Wednesday

F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: The Series

Here lies a most precious treasure,
Awaiting one Chosen to
deliver.

Seek out the red cousins in the East,
For on this your
greed mustn’t feast.

The wealth of a species now is in your hands,
Do with it as the light demands.

Give them your gift to unite,
For it is the darkness we all must fight.


Unwittingly chosen to join an army of fairies, who fight for the light of the One, a teenaged girl learns how to fight the dark ones as she attends a military academy with fantastical beings.

Thursday

Free Kindle Book of FAIRIES...Act now!




In celebration of my book, F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire, winning the Bronze Medal for Readers Favorites in the Christian Fantasy category, I am offering free downloads for Kindle for THREE days!

Starting at midnight on Dec. 6th and going through Dec. 8th, 2012 you can download F.A.I.R.I.E.S. for FREE!

Please let everyone that you think may like it know. Share this on your page if you like. The more the merrier!

I also made corrections to the Kindle version: the German for the yeti's name is now correct AND the annoying question marks have been removed. Yay!

Go HERE at midnight to download it for FREE!

Tuesday

F.A.I.R.I.E.S. Won the Bronze: Miami Awards Ceremony


Hello everyone! This month I went to The Miami Book Fair International for an Awards Ceremony for Readers Favorites. My book, F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire won the Bronze for the Christian Fantasy/Sci-Fi division. Here are some of the photos. I had a blast and a half!

Mimi at the Readers Favorites booth

Mimi at the Readers Favorites booth

Mimi with Debra Gaynor, CEO of Readers Favorites at the Readers Favorites booth

Mimi at the Readers Favorites booth

My parents at the Readers Favorites booth

Mimi at the Readers Favorites booth

Mimi at the Readers Favorites booth

Mimi at the Readers Favorites booth

Mimi with Debra Gaynor, CEO of Readers Favorites at the Readers Favorites booth





Readers Favorites Award Ceremony (My parents are in the lower left corner)

Readers Favorites Award Ceremony (My mom is in the lower left corner)

Readers Favorites Award Ceremony

Mimi with  author and actor, Paul Michael Glaser, 
best known from his staring roll on the TV series "Starsky & Hutch" at the Awards Ceremony

Mimi with  author and actor, Paul Michael Glaser, 
best known from his staring roll on the TV series "Starsky & Hutch" at the Awards Ceremony


Author and actor, Paul Michael Glaser, 
best known from his staring roll on the TV series "Starsky & Hutch" at the Awards Ceremony




Mimi accepting her Bronze for F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire 

Mimi accepting her Bronze for F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire 

Mimi accepting her Bronze for F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire 

Mimi accepting her Bronze for F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire 

Mimi accepting her Bronze for F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire 

Mimi accepting her Bronze for F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire 

Mimi with fellow FIRST member and writer, Paulette Harper 
(she won the 2011 Silver Award for Chiristian Non-Fiction)

Mimi with fellow FIRST member and writer, Paulette Harper 
(she won the 2011 Silver Award for Chiristian Non-Fiction)

Mimi with fellow FIRST member and writer, Paulette Harper 
(she won the 2011 Silver Award for Chiristian Non-Fiction)

Mimi with fellow FIRST member and writer, Paulette Harper 
(she won the 2011 Silver Award for Chiristian Non-Fiction)

Mimi won the 2012 Bronze for Christian Fantasy/Sci-Fi for 

Mimi with her parents, John and Syl Szeker 
at the Readers Favorites Award Ceremony in Miami


Saturday

Bronze Award!





I'm an award winning author! I received the Bronze award for Christian Fantasy-Sci-Fi from Reader's Favorite: http://readersfavorite.com/2012-award-contest-winners.htm





Here's the 5-Star Review:

Book Review

Reviewed by Linda W. for Readers Favorite

This is a fantasy tale of good versus evil through the eyes of a young teenage girl, Mellie. Running from her sisters’ taunts, she finds herself caught up in the world of the F.A.I.R.I.E.S, where she will learn the world of spiritual warfare against the I.M.P.S. as she attends the F.A.I.R.I.E.S. academy and learns of the One–the light who always overcomes the darkness.

The unbelievable characters become a part of your life, as you learn of their ways. The military academy is tough, yet most of the classes are enjoyable and instructive. Plenty of humor is there, though some is lost in interpretation! I enjoyed the characters of Mellie, Spike, Lizzy, GroBe, and many others. They are rich, descriptive and eccentric. They are truly fantastical beings! What a super delightful book with deep spiritual meaning. The spiritual aspect is what makes the book so great, as it pertains to each of the characters and to us as well. I loved it. Your kids will, too!

This would make one extra-special birthday, Christmas, or any special occasion gift for some young girl or boy! Your child(ren) will learn truths that are pertinent to their lives. Pick one up today! Superb, intricate writing. Christian fantasy at its best! I am rating this a 5 out of 5!

I’m so excited as I never used to like books like this, let alone loving this one! This should become a classic for years to come!


Wednesday

Review by Mimi of Woven by Words

Here's a review from Mimi (not me!) on her blog, Woven by Words:

My Review:

I have only read a few "fantasy" Christian genre books. I'm always a bit hesitant because I think it's a fine line between the "fantastical" and faith. Well, let me say for the record, F.A.R.I.E.S. combines both in a spectacular way.


When M.C. sent me her book and told me to be brutally honest, can you imagine my first thought? Oh boy, this isn't going to be that great if she wants my "honest" opinions! I proceeded with caution and was immediately swept into a new world following the journey of Mellie.


We're introduced to numerous creatures that all live below the earth.Each of these characters factor into Mellie's immersion into this new world. She learns about "fantastical" beings and that she has been "chosen", but she has no clue what that means or what's expected of her. Thankfully she makes friends with creatures of different shapes, sized and abilities.


Mellie is 12 and so is my son. I can't picture him acting as "mature" as she is so I kept imagining her more like a 17yr old. That was probably the hardest thing for me to wrap my mind around. Mellie has a lot of learning to do and her group of friends each add an element to her learning. She also has a lot of growing up to do and learning about putting others first and not being so selfish. Being young, you can forgive her lack of maturity.

It's wonderful that her instructors see her gifts of being the Chosen by the One (God). The One has given her abilities that stand out from others and with the help of her instructors and her friends she is able to hone those talents. I loved that part of this story. Her friends love her no matter what. They accept her just the way she is. There are so many wonderful underlying messages!

One of my favorite parts of this whole book is how M.C. adds scripture into conversation that sounds like it fits so well. It's not preachy, but encouraging. The scriptures are perfectly placed and directs the characters and the reader to Him.

The adventures in F.A.I.R.I.E.S. will appeal to adults and youth alike. I was excited to get to my reading every night and as I'd read, my thoughts would go to my boys and how much they would enjoy this. That's a great appeal for me, a book I can share with my kids. They don't like boring books and my 12yo wants to be taken on an adventure. M.C. definitely provides that throughout the entire story!

I also enjoyed the illustrations provided by M.C. I liked seeing what year she did each one and would look for those. I didn't see them in every single one, but you can tell she had this book in her head for a very long time!


Like I told M.C., the only part I didn't like was the ending because I have to wait for the second book! =) Don't you hate it when you finish a book you've thoroughly enjoyed and know you have to wait at LEAST a year before the next one comes out? LOL


If you're looking to go on an adventure, this would be the perfect book. If you're looking for a book that is family friendly and you can read with your tween or older, I would highly suggest grabbing this book and adding it to your reading list this year!


I want to thank M.C. for sending me her book for review. She knows I've been looking forward to reading her debut novel since she announced it at F.I.R.S.T.!

Tuesday

Review by Nora St. Laurent



's review 
Jan 26, 12


4 of 5 stars
Read in December, 2011


Review: Have you seen the movie Tooth Fairy or The S.A.N.T.A. Clause? Read the book Hinds Feet in High Places? F.A.I.R.I.E.S. reminded me of parts of these movies and book. I’m thankful to have received a review copy of such an imaginative book. This author combines fantasy with reality like the two movies I mentioned and is an allegory like the book Hinds Feet in High Places. Mellie is the only human in the story. She is surrounded with mystical characters like Lord of the Rings has with fairies, elves, gnomes, gremlins, dragons, dwarfs just to name a few and she’s trying to make sense of this new world she has just entered, like Lucy in C.S. Lewis’s book Narnia.

M.C. Pearsons is not only the author of this youth fantasy but she is the illustrator as well. Her pictures are scattered throughout the book. They illustrate for the reader her imaginative characters

Mellie is a disgruntled human who wishes to escape the home life she has with her dreadful sisters. “Just once she wanted to do something that would make her sisters see that she wasn’t stupid, awkward, ugly, and a little baby.” She wanted to live in a family where she was loved and accepted. Maybe she could runaway and find a better place to live.

Suddenly Mellis finds herself deep into the forest unsure of where to go next, then she runs into the strangest sight, a walking stick that talks.

Is this a dream she wonders? Then suddenly the walking stick ushers her into the labyrinth of the F.A.I.R.I.E.S. She doesn’t know what to think. Everything was quite magical. Just like in the Santa Clause and Tooth Fairy movies she sees everyone working together as a team for a common goal, she’ll learn later.

The walking stick finally introduces himself to her, his name is Regnans. He says, Welcome to the F.A.I.R.I.E.S. it stands for
F – Fantastical
A – Aerial
I – International
R- Reasonably
I- Inconspicious
E- Emancepation
S – Squads

They have accepted her into their organization. Regnans goes on to tell she has been “chosen” by the One. He tells her, “You made a choice to run away from a miserable life and asked to be set free?..... Right? You asked – we answered – you are accepted.”

Mellie is surprised and says, “But I don’t believe in fairies….”

“Follow-Me. I’ll enroll you for training. We are at war.” Move quickly.

She replies, “I’m not at war with anyone”

Regnan says, “You are at war. The darone wants to stamp out the light.”

This is where the story reminded me of the Tooth Fairy and how he goes into training. He learns all he can and then makes the mission his own.

Mellie embarks on a magical adventure as “chosen” by the One to be trained as a soldier of the light to fight the shadow whose set on fighting humans.

She also is in search of the One who truly loves and accepts her for who she is and was created to be.

I enjoyed this journey into the F.A.I.R.I.E.S. training and beyond!! It was fun, entertaining and yet there was a depth to this story I enjoyed. I also like the surprising twists and turns Mellie takes in her search to find the One and her mission in life.

Are you looking for a story that will whisk you into a magical land and help you not think about the worries of this world; at the same time bring comfort and joy to your soul? Then search no more F.A.I.R.I.E.S. is the book for you and the young people in your life. It will spark great conversation for you and any book clubs that would like to read it.

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network
www.bookfun.org 

Friday

#37 F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire Blog Tour!

This is what Rachelle Sperling of Sojourner's Journey had to say about F.A.I.R.I.E.S.:
Geared primarily for children and pre-teens, F.A.I.R.E.S. (Fantastical, Aerial, International, Reasonably Inconspicuous, Emancipation Squads) is the story of Mellie (12 going on 13) and her adventure of being chosen and choosing to serve the One.

While I love fantasy and read a fair amount of children's and young adult fiction, I had a difficult time getting into this book. In order to show the growth of her character Mellie, the author starts with a self-centered, whiny young girl. Maybe Pearson did a bit too thorough a job in showing Mellie's unflattering side, because I just couldn't find anything about Mellie's character to connect with until well into the story. Mellie's character development reminded me a bit of both Edmund and Eustace from C.S. Lewis' Narnia, but when Mellie was introduced there were no other (more noble) characters to help me stay connected to the story.

Still, I'm glad that I kept reading. About a quarter of the way into the book Mellie's character started to take on a more rounded personality and I enjoyed the development of the relationships within her squad of fantastical being friends. Though I must admit that it seemed odd how Mellie went from being a self-centered twelve year old to acting like a mature sixteen or seventeen year old in the span of four months, the changes in Mellie moved the story along in a way that helped me connect to the lessons she was learning.

Despite the fact that it took some time for me to feel involved in the storyline, Mimi's imagination knows no bounds. As I read I became immersed in a world of strange and fascinating creatures exploring the riddles of dragons and the representation of the One.

Once I settled in to the story I enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing more from Mimi Pearson and her tales of the realm. Her grand imagination will no doubt continue to spark the interest of her target audience as she weaves tales of light, darkness and the One who is above it all.
Thanks to the author for sending me a digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wednesday

F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Giveaway Contest!

My friend, Melanie, is having a F.A.I.R.I.E.S. Giveaway Contest! Go HERE to see my interview and enter the contest. There are several ways to enter, so remember to press 'I did it' after the things you do. Also, you may enter each day in different ways. I am not in charge of this contest, but I will let you know who wins!

Open for 20 more days!

Here is how this giveaway works. If you win and live in the US or Canada, you will receive a print copy; but if you live anywhere else, you will receive a Kindle copy. In your comment, please mention what country you live in. Open Internationally!

#36 F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire Blog Tour!

This is what MJ Chind had to say on her blog, Creative Madness:

It was a few years ago when I first started to read Mimi’s book and I was captivated. I was reading unedited versions and sending in opinions. I absolutely love starting with the foretelling of Gnome Dig Deep (see below) and the whit and whimsy of all the characters was soon to follow. At that time I have to admit that I did not finish reading, because it was before I had an ereader and then having a baby I was not able to sit at the computer to read much. Now that the real book is finally here, I’m so excited again!!

*Thanks to Mimi for providing a copy for review

Thursday

#35 F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire Blog Tour!

Here's what Lesley has to say about F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire on her blog, Dragonflies 'n Daydreams.

My thoughts:

What an interesting book! This story is full of imagination and tells a wonderful story. You'll find yourself smiling and feeling intrigued by the characters and fictitious land. Full of fantasy you will enjoy every moment of the fight against good and evil. With illustrations that capture your eye you will want to share this book with your young friends. 

Readers Favorite Book Reviews

Just received a 5 star review on Readers Favorite Book Reviews! I plan on entering their 2012 Book Award Contest.


Reviewed by Linda W. for Readers Favorite


This is a fantasy tale of good versus evil through the eyes of a young teenage girl, Mellie. Running from her sisters’ taunts, she finds herself caught up in the world of the F.A.I.R.I.E.S, where she will learn the world of spiritual warfare against the I.M.P.S. as she attends the F.A.I.R.I.E.S. academy and learns of the One–the light who always overcomes the darkness.


The unbelievable characters become a part of your life, as you learn of their ways. The military academy is tough, yet most of the classes are enjoyable and instructive. Plenty of humor is there, though some is lost in interpretation! I enjoyed the characters of Mellie, Spike, Lizzy, GroBe, and many others. They are rich, descriptive and eccentric. They are truly fantastical beings! What a super delightful book with deep spiritual meaning. The spiritual aspect is what makes the book so great, as it pertains to each of the characters and to us as well. I loved it. Your kids will, too!


This would make one extra-special birthday, Christmas, or any special occasion gift for some young girl or boy! Your child(ren) will learn truths that are pertinent to their lives. Pick one up today! Superb, intricate writing. Christian fantasy at its best! I am rating this a 5 out of 5!


I’m so excited as I never used to like books like this, let alone loving this one! This should become a classic for years to come!

Wednesday

How I Made my Cover for F.A.I.R.I.E.S.

I thought you might be interested in how I did the cover for my book, F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire. I'll show you the before and after pics that I used.

A long time ago, my mother gave me a bunch of her ball gowns. I've taken several pictures of friends and family in these gowns. Here's are two pictures of my mother in the gown in the 1950's:




This is the main picture of the heroine, Mellie Good Wind...posing is Lily Kidd:


I played with it...extended the sword and part of the dress. Eventually, I removed her feet. It just looked better that way. Although, I really debated about keeping them on the cover, since Mellie was barefoot in the beginning of the story. However, when she wore the red dress, she wasn't barefoot. So, I lopped them off. Sorry, Lily! You do have cute feet!




Next is a picture of me painted up as Lilith:


Then, I played with it in Photoshop:

And inverted the exposure and played with it some more:




To create the wing-like effect behind Mellie, I again played with it in Photoshop:


If you are very diligent, you might see the eyes of I.M.P.S. (redcaps) in the fire on the back cover. There are nine pairs of them! They are all of my son, Keegan's eyes. Here are some of the pictures from the photo shoot:





I then tweaked them in Photoshop:






Here's a zoom-in of the eye section on the book cover:



I also created the fire on top of the font for F.A.I.R.I.E.S. and the cloudy fire background for Baptism by Fire all in Photoshop.

The result is this cover: