New Book release
My Young Adult Urban Fantasy, The Jade Amulet, is now available to order on Amazon. So far, the reviews have been great and it reached #1 bestseller in the first week. Here is a description of the book:
The time has come.They are gaining strength.Can Sam uncover the secrets of the amulet and save the world from demon domination?
Devastated by the sudden death of her cherished grandfather, seventeen-year-old martial arts champion Sam clings to his memory and the amulet he told her to protect. Lost without Grandpa, Sam agrees to meet her eccentric great-aunt Betsy for dinner. She knows Betsy is grieving his death too, even though her wild stories and warnings lead Sam to believe the old lady is losing her mind. But when Sam is nearly kidnapped and the amulet almost stolen, Sam realizes Betsy just might be telling the truth.
Stunned, Sam learns Grandpa belonged to a demon-hunting society, part of an entire magical world she had no idea existed. Sam is a Nephilim, a descendant of the angels, and the demons want her dead. And the amulet? It has mysterious powers stronger than she or anyone else could have imagined, and both human and otherworldly beings will do anything to obtain it. When demons attack and abduct her aunt, Sam must determine if she can rely on the help of the handsome guy who mysteriously entered her life, discover how to use the amulet and overcome her fear of failure in order to rescue her aunt.
Can Sam embrace her destiny in time to save humanity? THE JADE AMULET is the thrilling stand-alone first book in the TWELVE GUARDIANS young adult urban fantasy series. If you like hidden worlds, supernatural creatures, and engaging fight scenes, then you’ll love Michelle Allum’s electrifying adventure.
It is available in e-book and paperback. Click the following link to order your copy now.
New Novel Releasing Soon!
It’s getting close! I’m working on the final edits of my latest novel, The Jade Amulet. The novel is a combination of fantasy and martial arts. Sign up for my newsletter to receive current updates on the progress and learn more about the characters in the book.
Book Review at Shreveport Women’s Department Club
On Thursday, May 13, 2021, Gloria Polanosky and I spoke at the Women’s Department Club (WDC) in Shreveport about the anthology – “Forever and Always.” Every month (at least before the COVID pandemic) the members of the WDC would meet and listen to a book review. The WDC just started back with the in-person book reviews last month, and I was thrilled to be invited to speak about my story in the anthology, how we came up with the writing ideas regarding the 100+ year old B&B in Shreveport, and my writing process. I had not previously met any of the ladies of the WDC and did not know what to expect. What I discovered was a group of lovely ladies, and a treasure trove of history.
Formed in 1919, when there were limited educational opportunities for women, the WDC started out as a book club that met at different homes. In 1923, the WDC began building a beautiful two-story Georgian-style building at the corner of Margaret and Line Avenue for its “club house.” The building is truly amazing with a beautiful entryway, formal living and dining rooms, a kitchen, meeting rooms, and an auditorium on the second floor with a 440-person seating capacity. Well-known celebrities such as Katharine Hepburn and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost performed on the stage.
Another interesting fact is that during WWII, members raised money to purchase two airplanes for Barksdale AFB. Since the planes were not heated, many of the members cut their fur coats and made them into vests for the pilots to wear under their flight gear.
I have included some of the pictures from the WDC Facebook page. If you would like to learn more about the WDC, check out the links below for stories by Rick Rowe and the Shreveport Times on the WDC’s 100 year anniversary in 2019.
https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/life/community/2019/01/22/womans-department-club-celebrates-100-years-empowering-women/2547486002/
Free short story
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Working on Novel
I have two short stories that are included in anthologies – Christmas Roses and Forever and Always available on Amazon. I am working on finalizing and editing my first full-length novel. More information will be available soon!!
Anthology
I have submitted a short story for an anthology that is to come out at the end of the year. The anthology is being produced by NOLA STARS (North Louisiana Storytellers and Authors of Romance). All of the stories will have something to do with the American Rose Center in Shreveport, LA and Christmas in Roseland. My first submission included a battle scene which I was asked to take out since it was not considered very romantic. I have attached the battle scene as a page on this site. Check it out. Let me know what you think. It’s more in line with the YA book I’m writing. I will have more information on the anthology in later posts.
Introduction
I have been involved in the martial arts for over 35 years and write stories which emphasize the values taught within the martial arts. The book I am currently working on is a young adult paranormal whose main character is, of course, a martial artist. I will be writing more about it in future posts so check back soon!