The Gift is a Valentine story set in the 1860's during the War Between the States. Both the hero and the heroine lived in the south. The hero chose to fight for the north. I have always wanted to write a story set in this time period. After a trip this summer through Gettysburg and other historic places of interest, I settled down to write the story. Elice Weld and Michajah Brooks stole my heart as I wrote this story of love that was lost and then regained. I hope these two characters will steal your heart as well.
Rogue Phoenix Press was created after a converstion with my mother last year during spring break. When I voiced my thoughts about establishing an ebook company, she gave me the encouragment I needed. "If that is what you want then just do it," she said. Those were pretty much her words when I first thought about writing a story. While my first manuscript was unpublishable, I did go on to learn the craft and have established myself within the writing community.
I give lots of thanks to my beloved writing partner who passed away several years ago from ovarian cancer and my other critique partners, (Genene Valleau, Rosemary Indra, and from time to time Paty Jager) who have taught me so very much.
I hope everyone will enjoy the upcoming anthology and will take time to check out the wonderful books at Rogue Phoenix Press.
I would love your comments on this question. What makes a good hero?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A PEEK AT THE STORIES: CHASING RAINBOWS
by Genene Valleau
Marissa Madison became an accountant to seem "normal" amid a family of unique personalities: A scientist uncle whose experiments usually involve explosions, an artist aunt who takes mysterious and unexplained trips with her pet ferret, a mother caught in a 1950s time warp, and a playboy twin brother who impersonates their eccentric aunt.
When her aunt disappears soon after Ian MacGregor arrives looking for a rare and valuable automobile, Rissa wonders if the two events are connected. However, her uncle is convinced Ian is from Scotland Yard and offers him the antique auto to find his missing wife.
To make sure Ian isn't pulling a scam, Rissa joins him in the search for her aunt. Rissa not only comes to see Ian's sense of honor; she falls in love with him. Will Ian's own responsibilities allow him to accept her love? Or has their romance only been another adventure in CHASING RAINBOWS?
Marissa Madison became an accountant to seem "normal" amid a family of unique personalities: A scientist uncle whose experiments usually involve explosions, an artist aunt who takes mysterious and unexplained trips with her pet ferret, a mother caught in a 1950s time warp, and a playboy twin brother who impersonates their eccentric aunt.
When her aunt disappears soon after Ian MacGregor arrives looking for a rare and valuable automobile, Rissa wonders if the two events are connected. However, her uncle is convinced Ian is from Scotland Yard and offers him the antique auto to find his missing wife.
To make sure Ian isn't pulling a scam, Rissa joins him in the search for her aunt. Rissa not only comes to see Ian's sense of honor; she falls in love with him. Will Ian's own responsibilities allow him to accept her love? Or has their romance only been another adventure in CHASING RAINBOWS?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A PEEK AT THE STORIES: THE LENDING LIBRARY
by C.L. Kraemer
On the edge of the last vestige of civilization in the woods outside Eugene, Oregon, sits a small house with wraparound porch. Inside lives Linda Brown. Many years ago when Linda’s husband, Donald, passed away she was finally able to complete her life’s dream. Every inch of her home save a small kitchen, the bathroom and the pantry, was dedicated to Linda’s love of books. In a fit of whimsy, she made a sign she placed out front announcing that this was now “The Lending Library”.
It was Linda’s hope that the neighbors would come share her love of books…but no one stopped by her home. In fact, no one came to visit at all. Except the fae folk.
Faeries started showing up and visiting the woman whom the neighbors referred to as the Witch of the Woods. Well, that was fine by Linda. She preferred the fae folk to most mortals. The fae spoke only the truth; mortals had a tendency to lie to get their own way.
After several years and much trust building, the fae folk consider Linda a friend. But Linda notices that recently the faeries seem agitated, jumpy and, very unusual for them, snappish. When she asks questions most of the faeries brush off the imagined change.
But Kayne and Ailidh speak up and let Linda know that her kind, The Other Ones, are encroaching on the forest with their huge yellow machines. They’re killing Ancient Ones (old oaks) by the dozens and there seems to be no pattern to the slaughter. It is with a sad heart that the faeries feel they must move to Faetown on the east side of Eugene.
Ailidh is excited as she has heard fascinating things, but Kayne—Kayne is skeptical of anything that resembles The Other’s lifestyles. He wants to stay in his tree home and have life move back to normal.
Linda decides to help her faerie friends and find out what is causing the destruction of the old growth forests. When she stumbles on the answer, via the internet and detecting work she and Kayne accomplish, she is flabbergasted at the truth. It is a reality too wretched to imagine.
Follow Linda, Ailidh and Kayne as they ferret out the shocking truth to the destruction of the faeries homes. See how they handle the challenge to the quiet, easy world of the wee ones and show courage they were unaware they possessed.
On the edge of the last vestige of civilization in the woods outside Eugene, Oregon, sits a small house with wraparound porch. Inside lives Linda Brown. Many years ago when Linda’s husband, Donald, passed away she was finally able to complete her life’s dream. Every inch of her home save a small kitchen, the bathroom and the pantry, was dedicated to Linda’s love of books. In a fit of whimsy, she made a sign she placed out front announcing that this was now “The Lending Library”.
It was Linda’s hope that the neighbors would come share her love of books…but no one stopped by her home. In fact, no one came to visit at all. Except the fae folk.
Faeries started showing up and visiting the woman whom the neighbors referred to as the Witch of the Woods. Well, that was fine by Linda. She preferred the fae folk to most mortals. The fae spoke only the truth; mortals had a tendency to lie to get their own way.
After several years and much trust building, the fae folk consider Linda a friend. But Linda notices that recently the faeries seem agitated, jumpy and, very unusual for them, snappish. When she asks questions most of the faeries brush off the imagined change.
But Kayne and Ailidh speak up and let Linda know that her kind, The Other Ones, are encroaching on the forest with their huge yellow machines. They’re killing Ancient Ones (old oaks) by the dozens and there seems to be no pattern to the slaughter. It is with a sad heart that the faeries feel they must move to Faetown on the east side of Eugene.
Ailidh is excited as she has heard fascinating things, but Kayne—Kayne is skeptical of anything that resembles The Other’s lifestyles. He wants to stay in his tree home and have life move back to normal.
Linda decides to help her faerie friends and find out what is causing the destruction of the old growth forests. When she stumbles on the answer, via the internet and detecting work she and Kayne accomplish, she is flabbergasted at the truth. It is a reality too wretched to imagine.
Follow Linda, Ailidh and Kayne as they ferret out the shocking truth to the destruction of the faeries homes. See how they handle the challenge to the quiet, easy world of the wee ones and show courage they were unaware they possessed.
MEET THE ROGUE'S ANGELS: GENENE
For years, Genene Valleau has been fascinated by the puzzle of why some people collapse under life's traumas and others emerge triumphantly stronger.
In a job surrounded by social workers and in her personal life, she saw the effects of child abuse, incest, and violence. Yet amid the stark realities of addictions, anger, denial and betrayal shone the bright light of strength, hope and forgiveness.
These triumphs of the human spirit over the ugliest of adversities became the basis for her stories, including three releases from Awe-Struck E-Books: SONGS OF THE HEART (April 2008), FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR (Dec. 2008) and STARS IN YOUR EYES (coming Feb. 27, 2009). The print versions of FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR and STARS IN YOUR EYES will be released from Rogue Phoenix Press this year.
Genene's story in the Feb. 2010 ROGUE'S ANGELS anthology will be a romantic comedy, which is a departure from her usual romantic adventure stories. Interestingly, the draft of CHASING RAINBOWS was written at one of the darkest times in her life when she became determined to find laughter again. Yes, writing about true love can also turn life’s heartaches into joy.
In a job surrounded by social workers and in her personal life, she saw the effects of child abuse, incest, and violence. Yet amid the stark realities of addictions, anger, denial and betrayal shone the bright light of strength, hope and forgiveness.
These triumphs of the human spirit over the ugliest of adversities became the basis for her stories, including three releases from Awe-Struck E-Books: SONGS OF THE HEART (April 2008), FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR (Dec. 2008) and STARS IN YOUR EYES (coming Feb. 27, 2009). The print versions of FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR and STARS IN YOUR EYES will be released from Rogue Phoenix Press this year.
Genene's story in the Feb. 2010 ROGUE'S ANGELS anthology will be a romantic comedy, which is a departure from her usual romantic adventure stories. Interestingly, the draft of CHASING RAINBOWS was written at one of the darkest times in her life when she became determined to find laughter again. Yes, writing about true love can also turn life’s heartaches into joy.
MEET THE ROGUE'S ANGELS: C.L.
C. L. Kraemer has been a gypsy all her life. From her military child beginnings to her might-not-get-this-chance-again attitude after she left home, she’s seen most of the continental United States as well as Hawaii and Alaska. She hopes to travel the world but is content to stay close to her family in the desert in Southern California—for the moment.
Three contemporary romance novels written under the nom de plume, Celia Cooper, OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER; SUN IN SAGITTARIUS, MOON IN MAZATLAN; and IF ONLY were gifts from the writing gods. A fourth novel, CATS IN THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION (December 2008) written as C. L. Kraemer is her first venture to the mystery genre. Wings ePress, Inc. has been the publisher of these four offerings.
HEALTHY HOMICIDE, the October 2008 launch book for a new publishing house, RoguePhoenixPress, picks up the torch again in the mystery world.
C.L. is now working on a Dragon Fantasy trilogy, which evolved from her first publishing attempt, a dragon fantasy story in the anthology "Enchanted Realms II," and about a dozen “commuter” books (less than 150 pages that can be read while on the train/bus/vanpool van commuting to work and back.)
For detailed information, visit her Web sites for background on her books and to follow her travails in writing.
www.celiacooper.com
www.clkraemer.com
Three contemporary romance novels written under the nom de plume, Celia Cooper, OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER; SUN IN SAGITTARIUS, MOON IN MAZATLAN; and IF ONLY were gifts from the writing gods. A fourth novel, CATS IN THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION (December 2008) written as C. L. Kraemer is her first venture to the mystery genre. Wings ePress, Inc. has been the publisher of these four offerings.
HEALTHY HOMICIDE, the October 2008 launch book for a new publishing house, RoguePhoenixPress, picks up the torch again in the mystery world.
C.L. is now working on a Dragon Fantasy trilogy, which evolved from her first publishing attempt, a dragon fantasy story in the anthology "Enchanted Realms II," and about a dozen “commuter” books (less than 150 pages that can be read while on the train/bus/vanpool van commuting to work and back.)
For detailed information, visit her Web sites for background on her books and to follow her travails in writing.
www.celiacooper.com
www.clkraemer.com
Friday, February 6, 2009
Welcome to Rogue's Angels
Our kick-off promotion will be Valentine's Day 2009.
Watch for more details on an anthology to be published in 2010, as well as monthly contests leading up to that release!
We are planning a year of fun and anticipation!
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