Melissa West

If 2014 was about learning, 2015 is about focus I started out in publishing writing what I wanted to write. I wrote fast paced, action-packed stories full of heart and readers responded well. I didn’t hit a list or sell a million copies or anything, but GRAVITY and HOVER did hit #1 in teen sci-fi on Amazon, which with series like the Hunger Games and Divergent in the world, this was no easy feat! So, I saw some successes. The problem was that I didn’t really know what I was doing. Ha! I wrote with no knowledge of what worked or didn’t. I made mistakes, but I also learned from them. Win! 2014 then became my year of learning. Learning how I write, and what I do best. I now know my strengths are voice, dialogue, and emotion. I tested myself, which is good. But I also made a decision to try to write the way others write in 2014, and that title ended up being my worst selling book. Le sigh. Still learning! So, I now know I’m not a smexy scene writer. Sure, I write romance and t...

  FRENCH KISSED by Chanel Cleeton   December 1, 2014 International School Book 3 New Adult Contemporary Romance   BOOK SUMMARY:   On the surface, Fleur Marceaux has it all. If only the facade matched reality. With one year left at the International School in London, Fleur’s struggling to graduate, her love life is a mess, and she can’t stop thinking about Max, her ex-boyfriend’s best friend. But all that pales compared to the blackmailer determined to destroy her. 

   There’s a social hierarchy at the International School and Max Tucker is outside the velvet ropes. After watching Fleur break his friend’s heart, Max knows to stay away from trouble, despite the crush he’s had on her since freshman year. But when they’re partnered on a project, Max learns there’s more to Fleur than meets the eye, and she just might be worth the wild ride. 

   The more time they spend together, the further Max falls....

I've been thinking about writing this post for a while now, and the events of this weekend have frustrated me enough that I feel it's time. There has been a lot of author related behavior that has given me pause. Lashing out at reviewers, mocking the writing preferences of other authors, and the list goes on and on. But nothing has made me as angry and disappointed as the three events that have occurred lately. A well-known reviewer and supporter of the industry is sued and authors laugh? A mega author makes light of downloading child pornography? An author freaks out over a bad review and stalks the reviewer and authors revere this behavior? So I ask you: where is your honor? Where is your decency? Where is your stamp that says I'm an author and I will act appropriately? Authors are a small group compared to many other industries, and one that automatically receives respect from the public. I tell people I have a master's degree, and they nod. I tell the...

Happy Sunday! Today, I am super excited to participate in the blog tour for UPSIDE DOWN by the amazing Lia Riley. I had the opportunity to read the book early, and seriously, guys, I cannot recommend this book enough! Excerpt of the book: "A few meters more, you’re almost there." It’s like we’re at the end of some old-school adventure tale, one where the heroes are stoic even as the blizzard rages, avalanches fall, and death hovers like a benevolent ghost. Well, Bran is the hero. I’m like one of the minor sidekicks who goes down during some important turning point. My death might even inspire the hero on his journey or teach him a valuable lesson. But at this point in the flick, the minor sidekick should be well and truly dead. Not white-knuckling a column of dolerite rock, thighs gripping the stone like it’s the world’s best lover. "That’s it, Talia," Bran’s voice is encouraging. "You’re holding tight, that’s great. Now, I’m going to n...

50% of my earnings for the first week of release goes to the charity, CASA!   Amazon - Barnes and Noble - iBooks   Add it on Goodreads ! 

I am super thrilled to share yet another amazing quote that PIECES OF OLIVIA has received, this time from NYT Bestseller, Monica Murphy!! I am just beyond right now. As I've mentioned here before, this book is super special to me. It's set in the South, includes an eclectic mix of characters, and is full of emotion. I love it to the core, and I am so thrilled that authors I love are not only enjoying the book, but willing to put their name along side it. Big hugs to Monica for this amazing blurb! “ Pieces of Olivia  is both heartbreaking and hopeful, with the perfect amount of angst and sexiness.  A must read!” — Monica Murphy,  New York Times  Bestselling Author Find out more about Monica's books here ! And you can pre-order PIECES OF OLIVIA on any of the major retail sites including Amazon , Barnes & Noble , and iBooks . Look for its release on July 15th from Penguin/InterMix. 

So on Saturday, my editor sent me an email with the subject: Jay Crownover cover quote for PIECES OF OLIVIA I was coming home from seeing the Lion King with my family and immediately squealed like a little girl. I opened the email to find the loveliest comments imaginable from Jay and then a cover quote that rocked my world! I am a huge, huge Jay Crownover fan and feel blessed beyond measure that she took the time out of her busy schedule to read PIECES OF OLIVIA and then provide a cover quote. Thank you, Jay! This is what she had to say: "Pieces of Olivia is touching, witty, endearing, complicated and full of all the things a reader wants in a great New Adult read. Olivia and Preston are going to tug on readers heartstrings in all the best ways ." Jay Crownover, New York Times Bestselling Author Eeeeep!  You can read the description and pre-order PIECES OF OLIVIA on Amazon , Barnes & Noble, or iBooks .  Add it to your TBR on Goodreads ! And if...