M.J. Padgett's Blog, page 5

Never Mind the Mistletoe is here!

Georgina Bishop has shared several mistletoe-induced kisses with Sean Wallace over the years, but when a promise of forever turns into the most humiliating moment of her life, Georgina is left tending her broken heart by telling her tales of woe to an old friend. When the story is done, she can't help but wonder if this Christmas might be the best yet. She doesn't need mistletoe and mystery after all. What she needs is good, old-fashioned romance... and a friend who is willing to deliver.

Never Mind the Mistletoe is available in ,Kindle Vella and ,PirateCat Publishing. One episode will drop daily until it is complete (10 episodes.) The ebook and paperback version will be available in January 2023!

Content Matters: Wardens of the Raven Court

It's time for another content rating for my big fantasy world! This time, we're moving north to the land of Neverknoll and the surrounding kingdoms in The Wardens of the Raven Court series that begins with Dark and Devious.

Despite it's ominous name, the series is still clean meaning no sex or questionable content. For this series, I would rate it PG-13 with explanations below.

Where does this trilogy take place on the world map?

Sexual encounters: Mild kissing, focus is more on emotion that physical aspects

Language: There is no traditional cussing, words like “stars above, gracious, etc.” might be used as expletives

Violence: There is moderate violence toward creatures and humans in this series that might be disturbing for some readers including a graphic murder scene

Overall Content: This series covers all aspects of war between Fae and humans, perceived gods and their underlings, and ancient curses. Overall, mature young adults can read this series.

Premise: This series is about doing what is right despite the cost, learning from your mistakes, and trying to make a better life for those around you.

Author’s Note: In this series, I wanted to take all of those erotic Fae stories and make them truly appropriate for young adults. We all know that the YA group is over exposed to sexual content, and I wanted to create an alternative.

For more information about the series, you can check it out on my website by clicking on these amazing depiction of Roisin by Meaghan Ward!

You can purchase the available books in the series on most ebook platforms, or on Amazon below:

*the above is an affiliate link. I receive a small commission from any purchases made through this link.

Content Ratings: The House of Aurum

I'm back with some more content ratings because I believe it's important for authors to inform their readers. While most of my books would be considered "clean," some contain levels of violence or difficult situations that might be harmful to some readers.

Without further ado... here are the details for The House or Aurum trilogy! For this trilogy, I would rate it PG-13 with explanations below.

Where does this trilogy take place on the world map?

Sexual encounters: Mild kissing, discussions of pregnancy between married couples

Language: There is no traditional cussing, words like “stars above, gracious, etc.” might be used as expletives

Violence: There is moderate violence toward creatures and humans in this series that might be disturbing for some readers

Overall Content: This series deals impending war in a kingdom, an attempted coup, and the death of several people. Overall, mature young adults can read this series.

Premise: This series is about hope, freedom, and doing what is right despite the cost to self.

Author’s Note: In this series, I wanted to show how misunderstandings can bring about dire consequences, that hope and faith can carry you through even the worst of times, and redemption is possible even at your worst.

For more information about the series, you can check it out on my website by clicking on these awesome character renditions:

You can purchase the available books in the series on most ebook platforms, or on Amazon below:

*the above is an affiliate link. I receive a small commission from any purchases made through this link.

Have You Heard?

Have you heard? Kindle Vella is FREE from Oct. 5-11 for US residents who have spent at least $50 at Amazon! If you've been hesitant to try this new platform, I totally understand. It's not for everyone, but it can be a lot of fun!

Vella is an episodic storytelling platform. You can think of it like a long-running soap opera where you check in regularly to see what your favorite characters are up to! Story episodes are unlocked with tokens at the rate of one token per 100 words in an episode. So, if an episode is 1500 words, it costs 15 tokens. Token packages vary depending on where you purchase (purchasing through the Kindle app costs more due to app surcharges, so ALWAYS buy them from your PC.) They can be as low as $2.99 for a token package.

Now, what's this about it being FREE? Yep, from Oct. 5-11 (ends at 11:59 pm EST) you can downlaod up to 100 FREE episodes PER DAY! Yes, I said per day! If you have trouble accessing the free page, you might need to log out of your Amazon account, then back in.

Do authors get paid for these free reads? Sort of... we don't get paid royalties for these free reads, but we do make a small bonus when you unlock our episodes so don't feel bad about donwloading as many as your heart desires! Just do us a favor and tap that thumbs up button at the end of each episode once you get the chance to read them. Those little thumbs mean A LOT to us in rankings and pay (because even though it's loads of fun, writing is still a job.) It means you liked our episode, which means better rankings on Amazon.

You know what else means better rankings? Choosing our story as your weekly fave. Each week, you get to give someone a crown! It makes feel all warm and cozy inside when we get them because it means you chose US from all the amazing authors you've read that week. And yep, it also means we get better rankings and exposure.

So, where can you start? I have some suggestions...

Are you a fan of clean paranormal romance? I have a young adult paranormal romance posting weekly! You can find it by clicking on the image below!

Here's a short blurb:

In order to protect the world from chaos, gifted Huntresses and their werewolf sidekicks must fight against evil, but what happens when the battle lines are blurry? When good strays and the darkness sheds light on old lies, these teens must choose sides before it's too late. The balance between life and death rests in their hands, and the stakes have never been higher.

I also have a sweet, clean ya romance that is just now posting weekly. There are three episodes to get started with more coming! If you have read anything in my I'm Pretty Sure About That series, this is book four! You can jump into this series anytime. Each book is a stand-alone story BUT it does include characters from other books, so it might have slight spoilers.

Here are the details:

Hannah Pistolis lives and breathes soccer, and her senior year is tied up with passing her classes and improving her game. Chase Jennings is the new guy with a troubled past. He falls right in with Hannah's friendship group like he was always there, then steals Hannah's heart despite her plans. But things aren't quite what they seem. Chase's brother is a pro soccer player and Hannah's idol, but when Chase falls back into his old ways, Hannah discovers Chase might not be the troubled one.

You can read this one here.

You can also read my writing and life bestie's amazing clean ya fae fantasy by clicking below!

Here's the blurb:

*What if you accidentally save a Fae prince's life?* Ayla knows nothing of LeyGuards, Fae, or the war. She's just trying to survive senior year and navigate a tentative new romance. But as school drama ramps up and Ayla's ailing grandfather worsens, strange things begin to happen. Secrets can't hide forever, especially when they involve Fae.

Still not convinced to dive in for free? I know, I know... I sound like a car salesman at this point, but I really want you to get the most out of your Amazon benefits! For more options, check out my instagram post below! The carosel has loads of great books in a variety of genres!

If you have any questions about Vella, please don't hesitate to contact me! I love inteacting with my readers and helping them navigate all the options available to them! And hey, let me know if you discover some gems while shopping Vella!

Some links are Amazon affiliate links. I make a small commission on items purhcased through these links.

Content Ratings: The Archives of the Ancient Kingdoms Series

Something I have always wondered is why authors don’t score or rate their work. Admittedly, I don’t either, but it DOES make sense to do so for many reasons. It helps readers identify what they are comfortable reading and sets up proper expectations. This can also help authors avoid unnecessarily negative reviews, while protecting readers from content they do not want to read.

While most of my work is appropriate for all ages, some is not. Over the next few weeks, I wanted to help my readers get acquainted with my work (especially since I have so many new blog followers) and set up a standard for future publishing.

So, without further ado, here is this week’s introduction. I’m going to begin with my fantasy books, specifically those that take place in a massive shared world.

This week, I’ll talk about The Archives of the Ancient Kingdoms franchise which is an adult epic fantasy series. So far, the published books are Eiagan’s Winter, The Revenant Queen, and the soon to be released The Eternal Queen. All three take place in Goranin, one of the ancient kingdoms on the map below. The red circle denotes the area where this series takes place. I plan to write additional novels set in the surrounding kingdoms, but the first three are in Goranin.

My rating system will be broken into five parts: sexual encounters, language, violence, overall content, and premise. This series I would rate R (definitly a heavy PG-13), restricted to adults, and I will explain below.

Sexual encounters: Mild kissing, discussions of rape (no sex on or off page, discussion about rape does not describe the encounter itself)

Language: There is no traditional cussing, words like “stars above, gracious, etc.” might be used as expletives

Violence: There is extreme violence toward creatures and humans in this series that might be disturbing for some readers, which garners its R rating.

Overall Content: This series deals with dark and heavy topics such as parental abuse, physical and emotional abuse and manipulation, rape, death, and mental illness. While handled with care, they still exist.

Premise: This series is about repentance, redemption, and hope and exhibits people at their worst and best

Author’s Note: In this series, I wanted to show someone at their absolute worst repenting and finding redemption. Often, it is violent and dark but there are silver linings and light all throughout. Because of the violent content and heavy topics, I do not recommend it for young adult readers (unless prepared) or those who have experienced similar traumas.

For more information about the series, you can check it out on my website by clicking on these awesome character renditions by Meaghan Ward!

If you are interested in ordering the series, you can find it on Amazon by clicking on the covers below (this is an affiliate link, and I receive a small commission on anything purchased using this link):

Icarus Flight School Has Arrived... And I'm Excited!

My friend Krissi Dallas has released her breathtaking YA suspense Icarus Flight School in print!

You're not gonna want to miss this...

When perfectionistic seventeen-year-old Olivia McKenzie shows up for flight school orientation, she and three other famous teens are instead recruited as spies and tasked with infiltrating a network of teenage terrorists.

Flight simulators, laser tag games, and dance club missions as training? Party on. Until a bomb goes off and the killer refuses to speak to anyone but Olivia.

While the countdown is on to stop the next attack, a world of violent secrets starts to awaken skills and passions Olivia didn’t know she had... particularly for a teammate who turns her own heart into dangerous territory.

About Author Krissi Dallas...

Krissi Dallas loves pop music, mismatched socks, and Tex-Mex food. A former junior high teacher, Krissi now spends her days writing romantic and heroic adventures, raising little boys, and serving alongside her husband within her church and community. She has five books in the Phantom Island series with the sixth and final installment on the way. Her spy school romance Icarus Flight School is the first of a new series, and her ongoing serial romantic comedy Wish Upon A Streaming Star is currently a popular Top Faved story on Kindle Vella where new episodes release every weekend. Connect with her at KrissiDallas.com.

You can find this fun and exciting book here.

Don't take my word for it! Check out these reviews:

“Twists and unexpected turns in this story sent me racing through the pages until the very end. Buckle up your seatbelt because you’re about to go on a thrilling ride!”

—Christina Farley, author of the bestselling Gilded series

“Dallas dazzles with witty dialogue, unexpected plot twists, and a masterful bond of relatable characters we grow to love.”

—Sandra Fernandez Rhoads, Christy Award-winning author of the Colliding Line duology

“I used every spare moment I could find to dive into this adventure! Olivia and her friends remind me to be courageous even when I’m scared, and to stand for what’s right in the midst of darkness.”

—Gabriella Graves, Disney Channel teen actress

“High adrenaline and fast-paced action romance with a twist you won’t see coming!”

—Stacy Wells (Choctaw Nation), author of Stronger Than

“This story is like unlocking an escape room, clue by clue; you never know what twist is coming next!”

—Jill Cox, author of The Bridge series

“High-stakes action, suspense, and romance… emotional depth… Two swoon-worthy guys, a diva best friend, and the rest of this spy school cast make this story fly high. Five-star read in every way.”

—Stephanie Daniels, author of The Uncertainty of Fire

“Addresses themes of family, friendship, loss, trust, growth, and forgiveness, all in realistic ways. Not only will you be entertained, you will be enriched. A great read for YA readers (and adults, too)!”

—Crystal Crawford, author of Macchiatos, Faerie Princes, and Other Things That Happen at Midnight

Icarus Flicht School Has Arrived... And I'm Excited!

My friend Krissi Dallas has released her breathtaking YA suspense Icarus Flight School in print!

You're not gonna want to miss this...

When perfectionistic seventeen-year-old Olivia McKenzie shows up for flight school orientation, she and three other famous teens are instead recruited as spies and tasked with infiltrating a network of teenage terrorists.

Flight simulators, laser tag games, and dance club missions as training? Party on. Until a bomb goes off and the killer refuses to speak to anyone but Olivia.

While the countdown is on to stop the next attack, a world of violent secrets starts to awaken skills and passions Olivia didn’t know she had... particularly for a teammate who turns her own heart into dangerous territory.

About Author Krissi Dallas...

Krissi Dallas loves pop music, mismatched socks, and Tex-Mex food. A former junior high teacher, Krissi now spends her days writing romantic and heroic adventures, raising little boys, and serving alongside her husband within her church and community. She has five books in the Phantom Island series with the sixth and final installment on the way. Her spy school romance Icarus Flight School is the first of a new series, and her ongoing serial romantic comedy Wish Upon A Streaming Star is currently a popular Top Faved story on Kindle Vella where new episodes release every weekend. Connect with her at KrissiDallas.com.

You can find this fun and exciting book here.

Don't take my word for it! Check out these reviews:

“Twists and unexpected turns in this story sent me racing through the pages until the very end. Buckle up your seatbelt because you’re about to go on a thrilling ride!”

—Christina Farley, author of the bestselling Gilded series

“Dallas dazzles with witty dialogue, unexpected plot twists, and a masterful bond of relatable characters we grow to love.”

—Sandra Fernandez Rhoads, Christy Award-winning author of the Colliding Line duology

“I used every spare moment I could find to dive into this adventure! Olivia and her friends remind me to be courageous even when I’m scared, and to stand for what’s right in the midst of darkness.”

—Gabriella Graves, Disney Channel teen actress

“High adrenaline and fast-paced action romance with a twist you won’t see coming!”

—Stacy Wells (Choctaw Nation), author of Stronger Than

“This story is like unlocking an escape room, clue by clue; you never know what twist is coming next!”

—Jill Cox, author of The Bridge series

“High-stakes action, suspense, and romance… emotional depth… Two swoon-worthy guys, a diva best friend, and the rest of this spy school cast make this story fly high. Five-star read in every way.”

—Stephanie Daniels, author of The Uncertainty of Fire

“Addresses themes of family, friendship, loss, trust, growth, and forgiveness, all in realistic ways. Not only will you be entertained, you will be enriched. A great read for YA readers (and adults, too)!”

—Crystal Crawford, author of Macchiatos, Faerie Princes, and Other Things That Happen at Midnight

It's Been a While...

It sure has been a long time since I posted a blog, but I'll be back soon! Summer is over and homeschool is in full-swing, so things should be slowing down enough for me to bring you some new and exciting blog posts. There are lots of new followers, so I'm ready to dive in!

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know that Evermore is officially out for pre-order and I JUST lowered the price on Amazon. The new sale price is good until September 22, the official release date!

Haven't read Evermore, the first book of the trilogy yet? No worries! It's on sale too!

Just click on the images below to grab them while they are on sale!

(In the interest of full discolsure, will make a small commission on any purchases made through Amazon using this link.)

Laundry List Summer Issue is Here!

Lemon Sugar Cookies... Because I Can't Eat Them All Myself

I love all things lemon, and these cookies have been on my "to bake" list for a while. But MJ... there's no image! Yeah, I know. I forgot to take a pic before we ate them all! Instead, enjoy a random pic of a happy woman eating sugar cookies (pretend they are lemon, humor me.)

When life gives you lemons... make them into baked goods. -- MJ Padgett

This recipe is by Maria Lichty and found here. This is a shortened copy/paste from her recipe, so if you'd like all the personal details check it out on the website!

Lemon Sugar CookiesSection 1: Ingredients 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Zest of 2 large lemons 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for rolling cookiesSection 2: Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat baking mats. Set aside while you make the dough. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Rub together with your fingers until fragrant. This will make the zest come to life and add more lemon flavor to the cookies! Make sure your butter is at cool room temperature and not super soft or melted. If your butter is too soft, your cookies will be flat and we don’t want that! Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar with the lemon until smooth and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice. Mix until combined. Add in the dry ingredients and mix until JUST combined. Don’t over mix. Roll rounded tablespoons of dough into balls and roll in sugar. Make sure the cookies are well coated in sugar, you want then to be pretty and sweet! Place on prepared baking sheets, about 1 ½ inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are slightly brown around the edges and slightly set, but still soft! Don’t over bake or you will have crisp cookies. We want them soft and chewy! Let cookies sit on the baking sheets for two minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.