Flames on the Sky has been revised and is now 50% at The Wild Rose Press

Flames on the Sky, a time travel, has been revised and re-released. As with many books we find things after publication we'd like to change, but usually aren't given the opportunity. Fortunately I've been able to make those changes.

This novel is book II in the Turquoise Legacy. Book I is My Heart Will Find Yours. It is available at The Wild Rose Press and other online book stores.

The Anasazi whispered of his evil and of the woman who could defeat it. Fire, sky, and stone must unite to fulfill an ancient prophecy.

Madison Evans inherits a turquoise locket, travels to New Mexico, and discovers the stone dates back to the Chacoan Anasazi. When she's attacked, parks ranger Lonan Stone, of Chacoan ancestry, fears Madison's turquoise is a missing twin of the revered Fallen Skystone, an egg size piece of turquoise on display in Albuquerque. The mystical stone is missing two slivers – one’s in Madison’s necklace, the others whereabouts unknown, but if united by evil they can destroy.

Madison and Lonan are part of a 1000 year old prophecy to save Chaco Canyon. Thrust back in time, they meet a witch, solve a murder, fall in love, and imprison a 1000 year old evil spirit. Their mission complete, can these two people from different cultures blend their lives as the prophecy predicted?

(268 pages) Spicy

$4.99/50% off at The Wild Rose Press

Here is an excerpt.

Madison felt as if she'd traveled to the Twilight Zone. Lilly's claims were preposterous, but, she couldn't deny what she'd seen on the cliff face or the dreams.

"Yes, you need to tell me about the dreams. They started at the time you received the necklace, right?"

Madison nodded. "How did you know?"

"I assumed the ancient Elders would haunt you, but when Lonan called yesterday, I knew so for a fact." Her smile was sympathetic. "Tell me about them."

Lilly's eyes lit with excitement as Madison talked. When she finished, the older woman leaned back and closed her eyes.

Lonan's brow was furrowed, his mouth pinched. "What did you mean when you said, 'You are the one'?"

She pierced him with an intent look. "Did not Madison say you were the very image of the warrior in her dream? The prophecy requires that someone from the past, which is you, son, be chosen to be Madison's protector." Lilly turned to Madison.

Oh, no. I don't think I want to hear this. She held up her hands and shook her head. "No--"

"Yes, Madison, with hair of fire, whether you like it or not, the gods chose you, someone from the future, to find the third stone and reunite the twins with the mother stone. Together, you two will find a way to consign the evil one to the pit below Mother Earth, where he belongs."

Thanks you for reading and writing! Please check out my website at www.lindalaroque.com

Linda

My Fetish Collection -- Zuni Fetishes That Is!

When I mention I have a fetish collection, I get odd looks. After I explain I collect Zuni fetishes, small animal carvings often believed to have magical powers, they grin and say, "Oh."

Both the Zuni and Navajo make fetishes, but the Zuni are famous for theirs.  In the 1970s the Navajo began copying and passing theirs off as Zuni which has been a problem ever since. "When a carving has been blessed during  a Zuni Medicine ceremony at the winter solstice, it becomes a fetish and is considered sacred."(1) Otherwise they are basically a rock carving but are referred to as fetishes. Also, fetishes need to be fed. Those who carry theirs in a pocket usually sprinkle a little cornmeal in it for food.

Because of their size, they are not signed and when you purchase one it's best to ask for some type of authentication. Usually it's a small card. Today some artisans are signing theirs. If you decide to purchase a few, research and become familiar with the names of the Zuni craftsmen. If you visit the Zuni Reservation, individuals selling carvings independently may approach you. Depending on what you're looking for, you might get a good deal. The reservation is filled with artists.

Very old, early fetishes are crudely made, many are hard to recognize as the animal they represent. They're very valuable, especially to the Zuni community.

My fetishes are collected merely for their beauty and artistic qualities and have no religious connotation for me. I enjoy looking at them in my china cabinet.

My research on the Zuni Indians and Chaco Canyon for Flames on the Sky, the second book in The Turquoise Legacy, spurred my interest in the small animal carvings. They were perfect for adding mystery and mysticism to the story and special attributes to the hero and heroine. Lonan Stone's fetish is the bear, the protector--his job is to protect the hunter who's hair spits fire--Madison. In the journey he and heroine, Madison Evans must travel back in time to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Madison is given a badger fetish to wear around her neck at all times. It represents aggressiveness and perseverance and it will help her use her inner resources when the time comes.

To the left are pictures of my second and third purchases--Lonan's bear and Madison's badger. Both have turquoise strapped to their backs. Some have feathers and other adornment.



Here is a short excerpt from Flames on the Sky. It takes place the first time Madison and Lonan travel back to 1000 AD together and encounter the ancient Anasazi. Lonan walks down the cliff path to meet the warriors but insists Madison stay where she is.

Once in the circle, their fighters moved back to allow the Elders to approach. Madison could see they were talking, but couldn’t hear and it sounded liked gibberish. Suddenly, she heard Lonan shout. There was a struggle and his arms were grabbed from behind and tied.

Panic inched up her spine. She had to do something. He wasn’t supposed to face this task alone. It was hers and he was her protector. Lonan struggled and kicked out with his feet knocking several people down. The badger fetish at the pulse point of her neck grew warm, reminding her the figure represented fierceness.

Someone swung their war club, hitting Lonan on the head. He fell like a tree. Stunned, she stared down in horror. Oh, God. What am I going to do? Please help me.

Lonan’s lookalike strode toward the path that led up the cliff. Rage consumed her, her scream of fury and panic echoed off the canyon walls. She knocked her hat off, removed the clip holding her hair up, and using her fingers scrubbed the mass into a wild bird’s nest. The sun was behind her, so no doubt her head looked on fire.

At her scream, the warrior stopped. Hat hanging against her back, she started down the cliff, picking up speed until like an angry bull she met the man head-on, her momentum knocking him on his butt. She went down with him, but was on her feet, running before he could recover.

Yelling and chanting like the crazy witch woman she’d become, she snarled and snapped at people in her way. No one challenged her, but let her pass, mouths agape. She dropped beside Lonan, pulled the large knife from the scabbard in his boot and cut the bonds on his wrist. His head wound wasn’t bad but bleeding profusely. She had nothing with which to staunch the blood. Afraid to turn her back on her audience for more than a second, she stood and strode around him, swinging the big knife warningly, growling at anyone rash enough to test her. If they did, she knew without a doubt she’d kill to protect Lonan. 

Here are my raven and porcupine. They are significant in my newest release, A Stolen Chance. 

Here's a blurb:

Mystery and danger lead two people on a path of discovery.

Running from an ex husband bent on revenge, Susan Lawton finds refuge at a small motel along old Route 66 in Siesta, New Mexico. Albuquerque police detective Carson Rhodes can’t live with the atrocity he committed, so he resigns his commission and returns home to run the haunted Siesta Motel and Café. As they battle their demons, and locate a lost Zuni treasure, will Susan and Carson win their war against evil and will a lasting love be their reward?

Reference: (1) http://www.horsekeeping.com/jewelry/Fetish-about-page1.htm/

For a chance to win a PDF copy of Flames on the Sky, leave a comment and tell me what the white bear fetish is known for.

Thanks for reading and writing!

Linda
www.lindalaroque.com

A Release Date for A Stolen Chance

I'm still floating on cloud 9 due to my cover for A Stolen Chance and then yesterday I got a release date. Yea! It is January 9, 2013. That's just three months away. So, now I need to decide what to give away as a contest prize to celebrate. I usually give away a piece of jewelry so would like to continue that tradition. If you have any ideas, please let me know. For ideas look back at my last post that includes a blurb for A Stolen Chance.

Since my story involves Zuni fetishes, I've decided I need to blog about them and share my small collection. Stay tuned. I hope to get it posted by the end of this week.

My book Flames on the Sky also used Zuni fetishes. In my next post, I'll explain the significance of the ones in Flames, but you'll have to wait to lean about the ones used in A Stolen Chance. Here is the blurb.

The Anasazi whispered of this evil and of the

woman who could defeat it.
Fire, sky, and stone must unite to fulfill an ancient prophecy.

Madison Evans inherits a turquoise locket, travels to New Mexico, and discovers the stone dates back to the Chacoan Anasazi. When she's attacked, parks ranger Lonan Stone, of Chacoan ancestry, fears Madison's turquoise is a missing twin of the revered Fallen Skystone, an egg size piece of turquoise on display in Albuquerque. The mystical stone is missing two slivers – one’s in Madison’s necklace, the others whereabouts unknown, but if united by evil they can destroy.

Madison and Lonan are part of a 1000 year old prophecy to save Chaco Canyon. Thrust back in time, they meet a witch, solve a murder, fall in love, and imprison a 1000 year old evil spirit. Their mission complete, can these two people from different cultures blend their lives as the prophecy predicted?

Excerpt:

Madison felt as if she’d traveled to the Twilight Zone. Lilly’s claims were preposterous, but, she couldn’t deny what she’d seen on the cliff face or the dreams.


“Yes, you need to tell me about the dreams. They started at the time you received the necklace, right?”

Madison nodded. “How did you know?”

“I assumed the ancient Elders would haunt you, but when Lonan called yesterday, I knew so for a fact.” Her smile was sympathetic. “Tell me about them.”

Lilly’s eyes lit with excitement as Madison talked. When she finished, the older woman leaned back and closed her eyes.

Lonan’s brow was furrowed, his mouth pinched. “What did you mean when you said, ‘You are the one.’?”

She pierced him with an intent look. “Did not Madison say you were the very image of the warrior in her dream? The prophecy requires that someone from the past, which is you, son, be chosen to be Madison’s protector.” Lilly turned to Madison.

Oh, no. I don’t think I want to hear this. She held up her hands and shook her head. “No—”

“Yes, Madison, with hair of fire, whether you like it or not, the Gods chose you, someone from the future, to find the third stone and reunite the twins with the mother stone. Together, you two will find a way to consign the evil one to the pit below mother earth where he belongs.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tghS1kr6TnY Flames on The Sky

You can purchase a copy in both ebook and paperback at

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/flames-on-the-sky-p-3719.html?zenid=b2987a82fa91b8ff5df838e1e01db723

http://www.amazon.com/Flames-Sky-Linda-LaRoque/dp/1601545827/ref=pd_nr_b_11?ie=UTF8&s=books

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flames-on-the-sky-linda-laroque/1103569734?ean=2940012972651


Thanks for reading!

Linda
http://www.lindalaroque.com

Reviews for A Way Back and Flames on the Sky

First, let me say, it's been a hectic couple of months and I've been lax in posting regularly. I promise to do better. Second, if you've not signed up for my monthly newsletter, I hope you'll do so. You can use the form on this page or email me at linda@lindalaroque.com with NEWSLETTER in the subject line and I'll put you on the list. If you'd also like to enter my A WAY BACK contest for the rhinestone pin, put NEWSLETTER/A WAY BACK CONTEST in the subject line. Third, don't forget to leave a comment for my monthly ebook drawing.

I'm thrilled with the reviews A WAY BACK has received and all so shortly after its release. To read the entire review, click on the link.

You Gotta Read Reviews by Val - You Need to Read

"Having read some of Ms. LaRoque's work before, I knew I would be in for a treat. Each book is like a breath of fresh air and another opportunity to get lost in another world. I'm not a fan of history but this book made learning about the 1930's so much fun. It's evident that Ms. LaRoque has done her homework on A Way Back and because of that, I was totally immersed in the time period. Ms. LaRoque paid excellent attention to detail and her writing style is polished and easy to follow. Whether it be the engaging plot line, compelling characters or talented author, I highly recommend you read this book."

The Romance Studio by Theresa B. - 5 Hearts

"I liked how the author blended the modern and the old. Amber was a modern woman who took no man's gruff and knew her way around the business world. Wellman was straight-laced, a typical slightly stuffy 1930's man. Even though Amber had different ideas about women in the work place, Wellman made little objection to her ideas. To me, this made him a more forward thinking man and a great person for Amber to hook up with. The author did a very good job on the finer details of the story, adding interesting tidbits. There was mention in the story of a time traveler before Amber made a appearance, it would of been nice to have them meet or to tell what happened to him. But I guess that's another story."

Long and Short Reviews by Camillia - 4 Books

"Ms. LaRoque’s descriptions of settings and emotional stress of that time are amazing and attention keeping. Even though A Way Back is short, the characters come to life as she tells of Alva’s swollen feet and legs, of Samuelson’s fury, and of the odor of unwashed bodies that labor under horrible conditions. She assails the reader’s senses with the smell, feel, sight, and sound of an oil well blowing. Of course, the Wall Street bankers’ condescension when Amber takes control of the bank is not to be missed—so many “unladylike” words come to mind to describe them.


How Amber and Wellman cope with a situation forced upon them in a disastrous economic time creates sad, funny, and emotional charged events as they each reach for a happy-ever-after that looks impossible. While A Way Back is an incredible revelation of the tremendous changes that have taken place in less than a century, it is most of all a beguiling love story about two caring people."

It was great to get another review for my fall 2009 release FLAMES ON THE SKY

You Gotta Read Reviews by Val - You Gotta Read

"The characters throughout this book are very well developed and Ms. LaRoque brings vivid life to the Chocoan Anasazi heritage . I am not a history buff. It's hard for me to grasp how people lived in the past, but when I can read a romance novel and learn something, I fall in love with history. Ms. LaRoque lays the foundation for life as it was back then. She leads the reader into the customs of the time and how different that time period is from ours now. I find time travel fascinating and Linda LaRoque makes it more than just a learning experience, she also makes it fun. Flames on the Sky was an action packed read that kept getting more interesting the more I read. I never knew which turn the story would take and was very pleased with the ending. I highly recommend Flames on the Sky for anyone who loves romantic suspense laced with some history and time travel. This was a full bodied novel that you don't want to miss."


Now I must get back to the grindstone. I'm in the middle of a time travel set in the Texas Panhandle in 1889. It's a followup to A LAW OF HER OWN. The working title is SEEKER OF TRUTH. An investigative reporter returns to the cabin near Fredericksburg to learn what happened to Charity Dawson. I'm also working on a romantic suspense set along old Route 66 in New Mexico.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
http://www.lindalaroque.com/

Flames on the Sky voted Most Artistic Trailer for June

I'm pleased to announce my book trailer for Flames on the Sky received The NEW Covey Trailer Awards most artistic trailer for the month of June 2010. Please click on the link above and take a look at my trailer or go to the videos page on my website at www.lindalaroque.com/. I'd love to hear what you think.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
http://www.lindalaroque.com/

Flames On The Sky Contest Winner/October ebook Winner!

The winner of the amber and sterling silver earrings is Shirley. Contratulations, Shirley! Email your snail mail address and I'll get them in the mail. My address is linda@lindalaroque.com

October's ebook winner is Donna B. Donna. Email your choice of my ebooks at linda@lindalaroque.com and I'll send it to you.

Thanks to everyone who entered my Flames On The Sky contest and to those who left comments on my blog posts. Please keep your comments coming.


Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
http://www.lindalaroque.com/

Flames on The Sky Early Bird Release! Contest to Celebrate!

What a surprise to receive a google alert for Flames on The Sky, Book two of The Turquoise Legacy, from The Wild Rose Press. When I went to the site I found it was a print October Early Bird Release. The story is perfect for Halloween as it involves the search for a 1000 year old Nukpana (evil spirit).

Here is the link for you to buy your copy of Flames On The Sky. It's 268 pages and sells for 12.98. You can watch the book trailer and read an excerpt on my website.

To celebrate I'm hosting a CONTEST and will be giving away this pair of amber and sterling silver earrings. Madison, the heroine of Flames On The Sky, wears a pair of her grandmother's amber earrings similar to these and they have symbolic meaning for the story. The earrings are approximately 2 5/8 inches long.

To enter, email me at Linda@LindaLaRoque.com with Flames On The Sky in the subject line. Read the excerpt and tell me what the Revered Skystone is. A winner will be drawn November 1, 2009.

Many thanks for stopping by and for reading!

Linda

www.lindalaroque.com

Book Signing in Temple, Texas.

I'll be signing copies of My Heart Will Find Yours, book one of The Turquoise Legacy, on October 3, 2009 from 1:00-3:00 PM at Borders Book Store in the Temple Mall. If you are in the area, please stop by.

Book two, Flames on the Sky, will be out October 23, 2009.

Thanks for reading!

Linda

July Winners!

The When the Ocotillo Bloom winner of the sterling silver prickly pear cactus charm is Krista A. Braaten. Congratulations, Krista. Email your snail mail address to this address linda@lindalaroque.com
and I'll get your charm in the mail.

Winner of the drawing for an ebook of their choice is Ella Blackhart. Congratulations, Ella. Check out my books and short stories on my website at http://www.lindalaroque.com/ and email your choice to me at linda@lindalaroque.com/

Thanks to all who entered the When the Ocotillo Bloom Contest and those who left a comment for my ebook drawing. Stay tuned as I'll have a contest for amber earrings in October to celebrate book two of The Turquoise Legacy, Flames on The Sky.

I'm lining up more guest bloggers so stay tuned and leave comments for next month's ebook drawing.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
http://www.lindalaroque.com/
http://lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com/

Book Trailer for Flames on the Sky

I'm pleased to present the book trailer for book two of The Turquoise Legacy, Flames on the Sky. Book one is My Heart Will Find Yours. Flames on the Sky is a time travel set in Chaco Canyon of New Mexico.

Please let me know what you think.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda