Most Plotmonkey readers know that I wrote three connected books for Harlequin that featured heroines who were witches: Witchy Business, Stripped and the upcoming Blaze, Something Wicked. What you might NOT know is that I had my own personal Wiccan to help me with the research! And today, I’d love to introduce this amazing, generous, spiritual, gorgeous and talented author to you: Elissa Wilds! Elissa is not only a VERY new mommy, but she has her DEBUT BOOK out in stores right NOW (*In other words, readers…go forth and purchase!) I’m so thrilled to introduce her to you…please give a very warm jungle welcome to Elissa Wilds!
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When Julie and the Plot Monkeys asked me to guest blog, I was told to blog about anything I’d like. Anything I want? That was tough. I mulled over what I could offer that folks might find interesting to read. In the end, I decided to talk about something that’s seasonally appropriate.
October 28th was the release date for my new book, Between Light and Dark. I was tempted to run to the bookstore and slink over to the romance section to turn my book face out (oh yeah, and get a picture of it actually on the shelves) but alas, I’m home on baby duty. Not a bad place to be, either. I’m pretty happy at the moment staring at the little angel in my lap and my book on the coffee table. Thinking of giving birth to something (or someone) new sent my mind meandering down the path of saying goodbye to “the old” – situations and people in my life that have fallen away over the past year. A fitting contemplation given that in a few more days it with be Samhain (or what many folks refer to as Halloween.)
Samhain is an ancient Celtic holiday celebrated today by Wiccans and Pagans as a time of the final harvest. A time to gather your resources for the long winter ahead. It’s considered the Wiccan New Year. It’s also the time when the veil between the worlds is considered to be thinnest, when it is easiest and most appropriate to communicate with the dead. Some folks honor their dead loved ones on Samhain by setting a place for them at the dinner table and making an offering of the food from that place setting to the spirits and/or deity. It is a prime time to attempt make contact with spirits.
This year, like most folks, my hubby and I will take the kids trick-or-treating and spend time with family. But, then we’ll come home to quiet contemplation and a private ritual to honor the holiday. I truly believe that our loves ones do check in on us from time to time once they’ve passed to the Summerland. I believe they can be our guardian angels, our conscience, or that little voice in our head spurring us to chase a dream. I’m constantly reminded of how the dead remain connected to us by little miracles and so called coincidences that happen in my life.
For example, Michael and I were having a heck of a time picking a baby name for our little boy. (Michael is extremely picky!!) I had two or three names I liked, but all they elicited from him was “it’s okay.” I was frustrated. The baby was going to be here any day. My mom went on vacation and called me from the road. She said: “I saw this couple with the cutest little baby boy and I was drawn to him. I asked his name and when they told me, it gave me goosebumps. I just knew you and Michael would like the name.” She was right. It was the first time Michael heard a name for our son and said “I love that!” So, we named our baby Jett. (Yes, I know John Travolta’s son is named Jett – I didn’t know it until I told folks the name we’d picked, but hey – I figure John has good taste.) Michael called his mom to tell her the name we’d chosen. She hung up the phone and called him back five minutes later saying his father wanted to know where he’d heard that name before? We explained we hadn’t heard it until my mom called to tell us about the little boy she’d met.
“Why?” Michael asked. “Does Dad hate it?”
“No,” his mom answered. “It’s just that he has only heard that name once before. It was has great granddad’s name. You never knew his great granddad.”
When Michael told me this, the hair on the back of my neck stood. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe great granddad Jett wanted his name to live on in his family. So, this Samhain, along with a cousin and some grandparents, aunts and uncles, we’re going to say hello and honor our blood tie to great granddad Jett – who had to be cool because he has the same name as our precious little boy. Who will you remember this Samhain? Will you attempt to say hello to “the other side?” I hope so. You never know who may be waiting to hear from you.
Happy Halloween and Merry Samhain!
Elissa
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Warm wishes for a Happy Birthday go out to Plotmonkey Pals Liza Brown, Pat Lieberman, & Angie Thompson today! We hope you have a fabulous, fun-filled day!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
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Oh I love the story behind your son’s name! That is wonderful. I’ve always considered myself more spiritual than religious, so something like this makes perfect sense to me. I do believe our loved ones watch over us and even influence us in some small fashion. I don’t think they stand watch 24/7, but that they come to us and quite possibly guide us from time to time. I believe we’re all connected in some way – part of why we’re here.
Happy Halloween, or for some people, Happy Samhain! :hallwitchy
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Thanks for your birthday wishes, Monkees.
Happy Bday, Liza and Angie.
Wow, 3 of us on the same day. Cool! Hope you both have a wonderful day.
Nice story about the baby’s name – I do beleive there is more than something to coincidence.
Before my sister and I were born – my Dad served in WW2 and when he was on his way home from serving, he picked up some jewelry for my mom; 2 of things he picked up were an opal ring and also a topaz ring with ruby accents.
I was born about a year later in October as you all now know – LOL and my sister born 5 years later the beginning of Oct. Opal is the birthstone for October. My son was born in July and my daughter in November. (his first 2 grandkids) – Ruby and Topaz are those birthstones. I like to think that was more than a coincidence but some karma thing for want of a better word. Divine providence. Anyone have a better word?
Also, my dad die over the summer. My sister told me a story about a dress she wore that my Dad loved and he told her he loved the color red. Cardinals are very rare where we live in NY – the day before he passed away, I was at my parents house and I saw a cardinal on there lawn.
Anyway, hope everyone has a great day! We are going out to dinner tonite with my daughter, Karen and her husband, Jack. Karen is due to have her baby girl on the 14th of November. Also have a family dinner on Sunday and some dinners with friends over the next few days. Will be a blimp. LOL.
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I will have to go find your book. I love checking out new authors!
Without a doubt, I believe that those we have lost are looking out for us. there are so many instances that I could name, especially since my dad died 3 years ago.
We went to Salem last weekend for the festivities. My daughter has been dipping her toe, so to speak, into the practice. Reading and researching. Talking with people. Works for me. Why people have to be so closed minded about the whole thing, I haven’t figured out. I liked the bumper sticker I saw that said “No war has ever been fought in the name of Wicca.”
I am looking forward to Friday night and all the little ghosts and ghoulies. Although they don’t let them dress like that in the schools, so the costumes aren’t as fun as they used to be. :devilbanana
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:hallwitchyHappy Birthday Liza, Pat and Angie
Hello Elissa,
Congratulations on the birth of your little boy.
Loved the story behind his name. Jett is a way cool name.
I have always been very interested in The Wiccan religion.
I read many books over the years on it origins and what it is today.
If I were you I would recruit friends and family and tell them to go out and make sure your book is out there face forward for the world to see.
I know I will be looking for it in the stores.
As Julie has directed the loyal PM to (*In other words, readers…go forth and purchase! If not in store I will search out on amazon.
Glad to have you in the jungle.
:monkey :monkey
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZA, PAT AND ANGIE!!
We have new emoticons! How fun! I love the dancing monkey and turkey! And all the little ghosties and ghoulies too!
Here’s a story my M-I-L told me that definitely gave me pause.
She said that when my husband and his brothers were still little and at that time money was really tight. They were trying to juggle their dollars to figure out how they were going to pay for things. It was the middle of winter.
Anyway, she was at home one day and the phone rang. It was a lady who lived next door to them, a lady she really didn’t know very well at all. She told Mom that she’d had a vision. She said it was of a little old lady with a puff of white hair. She said she was standing in a garden on a brick path and pointing to a tree that was just leafing out. In her hand she held a purse. She pointed from the purse to the tree and back again.
By this time, Mom said the hair on the back of her neck was standing on end. This neighbor discribed Mom’s grandmother to a T and the garden and the path was at her grandmother’s house. Of course her grandmother was dead and her house was long gone.
Sure enough, in early spring Mom and Dad got an unexpected insurance check in the mail that enabled them to cover those expenses. Interesting huh…
Have a great day all,
Cher :danmonk
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I’m on my way to the bookstore today to buy your wonderful book!!!
xoxo
alyssa
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Happy Birthday Ladies!! Enjoy your day.
Hi Elissa! I love the story of your discovery of your son’s name and I think that your hubbie’s great grandfather definetly had something to do with your final decision. I’m sure Jett will love hearing that story when he’s older.
I have a daughter named Emily and believe it or not I hadn’t really heard the name until I was in my 7th month of pregnancy. I was having a hard time picking a name because I wanted something that hadn’t been used before in my family (this is hard I have over 45 cousins and they combined have over a 100 children). As far as everyone knew there had never been an Emily in the family and until we found an old family timeline that my great-great grandmother had done we would have never known that there was an Emily in the 1700′s. Go figure, I didn’t even know that name was around then. LOL BTW I named my son Nathan because I have loved the name Nathaniel my whole life (hubbie didn’t like Nathaniel, so we settled on Nathan) and our 1700 Emily had a son named Nathaniel. I think that is so cool.
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Congrautulations on your new son and book release, Elissa!! I’m so happy for you and your family.
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These are some things that make you feel good. Thought I would pass them along.
Cher
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15 The beach
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you’re beautiful.
23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
29. Playing with a new puppy.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends.
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
36. Making chocolate chip cookies.
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
38 Holding hands with someone you care about.
39 Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
40. Watching the expression on someone’s face as they open a much desired present from you.
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
45. Knowing you’ve done the right thing, no matter what other people think.
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Happy Birthday, Liza, Pat and Angie!!!!
Welcome, Elissa!!! :hallwitchy :trickspider :halpump :mummy :ghosty1 :mummy2 :trickboo :trickbatman :angelbanana :halskel
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I’m so excited about your book and can’t wait to read it!!! Thanks for sharing Jett’s naming story, very cool.
When I was young my mom bought my sister and I a Ouija board, it had just come out and everyone wanted one. I remember the night it moved on its own. Sort of scared me and I wouldn’t use it anymore. Shortly after that I started hearing my name called out when no one was around many times. For some reason that never scared me and I asked my pastor (a southern Baptist pastor) about it. He told me that more than likely it was someone from my family who’d passed on who wanted to speak with me, especially since it never scared me. The time the mirror turned completely black, although my sister could see in the mirror just fine was a little odd, but again, it didn’t scare me.
:hallwitchy :trickspider :mummy I love the new smiley’s :danmonk
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Holy cow! Look at all those fun emoticon! How many can I use in one post?! :giggler
Elissa – Congrats on your baby boy and your new book!
Thank you for the great explanation as to what Samhain means. I have a book coming out from Samhain Publishing in December and I sort of new what Samhain meant (the company is 3 years old this week) but I didn’t really get it. Now I do! Thanks!
I have attended several healing circles (think seance for grownups) and it’s a chance for those who have passed on to come through and give messages. 3 months prior to attending my first healing circle I’d lost a good friend. She was 36, I was 39, and her death shook me up more than I think even I realized.
I thought of her constantly and often thought about stopping at her grave – I drive past it at least 2, and usually 4, times a day. For some reason I had this really strong urge to put red carnations on her grave, but I didn’t feel like that was my place to do so, so I never did.
Well, at this healing circle I was in the middle, surrounded by other people who were getting “messages.” My friend ended up coming through, she asked me to check on her kids, and some other things. When I went back to my seat the “medium” who was conducting the healing circle walked over to me and said, “Do you know why there are red carnations completely surrounding your head?”
At this point I burst into tears and told her that I’d wanted to put flowers on her grave but that I hadn’t. The medium hugged me and said, “Dear, she’s gotten all of them. Just keep sending them to her the way you have been.” I was a firm believer after that that they are watching over. They do get our communications. And I often send my friend flowers. Thanks for such a cool topic, today!
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Happy Halloween to you too, Elissa! I miss my FL Halloweens that involved letting my husband trick or treat with the kids while I drank amaretto at home and handed out candy to all the adorable spooks who showed up at my door. And lest I sound like a lush, it wasn’t the amaretto that made the holiday fun :pumpkin:. It was those cutie pie kids.
These days, we live in the waaay country. We leave home to trick or treat and party at a family member’s house. It’s cool in its own way as I walk the street with the little spooks instead of answering the door to their smiling faces. Of course, these days, there is the snow to contend with…
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Alannah, I loved your story. Elissa, I’m buying this book ASAP!!!!
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Oh, God, I forgot to say welcome!
Welcome to the jungle, Elissa!!!
Cher
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Hi Elissa! I bought your book yesterday and am SO looking forward to reading it.
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Liza Brown, Pat Lieberman, & Angie Thompson
!!!
I am sooooo :wub: the new icons. Whoever found them,
It’s windy today and my backyard looks like :jumpleaf
Julie, before I forget, I loved your “snappy comebacks” as quoted in the RWR article in the latest issue!
I soooo want to sit next to you at a signing!
Elissa, congrats on your baby – both of them, human and book. Interestingly, I just sent off a full MS where Samhain plays an important part in the plot. I won’t try to make a long story short, but whenever I find a penny on the ground, I often find two – one head’s up (my dad) and the other tail’s up (my DH’s dad). When things are particularly tough emotionally, I often come home with a pocketful of change. Welcome to the Jungle and thanks for an interesting and timely topic!
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Great story, Elissa! Super congratulations on both the book release and on being a new mom. Can’t wait to meet Jett!!!
Have a blessed Samhain,
E
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Welcome to the jungle, Elissa! It’s great to have you here!
:trickboo Happy “Almost” Halloween Everyone!
:jumpleaf
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What a wonderful story about how your baby got his name, Elissa. Those who have gone before are definitely keeping an eye on us all.
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Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all the wonderful stories (I love reading them – they are soooo inspirational!) I’m so happy that my choice of topic hit home. It really shows how connected we all are – most of us have had paranormal experiences of one sort or the other. We just don’t always recognize them. It can be something as seemingly inconsequential as Pat L.’s cardinal sighting. (I love stories involving animals, by the way. I’m fascinated with the idea of animal totems and their hidden meanings.) And I see some TARANS on here!! Waving at you all! :wave:Thanks again for stopping by to read my story, sharing your own, and the good wishes on baby and book! I hope you enjoy the story!
Bright Blessings, Elissa
(and here’s a dancing monkey ‘cuz, well, this is the plot monkeys after all) :danmonk
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Oh! I wanted to comment on more of the postings because this stuff is just too exciting not to address! Gigi – thank you, yes I will tell everyone to turn my book out! (I do that for all the authors I know when I see their books in stores, too. Then I grin and giggle mischeviously) Silver – I love the idea of using Samhain in a book. (There is a Samhain scene in Between Light and Dark as well) – it just adds an air of the otherwordly, doesn’t it? Allanah – wow, your carnation story got me all teary-eyed (I’m hormonal and emotional already, LOL) Vicki – I am glad your pastor was so open-minded. Way cool! Patty, I love the name Emily. It’s old-fashioned in a good way. Cher, thank you for sharing your mom’s story. Reading it made the hair on my neck stand up too! Ev – I think it’s great you are supportive of your daughter in her studies. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about Wicca. A really great book is called When Someone You Love is Wiccan by Carl McColman. I recommend it to people a lot. Stacy, I couldn’t agree with you more about our loved ones checking in on us. I think they’re a bit too busy where they are to hang out all the time, but I do think they do “fly-bys.” LOL. Janelle, Karin, Alyssa (hiya!!!) and Melissa – thank you for saying hello (and getting my book!) Erica, Vicki, Joanne – oh, what can I say, TARANS rock. Have I missed anyone? I hope not. I’m just thrilled you’re all here. Now, time to feed my hungry little one. Are they ever not hungry??? LOL Bye for now!
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Love your baby’s name and how you chose it, Elissa. And I can’t wait to read you book!
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Congrautulations on your book and your baby! I also love the name Jett. It just sounds so masculine. Betcha he’s going to break a lot of hearts when he “comes of age”.
I love the cover of your book- it’s awesome!!! I can’t wait to buy your book at the Barnes & Noble book signing on Nov. 8th. I’m looking forward to the read.
Rosemary
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It’s so cool to meet someone with a similar name as me, as I only have one “s” in my name. :flower4you:
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Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone! I’ve been in meetings all day, but am finally out for the day and ready for some rest.
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Nice story, nice name for a sweet baby! Congratulations on the new book!
Happy Birthday to Angie, Liza and Pat!!
Pat Cochran
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Welcome to the Jungle, Elissa. What an interesting subject matter for the day. :danmonk I’ll look for your book next time I go to the bookstore.
Thanks for sharing the story about your sons name. Enjoy being a Mom.
Just because it is almost here!!! :pumpkin: :yikes: :trickboo :ghosty1 :bat: :trickboo
I love all the new icons, such fun!
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Elissa–thank you so much for being here today!! I not only love the story of your son’s name, but I adore the name Jett as well! How totally meant-to-be!
Thanks again, I hope your book flies off the shelves!
PS: OMG new emoticons!
:halltaz :hallwitchy :trickspider
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:bat: Ooooh, Elissa, what a wonderful story! I got goosebumps too! I never think such things are coincidence but instead are cosmic will. There are a few similar ‘twilight-zone-theme’ moments I had while writing my next year’s Dorchester book, I’ll have to share them closer to the release, thanks for such a thought-provoking topic. I can’t wait to pick up your book, it looks wonderful!!! :ghosty1
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Hi Elissa,
Your story was wonderful. I think everyone has had exeriences with the otherworld. I’ve told this story on another loop, but we had a ghost at the last house we lived in. He was male – I don’t know why, but my husband and I both sensed this – and he used to walk down the hall at night – we could hear his footsteps – and stand by our bed and watch us as we fell asleep. Sometimes it woke me up, feeling him standing there. He was never threatening, but it frightened me and I told him he was scaring me and asked him to go away. He went away that night and never came back. I always felt badly for sending him away.
I’ve had many experiences where I felt the presense of a deceased love one nearby. I honestly beleive the veil between this world and the next is incredibly thin.
Sharron
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I forgot to mention, I found your book at BAM in New Port Richey. It’s a huge store and your book was facing out on the shelf! Of course I bought a copy and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Sharron
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Hi Phyllis! (taking me awhile to get back to this blog – wow – Halloween wore me out!) Glad you like the name and thanks for picking up the book! Rosemary – I’m looking forward to seeing you on the 8th!!! Hi Elisa – I’ve never met anyone with the spelling as my name – you’re the closest so far. :) Pat and Donna, thanks so much for the good wishes! Hi Leslie!!! I’m excited to be here! Leanna, I hope you like the book, and am looking foward to your 2009 release! Sharron, I still get excited hearing about a siting of BL&D. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome! Hope you all had a great Samhain! Elissa