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.
About Me
- Kelley Heckart
- Writing means different things to me. I'm a storyteller, a book editor, and a songwriter. For me, it's like breathing.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Do supernatural creatures belong in a modern setti...
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/
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/
Monday, September 22, 2014
Monday Musings: Moon pics #3
White luminescent glow against a stygian-black sky.
Full moon peeking out from sun-painted clouds.
This angle reveals more of the different cloud layers.
The full moon looks huge hanging over this house.
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/
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/
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/
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.
Then: Me (on the right) with my best friend Julia in the ‘90s.
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/
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/
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/
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.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this cactus bloom.
A bee finds this bloom enticing.
This plant was dry and looking dead before the rainstorm.
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/
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/
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
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/
Monday, September 01, 2014
Monday Musings: AZ Monsoon Storm
Nasty cloud bank.
This was part of two nasty storms.
The beauty of a storm.
Coming at us.
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/
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/
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: The scary vampires are back
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/
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.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 22, 2014
Favorite Friday
Almighty Johnsons
This is a new show on SyFy. At first I wasn’t sure about it, but I really like it. It’s funny. It’s about four brothers that are descended from Norse gods, but their powers are diminished. The youngest one just found out he is the human incarnation of Odin, which is a big deal. If he can’t complete his quest to find the goddess Frigg, Odin’s wife, then all of them will die. If he succeeds, then they will become the complete gods and get all of their powers back. The goddesses hate the gods and are trying to stop him. This is a New Zealand show so they all have sexy accents and there are funny jokes like: “Who the frig is Frigg?”
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, August 20, 2014
Weird Word Wednesday
Aiblins
ai·blins
adverb \ˈā-blənz\
Definition of AIBLINS
chiefly Scottish
: perhaps
Origin of AIBLINS
able + -lings, -lins -lings
First Known Use: circa 1605
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/