Heroines of Fantasy: Miss March

Welcome to our third installment of a year-long blog series where we feature a heroine of fantasy each month. I’m going to give your TBR lists a break and instead introduce you to a television icon in urban fantasy. And since it’s the third month in the year 2013, we’re getting a magical three in one: The Charmed Ones!

“Hear now the words of the witches, the secrets we hid in the night, the oldest of Gods are invoked here, the great work of magic is sought. In this night and in this hour, I’ll call upon the ancient power, bring your powers to we sisters three, we want the power, give us the power.“

Three sisters born to a witch’s line would become the most powerful force for good in the world: The Charmed Ones. Six months after their Grams’s passing, Phoebe moves home to live with sisters Prue and Piper. She discovers an old Book of Shadows in the attic and recites a spell that unbinds their powers.

 Prue is the eldest. She practically raised her sisters after their mother died and is very responsible, which sometimes leads her to clash with the youngest Halliwell sister, Phoebe, who lives more like a free-spirit. Prue has the power to move objects with her mind. It’s considered the most active power, laying even more responsibility on her shoulders, and leading to guilt when her “superior power” fails to save someone she loves. Prue struggles to keep her identity a secret, especially when it comes to fighting demons and keeping her 9-5 job at a high-end auction house. Eventually, she learns to invest in herself a little more, and quits to pursue her dream of being a photographer.

 Piper is the middle child, always mediating between Prue and Phoebe. She works at a restaurant where she lets her boss walk all over her, yet she endures it because her dream is to become a chef. She has the power to freeze time. Her power starts small, only lasting a minute or so, but eventually grows powerful enough to freeze an entire room, and later she can go the opposite: speed molecules up so fast they explode. Piper just wants a normal life without vanquishing demons and ruining expensive pairs of boots. She also wants to fall in love and get married, but she doesn’t have the best luck with men—one was a demon who tried to kill her, another guy was a ghost, and then she fell in love with her white lighter (a witch’s guardian angel), which was a big no-no.

 Phoebe is the youngest and “without vision” for her life, so Prue would say. Ironically, Phoebe’s power is premonition. It’s not a very active power, which she laments in comparison to her sisters, because unlike them, Phoebe likes being a witch. It gives her a purpose and an identity she’d been lacking in her life. Phoebe is a gung ho heroine, eager to kick some demon ass, and she even learns martial arts to make up for her lack of offensive magic.

Together, the three sisters face the challenges of fighting evil, finding love, and pursuing their dreams, all through the bond of sisterhood. If you haven’t watched this series, run to your Netflix or Hulu stream. (For those of you who are fans, yes, there is a “fourth” sister, but we’re not going to get to her today.)

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Now Released: Elemental Magic!

I am thrilled to announce that Elemental Magic has finally been released!  After several setbacks trying to work out the cover art and then my illness, which has frankly left me little more than a puddle of mush (has it really been a month of that?!), everything has come together.  It may not have been on my timetable, but it was worth it.  Check out that cover art!

Aileen Donovan is an oceanographer with magical control over the element of water. While her normal focus is on research and fighting poachers, she’s about to go up against the stuff of legends—and that’s saying something for a supernatural.

A transport ship is missing and everyone’s eager to get their hands on the cargo. No one knows what exactly it is, but when fragments resembling coral begin to drive local residents insane, Aileen suspects a preternatural source. Whatever is at the bottom of the ocean, a power-hungry alchemist wants it, and releases a sea dragon to eat the competition—literally.

Aileen sees this as an opportunity to win the professional recognition she desires, but keeping secrets is complicated when she’s working with local Coast Guard officer Colin Benson. Her sense of love and duty will be put to the test, and when the tide washes out, it might have been better if that lost ship had stayed lost.

Available on Amazon and Smashwords.

Elemental Magic: What’s your element?

Welcome to Imagine That on Wednesdays!

In honor of my soon to be released urban fantasy novel, Elemental Magic, I’d like to share some of my research on the four classic elements and what they represent.

Water is a restorative, life sustaining element. Characters with an affinity to water are often peaceful, although they can also respond with violence when provoked.  Somewhat like the sea–calm one moment, violent the next.  Water personalities tend to be emotional, deep, nurturing, sympathetic, empathetic, imaginative and intuitive; however, they can also be sentimental, sensitive, escapist and irrational.  Water environments are tranquil and abundant with life.

If your element is water, then your animal buddies would be the dolphin, seal, turtle, frog, and all types of fish.  Mythical creatures associated with this element are the Mermaid (salt water), Naiad (fresh water), and sea dragon.

Earth is an element of stability.  Characters who wield this element tend to be physically strong or imposing, but they can also be either passive or aggressive.  Earth personalities tend to be calm, practical, hard working, wise, stable, patient and sensual; however, they can also be stubborn, possessive, jealous, nearsighted and very harsh.  Its environment can be either barren or abundant in life.

If your element is earth, then your animals would be the stag, bull, bear, snake, and of course all burrowing animals.  (Ground squirrels anyone?)  Mythical earth creates are the Satyr/Faun, Gnomes/Goblins (I really hope they don’t meant the garden variety), and Dryads (tree nymphs).

Air (also referred to as wind) represents freedom and whimsy, and is often wielded by carefree characters. This element often emphasizes speed over strength.  Air personalities tend to be kind, intellectual, communicative, social and helpful. However, they can also be cold, superficial, vicious and very insensitive to other people’s emotions.  Environments associated with this element tend to be at high elevations or actually suspended in the air.  (Who wants a floating castle in the sky?)

No specific animal is listed, though you can assume anything with wings could personify this element.  The only mythological being linked to air is the Sylph, an air spirit probably resembling a fairy or pixie.

Fire is often depicted as a destructive element, but it also gives life.  For example, forest fire burns away old, dead foliage to make room for new growth.  It is often regenerative and formative.  Fire tends to be wielded by aggressive characters, or warm and passionate ones.  Fire personalities are believed to have good leadership qualities, and also tend to be extroverted, rebellious, passionate and enthusiastic, brave and valiant; however, they can also be moody, hot-tempered, snappy, uncontrollable and angry.  Fire environments tend to be hot, hostile and dangerous.

Interestingly, the animal most closely associated with this element are cats, especially the lion and tiger.  Any predatory animal, such as the fox, can personify fire, and sometimes the hawk is linked to this element, even though many associate it with air.  The mythological creatures are the phoenix, dragon, and salamander (related to the myth that they mysteriously emerge from flames).

My personality leans more towards Water and Earth, though I have always been fascinated with Fire.  (Opposites attract, maybe?)  I certainly have a greater love for Fire’s elemental creatures.  😉

What’s your element?  Which one would you like to be, or which one would you like to have magical power over?  I love hearing from you!

Watch for the release of my latest book, Elemental Magic, the first in my new urban fantasy series:

Aileen Donovan is an oceanographer with magical control over the element of water.  While her normal focus is on research and fighting poachers, she’s about to go up against the stuff of legends—and that’s saying something for a supernatural.

A transport ship is missing and everyone’s eager to get their hands on the cargo.  No one knows what it is, but when fragments resembling coral begin to drive local residents insane, Aileen suspects a preternatural source.  Whatever is at the bottom of the ocean, a power-hungry alchemist wants it, and releases a sea dragon to eat the competition—literally.

Aileen sees this as an opportunity to prove her worth, but as the stakes are raised, she’ll have to choose between duty and renown.  When the tide washes out, it would have been better if that lost ship had stayed lost.