Hello Readers! Today I bring you author Melanie Card. Melanie has always been drawn to story telling. In fact, she says she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t telling a story in her head or on paper. In grade school, she had journal writing time which she turned into story telling time, weaving tales of magic and adventure that mimicked the fairy tales and myths that she loved to read. It was there, with the help of two very special teachers, that she nurtured this love and started her journey as a writer.
Melanie writes fantasy, paranormal romance, and everything in between, seasoned with a good dash of adventure and mystery. Join her on her tales of magic, adventure, and romance.Melanie is a featured author attending Author’s After Dark in New Orleans. For more information about AAD2012, click HERE.
Also, keep reading to learn more about Melanie’s release, Ward Against Death, and enter to win an e-copy! GIVEAWAY details are below.
Please help me welcome Melanie to That’s What I’m Talking About.
Twimom: Melanie, welcome and thank you for stopping by.
Melanie: Thank you so much for inviting me here today.
Twimom: You’ve recently started a new YA/Adult paranormal series, Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer, with the first book, Ward Against Death. Can you tell us a bit more about this intriguing world you’ve created?
Melanie: The story takes place in a world reminiscent of 16th century Europe in Brawenal city. Brawenal is a major hub for culture, politics, industry, commerce, religion, and crime. The port city sits on the side of a dormant volcano, in tiered rings down to the sea and has an ancient history that’s left a maze-like sewer system beneath it and a strange cemetery on it’s outskirts. In this world there’s magic and mystery, assassins and necromancers.
Twimom: And what is up next for the Reluctant Necromancer?
Melanie: Book two, Ward Against Darkness, where Ward and Celia get into even more trouble with more undead creatures and evil necromancers and there relationship gets even more complicated.
Twimom: Do you enjoy writing genres outside of the fantasy and paranormal genre? If so, what other genres do you enjoy writing?
Melanie: I haven’t written outside of the fantasy or paranormal genre. I’ve tried, but something magical always seems to slip in. The thing I love about fantasy and paranormal is that there are elements of other genres within it. Certainly there’s action and adventure, in Ward Against Death there’s mystery and romance. Depending on what I’m writing will determine how much of the other genres flavor my story.
Twimom: I understand – I always look for and enjoy a little fantasy/paranormal in my reading. You are a featured author at the Authors After Dark Con in 2012. Why AAD? What are your favorite aspects of AAD?Melanie: I’m relativity new to conferences so I picked AAD because I’d heard some great things about it and that it was relatively small. I want to make sure I have the opportunity to spend time with people, have conversations, and make friends. I can be quite shy so I think a more intimate con will be less overwhelming for my first time out.
Twimom: I always like to ask authors about their reading habits… What types of books do you enjoy reading? What was your favorite read in 2011 and/or so far in 2012?
Melanie: I enjoy reading all types of books, although I read mostly fantasy or paranormal romance (adult and YA). My favorite read last year was Grave Witch by Kalayna Price. For 2012 so far, I’d have to say Graceling by Kristin Cashore was fabulous.
Twimom: What upcoming 2012 releases are you most excited to read?
Melanie: I look forward to Kalayna Price’s and Kristin Cashore’s new releases, as well as Maria V. Snyder and Deborah Cooke.
Twimom: Melanie, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourself and your writing. It was wonderful chatting with you. I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!
Melanie: Thank you so much for having me. I look forward to meeting you, too!
You can find Melanie on line at
Ward Against Death (Entangled Publishing, August 2011)
Twenty-year-old Ward de’Ath expected this to be a simple job—bring a nobleman’s daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can’t be a surgeon—the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying—so bringing people back from the dead it is.But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she’s been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can’t bring himself to break his damned physician’s Oath and desert her.
However, nothing is as it seems—including Celia. One second, she’s treating Ward like sewage, the next she’s kissing him. And for a nobleman’s daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive…
GIVEAWAY Thank you, Melanie, for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About. Entangled Publishing is graciously giving away one (1) e-copy of Ward Against Death. Please leave your comments for Melanie by Wednesday June 13, 2012, at 9:00 PM EDT to be eligible for the contest. One entry per person, the winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. Contest is open internationally; please leave your email address so I can contact you. Thank you to Melanie and Entangled Publishing for this great giveaway!
(not entering) This looks really interesting and I love that he follows his gut instead of just doing his duty!
Good luck with the debut 🙂
Hi! First time on this blog and I saw this great post and giveaway, the book sounds awesome! Thanks for this chance 😛
proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks Felicia and Proserpine! And thank you TWIMOM for inviting me here today.
With that title alone I would probably pick this book up. And with the hint of a contradictory heroine what’s not to like? Winning it would only make things better. elsboy(at)cc.usu.edu
Love finding new authors. Look forward to reading some of her work
forettarose@yahoo.com
I have seen this book pop up on several blogs, it sounds great! I have added it to my must read list. Thank you for the Giveaway.
dragon_tear@cox.net
I know what your saying about smaller groups. I don’t do well either in a larger setting. Not that I have fans like you do, just speaking in general. I can’t wait to read your book. Thanks for the giveaway.
delivery.RN at gmail dot com
first time I have seen this book and it looks interesting!! Got to add it to my want to read list!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
I love the blog as it allows me to hear about new authors, I would love to read Ward Against Death. Thanks. Kretch1@att.net