Elaine T. Cook's Blog

     "Call it whatever you like, Mr. Cavallo, but it's still distrust. A feeling, I guarantee we mutually share." - Juliana Matthews (page 190, Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key)

     Juliana is pretty certain where trust lies with regards to Nicolai. However, it is such a fine line trying to discern who she truly can trust. I cannot say that I blame her. She has been raised to fear for her life, and placing her trust in the wrong person could very well cost her that. How is she going to proceed? Who is Juliana going to trust and why? Will she pay the ultimate price for her choices?

     One reader recently requested more information about some of the family trees and relationships of characters in Serpent's Treasure series. The descendancy chart below includes some information that can be found in chapter three of Book One, The Ancestral Key, as well as some new information. Since the series will dive deeper into the main characters genealogies as we move further into the story, and because I do not wish to give too much away too soon, this is only a small glimpse into our protagonists family tree. I hope you find it both interesting and informative.


Paternal Descendancy Chart

1. Vitalis Masu married 2. Elita Venete. They had three children:     3. Sethra Masu (F)     4. Alessandro Vitalis Masu (M)     5. Velia Masu (F)
4. Alessandro Vitalis Masu married 6. Phalen Juliana Sveitus. They had three children:     7. Andrea Dacian Masu (M)     8. Artile Valentino Masu (M)     9. Gian Vitalis Masu (M)
9. Gian Vitalis Masu married 10. Elita Speranza Karkana     11. Elita Juliana Masu (F)

     Typically, we think of gifts or talents that specific individuals have, and occasionally we see talents that are passed down from one generation to another. This appears to be the case in Book One of the Serpent's Treasure Series. In The Ancestral Key on page 42, we get to eavesdrop on a conversation between Anton Cavallo and his son, Nicolai. During this brief conversation, we get a glimpse into what appears to be a family gift. 
     Quote from page 42:     "...How did the board meeting go in New York?"     In a droll, bored tone, Anton Cavallo returned, "As usual. It always starts off with some idiot not agreeing with me, but by the end of the meeting, everyone seems to come around."     Imagining the room full of contentious advisors mysteriously changing their minds, bowing to the power that is the Cavallos, he snickered, "Got them eating out of the palm of your hand again. I love it."     "Well, that's nothing new," the voice affirmed before counseling, "And your potential, Nicolai, is far greater than mine."
     Hmm. So what exactly are Anton and Nicolai discussing, and how will Nick use this family gift? Not only in The Ancestral Key, but throughout the series of Serpent's Treasure. And one more thing...is this the only gift that Nick has?

     Does anyone else think that school is coming far too fast? Boy, time has flown.      My pre-summer thoughts of how the summer was going to play out this year with oodles of time spent with my children outdoors in a blissful learning environment, as well as plenty of extra time to complete Book Two in the Serpent's Treasure Series have been exchanged for reality.      It all started when my great-aunt died at the beginning of summer. I made an unexpected trip out-of-state for her funeral with my children. We spent time with family that I have not seen in ages, and many of my children have never met. Without boring you with a travel log of the entire trip, you should simply know that many unexpected blessings came because I took the time to go.     Fourth of July Weekend brought another surprise when our suburban's transmission went out while pulling our camping trailer home from a fun family weekend. The next week my phone died unexpectedly. This is the phone that had one of my children's birthday photos on it, the pictures from our trip out-of-state of the funeral, and of course, the recent photos taken at our Fourth of July camp out. All gone.     I took an educational class the following week. I needed it. Learning is a marvelous gift. The fact that we can continue to learn and grow each and everyday is a beautiful gift. I am so glad that you are not stuck with me as I am today, but that tomorrow I can become better. Even if it's just a little change, it can make a huge difference. That is what this weekend class did for me. I finally saw several patterns in my life that were slowing me down in my progression and success. They were patterns that others had seen in me, and some very close friends and family had even tried to tell me existed, but it took this class for me to see the pattern myself. I couldn't change the negative pattern because I did not see it, even with all of their explanations. It didn't matter how many other people could see it. I could not change it until I saw it. However, the cool thing about recognizing patterns is that once I did, I could totally change it.     August!!! Yay, August has arrived! Time has finally come to have the time with my children I foresaw three months ago. I have also spent more time at my computer writing Book Two, and look, even updating my blog! Next week, I will be at the Oregon State Fair with Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key. If you are in the neighborhood, come and say, "Hi!"     When the fair ends, school starts. Wow! And that's the thought that started this whole blog today. It's already here. The summer did not go as I had planned, but I have learned a lot. Progress has been made both in my home life, and my life as a published author. I'm getting really excited to share Book Two with you. Be patient. It will be worth it.

I thought Serpent's Treasure fans would enjoy this picture. The character Leigh was named after my 3rd great-grandfather. (In truth I just thought it was a cool name.) 

At the time of the writing of The Ancestral Key, I actually did not know much about my ancestor or what he looked like.

Since publication, I have learned that he was actually a British Army or Navy Officer (still unclear on some of the details) and I have a photo of him. He doesn't look anything like I imagined Leigh would.

I'm perfectly fine with that because Leigh Lyons is an entirely different individual. Hope you enjoy this little tidbit.

The Anticipation is Over... 

To celebrate Serpent's Treasure's First Christmas season, elainetcook.com is offering an amazing present. All Paperback copies purchased on our website will be 1/2 off the retail price, plus shipping. All Special Limited Edition Hardcover copies will receive 25% off retail, plus shipping. All E-book purchases will receive 20% off retail.

Also, through December, all printed purchases will be SIGNED & PERSONALIZED by Elaine, at no additional charge. She will sign it to whomever you wish. Offer ends December 31st 2013, at 11:59 pm PST.

And finally, It's time for another GIVEAWAY! We are giving away 10 SIGNED Paperback copies of Serpent's Treasure- The Ancestral Key. Details to enter this special giveaway are on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elaine-T-Cook/417266298298980 . We will randomly select ten lucky winners on Monday, January 6th, 2014. 

Thanks and good luck!

      What a wonderful way to spend release week - meeting new friends. Several release parties kicked off the official release on June 4th. We had beautiful weather, so we held the events outdoors. This allowed me to meet more wonderful people and share Serpent's Treasure- The Ancestral Key with many who had not yet heard it was out.
     On June 3rd the internet was sprinkled with several blog reviews of the book. Check them out at: thesweetbookshelf.com and ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com - I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

I am working on getting Serpent's Treasure: The Ancestral Key into  the library system and I am requesting your help. Most library websites have a "Suggest a Purchase" page where you, as a patron, may request they consider purchasing a copy. For the Salem Public Library, here is the link: 

http://www.cityofsalem.net/Departments/Library/books/Documents/Suggest%20a%20Title%20for%20Purchase_distributed.pdf

Information you will need to know for the form: 

Title: Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key
Author: Elaine T Cook
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises
ISBN: 978-1-62295-518-3
Publication Year: 2013 (Official release date is 4 June 2013)
Purchase Price $23.99

Under comments leave a short review, if you have read and recommend this book, or state that reviews are found on goodreads.com and elainetcook.com.

If you live outside of Salem, please check out your local library's website to find out how to recommend a purchase. Thank you for your support.

     After a whirlwind trip on my three-state book tour and the opportunity to meet some fabulous new friends. I have safely returned home to work on Book Two. I am super excited about new scenes I am adding as the characters prove, once more, to be entirely unpredictable. 

     Meanwhile, I have received exciting news as the Book Trailer for Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key is officially released. Please enjoy and share!!!

Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key Book Trailer

     When my kids hear we are going to Idaho and Utah, they think, "Cousins!!!" It's true. Sometimes our trips are so quick that they hardly get any time with them. Next week will be no exception. I have a question though. Why can't States and even School Districts coordinate Spring Break better? We will be there during our Spring Break, but all of the cousins will still be in school until the following week. By then, we'll be back home. Perhaps the 'powers that be' think the chaos of everyone having Spring Break at the same time would be too much, but don't we all get the same Winter Break? I'm just saying. It would be nice to let the kids play together since we are traveling to be with them. The best part for me is that I get to accomplish two missions in one trip. I get to see family, and I get to meet you. Now that I have pre-release copies of Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key, I can bring copies to you. There will only be one pre-release period of time for my very first novel and I want to share this amazing time with as many new friends as I can make. That is what this is about for me, finding new friends to share this fun adventure with. Not just the Serpent's Treasure journey, but life's.