Tuesday, 27 January 2015

TEASER TUESDAY - SACHAEL DREAMS

Here is a teaser for all of you waiting for the release of SACHAEL DREAMS.



Only 4 weeks to go and the nerves are starting to build, but I'm busy preparing things behind the scenes.

The Facebook release day party is about to go live, and it will only be a success if you join me, so make sure you're there 7pm - 9pm GMT: there'll be lots of giveaways and chatter about Sachael Dreams.

Also, running from the 1st February until the 23rd February there will be a giveaway on Goodreads for a signed copy of SACHAEL DREAMS. Get signed up, you never know, you may win!

Until later, take care

Melody xxx


Tuesday, 20 January 2015

BOOK COVER REVEAL - Dare to Dream by Carys Jones

Another cover reveal from REUTS this week. And another brilliant cover, and from my friend Carys!
This book sounds amazing, I can't wait to read it.

ENJOY!!!!


 

The world was going to end. Of that, Maggie Trafford was certain.

Fourteen-year-old Maggie Trafford leads a normal life. Well, as normal as being crammed in a three-bedroom house with four siblings and a single parent can be, anyway. But despite being somewhat ignored at home, Maggie excels, earning top grades, a best friend who would do anything for her, and stolen looks from a boy in Maths.

It’s not until the dreams start that Maggie realizes “normal” is the least of her problems. Every night, she lives the same nightmare—red lightning, shattered glass, destruction. But nightmares are just that, right? No one believes her when she says it’s an omen. At least, not until the already mysterious pillars of Stonehenge start falling.

No longer alone in her fear, Maggie and the world watch with bated breath as one after another, the historic stones tumble, like a clock counting down. But only Maggie knows what it means: when the last stone falls, destruction will reign. And when the world ends, there’s only one option left—survive.

Horrifying and raw, Dare to Dream is equal parts tragedy and hope, detailing the aftermath of apocalyptic catastrophe, the quest for survival, and the importance of belief.


 About Carys Jones:

 
Carys Jones loves nothing more than to write and create stories which ignite the reader's imagination. Based in Shropshire, England, Carys lives with her husband, two guinea pigs and her adored canine companion Rollo.

When she's not writing, Carys likes to indulge her inner geek by watching science-fiction films or playing video games.

She lists John Green, Jodi Picoult and Virginia Andrews as her favorite authors and draws inspiration for her own work from anything and everything.

To Carys, there is no greater feeling then when you lose yourself in a great story and it is that feeling of ultimate escapism which she tries to bring to her books.


Tuesday, 13 January 2015

Cover Reveal: SACHAEL DREAMS by ME!

Yes! Yes! It's time for the cover reveal for my debut novel SACHAEL DREAMS. I can't thank Ashley (REUTS Publications) enough--she's caught the mood of the book perfectly with this dark atmospheric cover.

Every time I look at it I have to pinch myself to remind me that it's MY book-cover! MINE!!!!

This image shows Estelle as she enters the sea for her submergence ritual under the full moon. But before I give away too much see the official blurb under the cover image.

And if you haven't already added SACHAEL DREAMS to your 'to be read' list on Goodreads here's the link: GOODREADS-SACHAELDREAMS




Twenty-two-year-old Estelle Bailey has had enough of busy city-life and her hot-tempered ex. She escapes to the seclusion and peace of her family’s cliff-top home in Ravenscar, where the soothing solitude whispers to her soul as strongly as the sea itself does. But her newfound contentment is interrupted when a mysterious man—a Sachael, master of seduction—joins her midnight swim unexpectedly.

Estelle struggles against his charm and the overpowering attraction she feels for him. He offers her a life she never could have imagined, a life beneath the waves . . . but at what cost? Before she can decide, she’s captured, ensnared by the Sect, a secret enemy of the Sachaels, becoming a pawn in a war she knew nothing about. Now, she’s left with a new choice—escape the clutches of the Sect and flee into the ocean, or side with her alluring, intimidating captor and destroy the Sachaels forever. Can she turn her back on the man she might love, or will the secret of her heritage change everything? Set against a picturesque backdrop, Sachael Dreams is the first in a new series, exploring themes of romance, love, and identity, and the struggle that happens when all three collide.

~oOoOo~
 


SACHAEL DREAMS is due to be released on 24th February 2015 and I will be holding a facebook party in the evening between 7-9pm GMT. There will be lots of chat and exclusive giveaways--invites will be going out soon and a link will be posted here, on my website and on twitter, so look out for it if you want to join in!

Reuts are featuring a pre-order special price for Sachael Dreams ebook. Find the link here if you want to take advantage of this: Reuts website SD ebook pre-order

Follow me on Twitter: Melody Winter Twitter

Like my Author page on Facebook: Melody Winter Books Facebook

Check out my website: Melody Winter Website (and become a member for exclusive news/signed books/Sachael Dreams merchandise)



Growing up, Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write far too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but eventually ended up working in Finance. Melody is convinced the methodical time she spends working with numbers fuels her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.
Melody Winter lives in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the beach. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures. In fact, if she wasn’t such a terrible swimmer, she’d say she was a mermaid.
Sachael Dreams is her debut novel, and the first in her New Adult Romantic Fantasy series—the ‘Mine Series’.
 









Friday, 12 December 2014

Cover Reveal: ISLA'S OATH by Cassandra Page

You may remember the stunning cover I revealed for Isla's Inheritance, by Cassandra Page. This time I bring you the cover for the second book in the series-- ISLA'S OATH.
 

 
 
Isla’s Oath (Isla’s Inheritance #2) by Cassandra Page
 
Genre: Young adult urban fantasy
Release date: 22 January 2014
 
Summary from Goodreads:
Australia is a long way from the Old World and its fae denizens ... but not far enough.
Isla is determined to understand her heritage and control her new abilities, but concealing them from those close to her proves difficult. Convincing the local fae she isn’t a threat despite her mixed blood is harder still. When the dazzling Everest arrives with a retinue of servants, Isla gets her first glimpse of why her mother’s people are hated ... and feared.
But Isla isn’t the only one with something to hide. Someone she trusts is concealing a dangerous secret. She must seek the truth and stop Everest from killing to get what he wants: Isla’s oath.
Isla’s Inheritance – book one available now
Isla was content to let her father keep his secrets, but now she can’t stand the touch of iron and her dreams are developing a life of their own. She must discover the truth—before it’s too late.

Seventeen-year-old Isla Blackman only agrees to participate in a Halloween party séance because Dominic, an old crush, wants to. She is sure nothing will happen when they try to contact the spirit of her mother. But the séance receives a chilling reply.

SHE IS NOT DEAD

Isla doesn’t want to upset her father by prying into the family history he never discusses. When the mysterious and unearthly Jack offers to help her discover the truth, Isla must master her new abilities to protect her loved ones from enemies she never knew existed.
 
Author bio

Cassandra Page is a mother, author, editor and geek. She lives in Canberra, Australia’s bush capital, with her son and two Cairn Terriers. She has a serious coffee addiction and a tattoo of a cat — which is ironic, as she’s allergic to cats. When she’s not reading or writing, she engages in geekery, from Doctor Who to AD&D. Because who said you need to grow up?
 
 
 

 
 
Author links
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads


Thursday, 13 November 2014

Book Review - DEATH OF A WATERFALL by Kara Leigh Miller

 

Blurb:  Twenty year old, college freshman, Teghan Jacobs didn’t think anything could be worse than learning she’s pregnant by a man she’s been dating less than six months. Boy, was she wrong. Her mother, who’s drowning in the river of denial, refuses to take a side on the issue. Her overbearing, manipulative father threatens to disown her and cut her off from her trust fund if she doesn’t have an abortion.
 
 
Donnie Marks couldn’t be happier. The woman he loves, the woman he fought so hard to be with, is going to have his baby. Life has never been better. But when she shows up in his dorm, sobbing and heartbroken, he learns the horrible truth of what happened. He vows to get revenge on the man who's responsible: Teghan's father.
 
 
My Review
 
I was looking forward to reading this book. The book blurb sounded interesting, intriguing, and promised a heart-throb to die for.
 
What I liked:
The book was well written, something which I find incredibly hard to find these days. The plot was fast, fascinating and downright gruesome at times. I constantly wondered what would happen next. It held my interest to keep reading. I didn’t skim, and read it all.
 
Donnie: A true heart-throb, and very appealing. BUT, I struggled with his character development. He went total OCD towards the end of the novel. I know there were horrendous circumstances, but his reaction came from nowhere--I wasn't convinced.
 
What I wasn't so keen on:
Teghan. I found her more reminiscent of what I expect from a YA character. Her emotional mood swings were all over the place, and unfortunately a little bit repetitive for me. I would expect a little more grounding for a character slipping into the NA slot.
The sex scenes: I just didn’t like them. In fact I found one scene incredibly cringe worthy. I’m not shy of sex scenes, far from it, but these did nothing for me.
The ending: I honestly turned the page looking for the next chapter. But it wasn’t there—I’d reached the end of the book! To me, the ending didn’t feel like one. I know there are more books to come in this series, but this really was a ‘what the heck moment’. It wasn’t a cliff-hanger, it just stopped.

Will I buy the next book in the series, yes, I think I will. I’d like to know what Miller has in store for the characters. Hopefully the sex will have improved and Teghan will have grown up a bit.
 
Title: Death of a Waterfall
Author: Kara Leigh Miller
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
Release Date: June 8, 2013
Buy Links:
About the Author: 
Kara is a multi-published erotic romance author who isn’t afraid to fling the bedroom door wide open and jump into bed with her characters. Represented by Dawn Dowdle of The Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Kara loves to write contemporary romance, erotica, and young adult romance. Currently she has several full-length novels in the works, a series of novellas, and a handful of short stories. An active member of the CNY Writers Haven and the CNY Romance Writers, Kara is also the Managing Editor for the Surge and Romance Imprints at Anaiah Press.
To learn more about Kara, or to find links to her other published works, please visit her website: http://www.karaleighmiller.com. You can also follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKaraLeighMiller) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/KaraLeighMille1)
 
 

 

 

Thursday, 6 November 2014

ProjectREUTSway 2014 - Week 1 challenge

Here we go again!

Anyone who pops into my blog every now and then will have seen that last year I participated in ProjectREUTSway 2013, and was blessed with having 'Shifting Seas' selected for publication in the anthology which was released last week (31st October 2014)

I am now, with many other fabulous writers, attempting this years ProjectREUTSway.

MYTHOLOGY! Not the ones that everyone knows - oh no, Egyptian, Celtic, Asian, and Eastern Europe. Research!!!!!!!!

This was the first week challenge:

http://www.projectreutsway.com/project-reutsway-2014-week-1-write-like-an-egyptian/

My story, SANDSTORM, has been sent today. Let the nail biting begin.

I'll be back next week, with news on the next challenge.

Id you fancy following all the events on twitter, search #ProjectREUTSway. We're all there, chatting, panicking and generally supporting each other.

See you soon.

Melody xx

Friday, 31 October 2014

BOOK RELEASE DAY: FAIRLY TWISTED TALES FOR A HORRIBLY EVER AFTER

Today marks the release of my first officially published story. It's a short story, under 5,000 words, and was the result of a competition ProjectREUTSway 2013, that ran throughout November 2013. I tweeted, blogged and shouted about the competition and my writing friends who also took part: Summer Wier, Drew Hayes, T A Brock, Carly Drake, Kathy Palm.

The result is this beautiful anthology, full of wonderful stories, and gorgeous illustrations.

I'd like to raise a glass to every writer who participated, and raise a glass or two (or three--Ashley!) to everyone who participated and made this happen. Working with Reuts has been fun and exciting, and I look forward to seeing what this years entries in the ProjectREUTSway will bring.

The book is available electronically NOW! and will be released as a hardbook in a few weeks time.

Here's the link to the electronic edition directly from REUTS Publications:  Fairly Twisted Tales for a Horribly Ever After

And here for Amazon.com: Fairly Twisted Tales for a Horribly Ever After

And here for Amazon.co.uk: Fairly Twisted Tales for a Horribly Ever After



And here's a teaser for my story: Shifting Seas