Coventina, Goddess of Springs and Wells

Welcome to MFRW's Spring Fever blog hop!

Normally, spring brings to my mind images of pretty colored Easter eggs, white daisies, and nature's revival. Lately, I've been busy writing a paranormal with a heroine who's an Adept witch, descended from Celts. (Book Two in my series)

While researching Celtic myth and magic, I came across Coventina, goddess of wells and springs, associated with abundance, rebirth and divination. She's depicted as a water nymph, naked and reclining on a leaf surrounded by rippling water or in triple form, holding a vessel and pouring water.

The Celts saw springs as magical places alive with water deities and nymphs. A place of magic and mystery. Offerings, as in coins, brooches, rings and pottery were made to the goddess in exchange for wishes, to enhance powers or make restitution.

Now, spring brings to mind bubbling brooks, water nymphs, moss covered rocks and magic.
What do you envision when you think of spring?

Please leave a comment and include your email if you'd like the chance to win a digital copy of The Burning Seal, Book One in my paranormal series. Two random visitors will be chosen. 

Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy the blog hop!

MFRW's Spring Fever Blog Hop...Coming Soon

Join us in celebrating Spring during our blog hop, April 11-13, 2014









Authors: It's not too late to join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/mfrwbloghoppers/

The Burning Seal, Book One of The Elements Series by Jenna Storm...

Don't open the door. 

Danni ignored the warning. Her life changed that night. Now, she must gather the remnants of her shattered confidence and discover why she's hunted by demonic forces, envisioning a killer's crimes and dreaming about a woman who lived and battled a demon centuries ago. 

I'm over at Mary Waibel's blog today spotlighting The Burning Seal, Book One in my paranormal series. Leave a comment on Mary's blog for a chance to win an ebook copy of The Burning Seal.

Stop by and let's talk paranormal...

http://waibelworld.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-burning-seal-by-jenna-storm.html

Susan A. Royal talks writing, family and her May release IN MY OWN SHADOW (Fantasy Adventure/Romance)!

I'm happy to welcome fellow MuseItUp Author Susan A. Royal to my blog! Thanks Susan for giving us a glimpse into your family, thoughts on writing and your upcoming release, In My Own Shadow, a Fantasy Adventure/Romance. Readers, please leave a comment with your email address to win an ecopy of In My Own Shadow...

 Hi Jenna! Thanks so much for having me. I’m delighted to be a guest on your blog. I signed with MuseItUp for the first time in June 2011, and what a journey it’s been. My life is filled with things I only used to dream about. In short, it’s been a wonderful experience. Along the way, I’ve met some wonderful people. Some of them live on the other side of the world, some on the other side of the country and some in my own little part of the world, but we all have one thing in common. We are wordsmiths. We write about worlds that exist only in our own minds. The voices of our characters speak to us, and we feel compelled to tell their stories.                                                       
     
I live in a 100-year-old farmhouse in a small east Texas town that comes complete with a female ghost who harmonizes from time to time with my youngest son when he plays guitar.  I’ve never heard her, but at sometimes on a cold winter night, I’ve felt the covers moving across the end of the bed as though she’s making sure my feet stay warm. Sounds like a story, right? Some day…
    
I’m married, with three children and four grandchildren who have been wonderful support in my efforts to be a writer. I couldn’t have done it without them. My family is rich with characters, both past and present. I spent my childhood listening to my grandmother’s stories of living on a farm in Oklahoma Territory with three sisters and three brothers and working as a telephone operator in the early 20^th century.  My father shared stories of growing up in San Antonio in the depression, and through her mother’s eyes I was able to experience how it felt to be a teenager during WWII. 
     
My current book, In My Own Shadow, is a Fantasy adventure/romance and will debut May 10, 2013. My first book, Not Long Ago, is a time travel adventure/romance. Both ebooks are available through MuseItUp/Amazon/B&N.  I am currently working on a sequel to Not Long Ago, because my daughter insisted there was still more of Erin and Griffin’s story to tell. She was right.

     Let me tell you a little about In My Own Shadow.

     Talk about the worst day ever! Lara lets her friend Carrie talk her into a blind date, only it turns out the handsome stranger waiting for Lara after work isn’t Carrie’s cousin after all. And, when they’re chased through a portal to another world, Lara realizes Rhys really is out of this world.
     Lyra, her alternate in another dimension, has left clues to the whereabouts of the Book of Secrets that explains the mystery of time travel in Lara’s subconscious.  Or so Rhys thinks. Power-hungry telepaths pursuing them will stop at nothing to get it, even if it means breaking Lara’s mind. To complicate matters, Lara gets tangled up in her feelings for Rhys while exploring her connection with Lyra.
     With Rhys as her guardian, a bear of a man named Azle to guide her, and the spirit of Lyra haunting her dreams, Lara must find the Book of Secrets before it falls into the hands of those who want its power.  Only then can she return to her world safely.
     
I had fun writing scenes between Rhys and Lyra. At first she’s furious with him for ripping her away from a perfectly ordinary existence. Never mind that Rhys has saved her from the crazies in the parking lot and the nut job that appeared at her front door. Everything he says sets her teeth on edge, and sometimes he acts like he can barely stand to be around her. Every time it looks like they’re going to come to an understanding, something happens and it’s back to square one. Your typical love-hate relationship.


Here’s a little sample:
     Rhys seemed to have a hard time answering a simple question. “This is all too
bizarre for words. You can’t…I don’t…” With an unsteady breath, I threw my
hands up, fingers splayed. “You’re out of your mind, and so am I for trying to
make any sense out of this.”
Rhys rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “I know someone who might
be able to explain things to you better than me. And he can be trusted. I know
where to find him, but it’s a long, hard journey.”
     I raised my eyes to the sky. “Sure, why not? I’ll just cancel my dental appointment this afternoon. No biggie.” Above the trees, the constellations
glittered in the evening sky, but the moon was ringed like Jupiter, and the stars
were spinning. “What’s wrong with the moon…and the stars…?”
     He stared up into the darkness. “We’ve stepped through a portal into an
alternate universe—”
     I snorted laughter. “Sorry, I didn’t bring my passport. I wasn’t planning on
leaving the country, let alone the damn planet!” His blank expression told me
either he didn’t get my joke or else he didn’t think it was funny.

Please comment and don’t forget to leave your email address to be entered in a drawing to win an ecopy of In My Own Shadow. Thanks so much for having me. I have enjoyed it!

Buy link for In My Own Shadow: http://tinyurl.com/bqbxm4l
Buy link for Not Long Ago: http://tinyurl.com/85vgye3
Web Site:  http://susanroyal.moonfruit.com
Blog:  http://ssnroyal.blog.com/

On Jenna Storm's blog today...Author V.S. Nelson chat's with the intriguing ladies of her Eternal Series

I'm pleased to welcome Author V. S. Nelson to my blog today! She's joined by the ladies of Eternal Lovers, Book One in her series. The room's getting crowded so I'm going to bow out and leave them to entice you with glimpses of the (intriguing and oh so sexy) men and the ladies in the Eternal series. Please leave a comment for a chance to win a free Kindle copy of book two.

V: Jenna I want to thank you for the warm welcome. Like always you are such a lady of grace. So many others would have thrown us out for the unannounced intrusion. I’d like to start by introducing the ladies from Eternal Lovers, Book One of the series. Jennifer, would you come forward so I don’t have to shout across the room?

Jennifer, Eternal Lovers

 (A petite brunette who couldn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds soaking wet gets up and sits down beside me. Her smile is warm and friendly but she remains quiet and waits for me to speak.)

V: Jennifer, I thought I would start with you since Eternal Lovers is really your story. What can you tell Jenna’s readers about you and the book?

Jennifer: I guess it all started when I went to visit my best friend Alice, who was in the Chicago area.

(A blond with red streaks in her hair stand, waves her right arm and announces, “That’s me!”
 V and Jennifer both give her a look and she sits back down.

Jennifer: Anyway as I was saying, I was visiting her at a Lake Michigan estate when everything started happening. You see, I’d gone to see her to ask her for her help. I was convinced something was wrong with me. I won’t go into details but I will tell you every man I can into contact with seemed … well, just edible… anyway to make a long story short, I became seriously attracted to Gabriel, the leader of Guardians Inc. Being the big chicken I use to be, rather than act on my feelings I ran. He along with Alice and Raphael followed me back to California and it’s a good thing they did or I wouldn’t be alive today. Everything worked out in the long run and I ended up meeting my real father for the first time. By the way, does Jenna know I’m half Selkie?

V: Guess she does now.

Jennifer: Woops, guess I’ve been hanging around Alice too long.

Alice: Hey, wait a minute! What is that suppose to mean?

V: Ladies, please take it down a notch.

V: I think Jenna’sreaders are getting a good idea of what I have to put up with on a daily basis but I can assure you each woman here and in the series is unique and special in their own way. Alice as you can see is the most out spoken one. She’s known for her love of shopping and sex – the two things that are always on her mind. Sadly the others tease her relentlessly about it. Alice plays a major role throughout the series and keeps us on our toes. She’s lifemated to Mick, the one time lead singer of the Immortals. She met Marie, that red head sitting on your love seat in England. Marie is married to the bands lead singer came over to the states a couple of days after Jennifer arrived. She’s doesn’t look it but she’s been around for over three hundred years. No she’s not an immortal but her mate is so as long as she samples his blood from time to time she will continue to remain as she is.

(Marie smiles and give me a little wave. The blond next to her elbows her and speaks up,)

Kathleen: She may not be, but I am.

V: That you are Kathleen. Meet Kathleen, the first immortal woman we introduce in the series. She’s mated to Bryan the band’s drummer. Sadly when Set’s Legions attacked the band during their last concert at Yankee Stadium she was kidnapped. Thankfully we got her back before the end of book one.
The dark headed Middle Eastern looking lady on the far end of the couch is Jasmine. Like you and me, Jasmine is human. She is introduced to the reader just before Jennifer and Gabe’s wedding and becomes a major player in the series with the introduction of book two Eternal Nights. She now lives on the estate with Ronan, Jennifer’s father.

Not to scare you, but the dog we walked in with is no dog at all. That’s Nowaki, Jennifer’s wolf, who she has had since she was a small child. Nowaki also plays a big part in the series. See that young looking platinum haired woman holding the leash? Well that’s Jessica, Jennifer’s baby sister. Sadly Jessica was forced to share Nowaki’s body for twenty years until everyone discovered she existed. I’m happy to say, with the outcome of Book two, Eternal Nights; Jessica is now mated to Raphael, Gabe’s best friend.

The other two blonds in the room are Allison, a blood born immortal who found herself involved with one of Set’s Legions and Tshering Snow, a dancer from the Himalayas. Both are introduced and play a major role in Eternal Nights.  Book three, Eternal Blades is actually Tshering and Lance’s book so you’ll be see a lot more of her and of course the other women.

I know we’ve taken up a lot of your time so I say good bye to you and your readers for now. I can tell Alice is getting antsy as I promised her we would stop at one more mall before returning to the estate.
On another note, I’d like to mention, since today is release day for book two, Eternal Nights, I’ll be giving a Kindle version of the book away to some lucky person. All you have to do is leave a comment below.

If you would like to know more about the series please visit me and all the characters from the Guardians at any of the following places.

Book Trailer   Amazon  Website  Blog  Twitter  Goodreads Facebook   Authorsdb  BookB 

All of my books are available for purchase in Kindle format, regular print and large print for those with less than perfect eye sight through my Amazon author page. Amazon

Jenna, it’s been fun and I hope you’ll consider having us back again.

Author Heather Greenis chats about writing and her June release, Natasha's Dream...

I'd like to welcome Author Heather Greenis to my blog today. I love having guest authors visit and share their thoughts on writing, book blurbs and excerpts from their latest work. The cover for Heather's release is still with the art department, so I'm unable to post it here. Instead the author has included curiosity piquing blurbs for us to read and an excerpt to whet our appetite.

Natasha's Dream

Growing up, her only friends were her brothers and Nanny. In her parent’s mind, she was a mistake. As a result of an innocent swim, she discovered life existed beyond the walls of her home. Families, peers, underprivileged children. Can a dream turn into reality? Anything is possible, but dreams come with consequences that not only affect her, but those she loves. What is Natasha willing to risk to persevere?    

***

First, I’d like to thank Jenna for allowing me to be a guest on her blog. It’s an honour. Writing is a dream come true, but I can’t say it was a childhood dream.  I’ve always enjoyed reading.  

I love reading a good drama that leaves me thinking at the end and perhaps with a tear or two along the way.  

My husband has been known to walk into the room and see me sobbing as I read.  He’ll say, “Ah, you’re enjoying it” and leave me be. 

I’ve been known to have some rather weird dreams, and have since childhood. Like my character Keeghan, I remember most of my dreams in detail.  My husband suggested I begin writing. Smart guy.  I took his advice.  

It was a long, slow, but enjoyable process. I wrote and he read, giving me suggestions and feedback I think the toughest part is getting honest criticism when you’re not certain where to go for help. Friends and family would read the book and not comment. That was the toughest. I had to assume they didn’t like it.  The lack of comments sent me back to the computer for intense rewrites and edits. Finally, I received the comment ‘It’s a really good story,’ so I sent it off to a few publishers, and I was accepted.

My biggest complement came from my MuseitUp editor. In an email she sent to me she wrote.  ‘I made a note a while ago in our database that I want first dibs on all your manuscripts in the future.’

As a first time published author Teale made my day. 

My husband has been my biggest supporter. I consider writing a hobby and a passion, and am thankful for the support I’ve been given from everyone. 

Natasha’s Dream is the first book of a 4 part saga. 

The official back cover for Natasha's Dream...(June 2013 release date)

Fifteen difficult years and then a chance encounter that changed life as she knew it. Gave her a reason and hope to dream. Alone and seeking refuge, an orphanage becomes her only salvation for those dreadful weekdays. The only thing that gave her life a purpose. Ironic the underprivileged giving such pleasure to a girl born into such privilege.   A secret life. The truth hidden from everyone. It was imperative she keep her secret. What would he do when he found out? How many lives would be affected? Father’s approval was all she needed, but was that possible or simply a dream? Natasha’s Dream

The young man was skipping pebbles across the surface of the water. Terrified he would recognize her, she turned, dropping the blossoms. It was a mistake leaving the comfort and familiarity of the castle grounds. A foolish mistake.

“Hello. Hello.” 

She heard him speak but tried to ignore him. 

“Hello,” he repeated in a louder voice. “I have admired you as I sat under the tree and studied.” 

Embarrassed, Natasha was mortified at her stupidity. She hadn’t attempted to hide, but sat out in the open. The heat burned her face, but she couldn’t be rude and ignore him. She turned toward him shyly, tilting her head down. 

“My humble apologies. I have embarrassed you. Allow me to introduce myself. Stewart—Stewart Donovan.” 

She was afraid he would recognize her if she showed her face. But good manners insisted she acknowledge his presence. Perhaps she could tell him hello, and then leave swiftly and return home. She lifted her head. He was handsome, more so than she realized from a distance. He was her brother’s height, five feet-eleven inches with dark brown hair, a medium complexion on his face and a slight build. He appeared to be her age. His extraordinary blue eyes dominated his face. The colour was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Mesmerizing. Then he smiled. Her heart began to pound, so she shifted her attention away from his face. Nervous, she reached under her dark, wavy pony tail to scratch the back of her neck. When she looked up, their eyes locked.

“Natasha,” she responded. Panic rose as she realized he had introduced himself using his formal name and would expect the same from her. Mind racing, she tried to think of a fictitious name. He wouldn’t question it, and, she could return to the castle and never see him again. But, for the first time in her life, her mind was blank. 

Think, Natasha. Think. Names. I need names. Think of your studies. Only two came to mind: William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway. Terrified of using the surname Shakespeare, she prayed Stewart would not make the connection. 

“Natasha Hathaway,” she stammered. 

Find Heather:

https://www.facebook.com/heather.greenis.5?ref=ts&fref=ts

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=667&category_id=69&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Get the scoop on devious Princess Arabella from Author Mary Waibel's debut novel, Quest of the Hart!

I'm pleased to welcome author Mary Waibel to my blog today. She's interviewing two characters from her release Quest of the Hart and giving away a copy to one lucky winner (details at the end of post). Join her and get the inside scoop on Princess Arabella and her devious plans for Prince Devlin and the kingdom! 

Me: Oh, look! I've managed to find Ladies Maeryn and Deirdre, Princess Arabella's close friends, here in the library. Excuse me, ladies, but would you care to share a bit about the princess?

Maeryn: Princess Arabella? Certainly. She's beautiful, talented.

Deirdre: Oh, y-yes. (She bobs her head.) Tell about the tournament.

Me: Oh, a tournament? Did she give her favor to the winning knight?

M: (Snorts) No, the princess faced off against the best of the realm, defeating knights with swords and bow. If only her father would have allowed her to do hand-to-hand combat, she would have been champion. Instead, Prince Devlin was.

D: Hmm. Pr-Prince D-Devlin. (Her face takes on a dreamy look.)

M: I tell you, King Gareth should reconsider his heir. Breniera would do much better with Arabella ruling.

D: I d-don't know, M-Maeryn. She's so bl-blood thirsty. We'd pr-probably be at w-war all the t-time.

M: True, she can be quite determined to get her way. Sometimes I wonder why I spend time with her. I mean, I know we're the only noble girls close to her age, but she can be quite mean when she wants to. Of course, without her, we'd be quite lonely.

D: Y-Yes, we w-would. (She looks outside and gasps.) Oh, m-my! W-we're l-late!

M: (Jumps to her feet and grabs hold of her sister.) Sorry, but we have to leave. The princess is expecting us to help with her latest plans to take the throne from her brother. This one's a special spell.

Me: Wait! I don't want you to be late, but what kind of spell are you talking about?

M: I can't say, really. Don't want to spoil it. I'm sure you'll hear all about it soon! (They hurry from the room.)

Me: I guess we'll just have to read Quest of the Hart to see what that was all about!

Quest of the Hart

A reverse Sleeping Beauty tale where the princess goes on the quest to save the prince.

Princess Kaylee has never had to fight for anything. Her entire life has been arranged, even her marriage. But when Prince Devlin falls under an enchantment, she finds she is willing to do anything to save him, even if it means fighting a dragon.

Devlin's own sister, Princess Arabella, is behind the deadly plot. She wants the throne and will use any means necessary to gain it. Her perfect plan unravels, leaving Devlin caught in a magical sleep that is slowly spreading through the kingdom of Breniera. All Arabella needs to finish her spell and claim the crown is a drop of Kaylee's blood, but obtaining the single drop is proving more difficult than expected.

To save her betrothed, Kaylee embarks on a quest to find an ancient sword and gather a drop of dragon's blood, while trying to stay out of Arabella's traps. But Arabella's traps aren't the only danger. Time is everything. For once the last inhabitant of the kingdom falls asleep, the spell will be sealed, and not even true love's kiss will break it.





Mary lives with her husband, son and two cats. When she isn't twisting fairytales, she enjoys reading, playing games, watching hockey, and camping. Her debut novel, Quest of the Hart, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing April 19, 2013. Charmed Memories, a companion novel, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in August 2013.


You can find Mary Waibel at:
http://marywaibel.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel

Twitter: @mewtweety14

Buy Link (Quest):
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=620&category_id=6&manufacturer_id=292&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Book Trailers (Quest):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5SvEAbFQtE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-ohY2CEVo

For a chance to win a copy of Quest of the Hart please follow the link: a Rafflecopter giveaway