Living Proof

Vote for TRAITORS and THE WOLF THAT WAS

2012-01-31T08:47:00.000-08:00

Long and Short Reviews LOVES me!

Well, they love my books, at least. TRAITORS, and THE WOLF THAT WAS.

Long and the Short Reviews has a monthly poll to find out from readers which book or story sounds like the best read based on their reviews.
My novel "Traitors" is book #3 in the Faxinor Chronicles.
Book #2: "Lorien," won the EPIC Award for Inspirational Novel in 2006.
"Traitors" is up for Book of the Month honor this week (voting runs from Saturday, February 4th through Sunday, February 5th) at LASR.
Read the review

Information on voting will be visible on the 1st of February.

Please check out LASR and vote.
And of course, I hope you check out all the Faxinor Chronicles books -- epic fantasy with a strong dose of faith.

Book #1: Heir of Faxinor
Andrixine is chosen as bearer of the Spirit Sword, to lead in the defense of her country, Reshor, against its ancient enemy, Sendorland. All this in the middle of finding and rescuing her kidnapped mother, and figuring out who has tried to kill her twice.

Book #2: Lorien
Lorien is Andrixine's younger sister, the quintessential lady, and chosen to act as Sword Bearer's voice, representing her sister in the king's court. She is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for Reshor and go into a loveless political marriage. Until someone suggests that just maybe, if she wants to serve Yomnian, the Creator wants to give her the desires of her heart.

Book #3: Traitors
The story hinted at in the previous 2 books: the love story of Andrixine and Lorien's parents. Lord Edrix Faxinor was sent as ambassador to Sendorland to forge peace with Reshor's ancient foe. Lady Arrienna of Traxslan was ordered by her cruel cousin to capture Lord Faxinor's interest and either persuade him to become a traitor, or lure him into a compromising position, to become Sendorland's pawn.

THEN ....

THE WOLF THAT WAS (sequel to my EPIC Award finalist, BITTER SWEET) received a "BEST BOOK" rated review last year and has earned a spot in the LASR Best Book of 2011 poll. The voting will run from February 16 through 29, ending at midnight Eastern time on February 29.

Check out the poll page AFTER February 16th.

I'm so excited!!!!

Splickety!

2012-01-18T13:27:00.000-08:00

Check out SPLICKETY magazine -- a quarterly magazine of Christian FLASH fiction.

I'm proud to say I have a story in the premier issue, which was just released this last week.

MIDNIGHT MAGIC is told from the perspective of Lanie Zephyr, a little girl with a big secret, who is adjusting to life with her adopted parents, Charlie and Rainbow Zephyr, hippies giving their new daughter a Norman Rockwell-style Christmas.

What happens? Read it and see.

Here's the link to the MagCloud site where you can either order a paper/printed copy, or download the PDF.

I have it in PDF loaded on my iPad, in the iBooks app. Easy to read!

BUTTERFLY, The Hunt #3

2012-01-16T17:57:00.000-08:00

Now available at Writers Exchange.

When odd weather patterns start rolling across the country, Beth McGuire is in the right place to notice and analyze them. Part of the Gifted and Talented program at her high school, she is spending the summer at a government weather station.

What she observes about the storms reminds her of a secret she's almost forgotten: she is a member of the Hunt, a group of children sent to Earth years ago to hide them from the invader, Gahlmorag.

With the appearance of the storms, Beth wonders if finally she will meet up with other members of the Hunt. She spends the summer remaking herself, to be ready for whatever challenges they might face. Her new, slimmer, more confident self attracts the wrong attention at school in the fall, however, and she finds she needs friends and allies for the first time.

I'm working on the 4th book in the series, Finders, Keepers, and it should be out later this year from Writers Exchange.

Check out the other titles in the Hunt series at my web site: Dawn Memories, and Quartet.

Blessed Christmas to You and Yours

2011-12-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

May you have a truly blessed Christmas, and know the assurance that the Prince of Peace, God's gift and promise, is the center of your life, now and in the year to come.

Christmas Gift

2011-12-18T14:13:00.000-08:00

There's still time to take advantage of a great offer.

Buy one of my titles that takes place at or around Christmas, send me your electronic receipt, and you'll get a PDF of a new, unpublished Christmas story.

OR

Donate to Samaritan's Purse, send me your electronic receipt, and you'll get the PDF as well.

Just go to my web site for all the details. But don't wait -- time is running out!

But wait -- check this out!

Desert Breeze Publishing is having a 99-cent sale.
And some of my Desert Breeze titles are on that list.
Now's your chance to test run a Tabor Heights title for a very low price, PLUS you get a Christmas-type story, free.

But don't wait very long, because time is running out!

Merry Christmas!

She Blinded Me with Science -- Vote for Book of the Week!!

2011-12-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

The Long and the Short of It romance reviews has a weekend poll, asking YOU, the readers, which book or story sounds like the best read based on their reviews.

She Blinded Me With Science was reviewed this week and is up for Book of the Week honor this weekend.
Voting runs through Sunday, December 11th.
Please click on the link above, go read the review, and vote!

(Umm, for my story, please???)

She Blinded Me with Science is the 3rd story in the 4 novellas that make up the All's Fae in Love and Chocolate series, put out by Uncial Press.

What's it about?
Sophie is working on her doctoral disertation -- asserting that magic is a psychosomatic phenomenon. People don't take her too seriously, because she has weird relatives and pointed ears.
Kevyn has family problems, too, despite them being Fae. They want him to be an advocate (lawyer), and have hunters looking for him all over the Human world to drag him back to the Fae realms and force him to be respectable. Kevyn makes his living as a day actor, staying under the radar.

Sophie finds Kevyn at a science fiction convention, where he's working the drama production all weekend. She realizes what Kevyn is, and decides to take him home to study for her dissertation. Kevyn lets her, to get away from the hunters who have tracked him to the convention.

And that's when the fun begins!
Something on the order of the mice running experiments on the scientists ...

Please go over to LASR reviews and vote for my story!!!

Looking for some Christmas romance?

2011-12-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

So, you have a taste for romances with a holiday setting?

Step right up, folks, I've got what you're looking for!

The following stories take place at and around Christmas:

From Tabor Heights:
Common Grounds
Detours
The Second Time Around
From Turkey to Mistletoe (in the Seasons anthology)

From Neighborlee, Ohio:
Divine's Emporium
Have Yourself a Faerie Little Christmas
Midnight Magic -- Coming in the first issue of SPLICKETY Magazine.

Want to get an original (not even WRITTEN yet) Christmas story?

Here's what you need to do:
Go to my publishers, or B&N or Amazon or All Romance E-books or any other online e-book distributor.
Buy one of these stories.
Send me a copy of your electronic receipt. And if you already own one of these stories, you can send me an old electronic receipt!

You'll get a PDF of the story sent to your email on Christmas Eve.

(Promise!!!)

That easy?

THAT EASY!

And if you really want to get into the Christmas spirit, I highly recommend making a donation to Samaritan's Purse. Maybe you've heard of Operation Christmas Child, where people assemble boxes of Christmas goodies and educational and hygiene supplies for children around the world? Samaritan's Purse does more than that. They have a "gift catalog" they put out every year, with all different opportunities to donate to disaster relief or to help children get an education in foreign countries or provide better housing, medical care, clean water, and a chance for families to support themselves.

Check them out, and consider giving a gift that really makes a difference!

ACFW Ohio Christmas Greetings 2011 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-12-05T19:53:00.001-08:00

Check out the cover art and Christmas greetings from my fellow members of the Ohio chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Look out, Werewolves!

2011-12-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

Now available from Amber Quill Press:

Sequel to Liar, Liar, Hearts On Fire...

While Lauren and Ray fall in love, Tiger guards Lauren's lookalike cousin, Lori — and enjoys it. She's easy to look at, and Tiger grows to like and admire the clever woman inside the too-pretty packaging.

To convalesce, he takes Lori to Fredonia, the strange, isolated mansion Lauren inherited from her uncle Zeppo, a place filled with secret passages and wacky treasure hunts straight out of a Marx Brother's movie. But the two-couple vacation becomes a party of seven when Chief Michael Anguilano arrives with Deborah Riley, his romantic interest, and her grandfather, Vince, who needs a place to hunt werewolves without bothering the neighbors.

Then Pete, Lauren and Lori's deranged cousin, escapes prison. Now, since it's only a matter of time until Pete comes for revenge, Fredonia prepares for war. Fortunately, Vince has built lots of werewolf traps...

Come see how Lori and Tiger meet the newest nuisance from her psycho cousin, learn Chief Anguilano's big secret ... and maybe see if Ray gets dropped on his head once again. (Hey, the first time didn't bring any improvements...)

Want some laughter with your romance this holiday season?
Come battle the werewolves, and see the resolution to this series of books I call The Five Sisters:
Picture This
How to Bury a Millionaire
Just Peachy
Liar, Liar, Hearts on Fire
Never Moon a Werewolf.

New Review: WHITE ROSES -- and a SALE!

2011-12-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Brenda at The Romance Studio for a great FIVE HEARTS review for the latest Tabor Heights novel, WHITE ROSES:

Once again, I was immediately intrigued with Michelle Levigne's writing abilities. She gripped my attention and, while the story was more suspenseful than I would normally enjoy, I was more than interested in the ending of this terror in a town I love. Ms. Levigne has the foresight to delve into what's good for us and what is more on the creepy side. She managed to marry the two into an unforgettable book with an out-of-bounds storyline.
Her characters, many of whom we met previously, were so realistic. It was like visiting old friends and meeting new ones in the process. I loved this book and cannot wait for her next glimpse into the happenings in Tabor Heights. It is the kind of book which exceeds the need for romance, but has a wonderful sense of the unknown implanted.

Thanks, Brenda! I'm glad you liked it.

Check out The Romance Studio starting between 5 and 7pm EST on MONDAY, December 5, for the 5 Heart Sweetheart Vote, and vote for WHITE ROSES.
Please?

BIG NEWS!!!

Writers Exchange is celebrating Christmas with a 20% off sale.

This is the publisher of most of my Commonwealth SF novels, along with The Hunt -- YA fantasy series.

You can buy any of our ebooks at discounted prices, or even a gift
certificate for family or friends for Christmas.

PLUS: you don't have to go to the usual Writers Exchange website to make your purchases, you can buy direct from the FACEBOOK page: http://www.facebook.com/Writers.Exchange.

Check it out!

SF Romance -- New Release and Cyber Launch Party

2011-11-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

NEW, from Desert Breeze Publishing:

Rhianni Day came home to Mallachrom for one last mission: figure out what happened when the Talroqi invaded the remote colony world. She had vowed once she would return and never leave again, but Petroc Ash, the boy she made that promise to in childhood, had grown into a compelling, mystifying man -- who happened to be the leader of the very group she was sent to investigate. Were they victims, or traitors waiting to destroy all Human life on Mallachrom?

Celebrate the release TODAY at the Cyber Launch Party blog.
Leave your email address when you comment, ask questions, talk about your favorite SF romance, and you'll get a "party favor." Everybody wins!

We'll also be discussing:
THAT SYNCING FEELING

Part of the Borealis novellas, from Desert Breeze Publishing
Nureen Keala was out in her small scout craft on the edge of the most boring part of space, having a snit because she couldn't be fighting beside her best friend on the other side of the galaxy. Then a distress call came through, and what started out as a rescue mission turned into a trip through a space anomaly-vortex, into another universe ... and an encounter with a man who claimed to be a hero who died fifty years ago.
Tedrin Creed fell through a space anomaly to the universe where the TPP ruled, and spent five years as a prisoner-slash-guest on the Borealis. Now the anomaly had opened again. Problem: His possible ticket home didn't believe he was who he said he was, and time was running out for both of them.

Come celebrate and chat today, Tuesday, November 15.

Shapeshifters!

2011-11-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

As we continue the celebration of the Commonwealth, we're talking about shapeshifters, today.

Actually, they're called the Hoveni -- that's the plural form.
A single one is a Hoven.
If it's an adjective, as in the language or an artifact, it's Hovenu.

But that's not all you need to know about the Hoveni.

They've been living in hiding for centuries. Ever since colonists from First Civ -- or, as they called themselves, the Central Allied Worlds -- landed on the planet Gemar. The Hoveni welcomed them, helped them settle, lived in peace.

Unfortunately, the Set'ri decided the Hoveni were less than Human, therefore they had to be exterminated. All that genetic prejudice the Set'ri have been carrying around for centuries ... it makes them think they know better than Fi'in what belongs in the Human genome and what has to be eradicated.

But like one of my heroes in a Downfall story remarked, if Fi'in didn't want that genetic material in there in the first place, he wouldn't have put it there. And it must be Fi'in's plan, and Fi'in must consider the Hoveni Humans, because they can interbreed with Humans.

Centuries later, after living in hiding, fighting genocide, the Hoveni are trying to find each other -- using an action/adventure entertainment series, Hoven Quest.

The book about how the series was made, and the problems the Hovenie got into as a result, Hoven Quest, was an EPIC Award finalist.
The book of the "episodes" of the series, The Meruk Episodes, was an EPIC Award WINNER!

Have you read Meruk's adventures?
Which one is your favorite?
There are 10 stories altogether, and I'm working on the next volume, 11-15.
What would you like to see happen next in Meruk's quest to find Hoveni and unite them to live in safety?
Leave a comment, and your email, and you'll get 5 points toward the week's prize, plus go in the drawing for today's prize

A Boy and a Starship

2011-11-08T10:32:00.000-08:00

Today, we'll talk about Sunsinger.

Just a boy and his starship.

10 books take us from an orphan boy on a colony planet in the path of an alien invasion, to the start of a legendary corps of heroes.

Sunsinger
Spacer's Creed
Dead World
The Lady and the Order
Fever
University
Leap Ships
Aramar
Gemar
Scouts

If you've read any or all, what's your favorite book in the series?
Leave a comment, voting for your favorite of the Sunsinger books, and get 5 points toward the day's prize and the grand prize!

What do you think of a book someday detailing the adventures of Lin Fieran, the captain of Sunsinger, the woman who takes Bain on as crew and then as family. She has her own adventures long before she meets an orphan boy with no hope of living his dreams. Starting with the accident that kills her parents and damages Sunsinger so that it takes her years to get back to the traveled spacelanes, Lin is a fighter who never gives up.

And then there's Ganfer. Wouldn't you like to see more of Ganfer?
Who's Ganfer?
The ship's brain, of course, so old and full of data he's taken on a personality. But don't try telling Lin and Bain that Ganfer isn't a real person. They'll fight over that. And with good reason!

Celebration -- REDUX

2011-11-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, so whaddaya do when you have a party and no one shows up?

Do it AGAIN until we get it right.

Seriously, folks, the only way we can celebrate the Commonwealth is if you communicate -- get down there in the comments box and ask questions, make suggestions, talk about the things you liked, the things you didn't understand, and the things you want to see.

For instance -- The Order books that were just launched with UNDYING.
Anything you want to know about the Order? The Undying? Sister Marnya -- who, I might add, showed up earlier in 2 other books in the Commonwealth Series.

That's the first question I'll ask in this celebration of the Commonwealth. EVERYBODY who answers gets 5 points toward being today's prize winner, and these points go toward the total for the whole week.

See that's the thing -- I have ONE prize winner each day this week, and on Saturday, I'll choose a grand prize winner.

You earn points toward your prizes by making comments, asking questions, and answering my questions. One point for each comment you make or question you ask -- and when I ask questions, you get 5 points.

Easy enough?

But remember: To get your points, you have to give your email address, so I can contact the winner each day.

SO .... Today's 1st question:
What novel did Sister Marnya appear in (Hint: A series)
What novel was Sister Marnya MENTIONED in -- she didn't appear, but someone (a villain) mentioned her name. Specifically, he (another hint) mentioned that there was always a Sister Marnya in command of the ship, Kilvordi's Dream.

So ... speak up, people!!!!

Syncing Feeling -- new review!

2011-11-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Candy at Single Titles for a great review of my Borealis novella, "That Syncing Feeling."

Star Rating: 4.5 Stars

Rover Pilot Nureen Keala’s joy ride comes to an end when she receives an SOS from an alien running away from a Talroqi queen ship. Nureen rescues the telepathic shapeshifting creature named Tessur. The anomaly that captured Tessur suddenly grabs Nureen’s ship and tosses her into an unknown dimension ruled by a dictatorship called the Trans Planetary Protectorate (TTP). The TTP is a corrupt government out to rule their entire universe. Nureen’s appearance lets them know that there are new and unexplored areas of space left to conquer. To keep the TTP from her homeland, Nureen depends on Tessur and a dead hero from her own dimension. Can a simple pilot stop an invasion?

Five years earlier, Tedrin Creed fell into the same anomaly that captured Nureen. Creed hopes Nureen can help him get home. First he must convince her that he is really Tedrin Creed. According to Nureen, Tedrin Creed died fifty years ago during a space battle. Creed must convince Nureen that the anomaly captured him and that he did not die. Creed is a hero to Nureen. He was her grandfather’s best friend. Will Creed convince Nureen of the truth before the TTP can invade their universe?

Michelle Levigne takes a young pilot and tosses her into a situation that will change her life forever. Nureen had a crush on Tedrin Creed and dreamed of fighting aliens at his side. The anomaly presents Nureen with her fondest wish, but she does not trust Creed. He is too young to be the hero of the Talroqi war. The Trans Planetary Protectorate rules most of the known universe and is a brutal dictatorship. Ms. Levigne presents a story with lots of action and a forbidden love that should not be possible. Will Nureen help Creed return home and prevent the TTP from learning how to navigate the anomaly?

The Borealis stories are published by Desert Breeze Publishing.
Check us out!

Get ready to Sync!

2011-11-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Now available:

THAT SYNCING FEELING

Part of the Borealis novella series published by Desert Breeze Publishing.

This novella ties into Blue Fire, which will be coming out from DBP later this month.

In Syncing, Nureen is a hot young pilot having a major snit because she wants to be participting in the battle on the colony world Mallachrom, supporting her childhood friend, Rhianni (detailed in Blue Fire). Instead, she's stuck patrolling dead space on the other side of the galaxy.

Luckily -- or maybe not -- for Nureen, things get exciting very quickly. What starts out as a rescue mission ends up with her falling through a dimensional vortex, into another universe or reality altogether. There she is taken on board the Borealis, a space station run by the Trans Planetary Protectorate. (NOT a nice bunch of people. Think the evil "Mirror, Mirror" universe in the Classic Trek episode.)

There she meets a man who claims to be Tedrin Creed -- but he can't possibly be. Tedrin Creed was her grandfather's best friend from Academy days. Nureen studied his strategies in the Academy. She had an embarrassing adolescent crush on him. And he died 50 years ago in a massive space battle ... right about in the spot where Nureen fell through the vortex.

Unfortunately, Creed -- or whoever he really is -- is her best bet for getting off the Borealis and escaping the TPP before that vortex closes.

So, what happens? Do they escape? Is he really Tedrin Creed? And how do they get back home?

Read it and see!
While you're at it, check out all the Borealis stories. SF romance -- can't beat it. Especially Vijaya's new Borealis story, Black Dragon!!

Commonwealth Universe celebration week!

2011-10-31T07:11:00.000-07:00

Good morning, and welcome to the week-long celebration of the Commonwealth Universe, and the release of the newest Commonwealth Universe story:
Undying

Undying launches a new series within the universe: The Order.

From Writers Exchange

For those who have visited through other books and series, the Order of Kilvordi is the group within the Church that helped guide civilization back from an age of barbarism to the stars.

Our heroine, Marnya, is a young novice with healing talents and a mind that is a little too quick, a spirit a little too independent, for her domineering uncle. To get rid of her, he tosses her to the Church, which is wise enough to appreciate the treasure that Marnya is. On her way to a healing enclave for further training, her traveling party is attacked by bandits intent on rape and slavery. Marnya is fatally injured, defending her friends, and she should have died.

Should have died.

The quest to understand why she didn't die leads her to joining the Order and becoming part of a story and adventure that will span centuries and a dozen star systems.

CELEBRATE

All week, I'll be posting bits and pieces about the Commonwealth Universe. YOU can participate.

Just make comments, ask questions, make suggestions, give me some feedback on stories you've read or you WANT to read.

That simple.

I'll pick a winner every day, from those who leave comments and questions, but you have to leave your email address so I can contact you!

At the end of the week -- Saturday night, November 5, I'll pick a winner for the whole week.

What exactly can you win? Well .... how about a T-shirt with your favorite Commonwealth Universe cover art? And other nifty prizes, like travel mugs, maybe candy, other neat stuff I find during the week.

Ready?
Set?
GO!

SF Review-a-Palooza: Borealis "That Syncing Feeling," "The Pirate and the Professor," and "Sunsinger."

2011-10-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

LOTS of SF book reviews.

Major thanks to Long and Short of it and Night Owl review sites for their very kind words about my SF books.

First off:
Borealis: THAT SYNCING FEELING
New from Desert Breeze Publishing

PLEASE VOTE!!!
The newest Borealis novella, "That Syncing Feeling" is up for a vote this weekend (Oct. 29-30)for Book of the Week. Read the full Review OR Vote.

Here are some snippets from the review:
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Foxglove

That Syncing Feeling is a sweet and delightful love story, filled with adventure and humor, and unusual creatures.

Michelle Levigne has added to the Borealis family with a romantic story of finding love where you least expect it, and with the most unlikely couple. I found this to be a fun filled and action packed adventure, with tongue in cheek humor, sweet first love and lots of danger along the way.

Nureen Keala is smart, courageous and a bit of a dreamer. She is following in her grandfather’s footsteps, and trying not to disappoint those in command of the Fleet. ... I loved Nureen, with her daring attitude and her sassy remarks. I liked that she didn’t instantly believe Creed was the real deal, but made him prove his identity. ... I like Creed’s determination and his tenacity, and the way he finally was able to come to terms with his feelings for his best friend’s granddaughter.

The secondary characters in this are few but interesting. Tessur is a morphing shape changer, able to become anything that is even remotely organic, and this talent saves the day more than once in this adventure. My favorite comic relief was the addition of three TPP scientists assigned to keep watch over Tedrin Creed, Drs. Moek, Kerli and Lairy. They were clueless as to Creed’s intentions, and his ability to trick them was priceless.

There is a bit of adventure and danger as the trio of Nureen, Tedrin and Tessur make their escape from Borealis, and I was on the edge of my seat through most of the story. Do they make it back to their dimension and find a life together? You’ll just have to read That Syncing Feeling to find out.

NEXT:

THE PIRATE AND THE PROFESSOR
A Commonwealth Universe novella
Reviewed by Long and Short of it

FOUR books
Reviewed by Aloe

Ms. Levigne does an excellent job of creating a fantasy world that has harsh and unrelenting weather and is full of dangerous animals and plants. She adds enough description to make it seem real. That makes the story much more realistic, even if it is a fantasy.

Kiryn blockades her planet to keep it safe. No one passes the blockade without her approval, which is very hard to get. When a ship arrives with another ambassador on it, she has her doubts about his authenticity and his purpose. However, he has a sharp mind and can bring her a new prospective; she wants someone to talk over strategies with.

The author makes her female character tough and her personality strong. I like that a lot. Darrak is brainy and good looking, but has no real physical strength. He gets his nickname “The Professor” from all the books he reads (I can relate to that!).

It’s fun to watch the two characters dance around each other. She’s not sure she should trust him. He’s attracted to her and hopes for more than a working relationship. And while they are still deciding how to act, their shuttle gets shot down and they end up in a river. She can’t swim; he can. And it’s his book knowledge that keeps them warm and fed while they try to get back to the station.

The story has a nice flow, the author adds plenty of action and danger to it, and the two main characters complement each other well. I really enjoyed reading this one. Why don’t you go take a romp in space and have fun meeting Kiryn and Darrak? If you enjoy fantasy novellas, this is a good one.

SUNSINGER
Sunsinger Chronicles #1
Reviewed by Night Owl Reviews/Laurie-J
Score: 4.50 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick

Told from the viewpoint of a young teen, this story easily captured my imagination. Mankind has spread to the stars. With the discovery of Knaught Points, ships are able to enter ports in space and emerge into whole new galaxies. These areas in space are beautiful, mysterious, and deadly. Now, though, humans everywhere are under attack by an aggressive and formidable alien species. Bain Kern is an orphan on a colony world that has been targeted by the aliens. He is among a group of orphans being evacuated from the colony. The captain of the ship, Sunsinger, takes a liking and interest in Bain, offering him an opportunity he had dreamed of for years, if he can prove his mettle and show her he can learn quickly.
I loved the description of the Sunsinger, an old trader vessel. I felt as if I were aboard the ship experiencing the many wonders of an infinite space for the first time, too. The aliens remain a decidedly malignant and frightening force throughout this book. Mankind is being systematically exterminated. We are given the idea that in other places the fight for the very survival of our species is taking place; we are desperately fighting against a stronger, merciless invading force. But this book does not take us to those struggles, rather it focuses on the evacuation and the attempt to get the orphans safely away to a place called Refuge. It is a well-told coming of age adventure that should not be missed.

Better late than never .... BIRTHDAY PARTY

2011-10-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

Celebrate with us!

It's Uncial Press's 5th Birthday Party!

They publish my Arthurian fantasy series: The Zygradon Chronicles, and my All's Fae in Love and Chocolate series, as well as books set in Neighborlee, Ohio.

Check out Uncial Press's site and learn how you can win amazing prizes during our month-long celebration!

Like what?

Oh, things like e-book readers loaded with books, free e-books, and other assorted goodies!

Congratulations, Uncial Press, and our incredible publisher: Jude Glad.

The Faxinor Chronicles - 1-3 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-10-13T09:57:00.001-07:00

Video trailer for the first 3 books of the Faxinor Chronicles -- Heir of Faxinor, Lorien, and Traitors.

Award-winning fantasy romance, from Mundania Press and Hard Shell Word Factory.
www.Mundania.com
www.HardShell.com

Come visit the Cyber Launch Party blog TODAY, October 13, to celebrate the release of Traitors.
www.cyberlaunchparty.blogspot.com

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

WHITE ROSES -- the 10th Tabor Heights NovelA

2011-10-04T09:49:00.001-07:00

Now available from Desert Breeze Publishing -- www.desertbreezepublishing.com

This is the 10th novel in the Tabor Heights series, and concludes the story and the mystery first introduced in COMMON GROUNDS.

The White Rose Killer stalks the young women of Tabor Heights, seeking to regain his lost, true love. He demands purity and loyalty, and those who deny his claim, who try to run away, who react in fear ... he kidnaps and strangles, and leaves their bodies holding mangled white roses.

Toni Napolitano believes the White Rose murdered her sister, 20 years ago. She returns to Tabor Heights to find and identify him, and finally get justice for Angel.

Curt Mehdlang shares Toni's theory, but he's not about to let her make a target of herself. Reluctantly, he partners with her at the newspaper and in the search. As time goes by, the question changes from when and how they can catch a killer, to what will happen to their partnership when their mission is accomplished?

Stop by the Cyber Launch Party blog this Sunday, October 9, to celebrate the release of WHITE ROSES, chat, get party favors, and enter to win a celebration T-shirt -- with the cover art for the first 10 Tabor Heights novels on it.

www.cyberlaunchparty.blogspot.com
Stop by after 11am EST, and let's celebrate!

PIRATES! The Pirate and the Professor

2011-09-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

My latest re-issue of a story is The Pirate and the Professor, a Commonwealth Universe story set during the Downfall Era.

From Writers Exchange.

Think the daughter of Captain Blood -- but in outer space instead of the Caribbean. She has to revive her father's legend when galactic civilization starts to crumble, to protect her remote colony world.

She's the pirate.

The professor is a bespectacled peace envoy from a planet even further behind in technology than her world. They need protection. At the same time, they have an awful lot they can teach the pirate's daughter. Especially when it comes to treachery, trust, and love.

Check out my web site, the front page or the Downfall page.

TRAITORS -- Faxinor Chronicles #3

2011-09-29T07:25:00.000-07:00

It's here!

The wait was worth it -- at least, I hope YOU think so!

TRAITORS
Faxinor Chronicles #3

Released by Hard Shell Word Factory, a division of Mundania Press.

This is the PREQUEL to the first two books, Heir of Faxinor and my EPIC Award-winning novel, Inspirational category, Lorien.

In the first two books, you heard bits and pieces about the scandalous romance of Lord Edrix Faxinor and his wife, Arriena. NOW you get to hear the story, seen through their eyes.

The scandal?
Edrix was the ambassador sent by Reshor to its ancient enemy, Sendorland, to work up a more peaceful, hopefully profitable relationship.
Arriena was the despised poor relation living on the dubious charity of her cousin, Lord Mordon Traxslan. If she hadn't committed the unpardonable sin of being born female, SHE would have been the head of the family. Women in Sendorland were considered property, inherently immoral, so that Yomnian wouldn't even listen to a woman's prayers, and useful only as tools of their family.

Now Arriena had a chance to prove her worth -- by attracting the attention and interest of Edrix, hopefully enchanting him so he would turn traitor to Reshor. Or if that failed, he could always be accused of the rape and murder of Arriena.

Just how did the two of them escape the traps-within-traps laid all around them?

You'll just have to read the book, won't you?

Cyber Launch Coming for DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

2011-09-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, September 17, is the launch of DEATH BY CHOCOLATE, the 4th -- and newest -- story in the All's Fae in Love and Chocolate series of short stories, published by Uncial Press.

Come to the Cyber Launch Party blog starting at 10am EST, leave a comment AND your email address, and you'll be eligible to win a T-shirt with all the great new cover art for the series. EVERYBODY who enters will get party favors, including (duh!) CHOCOLATE!

In DEATH BY CHOCOLATE, Epsi (who you met in Have Yourself a Faerie Little Christmas) is in big trouble. She gave her old school chum a boatload of chocolate as a coronation gift when she was crowned the new Administrator Queen of the Fae -- and now the queen is dead of poisoned chocolate! Somehow, the fact that everybody gave the queen chocolate isn't much help...

At the same time, Guber (who you met in She Blinded Me with Science) is dealing with a perpetual problem -- one lunatic fringe group wants to re-instate hereditary royalty among the Fae, while another lunatic group wants to totally wipe out everyone with royal Fae blood, so they won't be able to reinstate the hereditary throne.

How do Guber and Epsi help each other with their problems? That's what you'll find out in DEATH BY CHOCOLATE.

Come on by and either check it out at Uncial Press, my web site, or the Cyber Launch Party blog. Guaranteed to be delicious fun!

Visiting the NightOwls!

2011-09-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

Starting tomorrow, September 7, my SF series The Commonwealth Universe, will be featured at Nightowl Reviews!

This is been arranged by my fantastic publisher, Sandy, over at Writers Exchange.

A lot of things are happening over at Writers Exchange, and we'll be launching a number of new or revised Commonwealth Books in the next few months. Stay tuned for news on that.

Get a look at this gorgeous logo for the Commonwealth Universe, created by Writers Exchange staff artist, Laura. Gorgeous, isn't it?

So hop on over to NightOwl Reviews and check out info on the Commonwealth Universe, then check out Writers Exchange or my web site: www.Mlevigne.com

There's a lot going on!

The Saddle and the Sleuth -- a new Commonwealth novella

2011-08-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

A re-released SF novella, properly filed at last in the universe where it belongs:
The Commonwealth

Writers Exchange has just released THE SADDLE AND THE SLEUTH, a novella set during the Downfall period of the Commonwealth Universe's pre-history.

On a remote colony world, the daughter of the Talon, the defender of the people, takes over her father's mask and identity. By day, she pretends to be a featherhead, concerned with nothing but fashion, dancing, and society. By night, she rides a massive Nightskimmer through the moonlight, protecting her people from alien invaders, and making everyone believe the Talon is still among them.

At the same time, an investigator comes to the colony in search of the Set'ri, to stop them from hastening the disintegration of the galactic civilization. Disguised as a bureaucrat tangled in politics, he leads his crack troops into the jungles of an alien world at night, seeking the enemy, and trying to track down a legend who may be the key to gaining the cooperation of the people he is determined to save.

Can the two work together for the sake of the future, or will their necessary deceptions push them apart forever?

It's Cyber Launch Party Time!

2011-08-12T17:15:00.000-07:00

TOMORROW!

It's time to celebrate the launch of She Blinded Me with Science, the third story in the "All's Fae in Love and Chocolate" stories.

"All's Fae" is published by Uncial Press, which also publishes my Zygradon Chronicles books.

Come to the Cyber Launch Party blog after 10 am tomorrow, Saturday, August 13. We'll be chatting about whatever you're interested in concerning the books, my vision of the Fae, and anything else writing-related. Everybody who posts a comment and leaves their email address will get party favors -- a sampler CD and faerie bear finger puppets. And ONE person at the party will win an "All's Fae in Love and Chocolate" T-shirt, with the incredible cover art of all four books.

So stop on by!

5 Cup review for FIRESONG

2011-07-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Coffee Time Romance for a great review of FIRESONG, an inspirational romance in my Tabor Heights, Ohio series from Desert Breeze Publishing.

FIVE CUPS!!

"Firesong is one jam-packed emotional ride. Dani is a strong, devoted character who hides from the world and herself, leaving her music and faith as her only outlet. The extremes she goes through to protect herself are extraordinary, realistic and extremely irritating to read. To see someone so closed off that they are letting life pass them by, made me want to shout at her as if she were a real person. But, this made Kurt’s character all the more lovable. He sees everything there is to see about Dani, forces her to see herself, to become a better person and find a true path to God. This story has such an emotional ending I was forced to put it down more than once to stop my tears. Michelle Levigne’s characters are realistic, love-able and really drag you into the story. Wonderful."
Susana
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Review for DAY AND KNIGHT

2011-07-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by: Long and Short of It Romance Reviews
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Lily

THANKS SO MUCH, LASR.
I love it when you get my books to review -- because you "get" my books!

A glittering, sparkling fae who adores children, and a pest exterminator who turns into a mouse at full moon. Not the usual combination for protagonists. Did I mention that the fae (Glori) munches chocolate bars like there’s no tomorrow and the exterminator (Lance Knight) trails a legion of family ghosts wherever he goes?

Both have obstacles to overcome which seem insurmountable: Glori’s spells aren’t working any more which means the children in her crèche are no longer protected from disease and bullying; and Lance is trapped with those ghosts until he can find a beautiful Faerie Princess to kiss him and break the spell. Glori? Nope – she’s not a princess. In any case, the ghosts don’t like Glori because, “she’s a bleeding twinkle-butt faerie!”

Humor isn’t lacking in this fast-paced story, not only overall -– for example, Glori’s spells aren’t working because she’s in Need (rather like a dog in heat) -- but also in the details: the ghosts yelled with such force that they stunned a dozen roaches. The conflict to be resolved keeps the reader enthralled to the end: Glori’s biological clock is ticking, and will Lance find his Faerie Princess in time despite being knee-tremblingly attracted to Glori?

Apart from the colony of ancestral ghosts, who are laugh out loud funny, there are few characters populating the story. However, those who are there each have his or her own foibles that endear them to the reader so that I found myself only wanting the best for them.

Once again, Ms. Levigne proves to be the most versatile of authors with a wide variety of fabulous books to her name. It seems her imagination knows no boundaries.

If I have one criticism to make about this one, it lies in being a tad predictable. There aren’t any jaw-dropping revelations, nor any heart-stopping romance. But, then, it doesn’t need those things because it is an easy read, just perfect for a reader in need of a feel-good, quiet, cozy afternoon story.

Pursued, by Lillian Duncan

2011-07-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my fellow Spinner of Tales, Lillian Duncan.

Her new book is out TODAY, from White Rose Publishing.

Big-city Lawyer. Country Farmer.
In the normal course of events, their lives would never intersect...
But some accidents aren't meant to be avoided.
When attorney Reggie Meyers crashes into Dylan Monroe on the freeway, it makes a bad day even worse—or so she thinks until she discovers she’s the prey in the deadly hunt of an unknown killer. Now, trusting this man she hardly knows is Reggie’s best chance for survival. The problem? Reggie doesn’t trust anyone.
When Dylan catches a glimpse of Reggie’s ransacked apartment, his protective instincts kick in. He wants to help her, but she’s not inclined to believe a simple country farmer has what it takes. Reggie doesn’t realize Dylan knows a lot about hunting—and being hunted. He’s up for the task of trapping a killer, keeping Reggie safe, and winning her heart—if she’ll let him.

Hop on over to the Spinning Tales blog and check out this great new romance with a touch of suspense.

And check out the content we're gradually adding. Tips and tools for writing, talking about our new books, information on all the Spinners, and eventually contests to win prizes and chances to meet us face-to-face.

It'll be fun!

Book Review: No Plot? No Problem!

2011-06-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

I want to know how Chris Baty managed to write this incredible, helpful, sometimes refreshingly silly book with his tongue so permanently fixed in his cheek, it probably popped right through!

The mad genius and benefactor behind National Novel Writing Month offers this book on the NaNo site to give guidance to those who think: A WHOLE BOOK, rough drafted in 30 days? Ain't no way, Jose!

I've been looking at the book for the last three NaNo seasons, and finally broke down and got it. Not that I have any trouble writing a rough draft in 30 days (not to be bragging, because I think it's a touch of OCD here!), but this fresh perspective on preparation, on deciding what you can ignore and what you need to focus on, and developing priorities in your weird and wonderful novelling journey ... it HELPED!

It doesn't matter if you're going to do NaNoWriMo this year, if you've never done it, if you keep thinking about it and life gets in the way: If you want to write a book, read this book. Because honestly, there is no one, hard-and-fast way to write a book. Everybody's brain is wired differently, so logic dictates (I got a very high score in logic on my GRE, so trust me on this!) that everybody comes to the novelling task in a slightly different way. This book could be the "ah hah!" moment in finding your process.

Read it. Snicker. Scratch your head. Snicker some more. Wait for the light bulb to go off.
Repeat as needed.

All's Fae in Love and Chocolate at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-06-13T18:45:00.001-07:00

Re-released novellas about magic, chocolate, and malfunctioning magic -- the Fae are living, and loving, among us!

Coming from Uncial Press, starting June 17!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The FAE are coming back!!

2011-06-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

Here they come!

Back, better than ever -- and this time, they're bringing friends!

Uncial Press is re-releasing the All's Fae in Love and Chocolate stories all this summer.

And there's a NEW, FOURTH, All's Fae story waiting for you at the end of the summer!

DAY AND KNIGHT -- to be released June 17.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS -- to be released July 15

SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE -- to be released August 12

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE -- the ALL NEW STORY! -- to be released September 16

And of course, you can look for fun and prizes and inside information at the Cyber Launch Party blog for each of these books.

Day and Knight: Saturday, June 15
Smoke and Mirrors: Saturday: July 16
She Blinded Me with Science: Saturday, August 13
Death by Chocolate: Saturday, September 17

Please come. It'll be ... delicious!

See Jane Blush

2011-06-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

When we last saw our heroine, she had just discovered Dr. Noway at the university library. What nefarious goals had brought him there?

Unfortunately, Jane was unable to investigate, unable to do anything other than report his presence and her suspicions -- she had a field trip group of students to chaperone. It was a higher priority to keep them from dismantling the library than stop Dr. Noway from gathering information that might lead to the destruction of humanity.

We now join our heroine in mid-crisis:

See Jane.
See Jane stare into space.
See Jane ignore the hamburger in her hand and almost dip it into her ice cream sundae instead of the cup of ketchup.

Jane does not know what to think.
Being distracted is dangerous.
She is surrounded by students who have finished eating their fast food lunch and now need closer supervision to keep them out of trouble before they get on the bus and go back to school.

Why did Jane take the students to lunch after the library, you may ask?
Jane is no fool. With the increase in digital living, students have no respect for the printed page. They would take their leftover lunches into the library and spill soda on shelves and get greasy fingerprints on pages.

Sacrilege!

"Miss Smythe?"

"Hmm?" Jane looks up -- and straight into Dr. Noway's dark, smiling eyes.

"You look distracted." He sits down on the bench seat next to her and holds out the iced mocha, with extra whipped cream on top. "I thought this might give you a pick-me-up for the rest of the afternoon." Dr. Noway looks around at the students, who are all settling down, stopping their chasing and slapping and talking, to stare at the stranger who is making Miss Smythe blush.

"Uhhhh -- thank you." Jane feels her cheek. Yes, she is definitely blushing. Her face feels hot enough to give a global-thermonuclear bomb a run for its money.

"I'll see you at church tonight?" Dr. Noway smiles a little wider as he stands up, and Jane just gapes at him. "We have our committee meeting tonight. Remember?"

"Oh, that's right."

"I was over at the library just now, doing some research on games." He shrugs. "I'm not very familiar with games, so I thought ..."

Dr. Noway has a very nice grin and Jane can't help but grin back at him. When he nods to her and turns to leave, she knows she should say something, but she feels like her brain is stuck in neutral and someone has put great big globs of grape bubble gum in the gearshift.

"Thank you!" she calls, lifting her cup. And sits there, watching him walk through the fast food restaurant.

When he is gone, then she realizes what she should have asked: Did he SEE her there in the library, spying on him?

"Miss Smythe has a boyfriend," one of the girls sitting in the booth behind Jane sing-songs. Before too long, the chant is taken up by half the girls and a few of the more obnoxious boys. Jane knows better than to protest -- that would only reinforce the idea.

"Is he?" one of the other chaperones whispers, sliding into the booth next to Jane. "It's almost like a faerie tale -- he's so dark and handsome and mysterious. Where did you meet him?"

"At church."

"Guys like him certainly don't attend my church. It's a faerie tale, definitely."

Jane has to agree -- and she's waiting for the handsome prince to turn into an ugly troll, or for a curse to change everything. She sips her iced mocha, and is so flustered from Dr. Noway's appearance that it doesn't occur to her until much later that it might be poisoned, or at the very least laced with a knockout drug.

What is Dr. Noway up to now?
Did he see Jane in the library?
Does he think she is spying on him?
What will happen at the committee meeting tonight?
Should Jane go?

Find out in the next adventure of Agent 777 -- Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

Thanks, Lori and Dianne!

2011-06-06T09:25:00.001-07:00

Well, it's over for yet another year.

The Lori Foster and Dianne Castell Reader-and-Author Get-Together, which takes place the first weekend in June every year near Cincinnati.

The staff of the Marriott North hotel were wonderful -- as always!
Thanks so much for all you do for us every year, your efficiency and cheerful service and making things work so smoothly.
The food was great.
The baskets were overflowing. I think we set a new record -- over 180 raffle baskets to be won by 400 participants.

Here's the really great part:
The proceeds from the weekend go to a worthy cause every year. This year was One Way Farm and a local animal shelter -- along with the usual collection of goodies to send to our troops overseas, and funds to buy supplies for them.

Isn't that great?
I don't have the exact figures, but among all the activities, we raised around $7,000.

Thanks, Lori and Dianne, for a chance to get together and relax, talk and eat and get silly, drool over incredible baskets, sell our books, talk to our readers, and do something that will make a little bit of a difference in this world.

If you're in the Cincinnati area, consider attending next year.
And even if you're not in the area, consider coming anyway. We had people from across the country show up. Well worth it!

Check out Lori's site for the wrap-up for this year, and check for information on next year's activities.

Wolves on the West Side at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-05-13T11:43:00.001-07:00

The new video -- for my Emerald Necklace fantasy series. This covers the first 2 books: Wolves on the West Side, and Shatter Scatter.

From Mundania Press.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Book review: The Island of Heavenly Daze

2011-04-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

In a time of rising gas prices, when travel is restricted and you just need to GET AWAY for a little while, here's the perfect answer.

A little island off the coast of Maine, touristy and quirky, with a small resident population and fascinating interactions -- and a little bit of resident, angelic interference and oversight, to boot.

Welcome to the little island of Heavenly Daze, with seven resident angels, sent by God generations ago in answer to an old sea captain's prayer.

The Island of Heavenly Daze, by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt, is the first in a series of five books -- I have them all now, and look forward to reading them one after another.

Fans of Cedar Cove or Cabot Cove or Mitford will most likely be delighted to find another off-the-beaten-track place where you can settle down and get to know the residents and get involved in their daily lives, their foibles and hubris and sometimes sad, sometimes humorous, sometimes painful, but always interesting adventures.

In the first book, Rev. Winslow Wickam is celebrating 10 years of service on the island -- but his congregation has some surprises for him he never anticipated. And Olympia de Cuvier, the grande dame of the island, has to face some unpleasant truths about herself.

Then there's Tallulah, Olympia's far-ranging tank of a little dog, who gets in trouble and has her own set routine for the day. She's a hoot and a half, and I can't help wondering if there's a 'romance' waiting down the road for her and Butch the bulldog ... or at least a truce!

Come visit Heavenly Daze. And if you get a hankering to go visit the coast of Maine to find out if the island really does exist, don't blame me!

Can Jane Keep a Secret?

2011-04-29T07:26:00.000-07:00

When we last saw our heroine, she was heading into a meeting for the games committee for the Spring Festival at church. As if that weren't onerous enough, with a headache starting before she even walked into the room, Dr. Noway showed up to work on the same committee.

Even worse, Jane feared she was drugged, because she found herself acting slightly ditzy and her inane comments could be taken as flirting with Dr. Noway. It didn't help that he had a smile like hot fudge sauce on strawberry ice cream, with double whipped cream.

Fear not, loyal readers.
Our heroine was not drugged.
She was just very tired after a long day at school.

What happened in the games committee meeting?
Regretfully, we cannot tell you -- it was labeled Top Secret by the committee chair, and Jane, as s pseudo-semi-secret agent knows how to keep a secret. No one outside the games committee will know what is planned for the Spring Festival until the day of the festival.

Now the question is: Will Jane live long enough to work at the Spring Festival?

It is not so much all the work she has to put in, finding all the props and equipment and helping round up the prizes for the games -- although that is an awful lot of work, but Jane is very good at hard work -- but the problem comes from the fact that she will have to work with Dr. Noway.

Will she survive?
Keep reading, and find out.

In the meantime ....

See Jane.
Jane is in the main library of the local university.
Jane has brought a busload of students to the university to do research. No matter how good the library is at her small Christian school, it does not have all the books that the students need for their term papers.

Jane walks around the library, trying to keep track of thirty boys and girls in tenth and eleventh grade. Fortunately, everyone is wearing uniforms -- they stand out very well from the university students, who are for the most part in sweatshirts and jeans. Still, between Jane and the head librarian and four teachers' aides, there is an awful lot of room to cover and many students to keep track of. Jane has taken the third floor of the library. The fact that it is very quiet here on the third floor does not reassure Jane in the least.

Students are always at their most dangerous and mischievous when it is very quiet.

Then Jane comes around the corner and she sees something that welds her new shoes to the carpet and sends a numbing chill through her.

Dr. Noway is at the university library.

To be more specific, Dr. Noway is walking around the big glassed-in "cage" that holds the Special Collections section of the university library.

The Special Collections are old or rare books and notebooks and research materials that are too valuable to be available to the general public. They cannot leave the glass cage that has an electronic lock and a librarian always on duty inside the room.

What can Dr. Noway possibly be looking for in the Special Collections room? Jane realizes she has to learn quickly what is supposed to be in that room, and notify O, just in case there is something dangerous or sensitive here.

Should she stay here, where she can keep an eye on Dr. Noway, and make sure he doesn't do something utterly evil -- such as rip a page out of a book?

What should Jane do?
What will Jane do?

Stay tuned for the next adventure of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

New Tabor Heights novel: FORGIVEN

2011-04-27T14:25:00.001-07:00

May 1, Desert Breeze Publishing will release Forgiven, the 9th Tabor Heights, Ohio novel.

Four years ago, Nikki James ran away from home to be with Brock Pierson. She was 17, and he was 25. They both thought they were in love, but Brock had dangerous secrets that nearly killed Nikki -- and did kill their baby shortly after she was born.

Now, Nikki works for the Arc Foundation, a philanthropic organization. She has her life back on track, and her spiritual life as well. Arc sends her home to Tabor Heights, to assess the Mission and determine if Arc should partner with Nikki's home chuch to fund the Mission and expand its outreach.

Nikki has to face the people who watched her grow up and who know the mess she made of her life. She has to face the boy who broke her heart in high school -- and drove her into Brock's arms.

And she has to face Brock, because he is out of jail and determined to make up for his past crimes -- and win her heart back.

The only problem is that some dangerous men from Brock's past have followed him to Tabor Heights as well.

Come to the Cyber Launch Party on Thursday, May 5, to talk about the Tabor Heights books in general, Forgiven in particular, and see what sort of "party favors" we'll have for you!

Book Launch -- RIFT WAR

2011-04-18T07:07:00.001-07:00

The Rift War, the 5th and final book in my Arthurian fantasy series, The Zygradon Chronicles, has been released by Uncial Press.

2,000 years have passed since the final defeat of the Nameless One, and the creation of the dome of Threads around Lygroes -- 2,000 years in the rest of the world, but inside the dome, only 200 years.

Technology rules, and the tales of Athrar, Quenlaque, and magic are considered fables, nothing but legend and wish-tales, and the Archaics, who preserve the legends of the Warhawk and practice at warfare with swords and bows are considered childish.

But Emrillian Warhawk, Athrar's daughter, knows the legends are real. She has grown up in the modern world, but now the time has come to journey through the tunnel under the sea to Lygroes, to reclaim Braenlicach, awaken Athrar, and find the Zygradon. And defeat Edrout, before he can ally with modern world and destroy all the Threads ... and possibly the world.

Come to the Cyber Launch Party blog on Wednesday, April 20. We'll be chatting about the series, and you'll get a chance to obtain a copy of the short story that launched the entire series: A Fantasy Island fanzine story titled, "A Day for a Knight."

Come on over, it'll be fun!

Script Frenzy -- Day 3

2011-04-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

So far, so good!

17 pages in 3 days.

I have the underlying problem/mystery in place: What happened to a starlet who vanished from a mythical theater in Cleveland's Playhouse Square during the Vaudeville era?

I have my hero: A researcher into "weird" events, giving them scientific explanations.

And I've introduced some of the secondary characters, including his opponents.

It's "only" 17 pages -- 83 to go in 27 days -- a goal of 100 pages in 30 days -- but it's a good start!

Sure, it's nowhere near ready to be shown on the silver screen. But you can't make a movie from a script that hasn't been polished to perfection

And you can't polish a script that hasn't been rough drafted.

So finish the duh-ang first draft!!

Are you FRENZY-ing?

2011-04-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

It's official -- Script Frenzy 2011 has started!
Script Frenzy is the screenwriting offshoot of NaNoWriMo -- National Novel Writing Month.

Are you working on a script?
Have you ever wanted to TRY to write a script, whether stage play, screenplay, TV script, whatever?

Now's your chance.

100 pages in 30 days. April 1 through 30.

Just go to ScriptFrenzy -- www.scriptfrenzy.org -- and sign up. There's plenty of time.

You can join forums, regions, whatever, and virtually get together with fellow writers in your geographic area, your area of interest, whatever, and get support and sympathy and kudos and whatever.

Do it!

I am.

Day 1: FOUR pages to start off.
And that doesn't count the 5 pages of outline I wrote up over the last week, to give me a general road map for the story I want to tell.

Who's with me?

Book Review -- WHEN DREAMS CROSS

2011-03-27T07:59:00.001-07:00

In the Second Chances series by Terri Blackstock, from Zondervan Publishing.

When Dreams Cross is the story of Andi and Justin -- rich girl making good, and brilliant creative artist. They both have baggage, they both have chips on their shoulders. And they both have history.

That's the essence of the Second Chance books -- a couple separated by circumstances, tragedy, secrets, whatever ... and how they come back together.

Andi's father came between them fifteen years ago. He offered Justin mega-$$$ to go away. Justin, insulted (naturally) went away to cool off and think. Well, when he vanished for a week with no explanation, what was Andi to think when her father told her that he offered Justin $$$ to get out of her life? And of course, both of them being proud, hurting people, they hurt each other more.

Enter the fifteen years of silence.

The story starts when Andi, who is building a Bible-themed amusement park -- with the requisite opposition from the surrounding residents and businesses and Boss Hogg-type mogul -- decides she needs a cartoon theme to pull everything together, to give a face to Promised Land. Enter Khaki's Krewe, a team of wise animals ... who just happen to be the brain children of one Justin Pierce.

Can Andi and Justin not only get over their pain and distrust, work together, make Promised Land a success and discover who is willing to do anything to stop the park from opening, but learn they're still in love?

Read it and find out.

There are several books in the series, and the next one is launched by an event in When Dreams Cross. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Don't Look Now, Jane

2011-03-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

When we last saw our heroine, Jane Smythe, aka Jane Bondservant, Agent 777, had just survived several devastating surprises. Her arch-nemesis, Dr. Jose Noway, had not only joined her Sunday class, but he had volunteered to help on the game committee for their class at the church's Spring Festival.

As we join Jane, it is three days later, and she is staying after Bible Study to work on the game committee. Many people can't stay after Bible Study on Wednesday nights because they have children to take home and put to bed. Most of the people on Jane's class committee, however, are single.

"Miss Smythe?"

See Jane.
See Jane jump up three inches in the air and turn 180 degrees in half a second.
Is Jane scared?
Startled would be more like it.
And it is a very good thing that she didn't bring any weapons to church, because if she had she would have turned Dr. Noway to a pile of ashes -- or an unreasonable facsimile -- on the floor before she remembered she was at church, and before she remembered that Dr. Noway claims he is leaving B.L. Zebob Industries.

Besides, it would be very unkind to the church custodians to leave a big, probably greasy, pile of ashes in the hallway for them to clean up.

"Dr. Noway." Jane smiles and hopes she doesn't look as flustered as she feels. "My mind was a thousand miles away. I didn't hear you coming up behind me."

"I'm sorry. Occupational hazard." Dr. Noway has a very nice smile, which in some ways has been the most horrible thing about him. How could someone who has done the terrible, mean, rotten, no-good things he has done smile like he has a good, kind heart and a clean conscience?

"Occupational hazard?" Jane asks. A moment later, she doesn't know whether to be proud that she remembered to pretend she doesn't know anything about him -- or to slap herself for sounding like a total ditzoid.

"In my duties at B.L. Zebob Industries, I was required to be ... stealthy. Noise was not welcome, let's say." Dr. Noway looks up and down the hallway. "I'm looking for the library. I'm supposed to be in a meeting."

"The game committee for the Spring Festival. Yes." Jane shrugs and hopes her smile looks a little sheepish and not as stiff and fake as it feels. "Me, too. I saw you in class on Sunday, but I was caught up in some things and didn't get a chance to come over and say hi."

"And I had to hurry out to take care of the girls." Again, Dr. Noway flashes that nice smile that subliminally says I believe in baseball, apple pie, Mom, and the 10 Commandments. "If I follow you, will you lead me to the library?"

"I don't think it's smart to follow me -- I get lost a lot." She feels her knees buckle when Dr. Noway laughs, and his laugh is even nicer than his smile. It sounds like hot fudge on strawberry ice cream with extra whipped cream. That mental image combines with the queasy feeling in Jane's stomach, when she realizes she sounds like she is ... flirting ... with Dr. Noway. She just might be sick, and that wouldn't be nice to the church custodians, either.

What is wrong with her?
Jane wants to run into the bathroom and pull her emergency drug testing kit out of her purse, to see if Dr. Noway has flooded the church hallway with some kind of gas that is making her lose her mind.

Instead, Bill and Gretchen, the leaders of the game committee, step into the library doorway, just a few doors down the hall, and call for Jane and Dr. Noway to hurry up, the meeting is starting. Jane is trapped. She manages to hold onto her smile and walks down the hall with Dr. Noway.

After all, what kind of a semi-pseudo-secret agent would she be if she ran for her life and left her Sunday classmates and friends to face Dr. Noway and whatever his nefarious scheme might be?

What will happen in the meeting?
Is Jane drugged?
Can she protect her friends?
Or could Dr. Noway possibly be just as nice as he sounds and looks?
Is it possible?

Stay tuned for the next episode of the adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

See Jane Faint

2011-03-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

When we last visited our heroine, Jane had just met up with Dr. Noway and his nieces in the church parking lot. Needless to say, she was a little upset to realize that her prayers had not been answered, and Dr. Noway was indeed attending her church.

Things got worse, however.

See Jane.
See Jane go white.
See Jane almost drop her fresh cup of hot coffee.
Jane is very happy to remember that she wore dark clothes -- she won't get a coffee stain on her dress.

Why is Jane startled?
There in the doorway of her classroom is the last person she wants to see for the rest of the day.
The rest of her life would be preferable, but Jane knows better.

Dr. Noway stands in the doorway, looking around the room. Jane can almost feel sorry for him, because he has that look on his face she recognizes -- a little lost, a little uneasy, a little wistful. Only a few years ago, she stood in that same doorway, her first day in the class, wishing someone would talk to her and welcome her.

Jane wishes, just for a moment, that the other people in her class will just ignore Dr. Noway. Is it too much to wish for an invisibility ray gun to drop down through a hole in the ceiling? If she can't shoot Dr. Noway with it, can she shoot herself?

But no, the other people in her class are nice. Before Dr. Noway can finish looking from one end of the room to the other -- and before his gaze can reach the end of the room where Jane is helping to cut up cake and serve other refreshments -- two men walk up to him and hold out their hands to shake his.

Jane almost calls out to them to be careful. After all, Dr. Noway sometimes wears thin plastic gloves and puts sleeping powder or truth serum powder on his hands, to trick his enemies.

But no, that was before he said he was quitting B.L. Zebob Industries. Is it too much to hope Dr. Noway doesn't pull nasty tricks like that anymore? After all, he needs to be a good example for his little nieces.

"Oh, this is just horrid," Jane says.

"No, I don't think it's horrid at all," says the quiet voice of O, her supervisor.

Jane looks around, but she knows better than to ask where O is hiding. When she doesn't see any video cameras in the room, she excuses herself from the refreshment table and steps out into the hallway through the second door of her classroom. (That is the first rule for semi-pseudo-secret agents: always make sure there are two exits in a room, so when the enemy comes in one, you can go out the other.)

In the hallway, Jane pulls her cell phone from her pocket. Sure enough, it is lit and O is looking at her. Jane stops herself just before she asks why O is contacting her on Sunday. She realizes that once again, she said "Oh" which sounds like "O" and her supervisor obviously thought she was calling him.

"Sir, Dr. Noway is at my church. He's in my Sunday class. What more could go wrong?"

"I suggest you get back into your classroom and find out, before you get an unpleasant surprise, 777." But O is smiling, so Jane doesn't feel too bad.

And she feels pretty good about everything, because Dr. Noway doesn't find her before class starts. She sits in the last row, on the other side of the room from Dr. Noway and his new friends. Jane even manages to listen to the lesson without being distracted, and doesn't watch him the whole time.

Jane thinks she has escaped with minimal damage, until their teacher introduces their newest member to the rest of the class ... and announces that Dr. Noway has volunteered to help with their class's game booth at the Spring Festival.

Jane is on that committee.
That means she will have to work with Dr. Noway.

What will Jane do?
Stay tuned for the next episode in the adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

The EPICon Diaries -- day 3

2011-03-12T20:13:00.000-08:00

It's already OVER!

I can't believe the last few days went by so quickly.

This morning, my roommate, Barb Satow, put on a fascinating and useful presentation on all the tricks and tools for Internet searching.
Then we attended an interesting workshop on how NOT to make history boring.
There were other workshops available on Point Of View, developing characters, doing your homework to prepare for writing a book, networking, the future of publishing, and more. Very useful, depending on what you were looking for at the conference.

During a break, we ran over to the Visitor Center and looked through the bookstore -- always a dangerous thing to do. I made notes on several authors I want to check up on later. And I'm still looking for souvenirs to take home to my nephews and niece!

At lunch, Debra Dixon (of Goal, Motivation and Conflict fame) talked about a writer's voice. Then more workshops followed, along with the New Voices contest presentation.

Barb and I spent a good couple hours walking through the museum in Williamsburg - clothes, folk art, furniture, dishes, musical instruments. Did you know someone made a fiddle out of a tortoise shell? And there's a record player hidden inside the hippoceros (a combination of a rhnocerous and a hippopotomos -- don't believe me? come check it out for yourself!)

We literally walked ourselves exhausted and aching. before taking a shuttle back to the visitor center and our hotel, to rest up for an hour before it was time to dress up and walk down to the conference center for the 2011 EPIC Awards banquet.

I presented the winners for YA fiction and the Ariana award for YA cover art.

Nope, my three books didn't win in their categories, BUT ... I'm still a winner because..........

Jenifer Ranieri, the lovely and talented cover artist for Desert Breeze Publishing -- MY cover artist -- won FOUR Ariana Awards for her cover art!!!

In spiritual and/or metaphysical cover art: Beyond Summer
In historical and/or western cover art: Queen of Hearts
In science fiction/futuristic fiction/romance cover art: End Game
In fantasy and/or paranormal romance cover art: Daughter of Ashes

AND, Jude Glad, my editor and publisher and cover artist, won the Ariana for Fantasy and/or paranormal fiction for Lady Warhawk, the 4th in my Zygradon Chronicles series.

I'm so happy for them!!!

Go on over to Uncial Press and Desert Breeze Publishing and check out the gorgeous cover art, and congratulate Jude and Jenifer!!

The EPICon diaries -- day 2

2011-03-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

It's the end of day 2.

I'm exhausted!
Another fascinating day traveling into the past.
Today, in between EPICon events, such as our business meeting, we ran over to the historic village.

This time, we visited the printer and I took a video of the printer working on his printing press. I'm sooooo grateful for electronic publishing even more, after seeing all the hard work that goes into making up one page at a time, by hand, using movable type.

We visited the book bindery later. Fascinating! Back in the days when they didn't have copy machines, mimeograph machines, computers for bookkeeping -- everything had to be recorded in books. Printed books came from England, but the big blank ledger and record books were made there in town.

We finally, after multiple tries, got into the wig maker's shop -- and got insulted. Yep, the lady talking about wig making and the quality of different kinds of hair -- yak, human, goat -- suggested something was wrong with us because our hair was cut so short!

It was a bright day, at least part of it. No more rain! There were characters out in costume, riding horses, taking people out in carriage rides.

The gray squirrels were also out in numbers guaranteed to make the dogs being walked up and down the streets go crazy!

We visited the Governor's Palace. Gorgeous place. Just listening to all the historical research that was done to make sure everything was as close to the conditions of the building at that time, was mind-boggling. Barb and I got a private tour -- we were the only visitors at that particular time when the tour started. We finished the tour in the outbuildings of the Governor's Palace, such as the smokehouse, the salting house, the laundry, and the kitchen. There was a vast array of dishes sitting out for visitors to look at, that had been cooked right there in the kitchen. All that without a refrigerator, without blenders or microwaves.

We missed the trial at the Courthouse, but we did step inside later and look around.

Then at the end of the day, we literally walked into a living drama. We watched and listened to four women reacting to the conditions in Williamsburg during the Revolutionary War with husbands missing, presumed being held prisoners on board prison ships, the government moved to Richmond, servants missing, etc. A short time later, British General Benedict Arnold and his forces rode to the capitol building and berated the people on how Congress had betrayed them, and how good King George was willing to make peace and the British raised their flag on the capitol building -- and were greeted with disbelief and cries of "traitor!" by some people.

Our visit for the day finished up with overcast weather, cold wind, and the fife and drum corps marching down the street to the magazine and the marketplace square.

At EPICon, we have had a great time talking with other writers, listening to editors, sharing ideas and experiences in e-publishing. Great things are planned for the future for EPIC, starting with a revised and updated web site and lots of ideas for new services and benefits for our members, and activism to protect our rights as creative artists and increase education on e-books and e-publishing. At lunch, our speaker was a member of the Copyright Coalition, talking about the battle to protect our copyrights and why it's so important, for us and for the economy and the future.

We're both achy and tired now. Time to relax and get a good night's sleep for all the workshops and activities tomorrow, and the EPIC Awards banquet. We've been catching bits and pieces of the story on the tsunami and quake in Japan. Our concerns and prayers go out to those people, as they start picking up the pieces and finding the lost.

The EPICon Diaries

2011-03-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

Well, at least I hope so!

Hello from historic Williamsburg, VA!

Barb and I arrived last night, after a 9+ hour trip through rain and snow and constant sheets of rain thrown off of semi-trucks. I swear, every semi that could be out on the road yesterday between Cleveland and Williamsburg WAS on the road from Cleveland to Williamsburg.

The Woodlands Hotel & Suites where the conference is being held is gorgeous. Clean, comfortable rooms, nice layout, convenient. And Huzzah! pizza, just a few short steps from the door of the hotel has the best-ever vegetable pizza I have ever tasted! We walked over, watched them make it, and carried it back to our room to devour.

It was overcast and kind of drippy-chilly all day, but we walked around -- and around, and around -- historic Williamsburg most of the day. Armed with sweaters and umbrellas and sturdy walking shoes, we were ready for anything.

We started with a little orientation tour -- thanks, Lucy, for all your information and suggestions. Then we walked down the 'main drag,' to the Raleigh Tavern, where we had a fascinating little "recital," of comedy, music and dancing that theater-goers of the late 1700s would have enjoyed during scene changes. Bravo, to the re-enacters.

We visited the milliner, the silversmith, the apothecary, and had an interesting tour/lesson and tasting session at the coffee shop. 18th century-style hot chocolate is yummy. But the cups are kinda small! We also visited a lot of shops in search of souvenirs for family and friends. (No, I'm not telling you what we found!)

Barb says I must tell you about the ambush bomber rainclouds. We'd be inside a building and the drizzle would slow. As soon as we headed outside and started down the street -- downpour!

Despite all the rain -- and boy, are we grateful we brought our collapsible umbrellas! -- it's a lot better here than the weather we left behind in Ohio! Barb was texting with her sister, and she said you guys had 6-12" predicted today and tomorrow. Yuck!

At the Tarpley Store we learned an old-fashioned game called Shut the Box, and I considered a selection of tri-corn hats for my favorite nephews ... or maybe some tin flutes? How about a set of drums? No decision yet, but I hope their parents are shaking in their boots!

We also checked out the College of William and Mary Bookstore, a fascinating toy shop, and the Virginia Peanut Shop. Gotta go back there later. Too many flavors of peanuts to choose from.

We made it back to our room, wet and footsore and ready for a long nap before the mixer that will start the convention activities this evening.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have some pictures, when there's a little more sunshine to make things worthwhile. We want to check out the ghost walk, maybe the fife and drum exhibition, the wig-maker's shop, the print shop and book bindery, a court case performance.

Oh, yeah -- and attend the workshops and activities involved in EPICon. I mean, after all, that's the main reason we're here, right?

Pray, Jane. Pray

2011-03-03T08:25:00.001-08:00

See Jane.
Jane is driving to church.
Jane stops at every red light and closes her eyes to pray.
Poor Jane! Almost all her prayers are, "Please, God, don't let Dr. Noway come to my church today!"

Jane is ashamed.
Jane knows this is no way for a semi-pseudo-secret agent to act. She should be stronger and braver.
She should have some faith in her supervisor, O, and her training.
She should have faith in her weapons.
Besides, her church is a big, big church, and there are lots of big men who see Jane as a little sister to look after.

(Yes, that is a very depressing thought for Jane. She doesn't mind when the husbands of her good friends treat her like a sister, but what about the single men?)

(And double yes, there are some men in her singles group she would not date if they were the last single men alive on the planet. She left her last church because they decided that being a "family-oriented church" meant everyone had to be married. Her mentor was upset that she wouldn't date his third cousin twice-removed just because he told her to. He couldn't understand why Jane was repelled by a man who only bathed once a week, had one eyebrow, and thought Benny Hill was high culture.)

"Thank You, Lord, that I am in a good church where people know that women have brains and talents and have a right to choose their own careers and lives."

Jane turns into the driveway of her church and goes around to the parking lot behind the building. She knows it is useless to try to find a parking spot near the front door on Sunday mornings. That is a good thing -- at least, she hopes it is a good thing -- that so many people come to worship.

"Miss Smythe! Miss Smythe!" two vaguely familiar little girl voices call from across the parking lot. The tapping of two sets of little feet in patent leather shoes sounds like the rattle of small-calibre gunfire on a stucco wall.

Jane freezes for two heartbeats -- which is hard to do when her heart doesn't want to beat -- then she closes her car door and turns around.

Dr. Noway's two little nieces come running across the parking lot to her. They have stopped in at the office every morning before school to say hello. For some reason, the Noway girls think Jane is their special friend.

Jane lets the little girls take her hands. The ten-year-old is Annabelle and the eight-year-old is Clarabelle. Privately, Jane is sure that Clarabelle will grow up to be just like her uncle, just because of her name. She knows that if she had been named after the clown from the Howdy-Doody Show, she would have grown up to be a psychopath. Why do parents saddle their children with terrible names?

"Good morning, Miss Smythe," Dr. Noway says. He did not appear from a black hole in the pavement, but that is how Jane feels as she turns around to see his smiling face.

"Good morning, Dr. Noway. I didn't know you were coming to my church."

Jane wonders if she will be in trouble for telling such a big lie in the church parking lot.

What will happen next? Now that Dr. Noway has found Jane at her church, how much worse can the day get?

Find out in the next episode in the continuing adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

Bitter Sweet Magic at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-03-01T18:16:00.001-08:00

My newest book trailer -- for two of my Mundania titles: Bitter Sweet, and its sequel, The Wolf That Was.

www.Mundania.com

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Divine's Emporium -- Best Book of the Year?

2011-02-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

Please vote!!!

Every year, The Long and the Short of It likes to reward the best of the best, and this year they've let me know that my November 2010 book, Divine's Emporium, (published by Uncial Press) is eligible to participate in their "Best Book of 2010" poll. Entries in this annual poll are limited to those books and stories which theirreviewers rated as "Best Book" in a review posted in 2010.

The polls are active NOW, until Sunday, February 27.

Please check out my web site, Uncial Press, and the reviews at Long and Short, to read about Divine's Emporium -- a fantasy romance set in my new fictional town of Neighborlee, Ohio -- and VOTE!

Please?

www.Mlevigne.com
www.UncialPress.com

Book Review -- ROOMS, by Jim Rubart

2011-02-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

ROOMS, by Jim Rubart, was the "talk" of the latest ACFW conference in Indianapolis this year. So, when I found it was available in Nook, I bought it.

(Yes, I have over 115 books in my to-be-read bookshelf, but I had a B&N gift card credit burning a hole in the ether, so ...)

What can you say about a book like this? Part "Replay," part "It's a Wonderful Life." A little downright spooky in places. It reminded me of some stories by Charles DeLint, where a fictional world is impacted by what happens in a writer's life -- and that world impacts the author.

Micah Taylor, the hero, inherits a house on the beach from a weird old uncle he never met. Just the fact the house is on the beach where his mother died when he was a child -- and his father blamed him for it -- is enough to make Micah hesitate to go down to check it out. His business partner/love interest looks up the property value and tells him to just sell it, don't waste his time checking it out. His estranged father tells him to get rid of it. Micah goes to check it out.

You'll fall in love with the story with very little effort, just like Micah falls in love/like/loathing/fascination/obsession with the house.

A place where dreams come true ... means nightmares become real, when you really think about it.

As Micah faces parts of his past he has tried to forget, and rooms appear without warning in this odd, somehow-alive house ... his life in the real world gets rewritten.

Yeah, that sounds good on the surface ... but is it? Especially when you have no control over what gets rewritten and how, and who you'll lose from your life?

Read it.
Shiver a little.
Stop and go, "Hey, yeah ..." or sometimes, "HUH!?!?"

Enjoy.

See Jane Panic

2011-02-19T13:47:00.000-08:00

When we last visited our intrepid heroine, Jane Smythe -- aka Bondservant. Jane Bondservant -- had just received the horrific news that one of her archnemeses, Dr. Jose Noway, had joined her church. That, after Dr. Noway showed up at the small private Christian school where she works -- part-time in the front office, and part-time in the library -- and registered his nieces to attend.

Jane did what any alert, thinking woman would do when confronted with such horrific, life-altering, harbinger-of-impending-doom news: She screamed.

Primal scream therapy is, after all, a great way to clear stress compounds from the bloodstream, increase the level of oxygen in the blood and brain, and clear the sinuses.

See Jane.
Jane has gone back to work.

Fortunately for Jane, her scream of anguish and apprehension coincided with the class change bell for sixth period, which is loud enough for the gym classes out on the baseball diamond and soccer field to hear.

So no one really noticed the noise Jane made.

See Jane sit at her desk in the school library, sorting through the books that have been returned. When the fiction books are in alphabetical order, and the other books are in order by the Dewy Decimal System, she will go through the computer cataloge and mark all the books as returned. This is an easy job. As one of her good friends who edits and publishes electronic novels says, "Easy cheesy peasy."

This leaves Jane's mind free to contemplate the horrific news that her supervisor, O, gave her just a little while ago.

What is Jane going to do? Dr. Noway will see her at work when he drops off his nieces for school -- and she will see him. Dr. Noway will see her on Sunday morning when she goes to church. What if he stops in the fellowship hall to get coffee in between the service and Sunday school time? What if -- horrors! -- Dr. Noway decides to join the Singles group at her church?

For a moment there, she actually feels some sympathy for Dr. Noway, because like most churches across the country, the single women outnumber the single men ten to one -- except for the single men who migrate from one church to another, looking for a wife. Just like guys don't like girls who run around with a shopping list for the "perfect husband," girls don't like it when guys use a shopping list and measuring rod, and usually have their mother or interfering aunt following them around with a magnifying glass to focus on the girls.

Should she warn Dr. Noway? Or should she just sit back and wait for the first Sadie Hawkins event to drive him screaming into the night?

"Hey," Jane murmurs, looking up from her cataloguing work with minimal papercuts on her fingertips. "I might just do this assignment right after all."

Flashback:
After Jane screams at the news of Dr. Noway joining her church, O makes sure she has calmed down before giving her the rest of her assignment: Befriend Dr. Noway. Watch his every move. When Jane asks how in the world she can befriend her archnemesis, O says a good start is by feeling some sympathy for the misguided genius.

Just the image of Dr. Noway surviving a Singles Group event at her church does the trick -- Jane feels sorry for him.

But not enough to drive away the oogy shivers at the thought of being nice to someone who still works for B.L. Zebob Industries -- even if he did say he was trying to find another job.

What will Jane do?

Stay tuned for the next adventure of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant. Agent 777.

Sigh, Jane, Sigh.

2011-02-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

These are the continuing adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

Her mission?

You know, honestly, she's not sure half the time..........

But she keeps moving, keeps going, keeps trying, and that's why she's the one who makes ... well, slightly better than minimum wage.

But the retirement plan is out of this world!

When we last visited Jane, she had just been contacted by her supervisor, O.

Unfortunately, Jane's boss, the headmaster of the school, came back into the office just about then, so O had to cut communication and wait until Jane's lunch break before he could fill her in on the "situation" that had just come to his attention.

See Jane work.
See Jane keep looking at the clock.
Why does the clock move so very, very slowly, Jane?
Jane does not hate her job.
Jane loves her job -- most of the time. But today Jane has many other things on her mind. What horrific news will O give her, when they are able to talk again?
And why, oh why, did Jane have to pack a bologna and mustard sandwich and a stale granola bar for her lunch? Combining those foods with O's news would be sure to give her indigestion!

While she waits for the minute hand to slowly, excruciatingly climb around the clock to 1:30 (Yeah, Jane has a late lunch hour -- don't complain! It means her afternoon is really short!), Jane thinks about her recent encounter with Dr. Jose Noway.

He certainly seemed sincere, when he asked for help in finding a new job, so he could quit working for B.L. Zebob Industries. Then again, what if he just wanted access to the job search resources that Jane's school provided for families of its students? What if he had decided to downsize his nefarious schemes, and instead of destroying major defensive installations and steal life-altering information ... he just wanted to bomb some Mom-and-Pop stores and small-town businesses?

(Yeah, that sounded a little lame to Jane, too, as soon as she thought of it.)

Finally her lunch break comes. She takes her squashed, many-times-used paper lunch bag outside to sit on the park bench in the sunshine in front of the school. That is another benefit of a late lunch hour -- no fighting over the park bench on nice, sunshiny, warm days. Jane is no fool!

"Hello, Jane." O is there on her phone's video screen as soon as she opens it to call him. Jane still can't figure out how he can do that -- or appear on her computer screen. She supposes that is why O is the boss -- he can do the almost-nearly-impossible.

"What's the situation, O? I don't feel good leaving town while Dr. Noway is lurking around. He's actually sending his nieces to my school! That can't be good."

"Dr. Noway IS your situation, Jane." O pauses and studies her until she feels kind of itchy and fidgety. Mostly because Jane knows the camera isn't that good on her phone, and it makes her skin look green.

"My situation?" she finally says, and is glad she hasn't eaten her sandwich yet. Maybe she should go to the vending machine in the cafeteria and get some yogurt and some soda crackers for her stomach.

"Dr. Noway ... brace yourself, Agent 777 ... Dr. Noway has joined your church."

Jane's scream sends all the birds from their perches throughout the entire county, and stops just short of setting off the fire alarm in the school.

What will Jane do?
How can she let Dr. Noway invade her church?
Why did Dr. Noway join her church? What can his nefarious plot BE?
Will she have to pay to wash all those cars that were bombed by frightened birds?

Find out in the next adventure of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

Think, Jane. Think!

2011-01-28T10:49:00.001-08:00

When we last left our intrepid heroine, she was nonplussed (no, that doesn't mean she was subtracting, but she was confused. What? You don't like big, $10 words? And what's wrong with expanding your vocabulary? Better your vocabulary than your ... ahem ... dimensions.)

And what, pray tell, had Jane so confused?

See Jane stare.
See Jane watch Dr. Noway leave the school with his cute little nieces.
Yes, they are real nieces.
They are not cute little girl robots with bombs inside them.
Jane is very confused.
Dr. Noway has never gone into a place that belongs to the "good guys," such as a school or church or library and (perhaps) most government buildings and NOT tried to blow it up.

That's just the way he is.

Today, Dr. Noway has behaved very differently from his normal patterns.
What is Jane going to do?
Should she have checked for lobotomy scars on Dr. Noway before he left?
Has he been hypnotized?

She knows this is real life, and even though it is very nice that three cute little girls changed Mr. Gru, (see: Despicable Me) (No, I'm serious, SEE the movie!) it could not happen here, in Smalltown, U.S.A.

"Oh, I am so confused," says Jane.

"Yes, 777, I've noticed that about you," says a voice coming from her computer.

"Who's there?" Jane reaches for her super-stunner, and realizes yet again that it is packed away where she can't get at it.

The problem is, the holster for her super-stunner doesn't go with her outfit. She really needs to get a new one, or find a weapon she can carry in her pocket without putting unsightly bulges in her clothes.

"It's O," says the voice coming from her computer.

Jane walks over to her computer, and there is the face of her supervisor. O.
(Even though O looks like Keenan Wynne, he isn't a nasty old curmudgeon trying to take over the world by cheating nice but slightly daffy people, like in the old-style Disney movies.)

"But I didn't call you," Jane says.

"Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"But -- "

"Yes, you did," O says gently, but starting to sound somewhat peeved. (For those of you with teeny vocabularies, that means HACKED OFF!) "You said, 'O, I'm so confused.' So you did call me, 777."

"Well, I guess so, but I didn't mean to call you. And I certainly didn't expect you to answer."

"Get used to it, 777. We have a situation."

"You're telling me."

What is the situation Jane Bondservant and her supervisor O face now?
Stay tuned for more of the continuing adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

Book Review -- THE GREEN VEIL, Empire in Pine book One, by Naomi Musch

2011-01-26T06:28:00.001-08:00

THE GREEN VEIL, Empire in Pine Book One, by Naomi Musch
January 2011 release from Desert Breeze Publishing

Lovely, soft, quiet in some ways. Gritty and painful in others.
"Real" is an over-used word, in some ways. But it feels real -- the people are real, their trials and tribulations and problems and joys and sorrows and bad choices and triumphs.
Real.

An interesting view of the pioneering/growth days of Wisconsin and the logging industry. I just never thought that lumberjacks and the lumber industry would make an interesting backdrop for a romance. Naomi carried it off.

Hmm, but the funny thing is, I DID love "Here Come the Brides." (Does that date me, or what?)
(And it wasn't because of Bobby Sherman, either. I didn't even know who he was!)

I recommend this book -- and I'm not really a fan or ardent reader of historical fiction. I knew Naomi was doing a great job with her characters when I was gritting my teeth and muttering, "You dummy, don't do that!"
She made me care. When I had a dozen other things to do in the day, I always made sure I read a few chapters of the book, because I wanted to know what Colette and Manason were going to do next!

Colette and her family headed into the vast, pine wilderness, leaving behind their friends and the boy she loved -- but who certainly didn't seem to realize it! He had dreams of making his fortune in the lumber business, of traveling and seeing and doing -- certainly not of settling down and being domesticated.

Years later, after some bad choices, after the mistakes and carelessness, schemes and selfishness of others got in their way ... well, you'll just have to read the book. They certainly earn their happy ending!

Good job, Naomi!

Hide, Jane. Hide!

2011-01-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our third ultra-short episode of the adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

When we last saw Jane, she was at the front desk of the small private school where she works, when in walked Dr. Jose Noway ... and two little girls he wanted to register to attend there.

See Jane scratch her head.
Jane is confused.

Then Jane is relieved.
Dr. Noway does not recognize her.

(Will wonders never cease? Her friend at the makeup counter at Macy's was right -- a new blush and different shade of lipstick, and she's a new woman.)

Jane thinks about the little girls. They are so cute, she just wants to bend down and hug them.

(Two things stop Jane:
First, she would not put it past Dr. Noway to hide bombs inside little robots disguised as adorable little girls, in the hopes that someone would hug them and blow themselves up.
And second -- Jane is in another room, pretending to look for the paperwork to register the little girls to attend her school.)

It is very hard not to push the master control for the fire alarm system for the whole school. Jane thinks about all the innocent (or not so innocent -- don't let those plaid skirts, bobby socks, bowties and other parts of a standard school uniform fool you into thinking the inside matches the outside) students working hard (or hardly working) at their desks.

Jane would like to push the button and send everyone running out of the school, because she would not put it past Dr. Noway to set off a bomb at any moment.

However, she knows she cannot believe Dr. Noway, and he might just be pretending not to recognize her. He could have come into the school deliberately to frighten her into pushing the fire alarm and send all the students running out of the school, to embarrass Jane and get her in trouble with her boss. A big, balding man with no sense of humor, who thinks women should only wear long sweaters and skirts down to their ankles and never jeans, and who believes fiction of any kind (especially movies and TV and romance) is an invention of the devil.

Then Jane gets an idea. A wonderful idea. She knows Dr. Noway could never answer one specific question -- and if he does not answer the question, he cannot put the little girls into Jane's school.

"We need to know your employer's name," Jane says, coming back to the counter with a stack of paperwork thick enough to choke two mules.

"My employer?"

Jane is very happy to see panic and -- very strange -- shame gleam in Dr. Noway's eyes.

"I am sorry," Dr. Noway says.

Jane fights not to smile. She waits for Dr. Noway to take the little girls and leave the school. Success! She has driven one of her arch-enemies out of the school without endangering the students or hitting the fire alarm.

"I am sorry to say, I am currently working for B.L. Zebob Industries. But I am looking for a new job," Dr. Noway quickly adds.

"B.L. Zebob Industries?" Jane thinks she is about to faint.

This is worse than if Dr. Noway had ten cute little girl bombs with him!

What will Jane do?
Stay tuned for the next episode of the continuing adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

Review -- Seasons in the Mist

2011-01-14T08:23:00.001-08:00

I'm delighted to start my semi-regular (meaning there's no predicting when they'll show up) book reviews with a superb time-travel romance by my good friend, Deb Kinnard.

Seasons in the Mist follows historian Bethany Lindstrom as she walks down a chilly hallway in the ruins of a Cornish manor, and comes out into the history she's been studying.

And she learns that all the books in the world can't prepare a modern woman for the culture shock of everyday, little things -- food, clothes, hygiene, chores -- as well as the social strata.

I admit, I have trouble with time-travel stories, just because of those pesky laws of physics -- especially the one that says something can't be two places at the same time. The molecules that make up Bethany's present body also existed somewhere else centuries ago, so ... don't use your scientific imagination too much. It can lead to disturbing images.

Anyway ... Deb covers that question admirably, and simply, and elegantly. So that the question really doesn't come up.

After all, if the One who made all matter sends you back through time, don't you think He's going to cover little problems like that?
And Bethany definitely has been sent back through time for a mission, but like Dr. Sam Becket of Quantum Leap fame, she doesn't figure out what that purpose is until she steps down the hallway, back to her own time, and realizes that a few small details have ... changed.

The heartbreaking question for Bethany is if she'll be allowed to return to the time and the man she has grown to love.

Go check out the dozens of rave reviews for Mist on Amazon. You'll agree. Deb did a superb job, making her historical era real, sometimes even uncomfortable and smelly! Real enough that I writhed for Bethany, and there were times I didn't want to put the book down, because I had to know how she was going to get out of this little -- or big -- mess.

Read it. And look for other books by Deb Kinnard. No matter what era she's writing in, you'll love her characters, laugh with them, ache for them, and cheer for them.

The Zygradon Chronicles at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-01-12T17:19:00.001-08:00

My newest book trailer.
In April, thefifth and final Zygradon Chronicles book, "Rift War," will be released. From Uncial Press -- www.UncialPress.com

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Smile, Jane. Smile!

2011-01-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

The continuing adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

When we last saw our heroine, she was at work in the school office, and saw the car of her nemesis, Dr. Jose Noway, drive up in front of the school.

See Jane.
See Jane hold very still.
See Jane wonder where she put her super-silent, ultra-compact stunner gun.

(Because of course, she wouldn't dream of bringing a deadly weapon into a school building. She must put the safety of the students first, even if those same students need a serious lesson in respect for their elders and not talking with their mouths full.)

See Jane smile as Dr. Noway comes through the door.
What is this?
Dr. Noway has two young children with him.
Two little girls.

"Hello," Dr. Noway says. "Can you help me? I want to register my nieces to attend this school."

See Jane smile.
See Jane keep her hands on the counter, when she wants to reach for the nearest weapon or the fire alarm.
Dr. Noway has nieces?
Jane did not even know Dr. Noway had a family.

"Welcome," Jane says. "If you want to take a seat, I will go find the proper paperwork."

See Jane walk casually to the next room, when she really wants to run for her life.

What will Jane do next?
Check back here later for the next installment of the continuing adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

Best Book?

2011-01-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

I'm so psyched!

THE WOLF THAT WAS is up for Best Book over at Long and Short Reviews.

They really like the book!

There's voting Saturday and Sunday over the various reviewers' choice for Best Book, and my book is among them. I hope you'll go over and participate. EVERY weekend, Long and Short Reviews does this. It's a chance to let your voices be heard, and learn about great new books at the same time.

Here's what Lily had to say:

Have you ever read a book that isn’t really the genre you like best, but you’ll give it your best try, only to find it’s fabulous and can’t put it down? I did and it’s called The Wolf that Was.
... The reader is immediately drawn into an imaginary but magical world and to the main character, Tirian, ... The author’s descriptive powers are honed to perfection when all she needs to say about a character is that he “hid inside a deep purple cloak like clotted blood” and the reader knows just what this one is up to.
...
The deceptively easy writing details an intrinsic, perfectly planned plot that entwines the characters in an emotional quest to find out if Bran can be cured and whether Tirian does hold magic. This age-old technique of seeking an answer is the theme of many ancient tales, yet this one is infallible in its unique setting and wonderful, vibrant characters, their strength and quirks and turns it into an unforgettable fable.

Since we’re on the subject of characters ... Their endearing traits lie in their loving, caring, courageous natures. The chemistry between the two is glittering and you’re left right to the end to find out if either of them recognize it fully. Even the villains of the piece are not totally unlikable – you can smile at their antics and skullduggery at times, yet you always hope (but are never sure) that their cruelty, arrogance and basic nastiness will end with their comeuppance.

The magical characters, who are spell-binding with powers beyond belief, mostly appear in the middle and towards the end of the book when the pace really picks up to the climax which left me biting my nails in terror at how it might all end.

What a fabulous world to live in – if you can escape the evil so-and-sos. How wonderful to feel “the magic buzz against the soles of [your] feet and fingertips, and tingle against [your] scalp”...

The Wolf that Was will appeal to shape-shifter, fantasy-lovers and also to those new to the genre because it is just so well written with profound underlying themes. It was one of those stories you never want to end and so you savor each page slowly so that it doesn’t end too quickly.

THANKS, Lily!
Thanks, Long and Short Reviews.

See Jane

2011-01-05T07:02:00.000-08:00

See Jane.
See Jane work.
Jane is at the copy machine.
See the piles, and piles, and piles of papers the teachers want copied and collated and stapled for their first week of school.

See Jane fight not to kick over the piles, and piles, and piles of papers -- and maybe some of the teachers.

Have you ever felt trapped in a place and among people who don't know the real you? The you capable of great and wonderful things?

Imagine how much worse it is for Jane, who really does have proof that she can do great and wonderful things ... but she's not allowed to tell anyone.

That's the problem with a secret identity, because plain Jane Smythe is really Bondservant. Jane Bondservant. Agent 777. Moving through the shadowy world of academia and suburbia, searching for opportunities to help the downtrodden, the ignored ... the kids who came to school without tissues or lunch money and the teachers who waited until Sunday night before school started again in the new year before they put together their lesson plans and handouts and pop quizzes.

(Yeah, like their students really studied during Christmas break? Give ME a break!)

It's a thankless job, but someone's got to do it.

What's this?
Outside the office window, Jane sees a familiar, sinister, vintage (circa 1980) black Lincoln cruise around the circular drive in front of the school.

Can it be?
Is it really?

Noway?

(That's Dr. Jose Noway, actually.)

Has Dr. Noway found her? Has he discovered her secret identity?
Will Jane finish her copying work and get all those papers stapled before all havoc breaks loose inside the school office?
(It's not funny. You know how much mess dozens of loose papers can create if they get thrown around by a semi-pseudo-nuclear ray gun in the hands of an egotistical maniac?)

(And if you do know, where exactly did you get that experience? We need to talk, bub!)

Stay tuned for the next installment of the continuing adventures of Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.

Meet Jane

2011-01-01T11:43:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Let's start off the new year right -- with something fun and new and experimental.

Right here on the Living Proof blog, you can follow the adventures of ....

BOND.

Well, actually it's BONDservant.

Jane Bondservant.

Agent 777

If it sounds familiar ... well, kinda-sorta.

We're going to have fun. We're going to be silly.
We're going to borrow heavily from a lot of cultural icons such as the aforementioned libidinous, more-lives-than-a-house-full-of-cats English secret agent. And others. We'll figure out who we'll rip off ... err ... borrow from, as we go along.

For now, here's something to think about.....

Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.
* Secret identity -- librarian at a small private church school in the heartland.
* Marital status -- single, and while she doesn't exactly love it, she's realized it's a lot better than the alternative.
* Superior -- O (because face it, M is in England, and it's too long of a commute to report every week)
* Support -- S, because Q is too busy keeping a Brosnan-wannabe out of trouble
* Nemeses -- Dr. Jose Noway and Silverfist (not as expensive, but a lot heavier than Goldfinger)
* Mission -- To be revealed later!

I hope you'll come back and follow Jane's adventures and maybe post some suggestions as we go along!

Happy New Year

The Commonwealth Universe at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-12-19T13:11:00.001-08:00

New book trailer -- check out all the titles available in the Commonwealth Universe!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Have Yourself a Faerie Little Christmas

2010-12-16T04:41:00.000-08:00

The sequel is here!

The sequel to Divine's Emporium, HAVE YOURSELF A FAERIE LITTLE CHRISTMAS takes us to Maurice's one-year anniversary in the funky, weird little town of Neighborlee, Ohio.

Exiled to the Human realms for 2 years for being a little too enthusiastic about punishing the bullies and bad boys, Maurice hasn't been lonely or bored. Despite being shrunken down to 5 inches tall, with shrunken magic to match, and wings stuck on his back no self-respecting Fae would wear to a costume party, Maurice has been busy helping Humans with what limited magic is at his disposal.

Now is the time for some Christmas magic to be granted to Maurice.

And to the Fae who come to Neighborlee, looking for some answers, some Christmas magic, some freedom, and even love.

Now available at Uncial Press.

And check out the Cyber Launch Party tomorrow, sponsored by Author Island.

I'll be giving away a navy blue T-shirt with the gorgeous cover art for Faerie Christmas.
Come chat and talk about Neighorlee, Divine's Emporium, and what you think will happen to Maurice next year, after getting caught under the mistletoe ...

NaNo, Book of the Day, and Cyber Launch

2010-11-27T06:33:00.003-08:00

LOTS, LOTS, LOTS going on!

First of all:
It's official.
I am a NaNoWriMo 2010 Winner!

Just uploaded my rough draft of Never Moon a Werewolf to the official word count validator. I came in at just over 72,000 words!
Not bad. Not what I've managed in previous years, but considering everything going on this November ... not bad at all!

Second of all:

Yep, it's time for BOOK OF THE DAY.
Today, at Author Island, my humorous romantic suspense novel, JUST PEACHY, is the book of the day. It's the sequel to PICTURE THIS and HOW TO BURY A MILLIONAIRE.

The sequel, LIAR, LIAR. HEARTS ON FIRE will be featured in a Cyber Launch Party on Wednesday, December 1.

LIAR, LIAR is being released by Amber Quill Press in e-book format on Wednesday, and in print format on December 15. Check it out -- a treasure hunt in a weird old isolated mansion in the hills -- where every clue is from a Marx Brothers movie!

New Release!

2010-11-24T04:26:00.001-08:00

It's here!
Just released this morning:

THE WOLF THAT WAS
sequel to Bitter Sweet
at Mundania Press

Tirian is the daughter of the village wise woman, but instead of inheriting her mother's magic, she has been told all her life that she IS magic. Then her mother dies, battling an evil enchanter, and Tirian is left in charge of the 5 villages her mother looked after. She manages fairly well without magic ... until Bran comes to the 5 river villages: a man bound together with a wolf, both of them struggling for domination with the phases of the moon, and both falling in love with Tirian.

When the fears of the villagers threaten their friendship, Tirian and Bran set off in search of a cure for him, and for answers to the mysteries and questions that have tormented her all her life. Their quest takes them to Stonemount, where evil King Fallon is having trouble with his new queen, Sorcha ... and events are set in motion that will change the history and the magic of their world for generations to come.

NEW Book -- Divine's Emporium

2010-11-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

Today's the day!

DIVINE'S EMPORIUM is now available at Uncial Press.

Come follow the misadventures, miseries and romances of Maurice, a Fae exiled to 2 years in the Human realms -- shrunken down to 5 inches tall, with shrunken magic to match, and stuck with wings even Tinkerbell wouldn't be caught dead in.

To prove he's a reformed Fae, he has to help Humans with their dreams and sorrows -- and most of the people who come into Divine's Emporium, run by Maurice's "parole officer," Angela, seem to be needing help in the romance department.

All is not lost, however, because Divine's Emporium is the nexus point of magic and quite a lot of the odd, interesting, inexplicable events that happen in the odd little town of Neighborlee, Ohio -- a combination of Buffy's Sunnyvale, Roswell, and Eureka -- but without the weird science or the vampires. (The folks from Warehouse 13 would have a heyday in Divine's Emporium, but they haven't found the place yet, so don't tell them!)

You're invited to the Cyber Launch Party for DIVINE'S EMPORIUM tomorrow, Tuesday, November 16. I'll be giving away 3 wishing ball ornaments, just like the ones Angela gives away at the Christmas party at Divine's Emporium.

What are wishing balls?
Come to the party and find out!

Welcome to Tabor Heights at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-11-13T12:39:00.001-08:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Fae are coming!

2010-11-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, November 15

From Uncial Press
Divine's Emporium -- a Neighborlee, Ohio novel.
Neighborlee can best be described as a combination of Buffy's Sunnyvale, Roswell, and Eureka ... without the weird science or the vampires!

What happens in Divine's Emporium?
Well, the Emporium itself is that shop you've always longed for, full of used books and odds-and-ends, penny candy, antique toys, and whatever you're looking for -- even if you're not sure what it is -- you're sure to find it there.

Angela is the mysterious owner who knows what you need and always seems to be where she's needed most. She is chosen as Maurice's "probation officer" when the very busy young Fae gets into trouble for being a little too "strenuous" in beating up on the bullies and bad guys. Maurice is sentenced to 2 years shrunk down to 5 inches tall, with shrunken magic and glitzy, glittery wings no Fae would be caught dead in, and exiled to the Human realms. He has to prove he's reformed by helping the Humans who come into Divine's Emporium.

Look for a Cyber Launch Party next week, celebrating the release of Divine's Emporium!

Liars and Friends -- and NaNo Werewolves

2010-11-10T06:51:00.000-08:00

Isn't that GORGEOUS?

This is the cover for Liar, Liar. Hearts on Fire. The sequel to Just Peachy, which was the sequel to How to Bury a Millioniare and Picture This.

It's due out December 1 from Amber Quill Press.

What's it about?
Basically ... a treasure hunt in a crazy old isolated mansion in the hills, with secret passages and trap doors and hidden elevators ... and every clue is based on Marx Brothers movies!
There are two teams vying for the inheritance -- our heroine, Lauren, who is pretending to be her adorable, slightly ditzy and helpless cousin, Lori, teamed up with Ray, Jen and Blade from the previous books -- pitted against her disgusting, greasy cousins, 4 brothers referred to (with good reason) as the Deliverance Boys.

Oh, yeah -- Ray gets dropped on his head and has amnesia for a while.

And of course there's some romance thrown in there.
Promise!

Well, that takes care of the liars and friends -- what about NaNo and Werewolves?

This is National Novel Writing Month -- lovingly called NaNoWriMo.

My project for the month is the sequel to Liar -- titled (for now, anyway!) Never Moon a Werewolf.

We return to the funky old mansion, where a crazy old man has decided he's going to take a page from Buffy's book and hunt werewolves, rather than vampires. And some friends from previous books come along for the ride.

Check back later for more details.

And maybe you'll soon meet a new friend of mine.
Let's call her Bondservant. Jane Bondservant.
Shaken and stirred, quite frequently!

New Release Monday, November 1

2010-10-31T15:26:00.001-07:00

Monday is release day for BEHIND THE SCENES, the 7th Tabor Heights novel, at Desert Breeze Publishing.

Come to the Cyber Launch Party on Monday and chat about the book, Tabor Heights, or any other questions you might have for me.

And win a navy T-shirt with the gorgeous cover art by Jenifer Ranieri.

It's EPIC!

2010-10-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to announce that THREE of my Tabor Heights novels are FINALISTS in the 2011 EPIC Awards competition!

Just found out Wednesday.

I'm so thrilled.

Thanks so much to Desert Breeze Publishing for taking a chance on my Tabor Heights books, for doing such a good job with editing and cover art and promotion.

Here they are, in order of publication:

Common Grounds

The Family Way

A Quiet Place

Please check out the Cyber Launch Party on Monday, where we'll be celebrating the release of the 7th Tabor Heights novel: BEHIND THE SCENES

Cyber Launch and Book of the Day

2010-10-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Check out the Cyber Launch Party on November 1 to ask questions about my next Tabor Heights nove, BEHIND THE SCENES, and maybe win a nifty T-shirt with the gorgeous cover art.

At Desert Breeze Publishing.

What's it about?

Max and Tony are best friends, writing partners -- but friends are pretty sure Max doesn't realize Tony is a boy, and Tony doesn't realize Max is a girl.

They're wrong, of course. Tony knows -- but he can't do anything about it, because he's in California and Max is in Ohio.

Until her parents are injured in a devastating accident. Then Tony rushes home to be there for Max. He promises she'll never be alone again. Max knows what she'd like that promise to mean, but they're both too busy running her parents' theater, working on their next book, and dealing with someone who's trying to steal her writing career and her identity to handle a suddenly more intense relationship.

Or are they?

TOMORROW -- OCTOBER 27 -- Author Island's Book of the Day!!!

Enter for your chance to get my LAST print copy of "All's Fae in Love and Chocolate."
The good news is that Uncial Press will be re-releasing these 3 stories next summer, AND I will be writing a 4th All's Fae story, "Death by Chocolate," to celebrate the new release and new home for my Fae stories!

Lots to check out!

It's that time of the year!

2010-10-21T10:37:00.003-07:00

No, I'm not talking about the candy gluttony festival coming up....

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Sponsored by Samaritan's Purse

What's involved?
Pack up a shoe box -- I prefer one of those shoebox-sized plastic storage boxes, because it's sturdier and the kids can use them for a long time afterward

Fill it with essentials, like toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, pencils and crayons and writing paper, erasers, balls, jacks, candy, hairclips, little toys, hats and mittens -- whatever can fit into the shoebox that a kid would need and enjoy

Drop it off at a collection center between November 15 and 22

Check out Samaritan's Purse for all the details.

What's really cool is the option now to get a report on where your box went.

Something I'm also considering this year is using the Gift Catalog put out by Samaritan's Purse to do something more useful and meaningful -- like buying mosquito netting for some children, or chicks so they can raise chickens and have eggs to feed them, or sponsoring other necessary items like a goat for milk, school supplies, school buildings, etc.

I'm excited about this year's operation -- how about you?

Behind the Scenes -- Tabor Heights novel #7

2010-10-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

COMING: November 1

It's BEHIND THE SCENES, the 7th Tabor Heights novel.
And we're still in Year One of the series!

(Don't you wish Hollywood would smarten up and just buy the theatrical rights so you could watch your favorite characters on the screen, following all their overlapping storylines at the same time?)

(Yeah, me too!)

Isn't that a gorgeous cover?
Thanks again to our brilliant cover artist at Desert Breeze Publishing: Jenifer Ranieri.

Okay, what's BEHIND THE SCENES about?
Well, you've read in a couple other Tabor Heights books about the horrid accident Emily and Joel Randolph were in, and how the university and church community came together to help them out.
You've met Joel and Emily and their daughter, Max, in other stories.
You've read about their community theater, Homespun Theater, and how Max is a writer and Joel teaches theater tech at the local university.

Well, this is THEIR story.

Joel has complained to friends in previous stories that he's pretty sure Max doesn't realize her best friend, Tony, is a boy -- and Tony doesn't realize that Max is a girl.

Little do the doubters know the truth ... and Tony and Max try to take their relationship to the next level, among the chaos of Joel and Emily's accident, Joel's estranged sister coming to live with them, a SHakespearean production missing its director and main character, Max's long-awaited film fellowship falling into jeopardy, someone trying to steal Max's identity and her writing career ... and her biological father coming into her life for the first time in a big, unexpected, and highly inconvenient way.

And other assorted surprises.

Check out BEHIND THE SCENES, November 1, at Desert Breeze Publishing.

Java Joy -- Coffee Time Romance LIKES me!

2010-09-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Cherokee, and the gang at Coffee Time Romance Reviews.

They not only gave me 5 cups on my latest Tabor Heights novel, but I've been granted a special award on their blog, Coffee Thoughts.
Please go check them out!

I'll admit it, I'm really behind on updating my web site.
After the ACFW Conference near the end of September, I PROMISE I'll get things updated -- cover art, reviews, links to review spots that like me (what? you think I'll tell you to go to places that DON'T say nice things? I'm not that good a Christian, though I keep trying ... ).

So check here for updates on things going on, more deeply philosophical thoughts, and links to nice people who REALLY MAKE MY DAY!!!

Ripples

2010-08-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

I've had a lot of pebbles thrown into the pool of my life lately, and they've been creating lots of ripples and new ideas and thoughts and musings.

Disturbed water -- disturbed mind -- it all ends up being pretty much the same thing.

Mom and I watched "Ghandi" yesterday on TCM. It's getting to be our Sunday routine. Church, lunch, watch the Indians play, then turn on TCM and watch TV while Mom works crossword puzzles and I try to get some writing done, and wait until "Leverage" comes on.

Ghandi was an amazing man. I watched and thought about the long-lasting impact he had on the world, long after he was murdered.

I got the same wistful feeling of I'm-wasting-my-life that I got when Rich Mullins died. The sense that if I died tomorrow, nobody would notice, nobody would miss me, because I hadn't done anything really worthwhile with my life, hadn't really touched anyone, hadn't created something that would impact people after I was gone.

No ripples from my tiny flake of stone or speck of dust falling into the pool.

Watching Ghandi struggle against oppression and the arrogance of the Caucasian race that makes us think we're the arbiters of all that is worthwhile and valuable, I remembered something I read a long time ago. Ghandi was quite impressed with Jesus Christ, but ... well, the people who claimed to be followers of Christ turned him off. How could he find any value in what Jesus taught if the people who called Him Lord didn't obey, didn't do what they promised they would do, and used Christianity as a club to dominate and abuse people of other races, and keep them second-class citizens -- if they were allowed to be citizens at all?

My answer?
Well, I'm going to get a lot of people angry with me. BIG rocks in the pool, here.

They weren't REAL Christians.
The name means "followers of Christ," but these people weren't, in the pure, simple essence of the name, FOLLOWING.

They slapped the label on, they glanced through the "rules," and they even put on the costume and the mask.
And then they went on their merry way, wrapping their idea of Christianity around their own culture, their race and prejudice and all the other ugly things that do not adhere to what Jesus taught.

I mean, honestly -- do you think the Inquisition was Jesus' idea? Or the Crusades? Or persecuting people who translated the Bible out of Latin so the common people could read it? Or Apartheid? Or Segregation? Or refusing women a chance to serve in the church and use the gifts that HE gave them? Do you think He applauds when abortion clinics are bombed, or when homosexuals are beaten and threatened?

I think He cries, and He's embarrassed by the cruelty of His children.

Would you want to join a bunch of people who say they believe one thing, and then make a lie of what they say, every time they act and react and speak?

I'm guilty of it too.
And I'm sorry.
And I try to do better.
But I can't. Not under my own power.

But every day I pray, "Lord, more of You and less of me. Purify my life, my mind, my heart. Make me so transparent that someday, when someone looks at me, they'll see YOU."

That's the goal. That people see the real Jesus.

He doesn't belong exclusively to the Caucasians.
He doesn't belong exclusively to the Baptists or Presbyterians or Episcoplians or the Catholics or the Lutherans or all the other denominations, or the groups that rewrite the Bible and claim that they have the true revelation. He doesn't belong to the Charismaniacs or the we've-never-done-it-this-way-before-women-do-not-wear-pants-or-speak-in-church-and-if-you-watch-movies-or-listen-to-rock-and-roll-you'll-go-straight-to-H-E-double-hockey-sticks crowd.

He doesn't BELONG to people.

We belong to HIM.
And until we get that through our thick skulls and start following, instead of deciding what image of Jesus will make us look good and trying to force Him into that tiny little box, we're not going to "get it."

And we're going to keep giving the world reason to hate us and distrust us and say, "You know, Jesus is pretty cool, but those people who say they follow Him? Forget it. I'd rather spend eternity frying than spend it with them."

That's my pebble for the day.

A Quiet Place, featured at Inspirational E-Books

2010-08-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

Wanna Win Free E-Books?

Today, my Desert Breeze Publishing book, a Tabor Heights novel, A Quiet Place, is the feature on the Inspirational E-books blog.

Come check out the other novels featured, read about "A Quiet Place" and some of the fan-dang-tastic reviews I've received for it, and enter a drawing to win THREE e-books.

Sounds like a good deal, huh? Go to Inspirational E-Books NOW!

And don't forget to check out my NEWEST Desert Breeze, Tabor Heights release:

Detours

Michelle Levigne
www.MLevigne.com

Detours -- August release from Desert Breeze

2010-07-12T13:42:00.001-07:00

Coming, August 1
DETOURS
The sixth Tabor Heights novel.
Coming from Desert Breeze Publishing.

I was recently asked to give a dedication for the book, if I had one. I declined, because the people I want to thank for the inspiration for this book probably don't even remember how it came about!

I told my publisher that the book originated in daydreams about moving to California with some writing friends many, many years ago, and the three of us living in a garret, with no electricity, eating mainly peanut butter and crackers, and Ramen noodles on a good day.

Yeah, real optimistic, huh?
Well, we had dreams about making it in Hollywood......

Somehow, through the space of 15, or 20 years, the story changed to three girls sharing an apartment in a small college town in Ohio.

There's actually a stage play for Detours, somewhere in my files. Maybe I'll try to get it produced ...... think it'll sell?

For those of you who have read previous Tabor Heights books, this is the "other" story going on during the events of The Second Time Around. The three girls who ran in and out of Daniel and Lynette's story are the main characters of Detours -- Bekka, Kat, and Amy.

I hope you'll check out the sample of Detours that will show up on release day, August 1, and I hope you'll check out the Cyber Launch Party sponsored by Author Island on August 1. You could win a nifty prize. Most likely a T-shirt with this fan-dang-tastic cover art on it!

Still Love 'em!

2010-06-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I don't have a couple baseball hats or team shirts, and I didn't buy a six-pack of tickets this year, but I still love the Cleveland Indians.

I mean, I watch every televised game, and I am seriously plucked when the powers-that-be decide not to televise a game. What's with them, anyway?

I got the Major League Baseball "At Bat" app for my iPod, so I could keep up with schedules and scores and activity when I was out of town and couldn't catch the games. Okay, so I downloaded the free "lite" app and didn't pay extra so I could watch live games or listen to them through my iPod, but still ...

They're a good bunch of guys. They work hard. They play hard. And they don't have snit fits and badmouth the umps and other players or have reputations for deliberately hitting batters like SOME players and coaches and pitchers in the Major Leagues that I could mention...

You gotta admire them. They're a team, they cheer for each other, they understand that it's a team effort.

They're good guys. They're a good example to the next generation. They're LOYAL and they DESERVE loyalty.

And I know none of them would be so rude and tacky and downright arrogant as to go to another sporting event in town and wear a cap supporting the non-Cleveland team. Especially when they KNOW the media will recognize them and talk about what they did.

So I'm not upset that they're not at the top of their division -- YET.
There's a lot of summer left to play in. Miracles still happen.
I'm going to stay loyal. I'm gonna cheer for my guys. Even if they don't make it to the World Series this year. There's always NEXT YEAR!

As far as I'm concerned, there ARE no professional sports in Cleveland between October and March.

Out of the Darkness -- with Anne Rice!

2010-06-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm still getting used to this statement:
"A eye-opening book of stellar interviews with some of the masters of Christian horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and thriller fiction, including invaluable insights into the art of writing Christian fiction for a wide audience."

Anne Rice's name is at the top of the list ... and somewhere near the bottom is MINE!

Out of the Darkness and Into the Light is a collection of interviews about our books, our writing process, our faith, NOW available on Kindle at Amazon, and in print format from LuLu.

The first review of this book has also been posted at GetGlue. Check it out!

Can We Meet?

2010-06-02T10:13:00.001-07:00

Are you going to the Lori Foster-Dianne Castell Readers and Writers Get-Together this weekend?

If you are, I'd love to meet up with you!

I'll be wearing a black Script Frenzy baseball cap, with little NaNoWriMo merit badges all over it. Can't miss it!

Look for me, and if you mention this blog, I'll have a present for you.

Don't know anything about the weekend?
go to Lori's web site for the info. It's a lot of fun, we raise money for various charitable causes, and it's a relaxing, casual time to get together with other readers and writers. The pirate-themed party Saturday night, hosted by Author Island, is not to be missed, either!

New Release -- and a Cyber Launch Party!

2010-04-30T05:48:00.000-07:00

May 1 is the release date for my 5th Tabor Heights novel:
A Quiet Place

Jeannette Marshall and Nathan Lewis were pals since their days in the Tabor Heights Children's Home. Nathan introduced Brody Evans to Jeannette when his military buddy came home from Afghanistan.

Then Nathan realized too late that Jeannette was more to him than a little sister -- but it was too late. She loved and married Brody.

Brody died before their 1st anniversary, and Jeannette was driven out of town by his family, despite the fact she was pregnant with the only grandchild. She came home to Tabor to find peace and quiet, and raise her child. Nathan stepped back into his role as big brother, and then uncle to her son. But they both couldn't help wondering, remembering the day Nathan begged her to marry him instead of Brody, to protect her from Brody's family.

Then the Evans family showed up in Tabor Heights, and they tore Jeanette's peaceful life to shreds, trying to take her son from her. Nathan was there for her as she fought to regain her peace and hold onto her faith. But this time, their lives would be changed forever.

TOMORROW -- come to Cyber Launch Party to talk about A Quiet Place and try to win a mug with the gorgeous cover art by Jenifer Ranieri.

And don't forget to check out Desert Breeze Publishing for all the new releases tomorrow, May 1!!

Winners

2010-04-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to announce that Jeanne and Sherry both won T-shirts with the cover art for Lady Warhawk, when they participated in the Cyber Launch Party for the book, the 4th in my Arthurian fantasy Zygradon Chronicles.

Check out all the books in the series at Uncial Press.

May 1 is the release of my 5th Tabor Heights novel, A Quiet Place.

For those of you who are going to the Romantic Times Convention in Columbus, Ohio ... wish I could meet up with you there. I just couldn't swing it this year, money and time-wise.

BUT .... PLEASE check out the Desert Breeze Publishing table. Gail and Jenifer will be giving away lots of goodies, including MUGS with the fantastic cover art on it for your favorite books. And there's an incredible video that Gail just put together, giving you a taste of all the different types of books available at Desert Breeze. So much to choose from!

Check it out at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsTt7nR4Ub0

Done Did It -- and Still Going!

2010-04-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

Are you in the Frenzy?

Script Frenzy, friends.

The month when, along with worrying about our taxes, we try to write 100 pages of screenplay or stage play or graphic novel, in 30 days.

I'm working on an adaptation of one of my upcoming Tabor Heights novels, which kinda-sorta makes it a little easier.

Boy, now I understand better why so many novels don't look familiar when they get to the screen. It's really hard, translating all that interior monolog to action. All the stuff that explains WHY the characters do the things they do -- without standing there on screen and doing a Talking Heads bit for ten solid minutes. See the thing is, Hollywood doesn't like it when writers tell the directors and actors what the characters should be feeling, what their interior monolog should be -- even though the WRITERS are the ones who created this story, and know the motivation (a favorite actorly word) for the actions.

Anyway, I reached 100 pages on Thursday. Pretty good feeling.

But ... the story isn't finished. And that's really the goal -- not the 100 pages, but FINISHING the story. Taking it to the end, the Fade Out:

So will I get to the end, save the girl, catch the murderer, and maybe even polish this puppy so I can enter it in a contest with a deadline of April 30?

Tune in and see...

Cyber Launch - Thursday!

2010-04-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

Thursday is the Cyber Launch Party for my 4th Arthurian fantasy novel, Lady Warhawk.
The Zygradon Chronicles is published by Uncial Press.

Please go to http://www.cyberlaunchparty.blogspot.com to learn how YOU can win a T-shirt with this cover art.

Cyber Launch Party is sponsored by Author Island.

See you there!

Lady Warhawk - Zygradon Chronicles #4

2010-04-05T06:33:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a relaxing, wonderful, blessed Easter weekend.

It's hard to believe it's April already. The year is 1/4 of the way over already. Where has the time gone?
(where did my diet and exercise regimen go ...?)

Coming in the middle of this month, the 4th book in my Arthurian fantasy series, the Zygradon Chronicles:

LADY WARHAWK

This book most closely follows the progression of events we all learned from books like T.H. White's The Sword in the Stone and The Once and Future King. And the Mary Stewart books: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment.

But with my own changes -- because this is MY universe. :-)

Athrar is brought out of hiding and acknowledged as the Warhawk's heir, but of course the enemy is hard at work. Mrillis' family faces yet more tragedy when Athrar's enemies strike at them, but years later a miracle happens. Or so they think. Friends turn into enemies, and those who seem least likely become pawns of prophecy and the keys to the future. And the woman who wins Athrar's heart becomes the focus of his enemies, to destroy the bright and shining ideals of Quenlaque, the city on the sea ... and perhaps the future with it.

I hope you'll check out Uncial Press -- www.uncialpress.com -- in another week, when Lady Warhawk is ready to be released. I hope you'll check out the previous 3 titles. And soon, I'll get started on the first draft of The Rift War, the 5th and final book in the saga.

CONTEST!!!

I'm pleased to announce that there were 20 contestants in my Tabor Heights contest that ran during February and March, and multiple entries/raffle tickets. The contestants voted and decided Lisa and Todd Montgomery are going to have a boy, and the boy's name will be Nicholas.

The winner of the Ocean Motif gift bag is Melinda, from Tennessee! Congratulations again, Melinda!

Let the Frenzy Begin!

2010-03-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, you've heard about NaNoWriMo -- National Novel Writing Month.

Script Frenzy is sponsored by the same insane, devious folks -- only this time, you write 100 pages of screenplay during April.

I'm doing it. If I can get another screenplay revised and polished and sent in to a contest by midnight on Wednesday. The deadline is actually April 1, but I want to clear the boards, metaphorically speaking (because I have a LOT of projects I'm working on, all at the same time *sigh*).

Check out www.scriptfrenzy.org for more information. And let me know if you're participating, and how you're doing!!!

ALSO -- only 2 days left for my Tabor Heights contest!

There's still a chance to earn raffle tickets, donate to the relief efforts in Haiti, through the Salvation Army, and buy a copy of any of my Tabor Heights, Ohio novels.

Look at earlier posts for all the contest rules. Lots of ways to participate. And the prize is pretty cool, if I do say so myself!!!

EPIC Award Winner!!!

2010-03-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

I'm delighted to announce that THE MERUK EPISODES 1-5 WON in the Anthology category of the 2010 EPIC Awards.

The ceremony took place last night in New Orleans, at the final activities of EPICon 2010.

THE MERUK EPISODES 1-5 tie into my Commonwealth Universe novel HOVEN QUEST, about a race of shapeshifters using an adventure series in Tri-V (futuristic television!) to make contact with other shapeshifters living in hiding. Meruk is the name of the character in that adventure series, and THE MERUK EPISODES are the stories of his search for his fellow Hoveni.

Episodes 6-10 are currently going through the editorial process, to be published later this year.

For more information on electronic publishing, EPIC, and the EPIC Awards, visit: www.EpicAuthors.com

And remember -- my FAMILY WAY contest is still going through the end of the month. There's still plenty of time, and plenty of ways to earn raffle tickets to win a splendiferous Ocean Motif gift bag!!

Check in earlier blog posts for details!

BEST READ THIS WEEKEND -- POLL.

2010-02-27T04:16:00.001-08:00

The Long and the Short of It romance reviews has a weekend poll -- to find out which book or story sounds like the best read based on their reviews. The winning author gets a nifty button and the privilege of having their book or story featured at the top of that page the entire next week!

TWO of my Tabor Heights stories, "Common Grounds" (September 2009) and "The Family Way (February 2010) were reviewed by LASR this week and are up for Book of the Week honor this weekend (voting runs from Saturday, 2/27, through Sunday, 2/28).

Please go to this link to vote: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/recentrev.htm

THANKS!!!!

Michelle Levigne
www.Mlevigne.com

Snow, Snow, Snow -- No!

2010-02-19T08:27:00.000-08:00

Aarrggh!!

Are you as tired of this winter as I am?

For a while there, it seemed like every morning, I got up and looked out the window, and there was MORE of that dratted white stuff drifting down.

Thank You, Lord, I don't have to commute to work anymore. Taking the bus was better than driving -- I could work on my computer or read on the bus, and if I was late I could blame the bus and traffic. But still .... *sigh*

The thing is, do I really have any right to complain? I have a lot to be grateful for. A nice house, good insulation, plenty of food (maybe too much), work to do, family and friends, Internet access ;-)

I need to stop complaining, list my blessings, and then turn around and help someone.

And you can help me do that, too.

Remember: All during February and March, half the proceeds from ALL my Tabor Heights books go to the Salvation Army, earmarked for Haiti.

Plus, I have my contest going on in February and March. One of the ways you can earn raffle tickets for the nifty ocean motif gift bag is to donate to the Salvation Army online. Just copy me with your electronic receipt, and you get a raffle ticket for every $20 donated to the Salvation Army. Sound like a good deal? I think so!

You can earn raffle tickets by:
A - Voting on whether Lisa and Todd Montgomery, the characters in "The Family Way" will have a boy or girl. 1 vote per person.
B - Suggest a name for the baby. 1 name per person.
C - Donate to the Salvation Army - 1 raffle ticket per $20 donated.
D - Buy a Tabor Heights novel -- there are FOUR out now, so you can't possibly have ALL of them by now, can you? -- copy me with the electronic receipt and you get a raffle ticket for each book bought.

Email me at MLevigne@aol.com with the required information, PLUS your postal address. That easy.

Come on and join the fun -- and ignore that icky snow out there for a while!

More chances to earn raffle tickets!

2010-02-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

Remember: All through February and March, you can earn raffle tickets for a fantastic ocean-motiff prize, listed earlier in this blog.

Half the proceeds from sales of ALL my Tabor Heights books in February and March will go to the Salvation Army, earmarked for Haiti relief.

Here's how to earn more tickets:

B: Help me choose a NAME for the baby. This earns you ONE raffle ticket. (One entry per person)
At the end of February, I will put the top name suggestions on my blog and ask for a vote -- voting will earn you a raffle ticket as well. Check out www.MichelleLevigne.blogspot.com during February and March for details.

C: Donate to the Salvation Army online and copy me with your electronic receipt. You get ONE raffle ticket for every $20 in donations you make. ($40 = 2 tickets, $60 = 3 tickets, etc.)

D: Buy a Tabor Heights Novel and copy me with your electronic receipt. You get ONE raffle ticket for each book you buy.
Go to Desert Breeze Publishing.

EVERYONE WHO ENTERS gets a nice little thank-you package at the end of March -- including a bubble gum cigar in pink or blue, depending on whether the vote results in a boy or a girl!

REMEMBER:
1- Email the required information to MLevigne@aol.com
2- Put FAMILY WAY CONTEST in the subject line
3- Include your postal address so I can mail your prize to you

For more information on the fundraiser for the Salvation Army, check out my web site: www.Mlevigne.com

FAMILY WAY contest -- more details

2010-02-02T08:22:00.001-08:00

Go to Desert Breeze Publishing to get your copy!

THE FUNDRAISER

During February and March, half the proceeds from ALL Tabor Heights novels will go to the Salvation Army, earmarked for Haiti.

THE CONTEST

I'm going to have a raffle at the end of March for a fantastic prize:

An ocean motiff set: Spiral notepad, magnetic notepad, notecard/envelope set, coasters, novelty soaps, and scented tealight set, along with a mechanical pencil and refill.

All packaged in a seafoam green tote bag with a cosmetic pouch.

How do you earn RAFFLE TICKETS?
There are FOUR WAYS. Today, you'll learn one of those ways:

A: Help me decide if Lisa and Todd are going to have a boy or a girl. Cast your vote by emailing me. This earns you ONE raffle ticket. (One entry per person)

Just remember 3 important steps:
1- Email the required information to MLevigne@aol.com
2- Put FAMILY WAY CONTEST in the subject line
3- Include your postal address so I can mail your prize to you

New Tabor Heights Book -- and a Good Cause to Support

2010-02-01T06:31:00.001-08:00

Today, Desert Breeze Publishing has released my 4th Tabor Heights, Ohio novel.

THE FAMILY WAY

Lisa Montgomery is pregnant, but that happy announcement turns into the trigger that reveals the shaky state of her marriage to Todd. Thanks to his judgmental, domineering father's influence, Todd's first words are, "Is it mine?"

As the situation spirals downward, Lisa learns some cruel family secrets. When Todd's own sisters urge her to leave him, for the sake of the baby and her own mind, Lisa has some hard choices to make. Where is her faith? Where did the love she and Todd shared go? Can Lisa and Todd regain their love, repair their marriage, and break free of some destructive Montgomery family traditions?

THE FUNDRAISER

During February and March, half the proceeds from ALL Tabor Heights novels will go to the Salvation Army, earmarked for Haiti.

There is also a CONTEST I'm having in conjunction with the release of THE FAMILY WAY and the fundraiser for the Salvation Army.

COME BACK EVERY DAY THIS WEEK TO LEARN THE DETAILS!

But just to whet your appetite, here's the prize:

An ocean motiff set: Spiral notepad, magnetic notepad, notecard/envelope set, coasters, novelty soaps, and scented tealight set, along with a mechanical pencil and refill.

All packaged in a seafoam green tote bag with a cosmetic pouch.

ALSO:

Thursday, February 4, I'll be at Author Island's Cyber Launch Party to talk about THE FAMILY WAY and answer any questions you might have about the contest. www.cyberlaunchparty.blogspot.com

Hope to see you there!

I hope you'll all visit Desert Breeze Publishing on Monday morning and check out all the new titles available this month!

Michelle Levigne
www.Mlevigne.com
www.MichelleLevigne.blogspot.com

New Cover art -- Volume 2, coming soon!

2010-01-18T13:36:00.001-08:00

Today's new cover art is for "The Meruk Episodes, I-V."

The Meruk Episodes are the episodes of the Tri-V action/adventure show that my characters in "Hoven Quest" produce on an alien planet.

"The Meruk Episodes, I-V" is a finalist in this year's EPIC Award competition. I won't be able to go to New Orleans for EPICon this year, but I promise you'll be the first to know if I win!

Isn't this great cover art? Courtesy, once again, of Laura Shinn!

And, for those of you who like visiting my Commonwealth Universe, I'm delighted to let you know that Episodes VI-X have been written and just need some polishing before I sent them to Writers Exchange to be published and sold through Reader's Eden.

I'll let you know when they're available.

Check back here regularly as more cover art becomes available.

And I'll be having a contest in connection with the release of my February Tabor Heights novel, The Family Way.

Stay tuned!

New SUNSINGER cover art

2010-01-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

This stuff is so cool. New look, new covers, and continuity.

I'm so stoked over what Laura Shinn and Sandy Cummins over at Writers Exchange are doing with the "look" of my Commonwealth books.

Check out the new cover art for Sunsinger, Book #1 of the Sunsinger series:

Now, just glancing at the covers, you know what universe the book belongs to, and you have a good idea of what period in Commonwealth history the book takes place in.

Check back here for more new cover art in the following days and weeks -- because there's a LOT of new covers!

The Family Way -- February release from Desert Breeze

2010-01-13T07:46:00.001-08:00

Coming February 1, a new Tabor Heights, Ohio novel from Desert Breeze Publishing: www.desertbreezepublishing.com

Lisa Montgomery is "in the family way," but her joy is cut short when her father-in-law's domineering, suspicious nature influences her husband, and what should have been the happiest time in their marriage becomes a time of trials and testing and heartache.

Can she break free of the Montgomery family "way" and save her marriage and her heart?

Making the (e-book) World a More Beautiful Place

2010-01-11T05:48:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited!

Writers Exchange, the publisher of most of my Commonwealth Universe books, is re-doing all the cover art for my books. Everything looks so cool, so modern and gorgeous! And uniform! Now, just looking at the covers, you can tell which books belong in which series. Check out the Readers Eden site -- www.readerseden.com

We're also "neatening up" the listing of Commonwealth history, so you can tell what part of history the books belong in.

Coming soon:

The Meruk Episodes #6-10

Undying -- The Order Book #1

And more stories from the Downfall era.

Check back here for updates on upcoming books and (hopefully) a promotion to celebrate the re-release of the books with their gorgeous new covers, all done courtesty of talented Laura Shinn!

The Family Way, the next Tabor Heights novel, is coming out February 1. Stay tuned for more information on that! I can't wait to see the great cover Jenifer at Desert Breeze comes up with for this book. Check out www.desertbreezepublishing.com

And go out there and make your corner of the world a more beautiful place. Even a tiny change will help.

Resolving ... to do better!

2009-12-29T07:33:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I need a full-time assistant.

Last week, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I had a contest in conjunction with Sandra's 12 Days of Christmas blog ... and because NOBODY participated (waaaah! nobody wanted to play with me!) I didn't post anything on this blog like I said I would in the contest rules.

How dumb is that?
Lazy?
Oblivious?
Can we blame eggnog overload and too many new movies watched in a row?

The contest was to design a wedding for the heroine and hero of a short story romance. Part of the contest was to post the suggestions on this blog, and let readers vote on what elements of the wedding they liked best.

Umm, what if people showed up here to vote? Not very nice to send them over here and not at least tell them that "Due to lack of interest, there is no contest"?

Sorry. Very rude. Oblivious. Thoughtless.

I'll do better this coming year.
Promise!

For one thing, I'm ridding my desk and rearranging the tackboard wall to put reminders to myself more visible and easier to read -- and hopefully that'll help me stay on top of things a little better.

Of course, I gotta GET on top of things, first...

My resolution for 2010 is to be more organized and on time and rid out more of my life -- starting with my filing cabinet, my desk, and that big stack of magazines I've been planning to tear apart and file for future reference. That would be a good start.

How about you? What do you hope to change/improve/add/delete in your life in the coming year?

And just how long do you think we'll last in our resolves?