Hello, It's Me - P. L. Parker

I've always been interested in the paranormal – ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night – so paranormal is the perfect genre for me. Time travel especially interests me. What could be more exciting than traveling to a distant time and meeting a gorgeous hunk (which in reality probably wouldn't happen – but this is romantic fiction and I can do what I want). In my real life, I am a legal assistant with a downtown law firm in Boise, Idaho. I am married to my best friend and fan, a proud mother of 3 sons and a baby granddaughter who is just amazing. Previously, I choreographed, taught and performed dance for over 27 years but quit so I could take part in my other interests. I started writing in approximately January of 2006, finished my first novel “Fiona,” that summer and sold it to The Wild Rose Press in late December, 2006 or early January 2007. I sold my second novel “Riley’s Journey” to The Wild Rose Press shortly thereafter.

Besides my two novels already in print, I have a Free Read available through The Wild Rose Press, "Prophecy's Bride," about a young woman's thoughts just before she walks down the aisle. I also have two upcoming releases. My third novel, “Aimee’s Locket” is about a young woman who is thrown back through time to 1847 and the start of the Oregon Trail. My shorter story, “Heart of the Sorcerer,” is again about time travel and involves a painting on the wall which is the portal to the past. I am currently working on a vampire story which is in its finishing stages.

I find research into my subjects to be interesting and rewarding. “Riley’s” was an exciting research project, but so was “Fiona.” Sometimes I get so involved in the research, I forget to write. “Fiona” began when I watched the Discovery Channel about the Urumchi Mummies found in Northern China near the Taklamakan Desert. One of the mummies found was a young blonde woman thought to be a sacrificial victim. Made me sad so I decided she needed a happier ending. "Riley's Journey" just happened because I love stories about the Ice Age. "Aimee's Locket" came into being when I was reading a story about the Oregon Trail and "Heart of the Sorcerer" was just an attempt to write a shorter story. I truly find writing shorter stories hard for me because I have too much to say.

I think my best advice to other authors is to write about subjects that interest you and write with passion. Feel what your characters are feeling and then try to put it in words.

Riley’s Journey
By P. L. Parker

The research project was only supposed to be for an “extended period.” No one said anything about forever! So Riley’s journey begins. Sent back 40,000 years to be the mate of a man she’d never before met, Riley struggles to understand and adjust. Her journey will take her into a world fraught with dangers - a world made more treacherous by savage beasts, primitive Neanderthals, and the incursion of the aggressive Cro-Magnon man.
Surviving alone for five years in this vast wilderness, Nathan, along with his enormous dog, Demon, carve out a life in the perilous environment. Though thrown together by forces beyond their control, love grows between Riley and Nathan – but will they survive?

Excerpt:

Nathan bellowed a war cry and jumped into the fray, slashing and whirling in a lethal dance of death. More than one newcomer instantly fell beneath his onslaught, but more entered the battle. Riley’s hand fastened on her war club and, gripping it tightly, she moved into position behind Nathan, protecting his back as he dealt blow after blow on the now surprised and defensive warriors.
Moving in time with Nathan, Riley matched his ferocity, enraged by the unwarranted attack and fighting as though demons snapped at her heels. They fought as one, joined by their will to survive amidst overwhelming odds. Had Nathan had the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle, he would have applauded the intensity and determination with which she landed every blow. She was an Amazon woman of myth, a Valkyrie of the Asgaard, or a Warrior Queen. The months of combat training and warfare techniques drilled into her on a daily basis came into fruition, culminating in this single moment. She defended her position well, holding out against the rampaging aggressors, meting out vicious blows to those who ventured too close.

Fiona
By P. L. Parker

Love survives the ravages of time. Set against the backdrop of the Taklamakan Desert, Fiona, a beautiful modern young woman of Celtic heritage, finds herself transported to ancient China, to a time of barbarian warriors, marauding nomads from the northern steppes, and at what was then a crossroad between East and West. Fiona finds a new way of life in the arms of the handsome warrior, Kellach, a man of noble stature and a leader among the Celtic settlements ringing the great desert.
Desperate to return to the present and struggling against her mounting feelings, Fiona finally accepts her fate, exulting in the rapture and delights of Kellach’s love, only to have Voadicia, a beautiful seductress, destroy that dream of happiness. Kellach’s soul searches the mists of time, yearning to be reunited with his one love.

Excerpt:

There it was again, Fiona thought, I definitely heard something this time. She slowly turned around and gasped. She was definitely hallucinating now. It appeared to her muddled mind that horsemen were standing in a line behind her. Because of the sun’s positioning and her injured eye, she wasn’t able to really see them clearly, but from their outline, they almost looked like Indians. But, no, the sun glinted off what appeared to be shades of blonde, red and brown hair. Perhaps they were from the Festival, they certainly looked the part. It was all just too confusing and she couldn’t grasp the significance of what was occurring.
Kellach’s men recoiled. The crone’s visage was a nightmare to be sure. The left side of her face was a mass of purplish bruises and her left eye was swollen shut. Dried blood covered the right side of face and her lips were swollen and cracked. She appeared to be ancient, so bent over was she. A shawl covered her head, and strands of dirty white hair hung around her face. Her clothing was filthy and torn in a good number of places. From a quick perusal, Kellach could see that she had tied her left arm to her body and was leaning heavily on the stick she carried.
Fiona dropped to her knees, “Thank god,” she croaked, “I had almost given up. What took you so long?” She almost didn’t recognize her own voice, it was so hoarse and gravelly sounding.
Kellach looked around the group, “Do any of you understand what she said?” They all looked blank.


Coming Soon From The Wild Rose Press
Aimee’s Locket
By P. L. Parker

The antique ivory locket was the key! Exquisite and enchanting, it drew Aimee like a magnet. Though the locket cost every spare penny she had, it was money well spent – or so she thought! Catapulted back to the year 1847, Aimee finds herself alone in St. Louis, Missouri, the jumping off site for the Oregon Trail. The much touted slogan “Go West Young Man” takes on new meaning. Seattle, her home in the present, was a distant dream, and unless she found a suitable male willing to marry, Aimee would be left behind when the emigrant train departed, bound for the Oregon Territory.
Jake Marshall, scout for the Markham Party, was the perfect, if unwilling choice. Undaunted by his overt rudeness, Aimee entices Jake to the altar, promising her diamond earrings as payment for a marriage of convenience. Properly wed, she thereby secures passage on the wagon train, and embarks on a chain of events that would ultimately culminate in the far reaches of the great American West.

Heart of the Sorcerer
By: P.L. Parker

Drawn inexplicably back to her childhood home, Annalisa returns, seeking to fill the void existing in her loveless life. Granny Jean, Annalisa’s adopted grandmother, failing in health and mental acuity, endeavors to discover the secrets of Annalisa’s soul, wanting nothing more than Annalisa to be happy before Gran leaves this earth.
A picture hangs over the mantle of Gran’s cottage depicting a beautiful man of another time, a man who haunts Annalisa’s every dream, a man who calls her to return.
Unknown to Annalisa, Gran and Alec, the man in the painting, have set forth a course of events to eventually send Annalisa back, back into the arms of Alec.

Available Now from the Wild Rose Press Free Reads:

Prophecy’s Bride
By P. L. Parker

The portents named her the future queen and prophetess - a divination Jessamin fervently resists. Forced to wed a man she’s never seen, Jessamin’s prospects appear bleak and without hope. Can Tabor’s presence at the altar transform her grim imaginings?

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I can be contacted at plparker@plparker.com or plparker92@yahoo.com. My web page is http://www.plparker.com/.

Blessings to all during this Holiday Season. Patsy