Last Friday I found myself at the Radisson Hotel on Milwaukee's northeast side of town at the invitation of the North Shore Junior League sponsored craft fair and fundraiser.
I was on my own as coauthor and little sis, Lori, was off on an adventure to Memphis, Tennessee and Graceland with her guy, Elvis Tribute Artist, David E. Kirby, where David performed and they had a visit to Graceland as the Christmas season was launched by turning on the special light display there.
While in Memphis Lori's David ran into David Letterman's legendary band leader, Paul Shaffer!
At my Hazel Moon booth, #37, featured were perfumed gift boxes, designed by Lori and I, containing a copy of our book wrapped in cloth, a hand-decorated candle, and a moon Christmas tree ornament. Individual books and ornaments were also for sale.
My skills and experience in fragrance promotion sure came in handy as pretty much everyone that passed by got a greeting, a smile, a business card, and a few words about the wonderful novel that is Hazel Moon!
Right away I felt a comradery with the other nearby vendors. To my left the vendor was promoting the magic and healing power of various bracelets made of exotic rocks such as lapis lazuli. I was more than intrigued and bought a bracelet for myself and another as a Christmas gift.
In Hazel Moon the mineral tourmaline (see below) is referenced as having magical powers. To my right the ladies were promoting fitness training, and that's something my sister Lori and i are definitely into in a big way!
All in all the long day was a success as a number of gift boxes and individual books and ornaments were sold, many enthusiastic, supportive visitors to my booth talked to, and I felt the pride of offering a quality work of literary value to the members of the North Shore community of which I am apart!
TOURMALINE EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 2
She grabbed the jar of Tourmaline, taking in the spectrum of colors from its surface; jet black, sapphire blue, and deep violet, while forgetting for the moment Luna’s warning that some of Tourmaline’s colors can have unexpected, even dangerous properties.
Touching a corner of the stone inside the wide-mouthed jar, she chanted reverently, “Let the fates decide,” as a surge of energy snapped between them like a strong static carpet shock.
Striking a long, wooden match to light the antique ivory funeral candle, November passed the cerulean stone over and over the flame, anointed it first with water, then, performed the final purification with kosher sea salt, and all while chanting.
May air blow away negativity,
Fire burn away the dross,
Water bring tides of calm,
And air hold me steadfast.
TOURMALINE EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 3
Before the Camaro pulled away Luna thought, Oh folly…Tourmaline is tricky, depending on the color she chose. I never trusted that stone—too much medieval chemistry to consider.
NOVEMBER RAN BACK to the car, drenched in the summer rain and for some reason feeling so fresh and free, like a hitchhiker on Route 66 in 1956 heading to anywhere in a black-and-white road flick.
Bolstered by Luna’s promise of protection, she was undaunted at the grizzly sight of several shredded carcasses, bunny parts scattered all around the purple Camaro, like a jigsaw puzzle before you assemble the pieces. Tiny curved legs, earless faces, all skewed in death poses, middle sections missing, replaced only with blood stains. Was it a raccoon’s dinner, a feral cat’s doing, or was it an ominous sign?
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