The Mysterious Mayan Ruins

Researching the Mayan ruins was such fun and very intriguing. I needed to know some Mayan history before I could write my next novel, which would be a mystery/suspense. Did you know that not one pyramid on this American continent reaches an apex like the Egyptian pyramids? The tops were cut flat and a sacred building was placed on top. In Egypt, the pyramids were used as burial tombs, but in America they were used to worship God. Since they were built for religious purposes, that is why they call them temples.

Scientists have found both Hebrew and Egyptian influences in Mexico. It’s puzzling, but it’s true. Dr. Marett, a great archaeologist, excavated a tomb at Monte Alban in Mexico. He found two five-foot-tall stone carvings. One carving was Hebrew art and the other was Egyptian. They were both made from the same material and found in the same tomb. There seems to be Egyptian and Hebrew influences here in America.

Dr. Spinden of Peabody Institute and Dr. Morley of Carnegie Institute deciphered the writings on a stone found in that region. What they discovered was amazing. Dr. Spinden wrote, “With records cut in imperishable stone, the Mayas suddenly made their appearance upon the historical scene on August 6, 613 B.C. Why on August 6, 613 B.C.? Where were the Mayas on August 5th? Nobody knows.” (Spinden, Ancient Civilizations of Mexico and Central America. Page 12.) Since there were no land migrations, such as tracks or markings left behind, Dr. Spinden was confused where they had come from.

An archaeologist by the name of Hyatt Verrill had heard about a “Golden Book” that the Mayans claimed to have. He wrote: “According to tradition, a complete history of the Maya was recorded in the Golden Book of the Mayas which, if it actually existed, as it probably did, was so carefully hidden to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Spaniards that it never has been found.” (Verrill, America’s Ancient Civilizations.) I discovered something else that surprised me. Plates of gold were found among the ruins in a cenote (a deep sunken hole full of water).

In one of the Indian legends, they say that a White Bearded God appeared to them from the sky and taught them to be wise as serpents and harmless as birds. As I learned about the Mayan culture, I was intrigued by their belief in God and their intelligence. Shortly before the White Bearded God appeared to them, there were “frightful earthquakes” and “volcanic fires” from long ago that struck fear into the Mayan people.

Here are a few quotes from scholars, scientists, archaeologists, and historians:

“The sun and moon were eclipsed, the earth shook and the rocks were rent asunder, and many other things and signs happened. This was in the year CeCalli, which, the chronology being reduced to our system, proves to be the same date when Christ our Lord suffered, 33 A.D.” (Bancroft, Native Races. Vol. 5, Page 210.)

“The land was shaken by frightful earthquakes, and the waves of the sea combined with volcanic fires to overwhelm and engulf it. Most of the inhabitants were destroyed.” (Baldwin, Ancient America. Page 176.)

“The lava swept down from Mt. Ajusco in some cataclysm, covering many square miles of territory to a depth of thirty or forty feet and burying such villages as chanced to lie in its path.” (Spinden, Ancient Civilizations of Mexico and Central America. Page 49.)

After all this destruction, the White Bearded God appeared. With faith in God, the Mayans rebuilt their cities and roads and began anew.

Mayan Intrigue has humor, a touch of romance, and danger lurking in shadowy corners. With a blend of mystery and suspense, John and Julia Evans investigate and solve crimes. I have created a story based upon the adventures of a married couple with their three daughters.

In this mystery, the discovery of a priceless artifact puts Julia's life in great danger! While on assignment for the newspaper, John and Julia Evans try to enjoy a romantic vacation among the Mayan ruins. When Julia sees a couple of suspicious men exchanging an item, she quickly turns and leaves but it is too late. The men have seen her. Before John and Julia realize what is going on, they are both in danger and find themselves running for their lives through the jungles of the Yucatan.

The John and Julia Evans mystery series includes Anasazi Intrigue, Mayan Intrigue, Montezuma Intrigue, and Desert Intrigue.

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Anasazi Intrigue – An Adventure In Color Country

In Anasazi Intrigue, there are stolen artifacts, the Virgin River flood, and a snoopy newspaper reporter.

When a devastating flood wipes out homes in a small town, residents are shocked by the news of a possible poison spill that also kills many of the fish and neighbor's pets. The people don’t know what to think or do, until Julia, the town's newest reporter, jumps into action and begins her investigation. Quickly Julia realizes the story is much bigger and more dangerous than she thought. As information unfolds, Julia and her husband find themselves on the run, trying to save their lives while finishing the story of a lifetime. She never realized that being a reporter could be so dangerous. With artifacts, dead fish, a devastating flood, and miscreants, John and Julia have their hands full.

“This is the first book I’ve read by Linda Weaver Clarke and I’m already hooked,” wrote Socrates Book Review. “The first pages grab you right in and grab at your heartstrings as you read about the destruction caused by the flood. When Julia and John fight for their lives, readers will be on the edge of their seats for this one. There’s also romance in the mix. John and Julia’s marriage is strong and they are quite supportive of each other. Even when they have their ups and downs, it’s not for long and they get right back into each other’s arms. It’s nice to see a relationship portrayed this way. Very realistic and believable. This series is a “must read” for me. And...my Socrates Great Book Alert Award!”

There are two subjects discussed in this novel: The Santa Clara/Virgin River Flood and stolen artifacts. The mystery of the Anasazi Indians boggles the minds of many archaeologists. Ancient dwellings, petroglyphs, and pottery found in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico are fantastic and part of Anasazi history. When an ancient ruin is discovered, it doesn’t take long for thieves to take it apart. Archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year.

The second subject brings out what really happened during the flooding in southern Utah. Lost homes can be replaced, but it’s impossible to replace precious treasures that had no value to anyone but the owner, such as photos and memories of the past. The stories of hope, charity, and little miracles seem to uplift others and have a wonderful effect on people during a crisis such as this. Clarke’s novel brings out what really happened in St George, Utah but the mystery is just beginning.

“John and Julia Evans are a married couple with grown children. It's nice to see a romantic element to a story that involves mature adults and a marriage that is not perfect, but one in which both people are committed to making it work. Add to that their grown children, a friend of the family, and a group of interesting bad guys, and you have a recipe for a great read.” –The Book Connection

“Anasazi Intrigue” (ISBN: 978-1481266864, 2nd edition, Red Mountain Shadows Publishing). For more information, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com.

The Mystery Behind Artifact Theft

Ancient American artifacts are being sold to the highest bidder. When an ancient ruin is discovered, it doesn’t take long for thieves to find out about it.

In one of my blog posts, I wrote about the challenge of writing mysteries. This time we're going to talk about the mystery behind artifact theft. Archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year but Utah’s vandalism is the worst in the country. Theft at the Four Corners area of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona is still a big problem. The damage to these sites is estimated at almost $42,000 in two year’s time. An ancient funeral pit can be sold for as high as sixty thousand dollars on the black market, not to mention pottery, baskets, and pendants found by looters.

An article in the Associated Press said, “Two dozen people were indicted Wednesday after a sweeping undercover investigation into ancient artifacts stolen from public and tribal lands in the Four Corners area.” (Associated Press, Mike Stark, June 11, 2009)

There were around 300 federal agents that were involved in the arrest of both men and women from ages twenty-seven to seventy-eight. They were all part of an underground network. In fact, archaeological theft has gone corporate. They even pay rent on private property in order to dig without being caught. Unfortunately there is no law to prevent digging on private property.

An article in the Las Vegas Sun Newspaper was published about a couple men who were loading some artifacts in the trunk of their car. A ranger saw what they were doing and questioned them, not realizing he had accidentally stumbled upon the largest operation around. The article said they recovered more than 11,100 relics.

Did you know that people are actually selling shards and arrowheads on websites? The Anasazi culture is being sold to the highest bidder. Is there anything that can be done to protect America’s past?

This subject was so intriguing to me that I sat down and began writing. My mystery series surrounds the theft of artifacts. In Anasazi Intrigue, it all begins with a devastating flood, which takes out several homes in a small town in southern Utah. Julia Evans, the town's newest reporter, is shocked by the news of a poison spill that kills many of the fish and neighbor's pets. Intrigued, she jumps into action and begins her investigation. It doesn't take long until Julia realizes the story and investigation are much bigger and more dangerous than she thought. Julia and her husband find themselves on the run, trying to save their lives while finishing the story of a lifetime. She never realized that being a reporter could be so dangerous. With artifacts, dead fish, a devastating flood, and miscreants, John and Julia have their hands full.

The Evans are not the ordinary couple. Together they investigate and solve crimes. You laugh at the humor and sigh at the romance. Just sprinkle in three grown daughters, and you have quite a mixture. This novel has good values along with a little suspense and adventure. The John and Julia Evans mystery series includes Anasazi Intrigue, Mayan Intrigue, Montezuma Intrigue, and Desert Intrigue.

Romantic Poetry During a Romantic Time of Year

One of my favorite poets is Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Her poetry is so romantic. With each sentence, I feel the message of love. She writes from the heart and that is why I love her poetry. Elizabeth’s beautiful Sonnets (Sonnets from the Portuguese) were dedicated to her husband, Robert Browning. One of my favorite poems that she wrote goes like this:

"Love me, sweet, with all thou art, Feeling, thinking, seeing. Love me in the lightest part, Love me in full being." ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Wow! She writes from the heart. There is one other poet that I have fallen in love with. I love the poetry of Sherrill Cannon. Whenever I have to sit in the doctor’s office or wait in the car for someone, I pull her work out and soak in the words. Sherrill Cannon writes from the heart. Each of her poems differ in style and form. That’s what makes them fun to read. She has a unique and precious message for all. Her poems are delightful.

Sherrill, an Award-Winning Author, has great talent. One of my favorites from her book, A Dime is a Sign, is called “A Look.” It is written in Free Verse. In this poem, she writes: Never let that look go from your eyes… the one that stops my breath and grips my heart… That look that says “I love you” in a tone of powerful and rich intensity. This poem is simply lovely and has deep meaning. I felt as if I were spiritually fed. Let me give you another sample.

DREAM

Last night I dreamed a quiet dream of you:

We sat together, letting thoughts be shared;

An honest time, with many feelings bared;

With contact, as with touch my courage grew.

And as I left, into your arms I flew.

You held me close, and so I finally dared

To say, “I love you,” reveal how much I cared…

You smiled at me and said you loved me too.

And then my heart was filled with joyous peace

That comforted and left my soul refreshed;

And all my tense anxiety was eased,

For with your love and friendship I was blessed.

When I awoke and found that all was true,

I spent the morning thanking God for you!

A Dime is a Sign

Synopsis:
Sherrill S. Cannon’s book of poetry contains messages of love written through the years in poetic form that put feelings into words. The variety of lyrical poetry forms include: free verse, blank verse, haiku, and sonnets, while some are just playing with words!

This book is found on Amazon.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Synopsis:
Sherrill S. Cannon’s book of poetry: Have you ever loved, been loved, been confused about love, or suffered from loss of love? All these feelings have been captured and shared in the word of heartfelt poems, compiled over many years by an award-winning author.

This book is found on Amazon.

About Author: 

Sherrill S. Cannon, a former teacher and grandmother of ten, is the author of nine acclaimed rhymed children’s books, plus a recent award-winning book of poetry (A Penny for Your Thoughts), which together have received 63 national and international book awards since 2011. She also wrote seven published plays for elementary school children that have been performed in over 25 countries. Most of her children’s books emphasize consideration for others. Married for 58 years, she and her spouse are now retired, live in Pennsylvania, and travel in their RV from coast to coast, spending time with their children and grandchildren, and sharing her books along the way!

Sherrill S Cannon, Award-Winning Author
The books she has written are: A Dime is a Sign, A Penny for Your Thoughts, My Little Angel, The Golden Rule, Mice & Spiders & Webs…Oh My!, My Fingerpaint Masterpiece, Manner-Man, Gimme-Jimmy, The Magic Word, Peter and the Whimper-Whineys, and Santa's Birthday Gift
Blogsite: http://www.sherrillcannon.com

Website: sbprabooks.com/sherrillscannon

The Challenge of Writing A Mystery VS Historical Romance

Many people have asked me why I write in two different genres. I think it's because I love a challenge. Each genre has different rules and challenges. The plot has to be carefully thought out before writing a story. The writing process between romance and mystery has a completely different mind set. With romance, you plan out the plot around the meeting of a couple. As you develop your story, an attraction begins to grow between the characters, making the reader feel excited that one day they're going to fall in love. You, as the reader, know the outcome. But with a mystery, the reader is in the dark.

The author has to come up with a plot that no one knows about until towards the end of the story and hope they haven’t figured it out. In a mystery, you may or may not allow your reader to know who the bad guys are, according to whether it’s a cozy mystery or mystery/suspense. In a cozy mystery, the reader doesn’t know who the bad guys are until the end of the book. With mystery/suspense, the reader knows who they are and it makes for a more suspenseful outcome.

For example, in a cozy mystery, the heroine hears someone knocking at the door. The person behind the door is a mystery to both the reader and the heroine. Who is behind that door? In a suspense novel, the reader knows who is behind the door and is yelling to the heroine, “No! Don’t answer it!”

What are the secrets of writing a mystery or mystery/suspense? First: your hero and heroine must stand out from the others. Choose a name, personality, and build, which will distinguish them from anyone else. Develop their personalities. Put yourself in their shoes. During this journey, the main characters will change for the better. This is important when developing your characters. At the end of the story, you want the reader to throw his hands in the air and cheer for the good guys.

There are many types of mysteries to choose from such as a cozy mystery, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, or a thriller. What is the difference between a cozy and other mysteries? A cozy is a slow paced story with a bit of humor but not boring by any means. It always focuses on the main characters. As they investigate the mystery at hand, you become part of their lives and get to know them personally. It is easy to get attached to the main character in a cozy. This genre is supposed to be G-rated.

With One Last Dance, I had so much fun writing it because I had to be sneaky enough so my readers wouldn’t figure out what the treasure is or who the bad guy was. Also, the romance had to be intriguing enough that they wouldn’t put down the book. When Felicity meets their new neighbor, a fine-looking bachelor, she soon discovers that he is hiding his true identity. But that is not all. When she finds out that someone is after a valuable heirloom…a precious treasure that her father discovered in his attic, her life takes a new turn. In this story, I have two themes. What is the treasure and who is after it?

When I wrote the Amelia Moore Detective Series, a Romantic Cozy Mystery, I tried to be as elusive as possible so the ending would surprise my reader. So far, I’ve been successful. My sister-in-law told me that I was the first author who was able to surprise her. (Whew!) In this series, there are seven books.

When I wrote the Intrigue Series (The Adventures of John and Julia Evans), I chose to write a Mystery/Suspense. In these stories, my reader knows who the villains are. This makes for a more suspenseful story. At the same time, I added a mystery that the reader has to figure out. Julia is a newspaper reporter and her husband John is a professional knife maker. Because of her curiosity, Julia gets herself into a bunch of trouble. In this mystery series, you learn about artifact theft, the Mayan ruins, Montezuma’s treasure, and Superstition Mountain.

With The Rebel Series, a Period Mystery/Adventure Romance set in the 1700s, I tried to remember these rules as I added a bit of mystery to each story. Since this was a Mystery/Adventure, I had to add some adventurous scenes to each story. At the same time, I couldn’t allow the reader to figure out what the mystery was. I needed to surprise my readers, and hope they would say: “I didn’t see that one coming!”

 I have some rules for writing this genre, whether it’s a romantic mystery or a mystery/suspense.

1. If you are writing a Mystery/Suspense and are allowing your reader to know who the villain is, you must have villains that make us shiver from their unscrupulous actions.

2. Sometime in the story, the hero is thrown into chaos. His life may be threatened. At first, he doesn’t know why but eventually finds out.

3. Strange things happen. For example: the heroine or hero receives a mysterious letter, people are following them, or they are startled from strange sounds in the night, etc.

4. Secrets are gradually being answered as the story develops. As they search for answers, they begin to find clues that bring them closer to their unanswered questions.

5. Emotions are up front. This makes the reader become part of the story and sit on the edge of his seat.

6. The hero is pursued or captured, or in terrible danger. Now you have to figure out how he or she will get away.

7. The reader can easily be ahead of the hero and almost see the outcome as he begs, “No! Don’t go in there!” Remember: The reader knows who is behind the door in a Mystery/Suspense. The reader won’t know who is behind the door in a cozy mystery.

8. The hero or heroine must have a certain skill so he or she can defeat the villain. If not a skill, an idea can come to his or her mind that will help them get out of the situation.

9. The Climax: The hero rides to the rescue. The bad guy gets what’s coming to him. The victims need to see the villain get his just rewards.

10. Resolution: All loose ends are tied up here. You must answer any questions the reader might have missed during the story or may not understand.

At the end of the book, you cheer when the good guy wins. You applaud as you watch the bad guy get his just rewards. You sigh when the hero takes the heroine in his arms and gives her a delectable kiss, sending her the message of enduring love. Then you close the book and hope to read another story that is just as entertaining as the one you read.

Amazon & Barnes and Noble Links at my website:

http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/purchasebook.html

Audible Audiobook Link:

https://www.audible.com/author/Linda-Weaver-Clarke/B004P47EWO

LEARN HOW TO GET A FREE AUDIO BOOK FROM AUDIBLE! Receive an audiobook free if you join audible.com. Membership includes two free audiobooks and you can choose from 150,000+ titles. Go to Linda Weaver Clarke’s Audible Page and find the book you’re interested in and sign up for some free audiobooks.