Saturday, October 31, 2009

Wolves and the Moon: Metaphorical Symbolism in Reality Fiction

Why do wolves howl at the moon?

Well, they don’t, of course. Not in reality. They howl while the moon is out and literature – yes, we writers – perpetuates the howling wolf at a full moon scenario so often they are forever intertwined. Why not? Myth and legend are powerful things. In a strange way, they help us rationalize our world when nothing else makes sense. And it can be a lot of fun.

I don’t write paranormal, but I couldn’t help jumping in on the paranormal event here [originally posted at Lindsay’s Romantics Oct 2009)  since I do draw on symbolism that comes from supernatural events to create metaphor in my next-to-come, Off The Moon.

The biggest superstition I pulled was that of the full moon relating to insanity. The book title is a hint at the heroine, Kaitlyn, who could be an actual case study for a psychologist (and may become that). It’s said that there are more “crazy” happenings and more suicides under a full moon. Statistics don’t verify that, but it’s so ingrained in our cultural myths by now that statistics hardly matter.

I hear you scientist type people out there groaning about now. But few will deny the power of the mind. Do strange things happen because of the full moon? Yes, I’m quite sure they do. Why? Because so many of us tell ourselves they do and thoughts are highly self-perpetuating. In other words, because we expect strange things to happen, we help cause them to happen or we relate it to the full moon when otherwise we wouldn’t.

I also used the wolf symbol as a metaphor. Wolves are strong animals, and familial. We all know the phrase, “wolves mate for life.” Wolves are also seen as lonely because of their mournful howl. In my novel, Ryan has a thing for wolves although he thinks of himself as rather an antithesis of a wolf. He’s independent but only to the point he has everyone else doing everything for him, pop star fashion, and he thinks his temporary companionships are all he wants in between his musical freedom. The wolf touches his soul, though, and he can’t deny its spirit within himself. Some authors have a hero turn into a werewolf to show his powerful animal nature. I have my anti-hero draw on his wolf spirit to turn into a hero.

Off The Moon is reality fiction highly steeped in symbols and metaphors often used in the paranormal world. The mating of the “crazy” heroine with the “wolf” anti-hero brings about sparks diffused by the calming symbolism of water.  


Happy Halloween!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the Story
:

"Riveting" Ryan Reynauld is immersed in a world of music, parties, and temporary companionship. Having risen to the top of the pop charts, his biggest concern is objecting to the way his music is produced. That is, until he finds a young woman standing on a window ledge. Against the advice of family and friends, and through media attacks and fan protests, Ryan determines to care for her himself, making a promise that threatens to destroy his career.

Convincing the skittish girl she can learn to trust again comes with a steep price. Sometimes the path to recovery begins by allowing your world to implode.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

I’m Going On Tour!

CRR Promotions has done a wonderful job booking me on blogs all through November to talk about my books and to promote my newest, Off The Moon, release date November 27th!

Come follow me!  I’m giving away a new short story, unreleased, that goes with the novel as a bit of a prequel at each blog stop. A drawing will be held by each host. The story will be printed, signed, and mailed to each winner at the end of November. Also, anyone who follows me to at least 8 of the 15 stops is eligible for a drawing for a signed print copy of Off The Moon!

THANK YOU to the following blog tour hosts!  Content will be different each day, to include author and character interviews. (I’m missing two links below but they will be added well in advance of the dates.)

I’ll be here to post reminders of where I’ll be and the subject for each blog. If you’d like an easy way to keep up, subscribe to my blog with the form to the right. Your email will not be shared or used for any other purpose than notification of new posts here.

01-Nov

    Judah Raine
http://judahraine.com/romancewriteup/

03-Nov

    Jane Richardson http://janerichardsonhomethoughts.blogspot.com/

05-Nov

    Sue Perkins
http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

07-Nov

    Linda Banche
http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/

09-Nov

    Sandra Kay
http://www.sandrakayauthor.blogspot.com/

11-Nov

    Liana Laverentz
http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/

13-Nov

    Nancy O'Berry
http://obe-romancingtheblog.blogspot.com/

15-Nov

    Sandra Sookoo http://www.sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/

17-Nov

    Lainey Bancroft http://www.elaineforlife.com/LaineysBlog

19-Nov

    Lindsay’s Romantics http://lindsaysromantics.blogspot.com

21-Nov

    Maryann Miller


23-Nov

    Sandy James
http://www.sandy-james.com/stable

25-Nov

    Lizzie Starr

27-Nov

    CRR - Release Date http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog/

29-Nov

    Steph Burkhart
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/

Off The Moon - LK Hunsaker

"Riveting" Ryan Reynauld is immersed in a world of music, parties, and temporary companionship. Having risen to the top of the pop charts, his biggest concern is objecting to the way his music is produced. That is, until he finds a young woman standing on a window ledge. Against the advice of family and friends, and through media attacks and fan protests, Ryan determines to care for her himself, making a promise that threatens to destroy his career.

Convincing the skittish girl she can learn to trust again comes with a steep price. Sometimes the path to recovery begins by allowing your world to implode.

Elucidate Publishing
November 2009
http://www.elucidatepublishing.net

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Smashwords Supports Operation Ebook Drop

Anyone who has known me for any time knows I'm highly military supportive. So when I found this new project yesterday that combines my support of the military with my support of literacy (and love of reading in general), I had to sign on.

Operation Ebook Drop, formed and run by indie author Edward C. Patterson, allows independent authors to donate free copies of their Ebooks to deployed servicemembers. [I'm unsure about contracted authors -- you would have to check with your publishers.] I signed up last night and already have a list of names to contact. Only five weeks into the program and there's a long and growing list of servicemembers looking for books to help fill down time, and over 70 indie authors signed up. If you have a loved one deployed who would like to be included, or if you are an author interested in signing up, more info is at the link below.

Smashwords: Smashwords Supports Operation Ebook Drop

I'll be sending out emails today and will post updates as to how it's going. If the link doesn't work for you, contact me directly at info @ lkhunsaker.com (take spaces out) and I'll send you the info you need!

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Book Review: Fire Eyes by Cheryl Pierson

FireEyes-CherylPiersonFire Eyes
Cheryl Pierson

The Wild Rose Press
ISBN 1-60154-470-7
available in Ebook & print

Kaedon Turner is a federal marshal in the days just after the War Between The States. After his parents are killed by Indians, Kaed is rescued and raised by the Choctaw before setting off on his own path, first as a soldier, than as a marshal. When he is severely beaten trying to rescue two young Choctaw girls, the Indians rescue him and drop him at the door of Jessica Monroe.

Jessica is a young widow caring for a baby not her own in the wild Oklahoma Territory. While taking care of the marshal and nursing him back to health, she finds herself falling for his advances. He shows a promise of giving her the attention and devotion she never received from her husband. Still, she’s wary, especially when she learns he’s on the track of the notorious Andrew Fallon – the man who murdered her husband.

Both Kaed and Jessica enter the story with plenty of personal baggage. Fire Eyes is the story of how they face their own intimate fears while battling external dangers. Jessica is afraid of the Choctaw and of allowing herself to trust Kaed. He, in return, is haunted by his own loss and determined not to feel it again. Along with these two deep, true-to-life characters are several supporting characters we get to know well and care about. Fallon is one of the most evil villains you’ll run across, complete with background. The side story of two young girls who escaped Fallon’s clutches is endearing and adds a wider scope to the whole picture.

Along the way, we get lush detail of the landscape as well as some historical background of the times. Cheryl Pierson has a knack for creating intensity with both description and plot that refuses to let you out of the story until you’ve read the whole thing, and even then, it stays with you. There are no clichès concerning the ‘wild west’ or Native American life. I wasn’t always fully convinced that the group of marshals would be quite so open with their emotions as they were, but at least they did have emotion instead of being impervious to their pasts and present (ie John Wayne). 

Overall, Fire Eyes is a smooth, realistic read with wonderful characterization, real dialogue, and an absorbing fullness. Any reader interested in romance and westerns will enjoy this one!

A light note of caution: this is on the spicier side of non-erotic romance in places, but readers can easily move past those short scenes if bothered by them.