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Posts Tagged ‘book-review’

Ever Had One of Those Days?

Posted in Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy romance, fiction, Fiction books, Mainstream sensual, paranormal fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, publishing your book, reading, Reflections, Romance, writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

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.

Just remember for me,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Just Another Rainy Weekend

Posted in editing, Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy romance, fiction, Fiction books, Happy weekend, Mainstream sensual, Mellie Miller, paranormal fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, paranormal fantasy romance, Paranormal romance, Romance, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 31, 2026| Leave a Comment »

I’m not sure how the garden is going to do this year. The weather has been so crazy, I’m sure the garden can’t keep up with the changes. When I planted the tomatoes, it was up near 90 degrees and had been pretty dry. A week later, it was back down in the 60’s and raining. And it has been doing this whole seesaw thing for a month. And today, once again, the temperatures peaked in the high 60’s after last week’s 90 degree weather.

Someone find Mother Nature and send her back to Gambler’s Folly with Fate. Maybe they can find another couple of shifters to torture.

So, I’m still editing Scotch and Soulmates. They are a fun couple, our Paul and Sophia. He’s an English lord, doctorate in psychology, and works as a profiler in the London office of Interpol. He’s also an expert on expensive Scotch, which is the reason he’s on Gambler’s Folly.

Sophia is from the Bronx and had a tough time growing up. She’s an agent with Interpol’s Spaggia Sole’s office on Gambler’s Folly and is known as the she-wolf. Having to fight her way up in a world of alpha males, she is radically feminist. And she takes exception to Paul’s high-brow upbringing.

How about a little excerpt?

Morning came early after a few too many drinks the night before. Paul wouldn’t have been as tempted by the Scotch if it hadn’t been for thoughts of Sophia. She was a beautiful woman, especially with her auburn hair down and caressing her shoulders. The green gown–chiffon over some satiny material–smoothed enticingly over her curves. Some men might have found her a little overly curvaceous, but not Paul. He preferred substantial women, especially in bed.

“Dream on,” he told the reflection in the mirror. “Get the job done and get back to London. Plenty of appreciative women there.”

Nagi was at the office when he arrived, so after grabbing some coffee, they sat down to discuss the case.

“I had assumed we’d wait and discuss things together,” he heard behind him.

“Just tossing around some ideas until you arrived. Get some coffee while it’s fresh.”

With a toss of her head, she put her things on the table and went over to the coffee maker. When she returned, Paul stood to hold her chair, out of habit.

“As I’ve told you before, I’m quite capable of seating myself.”

“Of course you are,” Paul answered. “Such a pity you’re incapable of being a lady.”

Had he said that out loud? Must be the headache speaking.

“If you’re talking about those simpering little, hand-wringing, wilting flowers, who need a man to lean on, count me out, “ she snarled.

“No. I’m talking about an intelligent woman, with a strong personality, who has a good sense of self and focus, who has enough confidence to accept social courtesies with ease and grace, without jumping to erroneous conclusions about the intentions of her colleagues.”

So, which one will tame the other? You’ll have to wait and find out! I know… I’m working on it!

Have fun, stay dry, and I’ll write more later.

As always,

Don’t Forget…\

…to Share the Romance…

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Are You a Fan of Romantic Suspense?

Posted in Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy romance, fiction, Fiction books, Mainstream sensual, Mellie Miller, paranormal fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Romance, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Liora had always trusted their priest to teach the truth.

But now her husband accuses her of heresy.

Her village is under religious purge.

And her husband has to choose between the church he serves and the woman he loves.

In seclusion at the seaside, Kerrick and Liora discuss the church doctrines and what will happen if the wardens or confessors hear of her heresy. After much deliberation, she accepts that he must be right, even though it still kind of feels wrong to her.

But during a walk along the beach one evening, a bigger problem presents itself. They begin to communicate by telepathy. While Liora finds it fascinating, it scares Kerrick to death. As an employee of the church, from a family of confessors, he knows this ability and others like it are forbidden to the average person. They can be allowed only to those the church deems fit to use them for the church.

As he puzzles over what to do, he is contacted via telepathy from an unexpected source and urged to take his wife to Wales as quickly as possible. The wardens have her village surrounded pending a purge for heresy. Since they know she was from this village, they are looking for the two of them, to see if she believes the heresy her priest taught. And if they find the two of them with these added mental abilities, it won’t just be Liora going to the confessors.

A tale of harsh religious rule, persecution by the church, forbidden talents, and a newlywed couple caught in the middle.

Come to London and Wales and meet Kerrick and Liora, Lord and Lady Calloway. Follow their journey, not only across England and Wales, but through the religious upheavals they face as they flee the church they once served.

LADY CALLOWAY—A Question of Heresy is available at Amazon. Links to other retailers are found at Books2Read.

Fantasy, alternate realities, romantic suspense, religious conflict, and a bit of folklore. Don’t miss it!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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For Fans of Fantasy

Posted in Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy romance, Mainstream sensual, paranormal fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, paranormal fantasy romance, Paranormal romance, Romance, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Yes, my alter ego, Sultonna Nadine, has been at it again! LADY CALLOWAY will be out on March 1, so if you are a fantasy lover, this is for you.

Set in an alternate timeline in turn of the century London, this fantasy has a strong romantic side as well as religious conflict and political intrigue. Liora Calloway, recently married to Kerrick, was raised believing women must not find pleasure in sex, even in marriage. They must give themselves to their husbands to keep them from seeking outside pleasure. But for the wives to enjoy the act was the same as prostitution. They also said women had no real sexual drive, so it wouldn’t be a problem. They were wrong and she was afraid she would be damned for her evil thoughts.

Kerrick worked for the church and thought his marriage would be fulfilling in every way. But no matter what he did, he couldn’t bring passion into his bedroom. And then he found he was married to a heretic. He was duty-bound to report her to the church, but his heart demanded he protect her from the church he served. Taking a holiday from work, he rushed Liora to the seaside cottage to reason with her over her beliefs.

Her heresy soon became a minor issue when they both began to develop mental abilities the church had forbidden. Not knowing what to do at this point, they receive a message from an unexpected quarter and set out for Wales in the middle of the night to escape a church determined to bring them back to London for questioning.

Can they escape the reach of the church? Are there others, like them, who have forbidden talents? And can their marriage survive the turmoil the face?

Go over and pre-order your copy of LADY CALLOWAY!

And as always,

Don’t Forget….

…to Share the Romance…

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What Can I Tell You About Old Flame?

Posted in Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy romance, Fiction books, Holiday, Mainstream sensual, Mellie Miller, paranormal fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, reading, Romance, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Why don’t I let someone else give you the low down?

*****

“Author Mellie Miller invites readers back into the enchanting world of Gambler’s Folly with Old Flame, the newest addition to her fantasy romance series blending shifter lore, emotional healing, and unexpected second chances. The novel follows two characters who built separate lives marked by loss,
growth, and quiet longing, only to discover that destiny has not forgotten them.


Kort Behrens, a bear shifter and billionaire businessman, has spent years believing love simply isn’t meant for him. Two
marriages ended in disappointment, and too many encounters with women more interested in his wealth than his heart
have left him wary and guarded. Behind his success lies a man who has accepted solitude as his future, convinced that
genuine love is a chapter he will never experience again.


Elizabeth Murphy, a once-devoted wife turned widow, has spent the last four years rebuilding her life with compassion
and purpose. Immersed in her Reiki practice and the comforting companionship of her cat, Puzzle, she has carved out
stability while quietly carrying the ache of a marriage that, despite lasting nearly three decades, never fulfilled her
desire for deeper romantic and physical connection. The idea of dating again feels impossible, if not unnecessary.


Decades earlier, Kort and Elizabeth were simply friends—two young adults navigating university life with no romantic
spark between them. After graduation, they drifted into separate worlds, neither imagining their paths would ever cross
again. But fate intervenes aboard a journey to Gambler’s Folly, the mystical realm where chance, destiny, and desire
often weave together in surprising ways Their unexpected reunion ignites a spark neither felt thirty years ago. What
begins as warm nostalgia soon grows into an undeniable connection, forcing both to confront old insecurities and long-
held fears. For Kort, it is the realization that love may still be possible with someone who sees beyond his wealth. For
Elizabeth, it is the discovery that passion and emotional intimacy can coexist in a single connection—something she has
never experienced.


As Gambler’s Folly subtly nudges their lives together, Kort and Elizabeth must decide whether to embrace this rare
second chance or retreat into the safety of solitude. Miller enriches their journey with themes of healing, self-worth,
rekindled friendship, and the unexpected ways love can rewrite the stories we thought were finished.


With its blend of fantasy, shifter romance, emotional depth, and slow-burn tension, Old Flame continues the series’
signature approach to exploring love through the lens of fate and personal transformation. Fans of the Gambler’s Folly
universe will appreciate the familiar magic of the world while discovering a relationship built on maturity, vulnerability,
and the quiet power of rediscovered connection.

****

So, what do you think? Are you ready to take a chance on love with Kort and Liz? Do you love a sensual, slow burn romance? Come to Gambler’s Folly and feel the heat as these two decide whether or not love is worth the gamble.

Happy reading everyone!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Get It For FREE!

Posted in Book Sale, Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy romance, Mainstream sensual, Mellie Miller, paranormal fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Romance, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »

That’s right! OLD FLAME is FREE right now at Amazon! The Kindle version, that is. And it is still available for KindleUnlimited as well.

So if you’ve been waiting to get your copy, wait no longer. The price will never be lower than it is today. But don’t wait too long! The Free Book Deal ends Thursday, Sept. 18.

Old Flame…

They had been friends at university. Just friends. No romance or romantic attachments. Just easy going, sharing a morning coffee before class, complaining about a current boy/girlfriend or an ex kind of friends. No entanglements. And then they had graduated and gone their separate ways and not seen each other again.

Until now.

Both on their way to Gambler’s Folly, the world where every love story is a gamble and Fate always deals the final hand. And does she have a hand for thee two. Kort had intended to take care of a little business and then vacation for a week or two. Elizabeth was on a package holiday to unwind and relax and maybe do a little shopping.

Neither was looking for romance or a relationship. Bear shifter Kort had given up years ago after two failed marriages and a list of gold diggers after his fame and money. Elizabeth had been a widow for four years after a passionless marriage. They’d been happy enough, but she just couldn’t get excited about the bedroom. She saw no point in a relationship.

Enter Fate and her deck of cards, smiling serenely and shuffling the deck. Of course, it’s stacked. And the odds always favor of the house. Kort and Liz never had a chance once she set her mind to getting them together.

Come join the fun on Gambler’s Folly in OLD FLAME. Follow along in this slow burn, second chance, friends-to-lovers story of paranormal fantasy and romance.

If you haven’t read the other books in the series, you’re in luck! All three books–Gambler’s Folly, Dante’s Angel, and The Russian, are all on sale for only $0.99 each. You can get all three for less than you’d pay for that cappuccino. And get Book 4, Old Flame for FREE!

You can’t beat this deal.

So go on over to Amazon and get your read for the weekend. Add a little spice to you evenings!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Do You Review?

Posted in Fantasy romance, paranormal fantasy, Romance, Uncategorized, writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on May 5, 2025| Leave a Comment »

I assume, since you’re here on my blog, that you are a reader.

As a reader, do you also review?

Now, why am I asking this question? And why is it important?

I look at my sales every month and see the figures. And then I look for reviews, but very rarely ever find any. So I’m left to draw my own conclusions. Is it because the people who bought the books just don’t do reviews? Or is it that they didn’t like the book and don’t want to leave a bad review?

So far, the few reviews I’ve received are positive ones–mostly five star. Are they the only people who liked the book?

Why does it matter?

If you’re books are on Amazon, you get very little from Amazon unless you have at least 50 reviews. It doesn’t matter what kind of reviews they are, as long as they show up. Once you’ve reached their magic number, they will promote your book in their recommended for you lists. Otherwise, you’re on your own.

So you’ve spend all this time and money to publish a book and now you have to do all your own marketing and promotions, unless you want to spend more money to have someone help. And that adds up pretty quickly. But if Amazon were to help give you a boost, it would definitely help.

Reviewing a book you’ve read is one of the best ways to help an author you love, especially an indie author. You can also share the book with your friends or mention it on social media. But reviews are fantastic.

So the next time you read a book, stop long enough to give a review, or at least a rating. It only takes a minute, doesn’t have to be too long, and really helps the author.

Have you read my book?

Did you leave a review? I hope so…

Anyway, that’s all for now. Have a great week.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

P,S. If you listen to Spotify, check out my podcast version of my blog–Share the Romance!

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