For those of us in the USA, tomorrow is our Independence Day. And so far this week here in the South, the weather has been perfect for all the outdoor activities people usually plan to celebrate.
And since it’s July…
…don’t forget the Summer/Winter Book Sale over at Smashwords! Hundreds–if not thousands– of books on sale for your summer pleasure.
If you’re looking for romance, with a little of the paranormal or magical involved, check out my profile. You’ll find links to all the books in both my series, plus Master of the Fleet. I’m still trying to get it over to the correct author…
So have a wonderful and safe holiday. Nothing ruins a good time like an emergency trip to the ER. Play safe everyone!
I’ve been getting the next book from Gambler’s Folly edited–hopefully for the last time–so I thought I should give you a few snippets. I also have a book coming later this year from Esperance!
So who wants an excerpt?
OLD FLAME
Gambler’s Folly Book 4
They hadn’t spoken or met since their university days 30 years ago, but here they were on their way to Houston to board the shuttle for Gambler’s Folly. What mischief does Mother Nature have up her sleeve this time?
The landing went well, but he noticed her fingers clutching at the armrest of her seat.
“All right?” he asked.
“Landing always makes me nervous. It’s too close to crashing.”
“Any landing you walk away from is a good one,” Kort said, quoting the old saying. “Let’s go eat some lunch. We can’t check in for another two hours.”
Lunch was good. Another thing he’d always liked about Liz was that she wasn’t afraid to eat. She’d managed to stay at a good weight even after all these years. She had a little extra padding, but he didn’t like stick figure women anyway. With his size, they always seemed so fragile. Liz, on the other hand, might be a lot of fun.
What was he thinking? Get your mind out of the gutter, Kort told himself. Why would she be interested in him? This was Liz, who might be intimidated by his social position, but would never let it dazzle her.
“Kort? Where have you gone?” Liz asked.
“Somewhere a long way away,” he admitted. “How is your lunch?”
“Fantastic! I’d forgotten how much I love Thai food. Thank you, Kort.”
“Well, I couldn’t let you starve, could I?” he teased.
“Are you saying I need to watch my weight?”
“Not at all. I like a woman I can get hold of and wrestle to the ground.”
Where in hell had that come from? Wrestle to the ground? Good lord, what must she think?
Liz doubled over in laughter, partially easing his embarrassment. Apparently she wasn’t offended.
Ben of Blackstone’s Forge
Esperance Book 5
Everyone had assumed that Ben and Deborah would marry once they were old enough. But when Ben went away to finish his apprenticeship, someting happened and nobody knew what. Suddenly Deborah was distant, cold, and at times, downright hostile. As the oldest daughter, tradition said her sisters couldn’t marry before she did and she wasn’t ready. Ben’s father was urging Ben to find a wife, but he couldn’t think of anyone but the Deborah he knew before his apprenticeship journey. What does the future hold for them?
“Thanks, Mr. Blackstone,” she said. “And see if you can teach Ben some manners.”
With a sway in her hips that heated Ben more than the forge, she turned and disappeared down the walk toward the town square.
“Why don’t the two of you get together?” Seth asked his son. “She’s good-looking, from a good family, and can cook with the best of them.”
“Yes, and her tongue is sharper than a carbon steel blade,” Ben added.
“All she needs is a firm hand and a good seeing to,” the elder Blackstone said with a laugh.
“It would take a brave man to bed Deborah Wills,” Ben said, picking up a pair of tongs. “A man could wake up and find himself neutered.”
“Now, Ben, she’s not as bad as all that.”
“No? I think she hates all things male,” Ben said. “She rides a mare, her dog is a bitch, and the cat has been cautioned to have only female kits in her litters.”
His father’s hearty laugh filled the forge, finally bringing a smile to Ben’s face.
“I thought you two were an item there for a while,” Seth said.
“Yeah, I thought so, too. I don’t know what happened after I left to work with Bellamy Forge. We were good when I left, but when I came back she wouldn’t give me the time of day.”
“I haven’t seen her with anyone else,” Seth answered. “Why don’t you ask her out for the Gather dance?”
“She won’t come. I’ve asked her out to the last three dances and she’s refused. I’ve asked her out to dinner and been turned down. Same with coffee and sandwiches. She’s not interested.”
“Are you asking anyone to the dance? A man your age should be thinking about a wife.”
“I was going to ask Moire. She will at least speak to me.”
Watch for these two books later this year. I’ll keep you posted on progress and release dates.
Yes, March has arrived, with rain, wind, and cold temperatures for us. And we’d just gotten used to the warmer springtime temperatures a few days ago. Ah, well, that’s Georgia for you.
How is everyone out there today? And what are you reading? I’ve been indulging in some paranormal cozy mysteries while I continue editing on Old Flame. Next in the Gambler’s Folly series, this book features bear shifter Kort Behrens and a woman he met thirty years ago when they were both at university. Though they’d never dated then, a spark begins as they both travel to Gambler’s Folly. Mother Nature does have a wicked sense of humor…
But for right now, don’t forget the Book Sale over at Smashwords, beginning tomorrow, March 3. It’s their annual Read an EBook Week sale. And yes, all my books will be included. Some will be discounted.
And some will be FREE!
If you haven’t been to Smashwords, go on over. The site is easy to use, and you can choose your preferred format. It’s so easy, even I can do it!
If you’re looking for my books, follow this link: Mellie Miller. This will take you to my publisher page where you can find all the books in the Gambler’s Folly and Esperance series. There is also one book by my alter ego, Sultonna Nadine there as well.
Looking for Sultonna Nadine? Follow this linkfor my stand alone books.
Looking for something else entirely?
Go to Smashwords Sale Page. You’ll find the link in the announcement below.
Have a wonderful month! Spring is just around the corner.
And I wish the weather would decide what season we’re going to be in. A week ago, it seemed like late autumn was here. And then two days ago, summer came back.
But in the meantime, what is everyone reading?
As most of you know, I usually write paranormal romance novels. But sometimes I branch out, and this is one of those times. My alter ego, Sultonna Nadine has a new short story out you might want to check out. Set in Wyoming, one of my favorite places, we meet DEA agent Shane Shadowstalker.
But out there in the high desert, among the sage, can you believe what your eyes are telling you? Or is it all an illusion brought about by the wind, the moonlight, and the shadows?
Here it is, Friday the 13th! Are you a superstitious type person? Or do you love things which are a bit paranormal?
I’m not particularly superstitious myself. I’ve always thought black cats were some of the coolest cats around. At the moment, we have two black kittens who are about 6 months old. And they are into everything!
But bad luck?
Not so much. Just very curious. They seem to find all the cobwebs behind the furniture and come out fully decorated with webbing and completely unconcerned. The dog isn’t quite sure what to do with them.
But since it is the season for all things a bit spooky, head on over to my page on Vocal.Media. I have a couple stories over there with bit of the paranormal.
The first is Child of the Universe. She didn’t believe in ghosts. But in that case, who was she talking to? And more importantly, who was talking back?
The second is Moonlight and Shadows. Can you believe what your eyes tell you? Or are the shadows out there in the wilderness of the high desert playing tricks on you?
For something more psychological in nature, check out The Box. There was a place in her mind, a place which scared her a little and which she kept hidden. But sometimes, she wondered if she could take just a little peek inside…
I know. It has been a while. But about three weeks ago I had to go ahead and have surgery on my foot. The arthritis in it was pulling my toes down to where I was walking on the tips of my toes instead of the pads. So I’m hobbling around and taking twice as long to do anything. And I think it takes twice the energy as well.
My usual desk chair is one of the kneeling chairs. But since I’m still all bandaged, I can’t put any weight on my toes or bend them at all, so I’m using this other one. And it puts me at an odd angle, with the desk too high to touch type conveniently. So with my foot propped up under the desk, and my hands about six inches too high to be comfortable, I’ve put off any writing until I can do it with a little more ease.
Not to worry! I’ve been doing another read through of the next book in the Gambler’s Folly series. I can at least read while sitting on the couch.
Of course, the puppy thinks what I really need is a dog on my foot…
The Book Sale is still on over at Smashwords, so go on over and get the next book in whichever series you’re reading. Or start the other one!
Wishing you a wonderful week and I’l try to get back into the swing here in another week.
