CALLING ALL ARTISTS, WIN A SIGNED COPY OF MARABELLA; DISCOVERING MAGICS

Are you an artist? Can you envision the characters in my adventures as you read about them? An artist named Claire drew this picture of a moor cat. What do you think? Pretty good, huh? The Author and I would love to see more artists interpretations. Below you will find some descriptions right from the book, MARABELLA; DISCOVERING MAGICS. Just leave a comment and send us an email with your artwork attached.(sbfalcone.writes@gmail.com) We will post all entries on this site. If we find one that is particularly accurate I'll get The Author to send you a copy of MARABELLA; DISCOVERING MAGICS. 

GEREMIAH

He was a big man clad in the heavy boots and leather breeches of a woodsman.  His thick coat was fastened against late winter’s chill and stretched tight across his broad shoulders. A close- cropped beard covered his strong jaw and squared chin.  His shaggy chestnut hair reached just below his upturned collar. He had a very expressive mouth (usually prone to smiling) and captivating green eyes

.... and there stood the most handsome man I had ever seen. Oh Marabella.” Mara smiled wide and bright. “He was magnificent. He was tall and broad-shouldered. His hair was full and kind of shaggy and he had a short scruffy beard, but his face was kind.  And of course, he had those bewitching green eyes. You have your father’s eyes, for certain. But what struck me dumb was his mouth. He had such a beautiful mouth. Sometimes he would chew his bottom lip, when he was thinking or reading. You do that some.” Mara gazed at her young daughter. “It brightened the world when he smiled. His eyes would crinkle up and oh my. He looked at me with his crooked grin and I had to smile back.

JOSEF

 There in the doorway stood a young Demalion. He was of average height and slight of build. Looking more closely, Belle surmised he was quite young, but his bearing was confident and authoritative. He had shining black hair, a prominent nose and sleepy brown eyes with dark lashes. His coat and trousers were of fine dark blue fabric and he wore an embroidered pale blue vest and spotless white silk cravat. His face was kind and his smile genuine. 

 RAGUS

He was fierce looking and quite tall when he stood to hop down from the wagon. He had pale skin and a smooth face. His long lustrous dark hair hung down his back. On each side of his head, his hair was braided and pulled back like a girl, but no one would mistake him for a girl. He wore the clothes of a warrior complete with a sword buckled to his hip. Ragus smiled and his whole countenance softened. The furrow in his brow smoothed and his fierce dark eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. The grim set of his strong jaw gave way to a perfect, white toothed smile and rosebud lips.

MARABELLA

It was a simple dress with a high waist, low rounded neckline, and puffed cap sleeves. An emerald velvet ribbon wound under her full bosom and danced down the front of the floor length dress, picking up the gleam in her emerald green eyes. Framed against the light from the window, Wesley could see the curve of her hips through the gossamer fabric. With gentle hands and deft fingers he pushed back her unruly hair. He twisted and secured each side with a comb, leaving the rest to flow down her back. A few tendrils escaped, creating a dark and delicate accent to her fair oval face. "There." He said, taking a small step back. "Lovely." Wesley looked up from her bare feet and was dumbstruck gazing at her face. For once, there was no smudge on her perfect features. Her high cheekbones blushed slightly pink, and contrasting with her strong jaw-line, her full mouth looked like ripe fruit. 

SEBASTIAN

Belle blinked again and finally took a look at the creature draped across Reading Rock. He was huge; his mass easily covering both the smooth indentures where she and Wesley usually reclined. His thick coat gleamed golden in the shafts of light from the rising sun. Each massive paw was the size of Belle’s head. His rounded ears occasionally turned this way and that to catch any sounds from the surrounding woods. And his face…his face was intelligent, full of expression, especially the eyes. His eyes were dark gold, almost amber and sparkled with calm wisdom.

REVIEW: TRACKING A SHADOW

This week I am recommending a great detective story. It is a good, quick read for adults.

REVIEW:  TRACKING A SHADOW by R. Weir

This engaging story follows Private Detective Jarvis Mann on his case to determine who is stalking Emily White. At first it seems like a simple case of a love-struck ex but the more he learns, the more questions arise. Why is Contractor/Mobster Brandon Stark so interested in this case? Why, after four years has Emily’s ex Mark returned? Who murdered poor beagle Opus? And as sweet as Emily seems, what is she hiding? Also will Jarvis’ budding romance with Melissa survive the drama of this case? Jarvis will have to call on his street smarts and police connections to find answers and keep himself out of jail. A straight forward detective story with appropriate twists and turns, it is the subtle clues which hint at a deeper secret and keep the reader turning pages.

 Available on Amazon

One Step Closer...

We are one step closer to publication! The Author sent the edited manuscript in for formatting. It won't be long now. We have given you a few tastes of MARABELLA, DISCOVERING MAGICS. You can scroll down to the bottom and read them from the beginning, if you like.
    What I would love is some feedback. Please leave a comment to let us know you've been here. I have noticed that we have had guests from the UK, France, Poland, and Canada, as well as the U.S. I want to personally thank you all for checking us out.  There is more to come.
    The Author is working on writing down more of my adventures.

THE AUTHOR SPEAKS

    Mr. Allen's 4th grade class at Doyline High School in Louisiana is helping me out with the second book. They are coming up with suggestions for naming the Pirate ship in Marabella's adventure. The winner will receive a signed copy of MARABELLA, DISCOVERING MAGICS and have a pirate in the second book named after him or her.

Josef, the Harbinger

After a long moment she said, “I’ll show you this one but hereafter don’t ask me. The magics are something you must discover for yourself in due time.”  Then with a wink she added, “It’s said that those who possess true magics have no need of ingredients like this here.” She held up her tinderbox.

     “That’s actually true,” said a deep melodious voice from behind them. Nan and Belle both jumped at the sound. Neither had noticed his noiseless entry. There in the doorway stood a young Demalion. He was of average height and slight of build. Looking more closely, Belle surmised he was quite young, but his bearing was confident and authoritative. He had shining black hair, a prominent nose and sleepy brown eyes with dark lashes. His coat and trousers were of fine dark blue fabric and he wore an embroidered pale blue vest and spotless white silk cravat.

     His face was kind and his smile genuine. “Ladies.” He said, bowing from the waist with a flourish, which fanned a pleasant spicy scent through the room. 

     Nan’s cheeks flushed pink for a moment. The handsome young man had caught her off guard. “We were discussing the magics, lighting a candle and such. This young one is a scholar of Yaskrit but most Common folk don’t take to the magics as I’m sure you know.” 

     “Ah dear lady, of that I am quite aware. But,” he gave a brilliant smile. “You ladies are not so common, aye.” With that he blew on the long extinguished wick of the candle on the counter. “Subeo igneoos” he whispered and with a faint pop, the candle ignited.

     Ma Nan covered her mouth to stifle a yelp. Belle beamed ear to ear. The handsome Demalion shifted his gaze from left to right and put a finger to his lips. “Our secret.”