Michelle Erickson's Blog, page 2

Chest of Souls Book 15

UPDATE 2024: The books are now numbered in chronological order with Five the Power Rising as #1 and will end with the final book, Ties that Bind. 

Sundara Queen of the Ammonites

 is no longer Book 10, but #15.

Released April 2020



Price: 2.99Cover: selfpubbookcovers.comTypography: StravenLite376 pagesAvailable on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sundara-Queen-Ammonites-Fantasy-Adventure-ebook/dp/B087FYS5FZ



The Blurb on back cover
 

COS Book 10

Released April 2020



Price: 2.99Cover: selfpubbookcovers.comTypography: StravenLite376 pagesAvailable on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sundara-Queen-Ammonites-Fantasy-Adventure-ebook/dp/B087FYS5FZ



The Blurb
 

Tales from the Chest: Baiting Red Geets

Sometimes you have to give up something good - this scene - for something better - the scene in which I used to establish a bit of Tryk's eccentricity.  Plus, I brought up the Geets in a later scene.
*********************************************************************************

Talon reluctantly made the fire Tryk requested, wondering if it would somehow have something to do with food - hoping, but not believing.
"Hold still," Tryk whispered, looking at the wide-eyed Talon who instantly froze.
He watched as his inventor-friends good eye tracked something behind Talon.  Judging from the quick jerky movements of that eye, it was small and fast.
"They're very sensitive to sound and smell, but their eyesight is really poor."
This, of course, could be any number of Tryk's "finds" and Talon tried not to flinch at the thought of the last find - an albino skunk.  Tryk often left critical things out of conversation - like the fact whether or not something was going to attack - or if it were poisonous.
"Ah - ha!" Tryk crowed, his hand darted toward the now crackling fire and Talon stopped him from putting his hand into the flames.  
"What are you doing!" he sputtered, shocked.
Tryk gave an owlish blink and unsuccessfully tried to jerk his hand away.  "It's a red-tailed geet!"
"A what?" Talon looked where Tryk pointed with his free hand.
"In the fire, boy!"
There, in the fire were a growing number of lizards - all glowing, all looking content.
"That's why I needed the fire!  I'm studying them," the inventor insisted.  "The only way I could tempt one was to have a fire."

Talon released Tryk's hand, but kept a watch on him since the man was known to do what sane people would never consider.

Lyon Tybar's parents

                                                                          Robby Benson as Lyon Tybar's father,  Redge Ryhawk.











Karla DeVito Benson
as Lyon's mother, Dayauni "Auni" Ashfael
As newlyweds - Redge and Auni



Lyon's father, Redge Ryhawk was ruler over the Sogoian Assassins Guild.  Redge has a special cameo at the very first of the novel, Chest of Souls.  He is one of two escorts for the "One" when she is taken to visit the Temple of the Unknown God.  
Auni is never brought up in the Chest of Souls, but as the author, I knew she existed and decided that I may as well just mimic life.  I gave Robby Benson/Redge Tybar, Robby's real-life wife, Karla DeVito.
This helps readers understand the value of having a deeper understanding of the characters that are written.  Besides, I love genealogy.

Let's Discuss: Joz Trebu

Joz at the beginning of the series


Name of the real person/actor: Rodrigo G Diaz

The character in my book that looks like him:  Joz Trebu

Country Joz is from:  Teris

Whenever I find a new picture that fits what I pictured in my mind, I like to add the character that I 'see' in my mind's eye.  In this case, it is Joz Trebu - one of Talon's 'Elite' men.

Joz was the 'pretty' boy and often teased about his extra-good looks.

He was, however, very hot under the collar and ready to swing his fists first, often getting the turmoil going.


Joz in the islands Once he is in the Barracks

At one point in the series, Joz and his friends, Dom and Zeal go to the Ammonite Islands.  He is very popular there.












The Barracks in Sogo require seven years.  In the end, only one will survive.  Joz is there - way out of his element, but at least he has his friends...or does he?




In the Barracks, freshly shaved






Joz at the celebratory banquet in Book 9

Siren Call: House of Cards Series, Book 4

Mates Laurentiu, cover artist, Hannah Bischoff, Typographer
The magick's world is failing. It’s up to Sarah and her friends to save it.
It took them two years to find the right combination of inks to restore Ari.All they have to do is paint her card so Taps can release her. The problem is, they no longer have her card. Queen Piedee does and she’s about to burn it!
If they’re successful, they can move onto the simple stuff, like:How to convince Queen Piedee to make Ransom a magick,Find a cure for the werewolf virus,How to restore Taps to her body,
You know...simple stuff like that
.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NABUW69

Fourth Corner: House of Cards Series, Book 5

Mates Laurentiu, cover artist, Hannah Bischoff, Typographer
The cards are stacked against Sarah and her friends.
In the battle at the Tapestry, thousands of Lurkers are attacking.No one can be sure they'll survive.People are dying and with them, magic.
Sarah had believed Taps would save them,But Taps isn't on their side anymore.
The most powerful idolized Club ever has taken a new form.Sarah thought the day couldn't get worse.Until the Bone Lady showed up...

To Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078HZWNL7

Trumped: House of Cards Series Book 6

Here it is, the final of the House of Cards Series.  It was a sometimes difficult journey, but always rewarding.  Dear Sarah and her friends have matured and I know they'll leave the world a better place.



Sarah's terrified.

It isn't because the enemy has tried to murder her three times.It's about the people she loves.


If Sarah can't get to Taps, her mother dies.Dee's about to, well...lay an egg.The Bone Lady took Sal and Haberlie and she fears the worst.Ransom hasn't found the castle yet, or he'd be here!The castle is full of Taps-trained undead, and other never-before-seen-or-fought-monsters.


Her only ace-in-the-hole is Spoons, the former First Knight.She's appemoed the dead warrior, but has no idea how long it will last.


America's magic is in its last hours.If it fails, what then?
To Purchase:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HCV34YY





For more detailed information, sketches, scenes that didn't make the cut, and other extras about the characters in this series/world:  http://tapstapestry.blogspot.com/

My First Novella: Thorn

My first novella - my 22nd publication.


Blurb:  

Lanta is ten when the guards of Dura come to take her away from her family.
She wouldn’t have minded that much if it weren’t for the fact she was going as a sacrifice.Something lives inside the Xion Stump with the red X on its door.Everyone says it's a monster, but no one’s ever seen it.Today, for Lanta, the mystery will be unraveled.
For the first time in her life, she'd rather not know.  

ONLY 99 cents!!!
To purchase:  https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Michelle-Erickson-ebook/dp/B01HKGX2MO

Slap Jack: House of Cards Book 3 and about Typography

Original Cover Updated Cover



















      Here it is, my 21st book and 3rd I've co-written.  The problem with the third cover is education.
The  person that puts the title on the covers is a TYPOGRAPHER.  We made the decision to brand our series (a particular look in the title).  She did a great job.  It took some convincing, but we had her move the title to the top of this cover, though it isn't placed exactly where the other titles are. 

This is something to consider when you are designing your book - where do you want the title and your name?  With us, it is a gamble.  Most of the time, it is up at the top.  However, with House of Cards, so far there are two at the top and four at the bottom due to design.  We can do that with ours because we are independent authors (Indies).  Don't count on that happening with regular printing companies.  In fact, once the manuscript is sold, you have little to no say.

 

BLURB:  
Sarah survived the first two weeks at the Tapestry!

Taps adopted her and she now has siblings that were also orphans.She's becoming more confident using her magic.Ransom is in love with her - she sees it in his eyes and feels it in his heart,
even if she's too young to do anything about it.


On the flip side:


Her bodyguard was murdered and it remains unsolved.Taps is not only a cursed ghost, she and Sarah's brother are infected with a werewolf virus.Sarah still isn't sure what Dee is, but glad she's nearly finished knitting her brain back together.


On the bright side of things, her friends are safe!


She thinks.Maybe.Hmm...is anyone safe in the magical world? Ever?

To purchase:  https://www.amazon.com/Slap-Jack-House-Cards-Book-ebook/dp/B01E9RKYCS