"Blood On the Feather" will be available soon

My book, Blood on the Feather, will be available soon. Take a look at my publishers website                    

Blood on the Feather: Dancing with Bear Publishing

My book, Native Spirit, reviewed by Long and Short Reviews 4 Books

Native Spirit by Melinda Elmore

Native Spirit by Melinda Elmore
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical
Length: Short Story (65 pgs)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Aloe

White Hawk is devastated when he returns to his village and finds his future bride taken by the white man. He will sacrifice his own life to save his only love. The future of his people and their way of life is in his hands, but can he stay focused and do what his heart tells him and stay on the right path?

Half Moon waits patiently for White Hawk to rescue her. He is her only hope. Just as her hope starts to fade, her spiritual guide beckons to her and she hears White Hawk’s sweet but stern voice.

Will the Great Spirit guide White Hawk on the right path or will he lose himself and travel the wrong path?

White Hawk is hunting with his father and the other warriors of their tribe when he gets the premonition that something is wrong…

This author has a done a nice job of researching Native American life and beliefs and incorporating them in her story. Indians have always thanked the earth, the animals, the spirits for providing food and guidance. They have vision quests, take pride in their own skills, and hide their pain to show their strength. Indians understood nature’s ways, respected themselves and others, and worked together for the good of the tribe as a whole. Then white men showed up.

Half Moon, who is White’s Hawks future wife, has been kidnapped along with other women from their camp by white men. They have taken them to sell as slaves, but the man who has Half Moon in his custody decides he wants her for himself. Half Moon tries hard to find a way to escape, but eventually strikes a bargain. If Seth will let the other women go, Half Moon will stay with him. She’s tortured by that decision, but does it for the good of the tribe. She also hopes White Hawk will save her from this evil that is worse than death.

Indian tradition plays a part again in this story. White Hawk leads the hunt and prays for guidance in making the right decisions. His choices now will be the turning point in the outcome. If he decides right, he has a chance to get Half Moon back. If not, he may lose her forever and his heart will be crushed.

I had no trouble getting into these characters. They want to live peacefully, but will do what they need to survive. Isn’t that a bit like us? The story reads well and has a nice pace. I would like to have known if they recovered the other women who were on their way to slavery, but the main plot keeps your attention well and that one little thing doesn’t detract from the story.

If you’re familiar with Native American beliefs, this story shows you how such beliefs are applied. If you’re not, here’s a chance to learn, and it’s a good, entertaining read, too! 

What a reader/reviewer said about Native Spirit

I was so happey when I recieved this from Rebecca. She read Native Spirit  and this is what she had to say, which really excited me to death

Rebecca's words:

I have two books that are amazing!

I really lost myself in Melinda Elmore's e-book, NATIVE SPIRIT. Her book showed how proud the American Indians truly are. They show honor and respect for all living things. Melinda incorporated outstanding knowledge about the American Indian.

I first noticed the amazing cover showing a dream-catcher and a soaring eagle, which peaked my desire to read this e-book.

From the first page, I was in awe of the heroine, Half Moon. This young maiden was captured by a ruthless white man, Seth and his band of outlaws, while her beloved one, White Hawk, was on a buffalo hunt with his warriors. Through this ordeal, Half Moon showed the wisdom and courage born inside her. She makes a deal with Seth to let some of the other captured villagers go, and she would go to his ranch with him and become his wife.

When White Hawk returned to the village and learned about the kidnapping of Half Moon, he vowed to rescue Half Moon and seek revenge against the white man who took her.
The story unfolds with very descriptive scenes that I could visualize as if I were there with both Half Moon and White Hawk as they dreamed of being together again. Will this happen? There are many twists and turns that kept me spell-bound. Would White Hawk rescue Half Moon and let no harm come to her?

Here's an excerpt that White Hawk prayed:

 "Creator, I know this journey will have many paths that I must choose from. I pray that you will allow me to make the right decisions. I know I ask a lot from you, but my heart is good and honest. I would never harm anyone, but the path I must walk has been determined, which leaves me no choice." Can he stay focused and do what his heart tells him and stay on the right path?

Reading Native Spirit is the only way a reader can find out the answers.I will be reading more of her writings!
So I wanted to thank Rebecca for fans like her make writing a true blessing. I do a lot of research on the American Indian. I am currentely working on a mytery novel series that will be on the Apache People.  The first book will be titled Death in Coyote Canyon

Thanks for your thoughtful words Rebecca

Walk in harmony,
Melinda

Amazing Photographer, Marilyn Angel Wynn of Native Stock

Angel Wynn

Photo by Angel Wynn

Photo by Angel Wynn

Angel's book

I would like to say that I am honored to have Angel Wynn, owner of Native Stock.com If you are looking for great Native American photos, this is the place to visit. So, Angel lets get started

1. Tell us about yourself.

My passion is to photograph Native American culture. I’ve been doing this for a very long time and now am the leading supplier of American Indian pictures in the world

2. You have a book published titled, "Voice of the Spirit: Notes of Wisdom from Indian Country, USA. Tell us about it and where can we purchase it?

“Voice Of The Spirit” is a collection of photographs that showcase my photographic specialty and adventures throughout Native America. I actually started out just creating a portfolio to show clients. But everyone that looked at it wanted a copy when it was published. So then I chose some favorite inspirational quotes given by tribal members from the past and present to accompany the photographs, along with informative captions. It use to be available at many bookstores online but the first printing is nearly sold out. Today ‘Voice of the Spirit’ is only available for purchase through my website at http://www.nativestock.com/

3. Yout site, http://www.nativestock.com/, is very interesting. I see that you have alot of Native American Photos. Can they be purchased? If so, what can they be used for?

Many people cannot believe that one person could be so anal as to have photographed all 150,000 images that are in this collection. I’m guilty! It was such a passion and a drive that there was nothing else I wanted to do.

4. I see from your website that you are a photographer and filmmaker. Tell us about that.

Back in the mid 70’s, I studied filmmaking and Television production in Vancouver Canada. For about 20 years I produced documentaries and product videos. It was high stress and long hours with no spiritual satisfaction.

5.In what magazines, books,etc. has your photos appeared in?
Some of my earlier successes was National Geographic Travel magazine who used one of my photos and then Time Life books used several of my photos, including a cover shot for “Way of the Spirit”. This is before I even knew the difference between an aperature and a shutter speed. Of course I understand the technical aspects of a camera these days. Other magazines who have used my images are Cowboys & Indians, AAA and Sunset. Other well known book publishers who frequently use my images are Encyclopedia Britannica, Simon & Schuster, Reader’s Digest and of course many, many more.

6. Where do you get your models for the photos?

Generally through friends on the reservations I find many of my models, especially on the Shoshone-Bannock rez in Idaho. I have a couple of favorite families throughout Indian Country that I’ll call up with ages, gender and what they need to be doing. Then I’ll come on the scene and shoot grandchildren, brothers, aunts and grandma’s. Anyone who is willing to participate. Sometimes I’ll meet people at a pow wow or even in a grocery store and ask. Recently, I’ve been finding some very talented models through my Facebook page. I split any fees earned 50/50 with my models. Sometimes I will pay them an hourly fee up front, especially when I want to shoot something specific in a special location. All of the expenses are out of my own pocket, until I can get the image processed and out to the market place.

7. If somebody was interested in being a model for one of your photos, how would they go about doing that?
No experience necessary, that’s the motto. On occasion I’ve worked with professionals and they are awesome and have all their own outfits. However, to capture all the many faces and emotions that I have, you have to go out of the box and take on the challenges of working with those not use to being in front of a camera. That’s when I photograph from my heart. Anyone interested should first email me their interests, hobbies, age and a photo of them within the last year. I shoot both traditional and contemporary. So I’m always open for suggestions from the people who want to be a part of making some great pictures of their tribe and community.

8. What is your overall goal in your photography?

To leave a legacy that documents America’s First Nations today. Kind of like what Edward Curtis did a century ago. He called his project “The Vanishing Race”. I’m here to show other cultures that Native Americans are still here, stronger than ever, and still practicing their heritage. I show both traditional and contemporary lifestyles. That tribal members live in houses, wear modern clothes and shop at Walmart.

9. What types of photos do you take?
Sensitive portrayals that touch on a historic way of life, handed down traditions today and where today’s Native Americans are focused on the future of tomorrow’s generations. I use to shoot slide film but have been using the preferred digital format for the past 6 years.

10. What have you learned about the different tribes you have photographed?

I’ve learned so much about each individual tribe. Each tribe has their own creation story and fascinating history. Every tribe has their own unique culture such as the way they built dwellings, the food they ate, beadwork, baskets and clothing. It’s all so very different from tribe to tribe.

11. What tribes have you photographed the most?
This I don’t like to admit but I will. There are just some tribes that I’m asked for images over and over. Such as the Cherokee, Navajo, Iroquois and Lakota Sioux. Because the Shoshone are so close to me and I have many friends in Fort Hall, I tend to go over there and photograph lots. Everywhere I travel, there are either large Nations or remnants of indigeneous culture. But Native American tribes are everywhere.

12. If somebody was interested in doing photography for a living, what would you suggest for them to do?

There are so many opportunities in the photography industry. You can be a wedding photographer, shoot fashion for catalogues, work on commercial photo shoots or like me become a stock photographer. Stock photography is when you give yourself self-assignments and go out and shoot. Then you get your images out into the marketplace and hope that they can be used for education, business or government projects. Today there just isn’t the print publications that buy stock photos, there is the web, DVD’s, television, blogs. All I can say is specialize in photographing what you are most interested in and that will fill a need. There are so many travel and nature photographers all competing together. But there are some new photographers who are breaking the rules and creating amazing work. It won’t be easy to break into this business these days but the awards will be there if you really, really try.

Well, everybody doesn't this post make you want to become a photographer like Angel.

Angel thank you for being on my blog today. I am so honored to have you here and I hope to have you visit again real soon.

Walk in harmony,

Melinda

Your Help is needed on Pine Ridge Reservation

I am not sure who knows about the dire needs of the people on the reservation in South and North Dakota. They had a severe snow and ice storm weeks ago. Please if you can assist, please do so and also spread the word.

Below are addresses where you can mail donations to each communitiesemergency relief fund.

Pine Ridge Emergency Relief
PO Box 2070
Pine Ridge, SD 57770

Cheyenne River Sioux/Emergency Relief
PO Box 590
Eagle Butte, SD 57625

Rosebud Relief
11 Legion Avenue
Rosebud, SD 57570

Crow Creek Relief
PO Box 50
Fort Thompson, SD 57339

Hundreds upon thousands practically are freezing to death on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

You may have heard the Dakotas had terrible ice storms this past weekend. The ice has brought down over 2,000-3,000 utility poles down on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Electricity has been out for five days.

Crews are working feverishly, but it may be out for up to 30 days in some areas. With no electricity, no heat, no running water, and a wind chill below zero the situation is growing more difficult.

Please help!!!!!!!!

Walk in harmony,

Melinda

Merry Christmas

I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas this year. I hope all your wishes came true. My New Year's Resolution for 2010 is to write as many books as I can and get them published.

My mystery, "Blood on the Feather" is nearly completed. I hope to place it with a publisher in 2010.

I have used the Lakota beliefs and culture in this book

I want to thank the Lakota People for their wisdom.

Walk in harmony,
Melinda