Who Inspired Me to Write? Not Who You Might Think...

Normally we deal with the paranormal around here, especially during a book tour. However, every now and again, I'll venture off on something else.

Today is one of those days.

One of the questions I'm often asked during interviews is: What author or authors inspired you to write? My answer is always the same. The person who must take the credit, or the blame -- according to your perspective -- is not an author. He is my beloved husband. He encouraged--and gave me the courage--to write down my stories and submit them for publication. When I finally received my first contract, no one celebrated my success more than he did—and that's when it started!

What, you might ask, am I talking about? I'm talking about the thoughtful, special little gifts I received in commemoration of each book I wrote and published.  

Of Supermoons and Lovespoons...

By the light of the silvery moon,

I want to spoon, to my honey I'll croon love's tune,

Honeymoon keep a-shining in June,

Your silvery beams will bring love dreams, 
we'll be cuddling soon,

By the silvery moon.

With all the excitement building for the first "Supermoon Lunar Eclipse" to occur in over thirty years--coming to a place near you on September 27th-- this old song popped into my head. 

My mom still sings this song on occasion, but I heard her sing it most often in my childhood. I got to wondering then about “spooning,” which, in my mother’s generation meant showing love and affection by kissing... a lot... and most often in a car parked high on a hill while gazing at the sparkle of city lights below or taking in the glimmering luster from the stars and moon overhead. Most especially a full moon, harvest moon, blue moon and maybe even a supermoon!

Did you know there's even a black moon, which is sort of important in my fantasy romance, Bound by Oath and Honour...

The Haunting Ruins of Pennard Castle...

Half buried in windblown sand along the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, is what's left of the once majestic, Pennard Castle.

By Eiona R

Commissioned by Henry de Beaumont, the first Earl of Warwick in the twelth century, the castle has slowly been consumed by time and sand after its abandonment right around the turn of the fifteenth century. Now all that's left is the gatehouse, the curtain wall, and the remains of the Norman Hall - oh - and the ghosts, of course.

They say that the Gwrach y Rhibyn (The scary banshee creature of Wales) haunts the area. Stories handed down through the centuries tell us that anyone daft enough to spend the night inside the castle, won't live to see the dawn! We also have tales of a ghostly woman, consumed by sorrow, who walks the grounds on moonless nights. Some say that despair caused her to walk into a nearby lake from which she never emerged--at least not in mortality. No one is quite sure who she is, or what caused her sorrow.

Personal Photo of Three Cliffs Bay near Pennard Castle

The Phantoms of Powis Castle...

Since many of the scenes in "Court of the Hawk" take place in an ancient castle, I thought I'd share some of the ghostly goings on inside the castle known as Powis.

Now, on a rocky promontory in Welshpool, Wales, Powis Castle has proudly stood for centuries. This magnificent fortress served a dynasty of Welsh princes and as one might expect, a host of residents died within its boundaries. Some have remained.

When it comes to the spirits of Powis, we have a little something for everyone!  There are shy spirits who lurk about the Dukes room and the ballroom wing. We also have accounts of a lady dressed in black. For whatever the reason, she sits in a chair facing the fireplace in the Duke’s Room. No one knows quite who she is though. Is she sad? Or just bored?

Would you like to actually feel a ghost if not see one? Over the years, some have reported physical contact by an otherworldly presence. They say they can feel a hand brushing their arm and when they turn to look, no one is there. At least, no one living.

Many hear the piano in the ballroom wing played by unseen hands, and some have even seen the stool moving when the room is empty of mortals. Loud knocking on doors and windows after the castle is locked up tight is a common occurrence as well.

The Ghosts and Lost Treasure of Castle Coch...

I haven't written about a haunted castle lately and I've missed it! Since we're solidly into our Court of the Hawk book tour & Giveaway, I thought I'd tell you about a beautiful, fairytale Castle in Tongwynlais, Cardiff, Wales, known as Castle Coch.

Engraving titled "CASTELL COCH, ON THE TAFF." circa 1874

Now Castle Coch (or the Red Castle so named for the red sandstone used in its creation) had its origins way back in the year 1081 when the Normans built it to protect Cardiff after they conquered and took possession of the town. As fortunes come and go, they deserted the castle shortly thereafter and a century or two later, Gilbert de Clare used the earth motte left behind, and erected a stone fortress somewhere around 1275, give or take a couple of years in either direction. Then, early during the fourteenth century, the castle was destroyed during the Welsh rebellion. The Marquesses of Bute were then given the castle as part of a marriage contract in 1760. 

Suffice it to say, the castle changed hands many more times during its history and is now in the custody of the Welsh heritage agency.

Now for the fun stuff:

Y Ddraig Goch...The Red Dragon of Wales

Still feeling the dragons as Court the Hawk Book Tour and Giveaway continues, so...

Most Myths evolve. They take a story here and a story there. Here a Hero, there another hero...a villain or two...and in time, someone writes their version down. So it is with Y Ddraig Goch, the Red Dragon and symbol of Wales. 

5th century manuscript of Historia Regum Britanniae, Vortigern and the Red Dragon

Recorded in the 9th century's Historia Brittonum, we find the tale of Vortigern the Saxon tyrant, who was determined to build a fortified tower. Men were called to the task and every day they worked from the break of day until the setting of the sun.  Yet, all of their labors were in vain, for each night, something--or someone--completely destroyed the structure. Frustrated beyond measure, Vortigern turned to his wise men for a solution to this vexing problem.

Of Dragon Myths and Jörmungandr--The mighty Dragon of Midgard...

There's just something about dragons that I both love and respect. They are at once both majestic and terrifying creatures (Toothless aside)...And, I've included one that figures quite prominently in Court of the Hawk. This being the case, I thought what better way to kick off our Book Tour, then share the Norse legend concerning Jörmungandr. Have you heard of him?

Lokis Gezücht. Loki's brood; Hel, Fenrir and Jörmungandr circa 1905

At the very dawn of time, according to this fascinating myth, Loki fathered three children during his liaison with Angrboða the giantess. Hel, Fenrir and last but cerainly not least, Jörmungandr, also known as the Mighty Serpent of Midgard. Shortly after his birth, an enraged Odin imprisoned him in the oceans surrounding Midgard where he lay eternally hidden from the mortal world. They say the dragon grew large enough to encircle the earth and grasp his tail with his teeth.

Court of the Hawk! A Fantasy Romance...

For those who might be wondering, I am still alive and well. I have just been really busy making a few revisions to my latest WIP for my lovely editor at The Wild Rose Press  (who, by the way, has won the "Best Print/Electronic Book Publisher" Award given out by Preditors and Editors Reader Poll for SEVEN years in a row!) and getting ready for my Book Tour for "Court of the Hawk" hosted by the lovely ladies at Goddess Fish!

The Tour, which begins June 16th and ends September 8th, promises to be fun! The Guest Posts topics and Interviews Questions given to me by my lovely hosts have been a delight to answer. In addition, a $15.00 gift certificate for Amazon will be given to a randomly drawn winner, so be sure to visit each of our stops to increase your chances of winning! 

In the meantime, take a minute and stop by "I love to Read and Review Books" for my first Editorial Review of Court of the Hawk! This Review was such a delight to wake up to this morning!

Gwynn ap Nudd, King of the Fair Folk...

Well, Court of the Hawk has had its official release and is now available worldwide. This story is a bit different than my previous novels published by The Wild Rose Press. Although this one has a ghost (who I promise will eventually get his own story), Court of the Hawk is probably more fantasy, than it is paranormal, but it still has its paranormal elements, like a shifter for instance, who won't get his own story. And in a round about way (as the mind goes) that brings me around to Gywnn ap Nudd, king of the Tylwyth Teg, who is very much part of the tale. However, I have used some creative license when it comes to the mythical Welsh Faerie king...well, a lot actually...you'll have to read it to see what I mean.

Gwynn Ap Nudd is a son of Nudd, who is a son of Don the mother-goddess and Beli, the god of death. In the early Welsh poems, Gwynn is known as a god of battle and of the dead. As time went on, historians described Gwyn as one whom God placed over "the brood of devils in the world of Annwn, lest they should destroy the present race.” Finally, the Welsh people came to know him as king of the Tylwyth Teg, the Welsh fairies or the Fair Folk.

The Wild Rose Press Releases Court of the Hawk!

The time has just flown since  The Wild Rose Press issued the release date for my sixth novel,  Court of the Hawk, and I have been so busy with my current Work in Progress that I didn't notice the days slip-sliding away. Nonetheless, here we are and so to celebrate the release of both ebook and paperback this week, I thought I'd not only give you the blurb, but an extended excerpt as well!  Are you ready? (Come on now, you just have to share the excitement with me!)

Blurb:

When a single moment challenges your perception of truth… 

Epigraphist Dr. Essie DeSpencer travels to an ancient Welsh castle in order to decipher an Ogham inscription discovered by the handsome and enigmatic, Garreth ap Daffyd. But the journey is not what she expects. She doesn’t plan to fall for the Lord of the castle, or to find herself deeply entrenched in legends, myths, and magic. Real legends, and real magic, that have devastating consequences. 

Garreth didn’t plan for Essie to stay any longer than it took her to decipher the pictograph. Instead, he finds himself falling in love for the first time in his very long life. Now the Lord of Llys y Gwalch must find a way to attain the heart of his soul mate and keep her safe from the dangers that threaten them both.

Excerpt:

Tylwyth Teg or The Fair Folk of Ancient Welsh Legend.

The Tylwyth Teg--or the Fair Folk--are the ethereal, fair-haired, beautiful fairies of ancient Welsh myth. They were kindhearted as well as mischievous, and they were a curious mixture of both good and evil. However, according to Owen's Welsh dictionary, unlike other fairies that dwell within Great Britain, these fairies are not your typical Tinker Bell Fairies which fit nicely in the palm of your hand. You see, as a whole, these fairies are quite tall.

Take the Fair Face of Woman by Sophie Anderson 1823-1903

These lovely beings are said to live very happily in lakes or streams or in the hollows of the hills. The women folk are called y mamau or mothers. They dance gracefully in the moonlight, make fairy rings, heap treasures on those they favor, steal little children (especially those with fair hair) and substitute them for gifts or changelings. They also create fairy paths and those that follow such a path should do so with caution.

Beneath the Sea... The Kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod...

Llys Helig isn’t the only kingdom to have disappeared beneath the sea in Wales. We also have Cantre'r Gwaelod (or the Lowland Hundred as translated into English), sometimes called the Welsh Atlantis. This fertile tract of land once existed between Bardsay and Ramsay Islands. However, if you want to visit it now, you might have to get yourself a wet suit and scuba gear, and then dive to the bottom of what is now Cardigan Bay, West Wales.

Sunset Over Cardigan Bay by Peter Broster

As with other lost kingdoms, a legend or two is also associated with Cantre'r Gwaelod. If we go way back in history and take a look at the Black Book of Carmarthen, we find mentioned therein, the land of Maes Gwyddno or the plain of Gwyddno. According to this book, the sea swallowed Cantre'r Gwaelod when a maiden named Mererid ignored her duties and in consequence of the neglect, the well overflowed. (Doesn’t make any real sense to me either…)

Wales' Lost Kingdom of Llys Helig...

Atlantis isn't the only one you know...

According to a legend that began a very, very long time ago--the sixth century to be precise--a Welsh prince by the name of Helig ap Glanawg had a kingdom in North Wales. He built an opulent castle in which he lived and ruled his people. He and everyone in the principality lived well enough for the day and time, but then one day a raging torrential storm caused the sea to overstep its bounds and the massive waves swallowed the entire kingdom. People, buildings, castle, everything...just gone.

Ocean Waves by Amada44

This legendary lost kingdom is mostly thought of today as nothing more than a myth with no truth based in fact. No surprise there, right?  Except...

Several expeditions have been launched in the past to prove--or disprove--the existence of Llys Helig. One such expedition, undertaken in the year 1864 by Reverend Charlton Hall, Reverend Richard Parry, and a geologist (accompanied by two local boatmen), found a submerged ancient wall off the coast of Penmaenmawr that could date to the sixth century. The team, therefore, said it could very well be part of Helig's castle. Some scoffed over the discovery. They said it was nothing more than a natural rock formation which just happened to run a very straight, regular course 100 yards in length. I'm sure if we looked hard enough we could find hundreds of formations just like this one underneath the sea...no really, I'm almost sure of it.

Ahem...

"Court of the Hawk" Gets a Cover!!!

I am so excited....

Debbie Taylor, the very talented cover artist for The Wild Rose Press has just presented my cover for my upcoming fantasy romance, "Court of the Hawk" and I just had to share it with all of you on this fabulous Friday!

And just in case you're wondering why on earth there is a castle at the bottom of the sea, I'll go ahead and  leave you with the blurb...

Blurb:

When a single moment challenges your perception of truth…

Epigraphist Dr. Essie DeSpencer, travels to an ancient Welsh castle in order to decipher an Ogham inscription discovered by the handsome and enigmatic, Garreth ap Daffyd. But the journey is not what she anticipated. She doesn’t expect to fall for the Lord of the castle, or to find herself deeply entrenched in legends, myths, and magic. Real legends, and real magic, that have devastating consequences.

Garreth didn’t plan for Essie to stay any longer than it took her to decipher the pictograph. Instead, he finds himself falling in love for the first time in his very long life. Now the Lord of Llys y Gwalch must find a way to attain the heart of his soul mate and keep her safe from the dangers that threaten them both...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tell me what you think of the cover, I'm dying to hear your thoughts (and more than likely so is Debbie Taylor)!

Hoping you all have a wonderful weekend!