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Posts Tagged ‘Gambler’s Folly’

You know how it is. You go away for a week and it takes you two at least to get everything at home running smoothly again. But I think I’m about there. Maybe…

I’ve been working more on Scotch and Soulmates. I want to get it done as soon as I can so it can be ready for the holidays. No promises, but I’m hoping.

So what are you reading tonight? If you’re waiting for Paul and Sophia to make an appearance. have you read the rest of the books from Gambler’s Folly? How about a little preview of the series?

Gambler’s Folly is a futuristic world out in the galaxy. A pleasure center, it has everything you might want–mountain chalets, peaceful lake houses, white sandy–or black sandy–beaches with blue-violet water. Sunlight that is a little paler yellow than the sunlight on Earth. And in the capital city of Speranza, you will find luxury hotels, upscale casinos with formal dining rooms, dance floors, and 5-star cuisine.

Most of those who come to Gambler’s Folly are mundanes, non-shifters. But due to Interpol’s Special Division, quite a few of those in law enforcement are shifters of various sorts. The owner of the Stella d’Oro luxury hotel chain, Damiano Leone, is a leopard shifter, as is his wife and soulmate, Karianna. You’ll find them in most of the books, as their hotel dining room has become a meeting place for the MC’s in the series. And not only is Damiano part of the underworld syndicate, he is an agent with Interpol, a fact most don’t realize.

With all the shifters coming and going to Gambler’s Folly, it is inevitable that several have found their fated mates there, leading to the idea that on this world every love story is a gamble and Fate always deals the final hand.

Gambler’s Folly, the first book in the series, sets the scene and the tone of the series. Brought to life after I heard a song about a man winning his wife in a card game, I tried to figure out how that could happen in the modern world. And Damiano and Karianna were born. She and her first husband came to this world to work on their marriage, only he had a gambling problem. Offered a choice to get out from under his debt at the Stella d’Oro, he takes the offer. One hand of cards. Win or lose, his debt with them is cleared and he has passage back to Earth. But if he loses, he signs divorce papers and Karianna becomes Damiano’s property. When his hand is a queen high straight, he thought he had it made. But when the other hand is a royal flush, he signs papers and says goodbye, only to be murdered on his way to the space port.

Damiano is furious. He had nothing to do with the murder, but convincing his new wife of this fact is proving difficult. And she is not used to being out in the limelight. As the owner of the Stella d’Oro and one of the most powerful members of the syndicate, he is used to it. And then they discover they are Fated Mates. Let the games begin.

All the MCs in the series are shifters. Dante’s Angel is once again leopards, as Dam and Kari head to Earth for the family’s formal wedding for them. Dante, who works with Damiano, is in the wedding party, but he’s a little nervous. He’s never been off his home world and he’s kind of shy around women. This all changes when he meets Damiano’s cousin, Angela. How could anyone know a jealous ex would show up or that Dante would have to fight a duel before the wedding?

Next we have The Russian, Dmitri Ivanovich Volkov, and Danni. He’s a dire wolf shifter and over 500 years old. He lost his soulmate 200 years ago and has avoided relationships ever since. But he hadn’t reckoned on Gambler’s Folly. Danni is in her early twenty’s, works for Interpol in the office, and is trying to make ends meet while taking care of her mother, who has been ill. There is also a jealous not-quite-ex of hers who has the idea she is his to claim. She has no time for relationships. Fate disagrees. Talk about an age gap…

What’s next? Old Flame! Elizabeth has been a widow for four years and lives alone with her cat, Puzzle. She has her Reiki clients to talk to, but otherwise, she stays home, taking her time to heal. She doubts she’ll ever seek another relationship. While she had been married for thirty years or so, there had always been something missing. Kort is a billionaire and a bear shifter. Twice divorced and a string of gold diggers later, he has given up on ever finding true love. Elizabeth’s family gifts her a vacation package to Gambler’s Folly, which she can’t comfortably refuse. On the way there, she runs into Kort, who she had known in university and hadn’t seen since. Fate is already dealing the hand and setting up their second chance for romance.

So if you’re ready for a shifter romance, on a futuristic world, with oh so much more–intrigue, jealous exes, underworld mob connections, emotional healing–come to Gambler’s Folly! Come on… You need a vacation.

Have a wonderful weekend and watch for sales starting in September!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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It’s Friday! And my little get away is almost over. It has been fun taking a break, but it’s time to get back home and get things sorted once again. I have been able to get some editing done on the next Gambler’s Folly book, so there’s something.

What book is up next?

Scotch and Soulmates!

Give me a bit to finish editing, but I’m sure you’ll love Paul and Sophia. They are a lively couple.

Paul is from the English nobility, has a doctorate in forensic psychology, and works for Interpol as a profiler. He and his father also share an interest in Scotch and are considered experts as far as verifying the authenticity of high end whiskey.

Sophia is originally from the Bronx, but now lives on Gambler’s Folly and works for the Interpol Special Division. They are tracking counterfeit Scotch traveling from he British Isles, to the USA,and then on to Gambler’s Folly. Paul and Nagi–another agent featured in several books–will be joining them on their hunt.

All wolf shifters, things get out of hand when Fate joins the party and chooses Paul and Sophia to be fated mates.

Sophia is a fiercely independent woman with feminist tendencies and doesn’t appreciate even the slightest bow to social graces between men and women. Holding doors or holding her chair at the table annoy her. If you wouldn’t do it for a male colleague, then don’t treat her any differently. She is not some frail flower who needs a man to help her with every little thing.

Paul, having been brought up under the standards of polite society, is confused by her out of proportion annoyance. As his wolf nature comes more to the fore in response, the tension between them builds as Fate works to push them together.

How about a brief excerpt?

“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 stormed 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.”

Good god, it was going to be a day. In his current state of mind, his wolf was stronger than usual. He’d certainly put his foot in it this time.

And this is only the beginning!

So have a great weekend, find a good book, and settle in for an adventure. If you haven’t read the Gambler’s Folly series, why don’t you catch up on the series while I work on Scotch and Soulmates?

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

...to Share the Romance…

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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!

And while you plan your trip…

As always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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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?

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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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!

Both series–Gambler’s Folly and Esperance are on sale, including Old Flame!

And for Sultonna Nadine, Master of the Fleet and Lady Calloway share one page.

Whiskey Jug Genie and Moonlight and Shadows share another. Not sure why…

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.

Have a fantastic weekend.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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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 on Gambler’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 to Smashwords and discover my worlds at a discount!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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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!

Stay safe in this heat.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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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!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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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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Can you help me? I need a little advice from someone on the other side of the reader/writer line.

As an indie author, I do everything myself, not just the writing. The writing is the easy part. Afterwards comes the editing, and it takes time and effort. I am sometimes able to have someone help me with the editing after I’ve been through a book several times myself. And there is a program I sometimes use which helps point out words I over use, or which tone down the emotion of the book.

Now let’s talk about book cover art. I can’t afford to pay someone to put together the cover art. And the few times I’ve tried, I didn’t like the results. So I use an online program, sometimes with AI assist, to create a book cover I feel portrays the story I’m telling inside.

After all the editing is as finished as it can be, and I have the cover art, there is the formatting so I can publish it through Amazon or Draft2Digital–which links all my books to retailers through Books2Read. All the keywords to come up with to help place it correctly for people to locate it. I’m not necessarily the best person to decide this. People who read the books and offer suggestions come up with categories and tropes I would never have dreamed existed in those pages.

And once I get to Amazon or Draft2Digital, I have to decide what price I want to ask for. What is my book worth? There are suggestions in the documentation for each site, which I use to gauge my list price. I don’t want to charge so much people are afraid to take a chance on the book. But at the same time, I don’t want to give it all away for free. I do have sales several times a year. During some of those, I do list a book or two for free, and generally I give away quite a few. While I’m happy when people want to read my books, it is disappointing when they only want them for nothing.

With my last book–Old Flame–I paid several people to help with the promotion and marketing aspects and got absolutely nothing in return. I did just as well by myself. Now with Sultonna Nadine’s new release, Lady Calloway, I am besieged by promoters and marketers wanting to help me get my book out to readers. For anywhere from $200 on up.

I’m not made of money. Never have been. And if throwing money at it worked, you would think Old Flame would have sold like hotcakes.

You might ask why I don’t hire some of this work out. And the answer would be the expense of it. For an editor to do a final editing for me would be over $1000 per book, minimum. Cover art? Anywhere from $150 on up to as much as I want to spend. Formatting? Several hundred dollars. And then there are the book trailers and all the social media posts to put together. Trailers start at around $200 and go up from there. By the time I paid for all that, I would have several thousand dollars invested with no guaranteed return.

So tell me, what am I doing wrong? I get great reviews, when I get them. Most are 5 star reviews. Everyone says the writing is excellent, the tropes are popular, the categories are popular as well. And I’ve reworked the keywords and categories on all the outlets to take advantage of them.

What am I missing? I’m not complaining about the work, except the editing… It’s doing all the work with nothing to show for it, while getting all kinds of emails and reviews with people who love it, but apparently love it only if it’s free.

Go take a look at my author pages and books. And then come back and give me your opinion. Why would you buy or not buy my books? What turns you away?

Amazon Author page for Mellie Miller

Books2Read for Mellie Miller

Amazon for Sultonna

Books2Read for Sultonna

Anyway, enough rant. It has just been a disappointing year. If you’ve read any of my work, please at least rate it for me. A review would be great.

Have a wonderful weekend.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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