Coming on February 24th!

On February 24th 

A link will be provided here to the 

KMN Books: First Kiss contest.

It's fun, and introduces you to new and not-so-new authors and books. 

Passion overrides caution in this passionate kiss! Enjoy a sneak peek at Moon of the Falling Leaves by Diane Davis White!

***Giveaway: A hard back copy of any book from The Lakota Moon Series! Stop by KMN Books and find out how you can enter the drawing! 

Tweets are always appreciated!

 #firstkiss

Passion overrides caution in this passionate kiss! Moon of the Falling Leaves by Diane Davis White

Diane Davis White.com

www.dianedaviswhite.blogspot.com

HeartSent Media Video of All Books

Oglala Lakota Native American reservation - Historical View

I have been away for awhile, but I wanted to remind everyone of a cause that is dear to me. A cause that we can all participate in: CHANGE is ready to happen and as American's we can give the children of Pine Ridge Reservation a chance to excel and create a better world for themselves and all of us. Their contributions will be of global importance and given the history of these people, as with all aboriginals around the world, they will aid in the restoration of the Earth's Balance.

Read this please, and be sure to make use of the links.

Best to you all in the New Year!

Diane Davis White

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Wazí Aháŋhaŋ Oyáŋke in Lakota, also called Pine Ridge Agency) is an Oglala Lakota Native American reservation located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Originally included within the territory of the Great Sioux Reservation, Pine Ridge was established in 1889 in the southwest corner of South Dakota on the Nebraska border. Today it consists of 3,468.86 sq mi (8,984.306 km²) of land area and is the eighth-largest reservation in the United States, larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

The reservation encompasses the entirety of Shannon County, the southern half of Jackson County and the northwest portion of Bennett County. Of the 3,143 counties in the United States, these are among the poorest. Only 84,000 acres (340 km²) of land are suitable for agriculture. Extensive off-reservation trust lands are held mostly scattered throughout Bennett County (all of Bennett County was part of Pine Ridge until May 1910),^[1][2] and also extend into adjacent Pine Ridge (Whiteclay), Nebraska in Sheridan County, just south of the community of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, the administrative center and largest community within the reservation. The 2000 census population of the reservation was 15,521; but a study conducted by Colorado State University and accepted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has estimated the resident population to reach 28,787.^[3]

Pine Ridge is the site of several events that marked tragic milestones in the history between the Sioux of the area and the United States (U.S.) government and its citizens. Stronghold Table—a mesa in what is today the Oglala-administered portion of Badlands National Park—was the location of the last of the Ghost Dances. The U.S. authorities' attempt to repress this movement eventually led to the Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890. A mixed band of Miniconjou Lakota and Hunkpapa Sioux, led by Chief Spotted Elk, sought sanctuary at Pine Ridge after fleeing the Standing Rock Agency, where Sitting Bull had been killed during efforts to arrest him. The families were intercepted by a heavily armed detachment of the Seventh Cavalry, which attacked them, killing many women and children as well as warriors. This was the last large engagement between U.S. forces and Native Americans and marked the end of the western frontier.

Changes accumulated in the last quarter of the 20th century; in 1971 the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) started Oglala Lakota College, a tribal college, which offers 4-year degrees. In 1973 decades of discontent at the Pine Ridge Reservation resulted in a grassroots protest that escalated into the Wounded Knee Incident, gaining national attention. Members of the Oglala Lakota, the American Indian Movement, and supporters occupied the town in defiance of federal and state law enforcement in a protest that turned into an armed standoff lasting 71 days. This event inspired American Indians across the country and gradually led to changes at the reservation, with a revival of some cultural traditions. In 1981 the Lakota Tim Giago started the Lakota Times at Pine Ridge, the first independent Native American newspaper in the nation, which he published until selling it in 1998.

At the southern end of the Badlands, the reservation is part of the mixed grass prairie, an ecological transition zone between the short-grass and tall-grass prairies; all are part of the Great Plains. A great variety of plant and animal life flourishes on and adjacent to the reservation, including the endangered black-footed ferret. The area is also important in the field of paleontology; it contains deposits of Pierre Shale formed on the seafloor of the Western Interior Seaway, evidence of the marine Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary, and one of the largest deposits of fossils of extinct mammals from the Oligocene epoch.

As written by the author on June 4,  1975

In Memory Of:   Fallen Heroes, Unsung Warriors of Vietnam

Author:   Diane Davis White

When a man goes forth with a gun in his hands at the whim of his government, it is War. When he comes home—if he comes home—he expects to enjoy those freedoms he has fought for. He does not expect to be spit upon or be shunned by those very people who have sent him into battle.  He does not expect to bear the shame for those who instructed him. He is a soldier. Soldiers obey orders.
He may not want undue glory, but respect is the least his fellow Americans can do to show appreciation for his sacrifices. The loss of loved ones whose funerals he cannot attend, the sight of his child, perhaps taking first steps. The holidays without those dear to him, homesick and perhaps afraid. And the biggest loss of all, perhaps his mental stability after the jungles and warfare on foreign soil. No soldier comes away unscathed by this experience.

The United States of America has known one of its darkest, most shameful hours, through callous and unfair treatment of the Vietnam soldiers returning home--who did nothing more than obey orders. Orders given by their officers, orders set down by politicians whose own sons and daughters were safe from the draft.

I offer this poem to honor all who served in Vietnam.

One young soldier marching tall, marching off to fight

For his country he would give his all, knowing death could be his plight

For Our freedom and liberty, a warrior he became.

He never realized we'd turn and treat him with such shame.

One young soldier marching tall, marching with a gun

Proudly marched straight into hell to see the battle won

And he never went to Canada—no, he never thought to run

He thought that he'd be welcomed home when the fight was done.

One young soldier, marching tall, marching off to war

His eyes fixed on the Stars and Stripes that he was fighting for.

Glad to be American, he did this country proud

Never did he realize we'd boo him from the crowd.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Addendum

November 13, 1982

These United States of America have finally seen fit to honor the Veterans of Vietnam

[a WAR, not a CONFLICT]

It makes me stand tall and proud once more to be an American. 

Thank You All!

The Government is supposed to be BY THE PEOPLE and FOR THE PEOPLE

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling:

"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election.

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure. 

Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to SHARE this on Facebook or forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

Congressional Reform Act of 2013 

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

1. 

A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social

Security. 

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose. 

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.

Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and

participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 12/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.

Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in

Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers

envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their

term(s), then go home and back to work.

If each person SHARES this on Facebook or contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message. Don't you think it's time?

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

If you agree, pass it on. If not, delete.

Please keep it going, and thanks.

Adam and Sheila - A Love Vine Regency

Adam is stubborn but Sheila is determined.

Kindle Book Format                PDF Format                            Nook Book Format

Book Signing at Hastings for Moon of Hard Winter, Book III in the Lakota Moon Series

More about HeartSent Books and Helping the Children of Pine Ridge

Hello Everyone!

Here we are again, chatting away.

I can never do one of these blogs without mentioning the Children of Pine Ridge Reservation and their need for everything from school books to clothing—and in some cases, fuel against the winter cold. Please open your hearts and your pocket books for these children. Just click on the link below for more information.
http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

It's not just the children, by the way, who are in need. The entire population has needs beyond what most of us can imagine, living in our comfortable communities, with plentiful job and education opportunities.

I hope everyone has had a great year so far. In my neck of the woods it's been a very mild winter, which on one hand is a good thing—no ice storms or blizzards. On the other hand, it's scary when the central plains see tornado's in February! Wow! And we need that snow pack and the rain. Guess I'm just a little paranoid, but with parents who grew up during the depression years, I see a lack of moisture as a dangerous thing.

Based on that premise, I've started a new book, a fantasy/futuristic/time travel about what happens when the earth's resources begin to dry up. I know this has been done before, but I'm compelled to write it. It demanded my attention. The working title is Ten Summers. Everything, everywhere is dried out except the ocean—which is so thick with salt it's nearly impossible to process for drinking and cooking. I'm hoping this voyage outside the world of romance will be successful.

With a little help from my Si-Fi friends, I just might make it.

I have two new Regency books out, and they are selling very well. A third title, Adam and Sheila, has been added to the Series. It will prove to be a bit spicier than the first two books, but still not one that can be listed as erotica, for those of you who like a milder read. It will be sensual, however.

In the Lakota Moon Series, Moon of Hard Winter has joined Moon of the Falling Leaves and Moon of Ripening in the print book section. All books are available in Kindle & Nook format. :)

I

Happily, there is great progress in the 4th book, which may or may not be the final book of The Lakota Moon Series. Titled Moon of Tender Grass, it has changed and changed again as I write it, and hopefully, the premise has finally settled into what it should be. Talk about a book that doesn't know where it's going...well, finally, it does.

The hero is very complex, and driven by so many things, I had to pick and choose what to write about him.
Blue Crow has evolved into what I believe is the perfect hero, the slightly flawed male of the human species whose greatest strength is his character. More on this later,the cover has changed, but the characters are the same, even if the story has altered a bit. It will be available in June!

Visit my site to make purchase selections: www.heartsentbooks.com or www.dianedaviswhite.com

Moon of Ripening has been nominated for Book of the Year at LASR!

Moon of Ripening Winner of Best Book, has been nominated for Book of the Year at  LASR.

If you have read this book and loved it, feel free to click on the link below and vote for
Moon of Ripening

                                                                    

Valentine's Day is NOT the only day for Romance.

Hi All!

Well, here we are again, chatting about this and that. I'm a lady who knows all about romance, having experienced it first hand. I was blessed with a husband who could charm the birds out of the trees with his smile, sang me love songs in a dreamy, truly lovely voice, and knew how to treat a woman. I have saved every card he ever gave me, and he didn't just keep to the holidays. Sometimes he would bring me a card when it wasn't my birthday or some other special occasion. He called them 'just because' cards. Sigh...how I miss that man!

There isn't a lot going on in my little corner of the world. A very mild winter, a couple of tornado threats—unusual for this time of year—and a totally awesome lineup of books for your reading pleasure. If all goes well, I'll have six new books out by years end.

With Valentine's Day coming up, we're all in an especially romantic mood, so be sure to read something to keep the essence of the holiday in the forefront of your mind.  Along with the chocolates, roses and kisses from your honey, treat yourself to a romantic book or two.

I hope you enjoy my new Regency series, Love Vine. The newest book in that series, A Curious Heart is in the final stages of editing and will be available in a few days!

 My latest book in The continuing Lakota Moon series, Moon of Hard Winter, goes into print next week, so watch for it if you are among those who prefer a print book to an eBook. Moon of Tender Grass is scheduled for release in April as an eBook, and will be in print by August.

All of my books are available in PDF format from my heartsentbooks.com site.
Be sure and check it out.

While I feel very blessed in my writing career, I am still saddened by conditions at Native American Reservations across this country. Of course, my favorite topic is the plight of the children at Pine Ridge South Dakota.

Once again, I implore you to come to the aid of these youngsters who are always in need of food, clothing, books and educational items. http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

The new year is very exciting so far. I have 2 new Regency books on the market, another coming soon and yet another book in my Lakota Moon series, Moon of Tender Grass.

Be sure to keep a lookout for my newest Lakota book, Moon of Tender Grass - Blue Crow's exciting story of war and love and holding his land against the intruders who would destroy his way of life. This story is set in the Great Plains and touches on the events at The Battle ofGreasy Grass, or as many know it, Custer's Last Stand. A poignant tale of romance, trust lost and regained, loyalty and spirutal guidance. This book has it all! Coming Soon!

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

Diane Davis White

From the Heartland

Great Site For ISBN Numbers!

The IsbnAgency.com has terrific prices and deliver instantly. I'm going with them from now on. They offer other services as well, and they are quick to answer any questions. So you have:
Great product
Reasonable price
Instant Delivery
Fantastic Customer Service!

Happy Writing, Everyone!

Help the Foster Children of Pine Ridge Reservation!

An Emergency Heating and Food Donation Drive It is a struggle to keep poorly insulated homes heated and food on the table, for the 300+ families that are caring for foster children. Unfortunately, LOWO, the reservation's foster care agency, is getting calls for help daily but has nothing left in its budget for such emergencies. These families are in need of wood, propane, electric heaters and food and at this point LOWO must rely solely upon its emergency fund which gets very few donations. During winter this is especially urgent as temperatures often drop well below zero on the reservation. If you can donate a check, an electric heater, or nonperishable foods, please let me know and I'll add your donations to the tally below. The local propane companies require a minimum order of $125 to deliver so the need for monetary donations is great and will continue through the winter months. If enough of us donate in small amounts we can make this happen, and every check, whether it is $5 or $500 will make a big impact on rez families that are cold and/or hungry. Thanks so much for your help! Donated as of 12/6: Monetary Donations in any amount* ($125 will provide an emergency propane delivery for one family): $835 donated--Thank you! Need additional Electric Heaters (Goal 75; 11 donated--Thank you! Need 64) Nonperishable foods: Peanut butter Oatmeal Cold cereal Dried and canned beans Vegetables Tuna Soup Formula Grains and rice Baking Supplies Nonperishables donated--Thank you!: 50 nonperishable items Ship your donations to: Via UPS/FedEx**: LOWO 604 East Hwy 18 IHS Compound Pine Ridge, SD 57770 Via U.S. Mail use this address only please (and use this address for checks): LOWO P. O. Box 604 Pine Ridge, SD 57770 *Please make your check out to "LOWO" put a notation on it that it is for the emergency fund, and mail to the P.O. box listed above. **If you order online and use this "street" address, you may get a message that says "We've found no matches for the address you've entered, please edit the address or select entered address:" This is because there are no street names on the reservation and the address isn't in the zip code database. If you click on the "604 East Hwy 18" address the system will take you back to the "Enter or Verify Your Shipping Destination" page. Just choose standard shipping, click on "Continue," and it will let you complete your transaction. Please Note: Due to the volume of donations shipped to the reservation FoPRR cannot verify delivery of your boxes. If you are shipping from home and require confirmation of delivery, please purchase delivery confirmation from the post office or use your shipping service's or online vendor's tracking system.

Contact Us | Tell Your Friends About This Site | Home

---

Friends like you have made 205 visits to this page since 9/5/04!

© Copyright 2005-2011 Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation. All rights reserved.

Diane Davis White says: Christmas is HeartSent this year!

HeartSent Christmas is now available on Nook, Kindle and in PDF format! How exciting is that?!

Wow! Three great stories from three prolific writers, and the variety is phenomenal!

Two contemporary offerings:

To read an excerpt from the spicy and sexy, Second Chances is a love story from Heide Katros that will melt your heart.

Hot! Hot! Hot!, Christmas Magic by Kate Hofman, is so sexy it will leave you breathless.

And one historical offering:

Sweet yet highly sensual, Lakota Christmas by Diane Davis White will have you tearing up one minute and smiling with joy the next.

With the holiday season starting, why not get in the proper mood? This book makes a wonderful gift to compliment that new Nook or Kindle reader, or simply purchase the PDF version for the PC.  You can't go wrong with these three authors. The variety, the changing heat levels, and the thrilling stories make a awesome gift.

     The holidays are always a special time for me. My favorite thing is decorating a huge tree, putting my village up and wrapping the gifts. The last few years have been fraught with memories of my husband and children who are not here. When Boyd passed on, then Christopher--my oldest son--followed a few years later, I thought my heart would die within me. Still, I have one child left: My James. He is the light of my life, and though he lives half way across the country, this time of year is joyful because of him. He brings joy into my life and makes me see the real meaning of Christmas when he calls and tells me "I love you, Mom". The sweetest words in the world.

     I know I am truly blessed to have my James and my memories of my husband and oldest son are mine to keep always, and one thing I like to do in their memory is give something back to the world.

My way of doing that is to contribute to the Pine Ridge Reservation through this site: Changing Lives one Child at a Time. If we show just one other person that we care and give freely of our spirit, our time or simply our money for a needed coat or pair of winter boots, then Christmas Lives!

Haunting Halloween Weekend Coming Up Soooooon!

I'm blogging at LASR on October 29th and 30th! Don't want to miss this. There are fun prizes!

On October 29th & 30th, just go here:

Diane White Blogs Again!
Blog followers and commenters will be entered to win one large Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble  Gift Card!

I will be giving away one of my Lakota Moon Series books to a commentor.

The final Gift Card amount for the grand prize will be based on participation and announced on our Halloween promo page (http://www.longandshortreviews.com/promo.htm ) on 10/16/11, but will be at least $150

So be sure to mark your calendars and come visit my Halloween blog on the Eve of All Hallows' Eve...

Coming Soon...StoneSecrets Presents:

Divided Spirit, Divided heart

Tears and Hope: A Personal Journey to Pine Ridge

Hello, I am Diane White and  the item below is copied from the blog of Samantha Wender. I hope you read this blog and join in watching 20/20 tonight.
 Watch a “20/20″ special, “A Hidden America: Children of the Plains” with Diane Sawyer tonight at 10 p.m. ET

Tears and Hope: A Personal Journey to Pine Ridge
By SAMANTHA WENDER

A year ago this month, I made my first journey to Pine Ridge Reservation. There’s always a sense of excitement touching down on the tarmac, knowing a new world, one which you would never otherwise have the opportunity to explore so intimately, is almost in reach.

Like the rest of the team, I had read the statistics: 65 to 80 percent unemployment rates, rampant alcoholism, obesity and an education system struggling to provide the basic tools for learning.

Get Involved: How to Help the Children of the Plains

Two flights and a two-hour drive later, I was driving through the Badlands with a duffle bag, a camera and a whole lot of curiosity. En route to Manderson, S.D., a town with just fewer than 650 residents, where more than 60 percent of them live below the poverty line, I drive through miles of plains. The land speaks, telling a story of oppression and resilience, one that I begin to understand better after spending days and weeks with parents and children, elders and spiritual leaders.

On the outside, the public housing units were worn, anywhere from 30 to 40 years old. A young father, no more than 23, told me he was covering the windows with sheets of plastic to keep the propane-fueled heat inside the home. He said the windows were installed upside down and often the family runs out of money and can’t afford to pay for warmth. He went on to tell me that heat was a luxury and some months he must choose between feeding his family of five or having heat.



Samantha Wender with Tashina Iron Horse (Courtesy Samantha Wender)



Inside the roughly 300 square miles of the reservation are a handful of Oglala Lakota Sioux, who with their spirit, courage and delicate pride, will change the way I see many things. Trip after trip, I am welcomed into homes. I am told I am family. I meet with educators. A spiritual leader sends me back to New York City with braided sweet grass to bring positive energy into my home. I’m smudged, purified by the burning of sage, invited to attend meals and pow wows.  I learn of the history and strength of a people, the realities and courage, but what touches me the most are the children.

Through the smiles and tears, hope and innocence, there is power in these young people – all desperate, in their own ways, to be heard. Thirteen-year-old Robert wants to be the first Native American president and buy his grandmother, who raises him and his seven cousins, a beautiful house. Tashina, 6, wants clean water for her family and bubble gum. Louise, 12, struggles to cope with addiction in her home and prays for the strength to go on and 17-year-old Alaina sings with courage through the chapter of her life she is leaving and the next she is entering.

It’s easy to speculate why the despair often outshines the valor when talking about Pine Ridge Reservation, but anyone who is given the opportunity to be immersed in Lakota culture, to see first-hand the humor and love, cannot leave unchanged.

Watch a “20/20″ special, “A Hidden America: Children of the Plains” with Diane Sawyer tonight at 10 p.m. ET

The Lakota Moon Series - Children Without Books

Books are Knowledge ~ Knowledge is Power

Teach a child to read

Diane Davis White

I write romance in both contemporary and historical generes. My favorite theme is Native American Historicals. Probably because my late husband was a romantic, heart-stopping handsome Chickasaw mixed blood with the bluest eyes ever...

When I began research for the Lakota Moon Series I ran across a website that deals with donations for the people of Pine Ridge Reservation. Reading further, I discovered this place in the center of our country is one of the poorest places in the nation.

I cannot imagine children who have no school supplies, people without winter coats, families who know hunger—not in this country. There are other places in the United States where poverty is paramount, but few are so disturbingly neglected as Pine Ridge.

I bookmarked the sites that pertained to this and kept up with the issues, eventually joining and contributing to their drives. Anyone who is interested in helping, may go to their site at:

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org//

While there have been innovations and changes recently that the Lakota have taken to improve their lives, such as small business development, there is a long road ahead and my hope is that others will see their efforts and be willing to assist. What is needed here is education and industry. Providing the basic needs is essential.

Books Are Knowledge, Knowledge is Power ~ Teach a child to read.

The Lakota are a proud people and the only Native American Nation to withstand the onslaught of the pioneering whites. They defeated the army and drove the white man away, thanks to Red Cloud and Crazy Horse's leadership, and until Washington officials broke the treaties and sent troupes in, they remained free on their lands.

My social conscience was stricken heavily by the horrible conditions these people live with and it boggles the brain to think of the money spent on foreign wars when we have so much need right here. When you read my books—and I hope you will—you will glimpse the true people of the Nations. They are a treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge we've only begun to tap.

Diane Davis White ~ From the Heartland

Moon of Hard Winter is my newest book in the Lakota Moon Series and now available at Kindle and next month it will be out in print. This book deals with love, yes, but it also touches on the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, and though it is a time travel romance, I tried to infuse it with some great characters and address the terrible tragedy of December 29, 1890.

John Six Feathers believes the truth of what happened at Wounded Knee one-hundred and ten years ago has not been told. He wants to see the medals of honor given to soldier's who participated in the slaughter of women and children removed.

Faith Donahey believes the truth is more than just an overall picture, and her great-great grandfather deserves the medal of honor he received, despite what the Lakota say. A horrible accident on the highway, a spiritual intervention, and the truth as they knew it becomes the truth as they will tell their children and grandchildren. This is their story.

Coming next in this series will be a lighter story, though it deals with Little Big Horn, I promise more comedic relief and a spicier love story. Moon of Tender Grass will be Blue Crow's Story. A warrior who has lived among the white people, is torn by his love for the daughter of his adopted uncle, Eli Jackson, and his loyalty to the people of the Lakota. He rides with Crazy Horse to Greasy Grass Creek and participates in the battle where Custer is killed. His brothers and cousins die there, and his heart torn by the horrors of battle, he seeks refuge with the Jackson family once more, only to find everything has changed.

Look for this book to be released in late November.

The first two books in this series are also available on Kindle, and in Print.
Moon of Ripening Moon of the Falling Leaves