Blog Archives
May We Always Remember . . .
Once again it is Memorial Day, and for many it is a long weekend for camping, parties, lots of sales, and even Memorial Day cruises. There are many reasons why this day is notable. But let’s not forget the real reason – the important reason. It was set aside to remember and honor all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the military service of America . . . Those who died fighting to preserve our lives and our freedom. They won’t be here to celebrate with us because they gave up everything for us. So amidst our celebrations, let’s pause and take time to remember the thousands of men and women whose lives were cut short so that we could live, and be with those we love to enjoy our freedoms.
God help us to remember the cost of our blessings and to remain worthy of that cost.
Solitaire
DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Creature Feature – Bubalos
BUBALOS-
An animal that is similar to what we know as a bison or buffalo; they roamed on the Provinces of Hell and were the main food source for dragons, and also on the menu for the citizens. They were bulky oversized animals, not terribly intelligent and often cranky, but extremely useful. Large fields were cultivated outside the Palace, and as the bubalos were procured, pens were built for the massive number of creatures. They migrated twice a year from the more barren lands of the Provinces to the northwestern edge of Hell proper, where they fed on the grasslands produced during that time of year. The Dark Lord’s daughter, Katherine, even had bubalos brought in to feed the Hell hounds living within the city. Being such large creatures, they were often bridled and used for transporting supplies from place to place when needed. The hide from a bubalos could be tanned and used for various articles of clothing or types of baggage.
Read more about life on the Provinces in the following book –
DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Part One – The Burning Sky
A prequel book to the Dragomeir Series
Find this book and many more at
Solitaire
WHY DO WE LOVE DRAGONS?
Dragons are magical, mythical winged creatures that we find both thrilling and frightening. Both adults and younger readers seem to find them equally fantastic. We’d like to believe that they might have once existed, and they are legendary in almost every culture on the planet, so why not?
They have traditionally been viewed as perilous, dangerous creatures with magical qualities that laid waste to the countryside and carried off damsels in distress, thereby having to be sought after and conquered. Some authors have written about them with this view in mind – Tolkien, Ursula K. LeGuin, and J. K. Rowling, to name a few. The fantasy writer, Anne McCaffrey, explored human kinship with dragons, man and animal befriending one another. Countless children’s books have now brought these fantastic creatures into the next generation to be both feared and loved.
I have continued with Anne McCaffrey’s affinity of dragon and man in my Dragomeir Series books, and now in the new prequel series, Daughter of the Dark Lord – Part One – The Burning Sky, and the forthcoming Daughter of the Dark Lord – Part Two – The Alberra Project. (There will definitely be a Part Three!)
Dragons introduce a much needed magic and adrenaline into our lives – the appeal of being unpredictable and potentially dangerous that emulates our challenges, frustrations and achievements in an exhilarating and exceptional way. Dragons never play by anyone’s rules.
Nowadays, dragons are our constant companions in novels, movies and computer games. They are the most familiar and respected creatures from fantasy and legend. They can give us an emotional reaction of faithful friendship, as well as the opportunity to fly. Dragons allow us to feel indestructible and open up our imaginations. They give us wings.
Solitaire
What are your favorite dragons?
Latest Book from Solitaire : Prequel to the Dragomeir Series – Part One
DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Part One – THE BURNING SKY
The first Prequel Book to the Dragomeir Series
(A saga of dragons, demons, fierce creatures and dragon riders)
BEFORE IT ALL BEGAN . . .
A daughter born to the cruel tyrant of the Provinces, the Dark Lord
An incredible child of great skill and abilities
A long awaited prophecy yet to be fulfilled
A remarkable and enduring gift – a Dragon egg
Friends, allies and enemies embroiled in conflict for their lives amidst schemes and unruly allegiances
Who is this child and how does her life impact the future?
– THE PREQUEL
AND THE ENTIRE DRAGOMEIR SERIES
IS AVAILABLE NOW in multiple formats at the following sites –
Enjoy the sci-fi/urban fantasy world of Dragomeir!
Happy Reading.
Solitaire
Any questions about the books? Leave me a comment.
Cover Reveal : Daughter of the Dark Lord – Part One – The Burning Sky
The new PREQUEL BOOK to the DRAGOMEIR SERIES is coming out this month and HERE IS THE COVER! The new book –
Daughter of the Dark Lord, Part One, The Burning Sky
– will inform you about the early years of “The Ariella”, Queen of the Dragons at Mt. Drago. It gives a better understanding of her earliest moments and how the environment into which she was born and the people surrounding her, shaped the character of a child and led to the unique leader she became. And of course, her best friend and dragon companion, Exxa, played an important role in shaping her life. So, if you loved the dragons in the Dragomeir Series, along with all the other amazing creatures, Daughter of the Dark Lord will give you an engaging look into the past of the Queen of the Dragons that will keep you wondering what happens next!
Check out the Dragomeir Series and my other books at www.solitaireparke.com.
Solitaire
Cover Reveal – “Tinker Smith & the Conspiracy of Oz”
COVER REVEAL of the new novel by the author of the Dragomeir Books and the Larger World Series, SOLITAIRE PARKE is excited to introduce –
“TINKER SMITH & THE CONSPIRACY OF OZ”
– The Iconic characters of L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic “Wizard of Oz” books are revived once again with an entirely new twist that is more in step with the present times –
Ten children are stolen from their parents while at a summer camp and genetically altered. They have become part human and part something else, each with extraordinary capabilities. These new abilities cause them to become freaks in a society that is being altered by the geneticist who made them – Oscar Zoroaster, the self proclaimed Wizard of Oz. His technological prowess is far beyond standard science and he deploys it on an unsuspecting populace causing worldwide chaos. This evil genius wants to reshape the world using a computer virus called EPITOMY and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Johnny, a young boy and his father find themselves thrust into this world of espionage and technology that stretch their imaginations to the limit. Johnny meets Tinker, one of the ten children, and together they forge ahead in the hope of survival.
Unknown to anyone, Oscar has created a subprogram within the virus, the Oz Immortality Sequence. In the event of death – reanimation takes effect. Can it be stopped, or has Oz unleashed a technological mammoth that will bring the world to its knees?
The Oz books were originally written for children, but became classics for all ages, eventually being made into several unforgettable movies. “The Wizard of Oz” movie of 1939 went on to become one of the most watched movies in cinematic history. If you are a fan of L. Frank Baum’s books, or even if you’ve never read them before, this new novel with its compelling characters and their camaraderie, seemingly impossible obstacles and exciting fates will keep you captivated in this uncommon fantasy world.
Keep checking for future updates on this forthcoming novel!
Solitaire
VISIT MY NEW WEBSITE!!!
Hello Readers! The new website is now up and running! So come visit and read the latest news about the Dragomeir Books, as well as the Larger World Series, and much more. You’ll find my Blog, Fun Facts and Extras, and discover what books are forthcoming. See you at the website!
Solitaire
Have any questions or things you’d like to know about? Contact me!
New Website Coming Very Soon!
Hello fellow readers! Can you believe it’s nearly September already? Labor Day is nearly upon us. We’re watching Summer pass us by and we’re heading into Fall again. Well, at least some of the country gets to enjoy the autumn time of year. Those of us who live in Arizona are still stuck in the “hot” time-warp zone.
Time does fly when you have a million ideas in your head and are trying to get your thoughts together for additional books, not to mention, “life” tends to hand us a myriad of interruptions every day. I Just wanted to let you know that I’ve been really busy lately putting together an entirely new Website. The new site will be easier to navigate and give you all kinds of engaging information about my books and a host of other topics and practical tips. You’ll be able to read the latest updates, purchase books, read the current blog entries, go to my shop – The Omnicon, contact me, or just peruse the extras page for surprising or just plain fun information. So stay tuned and join me for a few diversions, along with the latest information about the Dragomeir Series and some forthcoming new books! It’ll be up soon, so keep in touch and have a great day!
I hope you’ll join me at www.solitaireparke.com.
Solitaire
Stress Survival 101!
Relieving and managing stress is definitely a necessary survival skill, especially in this crazy fast-paced, technology driven world in which we live today. Authors stress about all sorts of things – whether readers will like our books, deadlines, writer’s block, book sales, the next new project, and a host of everyday things we call “life.” We all have this annoying affliction caused by work deadlines, an overabundance of traffic, countless family obligations, health problems, and who knows what else! Relaxation . . . That’s just crazy talk! So how is it possible to cram more time into a day when it’s packed full of “stuff” to do already? I don’t have the answer to that question, but there are experts out there in the cyber-world that seem to have some suggestions. Maybe it’s time we started listening to some of them before we become another stressed out statistic! (Stress is a major cause of heart attacks, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and the list goes on and on. Doesn’t sound good.) So see if any of these ideas might be helpful –
- Lower stress through your diet by making smart food choices that actually help your immune system to function properly rather than try to compensate for all the bad food we eat. Eating whole real food restores balance and reduces the effects of stress on your body. There is a connection between your stomach and your brain. Give your brain something healthy to work with.Release endorphins through exercise. Get your body moving and stop being so sedentary – dance, walk, do Yoga, Martial Arts, swimming, run up and down the stairs or whatever you like to do. Stand up and do some stretches if you can’t do anything else at the time. Our bodies were not designed to sit still for too long. Just get moving!!!
- Get a decent night’s sleep. Sleep and stress cause a vicious cycle. Lack of sleep makes it harder to handle the problems of the next day, which causes more stress. Allow your body to slow down right before bedtime – turn off the technology, as hard as that may be. Your body will thank you for it.
- Breathe. Yes, we do it all the time, but slow down your heart rate with slow deep breathing which will lower your blood pressure and allow you to calm down and relax. Never underestimate the power of just taking deep, slow breaths. Slow down that ragged life style for a little while.
- Have an attitude of being grateful for everything and everyone in your life. It has an amazing affect on your physical, psychological, and relational well-being. Increased positive emotions means greater stress tolerance, better relationships, improved overall health and better sleep. Create a daily habit of remembering what you are thankful for. There is too much negativity in this world already. Don’t add to it.
- Be realistic in your expectations of yourself and others. Don’t expect everything to go perfectly. People will never be perfect. Have healthy responses to conflicts at work and at home, and don’t be so hard on yourself. You can’t control what people are going to do or say, but you can control your reactions to it. Attempt to be the better person. It’s much less stressful when things don’t go as planned, and let’s face it, there are always surprises.
- Identify your priorities and establish boundaries. Consider what is the most important and put that as a priority. Say “no” to lesser priorities and if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. You might need to set a specific time to exercise or spend quality time with a loved one, or to do something work related. This can keep you from feeling “pulled” in too many directions, or risk disappointment or resentment. Manage your time wisely.
- Take some “alone” time for yourself. It might only be 5 or 10 minutes, but go somewhere away from everyone and just relax and breathe. Walk outside and take in the beauty of nature, do some yoga, take a short rest and calm your mind, or listen to music. Go collect your thoughts and clear your head. Give yourself a break.
- Organize your life. Clean up your desk, or your house. Living in a cluttered world makes your mind cluttered as well. Keep things where they belong so you can find them again. It makes your life less stressful if you don’t have to hunt for something that you need at the time. Organize and unclutter your world. Your brain will thank you for it!
- Socialize and have fun. Laughter is great for your health. Visit with friends, or play Frisbee with your dog, play with your children at their level, watch funny videos on Youtube, or plan a vacation. Take a break from whatever is stressing you out and do something that’s fun. Too much work is not good for you physically or mentally.
So take some time to de-stress and have a great day!
Solitaire
Hul Gil – the “Joy Plant”
The opium poppy is widely cultivated and its worldwide production is monitored by international agencies. It is used for production of dried latex and opium, the principal precursor of narcotic and analgesic opiates such as morphine, heroin and codeine. Poppy seeds are rich in oil, carbohydrates, calcium and protein.
The earliest reference to opium was in 3,400 BC where the Sumerians in lower Mesopotamia referred to it as Hul Gil, the “Joy Plant.” They, in turn, passed the knowledge of the opium poppy to the Assyrians, who gave it to the Babylonians, who passed it on to the Egyptians. The Egyptians were famous for their poppy fields and the opium trade flourished during the eighteenth dynasty (around 1500 to 1300 BC) under the reigns of Thutmose IV, Akhenaton and King Tutankhamen. Roman gladiators used opium to enhance their fighting … and to die as painlessly as possible if mortally wounded.
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, saw opium as a helpful narcotic for treating disease. The great physician Galen cautioned that opium should be used sparingly in 158 AD. He said it was better to endure pain than to be bound to the drug. It wasn’t until 400 AD that opium was introduced into China by Arab traders.
Alexander the Great used opium to help his soldiers march farther because they couldn’t feel the pain in their feet; and they could sleep through the night because the wounded were sleeping peacefully under the influence of opium. He introduced opium to India, where its cultivation flourished. One of the goals of Columbus was to bring back opium from India, as its access had been cut off when the Arabs were expelled from Spain. He didn’t get to India, but he brought back tobacco from the New World and smoking tobacco became common throughout Europe.
In 1803, a German chemist named Friedrich Sertuerner synthesized morphine from opium. Sertuerner’s wife overdosed on morphine and died. He then publically warned against its dangers. But morphine was also a great step forward in medicine. It allowed doctors to do true surgery for the first time. Morphine was heralded as “God’s own medicine” for its reliability and long-lasting effects. By 1827, the E. Merck & Company of Darmstadt Germany was commercially manufacturing morphine.
A new technique for administering morphine was developed by Dr. Alexander Wood of Edinburg when he invented the syringe in 1843. Wood believed that if morphine was injected instead of swallowed, “patients would not hunger for it.” He was wrong; and several of his patients became dependent.
John Witherspoon warned his fellow doctors in a June 23, 1900 article about their indiscriminant use of morphine. The morphine habit was growing at an alarming rate; and doctors were culpable for “too often giving this seductive siren until the will-power is gone.” Pointing to the Great First Physician, he said doctors should “save our people from the clutches of this hydra-headed monster” which wrecked lives and filled jails and lunatic asylums.
In my forthcoming book –
“Daughter of the Dark Lord, Book One, The Burning Sky”
the Dark Lord of the Provinces, a manipulative, heartless and cruel ruler, attempts to control the Denizen people that he rules by allowing them to become addicted to the medicinal serum. His plan is to cut off the supply of the Hul Gil, and then establish it once again, only this time with contingencies tacked on. In essence, he would be creating voluntary slavery with himself as the Dictator. Whenever the Dark Lord wanted something, he would simply cut off the drug until the people complied with his wishes, thereby maintaining power over those he considered to be worthless underlings. His daughter, Katherine, who is aware of the monster that is her father, is still shocked and stunned at the depths of his sadistic inhumanity and is determined once again to thwart his malevolent efforts.
The book takes place on the Provinces of Hell, not a destination that anyone would want to find themselves, and yet to her chagrin, Katherine is not only the Dark Lord’s daughter, but a potential victim of his evil plot. She must find a way to survive and somehow escape this retched place.
The book is in the editing stages right now, but in the meantime, keep checking back for updates and more interesting facts about Katherine and those who choose to fight in her behalf in –
“Daughter of the Dark Lord, Book One, The Burning Sky”
A prequel book to the Dragomeir Series Books One – Three
Also available for purchase at www.solitaireparke.com and various other locations – in multiple formats.
Solitaire
Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 