M.L. Lacy's Blog, page 2
November 25, 2012
Update Book 4 - Chrysalis series
A very productive 4 day weekend. Two chapters added, 5347 words written, polished and strengthened. The story progresses and a title is born - Chrysalis - Fire and Rain, Book 4
November 15, 2012
Chrysalis series
Currently writing the 4th book in the Chrysalis series and it is action packed, with many surprises. Some answers are found, some will remain. The sixth is known and what a surprise it is!
July 3, 2012
Chrysalis Series
To the first three fans that contact me, I have a FREE copy of Chrysalis The Awakening for you.
M.L. Lacy
M.L. Lacy
July 2, 2012
Chrysalis Trepidation
At long last it has arrived! Give away has started. Sign up today.
June 18, 2012
Chrysalis - Trepidation
It has been a long wait, but the wait is now over as Chrysalis - Trepidation, the 3rd book in the Chrysalis series is now out and available.
A rollercoaster ride from beginning to end, the saga continues as Bree races against time to save the human and magical realms from the evil plans of her arch nemesis, Esmeralda.
Esmeralda isn't letting any dust settle as she gains another's help in her quest to capture the last, and most powerful, Chosen One.
A traitor becomes known as another becomes an ally. One's life is uncertain while another's ends. And the fifth of Bree's Special Seven is revealed in this fast-paced continuation of the captivating series, Chrysalis.
M.L. Lacy
(rated for mature audiences)
A rollercoaster ride from beginning to end, the saga continues as Bree races against time to save the human and magical realms from the evil plans of her arch nemesis, Esmeralda.
Esmeralda isn't letting any dust settle as she gains another's help in her quest to capture the last, and most powerful, Chosen One.
A traitor becomes known as another becomes an ally. One's life is uncertain while another's ends. And the fifth of Bree's Special Seven is revealed in this fast-paced continuation of the captivating series, Chrysalis.
M.L. Lacy
(rated for mature audiences)
September 20, 2010
New Beginnings
Chapter 1
The closed drapes kept the sun from shining into my grandmother’s bedroom. I sat in the rocking chair, the same one she had rocked me in when I was a little girl and thought about the last few weeks and how quickly they’d past.
It was three weeks ago today, Doctor Jones told us there wasn’t any more he could do, the cancer she fought, had won. He said there wasn’t much time and advised her to get her ‘house’ in order. I remembered I’d laughed when he said that and tried to fight the tears that threatened to spill. That would have only led to her scolding me too. ‘There’s only one way outta this old world, child. So there’s no use crying’ about it’, she always said. Instead, the doctor received the tongue-lashing. ‘Dagnabbitt it, Drew. I thought you knew me better than that. My house has been in order for years. The good Lord will come for me soon as he’s ready; so there’s no use in you worryin’ how much time I got’. Doctor Jones gave a little laugh but didn’t reply.
My grandmother was a feisty little woman, stubborn too, as granddad always said. When I went with her to make all of the funeral arrangements, she said it would be wasteful to spend my inheritance when it came to ‘planting her in the ground’. She said it in a teasing manner but I knew she was serious. Later, I returned and selected a better casket than the one she picked out.
She wasn’t one to let others do things for her either. The very day the doctor gave her the news, she contact Josh Turner to see if he wanted to buy the land. ‘He’s worked it since your granddad took ill, it’s only right he should have first pickins’, she told me as she dialed his number. Of course, Josh jumped at the offer. She gave him a good price; with anyone else, it would have doubled.
Each day I saw her growing weaker, and I know she felt it. Three nights ago, before she went to bed, she called me into the kitchen. ‘It’s time we had a chat,’ she said. ‘I want you to think about sellin’ the house. It’s time for Kelsey now. You’ve done more than your fair share. You stopped liv’en after Chad left you. I know you don’t think so, but hell’s fire, child, you’ve locked yourself away in this old house and taken care of us. Now it’s your turn. Go find someone to make you happy and don’t you grow old here, Kelsey.’ I just nodded because I refused to think that far ahead.
The next morning grandmother didn’t feel like getting out of bed, said her bones ached. I called the doctor. He wanted her at the hospital, but she refused. ‘I wanna die in my own bed if you don’t mind’, she cried, and I didn’t have the heart to go against her wishes.
As word leaked out into the community that my grandmother’s time was short, her friends started making their pilgrimage to our home. Yesterday the house was full of friends telling me stories about her; today, it was quiet.
“Kelsey?” my grandmother called bringing me back to the present. Her voice was weak and I quickly sat on the side of the bed so she could see me.
“Yes, grandmother. I’m here.”
“What time is it?” she asked.
“A little past two in the afternoon. The sun is shining. Would you like me to open the drapes?”
“No child,” she said as she looked at me. “Why do you look so sad?”
I took her hand and fought back the tears. “I’m not ready for you to leave me.”
“We don’t always get to pick our times, child. Just be thankful we’ve been given time to say our goodbyes.”
“I don’t like goodbyes, grandmother. You know that,” I quietly said.
She squeezed my hand. “You weren’t dealt a very good hand, were you Kelsey?”
“Oh, that’s not true grandmother. You and granddad gave me a wonderful life. Don’t think that way.”
“We done you wrong, Kelsey. Maybe I should have told you long ago, but my fears kept me from telling you. I was afraid we’d loose you…”
“What are talking about? Loose me…never grandmother.”
“The necklace…you promised to always wear it, remember?”
“Yes, and I’ve never taken it off. You and granddad made such a point in stressing that…”
“You were such a good child.” She smiled; her eyes sparkled with moisture. “I’ve kept a terrible secret from you. In the bottom door of my dresser, there’s a box. Would you bring it here?”
I was afraid to leave her side, even to go to the dresser that was only a few feet across the room. She squeezed my hand and looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“Please, get the box.”
“Alright.”
I went to the dresser, opened the bottom drawer, and pushed the clothes aside until I found a box and then went back and sat on the bed facing her.
“Is this the one?”
“Yes, open it.”
The small box held papers, old birthday cards, a two small pieces of waxed paper, and a few pictures.
“Okay, I’ve opened it.”
“It’s all there in the papers. The truth.”
“What truth?”
“Your parents didn’t die when you were little…”
“What are you talking about? They died in the fire; remember? Grandmother, you told me when I was little…”
She struggled to shake her head no. “All a lie. I’ve written it all down. Don’t hate me for what we did. You need to find them. I’ve saved everything. Promise me you will never take that necklace off child…they said terrible things…would happen.” She lapsed into a coughing spell loud enough to bringing the nurse that had come to take care of her into the room.
I tossed the box to the floor, contents spilling everywhere and grabbed her hand.
“Grandmother?”
“I love you…Kelsey.” She barely got the words out as her last breath left her.
“Nooo,” I cried as I looked into the dull, lifeless eyes of the woman that was not only my grandmother, but also my best friend.
The nurse felt for a pulse. Slowly shaking her head, she looked at me, and I looked back at her with pleading eyes not to say what I knew she was going to say. “I’m so sorry, but she’s gone.”
Tears spilled from my eyes as I finally gave into my sorrow. I shook my head in defiance of those words. “No, she can’t be gone. I wasn’t ready for her to go,” I yelled at the nurse.
“It’s okay,” she soothed. “She went peacefully.”
I drew my fingers to my lips and gently tapped them as I stared down at my grandmother until I gained some control and then I looked back at the nurse with all the emotion of child and sobbed, “It’s not okay. I didn’t want her to go.” I laid my head on her my grandmother’s chest and cried.
The closed drapes kept the sun from shining into my grandmother’s bedroom. I sat in the rocking chair, the same one she had rocked me in when I was a little girl and thought about the last few weeks and how quickly they’d past.
It was three weeks ago today, Doctor Jones told us there wasn’t any more he could do, the cancer she fought, had won. He said there wasn’t much time and advised her to get her ‘house’ in order. I remembered I’d laughed when he said that and tried to fight the tears that threatened to spill. That would have only led to her scolding me too. ‘There’s only one way outta this old world, child. So there’s no use crying’ about it’, she always said. Instead, the doctor received the tongue-lashing. ‘Dagnabbitt it, Drew. I thought you knew me better than that. My house has been in order for years. The good Lord will come for me soon as he’s ready; so there’s no use in you worryin’ how much time I got’. Doctor Jones gave a little laugh but didn’t reply.
My grandmother was a feisty little woman, stubborn too, as granddad always said. When I went with her to make all of the funeral arrangements, she said it would be wasteful to spend my inheritance when it came to ‘planting her in the ground’. She said it in a teasing manner but I knew she was serious. Later, I returned and selected a better casket than the one she picked out.
She wasn’t one to let others do things for her either. The very day the doctor gave her the news, she contact Josh Turner to see if he wanted to buy the land. ‘He’s worked it since your granddad took ill, it’s only right he should have first pickins’, she told me as she dialed his number. Of course, Josh jumped at the offer. She gave him a good price; with anyone else, it would have doubled.
Each day I saw her growing weaker, and I know she felt it. Three nights ago, before she went to bed, she called me into the kitchen. ‘It’s time we had a chat,’ she said. ‘I want you to think about sellin’ the house. It’s time for Kelsey now. You’ve done more than your fair share. You stopped liv’en after Chad left you. I know you don’t think so, but hell’s fire, child, you’ve locked yourself away in this old house and taken care of us. Now it’s your turn. Go find someone to make you happy and don’t you grow old here, Kelsey.’ I just nodded because I refused to think that far ahead.
The next morning grandmother didn’t feel like getting out of bed, said her bones ached. I called the doctor. He wanted her at the hospital, but she refused. ‘I wanna die in my own bed if you don’t mind’, she cried, and I didn’t have the heart to go against her wishes.
As word leaked out into the community that my grandmother’s time was short, her friends started making their pilgrimage to our home. Yesterday the house was full of friends telling me stories about her; today, it was quiet.
“Kelsey?” my grandmother called bringing me back to the present. Her voice was weak and I quickly sat on the side of the bed so she could see me.
“Yes, grandmother. I’m here.”
“What time is it?” she asked.
“A little past two in the afternoon. The sun is shining. Would you like me to open the drapes?”
“No child,” she said as she looked at me. “Why do you look so sad?”
I took her hand and fought back the tears. “I’m not ready for you to leave me.”
“We don’t always get to pick our times, child. Just be thankful we’ve been given time to say our goodbyes.”
“I don’t like goodbyes, grandmother. You know that,” I quietly said.
She squeezed my hand. “You weren’t dealt a very good hand, were you Kelsey?”
“Oh, that’s not true grandmother. You and granddad gave me a wonderful life. Don’t think that way.”
“We done you wrong, Kelsey. Maybe I should have told you long ago, but my fears kept me from telling you. I was afraid we’d loose you…”
“What are talking about? Loose me…never grandmother.”
“The necklace…you promised to always wear it, remember?”
“Yes, and I’ve never taken it off. You and granddad made such a point in stressing that…”
“You were such a good child.” She smiled; her eyes sparkled with moisture. “I’ve kept a terrible secret from you. In the bottom door of my dresser, there’s a box. Would you bring it here?”
I was afraid to leave her side, even to go to the dresser that was only a few feet across the room. She squeezed my hand and looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“Please, get the box.”
“Alright.”
I went to the dresser, opened the bottom drawer, and pushed the clothes aside until I found a box and then went back and sat on the bed facing her.
“Is this the one?”
“Yes, open it.”
The small box held papers, old birthday cards, a two small pieces of waxed paper, and a few pictures.
“Okay, I’ve opened it.”
“It’s all there in the papers. The truth.”
“What truth?”
“Your parents didn’t die when you were little…”
“What are you talking about? They died in the fire; remember? Grandmother, you told me when I was little…”
She struggled to shake her head no. “All a lie. I’ve written it all down. Don’t hate me for what we did. You need to find them. I’ve saved everything. Promise me you will never take that necklace off child…they said terrible things…would happen.” She lapsed into a coughing spell loud enough to bringing the nurse that had come to take care of her into the room.
I tossed the box to the floor, contents spilling everywhere and grabbed her hand.
“Grandmother?”
“I love you…Kelsey.” She barely got the words out as her last breath left her.
“Nooo,” I cried as I looked into the dull, lifeless eyes of the woman that was not only my grandmother, but also my best friend.
The nurse felt for a pulse. Slowly shaking her head, she looked at me, and I looked back at her with pleading eyes not to say what I knew she was going to say. “I’m so sorry, but she’s gone.”
Tears spilled from my eyes as I finally gave into my sorrow. I shook my head in defiance of those words. “No, she can’t be gone. I wasn’t ready for her to go,” I yelled at the nurse.
“It’s okay,” she soothed. “She went peacefully.”
I drew my fingers to my lips and gently tapped them as I stared down at my grandmother until I gained some control and then I looked back at the nurse with all the emotion of child and sobbed, “It’s not okay. I didn’t want her to go.” I laid my head on her my grandmother’s chest and cried.
August 30, 2010
Review -- Chrysalis- Tribulations
Tribulations is the stunning sequel of The Awakening. Tribulations continues on from where The Awakening left off, with Bree still learning the true extent of her powers, as jealousy divides her clan, she has to stay one step ahead of her nemesis, Esmeralda.
Tribulations is a amazing book, in what is shaping up to be marvellous saga. The plot continues to flow effortlessly, with many twists and turns, leaving the readers unable to put the book down.
M.L. Lacy continues to write interesting and realistic characters that are far from one dimensional, as even characters that aren’t always portrayed as being good guys, such as Tina, are shown as having depth. The characters were very realistic, as for example, Bree doesn’t immediately accept the Magical way, which is completely opposite from how she was brought up. It would have been unrealistic for her to immediately be okay with the way their relationships work, since she grew up like a human.
The best scenes in this novel would be any of the scenes where Bree stands up for what she believes in and doesn’t let anyone push her around. Bree really starts to find her place in her clan in this book; hopefully she will continue to be strong and independent in the next novel.
In conclusion, fans of The Awakening will love Tribulations as M.L. Lacy continues to deliver novels with fascinating plot lines and realistic characters. Anyone who hasn’t read The Awakening and Tribulations should, as it is shaping up to be one of the best sagas of recent years.
Reviewed on 08/30/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Danielle Galvin
Tribulations is a amazing book, in what is shaping up to be marvellous saga. The plot continues to flow effortlessly, with many twists and turns, leaving the readers unable to put the book down.
M.L. Lacy continues to write interesting and realistic characters that are far from one dimensional, as even characters that aren’t always portrayed as being good guys, such as Tina, are shown as having depth. The characters were very realistic, as for example, Bree doesn’t immediately accept the Magical way, which is completely opposite from how she was brought up. It would have been unrealistic for her to immediately be okay with the way their relationships work, since she grew up like a human.
The best scenes in this novel would be any of the scenes where Bree stands up for what she believes in and doesn’t let anyone push her around. Bree really starts to find her place in her clan in this book; hopefully she will continue to be strong and independent in the next novel.
In conclusion, fans of The Awakening will love Tribulations as M.L. Lacy continues to deliver novels with fascinating plot lines and realistic characters. Anyone who hasn’t read The Awakening and Tribulations should, as it is shaping up to be one of the best sagas of recent years.
Reviewed on 08/30/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Danielle Galvin
August 20, 2010
Review of Chrysalis The Awakening (five stars)
Reviewer01 08/19/10
The Awakening is the first book in M.L. Lacy’s Chrysalis saga; it follows 32 years old Bree Campbell who learns the truth about her past and the prophecy about her future. As she is the last Chosen one, who is predicted to either die or fulfil her destiny.
It has a riveting plot line, that has both well thought out and original. The plot line has so many fascinating and surprising twists that are unforeseeable, that this book is impossible to stop reading.
The Awakening has well developed characters that have flaws making them, both realistic and interesting. M.L. lacy has effortlessly blended an entire world of Magicals, such as vampires, werewolves and demons in ordinary society. Often with books that have vampires in them, authors try to combine as many myths and legends as possible, whereas M.L. Lacy as dismissed the myths that would diminish the storyline and instead adds original ideas to make the fascinating and complex Magicals.
One of the many interesting components of this novel would be how some Magicals have the ability to telepathically move items around and to ‘fold space’. It is impossible to think of any flaws in this addictive book, which leaves readers wanting to know what happens next.
In conclusion, The Awakening is a delight to read with well developed characters, plotlines and world. It is both an original and extremely addictive novel that is one of the best recent debut novels.
The Awakening is the first book in M.L. Lacy’s Chrysalis saga; it follows 32 years old Bree Campbell who learns the truth about her past and the prophecy about her future. As she is the last Chosen one, who is predicted to either die or fulfil her destiny.
It has a riveting plot line, that has both well thought out and original. The plot line has so many fascinating and surprising twists that are unforeseeable, that this book is impossible to stop reading.
The Awakening has well developed characters that have flaws making them, both realistic and interesting. M.L. lacy has effortlessly blended an entire world of Magicals, such as vampires, werewolves and demons in ordinary society. Often with books that have vampires in them, authors try to combine as many myths and legends as possible, whereas M.L. Lacy as dismissed the myths that would diminish the storyline and instead adds original ideas to make the fascinating and complex Magicals.
One of the many interesting components of this novel would be how some Magicals have the ability to telepathically move items around and to ‘fold space’. It is impossible to think of any flaws in this addictive book, which leaves readers wanting to know what happens next.
In conclusion, The Awakening is a delight to read with well developed characters, plotlines and world. It is both an original and extremely addictive novel that is one of the best recent debut novels.
July 6, 2010
Chrysalis - Trepidation - coming soon
Chapter 1
Hall of Elders
Odessa stood in front of the centuries-old sycamore tree waiting for her companions to arrive. She pulled the hood of the gray robe she wore lower over her face and then blew on her fingertips to warm them. Winter had come to the ancient forest and the air’s chill was biting.
The harsh wind swirled the falling snow and she folded her arms across her chest in an attempt to protect herself from the cold. She shivered and began to briskly rub her hands along her arms, and then chuckled as it came to her what she was doing. With a shake of her head, she admitted her error. “Oh dear, why am I standing here freezing? I guess Aubrey isn’t the only one that needs to be reminded,” she mumbled in a low voice just incase the forest ears were listening. She held both hands in front of her and a small fireball appeared. “Mmmm, that’s better,” she said and began rubbing her hands together.
The forest, which held all the sounds a forest makes, had gone silent and awareness began to seep into her thoughts. The muscles at the base of her neck tightened as she felt she was being watched. She shifted her stance to stay relaxed, giving the appearance that she didn’t sense danger. She lowered her head and let her mind search the area around her as she continued rubbing her hands in front of the fireball. The atmosphere was filled with evil, but she saw no one.
At the sound of a twig snapping, she raised her head. With a quick snap of her fingers, the fireball disappeared. She turned toward the sound as her violet eyes narrowed to look through the dense canopy of pine and aspen. She held one hand in front of her and slowly moved it from right to left. A beam of light in the trees followed the direction of her hand, allowing her to see what the darkness hid. A deer’s eyes caught the light. It stood frozen for a short minute, and then retreated deeper into the forest.
A tentative smile came to her as the evil ebbed. Her eyes still searched for it, but the sensation was gone. Her shoulders relaxed and the hard stare of her eyes softened. Once again, the forest was alive with sounds, the wind lightened and the sun began to break through the gray sky. The danger was gone.
Hall of Elders
Odessa stood in front of the centuries-old sycamore tree waiting for her companions to arrive. She pulled the hood of the gray robe she wore lower over her face and then blew on her fingertips to warm them. Winter had come to the ancient forest and the air’s chill was biting.
The harsh wind swirled the falling snow and she folded her arms across her chest in an attempt to protect herself from the cold. She shivered and began to briskly rub her hands along her arms, and then chuckled as it came to her what she was doing. With a shake of her head, she admitted her error. “Oh dear, why am I standing here freezing? I guess Aubrey isn’t the only one that needs to be reminded,” she mumbled in a low voice just incase the forest ears were listening. She held both hands in front of her and a small fireball appeared. “Mmmm, that’s better,” she said and began rubbing her hands together.
The forest, which held all the sounds a forest makes, had gone silent and awareness began to seep into her thoughts. The muscles at the base of her neck tightened as she felt she was being watched. She shifted her stance to stay relaxed, giving the appearance that she didn’t sense danger. She lowered her head and let her mind search the area around her as she continued rubbing her hands in front of the fireball. The atmosphere was filled with evil, but she saw no one.
At the sound of a twig snapping, she raised her head. With a quick snap of her fingers, the fireball disappeared. She turned toward the sound as her violet eyes narrowed to look through the dense canopy of pine and aspen. She held one hand in front of her and slowly moved it from right to left. A beam of light in the trees followed the direction of her hand, allowing her to see what the darkness hid. A deer’s eyes caught the light. It stood frozen for a short minute, and then retreated deeper into the forest.
A tentative smile came to her as the evil ebbed. Her eyes still searched for it, but the sensation was gone. Her shoulders relaxed and the hard stare of her eyes softened. Once again, the forest was alive with sounds, the wind lightened and the sun began to break through the gray sky. The danger was gone.
June 26, 2010
Book Reports
Writing book reports in school was not one of my favorite things so my praise goes out to those that write reviews.
I remember those summer vacations, receiving the letter reminding my parents of the summer reading requirements and the book reports that were to accompany them. I truly hated it.
It was summer vacations for crying out loud. I didn't mind reading the books, I just didn't want to write about them. "They sent the list. Surely they must have read the story," I reasoned. "Why did they need me to tell them about it?"
I went to a parochial school, grades 1 through 7, before my family moved to the country. The school and the church were directly across the street from my home. The nuns lived five houses down and the priests lived in the home attached to the church. Needless to say, I saw them often.
Whenever the nuns needed an errand done, they called my mother and I was summoned. Our neighborhood was small -- my mother's voice carried well.
When I went to their home for the errand instructions, I was always met with a warm smile and a very pleasant hello, from whoever answered the door. Upon my return of the completed task, I was again met with a warm smile, a polite thank you and a reward of a cookie, but always, always before I left, I was asked how my reading assignment was going...the nuns knew me well.
As hard as I tried, I could not condense the report to the required size and in my day, personal computers were none existent. We did have typewriters, I'm not that old, but typing classes were not offered in the primary grades -- that was high school.
Of course, I always waited until the very last days of summer vacation to write my reports. I was not as organized as my older sister. She read her books then wrote the report...duh!
But now, I truly wished I had learned the art of condensing my readings into a page. My husband has always said I could not tell a reader's digest version of anything even if my life depended upon it. I, being me, take exception to that fact...if my life depended upon it, I'm sure I could be brief.
Although, I am not writing a book report or a review, I am trying to write a brief synopsis of my first two books. I want to put it at the beginning of book 3 for those who wish to read this book and choose to not read this series from the beginning. As you can tell, I'm procrastinating...
Any help or words of encouragement are truly appreciated...
I remember those summer vacations, receiving the letter reminding my parents of the summer reading requirements and the book reports that were to accompany them. I truly hated it.
It was summer vacations for crying out loud. I didn't mind reading the books, I just didn't want to write about them. "They sent the list. Surely they must have read the story," I reasoned. "Why did they need me to tell them about it?"
I went to a parochial school, grades 1 through 7, before my family moved to the country. The school and the church were directly across the street from my home. The nuns lived five houses down and the priests lived in the home attached to the church. Needless to say, I saw them often.
Whenever the nuns needed an errand done, they called my mother and I was summoned. Our neighborhood was small -- my mother's voice carried well.
When I went to their home for the errand instructions, I was always met with a warm smile and a very pleasant hello, from whoever answered the door. Upon my return of the completed task, I was again met with a warm smile, a polite thank you and a reward of a cookie, but always, always before I left, I was asked how my reading assignment was going...the nuns knew me well.
As hard as I tried, I could not condense the report to the required size and in my day, personal computers were none existent. We did have typewriters, I'm not that old, but typing classes were not offered in the primary grades -- that was high school.
Of course, I always waited until the very last days of summer vacation to write my reports. I was not as organized as my older sister. She read her books then wrote the report...duh!
But now, I truly wished I had learned the art of condensing my readings into a page. My husband has always said I could not tell a reader's digest version of anything even if my life depended upon it. I, being me, take exception to that fact...if my life depended upon it, I'm sure I could be brief.
Although, I am not writing a book report or a review, I am trying to write a brief synopsis of my first two books. I want to put it at the beginning of book 3 for those who wish to read this book and choose to not read this series from the beginning. As you can tell, I'm procrastinating...
Any help or words of encouragement are truly appreciated...
