The Delta Pearl — Several Reminders

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Composite image by Teagan R. Geneviene, sourced via Pixabay
Composite image by Teagan R. Geneviene, sourced via Pixabay

Here’s to the weekend, my chuckaboos!  I know a lot of you, here in these United States have been shouting “Balderdash!” at Old Man Winter.  Even the desert where I reinvented my life two years ago had bitter cold and snow.  Not to worry. All is well here.

It occurs to me that an extensive Delta Pearl recap is in order.  Past chapters are coming into play more and more, as the steampunk riverboat draws closer to her destination.  So, I’m sharing some “reminder” segments.  For even more, you can click on the Delta Pearl category button on the right side of the page.  All of the following snippets have a direct relationship to the next new episode.

The Delta Pearl — Reminders

Leadenhall Street London 1837, street scene engraving by J Hopkins, Wikipedia
Leadenhall Street in London 1837, engraving by J Hopkins, Wikipedia

The Delta Pearl 38 — Tangle – Teagan’s Books

“So, what tinkering materials did you gentlemen find?” I asked, with an apprehensive glance at the sky.

I tried to sound calm, but the color and texture of that cloud was distressingly familiar.  Eliza’s expression became serious when she looked at it too.  She made eye contact with me, but didn’t speak.  I was sure she remembered when last there was such a cloud.

“We’re going to try and make a telectroscope.  You know, the optical telephone Louis Figuier imagined,” Victor started.

“A telephone device for distance seeing,” Randall interjected upon seeing my knitted brow.

“A device that allows objects or people anywhere in the world to be seen anywhere ― by anybody?  How marvelous!” Eliza exclaimed, and my puzzled expression shifted to her.

***

Vernon Lee by John Singer Sargent 1881
Vernon Lee by John Singer Sargent 1881

The Delta Pearl 56 — Rocket – Teagan’s Books

Victor to Émeraude:

“Are you unharmed, Émeraude?  I felt the most terrible sensations.  It felt like I was on a giant, powerful magnet.  As it would be if someone tried to force such a device to touch another magnet, but one of the opposite pole.  I could feel the approaching power, and then the way the two repelled one another,” Victor told me.”

Victor made a frustrated noise.  He looked upward and shook his head sadly.

“I saw the rocket, and what looked like it might be a man attached to it,” my inventor replied.  “Blue John sometimes helped with the project Randall Needleman and I started with the supplies we got in Cairo, Illinois.”

“You mean the electro telescope?” I interrupted, feeling certain I had gotten the name of the gadget wrong.

“Telectroscope,” Victor corrected the term softly.  “The rocket was a second part of that creation.  The blasted rocket wasn’t designed with any safety features!  I never meant a human to fly with it.  I thought perhaps one of the clockworks, but I didn’t feel comfortable with even that!”

Of course, Victor had done most of the work.  The image of him, essentially pretending that Randall and Blue were helping, came to my mind.  It would have been amusing under other circumstances.

“I meant to eventually send it into that brown cloud,” Victor continued.  “After you were abducted in that net, I knew it had to connect to something.  That there were more than vapors in the cloud.  I was sure it, and whomever controls it, would come back.  When it does, I hoped I could use the rocket to get the telectroscope up there and use it to have a look around.”

“Blue John was ranting like a lunatic.  I didn’t understand half of what he said.  The only part I heard clearly was ‘It’s coming.’  And as nonsensical as it sounds, I could have sworn he said ‘the other pearl.’  For a moment I thought he meant the Delta Pearl, but that’s insane,” Victor commented.  “Then he bolted away with the telectroscope and the rocket.”

Kirk Douglas as Blue John Boulton
Kirk Douglas as Blue John Boulton

***

The Delta Pearl 48 — Left – Teagan’s Books

Eliza knew about my clockwork spider from when Amethyst exposed the fact that her Pharaoh Diamond had been replaced with a fake.  So, I explained to Eliza how the malachite scarab had dropped the strip of hole-punched papyrus to me while I was trapped in the net, and that Victor had identified it as a template for a music box cylinder.

“Maybe someone who is connected to that cloud and the malachite scarab is trying to send me a message,” I offered.

“An innocent in need of rescue, do you think?  Or is it a villain intent on taunting you?” she asked.  “We need to know what notes the papyrus would play if it was a music box.”

***

1878 Ludlow canaries caged birds Wikipedia
Ludlow 1878, Wikipedia

The Delta Pearl 63 — Whistle – Teagan’s Books

Eliza to Émeraude:

“Your purple spider was in my suite.  For a moment I thought she was just bubbling around.  But she started having a clockwork fit, dancing and tapping.  Then I saw that she was having a one-spider collie shangle on top of my music box.  I knew she must be trying to tell me something, but I had no idea what.  When she ran off, I thought she had gone to you.  Maybe you can get her to explain herself.”

***

End Reminders

***

Next of course, the clockwork creatures abandoned the Delta Pearl and went up, apparently into that ugly brown cloud. Also, last time the Dealer revealed their origin.  Yes, all these details and more will continue to weave together in upcoming weeks. 

The latest installment of Dead of Winter:
Journey 2, Penllyn

Crystal with the Kindle of Journey 2, Penllyn.
Crystal with the Kindle of Journey 2, Penllyn.

At the beginning of 2021, I started monthly, serialized novelettes of an epic fantasy, “Dead of Winter.”  Journey 1, Forlorn Peak was released then.  This week I published, Journey 2, Penllyn.  For that announcement click here. (Description and other information is included in that post.)

Journey 2, Penllyn

Kindle:  relinks.me/B08VMNSF97

Paperback:  relinks.me/B08VLMR2KD

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dead-of-winter-journey-2-penllyn

Journey 1, Forlorn Peak

Kindle:  relinks.me/B08RBBVRGX

Paperback:  relinks.me/B08R7RH4F5

Kobo:  Dead of Winter: Journey 1, Forlorn Peak eBook by Teagan Geneviene – 1230004446033 | Rakuten Kobo United States

Featured Book Cover

Each week I’ll feature a Designed & Ready book cover.  I’m offering the service of pre-designed book covers or promotional images if preferred.  Here’s this week’s featured design.  Click here to see my entire portfolio.  Pricing information is also included there. 

Here’s one example. 

Group I. Victorian Swan Woman Water
Group I. Victorian Swan Woman Water 

***

Thanks for visiting.  I’d love to hear from you in a comment.  Although, I have to repeat, once again — remember that this is my sanctuary — so keep it friendly.

Until next time, my chuckaboos!

.

.

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2016 and 2021 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

 

…

68 thoughts on “The Delta Pearl — Several Reminders”

  2. I don’t know what the height of your literary powers are because all I know of you is what you publish here, but you are quite talented and because you are a self-conscious writer I would think even better writing will follow.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. A fantastic recap, Teagan! I picked up on a couple of things I missed the first time around. I didn’t realize that Victor had invented the rocket that Blue John flew away on. I do so hope he can find a way to retrieve it. Thank you for the review!

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. I totally agree to Resa’s comment. Crystal is such am gem, and a perfect advertiser. The new cover is again fantastic. The golden swan looks very mystic. Thank you also for the reminders, because something of the past had escaped from my brain. 😉 I am sorry for the coldness in your area, and hopy the next day you will get wonderful temperature. Have a beautiful weekend! Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you kindly, Michael — and Crystal sends you a purr. The weather seems to have gotten back to normal for this time of year, in my location. Still cold at night (but not as bitter cold as it was for awhile). However, the afternoons are sunny and gorgeous now.
      I’m happy you liked this “recap” post.
      Thanks for your feedback about the Designed & Ready book cover! I experimented with other colors for the swan — but I agree with your word “Mystic” — that’s how I felt about it when I made it gold.
      Be well, be happy, my chuckaboo!

      Like

      Reply

  7. Thanks for the recap, Teagan!
    Congrats on Journey 2 getting out there!
    Love the new book cover for sale!
    The best though is the beautiful Crystal. What a sweetie. I could look at pics of her in every post! {{{hugs}}}

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You’re so kind, Ms. Frances — thank you. 🙂 Yes, this story has been going well over a year now, so I wanted to give some reminders of the details before going further.
      I appreciate you spending part of your day here. Stay happy and sassy, my chuckaboo!

      Like

      Reply

  12. Some excellent reminders, Teagan. I had forgotten about the Telectroscope. I’m looking forward to the next episode. So much Teagan-reading coming up! Lol. And great cover. I enjoy seeing them pop up at the ends of your posts. Happy Writing, my friend. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you liked this — it seemed like the right thing to do. Thanks about the cover too, Diana. I didn’t want to be a pest with them. LOL.
      I know you’re a fast reader, but I’m still appreciative. I hope you love the journey. Stay happy and sassy, my chuckaboo!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. That round missed us way down here, Deborah. Although the moisture would have been welcome. I do like the mild winters here. (Even though it gets into the teens at night, snow melts quick.) So I’m in no rush for summer.
      I’m happy you didn’t mind this review. It’s always good to see you. Enjoy your weekend, my chuckaboo!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Thanks for the recap Teagan. I did remember everything except Blue John saying, “It’s coming, the other Pearl.” This is quite the riverboat excursion. One I’m glad I haven’t missed.
    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. You captured a lot of detail and now made me wonder how much more Eliza is than she seems. I wonder if her maiden or middle name is gemstone-related since she seems able to be part of the Delta Pearl’s family. Checked out your YouTube and it is lovely. Can’t wait until next week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m delighted you’re thinking about the story, Pat. Thanks about the video. I just discovered that many of my cacti in one of the photos were broken when melting snow slid off the roof. We’ve had bigger snows with any harm coming to them. I’m mourning their loss. Anyhow thanks for reading and commenting, my chuckaboo!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Wow, I’m glad you were largely bypassed by the big storm, Priscilla. When I lived in VA/DC, watermain breaks were a given with any storm. And power outages –sometimes for weeks with the Maryland utility company. I was pretty “lucky” with electricity in that mine was only off for 4 days at the longest. No problems with that down here.
      Ice is sneaky. Stay safe, my chuckaboo!

      Like

      Reply

  19. Thanks for the recap. I remember most of these bits, but it’s nice to have the tune-up to my memory before venturing forward. This story is so intricate, and you’ve done a marvelous job of knitting it together.

    “I tried to sound calm, but the color and texture of that cloud was distressingly familiar. Eliza’s expression became serious when she looked at it too. She made eye contact with me, but didn’t speak.”

    I love that part.

    I also love the picture of Crystal posing with your book. I’ve shared that with the Editor 🙂

    I hope you have a great weekend, Teagan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your great feedback, Dan. I need to make a point of using those silent exchanges between characters more often. 🙂
      Ha! Crystal had taken over a pile of laundry I was trying to fold. Since she wouldn’t move, I propped my Kindle behind her. Then Photoshopped a nicer surroundings — except for the green-blue shirt she refused to give up. LOL. She has more and more stray white hairs on her head, but she’s 14 and has been through a lot.
      Anyhow, stay safe and well, my chuckaboo!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  20. I’ve been hoping Blue would return to the Pearl, but here he is taking off on a rocket no less! One thing I know for sure is I want to re-read this story again when it is all together. I’ve been used as a resource for non-fiction, but never have I contributed to a novel!! Thanks, Teagan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. GP, it’s an honor to have you aboard the riverboat. 🙂 I do intend to “book-ize” this, but with all these short episodes, and the reminders that I have to include in each one… it’s going to be an editing nightmare. A couple of times I’ve been able to do a quick turnaround with the book version, when a serial ends… but that won’t be possible. Still — I promise eventually.
      I hope all is well where you are. Stay safe and well, my chuckaboo!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  21. It is horrible weather this year for sure! We had it last week into -25 degrees but now it’s getting warmer and the snow is melting away. I hope that the winter in the US will get an end and Spring comes soon. 🤗 Take care and be safe. 💖💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. Pingback: The Delta Pearl — Several Reminders – Teagan’s Books | Fantasy | The Gifts: Fashion, Gift Ideas, Books, Music

  25. Thanks for the recap! I was just thinking with the last episode that if it was in novel form, I’d be flipping back to earlier chapters for updates.

    Also–just finished the second installment of Dead of Winter. GREAT stuff! I’m loving it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Barb — and thanks. When I started thinking about all the chapters I would want to reference for the next episode, I decided a review post was in order. I’m happy it helped. Besides, I was having trouble getting my head OUT of Dead of Winter. I’ve been doing some new writing, and a lot of editing to Journey 3 so that it will work for the serial form. Which brings me to…
      I didn’t know you were reading the Journeys! I hope you love them. Stay safe and well, my chuckaboo!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  26. Thanks, Teagan. The recap will prove helpful even for those of us who have been following the series, I’m sure, and I enjoyed revisiting some of the previous chapters. And congratulations on your publication. I love your new serial!

    Liked by 1 person

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