Connecting Branches in the Family Tree

 

Have you traced your ancestry? Discovering our lineage is popular in the U.S. Everyone wants to know where we came from and what our forbears were like. The process is easy. Register with one of the websites or send in a sample of DNA, and in a few weeks, you learn your history.

When I was young, these sites didn’t exist. (Neither did the internet, LOL.) If someone wanted to find out about their predecessors, a genealogy chart was constructed using county records, bibles, and newspaper archives. One of my great uncles developed an interest in researching our clan before I was born. He followed many generations back, compiled all his work into a thick book, made numerous copies, and sent them to all the branches of the family. My mother had one, so I grew up hearing stories about the famous (and infamous) people from our bloodline. When I was old enough, I was allowed to access the book. It’s dry, with fading mimeographed pages and small, arcane symbols, but if read with imagination, the past comes alive.

One of my ancestors was Susannah Martin, who was hanged in Salem in 1692. Another was Cotton Mather, the magistrate who presided over the Salem Witch Trials. When I realized that I am descended from both a woman executed for witchcraft and the judge who sentenced her, my fantasy took flight.

What if this happened to a book protagonist who was a descendant of both accused and accuser? What would she be like? What would make her unique, and what would cause her trouble? What would be the repercussions of the merging of the lines?

The idea became Witch Trial Legacy which releases October 11. The heroine, Sybilla Sanborn, is descended from both the condemned woman and the man who denounced her.

Sybilla has the gift of healing touch from half her heritage. From the other, she receives a curse. She sees visions of future tragedies, but when she tries to warn people, no one will believe her.

Then, she discovers Cassadaga, Florida, home to mediums, psychics, and spiritualists. A medium reveals the source of Sybilla’s problem was transmitted through the generations.

Sybilla must find a way to convince people to heed her warnings.

But when she learns what she will have to do, the cost may be too great.

Everyone has interesting roots. I would love to hear about your antecedents. Respond to this post with a few words about some cool characters from your family tree. Or some terrible ones you wish you weren’t related to.

I’ll pick one person who comments and gift you with a $10.00 Amazon card. C’mon. Brag a little! You know you want to! (Contest closes at midnight July 25, 2021.)

Thank you for joining us on the Pen Dames blog! We appreciate you!

                                                                                                                               

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Character Interview: Garnet McAnna from Lord of Fire

 

I'm with the Interstellar Post, and today I'm pleased to interview Garnet McAnna from the paranormal fantasy romance, Lord of Fire, Wytchfae #5.

Ms. McAnna, thank you for meeting with me. Your work in saving innocent fae familiars has been well documented. If you don't mind, today we'll speak on a lighter note. Are you happy with the setting of your story in Lord of Fire?

Call me Garnet. As for the question, are you serious? The Florida locale was fun, but my author wields a sadistic quill where I’m concerned. Not only did she plonk me into a risqué club called Slice to be sold to the highest bidder, but before I could get in a good lip-lock with my hunky guy Gabriel, she stuck me in the Middle Ages during witch-burning times! When I asked her about it, I admit I was a little on the grumpy side. Her reply? “We must give the reader an interesting story.” Then she had the gall to suggest it was Gabriel, me, and the demons who kept on waltzing into trouble. “I’m only a conduit.” Some nerve on that book-broad!

Are you upset your name is not in the title?

Not at all. I love nothing more than to pay tribute to the Lord of Fire, my Gabriel. *breathless pant* However, I will admit that my mind played around with some cute alternative titles. Any of those would have worked if my author hadn’t been secretly gone on my man. Things like Garnet McAnna: Demon Hunter or maybe Garnet Stokes the Fire. *chuckles*

Who was your favorite supporting character?

Anyone but the alligator. Okay, I'll be sincere. Fern is my best friend, of course, and Estelle helped save my life. I must say I enjoyed getting to know Angel, as well. She’s a little madcap, but who wouldn’t be, with a hot rock star boyfriend like Lucien Silver?

Were you happy with your wardrobe?

Meh. I loathed that red slinky dress they put me in at Slice. It was slit from here to Timbuktu in both front and back. Later I got a thrill to see it draped over a chair in ruined tatters. I did love it when my author put me in Gabriel’s blue shirt though. It smelled delicious, just like him. *secret smile*

Is your love interest the way you pictured him? Or would you have preferred another type, say with different hair or eye color?

Never in a million years did I imagine meeting an irresistible dark guardian in the forest at midnight while on my way to hunt down a demon. As for hair, Gabriel has luxurious hair—long, silky in my hands, and black enough to show blue streaks. And his eyes! Gold no less! Other men pale in comparison, let me tell you. Oops, thanks so much for your interest. Gotta go—Gabriel’s texting me to come over and go horseback riding. 

No problem. Thank you for your time. Would you ask the Lord of Fire if he'll grant an interview later on?

Will do. See ya! *pants and smiles*

For Garnet and Gabriel's story, please consider Lord of Fire. That's it for now, readers. Stay tuned for more star interviews from the Interstellar Post.

Cheers from the Pen Dames--Heart, Humor, and Happily Ever After!

Posted by Flossie Benton Rogers