THE PROPHECY

“There is a custom among my people,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion as it bobbed too near the surface of his tightly-lidded calm. “When one commits an immense wrong, he must sing a lament for the preservation of his soul. That is why the great wolf howls. He sings not only for his soul, but for the souls of his forefathers and all the ones who bear the curse of Kamut.” 

In the gripping conclusion to THE SPIRIT KEEPER, Sarah Redbird struggles to connect with the Katori tribe as she uncovers even more secrets about her past and the family she’s never known. Is she the key to undoing a terrible curse and saving the enemy tribe? Will Sarah’s love for Adrian survive a force—and a destiny—that may be beyond her control? Discover the answers with Sarah in THE PROPHECY. 

“Just as 17 year old Sarah Redbird finds her inner strength to break an ancient curse, THE PROPHECY proves that author Melissa Luznicky Garrett continues as one of the strongest writers of paranormal romantic young adult fiction. With her innovative plots, dramatic scenes, and memorable characters, Garrett makes her readers of all ages fall even more in love with Adrian and Sarah. The result is a highly entertaining read with echoes of the eternal powers of ancestry, spirit, nature, and love on every page." Melissa M. Firman, author and book blogger at The Betty and Boo Chronicles http://bettyboochronicles.blogspot.com

Now available in print and for Kindle on Amazon.

THE PROPHECY, cover reveal

May is here. You know what that means? Not too much longer until THE PROPHECY, my fifth book and conclusion to THE SPIRIT KEEPER, is available for purchase. I still have to order and read through the proof copy, so it will likely be at least another two weeks before you can find it listed on Amazon. In the meantime, I hope you will add the book to your Goodreads to-read list. 

And while your add it, don't forget to ooh and ahh over the cover. Isn't it lovely? It perfectly complements    THE SPIRIT KEEPER. (click image to enlarge)

Without a doubt, Damon does awesome work. I highly recommend him. 

Indie Authors for Hurricane Sandy Libraries

You may recall that back in November I offered to donate 50% of book sale proceeds to Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort. I didn't raise as much money as I had hoped, which was a bummer. In fact, my donation was just a drop in the bucket, and I spent a long time after that feeling miserable for not being able to do more. 

But then I saw this - a direct appeal for books to help restock libraries in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut damaged by the storm - and knew I had to help. After contacting group organizer and author KS Brooks to let her know of my interest, my books then went through a vetting process. Although each of my books (PRECIPICE, TURNING POINT, THE SPIRIT KEEPER, and BLOOD TYPE) was accepted, I chose to send only the three pictured below. Once TURNING POINT gets a brand new cover later this year, I will donate that one as well. 

 

This was a wonderful opportunity for an inconspicuous indie author like me, and I feel so privileged to have been able to help out. To read the official press release, click here. 

The Best Meatloaf Ever (in my humble opinion)

I've been married 14 years now and have made meatloaf for my family more times than I can count. Unfortunately, it's always been one of those dishes I've never been able to get just right. Well, I think I've finally done it this time!

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds ground pork/beef/veal mix

1/2 sleeve saltines, crushed

2 eggs, beaten

1 can diced tomatoes, divided

1 yellow onion, chopped and cooked in olive oil

1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence

salt and pepper to taste 

1/4 cup maple syrup, reserved

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix all the ingredients, except the maple syrup, together in a large bowl. (When making meatloaf, I find my hands work best.)  Dump the meat mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish and shape into a loaf. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. 

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and drain the grease. Mix together the maple syrup and remaining diced tomatoes. Pour over the meatloaf. Add enough water to just cover the bottom of the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil wrap and return the meatloaf to the oven to continue baking, for approximately another 30 minutes. The tomato mixture will reduce, so periodically check to make sure it doesn't burn. 

Slice the meatloaf and spoon a bit of the reduced tomato mixture on top before serving. Enjoy!

Dinner Conversations

Cast of Characters: 

Me, the mom

Ian, the dad

Hannah, the teen

Hannah, on how to raise money to replace our well pump. Or the well itself. "I should just make a bunch of brownies and sell them." 

Me to Ian, laughing: "Yeah. She can make 'special' brownies." 

Hannah, horrified: "I am NOT putting drugs in my brownies." 

Me, teasing: "And how do you know about special brownies?" 

Hannah, giving me a look: "I'm a teenager, Mom. Besides, what do you think they teach us in health?"

Ian: "They teach you how to make special brownies in health? Awesome."

Drive

Recently, one of my friends told me she admires me for my drive. While I took this as the compliment it was, I feel undeserving in the sense that I don’t see myself as going above and beyond, or necessarily doing more than anyone else. I simply do what has to get done.

As a work-from-home mother of three children, one of them on the Autism spectrum, as well as a new inductee into the Sandwich Generation, I’ve got a lot on my plate: helping the teen figure out what classes to take next year in high school; steering a pre-adolescent through the daily drama of school and fair-weather friendships; dealing with the constant headaches of IEP meetings and the home-school vs integrate debate; making sure my mother, who now lives with us, gets what she needs in order to maintain some sense of independence and dignity; etc. The list goes on, and nothing ever really gets checked off.

I am just as busy in my professional life, too. As a self-published author I am currently working on four novels, three of which are on tap for a 2013 publication date. I often hear questions like “How do you do it?” and “Don’t you ever get confused?” Well, I do it because I have to, both for the creative release and for financial gain. As far as getting confused . . . I guess I can’t be any more confused than I already am! All joking aside, working on multiple projects at once keeps my writing fresh and interesting. At least to me. 

But there’s also another reason for this so-called drive of mine, and it’s because I live and labor under the eternally optimistic, and maybe a little bit narcissistic, belief that I’m destined for something great. What that “something” is, I do not know. Maybe I’ll be one of those self-published authors who gets discovered and signs a six-figure deal with a major publishing house. Perhaps my husband and I will start that much-needed school for special needs kids we keep talking about. Or quite possibly the greatest achievement of my life will simply be helping my children live up to their potential and reach their own dreams.

What I know is this: Whatever that something great is, it won’t just come to me. Or to you, either. We have to go out there and get it ourselves.

What Do Dinosaurs and Google Reader Have in Common?

Apparently Google Reader will be going the way of the dinosaurs within the next few months. 

*shrugs shoulders* 

This won't personally affect me much. In fact, I find the news liberating. I currently have 323 unread blog posts in my reader, posts that I have neither the time nor intention to read, but that sit there and mock me nonetheless. The few blog posts I do read, I click to via Facebook. Most of those post are written by friends who announce, "I blogged!"

Over the past six years my use of blogs as a source of entertainment has waned as the priorities in my life have, once again, shifted. It used to be that I could write and read blogs with a baby at my breast, but now that baby (as well as my others) is grown. I'm just as busy as I was back then, but in a very different way. The chaos is a bit more . . . scheduled. And, unfortunately, my schedule rarely includes time for this blog. If the lack of legitimate comments and increasing amount of spam is any indication, I'm not the only one.

That doesn't mean I am not present online. In fact, you can easily connect with me on Facebook. It's the only social networking site I use with any sort of frequency.

In other news, THE PROPHECY (the sequel to THE SPIRIT KEEPER) is now in the hands of my critique partners. Tomorrow I will resume work on BLOOD DRAW and THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE, as well as add ADDICTED to the rotation.

In the meantime, I will leave you with this little gem. It makes me laugh. And feeling like I might want to try it, too.