Hardcovers

If you look closely, you will see that you can purchase a Hardcover version of a few of my books! All of the Fairy Tales Series along with Siren Song and Diamond Dirt are available in Hardcover on Amazon. These are Case Laminate so no Dust Jacket, but still the pretty covers. 

All of my earlier books are available in Hardcover on Lulu.

Small Scene

Since I finally got the muse back for my newest book, here is a small scene from Book 14: Crown Restored. 

Damaris studied the image closely before shaking her head. She didn’t recognize the man. Who was her uncle speaking with? The tattoo on the man’s arm wasn’t something she’d seen before, but it was something she could research. She starred at the picture as she moved to the next one and paused. She knew both men in this one. Julien was standing beside the man who tried to kill her. 

Twice.  

Tobias Crawford. 

The man had been her personal guard up until the day he stabbed her. 

She placed her hand on her left side above her hip. The ragged scar reminded her of the time in her life when she was helpless. Her parents sent her to Lorvena to receive the best healthcare while looking for the man who attempted to kill her. Her parents hadn’t trusted anyone in the country with her care, especially since it was her personal guard who stabbed her. 

Moving her hand, she flipped to the following picture. There was the unknown man again beside her uncle and Tobias. This wasn’t a better angle than the first picture. In fact, she could only see part of his face and almost none of his body. Her uncle blocked the man. 

Almost as if they knew someone might photograph them. 

Could her uncle know she got daily updates? 

“No,” she said as she flipped to the next picture. 

Her uncle wasn’t that smart, or at least not smart enough to find out a photographer was taking pictures and sending them to her. Paying someone to blend in was worth every cent. The trust fund her mother set up for her came in handy sometimes. 

The rest of the photos were not great and didn’t give her a clue who the unknown man was. She isolated the tattoo and sent it to Edward. He would hand it over to the security team, and no one would know it came from her. 

She sighed as she stood up to stretch. It was time to move out and join her aunt and uncle. After a month of searching, she’d finally found them. No thanks to that brute who called himself security. 

The thought that Huck knew where her family was but didn’t tell her was insane. They were her family to protect, not Huck’s. She’d been trying to track Huck’s movements to see if he led her back to her aunt and uncle, but she couldn’t find him. 

It was as if he was a ghost. 

She knew it wasn’t. For one thing, Casper was a friendly ghost, and Huck wasn’t friendly. For two, Huck made it a point to be more of a shadow than a ghost. He didn’t haunt people besides the fact that Huck wasn’t dead. 

Yet. 

New Book

If you purchased your copy of Glass Throne, you saw a sneak peek at my next book. It does have a name! Book 14 will feature Princess Damaris. No release date, but here is the last sentence of the sneak peek. Don't forget to get your copy of Glass Throne, it's available on kindle as well as paperback. 

"If the man could have his own twin brother killed, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill his niece." 

Release Day!

Guess what's live?!! Get your copy of Glass Throne on Kindle today. 

https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Throne-Fairy-Laura-McKellips-ebook/dp/B08WKYW79Z

Cover Reveal

Only 6 days until Glass Throne releases, cover reveal time! 

Playlist

Since I'm close to publishing Glass Throne, I'm posting some of the songs on the playlist. There are 54 songs on the list so these are the top 15 for key scenes and moments. 

1. Know Who You Are by Auli'l Cravalho

2. Neverland by Zendaya 

3. The Heart Won't Lie by Reba and Vince Gill 

4. All of Me by John Legend 

5. Let Her Go by Passenger 

6. Royals by Lorde 

7. Take a Bow by Rihanna 

8. Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri 

9. Stay by Rihanna and Mikky Ekko 

10. Thinking out Loud by Ed Sheeran 

11. Skyscraper by Demi Lovato 

12. Skinny Love by Birdy 

13. Cinderella by sweetbox 

14. Roots Before Branches by Room For Two 

15. Ain't Met Us Yet by Matt Cooper 

The last one I heard on TikTok and loved it for Gisella and Edward. 

Edits

Finishing up my edits before sending Glass Throne off to my beta readers. So close to publishing. Next is to choose a cover photo! 

The End

When it's 4 in the morning but you push because the words are flowing to those two little words! Glass Throne (book 13) is done. Time to shift into editing mode before sending it to my beta readers. Edward and Gisella's story was a ride to the end. It is up for pre-order on Amazon for release in September. 

Dance Lessons

A prince teaching his Cinderella dance lessons? Yep! Edward is teaching Gisella how to dance before the anniversary ball. The final chapters are bringing the emotion of my Cinderella-inspired story. Fairy Tale book #3 is almost complete. 

Chapter 13

I'm so close to finishing Book 13: Glass Throne! I can't wait for everyone to meet Crown Prince Edward and Gisella. 

Happy Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, here is a scene from my upcoming book between Crown Prince Edward and his mother Queen Ann. 

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” 

“You’re quoting Shakespeare to me?” he asked without turning around. 

“The crown isn’t easy, son,” she said. “The actual weight is nothing compared to the mental weight. The monarchy isn’t always posing for pictures and waving to the people from the balcony.” 

“I know,” he said as he turned to face his mother. “But you made it look easy.” 

“Your father was a big help. It’s one reason I gave him the matrimonial crown. I knew I would need his help as more than a Prince Regent,” she said as she crossed her ankles. 

“Are you suggesting I find some woman and make her my queen?” 

She sighed and shook her head. 

“No. Finding a woman strong enough to rule beside you won’t be easy. I was lucky with your father. What you don’t know is I fought Parliament. They did not want me to give him power equal to my own. Standing up to them on one issue made them see I wasn’t some woman playing queen. What you need to remember is the power lies within you. They all want a piece of your power. Each piece you share is a piece you won’t get back,” she said as she stood up. 

He looked at his mother. Really looked at her. 

Standing in front of him wasn’t his mother. It was his queen. This woman took the throne when the Prime Minister and Parliament were all men. Every person in control in the country were men. His mother wasn’t the first woman to take the throne. But she was the first to take an active role in ruling. From his research, the past queens were passive in their reigns. 

His mother changed the narrative. 

“Thank you for being the amazing woman you are,” he said as he walked around the desk to her. “Thank you for ruling the country as a queen and not as the wife of a king.” 

He pulled his mother into his arms and hugged her. Years vanished as she wrapped her arms around him. Although he was taller than her, he still felt like the little boy who ran to her with his boo-boos. 

When he released her, he watched as she wiped away the tears. 

“I wasn’t anything special, Edward. I did what I could and learn some lessons the hard way. I want you to remember the man you are before the crown. You will need him,” she said as she smiled. 

He nodded as she walked out of the room. Turning, he saw the battlefield picture and thought about his mother’s advice. He would not lose himself to the throne. 

Glass throne is up for pre-order on Amazon. 

Palace Intrigue

Oh, the palace intrigue surrounding Princess Damaris. You don't know her yet, but you will. She's getting her own book. Enjoy this scene of the young royals of Lorvena; Edward, Jaclyn 'Jack', and George. 

“Evening, your highnesses,” Les said as he bowed in front of them. “I am shocked that your parents could not grace us with their presence tonight.” 

“They are sorry they could not join as well,” Edward said. “They had a call scheduled with Florine.” 

“What about? If I may be so bold as to ask? You know I am friends with the king,” Les said. 

“Regent,” Jack said, still holding her smile. 

“What, my dear?” Les asked. 

“He is not king because he was not, nor will he be crowned,” Jack said as she folded her hands in front of her body. 

Edward knew that stance well. She was ready to fight. This was not the time or place to get into this discussion. Especially since no one knew the Princess of Florine was in Lorvena. 

“Only because that Parliament does not want to skip over the Lost Princess. Speaking of Princess Damaris, have you heard from her? I hear she has disappeared,” Les said as he shoved his hands in his pockets. 

Edward heard the unspoken statement. Damaris’s uncle knew she wasn’t in North Carolina. The man was scared and sending out his spies to figure out where the Princess was. 

“Princess Damaris should be in the country within the month. It is her usual routine this time of the year,” George said. “It is tradition.” 

“She should be with her people or at least give up her crown so someone else can lead the people. She is as weak as her parents were,” Les said as he backed up. “If you will excuse me, I see Prime Minster Alma, and I must speak with her.” 

“You are excused,” Edward said as he watched Les walk away. 

“The man’s a snake,” Jack said as she dropped her hands. 

“He’s a spy,” George said as he shifted. “I trust you’ll inform Huck and Damaris of this conversation.” 

Edward nodded as he watched Les approach the Prime Minister. 

“I recorded the conversation,” Edward said as he pulled his hand out of his pocket. 

“How did you know to record it?” Jack asked. 

“I record all of Parliament’s conversations. I need to know who is on my side and who is not,” Edward said as he looked at his brother and sister. “After a conversation with Huck when our parents announced their abdication, he strongly encouraged me to find out who supports me and who does not. Supporting our parents is different than supporting me and my vision for the future of Lorvena.” 

“That is the reason I’m happy you were firstborn. I couldn’t handle the deception,” Jack said, shaking her head. 

“I could still abdicate, and you would be queen,” Edward said as he watched his sister’s face. 

“You wouldn’t dare,” Jack said as she blinked at him. “I don’t want to be queen.” 

“But you would do it if I did give up the throne,” Edward said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. 

She looked away before cutting her eyes back at him. “I would because I love this country. But, and I stressed this, you will be a far better king of Lorvena than I would be queen. You love this country and people far more than I do. You were raised to be king.” 

Lightning Bugs?

Working on ending scenes while getting my oil changed. Oh and I'm almost done with Chapter 7! Edward and Gisella are fun to write about. They're currently discussing lightning bugs or as Edward calls them Glowworms. Late-night research didn't disappoint, although glowworms still sound weird to me. 

What do you call them? Lightning Bugs, Fireflies, or are you on Edward's side with Glowworms 

Flipping the Script

So Glass Throne (Book 13), is inspired by Cinderella. I love flipping the script and thought the story would be awesome if the Evil Stepsister gets with the Prince. I mean who doesn't love the who always got what they wanted, get the ultimate prize of the future king? It could work. 

But then again, it's April Fool's Day and I can't do that to my 'Cinderella' Gisella. She deserves the heart of the future king because she's awesome and that prince is going to fall. 

Hope everyone had a great first day of April! 

Sharing a scene from Glass Throne

As I finished up Chapter 5, I thought I'd share a scene from Glass Throne. This is between Crown Prince Edward, his sister Princess 'Jack' Jaclyn, and the head of security, Huck. Hope you enjoy this scene from my upcoming book. 

“Edward, stop. I’m happy to be going,” Jack said as she stood up. “Thank you.” 

Edward nodded as he presented his arm to his sister. “Let’s go, dear sister.” 

“If people weren’t looking at us, I’d hit you,” she said as she looped her arm around his. “Stop being obnoxious. Huck can take you down and make it look like an accident.” 

“I’d never do that, your highness,” Huck said as he pushed her chair in. “Tom and Ripper are out.” 

Edward shook his head as he followed Huck out the side passage. 

“Who are Tom and Ripper?” his sister asked as they exited the building. 

“Us,” Edward said as Huck opened the car door for them. “He thinks he’s Secret Service.” 

“Might have to change those names,” Huck said as he followed them inside and hit the roof. 

“Or just use our real names,” Edward said as he settled against the door when the car pulled away from the curb. 

“If someone links into our headsets, I don’t want them to know when the royal family is on the move. Code names are a must,” Huck said as he looked out the window. 

“So Tom? Ripper?” she asked. 

“Tom as in Tom Sawyer and Ripper for Jack the Ripper,” Huck said as he looked at her. 

Edward rolled his eyes. “I thought you’d decided on Earp.” 

“You’re not a gunslinger,” Huck said. “And I’m not your Huckleberry.” 

“But that’s your name,” his sister said, shaking her head. 

“No one calls me that,” Huck said as he glared at her. “Not even the royal family.” 

“Point made,” she said as she leaned back. “I’m cool with Ripper.” 

“A murder,” Edward said as he looked out the window. 

Book Anniversary

Book Anniversary for The Woman Behind the Letters! On March 19, 2014, my second book featured the mysterious woman in the letters from Cursed Soldier, Kathyrn Alexander. She was the fiancee of the cursed Confederate soldier, Benjamin. A woman who waited for the man she loved to make it home, only to realize he wasn't the same man who left. In the wake of the end of the Civil War, Kathryn's life is in pieces, just like the Southern states. Kindness from one man helped her grieve and heal while finding her footing in this new world. She not only survives but learns to thrive. 

Have you read The Woman Behind the Letters? It's available here: https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Letters-Laura-McKellips-ebook/dp/B00J43Y2XA/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=laura+lee+mckellips&qid=1616202402&sr=8-8

Glass Throne

Glass Throne will feature my first royal family! Gisella Smith is an American photographer hired to photograph the Kingdom of Lorvena's 300th Anniversary and the Coronation of Crown Prince Edward. I can't wait to share their journey with you. 

Little Known Facts

 Since Beauty Found has been out a week, here are some little-known facts. I love listing these for each book.

*It's my 12th book.
*I wrote it in 73 days as part of a writing challenge.
*It was inspired by Beauty and the Beast and some war stories.
*It's the second book in my fairy tale series.
*As I stated in the Mermaid Voice's little-known facts, all my heroines will be connected by southern states. For Hazel Lee, it's Alabama.
*There's a bit of the small-town feel of Gilmore Girls, but most of it's from my experiences living in a small town.
*The history is focused more on military history than one time period like normal.
*This book takes place mostly in the winter, which was a first. I mostly set my books in the warmer months. The big focus is the Valentine's Day Ball, which is why I released it before Valentine's Day.
*I outlined this entire book while I was driving down the mountain in Hawaii. Yes, that's how long I've held onto this idea.
*Besides Beauty and the Beast, there's another fairy tale in the book, and that's Alice in Wonderland. It's Hazel's favorite book, and I referenced several things from it. How many did you find?
*Book 13 has a name, Glass Throne, and is inspired by Cinderella. Check out a sneak peek at the end of Beauty Found. Planning for a September 22 release date. It's already up for preorder on Amazon. 
*If you haven't gotten your copy of Beauty Found, it's available on Amazon in paperback and kindle. It's in Kindle Unlimited for the first 90 days. 
*If you would like to see what inspired me, check out my Pinterest board. 

Preorder for Glass Throne

 For everyone who read Mermaid Voice and Beauty Found and are waiting for the next in the Fairy Tale Series, I've got news for you. Glass Throne, which is book three, is already up for preorder on Amazon. It's set to go live on September 22, 2021. This one is inspired by Cinderella and already shaping up to be a fun one. I can't wait for everyone to meet Edward and Gisella.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WKYW79Z

Releasing Tomorrow

With Beauty Found releasing tomorrow, I'm sharing some of the songs on this book's playlist. Don't forget to purchase your copy on Amazon. 

Lost & Found by Annie Bosko (The song that inspired the name) 

Fighting for Me by Riley Clemmons 

Even When You're Broken by Julie Yardley 

Looking Through Your Eyes by LeAnn Rimes 

How Do I Live by LeAnn Rimes 

True Colors by Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake 

Small Town Saturday Night by Hal Ketchum 

Superman by Rachel Platten 

Valentine by Martina McBride and Jim Brickman 

Everytime We Touch (Yanou's Candlelight Mix) by Cascada 

Brave Enough by Lindsey Stirling and Christina Perri 

No Saving Me by Philmon Lee and Lindsey Stirling 

Deeper by Valerie Broussand and Lindsey Stirling 

All I Ask of You by Josh Groban and Kelly Clarkson 

Beauty and the Beast by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson 

New Book

Beauty Found publishes on February 12, but I'm already working on my next book. This one is inspired by Cinderella and is called Glass Throne. 

Cover Reveal

Cover Reveal for Beauty Found. Don't forget to preorder your copy on Amazon. It will also be in Kindle Unlimited for the first 90 days. 

Beauty Found Blurb

Beauty Found is up for pre-order. And here is the blurb for it. I can't wait for everyone to read Vincent and Hazel's journey. 

When someone rises from the darkness, that’s where beauty is found. 

Vincent Cooper was the star of his high school football team. Instead of pursuing scholarships, he chooses to follow in his family’s footsteps and join the Army. He became a man of war until one roadside bomb changed his life. Now back in his hometown, he begins to spiral into the darkness. When his house burns down, he’s left homeless until his friends step in. 

Being the daughter of the town drunk, Hazel Lee Green never let it dull her light. Instead, she chose to rise above her past and shine. When her battle-worn best friend needs a safe space, she offers her house to keep him from spiraling. She becomes his shield from the town, just as he was hers all throughout their childhood. 

Together, they work through the darkness. But he’s always one drink away from spiraling out of control. She wonders if she can help pull him back, or will she push him too far out of reach? Because she knows, once you succumb to the darkness, it’s hard to see the light.  

Small Scene

As I read through Beauty Found for my first round of edits, here's a scene between Vincent and Bradley. 

"You're not the quarterback ruling the school anymore," Bradley said as he dropped his arm. "You need to remember, I run this town." 

"So?" Vincent asked as he moved back a step. "I don't think I'm running for office." 

"This is about Hazel Lee," Bradley said as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "I plan to marry her." 

"What's it got to do with me?" Vincent asked, tilting his head to the side. 

He didn't remark about what Hazel wanted. 

"You're standing in the way. She can't see me because she's trying to save you. Just like she tried to save her daddy," Bradley said. "Pretend she saved you so she can forget about the demons inside your head." 

Beauty Found Preorder Link

The preorder link for Beauty Found is active. It'll be published on February 12! 

https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Found-Fairy-Laura-McKellips-ebook/dp/B08SY8W5B3/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=laura+lee+mckellips&qid=1610992079&sr=8-3

Book Cover Chosen

I found the perfect picture for Beauty Found! In celebration, here is a snippet of one of my favorite scenes so far. 

“You bought four bottles of whiskey? Tonight?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Were you trying to kill yourself?” she asked. 

He shrugged. 

She looked at him and snapped. Walking around the couch, she made her way into the kitchen as she opened the bottle. She never dreamed she’d be performing this act again. Especially with Vincent. It’d been years since she’d made this walk with a bottle of alcohol. 

“What’re you doing?” he asked from behind her. 

She shook her head as she walked over to the sink and tipped the bottle. The whiskey swirled in the sink before sliding down the drain. It wouldn’t burn the pipes like it did someone’s throat. No need to worry about pouring too fast. 

“Hazel, stop!” 

She looked at him as she kept the bottle over the sink. She wanted every drop gone. 

“Where are the others?” she asked as she shook the bottle over the sink. 

“Why? You’re not pouring them out,” he said with his hands braced on his hips. 

“I’m not?” she asked as she set the empty bottle on the counter. “We’ll see about that.” 

She stomped past him as he leaned against the doorframe. She didn’t stop to check on him. He shouldn’t have drunk as much as he did. It was the only reason she could make it to his room before he did. Throwing open the door, she saw the three bottles on the nightstand. 

Sneak Peek of Vincent

I'm typing away on the last chapters of Beauty Found, and I thought I'd share one of the scenes. I do have a tentative publishing date in mind, but I'll release it when I've typed two little words. For now, enjoy this scene with Vincent.  

He rubbed the back of his neck as he thought about Tom’s offer. Fixing classic cars was something he did in high school to stay out of trouble. Tom took a chance on a sixteen-year-old kid detailing cars. Once Tom realized how focused Vincent was on even the smallest detail, Tom gave him free rein. Many, many hours not spent on the football field were spent in Tom’s garage. In the garage, he decided to follow in his father’s, grandfather’s, and every other man in his family’s footsteps and join the Army. 

It was his calling. 

And his curse. 

He didn’t want to be the only man to not sign on the dotted line. But it was more. He might’ve been great a football, but he never felt comfortable in his own skin. When he tried on his father’s uniform, it fit. It was comfortable. Hazel said he was a man of war. His family was full of men of war. Men of war didn’t play football. They served their country. 

Tom tried to talk Vincent out of signing, but it didn’t work. Vincent needed to honor his family’s legacy. So, he went to the recruiter’s office and took the oath. Little did he know war would be declared. 

Four tours later, he was uncomfortable. Again. He struggled to find his place. 

Could he go back to the garage? Or were the ghosts of a sixteen-year-old boy waiting to haunt him? As the ghosts of his family seemed to hang around the edges of his mind. 

Clenching his hands, he took several deep breaths. Now was not the time to revisit the past. 

Happy New Year

 Happy New Year! Here is a scene from my next book Beauty Found, which is Book 2 of my Fairy Tale Series.

“Vincent?” she called out as she closed her door.

“Hazel?” he asked as he unzipped the tent. “What’re you doing here?”

Each word seemed dragged out. He was drunk. Great.

“I brought you food,” she said as she held up the bag. “Come out. I’d prefer not to eat alone.”

“Go away,” he said as he started to zip the tent up.

“Wait,” she said as she walked toward the tent.

“What?” he asked as he popped his head out of the tent.

“The insurance agent called me. They need you to call them back,” she said as she stopped a few feet away from him.

“Why’d they call you?” he asked as he unzipped the tent completely.

“Because you don’t have a phone,” she said. “Now come on, our food’s getting cold.”

“Leave me alone,” he said as he fell back. “I don’t need anything.”

She narrowed her eyes as she thought about what she wanted to do next. His stubborn mood was no match for hers. She’d played this game long before he tasted his first drink.

“Get out of the tent!” she said as she moved further away. “Or I’ll grab my tent and sleep out here with you until you’re ready to rejoin the world.”

“Maybe I don’t want to rejoin the world,” he said without moving.

“Oh, you’re rejoining the world,” she said.

“Hazel, leave,” he said as he waved her away. “It’s not a good day.”

“When is it ever a good day?” she asked as she knelt down to see into the tent. “One day, you’ll have to rejoin the living. This in-between living and death don’t work anymore. I’m tired of babying you. Yes, you were injured in a roadside bomb, and yes, you lost men who were your family. But it doesn’t give your license to roam around as if you’re a zombie.”

“Go away,” he said as he rolled over to look at her.

“I didn’t take you for a coward,” she said as she stood up.

Ten seconds later, he tore out of the tent and rushed after her.

“Coward?!” he yelled as she spun around and stepped to the side.

He slipped and fell.

“Yeah, you’re a coward,” she said as she watched him struggle. “You wallow in your pain and misery because you’re scared to live.”

“It’s not that I’m scared to live,” he said as he stood. “I have nothing to live for.”

“Then live for me,” she said as she took a step forward. “Live for me.”

“I can’t,” he said.

“Why? I’m not changing or moving. I’m here,” she said, tapping her chest.

“Everyone I’ve ever loved is dead,” he said as he looked at her.

The hollow look in his normally warm chocolate eyes pierced her. She should’ve come out here days ago.

“I’m not dead,” she said as she set the bag of food on the ground between them. “I’m here when you’re ready.”

#beautyfound #fairytaleseries #2021