RT reviews Consequences... The Champion Chronicles: Book Two

This release has been a long time coming, but it's finally HERE!!!

I learned so much as a writer while preparing this manuscript for my wonderful editor, Callie Lynn Wolfe at The Wild Rose Press. This was the first book I contracted, second in the series (of course, I do things backwards). Callie gave The Champion Chronicles it's name. Retribution! Book One debuted in March 2009. When I wrote Consequences...Book Two, the story was solid, the characters like old friends. I am pleased to announce that the last book in the Trilogy - Inheritance, Book Three is already in edits with Callie! Three books out in three years. Not bad for someone who never aspired to write a novel.

Consequences...Book Two has just been reviewed by Romantic Times Book Reviews, and here's what Donna M. Brown had to say.

CONSEQUENCES - M. Flagg - 4 Stars (Compelling - A page turner)  Heat level: MILD
"Book two of the Champion Chronicles is a really wild ride. This is a story about a different sort of vampire. There are battles, tender moments, and a large dose of teen angst. Very enjoyable!"

"SUMMARY:  The beast remains within. Mystically enhanced vampire Michael Malone survived a vicious assault by three evil sorcerers, only to face this one last obstacle. But he is not alone. The faithful have gathered for an exorcism. 
     Soon the beast is gone, but this Michael is different. It will take much more to bring him to the present. Many, including his love, the Guardian Alana and his human son Lukas, are there to pull him through. When he's back to his "normal" undead self, the Champion must atone for 300 years of transgressions. But an unlikely circumstance disturbs the malevolent Volstad, who vows to destroy Michael and turn Lukas."

Thank you Ms. Brown! I'm totally thrilled to share her words with you! ~ Mickey Flagg

Share your latest release or just leave a comment to win a copy of CONSEQUENCES.
Contest ends August 9th!! Thanks for visiting my blog!!

Just who on earth checks these people?

Perhaps it's the end of summer that brings out mean-spirited people. I tend to look forward to autumn - cooler nights, beautiful, vibrant color - all those warm, toasty things that beg for a fire in the hearth and hand crocheted blankets. Just when I'm settling in with a smile, out come the odd balls.

I belong to several author groups. Tales of pirated e-books, publishing houses that close, and the sudden onslaught of hurtful reviews are being mentioned on a variety of blogs.

Is it the economy? Is it the fall breezes or loud cicadas? I mean, just who on earth checks these people out before they cheat authors out of their royalties, decide to close up shop, or just simply spew such trash?

I thank the Lord every day that I'm with The Wild Rose Press. I have a great editor, an accessible publisher who puts out high-quality romance, and fellow authors that support each other. This house has integrity. It tends its garden and makes me proud to be with the Black Rose Line.

So let's skip back a paragraph; take a look at those above-mentioned charlatans.

Pirates! In the 21st century! They can find anyone's novel on the web and take what isn't theirs to take. Pay for your ebooks. Own it the same as you'd own a print copy. Don't share it, don't give it away, and above all, don't begrudge someone, who went through the process of writing a book and selling it, the royalties we work hard to earn.

Those fly-by-night houses! Imagine that! They close or don't pay a cent for your story. What!? There are places to check publishers out. Go there. Read. Think. Research before you hit the send button. It is your creation so protect it. You deserve a royalty statement you can read and understand every quarter. You deserve to be with a publisher who answers your questions, no matter how ditzy you think it sounds. There are honest houses out there. Find them and query them. Take the contract to a literary lawyer and learn what each sentence means. What rights are yours? What does the house own? These are simple questions. Learn to ask them.

Now to the reviewer. I'm proud of every review I've received - the good and the bad. What I don't get are those who decide to trash a book, not on just one site, but on many. And some of these people have the audacity to consider themselves experts because they learned to read! Do they all write a book and sweat through the process? The good ones with integrity have. They are literate persons who know the entire journey that you've taken. Others hook up with a multitude of web sites, use a variety of names, and post the exact same garbage in many places! Think about it. Now, the unsuspecting author has a plethora of trashy reviews from one person - who never should have critiqued the book in the first place. What a racket!!

I'm a music teacher. I have credentials that say I can critique a student's musical ability with a proven knowledge base. Liking a song does not mean that you can notate it or perform it correctly. So why should someone who has never penned a full-length novel, gone through the process of query, contract, and edits make or break an author's career? Why give them any credence at all?

To me, they are worse than the pirates and the pub houses that don't pay a cent in royalties. They break spirits with intentional bad manners. They don't get the plots, the characters, or the blood, sweat, and tears a writer pours into his or her work. They use words as poison instead of entertainment. In other words, they're jealous wannabees who don't have the courage to write their own story.

So these are the odd balls. They crop up in the creative arts as well as politics. Thank God they don't build the bridges and perform intricate surgeries on our loved ones. A little knowledge turns someone into an expert with power. And they tend to go on and on and on...

I mean, just who on earth checks out these people?

July Happenings!

Did I hear someone say a busy month? But this is summer, right? A time to kick back, vacation, and generally mosey on down the road. Well not for me. Summer School has started and my calendar is really filling up. Engagement parties, baby showers, birthdays, and so much more. I'll also be helping some music educators with integrating core content into some newly developed jazz lessons for K-8 students.

Some other good news. I've just signed my third contract with The Wild Rose Press. Friday the Thirteenth is a short story offered as a free read. It's about a shape-shifter who gets to be human for one year. Of course, there's romance...

I recently workshoped with Margie Lawson and learned so much in one day that my brain was spinning. Getting the short story ready for release and finding time to re-edit Inheritance, Book 3 in The Champion Chronicles, will come in dribs and drabs for the next few weeks. But there's always August...

Here are some "author" happenings going on in July.

Be sure to check out the "LET FREEDOM RING" summer guest blog event going on at http://www.dayanaknight.blogspot.com
Daily prizes and a great Grand Prize. YOU may be the winner!! I'll be blogging over at her site on July 20th. Lots of great authors are there. Please stop by.

While we're on special events, don't forget about THE FINE GRIND BOOK SIGNING - Saturday, July 25th on Rte. 23 South in Little Falls, NJ.
Talk about a great cup of coffee! I'll be there from 10 till Noon signing my debut novel Retribution! As part of The coffee house's "Meet the Author" series, the book is right their on the shelf and still on sale. If you surf web, look for it on B & N, Target, and www.amazon.com not to mention various sights (including one in Italian). The Kindle version is available as well.

Speaking of Amazon, there's a new 5 star reader review which states: "I am very anxious for the sequel!" That warmed my heart. Gave me a few tingles, too. I can promise you that Book 2, Consequences, is worth the wait.

So now that I've rambled and shamelessly promoted, let me know what you have happening in July. We can compare calendars.

Enjoy the summer!
Mickey