Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 112

Book of the Week: LONDON HOLIDAY

Excerpt:

Doni slipped her little hand into mine as we sat around the white wrought iron café table in the main room of Divine's and sipped pineapple sherbet floats while I talked about my dreams. Angela didn't react. Her expression didn't change, except that maybe that funny little smile, not quite a smirk but an indication that she knew more than anyone else about what was going on... Well, it didn't quite fade, but it wasn't as strong as usual. She didn't ask me any questions, just focused her big blue eyes on me and listened until I ran out of words. Angela had a way of listening that made me think she heard more than anyone said. It would have been a relief not to have mentioned some of the things I had experienced in my nightmares, just pictured them in my mind and have them transfer directly to hers.

I finished my story, and the four of us sat, sipping in comfortable silence, for a few more minutes. Actually, I felt a lot better, like some pressure had been removed. Maybe it would be more accurate to say that having told Angela, I had fulfilled a responsibility I didn't know I had.

That made sense, I realized. Angela and Divine's Emporium were there in Neighborlee to protect it, or us, or maybe... Well, to be honest, sometimes I was sure there were things in our town that had to be contained in our town. So maybe Divine's protected the world from Neighborlee, instead of just the special people, the oddness, being hidden from the world? By telling Angela about my dream, I was helping her to guard us, or guard something else?

"Guardians," Angela murmured. Her little superior smile definitely changed back to a smirk when I flinched at her word, coming so soon on the heels of my thoughts.

Yeah, I could definitely believe Angela read minds.

"Bethany, would you and Doni go upstairs and get one of my moonlight journals from the chest in my bedroom?" Angela reached inside the neck of her dress and drew out a thin silver chain with a long, crystalline skeleton key hanging from it, and handed chain and key to Bethany.

As the two of them held hands and hurried out of the room, heading for the stairs, Angela's smile faded entirely.

"It's real, isn't it?" I whispered. "The things in my dreams." I swallowed hard. "And you don't want Doni to hear what you're going to tell me about fighting it."

Christmas Blessings to You!

Book of the Week: LONDON HOLIDAY

This continues the feature on books set in my weird little town of NEIGHBORLEE, OHIO.
Think of a place that's part Mayberry, part Roswell, part Eureka, and part Buffy's Sunnyvale -- but without the vampires or aliens.
Yeah -- MAGIC!A little creepy at times, a lot of fun, and always something going on. For those who live there, the odd events are kind of shrugged off with a, "Ho, hum, so what ELSE is new?" attitude. And what's really odd is that newcomers don't really notice. Of course, then there's the "we don't want you here, go away" vibe that some people get, so they don't stick around long enough to notice something strange is going on.

All of this is leading up to the release of the next Neighborlee, Ohio book published by Uncial Press: DORM RATS. Otherwise known as Growing Up Neighborlee, Book 2.
LONDON HOLIDAY

It started with an overnight stay at Divine’s Emporium and a high school computer programming assignment. Athena found an unusual video camera, hooked it up to her computer, and videotaped her cousin, London, whom everyone called Doni. She thought nothing of it, after all the other odd events of that night. After all, Neighborlee, Ohio was the weirdness capital of the United States, and Divine’s Emporium was the caretaker, the way to control all that weirdness and keep the magic tamed. At least, that was what everyone who saw the strange things and people and events chose to believe. Three years later, in an experimental computer class in college, Athena and her teammates chose to create a social media site as their project. The site, called FlopDrop, needed a hostess. Doni agreed to be the foundation for all the images of the hostess, whom they named London Holiday. To the surprise of the team and the class--and the disgust of their rivals and enemies--FlopDrop took off. London Holiday and her CGI friends became overnight Internet sensations. London seemed to take on a life of her own. By the time Athena and Doni realized that their artificial person had become a self-aware Artificial Intelligence, they weren’t quite sure what that harmless experimentation three years ago had created. Were they midwives at the birth of a new lifeform…or repeating Dr. Frankenstein’s mistakes on an even bigger scale?

Whatcha Doin'? LINDA WOOD RONDEAU, Time to Talk!

Today is your chance to talk with featured author LINDA WOOD RONDEAU about her book, The Fifteenth Article, or about other books she's working on, questions her writing has brought up, related topics.

The floor is Hers, and Yours!

About the Author:
Award winning author, LINDA WOOD RONDEAU writes to demonstrate our worst past, surrendered to God becomes our best future. A veteran social worker, Linda now resides in Hagerstown, Maryland. Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com. Contact the author on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Goodreads.  


Just a recap:

The Fifteenth Article is a futuristic, political thriller set in the late 21stcentury. The world slumped into a second dark age due to war, famine, and disease. Eventually, people tired of warfare, put down their arms and formed a global democracy called The Accord. However, corruption soon followed, The Accord fell and was replaced by a phony democracy called The Constitutional Government of United Earth, so named for the Fourteen Articles of Constitution. The world is divided into nineteen provinces, each province containing a primary city, the polluted areas outside the cities referred to as the outworld, inhabited by defectors, nomads, and marauders. When the book begins, Charles Devereaux, governor of Western America walks into the euthanasia chamber. His successor, Edwin Rowlands, is also slated to replace the ailing President. His climb to power will give him the votes to pass his proposed Preservation Act, or The Fifteenth Article. This legislation would make defection to the outworlds, once a right under The Accord, an act of treason, both past and present, punishable by death without trial. Outworld factions in opposition to the current world government are now threatened, including the thriving Network of Western America, a system of six communities, former states, led by Jacob Goodayle, a Christ follower, who proposes secession from the Constitutional Government. General Kinnear’s Revolutionary Army proposes a military takeover. Ahmed Fared, Jacob Goodayle’s adoptive brother and Second Governor of Western America, believes reform can be managed within the existing government that would prevent civil war and a third dark age. Who will be the voice of reason within the ensuing chaos?

Whatcha Doin'? LINDA WOOD RONDEAU, part 2

An essay relating to Linda Wood Rondeau's featured title, The Fifteenth Article:

WHAT WAS AND WHAT MIGHT BE

When we look back and then forward, we discover that the adage is true:
The more things changeThe more things stay the same.
My recent release futuristic political thriller, The Fifteenth Article, takes place in the last part of the 21st century, circa 2073, only fifty-six years from now. I thought we might take a drive down memory lane fifty-six years or so beginning with 1961.
The first year of the 1960’s proved to be a transition year—one that would propel society toward major political, social, financial, and scientific change.

Political Climate:
Political upheaval has existed since Cain was ousted from the known establishment of his time because he’d murdered his brother. A new hierarchy developed from Cain’s replacement, Seth. And so, the beat goes on, as the song of 1967 echoed.


In 1961, America’s involvement in Southeast Asia ramped up. So, began the divide between hawks and doves, a division that would define American politics for the next several decades. On the world stage, construction of the Berlin Wall became a symbol of the sharp divide between east and west, communism and capitalism, a free society and a controlled society.  
The Fifteenth Article, portrays mankind as still in flux. The world survived tsunamis, pandemic, and global war to form a short-lived democratic global government called The Accord. However, the system was too weak, and a new government took its place called The Constitutional Government ordered by Fourteen Articles of Constitution.
Like all governments, factions arise that are dissatisfied and threaten world stability, including a would-be Caesar who has manipulated the constitution to set himself up as a new world dictator.
Where governments exist,there will always be thosewho will rise up in protest.


Social Climate
The 1960’s was a decade of enormous social change, especially civil rights.
Much of what transpired in the later part of the decade stemmed from the early clashes of unrest and civil disobedience.
Perhaps the most famous civil unrest came from the Freedom Riders, who tested the Supreme Court decision Boynton v. Virginia by riding racially integrated interstate buses into the South.


In 2017 the world population is estimated at 7.5 billion compared to 4 billion just 56 years ago. In my fictional world of 2073, the population is only 2 billion. Because of labor shortages, genetic engineering produced a classification of sub-humans called “memes.” Since the days of The Exodus, the human spirit has yearned to be free.  We who believe know such true freedom is only found in Christ.
As do those in 2073, called Christ Followers.

Economic Climate
1961 saw the end of a ten-month recession that began in April 1960. Though the recession ended, unemployment remained high.
In the fictional world of 2073, cities comprise the largest economic centers of the world’s nineteen providences. Outworlds are inhabited by non-citizens. Some are defectors who gave up their citizenship for more personal freedom. The largest and most organized of these outworlds is The Network, a series of six communities formerly known as states. They have become illegally self-governing. However, the Network is the largest provider of food for the cities. They have been allowed to exist in return for a tithe of goods. However, their growth threatens the concept of a global government.
Since early history, the economy has determined who controls what.


Cultural Climate
Culture has always been reflected in a society’s entertainment fads and every-day life. In a pluralistic society, conflict arises when one group forces their preferences or religious ideations upon another. In 1961, America considered itself a Christian nation. Most attended a house of worship or held association with a religious denomination.
In the fictional world of 2073, organized religion was blamed for a great war between Christians and Muslims called The Schism. As a result, society outlawed religious expression of any kind.
            History has shown that the quest for domination has always been disguised in the form of outward religiosity. Those who follow the Lord know that true religion begins in a heart that has been surrendered to a sovereign God.
            In a future world, with the demise of outward manipulation of what is deemed right Christianity, Christ Followers have set aside denominational differences and have banned together in common knowledge that God is still on the throne and remains involved in Mankind’s walk on this Earth. That as long as the earth endures, summer, winter, and harvest will remain.
Science and Technological Climate
Since the discovery of fire, Mankind has adored the newest gadgets.
            In 1961, touch-tone technology had been developed but did not come into wider use until 1963. In a future world, communications will be managed through a micro device, illegal for outworlds but still in use. The micro is a computer-like device that can be held in the palm of one’s hand and connects through the Mainframe.
In fact, in the domed cities, every aspect of life is monitored and controlled through the Mainframe. While crime is virtually non-existent, personal freedom has all but vanished. 


Since the dawn of history, men have sought for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Will 2073 bring society closer or farther from this goal?


Tomorrow: Come back to chat with Linda via the comments section.

Whatcha Doin'? LINDA WOOD RONDEAU

Today starts a NEW feature here on the blog.

On Sunday, the featured author will speak to you about a current work-in-progress or an upcoming book.

On Monday, YOU the readers get to speak to the author. She'll answer your questions about what is posted here on Sunday and Monday, or other books you've read by her, and maybe if you're good have a giveaway of some kind.

Easy, right?

In the words of Khan ... let us begin ...

Today's featured author. The first brave soul to participate in Whatcha Doin'?

LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Featured title: The Fifteenth Article

The Fifteenth Article is a futuristic, political thriller set in the late 21stcentury. The world slumped into a second dark age due to war, famine, and disease. Eventually, people tired of warfare, put down their arms and formed a global democracy called The Accord. However, corruption soon followed, The Accord fell and was replaced by a phony democracy called The Constitutional Government of United Earth, so named for the Fourteen Articles of Constitution. The world is divided into nineteen provinces, each province containing a primary city, the polluted areas outside the cities referred to as the outworld, inhabited by defectors, nomads, and marauders. When the book begins, Charles Devereaux, governor of Western America walks into the euthanasia chamber. His successor, Edwin Rowlands, is also slated to replace the ailing President. His climb to power will give him the votes to pass his proposed Preservation Act, or The Fifteenth Article. This legislation would make defection to the outworlds, once a right under The Accord, an act of treason, both past and present, punishable by death without trial. Outworld factions in opposition to the current world government are now threatened, including the thriving Network of Western America, a system of six communities, former states, led by Jacob Goodayle, a Christ follower, who proposes secession from the Constitutional Government. General Kinnear’s Revolutionary Army proposes a military takeover. Ahmed Fared, Jacob Goodayle’s adoptive brother and Second Governor of Western America, believes reform can be managed within the existing government that would prevent civil war and a third dark age. Who will be the voice of reason within the ensuing chaos?


LATER THIS AFTERNOON, an article by Linda, discussing the background of the book. Fascinating stuff, folks!
About the Author
Award winning author, LINDA WOOD RONDEAU writes to demonstrate our worst past, surrendered to God becomes our best future. A veteran social worker, Linda now resides in Hagerstown, Maryland. Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com. Contact the author on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Goodreads.  

BLADE OF INNOCENCE, Highlander the TV series fan fiction

Excerpt from Chapter 9 of the fan novel now available on Wattpad:
            "Mac?"  Josh stepped out into the hall, a hammer in one hand, a box of nails in the other, his carpenter's apron bulging with supplies.  He grinned as Duncan waved and continued his leisurely stroll down the hall.  "Thanks for coming.  We could really use six hands for this job today.  My other helpers couldn't come.  I thought it'd just be Andy and me today."
            Andy.  The name caught Duncan's interest.  There couldn't be two Andy's working on renovating the factory building, could there?  Duncan could almost hear Amanda chuckling.  He told himself to be honest -- it wasn't just his role as Darcy's guardian that made him want to check out the young man.

            "Hey, Andy?" Josh called, as Duncan stepped through the doorway into the half-walled room.  "This is Duncan MacLeod.  An old friend.  He's going to be helping us for a while."
            "Hi."  Andy was the red-head who had been working with Josh when Duncan first came in on Friday.  He wore faded jeans and his blue flannel shirt hung open, revealing decent abs -- he didn't get that condition from just carpentry work, Duncan decided.
            Then Duncan saw the tattoo on the young man's wrist and his assessment ground to a halt.  Dark blue, clear and unblurred from recent application, a narrow ring with the familiar triangular insignia inside.
            Watcher.  Not Josh's Watcher.  What had Darcy said about Andy being Martha's grandson?  Martha came with Josh's team to open up new missions.  Watching seemed to run in families.  Where else could they get recruits without exposing themselves to people who might think they were crazy?
            "Nice to meet you," Duncan said, shaking the young man's hand.  His own hand felt slightly clammy as he released him.  It was an effort not to keep watching Andy.  He turned to Josh and held out his sweatshirt-clad arms.  "What do you want me to do?"
            As he and Josh and Andy finished assembling a long section of wall studs and hoisted it into place, then fastened it down and started hanging the drywall, Duncan thought about what he had seen, the implications.  He stole glances at Andy whenever he could without it seeming obvious.  The young Watcher seemed not be paying any attention to him at all.  Duncan found that almost amusing.  He remembered the few times he had walked into a room full of Watchers.  Everyone had stared, either openly or so furtively it had been ludicrously obvious.  Maybe this young man didn't know who Duncan MacLeod was.
            Now that's a blow to your ego, isn't it? Duncan chided silently.  He had to grin at that.

Book of the Week: DIVINE KNIGHT

Excerpt:

Angela's thoughts and her heart skittered away from that knowledge. She threw herself into laughing and teasing with her friends among the students, pointed out new treasures she had brought into the shop, and listened to her regular customers talk about plans for the rest of their break, or term papers they were working on.

She almost forgot about her dreams by the time she closed up the shop and went upstairs to make dinner. The warmth of the spring day had collected in her apartment. After opening the windows and turning on the ceiling fans, she decided the heat wouldn't dissipate fast enough to suit her. She made a salad and a fresh batch of iced tea and went out into her garden to enjoy the soft breezes coming up the slope from the Metroparks.

"Where are you?" she whispered, startling herself.

Where had that thought come from? Who had she been talking to?

The aching feeling inside her hinted at memories she had either put away for the sake of self-preservation...or she had lost altogether. But how could that be? Taking a deep breath to brace herself, Angela moved backwards in her memories, investigating that disturbing dream from the night before. Perhaps the answer was there? She tried to see the knight's features inside the shadows of his helmet, tried to make out the colors of the garden, anything that would give her a stronger clue to where and when, if this was nothing but a dream, or a valid memory. And if a memory, why had she put it so far away in her mind that she had forgotten it?

More important: Why was it coming back to her now? What magic was at work, sifting through the images filling her memories from her very long, full life, attempting communication in those pictures? Friendly magic, warning her? Or inimical magic, attempting to paralyze her with fear, or distract her from something she needed to sense so she could protect against it?

A queasy ripple in the net protecting the shop yanked Angela out of her thoughts. Her heart leaped as she looked around. The shadows had grown long all around her, like cold, dark hands reaching from the night to enfold her. Her hands and knees shook faintly as she hurried to gather up her dishes and go back into the shop. That shiver of fear bothered her more than the sudden certainty that something was out there in the darkness, watching her.


Worse was the realization that she had lost all sense of time and location, just long enough to be terrified. Which was ridiculous. She had done it to herself. Hadn't she?

Book of the Week: DIVINE KNIGHT

Excerpt:

The students from Willis-Brooks College who didn't go home for spring break descended en mass in the afternoon, in search of candy and old movies and used books. Angela let the bustle and laughing voices divert her. She watched them, reading their spirits, seeing who had grown a little more sensitive to the magic pervading the entire town, and who had let their ideas of success and their goals for the future make them a little less aware than the last time they had visited her.

Despite being so late into the school calendar, there were always a handful of students who hadn't come out to visit Divine's yet, and their amazed, confused, fascinated reactions amused her. The ones who shriveled up a little inside themselves as they walked through the shop and sensed the magic waiting to burst out, the thin spots where otherness tried to come through--those particular students made her want to cry a little more than usual, when she saw someone resist the call of magic. If they would listen and open their eyes and other senses to the wonder around them, the potential for magic in their lives, they could embark on amazing, fulfilling lives.

But there were always a few who sensed the silent song of magic, and resisted, closing their ears and souls to it. They wouldn't come back to Divine's again this school year, and they likely would transfer to another college next year. Saying no in their spirits to Divine's Emporium changed them in some way, so that living within the boundaries of Neighborlee became like itching powder constantly sifting through their clothes, or a mosquito hum by their ear. They would flee the irritation. As always, witnessing this pivotal moment in those strangers' lives and knowing how they would choose broke Angela's heart. Yet today, for some reason, it hurt more than ever.

As if she had witnessed someone precious to her make the same choice, repeatedly. Destiny broke the rules to offer the chance and choice, again and again through the centuries, and yet he--she was sure the person was a he--kept saying no, growing colder and more calloused and deaf as the years ground on.

Christmas Bazaar -- See YOU There?

Still haven't gotten all your Christmas shopping done?

I'm going to be at a huge Christmas bazaar in Akron THIS SATURDAY.


Several writer friends and I will be sharing a double booth. Come see us!
Tamera Lynn Kraft, Mary Ellis, Shellie Arnold, and me!

For more information, follow this link to go to the Facebook page for the event.

Hope to see you there!