Author: Melissa Bourbon

Great Gemini Quotes for Writers!

It’s Gemini season! My brother is a Gemini and fits the bill so perfectly. He’s an artist, so he’s bursting with creativity. In terms of writing, the Gemini zodiac centers around fresh ideas and the creative energy that keeps writers up late scribbling in notebooks or building entire stories while walking the dog. Geminis are known for their duality, wit, restlessness, and insatiable curiosity—and if you ask me, that sounds

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May 16, 2025 No Comments
A magical book and two hands holding glowing lights. A purple transparent cover with the text From Bibliomancers to Bakers_ Magical Women in Fiction
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Leaning Into the Witchy Vibe: Why I’m Embracing Magic in My Author Brand

If you’ve been poking around my Melissa Bourbon Pinterest account or website lately, you might’ve picked up on something new—something a little… witchier. A few more magical pins. Some folklore-inspired content. A definite shift toward that cozy, mystical vibe. Yep. It’s intentional. And honestly, it feels exactly right. Magic has always been a part of my storytelling. From the legacy of bibliomancy in the Book Magic Mysteries to the ancestral

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April 22, 2025 No Comments
a spray of stars depicting magic
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Witches, Mystics, and Women of Power

Witches, mystics, bibliomancers, and everyday women of power are the best kinds of heroines to write. They all have a spark of something more, which is what I love about writing them. I’ve always believed that magic can be quiet. You might be asking what that actually means. To me, it means that it doesn’t have to be dramatic spells or wand-waving (although I do have the dramatic spells and

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April 22, 2025 No Comments
An image of a coffee cup with a heart design and the text overlay saying Books, Bread, and Bourbon: What My Characters Would Order at a Cafe
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Books, Bread, and Bourbon: What My Characters Would Order at a Café

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably imagined your favorite fictional characters sitting down at a cozy little café, sipping on something warm (or strong!), and ordering their go-to comfort food. Since my characters live rent-free in my head—and honestly, they’re always chattering—I thought it would be fun to share what I imagine they’d order if they popped into a charming bookish café. So grab your favorite drink, settle into

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April 17, 2025 No Comments
A black background with a gold Taurus bull
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Taurus Energy for Writers and Readers: 70+ Quotes to Ground, Inspire, and Delight

Taurus season has arrived, and whether you’re a true Taurus (like me) or just someone who craves a cozy writing nook, a stack of books, and a solid creative routine (also me), you’re in the right place.     As a Taurus myself, I know firsthand the power of this earth sign: we’re grounded, stubborn (in the best way), loyal to what we love, and find comfort in the little

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April 13, 2025 No Comments
An adorable Jack Russell Terrier perched on a couch
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My Absolutely (Almost) Perfect Dogs

Let’s talk about what the real author’s life looks like. Forget the Pinterest-perfect images of tranquil writing nooks, steaming cups of tea, and uninterrupted creative flow. Seriously, forget all of that. My actual writing life involves a laptop, a plotline that may or may not be cooperating, a lot of busy stuff, and three furry, four-legged writing buddies who run our house. You might even call it a dog-powered publishing

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April 3, 2025 No Comments
Cute black, white, and brown Jack Russell terrier on a white cozy chair in a cozy sunroom
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☀️ My Favorite Writing Spot

A Writer’s Life | Cozy Moments I imagine that every writer has a favorite spot—that one place where inspiration flows just a little more freely, the coffee (or 🫖 or…🥃) tastes just a little better, and the words somehow flow. For me, that space is my sunroom reading nook. It’s nestled in the coziest corner of my house, and one (or all) of my three dogs are often perched beside

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April 2, 2025 No Comments
Pippin Lane Hawthorne from Melissa Bourbon's Book Magic series
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The Bookish Heroine Who Took Me by Surprise

Behind the Book ⏐ The Book Magic Series You know that feeling when a character walks into your story, plops down, and says, “I’m the one you’ve been looking for”? That was Pippin Lane Hawthorne for me. When I began writing The Bibliomancer’s Daughter, the first book in my Book Magic series, I had a loose idea of the story I wanted to tell—family secrets, inherited magic, hidden truths passed

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April 2, 2025 No Comments
An image of Bruce Willis as John McLane from Die Hard, a reluctant hero character
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This is Why I Love a Reluctant Hero

There are certain hero archetypes I gravitate toward. One of them is the Reluctant Hero. There is so much to love about writing them and reading or seeing them. This is why I love a reluctant hero.   What is a reluctant hero? The answer to that question is very simple. A reluctant hero is someone who does not set out to act heroically but ends up doing so. They

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March 25, 2025 No Comments
A cozy reading nook with a fun white corner chair and ottoman
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How to Create A Cozy Reading Nook

Do you want to discover the essential elements of a cozy reading corner? If you’re an avid reader like me, then you probably do. Y’all, I crave reading time. I also crave peace and coziness. That doesn’t always happen because, like most people, my life is super busy. Discovering the essential elements of a cozy reading corner and creating my own space where I can escape into the world of

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March 8, 2025 No Comments
A mug with homemade pumpkin spice latte
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How to Make the BEST Oatmilk Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

I am not ashamed to admit that I love a good Pumpkin Spice Latte. What I do not like, however, is the $8 price tag at Starbucks. That's right, $8! The upcharge for Oatmlk pushes the drink over what is already a steep price to pay. I've been on a mission to make a PSL at home that rivals the coffee shop version–without using store-bought syrup. If you're like me

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September 16, 2024 No Comments
"Books may well be the one true magic."
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75+ Inspiring Quotes to Ignite Your Literary Passion

75+ Inspiring Quotes to Ignite Your Literary Passion Screens dominate our lives, right? But for me, reading is still the thing that brings me the most joy. I know I’m not alone. The timeless joy of reading will always be an unparalleled source of knowledge, escape, and inspiration. Are you a voracious bookworm? A casual reader? Either way, there’s something truly magical about immersing yourself in the world of books,

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July 21, 2024 No Comments
The cover of The Bibliomancer's Daughter on an ereader with a Christmas theme
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Fill your eReader with 5 free books from 5 Authors!

One of the best things about being a writer is being able to give away books to readers. That’s what Emma Jameson, Tonya Kappes, Daryl Wood Gerber, Emma Jameson, and I have done this week with our Christmas in July event. So fill your eReader with 5 free books from 5 Authors! It runs from July 16-20, 2024! Make sure to grab all 5 books while they’re free! Tuesday, July

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July 16, 2024 No Comments
The Best Italian Chopped Quinoa Salad
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The Best Italian Chopped Quinoa Salad

I haven't always loved salads, but when I started making them like this everything changed. Why? Because they're pretty darn good. Loaded with veg, flavorful, and colorful, it's a feast for the gut, eyes, and tastebuds. The triple whammy. The trifecta.This is one of my favorites. It'll go in a book at some point, but I'm not sure which one yet. Stay tuned for that. Quinoa adds a really nice

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March 4, 2024 No Comments
Easy, delicious gluten-free spanakopita recipe
Recipes

Delicious and Easy Gluten Free Spanakopita

I used to make Spanakopita on the regular, but after two of my kids were diagnosed with celiac, our household became gluten-free. Making my own filo dough was not in my plans. Neither was using homemade puff pastry. Then I discovered GeeFree gluten-free puff pastry and this delicious and dasy gluten-free Spanakopita is back in rotation. Oh, how I missed you, but welcome back!This recipe is quick and easy (not

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February 4, 2024 No Comments
Three iterations of Murder in Devil's Cove, book cover
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As an Author, When Do You Know it’s Time to Change your Book Covers?

Deciding to change your book covers can be a tough decision, but it may be necessary if your books aren’t selling. That’s a dilemma I faced recently with a single title. Read about that decision HERE. Conventional wisdom says you need to look at three things if your book isn’t selling: The Story–is it the best it can be…and is it GOOD? The Title–does it capture the reader’s interest and

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January 26, 2024 No Comments
A photo of the best lentil soup recipe
Recipes

The BEST Lentil Soup You’ll Ever have

Lentils are so good for you and this vegan recipe is the best way to have them. I love to have it with a baked potato, and chopped spinach on top gives a little extra greens. I serve this with cornbread or crusty French bread. This is comfort food at its best. Enjoy!

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January 18, 2024 No Comments
Christmas Cozy Mysteries
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Christmas Cozy Mysteries to Keep Your Spirits Bright

Do you love Christmas-themed mysteries? I have five of them for you from three different series. Whether you like capers, cozies, or sleuths of a certain age, you’ll love these books. Check ’em out! God Rest Ye Murdered Gentleman (A Foxy Ladies Christmas Novella) In the picturesque coastal island town of Devil’s Cove, four spirited older women – Hattie, Maude, Cricket, and Lemon – find themselves wrapped up in a

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December 16, 2023 No Comments
Free mystery books
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Five FREE Books, this week only!

I love giving back to my readers. One way to do that is to offer my books FREE. This week I got together with four other authors, and each of us is giving away a free book! Free the week’s November 13-17, 2023. The Books Living the Vida Lola, by Melissa Bourbon (me!) Spying in High Heels, by Gemma Halliday Christmas, Criminals, and Campers, by Tonya Kappes Fields’ Guide to

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November 15, 2023 No Comments
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