Wednesday, November 27, 2019

New Blog, New Link, Same Person...

Hey guys!
I know, it's been a loooong time! I have been working like crazy, both at work and on a new project.

Matter of fact, that is what this post is about.

First, been working, moving, helping my kids and grandkids out and just in general, busy.

Second, I'm working on a new project called Legacy Scribes Collaborative, and that has kept me extra busy!

Third, I'm moving my blog from here, over to our Legacy blog, here. I find it difficult to maintain two blogs. I've tried before and failed, even with the scheduling features. I focus better when there is one, so please, drop by and follow me there!

Legacy also has a website up now, which has a blog page, but I've decided to use the scheduling feature of Blogger and then update the website blog for those who don't use Blogger.

We're about to have another book signing event and all of those details are on the website, here.

I've also linked to Insecure Writer's Support Group and hope to get back into participating in that, because it's a resource I think all writer's should utilize! I love IWSG and have missed so much, I have to get caught up again.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday coming up, for those that celebrate, and I hope to see you on my new page!

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Beginnings And Ends...

So, this post has more to do about life than writing. If you were looking for writing stuff, feel free to pass on. It's also rather long.

My writing community/family has suffered an incredible loss this past weekend. Jennifer L. Miller, mother of three, daughter, friend, author, passed away unexpectedly.

She was my friend. My first real author contact when I first published through Publish America. She and I had books come out about the same time and we connected through their forums and became fast friends.

We learned a lot about publishing, the do's and don't's. PA opened our eyes to what a vanity press was. Most people liked it, but we both felt as if we'd been scammed and honestly, it crushed us both. I encouraged her to write the rest of her story, but to her, I suppose it was tainted. Either way, we both persevered differently from that experience.

At the time, Myspace was huge and so we got on there to promote our books, then took a different direction and created Word Weavers. We both wanted to bring in authors who had talent, but didn't want to be scammed. We didn't offer money, we offered help and promotions and anything we could possibly offer to ease the pain of self publishing. She came up with the author trading cards and people loved them! It was a unique way of showing off your book, giving a synopsis and adding a link. We even had genre symbols on there. Word Weavers was author support and our family grew.

Later we thought it would be wonderful to do anthologies and we put out feelers and calls for submissions among our Word Weaver group. We had them singled down to genres. Horror and Fantasy became the most popular, so later on, it evolved into Ladies and Gentlemen of Horror anthologies with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

Jenna worked hard on those, sometimes with little thanks or less sleep. She never made a dime, it was about showcasing the author, gaining them some exposure. Ladies and Gentlemen of Fantasy came back after awhile. Same thing; tons of work and little recognition.

Jenna made a huge impact with our group. Even though I went a different route, we still chatted, still worked on some things together and then my project kept me busy. No matter what, we'd always pick right back up where we left off. She was devoted to her kids and I watched them grow up online. They were her best friends. She was a shining star in our community and now her light has gone out. We're devastated. Her family is first and foremost in our thoughts.

I'm going to miss her very much. I'm heartbroken, I'm shocked, numb. Her work will continue on through all of us, though. We'll still keep her legacy going. For those who knew her, if you are on Facebook, we have a page for her and we're doing a dedication anthology.

Let's keep her light shining bright.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Book Review: Wildcat by JP Harker...

It's been a while since I've done a book review. I still love doing them, but sometimes I don't get a chance to read much.

Even so, I'm very happy to do this one.

Title: Wildcat



Author: JP Harker

Where to buy: Amazon

Book description: Rhianwyn of the Caderyn is conflicted about giving up a warrior’s life to become a wife and mother, but her love for her new husband is enough to at least make her consider it. However, with the conquering Gaians moving ever closer to her homeland a peaceful life may no longer be an option, for Rhia or for any of her people. With rival tribes, old suitors, and the dangerous General Lepidus to contend with, Rhia soon finds her new family in unprecedented danger, and her choices now must be about more than just herself... Wildcat takes place in a fantasy land inspired by Iron Age Britain and follows Rhianwyn's story as she encounters a civilisation unlike any she could imagine, and is constantly forced to learn and adapt through trial after deadly trial.




My thoughts: First, I must warn you, this book is quite long, but worth every word. Second, there are some scenes that may be triggers for some. (Most importantly, a rape scene).




Now on to the book itself. I loved it. You're brought in, first to one world and a way of living, then brought into another. War is a constant. You find yourself intrigued with the way Rhia lives and how she interacts and inspires. But, as will happen in these times, people you love will be taken away. Rhia proves to be a strong female character. After being torn from one lifestyle and then eventually embracing the next, you get to watch her struggle and how she grows from it.

I enjoyed this book very much and the historical aspects of daily living, war and tactics were spot on. I highly recommend the read. Very well written.




My rating: 5 out of 5 skull and crossbones.

Friday, February 22, 2019

About The Books In The Giveaway...

So before I go on Facebook LIVE and draw names of winners for the books, you should perhaps know a little about them beforehand. I'll be giving a run down of them before the drawing as well, but in the meantime, you'll have the information you need.

Each of these books have been signed. I have ONE COPY of EACH BOOK! So, sadly, the last person drawn will get what is left over. I wish I could do more, but we were sort of on a tight budget.

THAT being said, here are the books:

Bleeder by David Rex Bonnewell. This is NOT a Breed book, it's just another book out by the same author. This is horror straight up and is for MATURE READERS! 18+ on this book, baby. You have been WARNED!







Deadeye, on the other hand, IS a Breed book and has no such limitations on reader age. It is a sci-fi, dystopian, fun read and you will fall in love with Davrex Newell. I'm not kidding, there were moments I laughed out loud and almost woke the hubby.








Wyndham Hall by Midge Cline, same thing, is not a Breed book, but this is perfect for Young Adults and Adults a like. This is a ghost story with a great plot, not so scary as to give the kiddos nightmares and characters the kids can look up to. There is some great historical detail in here as well and worth the read.







Shadow Blades by Midge Cline IS a Breed book and there are two stories in one. Kersa and Raven's Hollow. Each story is a stand alone, yet is part of the same Breed world. Again, great details on history and mythology and involves the Fae (Fairy Folk).








Looker by Heather Gibson is a great adventure. Lydia has the ability to remote view, so an ex-military group decides she'd be their best weapon to try and find some bad guys. She doesn't exactly volunteer, though... This is a Psionics Breed book with Tech'ers involved and all sorts of adventure type stuff. A great read!







Ordinary Heroes by John H Howard is not a Breed book, either, but Mr. Howard is a Breed author. This book was part of the signing to get you geared up for when his book, Black Sheep is released. This is a great feel good book. Not all heroes wear capes. John H Howard's writing style shines through in this book and you'll fall in love with it like the rest of us did!







Blood of My Sisters by Mel Chesley is a Breed related book. In this book we have the Seven Sisters, witches who run the Sacred Heart Academy. Not only do they have their hands full with a societal clash of teenage girls on what sort of witch is better, they have to deal with a rogue werewolf going against Breed Law and hunting and killing his own kind. A witch tried to remove his "curse" and instead, had the opposite effect, which drove him mad. Now the Breed Council wants to use him for their own purposes, but they crossed the Sisters, and will have to pay!




So there you have it. My take on all the books. You can, of course, head on over to Amazon.com and read more to decide which book you'd like to get. And if you haven't already, get over HERE to enter the giveaway.

One of the SEVEN WINNERS will be entered into a drawing to win a $35 Amazon Gift Card! So hop on it!

Have a good weekend everyone and I will see you LIVE on Monday evening for the drawing!





Thursday, February 21, 2019

A Bit Of Change...

Change is good, especially when things grow a little stagnant or you just have gone as far as you can go.

That's the case with me, these days. Midian Entertainment was great, got me where I needed to go and now I'm back on the writing road with Legacy Scribes Collaborative. I have one final book coming out with The Breed, hopefully to be released at the end of March.

After that, I have 3 more books planned. Those will be published through Legacy. So I should have at least two more out before the year is over. I'm excited about all of this! I've been a busy girl with all kinds of writing projects, but nothing for myself for the last few years except "Blood of My Sisters". Now that I have that out, I can get back into my usual routine.

How is your writing going? Give me some details!

Monday, February 18, 2019

BOOK GIVEAWAY!...

Hey gang!

I am back from my book signing. It was a smashing success! We had so much fun and got to meet some great people. I forgot to take pictures with all but a few people because we got to talking. But that's okay!

But now it is time to do a GIVEAWAY! I have exactly one signed copy of each book from the signing to give away. That is 7 chances! SEVEN! Plus, we're throwing in some lanyards, bookmarks and keychains. I also have the books on USB flash drives with BONUS CONTENT! What? I know, that's just crazy!

Okay, so how to enter?

You can follow us on Twitter or Instagram for chances to win. If you retweet the giveaway, you'll get chances to win. And I'll think of some more fun things for you to do to get entries.

What will you win?

Seven people will win your choice of ONE SIGNED COPY of a PAPERBACK or USB FLASH DRIVE (which contains bonus content not found anywhere else), your choice of LANYARD, your choice of KEYCHAIN and your choice of BOOKMARK.

OUT OF THE SEVEN WINNERS, I will do another drawing for a $35 Amazon Gift Card.

Check out below how to enter!

BOOKS!


Lanyards

Bookmarks

Flash Drives
These are just a few of what we have.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Book Release: "Blood of My Sisters" by Mel Chesley

Hooray! It's here, it's here, it's here!

My book is now available on Amazon as a paperback and a Kindle! I'll leave the links to each below.

I'm so very excited to have my first BREED book out. This has been an amazing process and project. The other authors I work with are so great at brainstorming. I'll share their book links below, too!

I'm so very excited. We'll be having a huge book signing in Airway Heights, WA, Feb. 8th and 9th at Ghost Quarter Games. If you live in the area, please at least drop by!

And watch this space. After the book signing, I won't be so frazzled and will do a giveaway here on the blog.

Okay, okay, on with it! Here are the links to not just my books, but all those currently from The Breed world:

For Kindle, click here.

For Paperback, click here.

 For Kindle, click here.

For Paperback, click here.

For Kindle, click here.

For Paperback, click here.

For Kindle, click here.

For Paperback, click here.








And that's it for now! All of these books will soon be made available in other formats, and as soon as that happens, I will post links. Thanks, everyone, for your support and happy reading!

Don't forget the book signing:


Friday, January 11, 2019

Cover Reveal: Blood of My Sisters by Mel Chesley...

Yup! That's my name in the title there! Woohoo!

The new year was decent. It brought about many changes. I am still an author and will be writing about The Breed, but I am no longer Creative Director. I had to step down for several reasons. None of which need to be brought out here.

However, I'm very, very excited to reveal the cover of my new book! Blood of My Sisters. This is one of a series of Seven Sisters books.

Meet Isla Black. A young "Book Witch", one not born to a pure bloodline, but who learns through reading books and practicing spells. When she opens a portal on her own, the Seven Sisters are alerted of her power in the magical arts and whisk her away to the Sacred Heart Academy. There, she begins to study and learn to master her skills. All of the other students, except two, are "Blood Witches"; young women born to ancient family bloodlines, whose power comes more naturally than just through books. They make it clear they do not want Isla -- or the other Book Witches -- around.

Just before Isla's arrival, the academy is attacked by a rogue werewolf. He breaks two Breed Laws: No hunting for sport, no attacking your own kind. The Sisters have their hands full, not just with the werewolf, but with the societal split within their own ranks in the Sacred Heart Academy. Against Council orders, the Sisters take matters into their own hands. When The Council decides to step in with a plan of their own, they'll learn that clashing with the Sisters is never a good idea, for Human or Breed.

All right, so without further ado, here is the cover!


I hope you like it! I will be releasing the book soon, so watch this space! Have a great weekend, everyone.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Closing Of An Old Year...

Well, lots of changes this year, especially near the end.

Change is good and being independent is better. I'm speaking more of professionally than anything. I won't go into details, but I will be having a book release hopefully near the middle of the month.

I hope to have another soon after. Both are related to The BREED series I've been working on. After that, I have one more that is unrelated. I hope, near the end of the year, that I will have at least one, if not two, more BREED related books either finished or close to being complete.

That's five books. Plus, working on a cookbook collaboration. Phew! I don't know how I think I will do this, but it can be done. I've seen it all before.

When one door closes, another opens. There have been many bumps in my writing career, but I have yet to let any of them stop me for long. Oh, I might whine and cry about it for a little while, but I do try to move on.

I hope you all have a happy and safe New Year! I look forward to 2019.

What are your plans and goals, either personally or professionally? Leave a comment!