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Hi Folks!

The literary excerpts have been a bit scant the past week or so … will try to do better in that regard.  Frankly, I’ve been rather busy.  You see I’m in the process of revising/preparing my novels for Ebook form.   Have discovered a great , great new site, , attracting excellent authors writing all genres, many of whom have managed to regain the rights to their books and are now choosing to go it on their own.    For me, that’s always been the issue.  Sale or no sale — I’m not interested in signing away the rights of my books for years, much less for a lifetime.  Unfortunately, the self-published books are simply too expensive.  So Ebooks are a very nice alternative; especially, these days.   I prefer to save my $$$ for antique volumes!

At any rate,”Alteza” is now posted  at

It’s an historical romance, rather literary in nature,  placed in 1870’s New Mexico in the months just after the Great Chicago Fire – a tale of Sehnsucht, unrequited love and Faustian striving.  It’s illustrated to a degree, with frequent references to Goethe, Schiller, Carlyle, Novalis, and other literary princes we love.

There are eight in the series so far, so will be revising them as time and Real Life permit.  The next one is called “Drumfire ,  and, like “Alteza,” the Spirit of Poets prevail throughout the tale.  The passionate thoughts of Heinrich Heine play an important role.

While Friedrich Schiller’s words from Wallenstein:

“I see you, Sir, exhibit at this court two different aspects.  One of them must be borrowed; but which of them is real?”

Is pretty much the premise for the tale!

With reference to Bismarck and Moltke and the Wars of German Unification, as one of the characters was an observer during the Franco-Prussian War.

Oh, and Liszt and Wagner and Weimar, and Schumann, too, as well as other notable historical events of the early 1870’s, are mentioned in “Drumfire” too.

Yes, the stories I write might be considered a strange mixture to some <g>

BUT just consider this from the eyes of  rugged folk trying to survive in a primitive American territory.  Striving individuals who begin with nothing, yet are  possessed by a Spirit to build and create … and, most especially, by a Desire To Learn!   Books were a rare and expensive commodity.  Yet as they slowly acquire their beloved books and educate themselves, OF COURSE, they would be “hungry” for any knowledge of  the authors and events in foreign lands which inspired their days!

Oh, also having much fun playing with beautiful images and designing my own cover art!

Okay, so that’s what I’ve been up to.    Oh!!!  Some wonderful “new” books have arrived.    Another volume from Thomas Roscoe!  From 1824, “Italian Tales of Humour, Gallantry and Romance” illustrated by George Cruikshank!  (Now, I have Mr.  Roscoe’s 4-volume German Tales.  Still hoping to acquire his 4-volume Spanish Tales and 3-volume Italian Tales some day.)

Also another WONDERFUL find from 1855 and the German of Caroline Pichler:  “Wallenstein and the Swedes in Prague, or The Signal Rocket:  A Romance of The Thirty Years War!”  Its pages beautifully embellished in 19th century style.  Now, she also wrote “The Siege of Vienna” … would love to find that one!  Oh, both of these volumes are three-quarter calf with marble boards, and they feel and smell so good!  And fit so nicely in the palm of my hand <g>

Happy Reading Everyone!

Luv, L

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