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Posts Tagged ‘Intrigue’

It’s a wet and rainy Thursday here, so I thought I would share one of my worlds with you. I don’t know how much you know about this series, so come with me and learn more!

Esperance was settle from Earth after it was discovered by the Seekers looking for habitable worlds to colonize. These individuals had psychic abilities that allowed them to explore the universe without leaving Earth.

At first everything was great. The world was lush, in a British Isles sort of way, with a lot of highland type environments in the more temperate regions. Earth supplied them with whatever they couldn’t yet produce on their own, while they got established. But when those shipments suddenly stopped, the young colony was at a loss. Not only could they not repair equipment which broke down, when a new virus swept through, they had no medicines to fight it. Over half the colony perished.

Those left were scattered and developed an “every man for himself” attitude, taking even more of a toll on their civilization, or what was left of it. But during their years on Esperance, descendants of the Seekers who had come with them had continued to develop their abilities. To safe the settlers fro themselves, they used those abilities to force a rule of law back onto their society. Dividing into clans, each family with the abilities or Talents to hold their clan together gave their name to their clan.

A few centuries later we come to Clan Brannach, ruled by the latest in the lineage, Jareth, the First Lord of the clan. The neighboring clan is Clan Belfort, which is where our story begins.

JARETH, FIRST LORD Book 1

Jareth is a young ruler, widowed and with no heir as his wife died in childbirth. It has been two years, but he’s not sure he’s ready to seek another woman to be his First Lady. On top of this, thieving parties from Clan Belfort have been stealing from his storehouses. As harsh as the winter is, his people will be seriously short of food and grains if it isn’t stopped. Though he has communicated with the other First Lord, he has heard nothing. It seems the only way to settle it is to make a trip through the ice and snow to demand restitution in person.

Viviane is a young widow in Clan Belfort. Though her family begs her to come back home, she has gotten used to being independent. But without a means of support, once the stock in her late husband’s shop is gone, she needs another option. She had never considered it would come from another clan.

As part of the restitution and penalties, Jareth demands his rights under an old law–the right of Choosing. He can clam up to 10% of the women of marriageable age to take back to his clan. When the women are gathered, one catches his eye. Then and there he decides she will be his First Lady, if he can win her heart. But she has a secret which threatens to throw their clans into armed conflict.

Meet me in Clan Brannach!

VIVIANE, FIRST LADY Book 2

Picking up the story from book 1, Viviane begins to settle in to the routine in Jareth’s house. But these new abilities she seems to be developing have worried Jareth. Once tested for Talents, both Jareth and his head instructor agree. She must begin training at once before all those abilities get out of hand. She never asked for these Talents and doesn’t want the. But it seems once they appear there is no going back.

The headaches are monstrous and the medicine to tame their is horrible, but her companion, Annie does her best to sympathize with her. At least she and Jareth are doing well together. And all those Talents tend to lead to some exciting times behind closed doors! Between his Talents as First Lord and her surprise Talents, tings heat up rather quickly.

Unfortunately they have to go back to her home clan for her brother’s trial for treason, which is where trouble raises its head. In anger, she uses her Talents to lash out at her brother when he attempts to influence her through his mental abilities. Realizing what she’s done, she disappears fight in front of Jareth’s eyes, meaning she has even more Talents to worry him. Now if he can just find her…

MORGAN–The Pixie and the Green Man Book 3

When Jareth went to Clan Belfort to confront the First Lord there in Book 1, Morgan volunteered to go to Clan Brannach and leave her homeland. From an abusive background where it seemed every man in her life had hurt her in one way or another, she hoped for a fresh start. But shortly after the move she is attacked on her daily rounds and very nearly raped, saved only by two young men who heard her cries. She was offered another jog in a market, where she wouldn’t have to be anywhere alone. The couple who owned the store were older and quite protective.

One day a young man came in to buy something for a snack. She remembered him from her previous ordeal. He had come to her rescue several months previous. He introduced himself, asked for he items he wanted, and threw a mischievous smile her way on parting. Soon his visits became daily as did his invitations for coffee of tea.

Finally, Mrs. Kennoway, her employer, asked why she never accepted his invitations, to which she answered she couldn’t. Fear of men wouldn’t let her go, even across the street. But James came up with a solution. He brought coffee and scones over to the market, along with a cafe table and chairs from in front and invited her to sit down for tea.

Come with me as these two navigate the perilous waters of romance on this fantastic world. Be prepared for magical abilities, spirit guides, and a bit of folklore!

TOO MANY TALENTS Book 4

After her traumatic experience at her brother’s trial, Viviane wants to banish her Talents. Maybe if she doesn’t train them they’ll just go away. Even with Jareth and her instructors explaining why it won’t work, she trains reluctantly feeling that the less she trains them the less danger they will present.

Unfortunately her trainers are right. After a few accidents involving her Talents she relents.Digging deep, she finally agrees to give it her all, even when frustrations get her down, leading to a bizarre game of tag in the snow and the weirdest chess game ever.

Meanwhile, in her home clan, Belfort, her nephew, Connell, is beginning to train his Talents as he steps in as heir to the ruling house. He doesn’t understand why Talents are necessary and he doesn’t like the headaches he gets during training. When his grandfather, the First Lord, suggests he reach out to his Aunt Viviane telepathically, he is amazed. How could they communicate from so far away?

His Aunt Viv was one of his favorite people. But her husband, First Lord Jareth, scared him half to death. The man had never been cruel or harsh toward him. He had tried to reach out and speak with Connell. It was just the incredible amount of energy swirling around him, which seemed scarcely contained at times.

Connell also has difficulties controlling his Talents. And when on of his old friends from home hurts a young girl who is his friend, his anger and need to talk to someone who might understand unexpectedly lands him in Jareth’s front hall. He had no idea how he’d arrived there and was even less certain about how to get home.

Come join the fun and games on Esperance. Another book is in progress, so catch up on the series before its release.

I hope this gives you a little overview of my world Esperance. It’s a great place to visit and dream about Talents and magic.

Happy reading!

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 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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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 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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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.

And when they do? Magic becomes real…

MORGAN–The Pixie and the Green Man

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.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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If you haven’t reached out yet to find your next favorite book, today is the last day of the sale!

All books from Gambler’s Folly and Esperance are still on sale for only $0.99–except for Old Flame.

Where can you find them?

Over at Boos2Read!

All the Sultonna Nadine books are also on sale!

If you’re a lover of fantasy romance, with a touch of the paranormal and magic, and maybe a bit of intrigue, don’t miss it!

In the meantime, as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Shaare the Romance…

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CommercialThis novel is the first one I ever wrote, and to tell the truth, it needed a lot of work. Which is why it has taken so long to get it ready for you, gentle readers, to see it. But I love the story, so I’ve been willing to put in the extra time to bring it to you.

A fantasy intrigue, with a little romance elbowing its way into the story, meet Krista Carlisle and Michael Romanoff, who would be perfectly suited for each other if she weren’t his prisoner…

Ready for a peek? Here’s the blurb.

Mistaken Identity

The beautiful spring day, on the world called Felicity, suddenly turn into a nightmare as Krista’s combat abilities lead her to be mistaken for something she isn’t. Now captured, transported and imprisoned on their sister world, her only thought is to escape.

Adding to his problems, Commander Michael Romanoff has to deal with this stubborn female prisoner. Worthless for bargaining, his only choice is to give her slave status, find out what abilities she has, and get her placed and out of his life.

But after three escape attempts, several guards in the infirmary with injuries, and two more in the morgue, he finds there’s more to to her than those beautiful big green eyes. With her hand-to-hand training and her upper-crust university background, she might hold the key to his other major problem.

Can he convince her to work with him, for the greater good of both their worlds, before full scale war breaks out, given their hostile relationship?

Excerpt:

Prologue

In a comfortable study on Novaya Kemlya, two men sat in serious discussion.

“Yes, Old Earth truly made a find in this system,” one man said admiringly. “Not one, but two viable worlds for the taking.”

“It wasn’t easy,” the other man answered. “Felicity had a few lower life forms, so eco-building was tricky. Here on Novaya Kemlya, we had no hindrance. It had water and the beginnings of an atmosphere, but the land was barren. With nothing to work around, our job was easier.”

“The costs must have been enormous. No wonder Earth was disinclined to grant independence to these places. How are our plans progressing here?”

“Tensions are high and have been increasing between the two worlds. I expect to hear news of a military strike against Felicity soon.”

”Here’s to the New Order,” said the first man, raising his glass.

“To the New Order. May it soon rise.”

                                                                                                                                                                          Chapter 1  

Krista’s Account

Under the pleasant warm sun, the sweet, spicy scent of spring flowers swirled through the air on gentle breezes. Krista loved this time of year. Summer would come soon, with sizzling heat to parch everyone and everything.

Finished teaching for the day, her eyes took in the history  around her: the brick streets, stone buildings with wrought iron railings, and the magnificent arches where the old gates had hung. Tall buildings laid out in gentle arcs hugged the street, lending the feeling of comfort and safety. The creamy white stone shone in the bright sunlight as if lit by an inner light. The only blight on this paradise were rumors concerning their sister world, Novaya Kemlya. Whenever tensions began to ease and trade between the two flowed well, something would come along to ruin it all. Tempers would flare over some trivial incident and once again tensions would build toward the bursting point.

Most recently, Novaya Kemlya had accused Felicity, Krista’s world, of substituting counterfeit items for sorely needed goods. Of course this was officially denied. It was only a mistake. Why would Felicity invite the repercussions an action of this kind would surely bring?

Considering the tall, sturdy gates from the past, Krista sighed and thought it was too bad there were no gates to close against enemies from across the heavens.

Though the colonists were similar when the worlds were founded, their paths had diverged through the centuries. New differences aggravated old grievances between two worlds who’d never had an easy relationship. And the further apart they grew, the greater the tensions. Felicity was considered soft, ineffectual and idealistic by its sister world, while they considered Novaya Kemlya militaristic, uncultured dirt farmers. And so the rift grew wider.

As far back as Krista could remember, there had been rumors of conflict. So many in fact that nobody took them seriously anymore. They were just rumors, again. During her entire life, nothing had ever come of any of those rumors. Well, nothing much, anyway.

Both worlds required military service for all their citizens. Krista had taken her training and done her service between secondary school and university. After graduation, she had finished her primary reserve duty and was currently on secondary reserve. This required only a three week refresher course each year.

 Few took it seriously. Felicity wasn’t a warring world. During her years in service, she’d seen a few minor skirmishes, but no major battles or campaigns. She’d received her promotions when due and would have a little retirement money when the time came.

With a degree in music education, Krista had set out to make her mark on the world. During her days at the university, she’d met Thomas. They’d married right after her graduation and had a home in the old quarter here, near the university, where she taught music. Thomas was an architectural engineer with a major firm, also here in the old quarter.

Along the way, Krista had taken a self-defense course for fun. Discovering a new love in life, she’d thrown herself into the training and eventually earned a third degree belt and teaching certificate. Besides being a great way to stay in shape, the training helped ease day to day frustrations and stress.

So what went wrong? What happened on this wonderful spring afternoon? Most likely nobody would ever know the answer, but as she crossed an intersection two blocks from her home, she heard gunfire just ahead. A riot here? Surely not!  But it was coming from the direction of her home.

Running around a bend in the street, she collided with people in a panic rushing to escape soldiers in battle gear. Hemmed in by the houses on either side, there was no place to go as they were pushed aside like so much rubbish by the troops. A few attempted resistance, but small arms fire had little effect on battle armor. They were simply neutralized and left where they fell.

Surrounded by the invaders, Krista’s only thought was to get home to Thomas. She had to make sure he was safe, but couldn’t force her way through the streets. Suddenly, a switch flipped in her mind as she brought all her training to bear against the intruders. Later, she would remember hand-to-hand fighting, the sound of joints dislocating, and bones breaking as she applied techniques learned in the safety of the training hall.

Her last view of Felicity was of the sun shining on the balcony of her home. So very close. And then the nightmare began.

I’ll post updates as they become available. In the meantime, check out my other works.

http://www.amazon.com/Mellie-Miller/e/B00954K2C8

http://booksamillion.com/search?id=6142571080981&query=Mellie+Miller&where=All

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/mellie-e-miller?store=allproducts&keyword=mellie+e.+miller

Ciao, amici miei!

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