If you need a vacation, don’t forget that crazy world, Gambler’s Folly. You know, the world where every love story is a gamble and Fate always deals the final hand.
GAMBLER’S FOLLY A book. A series. A fantasy world… …full of shifters in law enforcement, double lives, fated mates, intrigue, and romance. Join me!
A world where luxury is the norm, nature has its own unique signatures, and you can enjoy everything from the blue-violet waters and white sandy beaches to private mountain retreats.
But there is an underside to this world as well, which is why our team of shifters are present. They keep an eye out for contraband moving between worlds, some from Earth’s side of things, others from Gambler’s Folly. And some with secet lives.
Of course, Fate loves to get in on the action by bringing fated mates together and spreading chaos through the ranks. But they’re getting used to it in Speranza.
Come join me for a long relaxing holiday. You deserve it!
Are you looking for a getaway? Someplace where life is a little slower, not as rushed, where you can find a quiet place by a stream and relax?
How about…
A rustic, fantasy, highland-like world. Clan tensions. Psychic powers. Slow burn romance. Cross-genre stories. A bit of mischief and magic along the way.
You read that correctly! All my books, under both pen names are FREE today only over at Smashwords!It’s the last day of their Summer/Winter sale, so I’ve decided to gift my books to anyone who has been hesitating to give them a try.
You have nothing to lose. They’re FREE!
Choose from my book series if you like fantasy romance mixed with a little psychic ability or shifters– Esperance or Gambler’s Folly, including Old Flame!
Or get Lady Calloway and Master of the Fleet if you’re a fan of alternate reality, fantasy romance, moral conflict, magic, or psychic abilities–both cross-genre stories.
Maybe you’re in the mood for some lighter reading. Whiskey Jug Genie and Moonlight and Shadows are FREE a well! Choose Whiskey Jug Genie for a humorous novel featuring a redneck genie, who after being in an old jug for 200 years finds himself in modern London. Choose Moonlight and Shadows for a short paranormal story set in the high country of Wyoming, with a bit of mystery and suspense.
But remember, this is for the rest of the day only! If you don’t grab your copies now, you’ll miss your opportunity to get any of my books–or all of them–for FREE! So go on over, take a look at what is available, make your choice, and settle in for a weekend of reading. What better way to start a new month?
Yes, the rain finally got here! They’ve been threatening us with it all week, but the rain kept going around us. The cucumbers were beginning to be depressed about the whole situation. Hopefully they’ll be in a better mood after all this rin.
So, how have things been going in your world?
And what have you been reading?
The Summer Winter Sale is still ongoing over at Smashwords, and most of my titles–under both Mellie Miller and Sultonna Nadine–have been discounted even more! So if budget was a concern, now is the time to go over and browse. Several of my books are $0.99 and a few are FREE!
So whether you’re wanting to go to a fantasy world with a dark underside, with hunky shifters in law-enfocement, shifters finding fated mates in Gambler’s Folly, or a rustic world filled with psychic abilities, mischief, and romance in Esperance, Mellie Miller has you covered!
Looking for something a little darker? Alternate realities where psychic powers and magic are part of everyday life? Some intrigue, maybe deceit and revenge? Check out Master of the Fleet or Lady Calloway!
Something magical and humorous set in London, or a paranormal short story set in the American high country? Go with Whiskey Jug Genie or Moonlight and Shadows!
Whichever you choose, you’ll find a lovely getaway for the weekend. So go browse the offerings, find the one which calls to you,and settle in for a brief respite from reality.
Welcome to one of my favorite vacation spots! Gambler’s Folly!
So where did it all begin?
My husband and I like to listen to folk music at times, and one day the song South Coast came on, which started me thinking about the circumstances outlined in it. The song tells of a man winning his wife in a card game, which isn’t something you hear about every day. Of course, it was set in a world a long time ago, back when Baja California was a much wilder place.
How could something like that happen in the modern age? Winning a wife in a card game… Hmm… How about a fantasy world, futuristic, where the normal rules on Earth don’t necessarily apply. Where a man known as the Prince of the Underworld can make things happen, or people disappear. Who also has more than one secret in his life, one being his shifter abilities as a black leopard.
Maybe his name is Damiano, and he owns a chain of luxury hotels and casinos, and someone owes him a lot of money from gambling. A man who has a beautiful wife named Karianna who could be in danger, if others come after him for debts. How can he get his money back and keep the woman safe?
It’s Gambler’s Folly, and a game of chance with life changing stakes seems the way to go. One turn of the cards and his debt is forgiven. If he wins, he keeps the woman, leaves the planet, and never comes back. Lose, and he casino owner keeps the woman, the man leaves, and never comes back, all debts forgive.
The cards are dealt. The debtor turns over a Queen high straight and thinks he’s going to leave with his wife.
The owner’s representative turns over a royal flush.
What nobody understood was that Fate was also playing. And when it comes to love stories onGambler’s Folly, Fate always deals the final hand.
So this book, Gambler’s Folly, began the series. Imagine a world where normal everyday people can buy holiday packages to this exotic world, billionaires and high rollers escape the normal crowds on Earth, and where a whole department of Interpol is run by shifters of various sorts, all tracking contraband and the occasional murder that shows up with what they’re tracking. A world where shifters seem destined to find their true fated mates.
Book two takes a look at one of the minor characters I found interesting in the first book, Dante. A co-worker of Damiano’s, he has no luck at love. But back on Earth for Dam and Kari’s wedding, Fate is once again dealing the cards, and finds a match for Dante with one of Damiano’s cousins! Read more in Dante’s Angel.
Of course, there had to be more, what with this whole beautiful world to explore. And I found just the right character when I saw a photo of a Russian rapper, Geegun. First glance and I said, “That man is a werewolf.” And The Russian was born. Over 500 years old, he hunts alone since he lost his soulmate two hundred years ago. On Gambler’s Folly for business with Damiano and Interpol, Fate decides he has been alone long enough and deals the hand.
And the latest in the series is Old Flame, bear shifters and billionaires! Someone reminded me of a guy I once knew a long time ago, and I remembered he always looked like a big bear. And Kort Behrens was born, so to speak. He’s a billionaire bear shifter who, after two divorces and a string of gold diggers, has given up on finding true love. He’s going to Gambler’s Folly for business and, with a little luck, some rest and relaxation.
Elizabeth has been widowed for four years and isn’t at all sure she even wants to think about another relationship. Coaxed out of her little home in Appalachia, she discovers her kids have bought her a vacation package to Gambler’s Folly. With no way to gracefully decline, she is determined to go to this luxury vacation spot, take in the natural beauty, spend frugally, and return refreshed and ready to tuck back into her little place with her cat, Puzzle.
Neither of them counted on Fate dealing them a completely different hand.
So if you need a break and love luxury resorts, casinos, lively night life settings, come with me to Speranza on Gambler’s Folly.
If you prefer white or black sandy beaches, private islands, or quiet mountain lakes, I’ve got you covered! You’ll find plenty of that on Gambler’s Folly s well.
And this month, you can choose any one you want at a discounted price! Come over toSmashwords and discover my worlds at a discount!
I’m about to head to one of my favorite worlds–Esperance!
It all started with a dream that kept repeating ever night. A dream where a powerful ruler looked out across a crowd of women standing in a field, nervously waiting for him to make a choice. And when his eyes found those of a beautiful, raven haired young woman with sparkling blue eyes, he knew he’d found the woman he wanted to be his First Lady.
Esperance, a frontier type world which was nearly destroyed centuries ago when it lost contact with Earth. What brought it back from the brink of destruction was something peculiar to one segment of the population who had developed psychic abilities. They were able to exert enough influence to restore order once again and bring their people back into a civilized society, ruled by these multi-talented First Lords.
Over the years, others developed Talents in varying areas, which keeps things exciting. I mean, who couldn’t use a little bit of mental telepathy or telekinesis once in a while?
Jareth, First Lord, Book One of the series was born. After that the stories just seemed to flow. I had to tell Viviane’s story, once she’d begun to develop psychic abilities of her own. And in MORGAN–The Pixie and the Green Man, I explored Morgan’s back story. Why she came to Esperance and what happened once she had changed clans. The hesitant romance developing between her and James and all the intrigue which followed.
Of course, we had to delve into Viviane’s family, after her brother was exiled and a new heir chosen, in Too Many Talents.
Come meet these incredible people on one of my favorite worlds, Esperance! All books are right now at Smashwords
Summer heat is here. I don’t know about you, but it seemed summer and spring couldn’t make up their mind about the hand off. And then summer decided to seize control with a vengeance. It was up in the 90’s yesterday and at around midnight, it ws still 80 F. I am not a fan…
But the Smashword’s Summer sale is on again! And as is usual, all my books are discounted during the sale at 50% off regular price!
So if you’ve been looking at anything from Gambler’s Folly or Esperance, now is the time to indulge! For some reason, Old Flame in the Gambler’s series isn’t showing up, but I’m working on fixing the problem.
If you’re a fan of romantic fantasy, paradise worlds with a dark underside, hunky shifters, and a bit of intrigue, check out the Gambler’s Folly series. Shifters of various sorts finding their fated mates, against a backdrop of crime fighting, on a vacation resort world. Some are love at first sight, some slow burn, age gaps, mature couples in a second chance romance. Take your pick!
If you’re into a more laid back world, more rustic than modern, Esperance is for you. A highland type world ruled by First Lords with multiple psychic abilities all finding love and romance against a bit of intrigue. Follow their stories as their powers develop, sometimes causing a lot of chaos!
So stay indoors this summer, at least for part of the time. Grab a book to escape into and enjoy!
You know how it is. You go away for a week to visit family and friends, and when you come home, chaos descends. And that’s where I am today. I didn’t have the time or energy to blog while I was gone with everything else going on. So yesterday, while trying to catch up on all my email and social media, my monitor decided to die on me.
Thankfully–sometimes–my husband is a pack-rat when it comes to electronics, so he had some monitors in storage. Now I’m trying frantically to catch up on everything.
So how is everyone today? Here, summer has finally arrived in full. I’m not sure I was ready for it… But there’s always a good book to read. Right?
If your a fan of fantasy worlds, interstellar vacation spots, a little bit of mob connection, some hunky shifters in law enforcement, and a whole lot of fated mates, you’ll enjoy my stories set on Gambler’s Folly.
Gambler’s Folly Book 1 introduces Damiano and Karianna. He’s a hotel/casino owner and a major player in the underworld on Gambler’s Folly. But he has a secret life few have heard of. He won Karianna from her husband on one hand of cards to settle a million credit debt owed to his casino. How can they make this all work out?
Dante’s Angel, Book 2 introduces Dante and Angela. Dante works with Damiano and goes with him and the rest of the wedding party to Earth for Dam and Kari’s formal wedding. A loner, Dante hasn’t had much luck with romance, until he meets Angela, Damiano’s cousin. And then the sparks fly as they try to wait for a wedding before bonding as fated mates.
The Russian, Book 3 brings in Dmitri and Danni. Dmitri, known by many as the Russian, has lived over 500 years. Two hundred years ago, he lost his soulmate and has chosen to be alone ever since. Traveling to Gambler’s Folly for Interpol, he meets Danni, a young woman who works for the agency. Talk about an age gap… With both of them, it is love at first sight. But she has a past which comes to call after they are mated, which nearly ends in Dmitri losing another fated mate.
Old Flame, Book 4 brings us Kort and Elizabeth. They met at university thirty years ago and lost touch after graduation. He is now a billionaire CEO and unfortunate in love. She is a widow, who isn’t sure she wants to find a new relationship. They meet on their way to Gambler’s Folly and sparks that were missing at university begin to turn into flames. A second chance, mature couple romance, along with the usual assortment of past issues cropping up, a bit of intrigue, and some humor along the way.
And shifters? Book 1 and two feature leopards. Book 3, wolves. And Book 4 is about bears shifters. Of course, as the series progresses, all the previous characters join in the fun.
Next up, with any luck before Christmas, is Scotch and Soulmates. Back to wolves again. This time from England.
Have a great week, enjoy your summer, and happy reading!
Well, today is one of those days and I need to vent. Sorry…
As you may know, I also write as Sultonna Nadine. She writes the stand alone books. I write the series. So far, she has four books in print.
Now today I was supposed to have a Book Club Author Q&A for Sultonna’s latest, Lady Calloway. As most of my books are, it is a cross-genre, multi-layered tale of romance. Set in an alternate Victorian reality, this historical fantasy romance pits the church against personal freedom. Our MC must choose between the church he serves and the woman he loves.
As a church agent, being married to a heretic can have dire consequences if he fails in his duty. But his heart says he must protect his wife at all cost. And when they both begin to develop forbidden mental abilities, they have to flee toward what they hope is a place of safety to escape the church they were once devoted to.
In a world where even your thoughts can convict you, where can you find safety, when the church is the law of the land?
Seems like it ought to be popular. The comments I’ve received have all been positive. They loved the duty vs. love angle, the multi-layered story.
Here’s a quote from a reader.
“I am still thinking about Lady Calloway, and frankly, I feel like I’m owed emotional compensation.
I came expecting romance. Somehow I ended up wrestling with questions about faith, danger, relationships, and human nature. That’s not a complaint, by the way. It’s actually what made the story so memorable.
One thing that has stayed with me is how fearlessly you blended spiritual themes with deeply human struggles. It made the characters feel real in a way that’s becoming increasingly rare.”
Or here’s another one.
“What you have created here is not a typical historical romance where the only obstacle is social standing or a disapproving parent. It is a story about faith, heresy, and the terrifying discovery that the church you serve would condemn you for the very abilities awakening inside your own mind… I came away from Lady Calloway with a clear and unshakeable conviction:
“This book belongs in the hands of every reader who loves forbidden love stories with real stakes, every fantasy romance fan who wants their magic grounded in historical tension, and anyone who has ever had to choose between what they were taught and who they love.”
So I don’t know what to do here. In spite of all the promotions I’ve run, and others have run for me, in spite of being all over social media and most major retailers, I’m not really getting any sales. Everyone says to fix my keywords, change my genre descriptions on Amazon, get it listed om Listopia, I’ve done a lot of that already with nothing ot show for it.
Is it time to stop trying to publish? Is it worth all the work for no return?
I don’t know. You, my readers get to decide.
For now, I’m going to have something cold to drink and wait for next winter’s firewood to be delivered. Maybe I’ll go over and work on another post and hope for the best.
It’s all right. I’ll get over my mood after a while.
If you like fantasy worlds, magical abilities, and a bit of intrigue, you’re in luck. I have just the world for you.
Two hearts hurt by relationships, hesitant to trust again. To souls destined to be together. Each afraid to take the next step until the forest insists they must.
Meet Morgan and James. She’s been hurt by every man in her life, even changing her clan to escape. He gave his heart once before and his secret Talent scared the woman he loved so much she was nearly killed trying to get away.
But there is something about each other they just can’t escape. Morgan’s black hair and eyes the color of the sea draw James in. And for her, it’s those darling dimples and green eyes.
And you can get it all for FREE this weekend! Over at Books2Read, you’ll find all the links you need for an escape this weekend.
So come with me to a magical world, where Talents show up in the most unusual places.
