K. Celeste Bryan

2010-03-13T19:15:00.000-08:00

WELCOME! Thanks for stopping by my personal little cyber space for a quick update on my historical fiction novels!

Don't forget to sign my guestbook or contact me with questions or comments. I love to hear from fans and readers and am never too busy to answer. Don't forget to check out my blog and enter my contests!

Blessings to all who have offered their support, e-mailed kudos and compliments. It's truly appreciated.

K. Celeste

Where The Rain Is Made is up for BEST COVER AWARD. Please stop by The New Covey Awards Web Site and cast your vote from now until June 14th for WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE. We're number two, and I know you'll recognize the cover! Follow this link to vote: THE NEW COVEY AWARDS

Become a Fan!

2010-03-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

K. Celeste Bryan on Facebook

Seriously Reviewed Loves Where The Rain Is Made

2009-11-15T00:47:00.000-08:00

Where the Rain is Made by K. Celeste Bryan

Story: 9, Presentation: 9, Total: 18 (Lifetime Keeper to be read and reread).
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Historical Time Travel
PURCHASE HERE: THE WILD ROSE PRESS

Reviewed by Seriously Reviewed

"What a wonderfully written historical. The amazing attention to detail really made the story POP! Filled to the brim with heart stopping characters, a riveting plot and a love that spans time, this one will remain on my shelf for years to come and be revisited often :)

I cringed, flinched, sighed and shed a tear. Any story that can do that has my vote all the way. Ms Bryan, I look forward to seeing more from you in the future :)”

Blurb:
Held captive by a decadent-looking savage, Francesca DuVall spends every waking moment planning an escape for her brother, Marsh. But she never counted on falling in love with the man whose silver eyes cause her to tremble with passion.

Ethan Gray, the man, is a curator at a famous museum most of the time. At other times, he’s Meko, a savage warrior hurtled into the past to help his beloved people, the Cheyenne.

Though their worlds are decades apart, Meko, can’t resist the dark-haired, green-eyed beauty he kidnaps during a raid. A brutal, savage leader of the Dog Soldiers, he has many battles to fight to save his people, but none he wants to win more than the one that will capture Cesca’s heart forever. From the windswept plains of Colorado and the harsh life of a Dog Soldier to the placid life of a curator, their love was fueled passion and kindled by destiny.

Review from Seriously Reviewed: http://tinyurl.com/yah57pb

Where The Rain Is Made Is Up For Best Cover!

2009-10-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Where The Rain Is Made is up for Best Cover at Classic Romance Reviews:

Go here and vote for a lovely cover! Classic Romance Reviews

Awesome Review for Where The Rain Is Made!

2009-10-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Where The Rain Is Made, Author : K. Celeste Bryan
Publisher : The Wild Rose Press, Genre : Historical/ Time Travel
Publication Date : 2008, ISBN : 1-60154-371-9
Pages : 312, Category : Sophisticated
Type : E-book & Print

Reviewer : LK Hunsaker, Classical Romance Reviews, Classic Romance Reviews
4.5 Wings

BUY HERE: WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE

Review:
Ethan Gray is a curator at the National Museum of American Indians. But that’s only his “day job.” Ethan is also a time traveler and spends part of his life back in the days of America’s westward expansion. His study of the Cheyenne, his own ancestry, comes in handy when he travels back to support them in their fight for their land and lives. As leader of the dog soldiers, he doesn’t expect to be ‘captured’ by fiery Francesca DuVall when she and her brother Marsh are taken prisoner and taken to the Cheyenne warriors’ camp. Francesca’s main concern is to protect her little brother and sacrifices her safety to do so. Ethan, known to the Cheyenne as Meko, is determined to protect her from her own spirited rebellion. The pairing causes sparks, friction, and an intense passion as they grow to know each other. Cesca remains torn, though, between her white heritage and the native life that has entwined her. Meko is torn between his promise to the Council to continue his travels to help the People and his need to remain with Cesca.

Where The Rain Is Made by K. Celeste Bryan grabs the reader and yanks her right into the story with an immediate compassion for Ethan and a want to know him better. Described with all the lushness and vivid reality of a movie scene, the story moves from contemporary life back to the dog soldier camp without flaw. The amazing detail of Cheyenne life is part of the story itself, almost as though the author has indeed lived with the Cheyenne. Bryan’s characters are true-to-life, deeply drawn, and entirely likeable. There were a few times I wondered about Cesca turning suddenly “spoiled brat-ish” because of how strong she is through most of the story, but she is easy to sympathize with and root for. There are several minor characters who don’t come off as minor, as well as we get to know them and with as much as each one adds to the story. Ethan/Meko is a hero to remember: strong and commanding but also vulnerable, compassionate, and thoughtful. It’s a pleasure for the reader to spend time with him and easy to see why Cesca can’t turn him away as easily as she wants.

Where The Rain Is Made is an incredible read and stays with you even when not reading. There were times the description was done so well it made this writer/reviewer a touch jealous as well as quite happy to enjoy it. The deep characterization along with embedded cultural and psychological issues made those things fairly easy to overlook.

Although I rated this book as sophisticated because it does go beyond the bedroom door (the publisher calls it spicy), the intimate scenes are beautifully done and even those of us who prefer to stop at the door find no need to bypass Meko and Cesca’s most sensual moments. This is meaningful sensuality done well.

Overall, K. Celeste Bryan’s novel is a must-read for anyone interested in native history, as well as for anyone looking for a nice, deep romance that never gets too heavy even through some intense moments of fighting for survival. I rarely enjoy time travels, but this one came off as thoroughly believable and is on my recommended list. I will be looking for other books by this author.

Happy Fall From Kat!

2009-09-30T00:05:00.000-07:00

BLOOD LUST HAS ARRIVED!

2009-09-26T18:01:00.001-07:00

BLOOD LUST by Kat Bryan

A VAMPIRE Novella available here:
Celestrial Books
ONE ROMANCE E-books

Read an Excerpt:

Stifling her cravings, Larissa scuffed across the cobblestone walkway with her hands in her pockets and the hood pulled over her head, hoping to dispel the restive longing. The pathway was deserted except for three people sitting on a bench a block away. From this distance, she didn’t know if they were male, female or a combination, and it was too late for her to alter course. They came to their feet, robotically, she thought, and looked in her direction. Obviously they’d seen her despite the light fog rolling in from the river.

Her intention to walk past them at a brisk pace was quickly squashed as they blocked the path before her. “If you only knew,” she said to the stones at her feet. “Don’t fuck with me, not tonight. Please turn and walk away.”

But they didn’t turn and they didn’t walk away. She looked at them individually, and noticed they all bore a similar expression—a knowing, wicked sneer. Gaunt, yet fierce-looking, their pale complexions contrasted sharply with the dark shadows surrounding them.

“So you’re not going to let this pass?” she said under her breath. “You’re looking for trouble, waiting for some hapless woman to wander by in the dead of night so you can have a little fun with her, huh?” She blew air through her lips and felt a familiar tingling in her gums. “All right, big boys, I can handle a little fun and definitely I can use some food. Let’s get this over with.”

They stood shoulder–to-shoulder in front of her, the one on her left breaking the strained silence. “What’s the deal? You some halfwit who likes to talk to herself?”

She stared into his eyes, swallowed the saliva collecting in her mouth and wondered if his blood would taste coppery or like a fine Chianti when she buried her fangs in his scrawny neck.

http://katskwipsandrants.blogspot.com/

Where The Rain Is Made Best Seller Now!

2009-09-16T02:43:00.000-07:00

WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE
K. Celeste Bryan
Historical/Paranormal/Time-travel

Best-Seller at THE WILD ROSE PRESS
1. We're One
2. An Unbelievable Journey
3. Lady of the Stars
4. Sundial
5. Where The Rain Is Made
6. Yankee Angel

Available in e-format and print. Read all the Five-Star reviews at AMAZON:

Follow Kat HERE:
KAT'S AUTHOR HOME
KAT ON TWITTER
KAT'S KWIPS AND RANTS

Winners of Free Books for June and July!

2009-07-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

How do you become a winner of Kat's monthly give-away? Simple. FOLLOW ONE OF MY BLOGS:
Kat's Author Home
Kat's Kwips & Rants

AND . . . fill out and easy contest form on my Author Home. Two simple steps and you could be the next winner.

Now, drum roll please . . .
The winner for June is Bliss Addison
The winner for July is Becky from Becky's Place.

E-mail me at kcelestebryan@aol.com and tell what book you would like.

Sojourn With A Stranger
Where The Rain is Made

CONGRATULATIONS Bliss and Becky - You Rock!

Where The Rain Is Made Recommended Read at PNR!

2009-07-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

Doing the Happy Dance here! Where The Rain Is Made has been chosen as a RECOMMENDED READ at PNR – Paranormal Reviews. Check out the review here: READ REVIEW AT PNR

BUY WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE TODAY AT THE WILD ROSE PRESS: BUY HERE

About The Book:

Held captive by a decadent-looking savage, Francesca DuVall spends every waking moment planning an escape for her brother, Marsh. She never counted on falling in love with the man whose silver eyes cause her to tremble with passion.

Ethan Gray, the man, is a curator at a famous museum . . . most of the time, that is. At other times, he’s Meko, a savage warrior hurtled into the past to help his beloved people, the Cheyenne.

Though their worlds are decades apart, Meko, can’t resist the dark-haired, green-eyed beauty he kidnaps during a raid. A brutal, savage leader of the Dog Soldiers, he has many battles to fight to save his people, but none he wants to win more than the one that will capture Cesca’s heart forever.
From the windswept plains of Colorado and the harsh life of a Dog Soldier to the placid life of a curator, their love was fueled passion and kindled by destiny.

http://kcelestebryan.blogspot.com (Kat’s Author Home)
http://katskwipsandrants.blogspot.com (Kat’s Blog)
Follow me on Twitter: TWITTER

Posting Winners Soon for June and July

2009-07-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

MEKO FROM WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE
The good news is I'll posting four winners soon to win their choice of Sojourn With A Stranger of Where The Rain Is Made.

The bad news is I had a major computer crash last month and am in the process of regrouping my contest entries.

Hang in there and soon I'll be posting some winners!

As always, thank you so much for your support. Without readers and fans, there would be no authors.

Namaste, Kat

New Review - Where The Rain Is Made

2009-06-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

E-Cata Romance Loves Where The Rain Is Made
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kcelestebryan

REVIEW:
Ethan Gray is so much more than a museum curator He is also a traveler. Called upon by the Sacred Council of Arrows, Ethan is sent back in time to warn The People. Known as Meko in this time, he is the head of the Dog Soldiers, fighting the military and settlers who come to take their land. After a raid, he finds Francesca Duvall hiding near the Platte River. Meko knows Cesca is part of his destiny and his decision to take her back to the camp changes the course of many lives. Cesca, who cannot accept her captivity, plans to help her brother escape, but she is unable to forget the effect her captor has on her senses.

Where the Rain is Made is an epic tale that takes you into the lives of the Cheyenne during a time when massacres were common and life was fragile. We are afforded a glimpse of life from the perspective of the Cheyenne, making it easy to see how wronged they were. Meko and Cesca through all their trials and turmoil find a love that will transcend time. Grab this one and be prepared to cry and to be affronted at the past. An understanding of the culture of these wonderful people who only fought to preserve their life style will be found in the pages of Where the Rain is Made. K. Celeste Bryan takes us into the legends and lore of a people who lost so much more than lives those long ago days along the Platte River. Where the Rain is Made is a tale that is rich in history, emotions and love. Kudos to K. Celeste Bryan for penning such an impassioned story.

Buy The Book
The Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com (Look under time-travel)

About the Book: Genre: time travel, ISBN: 1601543719
Page Count: 314 pages, Price: $ 6.00
Reviewer: Elise Lyn

Sensuality Rating: Sensuous
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars

Author's Website: http://kcelestebryan.blogspot.com/

SQUEE! New Review for Where The Rain Is Made

2009-06-09T21:10:00.001-07:00

Thank you PNR and Karen Nutt for the wonderful review on Where The Rain Is Made.

Review:

The Sacred Council of Arrows chooses time wanderers to aid the Cheyenne in times of trouble. They cannot change the past, only influence with hope that their advice will be put to good use. Ethan Gray of modern time is chosen to go back to 1864 because of his knowledge of the people. He’s known as Meko in this time, the leader of the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. When Meko captures Francesca (Cesca) Duvall, he never thought he would be in jeopardy of losing his heart. His stay in the past will eventually come to an end when the Council decides he has fulfilled his mission.

Or if he is on the threshold of death, he must then let the power of the raven course through his veins and take him to the heavens and back to the present. Only now he fears he cannot do as the Council bids when is heart and soul belongs to Cesca.When Cesca is first taken, she bravely stands up to Meko, stating she will never accept her life among the Cheyenne. Brave words, but her heart has other plans and she finds herself longing for Meko’s touch. Marsh Duvall, Cesca’s brother is also taken in the raid, but his captor, Choking Wolf takes great delight in abusing him. Cesca can’t stand by and see her little brother hurt. She vows to see him safely away from the Cheyenne, even if it means her death.

Through the lives of these three people, Ms. Bryan spins a vivid account of how grueling and sometimes brutal the life of a Dog Soldiers could be. I loved how she wove the rituals and beliefs of the Cheyenne people throughout the tale as if you were there seeing it first hand. The passion between Cesca and Meko is endearing as they learn to trust and accept each other for who they truly are. Marsh’s acceptance of the Cheyenne ways is believable, giving a full account of the ordeal expected of him to become a Dog Soldier. I also liked her secondary characters. Brown Wing, the old woman who befriends Cesca and Strikes First’s, who is loyal to Meko.

This is a historical romance sure to magically sweep you back in time. A must read Time Travel!

Magic and Otherworldly Romance ... Embrace your destiny! Visit Karen Michelle Nutt at: http://www.kmnbooks.com/

Where The Rain Is Made - NOW IN PRINT!

2009-06-02T01:40:00.000-07:00

Where The Rain Is Made, a time-travel, shape-shifter has done very well in the market. Set in the American West at a time when Cheyenne Dog Soldiers ruled the plains, the novel has earned many five-star reviews. Where The Rain Is Made is now available at Amazon in print and in Kindle.

Get your copy here in Print or in Kindle: AMAZON.COM
Get the e-version here: The Wild Rose Press. Please look under time-travel on the left hand sidebar.

Here are the reviews from Amazon - All FIVE STARS

I highly recommend this story to all who entertain the possibility of time travel. Rachel P. Smith "Bitten by Books" Review Site

Ethan Gray wakes up after spending three very uncomfortable nights in a jail cell. A bar fight in a little town in Montana left him bruised and sore, and he must face the judge in the morning. As Ethan tries to find a comfortable position on his narrow cot, the sheriff brings over a visitor. Stands-In-Light, the Cheyenne medicine woman, is standing in front of Ethan's cell, letting him know that, once again, the Sacred Council of Arrows needs his services. He has made a vow to do all he can to help his people, so Ethan transforms into a raven and makes his escape.

As Ethan stands before the Sacred Council, he realizes his next journey will be quite dangerous, possibly fatal for him and thousands of the People. He accepts the danger but has no idea that his fleeting vision of "a woman with hair the color of the magpie and eyes greener than pine needles" will change his life forever.

This story was interesting. I was impressed with the way K. Celeste Bryan portrayed the different aspects of Ethan's character during his time with the Cheyenne. I felt the characters were well developed and realistic, and although this was a violent time in our history, the violence did not overwhelm the storyline. It was merely a part of the story, as common as clothing styles or food preparation.

I liked this Where the Rain Is Made very much. The historical aspects were interesting and provided a different viewpoint than our high school history books. I could picture the villages, the people, and Ethan's transformations from the descriptions. I highly recommend this story to all who entertain the possibility of time travel.

Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Mary

* * *
5 out of 5 stars History and Passion, April 20, 2009
By Patricia Altner "la bibliotecaria" - Patricia's Vampire Notes

While the novel Where the Rain Is Made has a lot of passion it also has a gripping, original plot not to mention well wrought characters. Ethan Gray is a time wanderer chosen by the Sacred Council of the modern world to take the knowledge he has gained in his studies of the Cheyenne and return to the mid 1800s when his people faced so much danger from the whites and had suffered so much at their hands.

That was a difficult, often brutal world. In graphic prose the author shows the difficult, tenuous life of the Cheyenne, demonstrates their point of view and the reasons for their hatred of whites. She does this without blinking. The brutality whites and Cheyenne are capable of is not ignored.

In a raid by Meko (Ethan's name in the past) and his fearsome Dog Soldiers where many are slaughtered, he captures two prisoners, the beautiful Cesca and her young brother Marsh. It is through the lives of these three characters that the story is told. Cesca balks at becoming one with the tribe, but eventually acquiesces to her new life. Young Marsh finds the transition easier and wishes to go through the grueling ordeal that will allow him to join the Dog Soldiers.

Meko faces a conundrum. His stay in the past can end at any time the Council decides, but he has fallen deeply in love with Cesca, and she eventually returns those feelings. Meko has vowed to find a way for them to be together, yet the odds are against two people from different time periods.

Where the Rain Is Made is an edgy, compelling story. A very solid tale and one rooted in history.

* * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Read, February 10, 2009
By Cheryl - Cheryl's Book Nooks

The year was 1864.

Francesca "Cesca" Duvall, her father and brother, Marshall were living in Denver City, Colorado due to the gold rush. The camp where Cesca and her family were living at gets attacked by Cheyenne warriors. Cesca and Marshall get captured and taken back to the Cheyenne village. There Cesca meets the leader. His name is Ethan Gray otherwise known as Meko. He is a skilled and powerful dog solider.

Instantly Cesca despise him. All she can think about is taking her brother and escaping. As the days pass, Cesca starts to adopt the Cheyenne people's way of life. She soon is wearing buckskin clothing and participating in their rituals. Just because Cesca is dressing and acting like the Cheyenne does not mean she has fully accepted Meko.

There is one thing that has Cesca occupied and that is finding a way to help her brother escape. When Marshall and Cesca were first captured so long ago; Marshall did not end up as lucky as Cesca. Marshall found himself a slave for Chocking Wolf. Chocking Wolf is one of the meanest warriors in the village. He hates the white people. Cesca helps Marshall escape. Now Cesca finds herself in a heap of trouble. The only way she can be saved is to put her trust in Meko as well as giving her heart to him. Will Cesca be able to do give Meko her mind, body, soul and most importantly love?

First off let me start off my saying...I loved Where the Rain is Made! I predict this book to be a best seller. It is so good that words can't describe it but I will try. I enjoyed everyone from Cesca to Meko and everyone else in between. I read the electronic version and at three hundred plus pages, I sometimes have a hard time sitting for so long staring at a computer screen but I have to tell you that when I began reading this book that I found myself glued to the sit. My husband ended up finishing cooking dinner for me as I was engrossed in this book. Where the Rain is Made is a pleasure to read. There are not many books that come along like this one but when they do, watch out. I am now on the hunt to read more books by K. Celeste Bryan.

* * *

Fan For Life!, Heather, Goodreads

I can't say enough about Where The Rain Is Made. You are one heck of a writer! I loved it from page one to the last page. Please tell me there is going to be a sequel. Please say yes. I can't wait for more. You have for a fan for life.

Rating: 5 Stars!

* * *

By "wordlover"

I just have to say I would and have recommended this book to all fans of paranormal and historical romance. Bryan writes a great story! This is the story of Ethan Gray aka Meko, a time wanderer Cheyenne Dog warrior, and Fracesca Duvall, a white woman taken captive by him. The story starts off with Meko being sent back in time to try to save as many of the Cheyenne as possible but not interfere with the outcome of battles. Cesca and her father and brother live in Colorado looking for gold as so many settlers did at the time. The story starts off with action and Im telling you it doesnt stop until the very last period. The Dog Soldiers attack the mining community and she is taken prisoner by Meko. Her brother is taken prisoner by a more ruthless soldier and the same one that killed their father. Cesca and her brother go through so much after they are captured but she remains a strong heroine, and that is what I really really like about this book. She does not cower, and only begs for her brother to be spared. I like the strength and that would be expected as she becomes the Dog Warriors wife.

Bryan had me go through a gamut of emotions with this book. I laughed, feared, cried, and there were so many moments of heart-wrenching emotion with the hero and heroine.

Bryan also introduced me to so many historical things I did not realize, ie: Dog Soldiers, had no idea they existed, she really did her homework on the back story here. There were many scenes with Indian celebrations and traditions. The story has a great twist at the end and I look forward to Bryan writing a story on Mountain Lion maybe?! I will be revisiting this book many, many times

Five out of Five Stars!

Beautiful Reads Gives Five Stars to SOJOURN WITH A STRANGER

2009-05-04T02:13:00.000-07:00

SOJOURN WITH A STRANGER
BUY HERE: NEW CONCEPTS PUBLISHING

Orphaned when her parents died in a fishing accident in Virginia, Raine Brinsley wants nothing more than to head straight home to Maine and forget her sadness and trauma of nearly drowning. Unfortunately, without her parents’ protection, Raine is penniless and homeless. The owner of the boat on which they were sailing, Derek Stafford, has graciously offered to let her stay as long as needed and also to pay her passage to return home. Raine refuses to receive charity, so they agree that she will become a chambermaid at Stafford House until she has earned enough money to return home.

Stafford House has an underlying sadness that Raine does not fully understand, but Derek explains that his wife Lucinda passed on six months previously, and Raine believes this to be the reason – until she feels the presence of an unsettled spirit inhabiting the upstairs hallway.

Derek Stafford is torn between grief for his wife and the duty he feels to his father. Julian Stafford is an old-fashioned and unyielding man who is most insistent that either Derek or brother Lyman father a male heir to carry on the proud name of Stafford. Lyman and his wife have three daughters, while Lucinda suffered both miscarriages and stillborns. Julian offers the first son to produce a male heir Stafford House and its vast acreage, and Derek, loving Stafford House and his way of life, hatches a plan. He has a contract drawn up that offers Raine ten thousand dollars if she will agree to bear the male heir his father so desperately wants, and then relinquish the child, never to see him again. Raine is taken aback when Derek presents his proposal but eventually agrees. Will Raine honor the contract as presented? Will Derek reconsider the decision?

I applauded Raine for her strength in the face of her parents’ deaths, especially during a time where women were seen as needing constant protection. Her determination not to accept Derek’s charity was admirable, as was her willingness to tackle any job she was assigned. Although she was a strong woman, her gentleness was demonstrated in her concern for the spirit and her attempts to understand its message. The contrasts within the family were quite believable, and the characters were well developed and realistic, though not always likable. This story has everything and then some – romance, birth, death, voodoo, adventure, psychic ability, and a touch of Civil War – and I could not put it down. K. Celeste Bryan has once again done a wonderful job of involving the reader in the lives of her characters, and I highly recommend this book.

5 out of 5 stars

Book Stats:
• E-book: electronic, digital formatting
• Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-1-60394-246-1

Where The Rain Is Made Video

2009-04-25T23:46:00.000-07:00

Who Else Loves Proverbs!

2009-04-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

THE WRITTEN WORD . . . Hope You Enjoy!

Did you know that the invention of writing was first achieved by the Sumerians of Mesopotamia somewhat before 3000 BC and by Mexican Indians before 600 BC? Egyptian writing began about 3000 BC and Chinese writing by 1300 BC.

And what about in the New World? Scientists have now uncovered evidence of what is believed to be the earliest form of writing ever found in the New World. The discovery was based on glyphs carved on a cylindrical seal used to make imprints and on greenstone plaque fragments found near La Venta in Tabasco, Mexico. The writings were produced during the Olmec era, a pre-Mayan civilization, and are estimated to date from 650 B.C.

Fascinating stuff, writing. Writers angst over it, study it, and strive hard to construct sentences that, when strung together, will produce the next best seller. Writing comes to us in a thousand venues, novels, essays, magazine articles, billboards, and even eulogies.

One of my favorites is proverbs. Yes, I’m a proverbs nut. So few words and so much meaning. Today, I leave you with a few of my International favorites to ponder. With some, their meaning is clear, others you might have to think about for a minute. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Pray that you will never have to bear all that you are able to endure.
Jewish Proverb

If a man is destined to drown, he will drown even in a spoonful of water.
Yiddish Proverb

When the sky falls we'll catch larks.
Irish Proverb

A lie travels round the world while truth is putting her boots on.
French Proverb

Write kindness in marble and write injuries in the dust.
Persian Proverb

However long the night, the dawn will break.
African Proverb

Vampires Love Where The Rain Is Made

2009-04-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

Where The Rain Is Made
by K. Celeste Bryan
BUY HERE: THE WILD ROSE PRESS

While the novel Where The Rain Is Made has a lot of passion it also has a gripping, original plot not to mention well wrought characters. Ethan Gray is a time wanderer chosen by the Sacred Council of the modern world to take the knowledge he has gained in his studies of the Cheyenne and return to the mid 1800s when his people faced so much danger from the whites and had suffered so much at their hands.

That was a difficult, often brutal world. In graphic prose the author shows the difficult, tenuous life of the Cheyenne, demonstrates their point of view and the reasons for their hatred of whites. She does this without blinking. The brutality whites and Cheyenne are capable of is not ignored.

In a raid by Meko (Ethan's name in the past) and his fearsome Dog Soldiers where many are slaughtered, he captures two prisoners, the beautiful Cesca and her young brother Marsh. It is through the lives of these three characters that the story is told. Cesca balks at becoming one with the tribe, but eventually acquiesces to her new life. Young Marsh finds the transition easier and wishes to go through the grueling ordeal that will allow him to join the Dog Soldiers.

Meko faces a conundrum. His stay in the past can end at any time the Council decides, but he has fallen deeply in love with Cesca, and she eventually returns those feelings. Meko has vowed to find a way for them to be together although the odds against two people from different time periods is all but impossible.

Where the Rain Is Made is an edgy, compelling story. It tells a very solid tale - one rooted in history.

WINNERS OF KAT'S BOOKS MARCH & APRIL

2009-04-12T00:26:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone will forgive me for the lag in post time. As you can see, I changed host servers and only recently has my new web site been up and running.

The March Winners of a Free Book are as follows:

bmagical@blahblahblah
dragonseer13@blahblahblah

The April Winners of a Free Book are as follows:

LadyIceNH@blahblahblah
romantic_saamus@blahblahblah

Please contact me by e-mail and tell me whether you'd like a copy of Where The Rain Is Made or Sojourn With A Stranger. If you want to know more about the books, read the samples chapters here on the main page or read the blurbs and reviews.

Thank you so much for your patience.

Namaste, Kat
kcelestebryan@aol.com

Kat's Kwips and Rants Blog. Check it out and follow me for my more updates on my latest releases.

Manic Readers Awards 4.5 Stars To Where The Rain Is Made

2009-04-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Manic Reader Review

Where The Rain Is Made

by K. Celeste Bryan

Francesca DuVall is a rebellious beauty who, along with her brother, Marsh, gets kidnapped by the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. Since the kidnapping, Cesca spends every waking moment planning an escape for her brother but she never counted on falling in love with the man whose silver eyes cause her to tremble with unrestrained passion.

There is something she doesn’t know about this man. Ethan Gray is a curator at a famous museum, most of the time. At other times, he’s Meko, a savage warrior plunged into the past to help his beloved People. Meko is a brutal, savage leader of the Dog Soldiers who has been in many battles as he fights to save his People. Now that he’s met Cesca, he wants to win her heart forever.

From the desolate plains of Colorado and the harsh life of a Cheyenne Dog Soldier to the good-natured life of a Native American Museum curator, their love was fueled by passion and ignited by destiny.Where the Rain is Made is my first novel by K. Celeste Bryan, but it definitely won’t be my last. Bryan spins a wonderful love story between two characters that may, at first, seem like opposites but are truly meant for one another.

I love reading historical romances and have read my share of Native American themes, but have never heard of the Dog Soldiers before. Now that I have finished this novel, I wish there was more with them in it. Cesca and Meko are wonderfully, complex characters that I had fun getting to know as the novel progressed. After the first couple of chapters, I couldn’t sleep until I found out what happened next, especially since Meko isn’t from the same time period as Cesca.

I won’t give any spoilers away but I really loved how things ended and I hope one day K. Celeste decides to write a sequel to this book. There is much she could expand on. K. Celeste delivered an awe-inspiring novel that made me appreciate the Native Americans and their way of life.

This book is a definite keeper that everyone should read because they will be hooked immediately!

4.5 Stars – Manic Readers, Phoebe Jordan

Sojourn with a Stranger Excerpt

2009-03-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

Sojourn With A Stranger
K.Celeste Bryan
New Concepts Publishing

Setup:

Raine is summoned to Derek’s bedchamber to fulfill the first night of the contract she signed to bear his child. She can’t decide if she loves or hates the man.

Excerpt:

The temerity of her next action surprised her. She unbuttoned the front of her dress and allowed it to slip to the floor. She stepped out of it, and Derek rose, so assuredly, it gave her pause for a moment. He walked to the bed and pulled the bedcover back. Easing onto the mattress on his side, he rose up on one elbow, his intense blue eyes following her every move until she joined him.

Lying next to him, a gentle finger turned her face. “Last chance to tear up the contract,” he whispered. “Forget we agreed—”

His warm breath stirred the loose tendrils at her forehead. “I’ve never reneged on a promise in my life and I don’t intend to do so now.”

Derek lowered his head and claimed her lips. He smelled of sherry mingled with a faint, sweet aroma of tobacco. The kiss was sensual, arousing. His hand reached up to touch her face, the gesture so achingly tender, her resolve to hate him forever crumbled.

“I know this must be awkward for you,” he said capturing her eyes. “In light of how you feel about me.”

This wasn’t how she imagined it, and now that he’d kissed her, she wanted him to kiss her again. Strange sensations stirred in her body. She could only nod.

“So the sooner we get it over with, the better it will be for both.”

It must be the sherry, for all of a sudden she had the urge to laugh...at herself. She’d almost fallen for his false passion, his ability to turn her into a jellyfish with just one kiss. He’d no doubt done this countless times, taken a woman’s virtue without so much as a pinch of remorse. Well what did she expect, ardor, devotion, if not a smidgeon of affection? What a wooden spoon she was, and a soon-to-be charlatan to boot.

He must have taken her lack of a response as permission to proceed for his hand moved from her face to her neck before traveling slowly to cup her breast through the thin fabric of her undergarment. He untied the ribbons holding it together and eased it over her shoulders. The touch of his skin against her breasts shocked her. The books hadn’t prepared her for this. Panic rose. What else had the books failed to warn her about? She knew the mechanics of what was about to happen, but not once had the books warned her about the hot fire pedaling through her veins or the ache collecting in her belly and spreading out to every limb. Sensations she couldn’t seem to control. Nowhere had it been written that once he kissed her, touched her, she’d hunger for more, yearn for him to caress every inch of her skin, extinguish the licking flames coursing through her body.

Where the Rain is Made Excerpt

2009-03-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

Where The Rain Is Made
K. Celeste Bryan

The Wild Rose Press

Setup:

Cesca and Meko meet for the first time when he kidnaps her during a Cheyenne raid on her homestead.

Excerpt:

In the pale light of morning, Francesca spied the tall prairie grass ahead, smelled the ashen waters of the river. A blue jay screeched from a low-hanging branch as she passed with the derringer clutched in her hand. Thank God her father had taken the time to show her how to shoot it. A single shot, that’s all that stood between her and death.

She remembered the acrid, black smoke and the direction from which it had come―Auraria―the miner’s camp. Her father must be dead too. Please God, don’t let them find me. Tall spikes rose to her hips and rustled against her cotton pants as she threshed toward the river, hoping against hope she’d gone undetected. A desperate desire to survive coursed through her blood. She’d grab a hefty branch, float down the river so they couldn’t track her, would never find her.

Moments later, she emerged from the tall grass, and there on the opposite bank of the river, stood the most frightening sight she’d ever laid eyes on.

She froze and her heart pounded in triple beats. Pewter eyes locked with hers and she uttered a low cry of fear. Grotesque war paint covered his face and fresh scalps hung from his waist, still dripping blood. His face lacked expression, neither loathing nor rage, just a bland acknowledgement he’d found her.

She recovered her senses and raised the derringer, her hands shaking like a rattler’s tail. Don’t come near me!” Her voice trembled. “I know how to use this, and if you take one step toward me, I’ll shoot.”

A brief second of admiration flashed in the silver orbs, and something else. Oh, god, had he seen through the ruse, knew she wasn’t a boy? Her heart sank. Treading through the shallow water, he advanced slowly with her retreating, tripping over her feet. She drew back on the trigger and fired. Morbid fascination gripped her as the bullet whirred by his head and carved out a shallow furrow along his temporal bone. A stream of blood trickled from the wound and ran down his cheek. And what cheekbones they were. Every feature of his face finely-chiseled, it reminded her of the pictures she saw in one of her father’s picture books.

She turned and sprinted toward the marsh grass and then a rock-hard body slammed her to the ground forcing a long breath of air from her lungs. She clawed at the earth, crushed by his weight as sand and damp moss spiraled up her nose. She struggled to maintain consciousness, the pain in her ribs robbing her of precious air as strong hands bound her hands behind her back.

Then darkness found her.

* * * *

I Am The Wind thought he’d crushed the boy in the desperate lunge to bring him down. Lying across his small frame, strange sensations coursed through him, yet even before the lad drew back on the hammer, his pulse had launched into rapid beats. He rolled him over, his innards stirring with an odd sort of heat. No wonder the People called them ghost face. Smooth and satiny, the white-eye’s skin bore a resemblance to the alabaster shell stones found along the river banks.

He flicked the straw hat aside, astonished to see a profusion of black hair framing the delicate face. Long, bristly lashes rested against the pale cheeks, and although slack, the lips were full and pink. He traced them with his thumb before moving on to the soft curve of the jaw line, mesmerized by the classical features in the oval face. Heat coursed through his blood.

I Am The Wind sat back on his haunches and studied her, then cursed under his breath. Kâse’eehe, young woman. He should have known. Didn’t the frantic pounding of his heart, the sudden tightening in his loins warn him when he first looked into the dark green eyes?

With great difficulty, her chest rose and fell. Had he broken her ribs? He unbuttoned her shirt, and discovered the wide strips binding her chest. So the little wildcat wanted to hide her gender, wanted everyone to believe she was a boy. He hauled her up gently and draped her across his arm, searching for the end of the fabric. The soft swell of breasts rose up to meet him, nearly knocking the air from his lungs as he unwound it. He unbuttoned her pants, expecting to see a crushed pelvis. Narrow hip bones, spanning the length of his hand, topped the long, sleek limbs. Nothing appeared broken. Briefly, her eyelids fluttered and he thought she might awaken, but they stilled again and her breathing returned to normal.

A soft whistle from his lips brought Night Walker splashing through the water. He lifted the woman from the ground, mounted, and cradled her in his arms with her face snuggled into this chest. The acrid smell of smoke reached his nostrils as he rode from the banks of the river.

Well Done the Lady Says For Sojourn With A Stranger

2009-03-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

SOJOURN WITH A STRANGER

K. Celeste Bryan

Reviewed by BOOK MASONS - Ann B. Keller, Multi-published Author

Review:

A tragic accident at sea leaves beautiful Raine Brinsley an orphan. Alone, apparently penniless, without the cost of passage to return home, she accepts employment in the household of Derek Stafford, the wealthy owner of the ship partly responsible for her parents’ deaths. Derek is attracted by Raine’s magnificent emerald eyes, fiery red hair and delectable body from the moment she sets foot on his property. In her, he sees an opportunity not only to hasten her return to her Scottish grandfather in Maine, but also the chance to provide him with an all important male heir. They come to an arrangement, thus setting into motion a devilish plot of treachery, deceit and death.

Lyman Stafford, Derek’s brother, did away with Derek’s first wife before she could produce a young heir who might interfere with his inheritance. Somewhat reassured by Lucinda’s demise, Lyman is horrified to learn of Derek’s agreement to sire a male heir upon a mere servant.

As her grandfather races to bring Raine home, she falls gravely ill. However, Raine is not alone. The ghostly apparition of Lucinda, Derek’s first wife, appears again and again throughout the novel, finally rising up against Lyman Stafford himself, the man responsible for her own death.

This is a wonderful paranormal romance, which quickly picked up speed as the story progressed. The spiritual undercurrents in the novel were interwoven into the plot with the skill of a great Scottish author. Will Lucinda find her revenge? Will the young lovers be reunited in triumph and love? Ah, but what kind of Scot would I be if I told ye the end afore ye gazed upon the first page?

We Scots are rather in tune with the paranormal anyway. It's in our natures! I enjoyed reading Sojourn, Kat. I was hooked the moment I saw the cover, but you got me by the second page. Well done!

Sojourn With A Stranger gets 5 Stars at Heather's Reading Romance Blog

2009-03-17T06:49:00.000-07:00

Sojourn with a Stranger

K. Celeste Bryan

Sojourn with a Stranger was selected as a ROR Reading Challenge and reviewed by Heather's Reading Romance Blog.

February, 2009
Sojourn With A Stranger
K. Celeste Bryan
Rating: 5 stars * * * * *

Blurb:

Penniless when she arrives in Norfolk, her mother and father drowned at sea, Raine Brinsley would give anything to return home to her grandfather in Maine . When Derek Stafford, owner of a large plantation, offers a solution to her dilemma, she’s stunned, if not outraged. She’d prefer to fulfill the contract to have his child and forget about him and his self-serving scheme. But she hadn’t counted on the decadently-delicious passion he’d awakened in her.

Derek’s only desire was to father an heir for Stafford House, thus securing his future. He didn’t count on the Scottish lass with dark green eyes to interfere with his well-laid plans. But after one night in her arms, guilt, not to mention the loss of his heart, became his penance. Now he’d do anything to get her back, anything to quench the hunger and passion tormenting his soul.

Review:

My Thoughts: ***Sigh*** What can I say...

This was such a good book! K. Celeste Bryan did a superb job in this story!!! I was immediately pulled into the story of Raine and Derek.

Raine is a young woman full of Scottish blood... and we all know how stubborn those Scots can be! When faced with the tragic loss of her parents she finds herself stranded in Norfolk without a penny and refusing to write to the only relative she has left. She will not except Derek's offering to pay her way home, willing only to work in his employ to save money to make her own way home. Derek comes up with another plan... a very selfish one at that. If Raine agrees to Derek's schemes she will have enough money to get home, take care of her Grandfather, and never worry about money again.

Bryan makes you love, hate, and pity Derek. He was selfish and selfless. He blames himself for his late wife losing her mind, that and the decisions he has made since Raine showed up on his doorstep sends him running from Stafford Hall when Raine needs him the most.
I didn't want the story to end. It was another late night of reading...

There was love, loss, mystery, and ghosts in this book. It is a must read that has landed a permanent spot on my shelf under favorites!!

Posted by Heather at HEATHER'S READING ROMANCE

K. Celeste Bryan, paranormal, rating: FIVE STARS, spicy

Where the Rain is Made Receives TOP Rating!

2009-03-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

Where the Rain Is Made by K. Celeste Bryan

FIVE TOMBSTONES FROM BITTEN BY BOOKS: BITTEN BY BOOKS

Ethan Gray wakes up after spending three very uncomfortable nights in a jail cell. A bar fight in a little town in Montana left him bruised and sore, and he must face the judge in the morning. As Ethan tries to find a comfortable position on his narrow cot, the sheriff brings over a visitor. Stands-In-Light, the Cheyenne medicine woman, is standing in front of Ethan’s cell, letting him know that, once again, the Sacred Council of Arrows needs his services. He has made a vow to do all he can to help his people, so Ethan transforms into a raven and makes his escape.

Ethan stands before the Sacred Council and realizes his next journey will be quite dangerous, possibly fatal for him and thousands of the People. He accepts the danger but has no idea his fleeting vision of “a woman with hair the color of the magpie and eyes greener than pine needles” will change his life forever.

This story was interesting. I was impressed with the way K. Celeste Bryan portrayed the different aspects of Ethan’s character during his time with the Cheyenne. I felt the characters were well developed and realistic, and although this was a violent time in our history, the violence did not overwhelm the storyline. It was merely a part of the story, as common as clothing styles or food preparation.

I liked Where The Rain Is Made very much. The historical aspects were interesting and provided a different viewpoint than our high school history books. I could picture the villages, the people, and Ethan’s transformations from the descriptions. I highly recommend this story to all who entertain the possibility of time travel.

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (October 3, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 1601543719
• ISBN-13: 978-1601543714

To purchase a print copy of Where the Rain Is Made click here: PRINT COPY
To purchase a Kindle copy of Where the Rain Is Made click here: BUY KINDLE

To purchase an electronic copy of Where the Rain Is Made click here: BUY E-BOOK

To visit the author’s blog go here: KAT'S KWIPS AND RANTS BLOG

Where the Rain is Made Reviews

2009-03-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE by K. Celeste Bryan
The Wild Rose Press
More info

* * * * *

FIVE STARS from Cheryl’s Book Nook

First off let me start off my saying...I loved Where the Rain is Made! I predict this book to be a best seller. It is so good that words can’t describe it, but I will try. I enjoyed everyone from Cesca to Meko and everyone else in between. I read the electronic version and at three hundred plus pages, I sometimes have a hard time sitting for so long staring at a computer screen. I have to tell you that when I began reading this book I found myself glued to the seat. My husband ended up cooking dinner for me as I was engrossed in this book. Where the Rain is Made is a pleasure to read. There are not many books that come along like this one, but when they do, watch out. I am now on the hunt to read more books by K. Celeste Bryan.

Reviewer for Cheryl's Book Nook

* * *

New K. Bryan fan!

By war "lv2rd" FIVE STARS

I just have to say I would and have recommended this book to all fans of paranormal and historical romance. Bryan writes a great story! This is the story of Ethan Gray aka Meko, a time wanderer Cheyenne Dog warrior, and Francesca Duvall, a white woman taken captive by him. The story starts off with Meko being sent back in time to try to save as many of the Cheyenne as possible but not interfere with the outcome of battles. Cesca and her father and brother live in Colorado looking for gold as so many settlers did at the time.

Where The Rain Is Made starts off with action and I’m telling you it doesn't stop until the very last period. The Dog Soldiers attack the mining community and she is taken prisoner by Meko. Her brother is taken prisoner by a more ruthless soldier and the same one that killed their father. Cesca and her brother go through so much after they are captured but she remains a strong heroine, and that is what I really, really like about this book. She does not cower, and only begs for her brother to be spared. I like the strength and that would be expected as she becomes the Dog Warriors wife.

Bryan had me go through a gamut of emotions with this book. I was laughing, fearing, crying, and there were so many moments of heart wrenching emotion with the hero and heroine. Bryan also introduced me to so many historical things I did not realize, i.e.: Dog Soldiers, had no idea they existed, she really did her homework on the back story here. There were many scenes with Indian celebrations, and traditions. The story has a great twist at the end and I look forward to Bryan writing a story on Mountain Lion maybe?! I will be revisiting this book many, many times.

* * *

Wendy From Goodreads had this to say:

“This is a great book! I highly recommend reading it! Plus the author is a wonderful person in general and responds graciously to all her emails!

Ethan Gray aka Meko, a time traveling Dog Soldier is called upon to go back in time from his modern day life to help his people, he meets his fate with Francesca (Cesca) the green eyed wildcat, when the Dog Soldiers are warring on the mine camp her father and brother are at. She is captured by Meko, and wow...does the story ever keep you glued to it. There was suspenseful moment after suspenseful moment. The conflicts and hurdles were just non stop but the love story was so touching. Plus Bryan gives you so much great history about the Cheyenne in the book. I went through so many emotions with this book. I laughed, there were numerous times I felt my heart just clench in my chest for Cesca and Ethan. I haven’t read an Indian romance in a long, long while, but I’m telling you WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE is a great book. I will be revisiting it frequently to say the least.”

Sojourn with a Stranger

2009-03-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Sojourn with a Stranger by K. Celeste Bryan

Categories: Historical Romance

Length: Mid-Novel

Rating: Spicy/Carnal

ISBN: 978-1-60394-246-1

Blurb:

A Willful Beauty

Penniless when she arrives in Norfolk, her mother and father drowned at sea, Raine Brinsley would give anything to return home to her grandfather in Maine. When Derek Stafford, owner of a large plantation, offers a solution to her dilemma, she’s stunned, if not outraged. She’d prefer to fulfill the contract to have his child and forget about him and his self-serving scheme. But she hadn’t counted on the decadently-delicious passion he’d awakened in her.

A Rogue Accustomed To Getting What He Wants

Where the Rain is Made

2009-03-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

Where the Rain is Made by K. Celeste Bryan

Categories: Paranormal, Time Travel

Story Length: Rose

Rating: Spicy

e-Book and Print
PRINT ISBN: 1-60154-371-9

Pages: 312

Blurb:

Held captive by a decadent-looking savage, Francesca DuVall spends every waking moment planning an escape for her brother, Marsh. But she never counted on falling in love with the man whose silver eyes cause her to tremble with unbridled passion. Ethan Gray, the man, is a curator at a famous museum...most of the time, that is. At other times, he’s Meko, a savage warrior hurtled into the past to help his beloved people, the Cheyenne.

Though their worlds are decades apart, Meko, can’t resist the dark-haired, green-eyed beauty he kidnaps during a raid. A brutal, savage leader of the Dog Soldiers, he has many battles to fight to save his people, but none he wants to win more than the one that will capture Cesca’s heart forever. From the windswept plains of Colorado and the harsh life of a Dog Soldier to the placid life of a curator, their love was fueled passion and kindled by destiny.

Blog

2009-03-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

You're here on my blog. Great! Here's where I announce the winner's of my book give-aways every month and talk about my favorite books and movies. Come back often because even though right now my website is under contruction it should be up and running soon.

Contests

2009-03-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Right now there is an ongoing book-giveaway contest. Enter a contest form only once and follow one of my blogs to be eleigible. Fill out the contest form by clicking ENTER CONTEST and fill in the Contest Name as Book Give-away and Contest Answer as Monthly drawing.

News

2009-03-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome Everyone!

Well this is now K. Celeste Bryan's official website so tell all your friends! Sorry for the inconvenience but my three-year host is no longer maintaining web sites. Right now my new site is under construction but should be up and running soon.

Thank You

2009-03-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Your contest entry has been sent! Thank you for entering my contest and check back to see who won.

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2009-03-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

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Guestbook

2009-03-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

I'm using this as my Guestbook since I want everyone to feel at home here. So just leave your comments like it was a guestbook in the comments of this post. I love hearing from my readers so leave your messages below.