"Earth's Magick" and "Decker"

Mel Massey

Today Miss Havana presents an interview with Mel Massey, author of Earth's Magick and Decker. Miss Havana believes the short blurbs that follow the interview will pique your interest ... and Miss Havana knows a great deal about the dark side.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

My poor main character, Mela, really gets it bad from the first page.  A nasty being that’s trying to kill her attacks her nightly.  Mela is special because of the choices she makes to protect herself.  She’s open to the idea and the power of "magick."  Although, she really has no idea about any of it, she’s willing, and that’s all it takes sometimes, a little leap of faith and a whole lot of intent.  She wasn’t born with any area or special gifts, she’s simply a bit braver than most.

How much research do you do?

Sooooo much research went into this series.  First, let me say, I’ve outlined the entire series, and that took some time.  Then I outlined, researched, and created the “ancient characters” and that took an extremely long time.  Not to mention writing spells, and "magickal" history that worked with this world. I had to create the entire history of the Elementai, which is totally made up by the way.

If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it?

Yes!  This is the first book in a five part series.  Plus four companion novels.  Each book’s theme is written right on the cover. The first is Earth.  Book 2 is Water, etc. Each book introduces new characters both good and bad.  The story starts to get more complex, and sadly, darker, as the series goes on.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series?

Personally, I’m a fan of authors who know where the series is going.  Even if they’re not sure on how the main character will get there, I’d like to know there is a purpose and a reason for it all. I do know how the Earth’s Magick series will end.  Some things may change as the books are written but I know the final outcome and I think that makes for a stronger series.  I read somewhere that an author of a series ought to plot the tale from the end to the beginning.  I totally agree with that.  But then again, there are other authors who’ve made a great living on going with the flow with no real clue…to each their own.

EARTH’S MAGICK, BOOK 1 ~Earth~

Blurb:

Life in Trinity Hills, Texas goes from normal to deadly for Mela Malone. Whenever Mela falls asleep, a mysterious creature, called The Hag, tries to kill her. What begins as dabbling in protective spells from an ancient Grimoire, leads to her initiation into an ancient order of warrior witches known as the Elementai. Mela learns war is coming with The Darkness and the Hag is only one of the evil creatures in its service. As an Elementai, Mela learns it’s her duty to find four part-human sisters who can help defeat the evil that threatens to return to the world. With every new discovery, Mela uncovers ancient secrets that complicate her quest further. As war approaches, everyone must make a choice - fight with the Elementai for all life on Earth, or fight for The Darkness.

DECKER

Blurb:

In this first companion novel to the Earth’s Magick series, Decker tells his incredible, and sometimes painful, life story. For over 2,000 years, he has fought to survive and find his place in this ever-changing world. Beginning in a remote village in ancient Saudi Arabia, he takes the reader with him to Egypt, Rome, Gaul, Ireland, Scotland, Africa, and finally to the New World. Earth’s Magick readers will relive Decker’s incredible adventures and his most intimate secrets.

Please see www.melmassey.com for news on the Earth’s Magick series, Mel’s blog, links to her books, and forums for readers to chat with each other.

Buy Links:

Mel’s books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Massey/e/B00ID9Z9D8/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Mel’s books at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/mel-massey

Mel’s books on The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=Mel+Massey&search=Find+book

Author: Mel Massey

melmasseyauthor@gmail.com

Review of Tidal Surge by Francene Stanley

Not at all what I expected from the title, Tidal Surge is a paranormal tale of a woman who enters the thoughts of another and, once inside, can also make suggestions—for good or bad. As a new wife, Liliha shares her secret ability with her husband, Oliver, who encourages her to use her talent for the good of those she influences. Liliha has no control over the episodes that take her and, like an advancing tidal surge, she is swept away into a vortex of jumbled thoughts time and again throughout the novel. The story pivots from third person to first each time she is thrust into the mind of another. I was a little confused the first time that happened but adjusted quickly and enjoyed the perspective shift.

Liliha derives her power from an ancient Egyptian moonstone ring, and the ring has two associated golden bracelets, one of which is in Liliha’s possession. The bracelet, like the ring, bestows on those who wear it an ability similar to Liliha’s but there is a difference. While the ring encourages good, the bracelet brings out the worst. Kaelyn, Liliha’s daughter, happens on the bracelet while rummaging through her mother’s things and is swept away into a dark world inside the mind of people intent on evil deeds. Encouraged by the bracelet, Kaelyn’s destructive nature blooms, and the sullen, insolent daughter becomes even more hostile.

Amid the chaos of good vs. evil as Kaelyn and Liliha battle each other within the minds of predators and victims, Oliver’s sexy ex-girlfriend, Beatrice, schemes to recover her relationship with Liliha’s new husband. Beatrice flees the witness protection program to add her physical beauty and lustful soul to the eternal battle being waged by Liliha and Kaelyn.

The plot is highly entertaining, the ending is unexpected, and the book is masterfully edited. I enjoyed the English writing style and vocabulary. Francene Stanley also walked the fine line between enough description of people and places to embed the reader into her story, but not so much to slow the reader’s momentum. Here’s an example as Kaelyn reacts to the bracelet: “She took a deep breath, and then slid the bangle up her arm. The gold clamped and settled on her bicep. Shudders of guilt-tainted pleasure flowed through her. Suffocating, sweet essence invaded her psyche. She slid onto the void with an expectation of delight.”

Having raised two teen girls myself, I applaud the author for capturing the aloof nature, lack of forgiveness (for almost everything), and haughtiness of a young woman striving to come to grips with the world as it is. Overall, I believe Tidal Surge is a five-star read.