Purple Star

I’m sure you know the shiny shapes that populate gifts and occasions like confetti, among them stars. Tiny shapes that bling up the process of giving and receiving, and then go on to populate your floor and furniture in colourful points of light.

I’d like to tell you the tale of the purple star.

A friend gave me a gift on the occasion of my birthday last year and contained within were a host of tiny purple stars. Oceans now separate us, but that gift came along with me to Africa. When we first unpacked only the necessary while staying with family, lo, a tiny purple star fell out. When we subsequently moved into our own place, lo, a tiny purple star fell out again.

I’ve come to regard this shiny reminder of a gift as a nudge from a special friend. Every time I see it I think of her. It is akin to a piece of her soul now, a shiny guardian ever nearby. Shaune, thank you. I miss you, too.

New Covers for Tales from the Path of Shades

Gathering of Rain http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29882

House of Valla http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30761

Darak Fallen http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/32759

Ancient Fire http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/72510

Glittering Darkness http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/76863

Glittering Darkness

Glittering Darkness, volume V, is now available on Smashwords.


http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/76863

An ancient map, a strange prophecy...and anyone who speaks of it, dies. A new enemy enters the Valla arena, but this one is an ancient as time, and must be unleashed in a forbidden place. An ancient map points the way.

The terrible secret of the real source of Valla power is uncovered and as friends and family are murdered Torrullin stands forth and reveals the truth. There are Dragons in my future, he once tells Quilla of the Q’lin’la...and that future is now.

They are the Kallanon, the Glittering Darkness. Terror has a name.

The Celtic Tree Zodiac - Review

The Celtic Tree Zodiac

If you’re like me and salivate over things Celtic and druidic, then you will find this interesting. If, like me, you regard a tree as a sacred friend, then this is definitely not to be ignored. And if you investigate things astrological...well, what more can I say? This is an easy read- easy because Poppet did the hard work, the research, the collation and so forth, gifting us therefore the ability to swiftly follow- but it’s also intriguing and I have to tell you I learned something new. I now know which tree is my sign! And when I apply the personalities of people I know to Poppet’s corresponding explanation of their tree sign, I am amazed by how well it fits. Worth a read, definitely.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/58980

Dusan by Poppet

Dusan: Dusan (pronounced Dooshun) awakes from long slumber to a world changed. As he grapples with the reality of our technological era, he also needs to rebuild his strength and appease an inner hunger...and to this end harvests the souls of innocents. He is an Angel of Death, but doesn’t see himself as one. Dusan believes he is an Angel of Mercy...until he meets Aine, a human with a heritage, who tells him unequivocally that stealing the souls of the innocent does not help humanity attain a state of peace. Mercy would be removing the souls of the perverted, criminal and evil, thus allowing humanity to go forward without their influences. Aine is definitely more than she seems.

I have read much of Poppet’s work now. I love how she describes places, situations and emotions- all of it relates back to how we view our world- and this one certainly follows her recipe. Dusan kicks off in France with Dusan hurtling off the Eiffel to land in traffic, where ‘burning clutch wafts’ over him. We are instantly in the real world...with a soul-snatcher. How intriguing is that, I ask? And then I had to laugh over Dusan’s later confusion about laptops- a device that never actually sits on a lap!

This is a tale about saving our civilisation from evil and to that end Poppet has employed the rich and enigmatic history of our gods and angels and the mysteries of religion. This tale has serious undertones indeed. And profound in the manner in which Poppet forces us to look at what we regard as religion with fresh eyes. But Dusan is also a love story and the dynamics between Aine and Dusan make for voracious reading. Therefore seriously sexy also...go on, lay a hold of a copy and you’ll see what I mean!

Dusan is a read for those who adore a tale with a decidedly supernatural edge, while still experiencing the familiar of life as we know it, and don’t mind the thrill of a romance with a decided edge. I would definitely recommend it...and right now Dusan heads to the top as my favoutite Poppet read.

Dusan is available here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52341 and find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Elaina J Davidson

July 2011 

Ancient Fire is now available for download

Ancient Fire

Valarians prepare for winter. Many died in summer, more will succumb to the cold. Only the heat of hope sustains them now. While waiting for the opportune time to strike, to finish what he started, Margus secretly begins a different kind of campaign: soul-snatching. He builds a new army of soltakin.

Torrullin meanwhile enters the forges of flame and betrayal in search of the means to put an end to Margus’ reign of terror. The man who emerges is reformed of fire to unleash annihilating heat.

Ancient Fire completes the forging of Torrullin Valla. His tale begins.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/72510

Summer/Winter promo on Smashwords

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29882 Gathering of Rain
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30761 House of Valla
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/32759 Darak Fallen

Available for $2 for the month of July

ET!

Around the corner from where I'm at is this: our very own ET rock, all decked out!

Religion, sex and politics: Religion

Religion, sex and politics: Religion

The mighty ‘they’ always tell us there are three things one should never discuss at a dinner table. Religion, sex and politics. This caveat, of course, can be extended to other occasions, including a virtual friendship ring. Why? Because the debate leads to argument- how often does everyone achieve the same viewpoint on any of these three subjects...right?

Right.
Bullshit.

Talk about it! BUT PREPARE TO LISTEN AS WELL AS SPEAK. If we remove the fear factor from a controversial subject we open ourselves to new ideas and we learn to respect another’s view.

Let us here discuss religion. You may not agree with me, but if you listen you might nod your head and grant me certain points...and come back with a few of your own. We may never agree, but we will respect each other’s ideas.

There are the big ones: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism. Lesser ones such as Scientology and Shintoism. And then there are a host of smaller cultural beliefs spread across all continents, which includes Shamanism, Wicca etc.

Looking at it dispassionately, what do all of these generally have in common? Some believe in one God, others in the multiple, so it’s not that. Some have elaborate ritual, others are simplified, so it’s not that either. Some demand constant worship, others leave it up to the individual, so it cannot be that.

Answer (in my opinion): each teaches to live a wholesome life, to respect others, to know love as one’s driving force.

In my view this common factor should be celebrated. How can it matter how you worship, where or when or even to whom? Why go to war, when both sides believe in the same ideals, simply calling it by a different name? Why are we blinkered?

Speak and listen...and live and let live.

Talk to the wings

Ally stood before the Gates of Heaven and wondered if the man with the mighty wings would allow her to enter. Always they told her how she would amount to so little, not even God and his angels would want her.

The guard approached, seeing her hesitation. ‘Hello, Ally. What qualifies you to enter yonder gates?’

She hung her head. ‘Nothing.’

‘That’s not true. Have you not been a good person?’

Ally lifted her head. ‘I think so.’

‘Have you helped others unselfishly? Have you listened to those who needed to talk?’

‘Yes.’

‘And have you ever believed in yourself?’

‘Once,’ Ally whispered.

The guard smiled. ‘That would be the day you saved Jack from drowning, despite your fear of the sea. Belief and courage. Once is enough to change all, Ally. Even a moment is enough.’

‘But I’m nothing!’ Ally shouted. ‘I did not change the world, I did not stand out. I lived alone and left nothing behind!’

The guard smiled again. ‘Because of the belief that saved a life, you saved yours. You walked away from those who hurt you and became a friend to the world, Ally.’

Ally frowned. ‘Really?’

‘A hungry boy knocked on your door and was fed. A girl afraid of failing discovered her strength because you listened. A dog hurt lived because you took him to those who could help. Remember the tabby? You gave him a home. And the day your mother came to you and told you she was sorry, did you not forgive her? A soul does not have to be noticed and recognised by the many to qualify as a soul that achieved greatness. A moment of belief changes all, Ally.’ The guard offered his arm. ‘Come. Enter.’

Smiling, Ally took the proffered arm and entered into Heaven.

In the sky

A bit of tech and not so tech in the heavens above. A chopper ride is great, but meandering the skies with little more than a lawnmower and a parashute must be something special.

A little sunshine!

When you live near the sea with mountains all around, you're gifted with many photo-ops! This is a small selection of some wonderful sunsets. Enjoy!