Stirring Curiosity, Not a Cauldron

Imagine living in a most tempestuous time. A period when hysteria rose to, and surpassed, a fevered pitch. Resulted in a din that swelled over the seaboard and blanketed surrounding communities. Blame it all on jealousy and resentment? Perhaps on the fact a woman who lived in the farthest cottage was comelier than you? That sexual curiosity spurred experimentation more than most cared to admit?




By now you may have guessed the point in time most piquing my interest is that when innocent villagers were accused of casting spells, cavorting with evil and bringing ruination upon their Puritan neighbors. My fascination and quest to discover the root of this discontent goes back to my teen years. One of the classics I’ve most enjoyed reading is THE SCARLET LETTER by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Of course his great-grandfather, Colonel John Hathorne, presided over The Salem Witch Trials.

I’ve often pondered how I would have dealt with the blow of wagging tongues and pointing forefingers casting me as a witch? As someone deemed improper and in league with the Devil? As a woman who’s always embraced Freedom of Speech, and believed a person is innocent until proven guilty--even though these blessings weren't in evidence back then--I would have likely bitten my tongue in two while fighting the urge to air my defense against such aspersions. The very moment I would have dared act as my own counsel, such temerity and strong will would have branded me a sinner—one of those who dabbled in potions, saw yellow birds and dreamed of things a proper woman wouldn’t.

On visits to Salem, Massachusetts, I’ve delighted in conducting historical research and admiring the architectural splendor of a town so richly steeped in history and mystery. I don’t hold to the notion hags ever stirred bubbling cauldrons brimming with Eye of Newt, snakes and other sundry items from Satan’s kingdom. Certainly some fashioned candles from hog fat and churned butter. Some stirred bowls of stew. But witches wearing billowing capes and pointed black hats are not what I’ve envisioned.




Human nature is something great minds strive to explain. A fungal infestation of rye may have affected the behavior of the young women who fell into fits in the courtroom. As well, we must realize these women, these spastic accusers, were of an impressionable age. An age when they were sexually developing and curious as to the ways between men and women. I’m of the belief bundling boards were ineffective barriers when a sexually aroused man and woman were lying in the same bed. Sexual indiscretions and unwed mothers happened in Salem Village of yore. And were these young women tempted and taught more than their school and church lessons?

What really sparked those seasons of discontent in the sleepy village of Salem? I’ve written two stories that explore the “witch” lore and legend—one is a historical erotica romance, the other is a contemporary erotica romance. A third tale is plotted. Those of you who’ve read HELLE IN HEELS and my latest erotica romance, TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN, will know of my fictional nod to the time period about which I’ve blogged today.



HELLE is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't...

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Here’s wishing you all many happy reading and researching moments…

Shawna Moore
TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Ellora's Cave Exotika
TORMENTED -- EC (Recommended Read at Alternative-Read.com and Dark Angel Reviews)
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave Exotika
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave Exotika
Shawna's Myspace
Helle's Myspace

Sentimental Journey to Salem

Windblown leaves skim over the lawn. Pine boughs scratch the sky. Squirrels scamper while hoarding food for the winter. The teakettle whistles and reminds me I’ll soon enjoy a steaming mug of cocoa. With fall in full swing, my thoughts trend toward Thanksgiving. Despite real life and its penchant for delivering bad news and devastations, I’ve many things for which I give thanks. My awesome family. Fantastic friends. Readers of the romance stories I delight in creating. Good health. Waking up each morning and discovering new passions and adventures.

And speaking of adventures, the places to which I’ve traveled are also among those things for which I give thanks. As another golden leaf is tossed into the breeze by the maple tree in my front yard, fond memories of my trips to New England, and especially Salem, swirl in my mind. Today I’ll enjoy sharing some digital snapshots of Salem. Join me on this photographic journey to a magical city where history and many exciting fall events abound.



















As you and yours observe Thanksgiving in the coming days, remember this: Live each day to the fullest; dismiss the self-doubt demons; love your friends and family like never before; dare to dream and make those dreams become reality!

Wishing you many happy reading moments,

Shawna Moore
TORMENTED -- Now available at Ellora's Cave
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave Exotika
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave Exotika
Shawna's Myspace
Helle's Myspace

Fate and Fiction Reading

Life is full of surprises. Some are good, some not. But I must confess the surprises I most remember are the ones coming from the heart or the ones giving me pleasure long after the initial excitement ebbs. When I think of books I enjoy reading, the latter type of surprise comes to mind. You might wonder where I’m going with this, probably thinking I’ll touch upon certain books I enjoy reading time after time. Not the case with today’s blog.

While on vacation in Salem, my husband and I happened upon a bookstore. Once inside, I marveled at the bookseller’s inventory. Every fiction genre imaginable filled those racks and shelves, and the stock included some wonderful research tomes. If a reader couldn’t find what he or she wanted, this would have surprised me. But the biggest surprise awaited me a short time later as I browsed a shelf toward the back of the bookstore. I flipped through two novels, both by Fannie Flagg. Her humorous “voice” immediately resonated with me as a reader, and I found myself reading the first two chapters of both books. My husband and I were scheduled for a tour, so I put the books back on the shelf, fully intending on coming back at some point before we left the historic town and headed for home the next day. Long story short, I never made it back to the bookstore, but I remembered those books and bought them online the next chance that presented. Not too many months later, I noticed a new book by Fannie Flagg on the Bestseller shelf at my favorite brick and mortar. Without hesitation, or reading the back cover blurb as is usually my habit, I picked up the hardcover and proceeded to the cashier. That evening I read three quarters of CAN’T WAIT TO GET TO HEAVEN and found it hard turning off the reading light when the hour grew late. My decision to browse two books from among the thousands offered by the Salem bookstore resulted in my finding an author whose books now rank among my favorites. As with A REDBIRD CHRISTMAS and DAISY FAY AND THE MIRACLE MAN, CAN’T WAIT TO GET TO HEAVEN delivered another pleasant reading surprise. Can’t wait to read Fannie’s next work and those that follow.

What about you? Have you ever found yourself steered toward a particular rack, table or shelf in a bookstore? Once there, have you come across a novel that proved a pleasant surprise and eventually earned the author a spot on your auto-buy list?

Wishing you all many happy reading moments,

Shawna Moore
ROUGHRIDER – Ellora’s Cave
HELLE IN HEELS – Ellora’s Cave
TORMENTED – Coming soon from Ellora’s Cave
Shawna’s Myspace
Helle’s Myspace