A taste of what's to come...

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I used to share snippets from The Governess on my BlogSpot twice a week, kind of like a weekly soap opera, but stopped when there were hints of people copying my work.  *sigh*


So it's scary to share snippets from Pirate Bride because I worry about the same thing.  Authors toil long hours to produce something that might entice readers to read their hard work.  Not for it to be stolen.  I hope I can entice those of you waiting for the sequel with this little tidbit.  Pirate Bride is getting closer to being released this spring.  I worried that I wouldn't make my deadline, but hope has been restored. :) ...I hope...   I've enjoyed rereading early chapters and thought I might share a snippet with you.  Shhh!  Only share with those you trust...


Hope you all enjoy!
Ellise~

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A snippet from Chapter 4 ~Vanished

Late that evening, as Susannah walked to her room, she saw an elegant lady and an old English wolf hound walking in the corridor away from her.  Would she not have met this guest at supper, she thought, oddly? 

Curious still, she slowed her pace and looked behind her as an eerie feeling crept along the hall making her shiver.  Catching her breath, she could almost smell something.  Was it floral…and spice?  Looking back to where the lady and her dog walked, she noticed how the lady turned, looking over her shoulder at Susannah, her black Spanish tiara and veil stunning against her red gown.  But, before she could turn the corner, she and the hound vanished. 

Sucking in a breath, Susannah stopped short, breathing hard, reaching a steadying hand to the cold stone wall.  Feeling faint, she closed her eyes a moment to even her breathing.  The eerie feeling dissipated only to leave behind a longing sense of sadness, loneliness, and despair.  

Was she losing her mind?  

I've been avoiding them like the plague...

...and now I remember why.  Forums can either really bring out the nasties in people or show that the kind ones really, truly shine no matter where they show up.  


As for my first few attempts at getting involved in several different websites' forums, only one out of four brought forth a kind comment.  Perplexing.  And yet, its not.  If people have anonymity, them seem to show some pretty true colors...and so far, I'm not impressed.  Sad to say it, but many of my fellow authors out there in the myriad of writing communities can be downright ugly.  


That's why I keep coming back to my own little publishing world on my own little websites.  I don't have to talk to the meanies; rather, only to friends and other authors who care.  They've been there and haven't forgotten civility and concern for others.  I'm ever so grateful.  


I knew all along that stepping into this world of publishing and being seen by the 'world' would be tough on my sensitive nature, but my family and their needs are still worth the effort to push past the hurt feelings and even the ignorant words of others.  So I keep plodding along...trying to have a stiff upper lip.  Gosh!  I'm bad at it!


Have a great weekend, everyone!  And be determined!


Ellise~

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Join the Discussion!

I'm not real fond of forums, but they do have their purposes, and mine, right now, is to gain new readers. 

My book sales have really slowed down since the big publishing houses put their old books all on Amazon this last September 2013 to sell older titles that have already done well.  What do they have to lose?  Nothing.  But those of us who are self-published have really felt the hit.  I was hoping to reverse that trend.  To do this, I started a discussion about The Governess, whether you've read the Trilogy (with new end chapters added) or one of the original volumes.  I would love to encourage anyone who has read this book to participate in this discussion. 

Would you share what others might possibly enjoy about my story to increase the interest on Amazon.com (which is, by far, my largest audience)?  I sure could use the help, please.  Thanks, everyone!

Join the discussion here.

Hugs,

Ellise

P.S.  Please feel free to add comments to any avenue for book discussions (i.e., Goodreads, Shelfari, Kobo, Lulu, etc.).  These comments would, I hope, draw attention to the book as well.  Thanks! ;)

P.S.S.  If anyone has a blog or website--I would certainly make myself available to do an interview or blog tour.  Sorry!  I feel like I'm pushing myself on everyone, but I could really use the readers.  Thanks!

16,000 pageviews on Blogger! Woohoo!!! :)

I didn't realize that I had had that many viewers.  I just happened to look down at that today, and it was EXACTLY 16,000.  Pretty cool!  Hugs, everyone!  Thanks for the support! ~Ellise

Saturdays...

Saturdays bring with them a unique dilemma.  As a child, they were filled with chores and play.  As a teenager, they were filled with chores and shopping at the mall with sisters or friends, spending my babysitting money on whatever I had been saving up to buy; or, even better, going to a movie.  As a young mother, they have been spent cleaning, doing laundry, making bread, washing wiggly bodies getting ready for Sunday.  They have turned into cleaning days with the kids as the project; teaching them how to clean and be responsible.  Isn't that fun.  Once in a blue moon, we would actually go somewhere.  My favorite outings are to the mountains and the unique peace that is found there.  Beautiful. 

But now, Saturdays have become even more busy.  There is the cleaning and laundry to do still; baking or cooking that still needs to happen; there are kids to keep on task or follow in whatever they are doing; but now, there is also the struggle to find time to write, edit, and enjoy my time doing so; there is this struggle to decide if I'll clean or write.  Why, I ask myself?  Why would I ever choose to clean over write??  Silly me.  That should be an easy one.  But there is that struggle with balancing all of the above.  And it has become difficult.  So...now I'm just tired.  But I have to decide what to do. 

Uggh!

Do you ever feel like you're spinning out of control?  Here's to all those who have maintained control and have everything perfect in their lives...  The rest of us salute you. ;)

Ellise


P.S.  Shhh...  I think I'll go write something...

 

Six years ago today...

...I began writing. 

I'm feeling a little nostalgic right now, which I usually do this time of year.  I know many of you do, as well.  It's doubly so for me since its birthday time again.  *yay, I'm older...blah!*  I am glad to know more things, and that is the only advantage to age, perhaps?  I don't know yet.  Let me know if you've figured it all out.  ;) 

However, I am very grateful for the new year because it is a time of deep reflection, and I do have much to be grateful for.   And, of course, this brings me to my topic today.  This deep reflection is what got me into this whole writing experience, to begin with.  I had never planned to be a writer. But I do have to admit that I had tried my writing skills out once before when my children were little tots, and my last little one wasn't even born yet, but I quickly laughed at myself and deleted what I had written (...a rarely shared moment in my life...).  

Turn the clock forward several years, add a bunch more trials to my life, and voila!  I had the makings of some very deep moments.  I was considering the fact that I had just come through a difficult year.  My hair was finally growing again and it was just starting to look normal.  I was very self-conscious, but I was grateful to have made it through that difficult time.  I wanted this new year to be different--better.  Really better!  But what could I do?  What could I possibly do to make things better? 

I felt like I had made things worse--not intentionally, of course.  I mean, really--who asks for cancer, or any trial, for that matter?  But I could hardly get myself out of bed in the morning, let alone feel excited about getting up.  My only purpose was taking care of my little family, and my husband had stepped right into that role quite well.  I didn't even feel needed anymore.  But I knew that the medical bills were only mounting--and little did I know that they would grow exponentially over the following years to include much, much more--even my sweet husband's new heart surgery bills.  Life has just been crazy.  It felt so completely overwhelming to me. 

And that is why that one single prayer has had such an impact upon my life ever since.  That prayer that asked, "What can I possibly do to help?"  My sweet little family and my hard-working husband were especially on my mind during this prayer because I had asked a scary question a lot--What if I don't make it?  What if I die?   

After paying all these bills, then they'd have to come up with funeral costs?  That was the big fear.  And then what?  The more I thought about their future, the more I tossed and turned.  I needed the help and peace that only a loving Father in heaven could provide.  And He did.  All the occupations I thought of doing could not even be approached.  They were simply out of the question.  I had to do something from home and in my weakened station.  It sucked, but there you have it.  It has been sucky ever since, as far as my fight with my health and stupid medical bills.  But the answer to that prayer was--You can do something, Ellise.  You can!  The thoughts of writing that came to my mind were so exciting that I got up the very next morning raring to go.  And I have been writing ever since January 2, 2008. 

I have learned so much since that special prayer was answered.  I have found so many new friends and have reacquainted myself with many more.  Family and friends have been so supportive, as embarrassing as it is to step out in front of everyone and ask, "Here. Read this."  Totally not me!  This is so completely out of my comfort zone.  But my little family is so worth any sacrifice I can make--embarrassment and all.  And it is still paying off.  I'm ever so grateful.  

 

God really does make more out of us than we can make of ourselves all on our own.  Just ask Him for the help and see for yourself what He comes up with.  You'll be pleasantly surprised! :)    I truly hope for continued success for me and for all of you out there trying, struggling, and hoping for more in your lives.  All my best, Ellise

Spread the Word!

In celebration of this incredible past year and now our newest year coming forth, The Governess Trilogy has been reduced in price through New Years Day!  Click here today!

Thank you for your incredible support this first year that I've been published!  It's been a terrific journey that I hope to repeat this coming year.  Dreams are free, but how amazing they are when they come true! 

All my best to your dreams,

Ellise

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Life was too busy to wish you all well before the holiday, but I do hope you all have had a lovely Christmas!  All around the world, celebrations have occurred, and this is a much smaller planet than ever before.  It is my wish that all have felt that special Spirit of Christmas and that you might yet be feeling its magic.  Truly, this is a special time of the year. 

Christmas Eve, we celebrated by caroling to friends and neighbors and delivering some goodies, while others did the same to us.  It was fun.  To top off the evening, we read the story of Christ's birth followed by watching a short movie clip called Luke II.  We followed up by watching the short Mr. Krueger's Christmas, and then concluded by watching George C. Scott's version of A Christmas Carol.  Inspiring!  All the while, we gratefully pigged out on hoagie sandwiches and a yummy relish tray and goodies.  I kept hearing from my kids, "I LOVE Christmas!" and "This is the only time of year we can pig out on junk food, and it's okay with our parents."  They had fun, which makes me smile.  Hearing the laughter of my children together is the best gift.

No other season quite brings out the gratitude-filled feelings of the heart.  Its special.  It's important.  Especially to think of all that we have been blessed with this year.  I'm ever so grateful to have my husband still with me and to enjoy my family and those I love.  It's been good to talk with friends ;), and to receive special Christmas cards that we save and use as Christmas decorations the next year.  We hang them with the garland around the top of the ceiling with lights.  They are so pretty and remind us of all those who are special to us. 

May you all enjoy your loved ones and enjoy this special holiday time reflecting upon what is most important in our lives.  And for me, most of all, I am grateful for a Savior who has made it possible for me and others to return to our heavenly home. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ellise

The Governess Trilogy is finally available in ALL formats!

The Governess TRILOGY is finally available in all formats:

KINDLE

Lulu.com EBOOK & Nook

Kobo.com EBOOK

PAPERBACK on CreateSpace

HARDCOVER (casewrap)

HARDCOVER (dust jacket)

Website links

Thank you for your support, everyone!

May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hugs,

Ellise

Enjoy a New Read!

My new author friend, Sarah M. Anderson just released her book, COPIED, today!  Enjoy some down time!  Click here to order today! 

This is what it's about: 

Adopted off the black market, Alexander Mitchell has no idea his DNA is copyrighted and property of military weapons giant Texacom Defense, nor that his DNA is being used to develop an army of clones. When Texacom discovers he was not properly disposed of 17 years ago, they send an assassin copy, BETA23, to terminate Xan and cover it up.

After he narrowly escapes BETA23’s first attempt, Xan teams up with Lacey, a genetically engineered genius he’s surprised t...o find common ground with— only they’re awkward together. 

When they manage to capture a company copy by luck and sheer stupidity on Xan’s part, Lacey is determined to see the good in their prisoner to the point she believes BETA23 can be persuaded to give them the intelligence they need to keep the company forever off Xan’s back. Xan’s not sure if he can trust the darker version of himself, not when it means gambling with the lives of his family and the possibility of losing Lacey.

Enjoy great holiday shopping or for your own relaxation! 

Good luck, Sarah!

Hugs,

Ellise