Prepare for Hallows Eve with a Werewolf Tale

It's mid October.

The air has taken on an icy chill.  The trees have turned colors—from calm green to blazing red and ginger. Maple leaves rain down on me as I realize All Hallows Eve is merely days away.  I am excited because this means another installment in my ongoing Halloween Tale.

The Tarishe Curse

If you've not heard how the ritual of my annual spook tale got started, three years back I wrote a short story for a friend who could easily be crowned Queen of Halloween (she is that obsessed with the holiday.)  Her thrill over the story and a question as to what happens next started a writing tradition that continues today.  Every Halloween, I add to an ongoing adventure starring the queen of werefolk—including a powerful and vengeful witch, devious vampires, and other frightful creatures of the night.  It is a spooky delight!

So prepare yourselves!  

Read the beginning chapters of The Tarishe Curse and either enjoy it for the first time or refresh your memory of Duvalla and Kresh.  And on this next Halloween… get ready for more!

Follow Richelle's board Encourage and Enlighten Me on Pinterest.

Prepare for Another Halloween Treat!

Last Halloween I had the itch to write a short story appropriate for the Hallows Eve season.  I posted it on my author blog as a holiday treat under the title, The Tarishe Curse, and proceeded to introduce the Queen of Werefolk and her mate, Duvalla and Kresh.  The tale of a wicked witch’s hatred for werewolves and Duvalla’s continual struggle with a curse that blinds her mind was meant as a simple lesson in the destructive energy that vengeance wields.  It was not an elaborate story.  Complete within a few pages.  I had no intention of ever returning to Duvalla and Kresh.  

But then I was asked a crazy question.

“Are you going to write another chapter about the werewolves for next Halloween?”

“Uh….”  The thought truly hadn’t crossed my mind.  “Do you think I should?”

The answer was an eager, "yes!" 

Hmmmm, what to write?

I spent my waking hours thinking and pondering and walking in daydreams with Duvalla over possible roads she might wander in an extended tale.  The more I delved into her world of fearsome Halloween creatures, the more excited I became of making this ongoing story a Hallows Eve tradition.  How long could I extend Duvalla’s tale?  Well, let's see.....how long do werewolves live? 

I’ve completed the next chapter of her story for this upcoming Halloween, which I’m itching like the worst case of chicken pox in medical history to share with all my readers.  But first, I would ask you to refresh your memory and reread the beginning of Duvalla and Kresh’s story, and if you haven't had the pleasure already, please read if for the first time.  Enjoy last year’s chapter of The Tarishe Curse and don’t bite your nails off…..the next will be posted in a few more days.  But beware!  There's no turning back once you start.

Second Round A Success!

 Thank you to everyone who came by Fae's Books & Crafts last weekend in support of my second book signing. It turned out to be another rewarding event, giving me the opportunity to scribble my name and a thoughtful message in a few more copies of my book. And thank you to the sweet staff at Fae's for their help and hospitality.  They had a table and chairs set up by the door waiting for me.

Sold and signed eight books in the first hour! 

 

A few added touches to attract curious shoppers - Poster, chocolates, a nice pile of books,
and don't forget the homemade bookmarks to hand out!

 

A choice of bookmarks;
Queen Eena or Naga the Dragon


 

Would you like a piece of chocolate?
How about a bookmark?
Let me tell you about my book...




   


Friend, Karen, poses with me
Thanks for purchasing my book!



Friends, Cherise and Jackie, stand on
either side of me for a picture. 
Thanks so much for stopping by, ladies!

     
 

I would also like to thank my precious mother for spending the first hour by my side.  (Conveniently forgot to get a picture of her.  Hmmm.)  Nonetheless, it was a delight having you there, Mom.  Love you!  

Gratitude for Another Book Signing

So here I sit at my computer, snowman earrings dangling from my ears while Christmas music plays in the background.  My middle son celebrates his birthday this evening with a slumber party and the whole bash.  Next weekend is my youngest son's birthday.......whoa, pull on the reins, Rudolph, one day at a time!  Tomorrow my oldest boy will finish his Eagle Scout project with four hours of community volunteering for another good deed.  And, as if I don't have enough reasons to make a list and check it twice, I will have the pleasure of participating in my second book signing tomorrow afternoon at Fae's Books & Crafts. 

Life is a whirlwind of activity.  You gotta smile.

Anticipating some very busy days these last few weeks of 2012, I feel happy.  And I feel extremely grateful.  Life never ceases to change by degrees - little events, small details, tiny steps - all of them adding up.  Yet it's easy to overlook this when squinting to concentrate on the big elusive goal that seems so far off in the distance.  I've learned that dreams don't consist of just the finale; the culminating apex; the last act or end result.  Dreams are more than reaching some pre-determined pinnacle. 

Smile and repeat after me.....

"Remember this - the journey is part of the dream.  Whatever it is you're chasing, so long as you are actively moving in the right direction, the dream is coming true."

Every step you take forward is living the dream.  Stop squinting at the horizon!  Open your eyes wide and take a good look around.  Great things are happening, daily!

I personally may have only small successes to count at the moment, but I appreciate them.  They are my successes and have moved me closer to the ultimate goal that directs my path.  I thrill at every new 'like' on my author Facebook page.  I wonder at new followers on my Twitter account.  I smile when new readers attach one of my quotes to a website.  Though the numbers are few, I'm touched by the fact that they even exist......and for me!  Can you believe that I have fans?  Okay, I know, it's only eight legitimate Goodreads.com fans, but I, me, silly old Richelle has fans!  

I love it!  I'm so thankful that even on the tiniest scale I'm living a dream.

And I will continue to count with amazement:
-  the 40+ people that like my most-used quote
-  the 8+ people who consider my writing good enough to call themselves a fan
-  my 12+ followers on Twitter
-  the 46+ Facebook users who 'like' my page
-  the many friendly faces that kindly appear at my book signings
-  the youngest reader to manage through my story (8yrs!)
-  the 45+ times I've signed my book for a wonderful someone
And so on........

Tomorrow is my 2nd book signing.  (Yes, I am counting!)  I hope to increase the number of books that bear my scribbled signature, and I hope to see many familiar, smiling faces.  I know without a doubt that the happiness I've found in pursuing this dream of mine, though it comes in tiny steps and small numbers, would be non-existent without such incredible support.  Because of wonderful family and friends I have so much.  My heart is filled with gratefulness. 

Thank you, 
Thank you,
Cu Rahntaco,
And, Merry Christmas too!

Successful Book Signing

My oh my, how the days fly by!  It's hard to believe how much time has past since my first book signing! I am thrilled by how successfully the event transpired. It was both fun and a little nerve-racking. So here's the news....

Saturday, September 29th was the first book signing for Pacific Northwest author, Richelle E. Goodrich.  The event took place at Hastings book store in Moses Lake, Washington from 1:00 - 4:00 in the afternoon.  People lined up from the very beginning, putting an instant smile on the author's face.  "So many friends and family, it was wonderful!"



Sara and Cassie wait for their books to be personalized.

Richelle arranged a table by the front doors, assisted by her parents, Lanny and Arlene.  Chocolates and bookmarks advertising her book were set out to give away to passing customers.  "My parents were a huge help.  I'm so grateful to them for giving me their time and energy."


Trying to concentrate on writing while talking to those in line takes talent!

 
Most who attended the book signing were local residents, though friends from the Seattle area showed up to support their friend from youth.  "It was a real treat seeing David after twenty-plus years.  I was privileged to meet his wife and sweet daughter.  My best friend from high school, Jackie, accompanied them.  I can't tell you how much it meant to have their support.  I only wish I'd had more time to visit!"

Jackie and Richelle, lifelong best friends!

The event was a real success, ending with every copy available of Richelle's book, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue, SOLD!  "I should have brought more books, I guess.  38 signed to date.  Now to plan for the next book signing!" 

Mindi  keeps Richelle company for the second hour.

Re-read and Review

Since my first book was published, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue, I've taken the time to re-read the adventure.  Happily, I found myself all smiles at the last page, entertained by my own story and eager to move right into the next book.  There were multiple places where I wanted to rewrite a scene.  Never happy.  Never perfect.  (I'll admit I did make corrections in my personal digital copy of the book which led to an improved second publishing with added dialogue.)  But what author doesn't rearrange the same paragraph a dozen times, hoping to find the perfect delivery?  It is a curse.  It is a challenge.  

So I left a review on goodreads.com.  Thank you to those readers who have also posted kind reviews about Eena.  I truly appreciate it!

Eena, the Dawn and Rescue 
by Richelle E. Goodrich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was written for me, so of course I love it. The entire Harrowbethian Saga deals with relationships and fantasy exploits I often daydreamed about as a young woman. What else was there to do with all that free time in school? 

It was delightful fun inventing new cultures and then mingling them in a way that forced a cast of dynamic personalities to interrelate. Meet the strong and sexy Mishmorats, the fearless warrior Viiduns, the repulsive Ghengats, and Eena's race―cemented in tradition―the refined Harrowbethians.  There is never a dull moment in this tale, whether running from frightful, gem-eyed dragons (that receive names in book two) or surviving the persecution of Ghengats or taking sides in conflicts between blood-related enemies as well as reluctant friends. Get ready to find yourself hooked on a lively fantasy-scifi-adventure-romance because this is just the beginning of Eena's unusual adventures! 

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