About Me

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Writing means different things to me. I'm a storyteller, a book editor, and a songwriter. For me, it's like breathing.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Welcome JoAnne Meyers to my blog, a gifted author, poet, and artist.

JoAnne will be giving away 2 print copies of one of her books to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment.

Poetry Cover (1)

“Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between” is a poetry collection that provides a glimpse into the heart, mind and soul, of its author JoAnne Myers. It is a heartwarming read, written with love and respect for others. Some poems were written in times of sorrow, other poems were written in times of joyous celebration. Life if like that.

Cliffside View

Painting by JoAnne, Cliffside View

SOULFUL THOUGHTS

My sun dried hands clutch my heart of dreams.

I look beyond my longing,

forsaking lustful means.

Consumed by sins of desires,

I escape insanity by releasing unblemished charms.

Soothing my sweet youthful soul,

I reject the lust, but still hold on.

Without dwelling on material things,

I release soulful thoughts within.

* * * *

Path To Heaven

Painting by JoAnne, Path to Heaven

LIFE’S PRECIOUS THINGS

Tears of a child, is a knife through the heart.

They try so hard, with all their might.

With tender minds and a soft touch,

their innocent love is never enough.

Through the years, and past the pain,

pride and hope is their greatest gain.

The smile of a child and the joy they bring,

is one of life’s most precious things.

* * * *

This collection of personal poems is available at http://outskirtspress.com/bookstore/1478734760.html.

These poems were inspired by JoAnne’s love for nature, God, veterans, family and friendships, it is a heartwarming read written with love and respect for others.

JoAnne will be awarding two winners a print copy of one of her unique and page turning books for commenting. The choices are: Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between, Murder Most Foul-a detective/mystery, Wicked Intentions-a paranormal anthology, or Loves, Myths, and Monsters-a fantasy anthology.

Soon available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble and other book distributors.

Up A Tree

Painting by JoAnne, Up a Tree

Author Bio:

I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.

When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dog Jasmine, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, Savvy Authors, Coffee Time Romance, Paranormal Romance Guild, True Romance Studios, National Writers Association, the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams. My original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com

my photo apr 2011

Other books by Jo Anne:

"TWISTED LOVE," a true-crime anthology

"MURDER MOST FOUL" a detective/mystery anthology

"LOVES', MYTHS' AND MONSTERS'," a fantasy anthology

"THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY," a biography true-crime

“WICKED INTENTIONS” a paranormal anthology

“FLAGITIOUS,” a detective/mystery anthology available in September

Email: joannemyers@frontier.com

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/joannemyers

Facebook Author Page: http://facebook.com/authorpage.joannemyers

Website: Books and Paintings by JoAnne

Monday, September 29, 2014

Monday Musings: AZ Cloud pics #3

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The clouds look painted across the sky.

 

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I like the different layers and colors.

 

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Floating above the palm tree.

 

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A distant thunderstorm and the sunset caused these brilliant, eerie red clouds.

 

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This was caused by that same thunderstorm.

 

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I like the deep pinks and the darker blue sky in this shot.

 

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I like the different layers and the space with a jet stream cutting across the sky.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Do supernatural creatures belong in a modern setti...

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Do supernatural creatures belong in a modern setti...: When I think of vampires and other supernatural creatures, I picture them in time periods without electricity and other modern technology. I...

Friday, September 26, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite TV show—Hell on Wheels

One word to describe the AMC western Hell on Wheels is gritty. Based on the building of the railroad (right after the Civil War) across the Wild West, this western is not for the faint hearted. Someone dies on a regular basis and everyone is in need of a bath. Anson Mount who plays Cullen Bohannon, the lead character, is as bad as the real bad guys. I don’t think any character on this show is truly good, not even the female preacher. She has her own dark secret desires. If you want to watch a true-to-life western, then this is for you.

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Aileron

ai·le·ron

noun \ˈā-lə-ˌrän\

: a part of an airplane wing that can be moved up or down to cause the airplane to turn

Full Definition of AILERON

:  a movable airfoil at the trailing edge of an airplane wing that is used for imparting a rolling motion especially in banking for turns — see airplane illustration

See aileron defined for English-language learners »

See aileron defined for kids »

Origin of AILERON

French, from diminutive of aile wing — more at aisle

First Known Use: 1909

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, September 22, 2014

Monday Musings: Moon pics #3

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White luminescent glow against a stygian-black sky.

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Full moon peeking out from sun-painted clouds.

 

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This angle reveals more of the different cloud layers.

 

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The full moon looks huge hanging over this house.

 

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I like the detail I was able to capture in this full moon.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, September 19, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite book: Confessions of a Pagan Nun

This is a beautifully written, stunning, heartbreaking story of a former pagan who becomes a nun in order to survive. The story takes place in Ireland around 500 AD when Ireland was on the cusp of Christianity. All alone in a hostile world, Gwynneve, a druid, has no choice but to keep her pagan beliefs to herself and become a nun where she copies the manuscripts of the church fathers and also records her own life story and the melodramatic events at the convent. This is the compelling story of a strong woman’s fight for survival and also a lesson in what happens when a new religion takes over. Highly recommended!

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Ailanthus

ai·lan·thus

noun \ā-ˈlan(t)-thəs\

Definition of AILANTHUS

:  any of a small Asian genus (Ailanthus of the family Simaroubaceae, the ailanthus family) of chiefly tropical trees and shrubs with bitter bark, pinnate leaves, and terminal panicles of ill-scented greenish flowers; especially : tree of heaven

See ailanthus defined for kids »

Origin of AILANTHUS

New Latin, from Kamarian (Austronesian language of the Piru Bay region, Seram) ai lanito, literally, the sky tree, or from a cognate phrase in a related central Moluccan language

First Known Use: 1789

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, September 15, 2014

Monday Musings: You are only as young as you feel

This month I turn 50. Yeah, I’ve been alive for 50 years. It feels much longer. I have mixed feelings about my birthday this year. Part of me is happy to have made it this far in life without too many mental or physical scars, and I’ve accomplished more than most people, but part of me is depressed that soon I will be entering the Crone phase of a woman’s life. There isn’t another phase after Crone. So, I was thinking about the positive things about turning 50.

I will become popular with AARP and will soon be receiving membership offers from them on a regular basis. I won’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy soon or the monthly inconvenience we females have to suffer. I have the senior discount to look forward to.

I do feel pretty good about myself these days. My health is okay, and I am able to manage my chronic medical condition. I think I may be in better shape than I was when I was much younger because I take care of myself now and don’t drink alcohol and party like I used to do. Maybe turning 50 won’t be so bad after all. I don’t focus much on my age anyway. If I don’t think about it, I won’t feel old. You are only as old as you feel and if you feel young, you are young.

 

DS_JuliaandKel

Then: Me (on the right) with my best friend Julia in the ‘90s.

 

kel author pic_book exchange 2012 larger image

Now: Book signing event at Book Exchange in Lake Havasu.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, September 12, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite book: The Mabinogion by Evangeline Walton

This is a reinvention of the Welsh myths and not to be confused with an actual translation of the myths. What I really like about this version is Ms. Walton manages to bring the people and stories alive in a way not possible in a translation. She has turned The Mabinogion into a masterful work of fantasy fiction comparable to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Her poetic writing style resonated with me, her descriptions of ancient settings and rites made me feel as if I stepped into the pages. Highly recommended!

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Aiguillette

ai·guil·lette

noun \ˌā-gwi-ˈlet\

Definition of AIGUILLETTE

: aglet; specifically :  a shoulder cord worn by designated military aides — compare fourragère

Origin of AIGUILLETTE

French — more at aglet

First Known Use: 1812

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, September 08, 2014

Monday Musings: After the Monsoon

We have some pretty nasty, terrifying monsoon storms here in the Arizona desert each summer. We get a whole year’s worth of rain in a half hour, which makes driving dangerous. I am terrified to drive during a monsoon storm. I got lucky so far this year and only found myself out on the road once the storm had passed and dealt with a small amount of rain. But what happened was I forgot that because of the hot, dry weather, windshield wipers don’t last and need to be checked before the summer. Well, while out on the highway, I turned on my wipers only to have them get stuck in the middle of my windshield. Yikes. Anyway, despite the downside to summer storms, after these rainstorms pass, the air smells so clean and everything that was dry blooms.

 

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I don’t think I’ve ever seen this cactus bloom.

 

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A bee finds this bloom enticing.

 

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This plant was dry and looking dead before the rainstorm.

 

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In the wake of the storm: beautiful sun-painted clouds.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, September 05, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite stone: Turquoise

Turquoise is a hydrous copper aluminum sulfate found in every color of blue, greenish blue or deep green. It has been prized by every culture, including Egypt, Persia, Tibet, and the Aztecs and Incas of South America. In the East and Far East, it was honored as a lucky stone and was given the nickname, ‘Turks’ stone. For the Indians of Mexico and Southwestern U.S., it was used to guard burial sites. Indian priests wore Turquoise in ceremonies when calling upon the great spirit of the sky. Turquoise manifests spiritual qualities, healing, friendship and love. It helps with communication and the 5th chakra, grounding.

 

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Guest Blog: Kelley Heckart: Research Isn't as Boring as I Thought!

Guest Blog: Kelley Heckart: Research Isn't as Boring as I Thought!

Weird Word Wednesday

Aiguille

ai·guille

noun \ā-ˈgwēl, -ˈgwē\

Definition of AIGUILLE

:  a sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock

Origin of AIGUILLE

French, literally, needle — more at aglet

First Known Use: 1809

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, September 01, 2014

Monday Musings: AZ Monsoon Storm

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Nasty cloud bank.

 

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This was part of two nasty storms.

 

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The beauty of a storm.

 

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Coming at us.

 

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The storm clouds create a pretty sunset over the mountains.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, August 29, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite book

Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

This is one of my favorite books based on the King Arthur legend. What I really like about it is the story is told from the point of views of the women in Arthur’s life, which gives us a different perspective. This is mostly a fantasy tale with magic, focusing on the mysterious Isle of Avalon. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes. Highly recommended.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: The scary vampires are back

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: The scary vampires are back: I read The Strain and now I am watching the TV series based on the books. The premise behind The Strain is that vampirism is more like a vi...

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Aigrette

ai·grette

noun \ā-ˈgret, ˈā-ˌ\

Definition of AIGRETTE

1

:  a spray of feathers (as of the egret) for the head

2

:  a spray of gems worn on a hat or in the hair

Origin of AIGRETTE

French, plume, egret, from Middle French — more at egret

First Known Use: 1630

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, August 25, 2014

Monday Musings: Death amongst the beauty

On the morning I was driving home after watching my dog get euthanized, I couldn’t help noticing all the beauty in the world even though my dog had just died. Inside, my world was bleak and empty of any joy. Outside, the sun was shining and life was evident in the smiling people going about their day.

I thought maybe all that life and beauty was meant to taunt me. And then I realized that I wasn’t the only one that had just lost something precious to me. Every day people and other living things die, which means there are grieving people around at all times affected by death. And yet there is still beauty in the world even when death is present. The sun still shines, painting the sky in layers of light and dark shades of amber rose, the birds still sing as if unaware that death is present—a silent, grim shadow hidden amongst all the beauty…waiting.

While I was driving, this one thought rose to the surface: Maybe all the beauty is meant to help us move on, to be inspired to keep living.

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Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604