Tribute to Talon p.s. by DC Juris

Hi folks. ::waves:: DC Juris here. For those of you who don't know me, I'm a transgender fella who writes GLBTQ and heterosexual romance, mostly contemporary and fantasy.

When Tristan contacted me on July 23^rd to say I'd have a spotlight this week, my mind went immediately to a fellow writer and friend, Talon p.s., who had passed away on the 20^th. I asked Tristan if I could giveaway my spot, and of course, the answer was yes.

Then I realized... I didn't know Talon all that well. We'd chatted a couple times, but much of his life remains a mystery to me. Here's what I do know - he had a talent with words, and he made my friend Tom deliriously happy. That's enough for me.

So, I put out a call to his friends and fellow authors, and asked them to share their thoughts and memories. This is going to be long, because most of us here are writers, and you know how writers get when we're asked to talk about stuff. LOL But it's worth the read, trust me. Here's what everyone had to say...

From Lassiter Fallen: What can I say? Talon was a great man and an awesome writer. I am honored to have been able to call him friend. He had a way of drawing you in and blocking out the world, with his books, and his presence and we were all swept along for the ride, by a man, who didn't let Life get in the way of Living.

From Sue Brown: One morning, still early enough that the kids were asleep and the caffeine levels in my blood were still dangerously low, Talon and I had a chat. A long chat. The subject matter is unimportant. At that moment, he needed to talk, and I had time to listen. I learned a lot about Talon that day. It was a privilege to go behind the public mask just for that short period of time, as it is with any of my friends. It was, unfortunately, probably about the only time we really talked. Life and circumstances got in the way. However I won’t forget that talk. Discussing something that fundamentally shapes your life isn’t easy at the best of times, but Talon was eloquent and his words heartfelt. I’m not so good with the public grief, but I can share that memory as one that was important to me.

From C R Guiliano: I am sure my friendship with Talon is not as deep, nor even as meaningful as others. But he did touch my life.

Maybe this is shallow to those who knew him best, but part of the connection I felt for Talon was his use of a black cat avatar. I have been in love with and have had black cats all my life. I know, I know, what a silly thing to think. Well, yes, silly, but I think Talon would have gotten a laugh out of it.

No, I didn’t know him well, but he once made me feel very special. I’ll keep that private, because it’s the only personal memory I have. But, suffice it to say, Talon was—IS—a great guy and I am very saddened that I didn’t have more time to get to know him better.

Because I have been in Tom’s place, this is hard to do. To talk about someone who is gone, to guess that his ‘long-term illness’ was what I think it was. I don’t know. But regardless, I do understand. More than I want to. More than I would ever wish on another. I’m sure Talon knows how hard it is for those left behind.

I know the kitty is looking down and keeping watch. After all, Talon had enough foresight to carry on after his body was no longer here. He’s the first person I’ve ever met that has done that. My own loss didn’t. I find it so sweet that he cared enough about his friends; loved Tom enough, not to abandon them. Not to abandon Tom.

I’ll close now, because I don’t want to short-circuit my keyboard with tears. I miss him. In my own way, I loved him. I will see him again and we will walk and talk and I will finally get to know him. And my hope is that he is safe, happy and pain free…forever.

CR Guiliano

Tom, you will breathe again, I promise.

From Sammy Goode: Let me introduce you to a friend of mine…an author, Talon ps…

If you are lucky…so very lucky, a person will come along one day who will change your life forever. For some, that person may be a friend…a teacher or mentor…for others, it may be a person whose life or work has had a lasting impact on them. And, in the rarest of times, without any forewarning, someone just might come along who is all those things rolled into one. That was my friend, Talon ps.

It takes a particular kind of determination to become a selfless person—one who lives so that others may excel, one who loves so that others may learn how to as well, one who sacrifices so that others may gain. My friend Talon came out of the night like a meteor, streaking across my starless night and lighting up the sky, thus brightening my world immeasurably.

He taught me how to appreciate the simplest of acts, a kind word, a hand held in support, a voice raised in defense of what is right. And he taught it all with humor, and grace, and just the glint of a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

However, if you can believe it---that is not what I remember most about him. No, I remember his words…his stories…his incredible ability to weave together what would seem to be disconnected storylines into an sweeping tale of such force that the reading of it left one inexorably changed.

“Author Talon P.S. sets up an alternate world where life is measured in microseconds and love is a precious commodity. He spins a sci-fi tale that is fraught with danger, action-packed and sexy! We come to understand that Torin and Lee are actually connected at a level that allows them to feel everything the other is feeling--they are beyond symbiotic--they are entwined irrevocably. When Raffe steps into their lives, and falls in love with Torin it sets off a chain reaction that leaves you breathless and stunned--right up until the cliffhanger ending--which I am still recovering from!” (Excerpted from Goodreads review of Quantam Mates:  What Torin Wants)

I had fallen I love…with an author who showed me what love was really all about…who took me by the hand and invited me into his vivid imagination and sat me down and then proceeded to blow my mind. Talon understood the concept of love and how it impacts every aspect of our being more thoroughly than any author I had ever read. And his handling of the written word was nothing short of amazing—you were riveted to the spot, held hostage by his imagery, locked in place by his raw emotionality. 

How lovely…how lovely was that? To know that the story you had just read would have a far-reaching impact on how you viewed life well after you devoured the last word on the page.

My friend, Talon ps, was a good man…a brave man…a loving man. A class act. But that was not all he was…no—my friend Talon ps was a storyteller who wove magic into each word he put down on the page. And I? I was richer for having known him…for having had the privilege of saying about him to so many others…”you know, you should meet my friend Tal…he has something to say---something you need to hear.”

Warm winds Tal…and a kiss from my heart to yours.

From Havan Fellows: Hello, my name is Havan. I know everyone has arousing, funny, and touching stories to tell about Talon...he drew emotions out of people easily and with love. My story is simple, sweet, and short. I like hugging people...well I like groping, smooching, and hugging on people...hehe. I even went after Talon in an interview and had to be held back by my muse and his bear...*sighs wistfully*...good times I tell you. Well, one day he posted this pic and told me that this was how he saw us...and I agreed. I will always be pursuing him for loveys...and he'll always play hard to get...but whenever push came to shove and it counted, I never had to chase him—his arms were already around me. Always and forever. <3

From Dawn Roberto: Talon made me laugh. I know, he made you laugh? And your probably shaking your head but when I first met him online in one the private groups we were in, I loved how he can be snarky but not in a mean sort of way. He was a person who if someone needed cheering up, would say something so outrageous you just had to laugh. :-) I smiled, a lot, whenever Talon popped up on Facebook. He just had that quality-you know that specialness that I love finding in people I consider my friends. He was also so damn sweet whenever he was goofing around with Tom. Those two together-sighs- this was what love was to me. These two people who were just made for one another. These two who made me believe in love whenever I felt let down by something or questioning myself. Talon was a good soul, had a big heart and lots of love inside him and the world is a bit dimmer since he left us. The one thing I know is that I am grateful for knowing a person like him and I thank my lucky stars that I was able to interact with him when I could. Talon touched a lot of people and for that I am grateful in having the chance to meet such an exceptional young man. He will be missed.

From Sara York: There are times in life when you get the privilege of witnessing something special. I saw the beginnings of the relationship between Tom and Tal and it took my breath away. Talon was a very special man who inspired many. He was always joking, laughing, and having fun, and he was a very talented author.

Talon's light shown brighter than others. He inspired me to write, not just in general but a very specific story, Love Without Borders. See, that's how Talon was. He loved without borders. Talon saw good in others. He focused on good those around him and that showed in his conversations.

I'm glad I had the chance to know Talon if only for a short while. His memory will live on, hopefully inspiring others to give love freely, helping those around them see the good in this world. ~Sara York

Here is a link to Talon's website, where you'll find information about his books, as well as the hilarious hijinks of his Mad Mad peaCOCKing on the Fence Spotlights:

http://talon-ps.com/

Here is a link to Talon's author page on Amazon, where you can find his works:

http://www.amazon.com/Talon-p.s./e/B006897TGA/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

And finally, I'll leave you with the lyrics to a song that makes me think of Tom and Talon every time I hear it.

Overwhelmed by Tim McMorris

From the first time I saw you

I knew that you’d be mine

And from the first glance you gave

My world it slowed, you stopped the time

And in that moment I could see all of the things that we would be

You were the girl I was waiting for, that’d I’d ask to marry me

Like the beauty of the sun you light my life so I can see

You make me laugh and show me how, just how good this life can be

And in our moments filled with joy, is where I live, where I am free

Lay in my arms, I’ll hold you tight, just like you like, continually

And I am, over-whelmed, by you

Am, over come with joy

You’ve, taken me higher, and shown me what love can do

Where would I go, or be, without you

There’s something in your smile that gives me strength to carry on

And there something in your words that lingers even when your gone

Oh I’ve dreamt, that a time like this would come, fulfill my life

Who could of known the one who’d bring it here would be my lovely wife

I could sing a thousand songs about you still that would not do

There’s a million tiny things that make the things that you do, you

I wouldn’t trade our time together, wouldn’t trade for anything

Cause nothing else here in the world can bring the happiness you bring

And I am, over-whelmed, by you

Am, over come with joy

You’ve, taken me higher, and shown me what love can do

Where would I go, or be, without you