Saturday, December 17, 2011

DID I JUST WRITE THAT?



I am up at 4am working on my WIP. I definitely understand the needs for rewrites and rewrites after your rewrite. I am laughing at myself right now. Either my character knows magic or I've got some fixing to do. LOL Swords appearing and disappearing in the next scene and daggers doing the same.

Raven is good but, not that good. She's a little upset with me right now so, I'd better get back to it. She's my creation so, I know exactly what she's capable of.

Later,
Melissa

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Friday, November 11, 2011

WRITING



The writing is still going. Slow, but still going. It's taking me a while to get back into the swing of things but, strangely enough, it is so relaxing to me once I get going. I should have been doing this while I was going through life changes.

Raven was starting to get a bit pissed with me. She was tired of just hanging out in my head. She informed me that "She has a life too you know?"

Well, I've got to go. Just dropping in for a quick update. I know how I feel when my fave authors drop off the scene for a while. It drives me crazy.

Friday, October 14, 2011

WRITING AGAIN



Well, it's been a long time but, I've started back writing. Personal things and life seemed always to be getting in the way but, last night...I sat down and had the best writing session I've had in very long time. It felt good too.

Just thought you should know.

Later,
Melissa

P.S. The picture above features my only published story, RAVEN'S TRANSFORMATION.
I don't want this to be Raven's last word.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Steve Jobs Dies



Apple founder Steve Jobs dies. He was an innovator and great mind. His passion will be greatly missed. RIP

Later,
Melissa

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

A PERFECT BLOOD KIM HARRISON'S NEW BOOK COVER!


OMG! Can you tell I'm excited?! Can you tell that Kim Harrison is my favorite author? Well she is. Can't wait to get my hands on this one. Think I'll head on over to Amazon and pre-order.

A PERFECT BLOOD is the 10th book in the Hollows series featuring Rachel Morgan - a ass kicking earth witch, Ivy her friend living vampire, roommate and business partner. - that will kick your ass if you mess with Rachel. Jenks - a wisecracking pixie. - that always has Rachel's back.

I love, love, love this series. I am already having withdrawal pain just thinking about the day Kim stops taking us into the Rachel's world. I have grown so attached to the characters.


At least Kim is giving us different looks from the Hollows. BLOOD WORK is Kim's first graphic novel and it's told from Ivy's POV. I love Ivy. Well, as much as you can love a character that exits only in a book. I love all the characters in the Hollows world. I hope Kim gives us at least 15 books but, I don't think that is in the plans. Sigh.

Later,
Melissa

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

REVIEW: DEADLIER BY THE DOZEN

Deadlier By The Dozen is Marcia's Colette's latest release. And I say last release because Marcia is a prolific author. Her prior releases The Spider Inside Her and Bittersweet were also released this year. This is how I like my authors to roll. And I absolutely love the cover.


Deadlier By The Dozen is an adult Urban Fantasy. It is also book two in the Dark Encounters series. You won't find any werewolves or vampires in this one but, I promise my Urban Fantasy fans...you will not be disappointed.

From the beginning, this story is shot out of a gun putting the main character Mackenzie Lawson in emanate danger. I love Mackenzie's progression over the course of this book. She has to transition from everyday average citizen to kick ass if she is going to survive.

Marcia paints characters so real I have to peek out my door and down the hall to make sure one of them isn't standing in wait for me. I asked Marcia if she would mine if I did a review. She was fine with it. But, I know she is wondering where is it?

Well, when I read a story that I absolutely love, I have a little ritual I follow. First, I can't read anything else for a couple of days because if done right, the characters stick with me for a couple of days. I call it marinating on the story. That's what I had to do before putting up this review.

The pacing of DBTD was perfect for me. It's definitely a page turner. I read it in 2.5 days. I couldn't put it down. I picked it up and thought, I'm reading another fav author right now so, I'll just read a chapter then finish my other book. Nope. I couldn't stop reading. She hooked me from the first.

No offense intended but, you've got to be a pretty damn good writer to get me to stop reading Kelly Gay, one of my favorite writers. Wait, does that mean Marcia has moved up on the fav author list!

I promised I wouldn't give away the story so I have to talk in general terms. But, let's just say Mackenize turns out to be a bad ass.

If you want to add an awesome author to you TBR list, look no further. Marcia Colette delivers.

Other books by Marcia:



The Spider Inside Her is another great book!


I really enjoyed this one too.


I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Marcia will jump back in to Alexa's world!

Last but not least, this is the first book I ever read by Marcia. It's a paranormal romance. I normally don't do romance but, Marcia mixed enough romance, urban fantasy and kick ass to keep me very happy:)


That's my review. Deadlier By The Dozen earns 5 out of 5 Vamp Teeth

Later,
Melissa


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

DEADLIER BY THE DOZEN

Deadlier By The Dozen, my friend Marcia Colette's new release is now available as an e-book from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords. I just downloaded my Kindle version. I am already on chapter three and loving it! Here is a picture of the awesome cover.



Looks sweet doesn't it? Deadlier By The Dozen is an adult Urban Fantasy.

Product Description


Dark Encounters, Book #2

The more the scarier.

Put up for adoption at seven-years old, history teacher Mackenzie Lawson has spent the last twenty years dreaming of meeting her family again. However, her hopes to rekindle old memories and find closure have hit one hell of a snag. A hundred-year-old curse placed upon her relatives has begun, unleashing a dozen of her doppelgangers who want her dead. Their purpose is to infiltrate her family and kill everyone in sight. To exact revenge for a wrong that happened more than a century ago.

Mackenzie must find a way to get rid of her psychotic doubles or risk having them go after her loved ones. However, each doppelganger kill causes her blood pressure to skyrocket to dangerous levels. This and more attract the attention of a mysterious mutant with patchwork skin who volunteers his services, but leaves out the part about it being his job to destroy the source of the doppelgangers starting with her. Mackenzie needs to figure out where his loyalties lie before DEADLIER BY THE DOZEN becomes deadlier by thirteen

You guys know, I love to read and write Urban Fantasy so, you know I'm in heaven now. Not only do I get to read an awesome Urban Fantasy but, one written by my friend Marcia. I've got to go now. Time to read Deadlier By The Dozen!

Later,
Melissa

Thursday, August 18, 2011

VAMPIRE HUNTRESS DAWN AND DARKNESS


My girls and I were hanging with my BFF when I ran across DAWN AND DARKNESS by L A BANKS. Of course, I picked it up. I am hoping the other four already planned issues will still come out. If they do, they are mine!

Later,
Melissa
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Friday, August 12, 2011

BLACKBEARD'S HOUSE

Took a day trip to visit my BFF in Morehead City. We kicked back for a couple of hours on the beach. My awesome BFF waiting until I was chest deep in the Atlantic before telling me she had just watched shark week and we were probally surrounded by sharks but, just couldn't see them.




Okay, after surviving a possible shark attack, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed to beaufort and my friends art studio/store THE BLUE DRAGONFLY.




We had a great time checking out the antique shops. One owner even grew a cute little garden in the walkway beside her shop.


We had to take a break from fun for a bit when my BFF's soon to be daughter-in-law backed into my car. After taking care of business it was on to Blackbeard's house.

We plan on going back and taking the night walking tour. Not as scary during the day, huh?  We walked the graveyard that's suppose to have the grave of a man Blackbeard killed when he walked in on his wife dancing in front of him before he found out that was her brother.

The graveyard is a part of the ghost walk that includes Blackbeard's house. Well, that's all. Just a quick check in.

Later,

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

THE WORLD HAS LOST ONE OF THEIR LITERARY TITANS.

Today the writing world mourns the loss of Leslie Esdaile (L.A.) Banks, author of the Vampire Huntress and Crimson Moon series in the paranormal genre, as well as romance, thrillers, and motivational non-fiction. For the last several months Leslie had been battling adrenal cancer.

Leslie was known not just for her works which touched the lives of many readers, but also as someone who opened her heart and arms to new authors to welcome them to the fold.
One of Leslie’s proudest and most memorable moments was introducing President Obama at a Health care Reform rally in early March 2010.

All of us here at Bitten by Books hold Leslie’s family and friends in our thoughts during this difficult time.
 

 

Friday, July 8, 2011

BLOOD WORK BOOK TRAILER


Click on the link below to see the book trailer for KIM HARRISON'S new graphic novel BLOOD WORK. I've already preordered mine. Release date is July 12, 2011.  Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEb19wzi7FU&feature=player_embedded

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

LEUCROTA PRESS



I had suspected but, now have confirmed that Leucrota Press, the small publishing company that published my first short story is no more. From what I can glean from the Internet, it looks like they closed due to bankrupcy as the main reason.

I had hoped that Leucrota would be able to ride out the turbulent publishing industry after purchasing Arkham Tales and signing Shaun Jeffery's The  Kult over for a movie deal.

I have to say that, it's a bit sad to see the company that published my first story taking me from aspiring writer to published author was not able to to hold it's own. Maybe like the Phoenix it may rise from the ashes.

Later,
Melissa

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

SUMMER VACATION


Summer vacation has begun for my kids so, as any Mom knows...you must become the summer fun/tour guide for your children. Because inevitably if you ask what do you want to do, you will get, "I don't know." Shoulder shrug.



My first adventure for my babies was an epic fail. I planned a hiking trip that five minutes into the hike, we ran into Mr. snake. I wasn't scared because Mr. snake was getting his arse kicked by fire ants and slithering as fast as he could away and into the water.



Here he is on the wood bridge curled up on himself before he mad a run for the water.




The trip wasn't a complete bust. There was some beautiful scenery and I got a good feel for what it would be like to work and live in a national park. Which is good being that one  of my characters is a park Ranger or junior park Ranger. Nice way to do research and enjoy the family too.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

L A BANKS GRAVELY ILL

It is with profound sadness that we have to inform you that our beloved sister and friend, Leslie Esdaile, (“L.A. Banks”) is most gravely ill. She is facing an uphill battle in her struggle with serious illness. Please know that as Leslie needs all of her energy in this fight, she is absolutely not able to receive visitors, answer emails, texts or phone calls, or receive flowers. What she is able to receive is your continued prayers.
Also, Leslie’s medical expenses are mounting at an astronomical rate. If you wish to assist Leslie, a fund has been established to help with these ever increasing expenses. If you wish to send donations (please note that donations are not tax-deductible) to help Leslie, please see the information listed below:

Leslie Esdaile Fund
Account #81538801
Police and Fire Federal Credit Union
Operations Center
901 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2404
215-931-0300

If you live in Philadelphia, PA, you may take donations directly to any Police and Fire Federal Credit Union branch. Please be sure to note the account number. You may also send them to the P.O. Box listed below*.

Police and Fire Federal Credit Union Branch Locations:
Main Branch:
901 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Additional Branches:
Leo Mall, 11705 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116-2515
Davisville Shopping Center, Street Road, Philadelphia, PA
Andorra Shopping Center, Ridge and Henry Avenues, Philadelphia, PA
City Avenue Shopping Center, 7604 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19151-2007
Mayfair Branch on Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Northeast Branch, 7500 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Grant and Academy Shopping Center Branch, Philadelphia, PA

You may send good wishes and cards to*:
Leslie Esdaile
c/o Tina Ryan Wise
P.O. Box 37189
Philadelphia, PA 19148-9998

On behalf of Leslie, her daughter Helena, her sister Liza and all of her family and friends, we sincerely thank you for all of your continued prayers and support.
Tina Ryan Wise
Tinarwise@gmail.com


 I learned this bit of sad news yesterday. Please send your prayers and if you feel so inclined, donations to this lovely awesome woman.
Melissa


 

 

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

SLOW GOING


It's been a bit since I posted. The writing has been slow going lately. But, tonight I sat down and went through fifty plus pages and added 535 words to my WIP. I updated my nano meter which I hope over then next day or two will start to show some real progress.

I saw a video today with the Magical Words authors that they basically said, if you are a writer, then write. Worry about getting it perfect later. Just get the story down. I know that's the logical thing but, it's so hard not to edit as you go. It is for me anyway. I am going to work hard over the next couple of weeks. I am going to try to just write my story. Don't worry about getting it perfect the first time. That's what rewrites and edits are for.

Later,
Melissa

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mother's day!!!


I had to work on Mother's day but, my babies gave me smell goods and two cards that I simply and absoutely love.

I brought myself a beautiful gerber dasiy and Jillian Michaels new book UNLIMITED. I am reading it now.

I have to tell you, I am loving this book. The woman is deep. I am having a hard time not reading straight through this book. It's that good. No offense intended but, I had no idea Jillian was this deep. She defenitely is not a one hit wonder.

Later, going to read.
Melissa
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

AUTHOR AWESOMENESS!

I am surrounded by author awesomeness! My three favorite authors have books out at the same time! Right now I am reading PALE DEMON by Kim Harrison. Favorite author number one.

And I just got my hands on DARKNESS BECOMES HER by Kelly Keaton. Favorite author number two. It's a good thing my fav authors have books out at the same time because I tend to tear through them.


Favorite author number three, my author friend Marcia Colette has a new release, BITTERSWEET. I've read the first  couple of chapters and the girl has skills!
  

Have mercy my awesome threesome! I can't give you my entire paycheck. I think between my fav authors new releases and several books on my shelves TBR, I've got my reading goodness covered until Kim's graphic novel BLOODWORK comes out in July to be followed by Charlie's latest adventures.

Later,
Melissa




Saturday, March 5, 2011

NEW RELEASE ALERT

 My buddy Marcia Colette has a smoking hot new release. And I'm just not saying that because she's my friend. The girl can write! BITTERSWEET by Marcia Colette is available through Barnes and Nobles, Smashwords and Amazon. It will  be available in print soon. Love the cover Marcia!




Check out Marcia Colette's site and learn more. http://www.marciacolette.com/.


Monday, February 28, 2011

IT'S ALL KELLY GAY'S FAULT!

Okay, months ago I promised myself that I would not buy any new author's books or start any new series until I had made a substantial dent in my TBR pile. Well, a while back I won a signed copy of Kelly Gay's book BETTER PART OF DARKNESS. She sent that along with a couple of authors I hadn't read. One of them was Kat Richardson so, I read GREYWALKER. I loved it! So, I had to get POLTERGEIST which I am reading now.

This morning, I get Kelly's Newsletter in my e-mail. It's talking about her new YA, DARKNESS BECOMES HER.

I made the fatal mistake. I read the first chapter. Now I have it on order to be delivered Wed. Why Kelly, why do you write such damn good books! You know I can't resist. Please have mercy! I've already pre-ordered THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES. I don't know if my brain can continue to take such reading happiness.

Later,
Melissa

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

WHY WE BUY THE BOOKS WE DO

I was patrolling my favorite blog haunts this morning and found this cover.


I love it! I have to buy this when it comes out. I have never read Diana Roland but, this is a no brainer for me. No pun intended. Authors are always wanting to know what makes a reader buy their book. I just answered that question for an author a few days ago. Why am I buying this book? First of all, the cover rocks. The second reason, the title MY LIFE AS A WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE. Come on, it does not get any better than that! Third reason, the blurb on the back cover. Fourth reason, Diana is a multi-pub author. Final reason, I'm a writer/author myself and I need to be well read. So there you have it.

Later,
Melissa

Thursday, February 17, 2011

GREYWALKER

Just finished reading GREYWALKER by Kat Richardson. I received the book from a Kelly Gay blog contest. My name was randomly drawn. I got some other cool stuff too. I just bounced back from Kelly's blog. I let her know that it's her fault I had to order book 2 in the GREYWALKER series - POLTERGEIST.

It seems I'm behind in this series. The books in order are:

GREYWALKER
POLTERGEIST
UNDERGROUND
VANISHED
LABYRINTH
DOWNPOUR

I was lucky enough to find books three and four at my local bookstore. Which is no small feat considering four Borders stores are closing right here in NC. I contacted Kat Richardson because I couldn't find books one and two in hardcover. She informed me that the first two did not come out in hardcover. Oh the pain! I'm a nerdy book collector and it's driving me crazy having part of a series in mass market paperback and the rest in hardcover. ROC, can you say special order please.

I had to special order some of Laurell K Hamilton's books to complete my hardcover collection. Which by the way, all of my friends have been pushing me to stop collecting hardcovers and switch over to a kindle or a nook. No such luck people. I can not get over having the actual book in my hot little hand.

Without further distractions, here's my review. Well, first of all, GREYWALKER must be pretty good if I've already brought book three and four with POLTERGEIST on the way.

Here's the write up from Kat's site:

Recovering from a near-fatal accident, Seattle Private Investigator Harper Blaine develops the ability to move through the Grey: the realm of ghosts, vampires, witches, and magic that exists between our world and the next. Harper wants her life to return to normal, but when her clients turn out to be paranormal, the reluctant GREYWALKER is drawn into the affairs of ambitious vampires and angry ghosts. As her cases converge, Harper uncovers a plot that threatens Seattle’s Grey world and must choose between honor and survival.

I loved the GREYWALKER idea. A living person that can enter and move through the grey where paranormal creatures live. Just that one idea alone makes for some very interesting possibilities. I found myself reading into wee hours of the morning scared to put GREYWALKER down. I didn't want to leave Harper hanging in a potential deadly situation. There are enough twists and turns, vampires and magic to keep the plot moving along nicely. There were a couple of times I had to re-read a couple of passages because they were a bit overwhelming with descriptions of the paranormal. but, over all I really enjoyed this one. Like I said. I'm set. I've got books 1, 3, 4 with book 2 on the way. I'd definitely recommend this to my friends.















Sunday, February 6, 2011

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

What's your superbowl plans? The girls and I are planning a small girls nite. We do every year. It's somewhat of a tradition in my household. Menu: pizza, soda, nachos and beer for the adults. Happy superbowl!!!
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Friday, February 4, 2011

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!

Abaculus III edited by Danielle Kaheaku


Leucrota Press (trade, 220 pages)

Publication date: November 2009, USA

SF, fantasy and horror stories from Kevin Wallis, Jessica Dall, Josh Alletto, Melissa Carmichael, Brandon Ford, Mark Finnemore, Murphy Edwards, M.D. Maurice, Terry W. Ervin III, Martin Zeigler, Lesley Conner, Robert Essig, R.S. Hunter, Larry Ivkovich, John X. Grey, Shaun Jeffrey, David M. Peak.



This is the first time I've seen my name listed as an author in ABACULUS III. I found the listing on www.sfsite.com/books/.  A pleasant surprise before starting to work on the follow-up to  RAVEN'S TRANSFORMATION.

Later,
Melissa


Thursday, February 3, 2011

DESIGNED TO SELL

I'm paying my writing dues. I'm taking the dreaded grammar workshop! I've signed up for a workshop hosted by the grammar divas. Like they said, most people equate taking a grammar class with a root canal.

So why am I torturing myself? Because I want my manuscript to shine like the Michael Jordan's bald head. I want to put the best possible manuscript I can send into the black hole that is called slush pile. And I don't want my editor/agent be moaning rookie mistakes. That's why I have a beta reader, crit partner, writing resource books, read book after book in my chosen genre and take class after class to hone my writing skills.

I sacrifice hours of sleep after working twelve or sixteen hour shifts in pursuit of writing perfection. Or close as I can get.

Later,
Melissa

Tuesday, January 25, 2011



Okay, I just finished reading ONCE DEAD TWICE SHY. I definitely will be reading the follow-up EARLY TO DEATH EARLY TO RISE. Kim has done it again. I've been growing more and more worried with Kim's Hollows series drawing closer to an end. I am a major fan girl of the Rachel Morgan Hollows series that Kim created and was starting to go through withdrawal with it's end looming near.

But, after reading Kim's new YA, I feel my stress lessening. I'm hooked on Madison, Barnabas, the light and dark reapers. With Kim's other series ending, I was afraid that Kim's style might change and I might fall out of love with her writing. No worries. ONCE DEAD TWICE SHY wasn't a disappointment. It flows from beginning to end with Kim's unique voice and ability to cause you to totally fall in love with the characters. It's filled with the twists and turns that Kim Harrison readers have come to expect. All is not what it seems.

I'm amazed that Kim was able to pack as much punch in her YA that she does with her adult series. She is truly a wizard with a pen considering, the shorter length of about one hundred pages or so in a traditional length YA.

And characters that I thought for sure I'd end up hating, I felt sympathy for and ended up loving in the end. Characters I thought trustworthy, well like I said before, all isn't what it seems.

Reading about Madison may be enough to hold me over until Kim's next release, PALE DEMON. I am also looking forward to the graphic novel release July 2011. The graphic novel will be from Ivy's POV no less!!! The cover is smoking HOT! Makes me yearn for my silver and black Honda CBR I sold. (sigh)

With PALE DEMON release scheduled for Feb 22 and BLOOD WORK scheduled for July 2011 and Madison's book three SOMETHING DEADLY THIS WAY COMES releasing late May or early June. I'm pretty safe from DTs (Delirium Tremors - withdrawal from Hollows series for big time fan girl.)
Later,
Melissa

QUICK WRITING UPDATE

This year I have promised myself that I would start submitting stories. RAVEN'S TRANSFORMATION was published Nov. 2009. Since then, I have not turned in one story. This week I'll be turning in another Urban Fantasy short story. I'm in the final stages of spit polishing it to a shine. I have two publishers in mind for submitting.

I've almost finished reading ONCE DEAD TWICE SHY by Kim Harrison and should have a reader's review up soon. And I just signed up for a online writing class to help improve my writing.

Later,
Melissa