America is truly beautiful at Bryce Canyon. The only down side is that in the summer the outlooks at the park can become crowded. The scenery is well worth the inconvenience. There’s a peacefulness here that feeds the soul. Stand and soak it in. Let creation enfold you. Rejoice in the moment, and come away refreshed.

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America is truly beautiful at Bryce Canyon. Click to Tweet!

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Travel Journal: Strange Bedfellows

Images: Morning Glory Sunburst Capture

In a forgotten place

Where trains pull no more

A tunnel arches

Above rails that rust

And an abandoned spike

Passes to my hand

Across time.

Soft, a whistle blows.

Image of an eagle in flight with orginal poetry by Janalyn Voigt

I cut my teeth on tales of the Wild West and spent many a happy Sunday afternoon hunkered down with a bowl of popcorn as cowboys rode their horses across my television screen.

The lure of the American West still has a hold on me. But how much of the western mystique can I believe? Was it as violent as its reputation? In short, what was the West really like?

In search of answers, I’ve read orginal diaries and other documents, scoured countless original photographs, visited museums, retraced the Oregon Trail, and investigated ghost towns like Bodie, California. As I gear up to write my Montana Gold series, I’m still researching. This summer I’ll bring you along via my travel journal and photographs as I embark on a research trip to Montana.

Today, I offer one of my original research resources, No Life for a Lady (Women of the West) by Agnes Morley Cleaveland. First released in 1874, this book provides a first-hand account of growing up in the Wild West. It offers not only the author’s experiences, but also fascinating glimpses into the culture as a whole.

My favorite passage was when Agnes described playing on top of a log fence that surrounded a horse pasture. With her were some unusual companions. Besides her brothers and sister, there was a young fawn named Spotty, the goat who had adopted the fawn, a cat, a rooster, and bringing up the rear a bear cub named Josh. A burro and milk-pen calf ran alongside. Every so often Agnes’s brother, Joe, would step onto the burro’s back, to be followed by the rooster who generally went where he did. In the author’s words: “The burro tolerated them, but never Josh.”

Ever wonder how mail delivery went through in the remoter parts of the West? According to Agnes, the most common method was to “put a kid on a horse.” It wasn’t uncommon for children to ride alone for even 20 miles at a time to deliver mail or messages. This seems to argue against the feudal-mentality we’ve come to associate with the Wild West. What happened to fear of outlaws and Indians?

Interestingly enough, Agnes felt more threatened by the coyotes who sometimes trailed her. While she and her family were forced to leave their home once during a time of tension and were thankful to be spared, at other times fear of Native Americans didn’t play a large part in their existence. Agnes encountered more than one outlaw. Incidents that stood out were her childhood encounter with an outlaw who rode into her mother’s ranch dropping with exhaustion and one she met as a teenager while riding alone in the middle of the night. The first gave her his spent horse and the second greeted her mildly and let her pass. He died that night in part because he wasn’t willing to frighten her by exchanging her fresh horse for a worn-out one.

Women were usually treated gently in the West, even by outlaws. As Agnes put it: “We didn’t have the horror crimes of today.” That’s a telling statement, and one I’m still pondering.

If, like me, you are curious about the Wild West, No Life for a Lady (Women of the West) by Agnes Morley Cleaveland is a must-read.

What have you wondered about the West?

Note: Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased at Amazon.com through her affiliate links.

I should say from the start that as linked-fiction partners for Islands of Intrigue, a romantic suspense series set in the San Juan Islands, Lynnette Bonner, Lesley McDaniel, and I usually see eye-to-eye. Besides respecting one another’s writing, we decided to work together because of our compatibility. So when we wanted to select an image to divide scenes in all of our Islands of Intrigue: San Juans books, it wasn’t that we disagreed exactly. It was more like only two of us at a time would like a particular possibility.

Lynnette has guns in her book, The Unrelenting Tide, which just released May 1st, so she wanted to use a gun image. I was neutral on the use of a gun, but Lesley was all for gun control, at least when it came to the divider art for our books. Lynnette suggested the idea of shells, and Lesley was happier with that idea, but I couldn’t picture using shells to illustrate romantic suspense, so we went back to the planning stage again. I love that we consider one another in this way because we always come up with something better than we’d have settled on alone.

We finally agreed upon an Orca, which if you didn’t know is an iconic symbol of the Pacific Northwest and the San Juan Islands in particular. But then we had trouble deciding which sort of orca to use. None of the pictures we found pleased all three of us. That’s when I volunteered to draw what we wanted. It was a bit presumptuous of me to assume I’d come up with a drawing to satisfy us all, but then I’ve rushed in where angels fear to tread before.

When I drew an arching orca that was Native American but not too Native American, I seem to have nailed it. Either that or my partners didn’t want to hurt my feelings.  At any rate, the orca above, minus the waves and background color, will appear in the pages of the San Juan Island editions of Islands of Intrigue, with one modification. It was suggested that my orca is a little too cutesy for inclusion in novels of romantic suspense, so Lynnette digitally stretched the drawing to create a svelter version. I only wish real-life dieting were as easy. We all loved the more-sophisticated orca. You can see it inside The Unrelenting Tide, which launched at the low price of $2.99 for the Kindle version.

The Unrelenting Tide (Islands of Intrigue: San Juans – Christian Romantic Suspense)

She’s been living a lie that could just get her killed…

Widowed former Hollywood actress Devynne Lang has been living a quiet life in the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. For years, she’s hoped her fabricated death would keep her identity safe from the public, and more to the point, from the stalker who forced her into hiding. But strange things have been happening around her place and this time, with a daughter to protect, she can’t afford one mistake ‐ even if it means letting Carcen Lang get close enough help.

Carcen would do anything to protect his brother’s widow and her daughter. So when he discovers Devynne may be in danger, he vows to find the man responsible. But dead lead after dead lead frustrates and baffles. Until the unthinkable happens and he realizes the danger has been closer than either of them could have imagined the entire time.

…because lies always have a way of coming back to bite you.

Note: Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased at Amazon.com through her affiliate links. 

I just finished critiquing The Unrelenting Tide, the first romantic suspense novel in the Islands of Intrigue series, and I have to say Lynnette Bonner has done a stellar job of writing a page-turning novel. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Lynnette Bonner, Lesley McDaniel, and I have had a linked-fiction romantic suspense series in mind for over a year now, and it’s nice to see it taking shape. Lesley McDaniel will be next up, with her Tide Will Tell set for a fall release. I’ll follow next spring with Deceptive Tide.

Lynnette and Lesley are part of my private yearly retreat group. Last summer we stayed for a week on San Juan Island in order to work in a little research for our novels. Lynnette actually used the house we stayed in as the heroine’s home in The Unrelenting Tide. In future posts I’ll reveal more about the setting, plot, and characters within Deceptive Tide and even share a few excerpts, but for now I’ll just treat you to some of the images I captured on that memorable trip. So kick back and enjoy a mental vacation!

I took the picture, below, very close to water level and not very far from the back balcony of the tri-level house where we stayed.  I love the roughness of the rock against the silken quality of the ripples and the light but cloudy sky above. If I could tell nature to pose, this would be one shot I’d construct.

Really, it seemed I could take no bad shots, that I had only to point and click my camera to come up with a shot worthy of framing. I fell in love with the San Juan Islands during this trip. I can still feel the island breezes on my skin and hear the lap of the waves.

Black rock and the sea, San Juan Island

The next picture shows the curve of the shoreline. I was actually standing on our back deck when I took this shot, which says a lot about how close to the water we were. I imagine the waves are pretty spectacular in the winter, but we had a bit warmer weather for our retreat and mostly peaceful seas.

We soon discovered a drawback to trying to write in the midst of such beauty. We often dropped whatever we were doing and rushed outside clutching our cameras and binoculars. Another distraction was that the sea air made us all sleepy. That may have been because the living room had so many large windows that you felt like you were outside. The soporific effect of the outdoors is of course well-known.

San Juan Island Shoreline

The shot below is my absolute favorite of those I took in the San Juan Islands. I love the contrast of light and dark, rough and smooth. I was on the back deck while photographing this image as well.

Clear Water Through Pines, San Juan Islands

The photograph, below, isn’t retouched. That’s really the color of the water! I took this from the deck, also. It was interesting to watch the texture of the water change. Here is looks silken.

Blue Water and Tree San Juan Island

I leaned over a little to capture the image, below, while still on the deck. The water ripples back after hitting the shore.

Water through boughs San Juan Island

Yes, I actually did catch the image, below, while on the deck. I’m not sure what the fisherman thought of six women crowding the deck to look at his boat. )

Boat  in Salish Sea San Juan Islands

I hope you enjoyed this small journey. I have more photographs from my visit to the island where my novel takes place to share another time. Be sure and sign up for Creative Worlds so you don’t miss upcoming posts!

Coming Soon!

Click Now to Preorder and Receive an Autographed Copy on Release

She’s been living a lie that could just get her killed…

Widowed former Hollywood actress Devynne Lang has been living a quiet life in the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. For years, she’s hoped her fabricated death would keep her identity safe from the public, and more to the point, from the stalker who forced her into hiding. But strange things have been happening around her place and this time, with a daughter to protect, she can’t afford one mistake ‐ even if it means letting Carson Lang get close enough help.

Carson would do anything to protect his brother’s widow and her daughter. So when he discovers Devynne may be in danger, he vows to find the man responsible. But dead lead after dead lead frustrates and baffles. Until the unthinkable happens and he realizes the danger has been closer than either of them could have imagined the entire time.

…because lies always have a way of coming back to bite you.

Islands of Intrigue: The San Juans: Mysterious Harbors, Dangerous Shores, and Tides of Love

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Need a mental vacation? Take a look at these images of the San Juan Islands! Click to Tweet!

3 writers team for Islands of Intrigue, a romantic suspense series kicking off in the San Juans. Click to Tweet!

There’s a drawback to writing in the midst of great natural beauty. Really! Click to Tweet!

Islands of Intrigue, a new romantic suspense series, starts out with locations in the San Juans. Click to Tweet!

Romantic Suspense #books: @LynnetteBonner @LesleyMcDaniel @JanalynVoigt launch Islands of Intrigue! Click to Tweet!

Yes, @JanalynVoigt actually did catch most of these images while standing on a deck! Click to Tweet!

Escape into worlds of beauty and danger, San Juan Island style! Click to Tweet! 

This was one of those moments serendipity strikes. I stepped outside onto my deck and looked through my camera just in time to catch a sunburst. It’s at times like this I understand how nature can sing God’s praises.

Immersing myself once more in the world of Elderland is like returning to a childhood dream, the one where you can fly. I’ve been away too long. League upon league, it unfolds in my mind’s eye, showing itself as a place that should be. This is where wild wingabeasts roam the farthest reaches of the Maegrad Paesad, the long-tailed birds of fantasy roost in strongwood trees, and fish in rainbow hues swim the streams. Curtain walls shelter castle keeps, guardians man the barbican, and honor carries the day.

Ah, but there’s another side to Elderland. This is also the place where goblin-like monsters known as garns hunt fresh kill, giant birds of prey spread their wings against the sky, and spider-waevens inject lethal poison into the souls of their victims. Here, too, the Kindren and Elder nations cohabit in an uneasy truce while the alliance of Faeraven crumbles from within and a Contender with fell powers challenges the high king.

Oh yes. I know Elderland well. And yet, Elderland still can surprise me. I’ll never forget when Elcon, the hero of WayFarer, took a turn into the Vale of Shadows.  He might have informed me about such a place sooner. I had no idea it existed until he took me there. And the allegory within the story never ceases to unfold for me in unexpected layers.

Elderland. It’s beauty and beastliness both come from me, its author. And so I return to bare my soul while writing DawnKing, book three, and close the trilogy that once upon a time started as a story to entertain my bored young daughter. Already I’m planning a return journey, for the story of Daeven’s disappearance demands to be told.

DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven 1)

The High Queen is dying… At the royal summons, Shae mounts a wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her wayward heart awakens.

But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he makes. On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the DawnKing—and the salvation he offers—into a divided land. To prevail, each must learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender.

Read the first chapter of DawnSinger.

Purchase DawnSinger today! 

*As an Amazon Associate Janalyn Voigt benefits when products are purchased at Amazon.com through affiliate links.

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Immersing myself in Elderland is like returning to a childhood dream, the one where you can fly (Click to Tweet).

Wingabeasts roam the farthest reaches, long-tailed birds of #fantasy roost, & rainbow fish swim (Click to Tweet). 

Curtain walls shelter castle keeps, guardians man the barbican, and honor carries the day (Click to Tweet).

Goblin-like monsters known as garns hunt fresh kill and giant birds of prey spread their wings against the sky (Click to Tweet). 

Nations hold an uneasy truce as Faeraven crumbles & a contender challenges the high king (Click to Tweet).

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DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven) Chapter 1

Mythical Creature: Gryphon

Medieval Research: The Oath of Fealty

The gryphon* is one of the most regal mythical creatures. In historical renditions it was usually shown with four legs, having the talons of an eagle in front with a lion’s paws and hindquarters in back. It also had a beak, feathered upright ears, and a lion’s tale. Gryphons often were winged, although in British heraldry they display spikes instead. A few traditions attribute wings to female gryphons only. Some writers described gryphons with a serpent’s tale.  Because the gryphon paired the strength of a lion with the majesty of an eagle, it became a powerful heraldic symbol.

A rampant golden gryphon adorns the surcoats of the guardians of Rivenn in my Tales of Faeraven trilogy. The gryphon is the widest-used creature in heraldry, and the rampant posture (upright and standing on one leg) the most popular. Gold represents faith, or obedience and gentility.

Gryphon illustration by Sir John Tenniel for Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.”

The griffin became parent to the hippogryph, a creature that combined the hindquarters of a horse or goat with the forequarters, head, and wings of an eagle. Gryphons and hippogryphs were mortal enemies.

Learn more about DawnSinger, WayFarer, and DawnKing, the three novels in the Tales of Faeraven.

*Other spellings for gryphon include gryphen, griffen, griffon, and gryphin. A later (15th-Century) term for a male gryphon was a keythong.