June 21, 2006

CHIPPING AWAY …

…at my work, just like a Pileated Woodpecker at his tree They are amazing creatures, about the size of a crow with little red feather Mohawks on their heads. Their rat-a-tat-tat gunfire resounds throughout the woods as they drill into the trees for insects they can hear scratching beneath the surface. And because their little brains are encased in spongy material in special hydraulically-designed skulls, they can pretty much bang away, day in and day out, without any kind of brain damage at all. And this is not within my ability. I feel pretty much brain-dead about now :).

But the comments on my last post did get me thinking (dangerous, I know, especially when brain-dead). It seems like going into the ‘woods’ strikes a resonance among many of us … and here’s a scary notion … maybe it’s partly because the woods are like an external manifestation of our own minds. Venturing into the dark coolness is like stepping into a Jungian headspace where little red riding hoods can meet big scary wolves, where fairies hide princesses until their sixteenth birthdays, where powerful knights hunt dragons of temptation, where leprechauns offer wishes, trolls hide under bridges, and a magnificent steer leads you down a secret path …. and when you come out of those woods, and blink into harsh sunlight, the gold you’d collected turns mysteriously back to dry, crumbling leaves.

Okay … too obtuse. I really am tired :). And a tad behind on my Writing Challenge Goals for today. But I plan to catch up tomorrow …

See you then

The Contest entries are coming in steadily …. still a few days left to enter …

A pileated pecker in the snow.

Posted by Loreth @ 11:30 pm | THE WRITING LIFE

4 Responses to “CHIPPING AWAY …”

On June 22nd, 2006 at 6:39 am
Bailey Stewart Says:

I don’t think it’s too obtuse, it was a very insightful observation.
On June 22nd, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Toni Anderson Says:

He’s a beauty good luck on the challenge!!
On June 22nd, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Toni Anderson Says:

Keep meaning to ask–what do you think of this new show ‘Whistler’??
On June 22nd, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Loreth Says:

Shucks, thank you Bailey

And thanksfor the cheering, Toni ! I missed the first episode of Whistler so will have to catch it on the website … am almost afraind to look. The tourism folk in town have been waiting with bated breath for a peek. Guess they’re concerned about our reputation How did it fare?

MANHUNTER dishes up “Creepy chills” - 1st review is in!

After Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer Gabe Caruso can’t save his fiancee from a sadistic serial killer, he has trouble dealing with the guilt. His only consolation is that he put the man in jail. Cutting himself off, Gabe takes a post in Black Arrow Falls, a small town in the Yukon. There, he meets tracker Silver Karvonen, a woman with secrets of her own. Both are stunned to feel the pull of attraction. Then the killer escapes, and Gabe knows that trouble is on the way. Loreth Anne White serves up some creepy chills in Manhunter (4), as a serial killer wages both psychological and physical warfare. This compelling tale, part of the Wild Country series, features two emotionally scarred people who discover that being together makes them stronger.

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“THE HEART OF A RENEGADE is a skillfully crafted novel, packed with complex characters involved in a well-used plot line; however, it is innovatively done. Loreth Anne White’s pacing is superb, maintaining ever mounting intensity as the story plays out. This story is rich with detail, and a plot that could be expanded to a 450 page hardcover. That said, it does not feel as if it were condensed but evolves in the expected manner only to twist and turn a bit adding interest and suspense. The dynamics between Jessica and Luke are extraordinarily well handled.

White is a very gifted author and whose future novels will be sought out by this reviewer.”

–Thea Davis

A TOP PICK from Romantic Times BOOKreview for THE HEART OF A RENEGADE

“Luke Stone is just like a stone. After his pregnant wife is murdered, he closes up emotionally, until his employer asks him to protect Jessica Chan, who’s a target of the Chinese Triad Dragons for attempting to expose their atrocities. Luke doesn’t want to be responsible for anyone, and he’s surprised to find a kindred spirit in Jessica. When they’re on the run with only each other to lean on, their emotional barriers crumble. The Heart of a Renegade (4.5) is an action ride full of thrills and surprises and a love story that will make your heart beat faster.

Loreth Anne White has expanded her Shadow Soldiers series, and intriguing and dynamic characters continue to make it compelling.

—Sandra Garcia-Myers

And a five-star review from CataRomance.com:

From the instance THE HEART OF A RENEGADE starts, one will take an indrawn breath and continue to gasp until the explosive ending. The danger is believably suspenseful with heart-pounding threats, and how they are carried out is terrifying realistic. Just when one thinks all is going smoothly for the hero and heroine, more peril crops up and they must once again fight for their lives.

Luke and Jessica are one of the most endearing couples about whom I have had the pleasure to read, and their compelling story profoundly touched me. Whether they are fleeing from the enemy or expressing exactly how they feel on a subject, their actions are authentic and make them seem very true-to-life. Ms. White had me caring for this couple and what the future holds for them, causing numerous tension-filled moments during the story. THE HEART OF A RENEGADE masterfully evokes images and feelings to create an enthralling plus emotional story which never disappoints.
–Amelia Richard

SEDUCING THE MERCENRY earns Cata award