In Taken at Dusk, Kylie learns that she has Native American blood. While I’m told I, too, have Native American blood in me (my great, great grandmothers on both my mother and father’s side), this isn’t where this idea stemmed. It came from a legend and a park I visited numerous times as a child. And amazingly, this legend also involves a falls.
The story associated with the park is a sad tale of lost love, but I guess even as child I was a romantic at heart. So I rewrote the ending to that legend and I have to tell you, I like my version better. Hey…I like happy endings.
This last weekend, I went to my hometown and visited the park again. Each time I go there, I feel something akin to magic. Maybe like in my book, the falls are magical.
Now the falls are amazing, but even before one spots the rush of 
water cascading 90 feet into the breathtaking ravine, they see the 13-foot-tall bronze statue, caught mid-stride on a rock overlooking the falls. Erected in 1958, the statue with the inscribed story of Noccalula—a young girl who was determined to follow her heart.
Once named Black Creek Falls, legend has it that there was a beautiful Cherokee maiden deeply in love with a warrior of her own tribe. Her father, a great chief, ordered her to marry a Creek chief. The wedding day came and she allowed herself to be arrayed in festive wedding robes. But heartbroken, she quietly slipped away to the falls. For a moment she stood poised on the edge, and then with one leap, her life was over. Grief stricken, her father gave the great cataract his daughter’s name, and since that day, the falls have been called Noccalula.
See, that’s just too sad. But in my version, her warrior was there waiting beneath the falls and he pulled her out, right before she was yanked into the dark murky undercurrent. Believed dead, she was free to leave. So her and the young warrior, who was quite good looking in my version, left together and found happiness. Don’t you like my ending better?
Today, they also have a small zoo there. So, I snapped a few pictures of some animals. And one of the images just screams for a caption. Today, I will give away a Shadow Falls T-shirt and some promotional items, like pens and pads, to one person who gives me the best photo caption for the photo at the left.
Winner!!
The winner for last weeks giveaway is Missy. Congratulations! So, Missy, please email me within one week at cc(at)cchunterbooks(dot)com with your snail mail address.
“Whatya lookin’ at?”
“Let’s soulfully stare at each other’s eyes.”
“It may not look like it, but I’m trying to wink.” (That’s how my brother “winks”)
The story is very beautiful and yeah,I love your ending better.I love happy endings!:)
“Whatta ya mean, tastes like chicken?!!!”
Looooooook into my eyes,
Now open the door, let me outta here!
….cool story bro. Tell it again.
What?! You act like you’ve never seen one of me before.
I see you.
Wow, That legend is very, very sad… I like your ending much better…
“Let’s have a staring contest. Winner gets to ride me.”
That is a sad ending yours is way better and I can’t wait to read the book!!!!
“hey you looking at me? Yah I know you are. How about opening the door to get a better look? Yah I didn’t think so…”
Dramatic head turn.
“There’s no denying it. I’m hotter than you.”
What you lookin at blue eyes?
what is the legends of falls i am really confused can some one help me
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.
Look into my eyes… Give me your Camera. xD
“DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…..What were you saying?”
“Hey, I don’t know if anyone’s told you this yet, but…….Wow! You’re pretty ugly! No, shoo, before you ruin my perfect camera angle!”
I know I’m late, but your emu seems to be saying “Buzz off, birdbrain. It’s my fence!” Emus can be grouchy that way, lol!
I love how you put in little bits of your life here and there that connect to the books you are writing on some level. It makes me understand you and the book a little better. Thank you! I have to tell you, I was soooo bummed the other day. For the past. . . well since October when Awake at dawn came out I seemed to think the release date for take at dusk was MARCH 10th, so 6:00 am, march 10th I get on my computer to make sure the book is out before I drive all the way to Barnes and Noble, only to find out that I have to wait ANOTHER month :’ ( I was so bummed I can’t even explain it! I cant wait for it to finally come out!
Hey you, ya you, let me outta here I didn’t do it man!
Hello
I adore this writing. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important.