Come share the magic that is Esperance. A world full of people with unusual abilities. Everyone from the First Lord to the common man on the street may be Talented in one way or another.
My Esperance series is now a 4 book series, with the latest addition–Too Many Talents. Also available at Amazon.
The three book series, Esperance, will soon be joined by a fourth book–Too Many Talents.
How about a little background?
The world I call Esperance was settled during a very disturbed time on Earth. People with a particular remote viewing ability sought new worlds to colonize, as it seemed Earth might not survive. On this new world, these individuals, called Seekers, also helped discover minerals for mining concerns, new food which could be used by the new settlers, and many other things.
As the colony would take time to become self-sufficient, Earth subsidized them with shipments of necessities they couldn’t manufacture yet. Machine parts, medicines and the like were at the top of the list.
Until the shipments stopped coming. The colony struggled to keep going until a mutated virus wiped out over half of the colony. Without the medicines from Earth, they were at the mercy of nature. Many skills were lost, machines broke down with no way to repair them, and the remaining settlers descended into chaos, each man for himself in a bid to survive.
After several decades of this confusion, a few among them developed Talents–psychic abilities such as telepathy, teleportation, telekinesis, and a host of others. Using these new abilities, they got together to impose the rule of law to save what was left of their world.
Dividing the world into clans, each named after one of the original talented men, the colony slowly began to revive. New Talents, which took the place of mechanism and medicines, began to emerge among the people. Some had abilities relating to wood and the forest. Others for various sorts of metal or stone. And those who could heal using energy became the new medical professionals among them, while the herbalists researched various plants to add to the mix. Some had very minor abilities, others became masters in their field.
Until we come down to the time of Jareth and Viviane, several hundred years after the end of the confusion.
Viviane has Talents she should never have developed. Though she has struggled for control, an unfortunate outburst of temper at her brother’s trial nearly takes a life. Now terrified of her abilities, she begins to resist her training, which only makes the outbursts of uncontrolled Talent more frequent. Jareth and her instructor struggle for a way to make her understand how important her training is, as her uncontrolled manifestations of Talent become a daily concern.
Follow her continuing story in Too Many Talents.
We are also introduced to her nephew, Connell.
When the original heir of Viviane’s home clan, Belfort, turns traitor, another heir must be found. He should be of the family line, and still able to access his Talents. The only one who fits the bill is Connell, her sister’s son.
Connell, who is only ten and a half, isn’t sure why he needs Talents to be a ruler. After all, what could go wrong which would require it? And why does he have to come live with his grandparents for this training? But when his friends from home come to the clan center for the Gather, he learns a lesson about jealousy, friendship, and Talent he won’t forget soon.
He also learns how helpful it is to keep control of his thoughts, when he accidentally finds himself in Jareth and Viviane’s study, unannounced and quite confused, after letting his temper get out of control.
Yes, it’s that time again. The Read an EBook Week Book Sale!
What is it?
For one week this March, many Smashwords authors will have their books discounted during this week. Some will be 75% off, some will be FREE! It all depends on the author’s choice.
Yes, all of my books will be on sale during this week. The first book in each of my series will be FREE. The rest will be $0.99 each. You can’t even buy a coffee for that these days.
So mark your calendars for March 6–12 and head on over to the sale.
So don’t miss the sale. Now is the time to try new authors, finish a series you started, or just have fun and buy books at random! Okay, maybe not that. But go have fun! Buy books. Escape this reality for a while and go somewhere exciting, or peaceful, or weird.
But whatever you do, don’t miss the sale!
For paranormal fantasy romance, go to my profile! Meet Jareth and Viviane, Damianno and Karianna, Richard and AnnMarie, and host of others.
There is a lot of discussion between those who prefer “real” books and those who like ebooks. And then there are some who prefer an actual physical book, but buy eBooks for the sake of economy or space limitations.
I like a nice hardcover book I can actually hold in my hands. There is something about the smell of a new book the first time you open it, the feel of the cover and the pages as you turn them. I’m not sure what it is, but it isn’t just reading. It’s a sensory experience.
So why do I buy ebooks so often?
Economy. I can buy several ebooks for the price of one hardcover or paperback book. If I’m reading a new author, I might not want to keep it around, so why spend so much on something I’ll never read again.
When I travel, I find it difficult to take along enough books to read in physical form, but I can pack a whole library of eBooks.
I also have eyesight issues which make it difficult to see the printed page. My tablet or Kindle allow me the option of changing the brightness and contrast making it easier to see the words.
Whcih do you prefer? Are you in the e book camp or the physical book crowd? And why?
Whichever format you choose, you can find one of my books to suit your mood. All my books on Amazon are available for Kindle, in paperback, and in hardcover versions. So choose the format you like, pour yourself a cuppa, and enter a fantasy world for a little while.
Check out my book under the name Sultonna Nadine–Master of the Fleet, in a world where elemental magic is real, but won’t necessarily help Richard with his love life.
That is definitely the question these days. So I thought I would give you a little insight on my decision.
When I first published Gambler’s Folly, I did so through a traditional publisher of romance/erotica. For quite a while after the book came out, it was in the top 10-25 for it’s category, which was Mainstream Sensual.
When I wrote Dante’s Angel, they decided not to pick it up, because sales had been too low for Gambler’s. Most likely, I could have done better with another publisher. This company’s sales were mostly from their erotica–menage and fairly graphic stories. Since then, they have discontinued their Mainstream line altogether.
I published Jareth and Viviane through a hybrid publisher. But again, even though they liked the book and seemed eager to pick it up, it didn’t do as well as I’d hoped. And again, part of that was due to the nature of their other books. Mine was quite different from the rest of their line.
My books are paranormal romance. They also contain elements of fantasy and magic at times, and some intrigue. One series deals with a team of shifters who form a department for Interpol on another world.
The other series is set on a world ruled by multi-gifted First Lords who have several psychic powers. Running through the series is the main story line begun in Book 1, so there is a bit of an intrigue running through it, along with the romance and paranormal.
Under Sultonna Nadine, we get into magic. The book which is out now deals with elemental magic. Our MC controls wind and water as Master of the Fleet for his company. The next book out will deal with trying to remove a curse put on a genie by a witch several hundred years ago.
I understand cross-genre books can be tricky to market, and publishers and agents are a bit skeptical. So what could I do?
I went to Amazon’s KDP and self published all of my books, including the ones I got the rights back for. The process can take a little time, since the different versions, ie. Kindle, paperback, or hardcover, have to be differently formatted. And you have to design your own cover and do your own editing.
Is it worth it?
For me, I feel it is. I have control over the whole process and I don’t take months or years trying to find someone willing to take a chance on me.
Is it right for you?
Only you can answer that.
In the meantime, if you’re a writer, KEEP WRITING.
Yeah, I’m not a happy camper this week. About a week ago, I tripped in a parking lot and fractured my right patella. After an after noon in ER, they decided I just needed to wear a brace until I could see an orthopedic specialist. So a few days later, I got in to see the doctor,, who told me much the same thing. Keep a brace on when I’m up and walking around. Take pain killers as needed. See me in two weeks for more x-rays.
It’ll be about 8–10 weeks healing time.
In the meantime, it is taking me forever to get things done. My daily walks are not a thing until I can walk properly again. And sitting at my desk is somewhat less than comfortable. Go figure, right?
So I haven’t done much writing this past week, though I have been reading through the next book for Gambler’s Folly to mark it up for editing. I do this on my Kindle Fire, so I can read without sitting at my desk. I’ve found I can highlight areas I want to work with and then take the Fire in to my desk and go through it there.
Much easier on the knee that way.
So what will be the next book for Gambler’s Folly?
Old Flame, which will be Book 4.
What’s it about?
They met at university thirty years ago. Though they were friends, they never really dated each other. Since then, Kort has had two failed marriages and become a multibillionair, considered the most eligible bachelor on several worlds. Elizabeth married and has recently become widowed.
Her kids bought her a ticket to visit them out west, and then surprised her with a vacation package to Gambler’s Folly. At the hotel her first night, waiting to fly to the spaceport for the shuttle flight, she runs into her old friend from university, also going to Gambler’s Folly.
And then the fun begins.
Still in editing, this will be a little while yet before it’s ready to publish, but I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, how about an excerpt?
EXCERPT
It was only a short drive to the hotel from the spaceport. Word must have gone ahead that Kort would be in town, so as soon as he stepped out of the limo cameras were flashing.
When she stepped out of the limo, there were questions from all sides.
“No, Liz is an old friend I met before I got on the shuttle. Since we were both staying here at the Stella d’Oro, I offered her a lift. I may convince her to have dinner with me later, but that’s all. We’re simply friends from our university days.”
“Is Liz short for Elizabeth?” someone called.
“Yes,” he answered.
“What about it, Liz? Any designs on Mr. Behrens?” someone else asked.
Feeling in a mood, she answered, “Who says I’d have him?”
She had expected a laugh or two, but got stunned silence before the questions began again.
“Now, you’ve heard it from the lady in question. Like I said, we’re simply friends who met again recently after several years. We’re catching up on old times. Don’t imply anything else, please.”
When they’d finally made it in the door and out of sight of the reporters, Kort turned to her with a laugh and gave her a big hug.
“Who says I’d have him? That was brilliant, Liz. It’ll keep them going for days.”
“I have no idea why I said that. It just slipped out. Are we likely to have a following everywhere we go?” she asked.
“For a day or two, until they get the idea I’m telling the truth. Unless you change you mind and decide you’ll have me instead?”
“Don’t press your luck.”
Wish me luck with the knee, and I’ll try to keep you posted on what I’m up to down here in the Southeast.
It’s the first day of May today. I believe spring may be here to stay this time, even though it did get down into the high 40’s last night. I think they’re predicting a high today of around 85.
So what’s happening in your world today? I’m thinking about taking my walk early to avoid the heat this afternoon. I’ve never gotten along well with heat, so I try to do all my outside work early in the morning before the sun gets too high in the sky.
I’ve nearly wrapped up Lady Calloway. Yes, I know, but life has a way of getting complicated. And after this one is wrapped, I really need to get finished with a half-finished book in the Esperance series. This one will come after Ben of Blackstone’s Forge, which will be Book 5 in the series and is in a second round of edits.
Gregor is the heir of Clan Rowan. In his younger days, angry with his father, he left the family home and went to the other side of the clan to join the guard. To further distance himself, he took his mother’s maiden name. When he and his father finally reconciled, he agreed to come back and take up his place once again, but chose to keep his mother’s family name. Gregor Thayne–Heir of Rowan brings in a new cast of characters to join those already in the series.
And Ben of Blackstone’s Forge? This is another story inset into the story, a vignette of Ben Blackstone, son of the local blacksmith. Now a journeyman smith, working on becoming a master, Ben inherited his father’s Talent with iron. Though his father keeps hinting it’s time for him to marry, the one girl he’d always thought would be his seems out of reach. Tired of waiting for him to come around, his father arranges a marriage for him. Can he and his new wife find a happily ever after?
Watch for Too Many Talents later this year. And wish me luck on wrapping Lady Calloway and finishing Gregor Thayne.
Yes, the Smashwofds Read an Ebook a Week Book Sale is here today and will last through March 13.
So what are you waiting for? Thousands of books are waiting for you to take them home. And all of my boooks from both series and from Sultonna Nadine are included in the sale.
So if you’re looking for something to read, go over tl Smashwords and take a peek.
Looking for my books? Go to my Author Profile page and scroll down to find the series and Sultonna Nadine books.
Who else is glad the election is over here in the USA? I’ve never been so tired of the season in my life. All the phone calls, the text messages, posts on social media…
So after you take a breather from all of that, what are your plans for the month?
I have to finish Lady Calloway and get a couple other books edited and ready to the professional editing so I can get another book out to you soon. And I want to get another book out from Sultonna Nadine, too.
All this with the holiday season ready to kick off.…
What are you reading these days?
If you’re looking for something in the PNR, fantasy genre, check out my Amazon Author Page. I have two series started under the name Mellie Miller.
For Master of the Fleet, look under Sultonna Nadine. I use this name for my stand alones.
So grab a cup of something delightful, take a few minutes to catch your breath and get ready for the holidays!