Hywela Lyn: Greek Muses

at 9:00 am

Not your usual Monday's Word post I know, but I thought I'd cheat a little today as I'm rather excited.

I love legends and mythology, and when, a few years ago, I was contracted to be one of nine authors to each write a story about one of the Greek muses, for The Wild Rose Press, I decided to merge a few other legends with the Greek mythology and send my muse, Terpsichore to 5th Century Celtic Wales.

The series was published in 2008 and and having regained my rights I'm re-publishing the story. I've made a few changes to the original novella and have republished it with Smashwords, complete with a spanking new cover designed by my dear friend and crit partner, the talented author Miss Mae. I can't stop looking at that cover, it portrays the mystery and seductiveness of my heroine, who has a penchant for bathing in waterfalls, perfectly, while hinting that she has a spark of mischief as well. (Please be patient with me while I ramble on, I have a special offer for my faithful readers at the end of this post)

As a horse lover, I had to include a couple of horses in the story. One is Harri, my black Welsh cob and the other is my much loved little endurance mare Sal, who sadly passed away three years ago at the grand old age of 34

A fellow Muse Author Masha Holl made this lovely picture of Terpsichore and Sal

How about a blurb? I hear you ask - OK, here it is:

When Terpsichore, the Greek Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit 5th Century Wales, and help the people regain their love of dancing, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus, her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost.

But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way.

Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE.

Special Offer

To Celebrate, I'm offering an introductory discount of 30% off the normal price. To take advantage, you'll need to join Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/

(Don't worry, it's free and quite painless)

Then go to:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53249

and at the checkout enter the code XX58M

Easy! I'm keeping the offer open until Wednesday so you have a couple of days to get your copy.

(Rating sweet to mildly spicy)

ISBN: 978-1-4580-1111-4

at 2:50 pm

Welcome to my entry in the Classic Romance Revival Blog Carnival. The theme is SETTINGS - SIMPLY SCENIC OR SPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT. I'm very excited to be part of this wonderful event.

If you've read my post on Monday at Classic Romance Revival, you'll know that the settings for both my novel Starquest, and the sequel Children Of The Mist were very important for both books. It was the same with my story in the Wild Rose Press's series 'Song Of The Muses'. For me, the setting is as important as the characters themselves. It's where the heroes and heroines live, breathe - and fall in love.

Although 'Dancing With Fate' begins (logically enough) in Ancient Greece, it swiftly moves on to 5th Century Wales. It's natural I suppose, that I should be so inspired by Wales, where I grew up and lived most of my life. Its mountains and lakes are beautiful and mysterious, and the country is full of its own myths and legends which add their own atmosphere to the landscape.

Much of the land is still wild and uspoiled and it was easy to picture it as it might have been sixteen hundred years ago. Why this time period? Well, I love the idea of living close to nature, without the hustle and bustle of modern living. There was another reason too - King Arthur was born around this time and some of the Arthurian legend is woven into my story. Many parts of Wales are named after him and his knights - for instance the name of the 3,000 ft mountain in Snowdonia, Cadair Idris is translated as The seat of Idris. or 'Arthur' As well as lakes and mountains, of course, Wales is full of spectacular waterfalls. A certain waterfall plays a very important part in 'Dancing With Fate'. The muses were, after all, water nymphs, and Terpsichore, the muse of dance, is no exception. In fact, she takes every opportunity to bathe in one, regardless of who might be watching!

Wales has inspired nearly everything I've written and for me, settings are vital not only to ignite the spark to write but to set the stage for my characters to act out their lives.

The festival is giving away prizes. I've contributed a PDF copy of ‘Dancing With Fate'. For all the other blogs in the carnival, and for more information about how to qualify for the prizes, see the

CRR BLOG

Thanks everyone - I hope you'll take part in the Carnival and enjoy visiting all the Blogs!

PLEASE NOTE:

This is a Classic Romance Revival GROUP event. You MUST have commented on EACH and EVERY blog in order to qualify for a prize.

Visit each of the blogs and leave your comment.

Don't forget to add your email and name so we can contact you if you're a winner!
You may comment more than once.

Author · at 12:00 am

HL: I am thrillled to be able to welcome to my blog today, my 'muse sister'and fellow Wild Rose Press author, the very talented writer Skyhe Moncrief. Welcome Skhye. Tell us a little about yourself.

SM: I'm a boring science geek. LOL. Straight out of the mouth of the world's biggest pessimist--I know! Seriously, I'm formally educated in both hard and soft science (geology and anthropology). For me, I'm am defined by my endeavor to master those interests. My three-year old daughter can rack up all the kudos in the world, and they are still hers. :) I only get credit for her outfits! Although, she's particular about which bow she wears...

Aside from being a stay-at-home mom, I write fantasy romance. Getting published since birthing a child has helped me maintain some semblance of an identity. Although, there are days where if I could only go to the bathroom alone... I'd be sane! Right now, I'm worried my monarch caterpillars will eat up the last leaf of milkweed in the yard and starve to death. I told you I was a science geek! We have 7 chrysallises and anxiously await the emerging butterflies.

HL: That all sounds far from being boring or 'gheekie' Skhye. (Is there such a word as 'gheekie'? and your daughter sounds delightful. I remember collecting chyrsallises when I was little. *sigh* my lost youth!)

OK, please tell us about your books.

SM: My Time Guardian series http://www.timeguardians.com is published by The Wild Rose Press. I'm most fortunate that the editors have enjoyed the stories. I currently have 4 stories available and one releasing April 3rd. I'm also most fortunate that the editors have worked with me to get the short novellas in print with the novels. HAUNTED HEARTS contains SACRIFICIAL HEARTS & NAKED ON THE STAIRCASE. THE SPELL OF THE KILLING MOON will be released in print May 1st with my April 3rd release, FORBIDDEN ETERNITY in SACRILEGIOUS SEDUCTIONS. Finally, HE OF THE FIERY SWORD is my once-upon-a-time-King-Arthur-was-a-time-traveling-shape-shifting-dragon tale. So, if anyone prefers the pricier print version, look for them at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Borders. :) Haunted Hearts and Sacrilegious Seductions both contain a Time Guardian glossary. ;)

Otherwise, I am so lucky to be a part of the same series with my gracious hostess, Lyn. My story, ANCIENT MUSINGS, is part of the SONG OF THE MUSES series. Calliope gets a new lease on life... One's darkness proves the other's light. And one should never tempt Zeus to force a muse into the deepest darkest pit of Hades to renew her purpose. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ancient-musings-song-of-the-muses-p-841.html If you'd rather own a print copy, SONG OF THE MUSES BOOK 1 is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders.

My free read is also available at The Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/vow-of-superstition-dragons-blood-p-840.html

VOW OF SUPERSTITION: DRAGON'S BLOOD

When legends speak of passion, Lady Lainy chalks all up to superstition until forced to take Dragon’s Blood at her arranged marriage. Will the beast’s poison herald a life full of love, or will she find myth loaded with lies when facing her father’s VOW OF SUPERSTITION?

HL: 'Vow of Superstition' is a wonderful free read, Skhye, and a great way for readers who haven't yet read any of your books to get a taste of your style and whet their appetites for more! I love your story in the 'Muse' series and 'He Of The Fiery Sword ' is an amazing story - and one of the most striking covers I've ever seen, too. Here's something I'm always interested to know about my interviewees: If someone were to play one of your characters in a movie, which character and what actor would it be and why?

SM: Ooooooooo, Jay Tavare would be cast as the hero in FORBIDDEN ETERNITY, soon to be released with WRP. He's a shape-shifting shaman. And Jay is just gorgeous. Now, you'll like this one, Dafydd Emyr would make an incredible Time Guardian too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZm2aUjsx0k

Let's just say Dafydd or Jay are definite hunks!!! But I'm torn between them and David O'Hara in Braveheart. Maybe it's hair? Or his attitude? I dunno. http://www.hotflick.net/pictures/995BVH_Mel_Gibson_078.html

Ooh, great choices Skhye. Unfortunately I only have room for one hunk so - although Dafydd Emyr is a countryman, and David O'Hara is so hunky too, I decided to go for Jay - I've a character myself he would be just perfect for!

What’s you’re writing process Skhye? Has it changed since writing your first book?

SM: My writing process is sit down and write very very fast. LOL. Then go back and analyze the story with a synopsis.

HL: *Grin" Not a 'panster' then! :)

Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music – or do you find it distracts you?

SM: Music with words distracts me. I'm okay if with instrumentals. No piano please!!! I love New Age. But no piano! Of course, piano is okay with other instruments. I'm a big fan of bagpipes, fiddles (especially Nordic), all sorts of Asian string instruments, base clarinet, and oboe. Japanese flutes are divine.

HL:What is your personal definition of success?

SM:Finally getting a book in print! I keep it on my bookshelf to remind me that anyone can get published if they hang in there long enough. I almost quit writing the first year after my daughter was born. I'm glad I didn't now!

HL: That would have been a terrible loss, Skhye. What is your favourite source of inspiration?

HL:My inspiration comes from documentaries. I'm a fact junkie. So, the more the better. Lately, I've been hooked on HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE.

I'm with you there Skhye. It's all part of the 'but what if?' syndrome I think!

If you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why?

SM:I'd be black. And I'd have fur. I actually answered this question in a 5th grade creative writing session in English. I love cats, wolves, and most mammals that are black. But I'd definitely go with a horse given I had to pick a creature. :) I've said this elsewhere. Horses are noble and beautiful beasts. Who wouldn't want to be one? Especially an Arabian! Or a Lippizzaner!

Oh, I so agree with you there Skhye. As a horse fanatic myself, I can't imagine anything that typifies speed, grace and nobility more than a horse. Especially a black one. (My black Welsh Cob Harry agrees too!)

HL: Well thank you so much Skhye. It's wonderful having you here today and finding out a little more about you.

If you'd like to find out more about Skhye and her books, this is her website:
www.skhyemoncrief.com

and her Blog: http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com

Details of all her books can be found on her page at The Wild Rose Press HERE

"Arthur is a masterpiece..." 4 hearts for He of the Fiery Sword's King Arthur ~Diane Mason; http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/fieryswordmoncrief.htm

"Intense, original, suspenseful, and dramatic... an unpredictable topsy-turvy romance... the suspense builds with every page in SACRIFICIAL HEARTS. In a world where symbols mean everything, magic is the way...." ~Snapdragon; http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2008/05/review-sacrificial-hearts.html

"Master of her craft, Moncrief delivers an explosive plot, captivating, adventurous characters, and a healthy dose of sensual intrigue. A superb read, start to finish!" ~Author Sky Purington www.skypurington.com