Monday, September 28, 2009

A Red Hot Fairy Tale

Please welcome my fellow Dorchester author, Helen Scott Taylor. Helen lives in Devon, England and earned a degree in Botany and Zoology from London University. She also possesses a wonderfully magically imagination and won the American Title IV Contest. If you like fairy stories, you'll love THE MAGIC KNOT. Take it away, Helen!


In my fairy world featured in The Magic Knot, each fairy embodies the qualities of one of the elements. The leprechauns and Cornish piskies are Earth elementals, the noble old blood Tuatha Dé Danaan are either Fire, Air, or Water. This gives them their powers, strengths, and weaknesses.

Earth is the mother, the element of birth and renewal. Earth elementals are steady, grounded, and generous, with their feet firmly on the ground. Confident and steadfast, Earth elementals have an instinct for survival, which makes them excellent protectors.

Air elementals are intelligent with great imagination, and can be very persuasive. They are good at conceiving new ideas and seeing changes coming. They have an affinity to music. They may ‘have their heads in the clouds’ and be difficult to pin down. Their spiritual beauty is reflected in the intricate formation of snowflakes.

Water elementals are the nurturers, the calm center that supports loved ones to help them conquer problems. Sensual, graceful, and often very beautiful, Water elementals have strong emotions, and love deeply.

Fire elementals embody passion, enthusiasm, and desire. They are quick and bright, but often emotionally volatile. Forceful and highly opinionated, Fire elementals think they know best. They are considered to be ‘hot blooded’.

To find out which element you are, go to my website www.helenscotttaylor.com and take my elements quiz. Then come back and tell us what element you are!

(Emily popping in here. Helen told me she'll give a copy of THE MAGIC KNOT to someone who leaves a comment!)

The Magic Knot Back Cover Copy

HE’S A BIKER WITH AN ATTITUDE

What woman wouldn’t be attracted to Niall O’Connor’s soft Irish brogue and dark good looks? But Rosenwyn Tremain must find her father, and she isn’t going to let a sexy, stubborn Irishman and his motorcycle distract her. Rose’s intuition tells her he’s hiding something, a secret even the cards cannot divine. Her tarot deck always reads true, but how can one man represent both Justice and Betrayal?

SHE’S A WOMAN ON A MISSION

Magic. Niall’s body tingles with it when he finds the woman snooping in his room. Rosenwyn might believe she’s a no-nonsense accountant, but her essence whispers to him of ancient fairy magic that enslaves even as it seduces. Her heritage could endanger those he’d die to protect, but her powers and her passion, if properly awakened, might be the only thing that can save both their families, vanquish a fairy queen bent on revenge, and fulfill a prophecy that will bind their hearts together with…The Magic Knot

Thanks for sharing with us, Helen! Ok, now it's your turn. You can pop over to Helen's website to see what sort of elemental you are and come back to share it with us, or leave a question or comment for Helen in order to be entered in her drawing.


PS. Please be sure to also join USA TODAY bestseller Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnsona and me at BookReviews by Bobbie! We're sharing exclusive, never before seen excerpts from A CHRISTMAS BALL. Hope to see you there!

17 comments:

Nynke said...

Hi Helen and Emily,

it would appear my element is water. Not a bad thing, with all its caring connotations :). Although it doesn't quite do justice to my passion for summer, and or the fact that I'm sorry it's over again...

Helen, your book sounds great! It's going straight to my TBR list :).

Carol L. said...

Good morning Emily and Helen,
My element is water as well. Very fitting for a Pisces. :)Helen, I look forward to reading your book and also the next one The Pheonix Charm. I love anything Celtic. Especially stories centered in Scotland or Ireland. Thanks for the quiz. Have a great day ladies.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com

Alaine said...

I really like the sound of this book! Already added it to my wish list.

Helen Scott Taylor said...

Emily, thank you for having me as a guest today. Lovely to be here.

Nynke and Carol L, thank you for checking out my quiz. The heroine of The Phoenix Charm is a water elemental--a water nymph actually!

Alaine, thanks for stopping by. Glad you like the sound of The Magic Knot.

Helen

Jane L said...

Good Morning Helen and Emily! This is so ironic! I was wondering what element I was and this am, here you had this topic! How funny.
I took the quiz and I am soooo surprised I am fire, wow, I would not have guessed it, but yes, I am pleased!

I think I have The Magic Knot in my tbr, it was one I received at RT! I am going to go look!

Thanks for the quiz and fun! Have a wonderful week!

Emily!! I am so excited for the release of "A Christmas Ball"!!

Heather D said...

Hi Emily and Helen!

My element is water. I kind of pegged it from the brief descriptions in this post before taking the quiz. I am a nurturer, always have been, the peace keeper, and every other trait that comes from being a middle child. My start sign is a leo, but I have never really fit the description... I leave that to my little sister.
someone has mentioned The Magic Knot to me previously. I already have it on my wishlist on Shelfari, but I haven't seen it in the stores. It is definitely one that I want to read.

Emily I bet you are really anxious and excited over your new release. I called my mom yesterday to tell her to get to the book store on Tuesday for the new releases. (She always calls and asks what books are good and she loves Holiday books and anthologies) I will be heading out tomorrow to pick up my copy as well. I can't wait to read it!!

KELLY FITZPATRICK said...

Mine is water, which I suspected. Love water. Love to write about water. Love to vacation around water, and I live by the water.

EmilyBryan said...

Which element means you're a technologically challenged doofus? That's what I feel like today after messing up with Bobbie at BookReviewsByBobbie. I hope she can reschedule us.

My parents are here and I'm afraid I'm distracted. I thought sure I'd sent all the post to her last Friday. My extremely bad.

And yes! I am soooo excited about A CHRISTMAS BALL. I've already received a couple emails from readers who found it early and loved it!

Jane L said...

Emily, This is very sad news... if your readers and writers have not heard, Kate Duffy editor for Kensington publishing, passed away. Please send your prayers to the writers, families and friends of hers!

CrystalGB said...

Hi Emily and Helen. My element is fire. The Magic Knot sounds great. :)

EmilyBryan said...

Jane L--I didn't realize it, but Kate was fighting cancer. I wish I'd known. I'd have sent her a note of encouragement, one cancer fighter to another. Now her family will have my prayers.

A great romance light has gone out of the world. She was passionate about a story well told. We will miss Kate Duffy.

Helen Scott Taylor said...

Hi Jane L, glad you enjoyed the quiz. Fire elementals usually seem to be in the minority. Not sure why.

Hi Heather D, I hate to admit this, but I've no idea if The Magic Knot is still in the stores. As I live in England I've never seen it in bookstores in the States. It is on Amazon and B&N.

Hi Kelly, I've found a lot of romance readers are water. Maybe more women are water because they are more likely to be nurturers.

Hi Crystal, you've just disproved my comment about the lack of fire elementals. Where are all the air and earth elementals? I'm air, head in the clouds all the time.

How sad about Kate Duffy. She was such a strong voice in the romance industry. I'm sure she'll be greatly missed.

Helen

ann alba said...

Hello Helen & Emily.
my element is Earth.
I have had this book on my list now for weeks I will be placing an order very soon i have a secret Santa friend gift to bye for.
funny thing I added your book to my SSF list but would love it much more if it was signed problem I could see is if I won do I keep it so send it to my SSF...( I would send it I think what a treat that would be to open a gift that is signed.) Have a good one ladies.

Nara Malone said...

Hi Helen and Emily,

I love the idea of the quiz on your blog. I'm air. It certainly fits, always have my mind floating up there in the clouds. I'm putting this book on my wish list.

Linda Warren said...

Hi Helen,
Well, it seems I'm air, and that fits. My head is in the clouds all the time. Loved the quiz!

And I loved The Magic Knot. Great book!

Hugs,
Linda

Helen Scott Taylor said...

Hi Alba, I can always send you a sighned book plate if you like. You can reach me through the contact page on my website if you like.

Hi Nara and Linda--two air elementals like me. I thought I was going to be floating in the clouds on my own today.

Helen

Kaylin McFarren said...

Think I might be an Earth element, since I'm the mothering type. But I'm heading over to your website to take the official quiz, just in case. BTW, I LOVED this book!!!

(Mama-pixie)