Monthly Archives: September 2022

Writing Prompt Wednesday

If you’re looking for a little bit of mid-week motivation, welcome to Writing Prompt Wednesday!

Your prompt: You find out that there are great powers wielded by your family and passed down to you, but there’s a hefty price to pay to keep them.

If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to see where this idea leads you. Feel free to leave me a comment! You can also check out my Writers’ Resources page for more help and motivation! I also accept guest post submissions, so if this exercise leads you into a great short story or piece of flash fiction, consider sending it in. Thanks for stopping by!

* * *

Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!

Advertisement

Leave a comment

Filed under On Writing, Writing Exercises

Writing Prompt Wednesday

If you’re looking for a little bit of mid-week motivation, welcome to Writing Prompt Wednesday!

Your prompt: Write from the point-of-view of a supervillain’s pet who thinks he’s even more evil than his owner.

If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to see where this idea leads you. Feel free to leave me a comment! You can also check out my Writers’ Resources page for more help and motivation! I also accept guest post submissions, so if this exercise leads you into a great short story or piece of flash fiction, consider sending it in. Thanks for stopping by!

* * *

Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!

Leave a comment

Filed under On Writing, Writing Exercises

Tarot Tuesday! Card of the Week from The Muse Tarot

The Muse Tarot is a beautiful card deck that brings a modern and yet poetic feeling divination. I find it very inspiring, especially when I’m working on my writing! Let’s see what the universe wants us to know for the week.

If you’re interested in a reading of your own, please see the bottom of this post.

The Knight of Materials knows that productivity and hard work always pays off. He enjoys the tasks he does today–even when they seem small and meaningless–because he knows he’s building success for the future. The Knight is here to remind you that consistency gives us stable success. Work hard and take action.

What does this card mean for you? How do you feel about this deck? I’d love to know, so feel free to leave me a comment!

Interested in a reading of your own?

You’ll receive a photo of the actual cards drawn and a thorough explanation of their meaning. The readings are done through email, so please ensure a valid email address is included with your payment! This is for a generalized reading with a deck that calls to me. If you have a specific question or needs, please feel free to email me at ashley@ashleyomelia.com and we can get it arranged. Thank you!

$10.00

* * *

Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping and The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

Please note that I’m a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Leave a comment

Filed under Tarot and Oracle Cards

Abridged Book Review: A Warrior’s Passion by Margaret Moore

I’m always a sucker for great historical fiction, but I’m the first to admit that these kind of covers often make me wonder just what I’m getting into when I blindly grab something off the shelf. A Warrior’s Passion by Margaret Moore was not a disappointment. The characters likable (except for the ones who were terrible and weren’t supposed to be likable), and the setting was fascinating. I always love traveling back in time, and the author did a great job of sending me there!


Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!

Leave a comment

Filed under Book Reviews

Abridged Book Review: Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts

I know, another Nora Roberts. What can I say? They’re good! Midnight Bayou has magic, history, murder, and romance, all in a fantastic New Orleans setting. It’s yet another page turner from Roberts, and I was happy to have picked it up!


Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping and The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!

Leave a comment

Filed under Book Reviews

Writing Prompt Wednesday

If you’re looking for a little bit of mid-week motivation, welcome to Writing Prompt Wednesday!

Your prompt: Write about a time when you helped a stranger.

If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to see where this idea leads you. Feel free to leave me a comment! You can also check out my Writers’ Resources page for more help and motivation! I also accept guest post submissions, so if this exercise leads you into a great short story or piece of flash fiction, consider sending it in. Thanks for stopping by!

* * *

Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!

1 Comment

Filed under On Writing, Writing Exercises

Tarot Tuesday! Card of the Week from The Wisdom of Avalon Oracle Cards

Sometimes we can look to the magic of the past to discover what the present and future hold for us, which is what I feel The Wisdom of Avalon Oracle cards can do for us. Let’s find out what the cards hold this week.

If you’re interested in a reading of your own, please see the bottom of this post.

The king represents authority, justice, and male energy. He is here to remind you to get your house in order. Act with authority as you resolve legal issues or deal with finances. Getting these things taken care of will bring you power.

What did this card mean for you? What messages are you looking for from the cards? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Interested in a reading of your own?

You’ll receive a photo of the actual cards drawn and a thorough explanation of their meaning. The readings are done through email, so please ensure a valid email address is included with your payment! This is for a generalized reading with a deck that calls to me. If you have a specific question or needs, please feel free to email me at ashley@ashleyomelia.com and we can get it arranged. Thank you!

$10.00

* * *

Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping and The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

Please note that I’m a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Leave a comment

Filed under Tarot and Oracle Cards

Abridged Book Review: Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb

If you follow any of my book reviews, you know that I end up reading a lot of Nora Roberts. So, I figured that reading something under her pseudonym of J.D. Robb would also suit my fancy. I have to say this was a bit different, though.

While I completely understood that Immortal in Death was a different genre, I wasn’t expecting it to be so raw. The ‘seedy underbelly’ of a city in the future, the odd scenes of nudity, sex, and gore, and the rampant drug use just didn’t catch me. I love sci-fi, and I’m often wondering what things will be like in the future. They very well may be just like this, but Immortal in Death was trying so hard to be edgy that I barely ground through to the end. I won’t be reading any further into this series.


Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!

Leave a comment

Filed under Book Reviews

Abridged Book Review: Beguiled by Susan Spencer Paul

Historical fiction is always fun. There’s something great about romance that doesn’t involve cell phones or social media! In Beguiled, the characters have an even harder time communicating since the main female character Lillian can’t even speak. This was a great tale of an arranged marriage (with some intrigue, action, and mystery thrown in). The author did a great job of showing the depths of the two characters and building the tension between the two of them. It was very enjoyable!


Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping and The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!

Leave a comment

Filed under Book Reviews

Abridged Book Review: Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell

I’ll be honest. I picked up Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell at a yard sale this summer. Yard sales are some of my favorite ways to find books, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed this time! It’s an engaging read with excellent character development and a thoroughly built setting. Was it a good idea for me to read a book about a murdered writer when I was home alone at night? Probably not, but I just locked the windows and kept reading!

Though this is the second in the series, it served perfectly well as a standalone novel. Even better, it made me want to read more! Luckily, I picked up a few other books at that same yard sale!


Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.  Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside DetectiveHer short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous.  Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world.  You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!

Leave a comment

Filed under Book Reviews