Best Selling Fantasy Novels for Adults

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining..., October 11, 2008
By BookReviewsByDebra "Book Reviews By Debra" (Hawesville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy
Theresa Chaze
Valkyrie Publishing, 2008
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 10/08
4 Star
Very entertaining...
Rachel felt as though the cottage was calling to her. It was lonely. The church people wanted to burn it down, because a witch once lived in it. They now target Rachel for her beliefs and practices. When she attempts to open a new book story she becomes the mark of bigotry.
This is not the type of book I normally read. Once I began, I could not put it down. There is a strength and yet innocence in Rachel. From the beginning, I sensed she had a secret. I wanted to see romance between Kevin and Rachel. Kevin is a wounded character. While this book is a fantasy and very entertaining, it also has an agenda, to teach the dangers of bigotry, close mindedness, and lack of love for people that are different. Unfortunately, this book needs proofreading. There are a lot of grammatical mistakes. Awakening The Dragon would make an excellent movie. Fans of fantasy will enjoy Awakening The Dragon.



4.0 out of 5 stars Follow your heart, awaken the dragon., November 3, 2008
By Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
Reviewed by Danelle Drake for Reader Views (10/08)

Rachel lives her life by what leads her. She landed in Coyote Springs by asking the Goddess where she wanted her to go, then threw the dart. It is there in Coyote Springs where she will open her "New Spirituality" store, Dragon's Den. Being drawn to a small cottage on the outskirts of town she crosses paths with Kevin Mitchellson. Kevin is the owner of the home in which his grandmother was killed.

Being like many small towns, Coyote Springs is a place where everyone knows of, or about, everyone there. In this town there is great turmoil between the House of Christ church and those who choose to follow otherwise. "Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy" focuses on this turmoil and resolution prior to the opening of Dragon's Den....I eagerly await "Book Two" to continue the story.

"Awakening the Dragon" is quite intriguing and will have you also waiting to see what happens next. With few editing errors that do not distract, this story is raw energy. "Theresa Chaze and her writing are based on her philosophy that all people live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs." This is such a profound philosophy that would greatly benefit many. I often ask myself, "How does one know if what they personally believe is correct?" Life would be much less negative if everyone just accepted what the other believe to be correct for them and our own belief is correct for us, there is no wrong. In "Awakening the Dragon: Book One" you find yourself compelled to root for the characters and look at your own actions toward others.



5.0 out of 5 stars Magic, suspense and Karmic Justice Combine in a tale of Horror, October 10, 2007
By Theresa Chaze "Please visit my site at www.th... (Michigan) - See all my reviews

By Wixa (Acworth, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

When I started reading this book I didn't realized how quickly I would be caught up in the lives of the characters. I found myself feeling how the characters felt. Their anger and their joys. I laughed at how perfectly Theresa Chaze described the cats personalities. It is so obvious that she has furry children. I finished the book in two days and was disappointed when I realized I had reached the end of the book! I want more. Thank you for writing this book.


By Catherine J. St Amour "Kate St.Amour" (United States) - See all my reviews


Magic, Mystery, and Murder. The three M's! Ms. Chaze shows colorful, visual language that will even keep the romance novel buff obsessed in finishing this novel in one read! The pacing is excellent the main character strong and likeable, and the hint of romance to come in the final installments of the trilogy. I must say I'm already addicted to Ms. Chaze's writing style! A guaranteed page turner! Bring on the rest of the trilogy!

Truth in Fiction!, July 31, 2006
By Cate Cavanagh (USA) - See all my reviews

Ms. Chaze sustains what is now a proven trademark of excellency in plot and story development. This taut final book will continue to hold readers within the grasp of danger as the finely realized characters fight to sustain themselves against the evil that would destroy them. A must read book by breakout author Theresa Chaze who continues to weave suspenseful storylines while developing authentic characters. No fluff here! As an author in the genre I attest to the truth in Ms. Chaze's writing as she writes of Witches, evil and spells! If you want truth in fiction, Ms. Chaze is a must read! Fans of the genre will not be disappointed and will experience hours of being drawn into the reality of Witchcraft as never before depicted.

Kudos, Ms. Chaze! Fine work!


Buy this book! I found myself smiling when I finished the last page of Awakening The Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (formally Dragon's New Home), by Theresa Chaze. I've read a pretty good number of books in my life, but none have given me quite the mix of emotions that this books has. Let me explain.
The Dragon Page reviews science fiction and fantasy from large publishing houses, small houses, and self-published authors. With few exceptions, a wide gulf separates the large houses' books from the others in terms of the quality of prose. Even when large publishers send me books I don't like, from a purely technical standpoint those books tend to be far better written than the small press stuff. Even the small press books that I like.
Now, Dragon's New Home isn't a well-crafted book. But the book has something that most small press books don't even have a sliver of. Potential. Dragon's New Home feels like a diamond in the rough. I think that given a few hundred thousand more words, Ms. Chaze will become one damn fine author. She's just not quite there yet with this book.
The Gist: Kevin Mitchellson's mother murdered his grandmother. His guilt for letting her get away with the crime is eating him alive, but he will not break his word to his father to protect her secret. So, one night, under the influence of potable spirits, he beckons spirits of another sort to take the problem out of his hands, and expose his mother in a way that cannot be denied. And damn if they didn't hear him.
Rachael Franklin, a Wiccan Priestess, has just won the lottery, and has an inclination to set up a New Age bookstore called Dragon's Den (great name.) She calls on the Goddess to send her to a new home where she can make a difference. She throws a dart at a map and eventually finds herself on the front step of Kevin's grandmother's abandoned house with the local agent from Century 21.
So, in one corner, wearing the red trunks, we have Rachael and her three cats: Merlin, Tara, and Ralph. In the other corner, wearing the blue, is Lady Katheryn, the murder, and the House of Christ, the local Christian cult that thinks that whole "live and let live" thing is for sissies.
And the bell rings.
The Good: Is it right to point out the good points of a novel by pointing out the mistakes the author could have made, but didn't? Forgive me if it's not kosher, but as I write this I can't stop making comparisons in my head between this book and other small press books I have reviewed.
For instance, most first time, small press authors try to tell big stories, and tell them too small (all life on earth my be destroyed by a world wide phenomenon. Let's tell the story of one family driving across country.) Ms. Chaze's story, on the other hand, has a simple, relatable plot, and doesn't skimp on the ensemble needed to tell the story.
Most genre books in general are plot based. This story is character driven, which I have firmly come to believe is the better route to take. Every plot-advancing decision Rachael Franklin makes comes from who she is as a person, not from what decision needs to be made to advance the plot in a certain direction. This gives the book a believability that many sci-fi and fantasy stories lack.
And, finally, it doesn't hurt that the reader might be learning something new. Not being knowledgeable about Wicca myself, I enjoyed reading a book told from the perspective of a philosophy I'm not accustomed to.
The Bad: The book suffers mostly from what most first time authors suffer from - amateur writing syndrome. The dialogue has no real spark. It's too on the nose. The story has no irony. In what could have been a very scary and engrossing story, there was only occasional suspense, and not very strong suspense at that.
Not only that, but the author tends to write too much about things that are obviously important to her, but are not important to the story. At all. Not even a little. It is not hard to see that Ms. Chaze loves animals, but why do why have to plod through pages and pages of Rachael feeding the cats, sleeping with the cats, potty training the dog, etc? Dragon's New Home is the first book of a trilogy. I have the sneaky suspicion that once the series is done, it will be apparent that instead of three short novels, the book could have been one moderately-long novel, if the writing were more focused on the story and less sidetracked by animals, visions, astral projection trips that don't really go anywhere, and the like.


By "gemstonedeva" (the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

Theresa Chaze has written the first part of a magickal tale. I could hardly put the book down once I had picked it up and am looking forward to the sequel to this intriguing tale of magick


"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Words the members of the House of Christ live by, and killed by.

Rachel Franklin knew from the first moment she laid eyes on it that the cottage was hers. She felt its pull, could sense the magic within its walls. She was home.
However, the members of the House of Christ church had different ideas. The cottage was evil, the home of a witch, and all good Christians know that witches are evil beings, consorts of the Devil; their houses are evil and should be destroyed.
But, the cottage's owner, Kevin Mitchellson would not allow that. He forbids any member of the church to set foot on the property left to him by his grandmother, Sarah, and the conflict rages, as Wicca and Christians team up, prepared to do battle with the bigotry and ignorance of the House of Christ fanatics.
Therese Chaze draws her readers in from the first page and refuses to release them until the last word of this fantastic tale of witches, magic, love and betrayal.
Set in the village of Coyote Springs, Dragon Domain is a book of lessons; lessons on love, forgiveness, and above all truth to oneself.
In the grand traditions of Anne McCaffrey and Marion Zimmer Bradley, Therese Chaze captures the imagination as well as the heart of her readers.
Dragon Domain is an open door to a world of wonder, and from the first page to the last, you will be hard pressed to put it down.

Linda Rucker


4.0 out of 5 stars Dragon "drama" for Coyote Springs, November 19, 2008
By Reader Views "www.readerviews.com"
Reviewed by Danelle Drake for Reader Views (11/08)

"Awakening the Dragon: Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy" was a very intriguing book and had me eagerly anticipating "Dragon Domain: Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy." As I became familiar once again with the interesting characters in the series I was once again drawn into their lives and was gripped with anticipation in their trials.

Coyote Springs is a town torn. Reverend Marshall and the House of Christ church have helped to turn this quite little town upside down. The forces collide, leaving the town in turmoil and hatred for each other. As the story of Coyote Springs continues we learn more about life on the farm that Celeste, Cheyenne and Jane call home. Dominic (the same Dominic that gave you a not-so-good "vibe" in "Awakening the Dragon") becomes more and more controlling of Celeste and brings out the worst in her. He awakens the evil dragon within her and many dark events follow. They find that their hatred destroys, but not in the manner they thought.

Much darker than the first installment of the "Dragon Clan Trilogy," you will again find yourself engulfed in the writing of Theresa Chaze with "Dragon Domain: Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy." Being described as a woman that plays with dragons, especially the dragons of the mind, she takes this book beyond the realm and runs with it. I truly enjoyed this book just as much as the first book; please overlook the very few editing hiccups, and just enjoy a good gripping read. When you read the final paragraph, you will probably wonder as I, what will happen next? Will book Three follow Cheyenne, Rachel and the gang into lighter times or will Coyote Springs continue down the path of darkness? Like the author's bio reads in the closing of this book: "Her work is based on her philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs." Here's hoping Coyote Springs can resolve their issues of hate and live in peace.....or would that be a fairy-tale.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fans of the Dragon Clan Trilogy..., October 16, 2008
By BookReviewsByDebra "Book Reviews By Debra" (Hawesville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy
Theresa Chaze
Valkyrie Publishing, 2008
ISBN: 9780979840616
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 10/08
4 Stars
Fans of the Dragon Clan Trilogy...
The lead character in Dragon Domain is Cheyenne. Her past comes back to haunt her. Dominic speaks of love; he turns her against those that care for her.
This is the second book in the Dragon Clan Trilogy. In the first book, Awakening the Dragon, the focus was on struggle between Reverend Marshall, his church, and Rachel. Rachel is a minor player this time. The struggle is between forces of evil and the Dragon. I enjoyed the first book, but found Dragon Domain lacking the same attraction. This book is much darker. Fans of horror will enjoy this book. The interrelationships between the characters make this book. The characters are strong and well developed.

Norman the Druid and His Missing Cauldron: Animation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oHfXQ1YTRc


The Goddesses, Brigit and Danu charged Norman the Druid to protect Woobia and the Norther Shore. They sent the dragons to give him a magic cauldron through which he could call the winds and raise the seas. One morning, he awoke to find the cauldron gone and the invaders' sails on the horizon. He must find his cauldron, so that he can call the storms to repel the people of the north.

It's an experiment into animation.

Factual Verse Fiction Magic

While working on the proofs of my novel, Dragon Domain, I began to question how ethical it was to put much real magic should be put into a work of fiction? Is it responsible to give access to powerful magic to the uninitiated or was it my responsibility to be as accurate as possible? I debated with myself. With the popularity of Harry Potter drawing children into the genre, did I have the right to give them information they didn't have the maturity to understand. But then again my work isn't for younger children. Nor do I have the right to give out false information. It's not my responsibility to censor what others can read nor am I responsible for what they do with the information. After much thought and internal debate, I decided to keep the information accurate as possible; however, the results are some what fictionalized to keep a sense of drama. This doesn't mean that it couldn't happen, but that the rituals are unlikely to have the same results.
Most magic isn't as dramatic as it is portrayed in movies. The special affects make the rituals and the result more exciting. More likely than not, the results of most rituals are subtle and very personal, which are frequently seen or experienced by the individual or individuals involved, but no one else. Even when there is more than one person participating, each person can and do have different experiences. In addition, there are other elements that can alter the results. Time, place and the individuals involved can change the outcome. In Awakening the Dragon, Rachael sets her shields in her new home. She calls the elements in her usual fashion, however since she was in a place of power, the results were radically different from what she expected. Not only was she able to call the elemental guardians, but the spirit of the space appears as does the Mother Dragon. Through this combination, Rachael was able to set up special safe guards and prepare herself for the awakening of her dragon spirit. In Dragon Domain, a coven needed to contact some of the older earth spirits in order to protect themselves and bring about justice. The situation was beyond what they could deal with themselves so they called for help. When I originally wrote it, I altered the names of the Guardians of Justice. I didn’t want to take responsibility for another using the information incorrectly. However, if the person was determined, they could very easily find the information for themselves from other sources. By deliberately incorrectly spelling the names, I hurt my credibility and possibly interfered with a karmic lesson. Once again, I decided to be honest about the ritual. What others do with it is beyond my control and responsibility, but by keeping it honest, I have kept my honor.
I was curious to what other writers thought of the ethical challenge and took a non-scientific survey of other writers. Most of those who practiced magic in their lives put magic in their stories. Nearly all of the writers had more interest in making sure the magic was appropriate to the characters and the plot. That is where the agreement ended. Ina wrote back: “I think it is irresponsible to put (real) magic into a piece of fiction. For the simple reason (you) state--access and I further think it is interference to put magic into a work of fiction. There is no energy balance between writer and reader therefore the energy is wasted.” Rune in Reno wrote back: I try to teach mystical though and magical workings through fantastic settings. Where the magic won’t work QUITE the way it seems, it will be close. I teach real exercises like grounding and centering and stuff. I do workable rituals, which may not have the same results as the fiction, but they can still be used as inspiration.” Lady Etain from England had another view: “I think it’s good to have fake magic in stories because when it comes down to it, it’s fiction, and people simply like to believe. I also like to have real aspects included and the correct color correspondence, etc, because it adds realism to it.” Bjarka RavynWillow from Massachusetts believes that is ethical to put real magic in as long as the white magic prevails and not the dark forces.
Those that used magic both the real and the fictionalize did a great deal of research before including it in their work. So even if the ritual wasn’t authentic, it was still based in reality. In addition, they limited the amount detail to what was appropriated for the story and the character. The most common comment was that they didn’t want to stifle the readers’ imagination or get them bogged down in the small details. Many don’t do a step-by-step description because the magic is a tool in to create character and further the plot not the goal of the story. Overall, the writers' focus remained on the totality of the project instead of focusing only on the magical aspects.
The same questions were asked to readers. Those who wrote magical fantasy without a doubt loved reading it. Like with the writers, the readers’ answers were diverse, but all of them wanted the magic to be an element of the story and not an end in itself. Karen of New York wrote: I suppose because I practice it, I like it to at least be believable, and it is nice to be reading something in a fiction book and think ‘wow. I’ve done that!’ or ‘hey, I could actually use that’. What I don’t like to see is something that is so far-fetched and so “sci-fi” that it makes me roll my eyes. (I) would want just enough (details) to build on it. I suppose because not everyone who reads this kind of fiction is actually a practitioner of magic, it wouldn’t be wise to give too much or we’d have people trying things out with no background or preparation for the consequences.” While another reader believes that it’s not the writer’s responsibility. “The author writes a story...it’s up to the reader what they do with it. A crime writer writes crime in detail, but that doesn’t mean the audience is suddenly going to go out and start committing those crimes.” Chuck believes that if he wanted the facts, he would do the research and that fiction is fiction. GrannyMoon of the Goddess School wrote that she wants just the fine workings not long drawn out explanations. She also thought it depends on which magic’s are be written about. But she also believe that everyone needs a little magic in their lives Jeen Lilly from Connecticut gave the most encompassing response and the one that is closest to my own philosophy. “All magic is real on some level -- you might as well restrict prayers if you are going to prohibit real / workable magic. Casting a spell usually has components to it: physical representations symbolic of the elements and the effect you wish to work your will on. Spell casting invokes Sympathetic Magic at the most basic levels. Prayer, however is a direct appeal to greater powers, from your seat of divinity (soul) to the heart of your ... call it Patron Deity. Prayer doesn't require anything but the will to open yourself to direct communication, although you can ritualize your prayers by giving it the respectful 'duty / sacrifice' of grounding and centering yourself, calling a circle, lighting a candle -- in effect, casting a spell! I think with spell casting it can be a danger(ous) to put more emphasis and faith in the tools and trappings of spell work. This is usually a newbie pitfall. ‘But I followed the instructions perfectly, why didn't it work?! Magic is crap.’ Think of it this way -- a prayer that rises from the heart and soul supplants magical accoutrement's: but a spell that is not rooted firmly in the witches' will -- indeed, grounded and centered in prayer -- ain't worth diddly. This makes me think of the Hollywood stereotype of inexperienced neo-witches getting some sort of tool of power and wrecking all sorts of nasty magic with it. Power comes from the magic wielder. Intention is key."
Both writers and readers enjoyed the magical elements in found fiction as long as it was a part of the story or the character. Nearly all who answered my survey were grateful for the enchantments found in books like the Harry Potter series and shows like Charmed, yet they understood that they were fiction and not be confused with workable magic. The reality of the ritual was secondary to the entertainment value of the work. Like all novels, it came down to whether or not the story is a good read.

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Fantasy Novels Contain Authentic Wiccan Rituals

Awakening the Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (978-0-9798406-0-9) is a story of magic, suspense and karmic justice combine in a tale of horror. Rachael moves to Coyote Springs to find a home and open her bookstore. Instead, she becomes the catalyst in exposing a murder and the target of a violent cult. She is forced to awaken her dragon spirit prematurely to save herself and all she loves. Will she be able to control the power of the dragon as it rises giving her the power to save all she loves or will the flames from within destroy her?

Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (978-0-9798406-1-6) Cheyenne and Celeste came to Coyote Springs to save a child; instead, Cheyenne found a home. With the help of their new friend, Jane, they created a spiritual sanctuary. But when Celeste stopped running, her past caught up with her. Dominic arrived with promises of love and passion. Instead of love, he reawakened Celeste’s dark side, turning her against those she loved the most. With the aid of the dragons, Cheyenne was barely able to ward off their first attack. With each soul they bound to them, Celeste and Dominic’s greed and hatred grew until they would not settle for less than totally destroying Cheyenne and all she loves. How do you protect yourself from someone who knows how to steal your soul?


Buy this book! I found myself smiling when I finished the last page of Awakening The Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (formally Dragon's New Home), by Theresa Chaze. I've read a pretty good number of books in my life, but none have given me quite the mix of emotions that this books has.
Joe Murphy, The Dragon Page http://www.dragonpage.com/

Magic, Mystery, and Murder. The three M's! Ms. Chaze shows colorful, visual language that will even keep the romance novel buff obsessed in finishing this novel in one read! The pacing is excellent the main character strong and likeable, and the hint of romance to come in the final installments of the trilogy. I must say I'm already addicted to Ms. Chaze's writing style! A guaranteed page turner! Bring on the rest of the trilogy!
Catherine J. St. Amour, author

Theresa Chaze draws her readers in from the first page and refuses to release them until the last word of this fantastic tale of witches, magic, love and betrayal. Set in the village of Coyote Springs, Dragon Domain is a book of lessons; lessons on love, forgiveness, and above all truth to oneself. In the grand traditions of Anne McCaffrey and Marion Zimmer Bradley,

Theresa Chaze captures the imagination as well as the heart of her readers. Dragon Domain is an open door to a world of wonder, and from the first page to the last, you will be hard pressed to put it down.
Linda Rucker, author

For the past several years I have been bemoaning the lack of quality, adult, Pagan fiction. Sure, there's lots of fantasy stuff out there. But good, set-in-the-real-world Pagan fiction is hard to come by. This book is one of less than a handful I have seen recently (Darksome Thirst and From the Ashes are two of the others, and Fallen Angels is one which is less Pagan-oriented but still enjoyable books which fall into this category [see my reviews at http://www20.brinkster.com/gleasonreview for reviews of all these books]).

As I said in my original review of Dragon’s New Home, this is a well-told story with characters that are both believable and familiar. By familiar, I don’t mean you’ve seen them in books before, but that you know people like them in your own life. There are no "over the top" characters here Even though some of the fantasy elements have a touch of Hollywood about them, the story relies on character development to hook and hold the reader. And let’s be honest – if you don’t care what happens to the characters, a book is a failure. This book is most definitely NOT a failure.

This second book in the Dragon Clan trilogy is a darker work than the first. Whereas the antagonists in the first book (Awakening the Dragon) were, for the most part, merely misguided albeit sincere believers in their faith's rightness, the antagonists this time around have made a conscious decision to embrace their darker sides for the simple's pleasure of power.

I am hoping that the author will be completing the concluding volume relatively soon. I hate having to wait to find out what happens to characters I have become attached to. On the other hand, the longer it takes, the more time I have before I have to say goodbye to them.
Mike Gleason


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Linda K Silva: Fantasy Author Who Challenges the Reality of Time

Linda K. Silva takes her characters and her readers Across Time as she explores the past lives and the soul connections that make life challenging and wonderful all at the same time. More than a fantasy novel, it expresses hers and many others believe that souls incarnate together in order to learn and heal old wounds.

Ms Silva allowed me the great privilege of interviewing her on her virtual book tour with www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com. By commenting on this and Silva’s other tour stops, you will learn more about her and her work.


In Across Time, you send a character back to the past to save someone the character's soul loved. Does the character go back or does the soul regress to the previous time?

When Jessie goes back, her body stays in the portal entrance and her soul travels back. What makes this interesting (not to mention tricky) is that there’s a moment when her present consciousness is still there, so she sees herself as her past life being. There’s that “whoa,” moment for her, especially in book two, when she finds herself in the body of a pirate. A male pirate. The soul has no gender, of course, so when THAT happens, there’s a humorous moment (or two). Still, it’s disconcerting even when she lands in the body of Cate, a Druid Priestess from the first century.

If the character physically goes back, how is this accomplished?

Diane Gabaldon did that feat better than anyone else, but I still can’t wrap my mind around the body making that transition, so no, the body doesn’t go. However, there’s an interesting little twist of soul travel. If Jessie gets killed in her past life, she will die in her present life. Can a body live without its soul? Without a consciousness? Maybe. Maybe not. In the Across Time series, it cannot, and that fact often leaves Jessie is danger.

If only the soul returns to the past, does it retain the memories of all the lives afterward?

Not all of them, no. If we did, we would be crazy people. There would simply be too many memories banging around up there. We do, however, have residual memories of our past lives. It’s how we can explain the 5 and 6 year old music prodigies who can play Bach and Beethoven. It’s how we can understand déjà vu, love at first sight, or the numerous coma patients who wake up speaking a foreign language they never studied. I call these residual memories…like those small pieces of dust you can see in a shaft of sunlight, residual memories exist in all of us. Some of us are able to recall these, but most of us ignore them. We chalk them up to something, anything other than a past life memory. Unfortunately, in our society, what can’t be proven by science we call miracles. There’s nothing miraculous about residual memories. They’re there. We need only not discount them in order to learn from them.

How does the soul know that its loved one is in danger? Have they met again in the current time?

Jessie does not know that Cate’s loved one is in danger until she goes back. When she returned, she learns that Cate and Maeve have committed themselves to remembering each other throughout all of their incarnations. We have more than one soul mate, of course. We have those who travel with us through our many lives. Sometimes, we are siblings, sometimes friends, sometimes lovers, but we know such a soul when we meet them…again, we just pass these meetings off as something else. We might call it instinct, or intuition, but we seldom call this special knowing memories.

Does the other soul remember?

Sometimes. Jessie always felt this emptiness, this hollow feeling inside. She tried filling that void with drugs, booze, sex, anything. She couldn’t name it, just as many of us can’t name that ache we cannot define. She is lost until Cate comes to her for help. Once that happens, Jessie realizes what it is she’s been missing; her purpose and her soul mate.

What is your concepts of reincarnation and karma?

Even though I was raised by Fundamentalists, the idea that so many people spent this life looking forward to dying in order to get to someplace called Heaven or Nirvana, or or or…boggles my mind. It makes so much more sense to me that we are here, we learn something, we grow, and we take that knowledge with us to the next life, which, by the way, isn’t always forward. I know, I know, I sound like a crazy person, but did you know that DaVinci invented the parachute? Why on earth would a man invent something that wouldn’t really be needed for over 400 more years? Think of all the inventors and scientists who were so far ahead of their time. Think of history’s greatest artists; people who creating things or had ideas that were considered heretical. Where did they get those ideas?
As for karma? I don’t know that it travels with us from one life to the next, but I’m sure it exists in the lives we’re currently leading.

How do you think they influence a person's life challenges?

Wow. Good question. I think people who believe in past lives and reincarnation have a lot more to learn and can tap into wisdom and knowledge they didn’t know they possessed. I think it helps explains so much about our current fears, some of our baser idiosyncrasies, and the like. Many of us have fears for which we can’t even name the origin of.

When I had my past lives read by two different psychics in two different states, I was amazed by the similar readings. Once said I lived 82 lives, the other said 83. I was amazed, not by how close they were (which WAS amazing), but by the fact that I lived so many. “You…well…die young.” That explained so much to me and about the way I live my life. I have always lived my life by appreciating every day and doing as many things as I could.

Do you believe that souls incarnate together for a reason? Love? Revenage? Healing?
I certainly do! In Jessie’s case, it’s all about love. For me, it’s never about revenge…it’s about connection with others. I think we wander through this life looking for those connections…sometimes we find them in friends, in co-workers, in siblings. We’re happiest when surrounded by people who understand us. Who better to understand us than someone who has travelled with us in the past?

Does the character return to her or his own time?

She does. She has to. When Cate calls her, Jessie knows nothing about the past, about history, about anything. She needs to learn that information so Cate can access those memories. That’s the fun part for me. I love history and I get to dabble in it. (not change it. Jessie can’t change what we THINK we know about history…but that doesn’t mean she can’t be a player in making the history we think we know HAPPEN).

How has changing the past altered the future?

Oh…I got ahead of myself. If Jessie could change the past, that would really bog the story down. What we have to remember is that the victorious are the ones who record history, not the vanquished. That means so much of what we have learned is screwed. According to historians, Queen Boudicca suddenly turned her army around. No one knows why. I can take liberties with this and GIVE the reason why. Jessie. There are so many gaps and holes in history, and that’s where Jessie makes the difference. The outcomes remains the same, but HOW the outcome got there…well…that’s my playground!

How do you see time? Is it fixed or like the future changeable?

Time is the Final Frontier and I love that we have not conquered it or really even understood it. Time is not linear, like a steel pole. I see it as a piece of string that can turn back on itself, and when frayed, there are strands of it happening at the same time ours is happening. If it wasn’t happening when ours was, there would be no place to go.

What is the one thing or things you would like the reader to take away when the read the last page?

I’d like them to think about why they are the way they are, and if they could tap into who they were, how would that change their world , or, at the very least, help them understand more about themselves? I also want them to be connected to Jessie and to want to go on more adventures with her Across Time.

Could you also give me a brief bio with contact information and where to buy you book. You can also include brief synopsis of your other work.

When Linda Kay Silva isn’t writing (which is seldom), she teaches various college English courses from American Minority Literature to Introduction to Fiction. Living with her incredibly patient partner of 10 years, Linda Kay takes time out to play with Lucy Lui, her cockapoo who loves walks, playing with her favorite toy, and blogging. If you want to know more about either Linda Kay or Lucy, you can check either of them out at www.lindakaysilva.com or Linda Kay’s blog at http://lindakaysilva.livejournal.com.

Synopsis:

Jessie Ferguson’s life is going nowhere. She’s tried drugs, alcohol, even sex to fill the void that has no name, but nothing seems to quench that dull ache that visits her nightly. When she moves into a restored Victorian Bed and Breakfast, all of that changes the instant she hears a call from the past. A call from her past.

A past life two thousand years ago from a place she knows nothing of, from a woman she’s seen only in her dreams. It is a past that needs her, a past that has burst through the boundaries of time in order to ask for her help.

How can Jessie help save someone else’s life when she can barely control her own? What is it this druid named Cate wants from her? To find out, Jessie enters through a portal only to find herself not face-to-face with Cate, but within her; for Cate and Jessie share the same soul only in two different periods across time. Cate has called for Jessie because the druids are facing the onslaught of a Roman army bent on crushing every last one of them. In an effort to save her people, Cate has traveled through the portal hoping that Jessie can help prevent the catastrophic destruction of her people…and of her loved one, and soul mate, Maive, high priestess of the druids.

Can Jessie help Cate save both her people and the woman she loves? In doing so, can Jessie find the same peace, contentment, and love that she found two thousand years ago? Is there a Maeve for her somewhere in this life?

If you believe in soul mates, if you know you’ve had a past life, if you’ve ever wondered who you might have been long ago and who you might have loved, then join Jessie in the first of a series of adventures that takes her Across Time.

Please give me a 300-400 word excerpt. Pick your favor scene and give me a piece of it.

“But how will I ever know if you survived Mona?”

“You may never know. Perhaps it is better that way. You carry within your breast the heart of a warrior, the spirit of a Druid, and the mind of a bard. Call on them when you need them. For if you reach down deep enough, you will touch Catie’s light and she will always show you the way.” Reaching up, Maeve touched Jessie’s cheek with her palm. It was hot; Jessie felt the heat all over her. “And remember, no matter where you go, you will find me, or I, as I did in our time, will find you.”

“You mean--”

Maeve grinned and nodded. “I am out there, Jessie. We just have not met yet.” With that, Maeve touched her shoulder before standing at the edge of the mist. “We will meet again, Jessie Ferguson. This, I promise you.” Turning, Maeve disappeared into the mist. For a long time, both women stared at the misty opening as it slowly closed around her.

“Will I know?” Jessie asked softly.

Cate nodded. “I did. The moment I saw her, something happened within me. I knew.”
“Immediately?”

Cate shook her head. “In a heartbeat or two, but you’ll know. We’ll know. I’ll help you know.”

Sighing, Jessie walked over to Cate and hugged her tightly. “You’ve become a good friend to me. I’m not very good at goodbyes and I wish this wasn’t one.”

“You have done a great thing, Jessie. Tomorrow, we will head to Mona to see how many lives we can save. I will do my best to make you proud.”

Jessie nodded. “And Maeve? Will you be able to save her?”

“I shall or I will die trying.”

As Jessie stepped away, she could barely believe the hollow emptiness inside; the pain of a goodbye far more excruciating than when she left San Francisco. “Then I guess I have to just walk away believing the two of you die a very old age. It’s the only way I can leave and live my life without wondering every day if you made it--if you’re safe and happy.”

Cate nodded, but then her face changed, like one who just got a great idea. “Do you know where Mona is in your time?”

Jessie nodded. “It’s called Anglesey now.”

“Close your eyes.”

Jessie did and immediately saw a stone structure much like Stonehenge.

“See it?”

“Yes.”

“Do you see a very large, white rock about the size of two horses off to the side of the henge beneath a large oak tree?”

Jessie nodded.

“Open your eyes.”

When she did, Cate was removing the ankh from around her neck. “If we live through this, both of us, then I will bury this ankh an arm’s length beneath that rock on the western side. I do not know if it will be there two thousand years from now, but if it is, then you will know.”

Jessie realized, for the first time, that Cate had made the assumption that Jessie was in England or Wales, and it was no wonder. In Cate’s time, there was no America. Columbus and the New World were a good fourteen hundred years away.

“I’ll find it.”

“Thank you, Jessie, for answering my call. I promise I will live my life befitting one who has shown such courage. You are a wonderful person, and I am proud to know that you are who I become so far into the future.”

“I’ll miss you, Cate.” Jessie shook her head and wiped her eyes. “More than you will ever know. You, my little priestess friend, are the very best of me.” With that, Jessie found herself back in the Inn.


The Book Shelf: Novels By Linda Kay Silva

Letters

Thunderstorm

Storm Rising

Taken by Storm

Storm Shelter

Tory's Tuesday

Weathering the Storm

Storm Front

Tropical Storm

A Year in Wonderland

Biscuits and Gravy

Searching for Hemingway

Three Girls in a Teepee

Nothing Fair About It

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Celtic Goddesses Reawaken in a Magical Tale of Love and Betrayal

Celtic Goddesses Reawaken in a Magical Tale of Love and Betrayal
By
Theresa Chaze

Magic, romance and karmic justice combine in a new Celtic fantasy novel from Theresa Chaze. Released as an ebook, which is available on her site, as well as part of the Amazon Kindle program, Nict For Ure Selfe (Not For Ourselves) honors the Celtic Goddesses and the Wiccan tradition. Unlike most authors, who write magical fantasy, Theresa Chaze is a Wiccan Priestess who uses authentic magic in her novels. In many ways, her fiction can be considered a Book of Shadows.

After attending a local Pagan festival, Alyssa finds herself to be a target of Sheriff Deputy Nevel’s violent obsession. Her complaints only bring on more abuse. Her friends and coworkers are harassed. No one in in her life is safe from persecution. Alyssa doesn't understand why he and his comrades singled her out. In desperation, she performs a karmic ritual so that she may understand his hatred of her. Instead of a message, her soul takes her spirit back to the time when the Goddesses and Gods of old had not yet given way to the Christos and clan traditions could mean life or death. “Nict For Ure Selfe” (Not For Ourselves) a suspenseful tale of betrayal as traditions and love are tested by the changing times and greedy men whose lust for power continued into their next incarnations

Nict For Ure Self (Not for Ourselves) is available in a PDF ebook through the author’s site at www.theresachaze.com or through the Amazon Kindle program after March 21, 2008.


An excerpt:

Alyssa struck the match. Instantly, the end burst into flame. She held it to the wick of the white candle until it ignited. Pinching off the match head, she placed on the table. Taking a deep breath, she flipped her long chestnut color braid back over her shoulder; it bounced and swung around her waist. Focusing on her intent, she started the ritual. “Goddesses--Maiden, Mother, Crone I call to thee and ask that you appear to me.” Picking up the candle, she held it above the surface of the water. Its glow illuminated just beyond the rim of the black bowl and reflected off the clear surface. “On this darkest of night, grant me the portal to make things right. Let me see clearly the moments of the past, so that I may understand what is happening at last.” Tapping the edge with the candlestick, the glass on glass echoed throughout the dark room. The vibration rippled through the water. “As I created a wave in the glass, so I ask you help me with my task.” She set the candlestick next to the bowl and placed her hands on either side palms down. “Let me see where his hatred of me had begun, so that his vengeance can be undone. Why he stalks me I know not why, yet I know the answer lies in times gone by. Take me back to the time and place, so that I may end the conflict with haste and grace.” Picking up the four raven feathers, she held them above the candle. "Goddesses of the raven and night, who left these feathers as a symbol of your might. I call you now to come me, to create a justice that even the blind may see. I call your forth to this land to guide the karmic hand. For those who have done harm to me, let their reckoning begin now--so mote it be.” Placing the feathers equal distance around the bowl, Alyssa paused for a moment to let their energy settle around her.

Stretching her neck side to side, she took a deep breath and allowed her Priestess training to relax her body into a meditative state. The outer world fell away as she sank deeper within her self and started climbing the stairs to her own soul. Into the darkness, the staircase spiraled upward, until she reached the iridescent platform where her Akashic record was held. Suspended in the darkness of endless time, Alyssa looked for a guide to help her. But she was alone. In the past, there had always been someone there to act as a guide to help her face the challenge. Uncertain, she stepped up to the pedestal. If she was to atone for a past error, she would be give direction. However, if she was merely a player as another strutted and fretted through a karmic lesson, than she could do little more than watch. The book lay open before her. On it, fate continued to write. “Book of all my lives, show me karmic tie that echoes into this life.” The pages flipped, stopping twice before it came to rest on the life named Shannon Marie Cullen.

The image of a red haired young woman lifted up off the page and hovered above. Her heart shaped face still had the softness of youth. Yet the hazel eyes sparkled with old wisdom. She wore her dark auburn hair pulled back into a long, single braid. Although she seemed familiar, Alyssa felt no emotional connection to her. There was no bond or sense of being between them. Only a faint familiarity like a tune whose melody echoes in the back of your mind, yet you cannot remember the words or the context in which you heard it. She reached out to touch the image; it reached back. Yet before their fingertips touched, Shannon Marie vanished only to be replaced by a three dimensional screening of wooded forest. Rich and lush it sported multiple shades of green, tans and browns as the forest became fields and forest once again. As her perspective changed, Alyssa felt herself zooming to focus on the scene that was most important. Yet it was more than just pictures and sounds. The smell of the fields and rushing of the river below sparked memories and long sleeping emotions. No matter where her life led her, she could never find the safe sense of home. Fear always kept her from letting her roots grow too deep. She had never understood. Her childhood was no better or worse than anyone else's. Yet as her spirit drew closer, the familiarity once again made her crave the comfort of home.

Through breaks in the leaves, she saw two girls running quickly. She knew who they were, yet she didn't feel connected. Instead, like a moderated film, she watched them from above. Instead recalling her own memories, the information flowed to her in unspoken words and images as if someone was narrating their story to catch her up with the story.

Shannon Marie ran breathlessly up the glen, quickly followed by her younger sister, Rachael. Although a year and two months younger, Rachael looked more like Shannon Marie's twin. Both girls favored their Scottish heritage with their flaming hair and outspoken temperaments. Their two older sisters, Elizabeth Marie and Katherine Anne favored their mother's French heritage both physically and in temperament. Fair-haired beauties they openly used their feminine assets to manipulate others to get what they wanted. The plain spoken of mannerism of the patriarch of the family along with his two youngest daughters frequently came into conflict with the matriarch and the eldest sisters' elitism as they boasted of their unclaimable link to the French throne. They refused to see that no matter which man laid down with the mother, the child could lay no claim to parentage unless they were acknowledged by both the father and family. Jacqueline Marie Katherine de Medici may have lay with the King of France, but the daughter they created was conceived above the sheets--not beneath them. Jacqueline refused to be silenced at court about the parentage of her growing child within her. It was the reason Marie marked her for death. But instead of a curse, the midnight escaped to Scotland became a blessing as the people’s revolution sought out the privileged nobles.

In the highlands, Abigail Marie Katherine de Medici was born without a father; the fortune and power of the de Medici family hid the stain, but was never washed away. Having valuable connections in the English and Italian courts, Jacqueline was received as her family station required. Eventually she attained a small estate and fitted herself into the region. Unlike the women born in Scotland, Jacqueline, followed her de Medici heritage, keeping control over her assets and her life. But it was her wit and cleverness, which turned the small estate into one of the most prosperous in the Parish. It was the second reason Abigail was never considered a suitable match for any of the legitimate Clan heir. The heads of clans refused to allow a match unless the son would take total control of the estate and fortunes. Jacqueline refused to relinquish her power. Abigail resent her mother for it. Richard Connell had approach her with an offer of marriage; he was the second largest estate holder in the Parish and under consideration to become the next Parish Chief. Jacqueline refused and arranged a match with Shawn Jacob Michael Cullen. Only he was willing to break with tradition. Instead of insisting on control, he offered himself as steward to Jacqueline, claiming nothing for himself and agreeing to allow her to chose who inherited the de Medici affluence. The eldest son of Michael James Cullen he saw Abigail as an opportunity to restore his clan's fortunes. Reluctantly Abigail agreed; his family estate was not as large as the Connell, but his clan connection opened the path to gain legitimacy and a title. The match was made for the benefit of both families.

Shannon never thought of Seanhair as a woman of wealth and power, only as her Grandmother. None of that interested her, no matter how Seanhair attempted to entice her. She loved hearing stories about France before the revolution, but for some reason, both she and Papa were more concerned about her to becoming more aware of estate business. The month before she officially starting attending to estate business independently. Her decisions carried nearly as much weight as her father's.

Alyssa felt the connection Shannon Marie had with her father. It drew her closer to the young woman for it was something she had always wanted and never had for reasons that were beyond her control. The richness of their love bond awakened her own sadness and sense of loss. He had died before she was born. The only things she knew of him was what her older sister told her. Their mother had stubbornly refused to talk about him. Without warning, Alyssa reached out to more fully connect with the young red head. Suddenly she felt the grass beneath her feet and the breeze on her face. She was no longer an observer, but part of the drama and seeing through Shannon's eyes.

The strange feeling again crept up on Shannon Marie and she stopped half way up the hill. The strange awareness seemed to be happening more often. At first, it was only in her dreams that she could sense spirits around her. The feelings kept getting more intense and harder to ignore. But this time it was different. In a way familiar. Papa had told her that her Aunt Margaret had the same gift. She could see the Earth Folk and the spirits who had not yet crossed over. She asked Bridget to bless her with the same gift; the night of the next full moon, she had her first dream. Since then, the encounters with the dead had become nightly. Sighing, Shannon shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts. But instead of vanishing the image of an older woman with reddish hair reached for her. Her greenish eyes were so familiar, yet she had never seen them before. She was not afraid, yet she was reluctant to take her hand. The spirit of the raven flew between them and the woman backed away, but did not leave.

Suddenly Alyssa felt herself being pulled away. She remained connected, yet she was no longer in direct contact with Shannon Marie. The emotional bond that had started to form had been thinned, but not broken.

The raven circle and flew back towards them. Shannon followed its flight and it brought her attention back to the hillside. She did not know why her mind filled itself with such things. It was almost as if someone was trying to give her wisdom she was not ready to understand. Each time the feeling passed, she felt that something important had happened, yet she was unable to see how it in fit in her life. She slowly started climb the hill again. It was like the lessons Seanhair was teaching her about the lands and court. It did not interest her, but her grandmother’s behavior told her that the lessons were important. None of the information was new. It was all old. Yet, it seemed so essential the closer she got to her seventeen birthday. Suddenly there were no more stories or gossip about the other clans’ secrets or stories about the French court, but a constant testing of what she had learned about the estate.

Reaching the crest, she caught up with Rachael. Shannon Marie pointed to the gathering at the bottom. “I told you Papa would make them wait for us!” She readjusted her crossbow, freeing it from the fold of her breeches. Her attire was another point of contention between their parents. Breeches, boots and wool shirts were not proper dress for ladies. Father always snapped back that if she had provided him with a son, he would have left the girls to her raising. But she had not, so she needed to be content with the two older girls. The two younger were his to raise as he saw fit. Shannon Marie was grateful he had always won. The thought of being turned into court pony turned her stomach. She disappear into the marshes first.

“Hot damn!” Diverting from the path, Rachael leaped a fallen log for no other reason that it was there and ran down towards the gathering at the bottom.

Shannon Marie stopped for a moment. The sun was warm on her face. The lush greenery of early summer was old enough to be fully developed, yet young enough to still have a multitude of shades of green. For a moment, she felt homesick as if she had been away for a long time. She blinked and the feeling vanished as quickly as it had come.



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