Yes, MORGAN--The Pixie and the Green Man goes back to its regular price after Saturday, Sept. 5. But there’s still time to get your copy for only $0.99! And with the long holiday weekend coming up, you’ll have plenty of time to get to Esperance, learn about Morgan and James, and get in a little relaxation.
Morgan was one of the young women who volunteered to come to Clan Brannach from her home clan when Jareth came to demand restitution in Book 1 of the series, Jareth First Lord. But soon after her arrival, she was attacked and feared for her life until two young men came to her rescue.
One of those young men was James Ferguson, son of the local lumber yard owner. He fell in love with her the moment he saw here there, covered in mud, clothes torn, and face a downpour of tears. He knew he must become better acquainted with her, but didn’t want to rush. So he took his time and gave her some space.
When he eventually approached her, she politely refused. Being persistent, he finally gained a little bit of trust. Enough for her to agree to a cup of tea at least.
Their courtship progressed at a snail’s pace, but he was a patient man. She was scared and not at all sure about relationships.
The way things go on Esperance, trouble soon reared its head, leading them to a rushed wedding and disappearing act to avoid danger coming their way. Up the mountain and into the forest, where James’ link to the forest was strong.
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!
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?
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.
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 don’t know about you, but a lot of times I read to escape from the world around me. All that hectic stuff that drives me to drink–coffee mostly… Though I wouldn’t say no to a nice sauvignon blanc.
If escape is your quest, come on over to my page and find something to take you away, whether it is a fantasy world with hunky shifters, A world full of psychic powers, mischief, and romance, or alternate reality with elemental magic.
We’ve got you covered!
Come sit for a spell and find your next favorite book!
Whether you go with Mellie Miller or Sultonna Nadine, we won’t let you down.
We’re in the middle of the winter holiday season, and if you’re like a lot of us, you need a break from reality. So come on over to Books2Read for a sale on all my books listed there. The first three books from Gambler’s Folly and all four books from Esperance are included in this sale.
Whether you love shifters or paranormal abilities–or both–go on over to Books2Read and choose your next read today! You can also check out the books from my alter ego, Sultonna Nadine while you’re there. Magical alternate reality, genies, and mysterious desert secrets all waiting for you.
And the best part? Each of my books is priced at only $0.99 each!
So go over and choose your adventure for the evening. Take a break from the chaos. I suggest a cup or glass of your favorite beverage, a nice fire, and a cat or dog or two. Sink into that comfy chair and slip into a fantasy world with me.
