May We Always Remember . . .
Once again it is Memorial Day, and for many it is a long weekend for camping, parties, lots of sales, and even Memorial Day cruises. There are many reasons why this day is notable. But let’s not forget the real reason – the important reason. It was set aside to remember and honor all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the military service of America . . . Those who died fighting to preserve our lives and our freedom. They won’t be here to celebrate with us because they gave up everything for us. So amidst our celebrations, let’s pause and take time to remember the thousands of men and women whose lives were cut short so that we could live, and be with those we love to enjoy our freedoms.
God help us to remember the cost of our blessings and to remain worthy of that cost.
Solitaire
The Eternal Amulet of Ele-Amarna
Excerpt from DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Part One – THE BURNING SKY:
(Cheron – the true specter of death, Ferryman at The River Styx – speaking to Katherine Pendragon, the daughter of the Dark Lord of the Provinces of Hell)
“Your father and his loyal demons cannot cross flowing water, and I speak not of the river of death. Only through me may you cross the Styx. These lands are not your prison and there are no conventions which bind your fate, but without an army, your father’s curse will be the end of us all.”
Cheron reached into his robe and pulled out an amulet attached to a golden chain. Gazing at it for a moment, Cheron’s energy spiked, almost unnoticeably, and then passed. He handed the piece to Katherine hesitantly, as if he was about to lose something meaningful to him.
“The most precious gift I can give you is this. The Eternal Amulet of Ele-Amarna. It will give you control over Bahn Fahr and the Army of the Dead. “
The Amulet of Ele-Amarna was an ancient vial, one and one half inches in length, attached to a solid gold chain, which was eighteen inches in length. The six gold rings surrounding it, would spin in the manner of a combination lock until they lined up, allowing it to open. Katherine had no knowledge of what would happen once it opened, but she did know that her energy combined with that of the amulet would call up the Army of the Dead, and their subsequent leader, General Bahn Fahr. The General resided with his army in the Province of Sheol. This might be the only way to defeat her father.
But the Amulet came with a warning:
“But beware . . . if the Amulet is destroyed once the Army is called, you will unleash dominion over the living by angry legions of those who cannot be stopped or killed. Be warned, Ariella. Hold the Amulet and call the Name of Bahn Fahr at the peril of all you hold dear.”
Does Katherine resort to using the Amulet, or does she find another way to to thwart the plans of her malevolent father, the Dark Lord, and his army of demons? The answers can be found in
DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Part One – THE BURNING SKY
at my website www.solitaireparke.com, where it can be purchased at numerous locations in a variety of formats.
I look forward to hearing from my readers. Let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Solitaire
DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Creature Feature – Bubalos
BUBALOS-
An animal that is similar to what we know as a bison or buffalo; they roamed on the Provinces of Hell and were the main food source for dragons, and also on the menu for the citizens. They were bulky oversized animals, not terribly intelligent and often cranky, but extremely useful. Large fields were cultivated outside the Palace, and as the bubalos were procured, pens were built for the massive number of creatures. They migrated twice a year from the more barren lands of the Provinces to the northwestern edge of Hell proper, where they fed on the grasslands produced during that time of year. The Dark Lord’s daughter, Katherine, even had bubalos brought in to feed the Hell hounds living within the city. Being such large creatures, they were often bridled and used for transporting supplies from place to place when needed. The hide from a bubalos could be tanned and used for various articles of clothing or types of baggage.
Read more about life on the Provinces in the following book –
DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Part One – The Burning Sky
A prequel book to the Dragomeir Series
Find this book and many more at
Solitaire
WHY DO WE LOVE DRAGONS?
Dragons are magical, mythical winged creatures that we find both thrilling and frightening. Both adults and younger readers seem to find them equally fantastic. We’d like to believe that they might have once existed, and they are legendary in almost every culture on the planet, so why not?
They have traditionally been viewed as perilous, dangerous creatures with magical qualities that laid waste to the countryside and carried off damsels in distress, thereby having to be sought after and conquered. Some authors have written about them with this view in mind – Tolkien, Ursula K. LeGuin, and J. K. Rowling, to name a few. The fantasy writer, Anne McCaffrey, explored human kinship with dragons, man and animal befriending one another. Countless children’s books have now brought these fantastic creatures into the next generation to be both feared and loved.
I have continued with Anne McCaffrey’s affinity of dragon and man in my Dragomeir Series books, and now in the new prequel series, Daughter of the Dark Lord – Part One – The Burning Sky, and the forthcoming Daughter of the Dark Lord – Part Two – The Alberra Project. (There will definitely be a Part Three!)
Dragons introduce a much needed magic and adrenaline into our lives – the appeal of being unpredictable and potentially dangerous that emulates our challenges, frustrations and achievements in an exhilarating and exceptional way. Dragons never play by anyone’s rules.
Nowadays, dragons are our constant companions in novels, movies and computer games. They are the most familiar and respected creatures from fantasy and legend. They can give us an emotional reaction of faithful friendship, as well as the opportunity to fly. Dragons allow us to feel indestructible and open up our imaginations. They give us wings.
Solitaire
What are your favorite dragons?
6 Ways to Improve Your Writing!
- How often do you use the word “very” in your writing? It is often extremely overused and can make your sentences sound weak. So check out this site. It gives you 128 ways to avoid using this word by replacing it with stronger more vibrant ones.
http://writetodone.com/128-words-to-use-instead-of-very/
- Need some help with your grammar? Take the following quiz and find out how much you know.
http://writetodone.com/grammar-tips-for-writers/
- Book titles, blog headings, or other articles are sometimes difficult to come by. You might need a little help occasionally. Here are 7 tools to provide that help.
http://writetodone.com/bestselling-book-titles-2/
- Do you love the television show “Game of Thrones” or the books? Here are 5 lessons to be learned from them.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/04/08/writing-game-of-thrones/
- Do you know how to research a novel, and when to stop? This article could be helpful.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2017/01/18/research-a-novel/
- Tips for finding those eye-catching images for your books, articles, or blogs.
Which ones are your favorites?
If these were helpful to you, please pass them on!
Visit me at my website – sp@solitaireparke.com
Solitaire
Latest Book from Solitaire : Prequel to the Dragomeir Series – Part One
DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Part One – THE BURNING SKY
The first Prequel Book to the Dragomeir Series
(A saga of dragons, demons, fierce creatures and dragon riders)
BEFORE IT ALL BEGAN . . .
A daughter born to the cruel tyrant of the Provinces, the Dark Lord
An incredible child of great skill and abilities
A long awaited prophecy yet to be fulfilled
A remarkable and enduring gift – a Dragon egg
Friends, allies and enemies embroiled in conflict for their lives amidst schemes and unruly allegiances
Who is this child and how does her life impact the future?
– THE PREQUEL
AND THE ENTIRE DRAGOMEIR SERIES
IS AVAILABLE NOW in multiple formats at the following sites –
Enjoy the sci-fi/urban fantasy world of Dragomeir!
Happy Reading.
Solitaire
Any questions about the books? Leave me a comment.
Cover Reveal : Daughter of the Dark Lord – Part One – The Burning Sky
The new PREQUEL BOOK to the DRAGOMEIR SERIES is coming out this month and HERE IS THE COVER! The new book –
Daughter of the Dark Lord, Part One, The Burning Sky
– will inform you about the early years of “The Ariella”, Queen of the Dragons at Mt. Drago. It gives a better understanding of her earliest moments and how the environment into which she was born and the people surrounding her, shaped the character of a child and led to the unique leader she became. And of course, her best friend and dragon companion, Exxa, played an important role in shaping her life. So, if you loved the dragons in the Dragomeir Series, along with all the other amazing creatures, Daughter of the Dark Lord will give you an engaging look into the past of the Queen of the Dragons that will keep you wondering what happens next!
Check out the Dragomeir Series and my other books at www.solitaireparke.com.
Solitaire
What Foods Should Creative Minds Eat?
If you’re struggling with feeling tired, uninspired, or have writer’s block, maybe you should take a good look at your diet. We tend to blame everything for not being at our peak performance, but what if it’s partially as a result of what we eat? Creative minds place very tall demands on our brains, and to do our best work we should think about what affects our productivity. We probably won’t produce our best work if our bodies feel tired and sluggish. So check out the list below:
FOODS FOR CREATIVITY
- FISH – High in Omega3 fats which are essential for healthy brain function
- EGGS – Contains choline which enhances memory and reaction times
- WHOLE WHEAT BREAD, PASTA, AND BROWN RICE – They are digested more
slowly than their white equivalents, so you don’t experience creativity-killing energy
highs and lows
- BANANAS – Contains potassium needed for oxygen flow to the brain, keeps energy levels up with just the right amount of glucose
- BLUEBERRIES – Contain antioxidants which improve memory
- UNSALTED NUTS AND SEEDS – Great source of proteins and fats which provide long-lasting energy
- BROCCOLI – Your brain’s best friend. Contains Vitamin K which enhances cognitive functions – works best when eaten raw or roasted with olive oil and garlic
- SWEET POTATO CRISPS – Baked crisps, thinly sliced, with a little salt. Contains more potassium than bananas – needed for oxygen flow to the brain
If you know there are certain foods that will tempt you, just don’t keep them around.
Make sure you don’t over-indulge. Even healthy foods and snacks can quickly lead to a
sugar crash. (Avoid foods and snacks containing high fructose corn syrup).
It’s always a good idea to eat a healthy breakfast to start your day.
Have a snack a couple times during the day – maybe an apple or some unsalted nuts.
These are some ideas that should help to keep the creativity flowing and keep your brain functioning all day. So, what works for you? If you have a special diet that helps you to write, think, and learn better, let us know.
Solitaire
Friday the 13th – Why is it Considered Unlucky?
Don’t step on the sidewalk cracks, walk under any mirrors, and stay away from black cats are a few of the taboos on Friday the 13th. We’ve all heard them before. Most people do not take it too seriously, but there are some who dread the date. By the way, if you’re interested, the word paraskevidekatriaphobia means fear of Friday the 13th! If you were looking for a definitive answer, there really isn’t one. Like many cultural traditions and long-running superstitious beliefs, the exact source is unknown. It is most likely the result of many different factors, strengthened over time by a combination of specific incidents, folklore and religion that have evolved over hundreds of years to create what we now refer to as the unluckiest date in the calendar. Here are a few of the beliefs about Friday the 13th:
- Some superstitions about Friday the 13th are rooted in the guest list of the Last Supper. Judas was the 13th guest at the table, and Jesus was crucified on a Friday. Coincidence?
- On Friday the 13th in 1307, thousands of Knights Templar were arrested on orders from King Philip IV of France because of suspicions that their secret initiation rituals made them “enemies of the faith.” After years of torture, they were burned at the stake. Dan Brown’s novel The DaVinci Code popularized the link between the Knights Templar and Friday the 13th.
- The first specific written reference to Friday the 13th as an unlucky day was in an early-20th century novel by Thomas W. Lawson, called Friday, the 13th. Ironically, a ship named after Lawson was caught in a storm and shipwrecked on the night of Friday the 13th, 1907.
- Superstition can result in an economic dip. Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute, says U.S. businesses lose millions of dollars on Friday the 13th, because some people are reluctant to leave their homes.
- Friday’s position as the unlucky day may have been strengthened by it being the day of execution of criminals for many years, commonly called Hangman’s Day.
- Scandinavians believed 13 signified bad luck because their 13th mythological demigod Loki was an evil one who brought great misfortune upon humans.
- Hindus believed that it was unlucky for 13 people to gather in one place.
- Most skyscrapers and hotels lack a 13th floor, which specifically comes from the tendency in the early 1900s for buildings in New York City to omit the unlucky number (though both the Empire State Building and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel have 13th floors). Street addresses sometimes skip from 12 to 14, while airports may skip the 13th gate.
- Allegedly, the popular Friday the 13th films were so-named just to cash in on this menacing date recognition, not because the filmmakers actually believed the date to be unlucky.
- Black cats have been seen in Western cultures as an omen of bad luck — they have been associated with witches, and many cultures believe that a black cat crossing your path means you will suffer disaster or even death. Gamblers are especially fearful of the black cat curse – many of them believe that if they see a black cat while going to a casino, they should abandon their plans to gamble there.
Do you consider Friday the 13th to be an unlucky date? Has anything bad ever happened to you on this day before? Do you have any superstitions to help you avoid bad luck? Add your comments below.
Solitaire
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 EVERYONE!!!
This is such a crazy, busy time of year, but I wanted to stop for a minute – although I’m continuing to write amidst the chaos – and wish all of you an amazing and wonderful Merry Christmas and a New Year 2017 that’s filled with joy and prosperity! Enjoy your friends and family, and be encouraged to go after your dreams in the New Year. Do what you love and don’t listen to anyone who tells you not to go for it. Be unstoppable and refuse to give up!
BE AMAZING!!!
Solitaire
