Wizard's Child - Sixth in the Series

Wizard's Child 

is now available on Amazon!

Book 6 in "The Mindbender's Rise" series.

After rejecting all other options, Viper undertakes the Wizard’s Route, the grueling physical and magical journey all would-be wizards must endure. And he’s none too sure he’s going to make it.

Lorel must survive – waiting. Is it possible for a girl to die of boredom? She has no idea how much trouble a bored warrior can stumble into.


You can read a preview Here! Just click on the cover under "Look Inside!"

My review of "Wish Hits the Fan"

Another wonderful novel by B. E. Sanderson!

"Wish Hits the Fan" is the latest installment in the fun “Once Upon a Djinn” series. Since it answers all of my questions from the earlier books, I suspect it’s the last in the series, but I hope Sanderson writes more in this world!

Jo Mayweather tries to help injured friends – and genies take damage in the most amazing ways – while fighting off their enemies. She solves problems that I’m grateful I’m not forced to deal with. I want to tell you more, but I don’t want to write any spoilers.

Highly recommended! 5 stars.

Newest Release - Alchemy's Child

I'm pleased to announce the release of my newest book:
 

Alchemy’s Child

The Mindbender's Rise, Book 5 

Viper and his crew must find the wielders of his magical weapons and convince them to join the battle against the newest Mindbender.

Plus they need to find a wizard to unleash the power inside the weapons.

But who in their right mind wants to go to war with an overgrown snake and a trio of crazy teenagers?

Available on Amazon and Kindle.

Finishing a Series

Writing the last book in a series reminds me of working a jigsaw puzzle. Early in the novel, the writer needs to reintroduce – briefly – all of the elements and main characters of the previous books. All of these pieces snap together to create the outer edges of the puzzle.

By the middle of the book, the edges must be filled in for several layers. Conflict grows out of the many interwoven elements, creating a honeycomb of holes for the main plot and new subplots. But everything still needs to link to the original puzzle’s previous stories.

At the end of the last book, every puzzle piece ever mentioned must find a home in the interconnected story / puzzle, but if the writer isn’t careful, the finale will be boring. The novelist needs to scoop all the remaining pieces into a box, jumble them around, and create an unexpected conclusion. All of the pieces have always been in sight, but with luck, the reader didn’t notice the all the possibilities.

For true success, the last lines must give all the satisfaction of placing the final jigsaw piece in place.

Today I’m starting the final novel my “The Rise of the Mindbender” series. And I’m excited to see what trouble Viper and Lorel can find on their way to confront the Mindbender.

Please wish me luck - and lots of writing speed! :-)

1850 – 1900 Bloomers Sewing Pattern

I'm pleased to announce that I have a new 1850s sewing pattern available.

1850 – 1900 Bloomers, Turkish Trousers, or Knickerbockers Pattern

No. 1850-3
Perfect for Reform Dress or Victorian Sports Wear.
These trousers may be made in the wide Turkish style or a narrower width, from below-knee to ankle length. The leg ends may be enclosed in a cuff, confined with elastic, or left open at the bottom.
 

Turkish trousers, Bloomers, knickerbockers, and divided skirts are all names for what was basically the same garment with a few variations. It was also a part of what was called a freedom dress, rational dress, and health dress. As physical exercise became fashionable for women, it became a component in bicycling, mountaineering, swimming, and gymnastic wear. They were also a favored garment at masked balls and theater performance outfits. They even were used in evening gowns by the most daring ladies.

The pattern has several variations. The trousers may be made in the wide Turkish style or a narrower width, from below-knee to ankle length. The leg ends may be enclosed in a cuff, confined with elastic, or left open at the bottom.

It includes 12 pages of instructions with historical tips and quotes, and 2 pattern sheets printed on bond paper, and enclosed in a reclosable plastic bag.

All sizes included, 2 – 30; waist: 17” – 55”, hips: 27” – 63”.

You can find it on my website at https://www.mantua-maker.com/1850-1-bloomers.html 

Dragon's Child

I'm pleased to announce the release of the fourth novel in "The Mindbender's Rise" series.

Dragon's Child

by D. J. Salisbury

 

Getting snatched by a dragon may not be a death sentence, but it certainly feels like one.

While Viper struggles to learn enough magic to escape the dragon’s lair before the creature decides to eat him, Lorel, Tsai’dona, and Kyri battle through the mountains to locate and rescue him.

But the dragon has plans of her own.


Dragon's Child can be found:
In paperback at Createspace

In paperback at Amazon

As an ebook at Kindle

Read a free preview here

The Art of Fashion: 1850 - 1859

I've just released my newest dressmaking book!

  The Art of Fashion: 

1850 - 1859

Dress, Sewing, and Clothing Care Advice

“To increase the beauty of the female person, by a gracefully made attire, is not only not wrong, but absolutely commendable; and the woman who neglects it pays the penalty of being called a sloven, if not a fright.”
Peterson’s Magazine, April 1852

During the 1850s, the art of fashion was studied by every woman who wanted to create her own wardrobe. Ladies magazines were scrutinized and dissected, scoured for details on how each effect was created, how many seams were used, and how the pleats were formed. She learned why changes were made, when they went out of date, and how to recreate the styles she liked.
Most of all, she studied what the current rules were, even though they seemed to change monthly, especially for the most fashion conscious women.

This book compiles sewing and fashion advice given in books and magazines during the 1850s, given in the words of writers of that time. Each entry shows the name and date of the periodical quoted. It has three sections:
1) Sewing tips and fashion advice
2) Fabric cleaning and care.
3) Bibliography of magazines and books I found useful.

The Art of Fashion: 1850 – 1859 includes over 490 black and white period engravings to help show the details of their work. It has 324 pages in an 8.5” x 11” format.

It's available on my website,

on Amazon,

and for Kindle.

Up Wish Creek

I received an ARC from one of my favorite authors, and tonight I had a great read.


UP WISH CREEK, by B.E. Sanderson, is the latest in the Once Upon a Djinn series. It's fast-paced, surprising, funny, and exciting. I was sad to have it end -- I want MORE!


Definitely a 5 Star novel, and highly recommended.

New Victorian Corset Pattern

I'm thrilled to announce I have a new corset pattern available!

1840 – 1860 Corset di Medici Historical Sewing Pattern

My corset is based on a pattern diagram and instructions given in Peterson's Magazine in February and April, 1855.

“We give, this month, another pattern for stays, the Corset di Medici, so called because it does not cramp the figure, but keeps it as graceful and healthy as in the Venus di Medici. With the instructions we gave, in February, how to make stays, and this pattern, ladies, by the exercise of proper ingenuity, can fabricate this corset for themselves. The Corset di Medici is delightfully elastic, yielding to every motion, or respiration. It may be made in plain jean or coutil, or silk or satin. Always carefully measure, with a tape-line, across the bosom, from shoulder to shoulder, across the back, round the waist, &c.; and made the corset to fit exactly; for no dress will look well unless this is the case, nor will the wearer feel easy; and without feeling easy there can be no grace, nor even proper respiration.” Peterson’s Magazine, April 1855

This early Victorian corset pattern is made with individually sized hip, stomach, and bust gussets to fit a wide variety of body shapes.
The bust gussets have options for A, B, C, and D cups. Options include normal bust gores or the 1855 version with long gores (for “proper respiration”).

You will need boning and a wooden or a metal busk to create this garment.

This pattern includes 10 pages of instructions with historical tips, and 1 pattern sheet. It is printed on bond paper, and enclosed in a reclosable plastic bag.
All sizes 2 – 30 are included.


You can see more on my website:
https://www.mantua-maker.com/1840---1860-early-corset.html

 and on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/459963508/victorian-corset-pattern-multi-sized

A Quick Review of "In Deep Wish" by B.E. Sanderson

In Deep Wish by B.E. Sanderson

I won an ARC for "In Deep Wish" and I've had trouble putting it down since it arrived!

It's a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy with lots of surprises. And it's not your usual urban fantasy. Jo is a genie with a mission to save her fellow djinn, who have been enslaved for eons. But the "Rules" interfere with her success -- and even with her very survival.

It's the second in this great series, and I can hardly wait for the third one to become available.