The Tarishe Curse... Continued

Halloween Again.

Honestly, it's not my favorite holiday.  The gory masks and haunted houses meant to cause alarming nightmares and the unsettling eeriness that does nothing but disturb my peaceful spirit—these things have never gone over big with me.  But I will admit that I really do like the idea of dressing up to pretend for a day while hording a jack-o-lantern stuffed full of free candy from neighbors who will never ever realize that I live only two houses down from them. 

This year I’ve discovered something I seriously want to own—a GIANT spider that jumps out with raised front legs, nearly scaring the ghost out of anyone who crosses its path.  A great big smile for the person who invented that Halloween gizmo!  Never ceases to creep me out.  (I hate spiders.)

You might be wondering why exactly I write on ongoing Hallows Eve suspense horrorish-thriller if it’s not my….uh, cup of witch’s brew?  The answer is, because I happen to know the actual Queen of Halloween; she’s a friend who truly does possess a spooky love for the holiday.  It was her obsession with witches and warlocks conjuring up midnight spells under a full moon where werewolves howl in the distant background and vampire bats flit above monstrous gargoyles as they come to life on cemetery grounds housing dead pirates whose ghoulish spirits rise from their plots on this one night a year.  It was my curious fascination with her obsession that helped me think up The Tarishe Curse.  Then someone suggested that I expand on the original story.  Upon further consideration I accepted the challenge, and now it has become my trick-or-treat tradition to write a new chapter every year, posted on my author blog for anyone who wishes a little free Halloween reading treat.

And so, without further goblin gibberish meant to stall, I present for your Hallows Eve entertainment pleasure the next chapter in the life of Duvalla, Queen of Werefolk.  And once again I dedicate this story to Cathie Hunt, the lady obsessed with Halloween. 

(In case you’re wondering—yes, you can expect another chapter next year about this same time.  I’ve already begun….)   

Vengeance, retaliation, retribution, revenge are deceitful brothers;

vile, beguiling demons promising justifiable compensation

to a pained soul for his losses.

Yet in truth they craftily fester away all else of worth remaining.
~ Richelle E. Goodrich

Copyright 2013 Richelle E. Goodrich

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.

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!

First Book Signing

The date has been set, and YOU'RE INVITED!

Saturday, September 29th
1:00 - 4:00 pm 
@ Hastings Book Store in Moses Lake, WA.
My first book signing! 

If you have a copy of my book, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue, please come to Hastings and get it signed.  There will be a few copies of my book available for purchase.  You're welcome to stop by and say hello.  Stay and chat for a while.  I hope to see many friendly faces! 

You can buy the paperback or e-book 
version online now!


in PAPERBACK or E-BOOK
KINDLE   NOOK    KOBO   iTUNES 

Thanks so very much everyone for your support!
- Richelle E. Goodrich