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Welcome to my place in the blogosphere!
feel free to explore the Flight Deck and check out my books and website.
Then fasten your seatbelts, sip a glass of something sparkling and let's chat awhile!
I hope you'll stop by again for guest authors and spotlights from time to time.

Beloved Enemy joined Starquest and Children of the Mist to continue the Destiny Trilogy and I'm thrilled to announce was shortlisted for the R.N.A. RoNA Awards 2017, awarded 2nd Runner up in the RONE Awards 2017 and was the winner in the SF/Fantasy category of the 'Best Banter Contest'.

Monday 7 July 2014

Monday's Welsh myths and legends - the Welsh Loch Ness Monster.

Llyn Afanc is a lake near Bettws y Coed (Translation 'Prayer House In The Wood) in the Snowdonia National Park and is named after the legendary 'Afanc' (pronounced Ahvank)

A lake monster from Welsh mythology, the afanc can also be traced through references in British Celtic folklore, and has been linked to various other places in Wales.

The demonic creature was variously said to look like a crocodile, giant beaver or dwarf,and to attack and devour anyone who entered its waters.

There are many variations of the legend, including one which has the mosnter dwelling at Aberdyfi, and of King Arthur slaying the monster on the shores of Llyn Barfog (the Bearded Lake)  Near Llyn Barfog is a rock with a hoof print carved into it, along with the words Carn March Arthur (stone of Arthur's mare), supposedly made by the horse when Arthur lassoed the afanc with a magical chain and his steed, Llamrai, dragged it from the deep.

Another legnd says many men had tried to kill the monster but its thick hide was impervious to sword or arrow. The wise men of the valley decided  if force wouldn’t work, then the Afanc must somehow be enticed out of his pool and removed to a lake far away beyond the mountains, where he could cause no further trouble. The lake chosen to be the Afanc’s new home was Llyn Ffynnon Las, under the  shadow of Mount Snowdon.

Afanc by Elle Wilson
Courtesy of Elle Wilson
The blacksmith  forged strong iron chains  to bind and secure the Afanc.  There was still the problem of how to entice the monster from the lake. It appears that the Afanc, like many other monsters, was rather partial to beautiful young women, and the brave daughter of a local farmer volunteered for the task. She approached the Afanc's lake while her father and the rest of the men remained hidden a short distance away. Standing on the shore she called softly to him,and when he surfaced sang him a soft Welsh lullaby. So sweet was the song that the Afanc slowly fell asleep.

The men leapt from their hiding places, and with a team of mighty oxen dragged the creature to Llyn Ffynnon Las. There the chains of the Afanc were loosed, and with a roar, the monster leapt  into the deep water, where it is said, he remains to this day, unable to escape to wreak havoc because of the steep rocky banks of the lake.

Sunday 29 June 2014

Welsh legend Monday - The story of Gelert

The Aberglaslyn Pass
http://www.beddgelerttourism.com/
http://www.beddgelerttourism.com/
In the heart of Snowdownia, a short walk from the village of Beddgelert, (Gelert's Grave)  two stones mark a single, small grave, one at the head and one at the feet.
According to legend, the stone monument in the field marks the resting place of 'Gelert', the faithful hound of the medieval Welsh Prince Llewelyn the Great. The story, as written on each tombstone, one in English and one in Welsh, reads:

"In the 13th century Llewelyn, prince of North Wales, had a palace at Beddgelert. One day he went hunting without Gelert, ‘The Faithful Hound’, who was unaccountably absent.

On Llewelyn's return the truant, stained and smeared with blood, joyfully sprang to meet his master. The prince alarmed hastened to find his son, and saw the infant's cot empty, the bedclothes and floor covered with blood. The frantic father plunged his sword into the hound's side, thinking it had killed his heir. The dog's dying yell was answered by a child's cry.

Llewelyn searched and discovered his boy unharmed, but nearby lay the body of a mighty wolf which Gelert had slain. The prince filled with remorse is said never to have smiled again. He buried Gelert here".

Isn't that sad?  I suppose the moral is never act in haste, or jump to hasty conclusions. It makes me sad to think the loyal hound's bravery was rewarded by death at the hands of his beloved master, but he gained immortality as his story has been handed down through generations.

Friday 27 June 2014

On the Roast today...


Portals - a fantastic fantasy anthology by some six authors. Come and enter the contest to win a copy plus a Gift Voucherhttp://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.co.uk/

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Crossing into the Mystic



It's my great pleasure to welcome D L Koontz to the Flightdeck today, to tell us more about her book and why she writes about the paranormal.

Hi, Lyn. Thanks for letting me join your blog today to talk about Crossing into the Mystic.
First, an overview of the book, for perspective: After the deaths of her parents and sister, insufferably independent main character Grace is so grief-stricken that even years later, when she encounters a ghost, she is charmed into trusting him with the hope of (1) being able to help him solve his murder, and (2) making contact through him with her dead family.

As if the thrills and chills of ghosts and demons aren’t enough, she finds herself embroiled in a love quadrangle – with two living guys and one dead
The book addresses the notion that: Now and then, you see something that alters how you view the world.  And, it explores the question: Do ghosts exist, or are they demons in disguise?

Why Paranormal?
I’m often asked:  Why did you choose to write about paranormal? I even had someone ask: Why don’t you write about something more believable than ghosts, like vampires or zombies?
First, to address the second question, I guess that person felt that the living dead was more believable than the dead dead?

No matter; back to the first question. 
First, I’m fascinated with the notion that we probably don’t see and understand most of what’s around us.
Scientists say that ninety-five percent of the universe consists of dark matter and dark energy whose fundamental nature is a mystery. In short, you can’t see most of what’s out there.
Second, I harbor a strong faith in God and an afterlife, so I also believe in the potential for incredible miracles.

Third, I’ve met countless sane, successful, intelligent, well-educated people through the years who, in hushed tones, confess to having encountered a ghost. The revelation is generally accompanied with an agitation, annoyance, almost an apology, as though they’re concerned what my reaction will be. Their concern seems to be that I will label them as crazy. Instead, I walked away fascinated each time.
So, when you merge all that together your mind can go wild, as mine did. 
What’s more, according to Gallup polls, nine of out ten people believe in God.  And the Harris poll found that fifty-one percent of the public believes in ghosts.  So clearly, there’s an overlap.  I wanted to explore that notion.

The Bible is filled with references to evil and demons, and Christ repeatedly cast out demons, so I believe the universe is much more complex and mysterious than it may appear to our senses.
So, are the “ghosts” that Grace encounters actually demons in disguise? I don’t want to spoil it, so you’ll have to read the series to find out.

What about you—what do you believe? Ever experienced an angel? Ever seen a ghost? Do you associate ghosts as angels/demons?

Crossing Into the Mystic:
A Civil War Paranormal Romance
The Crossings Series
Book One of a Trilogy
D.L. Koontz

Genre: Inspirational Fantasy, paranormal elements

Print Length: 258 pages

ISBN: 1941103030
ASIN: B00J5GSSRM

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
of the Carolinas

Book Description:

Three years after losing her family in a car crash, Grace MacKenna is set to inherit her stepfather's ancestral estate among the mountains of West Virginia. Seeking solace and healing, Grace discovers the ghost of William Kavanaugh, a dashing Civil War captain in Virginia s 17th Infantry, haunts the property. When William charms Grace into investigating the mystery that led to his death a hundred and fifty years ago, she finds herself drawn into a world of chivalry and honor, but also deception with secrets too dark to speak aloud.

Meanwhile, Clay Baxter, home from service in Afghanistan, fights his own demons and ghosts. When Clay senses Grace falling deeper into the realm of the dead, he seeks to pull her back. But is he too late?

Torn between her love for two mysterious young men - one living and one dead - Grace stands in the shadows of the Antietam Battlefield with a choice: one that could leave Grace lost forever, "crossing into the Mystic."

Available at Amazon  Amazon Paperback    BN


Reviews

In Crossing Into The Mystic, D.L. Koontz makes a very different world real. ~ Ann Vanino

The story is complex and unexpected and I enjoyed the twists of plot. by Felicia Bowen Bridges

I kept going back and reading a sentence, a paragraph, some of the time the whole page.~ Tricia Scoggins




Tour Giveaway:

About the Author

D. L. Koontz was born in Pennsylvania, but with her husband, now splits her time between their home in mountainous West Virginia and their cattle ranch in coastal plains Georgia. She has a son and a stepdaughter. A member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors), she is a former journalist, business consultant, spokesperson, and college instructor. After several non-fiction books, Crossing into the Mystic is her first novel.





Sunday 22 June 2014

The Rheidol Steam Railway

www.Rheidol Railway.co.uk

You may remember I recently recounted the legend of Devil's Bridge and then last week we were at a steam rally.  Today I thought I'd link back to Devil's Bridge, and still continuing the theme of 'steam' tell you a bit about Rheilfordd Cwm Rheidol or the Rheidol Valley Railway.  I used to live on a hill overlooking the Rheidol Valley (pronounced Ray-dol') and the River Rheidol winding it's way through the valley and down to the sea. I could also watch the little steam engines on the narrow gauge railway , chugging their way into the mountains, the same mountains where I spent many happy hours long distance horseback riding.

Of course I rode on the trains myself, many times, and especially enjoyed taking my niece and nephew on the 'Cowboy Specials' where kids, and often their parents as well, would dress up as cowboys.  Then the train would be 'held up' halfway up the mountain by local students dressed up as indians.  I'm not sure if they still have the cowboy specials but  I do know they run a Halloween train and a Santa special.


The train runs from Aberystwyth to Devils Bridge, where it stops to give visitors time to look around the famous falls, and have a bite to eat, before the homeward journey.

This is what it says on the Rheidol Railway's website:

"Travelling on the Vale of Rheidol Railway is the finest way to explore the stunning Rheidol Valley. Opened in 1902, the railway has been delighting passengers young and old for over a century.
The clearing in the trees on the hill behind the train is known locally as 'the stag'
Feel the wind in your hair in one of our Open Summer Carriages or watch the scenery passing by from the comfort of our First Class Observation Saloons. See the countryside change as you travel through wide open fields and meadows, woodland and rugged mountain scenery, the line twisting and turning as it clings to the hillside. Alight at one of our recently restored intermediate stations and explore the many walks the valley has to offer. Listen to the sound of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive working hard to
climb 700ft (200m) in the 11¾ miles from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge.

Red Kite
Birds of prey such as Red Kite and Buzzards are regularly seen soaring high above the valley floor and breath taking views can be enjoyed by all. See our timetable below, and book your tickets online here.

The line is a masterpiece of engineering, opened in 1902 to carry lead ore, timber and passenger traffic. The narrow track gauge allows the railway to follow the contours of the terrain with many sharp curves and steep gradients which add to the railway's charm."

Finally, just so you get the flavour of this enchanting train ride, I'll leave you with the Vale of Rheidol's video



I am endebted  to the Vale of Rheidol Railway for their kind permission to use the video and other material on my blog.  Should you visit my beautiful homeland of Wales, and be anywhere near Aberystwyth, do book a ride which I can promise you will never forget, through some of the most breathtaking scenery you will find in the whole of the British Isles.  You can find out more about the Rheidol Railway by going to their website:

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Getting up Steam

Not many people know that apart from my passion for horses, I love steam! (One of these days I fully intend to write a 'steampunk' novel.) There are several steam rallies and festivals in the area where I live, during the summer, and we went to one over the weekend.  I'll leave it to the video to show you these magnificent behemoths of another, gentler age. I apologise for the sound quality, they seem to have had a few problems with the microphones, but it gives you a flavour of the event.


                     As well as large engines, there were small ones perfectly modelled to scale
Also vintage cars , the American ones being especially impressive

But it's the steam engines that I really love, there is something about  these grand old steam engines 
that is just so ... well...romantic! What do you think?