M.L. LeGette's Blog, page 23

“I am what I am.”

“I am what I am. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, for you have been kind to me. But I am a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer.”

― Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn

Guest Author Joshua Allen Mercier

I know Joshua Mercier from his blog, The Bearded Scribe. Since then, Joshua has started his own publishing company (Bearded Scribe Press) and released his first publication: Twice Upon a Time, An Anthology. He was kind enough to do a short interview with me:

It is so exciting to have your first book out in print. Congratulations! Twice Upon a Time contains stories from multiple writers. How much fun was this project and working with the writers?

This anthology project was an absolute blast! From the moment I sent out the submission call to the heart-pounding moment when I submitted the final files for publication, it was a rollercoaster ride to say the least. Receiving each story was like opening a present. I was so pleased with the number of submissions and overwhelmed by the quality of the stories.

I can’t wait to get started on the next volume of Twice Upon A Time… soon.

 

You are both the editor and publisher of Twice Upon A Time, and you’re also one of the guest writers. Was it a challenge to retell your chosen story? What was your inspiration?

Doing all three was somewhat challenging, especially since my characters didn’t want to cooperate. I had to take breaks from writing my own story to edit the other submissions, too, so having to come back to the story frequently made the first draft seem really disconnected.

When I first chose Red Riding Hood to retell, my outline was a completely different story than what exists within the pages of the anthology. And after outlining the original story, a verse kept creeping into my mind—the verse that is at the very beginning of the tale—which became the entire inspiration for the final product….

 There were two witches in a wood;

One was evil, one was good.

A cloak of red, a cloak of black;

Like the fire and the ash.

That verse alone haunted me and forced me to take the story in an entire different direction.  Images of gallows and Salem and an apple orchard flooded my mind, and the opening scene poured out of me.

Why do you think fairy tales captivate us so much? Why do they have such lasting power?

I think any story that we hear over and over resonates within us, an echo returned, and we relate to that which we already know so much more easily.  Stories from our childhood especially, when our minds, imaginations, and hearts are untainted by the burdens of life’s reality, seem rooted that much more deeply.

 

When I think of fairy tales, I think of the classics—Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty—but there are many tales that are not as widely known. Were you surprised by any of the stories your writers picked or did the classics rule the day?

I have to admit that those came first to my mind, too. It’s one of the reasons I opted to have prospective contributors query their intended retellings first before allowing any submissions. I didn’t want constant queries for the same tale, so I closed further queries on a tale once I approved one. Doing so forced everyone to think outside the box, and I ended up with a large amount of queries for tales even I had never heard of before. There are both classics and obscure tales—even some that combine multiple tales or worlds in one retelling.

 
What are your promotional plans for Twice Upon A Time?
 

Currently, I am running a blog tour to feature both the contributors and their stories individually—at least enough to entice readers.  Also, my partner, Jeremiah, has helped me a lot by contacting reviewers about the title—with great success, I might add. It’s a large volume, and some reviewers who agreed to review it did so for a timeframe that fits their schedule… so now it’s just a sit-and-wait game with the reviews. I am still accepting reviewers, if any of your readers are interested, and they can sign up to review this and future titles by visiting http://www.beardedscribe.com/arc-list/

I am also plugging the book on all of my social media outlets, of course, especially within niche groups.

Thank you so much, Joshua. Best of luck with your novel and Bearded Scribe Press.

Melissa Reads :: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Synopsis:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison–even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

 

My Rank: 4.5 stars

I’m just gonna say that Carswell Thorne is one of the best characters. And when Iko becomes the ship (the SHIP) I was having a really hard time decided who was the better comic relief: Iko or Thorne. And when they’re together: heaven help me.

In the second installment of the Lunar Chronicles we dive into Little Red Riding Hood. Grandmother has gone missing, Scarlet must track her down through the French countryside with a street fighter named Wolf — who seems disturbingly wolf-like. Like Cinder, the story flips to different characters, allowing us to see what is happening with Prince Kai (I loved how Meyer makes the prince powerless; I love it when gender roles switch) to Cinder and Thorne as they hide from arrest to Scarlet and Wolf as they struggle to trust one another.

My only complaint (and it’s a small one) is that when the characters get highly emotional (usually during an argument) they become … forced. There’s a lot of hand waving, and sighing and spinning around, all of which I like, but these actions stand out, so when they are repeated in quick succession, they become too theatrical and lose their power.

Final Thoughts:

Onward to book three!

Favorite Lines

“I knew they would kill me when they found out, but…” He struggled for words, releasing a sharp breath. “I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you.”

>>>>

A relieved grin filled up Thorne’s face. “We’re having another moment, aren’t we?”

“If by a moment, you mean me not wanting to strangle you for the first time since we met, then I guess we are.”

>>>>

“Scarlet and Wolf are saying gushy things in the galley,” Iko said. “Normally I like gushy things, but its different when its real people. I prefer the net dramas.”

>>>>

Kai neared his desk again, seeing that the fugitive’s profile had been transferred to the screen. His frown deepened. Perhaps not dangerous, but young and inarguably good-looking. His prison photo showed him flippantly winking at the camera. Kai hated him immediately.

>>>>

Thorne blinked at her, then down at the sewage he could barely make out in the darkness. “Don’t you have some tool in that fancy hand of yours that can get us across?”

Cinder glared, light-headed from her body’s instinctively short breaths. “Oh, wow, how could I have forgotten about my grappling hook?”

>>>>

The Orphan and the Thief book trailer

We’re nearing the end of the discount period. Just three days left!

Hello 2015

Welcome Fellow Thief

Before her was a sweeping ballroom that, in its pride, must have been a sight of gleaming gold and rich maple. But those days were gone and now only a sad room with rusty chandeliers and dust-coated mirrors was left. But the thieves didn’t seem to mind the dusty, faded walls. They had created makeshift tents by hanging various drapes and bed spreads from hooks twisted into the ceiling. These fabrics were such a clash of color and patterns that Melena’s eyes watered—why, that sickly pink one must have originally belonged to a stuffy old lady, and in a far corner, Melena clearly saw a bed sheet that had been painted all over with red gruesome faces, like war art. Melena now had a feeling that she understood why Toad had been so repulsed by the flowery bedspread at the Soggy Dog Inn in Licklade: perhaps his own tent had been something similar.

Above the arch-like entrance of the ballroom, a banner hung. In a script with many flourishes were the words:

 THE MISCHIEVOUS HOUSE OF RAMBLE

Welcome Fellow Thief, Crook, Pickpocket, and Swindler

“This way,” said her guide.

She followed him through the maze of makeshift tents, peering about with interest. There was a buzz of energy about the place. Both men and women in varying levels of shabbiness wandered about, chatting and laughing. Someone had a flute and was playing a tune.

Now that Melena was inside the room, clashing drapes and sheets weren’t the only strange thing she noticed. Large wanted posters were nailed to nearly every bit of spare wall available and Melena realized that these must have been the posters that Toad had told her about so long ago. Some of the posters were clearly of the thieves, with bold lettering, listing their crimes against the country. Melena noticed that many of the thieves had decorated their own tents with their posters. She had the strongest impression that they were displayed as awards. One tent was nearly encased in posters of the same leering man, while others only had two or three to their name.

Copyright by M.L. LeGette

Book to Picture :: The Orphan and the Thief {5}

Book to Picture is my project where I match an image to a scene in one of my books. I’m very excited to showcase the artist or photographer’s work as well as share some of my writing. I always link to the artist’s website or prominent social media page so you can discover more of their stunning work, so go give them some love.

 

Image Credit: 8 og

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THE ORPHAN AND THE THIEF is on sale at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Adventures in Writing: Ware the Slinkwings

The ship was enormous and battle-scarred. In the daylight, Toad saw that every inch of the ship, including its huge sails, was an inky black and when he ran a finger along the rail, a smudgy residue came off, staining his glove.

“Ghost Squid ink.”

Toad and Melena turned. Horace stood behind them, looking far more formidable now—in the high wind with the creaking of sails—than he had while sitting before the fire.

“It keeps the fire at bay,” he explained with a grin.

“Joe told us that you’re a Dragon Hunter,” said Melena. “You were talking about slinkwing dragons last night, weren’t you?”

“Joe hasn’t told yeh?” Horace let out a roar of a laugh. “Wicked little blighter. You, lass, are on board the Firefly, the only ship that tracks and kills slinkwing dragons. Their hides go for fortunes, not to mention their teeth—sharpest blade you’ll find. Lookie ’ere.”

Gregory Fromenteau

Horace limped to the front of the ship. Melena and Toad exchanged a nervous glance before following him. Horace leaned over the rail and pointed down to the churning water.

“There. See her? That’s the Firefly.”

He pointed at a sculpture of a woman that was attached to the front of the ship, gleaming pale green. In her hand swung a crystal lamp, a soft green glow emitting from its chamber.

“When she glows bright, a slinkwing’s about. When she screams—” Horace bared his grey teeth in a fierce grin—“the fun begins.”

“But, we won’t—we won’t find any slinkwings, will we?” Melena asked. “We just need some of the water from the springs, that’s all. We don’t want anything to do with the slinkwings.”

Horace laughed again.

“Didn’t I tell yeh last night? They swim these waters. The springs are their home ground. It’s where they raise their young. If yeh don’t want nothing t’do with slinkwings, then yeh shouldn’ have come, little lass.”

Cole Rise

 

The Orphan and the Thief is on SALE at .99 cents on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo until January 5.

Spotlight on the Review #10

Happy readers make happy writers

Book Viral’s full review:

 From its beguiling cover to the very last page turned, Melissa LeGette has created a timeless children’s tale in The Orphan And The Thief. A wonderfully enchanting novel that is sure to capture the imaginations of all who turn its pages. Brazenly conjuring the most vibrant array of characters with a storyline that is both original and endlessly intriguing, LeGette has a natural flair for these tales and she delivers with unabashed aplomb.  

 There are Spit-Fire-Dragons , talking beer mugs, monsters, pirates and axe wielding thieves, all beautifully rendered in timely prose and memorable turn of phrase, that make each instantly endearing. A flawless adventure that gallops along with surprising twists and turns, that defies predictability and attests to Legette’s ability to keep her readers spellbound throughout.

 A veritable feast for the imaginations of readers young and young at heart, The Orphan And The Thief is by any standard, an exceptional children’s book that demands your attention and bodes well for future releases from Melissa LeGette. Unreservedly recommended!

 

 THE ORPHAN AND THE THIEF is on sale on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and iTunes.

 

Oh, toadstools!

Toad sidled away from the counter, toward a pair of ancient men immersed in a furious battle of chess. He watched as one man chewed upon his pipe in furrowed concentration. One hand hovered uncertainly over a knight before shifting to a pawn and then twitching over a castle—

“Liverwort? I don’t want liverwort!”

The man jerked so badly at the cry of indignation that two pawns clattered across the board. He swiveled in his chair and bellowed, “Blast you, Birdie! Can’t you keep quiet!”

But Birdie didn’t hear … or perhaps she was too enraged herself to notice. She sat slumped in her chair, woolen shawl wrapped tight about her boney frame, glaring something fierce. Toad saw, on the table between Birdie and her companion, five stacks of brightly colored cards.

“Oh, they’re playing Bloodroot and Toadstools!” Melena had reappeared by his side. She was staring at the colored cards with great enthusiasm.

“Bloodroot an’ what?” asked Toad.

“You haven’t heard of it? It’s a potion memory game. I used to play it all the time back in the orphanage. What you do is—”

But just then Birdie’s opponent let out a shrill cackle that made everyone in the room flinch.

“But I do, Birdie,” the spotted woman shrieked.

“Oh, toadstools!” Birdie cursed.

Copyright by M.L. LeGette