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Planting the Seeds - Happy Mother's Day

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Sunday, May 13, 2012 5:16 PM

"God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers"

Jewish Proverb

Today is Mother's Day, a holiday celebrated throughout the world on various days. It is traditionally celebrated in the United States on the second Sunday in May. I associate pancake brunch, flowers, and quiet strolls in the park with the day, and thinking of my mother, mother-in-law, grandmothers, aunts, and the women who acted as surrogate moms in my life. I've been lucky to have them all.

I am planting seeds today as a reminder of the seeds of wisdom planted by those women who gave so much of themselves, who nurtured me with food, love, and wisdom. I'm planting seeds for daisies, forget-me-nots, Black-eyed Susan, and morning glories in remembrance of them. Hopefully, they'll take root and bloom in wondrous colors by the summer.

Planting seeds reminds me of being a mother, a job like no other. It amazes me how time flies from those early years of rocking a baby, watching him take his first tentative steps, taking my toddler son to the park, the first days of school (I cried as he walked off, very confidently, to kindergarten), cheering him at baseball games, and cringing when he performed martial arts. Going to school plays and concerts, taking him to the movies and the museums, and watching him grow up.

Those first tentative steps led to many more, and soon he was out the door and off to college. My, where do those years go? I'm planting seeds in remembrance of those times and looking forward to the blossoms that come with patience, understanding, and love.

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Moonlight Becomes Him, paranormal novella

Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 10:30 PM

Janssen clasped her hands. The touch electrified her fingertips. She jumped back.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “I guess it’s a bit of static.”

She rubbed the fingers in an effort to chill the effect, but her whole body warmed at the closeness as Janssen’s aura touched her own.

“We’ll have to start soon, won’t we?” She looked out the sliding glass doors to the sky. The sunlight had begun to fade and soon night would creep in. And the man before me will no longer be a man.

“Yes, we should. Do you have a glass of water, it’s a little warm in here.” He pulled at the top of his turtleneck sweater.

Before she could answer, Janssen pulled off his sweater to reveal his naked, well sculptured chest. A down of dark hair circled the planes of his chest above the V of his upper abdominals. He tossed the turtleneck onto a chair and shrugged. “That’s better.”

For sure. Kate managed to regain her breath and murmur, “Well, I’m glad you’re making yourself comfortable.”

A wicked grin played across his handsome features, and she couldn’t help marvel at the strong jaw and the wide cheekbones which testified to his part Cherokee heritage. A glimmer lit his hazel eyes.

When Janssen turned to the kitchen sink and helped himself to a glass of water, Kate took pleasure in the strong frame of his back and the way the jeans clung to his narrow waist and tight buttocks. How on earth am I to remain objective and get the job done?

“Can we sit ou on the deck? I have some papers to go over first, and then we can arrange the ritual.”

His eyes transfixed her with fathomless meaning as she stared into the pupils. A vision came of another time and a place far from this Oklahoma hill country. And this time, she saw herself there too.

Read more great excerpts on Tuesday's Tales.

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Excerpt: Mistress of Pendragon, a time travel romance

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2012 10:31 PM

The twinkle in his blue eyes and the curve of his smile sent a shimmer of warmth down her middle. No man back in London had ever looked at her that way, with a look of intense desire and love. Grateful for her more curvaceous yet slender new form, a warm blush stole over her face. Awkward as a school girl at her first dance, Stephani managed to stammer a thank you.

“So, my lady has had her bath, and the servants have attended thee well.”

Play along with him. If I humor him, he'll tell me the truth. "Yes, kind sir. The bath doth me a world of good. And now let us hence to my real home, Uther."

“Home?" He stepped back, stroked the stubble of hair upon his chin, and narrowed his gaze.

“Uther, I am not who you think I am.”

He stepped so close she felt his breath upon her face.The very air sparked between them, and the memory of his kiss sizzled in her mind.

She put her hands upon his chest to push him away, but his hands grabbed hers and held her closer.

"Why must you persist in this charade of calling me your lady and this our home? This is a cruel joke!”

“What means thou? I jest not. I waited for you to come to me. Perhaps you’ve forgotten. Here, let me remind you.” He rubbed the taut muscles of her back.

A shot of warmth ran up her spine. His touch reminded her of the thinness of the clothes and her lack of undergarments, and she suddenly felt heated and longed to curl her hands around his neck and stroke his blonde wavy hair.

Lord, what the devil is wrong with me? Why am I responding this way?I should run.

Yet, she could not move, locked in his arms. Rather than resist, her arms reached up to his shoulders, and her lips parted and moistened in anticipation.

As his lips descended to claim hers, a sudden movement startled them both.

Uther drew back, sword drawn, and shouted, “Who goes?”

A swirl of lights manifested into a black gowned man.

"It's him ... the man who sat next to me on the plane from Newark. Ask him who I am."

"Plane? Newark?" Uther looked at her and then grinned as a man came forth from the lights. "Merlin, it's about time!"

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Settings - My Kind of Town, Chicago Is

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2012 8:34 PM

As a writer, I pay attention to settings. Sometimes they inspire me in writing a scene or locating a setting for a book. Sometimes they plain inspire me.

On a recent spring break vacation when my husband and I visited Chicago I felt inspired in many ways. I have made stopovers in Chicago about a dozen times, but I never stayed there for very long. So, I'd been eager to really see the "windy city". I was more than pleased. New York born and bred, I find it hard to yearn for other cities, but Chicago is special. It might not have the character it had over a hundred years ago or that depicted in old gangster movies, but it certainly has character!

Even though Chicago is not by an ocean, Lake Michigan is like an ocean, and there's a beach area which I'm sure is quite crowded in the summer time. Spring came early to Chicago as it proved unseasonably warm. Right now the cherry blossoms are in bloom, tulips align the pedestrian walkways of Magnificent Mile which reminded me of both Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with their upscale and trendy shops and towering hotels.

We took in so much in six days, but it proved worth it to see a Cubs game, three museums including the amazing Institute of Art and the Field Museum, the Shed Aquarium, and a harbor cruise that covered the history of Chicago along with explaining the architectural wonders.

We whet our appetite for good food at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, Weber Grill Restaurant with its flame broiled entrees, and at the original Pizzeria Uno , home of the deep dish and personal pan pizza, on Ohio Street; we enjoyed good blues music at the Kingston Mines which features two bands on separate stages seven days a week. Incidentally, we listened to Joanna Connor, a lead singer who hailed from Brooklyn,

New York. She had a strong and soulful sound reminiscent of

Janis Joplin, a great backup band, and included a few rock and country style numbers in the mix.

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Joanna Connor at the Kingston Mines Chicago.

With David Fridman on Harmonica

I also spent one day at the Romantic Times convention held at the

Hyatt Regency O'Hare. I enjoyed the workshops I attended, the e-book Expo event where I met the artist Kim Killian, founder of Hot Damn Designs, and the cover model (shown below) she used to depict my hero Ryan Majors for the cover of my historical western romance e-book Wildflowers, and the networking, but I couldn't wait to get back to seeing more of the city of Chicago.

From strolls along the Navy Pier, taking in a harbor cruise, viewing the aqua marine waters of Lake Michigan, to listening to blues music in a rockin' night club, and touring a handful of its many fine museums, not to mention great places for food, Chicago has so much to offer.So, now that I know what's there and what awaits further exploration, I'm hoping to do more than make Chicago a stopover destination.

In the immortal words of Frankie, My Kind of Town, Chicago is!

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My Kind Of Town (Frank Sinatra - with Lyrics)

Arranged by Nelson Riddle

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Remembering the Titanic

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2012 11:30 PM

April 15, 1912 was the day she sunk beneath the cold Atlantic. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

I have always been fascinated by the ship, saddened by the tragic loss of life, and a fan of both the romantic film The Titanic and the classic film A Night to Remember. In recent years I visited the maritime museums at Cobh, Ireland and in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and learned more about the Titanic.

Cobh, formerly Queenstown, is near Cork, Ireland, and was the last port of call for the Titanic. The maritime museum at Cobh is intriguing to say the least. It had also been the last port of call for the Lusitania which was sunk by a German U boat in May 1915. As an Irish American, I found the history of the famine and the coffin ships particularly disturbing but interesting.

Some of the victims from the Titanic disaster had been buried in Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada. Some whose remains could not be interred were given memorials. I remember one headstone memorial for a victim known as Jack Dawson, who happened to be a workman on the Titanic, and in no way the character portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the film The Titanic. Because of that film's popularity, girls for the past few years have been bringing flowers to Dawson's memorial. Although he wasn't the romantic lead character, Jack Dawson died a young man on the ship's maiden voyage, and his death is very tragic as was the loss of over a thousand passengers that fateful night. The Halifax Maritime Museum also features a number of great exhibits on the Titanic as well as the visit from Queen Victoria and a maritime history of the area.

When I think about the Titanic, I also think about the many Irish immigrants forced to travel steerage class who died because of the lack of life boats. My own Irish ancestors came by ship over a decade after the Titanic, but still they faced the hardships of transoceanic voyage and the ordeal of being processed through Ellis Island in New York City.

Having traveled on cruise ships in recent times, I feel a privilege to enjoy the modern comforts and conveniences, the improved safety on board ship, and the many benefits of cruising that travelers a hundred years ago did not have. What happened to the Titanic is tragic, and unfortunately comparisons have been made to recent cruise ship accidents, but hopefully, we have come a long way from those days.

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Arranged Marriage (from Mistress of Pendragon)

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Sunday, April 08, 2012 4:13 PM

It had been a marriage arranged at Beltane, and one he had sworn to support and defend.

For years he had eyed the fair maiden among her people. Many couples cavorted after the elaborate feastings, but she stood alone watching the sky. She had been shy, pensive, yet alluring as she placed the crown of flowers upon her long dark hair. Her smile melted his reserve.

And on that fateful night within the deep forest, she’d stood upon the stump of a sacred oak as he professed his love and the druid Merlin sealed their vows. Alas, providence parted them soon after he placed the ring upon her hand. The assault of the Saxons knocked her down. She appeared lost forever.

By some miracle she’d been brought back to him. Although, she seemed different, she’d been returned nonetheless. Though her words spoke lunacy and her manner discomfort, he knew her for his own bride the moment they kissed.

“Ah, she’s returned to us,” he spoke his thoughts aloud. And he had every intention to claim all of her, to win over her heart as well as her fealty. It had been preordained that they’d be together, and by all he held sacred she'd be his for eternity.

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Ramblings: Good Friday

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Friday, April 06, 2012 9:54 AM

What’s good in Good Friday? It’s the day we commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross. His had been the ultimate sacrifice, not only laying down one’s life for another but for all humanity. I think the “good” is the promise of His resurrection and the Hope for our eternal salvation.

At mass this week I thought of Him and the need for hope as well as peace in the world. I also felt a sense of peace in those still moments of reflection and meditation. It seems hard sometimes to find peace in so much chaos. For that reason I have always been fond of the poem “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann which begins like this.

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence."

I find peace in the stillness of a morning, the brightness of the stars on a clear night, a baby’s smile, a walk in nature, stroking my dog Murphy’s head as he sits beside me on the couch, and being caught up in a good book while sipping sweetened tea, in listening to the music of Beethoven or Chopin, and holding a loved one’s hand. Whenever I can I meditate and pray for peace.

It takes work, I think, to find the good in Good Friday, to be positive when it’s easier not to be and as my grandmother once said, “To smile through your fears and sorrow” and “things will get better”. Again, from “Desiderata” this advice comes.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Have a Happy Easter! Happy spring!

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Saved From the Saxons (from time travel Mistress of Pendragon)

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2012 10:13 PM

Saved from the Saxons? Her mind reeled at the implication of the man's comment. How strange it seemed. One moment she had boarded a plane from Newark, New Jersey for London, and the next she rode behind a man who speared three enemies in some primeval woodland to protect her life.

"Blimey, where the hell are you taking me?"

Her cries went unheeded by the brute who considered himself her rescuer. He only pushed the stallion to gallop at a heart stopping pace, forcing her to hang on tight. Perhaps the airline steward put more than gin in her martini? This had to be an hallucination. What else could explain it?

Yet one glance down at the rescuer's bloodied garb and her own soiled dress made it feel all too real. Perhaps if I close my eyes I will awaken in my own time on a plane bound for London.

"Don't fear my lady," the brute shouted as if to allay her fear. "We shall not be long to the safety of our own woods and the promise of the wedding bed."

Wedding bed? She glanced about at the passing scenery as they moved deeper into the forest. Escape seemed impossible. "I have to wake up! I just have to!"

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Night Threatens (from Moonlight Becomes Him)

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Sunday, March 25, 2012 12:01 AM

“Well, you now know about my childhood, my stepfather, and my mother. I’m over all of it years ago. And I didn’t do much with my education until later. When I met the minister, he brought me back to the fold before the curse. And took care of me after.”

“Tell me about the curse.”

He looked down at the ground, then up at the sky, searching for answers. Night threatened. He felt it in his blood. A gentle hand touched his shoulder and he turned to the woman and wanted her to understand, to heal his affliction, and to care for him even if the worse came. She showed courage before, under fire in the war, but could she show it in the terror of this night?

“A gypsy woman in New Orleans told me the curse on my family came from long ago.”

“What happens?”

“As you might guess at the full moon I change. A dark energy comes into my veins. I don’t remember much afterward. It’s like a drunk in a black out and worse than battle fatigue.”

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Moonlight Becomes Him , a paranormal romance

Catherine Greenfeder: Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2012 4:26 PM

“Yes, we should. Do you have a glass of water, it’s a little warm in here.” He pulled at the top of his turtleneck sweater. "Oklahoma sure can get warm in spring even here at the lake."

Before she could answer, Janssen pulled off his sweater to reveal his naked, well-sculptured chest. A down of dark hair circled the smooth planes of his chest and lined the V of his upper abdominals. It's more than the weather that's got me all hot and bothered. She fanned her heated cheeks and tried to tear her gaze away.

He tossed the turtleneck onto a chair and shrugged. “That’s better.”

For sure. Kate managed to regain her breath and murmur, “Well, I’m glad you’re making yourself comfortable.”

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Planting the Seeds - Happy Mother's Day

Moonlight Becomes Him, paranormal novella

Excerpt: Mistress of Pendragon, a time travel romance

Settings - My Kind of Town, Chicago Is

Remembering the Titanic

Arranged Marriage (from Mistress of Pendragon)

Ramblings: Good Friday

Saved From the Saxons (from time travel Mistress of Pendragon)

Night Threatens (from Moonlight Becomes Him)

Moonlight Becomes Him , a paranormal romance