I’ve spent a considerable amount of time with Maddison Wood over the last six months. I introduced her in the A to Z Challenge, let her come out to play during writing challenges, wrote a novella to form part of an anthology with my friend Gina Briganti. She’s a pretty strong influence. When I planned The Fallen (hey! I do know how to plan), Maddison was an integral character, but she didn’t run the show. Well, not on paper at least. But sometimes we let a character out of the box, and they make a mockery of all our detailed groundwork (okay, fine, my few loose notes). Maddison is opinionated, stubborn, and direct. She is also loyal, dedicated and generous of spirit.
So, getting to the point. The Fractured series will feature my feisty witch a lot more than I originally planned. Maddison’s journey (in this series at least) began with The Contract and continues with The Fallen. Next week I will have details about how you can pre-order the first book in the series, but for now I would like to share with you a cover reveal and synopsis. The Fractured will be available from the 30 July 2015.
Synopsis – The Fallen: Book 1 of the Fractured Series
After the Demonic War, a battle which devastated the mortal realm, hunter cells were established across the globe to serve and protect every living soul. Maddison Wood is part of an alpha cell in the north of England. But Maddison has a new role now; her responsibilities as Watcher. She belongs to a legion of warriors assigned to serve the Fallen; guardian angels afforded the privilege of residing on Earth.
When Maddison is drawn to the city by an event which resonates hundreds of miles away, she is thrown into the path of a newly fallen angel. But Obadiah is no ordinary angel. He is a Prime, and his presence symbolizes a new threat. There is a war coming, and Maddison must form an alliance if she has any hope of winning this first battle. After all, the Fractured are a formidable enemy; a group of lost souls – powerful creatures of darkness who crave to destroy those who belong to the light.
Thank you for stopping by.
Mel
Melissa Barker-Simpson 
This is so exciting! Congratulations on the gorgeous cover! I can’t wait to read The Fallen! Maddison is such a wonderful character!
Thank you so much, Natacha. I’m glad you like the cover. It took me forever to find something I was happy with! I’ll send you my responses to the interview this weekend – Tobias laughed so hard at the last question 😉
Looking forward to them! And I am grinning that Tobias laughed at the last question. I thought he would! (I hope Maddie’s not glaring too much at me hehe)
LOL! She’s more annoyed with Tobias at the moment, and a little afraid of what he has up his sleeve! 😀
Cover looks really eye-catching and cool. Curious about the rings.
Thank you, Charles. Maddy uses the rings in a variety of ways by channelling her magic into them. She normally wears her hair plaited, and the rings sit along the plait like ordinary adornments. When she needs one, she removes it. I wanted them on the cover because they are part of her repertoire! 😀
Very cool. I didn’t know if they connected to her abilities or the main plot. Guess both.
I do have a lot of fun with them (or should that be she does!) And yes, it’s a little of both. She manipulates them with her abilities, but they’re already imbued with elfin power. I’ll stop before I give all her secrets away 😉 Thanks again, Charles.
Good idea. Spoilers are bad. Teasers are good. 🙂
Yeah, I need to remember that! I get a little carried away 😀
Love the moody purples and blacks. My fave colours. How exciting 😊😊
Thank you, Sacha. I’m so glad you like it. I drove my friend nuts with the design, but I’ve been searching for a look which suited the character for a long time. So, yes – I’m pretty excited!
You should be 🙂 its WELL exciting, can’t wait for the day I get mine done :). Good luck with it, let me know how it all goes.
Thanks, Sacha – will do 😀 I’ll fill you in when we all meet up in August…so excited!
Mel, that’s such great news! I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy and my nose into that book
Thanks so much, Solveig. I’m really excited about sharing the book. I hope readers will have as much fun as I did while writing it 😀
Exciting! Can’t wait to get my copy!
Thanks, Cassie 😀 I hope you enjoy it!
Yay! Congrats, Mel 🙂 The cover is great, I really like the colour scheme. I’m definitely going to read The Contract before July 30th so I can dive into this 😀
Aw, thanks, Callum 😀 I’m glad you like the cover. It took some finding! But Katie worked her magic and put me out of my misery! I had so much fun with The Contract, so I hope you enjoy the adventure too.
Giddy jitters!! Can’t wait for the release! Congrats on finding an image of your muse 😀
Thanks, M.J. I’m dying to know what you think! I really hope you like Maddy’s next chapter 😀 Hugs.
I can’t wait! Without a doubt it will be a book I devour in 2 days and ignore my own writing to be able to read – lol!
That’s the best compliment ever. To know you’re looking forward to spending time with characters I love. Thanks so much, M.J. 😀
It was hard to see a full shot of the cover with this new theme, but it looks very nice! 🙂 Congrats on an upcoming release.
Thanks, Alex. I’ll take a look at the post and see if I can figure out how to solve the problem. I hope it doesn’t mean changing the theme…again! 😀
Hahaha, it just depends what you want. I think if you limit the amount of menu items (or turn some into drop-downs to consolidate to one line) it’ll work a bit better. 🙂
Thanks for the tip – I’ll play around a little! 😀
Awesome cover, Mel. Although, that one gold ring looks like it’s bouncing on her butt. XD I can’t stop looking at that.
Lol! Now I’m going to be looking at it! Thanks 😀
I’ve been curious about where you were going with the storyline! Looks like fun.
I think this is one of your best covers!
Thanks, Gina 🙂 It’s nice to have something which reflects the character.
Yes, it’s great to see Madison on the cover.
I love the way you say that–‘spent a lot of time with Madison’. I can see you two are close. Love her hair, and the entire book cover. Good luck with this!
Thank you, Jacqui 🙂 The hair was the hardest part, so I’m thrilled I found it!
Mel, I would be happy to be part of a blog tour for you, or anything else I can do to hep promote you and your work. Just let me know. ❤
Thank you so much, Colleen 😀 I could write a guest post – with an excerpt or an exclusive short story. I really appreciate your support ♡
That would be fantastic! I am always glad to help. You pick the time that is most advantageous for you. ❤
Whenever you have a slot in the next few weeks. I’m flexible. I guess I’d better let Maddy out to play and write a story! Thanks again ❤
I always have time for you, Mel. Let me know when you are ready and I will be there for you. 😀 ❤
Thank you so much. You’re a wonderful friend ❤
Thank you, Mel. I feel the same about you. ❤
Gonna be a dissenting voice here. The colours are gorgeous, magical lights and rings set the tone, but, that hair looks like it’s pulling her head back and is about to snap her neck. Probably not a reaction you want a reader to have. 🙂 … afterthought, it might work if it was morphing into a raven, (which I first thought it was, until I took a closer look) or another creature featured in the story.
Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it. Maddison’s hair rarely behaves itself, so in one respect it is quite heavy with the weight of her power! I love the morphing concept. Now my mind is full of possibilities! She uses it as a weapon, so why not have it turn into a creature…snakes perhaps…hmm!