A Whisper From The Past

Author/Artist Unknown

Ever find yourself sitting alone (reading of course), letting go of your reality while losing yourself in someone else's fantasy?  Sure you have.  We all have at some point in our lives.  Whether as children being read a Dr. Seus' book or in middle school reading about young sleuths figuring out the mystery of a neighborhood cat gone missing.  Or as young adults discovering worlds beyond our circle of family and friends.  And, as adults with eclectic tastes in books that can still include those from our childhood.

I find there are still remnants of all the books I've read.  I may not remember the entire story from a book I read in middle grade, junior high or high school, but I can picture the hero in my head as I once visualized them back then.  I say back then because if I read the books today, I may not see them with a youth's eye, but with a jaded one from tons of books read since.  There are times when I find myself in a situation that seemed like deja vu, a slippery memory that I can't get a grasped on...a whisper from the past.  And it can be from either my actual past, or from a past reading.

I believe I have multiple personalities.  All of them authors from books I've read.  Driving home during traffic hour, my Stephen King comes out, plotting demises for the idiot who can't keep up with the speed limit or the dumbass who can't stay off my bumper trying to pass me.  If I'm with someone I barely know who goes on and on and on about something that dulls my brain, my Ken Kesey will emerge with Nurse Rached quietly waiting in the back ground to perform a lobotomy.  Quiet whisperings of imaginative solutions to the everyday humdrum.

Wow...I have issues.

But not all my personalities are those of the dark and insane (and I say that while fighting the urge to give into

my Cheetos craving).  There's Jane Austin, Alexander Dumas, Nathaniel Hawthorne (if you haven't read The Scarlett letter, you should...Hester breaks the rules and lives with consequences that not only make her a pariah in her community, but becomes the epitome of a woman who endures and continue to endure ostracization because of the result of an adulterous affair.  It is such a good read).  And those are just a few that come to mind, including Tad Williams, Neil Gaiman and Jim Butcher (so love him).  And lets not forget Dr. Seus (I had to a school project based on one of his books in drama...aced it!)

Stories can be told in many ways; in front of a camp fire, in movies or TV series, radio, gossip at the water cooler, in any format you can think of.  For me, books are my preferred medium in seeking, finding and getting lost in a story.  I want to imagine the hero based on his description to be the one I conjured in my head during the entire book, the same for the heroine.  I want to see the monsters the way they were terrifyingly drawn with words between the pages as I would imagine them to be.  I want to see a world created in my mind's eye as I cringe with fear or explode with awe and wonder formed by strings of words that bring them to life for me.

Don't get me wrong.  To see books on film is an amazing thing, and we do want someone to bring our beloved stories to life on the screen.  But for me, from that point forward all thoughts and imagery of the story will be in the form of the director's vision, not mine.  And we're all guilty of comparing the written version to the one on  screen.  Most times we regret seeing the movie, but once in a great while...they get it right, if not better.

What of you?  Any personalities based on authors from books read in the past?  Or better yet, characters from some of your favorite books?  Oh, in that case I have so, so many...and they all whisper in my ear when I find myself in situations similar to their own.

I just wish they wouldn't do it all at the same time.  ;)


Until next time, good reading to all!
LF

Book 3 - Teaser #2

It's been a long couple of weeks.  Despite everything going on with the move and my daughter's wedding, you've all been very patient.  So, as a thank you, here's a teaser from book 3.  Enjoy!

“Sorry,” she says, giving me an apologetic smile. She does not realize it’s her touch that caused me to wince, not the wound.

She slips her fingers into my waistband and gently moves it lower to see the wound fully. Without realizing the effect her touch has on me, she continues to gently prod and touch, causing sensations that have nothing to do with the burn. When she moves her hand around my waist to my back, the coolness of her touch on my heated skin is too much. I take another breath and raise my hands to interlock them behind my head.  By doing so, it will prevent me from following my basic urges and forget about the prophecy and its Virgin Queen.

“Tharin, I think you should lie down. It will be easier for me to heal you if I’m above you,” she says as she moves aside. The innocence of her words leads my thoughts down a path I struggle to keep at bay.

I move to the bed and slowly lower myself, lying back with my head against the headboard so I can watch her work. With hooded eyes, I watch as she takes a sudden breath when she finally sees me since she entered the room. For a moment, she’s frozen, glued to the spot as her eyes roam slowly along the length of my body. I smile inwardly when I see the color rise in her face and find comfort that she’s struggling as much as I am for control. 

Lily shakes her head as if coming out of a trance and takes another breath. She moves closer to the bed, and with a slight effort, concentrates once again on the wound. She places her hands over me, but unlike Tolan when he administers his healing, Lily actually lays her hands directly on me. The physical contact causes me to hold my breath at her light, cool touch; the soothing effect is instant. I wait for the initial pain that comes with the process, but there is only the soft whispering of Lily’s healing. I close my eyes and let her energy work its way around the burn area, putting out the fire. Everything about her energy is clean and pure, and the sensation of being out in the cool breeze slips along my skin, making me feel light, almost weightless.

I open my eyes slowly and realize I’m floating a foot off the bed. Lily still has her hands on my stomach, her eyes closed and she sways in place. A gold light comes off her and I watch in amazement as it pours gently onto me. The next second I drop to the bed and I am reaching out to catch her before she hits the floor. Lily is out cold. She has used up all of her energy to heal me.

Until the next time, good reading to all!

LF

If HE is playing Ka...I want to be Sema!

Velesi Fan Rebecca sent me an email earlier this week suggesting that Viggo Mortensen would make a great Ka.  It took some serious thought to imagine Mr. Mortensen as the role of the "Greatest Velesi King", but when you think of it...it kind of fits.  Ka is a force to be reckoned with, and as he told Tharin on the dark path to the Tower, “Don’t let this old dog fool you, son.  I’m as bad as they come.”

Let's face it, the man is beautiful.  I've been a huge fan of his since the 80's - I mean who doesn't love a Rennaissance man who writes poetry?  Here are some images that I found to help imagine him as Ka (okay, the last one is for me...)  

Let me know what you think or if you have another suggestion for the "Greatest Velesi King".  Thanks, Rebecca, this one was fun.  

Until next time, good reading to all!
LF

Julia...Maybe?

Super Fan Madelyn sent me an email suggesting that AnnaSophia Robb would make a great Julia.  So I pulled up her images read a little about this amazing beautiful young actress.  She could definitely pull off the tough but heart of gold Julia.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

 

 

She was amazing in Soul Surfer in her betrayal of Bethany Hamilton, the 13 year old who continue to compete in surfing despite losing her arm in a shark attack.  She showed she has the athletic juice to play the part not only in that movie, but in her five year stint in gymnastic.

I like her for Julia as well. Thanks, Madelyn.

Until next time, good reading to all.
LF

A Potential Lily?

Jennifer Benedick Milan, a fan of the Velesi Trilogy loved the idea of Jennifer Connelly for the role of Senestra.  She also thought that Katie McGrath of the Merlin TV series would make a good Lily.  Here are some shots of Ms. McGrath, and I have to say...having the green gown helps picture her as our young Willow queen.

 

 

I like her for it, although, of course, she would have to wear tinted lenses as Lily has light amber eyes. It also helps that she resembles Ms. Connelly with her dark hair, light eyes and flawless skin.  I can see the mother-daughter scene between the two.  

Thanks, Jennifer, for the suggestion.  

So, what do you think?  Do you have someone in mind that might fit the role of Lily?

Until the next time, good reading to all!
LF

Book 3 - Teaser #1

July is five months off...waayyy off.  So, thought I would give you the first teaser from Book 3.  Enjoy!

"I see the fire in her eyes and the determined set of her mouth. She points a finger at my chest, a habit she has, and says, "I don't care who you are or what I'm going to be in your life. I will leave whenever I feel like it." 

Chris Hemsworth & Natalie Portman - Marvel/Paramount's Thor

She turns to go, but I catch her by the arm. She attempts to struggle from my grip as I pull her to me, catching her lips with my own. She's still for a moment, and a moment is all it takes as she leans into me, allowing me to support her weight. I savor the moment, and a relief overcomes me that is so great it almost knocks me off my feet. And my world is right once again."

Tharin - Book 3 of The Velesi Trilogy

Until next time, good reading to all!
LF

Senestra of the Willow Clan

I've been asked many times of who I thought would play the characters from the Velesi trilogy.  To be honest, I am at a lost who would play the seven main characters (Tharin, Lily, Tolan and Julia, Mellis, Phoris and Alorn).  However, I was with a friend when Jennifer Connelly's name came up as a possible Senestra.  So, we pulled up images of Ms. Connelly, and I have to say, I truly like her for the role as Queen of the Willow Clan.

In the garden scene when Lily is about to meet her mother for the first time, along with these lines, "She appears from the darkness like an angel in flight.  She rushes forward, throwing her arms around me, holding on fiercely."  It is Ms. Connelly's face that I see.

I have visions of what my characters look like.  It's interesting trying to put actual faces to those of fantasy and fiction.  Quite fun.


Until next time, good reading to all.
LF

Community Bookstop

I am honored to be featured in the Community Bookstop.  I want to thank the ladies at the Community Bookstop for accepting The Drifting sent to them by Stormi Johnson and a special  thank you to Paula for an amazing review.

You can read the review here.

Enjoy!

Until next time, good reading to all!
LF

The Binding - New Year's Promo!

Good news!  In two days...Amazon will host a five day promo for a free download of The Binding - Book 1 of The Velesi Trilogy.

Been wanting to start on the Velesi Trilogy?  Well here's your chance to get the first installment, The Binding...for free!  From January 1 - 5 the book that started it all for Tharin and Lily will be free on Amazon (for Kindle).  Mark your calendars and share the news!

Get your free copy of the first installment of The Velesi Trilogy here and enjoy!

Until next time, good reading to all!
LF

5 Star Review on Amazon

It's a wonderful feeling when I receive amazing reviews from readers everywhere, but there's something to be said about receiving a review from an established and popular author.  Thank you Mr. Paul R. Hewlett for a radiant review on The Binding.

Until the next time, good reading to all!
LF

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!, December 21, 2012 By  Paul (usa) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Binding (The Velesi Trilogy) (Kindle Edition) I loved The Binding by L. Filloon. I read a review on B00kr3vi3ws and knew I had to read it. I wasn't quite sure what I was in for, but jumped in with both feet. I wondered how the story would play out as I realized it was being told from two different viewpoints, alternating chapters. The result: AWESOME! I fell in love with Lily and found her to a genuine, caring, sweet character that I rooted and pulled for. In fact I loved all the characters and the story... Wow! The depth of the plot and detail of the story is phenomenal. I love everything about The Binding and I highly recommend all fantasy fans pick this book up now! The only good thing about me taking forever to read it is that now book 2 is out and I don't have to wait to read it! L. Filloon is an author to watch in 2013 and I for one am excited to read more from her. Paul R. Hewlett