The Readers’ Passport

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

Samhain 2006 – Page 2

Travel Guides and Character Interviews

Character Interview – Casey

RS: Hi Casey. Thank you for taking the time to visit with us today. Can you tell our readers a little about yourself?

Casey: Thank you. I’m happy to be here.  Well… I’m single, recently unemployed and still shivering from last winter’s trip to Boston.

RS: Let’s start with the single, first. Would that be single and looking or just single?

Casey: Just single, although that’s one of the many things about my life that drives my mother nuts. Come to think of it, just about everything about my life drives her nuts. Her solution? Get married – preferably to the son of one of her golf club friends. But I’ve been there and done that. Technically, I’m not “single,” per se. I’m a widow, but I don’t generally like to talk about that. It’s complicated.

RS: I see. What did you do for a living before becoming unemployed? 

Casey: Most recently I was the manager of Electronic Search Operations for the largest Private investigation firm in the Phoenix area. In English, that means that I used a computer to locate information on behalf of the agency’s online and traditional clients. When things were slow, I helped out by doing the legwork of gathering vital statistics documentation like birth and death certificates, MVD records and such, so that the real detectives could do real detective work.

RS: How interesting. Is that what took you to Boston?

Casey: I guess you could say that – unofficially anyway. Angie’s call came in as I was clearing my desk to go home for the day. Her father had died a few weeks earlier and she came upon some information that made her realize that he’d been lying to her for her entire life about who she really was. She hired the agency to look into her past.  A few hours later she was dead. The police blew me off when I tried to convince them there might have been foul play involved, so I had to do look into it myself. When my boss found out I was using company resources to investigate a client who couldn’t be billed, he did the math and told me to take off a few days early for my trip and not

come back. I have to admit that I wasn’t too broken up about that turn of events. The truth was, I was ready for a change. So off to Boston, I went.

RS: It sounds like you found the change you were looking for. I do hope it all worked out for you the way you’d hoped, but we’re out of time right now.  Can you tell our readers how they can find out more about your chilly adventure in Boston?

 Character Interview – Trisha Holden

Trisha Holden, a budding archeologist and an only child who lives with her father on his pineapple plantation on the Island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands.

1) What is your greatest ambition?  

To be the best archeologist I can be; to search for ancient artifacts or remnants of the ancients who once walked the surface of this planet; and to learn all I can about the continent that disappeared beneath the surface of the Pacific, so many thousands of years ago.

2) What is your greatest regret? 

Causing my Father and Martin so much distress believing I was lost at sea, when I decided to go   scuba diving for ancient artifacts without him or anyone else. And being trapped in an undersea earthquake, which almost cost me my life.

3) What is the most important thing in your life? 

At the moment my Father, and Martin, since they are all I really have and searching for the man I love. 

4) What do you consider to be your greatest weakness? 

Being overly confident in my ability to take care of myself even if it meant going it alone while searching for artifacts, and to stay out of trouble, which hasn't always been the case.

5) What have you been doing today? 

Scuba diving with others, (I no longer dive alone) exploring the caves searching for the entrance to the undersea city to find my lost love.

6) Who are your heroes, who do you admire? 

My Father, my best friend, Martin, and the one I am searching for. 

7) What are you most afraid of? 

Afraid that I have lost him, and the thought of losing both my father and Martin.

8) What makes you laugh? 

Many things, a good joke, a funny story, and the strange turn of events in life.

To find out more about what Trisha Holden has been doing, read about her in ‘Time Rift’ from

Travelogue Guide

Destination: Argon

Situated: A planet in the Lawful Sector. Farming, business, forests, settlements.

Argon People: Extremely sensual and sexual people. They know how to make you scream with delight and moan in torturous bliss. But these are people who go about their daily living just like everyone else. This is not a planet for sexual gratification. These are a race of people who have feelings and culture. Please respect them as such.

Clothes: Whatever you’d wear on your own planet. This planet is one you come to voluntarily for either business, to renew old acquaintances, and, if you’re lucky, sensual delights…

Who Is Welcome: Friends and business people welcome. Old friends even more welcome. 

Who isn’t Welcome: Gawkers need not come.  Please don’t come expecting to have a hot session in any man or woman’s bed (or elsewhere). These people don’t work like that.  If you don’t have business to attend, old friends to visit, or seek an alliance (this is for planet leaders), why are you going? That is what you’ll be asked by the Argon leader and expected to answer. 

Leaders: Each section of Argon has their own leader. Kiile is the leader of the section usually open to visitors. Don’t get too close to him uninvited, if you are unknown, because his bodyguards won’t like it, and you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. Make an appointment before you even start your journey to Argon. Kiile looks very young, but he’s got the wisdom of one much older…and the ruthlessness.  You have been warned.

Palace: The Palace is where Kiile, his wife, his bodyguards, and assorted people live. Don’t just walk in, this is their home. There are other establishments in the settlement for you to sleep and eat. Consider yourself privileged if you’re invited into the palace. Avoid the dungeon…

Law: The settlement has its Peacekeepers, but Kiile’s word is final. Break a law, and you may find yourself kicked off the planet, or worse, put in the dungeon. Watch out for the soldiers.  They all tend to be protective of their own people. Being a planet leader will not save you from the wrath of Argon. Don’t be a problem.  They are good at getting rid of problems.

Punishment: While it hasn’t been needed for awhile, the Argons are famous for their form of ruthless punishment. If you’ve broken the law badly enough, you will be driven to sexual desire and frustration so high that you could go insane…if the Argons want that. Be warned, there will be no mercy.

Medical Facilities: Argon has some famous healers. Sarcan is the head healer in Kiile’s section.  His daughters, Tera and Hanna, are his apprentices. The girls are also sharp of tongue, so watch your manners. Please don’t make advances towards Hanna and Tera.  Tera’s husband will rip you to pieces (he’s very protective), and the bodyguards are old friends of the women. So is Kiile. If you attempt to diddle with Tera and Hanna, you’re on your own. 

Entertainment: Dancing is a huge form of entertainment on this planet. Visiting dance troupes consider it an honor to come and perform. There is horse riding, swimming, forest hiking, dancing, and music, skill combat and other forms of entertainment. Check with the establishment you are staying at for times and other activities.

Food: Good food in abundance. Please don’t waste it. You won’t be remembered fondly, and may find your welcome short-lived if you’re someone who wastes things.

Friends: The Argons have some powerful, and close, friendships, and are intensely loyal their friends. Do not bad-mouth the Daamens, the Reeka Warriors or the Felys. You only get one warning, and this is it. Mouth off once about these friends, and you’ll be off the planet so fast your head will spin. You won’t be welcome back.

But What About The Sex? Please, do not go to this planet with sex as your primary goal.  These people are sexual and sensual, and yes, those fortunate enough to have been intimate sexually with this race are, well, fortunate indeed. Yes, they do rave about it. Yes, they do hunger for more. Yes, some dream about it after for years. But you don’t go there with this as a primary goal.

If you capture the interest of an Argon, male or female, and they pursue you, you are very fortunate. You will have a wild time of sex that will leave you gasping and praying for more. 

If you’re a married person, forget it. Only single Argons play around, and they expect you to have the same values. If you don’t, and that particular Argon finds out you lied and are spoken for, you will be black-banned from the planet.  They also have no problem with letting your partner know that you’re unfaithful. Argons believe in fidelity between married and engaged couples.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Please take note

 Please remember this is NOT a tourist place.  The Argons do not provide for your enjoyment only. The activities provided are for their use, you’re just fortunate that they don’t mind you joining in.

Please only go on business or visiting friends, and for planet leaders - forging new alliances with Argon. The Argons don’t like sticky beaks who have no business on their planet. They are well aware of their sexual attraction to out-worlders, and won’t take advantage of it (unless in times of war, or revenge, then watch out, but that’s a whole different story and one we won’t go into).

Last word - Argons make good friends and bad enemies. Don’t be their enemy. If you are, you’re on your own. Interference is not something the IPC do if you break any of these rules. Ignorance is no excuse.

Guidelines Signed and Approved by:

Intergalactic Peace Council

Intergalactic Peace Ship

United Planets

The planet Argon and the people of this planet are found in the award winning Heart & Soul sci-fi/ futuristic romance series by Angela Verdenius

www.angelaverdenius.com

Character Interview – Tara

 RS – Tara, why are you traveling in Estraguil? 

Tara – I reached the stage in my studies where I needed to do my own research. I wanted to study the fickle moon and I needed to be up above the tree-line to do that effectively, so here I am. I’ll be here for another cycle of the constant moon, and then I’m going home. 

RS – Where is home? 

Tara – The Lia tref, which is a huge centre of learning. My family live there. It’s at the place where the river Lia stops being navigable by boat. 

RS – Who are you traveling with? 

Tara – Mist. She is my avowry. She is sworn to protect me and help me in my work. As well as that, she is also a very good friend to me. We grew up together. Mist is the daughter of my father’s avowry. We met with a wordsmith while we were traveling. He and Mist seem to have connected. I think he’ll be traveling with us. 

RS – What’s a wordsmith? 

Tara – They tend to be Straifians. They tell stories, sing songs and remember history. I think they are something like our lore keepers, but they transmit knowledge orally. They don’t have a tradition of written wisdom as we do. 

RS – Why are you studying the fickle moon? 

Tara – my mentor, Emyr has long studied the night sky, so that was always a significant part of my own learning. No one has ever been able to predict how the fickle moon will move, although many have tried. She comes and goes in her own way. I’ve been trying to map her journey through the sky. 

RS – Were you successful? 

Tara – I haven’t unlocked her secrets, but I think my work goes some way towards understanding her movements and influence. 

RS – What will you do next? 

Tara – I’m not certain. I mean to go home and see my family. I’ve missed them. If my work is accepted, I should become a lore keeper in my own right. I really don’t know what I will do then. Perhaps I will teach for a while. I would like to see more of the forest though so I might travel in the future. 

RS – Is there anyone special waiting for you at the tref?

Tara – You mean do I have a lover? No. There are a number of people I am very fond of, but not in that way. I have my family, and friends I have not seen for nearly two cycles of the seasons. 

RS – Is traveling dangerous in Estraguil? 

Tara – It can be if you go into the deep forest. We’ve been traveling by river where possible as it’s a good deal faster than walking. Otherwise we have used the well established pathways. Mist is very skilled. She can hunt and knows how to keep us safe. We’ve not had any trouble at all, but that may be because we have taken few risks. 

RS – Is there anything you regret not having done or encountered in your travels? 

Tara – I hoped we would meet more people from different kith groups, but we have only encountered Tolthians like ourselves, and the Straifian hill farmers who live in this area. I don’t mind not having had to do anything too daring or exciting because I don’t think I’d be very good at that. 

RS – Are you looking forwards to going home? 

Tara – Very much so. I’ve missed the comforts of home and my family. It will be wonderful to see everyone again. I’m sure my little brothers, Faolan and Lavel will be much taller than I remember them. Mist’s sister will be all grown up too. 

RS – So you don’t expect anything dramatic on your return? 

Tara – Oh no, the Lia tref is a very quiet place. I doubt anything much will have changed while I was away. 

To find out just how wrong Tara was in this assessment, pick up a copy of Tara’s Honour by Brynneth N Colvin. 

A Rugged Coast & Shifting Sands Hide a Mystery

By Nikki Leigh

Anyone who has read much non-fiction or history about the Outer Banks of North Carolina should be familiar with David Stick. He has written numerous books about the region. These books tell us why this stretch of the eastern seaboard is called the graveyard of the Atlantic. The reader learns about various events and people over several hundred years along with his personal experiences living in this picturesque area.

But, was David Stick the only person in his family to assist in the development of the Outer Banks? If we research back a little further we learn about his father Frank Stick. In 1929, Frank moved to the Outer Banks.

In the 1930’s Frank Stick knew Dare County was on the brink of bankruptcy. He wasn’t the kind of man to stand back and watch the area go belly up. He searched for a way to regenerate the Outer Banks and to find a way to protect and preserve the area.

One of the biggest problems on the Outer Banks was transportation and the difficulty in getting from one area to another. Better roads and more bridges were needed. Travelers were met by sandy paths which led in all directions and many went in circles. Many areas along the lower Outer Banks were isolated from the upper Outer Banks and the mainland. Sporadic and slow ferry service could only transport a limited number of people per day.  

The barrier islands presented various difficulties. These flat and low-lying sandy islands had no protection from the rough surf that eroded the sand and would wash out any new roads.

In 1928 a toll bridge linked Manteo and Nags Head. This allowed people to travel from the mainland to the beach. Soon, a toll bridge connected lower Currituck County and Kitty Hawk. This provided two routes for tourist to reach the upper portions of the Outer Banks. But, there wasn’t a good way to access the area around Buxton, Hatteras and Ocracoke.

In 1933, Frank Stick unveiled his plan. Cape Hatteras would be the focal point of a National Seashore that would extend over 100 miles. It would begin just south of the Virginia state line and extend past Cape Lookout, NC. Several wildlife refuges were located throughout the area.

The first paved highway would extend the full-length of the Seashore and bridges would link the islands for tourists to experience everything the area had to offer. Large sand dunes could protect a paved road. Bridges would provide a better way to link the islands. The plan offered a chance to increase tourism and provide thousands of jobs. One of the first priorities was to build 115 miles of sand dunes to protect the islands and future roads. When the dune line was complete, they built paved roads.

During this time, the United States was experiencing a major economic depression. Untold numbers of people were unemployed in 1932. The people of the United States were desperate for some relief and they needed to find work.

New York governor Franklin D. Roosevelt planned to put the masses of unemployed people to work. Thousands of unemployed young men joined the peacetime army to fight the destruction of our natural treasures. 3,000,000 men worked on the projects.

This story focuses on one project: the creation of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina. Before the project could be completed, World War II broke out in Europe. One of the many projects they abandoned was the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  The government workers returned to complete the project in the 1950’s. A human hone was found around that time…

http://www.ebooksonthe.net/catalog/index.html - click on “New Books”

 Traveler’s Guide

Time Rift

I'm visiting a pineapple plantation on Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. I asked Trisha a few questions about what to expect.

What should I pack? 

If you really want to visit, you will definitely need a wetsuit, the rest of the equipment we can provide for you. Then, of course, you will need the normal summer clothing and probably a light sweater for the chill evenings, and maybe foul weather gear for the sudden rain showers that occasionally pop up now and again, and then to, a dress or two for going out to dinner. But mostly it's an informal lifestyle so nothing exceptional is needed.

Where should I visit first? 

The Pineapple Plantation then off to Martin's beach shack on Ke'e.

Are there any places I should avoid? 

Not really, it is pretty safe, at least around here it is.

Where should I eat and what could I expect in a typical meal? 

Well, we don't go out very often, only on occasion, and we do have our own luau's, where there is practically anything you'd ever want to eat available for such a meal.

What's the best way to get about? 

Since the plantation is not on the main drag, we use our jeep to get around, especially around the mountain roads. To get to Ke'e, the first stop is the airport at Lihue, which is only twenty minutes away from the Plantation. From there we fly to Princeville Airport, then rent a car to get to the beach and to Martin's shack. Martin stores all of our scuba diving equipment there and that's where the launch is. From there is out to the deep blue sea and diving for artifacts.

Are there any local rules/customs I need to be aware of?

The only rule that applies to diving is that a diver does not go out alone. There must always be someone with them and there's a reason for that. A reason that finally hit home when I ignored Martin's warnings about "going it alone" and ended up in a world that shouldn't have existed.

To find out more about what Trisha Holden has been doing, read about her in ‘Time Rift’ from

The Readers’ Passport

Where readers and authors mingle

Samhain 2006 – Page 4

Fiction for Winter 2006/ 2007

Lilah and the Locket, (mystery), Nikki Leigh released October 1 in e-book format (print spring 2007)

Past Imperfect, Nora Peterson. Print Edition. Genre: mystery/romantic suspense
 

Love Spells for Dreamers  (romantic short stories) Bryn Colvin http://chippewapublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=116

Passionate Souls (romantic short stories) Bryn Colvin

http://www.chippewapublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=131

Windwalker, Donna Sunblad epress-online (e-book format) http://www.fictionwise.com/servlet/mw;jsessionid=1eCWtbVVL2vvCJHaxsXSyWCwl6k?a=rewrite&url=/ebooks/eBook40419.htm (print format) http://www.lulu.com/content/449225

Gossamer Wings, Anne Whitfield. Historical Fiction. Paperback,ISBN: 097853686X Vintage Romance Publishing Release Date: October 30th 2006 http://vrpublishing.com/VRP/GossamerWings.htm

Time~Rift, Elena Dorothy Bowman. Romance/Paranormal/Suspense novel released September, ebook format, (print book early spring, 2007). http://ebooksonthe.net/catalog/eBook_Catalog_NewBooks.html

Tara's Honour (fantasy), Brynneth N Colvin

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TarasHonour_BrynnethColvin.shtml

 Non-fiction for Autumn 2006

How to Open a Financially Successful Pizza & Sub Restaurant,  Shri  Henkel - Atlantic Publishing ( http://www.atlantic-pub.com )

 
Non Fiction for Winter 2006/ 2007

Wall Street Lingo - A Finance Dictionary for the Main Street Investor, Nora Peterson
coming winter 2007

Non Commercial Food Service Handbook: A Complete Guide to Hospitals,
Nursing Homes, Military. Prisons, Schools and Churches - With CD Rom  Shri Henkel

Successful Meetings: How to Plan, Prepare and Execute Top-Notch
Business Meetings Shri Henkel

The Readers’ Passport

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

Samhain 2006, Page 5

Lilah  and the Locket, Nikki Leigh - http://www.nikkileigh.com/lilah_-_reviews1.htm

 Gossamer Wings, Anne Whitfield (5 cups)

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Gossamerwings.html

On Borrowed Wings, Brynneth N Colvin _http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/August/LindaL-OnBorrowedWings.htm_

365 Management Mistakes that Smart Managers Make
http://www.nikkileigh.com/biz_mistakes.htm

Nora Petersons new reviews - http://www.norapeterson.com/reviews.htm

A Love Past, Anne Whitfield http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/September/Moonluster-ALovePast.htm

Elena Bowman’s reviews -
http://home.comcast.net/~elenadb/SubWBpgs/Reviews/RvTIAR.html

Windwalker, Donna Sunblad reviewed at Frank Review http://afrankreview.blogspot.com/

Love Spells for Dreamers, Bryn Colvin, (5 cups)

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Lovespellsfordreamers.html

Tara’s Honour, Brynneth N Colvin

htmhttp://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/October/Michelle-TarasHonour.htm

The Enormous Parsnip, Bryn Colvin

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/October/Heidi-TheEnormousParsnip.htm_

The Readers’ Passport

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

Samhain 2006 – Page 6

Contests

Win a short erotic story

Sign up Brynneth N Colvin as your friend on myspace (http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin ) post a comment saying you would like to read a short story, and I will send you a copy of my erotic science fiction tale ‘Moving On’ (first published in the Thunder’s Mouth Press anthology ‘Stirring up a Storm’). Every participant gets a copy.

Win Pumping Your Muse

To win a copy of Donna Sunblad’s Pumping Your Muse send your answers to the quiz below to Passport@readersstation.com . All the answers can be found at author's website www.theinkslinger.net Participants will be put in a draw for a copy of the book.

1. What month did Pumping Your Muse win Cover of the Month?
a. July
b. August
c. September

2. Each chapter of Pumping Your Muse extracts elements from:
a. recipes
b. real world
c. another author's work

3. What fantasy novel developed as "Trikel's World" within writing examples provided in Pumping Your Muse?
a. The Talk
b.Windwalker
c. Walker's Glen

The Readers’ Passport

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

Samhain 2006 – Page 7

Author’s News

Book Promotion Articles by Nikki Leigh
http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_marketing_articles.htm

Readers Station authors have become involved with the Inspired Author website     (www.inspiredauthor.com )

Nikki Leigh is the new Self Promotion and Character Development Topic Editor (http://www.inspiredauthor.com/Business_Career/Self_Promotion/) She has also launched a forum for writers. There are forums to discuss book promotion, character development, participation in NaNo (National Novel Writing Month - www.nanowrimo.org). A forum has been included to post your work and exchange critiques with other writers. If you feel that you need one-on-one assistance from an established and published author, we also offer those services. Feel free to drop by and visit. We would love to hear from you. The link is:  http://writersonlinecourses.com/Forum/  

Donna Sunblad is the new fantasy topic editor for Inspired Author, http://www.inspiredauthor.com/Fiction_Writing/Fantasy/ providing articles on all aspects of fantasy writing and Bryn Colvin has also contributed a couple of essays to this part of the site. http://www.inspiredauthor.com/Fiction_Writing/Fantasy/Consistency_World_Building.htm

 Donna Sunblad’s short story Caleb Sees the Light accepted for Christian spec-fic anthology Light at the Edge of Darkness. Who would think writing a spec-fic story with a Christian theme could be controversial? Christian bookstore shelves are nearly barren of spec-fic, or speculative fiction: fantasy/ sci-fi/ horror/ supernatural/ alternate history and magic realism. This anthology's authors have banded together to market the Lost Genre.

Nikki Leigh will be included in the November issue of Novel Writer Magazine. Her contribution will give you insights into volunteering at a large writer's conference. For more information -  http://www.novelwritermagazine.bravehost.com/. The magazine is available in PDF file and print.

Bryn Colvin has been asked to submit a short erotic paranormal tale for an anthology of said from Magic Carpet (who published her novel ‘The Shifting Heart’ last year). Watch this space for updates. She has also been asked to write the New England Gothic story line for Copper Age, and will be starting this shortly.