Melanie Ansley's Blog, page 2

New book "Dragon Class" out today

It's launch day! "Dragon Class" is now available to download, and the paperback will be available to order in bookshops next week!

I'm so excited to see this book take flight, as it's been simmering for a long time, though I didn't know it. It really had its beginnings several years ago, when a well known Chinese American film producer told me, "I'd love to see you write Chinese fantasy." At the time I hadn't really focused on developing Asian stories, but the comment stuck with me.

Then over...

100 Copies of "Dragon Class" via Goodreads

Winning isn't everything, but it still feels nice, especially when it's a book!

I have 100 copies of my dragonrider adventure "Dragon Class" up for grabs over at Goodreads, simply sign up over here if you'd like to enter! Contest is open to US and Canadian residents, and closes Oct 23.

If you win, you get to read the first book in the "Riders of Jade & Fire" series before it launches October 25! But if you don't, there's another cool way to win a signed paperback: pre-order through the imag...

"Dragon Class" lands October 25!

The first book in the "Riders of Jade & Fire" series is nearly here: "Dragon Class" will be available in stores October 25, with pre-orders available now.

A lowborn thief. A priceless dragon. A bond that could change an empire.Jin is a hardened pickpocket surviving the underbelly of Tang China, until a single heist changes everything. When her gang’s riskiest gamble goes wrong, Jin finds herself bonded to a dragon, and is faced with a choice: endure the slave mines, or train to join the Dragon...

New Cover for "Dragon Class" - Book 1 in the "Riders of Jade & Fire" series

This month, I’m excited to share the brand-new cover for the first book in my new dragonrider series, "Riders of Jade and Fire"!

In the underbelly of a vibrant Tang China, the street thief Jin embarks on the heist of a lifetime, only to discover a destiny far greater than she ever imagined. When her stolen treasure turns out to be a rare and powerful dragon egg, she is thrust into the coveted Dragon Class—a revered order of dragon riders protecting the Tang empire. Yet, as the sole female memb...

Cover reveal! Night of the Black Dragon, short prequel to Riders of Jade and Fire

The wait is over! I'm super excited to reveal the cover for Night of the Black Dragon, the short story prequel to my new dragon rider series, Riders of Jade and Fire.

Here's the brief: In an alternative Tang China, a cunning street thief, Jin, sets in motion a perilous chain of events after robbing a dragon rider's magnificent home, unleashing a furious conflict in a cutthroat world of ambition and intrigue. If you like His Majesty's Dragons, but also enjoy books with darker tones like Mistborn...

"Night of the Black Dragon" coming soon

It's here. I've been working on a brand new dragon rider series set in an alternate Tang China, and the prequel short story is ready for advance readers! I'm so excited to introduce "Night of the Black Dragon", a fantasy adventure tale about a hardened thief whose heist at a dragon rider's home grows complicated. Here's a sneak peek at the cover, as well as a more detailed synopsis:

In a world ruled by dragons and their riders, Jin is a young thief surviving the underbelly of Tang China by fol...

Grab a free copy of Theo and the Secret of Elshon

If you liked the first adventure, and want the second, now's the perfect time. Or maybe you want to grab this now and catch up on the first book later. Either way, "Theo and the Secret of Elshon" is available off Amazon for free today! Join the rabbits Theo and Indigo, and the axe-wielding bear Brune as they travel to convince the wily Orjo to lead them to the Library of Elshon, which holds the secret they need to defeat the Urzok Empire. It's a race against time that might cost Theo everything-...

Clunes Booktown Festival weekend

Last weekend I headed to the Clunes Booktown Festival with the Book of Theo series, and had a blast! Roughly 18,000 people came out to enjoy the warm weather, music, and of course, endless books. It was great to meet book lovers, other authors, and artists. Here are a few pictures from the weekend, including the "Reader's Night In" prize pack that went to lucky winner Magdalena.

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The "Queen and the Dagger" paperback has landed

This short adventure prequel is now available on Amazon in paperback! You'll also be able to order it through brick and mortar stores soon! Click here or on the image to order your copy:

What readers say:

"A fantasy lover's delight.""Awesome storytelling at its finest!""OUTSTANDING."

SYNOPSIS: The land of Mankahar is in turmoil as humans have unleashed a devastating weapon to control the animals: Pacification. Just as the rabbit warrior princess Indigo prepares to join the Order, a secret so...

Free for a limited time: Theo and the Forbidden Language

The first volume in the Book of Theo series is available free today through Amazon, just in time for some weekend adventure reading! Click on the image to grab your copy:

"A must for fantasy book lovers." - Amazon review

“A beautifully written fable.” - Author Brendan Le Grange