By Kristy McCaffrey
A death mask is a likeness of a deceased person’s face
following death. Typically constructed of wax or plaster, the impression is
made directly from the corpse.
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| Death Mask of King Tut |
In many cultures, a death mask was used during the funeral and
was usually buried with the body. The Egyptians made them as part of the
mummification process, the most famous being King Tut’s golden mask. They
believed the death mask allowed the deceased person’s spirit to find its body
in the afterlife.
Some African tribes believed a death mask imbued a wearer
with the power of the dead. But in the Middle Ages, the practice became less of
a spiritual link and more a way of preserving the dead. Death masks weren’t
buried with the deceased but instead were used in funeral ceremonies and later
kept in libraries, museums, and universities.
Famous death masks include Ludwig van Beethoven, Napoleon
Bonaparte, Frederic Chopin, Oliver Cromwell, John Keats, Nikola Tesla, Mary
Queen of Scots, and John Dillinger.
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| Death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. |
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| Alleged death mask of Shakespeare. |
In Kristy’s new story,
BLUE SAGE, a death mask plays an
important role.
BLUE SAGE is now available in the anthology A Cowboy To Keep!!
AMAZON | Also available in Kindle Unlimited
Catch a cowboy … Keep a cowboy …
Don’t miss this great collection from USA Today, Amazon Bestselling, and Award-Winning
authors!!
THE LEGEND OF BAD MOON RISING by Carra Copelin
Sheriff Ben Hammond is finally over the woman who shattered
his heart, but when Dinah Horne suddenly returns, can he ignore the passion
still burning bright between them?
CITY BOY, COUNTRY HEART by Andrea Downing
Trading horses for subways for two years seemed like a good
idea to cowboy Chay Ridgway, but can city girl K.C. Daniels keep a rein on his
country heart?
BLUE SAGE by Kristy McCaffrey
Archaeologist Audrey Driggs rolls off a mountain and lands
at the feet of rugged cowboy Braden Delaney. Together, they’ll uncover a
long-lost secret.
THE DRIFTER’S KISS by Devon McKay
Determined to take back what belongs to her, Addison Reed
will do anything. Even trust a complete stranger.
HER MAN by Hildie McQueen
Deputy Mark Hunter falls for Eliza Brock during a murder
investigation. Is it fate or bad luck, especially when she may be involved?
BORDER ROMANCE by Hebby Roman
Widow Leticia Villarreal wants to establish a horse-racing
stable and an old acquaintance John Clay Laidlaw offers to help. But can she
trust him with her business and her heart?
PHOENIX HEAT by Patti Sherry-Crews
After losing her fiancé and her New York City business,
Harper Donovan returns to Arizona and meets cowboy Frank Flynn. Will his past
and their differences extinguish the heat between them?
Blue Sage Excerpt
The day had warmed considerably and Audrey consumed most of
her water as they continued to ride. She’d pulled a lavender bandanna from her
pack and periodically used it to wipe perspiration from her face and neck, but
she suspected her high temperature wasn’t all caused by the sunshine.
Braden Delaney had somehow jumpstarted her hormones, and
while it was certainly thrilling, it was also a nuisance. It was one thing to
flirt a bit as she trekked through the wilderness with a handsome cowboy, but
quite another to feel a surge of—what had Brynn once called it? Bloodlust. That
was it. A bone-deep hunger for another human being.
And she wasn’t certain it was only sex anymore.
When Braden had touched her hand, it had been as if an
ancient connection had been restored.
She shook her head. She was becoming too whimsical.
It had to be the effect of Whisper Rock. She was certain
something extraordinary had happened to her when she was in this area at nine
years old. And now it was happening again.
The cawing of ravens resounded back to them as the horses
dipped down into a valley. When they came to a rocky impasse, Braden
dismounted.
“We go on foot from here,” he said.
Audrey swung down from Bowie, taking care with her sore
knee. She stepped up to the horse’s head and patted his neck, then rubbed a
hand down his snout.
“Thanks for being a nice guy,” she said quietly.
“You’re welcome,” Braden said, gifting her with a teasing
smile.
Copyright © 2017 K.
McCaffrey LLC
Author Bio
Kristy
McCaffrey writes historical western romances set in the American southwest. She and her husband dwell in the Arizona
desert with two chocolate labs named Ranger and Lily, and whichever of their
four children that are in residence. Kristy believes life should be lived with curiosity,
compassion, and gratitude, and one should never be far from the enthusiasm of a
dog. She also likes sleeping-in, eating Mexican food, and doing yoga at home in
her pajamas.
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