Branch 1 of the Tree of Life
nDecember Book Of The Month
n
| n
n
n  n
n n n |
n
nNearly a century ago, Rowan Nemed died by lightning strike. The divine bolt ignited something magic and she was transformed into something rare, powerful, and fey: sidhe. n |
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
5 Star Review
n
nWow! Great read and I highly recommend it. Nicely developed characters and story line keep you intrested. Looking forward to the rest of this series!n
n
Excerpt
n
nCameras flashed and fans screamed as Derek Wolfe eased his long, lean body from the shiny, black limousine. Equally shiny, black shoes settled on the deeply red carpet lined on either side by photographers, reporters, fans, and lesser celebrities. He flashed his brilliant trademark smile at them and waved as he waited for his bodyguard to shadow him. The men waited while the lusciously voluptuous figure of a starlet riding Wolfe’s comet to fame and fortune emerged from the limousine and joined them. She did not yet merit a bodyguard. Bedecked in pale pink sequins and borrowed diamonds, she glittered and sparkled like cheap champagne. Wolfe took her hand in his and they paraded along the red carpet, the bodyguard following closely and making sure that none of the fans or paparazzi became overly enthusiastic in the presence of their idols.
n
nI found the whole exercise in fantasy, fame, and infatuation endlessly entertaining. Since Hollywood’s golden age, the process repeated itself over and over as a particular leading man or lady gripped the nation’s attention and affection and commanded salaries that most folks only dimly imagined.
n
nFirmly ensconced behind the scenes where my anonymity could be protected, I loved making Hollywood magic come to vivid life. That evening’s set raised the bar and even I would have to work hard to exceed its success. Film sets were enhanced by digital wizardry; special effects on live audience sets were much more difficult to pull off, but I—and my small company—did it.
n
n“Rowan, once again Stardust Set Design has created an unbelievably beautiful and fantastic venue,” Bertie Pendergast complimented with a small wave that sparkled and flashed with gold and jewels. Bertie loved his rings. “Troy Ingalls told me that you are definitely chosen as the set designer for his next movie—probably all three of them.” He added as an aside, “Betty Davis is doing the costume design. You’ll want to coordinate with her.”
n
nI smiled and politely accepted the high praise and exceedingly good news from Hollywood’s most prominent B-list actor who was often selected to host several of the self-congratulatory awards programs that actors and moviemakers like to broadcast. These events afforded Hollywood’s darlings, the has-beens, and the ambitious up-and-comers with ample opportunities to flatter themselves, to parade before fans, and to attend decadent and extravagant parties. That night’s Oscars awards program and party was being held at the opulent Kodak Theater.
n
n“Bertie, you’re an angel,” I said when he offered to introduce me to Troy Ingalls, the hottest director in the business who had just signed Derek Wolfe to a three-movie contract for an obscene amount of money. The blonde beauty who accompanied him that night held one of the lead parts in the ensemble cast.
n
n“Troy’s doing a Camelot-based trilogy. The first is based on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” Bertie said with a shrug. “It’s a departure for Derek, but then Tom Cruise did a fabulous job as the vampire Lestat, which really surprised everyone.”
n
n“I take it that Derek is Sir Gawain?”
n
n“He’s too rugged to play Arthur,” Bertie said with a grin. “They’ve got Hammer Allencamp for that role.”
n
nI repressed a groan as the actor just named by Bertie walked past us. He had shoulder-length, blonde hair, an impressive physique, a dangerously beautiful face, and an IQ equivalent to his shoe size.
n
n“It’s a good thing he’s pretty,” Bertie said in a snide undertone.
n
nI choked back a chuckle.
n
n“You know, Rowan,” Bertie began, “I don’t see why you’re not in front of a camera.”
n
n“Because I can’t act,” I retorted. My own accompanying shrug concealed the need for continued anonymity. Discovery meant loss of freedom and that meant someone had to die. I preferred that someone not be me. Patrick Henry said it best: “Give me liberty or give me death.”
n
n
n