Get a Free Copy of Illusion's Child

Just to spice things up, I'm giving away Illusion's Child at Amazon's Kindle from August 3 to August 7.

Twelve-year-old Viper only wants acceptance from his nomadic tribe, but he’s too short, too frail, and too full of questions. His own father banishes him as a nameless outcast, but he can live with that. He didn’t see much future in carving buttons, anyway.

He travels to the nearest stone-bound city, where he’s adopted by an old sorcerer who’d rather not bother with an apprentice and a fierce girl who desperately wants to become a warrior.

But he also catches the attention of the city’s worst gang.

Between studying the basics of magic and helping his new friend learn sword work, Viper thinks he doesn’t have time to worry about bullies.

He should be worried. A lot. 

A 5-Star Review on Amazon:
Wow, that was really an enjoyable read. I mean, it took me a little bit to get into the rhythm of this fantasy world, but once I did, it pulled me along on a fun ride. And I inhaled it. I loved all the good characters, as much as I loathed the villains. I was intrigued by the setting and interested in the world Salisbury built. In some ways, this book reminded me of The Dragonlance books - hello, doddy old sorcerer - and a little bit of the Codex Alera series - young boy searching for the key to his own magic. With a bit of wit, a la Terry Pratchett, thrown in for fun. But Salisbury has founded a world all its own. I can't wait to see what she does next with this series. Lucky for me, there are already other books out in this series. Yay.

Find Illusion's Child on Amazon - click here!

Dead Wizard's Loot -- The first in my new series

Dead Wizard's Loot

Wizard Whitewing: Book 1

Stealing from any magical being is always a bad idea, but when Jamie and Aidan pilfer souvenirs from a dead wizard, they crack open a cage they don’t even know exists.

Wizard Whitewing-Viper returned home only three days ago, and right now he thinks his biggest problems are deciding how to organize his library, figuring out how a pair of teenagers got into his magical labyrinth, and understanding an oddly-behaving air sprite.

Too bad their problems never stay small.

Now on Amazon! You can buy it here.

Read a free preview here:

Magic's Child - the last book in the series!

Magic's Child is now available on Kindle!

The world’s newest wizard, dubbed Whitewing but known to friends as Viper, accepts the mission to track down and destroy a Mindbender before it takes over the world. But if his own half-trained magic doesn’t kill him, battling wizards ruled by the enemy will.

How can a wizard named after a butterfly defeat anybody?

The final book in the “Mindbender’s Rise” saga!

To celebrate, I'm putting Illusion's Child on sale on Kindle. And it has a new cover!

 

 Twelve-year-old Viper only wants acceptance from his nomadic tribe, but he’s too short, too frail, and too full of questions. His own father banishes him as a nameless outcast, but he can live with that. He didn’t see much future in carving buttons, anyway.

He travels to the nearest stone-bound city, where he’s adopted by an old sorcerer who’d rather not bother with an apprentice and a fierce girl who desperately wants to become a warrior.

But he also catches the attention of the city’s worst gang.

Between studying the basics of magic and helping his new friend learn sword work, Viper thinks he doesn’t have time to worry about bullies.

He should be worried. A lot.


 I think the new cover is much better than the old one. What do you think?

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.

Serpent's Child

I'm happy to announce my newest novel is now available.

Serpent's Child

The Mindbender's Rise: Book 3

When a magical creature talks Viper into creating weapons to prevent the rise of a dreaded Mindbender, Lorel agrees to help. Even if it does mean traveling with a monster-sized snake.

But just reaching the distant land where they can collect the elements for those weapons is a nearly impossible quest.
Slavers, mountains, monsters… Lorel can handle them.
Figuring out new magic? Viper’s ready to try.

Putting up with each other for two thousand miles might be the hardest task of all. 

Available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Serpents-Child-Mindbenders-Rise-3/dp/1523323701/

Now at Createspace:https://www.createspace.com/5988378

On Kindle:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AOU7YMM

 
 Do you have any news you'd like to share?

Review of Wish in One Hand

Wish in One Hand by B.E. Sanderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
 
I stayed up way too late finishing this novel - I couldn't put it down! It's the best urban fantasy I've read in ages.

Becoming a djinn doesn't slow Jo down, but it doesn't make her all-powerful, either. She's a sparky yet vulnerable woman who's determined to do her best for the people who rely on her.

Highly recommended!

I won this book in a giveaway, and I'm very happy I did.

Sorcery's Child is now on Kindle

I'm happy to announce my third fantasy novel, Sorcery's Child, is now available on Amazon.

Sorcerers are dying, cause unknown.

The day his best friend dies, Viper is a thirteen-year-old apprentice whose only goals are to graduate to sorcery’s third level and to save enough money for a new book. But now he’s running from a murderer, battling monsters large and small, and trying to keep up with his prickly companion.

Traveling the world is great fun, if a bit dangerous, but trouble follows him like a vulture spiraling down on dead meat. He can’t tell if he’s the target, or if it’s all his imagination.

Will being short enough to hide in a basket make him less of a target?
He doesn’t think so, either.

Sorcery's Child: The Mindbender's Rise, #2

On Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Sorcerys-Child-Mindbenders-Rise-Book-ebook/dp/B018OHXJVM

In paperback at the CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5763659

Illusion's Child is now live

My newest fantasy novel is now available!

Illusion's Child
The Mindbender's Rise: Book 1

 Twelve-year-old Viper only wants acceptance from his nomadic tribe, but he’s too short, too frail, and too full of questions. His own father banishes him as a nameless outcast, but he can live with that. He didn’t see much future in carving buttons, anyway.

He travels to the nearest stone-bound city, where he’s adopted by an old sorcerer who’d rather not bother with an apprentice and a fierce girl who desperately wants to become a warrior.

But he also catches the attention of the city’s worst gang.

Between studying the basics of magic and helping his new friend learn sword work, Viper thinks he doesn’t have time to worry about bullies.

He should be worried. A lot.


Illusion's Child is available at:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017KRJ696
Paperback at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Illusions-Child-Mindbenders-Rise-1/dp/1514357836
Paperback at CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/5561049

New cover for Feda's Anchor

Since I'm getting ready to release the first novel in a new series, I decided up update Feda's Anchor's cover.

I've learned a lot about Photoshop since I created the original. Back then I was disappointed that I couldn't show the vision rattling around in my head.

Now the background reflects the island of Feda more accurately.


What do you think about the cover overall? I'd love to read your suggestions.



The cemetery and the rose hedge photos are courtesy of
     http://www.morguefile.com

Cloaked skeleton photo is courtesy of Dawn Mueller,
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/PhotosByDollymae
    Check out more of her wonderful photography!

The cat, the anchor, and the Australian jungle are from my personal photos.

A New Look

I was bored with my blog, so I updated it tonight. I was supposed to be writing. Oops. Blog updates count as marketing, don't they? ;-)

What do you think? Is it reasonably interesting visually? Easier to read? Or should I go back to the drawing board?

I was mentioned in the Irish Times!

Woot! I was mentioned in an article about color in the Irish Times!

To confuse buyers even further, the eccentric names given to some paints give no indication of their colour. Elephant’s Breath, the very popular colour now sold by Farrow & Ball, has actually been around in various shades for over a century and was “all the rage in 1874”, according to historian Deb Salisbury.

 http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/paint-your-way-to-a-better-home-1.2183692

I'm sure they found me through the title of my book on colors in history, Elephant's Breath and London Smoke.  I found them through a Google Alert. I'm thrilled with the mention!

Do you have any news you'd like to mention?