Michelle Y. Frost's Blog

It's official! My books are rebranded on Amazon as a linked series. They have new covers and some new content.

For old fans, do not despair! Nothing good was removed or taken out, and not much has been added. A few continuity issues between book 1 and 2 needed sorting, and otherwise the only difference is a "bit of polish", as in improved proofing and formatting.

The old books covers had to go. No one liked them, not even me. They, as one reviewer complained, did nothing for the story. The new covers have so far had a great response in preview. I love them, I hope you do too.





I originally proofread and edited my books when I was sick with Fibromyalgia and on heavy meds for peripheral nerve damage. Unfortunately, both gave me brain fog, and my recollection of removing all typos and errors was not the case. The fact there were still errors has freaked me for years. I'm so glad it's fixed!

I owe that in large part to my husband, who paid to have them properly proofread this time. :) I've added his name as "contributor" to both books, as a “Thank You”.

The new Amazon series section has this up for series information:

Book 1 of 2: FIRST LIGHT Book 2 of 2: WISDOMS OF THE LIGHT

The lands of Sindorus are controlled by the militant Za-Har and their despotic leader, the Zah-Riel. For centuries, they have ruled through fear. No one is beyond their control.

Or so they think…

In this world without hope, where nature is dying and colour is a crime, an older power is awakening. From the far South, where the rebels continue fighting for freedom, to the North, where life is a constant juggling of lies and deceptions, their world is about to undergo an extreme transformation. And everything is interconnected.

“You seek the truth, that is always the first step, and you see the colours. I’ve noticed that much more in the past months. Something has awakened you.”

Trust the Light.

What Readers are Saying

‘A remarkable variety of issues and insight that is woven into an intricate tapestry of a story that has not one loose thread. Powerful, disturbing and yet beautifully inspiring.’

‘First Light is a story and a myth, an allegory and a prophecy. It is a story of the heart, of hope and courage.’ ‘the story's metaphorical layers have great relevance for the times in which we live. A wonderful read--one that people from ages 10 to 100 can enjoy and benefit from.’

‘The characters being so utterly vivid and the very idea behind the story being woven into a pattern, where at times you know exactly where the story is headed for, only to realize on the next page that you haven't got a clue, make this book a true page turner.’

‘What I like most about this book, which I also loved about the first book, is that it surprises you around every corner. You think you have something all figured out and then you get a few chapters on and suddenly all is not what it seemed.’

‘From the very first page you are taken on a journey immersed with completely believable characters who take root in your heart and won't let go.’

‘Beautifully written, her poignant, memorable characters draw you into a tale filled with the struggle for freedom and balance. Satisfying to the mind, heart, and soul.’

‘Cracking read and well worth the wait’

I know I've been a ghost on the blogs the last few years. I've been busy with real life and also busy writing words elsewhere. Most of that is completely uninteresting and not worth blogging about, but this is - I published another book late last year.

This has been truly terrifying as this book isn't fiction, it's about myself and my life...



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elephant-Son...

You can purchase my latest adventure on all Amazons worldwide, Barnes & Noble and most other internet book sellers.

Please do remember, whether you like it or hate it, reviews matter! Nowadays a book without reviews is a book going nowhere. So please leave a comment if you read it.

For the next six month I'm going to be offering my first book - FIRST LIGHT - as free-to-read on a blog where I'll be adding chapters every week (Tuesdays, Mondays are depressing).

Please pop by for a read and/or leave a review.

FIRST LIGHT FREE TO READ

It's Nov 4th, Blog4Peace once again. I'm taking a simplified version of my home blog to share here. With thanks to Tears for Fears for an inspirational song to work with.



We're sowing the seeds of love

Did you know that the seeds of the gigantic redwood trees are tiny? Each seed is barely bigger than a match head. You could fit a potential forest into a tablespoon.



There's something miraculous about that fact; that something so minuscule has the potential to grow into one of the world's tallest trees. A good reminder to never underestimate the small or seemingly fragile.

Sometimes words can feel as small and insignificant as tiny seeds.

That is especially true this Blogblast for Peace, as we come to the final months of a year littered with humanity's failings; tragedies, disclosures, scandals and lies.

Without love and a promised land
We're fools to the rules of a government plan

I've seen, or been sent, global examples of TV media blackouts on vital issues. Things such as major protests and marches; from Ireland's tens of thousands against water charges and New York's 400,000 marching for global warming to the most recent appalling treatment of peaceful protesters at London's Occupy Democracy.

As the headline says you're free to choose
One of these days they're gonna call in the ruse

There's been disclosures of voting and election fraud in several countries.

Could you be, could you be squeaky clean
And smash any hope of democracy?

Pushed through laws and budget cuts that target the most defenceless: the disabled, elderly and poor...
Now what does that remind me of?



Feel the pain, talk about it,
If you're a worried man then shout about it

Pollution, big business greed and deception, political avarice and the constant push for wars.



Open hearts, feel about it,
Open minds, think about it


Everyone read about it,
Everyone scream about it

It has been an exceptionally depressing year. One that has left many feeling bitter, despairing or angry as hopes for a better future vanished.


I spy tears in their eyes
They look to the skies
for some kind of divine intervention

How does hope rise above all that despair? How does peace stand firm when filled with bitterness or anger? The only way is through love, because love has no time to bother with being disappointed, hurt or angry.


When you're sowing the seeds of love
anything is possible

Just like a giant redwood tree, love soars above such trivialities.



Love understands that we all fall short along the way. None of us is perfect. Love remembers this and is willing to hold out a hand of comfort and sympathy. Love isn't a fool, but it understands the need for reconciliation, determination and persistence.

Love offers seemingly small gifts: patience, protection, empathy, fairplay; little words of encouragement and understanding. Such things may seem pointless and small, but small words in the hands of love are very powerful seeds.


Everyone read about it, read about it
We're sowing the seeds of love.


We are facing hard times on this planet. There's no use sugar-coating the facts. Things are bad. And tough times need tough love; real Love.

And I believe in love power
(open your eyes)

The kind of Love that stands with dignity and calm in the storms, like a redwood tree.

We're sowing the seeds of love



http://blog4peace.com/

Love offers protection to the helpless, compassion to the weak and a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Love persists and quietly insists on being taken seriously. Love keeps standing up, taking part and speaking out.

Sowing the seeds...

So we hold onto love and we keep talking about peace...

of love power

We keep writing about peace...

We're sowing the seeds of love

And most important of all, regardless of religion, nationality or political affiliation... we hold onto that tough love and we rise above the masses like a forest of redwood trees.



High time we made a stand
And shook up the views of the common man

We have to be leaders rather than followers. Way showers. Light keepers in the dark.

As Gandhi put it: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

Well... I've been through the ignored and laughed at. That means I've only got one more stage to get through. I think I can manage that. ;-)


And I believe in love power
(open your eyes)
We're sowing the seeds of love
Sowing the seeds,
An end to need,
And the politics of greed
with Love

I thought i'd share a poem of mine that was used to advertise blog4peace a few years back. I recently made it into a graphic for Facebook.

I've been a member of Blog4Peace for over six years now. It's grown from a handful of bloggers to Twitter, Facebook and beyond. We are on every continent this year, with a scientist joining us in Antarctica!

Here's the official message:

"We blog for peace annually each November 4th and keep the peace alive on the Internet via social networking sites and many websites and blogs. Peace Bloggers can be found on six continents and in 202 countries and territories around the globe. Grab this free logo for your own sidebar or page if you'd like to join us. We're 21K strong on Facebook and growing.

Please join us! Blog4Peace November 4 and everyday on our Facebook page
Our Peace Store

How To Blog4Peace ™
1. Make a peace globe. Choose any graphic on this page. Save. Sign. Decorate
2. Send the finished peace globe to blog4peace@yahoo.com or TAG Mimi Lenox on Facebook
3. Post it anywhere online November 4
4. Title your post or status Dona Nobis Pacem (Latin for Grant us Peace) hashtag #blog4peace #blogblast4peace

I've made some extra badges myself, for the event. These are free to share and use wherever you want. Just click and save. :-)







You'll find my post up on Nov 4 on my personal blog: http://crows-feet.blogspot.co.uk/

I keep forgetting to say that I've put some of the artwork for both my books up on a Flickr album here

Some of the pictures were used to make a book advert and bookmarks a few years back, some were ideas I either used for the book covers or simply made up for fun. It's nice to take a break from words.

Here's a taster. One picture from First Light...





And one from Wisdoms of the Light...

For the next three days my book, First Light, will be available as a free download (Amazon Kindle ebooks) before going back to the regular promotional price for the rest of the month.



First Light , is now at #1 on the Free Listings Best Seller ranking on Amazon.com

I've finally put up a website for my books. I've chewed over the idea before, but always found reasons to put it off. The biggest being the fact I'm an artist with a fussy eye for details. I can take days just deciding on web page background designs.

Well, it's finally up and I'm very pleased with the results.:-)


FIRST LIGHT SAGA

All the artwork is mine, including the map of Sindorus.



A friend here on Goodreads will be pleased to know that all map distances were calculated out using a website that works on how far a horse can comfortably travel in a day. ;-)

Twice this month people have compared my two books to Tolkein, saying that my first book, First Light , is like The Hobbit while the sequel, Wisdoms of the Light , is like Lord of The Rings. To have your writing compared to some of the greatest books ever written is incredibly sweet. I tear up every time I think about it. 

I first discovered The Hobbit in High School, when a very remarkable teacher opened my eyes and heart to a new and magical world. It was my first step into the world of Fantasy books written for adults rather than children. My Saga isn't quite the same type of Fantasy, no elves or dragons, but I think I did take that urge to write a "great quest" from Tolkein's books. Both First Light and Wisdoms of the Light share that much in common with Tolkein's ideas - they are stories about the personal quest as well the bigger struggle of Good against Evil.