The bond between humans and horses is as old as time. The Greeks envisioned the Centaur--half
man-half horse— with both species melding into one. In my “New adult” novel, The
Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon, Gemcie strives to achieve balance and
harmony with her horses movements in her reach for the perfect ride. I am offering a $25. Amazon voucher and a
copy of Cowgirl to the best photo illustrating the horse-human connection.Please post your entry on Cowgirls page on FB. I would love
for you to comment/like other photos entries that you see on the page. You may
even want to share it with your horse loving friends. Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon
is more than a horse story, but without the bond between horse and rider there would be no story to tell.
Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon will be released on June 30, 2015. The contest
will run until July 31, 2015- Until then let’s have some fun! I look forward to seeing
your entries
Sign on to my blog to enter contest to win a free download of Audio Book in exchange for honest review.
I am very excited to announce that Wai-nani, A Voice from Old Hawai'i is now available on Audible .So many friends have told me they don't have time to read, but that they love audio books. Christine Padovan, an award winning narrator on Audible.com, has done a superlative job capturing the nuances and poetry of the Hawaiian language in the telling of Wai-nani's story.
Wai-nani transports
you into the wild heart old Hawai’i when Captain Cook stepped upon the shores
of Kealakekua Bay in 1779. In the writing I tried to capture the romance of the time by weaving legends and myths, fabled history, and an evocative love
story into a poetic rendering of the “People of Old.” Lavish images of the
Islands splash the page as you tread inside the mysterious Polynesian culture. Hawai’i’s story is told through the eyes of
Wai-nani, a fiercely passionate, free-spirited woman.
One of the challenges in writing this book was that I could not use any modern words that would snap the reader out of old Hawai'i and back into the 21st. Century. Christine uses classical Hawaiian pronunciations of Hawaiian words in her effort to be true to the time. I am thrilled with the outcome and hope you will take this seductive journey into the past that spans the most dynamic period in Hawaiian history.
In honor of Women's History Month, I am offering Wai-nani, A
Voice from Old Hawai’i for
$2.99 in the Amazon Kindle Store from Monday the 9th
until Friday the 13th of March. My novel is inspired by the life Ka'ahumanu, the most influential chiefess in old Hawai'i, who I felt embodied the empowered woman. Enjoy this sneak peek into her world. Go to Amazon Kindle Store to take advantage
If you take advantage of this limited time offer, I hope you
enjoy traveling with Wai-nani and the people of old and will take a moment to
write a peer review on Amazon.
Christine Padovan created this lovely trailer for Wai-nani, A Voice from Old Hawai'i - The Audio Book is coming soon for all those people who don't have time to read. Christine is doing a marvelous "talking story" and bringing my characters to life. I am thrilled with her work!
Working hard to get Wai-nani audio book out by March!
Excited to be a part of the best Polynesian music fest on the mainland. The Slack-Key Festival happens once a year at the Performing Art Center in Redondo Beach on Jan. 18th. I am joining Patti Bielma
at her table where she displays her incredible ipu gourds carved with intricate one-of-kind designs.
At the festival the finest Slack-key musicians in Hawai'i, and on the mainland come together to jam. Graceful dancers and talented singers join them in a rousing production that brings the magic of the Islands to your doorstep. Wai-nani and I will be there to greet you!
When
fellow author, Lorraine Brodek, invited me to stay at her exquisite home high
on a knoll in Hana, Maui, I had no idea what a treat it would be. Sipping
coffee on the lanai overlooking a dew-laden expanse of emerald green, and the
shining Pacific in the distance, watching a Technicolor sunrise, I couldn’t imagine
a more idyllic setting.
My friends not only designed this custom (3,650 sq.
ft.) home, and built the mile long road to it, they planted the ten acre estate with
every tropical plant imaginable. I strolled the grounds, a veritable Botanical
Garden, with Lorraine to her artist’s studio with views that would inspire
anyone with a creative bone in their body. Her producer husband, Tom, was busy
in his work shop next to the three car garage. She pointed out that the
foundation for a guest house is already in place and that a lot split is
possible. (Buyer to verify)
Lorraine arranged a canoe ride for us in Hana Bay to the birthplace of Ka'ahumanu who was the inspiration for my novel Wai-nani, AVoice from Old Hawai'i and a
visit to nearby Kahanu Garden where the largest heiau in Polynesia remains
hidden from time. Hiking, horseback riding and “pasture” golf are favorite pass-times
of locals, and visitors on day trips.
A dip in the delicious waters of Hamoa Beach, a mile below
the house, where soft foaming waves kiss a sandy shore capped off another glorious
day in paradise.
A daily flight from Kahului, Maui to Hana makes Hana, the
last bastion of old Hawai’i, accessible.
The home is for sale for $2,995,000. A small price to pay for paradise.
For more information contact Mary Anne Fitch at
sold@maui.net
2014 brought all manner of good things my way. My journey with New England Hiking Holidays in
the Columbia Gorge and into the Mt. Hood region of Oregon ranks very high on my
not to missed adventures. In Get some
Forest in your Boots I share highlights.
From
there I drove to the coast of Oregon where I explored trails on my own. The Oswald Park below Cannon Beach was my
favorite hike but, If You’re Looking for
a Cozy, Friendly Community, With Mammoth Trees, Walking Trails and Whale
Sitings, You Won’t Want to Miss Yachats — Gem of Oregon’s Central Coast.
December found me in the Hawaiian Islands linking up
with two local authors to form the Aloha Trio.
Together we shared our wares at
Barnes and Noble in Lahaina, and at the exclusive Coast Gallery in Hana. Such
warm aloha for Wai-nani, A Voice from Old
Hawai’i made my heart sing. I was invited to stay with fellow author
Lorraine Brodek who lives in Hana.
She arranged
for me to canoe to the birthplace of Ka’ahumanu, the powerful woman in Old
Hawai’i, that inspired my novel.
Watching my life unfold in ways I had never dreamed of is quite magical.
2015 promises to be filled with more exciting adventures that I look forward
to sharing with you in my articles.
I’m off to
Maui to meet up with the Aloha Trio
for our book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Lahaina on Dec. 14th. I met hugely popular
Toby Neal, author of the Lei Crime Series,
online. I found her writing to be crisp, contemporary and fun. According to Toby, born
and raised in the Islands, my book Wai-nani, A Voice from Old Hawai’i “Casts a
hypnotic spell that takes us to ancient Hawai’i. Coming from Toby, someone with
an intimate knowledge of the Hawaiian culture, this is quite an endorsement.
I was having lunch with book guru, Carolyn Howard Johnson, here in L.A. and she
introduced me to Lorraine Brodek, author of
A Nobody in a Somebody World. Lorraine's book is filled with insider juice on Hollywood celebs she grew up
with in Beverly Hills. Being a Hawaii aficionado, my personal favorite is her
rendering of her life in Hana, one of the last enclaves of old Hawai’i, where
the threat of wild pigs calls for a luau.
Lorraine read Wai-nani and said“The rhythm of Linda Ballou's writing is sheer poetic
dialogue. Her descriptions are as mystic as the ancient Hawaiian culture she so
graphically describes in this wonderful story that she tells using the voice of
Wai-nani (aka Ka'ahumanu, King Kamehameha's favorite wife). Chiefess
Ka'ahumanu's birthplace was in a cave at Puu Kauiki in Hana--a hill that exists
today in this charming town that truly evokes the beautiful spirit of old
Hawaii.
We became friends and
Lorraine invited me to stay at her exquisite home high on a knoll overlooking
Hamoa Beach in Hana. How could I say no?
Being a person who gets things done,
Lorraine arranged for us to have a reading at the Coast Gallery at the
luxurious Travaasa Hotel Resort on Dec. 17th, .
Writing the Hawaiian story
became a beautiful obsession for me that spanned twenty years. I had no idea
where it would lead me, or the doors that it would open. I can only say I am
grateful for what has come my way.
I have arranged a Kindle
Giveaway for Wai-nani, A Voice from Old Hawai’i on Dec. 14-17th on
Amazon for those who can’t make it to the Islands for our events. REVIEWS ARE
WELCOME
Wishing you all a very Maui
Christmas with warm Aloha-In the name of Wai-nani.
Writing Wai-nani, A Voice from Old Hawai’i has
brought many wonderful people and fine experiences my way. Lorraine Brodek,
author of A Nobody in A Somebody World,
a sneak peek into lives of celebrities
she grew up with, and I are signing our books at the Coast Gallery at the Travaasa Hana Hotel on Dec. 17th. Ka’ahumanu, the Hawaiian chiefess who was the
inspiration for my character Wai-nani was born in a cave in Hana. Lorraine has
graciously arranged a canoe outing for me to her birthplace.
In addition, she has invited me to stay with her and
producer husband Tom in their spectacular home sitting on ten acres high on a hill
overlooking Hamoa Beach, deemed one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
When I saw the video of her home.
I couldn’t believe my good fortune. Who could
ask for a more gracious estate amidst gorgeous grounds overlooking the rugged
coastline of pristine Hana, the last bastion of old Hawai’i.
A couple of years ago I drove the fabled Hana Highway
laced with waterfalls. My piece
Doing theHana Highway My Way details how you can experience the curvaceous road
overlooking the sequined Pacific without rubbing bumpers with all the other
tourists. Most visitors stop at the
Haleakela National Park and hike through the bamboo forest to a dramatic
waterfall and cap off their visit with a plunge in the pools of Oheo Gulch below
the highway. At night they head back to “the other side” of Maui leaving
residents to stunning sunsets and tranquility of water-rich Hana. The lush
tropical forests and dew –laden pastures are still once more as the sun rises
announcing another day in paradise.
If you dream of making heavenly Hana your home contactMary Anne Fitch at (808)-250-1503http://www.soldmaui.com/
The internet works in strange and mysterious ways. Meet
Sharon Pohl, a dynamic woman, energetic woman presently living on a tropical
isle in the American Virgin Islands.
She found me on the National Association
of Baby Boomer Women site where I am the adventure travel expert. She ordered
my book Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales and requested a meeting with
me. We rendezvoused in Santa Barbara and enjoyed on of my
favorite outdoor days. As we hiked the bluff overlooking Hendry’s beach and
strolled the sands back to the Boat House where we enjoyed a scrumptious repast
at the Boat House we shared ideas.
She explained that she is busy re-inventing
herself after an unexpected parting of the ways with her long-time husband. Her
goal now is to help other women find ways to find peace with change and create
new lives.
She invited me to be a guest speaker at a health and
wellness week she will be hosting in March 2015 at her home in St. Croix. My job will be sharing lessons I learned from
the People of Old Hawaii in my research for my novel Wai-nani, A Voice from OldHawaii.
How writing a book, I
never dreamed I would write, has brought me to an opportunity to share spiritual
insights with others is some kind of wonderful. To cap it off the healing week
shoulders the St. Croix carnival, an extravagant display of Island color. Big
fun on the way!
The bond between humans and horses is as old as time. The Greeks envisioned the Centaur--half
man-half horse— with both species melding into one. In my “New adult” novel, The
Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon, Gemcie strives to achieve balance and
harmony with her horses movements in her reach for the perfect ride. I am offering a $25. Amazon voucher and a
copy of Cowgirl to the best photo illustrating the horse-human connection.Please post your entry on Cowgirls page on FB. I would love
for you to comment/like other photos entries that you see on the page. You may
even want to share it with your horse loving friends. Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon
is more than a horse story, but without the bond between horse and rider there would be no story to tell.
