I love release days. They’re also terrifying. They also sneak up on you far too stealthily and, in the manner of Keyser Soze… like that, they’re gone.
I’d never written a sequel before. I’d written some very long stories, but not a sequel to one I’d finished, believing it stood on its own. So when Jeren and Shan told me that they weren’t finished yet it came as something of a surprise.
I had no idea where it was going to go, or the things they were going to face. It got a lot darker than I expected.But Jeren and Shan grew as characters in ways I hadn’t imagined. Now, as I write The Wolf’s Destiny (part 3) I have two strong, determined people who are more than a match for the terrible things I throw at them.
In the course of writing The Wolf’s Mate there was a certain song which I listened to (almost all the time) and which sums up the major themes of the story. It also expresses some of the fear and pain that Jeren endures.
And its very very beautiful.
~
The Wolf’s Mate: a Tale of the Holtlands
ISBN: 1-60504-702-3; 978-1-60504-702-7
“It’s well written, fast paced and filled with interesting and unique characters….The best part of the story is Jeren herself. I liked her in The Wolf’s Sister but in this release, she really grows and shines, as she turns into a confident and determined woman, willing to fight for her man. I’m very curious to see what happens to these two mates with the next and last release.” – 4 Nymphs, Mystical Nymph, Literary Nymphs Reviews Only
Their love is a forbidden gift. Keeping it means a fight to the death…
A Tale of the Holtlands, Book 2
After escaping from her Holtlands home and her brother’s madness, Jeren looks forward to a new life with her beloved Shan and his people. She doesn’t expect the Fey’na to readily accept someone of her bloodline, but she’s determined to prove herself worthy. Then the jealous eyes of the beautiful sect mother, Ylandra, fall on Shan—handsome, strong, matchless among warriors—turning Jeren’s fragile new world upside down.
Shan wants nothing more than to be with Jeren, the courageous beauty who’s captured his heart. But their ancient enemy has attacked, and Ylandra cleverly uses an archaic oath to bind him to her service—fulltime. As he sets out on a suicide mission into the heart of enemy territory, he promises Jeren he’ll return—somehow—to claim her as his mate.
Jeren is left alone to make a place for herself among the elite Fey’na warriors, until a Holtlands envoy arrives bearing her ancestors’ sword. This magical artifact calls to the innate magic in her blood and forces her to make a terrible choice. She could lead the battle to free her people…but only if she forsakes Shan.
Warning: contains scary monsters, desperate acts, burning jealousy and the consummation of a timeless love.
Read An Excerpt Online
So: as is traditional it’s competition time.
I’m going to give away a copy of The Wolf’s Mate so someone who comments below, telling me what songs you think tell the best stories and I’ll pick someone using Random.org by Wednesday evening.
Comment away.
Humm, which songs do *I* think tell the best stories?
Though I love the structure of Folk songs, my answer is going to have to be 80’s (themesongs) Ballads. For they are both nostalgic, and in being so have an ability to now tell ‘my’ story, as well as appealing to my love of the fantastic, even if they do play to the over the top side of the fantastical. 😉
For example? America- The Last Unicorn
Peter Cetera- Glory of Love
The Gummy Bears. (Dashing and daring, courageous and caring, friendly and faithful it’s true…)
Scary but true, Shelly. And that would include The Littlest Hobo. “There’s a voice that keeps on calling me…” 🙂
Ballads–any ballads. Though I’m partial to the old kind sung by minstrels, I have to agree with Shelley that the 80s really had a lot of good stuff. It also had a lot of hair, but that’s beside the point.
Congrats again, Ruth!
Congratulations on the release!!!
As the previous commenter stated Folk songs & ballads such as song by minstrels and then later brought back in the 80’s. They all tell stories, in medieval times when very few people could read, ballads were used to spread news and teach.
Thank you,
Sharon K
I love folk songs and the good old blues for story telling as they are so lyrical and just tell their own tale. One of my favourite story telling singer/songwriters is Cat Stevens.
Hmm… I’m not sure I’m inspired directly by songs like ballads or tales, although Id probably have to mention some of Sting’s solo stuff to be fair. Usually,I’ll be listening to something and a phrase will leap out at me and inspire me with an idea for a book, or will tally with something/someone’s core theme that I’ve already written about.
Kris Kristoffersen. I guess he’s more of a songwriter than a song, really, but his music is invariably fantastic and tells the most impactful stories. I cry every time I listen to Jody and the Kid. Every. Damn. Time.
Congrats on the release!
Instead of going for a type of song, I’m going to go for a band. I think Death Cab for Cutie has some of the best songwriting out there. Their songs are romantic and their lyrics can’t help but fill you with longing.
Take for example, Cath, which is about a woman who marries too hastily:
Cath…
It seems that you live in someone else’s dream
In a hand-me-down wedding dress
With the things that could have been are repressed
But you said your vows and you closed the door
On so many men who would have loved you more
I get chills every time I hear this song.
Congrats on the release. Woot!
I like Kenny Rogers the Gambler, Reba McIntyre’s Fancy, and Lynard Skynard’s The Ballad of Curtis Loew…those are all great story telling songs!
Congratulations – celebrations are in order – I’m thinking something with ale in tankards, roaring fires, cadburys (pre krafts) and musicians playing and no one under the age of 25 present…
All music insires me! From heavy metal to claassuc rock amd classical, music helps be capture the mood of the character or situation.
Congratulations Ruth! I wish you much success!
Happy Book Birthday!
Hm, I don’t listen to a lot of music, but I’d say both country and sometimes classical soundtracks (in particular Lord of the Rings) tell great stories.
I think the musician that tells the best stories is Bob Dylan. He has a gift for writing lyrics.
I often love the 80’s ballads and their storytelling. Even occasionally the Pet Shop Boys (It’s a Sin tells a story that my mum caught) Often some of the folk tales tell a tale.
Though still “I’ve got a brand new combine harvester and I’ll give you the key” makes me smile these days with it’s humourous story. Way too many of the ballads tell a sad story.
I too have to agree with earlier comments that the 80s was the time of the “story” song.
Morrissey can depress you with a single sentence but the one that always make me think about the story is the Eagles and Hotel California… not a huge american soft rock fan by any means but this one always makes me listen, sing along and work it out.
And the winner is Sharon K. I’ll drop you an email now. 🙂 Congratulations.