Author Katie O’Connor gifts her readers with an early Christmas present in this contemporary romance novel, Christmas in Silver Creek. The heartwarming story shares homecoming and holiday reverie as Hailey and Jesse refurbish the store, Two Angels Gifts, which subsequently not only brings a couple together, but also ‘builds’ a promising new future for their family. Christmas in Silver Creek decorates the season with tender emotion, promising tidings of comfort and joy for O’Connor’s readers.
Shelley Kassian writes lively and fun romance in intriguing settings and is currently writing A Sea for Summer, which is book one of her new series, Places in the Heart.
“Ladies and gentlemen, come this way,” said the tour guide.
It’s been eight months since I experienced the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and former Nazi German concentration camp, and though time has passed, I can’t escape the tone of the tour guide’s voice, nor his respectful inflection of Ladies and Gentlemen, any more than I can escape the images of the innocent who have been imprinted in my mind. Images of deportees; men, women and children, standing on a railway platform in Auschwitz II-Birkenau, waiting for their fates to be decided, to learn whether they would live or die. They didn’t know they would die. Many deportees were murdered soon after the following photo was taken.
A moment before selection. Deported Jews from Hungary have been divided into two columns, with women and children standing on the left and men on the right. The main guardhouse is in the background. The women’s barracks on the right. (Photo credit Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum)
After the liberation of Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp, Lili Jacob, a Jew from Slovakia, found an album known as the Auschwitz Album or the Lili Jacob Album, which contained almost two hundred photographs (Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum). The above photo forms a part of this collection.
I wanted to write about my experience when I returned to my home in Canada. Initially, I couldn’t write about what I had seen. I wanted to talk about my impressions to friends and colleagues, but I remained mostly silent. It’s a difficult subject, but today, 75 years after Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated, it’s time for conversation and for humanity to remember the atrocities committed here.
Auschwitz-I
Entrance gate to concentration camp Auschwitz in Oswiecim, Poland. Famous sign ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’
A sombre feeling grips you while passing through the entrance gate in Auschwitz. I could have been experiencing a normal community, a community where people like you and I live. But in this place humans didn’t live comfortably. Initially a quarantine center, a death camp existed here with inhumane conditions. The chimneys are silent now, smoke and ash does not rise into the sky. Yet, the stench of death lingers. I sense it. The tour guide reminds our group that we could be walking on lingering ash. Evil doings whisper at Auschwitz, of genocide; starvation, slave labor, torture, medical experimentation, selection and extermination. The death camp survives as a memorial, a cemetery, a place of remembrance and contemplation, and the museum holds the evidence of crimes committed here.
Victim’s Photos
Shaving Brushes
Shoes
Child’s Clothing
Suitcases
Kitchen Utensils
Medical Equipment
Eyeglasses
Zyklon B Cans
The evidence is overwhelming. Out of respect for the victims, images of ‘the room of hair’ were not permitted, though this evidence is viewable on the museum’s website. If I close my eyes, I can visualize the massive collection of human hair, cut from murdered deportees heads after death. The image imprinted in my mind brings me to tears, still.
“Ladies and gentlemen, come this way… Leave your belongings here and we’ll take care of them for you.”
Tour group experiencing Auschwitz and evidence of genicide. Photo Credit Shelley Kassian.
Auschwitz gives the impression of a normal community until you realize the prisoners were forced to live here against their will. And while a few did escape, those left behind suffered severe punishments, which encouraged other victims to remain obedient to their SS Guards.
Barbed wire fencing separating Women and Men’s quarters: Photo Credit Shelley Kassian.
Many victims were murdered the same day they arrived, especially if they were considered unfit to work. The elderly. The disabled. Children.
“Ladies and gentlemen, come this way… Leave your belongings here and we’ll take care of them for you. Don’t forget where you placed them…”
My tour group passing through a Gas Chamber and Crematorium. Finger nail scratches scour the walls where holocaust victims were exterminated. Photo Credit Shelley Kassian.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau
When construction began in 1941, Auschwitz II-Birkenau was supposed to be a camp for 125 thousand prisoners of war, but it also served as the center for Jewish extermination. The majority—probably about 90%—of the victims of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp died in Birkenau. Approximately one million people. The majority, more than nine out of every ten, were Jewish. A large proportion of the more than 70 thousand Poles who died or were killed in the Auschwitz complex perished in Birkenau. So did approximately 20 thousand Roma and Sinti, in addition to Soviet POWs and prisoners of other nationalities (Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum).
The Railway Track at Auschwitz II-Birkenau: Photo Credit Shelley Kassian.
Walking beside the railway line overwhelmed me. My feet ground against the stones, an iron trail and walkway where deportees were forced to walk more than 75 years ago. The surrounding area is vast, quiet, no birdsong brightens the air, and many of the buildings are gone. Yet, the image of Jews arriving from Hungary, a country where my father’s family emigrated from, makes connections in my mind.
The track’s end represents the end of life.
The remains of a crematorium and gas chamber.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Nazi officers committed these atrocities. Like you, they or their descendants could be walking among us now.”
Tour group contemplates Children’s quarters.
Children’s Bunk.
Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet army on January 27th, 1945.
I’ll never understand how humans can commit heinous crimes. On the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Ladies and Gentlemen, I leave you with this important message:
References
Historical facts were confirmed through Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum’s website. If you are interested in learning more about the holocaust or the Auschwitz concentration camps, this is a good resource.
Torrey Pines, a community in San Diego, California, breathed new life into a husband and wife’s travel adventures. We recently experienced a fabulous hotel, a world class golf course, and amazing beaches where we left our footprints in the sand. What more could an author ask for? Torrey Pines delivered it all.
I’m fortunate to have visited many pleasurable destinations in the United States while traveling with my husband, the President of Kassian Dyck and Associates, but I will return to the community of Torrey Pines, and likely accompanied by my family. Living in different places in the world, we’re always searching for new destinations to meet up, places such as Torrey Pines.
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
It’s been my experience that my vacation needs are best met when I stay at the best hotels. The Hilton La Jolla at Torrey Pines had comfortable accommodations, pleasant staff, an expansive breakfast buffet with vegan and vegetarian options, and an amazing pool area. Much thanks to the hotel’s front desk clerk who upgraded our room, giving my husband and I a view of the pool area, which offered an incredible view of the Torrey Pines Golf Course and the Pacific Ocean in the background.
Being part of the Hilton Honors loyalty program has earned my husband and I such benefits before, which is why we usually choose the Hilton hotel brand.
Neither my husband or I golf, but Torrey Pines Golf Course might have inspired us to start. The course overlooks the ocean and backs onto the Hilton hotel property. We visited the pro shop and purchased golf shirts for our son-in-law’s, who love the sport of golf, which was an exciting gift for them when we arrived home.
The Farmer’s Insurance Open, a professional tournament on the PGA tour, was about to start. Taking place January 23rd to 26th, the course was being prepared during our stay. The Hilton hotel was also preparing for celebrity golfers before we left. Can you imagine golfing at a course where Tiger Woods, Rory McIlRoy and the best golfers in the world have golfed? We will return for sure.
I love the ocean. Torrey Pines State Beach was the perfect place to experience the vibe of the sea. I wasn’t alone while walking along the shoreline. My husband accompanied me. He patiently strolled beside me and held my hand while I searched for pebbles, shells and sea glass, both of us listening to the swell of the ocean. A king tide had passed across the shoreline the night before, so the sand was absolutely incredible. Almost a mirror of the sky.
Torrey Pines State Beach: Photo Credit Shelley Kassian?fit=750%2C750&ssl=1″ alt=”” class=”wp-image-3629″/>Torrey Pines State Beach: Photo Credit Shelley Kassian
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
Life should be enjoyed and a favorite moment of mine was shared with my husband. Wine and cheese at Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. My hubby knows how to please his wife.
Where will your next vacation take place? I recommend Torrey Pines.
It occurred to me while writing at the hotel that Torrey Pines would be the perfect name for a character. Hmm… that story must wait for another time.
Shelley Kassian is the author of several novels including The Women of Stampede novel, The Half Mile of Baby Blue. She’s currently writing her next fantasy novel, The Forgotten God, Book three in A Reign of Blood and Magic, which will release in the latter part of 2020.
I watched ‘The Secret’ last night, a documentary that is currently playing on Netflix. If you have not read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne or watched the documentary, there’s a message in the book that seems so simple to me.
You get what you put into life. If you want joy, exude joy, but if you focus on worries, you exude worries.
Shelley Kassian
I WANT TO FEEL JOY!
2019 is almost gone. It’s December, the most wonderful time of the year, and I’m aware my written words have been lacking (worries). I passed the 30,000 word mark in my medieval saga recently, and in reaching this milestone, I felt like I’d jumped over a hurdle. I was exhausted. I focused on the exhaustion. I equated the effort to breathlessness after climbing the highest mountain. I sat on the plateau knowing I needed at least 30,000 more words (more worries). I couldn’t visualize where I wanted to travel next, which is a barrier to completing my work in progress. Huh!
I didn’t celebrate reaching my milestone. I didn’t sit at the top of a mountain with my arms outstretched, enjoying the work, feeling the joy, the success, that I had created far more than 30,000 words. A story is taking shape! My words bring characters to life. This is a fabulous effort. After watching The Secret, I realized I’ve been analyzing my writing goals in the wrong way.
An author blessed with imagination should not only focus on the work in progress, but also visualize the success of their finished book. Imagine it in your mind and hold it in your hands.
Shelley Kassian
If you’re not an author, what does success look like to you? This is what joy feels like at the top of a mountain:
?fit=750%2C485&ssl=1″ alt=”” class=”wp-image-3582″/>Happy female hiker, traveller, feeling, elation, joy, success, or other positive mood or feeling of wellbeing. She is high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains of Australia with Mount Solitary in shade and far in the distance are King Tablelands.
I WANT TO EXUDE JOY!
The Secret states that a person must “ask, believe, receive.” This message is written on The Secret website. I didn’t even know there was a website until today. Their mission statement is to bring joy to billions.
My takeaway? I’ve asked for joy. I believe each written word will bring me joy. What will I receive? A finished book that will give me and others joy. I hope. 🙂 What’s your secret and what does joy mean to you?
I am thrilled to announce that I will be a featured author in Opal Writers’ Magazine’s July/August edition. I’m so grateful to have been chosen, as the July issue will arrive prior to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, The Calgary Stampede.
The magazine will include the novel that celebrates The Calgary Stampede, The Half Mile of Baby Blue, which I wrote as part of the Women of Stampede series.
OpalWriters’ Magazine is a Calgary based magazine for authors and writers. Within its pages readers discover articles on writing craft and short fiction pieces. It’s a bi-monthly magazine, available by subscription or single copies.
To learn more about the novel, The Half Mile of Baby Blue, click here.
No matter the social media platforms used, messages bombard. What’s real? What’s fake? Who knows for sure. Humanity’s messages are increasing at a dramatic and noisy pace, with every writer behind the words hoping to reach an audience, whether the words/video attract a customer, communicate with a friend, or in my case—reach a reader. Everyone is trying to initiate a conversation.
Kind heart. Brave mind. Fierce spirit.
I love quotes: Kind heart, brave mind, fierce spirit! I read this message somewhere this past week. I don’t remember where the quote originated from, maybe I scrolled past it on Facebook, but these keywords could assist my personal and professional goals. Maybe your goals, too. A kind heart in the ways I communicate with readers. A bravery, in that I’m not afraid to entertain new ideas. A fierceness, in the way I protect myself from adversity and the words I bring into my storytelling world.
Bravery plus fierceness equals risk. To go to the places—in storytelling and life—where I might not be comfortable. However, to be successful every goal-motivated person needs to assert a certain degree of risk.
In my opinion, the writers behind your screen are often shy solitary creatures. Authors hovering inside our hobby holes, crafting stories and hoping readers will find us. Perhaps, having a kind heart isn’t enough to win the world. Like Rocky Balboa, more often than not, a writer does have to get in the ring and fight. Grant me the courage this week to lose my shy tendencies and… get in the ring; to be kind, be brave and be fierce!
Make your greatest escape for $4.99 or less! KOBO and Walmart have launched Walmart eBooks. I’m excited to share that six of my novels have been included in a month-long promotion (US only), which runs from August 22nd, to September 18th, 2018.
If you have not read my books, this is a fantastic opportunity to try my novels. I have given the books an excellent discount, from 50% to 75% OFF. Please note this offer is exclusive to KOBO and Walmart.
If you want to read excerpts or reviews prior to purchasing, check out my book page here.
If you’re ready to buy, the links are included in the captions below:
Fantasy
The Odin Saga
“Rich prose and intriguing characters make for an engaging story.” –– A.M. Westerling
I knew I was in career burnout months ago. The signs were obvious but I chose to ignore the symptoms. I was tired. Insomnia began. I couldn’t fall asleep at night or I woke up far too early in the morning hours. Writing became a chore instead of a love of storytelling. I ‘hatedit’ when my friends/family/colleagues asked me or invited me to be a part of anything. Except for my critique partner, I stopped seeing my friends. I posted less on social media. I sunk deeper into my work; writing/editing/formatting for up to twelve hours a day. I’ve worked this hard before, so I should have know better.
My saddest moment came recently when my daughter told me she’d never heard her author mother speak so darkly about her writing. Her statement made me think. I need to get back on track, with my health and my writing. What’s obvious to me now is that no matter who we are or which career we’ve chosen to be a part of…
We can do anything, but not everything.
As I move forward to write my next novel, it’s my goal to identify the stressors, reroute negative thinking, and adopt a more balanced life. I just told a colleague that I need a business plan. Hell, I need a wellness strategy to recharge the well of creativity and dispel the anxiety.
How do I plan to recharge? I’ll start by reading, listening to music, taking walks–breaks–visiting my favorite theme park and relocating to my cottage for a few days. Just the thought of my cottage, I breathe deeper and immediately relax. I’m most excited about joining my readers, and reading. I struggle reading while I’m writing, so I’m really looking forward to delving into a great book.
I leave you with this thought: We can do anything, but not everything. For me, step one to becoming healthier is acknowledging and accepting my boundaries. I’m human. I’m not a robot. I’ll write between the limits of allotted time.
The Calgary Stampede Parade Committee receives a high five and an expression of gratitude from this author and her colleagues. On Thursday, July 5th, one day prior to the Calgary Stampede Parade, seven local ‘Women of Stampede’ authors saddled up for the ride, having been invited to the Participants BBQ and Parade Day breakfast.
From left to right: C.G. Furst, Maeve Buchanan, Shelley Kassian, Katie O’Connor, Nicole Roy, Alyssa Linn Palmer, and Brenda Sinclair.
The BBQ and breakfast is a happening place. The atmosphere is rife with excitement and entertainment; you can feel the vibe thrumming in the air as parade participants begin to arrive. All afternoon, trucks and trailers continually roll into Fort Calgary, parking along the fence line beside the Bow River. I watched in amazement as horses were unloaded, enjoying the presence of equines nickering and riders trotting along a ready made pathway, and one leader among the crowd who directed the drivers where to park all while riding his russet mare.
I’ve attended the Calgary Stampede for years, and I’ve always appreciated how the city celebrates a Western-themed event each year. It’s the direct reason I was inspired to write a contemporary romance novel, loosely based on the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, though I never imagined that a series project, which I oversaw with Katie O’Connor, might lead to this behind the scenes glimpse of the Calgary Stampede parade. I didn’t expect to be treated like a VIP. Standing in a long line of parade attendees, a volunteer noticed my badge and with a smile, escorted me to the VIP line. It felt great to be given such respect and care.
My most amazing moment of day one arrived when I met Kelly Sutherland. Oh my… I felt blessed and honored when he purchased my novel, The Half Mile of Baby Blue, plus the other six novels in the series. My fictional family discover a chuckwagon legacy, which sends them back to the race track, trying to achieve a win on the half mile of Hell. Kelly wanted to know if I’d based my characters on any drivers he might know. I assured him my story is purely fictional! Definitely a fan girl moment!
The greatest champion in chuckwagon racing history, Kelly Sutherland, and Shelley Kassian
The Women of Stampede authors arrived at Fort Calgary early on day two. The sun was just beginning to rise. Pancakes and sausages were already cooking on the grill and parade participants lined up early to eat. Six am! Approximately 600 volunteers work behind the scenes to feed and care for the parade participants. They were fantastic ambassadors for the Calgary Stampede. I extend my thanks to them! The food was delicious! 🙂
Like everything in life, good occasions must come to an end. I wish to thank the Calgary Stampede Parade Committee for inviting the Women of Stampede to their event and for treating us like royalty. I imagine, every guest might have felt that way!
The Half Mile of Baby Blue, A Women of Stampede romance novel, is available for purchase at Chapters, Indigo, and all places where digital books are sold.
When I was asked this morning by author Win Day to share my author confessions, guilt plagued me. It’s not personal guilt like bad eating habits or not working out that upset me; it’s career guilt, and a favorite reader immediately comes to mind. His name is Pat. If you search for my books on Amazon, you’ll find one, maybe two reviews from Pat. You’ll quickly see why I ‘heart’ this man. PS: This is not my husband. I have not been able to get my husband to read my books. Yet…
Pat is my favorite reader. He’s the inspiration that gets my butt in the chair and keeps me writing. Yes. A writer needs inspiration and support from their readers. Please don’t be afraid to talk to us. But…
Guilt. It weighs heavily on my mind. Pat is part of my tribe. He’s one of the first readers of my books. He particularly loves my fantasy series, The Odin Saga. He says he really enjoyed The Scarlett Mark. I knew this admission was true when he shared the book with his friends and family, and I received subsequent letters from them. He enjoyed The Ebony Queen, too, in all her delicious deviousness and darkness. The Ebony Queen was published in the summer of 2016. Two years have passed since publishing this MedEvil Romantasy, and Pat, bless his heart, diligently waits for book three. While suffering through the drought, he reads my romance novels. I giggle a little here because Pat doesn’t normally read romance. I’ve driven him to romance… Between you and I, I think he likes the naughty bits, the love scenes. I’ll put one or two in book three, just for him!
An author confession? That I’ve somehow let my favorite reader down while pursuing other projects. Emotion. I will not to submit to tears. Deep breath. This is my promise to Pat. No more distractions. Book 3 will be coming soon!
Shelley’s recent novel, The Half Mile of Baby Blue, a contemporary romance, is currently available at Chapters/Indigo in Trade Paperback, and in digital format at all other e-tailers.
?fit=2996%2C3995&ssl=1″ data-link=”
