GUEST POST MELANIE P SMITH

This week I’d like to welcome another author who is well known to me for two reasons – I’ve read some of her … Paige books, which I have – and on more then one occasion, Melanie has been a whizz helping me out with graphics. So, I’m thrilled to introduce her to you.

I am a motorcycle riding, animal loving, author and photographer who has always enjoyed a good adventure. When I’m not writing, I can be found riding my Harley, exploring the wilderness, or capturing that next great photo.  Long before I delved into the world of fantasy and suspense, I served nearly three decades in the Special Operations Division for our local Sheriff’s Office working with SWAT, Search & Rescue, K9, the Motor Unit, Investigations and the Child Abduction Response Team.  I now use that training and knowledge to create stories that are action-packed, gripping, and realistic.

Tell us your latest news

I’m well into the 5^th season of my police procedural — Paige Carter.  Paige and Dax are married now and trying to balance a career with their personal lives.  Dax and his team are focused on the new business while Paige is faced with some intriguing and difficult cases.  Don’t’ worry, the duo still has time for their morning chats and Dax will try to worm his way in as Paige gathers evidence and chases bad guys.  The current season can only be found on my website, but previous seasons are available at all your favorite stores. https://melaniepsmith.com/crime-blog-landing/

I also recently released a short story and the first novel in a new series.  The short story was originally intended for an anthology, but the project just didn’t turn out the way we all hoped so I ended up releasing Love Can Wait independently.  Here’s a brief synopsis….

Sometimes sacrifice is the only solution.  A mother desperate to keep her child.  A father trying to protect his son.  A storm, a tragedy, and a destiny nobody saw coming.

https://books2read.com/LoveCanWait

I’m also excited to announce the release of a new Romantic Fantasy — Divergence.  It is the first book in my new Immortals Series. Here’s a brief intro…

Part Mortal, Part Divinity, Fully Devoted.

Meet the immortals -The wiccan, the shifter, the Master of Water, the siren, the healer, the Reader of Minds. Their destiny awaits — if they accept their fate and unite to confront a dangerous enemy in the battle of a lifetime.

The gathering has begun. Six demigods embark on an epic journey of danger, mystical creatures, dark magic, and intrigue. When an ancient prophesy is triggered, the tale of six powerful immortals begins. Legend has it, the chosen six will triumph over evil and restore peace. But first, they must gather together and converge on the land where their parents were defeated. Time is running out, the Titans want revenge, and the future of the entire world is at stake.

Check out my Book Trailer…
https://youtu.be/2ZMon5-BBxY

The two main characters in Divergence are Beckett Prescott and Cassandra Ashton.  Don’t tell anyone, but these two just might fall in love before this tale concludes — it is a romance after all.  Beckett is a wealthy businessman who was orphaned as a child.  His best friend, Zander is also his second in command.  Beckett has no idea he is immortal, but one stormy night he discovers nothing in his world is what it seems.

Cassandra (Cassie) is a Wiccan.  She learned magic at a young age from her parents and her eccentric aunts.  Instead of embracing her gift, she rejects it.  Her single-minded focus is on bringing joy and happiness to others through her novelty shop where she sells lotion, soap, and scented candles.  Nobody needs to know her products include a little something extra of the magical variety, do they?

Want to learn more?  You’re in luck.  Cassie and Beckett sat down to answer a few personal questions about their lives, their family, and their future.

Cassie, where did you grow up and what was your childhood like?

I grew up with my parents in Braxton Creek until I was fourteen.  They were killed in a freak accident and I went to live with my two aunts’ in Florida.  My childhood was enchanting — that’s the only world I can think of to describe it.  My mom was a powerful Wiccan and my dad was a formidable sorcerer.  Dad was a gentle soul and the kindest man I’ve ever known.  He taught me how to use my gift to obtain inner peace.  Mom taught me the practicalities of magic as well as strength, fortitude, and grace.  I wish I had inherited just a fraction of my mother’s elegance and style.  Once I went to live with my aunts, they tried to teach me how to have fun and enjoy life.  I’m still working on that, but I think I’m getting better at it.

Beckett, if you could go anywhere with one person, who would you take and where would you go?

I would love to have one more day with my mother.  Where doesn’t matter as long as we have time to relax and just enjoy each other’s company.  Maybe the Amalfi coast in Italy.  I think she’d enjoy the relaxed, carefree atmosphere with the quaint little shops, sun-filled piazzas, and the small, secluded beaches. She always loved spending an afternoon on the lake when I was a child. I think she’d enjoy the beauty of Italy as much as I did.

Cassie, what is the weirdest thing about you and are you proud of it or embarrassed?

That one is easy.  It has to be my magic.  I always knew I could cast spells and create simple potions.  I didn’t know I had seriously powerful magic like my parents.  To be honest, I didn’t realize they were powerful until the prophesy was triggered, and we all converged on this lakehouse.  My magical abilities used to embarrass me.  Now, I think I’m finally learning to be proud of who and what I am.  Beckett’s support and easy acceptance has helped. I still have a long way to go, but I think I’m finally ready to just be me — warts and all.

Beckett, who would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?

Cassie, of course.  (Smiling, he reached out and took her hand in his.)

Of course.  A final question for both of you.  Will be we seeing more of you in the future, or has your story already been told?

“You will definitely be seeing more of us,” Beckett answered.

“Our story is only beginning,” Cassie added.

“Our group has now gathered but we have a lot of work ahead of us.  We’re not ready to face what’s coming,” Beckett sobered.

“And,” Cassie added.  “The prophesy talks about three phases.  We might have the first leg behind us — but now it’s time to train and prepare.  Our entire groups needs more training.  None of us really knows the extent of our gifts.  I think Luna knows more than she’s sharing but a nuclear explosion wouldn’t force that woman to spill her secrets.”

Beckett laughed and agreed.

If you enjoyed learning about Beckett and Cassie, you can purchase their story at all major eBook stores.

https://books2read.com/Divergence

What are your current projects?

I am currently writing the second book in my Immortals series titled Artifice.  It picks up where Divergence leaves off and continues with the story of six immortals trying to unite to defeat the Titans and save earth.  Each of them comes from a family with extraordinary talent.  But, with power comes responsibility.  Can they join together in this season of training, or will outside influences tear them apart?

You can learn more here:-

Visit my website at https://melaniepsmith.com/ to learn more.

Check out my brochures for book details, links and trailers
https://geni.us/FantasyBrochure
https://geni.us/SuspenseBrochure
https://geni.us/FictionBrochure

Connect with me—

https://amazon.com/author/melaniepsmith
https://geni.us/MPSBookBub
https://geni.us/MPSFacebook
https://geni.us/MPSTwitter
https://geni.us/MPSmithYouTube
https://geni.us/MPSPinterest

Thank you so much Melanie for being my guest this week.

If you would like a guest spot, then leave a comment below or contact me on FaceBook – Lucinda E Clarke

MEET MELANIE P SMITH

Now not so very long ago Melanie was a guest on my blog quite recently, but I really want to give her extra exposure as she was a huge help to me in putting together some really great graphics which I used for my promo and I’ve been using them as tweets as well. This is one talented lady.

As you can see the sale is over, but it’s still great value.

Not only talented, but prolific as well.  https://melaniepsmith.com/   and her official site https://melaniepsmith.com/about-the-author   plus Amazon page  https://www.amazon.com/Melanie-P.-Smith/e/B00M4VCS1M

Till next time, take care.

MEET MELANIE P SMITH

I saw that this week’s guest has degrees coming out of her ears, but her marketing experience caught my attention and from the information she sent me, she is one switched-on author. So organized, on the ball and knows what she is doing! Over to Melanie to tell you about herself.

Hello, my name is Melanie P. Smith and I am an American, Multi-Genre author of Paranormal, Criminal Suspense, Police Procedural and Romance novels.  I work hard to make my stories exciting, action-packed and gripping.  So, if you like a story you can’t put down, one that will keep you guessing and take you on a journey of discovery… I have something for you.

I was born and raised in the state of Utah and spent my younger years working hard and playing hard.  As a farm kid, we always had a huge garden and plenty of animals to care for.  But, when the work was done… the adventure began.  If I wasn’t riding horses, I was playing softball, waterskiing or exploring the country on my tote goat (Pictures 1 & 2).  I wrote a short blog on how the more things change, the more they stay the same.  If you’re interested you can find it here… How It All Began    https://melaniepsmith.com/how-it-all-began/  

I have an Associates of Science degree in Marketing, a Bachelors in Business Management and a Masters Certificate in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation.  I was still deciding how to use my education when I started a part-time, summer job with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  Part-time turned to full-time and I ended up staying for over twenty-six years. I eventually retired in the spring of 2016.  The job was difficult at times but very fulfilling and always interesting.  Why do I mention this?  Well, because they say write what you know.  I know law enforcement.  For over two decades I was assigned to the Special Operations Division and spent my time supporting Search & Rescue, K9, the Mounted Posse, and the Motorcycle Unit.  I thought that tote goat and my Shetland pony (Coalie) were strictly for adventure… turns out they were training for the future.  Who knew?

In addition to my regular duties, I coordinated communication and logistics for our SWAT and Child Abduction Response Teams.  In this capacity, I spent hours manning the Command Post on emergency callouts like hostage situations, barricaded subjects and missing or abducted children.  My time working with the police helped me gain insight and experience that I now use to create intense novels that are interesting, realistic and suspenseful.

I still love adventure but these days I spend my time camping and riding ATV’s with my husband and our Border collie “Port”.  Or, you can find me exploring backroads on my Harley. Occasionally, I still go horseback riding with my friends.  But mostly, my exploits are conjured in my mind, expressed on paper, and shared through my novels.

MY WORK

My Warrior Series is a completed paranormal romance collection.  There are 7 novels and 2 novellas in this set.  For book descriptions, purchase links and eTrailers see my Paranormal Brochure.  There’s also a sneak peek of my new work in progress… The Immortals.  Divergence will be the first novel in this trilogy.  Unfortunately, the project is still in the beginning stages and won’t be available for some time yet.

http://geni.us/Warrior

My Thin Blue Line series currently has two novels Mount Haven and Moondance Ridge.  The third novel, Subterfuge, is nearly completed and I expect it out sometime this year.  You can see all my police and crime novels with appropriate links in my Criminal Suspense Brochure.

http://geni.us/SuspenseBrochure

This brochure also includes information on my unique Police Procedural Crime Blog.  What is a Crime Blog?  It’s a series of short stories (nine per season) that follows Deputy Paige Carter as she solves local cases. Each episode introduces a new crime; similar to police procedurals on television like Blue Bloods, Longmire, or Bones.  Want to try it for FREE?  Subscribe to my blog and you will receive the entire 1^st Season as my gift to you just for signing up.

http://geni.us/Blogsignup

The first episode of Season 3 – Paige Carter: Deputy Sheriff Series, was just released in April on my website.  So far, I’ve received amazing feedback and it was even featured in the local paper… the Sanpete Messenger.  As an added bonus to my readers, the current season is only available on my website and always FREE.

http://sanpetemessenger.com/2016/12/01/manti-backdrop-for-crime-series/
https://melaniepsmith.com/crime-blog/

Season 1

Paige Carter was an FBI agent who specialized in forensic science.  She decided to quit her job and move back to Manti, Utah.  She is determined to solve a cold case that occurred over ten years earlier.  Why so passionate about a cold case?  It was her mother’s murder and as far as she can tell…the local cops didn’t even try to solve it.

Amazon http://geni.us/PaigeCarterS1
Nook http://geni.us/BNPaigeCarterS1
iTunes http://geni.us/iPaigeCarterS1
Kobo http://geni.us/KPaigeCarterS1

Season 2

Season two brings a unique blend of criminal investigation and human interaction to every episode.  Paige is still working to rebuild her personal and professional life one step at a time.  Follow her progress as she fights crime, searches for a killer and tries to deal with the undeniable chemistry she shares with her mysterious neighbor.

Amazon http://geni.us/PaigeCarterS2
Nook http://geni.us/BNPaigeCarterS2
iTunes http://geni.us/iPaigeCarterS2
Kobo http://geni.us/kPaigeCarterS2

Season 3

Things are heating up in Manti in Season 3 of Paige Carter.  General Nathan Porter’s national security threat has now become a problem for Paige, her neighbor, and the small town she now calls home. Follow along as she works to stop a terrorist cell, investigates local crimes and struggles to manage her personal life.

https://melaniepsmith.com/crime-blog/

 Connect with Melanie

Website http://geni.us/mpsmithpublishing
Amazon Author http://geni.us/melaniepsmith

http://geni.us/MPSFacebook
http://geni.us/MPSTwitter
http://geni.us/MPSmithYouTube
http://geni.us/MPSGoodreads  

I’ve lost count of all those books, but Melanie is certainly a prolific writer and a couple of those are destined for my TBR list.

Thank you so much for being my guest today and a further HUGE thank you from me – Melanie is also in a Facebook group – Independent Author Promotion Group – and there are 17 of us who have joined together to help promote each other. Melanie has designed some stunning graphics for several of the writers. I’m absolutely thrilled with mine and I will be sharing the posts on this blog in the coming weeks.

If you would like a guest spot, either pm me on my Facebook  page

https://www.facebook.com/lucindaeclarke.author

or email me:- lucinda@lucindaeclarke.com