Happy Valentineās Day! I would like to offer you a gift from the werewolves, just to shake it up a little. We return to the first novel in the Redcliffe series, Love Hurts(The Redcliffe Novels). I wrote this many years ago when I felt the pain of young, romantic love. For me that love turned dark when my vampires and werewolves appeared on the scene.
With that in mind, here is an excerpt where our heroine Jessica Stone witnesses a mysterious exchange between the werewolf alpha Danny Mason, and his lieutenant Sally Frost. At this point Jessica is not aware of vampires and werewolves, and she has no idea of what she has gotten herself involved in.
LGBT fantasy book series set in Cornwall. “Love Hurts (The Redcliffe Novels)” #1 by Catherine Green.
ExcerptfromLove Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel)by Catherine Green
āThere is no need for such behaviour, Holly,ā he admonished, āI understand it is a shock to see me after so long, but I will be here to speak with you and the staff after your shift. Remember to show respect for your superiors.ā
The woman, Holly, looked surprised and stepped back. She answered quietly but there was defiance in her voice.
āI cannot show respect for someone who would abandon us,ā she retorted, āSimon is my Master, not you.ā
She turned to walk away but Danny gripped her wrist, forcing her to face him. He didnāt speak but something in his expression affected her. She mumbled an apology, broke away and hurried back towards the kitchen.
I stared at Danny in surprise. What was all that about? He glanced at Jack, whose face was serious, and then he smiled at me apologetically.
Mysterious happenings, eh?
Mysterious happenings, arenāt they? Ha, ha! If you havenāt read Love Hurts yet (and why havenāt you?!), click here to get the book. Ā
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story Itās Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.Ā Ā Click here.Ā
Do you celebrate Valentineās Day? Are you a romantic person, or do you live in a more down-to-earth, practical mindset where you focus on everyday tasks and enjoy life as it comes?
In this blog post I will explore what romance means in the 21st century and try to answer the question, “Is romance dead?”
LGBT Fantasy book series for adults #RedcliffeNovels by paranormal author Catherine Green.
Is Romance Dead?
I like the idea of romance, but then I think my idea is more of a fantasy drawn from years of reading books and imagining relationships full of raw passion and desire. My husband and I have never been romantic. I used to dream that he might surprise me with a date night or at least send the children to their grandparents to give me a break. Eventually I learned that he was too engrossed in his job to think about ways to help his wife, and gradually the romantic ideals and dreams faded away. Real life took over. There is no room for romance in the world of child-rearing and striving to earn a living and pay the bills, at least in my experience.
My husband and I are currently separated at my insistence. I donāt feel the same for him that I used to. We have been together for twenty years, married for ten, and Iām not prepared to throw away the life that we built. What I need is for us both to work out what we want, what are our priorities, and how we can move forward. I want a partnership, and that is not what we had recently. He has a compulsive addiction to work and that leaves no room for his family. He refuses to seek professional help, and when I approached our local doctors for advice last year, they said they couldnāt intervene unless he came to them. He doesnāt think he has a problem. And so, we are becoming one of those broken marriage statistics that I always promised myself I would never succumb to.
Do I need relationship therapy?
Perhaps I need therapy? Maybe this blog post is my way of sharing a lot of pent up emotion and frustration that Iāve been harbouring for over twelve months. I was raised in an era where we didnāt āair our dirty washing in public.ā I am not writing this to vilify my husband. He has mental illness and he needs help. I cannot do any more for him. I need support with our children and our home, so that I can work on my professional life. We have no time for romance.
I think about the relationships that my grandparents had. Both sets of grandparents were married for sixty years. I watched them as I grew up. My paternal grandparents were comfortable with each other, clearly in love right to the end, but there was never any overt romance, not in the commercial sense. They just worked well together, each accepting their roles and doing what needed to be done. They enjoyed each otherās company. My maternal grandparents were much the same, if a little more formal due to my grandadās navy training. He clearly loved my Nan deeply, and she was by his side when he passed away last year. She is lonely now, living at home by herself. Again, they each had their roles in the partnership. Yes, they argued sometimes, but they always made up and they never stopped loving each other.
More to relationships than romance
Did I give up too easily? Is there something more that we can do for our marriage? I donāt know. I do know that we need time to heal and learn how to move forward. The pandemic hasnāt helped. My husband is a key worker, which gave him even more reason to bury himself in work. He never likes taking holidays and he is glad that we are not allowed to travel right now. I am bored, stuck at home with the children. We need some life again. I need to romance myself.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story Itās Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
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Kids love playing around with their outfits and style, and many kids spend the first few years of their life trying the most crazy combinations that only a child could get away with. However today we want to take a look at how you can help your child start finding their sense of style and really take fashion as a part of their life.Ā
Today we want to share some fun ways you can teach your child about fashion and make them a little more fashion savvy at school and at home.Ā
The beauty about kids is that you can do any hairstyle without it looking too childish. As adults a lot of the time we have to shy away from styles such as pigtails or certain braid because they donāt suit an adult style, but when you have a daughter you have a free pass to play around with all of the fun styles you couldnāt before. Create fun braided styles and space buns and allow your child to express themselves through their hair. Teach them how to braid hair themselves and soon theyāll be the talk of the playground and will be doing hair for all the other girls.
Buy a good quality coatĀ
It is so important to have a good quality coat for your child, and when you buy a coat always buy it one size up to allow them room to grow as well as layer items underneath. A good fabric coat is a great accessory for your child and with a matching scarf and pair of gloves your child will always look stylish and put together.
Allow them to explore their tasteĀ
When you want to help your child with their fashion choices the best thing you can do is allow them to explore their own taste. Every child will have a different idea of what they want to look like, and it is your job to facilitate this and allow them to express themselves in a way that makes them happy. Your child might be girly, sporty, outlandish, or classic in style and you can have a shopping trip or two and try on different outfits until your child finds their flow. This is a fun experience for both of you and it will allow your child to start exploring their taste in fashion and decide what clothes suit them.
Have fun with colourĀ
Colour is a great thing to have fun with as a child, and your child could wear a rainbow if they wanted and still look great. Colour is a way to express yourself and your child can play around with different colour schemes to find their favourite. If your child has a favourite colour this will likely be easy, but you can also teach them about which colours go with others and how to style an outfit that flows.
Allow coloured hair stripsĀ
Your child is likely too young to dye their hair just yet but it doesnāt mean they canāt have fun with colour. Coloured hair extensions are a great way to add a touch of colour and fun to your childās hair and they can mix and match depending on their mood. It will be a fun way to experiment with colour and your child can have fun creating a hairstyle they love. Even if it doesnāt go with everything they wear who cares? Children are children and they can have some fun!
Invest in comfort and styleĀ
When considering your childās wardrobe you need to consider a balance between fun and comforts. Finding kids shoes that are comfortable and sturdy is important because your child will likely run around a fair bit and make a mess! Make sure to allow your child to play around and find a style that they love, as well as one that is useful and practical for their lifestyle.
Use a fun nail colourĀ
Nail polish is not toxic and your child can safely use this from a fairly young age – so why not let them play with it? Allowing your child to paint their own nails will be a fun way to express themselves and they can start colour coordinating their nails to their outfit for the day. It will be a fun way for them to feel more fashionable and they will soon be the talk of the school.
Children have a vivid imagination and a creative mind and this is why teaching them to play around with style from a young age is a great idea. Allow your child to have fun playing with different fashion styles and outfits this year and it will prepare them for getting older and having to put outfits together!
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The past year brought a lot of perspective to our way of life. And spending much time at home to keep safe from the Covid-19 pandemic made quite a number of the population rethink their health and wellbeing. As such, people are making various efforts to improve personal hygiene, eating habits, and exercise routines.
Regarding food culture and eating habits, people are more mindful of what they eat and have included functional nutritional supplements in their meals to boost their immune systems.
As the famous Greek physician, Hippocrates, who is regarded by most as the father of medicine, is attributed to saying, āLet food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.ā What you eat affects your health and overall wellbeing. Eating well promotes a healthy body, while the opposite is also true. Having a healthy body ensures that it can fight off a host of ailments. So, your diet must reflect a good balance of all the nutrients needed to make you healthy. The substantial effects of Covid-19 have made people more conscious of what they eatāadding more foods that yield positive health-related results.
Immunity boosters
With the growing concern about proper dietary needs, food will no longer be consumed to satisfy cravings or hunger. With time, a lot of foods and drinks will be patronized for their additional health-related properties. According to Market Research, more than 50% of the respondents stated that they had begun to add supplements to their diets to boost their immune system. This is a clear reminder of how transient health can be, and adding immunity boosters that can improve a vibrant immune system is a good preventive measure against Covid-19.
Preventive measures
The attention given to immune health remains a focus for the health and wellness industry. There is a growing interest in consumers about taking preventive measures by improving their immune system. The pressure is now on the food industry to develop products, and they will take a cue from the supplement industry to add the right nutrients. Some of these nutrients include selenium, Vitamins C & D, as well as zinc.
Alternative Remedies
Alternative remedies have been with us for a long time, but over the past year, sales of alternative remedies have increased, and sales are projected to increase further. Top-selling herbals supplements include hempseed oil, turmeric, astragalus, elderberry, and echinacea, which are touted as immune system boosters.
Purpose-driven ingredients are projected to be the focus of the food industry shortly. Adding olive oil to provide optimal cardiac health and probiotics in tea to improve the digestive process are just a few examples. These products will be a welcome addition to the health and wellness industry and make waves and drive sales, but they will need to be backed by solid research. At the moment, there is no clear proof to show that supplements, foods, nutrients, or herbs can cure Covid-19.
Eating healthy is the basis of a healthy body and lifestyle. Keep your immune system in good condition that your body can effectively fight off any illness that poses a significant threat to your health.
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I have been working with angels for many years now. It was not something I shared easily with other people. I was worried that my peers might think I was being religious or that I was a little bit weird. So, I kept quiet, and simply conversed with them in my own way.
I met Richard Keogh, the Angelman, several years ago when my sister and I attended our first Mind, Body and Spirit event. At the time we were new to the practice of meditation, and Richard showed us that it is possible to connect with angels in a non-religious sense.
Professional Tarot reader and LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green
My Spiritual Journey: Angel Meditation
We attended a workshop and participated in an immensely powerful group meditation. We then purchased some CDs (this was the days before downloads and instant content!) and continued the work at home, individually. Alongside this we discovered Doreen Virtue, and her Angel Therapy Oracle cards. I then read several books by different authors and searched the internet for more information to corroborate what I was experiencing as an individual. Finally, the angels began to speak to me. They knew I was ready to accept and acknowledge their presence.
I remember one particular incident with clarity. I was driving home from work one evening. The sky was just beginning to go dark as night set in, I was tired and fed up because I wasnāt enjoying my full-time office job. As I drove along the familiar dual carriageway, stuck in a line of traffic, I looked up to the sky. And I was amazed to see a huge angel hovering up there, just waiting to be seen. They had no discerning features. I couldnāt tell if it was male or female. But I felt a rush of pure love sweep over me, and I knew that my vision was true. The angel had come to reassure me and guide me safely home.
Angel meditation session
I met up with Richard again some time later. He was running another meditation workshop and doing an angel demonstration at the Mind, Body and Spirit event I attended with my sister and spiritual brother. I joined in with the angel meditation. It was beautiful! Having done many of these meditations at home alone, once my body relaxed, I couldnāt wait to get started. Following the tone of Richardās voice as he guided us to our sacred place, I visualized a door that is now totally familiar to me.
I bounded eagerly through the door, and into my meadow. As I visualized lights flowing through my body, I saw shimmering yellow and green colours. I also tasted the sweetest, most refreshing lemonade I have ever experienced. This was a completely new sensation. I have never previously manifested taste in a mediation before, and this was delicious!
My angel meditation experience
In the meadow I was wearing a flowing pale-blue gown made of soft velvet, and I had flowers in my long hair. Small animals bounced along beside me, all chattering and laughing in their own way. We ran towards the river in my sacred place, and all the while I was laughing and playing with my friends.
I rode the river in a small, wooden boat. There were no oars. I simply trusted the water and its kin to transport us safely to a new destination. The water was like blue crystal, sparkling and clear. The warm sun shone brightly above us. I didnāt know where we were travelling to. I just knew that it was a happy and safe place.
Call on our angel friends
As Richard continued to guide us through the meditation, he asked us to call upon our angel friends. In the past I have been supported by many different angels, but all faded away after a time. I am familiar with the archangels Michael and Raphael because they have often assisted me during recent years. This time however, I met a new angel. Or rather, an angel I was aware of, but not a recognized guide.
Angel Chazaqiel appeared. Manifesting as a woman, she stood behind me and rested her hands on my shoulders. I couldnāt really describe her appearance, only that she is incredibly tall, and her wings are huge. She seemed to be dressed in a shimmering robe, so that her whole appearance was hazy, as though she is simply a light-filled being radiating her essence. Angel Chazaqiel filled me with a calm, reassuring certainty about my life path. She is my new travelling companion on this most exciting journey.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story Itās Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.Ā Ā Click here.Ā
Life in lockdown is exhausting and challenging. Today I use the prompts from A Chronic Voice for the monthly link-up.
I live with rare disease; an eye disorder called Distichiasis, along with associated Dry Eye Syndrome, Blepharitis and various other ailments affecting the nerves and eye area. I am struggling even more right now due to tiredness from being home alone with my children.
Defining: What do I want? Many years ago, I discovered the system of using affirmations and the Law of Attraction to define what I wanted to achieve in life. Back then I was confused about my career choices, my role as a new parent, and being newly married. Fast forward ten years and I am comfortable in my place. I am still defining my career since it has evolved during that time, but it is a fun journey. I am comfortable as a mother and am dealing with the marriage side of the equation. That was not a success, but I have learned a lot about people during that time and knew I was naĆÆve and ill-informed when I chose to pursue a life with my husband. Now I am learning to live with my choice and make the best of the situation.
Allocating: One thing I know is that I must give myself time and space during lockdown as much as I can. Being home alone with two children and a dog 24/7 is a challenge. I cannot walk around the house without an entourage it seems! Instead I am allocating time for myself, instructing the children to leave me alone and entertain themselves. Then I can read my book, practice my reiki meditation, and do the necessary self-care rituals to help with my eye health and overall mental state.
Uniting: Itās strange, but last year during the first UK lockdown I saw evidence of people coming together and uniting in mutual support. Community groups set up volunteer bases to help those who were shielding. Neighbours helped each other. This lockdown, I get a feeling that people are just fed-up, and some appear to be reacting with bitterness and unpleasant judgmental responses. It makes me feel sad, and it is confusing to witness. My small attempt at uniting people is to offer free Facebook Live video sessions on weekdays where I sit in meditation and send distance Reiki healing to anyone that welcomes it. I cannot offer much more right now, much as I wish that I could.
Saving: Many people are experiencing financial uncertainty due to the pandemic. I am also feeling a little anxious but for different reasons. Our household finances are set to change during the next few months, and while I donāt know exactly how much lower our income will be, I am aware that I need to prepare as much as possible. I am adding to my savings account each month and reducing my credit card bill in preparation for lean times. As a freelance writer my income ebbs and flows, so I am in the habit of saving when I have more money, to prepare for the times when work is slow.
Educating: This word has become something of a demon to me and my mum friends during lockdown. Most of us are fed up with homeschooling, including the professional teachers. They struggle to homeschool their own children while simultaneously being at work to teach all the other children in their care, both in the classroom and remotely. It is an absolute nightmare! I am not a teacher and never wanted to be, so this lockdown is proving a huge challenge when it comes to educating my children. I am exhausted.
Chronic Voice Link-Up
I joined the social network for A Chronic Voice because I needed to find people who understand what life is like with chronic illness, people like me. Today I have written a post using the February link-up prompts, to show my experience of living with a chronic pain disorder. Click here to find other blog posts from fellow chronic pain sufferers, or #spoonies as we call ourselves online.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story Itās Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.Ā Ā Click here.Ā
Since qualifying as a Reiki Master Practitioner I have been meditating on the daily precepts by which we live in reiki circles. One of these is: āBe compassionate to yourself and to others.ā
This got me thinking, how does Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel)deal with this issue? Do my characters feel compassion for each other, do they have strong decisive morals, or are they completely indifferent?
LGBT fantasy book series set in Cornwall. “Love Hurts (The Redcliffe Novels)” #1 by Catherine Green.
Compassion and “Love Hurts“
My heroine Jessica Stone believes herself to be an independent and compassionate woman. She does not show prejudice, she lives a good honest, hard working life, and she is friendly to everyone that she interacts with. But when she discovers that the man she loves is a vampire, and his brother is a werewolf, her morals go out of the window. In her confusion she experiences adultery, pain, heartbreak and terror.
Following her tumultuous experience after the revelations of the people she loves, Jessica is thrown into turmoil about her own feelings. Her friends and lover have betrayed her in the worst possible way. How does she continue? Well her story is told in the sequel Love Kills. The title alone may give you some idea where this paranormal romance is heading.
Will Jessica show compassion and remain faithful to her vampire Jack Mason? Will she share herself with his werewolf brother Danny? Or will she leave them altogether, and make a clean break and a fresh start? Click here to find out.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story Itās Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Today I share an excerpt from my LGBT Victorian vampire romance novel “The Darkness of Love,” where we see young stable hand Marcus Scott caught in the act as he indulges in some very naughty fantasies about his mistress.
Read the story excerpt here:
Victorian vampire romance novel “The Darkness of Love” by Catherine Green
#BookTalk: “The Darkness of Love” by Catherine Green
āGood morning, Marcus.ā chimed a beautiful feminine voice.
Marcus jumped and dropped the grooming brush, embarrassment sending a flush to his cheeks as he saw the object of his affections framed in the doorway to the stables.
āGood morning my Lady,ā he stuttered, āI am so sorry, I didnāt see you arrive.ā He ducked his head and she laughed gently.
āIt is alright Marcus,ā she said, āI could see that you were daydreaming. I trust it was a pleasant vision?ā
It was Marcusā turn to laugh, but with further embarrassment. If only she knew!
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āYes my Lady, a most pleasant daydream,ā he replied, āPenelope is all ready for you. I will just fetch her saddle.āĀ
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story Itās Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Here is a Druid Craft Tarot card reading using the Celtic Cross spread format.
It is designed to reflect the change of season, Imbolc, as we see winter turn to spring. We celebrate new beginnings and I offer Imbolc Blessings to my pagan friends.
Imbolc Tarot Card Reading by Catherine Green
Imbolc Tarot card reading with Druid Craft Tarot
1, Current Circumstances ā Ace of Pentacles
Despite the pandemic your situation is secure. Perhaps you work in a key sector and life has mostly continued as normal. If your work and life has been impacted, you might now be feeling at peace with your situation, recognizing that you have come away lightly from the drama and that you should appreciate what you have.
2, Current Influences ā King of Cups
Everything you need is right there within reach. You might have enjoyed a favourite hobby or pastime during lockdown. Keep it up! This helps you to feel good and relieve stress. Your creative and intellectual activities will help you navigate life in lockdown and prepare for when the world is ready to open up again.
3, Future Influences ā Three of Cups
This card makes me happy. We all miss socialising with our friends and family. I crave some group therapy with my friends where we can sit around a table and talk properly. It doesnāt work the same via Zoom or video call. The end is in sight. We will celebrate together very soon. There will be some raucous reunions when the pandemic recedes, and I cannot wait to go out again.
4, Future Events ā Queen of Wands
I noticed a subtle change in my self-confidence during the past twelve months. How about you? I am confident in my physical self and satisfied with my life choices. I have made mistakes, but I learned from them. Now we can move forward and do what fulfills us on a deep level.
5, Past Influences ā Three of Pentacles
Look back at the last few years and think about what you have achieved. Maybe you completed an apprenticeship or a training course. Now you can build on those skills, take them out into the world, and know that you are supported by your mentors and teachers. You have built something important, and people will want to enjoy it.
6, Past Events ā Prince of Wands
Remember those adventures you had before the pandemic? You will pick up where you left off just as soon as it is safe to do so. For now, you have found other ways to channel your energy at home. Well done!
7, Feelings ā Nine of Swords
Bereavement. We have all suffered during the past year or so, and not just because of the pandemic. We have felt the pain of loss, whether that be a person, a job, or a way of life. Allow your feelings to flow. Talk to someone if you need to. You do not need to suffer in silence.
8, Outside Influences ā Four of Wands
We all feel frustrated and fed-up being stuck at home with limited social interaction. The temptation to wallow in self-pity is easy. Try to stay positive and celebrate your small achievements.
9, Hopes and Fears ā Prince of Pentacles
Did you start a new routine during lockdown, and are you worried that it will stop when restrictions ease? Or are you eager to return to your old life? Either way, you can continue with your preferred habits if you stay focused. Proper planning is the key here.
10, Outcome/Resolution ā Six of Wands
Well done you! Embrace the triumph of your success, whatever that means. For me it will be a relief when my children return to school. I am working hard to support them at home, and I take pride in my achievement, whether anyone else recognises it or not. We are all succeeding with challenges that nobody else can see. That doesnāt make them any less important or special. Be proud of yourself.
Summary
This Tarot card reading has not revealed anything spectacular or revelatory. There are no dramatic events to predict. It is about life going on in a steady rhythm. Make peace with your life, and if you are unhappy, make the change. This is a new normal. Make the most of it. Imbolc Blessings!
Imbolc Tarot Card Reading by Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story Itās Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.Ā Ā Click here.Ā
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