HOW I WRITE MY NOVELS: KNOW THE ENDING FIRST

By Mary Adair

To begin writing without an idea of the ending of my story is like driving on a deserted road at night in a car with no headlights. Knowing how my novel will end helps me remain focused throughout the writing process. Now, my ending doesn’t have to be etched in stone, but I should have some idea of the ending. However, using an ending for an ending’s sake would undermine my process as well.



END ON AN EVENTFUL AND EMOTIONAL NOTE

Ambiguous endings are just as detrimental to the writing process as not having an ending at all. An example of an ambiguous ending would be something like: Vanessa knew what she had to do: let go, and allow Rick to love her. That’s not a clear ending. The solution is to end on an event or physical action that expresses that idea.
Emotionally, end on a note that expresses the fact that she has let go. Something as simple as an embrace between Vanessa and Rick with her crying is both a physical and emotional ending that could work, especially if Vanessa has refrained from having any physical or emotional contact with Rick throughout the story. Of course I can build up to that moment throughout the story. But that’s the point. I have something tangible that I can build towards while writing my story. Now I could create all kinds of physical and emotional tension as I build towards that ending.

    HOW TO GENERATE IDEAS FOR ENDINGS

A good rule of thumb in trying to come up with an ending before I write is to start with a premise and end on a conclusion that opposes that premise. For example, if I want to do a story about a bright, beautiful recent med school grad who has never had a boyfriend (something she’s sworn off since she witnessed her father cheating on her mother years ago with her grade school teacher), then my premise could be something like: Love will never find a place in Amy’s heart. That is a premise, and the end will ideally confirm or refute that theory or premise. So, a simple ending could be Amy marries Mark. Notice how the ending is tangible: marriage.

Simple enough, right?

Here are some other examples of endings: Chloe and Bill make love, Jason proposes to Erin, Lisa arrives in Paris where Blake is waiting for her, Nicky introduces Rob to her parents, Marley and Eric take a vacation to the Caribbean after she’s informed that she no longer has cancer.

Those of course can be fleshed out in more detail, but those are concrete events that can signal a story’s ending. Notice how they can guide the writer from the beginning.

How I might look writing my novels, coffee in hand.

Writing a novel without the guide of an ending is very difficult. Inspiration will only get the writer so far; writing without an ending in mind will get me to page 20 or maybe 30, however I won’t really know where my characters are headed. Knowing where I’m headed can take the pressure off while writing. As one published writer put it: “send your characters to hell and back, as long as you know where back is.”

AMANDA'S RANCHER by Caroline Clemmons

Montana Sky: Amanda's Rancher by Caroline Clemmons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

REVIEW By Mary A. Adair
AMANDA'S RANCHER by Caroline Clemmons
#MontanaSkyKW


This story begins in a small Georgia town in 1887.
Mara O’Sullivan is awakened from sleep by a barely discernible rustling sound. Her life is about to change.

Mara was raised by her mother, a town prostitute. The fact that Mara’s mother had sheltered her daughter and that Mara herself had never taken up the trade made no difference to the town folk. Though she faced the disdain of the “proper” people, she, as her mother had been, was a kind and generous person who valued right over wrong. When she witnessed a bank robbery she did the right thing, she identified the outlaws to the sheriff. This act put her life in danger and threw her into a desperate flight to find safety.


On this fearful journey she encounters a half-sister and a niece she never knew she had. She learns about her father that was devoid of fatherly love toward any child not born a boy. It was easy for her to love her half-sister, Amanda Eppes, and her own sweet and intelligent niece, Iris Grace.
Mara learns Amanda is on her way to Montana Territory to become a mail-order bride. Mara takes no time at all to make up her mind about what she wants to do. She is faced with a chance to have a real family. Changing her own destination, Mara is thrilled with the notion they can live close to one another and be a help to each other.

The two sisters make plans for the future and look forward to a family neither had ever known. Sadly, their plans are interrupted when Amanda, the sister Mara had only begun to know, dies suddenly. On her sister’s deathbed, Mara promises she will take Amanda’s place. She will pretend to be Amanda and Iris will become her daughter. She prays the plan is solid and the men who want her dead will never find them.
Her plans become salvation not only for herself but for her niece, now daughter, as well. She determines she will marry this unknown rancher. She will be the best wife and mother she can be. Most of all, she will keep Iris close and provide for her a safe and happy home.

Mara and her new daughter continue on the journey to Montana Territory where she will meet Preston Kincaid for the first time. She marries this man she does not know and soon realizes the deception she thought would keep herself and her daughter safe has become a threat to all she holds dear.

I just couldn’t put this story down. I love the way Ms Clemmons weaves a story together. These characters will wiggle their way into your heart, especially little Iris. If you are a sweet romantic at heart, with a bit of daredevil and adventurer mixed in, you will love this story.



View all my reviews

My Review of “Tarnished Remains”, second book in Pat Jager’s “Shandra Higheagle Mysteries"

I just finished “Tarnished Remains”, second book in Paty Jager’s “Shandra Higheagle Mysteries”. A Big 5 Stars!
This story is a murder mystery set in Idaho on Shandra Higheagle’s farm. Shandra grew up with little memory of her father who died in an accident when she was a small child. Thanks to her grandmother she grew up understanding her Native American heritage. This is a part of the story I really liked, after her grandmother’s death, her grandmother still visited Shandra in her dreams. Shandra accepted that she dreamed of her grandmother and the visits seem to help her through the rough patches in her life, which includes solving murder mysteries, but she still feels the visits are actually her mind‘s own way of working through the issues.

Well, it seems Shandra has a knack for finding dead bodies. In Tarnished Remains Shandra unearths a body while digging on her own property to retrieve the clay needed to fashion her pottery. Can you imagine just digging away in your garden and unearthing an old boot with the foot still in it?! 

Detective Ryan Greer is the first person to come to her mind as the person to call. If you haven’t read book one in the series, she and the detective worked together before. Shandra was his main suspect in book one. This is mentioned in book two and flows with the story. Tarnished Remains is a complete story and stands on its own. So don’t worry if you haven’t read book one, it is not necessary to understand the second book.

Tarnished Remains kept me on my toes. Just when I thought I knew who the murderer was, I changed my mind. I just loved the small town atmosphere and all the corky people living there. I reminded me of the small town I grew up near and went to school in. I swear, everyone in this book looked at least a little guilty at some part of the story. It had me guessing till the very end and when the true culprit was revealed it made perfect sense.

I give Tarnished Remains 5 stars. It is a small town murder mystery with a hint of budding true love. There is also the dream visiting grandmother, I always love a touch of super natural, a big, lovable, and a scared of his own shadow dog, I have one of those and I Love her, Love her, Love her! A mysterious Crazy Lil, and there are corky, cranky townsfolk. What else could you ask for? I loved it.

It is a stand alone story so you don’t have to read them in sequence, but if you haven’t read book one it would be great fun to read it first.


Pick up your copy here!
http://www.amazon.com/Tarnished-Remains-Shandra-Higheagle-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00T83F3XE/ref

Big Christmas Discount

My Passion's Series in Kindle Format is  discounted for Christmas. 

Book 2 in the Passion’s Series, Raven’s Passion
will be FREE starting Christmas Day through December 29th.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KMYA6UI


 Books 1 and 3 of the Passion’s Series will be on sale for 0.99 starting 12-22-15 through January 2, 16. 


International Award Winning, Passions Vision:
 http://www.amazon.com/Passions-Vision-Passion-Book-1-ebook/dp/B006QQ0LVA

From an International Award Winner comes “Passionate, realistic and intense, Passion’s Vision will draw you in” (Bil Howard for Readers’ Favorite)

Award winning Interracial Native American Historical Romance set in the time of the classic novel, The Last of the Mohicans. A disparity of values and intentions clouds the path for James Fitzgerald and the Cherokee tribe he loves in this award-winning historical romance. A sister to the Chief, New Moon struggles with unrelenting attraction towards James, an outsider and threat to her way of life. Is James the warrior New Moon needs him to be and can visions of passion be trusted, at all cost?

Passion’s Price:  http://www.amazon.com/Passions-Price-Passion-Book-3-ebook/dp/B006UKCAG6/

Dawn's free-spirited lifestyle was like a breath of fresh air to the people in London.

Passion’s Price takes place in England in the mid 18th. century. Golden Dawn is half white, half Cherokee. From her father she inherited gently curling blond hair, strikingly blue eyes and the appearance of sweet naivety. Her spirit however, inherited from her warrior mother, is that of a Cherokee warrior and is completely out of place in the sophisticated English culture. She has no problem appearing lady-like when she needs to, but late at night she dresses as a ragtag, dirty, homeless boy and fearlessly searches the back-streets and alleyways for clues leading to the identity of the person threatening the life of the man she loves.
Dawn’s vision of a warehouse fire and gunshots cracking through the darkness of night has warned Dawn that her Passion will exact a Price.
Will Passion carry her through to the end, or will she pay Passion’s Price?







Also My Young Adult, Captive Spirits will be 0.99 until January 2
 http://www.amazon.com/Captive-Spirits-Legends-Aztar-Book-ebook/dp/B00BWWJVS2/ref

Ever wake up to a world you didn't know? Ever have that gnawing feeling deep inside that tells you to run but you don’t know where to hide? Maybe you are a Captured Spirit.

"Captive Spirits" the first book in the 'Legends of Aztar Series' by Mary Adair takes us to the planet of Aztar, a place that is never known to be at peace. There is a deep fear of those who wield mystical powers and use them for cruelty and hold people as captive spirits. There is a small belief among the people, however, that some day a savior will come and take them out of the blood and gore of war. The leaders of each region come together to try to reunite the divided people so that they can have things ready for their savior. The leaders know the battle to free the will and spirit of the people of Aztar will not be an easy one. Many will be lost and so they decree that a King must be chosen. And they choose the first King of the land, Si Volcum.

What an adventure Mary Adair has created for readers of all ages! There are enough twists in the plot and curious intrigues to keep an adult brain mulling over them as they go, with the right punches of adventure for the young adults it is geared for. This is an enjoyable read with a very fast pace. Aztar may be a planet in war but to me it is still beautiful. The way the spirit of the people continues to live and wants to be free is a beauty to me. This is a skillfully written story and I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series.






I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Holiday filled with the blessings of family, faith and love.

   

Through The Fire by Beth Trissel

Through The Fire by Beth Trissel takes place during one of the most turbulent times of American history, the French and Indian wars.  Rebecca Elliott is fleeing an abusive father and taking her sister, Kate, with her to Fort Warden.  The plan is to meet up with an uncle she has not seen in many years but remembers him as a kind and loving man.

As they travel by horse back through the forest.  They are attacked by Shawnee warriors who are allied with the French.  The battle is fierce, many men are killed, and a few are taken captive. Rebecca helps Kate to escape capture, but is captured herself by a warrior named Shoka.

This battle scene reminds me of the movie version of  Last of the Mohicans.  Beth Trissel’s ability to bring together the sight, sound, and emotion of the scene is amazing. This scene in her story places me perfectly into the time and fills my mind with a perfect representation of how it would look and feel to be there.  Ms Trissel’s story, Through The Fire, is not a rehash of the classical Last of the Mohicans. After that first scene, so brilliantly told and placing the reader right where she wants them, Ms. Trissel weaves a beautiful story of growing love and respect between Rebecca and Shoka.

This journey through the frontier is nothing short of just plan hard for a woman raised as a Lady. But you soon learn there is more to Rebecca than just a pretty face. Her past abuse has molded her into a person determined to take care of herself and those she cares about. This inner strength helps her to survive and to help others dear to her heart to survive as well.

I love when a book is so well written that it transport you right into the story and holds you captive.  This book did that for me all the way to the end. Through The Fire is filled with tremendous challenges, and heroic rescues. It contains a touch of Native American mysticism and ends it with a mystery.

Need I say it? This story rates 5 STARS for me in all aspects, plot, strong     characters, adventure, and I always get excited when an animal wanders into the story and you just know there is a special meaning.

McClintock’s Reluctant Bride by Caroline Clemmons

A delightful story of growing trust and love. I give McClintock’s Reluctant Bride 5 Stars

 

This is a heart-warming story. McClintock’s Reluctant Bride is book 3 in the McClintock series and is every bit as good as the books before. I love Ms Clemmons’ attention to detail and historical accuracy. The characters are well developed, the storyline well-plotted, and the ending totally satisfying.

The story opens with handsome rabble-rouser, Josh McClintock, celebrating his 24th birthday with family and friends.  Josh is a son of the successful McClintock ranching family. He is handsome, rich and self-assured. He suffers no loss when it comes to finding feminine companionship whenever he wants it. Everything is going his way. That is until he wakes up, half dressed, and being dragged out from under the bed of beautiful Nettie Clayton. In a drunken stupor he had mistaken her house for another, left his horse in plain sight in the front yard, climbed up to the second floor, crawled into Nettie Clayton’s window and onto her bed! Worse, when he wakes he is staring up at her extremely angry father. 

Yep, you guessed it, shotgun wedding, loss of freedom to carouse and basically live the ideal life of the most eligible bachelor in town. However, not all is lost. Nettie Clayton may be high-tempered and demanding, but she is also unquestionably beautiful. 

Nettie Clayton’s life is finally coming together.  Her family no longer lives in the coal mining town of Lignite, Texas. They now lived in McClintock Falls where her parents live in a modest, but beautiful home and her brother is free of the expectation of a lifetime of working coal underground. Nettie looks forward to her new position as a teacher in the local school. All is right with her world, or that was what she thought before Josh McClintock climbed into her room through a window and then passed out on her bed.

A delightful story of growing trust and love. I give McClintock’s Reluctant Bride 5 Stars

Amazon http://amzn.com/B011LGDP8U

Amazon Canada http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B011LGDP8U

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B011LGDP8U

Amazon in Deutschland  http://www.amazon.de/dp/B011LGDP8U

Amazon Australia http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B011LGDP8U

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mcclintocks-reluctant-bride-caroline-clemmons/1122296093;jsessionid=55F2EC55DF788F41BD04EB496DE920AD.prodny_store03-5?ean=2940152252132

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/mcclintock-s-reluctant-bride

Google Play Books https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Caroline_Clemmons_McClintock_s_Reluctant_Bride?id=fNsoCgAAQBAJ&hl=en

Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1019315302

Matelyn And The Texas Ranger: A Brides of Texas Code Series, Book 2

I give Matelyn and the Texas Ranger 5 Stars

This is a story of love and loss and the strength of the human spirit to overcome. I love that this story is grounded in the time of an actual event. In 1875 a Hurricane hit the Texas gulf. This story, though it is a fictional account, cast a realistic light on the devastation of such a tragic event. It also cast a light on the resilience of the human spirit and the kindness of others in a time of need.

The backdrop of the Hurricane provides a powerful visual, but it is not the whole story.

 Ian Benning, rancher and Texas Ranger, lost his wife to a tragic accident. He leaves is home and travels to Houston where he takes over a case involving an international embezzler for the local authorities.

Matelyn O'Donnell is in the employment of Gerard de Marceau to companion his wife, Veronique de Marceau. Metelyn is fond of the younger Veronique, but looks forward to the end of their journey to Texas. Once they arrive at Houston after traveling by ship from New Orleans she plans to travel on to Dallas where she can start a new life near her cousin Katie McTierman.

We all know what happens to well laid plans. Bound by fate, mystery, deception, and a Hurricane life will play out for the two couples in a way that will keep you guessing to the end. I have a new favorite author. This story is well written, plotted to keep you guessing, and filled with the strength of human spirit. If you enjoy a story that is not afraid to address the emotion of tragedy and the ability of the heart to find love after loss you will be glad you found Matelyn And The Texas Ranger.
  
Carra Copelin is one of Amazon's Best selling, award winning authors.
Visit Carra's webpage to check out her other books.
http://www.carracopelin.com/

Strong Female Characters

The stories I had been told about an Irish trader, James Adair, and his unusual adventures among the Native American tribes in the 1700s had so intrigued me I could hardly wait to start writing a fictional account of just such a man. I knew the woman to steal his heart had to be special. She had to be strong and determined. She had to be brave, firm in her believes, and she had to be a match for him.

I knew very little about the Cherokee woman of that time. Let’s face it, a historical romance can be a bit fantastical, but I wanted the Cherokee woman that would steal James Fitzgerald’s, my fictional James Adair character, heart to be true to the culture of the Cherokee people. In James’ own writings, I soon learned the Cherokee woman and the place she held within the Cherokee culture was one of  great respect and honor. Here are some interesting facts I learned not only from James Adair’s writings, but from numerous other sources.

Cherokee women, it seems to me, were the core of the village. Women in Cherokee society were equal to men. The highest rank a woman could earn was the title of Ghigau, “Beloved Woman”, also translated  “War Woman”. The Beloved woman sat in council as an equal. She had a voice and could vote in the General Council. As Beloved Woman she held a place of leadership for the women’s council. She prepared and served the ceremonial black drink, and held the duty of ambassador of peace-negotiator. She could also save the life of a prisoner already condemned to be executed.

Though Beloved Woman was the highest position a woman could hold, all women were respected as equals as they carried out their duties within the tribe. They took lead in the execution of prisoners, which was their right as mothers. They had the right to claim prisoners as slaves, adopt them as kin, or condemn them to death.

Clan kinship followed the mother’s family and it was the duty of an uncle on the mother’s side to teach a son how to hunt and fish and perform certain tribal duties. Children were born into the mother’s tribe, not the father’s.

The clan, in Cherokee society, was your family. Marrying within your clan was strictly prohibited.  However, outside of her own clan a Cherokee woman had full right to marry any man she chose, be he Beloved Warrior from her tribe, a warrior outside her tribe, trader, or frontiersman. Women were totally free to choose.

Women owned the home and the furnishings. If the man she married turned out not to be the man of her dreams she was free to divorce her husband by placing all his things outside the house.

Also on her list of duties,  women cared for the young, cooked and tended the home as well as the fields. She wove baskets, tanned skins and some even went on the warpath with their husbands.

Wilma Pearl Mankiller, principal chief for ten years from 1985 to 1995

Charm: An Amazing Story of a Little Black Cat by Leyla Atke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charm: An Amazing Story of a Little Black Cat
This is an emotional story about a beloved pet. Love and loss and healing are lessons we all must learn. This story covers all three in a way that any child or adult can appreciate. I am impressed by the way Leyla Atke expressed the painful feeling of sadness, loss and guilt to finally acceptance and forgiveness and then love for a new pet. The loss of beloved pets is something every child and parent must face. This touching story can help in the process of acceptance and recovery.

Pick up you copy at Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Charm-Amazing-Story-Little-Black-ebook/dp/B00NL7Z63K/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr&qid



View all my reviews

My Review of Winter Bride by Caroline Clemmons

Winter Bride is Caroline Clemmon’s latest addition to her Stone Mountain Texas Series. I read this book in one sitting. Winter Bride is not a short story, it is just that absorbing! I could not put it down!
Winter Bride (Stone Mountain, Texas)

The story opens with Sheriff Butch Parrish rushing to the livery to save a woman from a brutal beating by her husband. Her husband is gone by the time Butch arrives to find a gruesomely battered Glenna Tucker.
Despite the poor woman’s seriously injured condition, she manages to tell him her husband is likely on his way home where her sister and children are trapped with no transportation and without food. She begs the sheriff to help them.
Sheriff Parrish packs supplies and hurries out to the small farm the family is leasing from Zach Stone.
If you have read the Men of Stone Mountain stories, you will remember handsome Zach Stone from Book Two.
HIGH STAKES BRIDE (A Stone Mountain Texas Book 2)

Okay… I digress! Back to the story.

 The sheriff is unable to track down the scoundrel on his way to the farmhouse and is shot by the villain. In spite of his injuries, he does rescue Glenna Tucker’s sister, Kendra, eight-year-old Caleb, and his two younger sisters, Mittie, and Abby. Every man in Kendra’s life has been no better than her brother-in-law. This lack of fatherly support, though it molded her into a strong, dependable, independent woman, sadly also caused her to have a distrust for all men.

Kendra loves her nieces and nephew and is determined she will open her own business and provide for her family. Her fear is her brother-in-law will return to steal away his son and murder anyone standing in his way.

Sheriff Parrish is there to give her the support she needs and unbidden her trust for the handsome sheriff grows. Butch Parrish still mourns the loss of his wife. He is not ready to love again. Yet the three children touch a place in his heart that he cannot ignore and his attraction to Kendra is simply undeniable. As he supports Kendra in purchasing a business and home for her family as well as watching over the family’s well-being and keeping the peace in town, his admiration and love for her grows. I do not want to put in any spoilers, but I do have to say if you enjoy Caroline’s books, you will love this one. Ms. Clemmon’s writing style is unmistakable. Her stories are filled with a love and warmth that leaves you running to Amazon to look for more of her work, and there are many to choose from. Author Caroline Clemmons knocked another one out of the park with Winter Bride. This story is filled with personal growth, budding love and the hometown and family interaction that I so enjoy in her books. I would give Winter Bride an easy 5 Stars.

The Cherokee Rose and the Trail of Tears

QUICK REMINDER!!  Today 3/11/15, is the last day to download a free copy of Raven's Passion.   http://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Passion-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00KMYA6UI/

The Legend of the Cherokee Rose

My Passion Series is one book away from taking place during the Trail of Tears. The story started in the mid 1700s with New Moon, a female Cherokee warrior, and James Fitzgerald, an English agent. I enjoyed every aspect of research on that project. Same with Raven’s Passion and Passion’s Price.

I am now looking at a story taking place in one of our nation’s saddest and most unjust times, The Trail of Tears. In my research I rediscovered facts I had not thought about for a long time. I don’t think it is well understood today that in the early 1800s in Georgia,  Cherokee families owned homes on farms and even plantations. They built roads, and sawmills, and blacksmith shops. They farmed their land and encouraged missionaries to set up schools to educate their children in the English language. They used a syllabary, characters representing syllables, developed by a Cherokee man named Sequoyah to encourage literacy while encouraging the retention of their own rich culture.

The struggle was hard to maintain their freedom and their land. In 1830 gold was found on Cherokee land and the Indian removal act was passed.  In 1832, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cherokee. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that the Cherokee Nation was sovereign, making the removal laws invalid. The Cherokee would have to agree to removal in a treaty for such a thing to ever happen. The treaty then would have to be ratified by the Senate. Even so, 1832 saw the encroachment into Cherokee land with the land lottery.  I can’t think of words that could accurately describe the pain and sorrow suffered by the brave and noble People that called this home for ages beyond memory.  

In 1835 a minority, 500 out of 17,000 not truly representing the Cherokee Nation, signed The Treaty of New Echota. This act alone gave Jackson the legal document he needed to remove the Cherokee. Ratification of the treaty by the United States Senate sealed the fate of the Cherokee. General Winfield Scott, arrived at New Echota on May 17, 1838 with 7000 men. Early that summer General Scott and the United States Army began the invasion of the Cherokee Nation.

The forced removal and the bitter journey was brutal. About 4000 Cherokee died as a result of the removal. The rout they took became known as "The Trail of Tears" or, as a direct translation from Cherokee, "The Trail Where They Cried" ("Nunna daul Tsuny").

The Legend of the Cherokee Rose was born on this Trail of Tears...

 The mothers of the Cherokee grieved so much that the chiefs prayed for a sign to lift the mother's spirits and give them strength to care for their children. From that day forward, a beautiful new flower, a rose, grew wherever a mother's tear fell to the ground. The rose is white, for the mother's tears. It has a gold center, for the gold taken from the Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each stem that represent the seven Cherokee clans that made the journey. To this day, the Cherokee Rose prospers along the route of the "Trail of Tears".

Free Days for book 2 and book 3 of Passion Series

This is your chance to get two Great Stories for Free.

https://storycartel.com/books/passions-price-book-3-in-passion-series


Passion's Price is free in exchange for an honest rearview at Story Cartel for the next 20 days.

Dawn's free-spirited lifestyle was like a breath of fresh air to the people in London.

Passion’s Price takes place in England in the mid 18th. century. Golden Dawn is half white, half Cherokee. From her father she inherited gently curling blond hair, strikingly blue eyes and the appearance of sweet naivety. Her spirit however, inherited from her warrior mother, is that of a Cherokee warrior and is completely out of place in the sophisticated English culture. She has no problem appearing lady-like when she needs to, but at night she dresses as a ragtag, dirty, homeless boy and fearlessly searches the back-streets and alleyways for clues leading to the identity of the person threatening the life of the man she loves.

Dawn’s vision of a warehouse fire and gunshots cracking through the darkness of night warn Dawn her Passion will exact a Price.

Will Passion carry her through to the end, or will she pay Passion’s Price?


Also Raven's Passion at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Passion-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00KMYA6UI/

http://www.tsu.co/AuthMaryAdair

I want to invite all my friends to meet me at Tsu.co
My short code http://www.tsu.co/AuthMaryAdair
Have you heard of tsu.co? It is a new social media that sounds like it is going to be very popular. It looks like FB or Google+, and you can actually earn a little money on ads. I am new to it and don’t know how that part works, but it sounds a little like AdSense on your blog to me. What I like about it is that they seem to be strongly against spam and keeping their members secure.
You have to be invited and have a member’s short code to get in and join. I hope to see you there. If you look around and decide you don’t want to stay just don’t sign up.

Show with a “Tell”

Show, don’t tell. Ever heard that? How ‘bout, Show with a “tell”?

Definition of "A Tell"…Tweeked only a little to fit my point :)

A "tell" in poker(a novel) is a detectable change in a player's (character’s) behavior or demeanor that gives clues to that player's(character’s) assessment of his hand (state of mind). A player (reader) gains an advantage (a deeper understanding and interest) if he observes and understands the meaning of another player's (character’s) "tell", particularly if the "tell" is unconscious and reliable.

Like most authors, even before I seriously started writing, I loved to read. I didn’t realize it then, but the one most engaging aspect of the story was how I could get to know my favorite character. I liked being able to recognize that little ‘tell’ that clued me in on what he felt, or was thinking or what he might do, before the characters in the story figured it out. As I realized the small nuances of the author’s skill in showing the story I became more and more intrigued by the art and wanted to try my own hand at story telling.

Here are a couple of example from one of my favorite authors.
 Caroline Clemmons
Brazos Bride: Men of Stone Mountain Texas (A Stone Mountain Texas Book 1)
Zach rubbed his chin while he thought it over, slapped Joel on the back. "Hate to interrupt this much fun, but it couldn't hurt to cover Micah’s back. Some of his good neighbors might take him being alone as a gift." He leaned his shovel near Micah’s and mounted his horse.

From GABE KINCAID by Caroline Clemons
Gabe Kincaid (The Kincaids Book 4) “My, what a hotbed of crime we circus folk are. Did Zara talk?”

“Not a word.” He (Gabe Kincaid) screwed up his face and tugged at his ear. “Well, none that I can use in mixed company. Matter of fact, I learned a few new curse words. Ben’s (the sheriff) determined to keep at her until he gets sentences that don’t insult his parentage or suggest movement impossible for the human body.”

Sometime, especially if you want to add a little mystery or a bit of humor, you have to build on the ‘tell’. In my story, Passion’s Price, I have a character (William Montgomery, aka, Willy) who, though he tries to present himself with a devil-may-care personality, is actually quite high strung, evidenced by his pulling Boading Balls from his pocket and twirling them nervously within his hand causing an irritating clanking notice at the most inopportune times...

Excerpts from Passion’s Price.Passion's Price (Passion Series Book 3) William’s annoying habit tells on him.

Lady Gaylord took the opening to jump in. "We wanted to speak to you about Dawn."

"Yes," Lady Montgomery took up when the other stopped to take a breath. And so the discussion continued as it always did with these two; one starting and the other finishing the thought, leaving Raven with no recourse but to glance from one to the other.

"She is becoming quite popular, dear." Lady Montgomery watched several young men vie for a dance with Dawn.

"We know you are making arrangements to send her home, but she deserves a proper coming out," Lady Gaylord added.

"It would be a shame to send her home so soon," Lady Montgomery finished. "Her father has promised us for years that he would allow her a visit as soon as she was old enough. James knows what good care we have taken of you. This is the perfect time."

"Yes, of course. Just look at her. And to think she arrived just in time to attend this ball in honor of your birthday." Lady Gaylord placed a plump hand to her bosom and sighed.

William no longer pretended indifference to his grandmothers as the Baoding Balls slid more rapidly within his palm, the chiming increasing with his agitation.

"Yes, you must allow her to stay longer, at least until the Golden Lady returns."

"She will occupy a room upstairs. It will remain hers for as long as she likes."

"She likes the room." Lady Gaylord nodded and added, "And she and Sara get along well."

"Yes, they did. Sara can be her personal maid while she is here. I think they will both like that very much."

"Yes, I agree."

Lady Montgomery patted Raven's arm. "And, of course, your room is always ready any time you want to visit, same as Willie's."

Out of habit, William softly choked out, "Don't call me that, Gran."

Lady Gaylord laid her hand over William's. "Put those annoying balls away, dear. They are only going to get you into trouble."

William blinked in confusion, but did as he was told.

Much later, that little nervous trait causes William a lot of pain.
Excerpt:

Lady Montgomery said, "Oh, it's those horrid chiming balls of Willie's. I had just told him they would get him in trouble. Victoria and I have told him time and again to stop playing with the infernal things. He refused to listen and see where it's landed him."

Her confused rambling gave Raven a chance to compose himself, though the content of her jumbled speech distracted him. He walked slowly around the two on the floor and retrieved a mug from the cupboard.

"I don't understand." He looked down at William. "Maybe you should explain."

William looked up at him. "What Gran said is true. Dawn charged in here and kicked my Baoding Balls right out of my hand. I'm not sure how I got here. Um, you'll be glad to hear the Golden Lady is in port."

"Tell the truth." Dawn pressed the blade against William's throat. "Your chiming balls just told on you."

"What's all this talk about balls?" Lady Gaylord said as she entered from the garden, her arms laden with freshly cut flowers.

Passion's Vision Receives Reader's Favorite Award

I have been so busy with writing and promotion and all the things authors get all tangled into, that I finally realized I had not blogged about Passion's Vision receiving a Reader's Favorite Award. Can you imagine forgetting to blog about something that exciting and wonderful?

Well,... Reader's Favorite is a prestigious International Award. They have several awards they give out to numerous genres. Passion's Vision was awarded 2014 Finalist in Historical Fiction. I just have to post my Award. Believe me, it is in a beautiful frame hanging in my office.

I also wanted to post a site that features great books of every genre with links to purchase. Just click the link, of course it goes to Passion's Vision, but at the top of the page you can navigate to your favorite genre.
http://buff.ly/1xcXxWl 

Don't forget, Raven's Passion will be on special at Amazon 12/25 to 12/31/14 at Amazon Kindle for .99cents

http://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Passion-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00KMYA6UI/ref=

Happy Holidays!

Native American Christmas

The stories I am writing for the Passion’s Series take place in the 1700s and my characters are Native American Cherokees. While researching for my Native American novels I came across some amazing information about Native American celebrations. Before the white man came to their land they had no knowledge of Christian teachings. As the missionaries introduced them to Christian traditions, the Native Americans found that the story of Christmas and Christ’s birth sounded similar to some of their own tribal prophecies and considered the familiarity of the message of Jesus with their own truths handed down by their ancestors.

Many Native Americans in North America did observe a celebration near Christmas time, that we call the Winter Solstice.  The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year and falls on December 21-22. It was celebrated in the Americas long before European influence arrived. Different Native American tribes associate different beliefs and rituals with it.

For example, the Hopi tribal celebrations are meant to give aid and direction to the sun which is ready to return and give strength to new life. Their ceremony is called Soyal and lasts for 20 days. During this time there is prayer stick making, purification and other rituals, and is concluded with a rabbit hunt a great feast and many blessings.
There is a  Native American story of a brave named, Handsome Fellow. He could be called a Native American Santa. He is a handsome brave who wears white buckskins, and brings gifts to Indian children. Other gift bringers come at different times of the year, often in the summertime. What intrigues me the most about the Native American culture is their love for giving. The gift bringing and giving element is always a part of the American Indian culture, whatever the occasion is for a gathering.

I was struck by the words of  Looks for Buffalo, an Oglala Sioux spiritual leader, the full-blood Oglala grandson of Chief Red Cloud and White Cow Killer, and a Cheyenne Oglala leader, as he explains the meaning of Christmas to the traditional Indian people of the Americas. The following words are his own words:

"Traditional American Indians are raised to respect the Christian Star and the birth of the first Indian Spiritual Leader. He was a Star Person and Avatar. His name was Jesus. He was a Hebrew, a Red Man. He received his education from the wilderness. John the Baptist, Moses, and other excellent teachers that came before Jesus provided an educational foundation with the Holistic Method."

"Everyday is our Christmas. Every meal is our Christmas. At every meal we take a little portion of the food we are eating, and we offer it to the spirit world on behalf of the four legged, and the winged, and the two legged. We pray--not the way most Christians pray-- but we thank the Grandfathers, the Spirit, and the Guardian Angel."

"The Indian Culture is actually grounded in the traditions of a Roving Angel. The life-ways of Roving Angels are actually the way Indian People live. They hold out their hands and help the sick and the needy. They feed and clothe the poor. We have high respect for the avatar because we believe that it is in giving that we receive."

"We are taught as Traditional children that we have abundance. The Creator has given us everything: the water, the air we breathe, the earth as our flesh, and our energy force: our heart. We are thankful every day. We pray early in the morning, before sunrise, to the morning star, and the evening star. We pray for our relatives who are in the universe that someday they will come. We also pray that the Great Spirit's son will live again."

"To the Indian People Christmas is every day and they don't believe in taking without asking. Herbs are prayed over before being gathered by asking the plant for permission to take some cuttings. An offer of tobacco is made to the plant in gratitude. We do not pull the herb out by its roots, but cut the plant even with the surface of the earth, so that another generation will be born its place."

"It is really important that these ways never be lost. And to this day we feed the elders, we feed the family on Christmas day, we honor Saint Nicholas. We explain to the little children that to receive a gift is to enjoy it, and when the enjoyment is gone, they are pass it on to the another child, so that they, too, can enjoy it. If a child gets a doll, that doll will change hands about eight times in a year, from one child to another."

"Every day is Christmas in Indian Country. Daily living is centered around the spirit of giving and walking the Red Road. Walking the Red Road means making everything you do a spiritual act. If your neighbor, John Running Deer, needs a potato masher; and you have one that you are not using, you offer him yours in the spirit of giving. It doesn't matter if it is Christmas or not."

"If neighbors or strangers stop over to visit at your house, we offer them dinner. We bring out the T-Bone steak, not the cabbage. If we don't have enough, we send someone in the family out to get some more and mention nothing of the inconvenience to our guests. The more one gives, the more spiritual we become. The Christ Consciousness, the same spirit of giving that is present at Christmas, is present every day in Indian Country."

Looks For Buffalo resides on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and can be contacted at (605)867-5762 or P.O. Box 150, Pine Ridge, SD 57770. He is a contributor to www.ewebtribe.com.
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, filled with many blessings and lots of giving.

Above Photos from Google Commons.

                               Passion's Vision (Passion Series Book 1)
                               Raven's Passion (Passion Series Book 2)
                               Passion's Price (Passion Series Book 3)