Exploring the Tewakwe

Those of you who are familiar with the Vinlanders’ Saga, will remember that the Tewakwe have had prominent roles in the first two books of the series. Tiva’ti and her people will return in the next (still untitled) book. (That’s why I asked my cover designer, Jaycee DeLorenzo, to put petroglyphs on the new covers.) I’ve reread the earlier novels and have been refreshing my memory of the research into their background. Hopefully that will keep me from making any obvious errors! (Yes, authors do sometimes forget what they wrote in the earliest books of a series.)

How does one research a people who live in a fantasy world that’s associated with  Norse mythology? Well, like the Nuvinlanders, the Tewakwe are transplants from our own past. The Anasazi built elaborate cliff dwellings and places of worship, and disappeared from the American Southwest in the 13^th Century. Their thriving civilization seemed to just vanish, giving rise to many speculative theories about their fate.

In the Vinlander Saga I imagine that the Anasazi were brought to Alfheim, or the Fifth World as they call it, by Spider Grandmother. I renamed them the Tewakwe, because the word “Anasazi” is actually a Navajo word, sometimes translated “ancient enemies.” They wouldn’t call themselves that, so I made up a name that they might have identified with.

As for their customs, I was inspired by the Hopi, a descendant tribe who still live in the northeastern part of Arizona. They are a very private people, but we do know that their underlying values are compassion, humility, cooperation, respect, and universal earth stewardship. I’m trying to let this guide me as I develop my characters, while still remembering that they are flawed human beings—just as we all are.

Just in case you missed it last month, Dangerous Talents is free today (Thursday, 9/24). Download a copy, or give one to a friend if you haven’t already.

Stay safe and happy reading!

New Covers for the Vinlanders’ Saga Series!

While staying indoors during this very hot summer, I’ve been working with my cover designer, Jaycee DeLorenzo of Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs, to update the look of the Vinlanders’ Saga books. Jaycee actually did the work, I just told her what I was looking for and she did all the hard stuff. Here’s the new look:

What do you think?

Since we were changing things up, I’ve also added large print versions of the books, since I know there are still folks who prefer paper books but who, like me, find larger font sizes easier to read. (Search for “Large Print [Title].” They have the big gold sticker on the front.)

I hope you like the new covers. I’d love to know what you think.

Now on Sale! Dark Winter’s Night

DARK WINTER’S NIGHT, a new romantic fantasy novella, is now available! For the first few days I’m offering it at a special low price so the people who have subscribed to my newsletter and blog and FB page can get it at a discount. I really appreciate your support and giving my fans a discount is one way I can show that.

I do have a favor to ask, though. You can help me by leaving an honest review. Amazon pays attention to how many reviews a book has, and your opinion will help other readers decide if this is a book they’ll enjoy reading.

I had so much fun writing this and I hope you enjoy reading it just as much! Inspired by mythology and one of my favorite fairy tales, I’ve put my own spin on this story and set it in the Vinlanders’ Saga world of Alfheim. If you’ve been wanting to see more of Nuvinland’s elves, this is for you. Get your copy now before the price goes up. 

Thanks for reading!

The Clock is Ticking…

The release of DARK WINTER’S NIGHT is less than a week away! I had so much fun writing this Vinlanders’ Saga novella (I wish all of my books came to me this easily) and I LOVE the cover that Jaycee DeLorenzo created for it. If you’ve been wanting to see more of Nuvinland’s elves you’ll enjoy this story. And if you haven’t yet read any of the other Vinlanders’ Saga books, no problem! This novella stands on its own.

Here’s the back cover copy:

The folk of Nuvinland fear the mountain forests. They are the abode of Elves and not to be trespassed upon. Katrynna doesn’t always follow that rule—and her visits to the woods have not gone unnoticed.

When a mysterious stranger asks for Katrynna’s hand on behalf of his lord, she has her doubts. She’s never heard of the man, and why would a wealthy lord ask for her, a farmer’s daughter? But he offers a significant bride price and her sisters need dowries. For their sakes she accepts and marries by proxy.  

The victim of a devastating curse, Lord Taavin’s fate rests in the hands of the mortal woman he saw dancing in the forest. He has his doubts that a mere human can be trusted, but somehow he must overcome her fear of being Fey-marked and seduce her into falling in love—without using his magic.

His future—and his heart—depend on it.

Happy reading! And if you haven’t yet signed up for my newsletter, do it now and get two free short stories.

Vinlanders’ Saga Fans Rejoice!

DEBTS, Book 3 in the Vinlanders’ Saga, is finally here!

Okay, that may be overstating your excitement a bit, but for those of you who have been waiting impatiently for another installment about the Talented people of Nuvinland, your wait is over. And if you haven’t read the first two books, DEBTS is a self-contained story. A few old friends from DANGEROUS TALENTS and FORBIDDEN TALENTS make an appearance, but you don’t have to have read the first two books to enjoy this one. (You should read them anyway, though, because they are pretty darn good. Just ask me! 😉 )

What is DEBTS about? Here’s the description:

LOVE vs. HONOR

Son of an Oathbreaker, Aren is desperate to restore his family’s honor, and leaps at the chance Lord Fender offers. His task seems simple enough for a Tracker: bring in a young woman accused of a vile crime. Simple, until his duty to the Jarl conflicts with a debt he owes to the Elves.

Fey-marked and friendless, Annikke flees the wrath of a vengeful lord. When Aren intercepts her, Annikke must choose: trust a stranger with warm brown eyes who promises justice, or protect her daughter—and remain a fugitive forever.

Even better, I’ve made DEBTS free for the first few days before it goes on sale for it regular price. In return, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave an honest review on Amazon. Customer reviews help other readers find books they’ll enjoy.

Also, if you’d like to be the first to know about my next release, please sign up for my newsletter. I won’t spam you or sell your e-dress.

I’m Back!

I’ve been busy these last few months, and this fall will see a flurry of activity.

• This month VEILED MIRROR will be re-released as a Castle Rock book with a new cover and some minor revisions.
• Next month BETRAYED BY TRUST will debut. It takes place in the same universe as LIGHTBRINGER  in 1979. It’s not exactly a prequel, but you will get to see Gideon again.
• I have the sequel, SEDUCED BY TRUST, outlined, and I already have a cover for it, but first–
• I’ll be writing a novella set in the Vinlanders’ Saga universe. It’s working title is DEBTS and I already have a cover for it too.
• After that, I promise to get to work on Gideon’s story, GUARDIAN.

Today I’m revealing a new cover for DANGEROUS TALENTS. I think Jaycee DeLorenzo of Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Designs has done a fabulous job. I’d love to hear what you think of it.