Category Archives: Readers

Quick Life Update | #Writing is on FIRE!

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Helloooooooo!

So it’s been a minute since I’ve really posted any decent content but I’m about to start rectifying that!

I took a long hiatus to work on the real world problems we all face, including my health and well being. I know I posted last year about KETO not being for me but in January of this year, I decided to give it another try.

IT WORKS!

Since January 9, 2019, I’ve lost 44lbs and passed my first goal!

Not only has the weight loss been significant (although I still have a ways to go) how I feel, look and the internal health benefits have been amazing. No more plantars fasciitis, no more joint pain, healthy gut and numerous other improvements. Did I mention the energy level and clear mind?!

Here is a side by side of me. The photo on the left is me in September 2018. The one on the right is me in Late May 2019.

If you want to follow along on this journey, just follow me on instagram @ author_p.s.bartlett

Now, thanks to the clear mind and healthy energy, my creative brain cells are in overdrive! I’ve been writing like a mad woman for three months but three weeks ago, I embarked on book 6 in the Razor’s Adventure Series!

I’ve already hit over 41K words in three weeks of evenings (YES, unfortunately I still have to work full time so buy my books so I can write full time instead!) :)) and I’m obsessed with this story and writing it is like breathing again!

Part I of the book is nearly complete, although a rough first draft but it feels so wonderful to be back in my lane and flying down the highway!

I believe I’m currently on pace to finish this book by August 31st and take it to publishing by Christmas, which is also when I hope to meet my ultimate goal weight!

Here is the link to my books on Amazon in case you haven’t read them and want to catch up. https://www.amazon.com/P.S.-Bartlett/e/B00CP4PF4U

Thank you for hanging in there with me and following my blog. I promise there will be some interesting content in the near future and consistently to boot!

I’m looking forward to setting sail again with Ivory and her crew this fall/winter and I hope you join us!

Love and respect!

P.S. Bartlett

I’m Not An #Expert on Anything – I’m a #Writer – No Rules Required

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For my blog stop, I’ve chosen a previous blog which I felt is timeless and that expresses who I am as a writer, completely. 

I hope you enjoy it!

quote-advice-to-a-new-writer-there-are-no-rules-in-this-profession-do-what-is-good-for-you-anne-rice-122-70-88

And that’s good enough for me.

I tell stories. I have a few awards so I suppose that means I don’t suck at writing. However, even with six novels and a novella to my credit, as well as hundreds of blog posts, I do not nor would I ever call myself an expert in anything. Nor would I dare to offer advice on the best way to do this or that, simply based on my own experience. I worked hard and I wrote from my heart, soul and gut. I was published. I went from being a writer to an author in the span of less than a year. How did I do it?

I wrote. I focused on my goals and did it my own way. That’s exactly how you should do it too; regardless of what your own way is. Just please, the only rule I stand by 100% is EDITING. If you are transitioning from writer to author and actually publishing a novel, pay someone to edit for you. Please, for all our sake’s.

Every situation is different. I’ve made mistakes but I’ve learned from each and every one; some bigger lessons than others. Regardless of what writing technique you use or formula you choose to follow, if you don’t approach that formula with a positive attitude and maintain the ground rules firmly at the heart of it with honesty and humility, you can really end up unhappy with the results of your work. Try it your own way first! Experiment! You may be creating a formula that only works for you and that’s perfect!

Every time I begin a new project that will hopefully evolve into a novel, my knees knock, my mouth waters, my heart races and hands tremble. That my friends is fear – fear I’ll write fifty thousand words and suddenly decide I’m unhappy with the story. Fear that my loyal readers will not like the behavior of my characters and even my main character. Fear that a beloved character may die a horrible death and my readers will wish the same for me…figuratively of course.

NEWS FLASH: Readers will love your story and readers will hate your story and it really has nothing to do with you. How they feel is about their own taste and that’s fine. 🙂 That’s how it should be! 

  • Do you outline your book?
  • What kind outline? Detailed or more like a guideline? 
  • Do you just let your characters lead the way and pray they aren’t taking you down the rabbit hole?

I would never presume to tell anyone what is right and what is wrong with how they approach a project. Doing what you are comfortable with and what you see as a plan and system you can live with and work well with is to me, far more important than following some text book guideline laid down by someone or someones who think they are the expert.

I’m not an expert on anything – I’m a writer. I ONLY want to be a writer when I write. I don’t want to offer you advice, let you cry on my shoulder and most importantly, I won’t tell you how you should do anything. My experience is mine. Go get yours. Don’t be be afraid to spread your wings and fly!

“On giving writers advice, offering “rules.” I’m asked a lot about this, and people bring great lists of rules for writers to the page all the time. What do I think? I can’t say it loud enough. There are NO RULES for all writers! And never let anyone tell you that there are. Writers are individuals; we each do it in our own way. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you’re not a “real” writer because you don’t follow their rules! I can’t tell you how much harm was done to me early in life by others judging me in that way. I was told in college I wasn’t a “real” writer because I composed on a typewriter; I was condemned later on in damn near apocalyptic terms for “not writing every day.” “Real writers” are those who become “real writers.” That’s all there is to it. And again, we each do it in our own way. For me, stubbornness has been as important as any talent I might possess. I ultimately ignored the people who condemned me, ridiculed me and sought to discourage me. I laughed or cried over it in secret; and went right on writing what I wanted to write, the way I wanted to write it. I knew of no other way to become the writer of my dreams. If you want to be a writer, go for it. Critics are a dime a dozen, and people who would love to see you fail are everywhere. Just keep on going; keep doing what works for you. Keep believing in yourself.” ANNE RICE

I’d listen to this woman before I’d listen to anyone else. She’s 100% right.

Demons & Pearls is on its way to #1 #FREE Kindle book

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Demons & Pearls is on its way to #1 #FREE Kindle book! It’s at 112 right now! Please share and help me get it to #1 by midnight! https://www.amazon.com/Demons-Pearls-Razors-Adventures-Book-ebook/dp/B00VQQPOKS

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And don’t forget, all of the following books are FREE until February 17, 2017!

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Are Ye Ready for a Deal That Will Shiver Ye Timbers?

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DEMONS & PEARLS Gets FIVE STARS from Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews and Awards!

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Readers Fav Cover

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/demons-pearls

Book Review

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers’ Favorite

Ivory Shepard, known as The Razor, narrates her own story in P.S. Bartlett’s Demons & Pearls (The Razor’s Adventures Book 1). It opens when the pirate ship, Demon Sea, attacks a merchant vessel. Not satisfied with taking her cargo, Captain Barclay commands that her crew be slaughtered. The Razor, who has travelled thus far accompanying her three female cousins with the promise of Barclay’s protection on the voyage to a new life in Jamaica, sees him for the unprincipled man he is and kills him. She is determined to settle her three young female cousins in Jamaica, and claim her own freedom to live as she pleases.

Chapter one opens with a battle at sea. With the captain dead by Ivory’s hand, another is elected. After much argument, the four girls arrive safely in Port Royal where the new captain, McCormack, offers them refuge in his own home, but is the offer as generous as it appears? His wife, Millie, an ex-whore, is not the lady she pretends to be and Ivory discovers that the fortress the captain calls home is a trap; a holding house for girls destined for sale.

Demons & Pearls is the story of Ivory Shepard, The Razor, who recounts the adventure. Demons and Pearls is an action-packed thriller where The Razor’s problems are compounded by sexual discrimination. To be a sailor, she must adopt the appearance of a man. When Captain Berman, Big Red, sees through her disguise, the sexual tension is stretched taut as a circus high wire. P.S. Bartlett has written a book that is impossible to put down. I recommend Demons & Pearls to anyone who enjoys a gripping, fast-paced story full of cliffhangers and surprises.

One Week Until The #Baltimore #Book Festival

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Baltimore Book Festival

Received my packet this morning for The Baltimore Book Festival! Woohoo!!! One week from tomorrow! If you work nearby, stop in the author’s tent on the Constellation Pier and buy some books from me! I’ll have copies of all of my novels to snatch up and autograph them for you! Come see me and my first mate Kimberly aka Keara in our Pirate garb. Just look for the crazy ladies with the big hats!

PS…When you buy a book, we have some sweet little giveaway goodies for you too!

PS Bartlett Pirate

 

#Reviews of Demons & Pearls – I Couldn’t Be Happier on This Mother’s Day!

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Here are some of the things readers are saying about Demons & Pearls!

FIVE STARS:

A fearless female pirate fueled by adrenaline rush, stakes her claim to the Captain-less ship filled with grubby buccaneers out to get her and her cousins. It’s chaos! It’s madness! It’s freakin’ awesome! And that’s just the beginning!

There’s no situation too precarious and no man too dangerous for Ivory Shepard. She’s just one hell of a character. She’s a total firecracker!

This prequel to “The Blue Diamond: The Razor’s Edge” is a pulse-pounding, beard-curling, action-packed story that has enough voltage to power up a Kindle device. It’s more than just a frenzied pirate tale. It brings to the fore controversial issues with tremendous passion, evident in the narrative style and tenor.

This is such a thrilling read; not encumbered by lengthy expositions and sappy romance talk. It just tells an electrifying story of love, murder, revenge, and survival – not necessarily in that order.

FIVE STARS:

You won’t want to miss this swashbuckling pirate tale! Always the family protector, Ivory has taken on the best of the best on the high seas as she and her cousins are kidnapped to be sold into slavery. She has also ticked off a few nasty pirates along the way and her life is in grave danger. Perhaps murdering a pirate captain, deserved or not won’t earn her the respect she craves as a force to be reckoned with. The rules of the sea clearly state she has won the right to be captain of her own ship, really, what young woman doesn’t want to be a pirate? Her first duty would be to stop the brutal manhandling of women, including rape, torture and the selling of their favors. Not so popular a mission in the dark corners of a pirate’s world, because aside from their own code, pirates are soooo honorable, right?

Ivory’s biggest mistake in killing the thieving pirate? He has a brother, who is equally as thieving, murderous and is hell-bent to exact revenge, which IS part of the pirate code. One pirate stands above the rest, literally as well as honorably and Ivory may have met her match in the love department. Will it be enough when the battle at sea begins? Ivory would die to keep her family safe, and it looks like she just may have to…

Action, adventure, strong women, equally strong men, smelly pirates and dirty minds, plus a sword fight or two, thanks to the imagination of P.S. Bartlett and Demons and Pearls. There is never a dull moment as we are settled deeply in the mind, thoughts and actions of Ivory, aka, the Razor! She is tiny, she is tough and she has a heart as big as the Pacific Ocean and she is creating a stir among all pirates, everywhere! Humor, horrendous deeds, heart and a mutiny or two, when will they learn to stay on the good side of The Razor? P.S. Bartlett has outdone herself with this tale! I almost cried when I hit THE END. This one is more than a gem in the treasure chest of reading!

I received this copy from P.S. Bartlett in exchange for my honest review.

FIVE STARS:

“… if you ever had a tender inch, you’ve buried it beneath the vines of bitterness you’ve wrapped yourself in. Tell me Ivory, who did this to you? Who plucked the rose and left the thorns?”
OH BOY!!!!! 6 stars!!
The author was wonderful enough to send me a copy of her book and I’m so thankful for her!
This book just left me speechless!! Why, oh why, did it have to end in a cliffhanger??
This book starts with a powerful bang and the punches keep coming so brace yourself! This is the first pirate book I’ve ever read and I don’t know what is wrong with me! My bookshelf should be overflowing with them! I will be sure to fix that hiccup because this book has it all!
Ivory wants to be a pirate despite being a woman but aboard a life full of rotten secrets (and a particular handsome captain) she not only has to manage to stay alive but keep her cousins from harm as well. There were tears shed with lots of laughs, violence laced with tenderness, suspense and intense battle scenes plus so much more! I have always been intrigued by the language of pirates and their sense of humor so I absolutely loved how it was interpreted in this book! I was kept at the edge of my seat for a good chunk of this story and I can’t wait to get my hands on Ivory’s next adventure! Water has an immense place in my heart and I related to Ivory in the sense that she wants make a living out of the ocean. I wanted to jump into her shoes more than any other character I’ve read about! She’s also a complete bad ass and who in their right mind wouldn’t want to be one as well?
Not to mention, I just met my book husband, not boyfriend, but husband!! Resmus is simply to die for. I need a man like him in my life! His relationship with Ivory is nothing short of intense and heart wrenching! They hold the #1 spot in my heart as of now!
A pirate’s life is definitely for me!

FIVE STARS:

I received Demons and Pearls from P.S. Bartlett in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Looking for a great beach book or high-spirited summer read? Demons and Pearls fits the bill perfectly! Set in the exotic Caribbean islands, the story starts out with a fierce pirate battle and the energy never lets up.
Kidnapped along with her cousins, Ivory is a strong heroine who won’t let anything, including being a girl, stop her from defending her family. Finding love with a handsome pirate captain was just icing on the cake. But even with his help, the cousins will face an uphill battle full of treachery and lies if they every want to be free again.

This was the first P.S. Bartlett book I’ve ever read and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing and storytelling. Can’t wait for Ivory’s next adventure!

So, if you like romance, historical adventure,

FIVE STARS:

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is the first I have read anything from P.S. Bartlett. It will not be the last.
The reason I was eager to read this novel was my desire to re-acquaint myself with stories of the swashbuckling pirate adventures of my youth that I enjoyed both in print and in movies.
When younger I would read about Black Beard, Black Bart and Long John Silver for a few. I would watch movies starring Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks (not Jr.). I enjoyed them so much that I researched female pirates. I thought there had to be some. It brought me to women like Anne Bonny, Anne Dieu Le-Veut, Grace O, Jacquotte Delahaye, Grace O’Malley and Rachel Wall.
This novel did not disappoint.
It is the story of Ivory and her three cousins. They had a hard life and she was taught to fight, really fight, like pirates from an Uncle who told them tales of his seafaring days. She in turn taught them. They were kidnapped taken aboard a ship to be sold into slavery. They had to find a way out and made their plans to escape. As in all adventures things do not go according to plan.
This novel is filled with adventure, romance, violence, and murder. It is well written with characters that are well developed, as is the plot.
My only fault with this book, is one of my own making. I did not research well enough to realize that this book actually takes up from where “The Blue Diamond: The Razor’s Edge” ends. I wish I had realized that and read it first. I think this should be listed as a series. I know that I am going back to read The Blue Diamond and am wanting a squel to Demons and Pearls. i just have to know what happens to Ivory, her girls and Rasmus.
I would and will recommend this book to anyone who will listen. Grab your favorite beverage and make yourself comfortable. Open this book and go on an adventure. It is one you will not be able to put down.

FIVE STARS:

A Hoi maties! Meet 18 year old Ivory Shepard as she takes her first journey by ship, which will eventually lead her to become a female Pirate captain. “Demons and Pearls” is the prequel to very well written and entertaining Historical Romance “The Blue Diamond”.

Set in a world where Human flesh is worth much more than pearls and young woman get sold for their pureness, Ivory must fight her way from the clutches of the Demons of the Oceans who will have her very soul and that of her three cousins whom she has sworn to protect.

P.S Bartlett paints a story so believable, which captures your imagination in such a profound way; that at times you forget you are sitting there reading a book. At one point I felt the need to jump right into my kindle and join the fight, wheedling my own sword if the author had just given me one. Her characters jump to life, and you can practically smell the rum on their breaths as Ivory starts to figure out who is friend and who is foe. Needless to say Ivory (this book is written in first person perspective) really brings the oceans alive.

If I had to classify this tale I’d say it is a Historical Adventure Romance. Yes Romance, since we meet Ivory’s first love in this tale. I’d certainly like to read more tales of Ivory Shepard and her Big Red. I want to find out what happened between the two of them.

FOUR STARS:

Demons & Pearls: The Razor’s Adventures by P.S.Bartlett is a prequel to The Blue Diamond: The Razor’s Edge, a book I enjoyed tremendously. Demons & Pearls opens with a rip-roaring battle on the high seas, Ivory Shepard and her cousins fighting for their lives against pirates bent on doing them harm. The strong female lead characters make this series very appealing. Historical details lend authenticity to the narrative. If you’re a fan of adventure, romance, and historical fiction, you’ll like this book.