Introduction to Passion's Price

Passion's Price

Passion’s Price, Passion Series, book two. Golden Dawn is the daughter of James-Fitz-Gerald and New Moon. Dawn has inherited her father’s fair hair and blue eyes. At first sight one might mistake her for a softer sort, but like her father, she is bold and determined. From her mother she has inherited the gift of sight. Unlike her mother, she does not question for a moment what her sight reveals.  She will risk anything, including her own life, to save the man she loves. 

Raven Cloud, called Little Buffalo as a boy, is the love of Dawn’s life. James Fitz-Gerald raised Little Buffalo as his own son. James was a wealthy merchant with his main office and shipping line located in London. When Raven’s own anger and uneasy spirit forced him to leave the tribe, James appointed him his legal heir and sent him to run Fitz-Gerald Shipping. 

For years, Dawn has missed Little Buffalo as half her soul. She has a vision that he is mortal danger. Her path is clear and only she can save his life. She knows her own may be forfeited, but she is willing to take that chance. Like her mother, she will pay any price to save the man she loves--even if it means wearing white women's clothes.  

Passion’s Price is the story of a Cherokee Princess that bursts upon English High Society with one goal in mind. The story is filled with adventure and twists, daring escapades, hilarious antics, dangers, and triumphs.  

I hope you pick up a copy today and enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed writing Passion's Price.  

Passion's Vision...New Moon

When I researched Cherokee women of the 1700's for Passion's Vision I was amazed by the strength, both in body and spirit, of the Cherokee woman. She was honored for being a woman. Cherokee women went to war and in fact had a say in as to the tribe going to war. They were strong in body as they built the homes, raised their children and  performed the many tasks required of a Cherokee woman of that day. They were strong in spirit as they prepared their children for the life ahead of them and took part in all aspects of the tribe.

I love reading and writing about strong women. By strong I mean the kind of women that have a sense of their own worth. Women that know how to love and to inspire. Women who will not give up. Women who make a difference in their own lives as well as those they come in contact with. This is the kind of woman I wanted New Moon to be.  It didn't take New Moon long to start developing into just such a woman. 

I hope you enjoy New Moon's story.

Tabitha's Journey

Tabitha's Journey: A Stone Mountain Novella by Caroline Clemmons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tabitha’s Journey by Caroline Clemmons  


Tabitha’s father has died. The reading of his will only compounds Tabitha’s pain and confusion. After years of working at the family business and keeping it running to spite her father’s and brother’s total inability to manage a business, everything is left to her brother, David. Worse, according to her father’s will, her brother is her guardian until her thirtieth birthday.

Tabitha is trapped! The inheritance her beloved grandmother and mother intended to go to her is placed out of reach as long as her brother is her guardian and, as her guardian, he is forcing her into marriage to his wife’s brother.

William, her brother-in-law, is a cruel man that is determined to ravish her to insure the marriage takes place. He has attempted to take her once and is threatening to complete the evil deed if she does not comply to his and her brother‘s wishes. Her own brother threatens to commit her to an asylum if she causes any trouble and refuses the marriage.

Tabitha’s best friend, Priscilla, accepted a proposal for marriage as a mail order bride but now wants out of the arrangement. Her best friend’s situation offers a perfect way out for Tabitha. Or so she thought.

This is a delightful book. It takes the reader back to Raedford Springs, the home of the The Men From Stone Mountain series. Tabitha’s arrival is anything but quiet and unassuming. Her attraction to Tobias, her intended husband, is strong. His strong feeling of being “passed off” is obvious.

The questions are, will Tobias Baldwin overcome his feelings of rejection and give in to the passion of his desires? Will Tabitha’s brother and lecherous brother-in-law find Tabitha before Tobias figures out what he wants?

I give Tabitha’s Journey 5 stars. I loved this book. I love reading stories that bring my favorite characters from other books together. Tabitha is full of spunk, imagination and has a heart of gold. Tobias is a big bear of a man. In fact, his nickname is Bear. His verbal responses to Tabitha seem cold at first, but I was not fooled and neither was Tabitha. He is a big, kind, bear of a man that can take care of business. Together, they are well suited and I hope to read about them again in another story.


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Welcome to Science Fiction Author Barry E. Woodham

Today I am very happy to be interviewing Barry E. Woodham. If you are a reader of Science Fiction then you are familiar with his work. If you haven’t read any of his books then you need to do so right away and find out what all the buzz is about.

So lets get right to this.

MA.   Barry, I know my readers would like to know something about you. Please tell us a little about where you are from and what caught your interest in Science Fiction.

B.W.   As a design engineer I have written instruction manuals explaining how my machines worked, but never fiction!   I never really thought of being a writer, it just sort of happened! One lunchtime I had nothing to read and decided to write down some ideas that evolved into Genesis 2. Eventually I had people stopping by my design section asking me when the next chapter would be available to read?  When the project closed, I was able to retire early and continued to write and finish the first book. Because so many people wanted to know –“What happened next” - What can I say, I was hooked! As I too wanted to find out what happened next, I continued writing for the next 15 years! Now I write because I love it. To my amazement the reviews on Amazon have been astounding so I have taken the step of self-publishing all six novels. Now that the seventh is finished, I will spend some more of my children’s inheritance and send another flight of fancy aloft! The joy of knowing so many people love to read my SF is icing on the cake.

M.A.  Do you another interest that is close to your heart?

B.W.  Actually, Mary I have been seriously think about how I might contribute to charities like Cancer and Alzheimer's research. I would like to share my blessings in a useful way. At age 70, what would I spend money on anyway?

M.A.  You know what they say 70 is the new 50.  I am sure you have many more wonderful SF stories to delight your readers with.

MA.   I have read quite a bit of your work and your ability to create other worlds that are so different, but totally believable amazes me. It has to be a gift. I know when someone has a gift the things that inspire can be boggling yet so interesting to others. Can you give me an example of something that inspired you in creating your favorite character?

B.W.  Artificial intelligence has always fascinated me and the personality of Kamiel and how he managed to ‘go around’ his conditioning to safeguard the cloned humans and apes made me think. Watching him evolve throughout the Genesis series of books was intriguing! His interpretation of his mission to include ALL sentient creatures in his guardianship allowed me to continually delve into the logic and balance of his mind!
Peterkin however, allowed me to glimpse what it could be like to be an almost immortal being governed by a set of ethics handed down by his people that he had to break to save them! Now that gave me endless hours of typing fun to unravel. I delved into the archives of the Internet and blended old legends with speculation.

MA.   Every author has a favorite author.  Would you share with us, who is your favorite author? Is this author the one that inspired you to write your own SF or was there another author that did that?

B.W.    I have many favorite authors and for sheer variety Tad Williams come to mind. I can honestly say that I have not been inspired by just a few science fiction authors, I have been inspired by hundreds over the years. Many of them have died of old age and I miss their ideas and speculative fiction. I have read the magazine called Analog for at least 55 years so I have read thousands upon thousands of short stories, novels, novellas by all kinds of writers. I still have SF magazines from the sixties in order on bookshelves that I simply cannot bear to throw away!

M.A.  Is Molock’s Wand  your Work In Progress?

B.W.  Yes it is. I am looking at the last chapter at the moment.

M.A.  Could you tell us a little about that story?

B.W.   Yes. Two centuries after the destruction of the Dark Elves by the new High King, Molock’s Wand is the sequel to Elf War and follows the ruthless journey of revenge of the Halfling daughter of Molock’s rape of a human women. An overlord in her own right, she escapes the virus that destroyed the Dokka’lfar by being part human. Her stronghold is burnt to the ground and she escapes the vengeance of the humans that were under her control  and embarks on a violent journey of revenge against the High King, Peterkin.

To do this she needs Molock’s Wand from the rubble of the Dream-shifter that Peterkin destroyed along with Abaddon, Molock’s son. This is on Haven, the world where Peterkin lives. Once in her genetically keyed hands she will resurrect the Dream-shifter and build her revenge. Taking the life force from any who she can subdue, she remains young and telepathically powerful. Once again Peterkin is forced against his will to become a killer.

M.A.  Sounds like a great story. Don't meant to rush, but I hope Molock's Wand is available soon. I enjoyed your Tales of the Ferryman and they can be read for free on your bog, but are they available anywhere else as well?

B.W.      http://authonomy.com/writing-community/profile/e73a5c4a-76ba-4025-9df8-f73160cf876d/barry-woodham/           Just Click on READ THE BOOK  and all 15 Tales are there.

M. A.  Barry, thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights with my readers. One request from me….Finish Molock’s Wand!!!

B. W.   It is finished! I need to tidy up and provide a character list. I am on the last chapter and then I need to read it through again and search for Faux pas!

B. W.  Thank you, Mary, for featuring me on your blog.  It has been an enjoyable experience.  I always enjoy reaching out to readers who love SF. Many of my readers who have ‘done the course’ have said that I have ruined them reading other authors work as I have taken them back to science fiction as it was – aliens – time travel – powers of the mind – space travel – AI and all in the same book! Now I have added elves as well into the mix, without magic! What’s next? Only time will tell, but I promise it will be worth the wait.The last few sentences of Molock’s Wand could springboard another set of adventures in the parallel universes! With a host of parallel worlds at my imagination to explore all sorts of problems could beset the elves in the future.

M.A.  And I thank you for sharing yourself with my readers. I hope you will come back soon and share more of your work with us.

I have listed each of Barry’s books with links to Amazon. If you buy your books from Barns and Noble or any other book retailer, not to worry, Just go there and search Barry E. Woodham and you will find his work.  I have also included links to Barries blog where you will find a virtual ‘book’ free to read, as well as 15 Tales of the Ferryman and six ghost stories + a short SF.-----That keeps on growing!

Barry E Woodham.
http://j.mp/QvonDd
http://sci-fiauthor.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/scifiauthorbarry
https://twitter.com/sci_fiauthor     


Be on the lookout for Soon to be Released   Molock’s Wand!
Also look for Tales of the Ferryman --- 1 – 15 and Ghost Stories

Here are the links to Barry's Books on Amazon:
The Genesis Project. In eBook and paper back.
Book 1 - Genesis 2 Book 2 - Genesis Debt (The Genesis Project) Book 3 -Genesis Weapon: The Genesis Project Book 4 -Genesis Search: The Genesis Project Book 5 - Genesis 3 - A New Beginning: The Genesis Project And  The Elf War         

Mother's Day Special

Mother’s Day special:

Both Passion's Vision (Passion's Series) and Passion's Price (Passion's Series) are .99 at Amazon Kindle today and Monday. If you haven't read them this is a great time to add them to your Kindle library.


Passion's Vision (Passion's Series) won its first award, Betty Henrick’s Award for Most Publishable Romance by the Greater Dallas Writer’s Association, shortly after its first publication and has been going strong ever sense.

A Review for Passion’s Vision and Passion’s Price by:

Best Selling Author Caroline Clemmons:  Author of award winning Brazos Bride (Men of Stone Mountain)

Review: Passion’s Vision:

Evenly matched in determination, New Moon and James find their battle of wills turn to passionate romance amid the tumultuous drama of life in the 1700's. The author's careful and extensive research of the Cherokee people and this period of American history is artfully woven throughout this compelling saga of danger, intrigue, betrayal, passion, and triumphant joy. PASSION'S VISION is certain to capture the imagination of any reader who loves historical romance and adventure.
Caroline Clemmons   

                          Review: Passion’s Price:

 Passion's Price is the stand-alone sequel to Passion's Vision. In Chota Town in the Carolinas, Golden Dawn Fitz-Gerald has inherited her Cherokee mother's gift for visions and her Irish father's blonde hair and blue eyes. When Dawn learns her childhood friend Raven Cloud is in danger, she sets sail for England to protect the man she loves and has seen in a vision as her life's partner. Raven's life includes a successful career as head of the London office for Fitz-Gerald Shipping---and a fiancée. The path Dawn and Raven follow to discover the source of the mysterious accidents plaguing Fitz-Gerald Shipping threatens to destroy them both. Love triumphs and the two fulfill the promise of passion Dawn's vision foretold. Passion's Price is Mary Adair's second novel and reflects the same painstaking research of Ms. Adair's first novel, as well as her ability to breathe life into an interesting array of characters. Passion's Price is filled with adventure, romance, humor, and pathos sure to please readers and hold their interest from the first paragraph to the last.

by Caroline Clemmons

      

Genesis Debt

Genesis Debt (The Genesis Project) by MR Barry Woodham  My rating: 5 of 5 stars                  

                  
Genesis Debt, written by Barry E. Woodham
Reviewed by Mary Adair
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Barry Woodham’s creativity in developing the life forms that populate the new world is unmatched. This is a story of survival for the human race with twists and turns that will keep you glued to the pages. Throw in time travel and the threat of extinction and you have an exciting example of storytelling in its truest and most enjoyable form.

If you enjoy Science Fiction/Fantasy/Adventure, then this is a must read for you.
I give Genesis Debt 5 Stars for Creativity, The Art of Storytelling and a thoroughly Enjoyable Read.


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AEL Data Services

Captive Spirits is being featured this week at AEL Data Services  https://www.facebook.com/aeldata
Go there, scroll down just a little way and see what these talented artists did to feature my book. I am totally amazed. 

In their own words:
AEL Data is an IT and ITES company specialized in ePublishing, Mobile apps development, ebooks development, Digitization and eLearning. We are the preferred vendor for most of Europe's biggest educational institutions, libraries and Government bodies.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/aeldata like the page and take a look at AEL Data Services.

Queen Alexis Volcum

On my last post I introduced you to Alexis Zentar Princess of Iskaria. I had so many views I thought I would tell a little more about Alexis. Alexis is my favorite character in Captive Spirits. In fact, she is the one that inspired the title, Captive Spirits.  I hope you enjoy the preview below. 

 Alexis’ father, Romney Zentar was the only Region Head pompous enough to call himself King. The other Region Heads allowed it as long as he did not encroach into their territory. That was just a little back story I didn’t mention before. I did talked about how, before she became Queen Alexis Volcum, Alexis was well known for her beauty and gentleness.

This time I want to introduce you to Queen Alexis of Aztar. She accepted her arranged marriage to Si Volcum.  Before she met her intended she was nervous and apprehensive. After all, Si Volcum was a legend in his own right. He had fought and won many battles in defense of his homeland, Region Elderwood. Si Volcum was a fierce opponent and feared by all his enemies. He was also known for his fairness.

When Alexis and Si were married it did not take long them to fall in love. She was secure in his ability to care for her and their children while maintaining the peace that their union had helped to bring about.  Si found that Alexis beauty and gentleness was what he had missed in his life. He loved his wife and his children more than life itself.

Then, on a day of celebration, Si and their son Lyon disappear.  All of Aztar believe them to be dead. All, that is, except Alexis. Alexis has access to some knowledge that convinces her that her husband is alive. She immediately sends out search parties.

Then something happens. Alexis is found unconscious in her garden. She is alive, but will not awaken. Her brother steps in and claims closest kin and therefore allowed to stand in her place until she awakes, or it becomes obvious she will never waken.

But Alexis does awake. After weeks of sleeping she opens her eyes to a world she does not know, a child she does not remember and a man that calls himself her brother and warns her of a deadly danger to her and her daughter. Worse than all of this, she learns she is Queen in a kingdom at war. 

All Alexis has is her intuition, and her instincts are strong. When she first sees Cordea she sees a beautiful girl of about 13 turns. Her hair is fair and her eyes a beautiful aqua. Cordea runs to her, throws her arm about her and calls her mother. Alexis does not need to be convinced that in her arms is where this child belongs. Though the sight of the child brings no recollection, the fell of Cordea in her arms is all it takes for Alexis to know this is the child of her body. Alexis knows from that point she will risk all to keep her child safe. A man enters the room and is called Uncle Ranuff by Cordea. Alexis instincts again tell her to trust this man as her brother.

Though the gentle Alexis awakes to a strange world of wars and espionage her instincts serve her well. Alexis becomes a Queen no one expects. Alexis becomes a Queen worthy of respect. She rules the kingdom with wisdom and strength. Always in the forefront of her thoughts is Cordea and keeping her safe. Alexis knows that at some point she will have to make decisions that will exact a high price for Cordea’s safety. Like her husband, she will not falter.  She will pay the price.

Alexis Volcum

In my book, Captive Spirits, I do not give the back story for Alexis Zentar or tell how she came to be Queen. So I will do that now.

                                      Alexis Zentar was born to one of the most influential houses of Aztar.

Aztar was once a beautiful world filled with great forest, rolling fields coastal marshlands and a mountain range that provided a safe passage between Regions. Aztar is now a world at war. The war, before Si became King, lasted longer than even the old ones could remember. The land, as if affected by the evil that grips the minds and spirits of the people, was slowly becoming barren.

Alexis' father, while on a trip to explore the Northern Region for fertile land, came across an ancient castle. His suspicion that it was the lost Castle Museth was confirmed when he entered and found a riches of lost script form the Holy Book, Zemeria. The book contained a prophecy so magnificent and so full of promise that King Romney Zentar from the Region Iskaria had no difficulty in proclaiming it was meant for his very own family. He returned and called a meeting of all the Great Houses of Aztar. It was plain to see that a King had to be chosen and that his own gentle and loving daughter would be the mother of the prophesied Deliverer.

Alex, well known for her beauty and gentleness, was at first taken back and frightened to imagine her father would give her in marriage to a man she had never met. The fact that her betroth was the newly elected King only frightened her more. As time grew closer, and she heard stories of her husband to be, her fears lessen. In fact she became intrigued by the stories and began to look forward to their meeting.

When she first saw her new husband her heart flutter with excitement. He was imposingly large. His hands were hard and strong, yet as gently as a soft caress as he lifted her from her carriage. His eyes were dark brown and she fancied she could see straight through to his soul. She liked what she saw. She held her heart close, not wanting to be fooled by pretty words and softly spoken sentiments. To her surprise, there were no pretty words or overly studied speeches. He spoke to her as if she were his equal. He made her feel strong and brave and special. It did not take long for him to win her heart.

As the years passed their love grew and a daughter and a son was born. Alexis had never known such love or happiness. She thanked Father Creator for the blessings he bestowed on her and prayed her children would choose the teachings of the Zemeria over the magic of the Priests.

Her happiness came to an abrupt halt when she awoke to a world she did not know, a child she did not remember a brother that warned her of a dark mystic danger and...she was Queen of a Kingdom on the verge of war.   

King Si Volcum

 Captive Spirits is my newest to be released Fantasy.  It is a story of the Legends of Aztar.  Of all my characters, Si Volcum is my favorite.

The population of Aztar elected Si to be their King. Their world had been in a state of bloody war for a very long time. Their children are being abducted and most people feel they are being killed. Others believe they are held captive somewhere.

The story starts with Si and his young son, Lyon being captured and forced to travel through the caverns to some unknown destination. Si believes he is becoming ill because of the horrific headaches he is suffering. He knows if he is to save his son, he must do something, and soon. Here is an excerpt :

Time moved slowly as the King was led through the caverns. He opened his shirt and cradled Lyon against his skin in an attempt to keep the child warm. There was little food allowed the captives, so Si fed as much of his own portion to Lyon as the child would eat. Each time they were allowed to sleep, Si would rest his back to the cold stone with his knees pulled up, Lyon tucked close to his chest and enfolded warmly in his arms. Still the child would squirm fitfully and call out to his mother in his sleep.
Si held his sleeping son and thought about their captors. It was clear now the three men were hired by someone to steal Lyon away. The only reason he was left alive was to make the transport of the child easier. He realized it was also important that the child arrive well and healthy to the ones behind this abduction.
He prayed to Boc that Alexis and Cordea were safe. He rubbed the sudden painful throb in his temple.  Perhaps the abductors were only after Lyon, but why? I swear I will see the three of you dead.

The pain in his head intensified. I can’t be sick. Not now. Why the Boc am I having these mind dulling head pains now?  Think, what was it Radsnu told me? I must think of something less disturbing, something pleasant? I have to get this pain under control.

Images of the world outside drifted through his mind. He saw tiny flowers in a multitude of colors carpeting the mountainside leaning down from his castle home. He saw Alexis, her fine black hair flowing back from her face as she played with her children in the sunshine. He could see Cordea, small and gentle like her mother, and Lyon’s joyful energy.

Oh, Alexis, do you know by now that we are gone? What are they telling you?  How are you holding up, my love? The pain returned.

To hell with pretty thoughts. He gritted his teeth and turned his gaze to his captors.