“Intentions?”
“Well…your opinion of our relationship might be somewhat different from mine.”
“’Manda, just say what you’re thinking. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
She looked miserable then. “I don’t want to say what I’m thinking.”
“Good!”
“No, that’s not good. Hrazon thinks you’re…Hrazon believes you spend time with me because…” She paused, searching for the words.
“Because I’m in love with you?”
She nearly fell backward. “Just blurt it out!”
He chuckled slightly. “This is uncomfortable, isn’t it? I’m sorry to embarrass you. This conversation would be better in a darkened corner of Arcana’s parlor. ’Manda, I’m not going to lie to you. Hrazon has every reason to believe I’m after his ward because I am. It’s no secret to anyone I enjoy your company. What, where are you…You’re the only woman I know who can scoot that far away on a saddle without falling off.”
“I don’t think you should say those things.”
“Aye,” he sighed, watching her fidget with Shadow’s reins. But he made a decision to press the matter. “I’m going to say them and get them out in the open. Then we can decide if you’re to die of embarrassment, or slap me across the face.”
She couldn’t help smiling, even though her heart beat as if it would burst through her bodice from the tension she felt.
“I enjoy being with you because you’re my perfect match,” he said. “Have you noticed that we agree on almost everything? And the few things we don’t agree on are intriguing to argue because you make them intriguing. There’s no one at that entire estate, The Master and every intelligent student combined, who can hold my attention as you do. None of them compare.
“I’m attracted to everything about you, including your compassion. Even now, when you’re on the verge of falling off a horse with embarrassment, your concern is for my feelings, not your own. Godric, who doesn’t deserve to wash your feet, who finds every excuse to correct you, gets your respect because you remind yourself that he’s your benefactor. Do you know what strength of character that shows? Do you know how it endears you to me to know you bite your tongue after his arrogant remarks to save my mother’s feelings?”
She merely nodded, her eyes cast down.
“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you would fight to the death for little Kaylin?”
She nodded again.
“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you instinctively threw yourself into healing spells to save my life?”
“You shouldn’t assume that means—”
“I remember sliding toward death that night, life spilling out of me, and poison seeping into me from that thing’s claws. But do you know what I remember most distinctly? I remember you commanding me not to bleed to death…and I remember your hands afterward. Once I was healed, once Master Rothahn became preoccupied with the dead ryfel, you crawled over to me and put your hands on me again, as if you had to be sure He’d done a good enough job of healing me. But you would’ve done it for any member of my family. I daresay you would’ve done it for any student in the school. And it’s because you care about others, and you want the best for everyone around you. And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
The last comment caught her off guard. It didn’t seem to fit with the logical argument he tried to make.
“I fail to see how these things tell you you’re in love. Kaylin enjoys my company. Mia enjoys arguing with me. I saved Sorne’s life once. Does this mean they’re in love with me?”
“If love could be explained that easily, it wouldn’t be real.”
“But what makes you think it’s real now? If you can’t explain your feelings, how do you know you’re not misled?”
“How does the rose know to bloom in spring?”
“Oh, now that talk I’ve heard before. I didn’t believe it then, and I don’t think you should let yourself believe it now.”
“’Manda, I’m telling you the truth and I’m telling you what I know. If I’ve made you angry by falling in love with you, you’re just going to have to deal with it. Because you’re not currently interested in me, you have to give me time to change your mind.”
They were silent then; he waited for some sign that she wasn’t going to cast him aside, she waited for her heart to stop beating so loudly in her ears. As far as she was concerned, she was often a foolish girl, but her intentions at the beginning of this conversation were foolish beyond compare. She realized—with alarm—that the blood rushing through her veins, the lightheadedness, the excitement at getting to spend an afternoon with him, were all signs she had chosen to ignore.
She swallowed hard against the fear in her throat, and, with as much calm as she could muster, said: “What gives you the idea that I’m not interested in you?”
“Hey!” she objected.
“Indeed. Have I done something to anger you?”
Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.
“’Manda?”
“You’re staring at me.”
“By the gods, Woman. All right, I’ll look at your horse. ’Manda,” he said to Shadow, “what have I done that’s made you angry?”
“I’m not angry.”
“You’re not a liar,” he spoke to Chariss again.
“All right, so I’m a little angry. It will pass.”
“And you don’t want to tell me what it is?”
She couldn’t blame her reticence today on worry over Drake. She also couldn’t blame her health because she’d completely recovered from her telabyrinth poisoning. With Hrazon and The Master attending the summer festival, she couldn’t blame some sort of timidity at being ‘alone’ in the city. No, she had to take a deep breath and be honest with him. Considering the number of suitors she’d sent packing in the past few years, this should have been an easy thing to do again. It wasn’t. She sighed, closing her eyes as if she could make the scene disappear.
“Do you agree that you’re my friend?” she finally asked.
He watched her open her eyes then, realizing where the conversation must be going.
“Yes.” It was said with exasperation.
“And that I’m your friend?”
“Yes.”
“And does that please you?”
He sighed, but didn’t get a chance to answer.
“You see, Nigel, it pleases me. I appreciate your kindness, and I would be disappointed if we hadn’t built such a…such a…”
“Friendship?” he retorted.
“Such a rapport.”
He rolled his eyes. “A fancier word with even less affection.”
“My stay at Arcana is much more pleasant because I have this relationship with you. But someone has tried to convince me that your…your…”
“Feelings?”
“Well…your…”
“Intentions?”
“Well…your opinion of our relationship might be somewhat different from mine.”
“’Manda, just say what you’re thinking. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
She looked miserable then. “I don’t want to say what I’m thinking.”
“Good!”
“No, that’s not good. Hrazon thinks you’re…Hrazon believes you spend time with me because…” She paused, searching for the words.
“Because I’m in love with you?”
She nearly fell backward. “Just blurt it out!”
He chuckled slightly. “This is uncomfortable, isn’t it? I’m sorry to embarrass you. This conversation would be better in a darkened corner of Arcana’s parlor. ’Manda, I’m not going to lie to you. Hrazon has every reason to believe I’m after his ward because I am. It’s no secret to anyone I enjoy your company. What, where are you…You’re the only woman I know who can scoot that far away on a saddle without falling off.”
“I don’t think you should say those things.”
“Aye,” he sighed, watching her fidget with Shadow’s reins. But he made a decision to press the matter. “I’m going to say them and get them out in the open. Then we can decide if you’re to die of embarrassment, or slap me across the face.”
She couldn’t help smiling, even though her heart beat as if it would burst through her bodice from the tension she felt.
“I enjoy being with you because you’re my perfect match,” he said. “Have you noticed that we agree on almost everything? And the few things we don’t agree on are intriguing to argue because you make them intriguing. There’s no one at that entire estate, The Master and every intelligent student combined, who can hold my attention as you do. None of them compare.
“I’m attracted to everything about you, including your compassion. Even now, when you’re on the verge of falling off a horse with embarrassment, your concern is for my feelings, not your own. Godric, who doesn’t deserve to wash your feet, who finds every excuse to correct you, gets your respect because you remind yourself that he’s your benefactor. Do you know what strength of character that shows? Do you know how it endears you to me to know you bite your tongue after his arrogant remarks to save my mother’s feelings?”
She merely nodded, her eyes cast down.
“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you would fight to the death for little Kaylin?”
She nodded again.
“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you instinctively threw yourself into healing spells to save my life?”
“You shouldn’t assume that means—”
“I remember sliding toward death that night, life spilling out of me, and poison seeping into me from that thing’s claws. But do you know what I remember most distinctly? I remember you commanding me not to bleed to death…and I remember your hands afterward. Once I was healed, once Master Rothahn became preoccupied with the dead ryfel, you crawled over to me and put your hands on me again, as if you had to be sure He’d done a good enough job of healing me. But you would’ve done it for any member of my family. I daresay you would’ve done it for any student in the school. And it’s because you care about others, and you want the best for everyone around you. And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
The last comment caught her off guard. It didn’t seem to fit with the logical argument he tried to make.
“I fail to see how these things tell you you’re in love. Kaylin enjoys my company. Mia enjoys arguing with me. I saved Sorne’s life once. Does this mean they’re in love with me?”
“If love could be explained that easily, it wouldn’t be real.”
“But what makes you think it’s real now? If you can’t explain your feelings, how do you know you’re not misled?”
“How does the rose know to bloom in spring?”
“Oh, now that talk I’ve heard before. I didn’t believe it then, and I don’t think you should let yourself believe it now.”
“’Manda, I’m telling you the truth and I’m telling you what I know. If I’ve made you angry by falling in love with you, you’re just going to have to deal with it. Because you’re not currently interested in me, you have to give me time to change your mind.”
They were silent then; he waited for some sign that she wasn’t going to cast him aside, she waited for her heart to stop beating so loudly in her ears. As far as she was concerned, she was often a foolish girl, but her intentions at the beginning of this conversation were foolish beyond compare. She realized—with alarm—that the blood rushing through her veins, the lightheadedness, the excitement at getting to spend an afternoon with him, were all signs she had chosen to ignore.
She swallowed hard against the fear in her throat, and, with as much calm as she could muster, said: “What gives you the idea that I’m not interested in you?”
My interview with Fantasy Author Sandy Lender:
Deborah Panger: Hi, Sandy. Thanks for stopping by to answer a few questions. Can you tell us a little about your latest release?
Deborah Panger: Hi, Sandy. Thanks for stopping by to answer a few questions. Can you tell us a little about your latest release?
Sandy Lender: Hi there, Deborah! Thanks for inviting me here today. My latest release is actually a chapbook called What Choices We Made that supports the fantasy novel I’m touring this month: CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS. This novel is the first in a series and it is my dream come true. It’s the story of an orphan who’s been running from a madman all her life. When she finally stops running and stands up for herself, she discovers how important she is to her society. It’s quite the Girl Power sort of story!
Here’s the “official” blurb:
Not even the gods noticed when Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now she and her wizard guardian seek shelter from a mad sorcerer in a household not just full of secrets and false hope, but watched by the god who will unwittingly reveal her role in an impending war. When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?
Deborah Panger: Sounds interesting. What or who inspired you to write it?
Sandy Lender: The inspiration actually started with the bad guy. Jamieson Drake, the evil sorcerer who kills my heroine’s family, showed me Chariss. I fell in love with her instantly…not realizing he was in love with her, too. Duh. So I guess, in a sick and twisted sort of way, I have Drake to thank for the original inspiration. But my lovely Chariss took it from there. When a character as compelling as she is gets in a writer’s head, you can’t stop working on her story. It’s measured insanity until you get it all out.
Deborah Panger: How long have you been writing, and did you know at a young age you wanted to be an author?
Sandy Lender: This is funny because I used to write books starting with the front cover, then a title page, then a table of contents (complete with page numbers for the chapters, of course). I think I figured out I was no good at guessing page numbers when I got into second or third grade…
I used to write stories for my great grandmother and she’d share them with her neighbors. I thought that was pretty cool, so I decided I wanted to keep doing that. I also wanted to be a teacher, so I would set up my dolls in little rows and teach them from “books” I wrote for them. Once I got into junior high and high school, I realized I would need a job that paid better, so I thought about becoming a newspaper editor. It took one semester of newspaper class in college to figure out THAT sucked wind. The daily deadline (and this idea of living in New York were there are no sea turtles) depressed me. I still wanted to write novels (fantasy novels, to be exact), and the pressure of daily deadlines was going to wreck that. So I went into magazine publishing instead and that loosened things a little bit.
Deborah Panger: Do you have a special place in your home where you like to write? If so, what does it look like?
Sandy Lender: Oh my. I used to have this fabulous den that looked out over this messy, weed-choked pond that attracted herons and deer and frogs on the back of my property. The den was clean and tidy. I’d painted it a sort of pale brown with these dark brown bookshelves lined with my Old English literature and Bronte books. Fabulous candelabras and iron candle holders speckled the room and an antique-looking book stand held my Klaeber edition of BEOWULF on my harp-leg writing desk. I had a replica of a section of the Bayeau Tapestry on the wall. It was just a lovely room to enter and feel as if you’d been transported to a deep, older realm.
That house was taken in foreclosure after a series of horrible circumstances that stemmed from me choosing poorly in marriage. Luckily, I’ve gotten out of that marriage and now my writing takes place anywhere and everywhere. My favorite place to write is where I’m free. And, thank God, I’m free. But, I have to say, I love to write on a notebook on the steering wheel of my car in traffic because I like to imagine it freaks out the other drivers. Bwuahahahahaha.
Deborah Panger: LOL. I hope a cop doesn't happen by. :) Okay, it’s time for a list of your favorites.
A. Color – lavender (like Chariss’s eyes)
B. Number – 28 (Nigel’s age at the beginning of the Choices trilogy)
C. Food – anything in chocolate
D. Drink – amaretto on ice with amaretto-soaked maraschino cherries
E. Music – Duran Duran (this would be categorized as an obsession)
F. Author – Charlotte Bronte
G. Actor/Actress – Hugh Jackman OR Michael Shanks/Katharine Hepburn
H. Movie – Finding Nemo (I quote it daily)
Deborah Panger: If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one person there with you, who would it be, and why?
Sandy Lender: Oh, man, I could get in so much trouble for answering this honestly. Ummm…let’s say…my pet sun conure, Petri. I can’t live without him. We’re bonded. I know he’s not technically a “person,” but he thinks he is. He thinks he’s my person. And I’m his. (For folks who just went “huh?” a sun conure is a fabulously gorgeous small parrot.)
Deborah Panger: What advice would you give someone just starting out in this business?
Sandy Lender: Get addicted to speed.
Deborah Panger: And last but not least, is there anything else you would like to tell your readers? Perhaps something that no one would guess about you?
Sandy Lender: I’m not actually addicted to speed. J
Seriously, I’m not even allowed to have caffeine because of my migraine condition. Can you imagine?
I spend an enormous amount of my life moving at high velocity, but this is without the use of illegal drugs. Believe it or not…
Again, thank you for stopping by. It has been a pleasure talking with you. Take care.
Sandy Lender: Thank you for hosting me today, Deborah. It’s a pleasure to meet you and your visitors. Folks can ask me any questions they want ‘coz I’ll be checkin’ in with the comments section, but you’ve already asked cool stuff. Thank you!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Firefae has sold and a blog about my health.
This is a few months back. you can see that my hair is back. Its even longer now than it was when this picture was taken. 
This was me when my hair first started falling out. I decided that I wanted to shave my head to help control the process of losing my hair.
This was me when my hair first started falling out. I decided that I wanted to shave my head to help control the process of losing my hair.This is a picture of me, my husband and son. It was about 2 month after my mastectomy. Before my chemo. If you look closely, you can see I was still bound. I was having trouble with infections of the incision back then. I tried to stuff my bra, but it didn't look too good.
Hi, ya'll. I wanted to share the big news:
I've been offered a contract with The Wild Rose Press' Scarlet line for Firefae. Wooohooo! I'm so excited. This time around, a hot and spicy female fae will rule the realm.
As many of you know already, my health has been deteriating the past couple of years. First I had female surgery in Feb of 07 and the pathology reports from that led to a total abdominal hysterectomy in April of 2007. Was doing great, healing great and getting my stamina back. Then in late September of 07, I felt a lump in my left breast. it was huge, but I was in denial thinking it was a cyst during the mammogram and ultrasound they rushed me through. When I went to the ob/gyn doc to get the results he told me that I had cancer. My world fell apart, but I still held onto hope that the biopsy would prove the doctors wrong. It didn't happen that way. i was diagnosed with Stage IIIA breast cancer. I had a 6.5 cm mass and it had locally metastazised to a lymph node. I underwent a mastectomy, port placement and then went through chemo. It was not fun, but faith in God and my family and friends, plus my decision to fight this, got me through the treatment. I am blessed that as of today's date, I am cancer free. I try not to dwell on it everyday, but sometimes its hard not to worry it will come back. According to the charts, I have a 79% chance of being alive and cancer free in 10 years. That's high, and I feel so blessed. but the possibility of recurrence is always there. One of my friends has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after 2 years cancer free. she was my inspiration and its disheartening to see the possibility of mets so very close to you.
Anyways, even though I've seemed to beat cancer, my overall health has been declining and I assumed it was due to the cancer treatment. I have muscle weakness and pain in both my legs, feet and hands. And my stamina hasn't been what it used to be. I have great difficultly climbing stairs, can hardly get on the floor. If I do, I can hardly get back up. You should see me try to get in and out of a bathtub. Very, very hard.
All my doctors have been puzzled yet after several tests, assumed it was from my medication or cancer treatments. I have been tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, MS, and many other things. Thankfully, all have been negative.
I suffer from chronic infections and have been almost constantly on & off antibiotics for a few years. then shortly after I injured my foot on the treadmill a few months back, I started having GI problems. Could hardly hold anything down on my stomach and generally didn't feel good. But only minor lower abdominal and rectal and left flank pain. No upper abdominal pain. They thought I had Diverticulitis so I was sent to a surgeon. After a workup including a ct scan and Hidaa scan, it showed that my gall bladder was non functuioning and I had no active infection in the diverticulosis that I have. That led to a laparoscopic cholestectomy. (Gall bladder removal) I healed from that well, but the anesthesia led to an episode of severe muscle pain and temporary paralysis throughout my entire body. My husband took me to the er and after morphine and decadron, the symptoms eased up. the ER doctor told me to follow up with a Rheumatoid Dr, and told me that I have some sort of rare disorder that the regular doctors have no clue about. they also detected a UTI, so I was put on a round of cipro.
The minor pain in my lower belly,rectum and flank hadn't eased up and my bowels were all messed up even before the gallbladder surgery. He switched me to Levaquin and after 2 days, I'd become so sick again, that I went back to the Er. They took me off the Levaquin and put me on a round of Doxicyline. But the minor pain never left, although being off the Levaquin made me feel much better.
Two thursdays ago, I was at work and started feeling very strange. Dizzy, the pain was getting stronger and I knew something was wrong. My work called an ambulance and they took me back to the ER. This time, they did a rectal exam and told me that they thought I had an anal fissure. And also told me that the UTI was not gone, so I was continued on antibiotics, and was told to follow up with a GI doctor. So I called the one they referred me to, and was told they couldn't get me in until June 23rd. That was the soonest appt they had. I called my primary care physician to find out what to do and he ended up admitting me into the hospital that day. I was in for 6 days and poked, prodded every which way. In the back of my mind, I was scared that I had colon cancer, but after a colonscopy yesterday morning, it showed no cancer. I have Diverticulosis (alot of pockets)& hemorroids. Not an anal fissure. when I was first admitted, the xrays showed that I was partially impacted so they corrected that also and tested all the antibiotics with my urine culture to see what would get rid of the infection. I feel much better and was finally discharged yesterday. The doctor is trying me on a Lactose Free diet and I'm on several medications to help prevent all the Gi problems. I go see him next week.
And if that wasn't enough. During the work up for the Gall bladder surgery, a ct scan showed a small mass on my left adrenal gland. With a history of cancer, they sent me to an endocrinologist who I saw a few weeks ago. He told me that he highly suspects I have Hyperaldosteronism, or Conn's Disease. Apparently, I have had all the symptoms for years but its pretty rare. (or they used to think so. They're finding more and more people with it) He's running me through testing to see if I need the left adrenal gland removed. It depends, first, If I indeed have this disorder, 2nd-if the mass is actually causing it. The mass could be non-functioning and the disorder could be from a heritary condition from the adrenals. The testing will determine that, but its a slow go. one of the meds I'm on to control leg edema is Spironolactone. They have to take me off of it for 6 weeks before I can have the final blood test to make sure I have this.
Here's the symptoms of Hyperaldosteronism, or Conn's Disease (I have a history of all of them):
Hard to control blood pressure. I've had it for years.
May or may not have a family history of high blood pressure. If a mass is the culprit, than chances are you'll have nobody in your family with high blood pressure. I don't
Migraines
Urinating more at night then during the day
low potassium levels. During my history of treatment for high blood pressure, they kept having to increase my potassium pills due to this condition
Muscle weakness in legs, hands and feet.
leg edema-Which I've developed but as long as I'm on the Spironolactone, It controls it.
And guess what they treat this disorder with, if you don't have a visible adrenal gland mass that is causing it? Spironolactone. I'm already on it. That was another clue to the doc that I have it.
You may be wondering why I've blogged about all this. Well, I'm pretty different from the rest of my family. they tend to keep their health problems private but I talk about it openly. It helps me deal with the stress of not feeling good. The more I talk, the better I handle it. Also I feel like I'm meant to get the word out for Hyperaldosteronism. the public and the medical community need start recognizing this disease. I googled and found one support group for this disorder and they accepted me. It turns out that one of the doctors that is on the group, used to work with the Dr. Conn. The doctor that the condition is named after.
So, in the future, you will probably see me posting about this disease and also, the breast cancer. I want to show people that there is life after a cancer diagnosis.
While I was in the hospital, I was able to see Farrah's Story. I was uplifted. That woman is so strong and cureagous. I'm kind of like her in the way that I want to have people see what cancer is like. Its not pretty.
If I could help one person, than I've done my job.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
History's tough mothers
The worlds'oldest profession, err, the other oldest profession.
Motherhood.
We are the cornerstone of society, the building blocks of an empire rest on our shoulders, how we nurture the next generation makes history.
This mothers day, I would like to acknowlege some of the tough mothers we might have forgotten.
Anne Boleyn:
Refusal to become Henry VIII's mistrress. Anne kept her eyes on the prize.
She became Queen of England when Catherine of Aragon was evicted back to Spain.
A key figure in the English Reformation, She gave birth to one of the greatest leaders in England.
Queen Elizabeth I. Sadly, the birth of a dughter became her undoing when the king wanted a son.
She was beheaded May 1536 for hight treason.
When her daughter became queen, Anne was verated as a marty and heroine of the English Reformation. Her sister ran off with her child and raised her so, Mary Boleyn deserves mention as a tough mom as well.
Olympus of Epirus:
Princess of Epirote, commander of her own army and Queen of Macedonia, Alexander the Great just called her mom.
Angry at comments that her son was an inferior hier as he wasn't of pure Macedonian blood, she told her husband Zeus fathered her baby. They divorced and her husband, King Philip of Macedonia, denied Alexander.
At the wedding of his next wife, a toast was made blessing Philip and the legitimate heirs he will have with his new bride. Philip then offered this man the hand of his daughter (with Olympia).
He was found murdered soon after and Alexander took over his father's throne.
She supported her son and they were close, afer his death Olympia reared her grandchildren as warriors, plotted against ememies and caused the deaths of usurpers.
Cruel while in control it is said she was denied burial rites after she died.
Elizabeth (Ersébeth) Bathory:
The countess of Hungary, mass murderer, occultist and mother of four.When accused of her crimes against female blood the countess outsmarted her cousins attempt at a land grab and left all her property to her children, assuring thier wealth and title after her death.
She helped fund the war against the Turks and was in line to be queen of Poland. Her son stood up for her in court. Bathory was not executed but bricked up in her room until she died four years later in 1610.
Cleopatra:
Incestuous marriage to her brother yeilded no children. Political alliances (and betrayals) bore a son to Julias Ceasar and a son as well as twins to Marc Antony.Her reign marks the reign of the Roman Era i n the Eastern Mediterranean.
She rebelled against Rome and tried to fend for the best interests of Egypt. Allied with Marc Antony they suffered a final defeat at Actuim.
She killed herself.
Her beauty was not as renowned as history proclaims. in the words of Plutarch, what made Cleopatra attractive was her wit, charm and sweetenss in her tone of voice.
Coretta Scott King
After her husband's murder in 1968, the easiest course for this lady might bave been to flee to a more tolerant part of the country and never risk raising public ire again. Coretta might have been critcized for not protecting her children, instead she rose to the challenge of continuing her husbands work with the civil rights movementas as well as the womens movement.
She approached Josephine Baker,an entertainer and activist, to take over her husbands place as leader of the civil rights movemement. she declined stating her children were too young to lose a mother.
Coretta steped up to the plate herself, speaking boldly for human rights, and an end to war and poverty.she founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center of Non Violent Social Change in Atlanta.Aty threat of violence was superceded by a desire to carve a better world for children, hers and ours.
Does motherhood bestow an occult inner strength or does the power of love transcend all forces both natural and supernatural?
Motherhood.
We are the cornerstone of society, the building blocks of an empire rest on our shoulders, how we nurture the next generation makes history.
This mothers day, I would like to acknowlege some of the tough mothers we might have forgotten.
Anne Boleyn:
Refusal to become Henry VIII's mistrress. Anne kept her eyes on the prize.
She became Queen of England when Catherine of Aragon was evicted back to Spain.
A key figure in the English Reformation, She gave birth to one of the greatest leaders in England.
Queen Elizabeth I. Sadly, the birth of a dughter became her undoing when the king wanted a son.
She was beheaded May 1536 for hight treason.
When her daughter became queen, Anne was verated as a marty and heroine of the English Reformation. Her sister ran off with her child and raised her so, Mary Boleyn deserves mention as a tough mom as well.
Olympus of Epirus:
Princess of Epirote, commander of her own army and Queen of Macedonia, Alexander the Great just called her mom.
Angry at comments that her son was an inferior hier as he wasn't of pure Macedonian blood, she told her husband Zeus fathered her baby. They divorced and her husband, King Philip of Macedonia, denied Alexander.
At the wedding of his next wife, a toast was made blessing Philip and the legitimate heirs he will have with his new bride. Philip then offered this man the hand of his daughter (with Olympia).
He was found murdered soon after and Alexander took over his father's throne.
She supported her son and they were close, afer his death Olympia reared her grandchildren as warriors, plotted against ememies and caused the deaths of usurpers.
Cruel while in control it is said she was denied burial rites after she died.
Elizabeth (Ersébeth) Bathory:
The countess of Hungary, mass murderer, occultist and mother of four.When accused of her crimes against female blood the countess outsmarted her cousins attempt at a land grab and left all her property to her children, assuring thier wealth and title after her death.
She helped fund the war against the Turks and was in line to be queen of Poland. Her son stood up for her in court. Bathory was not executed but bricked up in her room until she died four years later in 1610.
Cleopatra:
Incestuous marriage to her brother yeilded no children. Political alliances (and betrayals) bore a son to Julias Ceasar and a son as well as twins to Marc Antony.Her reign marks the reign of the Roman Era i n the Eastern Mediterranean.
She rebelled against Rome and tried to fend for the best interests of Egypt. Allied with Marc Antony they suffered a final defeat at Actuim.
She killed herself.
Her beauty was not as renowned as history proclaims. in the words of Plutarch, what made Cleopatra attractive was her wit, charm and sweetenss in her tone of voice.
Coretta Scott King
After her husband's murder in 1968, the easiest course for this lady might bave been to flee to a more tolerant part of the country and never risk raising public ire again. Coretta might have been critcized for not protecting her children, instead she rose to the challenge of continuing her husbands work with the civil rights movementas as well as the womens movement.
She approached Josephine Baker,an entertainer and activist, to take over her husbands place as leader of the civil rights movemement. she declined stating her children were too young to lose a mother.
Coretta steped up to the plate herself, speaking boldly for human rights, and an end to war and poverty.she founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center of Non Violent Social Change in Atlanta.Aty threat of violence was superceded by a desire to carve a better world for children, hers and ours.
Does motherhood bestow an occult inner strength or does the power of love transcend all forces both natural and supernatural?
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