Cate Parke

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About Cate Parke
Cate is a writer of historical and contemporary romance…and is also a professional pediatric nurse who recently added a new position to her life’s resume—retired. She now lives in the foothills of the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Northeast Tennessee with her husband and two demented Siamese cats. With her husband, a retired U.S. Navy officer, she lived and traveled widely, not only throughout the United States, but also Canada, Mexico, and lovely England. She spent several years living in her (almost) favorite American city, Charleston, SC, which provides the setting for her first three novels and strong elements for the fourth. She has always been interested in history…really interested. About as much as she loves books.
Before writing a contemporary romantic fiction, Cate stayed awake nights asking such questions as who are these characters? And could really ancient books still exist? Could a private collector within a single family conserve an ancient book for a millennium and a half...and under what conditions? What about the family that cared for the book? Who might those people have been? What book could possibly be so precious that a single family felt duty-bound to preserve it above all else? And finally, would the prospect of marriage to a royal prince really be a fantasy come true?
Alex Campbell is a contemporary romance novel, Cate’s fourth book in The Dreams of Oakhurst series. She loves to hear from her readers and welcomes visits to her website, http://www.cateparkeauthor.com where you'll find her blog, called Tuesday’s Child, where she can be contacted.
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Author Updates
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Blog post This is Carlisle Cathedral, located in the far northwest of England, in Carlisle (where else). The cathedral was begun in 1122, during the reign of Henry I, and represents the Norman style of architecture. Over time, the red sandstone of which the cathedral is built, has discolored to almost black in several spots. The building was refurbished under the reign of Edward I during the later 13th and early 14th centuries.
So what is the significance of this building? Well, it's beauti1 year ago Read more -
Blog postGaius Germanicus Catullus Gaius came to live with us on July 4, 2008. He was our Independence Day celebration. He was eight weeks old.
If you look close beneath his upper lips you can see fangs distending from below it. He had a glorious set. I called him my Sabre-toothed Siamese cat. You should have seen him before he lost his kitten fangs. The poor little fellow had four sets of fangs in his little mouth--all impressive.
Gaius came home to a Labrador Retri3 years ago Read more -
Blog postHave you ever lent a book to a friend . . . who never returned it? Have you ever lent a book to a friend . . . who marked up your book, or let the children tear pages, or worse, let the dog chew on the bindings? Here's your revenge: Remind them of what awaits them if you don't receive it back from them in the same condition in which you lent it!
The following is copied from the Medieval Manuscripts and Earlier website of the Medieval Manuscripts blog
Enjoy!
Angel3 years ago Read more -
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Blog postI believe I once mentioned I'm a B - I - G fan of ancient books. Why? Because a few of them still exist -- in the original. I'm especially fond of books written during what is euphemistically known as the Dark Ages. (No, no . . . . It wasn't really dark during those long ago days -- well, some of them were, but that's yet another story.) If you think you will come across many of them that weren't written by monks, you would be mistaken. Guess who wrote virtually all of them.. Go ahead . . . . I'3 years ago Read more
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Blog postMy House Seriously?
(This article is reprinted from JSTOR. I know, I know.... It isn't Halloween any longer--but it's All Hallows Day. So enjoy!)
When dealing with a reputedly haunted house, honesty is the best policy.
“Haunted” houses generally fall under stigmatized property laws. These laws cover homes where notorious crimes, violent murders, or suicides have occurred. The real estate law scholar George Lefcoe notes that, since the 1960s, there has been a4 years ago Read more -
Blog postHow will I ever get it all done??? So. . .what am I in the mood for right now? A really great book to catch my attention and hold it. Oh yeah, sure. So just kill me now. There are so many, how will I ever choose? I want to read about a love story. Yeah! A wedding with a handsome prince, maybe a medical drama, something that even makes me laugh and cry. So . . . right! All in one book? Like, where am I going to find something like that? Somebody help!!! Oh, cool! It's even got cats in i4 years ago Read more
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Blog postDaniel Boone (not Mr. Beidler)
I once had an American History teacher named Mr. Beidler. Honest. His first name is Mr. because I never learned his real name . . . and I regret it to this day.
Keep in mind that I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is important to my story for a couple of reasons. The first one is that Albuquerque is situated at the edge of the American Southwest desert. Also recall — or not — that I grew up in a day that could best be described as B.C.P.4 years ago Read more -
Blog postAuthor Cathy MacRae and Author Cate Parke This picture of Cathy and me was taken by Cathy's darling mother, Rayleen, this past Sunday afternoon, November 19th. We actually got to meet each other for the very first time, after years of having been critique partners and having talked to one another over the phone for marathon calls about a myriad of topics that have little to do with writing. Isn't Cathy pretty? She's an excellent writer, too. So much so that she5 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe Turquoise Path, by Yonca Evren, from Flickr
As an historical fiction author, I often fanaticize about travels through time. Where would I go? Who would I most want to meet? How would I change history, if I possibly could? Believe me...I've given the matter some thought.
Ray Bradbury once wrote a short story called "A Sound of Thunder." (So, who doesn't like Ray Bradbury, right???) Imagine, if you will, a scenario in which you could travel to any5 years ago Read more -
Blog postWelcome to Oak Knoll! This is the edge of the woods where I live. The woods are awash with vibrant colors as you walk through the hay field at the treeline.
This is what the woods looked like early this morning. We were socked in by fog! We couldn't even see the edge of the woods. Really spooky. There is an old tale that the number of fogs during August equates to the number of snows we'll have during winter. Hm-m . . . . I wonder if this number (of fogs) carries over5 years ago Read more -
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Titles By Cate Parke
Richard Wales is the spare, not the heir, with a Navy career to develop. But when he meets Alex Campbell in Heatherton’s bookshop, he discovers he must defy far more than social convention—or risk losing the only woman who ever mattered.
De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae no longer exists. Though the oldest known copy is a thousand years old, the monk, Gildas, penned it half a millennium earlier. It contains a close-held secret. Where is the original? Gone…crumbled to dust. Or is it? And who would kill to prevent the book from coming to light?
North of Charlestowne, on the banks of the Ashley River lies Oakhurst, Richard’s plantation, that becomes the lethal tip of his sharp spear. His greatest treasure, his beautiful wife Alexandra, is the key to planning and execution of a complex and perilous mission. While he is away fighting the war, she will manage the plantation, supply his troops, and persuade not only the British, but also her Tory neighbors into believing a brazen lie—that she and Richard are loyal subjects of the British crown. She is grace personified—bred from untold generations of Britain’s royalty and highest nobility. Nobody would doubt her sincerity. But a dangerous few suspect treason—and one of them will stop at nothing to discover their secret.
As war looms on the near horizon, can Richard adhere to his firmly held principles…or must he choose those of Alexandra’s English family to preserve their marriage’s bliss?
Courage, Alexandra’s special gift…is also her curse. Lord Thomas Graham will stop at nothing to ruin the Campbells, Richard and Alexandra included. He’s struck at her beloved husband once…twice…three times. How long before his malignant influence knocks at Oakhurst’s great front door? It will not. Not if she can stop it.
In Charlestowne, South Carolina Colony, 1769, a ship docks containing a treasure beyond most men’s dreams—Lord Edward’s lovely daughter, Alexandra—destined for one fortunate man, Richard Berkeley.
Although he’s the scion of a wealthy, prominent family, the arranged marriage unlocks the door to far greater wealth and power than Richard ever hoped to achieve. He soon learns his lordship’s offer to instate him as his sole heir isn’t the only treasure worth risking his life for. Alexandra is the true prize.
Intrigued by the proud, wealthy beauty soon to become his wife, Richard sets aside his mistress. But Eliza Perrineau had long schemed to become Richard’s fiancée and is furious when he cast her off. Her plans for revenge quickly swell wildly and threaten to destroy Richard. Her cousin, Lord Thomas Graham plans to ensure his untimely demise and has him charged with her murder. Unless Richard can prove his innocence fast, he’ll swing for a crime he didn’t commit.
Alexandra has her own secrets—including deep-seated fears that imperil their chance for happiness. But Richard discovers Alexandra’s love is a prize worth protecting—if only he can help her overcome her fears and past struggles to create a marriage truly worthy of their love.