| KELLEY HECKART'S PRESS KIT |
ARIZONA AUTHOR DREAMS OF THE MIST-FILLED FORESTS OF ANCIENT
BRITAIN AND SCOTLAND
Kelley Heckart, author of Of Water and Dragons lives in the hot dry desert, but has
written a story that takes place in a faraway place very different from the desert. She
has dreamed of the mist-filled forests, narrow glens, dark lochs, heather clothed
moorlands and rugged mountains since she was a young girl. Her fascination with
otherworldly beings and fierce warriors carried on into adulthood and eventually a
book was born of her dreams and vivid imagination. Kelley has spent years studying
Celtic history and mythology. In the last few years, she has learned the history of
Roman Britain and the Roman legions that attempted to conquer ancient Scotland.
By reading textbooks and searching online, she was able to “see” the landscapes she
so vividly describes in her book.
Of Water and Dragons cleverly mixes history with fantasy.
In AD84 Roman legions advance into the land they call Caledonia (Scotland)
defeating the Celtic tribes in the battle of Mons Graupius. Ambiorix, commander of a
cavalry unit, rides into the forest in an attempt to stop the fleeing warriors and is
seriously injured. A half-human, half-faery woman called Nemu, who has lived in the
Highland mountains for many years, finds him. She heals his wounds, and though
they are mysteriously drawn to one another, he returns to his world. Their worlds
finally collide in a fury of fire, blood and darkness.
Ambiorix, son of a Celtic noblewoman and a Roman Senator, has no doubts about his
loyalty to Rome until he meets Nemu, and upon his return home is plagued by strange
dreams that raise doubts about who he really is. Will he abandon the only life he has
ever known to follow his true destiny?
Nemu, ancient and powerful, is content to live alone in the forest until she meets
Ambiorix. After he has returned to his Roman world, she pursues him and is caught
up in the northern Celtic tribes fight against the Romans. Haunted by her past, she
makes a promise to a dying druid to help rid the land of the Roman invaders. Can
she keep the promise even if it means sacrificing the man she loves?
S. Parker, a reader, says this about Of Water and Dragons: “I really enjoyed this
book and once started I did not put it down till the last page was read.
I have been reading fantasy for 27 years and I feel the author did a wonderful job of
creating a interesting and exciting story and the character's are vivid and dynamic so
it was easy to step into their world with one's imagination.
I am looking forward to book 2 of the series. Bring it on!”
Kelley Heckart was born in Casper, Wyoming, but lived most of her life in southern
California. After being diagnosed with reactive arthritis at age 35, she moved with her
husband and two dogs to sunny, dry Arizona. She loves to read about ancient history
and has a fascination with the supernatural. Her favorite authors are Ann Rice,
Marion Zimmer Bradley, Morgan Llywelyn, Diana Gabaldon and Alice Borchardt.
Currently, she is working on the sequel to Of Water and Dragons. “I have been
researching the inner-workings of the Roman army, which will factor more in the
second book, and studying Shamanism to better understand the unknown tribes of
the Scottish Highlands. Virtually nothing is written about these tribes so I have to put
the pieces together to bring these fascinating people to life. Research is the most
tedious part of writing for me, but it has to be done in order to get the atmosphere of
the story right,” she explains.
Prior to becoming a writer, Kelley was a musician, playing the bass guitar in an all-girl
hard-rock/metal band for ten years. They recorded a demo tape and played in
Orange County California, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire. The band was
featured on stations in Riverside County and on the now defunct KNAC in southern
California. “Creating song lyrics was my first experience with writing.” After the
breakup of the band in 1995, she studied martial arts and started writing short
stories. Her Creative Writing teacher, Jeanette Baker, urged her to turn a short story
into a novel and Of Water and Dragons was born. “I had always planned on returning
to music, but after I became ill, it was harder for me to play in a band and I focused
more on writing. I still write music with my husband and sit in with his band, but writing
is my main focus now.” Kelley is also an artist, designing unique crosses out of
driftwood and selling them in her eBay store, Kel’s Cool Crosses.
New Book Released Of Water and Dragons
They were destined to meet, but were they destined to be together?
“Of Water and Dragons” takes place on the mystical island of Britannia from the dark
enchanted lochs of Scotland to the grand bathhouses of Roman Britain.
The battle of Mons Graupius in AD 84 is one of the most profound battles in history
when the Romans, though greatly outnumbered, defeat the Celtic tribes of ancient
Scotland and furthered the expansion of the Roman Empire.
Here, in this untamed land the Romans call Caledonia, lives Nemu (Nay-Moo), a half-
human, half-water faery woman. Soon after the battle ends, she finds a wounded
Roman soldier named Ambiorix. Despite her distrust of humans, she takes him in and
heals his wounds. Though they are from different worlds, they are mysteriously drawn
to each other, but unforeseen forces keep them apart until their worlds collide in a
fury of fire, blood and darkness.
“Of Water and Dragons” weaves together the Roman history and Celtic lore of
ancient Britain to create an unforgettable story of love and sacrifice.
Of Water and Dragons is now available in e-book format by Awe-Struck.
Author Bio
Kelley Heckart lives in Arizona with her husband, Michael, and their two dogs,
Hercules and Xena. Kelley was born with a vivid imagination and a fascination with
ancient history and the supernatural. Though she resides on the earthly realm, she
always has one foot firmly planted in the otherworldly realm of mystical creatures and
magic. She has written numerous short stories and song lyrics. This is her first novel.
In addition to writing books, she also enjoys playing and writing music, and designing
crosses out of driftwood. Currently, she is working on a sequel to Of Water and
Dragons. Of Water and Dragons can be found on her website,www.kelleyheckart.com,
www.amazon.com, www.booksurge.com and many other online stores. If your local
bookstore doesn’t have it in stock, it can easily be ordered.
Of Water and Dragons reviews
Like many literary trends, that of mythic revivalism and historical fantasy has been an
abyss of semi-memorable novels marked by a few outstanding works—Of Water and
Dragons being among the best. Author Kelley Heckart’s compelling verbiage and
tightly-wrought plot grab from page one with a tenacious intensity evocative of the
early classics of fantasy fiction.
Set amid the tumult of the Roman occupation of Britain in the first century A.D., Of
Water and Dragons’ heroes and heroines are as bitingly real as actual historical
figures—and it becomes delightfully, fluidly easy to be swept into Heckart’s verdant
but socially chaotic hinterland landscape, a place where dark-clad druids, fickle
faeries, relentless Romans, woman warriors, nepotistic noblemen, and mystical
Mythraic initiates find their identities interwoven, opposed, and united through an epic
struggle of will and war.
Of Water and Dragons’ strength is in its remarkable imagery...perfectly-painted
frames of life in an incredible, if not actual, time and place. These tableaus are
navigated predominantly by protagonist Ambiorix, an imperial soldier of mixed
Roman/Druidic heritage. Ambiorix’s prophesied power and importance to the Druidic
cause is, of course, a predictable choice for Heckart; however, her treatment of the
hero is anything but formulaic, and her potent portrait of man torn by love, loyalty, and
locale is sure to gain the notice and respect of her peers. This cogent character
development does not end with Ambiorix, though—it seems that each of her creations,
no matter how minor a player, is a truly formed, utterly believable being, whether
human or chimerical.
A read quicker than Caledonian chariots, Of Water and Dragons is an appealing
amalgam of magic, erotica, military history, and romance that will leave readers
breathless in its wake.
Reviewed by Ellen Tanner Marsh, NYT best-selling author
"The characters and the story have heavy Arthurian overtones, but the plot does not
play out like the legends, or even the Badon Hill version of historical Arthur. This
does make for a surprising ending, which is good, and lays the groundwork for future
novels following on from this one."
Reviewed by PaganNews.com
"The riveting novel is authentically set in ancient Scotland and Britain. Conflict and
cultural difference affects their relationship adding suspense, surprise, mythic and
historical fantasy to a spellbinding plot...Real Celtic lore and Roman history combined
adds synergy to the exciting, soul-stirring story about separation, conflict, love and
sacrifice."
Recommended & Reviewed in The Mindquest Review, by Lightword Publishing
"This reviewer found it an interesting tale, rich in myth and preserved history.
Although not meant to be historically correct, it relies on the suspicions and myths
alive at the time. The mystic dragon and the Druid abilities make this an interesting
setting. The characters are very well drawn, with some out of the ordinary people
mixed in. A colourful but harsh life for most, although freedom wasn’t something most
people had. Slavery was rife and shown as demeaning and something most fought to
avoid. The ceremonies and battle scenes are vividly brought to life on the pages.
The author has tied the story in with well-known and still not understood happenings
in history. This tale is filled with well-written prose, some great dialogue and
descriptions. The characters are well drawn and true to the time frame. It also brought
the land and the tribal outlook to life in a new way as the historical background rolled
forward.
If you like unusual fantasy and can suspend belief for a while, you will enjoy this trip
back in time."
Reviewed by Pam
November 2005
© Love Romances, 2001-2005. All Rights Reserved
BRITAIN AND SCOTLAND
Kelley Heckart, author of Of Water and Dragons lives in the hot dry desert, but has
written a story that takes place in a faraway place very different from the desert. She
has dreamed of the mist-filled forests, narrow glens, dark lochs, heather clothed
moorlands and rugged mountains since she was a young girl. Her fascination with
otherworldly beings and fierce warriors carried on into adulthood and eventually a
book was born of her dreams and vivid imagination. Kelley has spent years studying
Celtic history and mythology. In the last few years, she has learned the history of
Roman Britain and the Roman legions that attempted to conquer ancient Scotland.
By reading textbooks and searching online, she was able to “see” the landscapes she
so vividly describes in her book.
Of Water and Dragons cleverly mixes history with fantasy.
In AD84 Roman legions advance into the land they call Caledonia (Scotland)
defeating the Celtic tribes in the battle of Mons Graupius. Ambiorix, commander of a
cavalry unit, rides into the forest in an attempt to stop the fleeing warriors and is
seriously injured. A half-human, half-faery woman called Nemu, who has lived in the
Highland mountains for many years, finds him. She heals his wounds, and though
they are mysteriously drawn to one another, he returns to his world. Their worlds
finally collide in a fury of fire, blood and darkness.
Ambiorix, son of a Celtic noblewoman and a Roman Senator, has no doubts about his
loyalty to Rome until he meets Nemu, and upon his return home is plagued by strange
dreams that raise doubts about who he really is. Will he abandon the only life he has
ever known to follow his true destiny?
Nemu, ancient and powerful, is content to live alone in the forest until she meets
Ambiorix. After he has returned to his Roman world, she pursues him and is caught
up in the northern Celtic tribes fight against the Romans. Haunted by her past, she
makes a promise to a dying druid to help rid the land of the Roman invaders. Can
she keep the promise even if it means sacrificing the man she loves?
S. Parker, a reader, says this about Of Water and Dragons: “I really enjoyed this
book and once started I did not put it down till the last page was read.
I have been reading fantasy for 27 years and I feel the author did a wonderful job of
creating a interesting and exciting story and the character's are vivid and dynamic so
it was easy to step into their world with one's imagination.
I am looking forward to book 2 of the series. Bring it on!”
Kelley Heckart was born in Casper, Wyoming, but lived most of her life in southern
California. After being diagnosed with reactive arthritis at age 35, she moved with her
husband and two dogs to sunny, dry Arizona. She loves to read about ancient history
and has a fascination with the supernatural. Her favorite authors are Ann Rice,
Marion Zimmer Bradley, Morgan Llywelyn, Diana Gabaldon and Alice Borchardt.
Currently, she is working on the sequel to Of Water and Dragons. “I have been
researching the inner-workings of the Roman army, which will factor more in the
second book, and studying Shamanism to better understand the unknown tribes of
the Scottish Highlands. Virtually nothing is written about these tribes so I have to put
the pieces together to bring these fascinating people to life. Research is the most
tedious part of writing for me, but it has to be done in order to get the atmosphere of
the story right,” she explains.
Prior to becoming a writer, Kelley was a musician, playing the bass guitar in an all-girl
hard-rock/metal band for ten years. They recorded a demo tape and played in
Orange County California, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire. The band was
featured on stations in Riverside County and on the now defunct KNAC in southern
California. “Creating song lyrics was my first experience with writing.” After the
breakup of the band in 1995, she studied martial arts and started writing short
stories. Her Creative Writing teacher, Jeanette Baker, urged her to turn a short story
into a novel and Of Water and Dragons was born. “I had always planned on returning
to music, but after I became ill, it was harder for me to play in a band and I focused
more on writing. I still write music with my husband and sit in with his band, but writing
is my main focus now.” Kelley is also an artist, designing unique crosses out of
driftwood and selling them in her eBay store, Kel’s Cool Crosses.
New Book Released Of Water and Dragons
They were destined to meet, but were they destined to be together?
“Of Water and Dragons” takes place on the mystical island of Britannia from the dark
enchanted lochs of Scotland to the grand bathhouses of Roman Britain.
The battle of Mons Graupius in AD 84 is one of the most profound battles in history
when the Romans, though greatly outnumbered, defeat the Celtic tribes of ancient
Scotland and furthered the expansion of the Roman Empire.
Here, in this untamed land the Romans call Caledonia, lives Nemu (Nay-Moo), a half-
human, half-water faery woman. Soon after the battle ends, she finds a wounded
Roman soldier named Ambiorix. Despite her distrust of humans, she takes him in and
heals his wounds. Though they are from different worlds, they are mysteriously drawn
to each other, but unforeseen forces keep them apart until their worlds collide in a
fury of fire, blood and darkness.
“Of Water and Dragons” weaves together the Roman history and Celtic lore of
ancient Britain to create an unforgettable story of love and sacrifice.
Of Water and Dragons is now available in e-book format by Awe-Struck.
Author Bio
Kelley Heckart lives in Arizona with her husband, Michael, and their two dogs,
Hercules and Xena. Kelley was born with a vivid imagination and a fascination with
ancient history and the supernatural. Though she resides on the earthly realm, she
always has one foot firmly planted in the otherworldly realm of mystical creatures and
magic. She has written numerous short stories and song lyrics. This is her first novel.
In addition to writing books, she also enjoys playing and writing music, and designing
crosses out of driftwood. Currently, she is working on a sequel to Of Water and
Dragons. Of Water and Dragons can be found on her website,www.kelleyheckart.com,
www.amazon.com, www.booksurge.com and many other online stores. If your local
bookstore doesn’t have it in stock, it can easily be ordered.
Of Water and Dragons reviews
Like many literary trends, that of mythic revivalism and historical fantasy has been an
abyss of semi-memorable novels marked by a few outstanding works—Of Water and
Dragons being among the best. Author Kelley Heckart’s compelling verbiage and
tightly-wrought plot grab from page one with a tenacious intensity evocative of the
early classics of fantasy fiction.
Set amid the tumult of the Roman occupation of Britain in the first century A.D., Of
Water and Dragons’ heroes and heroines are as bitingly real as actual historical
figures—and it becomes delightfully, fluidly easy to be swept into Heckart’s verdant
but socially chaotic hinterland landscape, a place where dark-clad druids, fickle
faeries, relentless Romans, woman warriors, nepotistic noblemen, and mystical
Mythraic initiates find their identities interwoven, opposed, and united through an epic
struggle of will and war.
Of Water and Dragons’ strength is in its remarkable imagery...perfectly-painted
frames of life in an incredible, if not actual, time and place. These tableaus are
navigated predominantly by protagonist Ambiorix, an imperial soldier of mixed
Roman/Druidic heritage. Ambiorix’s prophesied power and importance to the Druidic
cause is, of course, a predictable choice for Heckart; however, her treatment of the
hero is anything but formulaic, and her potent portrait of man torn by love, loyalty, and
locale is sure to gain the notice and respect of her peers. This cogent character
development does not end with Ambiorix, though—it seems that each of her creations,
no matter how minor a player, is a truly formed, utterly believable being, whether
human or chimerical.
A read quicker than Caledonian chariots, Of Water and Dragons is an appealing
amalgam of magic, erotica, military history, and romance that will leave readers
breathless in its wake.
Reviewed by Ellen Tanner Marsh, NYT best-selling author
"The characters and the story have heavy Arthurian overtones, but the plot does not
play out like the legends, or even the Badon Hill version of historical Arthur. This
does make for a surprising ending, which is good, and lays the groundwork for future
novels following on from this one."
Reviewed by PaganNews.com
"The riveting novel is authentically set in ancient Scotland and Britain. Conflict and
cultural difference affects their relationship adding suspense, surprise, mythic and
historical fantasy to a spellbinding plot...Real Celtic lore and Roman history combined
adds synergy to the exciting, soul-stirring story about separation, conflict, love and
sacrifice."
Recommended & Reviewed in The Mindquest Review, by Lightword Publishing
"This reviewer found it an interesting tale, rich in myth and preserved history.
Although not meant to be historically correct, it relies on the suspicions and myths
alive at the time. The mystic dragon and the Druid abilities make this an interesting
setting. The characters are very well drawn, with some out of the ordinary people
mixed in. A colourful but harsh life for most, although freedom wasn’t something most
people had. Slavery was rife and shown as demeaning and something most fought to
avoid. The ceremonies and battle scenes are vividly brought to life on the pages.
The author has tied the story in with well-known and still not understood happenings
in history. This tale is filled with well-written prose, some great dialogue and
descriptions. The characters are well drawn and true to the time frame. It also brought
the land and the tribal outlook to life in a new way as the historical background rolled
forward.
If you like unusual fantasy and can suspend belief for a while, you will enjoy this trip
back in time."
Reviewed by Pam
November 2005
© Love Romances, 2001-2005. All Rights Reserved
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New Release!
| Available in Trade Paperback or Ebook |
| Of Water and Dragons is available in two formats: Trade Paperback or Ebook |
| FREE sample chapters upon request. Simply contact the author with "sample chapter request" and the name of the book in the subject line and the sample chapter will be e-mailed to you. |
Book Purchasing
Information:
Title: Of Water and Dragons
Author: Kelley Heckart
Publisher: Booksurge
Pages: 212
Retail Price: $15.99
Format: Trade paperback
Date of Release: 3/31/2005
ISBN# 1-4196-0457-0
Purchase availability:
www.kelleyheckart.com, www.amazon.com,
www.booksurge.com, and others. Resellers
can get 40% off the retail price at
www.booksurgedirect.com, or call
866-308-6235 x120.
Mailing Address: Kelley
Heckart, 3269 Maricopa
Ave., Ste.114-Box 149, Lake
Havasu City, AZ 86406
Publisher: Awe-Struck
E-Books
Retail Price: $4.99
Format: Ebook
Date of Release: 5/12/06
ISBN# 1-58749-566-X
Purchase Availability:
www.awe-struck.net
Information:
Title: Of Water and Dragons
Author: Kelley Heckart
Publisher: Booksurge
Pages: 212
Retail Price: $15.99
Format: Trade paperback
Date of Release: 3/31/2005
ISBN# 1-4196-0457-0
Purchase availability:
www.kelleyheckart.com, www.amazon.com,
www.booksurge.com, and others. Resellers
can get 40% off the retail price at
www.booksurgedirect.com, or call
866-308-6235 x120.
Mailing Address: Kelley
Heckart, 3269 Maricopa
Ave., Ste.114-Box 149, Lake
Havasu City, AZ 86406
Publisher: Awe-Struck
E-Books
Retail Price: $4.99
Format: Ebook
Date of Release: 5/12/06
ISBN# 1-58749-566-X
Purchase Availability:
www.awe-struck.net
4 Cups! This tale speaks of another time. A time of faeries, soldiers, druids, and
magic. Ms. Heckart draws the reader into the pages and enchants them with her
words, making them believe for just a little while that they too can call on dragons or
control armies. For the time it takes to read this book, we just might have the power to
control the universe. Of Water and Dragons is a romance to make you believe again.
Karen Magill
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books
magic. Ms. Heckart draws the reader into the pages and enchants them with her
words, making them believe for just a little while that they too can call on dragons or
control armies. For the time it takes to read this book, we just might have the power to
control the universe. Of Water and Dragons is a romance to make you believe again.
Karen Magill
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books