My first release! :)

Boomerang Love isn't a fantasy but it is my very own first release! I'm so thrilled!



Boomerang Love- a short story -is an contemporary romance with a Red Hot/erotic heat level set in Australia.

http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/melissa-lopez

Until later~
Mel

Beowulf:

How many of us read Beowulf in high school?

Not me. I remember I read In Cold Blood and To Kill a Mockingbird. And more importantly I remember Shanna by Katherine E. Woodiwis. My senior literature teacher was a romance reader and thankfully shared her love for the genre with me!

My twins both read Beowulf this year and Nick wanted to see the film. I can’t say how closely the film was adapted from the classic. But Beowulf was a very good action/adventure fantasy. The animation was great! And the drama…such woes! There was plenty of swordplay, monster-slaying and a naked Angelina Jolie. Which I'm sure was the real reason Nick wanted to see it.

Basic plot Beowulf arrives to save the day. He takes out the monster Grendel. the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother, uses any means possible to ensure revenge.

The highlight of the show for me was when we walked outside. My barely 19 year old son looked at me. “I can’t believe Beowolf did that.”

“What? Slept with the gorgeous demoness Angelina?” I stared in surprise.

“Well, yeah. He was supposed to be the hero and he had it bad for the blond.”

I came away from the film a happy mom! And a satisfied movie goer.

Until later~
Mel

Halloween contest!

I'm taking part in a Halloween contest hosted by my pal Sam Cheever. We're giving away a great "trick or treat" gift bag! Take a look!

http://melissa-lopez.com/contest.html

Good luck to all those who enter!
~Mel

Urban fantasy: Who’s your favorite?

I’ve recently learned my Netherworld series kicking off with Dark Sentinel in March will be listed under paranormal romance since it’s considered a catch all.

My goal for each story is to provide a HEA...so it’s not quite considered urban fantasy. Although, the leads change with each story in the series there will be certain characters who put in an appearance in each story. So, I’m going to cross genre market the series because fundamentally Netherworld is dark urban fantasy.

Dark fantasy, often a euphemism for horror with supernatural or fantastic elements or else fantasy with disturbing or horrific elements, can be bold tales of fantasy featuring discovery.

Urban fantasy, "contemporary" fantasy, is set in the city, often dealing with shamanism, the New Age, and/or Amerind (or other minority) cultures in today's world. Urban fantasy focuses on the human condition and magic realism.


Here are a few of my favorite urban fantasy authors.
Kelley Armstrong
http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/
Kim Harrison
http://www.kimharrison.net/
Charlaine Harris
http://www.charlaineharris.com/
Jim Butcher
http://www.jim-butcher.com/

Who are some of your favorites?

Until later~
Mel

New contract!

I’m excited to announce I contracted a fantasy to Ellora’s Cave!

Cursed by Moonlight is a Werewolf tale on an ancient Earth like setting.

I’ve written the classic warlike/peaceful premise; with proof the warlike side isn’t all bad while the peaceful side isn’t all peace and light. My hero Alric’s people are driven by conquest while my heroine Caasi’s by magic.

Cursed by Moonlight blurb teaser:

Alric, cursed to live as a werewolf, wants Caasi.

Caasi wants to save Alric from the beast within him.

But hunting his own feral brother only convinces Alric of how desperate his situation is. Can they find a way to be together when they face not only mortal danger but the superstitions of their people?

Until later~
Mel

Torc's Salvation Win

My co-written author ego, Melany Logen, won 3rd place in the futuristic/sci-fi/fantasy category of the 2006 Passionate Plume for Torc's Salvation.

Congrats to all the winners and finalists in the 2006 Passionate Plume! *Tosses colored confetti*

Until later~
Mel

Balancing writing with life?

Now, I must admit completing stories is where discipline comes in. Over the years I've gotten into a groove. If I'm at the computer...75% of the time I'm trying to write. The other 25% I'm dealing with e-mail, promotion, blogging, critiquing, or checking out what's going on in my groups. If I'm not dealing with writing I'm not in my computer chair.

For sometime now, I've been writing with goals and unless a writing project gets shuffled around I stick to them for the most part. I have two goal buddies. Mechele Armstrong http://mechelearmstrong.com/ and Rebecca Airies http://www.rebeccaairies.net/ . Once a week we check in to announce our goals and then we tell one another how we did on them. If we don't make the goal, we explain why. I sometimes feel more obligated reporting into them. I've gotten a lot out of my goal buddies We cheer one another on, and encourage one another when it's needed.

I'm one of those writers who works around the needs of others. Some days I can be in and out and back into my chair several times during a session trying to get some word count down. I have four children and two parents I police. So, finding writing time isn't easy, but I manage around my family. My husband is a huge help, especially when he knows I'm under a deadline or have edits. I couldn't write without his support.

What's your schedule? Do you have a routine or simply plug along?

Until later~
Mel
http://melissa-lopez.com/

Ellora's Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction II (Viking's Pledge by Melany Logen)

I'm so excited!

Mista is terrified of her master, the warrior Raynor. Yet he has never touched her in any way, only offered her his protection. When he returns from a six-month voyage, however, his lust is uncontrollable—and Mista finds him irresistible. But a slave is not a suitable wife for a warrior, and her longing for her native Ireland is more than she can bear.

Raynor will give her anything, including her freedom. As the time approaches for her to return to her homeland, though, Mista realizes she might have given up the only home she knows—or wants.

Check it out!

Melissa

Movie sleuth:

Romantictimes has a section called book sleuth. So, today I’m going to make use of your great minds. I’m on a mission to discover a title of a movie I once saw years ago on television with my dh. We both enjoyed it, but neither of us retained the title.

All I can really remember is the story plot contained a romance! There was magic and a curse, both elements of a fantasy. The setting was ancient, or possibly medieval. Oh, a big clue I hope will jog some memories…one of the couple suffered a curse of being an eagle or falcon.

Can you help me with the title? And please share with us one of your favorite fantasy movies?

Until later~
Mel

Writing fantasy: A question for you.

I love writing fantasy, and I’m always looking for helpful books and links. So, I’d love for you to share with us some of your favorite research books, and site links. Do you have anything special on names, concepts, mythology, characterization…etc? A book you pick up time and again for help? An Internet link you’re constantly clicking through to do research?

Until later~
Mel

A favorite genre of mine is…

ancient fantasy. This genre is an alternate history, usually with magic or some element of the fantastic or predated history. Arthurian legends fall under this concept. The myths and folklore of the ancient civilizations, such as Byzantium, the Celts, the Americas, or the Middle East make good backdrops for ancient fantasy tales.

I’m thrilled to be working on two ancient fantasy worlds.

One is a shapeshifter tale that spins an alternate history of the ancient Romy. Of course there’s the added dose of magic. I’ve forever been fascinated with this culture. And have been studying the people since I started dabbling in writing. I’m under committed deadline to Ellroa’s Cave for the first installment titled Serving the Beast. And have my fingers crossed I get to grow the series.

The other is a dragon story that I’m equally fond of. This one weaves a tale among the ancient Celts.

What is your favorite ancient culture? Or ancient fantasy romance?

Until later~
Mel

Collaboration:

Since I do a great deal of collaboration writing I thought I’d touch on how it came about for me.

Collaborating isn’t for everyone. Some personalities simply aren’t meant for compromising and collaborating involves a lot of compromising. Every aspect of co-authoring demands give and take from both parties.

Now, for me collaboration came easily. When I first started writing I was heavily involved in the official Dark Hunter fan-fiction role play group. It wasn’t long before I moved over to the official Dark Hunter After Dark scene. I made some great friends through the interaction. I loved role play. Loved writing fan fiction. I’ve still got characters I owe happy-ever-afters.

Although, fan fiction and/or role play isn’t for everyone…some take the game completely seriously while others seem to be under the assumption “real” people aren’t involved at all. I'm fortunate the playing time was a wonderful learning experience on so many levels.

In fan fiction role play you can weave your story thread with other writers/players. I got lucky and met two fabulous ladies. Mo (Mari of Marissa Alwin) and Tiffany (Lany of Melany Logen.) I clicked with both of these talented ladies and we in turn took our interactive writing away from the game and into several genres of romance.

It was actually a dear friend Lo who suggested we should make a go at real fiction. Even though I’d known Mo a while longer, I approached Tiffany first because we have more free time to write. It’s been so long now…I jotted down a few story ideas....Tiffany picked futuristic fantasy genre and the heat level. I’m still surprised she wanted to delve into erotic romance. Though, I’m just as glad she did.

After Lany and I broke in at Ellora’s Cave with Torc’s Salvation I approached Mo and Marissa Alwin was born!

Just as I was with role play, I’m addicted to my co-authorship writing! It’s great fun! It offers me the interaction I crave. As well as instant gratification. But, the authorships are serious businesses and must be treated with respect. Lany and I have an article on collaboration on our Melany website. http://melanylogen.com/oncollaborating.html

If you’re interested in trying your hand at a collaboration I suggest reading through it first. We offer some great tips and some must dos.

Until later~
Mel

A contributor’s intro:

I’m Melissa Lopez. Many call me Mel, which is still odd at times…even though I normally use it as my signature. I always thought Mel a little masculine. I was dubbed with the nick name when I first joined the official Dark Hunter fan-fiction world some six years ago.

Some call me M’lis. The rare, one or two, call me Melly. And yeah, really old friends still call me Missy. The use of Missy is showing their age. ;)

I’m a mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend, critique partner, and college grad. All roles I’m proud of.

I’m also a storyteller first. A author second. And a writer last.

Besides, writing under my own name, I co-author both Marissa Alwin and Melany Logen. A large chunk of my writing time is spent creating worlds in several genres of fantasy.

I’ve always been fascinated with “what ifs?” Mythology. Folklore. Legends. And the imagination shows. As part of Melany Logen we’ve created a futuristic fantasy world. Torc’s Salvation the first in our Soul Shifter series was released this past October. Story two, Law’s Deliverance is now under requested revisions. We’re also working on other stories set in the world that aren’t part of our Soul Shifter series.

For Marissa Alwin while we’ve not got anything I’d categorize as fantasy we do have paranormals. And as we know, the paranormal is part of fantasy worlds.

I’ve recently contracted Dark Sentinel the first of my Netherworld series to Samhain Press. My Netherworld is a dark urban fantasy world. I admit, I find urban fantasy captivating. I love to study cultures and belief systems. Netherworld is definitely an edgy dark place of fantasy and romance. I’ve crossed genres, and I’m so thrilled Samhain has faith in my world. I’ve promised my editor story two, A Knight’s Risk by October.

I’ve also been working on a couple ancient fantasy tales, and will talk about them more when I can.

Until later~
Mel