Welcome to Arthur Cola's Legendary Tales! You may order any of my books at www.amazon.com/arthurcola Click any of these links to find out more about each title:       SHAMROCK CROWN       STONE CUTTER GENIUS       PAPA AND THE LEPRECHAUN KING       PAPA AND THE GINGERBREAD MAN -------- News & Updates! I am pleased to inform you that you may experience my novel The Shamrock Crown (Legend of Excalibur) through images and excerpts below. The Presentation will be made at the Itirsh Heritage Center at 4626 N. Knox St. in Chicago at the IBAM-Chicago Festival on Nov. 12-13.     THE LEGENDARY TALES OF   ARTHUR COLA   e-mail: arthurcola@yahoo.com Wed site: www.arthurcolalegendarytales.com Blog sites: www.authoradvance.com and www.theirishbookclub.com   The Leprechaun king and King Arthur of Camelot  by Arthur Cola       I thought that the readers of my Web site would enjoy my sharing of the presentation on my novel of The Shamrock Crown (Legend of Excalibur) which will be presented at IBAM-Chicago, Nov. 12-13.       My tale begins on the kitchen table of Arthur and Donna Colonna in Wisconsin. There the Leprechaun King reveals the legend of King Arthur as never before told to humans.   “the flames in the hearth began to sizzle and then images appeared on their surface as if they were on a screen…Arthur, called the Thorn and Donna and the other women called the Roses, viewed the scene (of the ancient Stone Ring) as birds flying around the stones…within a blink the Thorn and Roses were viewing groups of people within the stone ring.   Merlin the Sorcerer (photo)   …A lone figure was standing next to an empty stone throne. The long white beard which spilled over his midnight blue robe gave evidence that this person was an elderly man.    The Sword Excalibur (photo)   “My Lords and Ladies, for years this symbol of the royal power has remained unmovable within this stone.” Then he looked into the eyes of the one in whom he saw a pureness of heart.   “Aye, ‘tis the truth you speak, Merlin,” a chorus of nobles replied.   Merlin continued. “the truth of a new Message, born in a land far from these shores but destined to embrace the whole world, has brought us together on this day soon to be night,’ proclaimed Merlin.   While the Leprechaun King’s story unfolded in Wisconsin, across the Atlantic Ocean at Torc Falls in Ireland another event was taking place.    Torc Falls, Killarney Ireland (photo)   “You idiots, why can’t you find the entrance to the enchanted realm,” cried out the raven haired beauty to Bobby and Sean, the Jaunty Cart drivers, who were frantically climbing the rocky Cliffside next to which the cascading waters dampened their every move…The soaked lad, Sean, just looked at her (Grace) with puppy dog eyes yearning to catch a smile or glimmer of hope from those now merciless eyes.    Trinity College, Dublin (photo)   Arthur and Donna accept the quest to find Excalibur and embark with their entire family to Ireland, where their paths would cross with those of the Jaunty Cart Drivers and the Raven haired beauty named Grace.   With tickets in hand the family entered the darkened space (in the Trinity College Library) kept just so to preserve the delicate pages of the medieval masterpiece called the Book of Kells. But it is was a book in the adjoining display case which attracted their interest.   “…we were admiring this other book here in this case,” Tricia told the guard.   “Oh that one,” the guard answered. “’Tis the Book of Legends. They say Merlin himself may have had a hand in writing it.”   In the meantime, Grace was formulating a plan. Without so much as a word to Sean, she slapped his face, pushed him into the glass case holding the Book of Legends. So hard did he hit the case that when he crashed into it, the motion alarm was set off and his backside broke the top of the glass case. Grace slipped her hand into the case and withdrew the precious 1200 year old book.    Rock of Cashel, Ireland (photo)   The race was on to follow the clues contained in the Book of Legends. Beneath the Rock of Cashel the Leprechaun King gathered the High Council. Arthur touched the stone wall seeking the one which would be charmed. The wall became an archway…the King addressed the council.   “There are followers of the infamous Morgan le Fay still active in the human world…the joy which the Wee Folk bring to the human world is at stake to be sure. However, even more important is that the core of the Message may be destroyed if they have their way.”    Chepstow Castle, Wales (photo)   With clues taken from the recovered Book of Legends, Arthur led his family into the Land of Merlin.   Arthur led his family into the dungeon area of Chepstow Castle in Wales. A glow of amber lights, ever so soft…made its way into the eyes of the family clan.    Tintern Abbey, Wales (photo)   “It’s a portal. They’ve found the enchanted stone and opened a portal,” yelled Grace running into the dungeon.   The 16 humans (and the Leprechaun King) stood beneath the arch of a huge stone doorway…They were…speechless as their eyes took in the underground Cathedral like Church. They saw coffin like tombs…upon each tomb lay a body of a fully outfitted Knight as if they were in a deep slumber. Their armor shone, their helmets’ plumes of various colors were as if they had just been freshly placed. Their crests could be seen on their shields.   “In this place, it appears that the legend still lives,” Arthur, the Thorn began. “The Legend of the Knights of the Round Table must be true; that’s why Grace and that Medraut person were so anxious to get here also.”   Arthur’s son John needed to speak.  “The sleeping Knights shall come forth when Britain was in need of them,” he quoted from the sign on the castle drawbridge seen earlier.    Tintern Abbey, Wales (photo)   Arthur held the parchment between his hands, though a bit shaky at best and proclaimed the verse calling forth the sleeping Knights of the Round Table.   The risen Knights entered the 21st Century singing:   “And Excalibur sang As the Church bells rang. And the people did sing, Long live the King.”    Tower Bridge, London (photo)   The bus crossed Tower Bridge and stopped at the wharf side of the Tower of London.    Tower of London, UK (photo)   The Leprechaun King waved his Shillelagh in an arc. The rainbow bridge formed (connecting the Bridge to the wall of the Tower of London) without sunlight. Arthur and his two sons (John and Richard) climbed onto it.   “Dad, we’re going to jump over the wall now as planned,” said John. “Rich and I can handle Sean and Bobby. You get the Professor. The King can handle the sorceress.”   Within seconds they were in the passageway of the enchanted realm. Lying on top of the tomb like altar was shining object of gold and silver. Suddenly a bolt of green lightening burst forth from the King’s shillelagh. Grace tumbled from the altar backwards.   “Dad, let me help you,” offered John. “Rich, you take the blade and I’ll take the hilt.”   The Sword Excalibur allowed itself to be moved.    Warwick Castle, England (photo)   The sword of King Arthur is found but to keep it and find the ultimate prize of Camelot remained as the Colonna family meets the dark Knights on the jousting lists of Warwick Castle in England.     Avebury Stone Ring, England (photo)   Follow the exploits of this American family as they fulfill the ancient King’s quest to the very beginning of the legend. Feel the collision of the light and dark forces in a fight to save the symbol of the Message of Faith, Hope and Love as you read THE SHAMROCK CROWN (LEGEND OF EXCALIBUR).               Be sure to follow the new adventures of the Colonna family as they search for the Legendary Ring of the Magi. The Stone Cutter Genius, A Legendary Tale by Arthur Cola                                                                                   Be sure to scroll down to read my Blog Articles. I am pleased to announce that my new Historical fiction novel, The Stone Cutter Genius, may now be ordered through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. If you love mystery, political intrigue, dangerous plots, a bit of romance, magic and the supernatural all rolled up into a tale revolving around the master stone cutter of the Renaissance, Michelangelo, and the Legend of the Magi Ring, you are sure to want to get yourself a copy. Below is my latest Blog article. You may view all my articles and blogs at either: www.authoradvance.com or www.theirishbookclub.com. Michelangelo and Me: by Arthur Cola The creation of my new novel: THE STONE CUTTER GENIUS is a celebration of my Heritage, Family, Faith, and love of History. One might say that its formation began when I was a boy at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica School in Chicago. In that Church there is a shrine dedicated to the Pieta; that is the Virgin Mary holding her son, Jesus after he had been taken down from the cross. It is an exact replica of Michelangelo’s original located in St. Peter’s in Rome. Even at a tender age I was overwhelmed by its beauty. Perhaps it was the serene grace of Mary’s face or the divine peacefulness on Christ’s face. But I was much too young to think in those terms, those are realizations which came much later after I saw the actual masterpiece of Michelangelo at the New York World’s Fair and then in its shrine in St. Peter’s in Italy where I had the privilege to study at the Loyola University Rome Campus. What actually struck me profoundly, as a lad in grammar school and which grew throughout my years at Oak Park High School just outside of Chicago was something which had nothing to do with art or history. I had learned at an early age that the great artist Michelangelo began his career at the age of 13. But that wasn’t all that impacted my admiration for him. As time went on I found out that the Renaissance genius was of the same height and weight that I was both as a boy and as an adult. So while most boys were infatuated with Superman or the Lone Ranger, both of whom I admired, I had found that my hero was a long dead Renaissance painter, sculptor and architect who also wrote sonnets and poetry.   I never lost that physical identification with this Renaissance genius whose contemporaries called “Il Divino” the Divine One. But life has a way of refocusing one’s attention. And childhood heroes like so many things become but a fond memory. And so the years passed during which I married a red haired beauty with Irish flare, raised five children and taught history, literature and biology before becoming a school Principal. But the spirit of Michelangelo was ever present in the form of a small “Pieta” statue which had belonged to my grandmother. Then the miracle happened ever so quickly that I hardly had time to think about what my wife and I were about to do. We left for a summer session at Loyola in Rome. The youngest of our five children left under the watchful eyes of their grandmothers and aunt. Side trips were taken from Rome each week-end and one of those was to the City of Florence in Tuscany. Ah Tuscany, with its fields of blossoming sunflower fields glowing as if the blazing August sun had come down to dwell in the rolling hills through which we drove our rented Alpha Romeo, at a speed I might add which was obviously too slow for the Italians as they sped past us like we were standing still. But we didn’t care. We were soaking in the Villas atop the hills, the vineyards in the valleys and those glowing yellow sunflower fields surrounding the highway. At last we turned off onto a twisting road which led us to what the Italians called the “Piazzale Michelangelo.” It was up on a hilltop crowned with a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David. Below us Firenze (Florence) spread out with its red tiled Dome of its Duomo (Cathedral) and Tower of the Palazzo Vecchio reaching toward the sky. We had arrived at the hometown of my boyhood hero. And that hero’s home just happened to be located in the ancestral province of my mother’s family (Nannini, Doretti). Tracing those roots would be left for another day. This day it was all about Michelangelo. From Michelangelo’s family house, Casa Buonarroti, to his tomb in Santa Croce Church we walked with the vigor of pilgrims on a quest. That journey was to see those same sites which Il Divino may have seen, to feel that same awe walking among the great works of art of Donatello, Botticelli and Fra Angelico as he must have done, and eat along the Piazza Signoria where he must have also sat and dined so often as he contemplated his next work. But it wasn’t until we left the Palazzo Medici, home of the family who nurtured his talents and where he lived for a time, and turned that corner that the foundation for my novel was to take root. There it was with a long line of ticket holders waiting to enter. I am speaking of the Accademia di Belle Arti where the original marble sculpture of Michelangelo’s David is now housed. What seemed to take centuries took only minutes. We entered the Gallery of Art dedicated solely to Florence’s greatest resident. Each side of the gallery was lined with unfinished marbles which the master had started but never finished. It seems that he and Leonardo da Vinci had that in common if nothing else except their genius. They would often begin a project and for some reason never finish it. At the far end of the gallery under a small dome supported by Roman pillars was the “Giant” as Michelangelo himself called his “David.” Looming above all who had gathered around its base, it was indeed the Renaissance version of a Super Hero. Each muscle of the David is taut with anticipated confrontation with Goliath, perfectly rendered by the artist. Each curl of hair seemed to float to its natural resting place. And there was of course the fact that the statue was done in Classical style and therefore was a nude. I think that the David’s butt is probably the most photographed posterior of any human who ever lived. We watched others photograph the statue from every angle, as we did also, but we learned something new. If you hold your hand at a certain angle beneath the David’s rear it would appear as if you were patting it. The solemnity of first seeing this masterpiece was soon broken by the giggles of those doing just that. But that’s okay, for it would later serve to bring a little humor to my story of The Stone Cutter Genius. What is more important regarding that first visit to the “David” was its imposing presence which dispelled that often used phrase that “size doesn’t matter.” In the case of Michelangelo’s Giant David it certainly does but not for the obvious reasons for the use of the expression. It’s larger than life size presence, the large hand clutched ready to fight, the look of strength, conviction and readiness on the David’s face, the sling thrown over his shoulder ready to be used, his firm stance and posture ready to spring into action all speak volumes. And what it spoke to me on that afternoon was that this work blending faith and politics, beauty of human form and artistic expression, Classical and Renaissance thought would have to be the central core of Michelangelo’s story which I then and there had begun to form in my thoughts. But it wouldn’t be until I had the opportunity to bring a group of my former students on a tour of Italy that those thoughts really began to solidify into a story line. That tour would have us walking in the footsteps of Michelangelo from Florence to Venice to Bologna to Rome to Capri. But I shall leave that story of an evolving legendary tale for another time. The seeds had been planted. What would cause them to grow would be those nourishing experiences of that Student Tour. And to life that legendary tale would indeed sprout in the form of my novel, THE STONE CUTTER GENIUS.   Media Coverage: July, 2011: Prime Magazine, Wisconsin Burlington-Discover the Treasures magazine Go to www.burlingtonchamber.org and click on cover showing Barn with rolled bales of hay and scroll to page 6. June 16: The Italian Tribune June and coming in August: The Italian Times, Milwaukee  Below is a list of dates and places where I will be appearing and making presentations on my books and tours. Sunday, Oct. 9: Festa Italiana in Washington D.C. Oct. 20-22: 44th Annual American Italian Historical Associatioin Conference in Tampa, FL   Join our Michelangelo Tour of Italy in Sept. 2012: Contact: kari@bonvoyagecruisevacations.com for details.

“No son of mine shall become a stone cutter,” yells Lodovico Buonarroti as he strikes his twelve year old son, Michelangelo, sending him flying across the room.

And so begins my legendary tale of The Stone Cutter Genius. Its central figure, Arthur Colonna is thinking of only teaching about the life and times of the great artist. Instead he and his two youngest sons learn of the legend of the Magi Ring said to be lost over 500 years ago. This revelation in the Museum of Natural History in Chicago results in his planned tour of traveling in the footsteps of Michelangelo in Italy becoming a diversion as he finds himself in the center of a centuries old feud.

 The Stone Cutter Genius is a sweeping tale of Renaissance political intrigue, murder, mystery and miracles, brought into the current day and met head-on by the faith, hope and love of the Colonna family.

 My new novel might be likened to the genre of a Dan Brown story in that it revolves around a legend rooted in Church history and historical characters. Yet it is more than that. It also contains a supernatural element which introduces the core message of tolerance and understanding in a surprising fashion.

 I am excited to introduce my work to you as a work of love born after years of research and writing.

In preparation for its publication I have appeared at several events in Chicago and throughout the northeast and midwest. The latest event was that of I.B.A.M. Chicago (Irish Books, Art and Music Celebration) during which I served on a writers’ panel discussing publishing steps and the need for representation. I also conducted my presentation on how the historical, spiritual, cultural sites and folklore of Ireland and Britain inspired me to write my novel: The Shamrock Crown and the Legend of Excalibur. I have been invited to numerous venues of this type to conduct presentations on how I began a writing career after 35 years in education. And more importantly, the steps I used in creating the plot line of my tales. (i.e. Pearl S. Buck Institute, PA). I have taught teachers how to integrate my work into their lesson plans (i.e. Holy Family University, Philadelphia). I have conducted my power point presentations in schools, libraries, Civic organizations, and ethnic festivals (i.e. Chicago Irish Fest, Festa Italiana-Milwaukee and Casa Italia, Chicago). The Writer's Journal is also publishing my articles.

 Related to my work I am also creating a screenplay version of my tale as I have done with my previous books. In addition, through CIE International and Travel Leaders the Michelangelo Tour of Italy is being designed which is based on my book.

However it will be the compelling character of Michelangelo and the Medici  family within my tale which will bring the Renaissance Era to life once again and the Arthur Colonna character and his two sons who experience the superstition, creativity, expression of thought and reverence which will deliver its compelling message. That message which faces head-on such topics of religious extremism, sexual orientation, creative artistic expression and the faith, hope and love expressed within the family unit comes directly off the front pages of news in our own day. And that is why I believe my tale would be well accepted and a compelling read especially for fans of historical fiction, who enjoy a touch of the supernatural as well.

 And so, I take this opportunity to present my latest work to you. For businesses “The Stone Cutter Genius” is being distributed through Baker and Taylor. For those who wish to purchase a personal copy, it is available through www.amazon.com and through your local Barnes and Noble Bookstores.

THE LEGENDARY TALES

OF ARTHUR COLA

425 Robins Run

Burlington, WI 53105 USA

arthurcola@yahoo.com

www.arthurcolalegendarytales.com

NOVELS:

The Shamrock Crown

The Stone Cutter Genius

Papa and the Leprechaun King

Book for Children:

Papa and the Gingerbread Man

Feb. 12, 2011

MICHELANGELO, THE LEGEND OF THE MAGI RING AND ME:

BY ARTHUR COLA

It was a brilliant and typically hot August day as I walked with my students along the Sacra Via in Rome which leads one into the Roman Forum. Neither the sun nor the heat had the least effect on deterring the excitement and enthusiasm of my students, nor me for that matter. We were too busy absorbing over two millenia of history to worry about a little sunlight. Anyway, we had just purchased a frozen bottle of water which was quickly melting as we turned onto the most important road in ancient Rome. That cold bottle in our hot hands and sipping the bit of water forming at the top of the bottle kept us cool and hydrated.

The guide pointed out the ruins of the Home of the Vestal Virgins who kept the main fire source of ancient Rome continually burning. He pointed out the Temples of Saturn, Juno and Jupiter of Roman mythology. Just a pillar or two on a foundation was all that remained though built within the ruins of one temple was a Church. Once Christianity was legalized within the empire it became common practice to absorb the culture and traditions of Rome and the empire into its worship celebrations. No better example of this is there than how temples were transformed into Christian houses of worship, the first of the Basilica Churches of post apostolic days in the 4^th century.

Now just as this former history teacher started to piece all of these thoughts together we had been led up a short series of stairs and stood before an intact building. It turned out to be the core room of the ancient Roman Senate. Its giant iron doors were open and equally impressive iron gates prevented entry into the chamber where the Senators would gather to discuss the law of the land. We peered into its marble lined environs. A mosaic of tiny pieces of black and white marble chips formed a pattern on the floor. Pieces of statuary and a slab depicting a Roman sacrifice drew our immediate attention. A lone window set high over the benches on which the Senators would sit to debate and the door allowed in the only natural light. Here is where Julius Caesar would have been assassinated I began to say to my students as the guide asked us to turn around. To our right was the Arch of Titus, intact as it was during the height of the Roman Empire. Directly in front of us was a small dome held up by thin pillars. Under the Dome was a blackened rock and on top of that rock was a bouquet of flowers wilting in the heat of the afternoon.

This is where the funeral and cremation of Julius Caesar took place we were told. And what should pop into my head upon hearing the revelation was the image of William Shakespeare. In particular, his masterful work drawing on this very scene of Caesar’s funeral during which his friend Marc Antony gave that famous speech which began…”Friends, Romans and Countrymen, lend me your ears.” I rifled through my backpack knowing full well that somewhere in my lessons was that speech. And sure enough there it was. I called to one of my students who had an interest in theater. And in short order, taking the words of the Bard in hand, he jumped upon a rock next to the funeral site and delivered the impassioned address of Marc Antony and as he did so not only caught the attention of my students but several dozen tourists in the area who delighted in the dramatic unrehearsed presentation.

Little did I realize at the time that several years later I would be writing a book into which I would include this very event. And right on the book’s heels I would also write a screenplay version of my book: The Stone Cutter Genius. The Roman Senate Building, the Arch of Titus and the funeral oration are all part of a climatic scene in my story which is now available through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. The work to find a producer and film production company to read my screenplay version is just beginning. And that part is no easy task. So I’m presenting my pitch or attention grabber statement of my work to the readers of this article. Feel free to let me know what you think of it.

The short pitch:
A teacher in Chicago is conducting a class on the Life and Times of Michelangelo. He, and his two teen sons, become involved in a centuries old feud when they find out about the Legend of the Magi Ring. Soon the political intrigue, murder, mystery and miracles of the Renaissance are brought into the 21st century as they travel through Italy to find the ring.

Coming soon: more articles on how Italy, Michelangelo and a Renaissance legend became the foundation stones for my story of The Stone Cutter Genius.

(Arthur Cola was an educator and is the author of three novels: The Stone Cutter Genius,

The Shamrock Crown and Papa and the Leprechaun King. He has also written three screenplays based on his books: The Leprechaun King and The Shamrock Crown may be viewed at www.amazonstudio.com. His new screenplay is The Stone Cutter Genius. He has also authored a book for children: Papa and the Gingerbread Man. All books are available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. His website is: www.arthurcolalegendarytales.com. Contact him at arthurcola@yahoo.com).

ROSS CASTLE: KILLARNEY, COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND

Members of The Leprechaun King Tour of Ireland stop to share a smile.

Blog article of Feb. 1, 2011

STORMING THE CASTLE WALLS by Arthur Cola

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read articles on how to write for a particular genre. What struck me most is that all agree that a writer should concentrate on things they know or have experienced if they are to create a convincing narrative within the story. Well one can say that after reading my novel of The Shamrock Crown (Legend of Excalibur) you will have certainly experienced the Realm of the Wee Folk and become a believer. But the story is more than that really for it brings to life a legend that most of us grew up with, that of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. And I guess because of that background and love of legends whenever I see a castle particularly one from the Middle Ages my thoughts go back to those days of Champions, Chivalry and jousts. And I bet that most readers of this article have a fascination for castles as well. And it is on that belief that I make sure that when I accompany a group on one of my Tours that we get to visit a variety of those magnificent symbols of another age which stimulate one’s imagination and excite one’s very soul.

Ross Castle in County Kerry just outside Killarney is a lovely example of what I’m talking about. It was built in the 1400’s and was never conquered until that woeful day when Oliver Cromwell’s troops appeared on the lake which borders it. So frightful a sight was this impending attack and so well known was Cromwell’s reputation for utterly destroying that which he conquered that the Castle surrendered in the hopes of saving its people. Unfortunately parts of it were destroyed and luckily for us today its main keep has been restored to the delight of tourists who come to this lovely forested site on Lough Leane. So impressed was I on my first visit to the restored ruin that it ended up in my story of Papa and the Leprechaun King.

It was our second visit to Ireland and this time my wife and I took along our two youngest sons. I wasn’t writing books as yet, too busy being a school principal and teacher of History. But I was creating stories and keeping a journal so as to one day entertain our granddaughter and two new born grandsons.

It was an August day when I drove our mini bus into Killarney and checked into our B&B, a charming place a stone’s throw from the town centre and across from the little park with the statue of Christ the King in the centre around which the Jaunty Carts would park waiting to pick up passengers for a ride into the National Forest. We stopped for lunch at a pub down the street from the International Hotel which would become the headquarters for our Tours in Killarney when they would begin several years later. It was also in that Pub that our 18 year old sons had their first taste of Guinness. The photos of that first tasting are priceless for that beverage is an acquired one to be sure for Americans with little exposure to its frothy head and lack of experience with beer much to the delight of their parents, I might add.

After that historic tasting we boarded the van which we called the blue beast and headed out to see Muckross House. On the way we saw the signs for Ross Castle so I quickly turned down the tree lined path and came upon the Castle sitting ever so peacefully on a beautiful lake on which swam a flock of Swans. Talk about a picture post card moment, one could not have asked for a better photo opportunity. Unfortunately for us, the main gate was locked so all we could do is walk around the outer areas; that is until we got to its backside or the side facing the lough (lake). There we instantly noticed that a series of giant rocks offered one a boost to the Castle’s outer wall. The wall itself had protruding stones which made for a handy staircase which in turn got you close enough to the top of the fortress wall that one could pull oneself up onto the top of it and look down into the courtyard below. It was a childhood dream that flashed in my mind just as my sons began to role play a sword fight with me. It no time I challenged them to storm the castle walls and save the captured maidens. As if they were born to chivalry and the days of old they gingerly made their way up onto the top of the summit and were able to assist their less agile father up onto the ledge as well. From below my wife and friends were shouting various words of encouragement and horror as a foot slipped or unbalanced swerving was detected. But the deed was done and we had stormed the walls of Ross Castle and found ourselves on top of the perimeter of the outer wall enjoying the view of courtyard and lough as one probably would have on that day when the boats of Cromwell’s forces could be seen crossing its now placid waters on what was a cool August day for us.

And so as they say the rest is history. Ross Castle had been etched into the recesses of my mind and the events of the day onto the pages of my journal that evening. Now I can’t say that’s how most writers place special sites or events into their stories but it is how I do it. And for me it is a labor of love and a chance to experience Swans tranquilly swimming along the docks, imagining troops sailing across the lough, visualizing those 15^th century days in history and enjoying the bonds of family and friends once more. And hopefully those who read my stories will feel that sense of adventure, family and mystery as they read my legendary tales.

 (Arthur Cola was an educator for 35 years and is the author of three novels: The Shamrock Crown, The Stone Cutter Genius and Papa and the Leprechaun King. He has also written a book for children titled: Papa and the Gingerbread Man. His articles have been published in a variety of publications including the Writers Journal (Jan/Feb. edition). He also appears at colleges, libraries, Festivals, Civic/Ethnic organizations and schools presenting his work and the CIE International Tours to Ireland, Britain and Italy which are based on his books).

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

 It is my hope that those who purchased a copy of  “The Shamrock Crown,”as seen at the Irish Book Club site of The Irish American News, will enjoy my effort to bring the most famous of all Celtic legends to life through a magical adventure of a 21^st Century American family. Do let me know what you think of my tale.

I would also like to introduce you to my upcoming novel of “The Stone Cutter Genius.”

You may order this sweeping tale of the Young Michelangelo of Renaissance Italy and how his life and involvement with the Medici family of Florence would come to impact the Colonna family of Chicago in the 21^st century. It will be available as all my books are, at www.amazon.com and just in time for Christmas.

Of course once you’ve read my other book titled The Shamrock Crown, you may yearn to visit the Emerald Isle itself for the first time or once again. I would be most pleased to have your participation in one of the CIE International Tours based on my books sponsored through Travel Leaders. Contact Patti: tripcotravel@sbcglobal.net. All you need is twenty of your family members and friends to create a group. There is also a combined Ireland and Britain tour and one of Italy based on my new book, The Stone Cutter Genius if that’s your pleasure.

Until next time, may I wish you all the best in 2011;

  ARTHUR COLA