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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.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Bilby
      noun bil·by \ˈbil-bē\
plural bilbies
Definition of BILBY

:  either of two burrowing nocturnal bandicoots (Macrotis lagotis and M. leucura) having a long tapered muzzle and large pointed ears —called also rabbit-eared bandicoot
Origin of BILBY

Yuwaalaraay (Australian aboriginal language of northern New South Wales) bilbi

First Known Use: 1888

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, September 21, 2015

Monday Musings: AZ sunset pics #10






Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


Friday, September 18, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite movie, a comedy

Favorite movie: Galaxy Quest

For four years, the courageous crew of the NSEA protector - "Commander P eter Quincy Taggart" (Tim Allen), "Lt. Tawny Madison (Sigourney Weaver) and "Dr. Lazarus" (Alan Rickman) - set off on a thrilling and often dangerous mission in space...and then their series was cancelled! Now, twenty years later, aliens under attack have mistaken the Galaxy Quest television transmissions for "historical documents" and beam up the crew of has-been actors to save the universe. With no script, no director and no clue, the actors must turn in the performances of their lives.

One word: Hilarious, especially if you are familiar with Star Trek. Highly recommended.




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

1     Bilbo
      noun bil·bo \ˈbil-(ˌ)bō\
plural bilboes
Definition of BILBO

:  a long bar of iron with sliding shackles used to confine the feet of prisoners especially on shipboard
Origin of BILBO

perhaps from Bilboa, Spain
First Known Use: 1557
bilbo
noun \ˈbil-(ˌ)bō\
plural bilboes or bilboas
Definition of BILBO

:  sword
Variants of BILBO

bilbo or bil·boa \ˈbil-(ˌ)bō\
Origin of BILBO

Bilboa, Bilbao, Spain

First Known Use: 1565

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, September 14, 2015

Monday Musings: AZ sunrise pics




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


Friday, September 11, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite movie

Favorite movie: Phantom of the Opera

Amazon description:
Deep in the passageways below the Paris Opera lives a lonely, talented, horribly disfigured man who revels in terrorizing the theater's employees as The Phantom of the Opera. But when the masked Phantom sees young Christine Daaé, his heart melts. He secretly trains her, transforms her into a star ... and loves her. But when she cannot return his affection, as her heart already belongs to another, all the pain that the Phantom has held within is revealed with horrifying results.


I hate musicals but I loved this one, maybe because it was dark and mysterious. Anyway, I highly recommend this one. Not only is the acting and singing great, the setting is beautiful.


Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

1   Bilabial
      adjective bi·la·bi·al \(ˌ)bī-ˈlā-bē-əl\
Definition of BILABIAL

of a consonant
:  produced with both lips
Origin of BILABIAL

International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use: 1878
2bilabial
noun
linguistics : a sound made by using both lips
Full Definition of BILABIAL

:  a bilabial consonant
See bilabial defined for English-language learners
Examples of BILABIAL

English bilabials such as and .
First Known Use of BILABIAL

1829
bilabial
adjective  bi·la·bi·al  \(ˈ)bī-ˈlā-bē-əl\
Medical Definition of BILABIAL


:  of or relating to both lips

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, September 07, 2015

Monday Musings: AZ cloud formation pics #11








Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


Friday, September 04, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite childhood book

Favorite childhood book: Where the Red Fern Grows

Amazon book description:

In Where the Red Fern Grows, Billy and his precious coonhound pups romp relentlessly through the Ozarks, trying to "tree" the elusive raccoon. In time, the inseparable trio wins the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, captures the wily ghost coon, and bravely fights with a mountain lion. When the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the graves of his dogs. This unforgettable classic belongs on every child's bookshelf. (Ages 9 and up)


Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Bijouterie
      noun bi·jou·te·rie \bi-ˈzhü-tə-(ˌ)rē\
Definition of BIJOUTERIE

:  a collection of trinkets or ornaments :  jewels; also :  decoration
Origin of BIJOUTERIE

French, from bijou

First Known Use: 1735

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, August 31, 2015

Monday Musings: AZ cloud formation pics #10






Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed


Friday, August 28, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy TV show

Favorite fantasy TV show: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
With magic long since lost to England, two men are destined to bring it back; the reclusive Mr. Norrell and daring novice Jonathan Strange. So begins a dangerous battle between two great minds.

Stars: Bertie Carvel, Eddie Marsan, Marc Warren

This is set during the Napoleonic Wars in an alternate England where magic exists. I like stories that mix history with fantasy and this one has my interest so far. It’s based on a book series by Susanna Clarke.
   


Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed


Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Bignonia
      noun big·no·nia \big-ˈnō-nē-ə\
Definition of BIGNONIA

:  a woody evergreen vine (Bignonia capreolata of the family Bignoniaceae, the bignonia family) of the southern and central United States that has compound leaves and tubular flowers
Origin of BIGNONIA

New Latin, genus name, from J. P. Bignon †1743 French royal librarian
First Known Use: 1785

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed



Monday, August 24, 2015

Monday Musings: More backyard wildlife, A lizard hitched a ride

I came back inside the house from doing some evening chores like adding chlorine tabs to the pool and emptying the kitchen trash when I felt something crawling on my head. On instinct, I brushed my hand through my hair and something fell out and landed on the kitchen floor. It was a baby lizard that immediately crawled under the stove. I couldn’t let it stay there because it would die if stranded in the house. Fortunately, my husband was home. I had him move the stove while I scooped the little guy into a plastic container and set him free outside. I have no idea how the lizard ended up hitching a ride on my head. I seem to attract wildlife in strange ways and this is one of them.
This is the little hitchhiker.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed



Friday, August 21, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite new Sci-Fi TV show

Favorite new TV show—The Whispers

An unseen force is manipulating society's most innocent-our children-to act in favor of its cause. As the kids unwittingly help this unknown enemy, the clock counts down in this suspenseful race to save humanity.

Creator: Soo Hugh
Stars: Milo Ventimiglia, Barry Sloane, Lily Rabe


This show gives me the chills because the children involved are Children of the Corn creepy. It’s not as fast paced as most of the shows now, but if you like your Sci-Fi spine-chilling, this is it.




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Bight
     noun \ˈbīt\
: a curve in a coast or the bay formed by such a curve
Full Definition of BIGHT

1
:  a bend in a coast forming an open bay; also :  a bay formed by such a bend
2
:  a slack part or loop in a rope
Examples of BIGHT

Origin of BIGHT

Middle English, from Old English byht bend, bay; akin to Old English būgan to bend — more at bow

First Known Use: 15th century

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, August 17, 2015

Monday Musings: Retelling the Greek myth of Callisto

There are a couple of different versions of the Greek myth about Callisto, the nymph who betrayed Artemis, but ancient writers seemed to agree on some facts: Zeus seduced Callisto, she was changed into a bear and bore a son named Arcas, was hunted down as a beast and then placed among the stars as the constellation Ursa Major. In some stories she is the daughter of King Lycaon while in other, older versions she is simply another incarnation of Artemis as the bear.

I came into this with an open mind, using what I knew from the various myths and what I discovered from other sources on Greek mythology and history. Since I was writing a series set in Arcadia, Artemis’s realm, Callisto’s story had to be part of that series, but I had to figure out how to make this myth into my own story. I focused on the one common thread of the myth—Callisto betrayed Artemis whether she meant to or not. Who can say that when you fall in love you can fight those feelings? I wanted to make Callisto flawed like a human with real problems—even though she was a nymph, like the rest of us she wasn’t perfect.

The next thing I decided was that my nymphs were not going to be innocent and vulnerable. I did discover that the Oreades, the mountain nymphs, were known as great huntresses, they were tall and fierce. So my nymphs were going to be dangerous and quite capable of defending their goddess’s forest. I created The Guardians, an elite group of nymphs who could fight as good as any male warrior.

I also created an honored station among the nymphs, the Bear Goddess, who would act in Artemis’s stead when she wasn’t present and keep the barriers around the goddess’s forest strong. Only the Bear Goddess could take the form of a bear and the other nymphs could take the shape of other forest animals.

I actually ended up changing quite a bit. Zeus doesn’t seduce Callisto, but one of his followers does—a centaur who can take human shape. I had this idea of a forbidden love theme since the original versions hint at this. In my version she is the daughter of Lycaon and the nymph Maia. While my story may differ from the original myths, it stays true to the main theme—betrayal. And despite Callisto’s flaws, she possesses bravery and conviction, two traits I admire and hopefully readers will too.

****************
Short excerpt from The Bear Goddess:
Kasin stared at the line of nymphs, a formidable wall of gold and black leather-clad Guardians flanked by brown-clad nymphs and satyrs. Artemis’s powerful symbol of a full moon and crossed arrows taunted him from the unyielding line of small round shields his opponents held in steady grips.
He waited for the nymphs to make the first move. He would give them a chance to negotiate his terms and, if fortune favored him, avoid a battle.
Davona stepped into place next to him. “That is their merciless leader, Maia, the one who called for my death. She is also Callisto’s mother.”
Kasin looked closer at the nymph at the head of their army. She had dark red hair that almost looked black, an unusual color among the brown and fair hair of the other nymphs, and she had been among those that captured him.
“Callisto’s mother is a fire nymph. They are a particularly nasty kind of nymph.” He felt a twinge of sympathy for Callisto for it seemed her mother was as difficult as was his armor-hearted father.
“If she will allow her own daughter to die…” Davona stared fiercely at the leader of the nymphs. “She will not be easy to negotiate with.” 

 Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed


Friday, August 14, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy book

Favorite book—Clash of Kings, Book Two in the Song of Ice & Fire series. This is the book behind season two of Game of Thrones on HBO. Highly recommended for fans of this series. The books expand on the characters and intricate storylines.




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed


Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Biggety
      adjective big·ge·ty \ˈbi-gə-tē\
Definition of BIGGETY

1
Southern & Midland :  conceited, vain
2
Southern & Midland :  rudely self-important :  impudent
Variants of BIGGETY

big·ge·ty or big·gi·ty \ˈbi-gə-tē\
Examples of BIGGETY


Origin of BIGGETY

big + -ety (as in persnickety)

First Known Use: 1880

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, August 10, 2015

Friday, August 07, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite kitchen item

Favorite kitchen tool—wooden chopping bowl from Alaska. I've had this for years. I use it more than anything else in my kitchen to chop chicken or vegetables. It’s easy to use and clean. Highly recommended.




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Bigeminy
  
  noun bi·gem·i·ny \bī-ˈje-mə-nē\
Definition of BIGEMINY

:  the state of having a pulse characterized by two beats close together with a pause following each pair of beats
— bi·gem·i·nal \-mə-nəl\ adjective

Origin of BIGEMINY

bigeminal (double, paired), from Late Latin bigeminus, from bi- + geminus twin

First Known Use: circa 1923

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, August 03, 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite sleep aid

Now essential oils Peaceful Sleep Blend

I love this smell and it helps me sleep. I put a dab on my pillow before I go to bed. 
Ingredients
Orange Oil, Tangerine Oil, Lavender Oil, Chamomile Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Sandalwood Blend



Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

bigarade
      noun bi·ga·rade \ˌbē-gä-ˈräd\
Definition of BIGARADE

1
:  sour orange
2
:  a brown sauce flavored with the juice and grated rind of oranges

Origin of BIGARADE

French, from Occitan bigarrado, from bigarra to variegate
First Known Use: 1658




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed