Free Book Offer and New Book Release--Keepers of the Wellsprings

Please give a warm welcome to Missy Sheldrake! I'm thrilled to help spread the word about her newest book release and also about a VERY special promo offer in honor of Book 5.

Offer: The first four books in this series will be FREE on ebook on November 29th ONLY! That's a fantastic offer, so don't miss out. 

I freely admit that I have just learned of this series. It was the covers that got me. Amazing! I'm really looking forward to reading them and talking a long walk in the world of the Keepers of the Wellsprings.

Author/Illustrator Missy Sheldrake is proud to announce the upcoming release of Call of Elespen, the fifth and final book in her Keepers of the Wellsprings series.

This epic fantasy series tells the sweeping tale of a time when ruthless Sorcerers threatened the delicate balance of the Wellsprings--secret pools of magic revered and fiercely protected by fairy-kind for decades.

In Call of Elespen:

“Four offerings claimed. Two left. One, I can easily get. Ceras’lain. The other, Elespen. I don’t know much about that place. Only what I saw from the ship while I escaped from Sunteri. A jungle on either side of a wide river. A city I was forbidden to enter. Forbidden, even though I didn’t even realize it at the time…” -Tib, Dreamstalker, escaped slave

“They know our victory is nearing. They know we’re the Champions of Light. They’d rather keep us here, trapped in their lair, distracted from our quest to restore Brindelier and claim the Wellsprings.” -Flitt, fairy companion to Sir Azi Hammerfel

A vindictive Sorcerer King with a century-old grudge has spent decades gathering an army obsessed with claiming what their master feels he’s owed. Threatened by his dark dealings and sinister followers, will the Champions of Light succeed in claiming Brindelier’s Wellspring for the Dawn, or will its vast power fall forever into the hands of the unforgiving Dusk?

Who will triumph, Dawn or Dusk? Ally yourself with dragons, fairies, mages, knights, and muses in the epic conclusion to the Keepers of the Wellsprings series.

What reviewers are saying about the Keepers of the Wellsprings series:

“…this book had nice readability and should appeal to a wide range of audiences. Too often fantasy is written far too mature, or too childish. The author does a good job of not talking down to her audience, which leads to this readability range.” Fatho, Amazon Reviewer

“Azaeli is an awesome young lady; one to watch in the role model stakes.” -T.L. Clark, Author

“…an enchanting read from start to finish.” J. Ortiz, Amazon Reviewer

“Epic, Epic, Epic, wow what an incredible book, story and entry to a fantasy realm. This has movie possibilities written all over it. Magnificent writing, adventure with good and evil and some that are in between the two. Dark forces and forces of light. It simply doesn't get any better.” -Kindle Reviewer

About the Author:

Missy Sheldrake is an author/illustrator who has been conjuring images of fairies in one form or another for as long as she can remember. The wind in the trees and the rich scent of forest earth are her most treasured sources of inspiration, and on most mornings you will find her wandering the wooded paths of her neighborhood, dreaming of the next adventure she hopes to put to the page. She published her first novel, Call of Kythshire, in March of 2015 and intends to keep writing as long as the fairies in her dreams allow it.

Galleries of illustrations and excerpts from the Keepers of the Wellsprings series can be viewed on her website and blog.

Missy can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Her books are available on Amazon.

Paperback Books on Sale!!

I seriously over-purchased paperback books for a couple of events this year, like the Pet Expo, that turned out to be a real bust. It happens. But my business manager (aka my husband, Scott) does not like all that inventory going into 2018. He has uttered the words he never says: "Mark them down. Have a sale."

And so I am!!!

All of the paperback books I have on hand are on sale 30% off until Dec. 30 or supplies on that title run out.  That means that all the animal series books are $7 each and "At the Corner of Magnetic and Main" is only $10. I will still autograph and personalize them, just like normal.

If you want to get in on this sale, just click here to go to my shopping cart page at my website. These prices are not at Amazon. They'd never let me price them this low! It's only at my website on the copies that I have on hand. When a title runs out, I will change the price back to the normal retail price. First come, first served.

So grab those paperbacks for only $7 each 

and finish off your collection!! 

Bookstop, Kirkus, and War Eagle

So much is hopping around here. We are finally settled (sort of) in our new home in Springdale. Boxes are coming out of storage, and we are finding places for everything (and determining there is still more we can donate and move along). Several of you have mentioned worrying about the cats settling in, and I assure you they are all doing fine. We had a plan on how it would all work, and they have shown us their plan and decided much of it on their own. We try to keep up.

Cheetara took control immediately and supervised the unpacking.
We gave up on keeping cats off the kitchen counters long ago.

The master bedroom is the daily sleeping zone. Kimba, Hiro, and Miss Fatty Cat all insist on spending the day lounging and napping in there. Cheetara and Max follow me wherever I am and nap accordingly. Max is very excited about his new yard with a FENCE. He can just wander around and lie in the sun without supervision. He missed that very much, though he did love his mountain yard.

Miss Fatty Cat claimed the window viewing seat behind my chair once,
but she prefers the quiet of a bedroom for serious sleeping.

Kimba has taken to finding stealthy places to get away from the unpacking for serious naps.
She is very proud of this one and seems kind of sad when I spot her. So sneaky!

We are gearing up for the War Eagle Fall Craft Fair in a few days. It is our biggest event of the year. Four full days of hundreds of thousands of people can be overwhelming, but after having a booth there several years in a row I have discovered that people come looking for me and my newest book. That's about the best compliment ever. It is a huge party, so if you have never been, you should check it out. My booth is normally right across from the bridge in Sharp's Field. Stop by and say hello! You can even get a peek at a sample copy of Bianca: The Brave Frail and Delicate Princess. 

I'm also participating in the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Bookstop promotions this month. Authors/illustrators who have a book coming out in 2017 can purchase a promotion page, and you can stop in and "like" them or leave a comment. So many wonderful books! I've been working my way through them all slowly. Be sure to check it out. My page is at this link.

Besides this promotion, we are getting down to the final gasps for Bianca and her official launch day December 1st. The blog tour is filling up nicely, and I'm putting the final touches on the hardcover formatting. There will be some updates to the book cover as early reviews come in. I was thrilled to have Kirkus not only do a review but say lovely, quotable things. I can't post the whole thing here, but you can click on this link to read the review. Their pull-out quote is:

"Runs to surprising depths, and Sammy the donkey will live long in young memory."

I'm partial to the part about "spry and charming" and their words about my "exquisitely characterized animals" and that "Bianca, all told, is a memorable middle-grade heroine."

Yay!

You can already pre-order the Kindle version at this link from Amazon. I also have pre-order links up at my website for paperback and hardcovers. I'll only be ordering the copies that I think I'll need for December, so be sure to get a pre-order in if you want a copy for the holidays. Then you will be assured of one in time. 

I'll also be participating in Fayetteville's Lit Fest. There are lots of wonderful events, and I'll be part of the Local Children's Author Festival on Saturday, October 28th, at the Fayetteville Library. Follow this link for more information on all the great speakers and events. 

That's all the excitement for now -- and it's plenty! I'm off to unpack a box. I hope you have a lovely week and are enjoying the fall weather. 

Goodreads Giveaway

The Goodreads Giveaway for Bianca: The Brave Frail and Delicate Princess is now underway! Five copies are up for grabs. Click here to enter.

I will also be having a drawing for five free copies from those who sign up for my Reader's Group at either Penned Con or War Eagle over the next few weeks. If you're in St. Louis, don't miss out on this fun event in just a few days.

So many amazing authors, all in one place, and it's a charity benefit for Action for Autism as well. How can you lose??

Hope to see you or meet you for the first time there. 

Bianca Early Review

We are in that scary zone of pre-publication where review copies have been sent out but it could be weeks before we hear back on how my Brave Frail and Delicate Princess Bianca has been received. One early response was decent, but nothing great. That stirred up massive author anxiety. What if all the reviews are like that? What if Kirkus hates it and says nasty things?? What if everyone hates it?? (Yes, this is how an author's brain works.)

Then this arrived.

"Princess Bianca rules, in every way! This tale of intrepid discovery and determination will delight young readers and will dare those who deal with the dragons of self-doubt, frustration, and bullying to step out and challenge those menaces to a duel." 
New England Children's Book Review -- Listed as a "favorite" on their site

I tell you, my heart skipped a beat or two when I read that. Scott even got a little teary. It's hard to imagine how much words like that mean about something you have worked on and worried over and fussed with for years. It is everything.

It isn't necessary for every reviewer to love it, but if even a few do, it lets me know I'm on the right track. And, on the business side of things, it gives me material to post on sales pages and puts Bianca in front of librarians who use NECBR as a resource for book selections. That's such a boost!

So now we continue to wait for the next round. Kirkus is the big dog in the pen at the moment. Fortunately, if they don't really like it, it's not the equivalent of being blacklisted or anything. I don't promote the review and it just sort of hangs out there. I don't think the average reader checks Kirkus for book recommendations. It's mostly just a waste of lots of money.

But if Kirkus likes it...Well...

We won't even talk about the fireworks that will be lit if they give it a star. Mid-October is a long way off. I try not to think about it if I can avoid it.

In the meantime, we are finishing up our move to Springdale and getting ready for Penned Con in St. Louis (Sept. 29-30th). October will be full with formatting the hardcover version of Bianca, which is a whole new venture for us, and setting up blog reviewers for the fall and December 1 launch of Bianca. We also have War Eagle to look forward to (Oct. 19th-22nd). Meeting readers there always gives my spirits a bump.

For now, I leave you with birthday photos of Miss Fatty Cat (aka Samantha) and Slinky (aka Tabitha), who turn 12 sometime this month. Happy Birthday, Ladies!!

Five Great Reasons to Adopt a Senior Dog

Please welcome Alexandra Seagal, editor at Animalso, who is sharing a guest blog with us today. Our rescue dog Max (now an old man of 12 himself) is very excited to talk about the benefits of adopting a senior dog. You can find out more about Alexandra and Animalso at this link.

Thinking About Adopting a Dog? 

5 Great Reasons To Get A Senior Dog 

Many people head straight for the puppies when visiting a shelter, but there are lots of healthy senior dogs that are waiting for a home too. Adopting an older dog comes with many benefits that you might not have considered. So, in this article, I’m going to share 5 reasons to get an older (and wiser) pooch.

                                             

Stick with me to see what they are!

1. Save a life

Most people prefer to adopt a puppy or a young dog. Yes, those little fluff balls with their puppy-dog eyes will melt the coldest of hearts. But sadly, this means that, at overpopulated shelters, it’s the older dogs that are the first to be put down.

  

So, adopting a senior pooch really can save its life. And wouldn’t that just feel great?

2. Spend less

Let’s consider the expenses that come with getting a puppy - various vet visits and vaccinations, spaying or castrating procedures, puppy classes, and you might even need to replace expensive household items if you get a particularly aggressive chewer.

Well, most senior dogs come vaccinated, neutered, trained, and they’ve already been through that pesky teething phase, so you won’t see your bank balance drop quite so much.

Just get her some quality senior dog food, a cozy place to sleep, some toys, a leash, and you’re set!

3. They’re not all “problem dogs”

Contrary to popular belief, most senior dogs are not in a shelter due to bad behavior. Actually, it’s usually because their previous owners could no longer look after them, whether because of financial issues, allergies, or a death in the family.

So, think twice before you brand senior dogs “problematic.” There is a story behind each older dog, and it’s usually nothing they have done that has landed them in a kennel.

4. Chill together

Don’t feel like waking up to whining at 2 a.m.? Or having to play with a bouncy, energetic puppy throughout the day? What about going through the whole potty training ordeal, and - let’s be honest - probably having to clear up more than a few accidents?

Senior dogs are generally much more chilled and require much less work, meaning there will be minimal disruption to your current routine. You can simply enjoy their companionship, snuggling together, enjoying calm walks - oh, and you’ll get to sleep through the night.

5. What you see is what you get

With puppies, it’s not always clear how much they will grow or what personality traits and behaviors they will develop. Will she get on with children, cats, and other dogs? Will she be small enough to carry? What color will she be?

The great thing about getting a senior dog is that you know what you’re in for. Straightaway, you will be able to see her size, color, and temperament - you’ll even know her food preferences. This means it’s much easier to get the right match for you.

Conclusion

So, if you’re considering adopting a dog, don’t overlook the seniors. They can make great pets. Compared to puppies, they are far less costly, more chilled, plus they have already grown into themselves, so you’ll be able to judge if they are the right fit or not.

Remember, most of them are there through no fault of their own, and, by choosing one, you could be saving her life.

Kindle Book Sale & Summer Newsletter

Click here to see a copy of my Summer Newsletter. 

All of my animal series books are on sale on Kindle from August 10-14. It's the perfect time to grab a copy or share a copy!! Click on the link for the book you want. 

Why Kimba Saved The World -- FREE
Vacation Hiro -- 99 cents
Miss Fatty Cat's Revenge -- 99 cents
Slinky Steps Out -- 99 cents
Max's Wild Night -- 99 cents
Dottie's Daring Day -- FREE