About Me

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

Monday, December 21, 2015

Friday, December 18, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite book on Irish folklore

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W.B. Yeats

About the Author
William Butler Yeats, June 13, 1865 - January 28, 1939 born and educated in Dublin, an Irish poet and dramatist. Beginning in his youth, he studied poetry and from an early age was intrigued by both Irish legends and the occult. Yeats is known as one of the foremost figures of 20th Century literature.


This is a great source of information on Irish mythology and Ireland’s relationship with the fairy realm. Very insightful and highly recommended to anyone interested in Irish folklore and fairy magic.


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

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Kryssie Fortune: Five Facts Thursday - please welcome Kelly Heckart...

Kryssie Fortune: Five Facts Thursday - please welcome Kelly Heckart...: Five facts about me I have an obsessive compulsive habit of straightening things and double checking door locks, both of which drive my...

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

bivariate
      adjective bi·var·i·ate \(ˌ)bī-ˈver-ē-ət, -ˈva-rē-\
Definition of BIVARIATE

:  of, relating to, or involving two variables
First Known Use of BIVARIATE


1920

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

Monday, December 14, 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy book

Favorite book
The Last King by Robert E. Howard

Amazon description:
From Robert E. Howard’s fertile imagination sprang some of fiction’s greatest heroes, including Conan the Cimmerian, King Kull, and Solomon Kane. But of all Howard’s characters, none embodied his creator’s brooding temperament more than Bran Mak Morn, the last king of a doomed race.

In ages past, the Picts ruled all of Europe. But the descendants of those proud conquerors have sunk into barbarism . . . all save one, Bran Mak Morn, whose bloodline remains unbroken. Threatened by the Celts and the Romans, the Pictish tribes rally under his banner to fight for their very survival, while Bran fights to restore the glory of his race.

Lavishly illustrated by award-winning artist Gary Gianni, this collection gathers together all of Howard’s published stories and poems featuring Bran Mak Morn–including the eerie masterpiece “Worms of the Earth” and “Kings of the Night,” in which sorcery summons Kull the conqueror from out of the depths of time to stand with Bran against the Roman invaders.

Also included are previously unpublished stories and fragments, reproductions of manuscripts bearing Howard’s handwritten revisions, and much, much more.

There are very few books about the mysterious Picts of ancient Scotland. I’m a fan of Conan the Barbarian and decided to read this one about Bran Mak Morn, the leader of the Picts, a race that had descended into darkness and barbarism. Highly recommended.


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



Wednesday, December 09, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

bivalent
      adjective bi·va·lent \(ˌ)bī-ˈvā-lənt, ˈbī-və-\
Definition of BIVALENT

1
:  divalent
2
:  associated in pairs in synapsis
First Known Use of BIVALENT


1869

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

Monday, December 07, 2015

Monday Musings: Arizona cloud formation pics # 14







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


Friday, December 04, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite TV series

Favorite TV Series
Fargo

Show Description:
The all new “true crime” case in Fargo’s latest chapter takes you back to 1979 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Luverne, Minnesota. “Lou Solverson” (Patrick Wilson), a young State Police Officer recently back from Vietnam, investigates a case involving a local crime gang, a major mob syndicate and a small town beautician “Peggy Blumquist” (Kirsten Dunst) along with her husband “Ed” (Jesse Plemons), the local butcher’s assistant. Helping Lou piece things together is his father-in-law, “Sheriff Hank Larsson” (Ted Danson). The investigation will lead them to a colorful cast of characters that includes “Karl Weathers” (Nick Offerman), the town lawyer of Luverne, Minnesota. A Korean War vet, Karl is a flowery drunk blessed with the gift of gab and the eloquence of a true con artist. Three-time Emmy® winner Brad Garrett will play “Joe Bulo,” the front man for the northern expansion of a Kansas City crime syndicate. The new face of corporate crime, Joe’s bringing a Walmart mentality to small town America. His number two is “Mike Milligan” (Bokeem Woodbine). Part enforcer, part detective, Mike is always smiling – but the joke is usually on you. Bulo and his crew have their sights set on the Gerhardt crime family in Fargo, currently led by matriarch “Floyd Gerhardt” (Jean Smart). With her husband at death’s door, Floyd takes over the family business, frustrating her eldest son, “Dodd Gerhardt” (Jeffrey Donovan). An impatient hothead with a cruel streak to match his ambitions, Dodd can’t wait for both his parents to die so he can take over and expand their business from kingdom to empire. “Bear Gerhardt” (Angus Sampson) is the middle son, an intimidatingly large man who, although inarticulate, is the most decent of his clan. “Rye Gerhardt” (Kieran Culkin), the youngest of the Gerhardt clan, views himself as a big shot, but in reality he’s just a small dog with a loud bark.


Emmy Award winning Executive Producers Noah Hawley (showrunner/writer), Joel & Ethan Coen, Warren Littlefield and John Cameron all return for the second installment. Fargo is produced by MGM Television and FX Productions, with MGM Television serving as the lead studio.


This is the most bizarre and compelling show I’ve seen in a while. Great acting and writing makes this one of the best shows this season. Highly recommended.


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

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

biunique
      adjective bi·unique \ˌbī-yu̇-ˈnēk, -yü-\
Definition of BIUNIQUE

:  being a correspondence between two sets that is one-to-one in both directions
— bi·unique·ness noun
First Known Use of BIUNIQUE


1941

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

Monday, November 30, 2015

Monday Musings: Arizona cloud formation pics # 13






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


Saturday, November 28, 2015

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Thanksgiving: It's all about the food

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Thanksgiving: It's all about the food: Thanksgiving is the time to get together with family and friends, and to be thankful for everything you have, but it's also about eating...

Friday, November 27, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite Thanksgiving dessert

Since Thanksgiving is here, I thought I would share my favorite Thanksgiving dessert:
Pumpkin swirl cakes. Yummy. Walmart usually has them this time of the year. They are a little tricky to make because you have to get the cream cheese swirl inside.




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

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

bitchery
      noun bitch·ery \ˈbi-chə-rē\
plural bitch·er·ies
Definition of BITCHERY

:  malicious, spiteful, or overbearing behavior; also :  an instance of such behavior
First Known Use of BITCHERY


1936

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, November 23, 2015

Monday Musings: Arizona Sunset pics # 12







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


Friday, November 20, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite new T.V. series

Blindspot
Amazon pilot description:
In the series premiere, a beautiful woman with no memories of her past (JAIMIE ALEXANDER) is found in Times Square, covered in mysterious tattoos, including an FBI agent's name.


I like this new show because of all the mystery surrounding this woman who can’t remember who she is. I like shows that keep me guessing.


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

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

bitch goddess
      noun
Definition of BITCH GODDESS

:  success; especially :  material or worldly success
First Known Use of BITCH GODDESS


1906

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, November 16, 2015

Monday Musings: Arizona cloud formation pics # 12






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


Friday, November 13, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite new T.V. series

The Last Kingdom
Plot description on IMDb:
The year is 872, and many of the separate kingdoms of what we now know as England have fallen to the invading Danes, leaving the great kingdom of Wessex standing alone and defiant under the command of King Alfred. Against this turbulent backdrop lives our hero, Uhtred. Born the son of a Saxon nobleman, he is captured by the Danes and raised as one of their own. Forced to choose between the country of his birth and the people of his upbringing, his loyalties are ever tested. What is he? Saxon or Dane? On a quest to reclaim his birthright, Uhtred must tread a dangerous path between both sides if he is to play his part in the birth of a new nation and, ultimately, recapture his ancestral lands.
Amazon series description for episode 1:
When Uhtred loses his father in battle, his lands and inheritance are taken by his scheming uncle, Aelfric, who becomes a puppet-lord for the ruling Danes. Uhtred is captured by his father’s killers and brought up by Danish warlord Ragnar. Now a young Danish warrior, when his surrogate family is murdered by a group of vengeful Danes, Uhtred finds himself alone; neither Saxon nor Dane.

I’m a huge Vikings fan so I thought I would check this one out. It’s based on a series of books called the Saxon Tales by Bernard Cornwell. I really like it so far. We see a different side to the Viking invasions of what is now England.



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

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

biramous
      adjective bi·ra·mous \(ˌ)bī-ˈrā-məs\
Definition of BIRAMOUS

:  having two branches
Origin of BIRAMOUS

1bi- + Latin ramus branch

First Known Use: 1877

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, November 09, 2015

Monday Musings: Arizona Sunset pics #11








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


Friday, November 06, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite new T.V. series

Favorite T.V. Series: The Bastard Executioner

Show blurb:
Wilkin Brattle, a warrior knight in the charge of King Edward I, trades his sword for a peaceful farming life -- until the violence of his past finds him and forces him to pick up the bloodiest sword of all.


It started kind of slow, but I really like this dark medieval series by the creator of Sons of Anarchy and hope it doesn’t get cancelled. It’s the real deal as far as medieval politics, complete with people being tortured and killed for heresy by the church. The upper class is greedy and cares little for the poor. I guess times haven’t changed much. The main character is easy to like because he may be one of the few with actual compassion and remorse.


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

Wednesday, November 04, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

biocenosis
      noun bio·ce·no·sis \ˌbī-ō-sə-ˈnō-səs\
plural bio·ce·no·ses \-ˌsēz\
Definition of BIOCENOSIS

:  an ecological community especially when forming a self-regulating unit
Variants of BIOCENOSIS

bio·ce·no·sis or bio·coe·no·sis \ˌbī-ō-sə-ˈnō-səs\
Origin of BIOCENOSIS

New Latin, from 2bi- + Greek koinōsis sharing, from koinoun to make common, from koinos common

First Known Use: 1883

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, November 02, 2015

Monday Musings: Sharing an excerpt from The Bear Goddess

Resting her head against the edge of the tub, she stared at the sky. Kasin, the Zeus lover, surprisingly treated her gently. She had expected to be brutalized or worse. With the fair skin and height of those imposing men from the northern mountains, he looked like those who worshipped the Sky god above the goddesses, yet he also possessed a temperate manner unlike those brutal, warlike people. She couldn’t imagine living under the rule of the vile centaurs. 
Her skin prickled in response to the cooling water. “I am ready to get out now.”
He appeared, holding his hand over his eyes, and tripped over a branch.
She giggled.
Regaining his balance, he said with some annoyance, “I am glad you find that so amusing.”
“You do not have to close your eyes. Just refrain from staring at anything worth staring at.” She laughed, not sure why she told him that. He made her feel giddy, something that had never happened to her before now in the presence of this man.
Opening his eyes, he kept his gaze lowered as he helped her stand. Keeping his eyes fixed on her lower legs, he wrapped a large cloth around her and then lifted her out of the tub.
Her body didn’t ache as badly as it had before the bath. Gradually, her body was healing.
“How was the bath?” He helped her put on her tunic, which covered her upper body to her mid-thigh.
“It was quite enjoyable. You can look up now if you wish.”
His gaze swept up her body in a way that made her face and body flush. She was entering into a dangerous game, but her vow didn’t seem to apply here so far away from Artemis.
With his help, she pulled on her leggings. His hands felt hot each time he brushed against her bare skin. Her skin tingled beneath his seemingly innocent touch. He hesitated, holding on to her hips a moment longer than was necessary.
The air between them felt like the aftermath of a lightning storm. She had no idea what was happening, but she knew it wasn’t what she should be feeling when in the presence of a man.

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

Friday, October 30, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fairy tale movie

Favorite fairy tale movie: Snow White and the Huntsman
Product Description
From the producer of Alice in Wonderland comes a new vision that turns a legendary tale into an action-adventure epic. The evil Queen Ravenna (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) will rule forever if she can take the life of Snow White (Kristen Stewart), so she dispatches the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to track her down. But the wicked ruler never imagined that the Huntsman would train the girl to become a brave warrior, skilled in the art of war. Filled with intense battles and spectacular visual effects, Snow White & the Huntsman is a thrilling experience that “shouldn’t be missed” – Shawn Edwards, Fox-TV.
************

I really liked this new version of Snow White. It is darker than the original. I loved Chris Hemsworth as the huntsman. Ravenna's outfits were stunning. There were some cool surprises in this version--the way Snow was revived was my favorite one. 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