One of my inspirations behind The Wind Whisperer might surprise you. It was Pocahontas. It has been over 400 years since Pocahontas was alive, but I still see her everywhere. It started when I purchased a densely forested piece of property once owned by Pocahontas. It was a piece of dowry given to her by Chief Powhatan when she married John Rolfe, the tobacco farmer. Within two miles of our property was the original Jamestown.
It was here in Virginia where I wrote The Wind Whisperer, a young adult novel full of romance, intrigue, murder, and a heavy dose of supernatural. It was hard not to let my imagination go wild when I walked through the forest, or explored along Tidewater’s many streams and rivers. Native hunters certainly tracked deer here while the woman gathered wild blackberries and grapes. Though The Wind Whisperer is based on a fictional tribe, I wanted it to feel as authentic as possible. This meant doing lots of research and stealing facts from the Powhatans that once lived here.
It was natural that my female protagonists have tattoos. This was a normal fashion. Tattoos were not only for beauty but symbols of status and wealth. Yes, Pocahontas wore tattoos. My fictional tribe also lives in longhouses, just like the structures the Powhatan people lived in. As with every tribe in the region, there’s a temple, a medicine man, beads for bartering, and lots of conflict!
In doing research on the ancient locals, some things surprised me. The Native Americans weren’t romantic at all—not in the sense that we think. There were no displays of public affection. I remember reading about one warrior who returned home after a very long absence. When the couple first saw each other, instead of throwing themselves into each other’s arms, they gazed at each other for a very long time. That was it—a deep soulful stare. I had to do a lot of winging when I created this juicy love triangle.
One of the most important elements in my story is that my main character Anaii can “hear” the spirits of the wind. Not such a stretch for a people who believe everything has a spirit—rock, tree, stream, ect… To Anaii, the spirits are a little like static on the radio. They never stop talking and observing. This makes Anaii extremely valuable to her tribe—it also causes lots and lots of conflict. Hopefully as you read The Wind Whisperer, you’ll feel submerged in Native American life, and just maybe you may even channel a little Pocahontas.
It was here in Virginia where I wrote The Wind Whisperer, a young adult novel full of romance, intrigue, murder, and a heavy dose of supernatural. It was hard not to let my imagination go wild when I walked through the forest, or explored along Tidewater’s many streams and rivers. Native hunters certainly tracked deer here while the woman gathered wild blackberries and grapes. Though The Wind Whisperer is based on a fictional tribe, I wanted it to feel as authentic as possible. This meant doing lots of research and stealing facts from the Powhatans that once lived here.
It was natural that my female protagonists have tattoos. This was a normal fashion. Tattoos were not only for beauty but symbols of status and wealth. Yes, Pocahontas wore tattoos. My fictional tribe also lives in longhouses, just like the structures the Powhatan people lived in. As with every tribe in the region, there’s a temple, a medicine man, beads for bartering, and lots of conflict!
In doing research on the ancient locals, some things surprised me. The Native Americans weren’t romantic at all—not in the sense that we think. There were no displays of public affection. I remember reading about one warrior who returned home after a very long absence. When the couple first saw each other, instead of throwing themselves into each other’s arms, they gazed at each other for a very long time. That was it—a deep soulful stare. I had to do a lot of winging when I created this juicy love triangle.
One of the most important elements in my story is that my main character Anaii can “hear” the spirits of the wind. Not such a stretch for a people who believe everything has a spirit—rock, tree, stream, ect… To Anaii, the spirits are a little like static on the radio. They never stop talking and observing. This makes Anaii extremely valuable to her tribe—it also causes lots and lots of conflict. Hopefully as you read The Wind Whisperer, you’ll feel submerged in Native American life, and just maybe you may even channel a little Pocahontas.
This love triangle just got dangerous…
At fifteen, Anaii is the most important member of her tribe—and the most mysterious. Ever since Anaii can remember, the spirits of the wind have whispered of fertile hunting grounds and imminent enemy attacks. But when her people are ambushed by a brother clan without any apparent cause, the spirits remain eerily silent.
As the village prepares to retaliate, Anaii is pressured by her best friend, Elan, to marry him. It’s an old plea—Elan has spent a lifetime loving her, but Anaii only sees a childhood playmate out of an imposing warrior. Stifled by Elan’s insistence, Anaii escapes into the forest where she meets Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief.
Enamored by Jayttin’s carefree spirit and hope for peace, she repeatedly sneaks away to be with him, but when her deception is discovered, Elan is devastated. Pledging his lifelong affection, Elan gives her a passionate kiss, and Anaii begins to see her friend in a new light.
While Anaii is tormented over which man she must choose, the wind whispers of a new threat that could destroy both tribes. Only a union will afford a chance at survival, but the reality of that union is based on one thing—which man Anaii chooses to die.
At fifteen, Anaii is the most important member of her tribe—and the most mysterious. Ever since Anaii can remember, the spirits of the wind have whispered of fertile hunting grounds and imminent enemy attacks. But when her people are ambushed by a brother clan without any apparent cause, the spirits remain eerily silent.
As the village prepares to retaliate, Anaii is pressured by her best friend, Elan, to marry him. It’s an old plea—Elan has spent a lifetime loving her, but Anaii only sees a childhood playmate out of an imposing warrior. Stifled by Elan’s insistence, Anaii escapes into the forest where she meets Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief.
Enamored by Jayttin’s carefree spirit and hope for peace, she repeatedly sneaks away to be with him, but when her deception is discovered, Elan is devastated. Pledging his lifelong affection, Elan gives her a passionate kiss, and Anaii begins to see her friend in a new light.
While Anaii is tormented over which man she must choose, the wind whispers of a new threat that could destroy both tribes. Only a union will afford a chance at survival, but the reality of that union is based on one thing—which man Anaii chooses to die.
The Wind Whisperer (young adult—paranormal romance):
Publication date: Coming this October 15, 2013
Publisher: (Independent) Sweet River Romance
Pages: 302
Amazon
Kobo
B&N
Publication date: Coming this October 15, 2013
Publisher: (Independent) Sweet River Romance
Pages: 302
Amazon
Kobo
B&N
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Other Books by Krista Holle:
The Lure of Shapinsay
(Winner of the Reader’s Choice Award for Paranormal Romance 2012)
Published December 2011
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
The Lure of Shapinsay
(Winner of the Reader’s Choice Award for Paranormal Romance 2012)
Published December 2011
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
No comments :
Post a Comment