Keta's Keep

Dark Night of the Moon is the second book in the series and the sequel to Holding on to Heaven. This is a WOLF Shifter novel based on Native American lore.

Creed Gatlin flees to Arizona intent on eradicating the haunting memories of his brother’s wife. Brand Gatlin, presumed dead, resurfaces after a long absence and with his re-emergence, the destinies of those he loves is altered forever.

In a land rife with war and danger, Sage must travel to the village of her husband’s People. There, she is reunited with Crooked Back, the ancient healer. On the long trek back to Full Circle, devious plots are underfoot and peril lurks around every corner for Sage, Lauren and Peter Pa.

Dark Night of the Moon will take you on an unforgettable journey of war, violence, overwhelming grief, and finally, love. 

 * * *

To be eligible to win the Gift Cert please leave a comment and tell me what genre you read most. Paranormal? Urban Fantasy? Historical?

You must be FOLLOWING Keta's Keep to be eligible. Click on Google Connect button above. That's it! Good luck on all the contests!

My Review - 4 Stars - ★★★★

I am not normally drawn to read historical romances set in the United States, but I thoroughly enjoyed Keta Diablo's Land of Fallen Stars. Gavin and Sophie's struggle to come to terms with the disasters that have befallen them during the Civil War is gripping and gritty, and is heightened by the intense passion they feel for each other, but that they are bound by circumstances and convention to deny.

 Anna Markland (Victoria, BC)

 BUY ON KINDLE (Click Here)

This review is for: Holding on to Heaven (Kindle Edition)

Keta Diablo provides readers with a glimpse of pioneer life in the Midwest. HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN is well named, and a recurring theme throughout the book. Lauren McCain begins as a somewhat spoiled young woman who adapts well to difficulty. Each obstacle demonstrates Lauren's character growth. When she meets Sage, Lauren knows she has found a soul sister. Lauren's love life does not go quite so well. She is in love with Creed Gatlin but married to his brother Brand. I look forward to the linked book, DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON. Keta Diablo is an accomplished, award winning author. Reading her books is a pleasure.

Creed Gatlin flees to Arizona intent on eradicating the haunting memories of his brother’s wife. Brand Gatlin, presumed dead, resurfaces after a long absence and with his re-emergence, the destinies of those he loves is altered forever.

In a land rife with war and danger, Sage must travel to the village of her husband’s People. There, she is reunited with Crooked Back, the ancient healer. On the long trek back to Full Circle, devious plots are underfoot and peril lurks around every corner for Sage, Lauren and Peter Pa.

Dark Night of the Moon will take you on an unforgettable journey of war, violence, overwhelming grief, and finally, love. 

* * *

UNEDITED

Excerpt from Dark Night of the Moon: Sage takes an arrow meant for the wolf.

Late in the afternoon, Sage emerged from the tipi. She didn't have to search for Looks Back. He lurked outside the lodge like a Roman soldier guarding a sacred tomb. She pointed to the woods -- a sign she needed to relieve her bladder.

A bow and a quiver of arrows hung from his left shoulder and tucked into the waistband of his leggings, the shiny handle of his long knife glistened beneath the hot sun.

With Looks Back dogging the heels of her moccasins, Sage selected a clearing surrounded by tall pines and dense underbrush. Respecting her privacy, the brave turned his back, but kept his sharp eyes peeled on the outskirts of the clearing.

The branches on a nearby scrub rustled. No doubt a critter searching for his next meal. The eerie feeling someone was watching her claimed her again, a sensation she couldn't ignore. She turned her head toward the noise and uttered a quiet gasp when her eyes met the yellow eyes of the wolf. "Walking Spirit," she whispered, her heart pounding.

Time hung suspended on the boundary of sanity and absurd. Reason told her men didn't turn into wolves, and yet she knew in her heart her man had.
 
Looks Back spun around, his keen sense alerted to danger. He pulled an arrow from his quiver as Sage scrambled to her feet and adjusted her clothing. His eyes narrowed; he notched and arrow drew back on the sinew.

"No!" she screamed and lunged toward the shrub. A white-hot pain shot through her chest. She looked down and watched the blood soak her doeskin dress. My blood? Sage fell to her knees and then crumbled to the ground, the canopy of pine branches spinning overhead. "Run, Walking Spirit, run," she gasped between pain-filled breaths.

Looks Back loomed over her, his face masked in terror. He drew her into his arms and sprinted back to camp, stumbling over his own feet as he entered Mad Bear's lodge. Laying her on her berth of soft branches he knelt beside her and stared at the arrow embedded in her torso.

Pain choked her when she turned to look at him. "You must pull the arrow
out."

Tremors claimed his lean body when the howl of the wolf split the still air. He rose and paced the tipi, his eyes locked on the opening.

"You must pull it out! If you don't, I'll die, and so will you when Mad Bear returns."

He came to an abrupt halt, his face white with fear. "I can not do this thing."
 
"You can and you will." She didn't believe for a minute he cared about her welfare, but she had to convince him if he didn't remove the arrow Mad Bear would kill him when he returned. That was her only chance.

He knelt beside her again, sweat from his forehead trickling into his dark eyebrows. He jumped when the haunting lament from the wolf echoed around them.

"Soon I will lose consciousness from the loss of blood. You must hurry --break it off close to the skin."

His voice trembled. "Then what must I do?"

"Dig the arrow out with your knife."

"No, no. Do not ask this of Looks Back."

Struggling for breath, she rose to an elbow and stared into his dark eyes. "You listen to me. I'll be dead by nightfall if you don't. My medicine pouch, there." She pointed to a shelf over her berth. Find the bone needle and pull a strong hair from your horse's tail to sew up the wound when you're done."

The brave rose, pulled the pouch from the shelf and handed it to her.She dumped the contents on the floor and held a twisted stem before him. "Cat's claw. Once the arrow is removed, place the leaves over the wound and
cover it with a wet rag."

He shook his head.

"No more talk." She softened her voice. "If you plan to grow old, you must remove it. Now, find a leather thong I can put between my teeth, and be quick."

* * *

Thanks for reading! (comments welcome). Happy New Year

Today we have Keta Diablo visiting us. Hi Keta.

[Keta waves] Hello lovely RomFan fans. So glad you stopped by.

[Annette] Let's talk about the Holidays. What are your earliest memories of Christmas?

[Keta] Ah, my favorite holiday. Well, I remember waking up when I was five years old and scrambling down the stairs. I had asked Santa for a special doll that year and didn't know if he got my letter. I was thrilled when the doll was beneath the tree. My mom has a video of this moment and not too long ago we watched it. Wow! Where have all the years gone?

[Annette]  Did you have a favorite Holiday book as a child?

[Keta] Not really a favorite book, but my mom often read Nursery Rhymes to me. She recited poems too that she learned from her grandmother. Not long ago, I asked her to write them down so they aren't lost to history forever. 

[Annette]: What was the best book you read this year?

[Keta] Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne. I love this series, but then I'm a huge historical freak. I like her writing and her twisted plots. You never know what will happen next.

[Annette] What was the best Holiday gift you received as a child?

[Keta] We had a very good family friend who never married. Every year, he'd come to our home for the holidays. He didn't know much about children because he never had his own, but he was such a kind person. He bought lovely Christmas gifts, but had a hard time asking the store clerk what he should purchase because he was deaf. Every year he brought me this horrible perfume called Evening In Paris. I imagine he asked the woman at the perfume counter but forget to tell her my age. I dreaded opening his gift because I knew what it would be. Mind you, I just didn't get a bottle of the perfume -- I got the whole shebang, powder, cologne, perfume, oil and whatever came in that darn gift box. Then one year he came with an envelope and $100 for me. He said I was old enough to buy what I wanted now and he wanted me to choose something I really like. If I never smell Evening In Paris again, I'll be a happy cat.   

[Annette] What are your favorite books to give as gifts?

[Keta] I buy books only for my youngest son because he's a reading fanatic. My other two children rarely open a book (unfortunately). I buy my youngest American history books, particularly anything about World War II and the Civil War. I can never go wrong if I stay in those categories. 

[Annette] What are you reading now?

[Keta] I’m revisiting an old favorite right now – Sweet, Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers. Another all-time favorite is The Windflower by Laura London. I usually have five books going at once due to my short attention span. This past year some of my favorites were: Hunger Games. Daughter of Smoke and Bone, The Bronze Horseman and anything by Helen Kirkman.  Sadly, I can’t get to all the books I have – some from LAST Christmas yet that I haven’t started. Such is the life of a writer.

[Annette] What would you like to get from Santa this year?

[Keta] A Kindle Fire, of course!

[Annette] Ah, come on, Keta, leave us with some wise words or something we pass on.

[Keta] Be happy to. I spend too much time surfing the Internet for sayings from all walks of life. I’ll leave you with some of my favorites today (below) about the Holiday Season. Whether you observe Christmas, Hanukah or another holiday celebration, may yours be filled with wonder, and most of all love.

Namaste, Keta   

* * *

Time was with most of us, when Christmas Day, encircling all our limited world like a magic ring, left nothing out for us to miss or seek; bound together all our home enjoyments, affections, and hopes; grouped everything and everyone round the Christmas fire, and make the little picture shining in our bright young eyes, complete.  ~ Charles Dickens ~

* * *

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. ~ Agnes M. Pharo ~

* * *

It comes every year and will go on forever. And along with Christmas belong the keepsakes and the customs. Those humble, everyday things a mother clings to, and ponders, like Mary in the secret spaces of her heart. ~ Marjorie Holmes ~

* * *

Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display--so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn't the holly, it isn't the snow. It isn't the tree not the firelight's glow. It's the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again. ~ Unknown ~

* * *

You can find Keta here on the Internet:

KETA ON FACEBOOK

Thank you so much RomFan Reviews for hosting the First Annual Christmas Blog Hop.

CONTEST!  WHO WANTS TO WIN A $15 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM AMAZON? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN AND TELL ME YOUR FAVE HOLIDAY MEMORY. COME ON, I WANT TO HEAR IT!