Joely Sue Burkhart

At Last

I had a dream that one day I would finish a story. And so I did. Not once, or twice, but the same story written three times until every word resonated with the power of Our Blessed Lady’s silvered full moon. My first, but certainly not my last.

I had a dream of a world where honor is blood and blood is honor and the greatest honor of all is to die for love. And so I created a warrior, dark and vicious with a smile as wicked as his blade, and I named him Gregar. Then I created another warrior, a warrior’s warrior, Rhaekhar, with a barbarian horde at his back.

Both warriors loved the same woman. They loved her so much they would die for her.

I had a dream of a woman, walking in beauty like the night, yet carrying Shadow within her. Wounded heart, waiting doom, no way to victory but too proud to surrender, Shannari stands alone against her enemies with a heart as dead the assassins she kills to protect herself. She’s the last. Her blood is the key. And if she dies, the sun will never shine again.

I had a dream of the neverending battle against the Blackest Heart that taints the heart of every man. Shadow engulfs the last guttering candle in the endless night. The death of spring, the killing frost of winter, invincible, full of power, impossible to drive back forever… Unless one is willing to make the greatest sacrifice of all. For even the Blackest Heart fails in the face of sacrifice made for love.

I dreamed. And dreamed. And wept alone in the night as year after year went by. The story is too big; the world, too vast; the heroes, too many; the heroine, too many problems to count. Too fantasy. Too romance. Too sexy.

Too much death. Too much blood.

Yet the dream wouldn’t die. Instead, it grew. Gregar’s ivory rahke whispered in the night. Rhaekhar swore to strangle all outlanders with his bare hands. And Shannari, well, she just wanted to keep her warriors safe. For every step closer to Shanhasson could mean their death. The Rose Crown is so heavy, so very, very heavy.

I had a dream. I had a dream of sharing this world with you.

At last, that dream has come true.

BLOODROSE will be available at Drollerie Press.

At last.

Love, the greatest gift of all. And the greatest sacrifice.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 6th, 2007 at 6:00 am and is filed under Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

19 Responses to “At Last”

Anna Black Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 6:51 am
I’m so very, very happy for you, Joely! You’ve been such an inspriation to me with your patience and persistence in refusing to give up on your dream, and your passionate and uwavering belief in your story.

I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this than you. Now you can finally share your beautiful story with all the readers out there. And I have no doubt those readers will be very grateful for the opportunity to read your stories and will clamor you for more.

Major congratuatlions and dozens of bouquets of cyber-roses delivered by the hottest delivery men you can imagine! *grin*
Wylie Kinson Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Congratulations!! When will it be out?
Sending virtual champagne!!
Susan Helene Gottfried Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Congrats, babe! I’d like to add some virtual chocolate to the champagne and roses, if I may.
Amy Ruttan Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Congratulations!!! That is so awesome. Let us know when the release date is.
Jean Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Congratulations! Wonderful news.
GutterBall Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 9:55 am
There are no words, Sis. I tried to find them, but there simply are none. Proud doesn’t cover it. Thrilled doesn’t cover it. You are simply amazing beyond words. I love you and am so proud to call you my beloved sister.
Mez Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Congratulations and wow! I will put this one on my radar, sounds wonderful!
May Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Congrats again, Joely!

You know how much I adored the early draft, so I can only imagine how good it’s going to be.
The Stalker on Sunday « Milady Insanity Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 10:43 am
[…] Joely Sue Burkhart has sold, again to Drollerie Press! I’ve read an early draft of BloodRose and it’s soooooo good, I’m jealous. She shares the story of her writing BloodRose, and here’s an snippet she posted on Friday. Jane, you’ll be wanting a copy of this. […]
Michelle Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 10:57 am
You go girl! I’m so proud of you.
rhian Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Do the Snoopy dance for you!!! wahoooooo Joely!!!
Ann Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Congrats! I can’t wait to see it in print.
Joely Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Anna, thank you for listening to me all these years, of your constant support, and your steadfast belief. I wouldn’t have made it without you, my accountability partner and hot delivery creator!

Thank you so much, Wylie! We’re hoping at least the novella will be available by end of June. I’m not sure about the novel yet.

Thank you, Susan, Amy, and Jean!

Sis, I love you. You read that first awful version and didn’t run away screaming!!!! I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.

Thank you, Mez! I think it’s wonderful, but then of course I’m a little biased.

Thank you, May! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. You are one of the few “non-family” people (Wanda, I’m counting you as family) that have read it, so your words mean the world to me.

Thank you, Michelle!! I’m so pleased for Immi, too!

Thank you, Ann!
Pesh Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
*attacks Joely with one of those bouncing, screaming, laughing hugs*

Congratulations!

Your beloved sis and I have already plotted to call in an inhuman number of special orders at the local bookstore so we can take pictures standing next to a shelf full of Joely Sue Burkhart books. ^_^
Nancy Bond Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Congrats, Joely! Happy dancing for you. You’re an inspiration to us all.
Joely Says:
May 6th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Hugs Pesh back!! I don’t know how widely available the books will be, but I hope you can get such a picture! Thank you, Pesh!

Thanks, Nancy!
Deena Says:
May 8th, 2007 at 1:49 am
It will be widely available. Someone needs to loosen up her autograph arm.
Imogen Howson Says:
May 8th, 2007 at 4:46 am
Wonderful! Congratulations again, Joely.
Joely Says:
May 8th, 2007 at 8:20 am
Whoo-hoo! Thanks, Deena!

Thank you, Immi! Congrats yourself!

At Last

19 Responses to “At Last”

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