Author M.M. Shelley

Today is the launch of Read2Reviews 100 years remembrance of Titanic. Throughout the month there will be different articles, short stories and reviews. Please be sure to stop by to see what is going on. Author Ami Blackwelder is the first one to start off the month long tribute with her guest post! Schedule of posts: April 6th – For the love of Titanic! by Ami Blackwelder April 10th – The Titanic and Halifax & Titanic Events in Atlantic Canada by A.F. Stewart April 13th – Sinking Fangs by Bitten Twice April 17th – Review of Titanic 2012 (Bill Walker) by Read2Review’s Kate April 20th – Haunted Souls by M.M. Shelley April 24th – When Hearts Don’t Go On by Monhana Rajakumar April 27th – 100 years is a long time to be on a ship by Ron Rutler

Titanic's 100 year anniversary is coming up and I am contributing a short story to a collection of work that Read 2 Review has put together. Here is a preview of my short story titled Haunted Souls ... Chapter One April 10th 1912 Southampton England           As I looked across the vast expanse of the ocean I waited for what was coming. After all, it was the reason I was sent here. Not that I had a choice in the matter, it was not a task I would have chosen, it was not the life I would have chosen, no, I was born into it much like a prince is born to inherit a crown, it is my destiny. Destiny is a word I’ve always hated.   Turning away I gave one last look at those who were waving goodbye to their loved ones with eager merriment. The excitement of the passengers around me electrified the air and for a moment I lost myself in it. These were the moments that I appreciated the most; the moments when I could feel human, feel ...

I spent some time at Point Fermin Lighthouse in San Pedro, CA built in 1874. Point Fermin is surrounded by trees that look like they belong in a storybook they are massive with huge roots protruding from the ground. If you enjoy hiking there are some nice trails although they seem pretty steep to me. I was also surprised to see some people fishing out on the huge rocks at the bottom of the cliffs. There are some amazing views of Catalina Island that are seen from the lighthouse, I must say the island looks so close almost as if you could swim there if you wanted. This weekend I'm planing on heading out to San Bernardino into the city of Guasti, from what I'm told its nearly non-existent all that is left is the old post office and a winery. I just might partake in some wine tasting. Point Fermin Lighthouse Historic Site and Museum: 807 Paseo Del Mar San Pedro, CA 90731 (310) 241-0684

There are a lot of places in L.A. that I have used as the setting for The Chronicles of Orlando , one place that I'm very fond of is Olvera Street. It’s the place where Los Angeles was born, yes it's mostly for tourists and it may scream it, but the buildings that surround it date back and are like windows to the lives of the people who called L.A. home long before I did. Some of these buildings have a haunted look to them almost as if they are daring an onlooker to come in, issuing a silent challenge. For the next few weeks I'm going to be posting about some of the places in Los Angeles that I'll be visiting, these will be some of the forgotten places around town that may or may not find their way into The Chronicles of Orlando such as the ruins of the old zoo, unless you know where to look you wouldn't know it was even there. It's been closed for years but everything is left as it was; the empty cages and walkways are just sitting there almost like they w...

            A few months ago, right before my dog Jackie past away I came across a gray and white cat, her coat was dirty and matted and she was very skinny. I found her after I fed Jackie her lunch, the cat was watching me and waited until I went back inside. Now Jackie wasn’t really eating, she slept most of the day. I watched and waited to see what the cat would do I wasn’t kept waiting long, she walked cautiously toward the bowl and began to eat I didn’t have the heart to chase her away. It was a few days later that I found her litter of kittens, they were using my neighbors garage as their home, going in and out through the vent.             Slowly the mama cat began to look healthier and after my dog Jackie died I continued to feed the cat. The kittens were still nursing so I didn’t worry about them-- yet. The mama cat began to bring her kittens over into my backya...

January is always a busy month known as the month of birthdays, I won’t go into the long list that I have, but I will tell you that today is my brother Jim’s birthday and also my childhood friend Tina’s. Happy Birthday! My Goals: I have been writing everyday and I know I said I would not keep track of my word count-- I always seem to check at the end of the day. As for research, I enjoy it! Its my favorite part of the writing process.   Marketing: I found a site called Red Hot Readers, and I listed one of my books as a giveaway. It’s a great way for authors to connect to readers. Here is the link for Red Hot Readers I will keep this post short as it is my brothers birthday and he and his wife are coming by with the kids, I am planning on taking the kids to the Hsi Lai Temple in Rowland Heights and catch the free tour at 3PM while my brother and his wife go out to dinner. Here is the link for Hsi Lai Temple

Its the beginning of the year and the beginning of another Row challenge, I have a lot of ideas that I'm playing with and I would like to begin working one of them in particular, I have actually started researching the setting for the story. I really do enjoy the research part of writing, but enough of that. Here are my goals: Write everyday- and not focus on word count. Finish up Mishap & Retribution, I am making good progress and I would like to send it to my editor by the end of the month. I usually work with her on it before sending it to my beta readers for their feedback. I also need to make time for my kung fu training and support my classmates, they will be in the Golden Dragon Parade in China Town and I will of course post pictures. I have a video somewhere of a previous parade, I will have to post it so you can see how amazing it is.