At least, that’s what the calendar says. Mother Nature is still trying to make up her mind. But at least the storms have stopped for this week, even if the temperatures are a bit chilly again.
If this is your first visit, let me introduce myself and my worlds.
I write paranormal fantasy romance.
What is that?
My worlds are fantasy worlds, on other planets, or alternate timelines of this one. Some contain elements of psychic abilities, like mental telepathy, telekinesis, and other Talents. This is the main theme in the Esperance Series.
Some are stories about shifters. The Gambler’s Folly Serieshas shifters of all sorts–leopards, panthers, wolves, bears. And more to come!
Some have characters with magical abilities. In Master of the Fleet, our MC, Richard, has command over the elements wind and water. Others can control earth, fire, wind or spirit. Most of these are published under my pen name, Sultonna Nadine.
The next magical book to come out will be Whisky Jug Genie. One of our characters dabbles in white magic. And of course, there is the genie, wielding his own form of magic.
And there is always an element of romance. Some spicier than others, granted, but romance of some sort. The shifter series is a little spicier than the Esperance series is, though it does have its moments.
The Book Sale over at Smashwords is almost over. But don’t worry. There ‘s still time to go shopping. The sale ends tomorrow, March 12.
So, what do I have on discount there this week?
Everything!
The first two books in each series are FREE.
The rest of the books, including Master of the Fleet written as Sultonna Nadine, are $0.99.
But the sale is just about to wrap up, so don’t wait too long.
I’ve been working on taxes all week, so I’m about done in. But I’m going to try to take a walk with The Bear here in a bit. It seems winter is still not finished here in the Southeast, but I’m about done with winter…
Anyway, have a great weekend. Don’t forget the sale! I’m going to work on Gregor Thayne after my walk. Wish me luck!
For several years, I was a member of the SCA–Society for Creative Anachronism. It was fun recreating life from the middle ages, learning new skills, learning about how people lived during those times.
And music! As a musician, I loved learning songs and compositions from this time period. As part of a recorder consort, we got plenty of practice on music from different countries, some of which have come down into more modern times.
I remember playing the song Flow Gently Sweet Afton for my father, only to hear him say his mother had sung the song to him when he was young.
So what has this to do with Master of the Fleet?
One song most people know from around the Middle Ages–though it may be a little later–is Greensleeves. If you’re not familiar with the lyrics, you can find them online. The theme of the song is about a man who has gifted his love with everything imaginable, from jewels to fine linens, only to be cast aside.
Now, my writer’s mind began to wonder what would have happened if things had gone a bit differently.
And then my SCA mind began to create a scene, albeit the scene would have been part of a play put on for the delight of the guests at a feast.
So, putting the two together, I created the sketch for the feast–an argument breaking out between a man and woman, which gets out of hand, and ending with drawn blades.
In the sketch, this would have ended with him binding her to him as a sworn servant.
In the story, which is set in an alternate timeline where magic is real, Master of the Fleet, it goes far beyond that.
How far?
Now that would be telling, wouldn’t it?
To read Master of the Fleet, go over to Smashwords this weekend. The ebook is on sale for only $0.99. The ebook is available in several different formats to fit your reader.
It’s available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover!
So, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful, magical weekend.
And Don’t Forget…
…to Share the Romance…
How about an excerpt?
“My good man, were you planning a human sacrifice on the high table? Who are you and what is the meaning of this?” the baron demanded.
A large man, with dark hair turning gray at the temples, and neatly trimmed beard, his presence commanded the attention of the room.
“Your Excellency, I am Lord Sir Richard LeMarnier, from Côte d’Or. The lady and I have traveled for more than a week to attend the festival here in her homeland. At least she claims it as such. After courting her for over a year and asking for her hand in marriage, I dance on her leash while she toys with my affections. Though she hasn’t refused my offer, she has yet to accept it.”
“What do you do?”
“I am in shipping, Your Excellency, with access to goods up and down the coast and from overseas. I have brought her gifts from every part of the world, given her everything she’s asked for, and more. She’s been blessed with everything within my power to give.”
“We’ll agree you’re a generous man. Why are you here?”
I went in for my second cataract surgery yesterday. I had the first cataract removed a month ago, which helped quite a bit in the reading department. I’m hoping this one goes just as well. It’s nice to be able to read labels in the store, newspapers, magazines, and print books again.
Thinking about the same thing yourself?
Don’t sweat it!
The surgeon at Gainesville Eye Associates does laser surgery. It’s quick, and virtually painless. From the time I went in until I was back in the car was about an hour and a half. And that included the post surugery check up. What takes most of the time is getting your eye dilated, IV hooked up, and all the things you need to do before you reach the OR. The surgery itself takes about ten minutes.
Ten minutes?
Yep. That’s it. I will have eye drops to put in several times a day for a month, but that’s no biggie. And for the first few days, my vision will be a little blurry as everything heals. But the results will give me vision like I haven’t had in years.
So what’s happening in my writing world?
I’m still working to finish Gregor Thayne. Too Many Talents should be about through editing, and a few other things are in various stages of editing.
So this weekend, reach out and take home a little magic!
Master of the Fleet will be on sale at Smashwords for only $0.99 this weekend.
So reach for the magic, settle into a comfy chair, and visit the Cote d’Or!
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.
But it’s also the season for the SmashwordsEnd of Year Sale! Thousands of books all on sale during these last couple weeks of December. The sale begins today and lasts through Jan. 1, 2022.
And all my books, by both Mellie Miller and Sultonna Nadine, are included in this sale! So if you love ebooks, or have started a series and want to read more, now is the time. If you’re like me, this time of year can get a bit tedious. Right now we have rainy weather, which makes it uncomfortable to take a walk. The holidays are here, but you might not want to go visiting just now. Sometimes family can be overwhelming.
But you want to go somewhere…
Why not take a fantasy trip to another world?
And I have three to choose from!
Esperance is more of a frontier world, with not much in the way of technology. But when it comes to psychic abilities, they have it in spades. Ruled by multi-talented First Lords, this is a place where technology is replaced by psychic abilities: telekinesis, telepathy, teleportation, energy healing, and abilities I don’t even have names for.
Gambler’s Folly is a futuristic world, a pleasure world where you can find anything you’d like. The vacation spot for the galaxy, our cast of characters work for the Special Division of Interpol. Composed of agebts who are shifters of various sorts, follow them as they search for contraband and find their soulmates.
Master of the Fleet is written uner the name Sultonna Nadine and is a stand alone book. In a world where magic is real, Richard LeMarnier is a weather shaper and master of the fleet for his family’s merchant fleet on the northwestern coast of what we know as America. He thinks he’s found the woman of his dreams, but she never intends to marry. For Anne-Marie, he is just another rich mark to be taken for all she can get before she moves to greener pastures. When her temper gets the better of her, they find themselves bound not only by marriage vows, but by a blood oath. Can they find a happily ever after?
So take a virtual trip to another world. And if I don’t meet with you again before the holidays, have a safe and wonderful holiday!
Before I get started on a rant, let me tell you the news.
For my thank you to all my readers, and those who follow me, I’m having a book sale.
Starting today and running through November 26, all my books on Smashwords will be available for 0.99 each. So if you’ve been waiting to try one, or aren’t sure, now is the time to take the plunge.
I mean, you can’t go wrong for less than a buck. Right?
Want an excerpt? Click on the Excerpt button at the top!
Not interested in e-books? If you prefer paperbacks or hardcover, go on over to Amazon! All my books are now available in both those formats as well!
Anyway, I think winter is making a comeback, so it is time to sit by the fire, with the cats, and have a nice read. Maybe a nice cuppa to go along with it. Just lean back, get comfy, and go to another place or time–or both!
If I don’t talk to you again before the holiday, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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.
Can you believe it? September is here already, with all this month brings this year. So far, we have two weddings and a birthday in the family, along with all the other appointments and events taking place.
Whic his part of the reason I’ve been absent for a couple weeks.
Not to worry! I have done some writing on Unwilling Soulmates and I’ve been doing a read through of Lady Calloway so I can get started on the down and dirty process of editing the story. I’ll do my best to cut out the dross before handing it off to my editor, who will then do a slash and burn on it before we release it to the public.
Lady Calloway has been a long while in the writing. It has been one of those stories which was quite easy to start, but then I couldn’t quite figure out how to end the thing. There were too many possibilities to choose from. And I liked them all. But I finally got it sorted.
Now for the first read through of the entire book. We’ll see how it flows now that it is all written. Yes, there will be changes along the way. First drafts are notorious for being crap. Some worse than others. But that’s why there is editing, probably my least favorite part of writing.
Let me tell you a little about Lady Calloway.
First, I’m still trying to find the proper title for it. As the plot has turned and twisted, the working title has become inadequate.
In a world which isn’t quite the one we know, in a country which might have been England, Kerrick and Liora live in a town which just misses being Victorian London. In their version of the world, the church and state are two sides if the same coin. The secular laws are based entirely on the scriptures and the church has the final authority if there is a disagreement over interpretation of the law.
Kerrick and Liora have been married for three months, mostly unhappily. But it has taken three months for Kerrick–who is employed by the church–to find out the reason for their problem is based in a heretical belief Liora holds. As a church employee, it is his duty to report her to the church, but he loves her too much to subject her to the confessors. Instead, he plans a trip to a private seaside family home to reason with her and persuade her to accept the current teachings.
Who could have foreseen the events which unfold once they arrive?
This book will be a little while in the finishing, but stay in touch and you’ll be the first to know when it is released! This is a stand alone and will be under the pen name Sultonna Nadine.
Want to read more from Sultonna?
Go to Amazon and check out Master of the Fleet, a tale set in an alternate world of Northwestern America, where the United States is divided into kingdoms and magic is just a part of everyday life.
Want a snippet from Lady Calloway?
In a country that’s not quite England, and a town which just misses being Victorian Londre, Kerrick Calloway trudged wearily up the walkway to his home.
“Paradise preserve me,” Kerrick muttered, shaking his head and running his fingers through his sandy brown hair. Hadn’t today been aggravating enough already?
His wife greeted him with a kiss which barely grazed his cheek, irritating him even more.
“What’s wrong?” Liora, his wife asked, her gray eyes stormy and troubled. “Why are you angry?”
Shrugging her shoulders under her thick auburn hair, she began to turn away, as she waited for his answer. His arm shot toward her, his hand grasping her jaw firmly as he turned her to face him.
“Why? I just want to know why I can’t have a proper kiss from my wife. After working all day, it would be nice to feel my wife cares for me, instead of thinking she simply tolerates me.”
Releasing her with disgust, he started toward his study.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Liora replied. “Of course, I care for you. Every day I meet you at the door with a kiss.”
“You call that a kiss?” he shouted, turning back towards his wife. “That’s the sort of kiss you’d give to a brother or father, not the kiss a husband expects from his wife.”
“What’s the difference? I greet you each and every day to show you I love you. Does the kiss matter so much?”
“Yes, it does” he shouted in anger. “A man expects a few niceties when he gets home, and a proper kiss from his wife is one of them.”
“Why are you going on so much about a kiss? You know I love you.”
“Do I?” Kerrick asked, exasperated. “How am I supposed to know that? Your kisses are sisterly at best, unless I press the issue. And in our bed, half the time I feel I’m committing rape. You agree to sleep with me, but show no passion. Can you even feel passion?”
Suddenly wanting to know if she could show anything at all, he pulled her to him roughly, one arm firmly around her waist, the other twined in her hair turning her face to his. He kissed her savagely at first, his mouth hard on hers, demanding, before his kiss became more sensual. At first she tried to struggle free, and then, for a brief moment, he felt the beginnings of awakening arousal, before she stiffened into her usual stance—endurance.
“Don’t, Kerrick,” she pleaded with him as he released her. “Please, never do that again. I can’t bear it.”
“Can’t bear what? The thought you might feel something for me? You didn’t have to accept my proposal of marriage.”
It makes a lot of difference to authors like me, who sell on Amazon. It is difficult to get noticed out there and reviews help. How often have you seen a product or book listed on Amazon and decided not to look at it because it had few or no reviews?
There is also the promotion factor. Unless an author has a certain number of reviews for their book, Amazon does very little to promote it. It won’t show up in suggestions for readers or in any promotional events. You’re on your own without reviews.
If you don’t review, why not? It takes only a few minutes to say whether or not you liked the book or what you liked about it. It may take less time than getting through the drive through during lunch hour and it costs you nothing.
But it will help out that new author whose book you tried the other day. The one you couldn’t put down.
Mellie's Books 