Cliff Hanger

An Iguana in Mexico

Weekly, for the past six weeks, I have been publishing a chapter of a story, called The Papalo Cure.  My inspiration for these fiction chapters has come from the Words for Wednesday word prompts - supplied every Wednesday by Delores, on her blog Under the Porch Light.  My story takes place in Mexico and South Dakota, and it is about relationships, some mysteries, and a fictitious herbal cure (loosely based on some research that showed papalo does have some medicinal properties).

Some people have commented that my series has been a real cliff hanger.  The Merian-Webster Online Dictionary defines the term cliff hanger as: "a story, contest, or situation that is very exciting because what is going to happen next is not known."

It has been a true cliff hanger - because not even the author has know what will happen each week! The plot has been somewhat dependent upon the words supplied as the prompt.  Delores has not failed me though, and I have been able to keep this story moving towards an end.

This week I will publish the seventh and final chapter.  Look for it tomorrow on my blog.  I was going to post it today, but decided I should give a little warning that the story is about to end - and provide an opportunity to review previous chapters before reading the final one, if anyone desires.

So - here are the links to the chapters so far. (Click on the date to view the chapter.)

   7-4-14 Facing Insurmountable Odds (The Papalo Cure - part 1)
 7-10-14 Insinuations of Deadly Intentions (The Papalo Cure - part 2)
 7-18-14 A Clandestine Meeting in the Cove (The Papalo Cure - part 3)
 7-28-14 Glittering Shoes and Shadows (The Papalo Cure - part 4)
   8-4-14 Blindsided (The Papalo Cure - part 5)
 8-11-14 Back to the Blistering Heat (The Papalo Cure - part 6)

The photo at the top of this post has nothing to do with the story - except that I took it in Mexico.  

The photo below shows my family standing above a cliff near some Mexico ruins.  Cliff hanger -! Is it possible to use a photo as a pun? Perhaps my daughter is even covering her mouth to muffle a scream?  (Just kidding - I think she was yawning or brushing away a fly!)

Standing on a cliff above the beach, near some Mayan Ruins in Mexico

Tomorrow - the chapter I publish will have nothing to do with a cliff - nor will it be a cliff hanger.  Well, not intentionally anyway, as it is meant to be an ending to the story. (Although, unless all the characters die, and the world ends - which I promise doesn't happen - an ending is usually also sort of a beginning.)

I am always greatly disappointed when a book I have been enjoying has a lame ending.  I struggled to get this right. I hope you will not be disappointed.

I hope you will take this opportunity to read any of the parts of my story you may have missed  - and stop back tomorrow to read the rest.

Many thanks to Delores for a fun challenge and a terrific selection of words!  

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog.  Check them out!