Kat's Blog

Kat's Blog

Saturday, September 29, 2012

In To The Past!

Do you believe in past lives? That we have lived before and will again? I do. When I was a child, before I ever spoke English, my mother will tell you I spoke fluent German. My grandfather immigrated to the United States from Poland, but he was a social climber and refused to ever allow his native language or his culture to be spoken anywhere. So I didn't learn German from my family. Yet I spoke it and to this day I still say certain phrases in German rather than English.

I also have very vivid memories of the Nazi death camps and know I died in one. So I firmly believe in reincarnation. They also say if a certain period in history draws your interest to the point you have to know everything about it, you probably lived in that time.

For me, the historical points that hold my interest besides the Holocaust are many. I have always loved learning about the Scottish Clan wars, ancient Greece, the Gothic histories of Romania and Bulgaria, and the history and culture of Nepal.

My mother is drawn to the American Revolution, medieval Russia, the Mary Queen of Scots period of Scotland, & the Anasazi period of American history. She is also completely in love with the time period of Vesuvius's eruption in Pompeii.

It is because of her love for that time period that I decided we should write a story about Pompeii. Her Last Day, our first co-authored tale releasing in October from Muse It Up Publishing is the result. It follows a Roman noblewoman named Daria through the events of August 24th 79 AD.



Those are the times that matter to us historically. What time periods catch your eye?

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Fury Of Nature

They had no word for volcano back. To them, Vesuvius was just a beautiful backdrop to a land lush and fertile. But such fertile soil comes with a terrible price. Though looking at the mountain while it sleeps, you can understand why no one suspected the danger that boiled beneath the surface.



The day started like any other with people milling about the markets attending their business. It was just another hot summer day.



But come lunchtime that all changes as Vesuvius roars to life.



Now is the time to make decisions, to stay or flee. Many will choose to stay not recognizing the peril they are in.

Roofs weren't build to withstand more than rain. Pebbles build up and roofs collapse.



People flee to find refuge anywhere they can with stronger supports like this bathhouse. But it will only keep them safe for so long.



Those in the streets and heading for the bay don't even have as long as those who have sought shelter.



But for Daria and Acteon, all they can do is hold each other as the storm heads right for them.



Do you think the people of Pompeii knew they were going to die? I'd say based on their death casts they knew. And they didn't die quickly or without terrible suffering.



HER LAST DAY, co-written by mother L.J. Holmes and daughter Kat Holmes is coming in October from Muse It Up Publishing. The mountain is waking.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Brand New Cover!

Her Last Day, my first novel co-written with my mother, L.J. Holmes, now has a beautiful cover. Check it out. What do you think? It's releasing in October from Muse It Up Publishing.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

History's Contest!

Mom and I are so excited. Our first ever collaboration will be released next month from Muse It Up. It's a historical romance and is called Her Last Day. The story takes place on that fateful day in 79 A.D. when Vesuvius blew its top.



So we are running a contest between now and October 5th. Just tell us when the last eruption of Vesuvius occured to be entered into the drawing. 2...count em 2!...winners will be picked and will receive Her Last Day absolutely free. Email me at mykitty130@yahoo.com and place Volcano in the subject line. Good luck.:-)

Friday, September 21, 2012

I'm Back!

Wow it's been awhile. My last posting was in July. Well as you all know I moved back on May 31st. But what you don't know is we had to move a 2nd time in August so its been nuts. But...I am back! And I'm getting back into the swing of things.



I'll be on much more from now on and I have loads of things planned for the upcoming months. I have 4 books coming out in the next few months including my first ever collaboration with my Mom and fellow author L.J. Holmes. Her Last Day will be releasing next month and we are both so excited. It's a historical romance that takes place in ancient Rome. Very soon we'll start hosting a contest for its release.

So keep checking back here as I'll have a bunch of new things making the rounds. Until then though...have a great weekend! It's so good to be back.:-)