A BLOG FULL OF WHIMSICAL THOUGHTS!

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Romance Beyond the Veil

Paranormal Love Stories: Romance Beyond the Veil

My fascination with otherworldly love stories began when I heard my first fairy tale! In a child’s innocence, it’s natural for witches, wizards, and all sorts of specially gifted characters to exist in harmony with regular everyday people.

I never lost that feeling!

Something about a paranormal love story has always grabbed me, but I’m specifically drawn to those with engaging characters that could be your next-door neighbor. Or your kids or grandkids.

My characters know they are different from others. Often, they don’t appreciate these differences or may even try to hide them. But in the end, they realize that who they are is enough, and they are all they need to be.

And they mean the world to someone else, even if, at the beginning of the story, they don’t see it.

That’s why my sweet romance beyond the veil stories are unique.

Authors and screenwriters who’ve influenced my writing blend romance with other genres, such as science fiction, fantasy, or magic. But there’s enough realism in their and my stories to make you think…um, maybe this could happen!

Diana Gabaldon tops the list, whose Outlander series has a massive reader following that can’t get enough of the time-traveling romance between Jamie and Claire. See my hand waving here?

I loved writing my time-traveling story for Cat’s Paw Cove, where the main characters return to the 1700s to save a young boy from the gallows.

In one of my Nocturne Falls Universe stories, a pilot from WWII returns to reclaim his reputation. The ending to that story made me cry, and I “wrote” the book, for heaven’s sake!

Have you seen these: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir or Bell, Book, and Candle? The movies are all about waiting for the skeptical Ordinaries to come around to accept the extraordinary world.

I love Ghosts, currently running on CBS. You have to empathize with poor Jay. But he’s done a great job adjusting to life in a mansion inhabited by ALL the spirits of those who died on the property…even back in the Viking age!

Remember “Bewitched”? Sam tried hard not to use her magic, but sometimes it was the only way.

Promise me you’ll catch one of these movies or shows and let me know what you think!

The fun of writing my stories begins when Ordinaries start seeing beyond the veil!

Trust me, I’ve tried creating “regular” stories, but once a gifted character jumps in, that’s it. They demand to be heard and hijack the story. I can’t stop them and, frankly, don’t want to. I’m simply the scribe.

This is precisely what happened in my new indie sweet romance series set in Baga Shores, a small coastal town on Florida’s west coast.

I started writing about Ordinary humans in an Ordinary world.

Suddenly, the main characters reveal their true nature. They are witches, wizards, psychics, and shifters.

They start out solving day-to-day problems like any other human.

When that fails, they have to rely on their gifts.

In the first book, BEWITCHING ANDIE, Andie McCraig discovers that magic doesn’t always work how you want!

And she should know.

She’s a single mom and a witch!  Unfortunately, she isn’t a very good one. When her young son courts danger by flaunting his emerging Draiocht wizard gift, she has no choice but to return home to Baga Shores.

As soon as she arrives, her grandmother, Mimi Tanner, arranges for a mentor for the boy.

But the last thing Brett Austin wants is a protégé. He renounced his gift long ago and has no intentions of being a mentor, much less a role model, to a powerful young Draiocht with a mother who couldn’t cast a proper spell if her life depended on it!

A frightening prediction changes Brett’s mind. As danger swirls around the enchanting small town of Baga Shores, Brett soon realizes he and Andie must work together to protect her son.

Here’s the catch: Can Brett let go of the past long enough to help Andie, or will he fail again—this time losing everything important to him?

My passion is intertwining realism with the supernatural. If you’re like me and love a good paranormal love story, I invite you to join me on this journey.

Be sure and sign up for my NL here on www.CandaceColt.com to begin exploring my world of sweet romance with a magical twist!

~Candace~

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Who put the Baga in Baga Shores?

The Baga Shores Romance Series title is a hat tip to the Tocobaga Indians. Chances are you’ve never heard of them. They once lived in the northern part of Tampa Bay.

Who put the Baga in Baga Shores? The tribe once lived in the northern part of Tampa Bay
Image source: Tocobaga Indians of Tampa Bay (usf.edu)

Now don’t break out in a cold sweat! I promise not to fasten my school teacher hat on too tight and scare you away! And there won’t be any tests.

I promise not to fasten my school teacher hat on too tight and scare you away.

At one time or another through history, it seemed that everyone wanted to claim this odd-shaped piece of land called La Florida. Any and everywhere a ship could drop anchor; somebody got the bright idea to stab a flag in the sand and claim the place for the king or queen back home. (Sorry, no selfies from those days, nor were these ultra-modern cruise ships!)

At one time or another through history, it seemed that everyone wanted to claim this odd-shaped piece of land called La Florida.

These were not gentle, family-friendly excursions, either—no air-conditioned SUVs equipped with Wi-Fi to entertain the kids in the back seat.

There were no multi-lane interstates like I-95 or I-75. No I-4 or I-10.

No Wawa or McDonalds.

In the 1500s, the men schlepped their belongings, swords, boots, and uniforms through some foul territory to travel from one place to another. I can’t imagine wearing metal explorers’ helmets through the mosquito and alligator-invested marshes!

Next time you’re driving across this state, either east to west or north to south (as you sit in our lovely dead-stop interstate traffic), take a good look out your window. A large portion of Florida is still primitive. They walked through that stuff, people!

A large portion of Florida is still primitive.

The 1500s were busy times for the conquistadores like the Portuguese and Spaniards, who took turns invading and raiding. Hardly any part of the Florida coastline was overlooked.

We’ll never know who the first joker was who started the rumor that gold was here for the taking, but once the story got out, it went viral—as best it could back in the day! Remember, at the same time, all of the Caribbean, Mexico, Central, and South America were ripe targets, so the place was hopping with explorers.

We'll never know the first joker who started the rumor that gold was here for the taking

 Among the many different tribes in La Florida, the conquistadores encountered the Tocobaga tribe.

The best estimates are that this tribe lived north of Tampa Bay from 900 to the 1500s. Let that sink in a second. 1100 years ago!

Before that is anyone’s guess as they probably migrated from the north.

Tampa Bay has a fascinating history. If you’re familiar with football, Tampa is home to the Buccaneers. No accident in that name!

Tampa is home to the Buccaneers

I’ll tell you about that another time.

Meanwhile, back to the Tocobaga.

In 1528 a Spanish explorer named Panfilo de Narvaez arrived in the bay area and as has happened, time and again, brought European disease along with the always elusive quest for gold. De Narvaez wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, so to speak, and managed to lose most of his crew before arriving.

Panfilo De Narvaez and his survivors
Image Source https://www.thoughtco.com/biography-of-panfilo-de-narvaez-2136335

That said, within a hundred years, between the disease his men gifted to the tribe and the ensuing violence that resulted from the endless quest for wealth and riches, the Tocobaga died out.

And that stinks because these people were amazing!

*** TO BE CONTINUED***

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Keep Showing Up and Shining Out

Hello!!  I was so happy to be invited to guest blog on fabulous author Joanne Guidoccio’s webpage.  I wrote about the challenges of the second act–whether you plan for them, or it happens to you. Here’s a snippet from that blog.

***

When you read another person’s story, and it doesn’t sound exactly like yours, perhaps you will find encouragement that change can be good no matter what the circumstances. Maybe you’ve already made a change (planned or unplanned). Another person’s story might give you the reassurance that you will be “okay.” The most important thing is this: have trust and faith in yourself!

“In my day,” a woman’s career options were a bit limited. That’s an understatement. Honestly, there were very few choices. Wife and mother (in tandem), nurse, airline stewardess, secretary, teacher. All worthy paths, yes. But even with a professional degree, many women quit the job after they got married. In my case, I got married, but I did not stop working. In fact, except for a few in-between-job periods, I worked full time until I retired in 2014.

I followed the teacher track and taught K-6 for several years. But then my husband’s job took us to a university town where teaching jobs were non-existent. Why? Because all the male grad students’ wives were teachers supporting their husbands. Does this sound familiar?

So, what’s a girl to do? Reinvention!

***

What came next? Check out the full guest blog. What I hoped to convey is this: you are unique! Your life story is unique. And to paraphrase my yoga studio motto–no matter what, keep showing up and shining out!

After you read the full blog about my many challenges of the second act, I hope you’ll hop over and join my private readers’ group on my Facebook (open to everyone) and let’s chat.

Again, thank you Joanne Guidoccio for the opportunity to guest blog for you!

Bright red rose

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What is the craziest thing I’ve ever done?

I think this counts as the craziest thing!

Years ago, my husband and I were talked into training for a 26.2-mile marathon. I was a plodding runner—well, walk-runner. So, guess which one we decided to do first? London! I know. Crazy, right? Yes, it was. We finished but looking back now, I have no idea how. We started in Greenwich, a town in southeast London.  The race goes over Tower Bridge and finishes at Buckingham Palace. Amazing experience, but would I do it again? Nope. Am I proud of my finishers’ medal? Yep!

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DCI Colt at your service

Recently I was a guest on an author’s blog.

One of her questions really got me thinking, especially this one: “If you could write yourself into any TV show, which would you choose, and why?”

During quarantine, we binge-watched a ton of television (mostly cable and subscription services). It would have to be one of the British shows. It doesn’t matter  that they are really old. Classy writing and acting are timeless. And you never know what actors might show up as their younger selves. VERY young Sam Heughan and Tobias Menzies were both on Midsomer Murders. Tom Ellis had a starring role in Miranda. And that’s just for starters.

But how to narrow down where I’d write myself into the show? Gack! So hard.

I love Doc Martin. I could be a teacher in Louisa’s school. Or an investigator on the edgy series Line of Duty. With my quirky sense of humor, I’d fit right in on the absolutely hysterical show called Miranda. (“What fun!”). The ensemble acting team in Death in Paradise is terrific. I could live on Saint Marie and work in Catherine’s Bar in a heartbeat. Father Brown is charming, though the plot is predictable. I could be a great asset in his crime-solving escapades. Vera is another clever detective show where I think I’d be a good fit.

But who wins?  It has to be Midsomer Murders! How can such a lovely place as Causton have so many gruesome and wicked murders? Hence, DCI Barnaby needs an industrious, savvy, intelligent, never-say-die associate! I’d be perfect. The only itsy problem is that I don’t know how to drive on the road’s left side. Hey, if I’m writing myself into the story, I can simply add that skill set.

So, tell me, what TV show would you pick? What role would you play?

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First Date

Remember that first date? Sometimes it’s all good. Sometimes, not.
My flash fiction piece originally appeared in FLASHQUAKE e-zine.
Otherwise Unremarkable © 2004
Oh hell, goodbye, she said.
Wait, you just got here, he said.
I know, but this just isn’t working.
C’mon. Stay longer. Only one drink; just one.
No. This isn’t right.
One drink.
No. I mean it.
Scotch? Vodka?
Too strong.
Beer? Ale?
Too bitter.
Merlot?
Headaches.
Chardonnay?
Hate the taste.
Zinfandel?
Too sweet.
Tea?
No caffeine.
Water, then?
Bottled only.
Perrier?
Evian.
Oh hell, goodbye, he said.
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Words

Writers have a love-hate relationship with words and I am no exception. I am convinced that words have their own agenda. 

Words  by Candace Colt © 2006
Glazed periwinkle blue, a clay jar sits alone on the window sill. Loosened, the cork stopper no longer shields my stash from daylight’s glare.
Single file my words escape to the floor, sidle past the sleeping cat, and bow to those who lie in repose on bits of crumpled paper.
The motley parade scrambles onto the blank page and jostles for a position like misbehaving schoolchildren; jabbing ribs, batting heads, and pulling shirts.
With self-satisfied smiles, they whisper. Take the pen, give us life, or else we die.
I take pity and write till my hand goes numb and my knuckles crack.
When the ink runs dry, they still come.
The little bastards never utter a single thank you.
Played like a fool by my own words,  I reseal the jar to quiet the others.
Almost too late, I realize their plan to exchange my life for theirs.

Photo from https://www.pexels.com/@lanophotography

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My Favorite Girl Scout Badge?

The Dabbler

They retired it years ago. Did you even know they retired badges? I didn’t. Today, there are badges for things I would never have dreamed.

GEOCACHING?  COMPUTER CODING?  CYBERSECURITY?

I loved being a Brownie and a Girl Scout. Fun times and great memories.  

For the record, and full disclosure, I’m still a dabbler. Whew. It felt good to admit that. Along with my writing, I dabble in cooking (not really my strong suit unless it’s something I can throw in a crockpot!).

And rock painting. And yoga. And Tai Chi. And line dancing. And journal making. And leathercraft. And jimbe drumming.

Here are a few of my dabble-examples. 

I’d love to hear about your dabbling. Leave a comment and let’s start the discussion!

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Characters Just Pop Into My Head

Every author’s process is different. Let me share how I developed one character from my Nocturne Falls Universe falcon-shifter series. I started with a semi-structured idea of the story and where it will go. But the writing process took off when like a film director,  I visualized the first scene.

In the first book in the series, THE FALCON FINDS HIS MATE, scene one takes place on the wrap-around porch of a two-story Pepto-Bismol pink Victorian house. Way before I wrote the first sentences, I had a firm idea of what the place looked like based on a collection of pictures I added to a Pinterest album. For me, it’s critical to over collect photos of places, people, and things even if only a few details make it into the book. By the way, the house is an important character, too.

If you’ve read my Nocturne Falls falcon stories, does this look familiar?

It’s the Carpe Diem

Once I had the house, I started asking questions. Who lives here? Why here? What sets this place apart from others? I decided the house belongs to Echo Stargazer (a made up name). Since Nocturne Falls is an extraordinary town, it needs an extraordinary person. I did an Internet casting call and decided who else could play Echo but the late Iris Apfel.

How did little gravely-voiced Echo come to live in a house like this? Magical people are drawn to Nocturne Falls. That’s when the fun begins and I can make up ‘stuff’!

Echo’s ancestry dates back to Colonial America. Her great-great-greats were persecuted for their psychic gifts, escaped and migrated to the Carolinas. There gifts passed through the generations. Echo is a clairsentient who blocks the noise when she has to by wearing a special bracelet. With it off, she reads minds.

Widowed years ago, Echo came to Nocturne Falls to raise her son and daughter. To earn a living, she converted the first floor of this house to a gift and tchotchke shop she called the Carpe Diem. Town tourists love what she sells in the front of the store. In the back and with complete privacy, locals can purchase supplies for spells, cleansings, charms, rituals, and the like.

Upstairs is the living quarters where Echo supplements her income by giving readings with her special cards. The cards aren’t Tarot or Oracle. They are black as onyx, and only the client sees the images on them.

This photo is of Iris Apfel’s apartment in NYC. It inspired Echo’s dining room-card reading area.  In the story, Echo’s house was crammed with her preciously-pink chintzy décor. Just like Iris’s place.

And doesn’t this look like Echo’s kitchen?

Finally, there’s Crealde, Echo’s nineteen-pound bundle of contentment. Never! Either he’s “hangry” or he’s not around. Curious, nosy, demanding, vociferous, and a howl that can wake the dead. But loveable and cuddly, only on his terms.

Once I have the location and characters, I create a story bible with facts, fables and details. It also has timelines, peripheral characters, places and events. The bible is ongoing, especially in a series. Echo has a role in each of my Nocturne Falls stories. It’s easy to forget details. If I do mess up, my dear readers will let me know!

When that’s all done, I’m on to the plot, character arcs, and the juicy stuff! That’s best left for another discussion. Hope it gave you a small insight into

Image attributions:

Victorian Home http://favim.com/image/95589
Dining Room Table https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/iris-apfel-manhattan-apartment-slideshow#4
Pink Kitchen http://inspirationsdeco.blogspot.com/2011/07/inspirations-deco-cuisines-retro-n8.html
Crealde https://www.deviantart.com/mndcntrl/art/Did-you-see-that-196886659
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Kindness Rocks the World!

Goodness knows the world can use more kindness. It doesn’t take a boatload of money to offer someone a smile. Or let the person with a fussy child go ahead of you in the checkout line. Or give up your seat on a bus or subway car to someone who looks more tired than you.

Or let that person who is stuck in the parking lot, exit into your traffic lane, even if it means waiting a second time for the signal to change.

Whatever we do, we should do it with no expectation of getting something in return. I believe in the ripple effect, and the good you do for someone will be passed on. Sadly, the opposite is true, too. And we see this much too often today.

There are some fun ways to accomplish Random Acts of Kindness otherwise known as RAK. Something I’ve gotten hooked on is painting rocks to hide around the community. You might already be a part of one of the hundreds of rock painting Facebook groups.

You don’t need extraordinary artistic ability to paint and hide a rock. Trust me as I’m no artist! But there are some incredibly talented people who create mini-masterpieces.

How do you start?

  • If you’re on Facebook, check out some of the group sites. I’ve only listed four of the dozens in the Tampa Bay area. I’ll wager there are groups in your area.

Dunedin Rocks FL    Palm Harbor Rocks     Oldsmar Rocks      Artful Souls Rock-Florida

  • YouTube has many free rock painting tutorials that guide you step-by-step.
  • Get some rocks, paint and brushes. And paint! You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Get kids involved, too. They love it.
  • Once your rocks are prepped and ready, find some fun places to hide them. Parks, libraries, stores, hospitals…you name it.

So, what happens if you find a painted rock?

You can keep it or rehide it. I’ve done both. If there’s a group name on the back, take a photo of the front and back then find the group online. Usually you need request to join the group before posting your photos. The creator is always “tickled” to see their rock appear as that doesn’t happen very often. Joining a group doesn’t mean you have to paint rocks, so no worries!

I was excited a couple of weeks ago when a simple little rock I painted ended up in Sweden.

Now that’s pretty cool! 

You never can tell how far a smile will travel!

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