This is my first post so I thought it would be good to let you get to know me a little better. I would like to say that it is an honor to be a moonlighter. I hope to bring a wealth of knowledge to the site. I write romance, mystery, and paranormal entwined with the culture of the American Indian.
I lost my precious husband this past October unexpectedly and it has been the hardest thing in the world to deal with. We married at the age of 18 and were married for 25 wonderful years. He is my soul mate. We have two beautiful children, Shaelee 14, and Erik 24. They are my world. We have a diluted tort cat named Feather.
I have four books published Native Dreams, Native Spirit, Blood on the Feather, and Journey to Christmas Creek. My most recent publisher is Dancing with Bear Publishing.
I reside in beautiful Payson Arizona where I started my own writing group called Rim Country Creative Writers. The group is working on an anthology titled, Reflections of Rim Country. I am also working on a paranormal romantic suspense titled, Death in Coyote Canyon which I hope to enter into the Tony Hillerman Contest in 2013. I am a member of Romance Writers of America and the local RWA chapter, Northern Arizona Romance Writers of America.
Well my next post will be in September and I would love to hear what you would like for me to blog about. I was thinking doing some post about the American Indian on such topics as smudging, ceremonies, and the culture in general. Please leave a comment and share what you would like for me to blog about.
My family
Have a great day!!!!!!!
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
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Hi Melinda,
Just to let everyone know that every book of Melinda’s are fantastic with Native American lore and the books are amazing reads. She is an outstanding author well worth getting her books. Blood on the Feather is my favorite so far.
Here’s a copy of my review on Amazon!
What a great inspirational, suspenseful read I found in the book, BLOOD ON THE FEATHER, by one of my favorite authors, Melinda Elmore. This mysterious, magical story begins as an archaeologist, DeShay Graywater, digs for relics in a dig site near Eagle Nest Canyon in South Dakota, while looking for artifacts of the history of her people, the Lakota. She finds the body of a woman and contacts the tribal police department. Officer T. J. Hawke and Special FBI Agent Melina Wolfe work together to unravel the murder investigation of a local teenager, Abby Winters.
A romance is renewed between Hawke and Melina as they work together and also a love develops between Ryan Cronk, a tribal officer and DeShay. The investigation leads to drugs, motorcycle gangs and money, before they find the killer.
The story was a very romantic thriller, but as I read about the Native American Lakota tribe and their beliefs and traditions, I was drawn into the rich heritage and the magical imagery of the various animals that lead the characters to the killer of Abby.
The blood on a feather found at the site is very instrumental in finding the solution, and the study of the different characters of the animals in the Lakota culture weaved an inspirational quality of the medicine man beliefs such as:
The owl symbolizes wisdom
The elk is known for his strength
The spider represents the four wind of change and the four sacred directions on the medicine wheel
How the crow came to be black
The buffalo is a sign of prayer and abundance
Seeing the buffalo, the hawk, and the wolf in the same day is a sign of good fortune and love
The turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth
Butterflies indicate a need for change and symbolizes courage
The Hawk is a messanger and helps solve the mystery
I appreciated the value that everyone can learn in their own lives from reading about the Native American culture and the animal spiritual world. This book shows how God created all animal and human forms to work together for the greater good of all.
I highly recommend BLOOD ON THE FEATHER for everyone who wants to learn about Native American culture and also compassion in their own life.
Thanks!
Rebecca
I also recommend Native Spirit and here is my review from Amazon!
I really lost myself in Melinda Elmore’s e-book, NATIVE SPIRIT. Her book showed how proud the American Indians truly are. They show honor and respect for all living things. Melinda incorporated outstanding knowledge about the American Indian.
I first noticed the amazing cover showing a dream-catcher and a soaring eagle, which peaked my desire to read this e-book.
From the first page, I was in awe of the heroine, Half Moon. This young maiden was captured by a ruthless white man, Seth and his band of outlaws, while her beloved one, White Hawk, was on a buffalo hunt with his warriors. Through this ordeal, Half Moon showed the wisdom and courage born inside her. She makes a deal with Seth to let some of the other captured villagers go, and she would go to his ranch with him and become his wife.
When White Hawk returned to the village and learned about the kidnapping of Half Moon, he vowed to rescue Half Moon and seek revenge against the white man who took her.
The story unfolds with very descriptive scenes that I could visualize as if I were there with both Half Moon and White Hawk as they dreamed of being together again. Will this happen? There are many twists and turns that kept me spell-bound. Would White Hawk rescue Half Moon and let no harm come to her?
Here’s an excerpt that White Hawk prayed: “Creator, I know this journey will have many paths that I must choose from. I pray that you will allow me to make the right decisions. I know I ask a lot from you, but my heart is good and honest. I would never harm anyone, but the path I must walk has been determined, which leaves me no choice.” Can he stay focused and do what his heart tells him and stay on the right path?
Reading Native Spirit is the only way a reader can find out the answers. I will be reading more of her writings!
Wow and welcome. I look forward to more of your posts. I am so sorry about your loss.
debby236 at gmail dot com
Looking forward to your future posts. It is nice to get to know a little bit about the woman behind the books!
Congratulations Melinda. I am also of Native American descent (Cherokee) and love hearing about how the people lived day-to-day. I am especially interested in Native remedies and herbs. Perhaps you could blog some on those things?
Looking forward to your blog!
Sharon Raines
Author, ‘Letters to Mom’
Rebecca,
Thank you so much for your kinds words. With fans like you is why I write. Love you bunches….
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Debra,
Thank you for stopping by. Look forward to hearing more from you.
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Victoria,
Thanks for stopping by. I also love to hear about the author behind the books….
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Sharon,
Thanks for stopping by. I want to read some books from you on the Cherokee. I would be more than happy to do a post about Native herbs and remedies.
Have a great day…..
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Melinda!
I love this. You are doing a fantastic job.
I love your books. They keep me on the edge. Your writing is filled with a lot of feelings that the reader will go through.
I am so excited about your new book !!! Please keep us all posted on it. The books sounds awesome.
Have a wonderful day Melinda. Blessings to you and yours always.
Dove,
Thank you so much. It means the world to me that I have readers like you. Please keep in touch.
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
So glad to have you join us here, Melinda. Anything you have to share about Native Americans is most welcome to me.
Melinda is my spirit sister. ((HUGS))
Beth,
You made me smile with your words. You are my spirit sister as well my friend. I love you dearly and I am so honored to be a part of this blog.
Love you dearly….
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Congrats on all your published work and writing accomplishments, Melinda. It’s great to see your progressing after such a difficult time last year after the loss of you beloved.
Great intro post!
Danielle Thorne
Would like to become involved, but can’t seem to find a place to become a member.
It’s great to get to know you a little better!
I’d love to hear more about the culture. I live in Alberta, Canada, where there are a lot of First Nations people, but I don’t know much about the different cultures. I’m intrigued!
Welcome, Melinda…we’re so happy to have you aboard here at Authors by Moonlight.
Danielle,
Thanks for stopping by. I keep writing for my husband. He was an advocate for my writing…
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Bobbie,
I am new here too. I will look around and see if I can find a place that you can join. I am sure there is but of course we can’t see it because we are looking for it…
Walk in harmony
Melinda
Patty,
Thank you for coming by. Wow you live in Canada. I have a lot of First Nations friends there. Its beautiful. I will try and make the post as interesting as I can.
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Debra,
Thank you so much. I am as pleased to be here. Thank you for stopping by…
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Hey there, awesome first blog from an excellent author. I can’t wait to read more. Especially can’t wait for your new works to come out such as Reflections of Rim Country from your writing group. Sounds very interesting.
Keep up the great work.
Chad,
Thanks for stopping by. I know the anthology with our writers group will be great. See you later….
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Hi Melinda! Great knowing more about you! Love your books BTW.
Actually, I have a question I’d love to know the answer to. I have posted to several Native sites, but haven’t gotten a response. In my own books set in Wyoming I have several Native characters that are family members. If a native name is say Edward White Deer, are all members of the family known as “white deer” like they would be in a white paternal family? Stumped.
Hi Linda and thanks for stopping by. I am so glad to hear you like my books. Now to answer your question……
I contact the tribe that will be in my books. They are the best source to find out anything that you need to know. It is different with every tribe. That is why I say contact them directly. Most of the time they are willing to help.
Let them know they are a part of the book you are working on and they usually will help. Please remember to always send them a thank you card and a small gift …..a special way to thank them for helping you.
I hope that helped in some way…..Take care and please keep in touch
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
Welcome Melinda, its very nice to meet you. So sorry for your loss. I am really looking forward to more post from you and I loved your post today. Its like getting to know you post.
Quilt Lady,
Thank you for stopping by….I look forward to getting to know you better. Please keep in touch…
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
So glad to have you with us, Melinda! Your books sound wonderful, can’t wait to pick one up! And I’m always interested in anything Native American. Looking forward to future posts.
So sorry for your loss. Cyber hugs!
Melinda dear, you touch people’s hearts.
Sherry,
Thank you so much. I am so honored to be here. Thank you for every thing.
Walk in Harmony,
Melinda
Beth,
Thank you my spirit sister. I love you dearly.
Walk in harmony always my friend,
Melinda
Melinda,
Great job. Your books sound so interesting. I’ve enjoyed the parts I’ve heard you read. Looking forward to hearring more about the Reflections of the Rim book coming out this fall/winter.
Judy
Judy,
Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment. I am so thrilled you like my writings. I try hard and I am very proud to write about the American Indian.
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
What can I say, what can I say. First my student, now I’m yours. Thanks for all your doing for me and the class. I need to get more of you books as they portray a learned view of the Native American. Go in peace
Bill,
Thanks for stopping by…I had the best teacher when I had you….I am so happy you are in the writing class….Love you dearly……
I hope to give some good information in the books I write….See you soon
Walk in harmony,
Melinda