Blog Archives
Memorial Day 2024 – America Remembers
Once again, the last Monday of May is upon us. 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.
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave.”
Solitaire
Accepting Being Imperfect
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of mending broken pottery by joining pieces back together and filling cracks with lacquer mixed with gold. It highlights the flaws in the repaired item. In our world today there seems to be no end to the broken pieces of our society and we are all a part of it in some way. But these pieces can be put back together again and be made stronger than before with work on our part. I am reminded of this when I look at Kintsugi. It turns into a beautiful piece of art.
Accepting our flaws is a fundamental part of the writing process as well. No author writes a perfect first draft. It reminds me of one of my books written years ago that just never quite hit the mark. I ended up tearing it apart, section by section, and rewriting it at least three times. There was a point when I had almost given up on it altogether and considered scrapping it completely. It was very disheartening and left me wondering why I was even writing it at all.
I’m not one to quit easily, so I took it as a challenge, and reworked the entire story so that it became a cohesive plot filled with much more exciting actions and a richer storyline. As a result of fixing the flaws, it became a much fuller narrative that I was pleased to publish – Tinker Smith & the Conspiracy of OZ.
A group of ten genetically altered children are attempting to save the world
from a technological, power hungry scientist,
the self proclaimed Wizard of Oz,
who is determined to control the world with a computer virus.
Johnny and his father meet Tinker, one of the ten children
and together they forge ahead in the hope of survival
in a strange world of machination and espionage.
None of us are perfect, and in the artistic process of writing it sometimes means tearing apart our ideas, then putting them back together again to be stronger and more engaging.
It’s much like Kintsugi. From imperfect to amazing!
Happy Reading to everyone!
Solitaire
Available Now – “Between Two Worlds”
Society is collapsing before his eyes.
Sixteen-year-old Cross Mundos is trying to survive in a world of nuclear disaster and environmental decay. His parents have disappeared, leaving him with an eccentric uncle, a war zone, and a landscape where death and extinction seem to be the inevitable outcome. But Cross has an intellect far beyond most in his age category, and despite the challenges he faces, is determined to find a way to endure and even thrive.
To his surprise, his Uncle Ferrum reveals an instrument called a torch, enabling him to rip a hole into the fabric of time and space. This changes everything as he can transport to an identical world, with one catch – it is many decades into the past!
To survive in this new world, he must keep his previous life a secret and yet somehow blend in with the current populace. His ultimate goal is to discover what went wrong in his world and somehow change the course of events to stop the future of this new planet from complete destruction.
Will history repeat itself, or will Cross be the one person who can alter its outcome?
My latest science fiction book – BETWEEN TWO WORLDS – is now available for purchase below –
LULU BOOKS (Paperback and Ebook)
Check out solitaireparke.com for further information and books. Happy Reading!
Solitaire
Come visit the Tucson Festival of Books!
Saturday and Sunday, March 9 & 10, 2024 I will be at the Tucson Festival of Books.
I would love to meet you, tell you about my books, and sign a copy for you.
Many organizations and authors will be represented, as well as presenters and food and beverage trucks for your convenience.
A complete list of exhibitors can be found here.
For more information and extras, please check out my website –
I hope to see you there!
Solitaire
Author Signing Event at Half Price Books in Mesa, AZ
Hello everyone and welcome to 2024!
I would like to invite you to a book signing event on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 11:00 to 3:00 pm, at Half Price Books in Mesa, Arizona. Here is the address:
Superstition Springs Center
6339 East Southern Avenue
Mesa, Arizona 85206
I would love to meet you and introduce you to my Science Fiction/Fantasy books – The Dragomeir Series (for those who love adventure and dragons), Tinker Smith and the Conspiracy of OZ ( a contemporary twist on the Wizard of OZ), and an action/psychological thriller – Vengeance of the Wolf.
My latest book, The Atrium – a journey of self-reflection where the protagonist is forced to confront the traumas and decisions that have shaped his existence while inside an atrium that transcends the boundaries of time and space will also be available.
For those who are interested in “out-of-body” – The Larger World Series may be of help in your journey of knowledge. And there is something for all those who love poetry as well – Tapestry – a glimpse inside the mind of a poet, with a slightly medieval tone depicting a world of inspirations, hopes, fears, loves, and successes to ponder in the wee hours of any long and lonely night.
Please join me on Saturday, February 3rd, as I am looking forward to meeting you, giving some insight about my books and signing copies for the many readers out there. Come visit me!
Happy Reading!
Solitaire
New Review for 2024 – The Atrium
Thank you Emilee for the review of my latest book – The Atrium
“The Atrium” by Solitaire Parke is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, masterfully crafted within the confines of a mysterious and symbolic atrium. The narrative unfolds after a harrowing car crash, trapping the protagonist in a space adorned with framed pictures that serve as gateways to pivotal moments in his life. What follows is a poignant journey of self-reflection, forcing the protagonist to confront the traumas and decisions that have shaped his existence.
Parke skillfully weaves a tale that delves into the complexity of human nature, presenting the protagonist with the challenge of reliving past events. This unique narrative device creates a rich tapestry of emotions, as the character grapples with the consequences of his actions and the motivations that drove them. The atrium becomes a crucible for self-discovery, compelling the protagonist to scrutinize his own morality and motives.
The novel navigates through a series of life-altering decisions, prompting a profound examination of compassion, purpose, and the interconnectedness of our actions. Parke invites readers to contemplate the capacity for change within ourselves and the transformative power of empathy.
The struggle between life and death decisions adds a layer of suspense, creating an engaging and immersive experience for readers. As the protagonist faces the prospect of determining his fate, the narrative unfolds with a delicate balance between introspection and external consequences.
In “The Atrium,” Solitaire Parke crafts a narrative that transcends the boundaries of time and space, offering readers a profound meditation on the human experience. The novel prompts reflection on the choices we make, the impact on those around us, and the potential for redemption and growth. “The Atrium” is more than a story; it is a compelling exploration of the human psyche, urging readers to consider the transformative power of self-awareness and the enduring possibility of a life filled with compassion and purpose.
For this book and others listed in my book section, check my website –
Happy New Year 2024!
Solitaire
Christmas Movies that were Based on Books!
There are so many Christmas movies out right now that you can hardly watch them all. The streaming services are chocked full of every kind imaginable. If you are a Christmas or Holiday fan it’s interesting to know which movies were based on books. There are some that I already knew, but there were many of which I was not aware. So, if you are a fan of Christmas or the Holidays in general, you might want to grab some popcorn and watch some of these entertaining and often thought provoking movies and it might be fun to find the books and read them as well. You will often find that the original books contain information that isn’t revealed in the movie which can be interesting.
- The Nutcracker – From the 1816 short story by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, a fantasy set on Christmas Eve in the early 1800s and centered around the excitement and anticipation of Christmas gifts.
- A Christmas Story – 9-year-old Ralphie Parker gets his ideal Christmas gift (the Red Rider air rifle), (you’ll shoot your eye out). If you liked the movie you’ll probably like to read author Jean Shepherd’s In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, a collection of short stories upon which the movie was based.
- Christmas with the Kranks – Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis live in the suburbs and are a couple new to empty nesting who decide to skip Christmas and go on a cruise. Upon finding out that their daughter will be home for Christmas after all, it turns into a hilarious disaster that you won’t want to miss. This 2004 modern classic is based off John Grisham’s 2001 novel titled Skipping Christmas.
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – This hilarious 1989 Christmas movie was based on a short story by John Hughes titled Christmas ’59 that was published in National Lampoon magazine in December 1980.
- Miracle on 34th Street – This 1947 Christmas classic is about a department store Santa, a single mom, and her 6-year-old daughter who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. Miracle on 34th Street by American author Valentine Davies was also a best-selling novella in 1947.
- It’s a Wonderful Life – George Bailey showed us what a difference one life can make for those around us during James Stewart’s Christmas classic. The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern was originally written in 1938, self-published, and mailed to around 200 people as a holiday newsletter.
- The Bishop’s Wife -This movie from 1947 tells of one clergyman’s prayers being answered in unexpected ways. The Bishop’s Wife is based on the 1928 novella by author Robert Nathan. A book that has charm, wit and wisdom that makes it a classic.
- Meet me in St. Louis – This is a 1944 Christmas classic/musical that was originally published as a series of short stories in The New Yorker magazine (titled The Kensington Stories) before it was published as a novel in 1942 by author Sally Benson.
- A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens’ legendary novella, A Christmas Carol , was first published on December 19th, 1843. By Christmas Eve of that same year, the novella was sold out. The book has been republished many times and there have been countless screen adaptions.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas – A beloved Dr. Seuss children’s book before it was adapted for the big screen multiple times, How the Grinch Stole Christmas was first published in 1957 and written in Dr. Seuss’s iconic rhymed verses. Despite being for children, the book was notable for criticizing the commercialization of Christmas.
- The Polar Express – A children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express was published in 1985. It tells the story of a young skeptical boy who takes a life-changing trip on the Polar Express where he receives the first gift from Santa Claus.
- You’ll also find dozens of Hallmark Christmas movies that were adapted from books.
I hope you enjoy the many movies and books of the Holiday Season with all your friends and family. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Solitaire
Making Thanksgiving Special
Thanksgiving is a special time of year when families and friends get together and enjoy a delicious meal and spend time with each other. We’re all so busy most of the time that making that extra effort to come together is important and doesn’t have to only include the traditional food. Here are some ideas to give your day an added boost of fun and tradition.
Participate in a turkey trot or just go for a walk and enjoy a leisurely stroll around your neighborhood or a local park.
Tune in to the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Watch the National Dog Show.
Start decorating for the holidays.
Football is another tradition, along with appetizers.
At the Thanksgiving table, let everyone say what they’re thankful for.
Thanksgiving movies are always a fun way to gather, either at home or the movie theater.
Play charades or bring out the board games.
Reminisce over family photo books.
Serve breakfast at a local soup kitchen or help deliver Thanksgiving dinners to the community.
Call relatives that may not have been able to come to your gathering and let them know you’re thinking of them.
Take an after dinner or evening stroll.
Most of all, remember to be grateful for the people in your life and for all your blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Solitaire
Annual Fall Festival – Southwest Institute of Healing Arts 2023
Please come join us at the Festival for a Meet ‘n Greet &
Book Signing. I’d love to chat with you.
Solitaire
May God Bless All of America’s Veterans!
Thank you for your sacrifice, you gave your strength, your youth and time.
You did a job not many will. You deserved our respect and you do still.
Though you didn’t give your life, you were a willing soul.
Only your brothers in combat, your suffering truly know.
We love that you are here with us and honor who you are.
A grateful nation appreciates every single scar
That wrote upon the slate of you, though you were very brave.
You came back to us a hero, you are not the same.
For you have learned to bear the weight of defending freedom’s call.
But you did come back, and that is what we give thanks for most of all.
We honor you on Veteran’s Day. Thank you for your service!!!
Solitaire
Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 