Aristaeus, the Original Beekeeper of Myth

Although Ambrosia is an original creation orchestrated with the assistance of my muse, it is based on the belief held by the ancient Greeks and Romans that honey is the nectar of the gods. Did you also know that the name for honey comes from the Hebrew word for Enchant?

Legend has it that Aristaeus was a shepherd, the son of the water nymph, Cyrene. It is said that he was the first to teach the art of beekeeping. When Aristaeus’ bees perished (it is unknown whether it was through disease or accident of nature), he went to plead help from his mother. In agreeing to assist him, Cyrene led him to the Prophet Proetus who revealed to him a ceremony he must perform that would help him to rebuild his hives. Aristaeus did as Proetus directed and his hives were restored. Hence, the first beekeeper and the origin of the legend as told through the voices of ancient belief.

The recipe I offer in this delightfully delicious story is based on the ancient art of storytelling. “What if” I combine the “nectar of the gods,” with a fickle goddess as guardian, add in an “enchanting” beesinger named Ambrosia with a vow to fulfill, and one handsome lord with a desperate mission to save his people? For flavoring, mix in the biology of bees with the reviving spirit of a sweet magical elixir, and one has the recipe for an intriguing erotic fantasy romance. My result was Ambrosia.

One last tidbit to leave you with. Did you know that honey comes in many variations of color and flavor? Several factors can influence the taste and look of honey such as the variety of flower, the soil chemistry, and the honeycomb quality. It can have the look of gold, red, or even green. What a delicious combination–sweet, colorful…and sensual. So be sure to enjoy the story…and the food.

Ambrosia, now available at these fine ebook retailers:

Find it on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9736YH
Books2Read Universal Link: https://www.books2read.com/u/4Aglyp
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/705901

January 25, 2019 0

Trumpeter Swans and the Development of Swan’s Lake (Primal Magic)

I love Trumpeter Swans. And this is prime wintering season for Trumpeter Swans here in the Pacific Northwest. Shallow wetlands being prime nesting grounds, they should feel right at home in this area of Washington.

Research and foundation are prime requisites in creating story and there must be time devoted to discover and relate elements and symbology to create an engaging and fully-realized three-dimensional story that is able to draw a reader into my world, as I see it.

“She is very beautiful.”

Reynaldo couldn’t look away from the view of the serene lake surrounded by the lush forests. So different from the barren fields and fallow grounds on the other side of the estate.

At one time, the lake had been just as stagnant as the dried up land. Before she came. But only the lake and the surrounding woodlands seemed to have been affected by her magical appearance.

He felt Satrius’s presence behind him, but Reynaldo was focused on the beauty of the swan who was about to take flight. He watched as her powerful wings extended and she glided across the lake, her mirror image reflected in the shimmering, clear blue water, and finally soared into the air. His gaze was glued to the arc of her neck as she stretched out, and he could almost feel the wind against his own face, the freedom of the sky as he followed the perfect symmetry of her form. He felt his soul reach out to her, yearning to soar with her.

Swan pairs mate for life and usually form pair bonds on the winter grounds, often where the pen (female) was hatched. The pen will choose the nesting site, the cob (male) will defend it. A Trumpeter Swan’s life expectancy can span as much as 20 years. If one mate dies, the other with find another mate.

“He will destroy you, Martine. If you do not act soon, it will be too late and Satrius will find a way to be rid of you. Of all of us.”

She turned swiftly to face one of the elder shifters, Arwen. He was a gruff old man, but beneath that she had come to determine he had a heart of gold and he meant well. He led the northern flock, those who had arrived in the first week. Yet all seemed to look to him for guidance. News traveled quickly in this magical world, and when word reached them of a strange swan maiden from the other land, they had begun arriving daily from throughout Valliana. Usually a bird or two at a time, but within Arwen’s flock there were at least eleven.

“I cannot act too quickly, Arwen. I know the urgency—you have all more than made that clear.”

“You are the chosen one. We all knew it when we heard of your arrival from the other world. What we attempt here has never been done before. For a swanshifter to mate with one outside our species—we do not know if it can even be done. Not even in Valliana.”

Martine Cullen, the swan maiden, is of of Celtic descent; Reynaldo Donata, lord of Terragatto, is a shapeshifting predator, who is lord of the castle in this realm. A dark magic has settled over Valliana, and only Martine can break the spell of Satrius, a very powerful warlock, who has cast a spell over Reynaldo.

When I’m researching, I usually start with symbology, and in this story, I wanted to know what the swan symbol represented. What I found is this: Swan is a symbol of gracefulness and intuition. In alchemy, it is a symbol of hermaphroditism, being either male or female, It is a marriage of opposites – perfect for my story. But, of course, as any writer will, we take great liberties with the what-ifs, at least jumping one step farther. What if this, what if that? I’ve never been good at taking just one step…

She again turned toward the water and gazed out at the shifters resting there. It was then she came up with a dangerous alternative. Would any of them agree? Could she accept it, herself?

She whirled back toward Arvin. “What if we could give him what he seems to desire? It would be taking a chance, but if we can break the darkling magic it might be worth a try.” Suddenly, it all became clear. “That’s it.”

“What are you saying?”

She laughed and a weight lifted from her shoulders. There was a way to beat Satrius and possibly to break his hold over Reynaldo. “It has never been done before—not among the swanshifters.” Would it be such a sacrifice for her to accept another into the pairing? She felt a tingling begin between her thighs at the idea she was considering. It was a desperate chance, but one she was willing to take if the others could agree.

“You can’t be considering what I think you are.”

“Would it be so wrong? Help me, Arwen. You have told me how dangerous it would be for a child of Reynaldo and Belinda to be brought into this world. If it was not so, this gathering would not be taking place.”

“It is dangerous. If you have not found a cob to your liking thus far, what makes you think you will find one acceptable for the relationship you are considering?”

“I was not thinking of a cob instead of Reynaldo, but someone who would enhance our pairing. Help me find the right one. One to tempt him from Satrius—one he could not deny. Please.”

“You ask a great deal, Martine.”

“I know. I know he wants me, but he holds back. If we present him with something more, something he cannot deny, strong enough to turn him away from the evil. Offer him so much pleasure he is blinded by it. If Belinda is allowed to bear his child, the chasm of evil will rip wide open. Is that what you want?”

“No, of course not.”

“You know the flocks better than I. Help me find the right cob who could bond with two others for a lifetime. One who is strong enough to help me woo Reynaldo away from his sinister lovers. Yes, he seems to want me, but it isn’t enough.” She again turned to scan the waters. “There must be one among the many—one who would welcome this strange pairing.”

“You are asking that he submit to another. It will not be easy to find one that will accept the sharing of a pen. This is far beyond anything that has been attempted before. For you to share yourself between two—is this really what you want?”

She turned to look up at him. “I must pair with Reynaldo. To lose this chance, could mean all of our deaths.” She touched her abdomen. “In here, I know this is right. What we plan is the path I must follow. That we must follow.”

One step farther. Our Martine is a very clever woman. And it will take an adventurous, determined shapeshifter to save Reynaldo and this world, one who isn’t afraid to break boundaries, to bend mating rituals long followed in the past.

Thus, we have the story of Martine and Reynaldo, shifters who will break all the laws of their respective kinds in order to save their world.

Now available on Amazon.com

Currently a #kindleunlimited selection

January 4, 2019 0

Creativity with Clarity for the Process

Over the years the amount of noise with the advancement of technology, and the hustle and bustle, and need to constantly be learning, adapting, and changing have caused stutters and starts to my creative process. It has caused havoc to the point of being blocked with focus and progress. First I’m here and then I’m there and what is it I need to focus on first? Causing frustration, aggravation, and full stop.

In the creative process there needs to be some silence. Silence from the outside world, unplugging from distractions in order to gain clarity and open up doors to the imagination. Carving out my time.

This has been a difficult process, but it is possible to attain. Drawing inward, writing down the goals, understanding the time and place for the phone, the social media, the news, all the outside forces must be harnessed and controlled.

As I sat and began to write this, the phone rang. I looked at the phone, but then reminded of my focused purpose, I ignored it, feeling guilty, but still, in my determination, I ignored it, so that I could proceed with what I have identified are priorities, and maintaining my vision with purpose.

I’m relearning how to carve out time. For slotting what is necessary for me to accomplish throughout the day. What is important, what is needful, and being mindful of time simply for me to refill the well.

This is not something that comes easily. It requires some sacrifices, some relearning of habits newly developed. Of tuning out, of tuning in, of fine tuning the dial. This is clarity. Clarifying the important things. Carving out time to focus.

Writing this all out on paper, not the computer helps brand that clarity; keeping a written journal, not a computer journal, helps me to visualize more concretely my journey and tasks and desires along the creative road. Walking away from the computer periodically helps to clear my mind, refocus, reenergize in order to return with a fresher alertness.

So, here I am with determination to maintain clarity and purpose on what I wish to achieve.

November 4, 2018 0

Saved for Inspired Thought

I have a page of quotes in my bullet journal. I use it to capture those quotes that inspire thoughtful consideration. One for my memory page.

In the largest sense we find only the world we look for.

–Thoreau

It applies to life, it applies to writing and reading, it applies when I’m out with my camera photographing nature. My personal perception colors everything I see, from minute to large. As a creative, I don’t always see things the way others see them. It’s a quirk.

December 7, 2017 0

Today’s Pin of Interest

Always looking for interesting images to spark my muse. This is one I added this morning to my “Eyecatching” board on Pinterest.

Love that intense look. He might do well in my Vampyre Falls shapeshifter series. I’ll have to ponder more on that. He has a good look for Donovan, the third brother. Currently working on his story, “Raw Moan.” Donovan’s story is currently a work in progress.

The pack had found some measure of rhythm over that last year or so. Rainna, who was skilled as a nurse and they’d discovered had a healing touch, now assisted Morganna, the faerie healer, in serving the medical needs of the community. Petra, Carson’s mate, hunted on occasion, but usually handled the organizational and financial matters for the family. Rainna and Petra together managed to keep the house running quite efficiently and got along very well, considering Rainna was human and Petra was shifter by virtue of an experimental operation that had tied her to the pack in an altogether unforeseeable and monstrous way by government machinations. One might say Carson and Petra’s mating was certainly fate.

Donovan, in wolf form, scented human–government assassin. But there was a more prevalent scent of blood than he would have expected. He also scented death. He proceeded with caution knowing never to trust the tricky nature of an assassin. The site that met him as he rounded some thick undergrowth startled him and almost dropped him back on his haunches.

It was a she–white as snow, covered in blood. Her fangs were bared as she stared down at the corpse of the government tracker. She nudged the body with her muzzle, then seemed satisfied. And then suddenly, right there, she shifted to human form. Her scent wafted over Donovan. And something about it got beneath his skin, bore into him and without consciously calling for it, he shifted to human form as well.

But still he hovered at the perimeter of the small clearing where carnage was scattered across the ground. The woman knelt there, her oddly colored long hair tangled and covering her face. She knelt on one knee, the other leg curled beneath her, hunched over, clutching her knee. Her hair, so pale a platinum it looked like a dense fog, yet jet black intermixed with the white. She looked like a ghost and Donovan had to wonder if he was seeing things and if there was some conjurer of magic nearby.

Cautiously, he stepped into the clearing. For long moments, she didn’t move. Within several feet of her, she finally lifted her head. Her face was spattered with blood and Donovan could now see a wound in her side leaking a far too steady stream of blood.

December 5, 2017 0