Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Enter a world of enchantment and passion. I am a Historical fantasy/Paranormal romance author, editor, musician, and artist living in Arizona. My latest series is based on my time as a rock and roll bassist. All five books in my Shadow-walkers series are available now on Amazon: Awakening, Awakening the Wolf, Awakening the Vampire, Awakening the Fae, and Awakening the Dragon. This blog is all about writing and other aspects of my life.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite King Arthur movies is Excalibur made in 1981. This is one of the best depictions of the magical King Arthur legend, and introduces a very young and beautiful Helen Mirren as the sorceress Morgana. Highly recommended for fans of Sir Thomas Mallory’s classic.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
adjective \ē-ˈō-lē-ən, ē-ˈōl-yən\
1
often capitalized : of or relating to Aeolus
2
: giving forth or marked by a moaning or sighing sound or musical tone produced by or as if by the wind
1595
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
I finally found a hobby/sport that I really love doing—archery. My good friend, who is also a fellow writer, introduced me to it. It’s something we can do together at least once a week and it gets us out of the house.
We both like more traditional target archery without scopes and pulleys. Maybe that’s because we are fantasy writers and like medieval archery. We both write female characters that are archers. Now I can connect better with some of my characters.
I find something meditative about shooting at targets because you have to slow down and take your time to sight the target. The range we use is out in the desert with ravines and beautiful views of the mountains. Archery for me is about getting back to being close to nature and doing something outside instead of being cooped up in front of a laptop all day. I love writing, but I was beginning to lose touch with the outside world. I needed something to do outside.
This is the first time in years that I’ve been excited about something and it feels great to have something to look forward to each week.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite shows is Nashville and I’m not a country fan. The show is realistic in its depiction of the music industry in Nashville. And of course there is the personal drama that keeps viewers tuning in each week. But for me, it’s strangely the music that draws me to this show. The songs are just great. There’s no other way to put it.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
noun \ˈē-ˌdī(-ə)l, ˈē-dəl\
: an official in ancient Rome in charge of public works and games, police, and the grain supply
Latin aedilis, from aedes temple — more at edify
First Known Use: 1538
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Spring is my favorite time of year. The weather is nice and cool, not too hot like in summer, or too cold like in winter. Even our fall can be a bit too warm to enjoy. Spring is perfect. Flowers bloom, bees hum, the quail look for places to nest and my lizards return after winter.
Blacktail, one of the lizards that hangs out in my yard each year is in the upper right corner on the piece of wood. I call him Blacktail because he has a long black tail, which of course can’t be seen here. He was trying to get away from me.
Here is a better shot of Blacktail with his long black tail.
A male Quail looking out for danger for his female that is foraging somewhere below on the ground.
A bird in our Palo Verde tree.
Our Palo Verde tree in full bloom.
Another view of our Palo Verde tree with the blue sky in the background.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite fantasy artists is Julia Fain. She makes jewelry, phone covers, laptop covers and more with ethereal images of fairies, mermaids, dragons, unicorns, animals and people.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
noun \ˌa-də-ˈnī-təs\
: inflammation of a gland; especially : lymphadenitis
New Latin
First Known Use: circa 1848
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Excerpt from Daughter of Night:
She waited, cloaked in shadows, until nightfall when the king and his queen slept.
As soon as darkness fell and the palace rang with silence, she emerged from the shadows. A round central hearth fire glowed with warmth, pulsing and flickering across the shadowed room, performing an ancient dance along the floors and painted walls. The king lay in his bed, the fierce warlord looking so vulnerable as he lay sleeping without his armor or weapons. His queen slept next to him instead of in her own quarters in a sign of her devotion. Sighing, she tried to remember what it was like to feel love.
She crept close to his bed, staring down at his sleeping face. Even in sleep, he looked like the mighty warlord that struck fear in his enemies' hearts. His brow wrinkled as if he wrestled with a nightmare. Perhaps he fought a nightmare of the battlefield, which usually struck the minds of warriors. Pressing her hand to his hot forehead, she rid his dreams of nightmares and entered his dreams with promises of victory and power. Removing her hand, she backed away, becoming one with the shadows again.
The king stirred, moaning in his sleep as the nightmares returned.
His queen woke from his stirring and brushed his hair from his forehead. “My love, would that I could remove your nightmares with a gentle stroke,” she whispered.
Watching the tender exchange with a wistful heart, she wondered what to do with the Dactyl’s essence.Which body will I choose to hide it in?
Blurb for Daughter of Night:
Their destiny began in ancient Anatolia.
Becuille is a Daughter of Night and a servant to the Great Goddess, created to wield Her vengeance. Callileon is a prince of the Hatti, who may be the one she was sent to punish.
When love finds them, they are cursed by the gods and surrounded by tragedy, which even the Fates are powerless to change.
Can two mortals fight the will of the gods?
Daughter of Night is available in Print, Kindle, Nook and other ebook formats.
Buy links: http://kelleyheckart.com/daughter_of_night.html
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite book series is the Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte. This is one of the best historical King Arthur series I’ve read. The author did a lot of research to be able to bring to life the King Arthur legend. Highly recommended.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
: occurring without loss or gain of heat <adiabatic expansion of a gas>
— adi·a·bat·i·cal·ly adverb
See adiabatic defined for kids »
Greek adiabatos impassable, from a- + diabatos passable, from diabainein to go across, from dia- + bainein to go — more at come
First Known Use: 1859
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
I was kind of a strange kid, especially for a girl. I didn’t dream of being a princess getting rescued by a prince. I wanted to be able to take care of myself. My favorite things weren’t dolls or frilly dresses, but swords and forests filled with supernatural creatures like vampires, werewolves and shapeshifting faeries and gods. When I was introduced to myths and characters like Artemis the Huntress, Morrigan the Battle Goddess and the real life, fierce Celtic queen, Boudica, I had found what I was looking for. There are no helpless princesses in this group of females.
My first look into the fascinating world of mythology was in English class when the subject was Greek mythology. I still have my well-worn copy of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology of Greek and Norse myths. I was hooked. Later I became fascinated with the ancient Celts and their myths, most notably King Arthur, the Welsh tales of the Mabinogion and the Irish myths of the Tuatha de Danaan and the Fianna.
My fascination with the ancient Celts has to do with their connection to the faery realm and their mysterious nature—since they were an oral society we really don’t know much about them, but archeological evidence points to a superior society. I like filling in the missing pieces, much like a jigsaw puzzle, and bring to life these long ago, magical places and people that fill our imagination.
All of this inspired me to write historical fantasy. I feel a connection to little known time periods—ancient on up to the Dark Ages, time periods that abound in myth when magic was a real possibility. I can mix my love of the supernatural and mythology with my other love for obscure history and it seems like a natural fit. Otherworldly creatures fit perfectly with time periods that are surrounded in myth and mystery. And when modern life gets too complicated, I look forward to escaping into the places I’ve created.
Kelley’s Links:
Website: http://www.kelleyheckart.com
Blog: http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CelticChick
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604
Kelley’s Book Shelf/Buy Links: http://kelleyheckart.com/BookShelf.html
I’m sharing a favorite band today.
Nightwish
One of my favorite bands is the Icelandic Metal band Nightwish. I like all of their albums with their operatic female vocals and low, rough male vocals. Most of their songs have lyrics related to certain myths, which I like. This is the perfect music for me to write to. One of my favorite songs is Wish I had an Angel. If you like melodic metal then give this band a listen.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
noun \ˌa-jə-ˈler-ē-ə, ˌa-dyə-\
Definition of ADULARIA
: a transparent or translucent orthoclase
Italian, from French adulaire, from Adula, Swiss mountain group
First Known Use: 1798
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
I’m sharing a favorite TV show today.
Bitten on the SyFy Channel
I look forward to this show each week. Based on a novel series, this paranormal romance show is fun to watch. I like Elena—the main female character and only werewolf among a bunch of males. How fun is that? And boy, some of these male werewolves hot, especially Clay. The only thing that bugs me about this series is Elena is the only female werewolf because supposedly females are too weak to survive the transformation process. WTF? Females are too weak? Females were created to survive the terrible pain of childbirth. I’d like to see any male survive birthing a baby. The premise about females being too weak to survive is stupid, but the idea of female werewolves being rare makes for some good conflict.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
adverb or adjective \ə-ˈdä-j(ē-ˌ)ō, ä-, -zh(ē-ˌ)ō\
: in a slow manner
: at a slow tempo —used chiefly as a direction in music
See adagio defined for English-language learners »
Italian, from ad to + agio ease
First Known Use: 1683
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
I’m sharing a favorite TV show today.
Vikings on the History Channel
I love this show. It is fast-paced and compelling to me. Finally, someone who gets what the Vikings were—family men and women, farmers—normal people. Sure, they invaded England and killed people and stole treasure—some of the Vikings were cold-blooded killers, but most of them were not. My favorite character is the Shield-Maiden Lagertha. She stands up for her beliefs and doesn’t let anyone or any man walk all over her. There is a lot of eye candy for me—muscular men with long hair. One thing I really like about this show is how authentic the settings and people look. They look like they make their clothes out of animal skins. The women wear little or no makeup. Highly recommended.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
I’m sharing a favorite book today.
The Werelord Thal, A Renaissance werewolf tale
I picked this book because it looked different—set in an unusual place and time period and not like every werewolf story I see. Set in the 1500s in Prague, I found this story interesting and hope this is part of a series because the end left me wondering about Thal’s origins. This was a time when anyone “different” was considered a witch and killed. A lot of innocent people suffered terrible deaths because of this misguided thinking. The only thing that bugged me was the editing could have been better. I found myself pausing many times in places where commas should have been inserted. But overall this was a good book with an engaging story and characters to keep my interest. Highly recommended to readers looking for a different kind of werewolf tale.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
noun \ə-ˈsā-kē-ə, ä-\
Southwest
: an irrigation ditch or canal
Spanish, from Arabic al-sāqiya the irrigation ditch
First Known Use: 1844
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite animals is the wolf so I will buy just about anything with a wolf on it. I found this cool wolf pendant.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
noun \ak-ˈsi-pə-tər, ik-\
: any of a genus (Accipiter) of medium-sized forest-inhabiting hawks that have short broad wings and a long tail and a characteristic flight pattern of several quick flaps and a glide
— ac·cip·i·trine adjective or noun
See accipiter defined for kids »
New Latin, genus name, from Latin, hawk
First Known Use: circa 1828
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
We have some dramatic thunderstorms here in Arizona. I caught this rainbow by accident. You can even see the raindrops that hit my camera lens.
A sunset just after the thunderstorm that blew through our town in March.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite new shows is Helix on SyFy. Set in a research building the Arctic (I think or one of those barren, show-covered places), this show has a stark appearance, which adds to the frightening nature of the story. The music soundtrack choices also add to this atmosphere—songs like Fever and other music that I think of as elevator music are played in just the right, odd places, so that a sexy lighthearted song is played during a terrifying or serious scene. Experiments with viruses have been going on in secret and something has gone wrong so the CDC has to be called in to help find a cure. But what is more frightening than the virus is the people in charge of the experiments. They want to change the world and there is something odd about them—are they aliens or some superior race? A lot of secrets and interesting characters make this a show I look forward to each week so I hope it lasts.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
I have romance author Ella Jade here at my blog today promoting her new erotic romance release with a blog tour. She is giving away some prizes to three lucky winners.
Thanks so much for hosting me today. I’m thrilled to announce the release of my newest erotic, contemporary romance Stealing His Heart. If you like your men hot, dirty and southern, I may have just the thing for you.
When the players take the field this spring come meet my players...
Blurb
Will the bad-boy pitcher strike out when it comes to love?
Shy music teacher Sophia Ballis has sworn off men. After a bad experience with a college jock she decided it was better to be alone than to get burned again. She focused on her education and now her new job at a local private school.
Professional baseball pitcher Paxton Hughes is a player both on and off the field. He's signed to the Kingston Crushers to bring home the coveted championship title. Nothing can get in his way. Serious relationships don't mix with a life on the road and he never loses focus on the game. One-night stands are his specialty for a reason.
While out jogging one spring morning, the two collide, setting their course in motion. Pax is immediately drawn to the unassuming beauty. Sophia is aware of his reputation and decides one night of meaningless sex with the attractive Texas charmer is just what she needs to get over her self-imposed dry spell. Pax has more than a one-night stand on his mind, but will his bad-boy persona and demanding schedule ruin any chances of a happily ever after?
Content Warning: contains explicit sex and adult content
Excerpt
“Can I walk you to your car?”
“Thank you.” Sophia got up from the table and took his hand. “I’m parked right out front.”
Pax led her across the dance floor, waving to the few people who were left, and then out to the parking lot.
“It’s that one.” She pointed to her beat-up car, the one she’d bought her freshman year of college. It was used then but it still managed to get her where she needed to go. “Probably not as nice as what you drive.”
He leaned her against the car and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her heart pounded hard against her chest, strumming loud between her ears. She could smell the beer that lingered on his breath. His hazel eyes narrowed as he swiped the tip of his tongue along his top lip before tilting his head.
“I have a feeling I’m going be seeing you in my dreams tonight.” He sighed as he brought his mouth to hers. “Give me something to remember these next few days.”
She nodded as she placed her hands on his broad shoulders and guided him to her, closing any space between them. When his warm lips touched hers, she thought she would explode. A burn coursed through her and settled between her legs. The mild tingling she’d experienced when they danced was nothing compared to the intensity she felt now.
As he deepened the kiss, his tongue massaged hers. Increasing his hold on her hips, he pinned her between the car and his massive thighs. She tightened her grip on him when his erection grazed her center. Every nerve ending in her begged to be satiated. The ache inside her stomach moved lower until the dampness invaded her panties. Her nipples poked against the thin material of her silk bra.
When she moaned into his mouth, he placed one last kiss on her lips before pulling away. He looked at her for a moment, pressing his forehead to hers, as he stuttered a few words.
“That was...well, I’ve never...” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You have me tongue-tied, sugar. That doesn’t happen often.”
Now she wanted to know what else he could do with that tongue.
“You best get in that car and drive away before I...”
She’d never wanted to have a one-night stand more than she did at that very moment. Maggie had said if there was ever a guy to have one with, Pax would be the one. He was a no-strings-attached player. Why hadn’t he asked her to go home with him?
“Be safe driving home.” He reached for the handle and opened her door. “You have some sweet dreams. I know I sure will.”
Sleep? That was the last thing on her mind.
About Ella
Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.
Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.
You can connect with her at:
Blog: http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ella-Jade-Author/186959391390708?ref=hl
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ellajade1
GIVEAWAY
I’m giving away a Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizer, A Keychain with the cover art and signed swag to three winners throughout the tour. Enter here...
<a id="rc-6c6c725" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6c6c725/
" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll consider adding Stealing His Heart to your TBR pile.
noun \(ˌ)ä-ˌchä-kə-ˈtu̇r-ə\
: a discordant note sounded with a principal note or chord and immediately released
Italian, literally, crushing
First Known Use: circa 1819
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
I love to read. I’ve been an avid reader since age 4. I enjoy reading different genres, but one element I require in the books I like is lifelike characters, the kind that jump off the page and either make you love them or hate them. The important thing is the characters have to make me feel something for them. If not, I don’t enjoy the book. I like a good plot, but it’s more important to me to have interesting, convincing characters.
How does an author create credible, three-dimensional characters? By showing the characters’ feelings through actions and natural dialogue. By creating real, flawed fictional people, not cookie-cutter, perfect ones. I want the people I read about to laugh, cry, bleed—to act like real people. In real life, people aren’t perfect. They do stupid things. They hurt each other. I want to believe the characters are real and suffering as well as celebrating.
Making character charts and creating backgrounds for characters can help shape them into real people with believable motivations. Authors need to know their characters well so they can bring them to life. I’ve even assigned Sun signs to characters to get an idea of their personalities. Sometimes I create characters based on people I have known. Stories are so much better when the characters stand out. For me, character development is the most important part of a story.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite books is The King’s Daughter by Miriam Newman. Tarabenthia is heir to the crown of Alcinia. Told in first person point of view, she has to make choices between love and her country. This story is compelling and heartbreaking, with one of those endings that lingers after you’ve finished reading it. This is a fantasy, but the nations portrayed in this tale are similar to the ancient nations that shaped history.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
adjective \ə-ˈkyü-lē-ət\
: relating to or being hymenopterans (as bees, ants, and many wasps) of a division (Aculeata) typically having the ovipositor modified into a stinger
Latin aculeatus having stings, from aculeus sting, from acus
First Known Use: 1875
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite bands is Evanescence. I can’t get enough of this band and listen to the entire cds. It’s one of the few bands that I like all of their music. With crunchy guitars, moving melodies and ethereal vocals, this is the type of music I like to listen to when I write.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
noun \(ˌ)ā-ˈsē-lə-ˌmāt\
: an invertebrate lacking a coelom; especially : one belonging to the group comprising the flatworms and nemerteans and characterized by bilateral symmetry and a digestive cavity that is the only internal cavity
— acoelomate adjective
circa 1889
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Sex scenes are the most difficult scenes for me to write. Or, I should say, it’s difficult to write meaningful sex scenes. I dread when it comes times in a story to add a sex scene. Sure, it’s easy to say that he put his ‘you know what’ in her ‘you know where.’ But why even have a sex scene if that’s all you are going to write?
A better approach is to get inside the heads of your characters and make the sex scene about emotions rather than too many repetitive actions. Also, a little goes a long way in these intimate scenes. Some description is necessary to show and not tell, but too much description and you risk losing the reader. I’ve read some sex scenes where every little detail of the man’s do-hickie was described. Ick. I really didn’t need to read that. I would rather leave the details for the reader to imagine how they want to imagine them. What may turn on one reader turns another one way off.
So, it’s best to go easy on the details and focus more on the characters’ feelings and show their feelings through their actions in the bed. If the heroine is a virgin, is she scared or nervous? If the hero is used to dominating in the bedroom, how will he react if his partner takes charge? Are they tentative lovers or passionate? This is where really knowing your characters pays off.
Sample sex scene from Winter’s Requiem:
Domelch pulled out her long knife, drawing the cold metal against her naked skin. Her nipples rose, hardening in response to the coldness of the blade. Being so close to death made her toy with the idea of sliding the knife’s sharp edge against her skin and drawing some blood. Her body tingled with pleasure at the thought. She spread her legs wide, beckoning him with an enticing smile. Her hand stroked her own inner thigh, the sight of his naked, strapping body exciting her.
In the lamplight his wolf-like eyes flickered with mounting desire for her, his erection rising and thickening with the might to conquer her. “God’s teeth, lass,” he whispered, his voice raspy with longing.
Aedan pounced on the bed and the makeshift bed crashed under their forceful weight. He claimed her with his warrior’s strength, his muscular arms enfolding her in a passionate embrace. Caressing her with hungry kisses, he filled her with life again, the terrible memories of the battlefield fading away. Domelch’s body tingled with the urgency to have him overpower her, to chase her demons away.
She recalled instead a thrilling memory of how Aedan commanded his men with confidence and courage, wielding his sword, the Widowmaker, and sending the enemy to the Underworld like a mighty war god. Now he commanded her, his forceful spear plunging into her, drawing from her body and soul the wild throes of love. She forgot all about death, embracing the power of life and all the sensations of two people enjoined in coupling. After all these years, the power he wielded over her was great, her body quivering beneath him. His musky male scent quickened her heartbeat, their slick bodies entwined like greedy vines searching for warmth and sunlight. Fisting his long hair in a desperate attempt to cling to the edge, pleasure overpowered her, pulsating and lifting her in its blissful grasp.
http://www.kelleyheckart.com/winters_requiem.html
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite shows is Supernatural. With two hot brothers that hunt demons and other supernatural creatures, plus a classic rock soundtrack—what’s not to love? What I really like is what they did with angels. These aren’t sweet, winged angels wearing halos. No, they are real soldiers just like in the Bible. Great stuff.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
adjective or adverb \ə-ˈkäk\
: being in a cocked position
1846
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite books is Druids by Morgan Llywelyn. This was the first book I read by this author and this book started my fascination with the ancient Celts. Druids is set before and during Julius Caesar’s invasion of what used to be called Gaul. The story is told from the point of view of a young druid, his life and his dealings with Caesar. What I liked most about this story is that the author gives the readers a look into the life of druids. They were real people, after all—mysterious, intelligent, imposing—people. Ms. Llywelyn brings us into the world of the Celts, how they lived, their rituals and how they had close ties to nature.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
adjective \(ˌ)ā-ˈse-fə-ləs, ə-ˈse-\
1
: lacking a head or having the head reduced
2
: lacking a governing head or chief
Greek akephalos, from a- + kephalē head — more at cephalic
First Known Use: circa 1731
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite movies is Braveheart. I don’t care that this movie veered off from real history. All I care about it that Braveheart is a great story about fighting for freedom and it’s also a beautiful, tragic love story. My favorite scene is when the princess tells the dying, ruthless English king known as Longshanks that the child growing in her womb is not of his blood. You go girl!
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
noun \ab-ˈsi-zhən\
1
: the act or process of cutting off : removal
2
: the natural separation of flowers, fruit, or leaves from plants at a special separation layer
Middle English abscisioun, from Anglo-French abscission,Latin abscission-, abscissio, from abscindere
First Known Use: 15th century
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite books is Helen’s Daughter by Laura Gill. Here is the review I posted on Amazon: Historical done right--This story was a believable interpretation of the possible life of the daughter of Helen (of Trojan War). The author mixed history with myth to bring to life a little known time when Mycenaean Greeks (Achaeans) ruled the Peloponnese. What I really appreciated was the way Ms. Gill added historical details without drowning the reader in boring description. Hermione overcame prejudices applied to her because of what happened to her mother. It seems that history chooses to portray strong women as harlots and worse. I like to see stories that draw on the strength of character that these women probably possessed. I highly recommend this story for those readers that love a compelling ancient historical.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
noun \ā-ˈbü-lē-ə, -ˈbyü-, ə-\
: abnormal lack of ability to act or to make decisions
— abu·lic adjective
New Latin, from 2a- + Greek boulē will
First Known Use: circa 1864
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
I can say this because I was one—a teenage girl. They are borderline psycho, overly dramatic and make terrible decisions. This is why I don’t like to have teenage girls as heroines in my novels and why I probably won’t write YA.
I couldn’t write a teenage girl heroine without rolling my eyes and wanting to kill her off. A heroine is supposed to be liked by readers. Now maybe if the heroine grew up in a different environment from the spoiled kind of life most teenagers have in the U.S., she might make a good heroine. I’m thinking of Katnis from Hunger Games. She grew up in a dangerous environment where survival was more important than the latest fashion. She had to be levelheaded in order to make sure she survived and to take care of her family.
I wonder if it’s the role models teenagers have that makes most of them so stupid. Especially today with reality shows like the Kardashians and pop stars that flaunt their bodies and their dramatic love lives. And it’s even worse with Facebook and Twitter where people try to out do each other and post every little thought and deed.
Growing up I didn’t have the Internet to tempt me into doing stupid things, but I still did them. I don’t know if it’s just a part of growing up and learning life’s lessons or if I was just rebellious. I’m sure not all teenage girls act crazy like I did, but those memories are stuck in my head and whenever I try to write about teenage heroine, I can’t get past how stupid I was.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite movies is Gladiator with Russell Crowe. The opening battle scene does a great job of showing the might of the Roman Empire and I think it is the best battle scene. Very powerful imagery. My favorite quote is, “At my signal, unleash Hell.”
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/