Monday, August 20, 2012

The Healing Power of Aquamarine and Vampires…



By Cara Bristol

For some people into New Age spirituality, crystals and gems are imbued with healing powers that affect the wearer. For others, the effect is symbolic. Either way, crystals and gems have specific properties applied to them.
In A Scent of Longing, my 1Night Stand pararnormal romance, heroine Lily Dansen wears an aquamarine pendant. It serves as a good luck charm, and one that she uses to calm herself. When she’s nervous, she touches it.
As I was writing the story, I chose aquamarine because it mirrored the color I envisioned for the hero’s eyes. After I finished the story, I looked up the meaning of the stone. Guess what? As a healing stone, aquamarine is said to be effective for soothing anxiety and fear, reducing stress, quieting the mind and promoting meditation!
Lily has hardened her heart against vampires because she was turned against her will. She desperately wants to make a connection with someone, but is adamant: no vamps. Aquamarine is said to evoke tolerance of others and overcome judgmentalism, something she needs when she meets Luc, because he’s a Half Breed, part vampire.
Did I pick the perfect stone, or what?
Aquamarine is a relatively hard gem in the Beryl family. Its hue ranges from almost colorless to blue green. Most of ones I’ve seen are ice blue. It’s the birthstone for March and is sometimes given for 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries.
As it happens, this year – the year A Scent of Longing was published, my husband and I celebrated our 19th anniversary – but I didn’t get an aquamarine.

Lily Dansen refuses to date vampires. The last time she trusted a one, he turned her. She agrees to a date arranged by 1 NightStand, believing that a quick tryst is all that’s left for her.
A 376-year-old half-vampire, half human Luc Fortier can’t continue to satisfy the vampire fantasies of young ladies while his dreams go unfulfilled. He vows to bedazzle one last date before he calls it quits.
Neither Luc nor Lily expect more than an evening of passion, but they haven’t counted on Madame Eve’s superior matchmaking skills.

Leave a comment about your favorite gem and why. One commenter will be picked to receive a copy of A Scent of Longing or another ebook of the winner's choice from Decadent Publishing!

21 comments:

  1. I love opals. My grandmother's name was Opal, and my grandfather was a jeweler, among other things. She used to have a jar of opals she kept in mineral oil she'd turn around and play with in the light. When I see opals, I think of my lovely grandmother.

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  2. Hey, I love opals, too. It's my birthstone. I had one in my school ring, and my husband bought me a necklace and a ring with an opal in it.

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  3. The meaning of opals varies according to its color, but it is considered to be a lucky stone. Sometimes called the "love stone." On the flip said, it's said to bring misfortune to an unfaithful lover!

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  4. This sounds so intriguing! And I love how the aquamarine ended up being the perfect stone, even before you realized it. :) I've always been partial to rose quartz, partly because of the color, and partly because of the "love" properties.

    @BookEmDonna

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  5. Interesting story about the aquamarine. Coincidence, or something else? Hmm. :)

    Rubies are my favorite gem, always have been. My least favorite is probably the diamond.

    A SCENT OF LONGING was great. Looking forward to your next 1NS book, Cara.

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    1. It was an interesting coincidence. Have had a few like that! I like rubies, but also diamonds. Although I think diamonds are overvalued. Who decided that particular rock was going to be "queen?"

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  6. Garnet I love the deep rich red color and they don't take themselves as serious as rubies.

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  7. My favorite gemstone is the emerald. It's also my birthstone, so it's kind of special. I love the fact you chose the aquamarine for the character's eyes. You've given me a great idea for my characters in my first work in progress.

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    1. Thank you. Good luck with your story. My birthstone is the periodot, also green, but not as dark as the emerald.

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  8. Aquamarine is a gorgeous color for eyes! However, my favorite is the sapphire. It is my birthstone and is such a brilliant dark blue.
    Mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

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    1. Sapphires are beautiful. Have you ever seen a star sapphire?

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  9. I love coincidences like that!!! Wonder if your subconscious had a hand in it!
    I don't have a favorite gemstone - I actually like rocks. Yes, I'm weird - but I have a collection of different sorts of rocks from all over the world. Volcanic, limestone etc etc

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    1. I love rocks. I used to polish beach stones. Used to sell them on eBay also.

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  10. My favorite is the emerald, for lots of reasons: green's my favorite color and the color of my eyes, and emerald is the birthstone of my kids. You know, I think your 1NS might be the only book of yours I don't have. I should fix that right away. :)

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  11. No wonder you like emeralds! And thank you, Vivien for all your support. I think you'd like A Scent of Longing, it's my most "sensual" book.

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  12. I love garnet. It's just a gorgeous deep red color. In some lights it looks black, but when it's lit up, the color can sparkle like no other.

    The book sounds great, Cara. Awesome premise.

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  13. I just wanted to stop by and say that I LOVED this one!!! It is one of my favorite 1NS!
    Beautiful stone too. :) I think it suites perfectly.
    trb0917 at gmail.com

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