By Brenda Whiteside (Guest Blogger)
Have you ever considered what it would be like to be an archaeologist? I love digging in the dirt, although I’m usually planting live plants not digging up dead ones. Archaeologists study the material remains of cultures and societies. One type of archaeologist, archaeobotanist, concentrates on the remains of plants people collected, grew, and utilized for food, raw material, and ceremony. The life of an archaeologist appears romantic and intriguing to this outsider. Traveling to unexplored sites, finding clues of past civilizations, and creating the history of the people who came appeals to me. Maybe in another life I’ll go that route. But if you think about it, authors take a similar path. We travel to unexplored sites with our research and in our minds. In a suspense book, there are clues to be uncovered. And, of course, we create stories from it all. I might be stretching it a bit!
For my soon-to-be-released novel, Curse of Wolf Falls, I had to do research into the career of archaeology. My heroine, Elidor MacKenzie, chose the career to keep physically in touch with nature which calms the empathic personality. Oh, yes, I researched another subject I find intriguing…empaths. She also chose the career to keep her on the move, attachment free, and far away from her home of Joshua, Arizona where her family lives and her empathic talents are so connected it drives her a little crazy. An empathic archaeologist…I had fun living the life through her. But danger does follow as well as character growth to find her happy ending.
Secrets can protect what the truth will destroy.
Elidor MacKenzie has a gift she can't return—the ability to absorb the joy, pain, and suffering of others. She's spent her life running from what she considers her curse. Now, her best friend is dead, and she alone holds the key to an archaeological discovery that could destroy a culture. With newfound inner peace, Elidor has returned home to make amends and guard the secret revelation. But greed-driven scavengers have followed her. Once again, the energies of Joshua will stir the hurricane, with her at the deadly center.
Jules never got over Elidor. Twenty years and a famous journalism career later, he's back in Joshua—and so is his first love. If his heart can stand the torture, he'll risk reviving their relationship. But saving Elidor from herself and the secret she won't give up may be the death of them both.
With Jules by her side, Elidor is determined to outrun the scavengers, guard the secret, and renew their love. But fate is coming after her, and there's nowhere the couple can hide.
Curse of Wolf Falls, The MacKenzie Chronicles book 3, eBook will release to the world on September 5. The print book is available now. You can preorder the eBook at a sale price until release day and have it delivered right to your reader.
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B663MY1D
Excerpt
“Boyd. What on earth are you doing in Joshua?”
He choked. Coughing and sputtering, he leaned away from her.
She handed him the full bottle of beer and waited, her stomach awash in a wave of nausea. A sure sign she read the aura of a person not to be trusted.
After gulping several swallows, wiping a hand over his mouth, he shook his head. “Sorry. You startled me. Elidor? I could ask you the same. What a surprise.”
“Really? I grew up here.”
“What a coincidence. I, uh, have a lot of interest in old mining towns. Marty didn’t need me for a few days, in fact, he said he’d probably let me go. I’d heard about Joshua years ago. Decided now was as good a time as any to check this place out.”
A bitter taste coated her tongue and saliva pooled in her mouth. The lie was as big as the Verde Valley. Marty needed every hand he had with the loss of Cam and her. Never lie to an empath. The internal alarms were strongest when confronted with dishonesty. Why the lie, and why had he come here? “Quite a coincidence.”
Boyd’s face remained neutral and gestured with his bottle. “Can I buy you a beer?”
“No. I’m on my way somewhere.”
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you sure? I’d love to shoot the bull about the dig, or maybe other digs you’ve been on.” He leaned toward her, his beer breath punctuating his words. “In fact, you could clue me in on the best sites to take in for an archaeologist in Joshua.” His speech pattern, fast and clipped, and his invitation increased the revulsion gripping her.
“I really can’t.” She backed away. “I’ve got a full plate today. Enjoy your stay.”
“Hey, maybe we can meet up tomorrow?”
She whirled around.
With one foot on the floor, facing her, he gave the impression he might leap off the stool and come after her. “No, I don’t think so. I’ve got tons to do with my family. Check the historical society. They can give you maps and stuff.”
As she walked away, she focused on getting to the door and out. Her clammy hands gripped the straps of her backpack. Back in the cloud-filtered sunlight, she traversed the few feet to the corner, past the windows, and stopped, hand to chest. She slipped a hand off her pack and clutched at the pendant. More than his evil nature bothered her. Were Boyd’s presence in Joshua, the break-in, and her missing phone linked events? How could he know? She flared her nostrils, inviting the freshness of mother earth’s air to calm her, and crossed the street to the hardware store. Boyd was there when Cam died. He’d seen Cam give her the cell. But how could he have deciphered they held the key to the Mescalero Myth?
I’d love to hear if you like to dig in the dirt. Have you had any déjà vu moments or empathic sensations? Share with me. I’ll choose one lucky person who comments to receive a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card.
About the Author
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense and romance. She's penned a couple of historicals and straight romance, but she's found villains and danger make a good story that much better. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart so won't discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.
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18 comments:
No specific deja vu moments come to mind although I've had some along the way and though not a fan of digging in the dirt I've been fascinated about ancient Egyptian artifacts nearly my whole life and at one point entertained the notion of becoming an Egyptologist!
An Egyptologist sounds fascinating. That's the first time I've heard that term. Thanks for commenting!
Lisabet, thanks so much for featuring me today.
no, but sounds fun
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
At least it sounds fun, lol. Thanks for stopping in.
Hello, Brenda! Welcome to Beyond Romance.
I've always been fascinated by the results of archeology -- I spent my childhood reading historical novels and fantasizing about life in ancient Egypt or classical Greece -- but when I learned what the day-to-day life of an archeologist was like, I understood that this was not my calling. I think it requires an astonishing creativity and imagination to look at a few shards of pottery and be able to envision the people who used them.
Hope the book does really well!
I have had the honour of reviewing this author's last three books in her Mackenzie Chronicles series and each one s better than the last! Continued success Brenda - can hardly wait for your next one! All the best, Sylvia (Reddom), (reviewer Paranormal Romance Guild.)
Lisabet, as with most professions, they are much more enticing from the outside where we don't know the day to day drudgery.
Sylvia, you made my day. Thank you so much. I live to make readers happy!
Being an empath seems like it would be a burden. People feel emotions all the time, and to have them bombarding you constantly would make me shun any size grouping! I'm not a fan of digging in the dirt, but long ago I wanted to be a paleontologist. Weirdly enough, Paul Sereno, eminent dinosaur-discoverer, went to the same college as me, and graduated the same year--but I don't think I ever met him. We must not have hung out in the same bars--LOL. Your book sounds intriguing.
That last comment was me, not anonymous. It wouldn't let me pick my google account, and I hit the button by mistake, to publish. Technology. Bleah.
Anonymous, yes, I agree. While researching empaths, they are plagued and yet gifted. Fun tidbit about the paleontologist. Thanks!
OH! LOL I answered you before I saw your second comment.
I'm not a gardener, but I can see myself as an archaeologist. I most definitely have had déjà vu moments.
Hi Mary, yes, I guess the two are totally different reasons to play in the dirt.
I've had several deja vu moments. When my mom was alive, she'd have them, too. Often the 2 of us would be in sync that way. I'd pick up the phone and start to dial, and my mom would be on the line already. It was eerie how often that happened.
Pippirose, I think when people open themselves to the possibility it happens more often. A mom and daughter makes sense if they're close.
Congrats, Mary Preston. You were drawn from the hat by my assistant FDW to receive a $5 gift card. If you see this email me at brenda @ brendawhiteside .com. Meanwhile, I'll try to find you.
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