Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 12

Excerpt: SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES

 

I always had to keep inmind the rules Kurt and Felicity and I had made up to protect our talents or powersor whatever let us do what we did. Hide what we did, hide what we were, hide fromtrouble. There was no telling when the weirdness factor of Neighborlee would failus, and those people who spied on the children’s home would return, notice us, andmake us vanish.

So it was good that Sylviadidn't catch me kinda-sorta flying.

"Am I supposed toask what you were thinking?" I asked, after we stood there for a few minutesin silence.

Sylvia was the one Grandstonewho had learned some patience. Where just staring down her cousins, Reggie and Freddiewould get them to mouth off and get themselves in trouble, silence didn't get underSylvia's skin. She could stand there and smirk, or give indications of the mentalgymnastics she was going through, and wait for someone else to talk.

The smart tactic was totake control of the pseudo-conversation when Sylvia was involved. Besides, the moretime she had to think, the better the chances she would twist the situation aroundentirely in her favor. For instance, if I made her stand there long enough, by thetime an argument arose and she started screaming, she would have convinced herselfthat I had tricked her into staying behind after the Q&A. Since I had survivedten years of attending school with her, the odds were good that I could predictwhat she would say and do, and even how she thought. If the mental gyrations inthe gray matter of a Grandstone brain could be called "thinking."

"Just how long didyou think you could keep that secret?" She adjusted her stance so the otherhip was cocked out and she leaned against the other side of the door.

"Uh, it's a secretto me, I guess."

That got one of her trademarksqueal-snorts. "Your parents."

"It's no secret thatI have parents."

I fully expected her toharangue me with the fact that I was one of the Lost Kids of Neighborlee. Formerresident of Neighborlee Children's Home. A reject. A throwaway. Sloppy seconds.

"They're famous!"Sylvia came out of the doorway, jamming her fists into her hips. "Your parentsare big-time, famous writers! How long did you think you could hide it? Some people!"Another squeal, with only a touch of snort.

"Uh, I never triedto hide it."

What I tried to hide wasmy grin. Until that first booksigning where people were lined up halfway aroundthe block, it never really registered that my parents with twenty books to theirnames were indeed popular writers. People paid good money and waited eagerly forfirst editions in hardback.

"I can't believeI never made the connection." Sylvia tipped her head to one side, letting herhair fall in her face. "I mean, yeah, they're the weird, hippie Zephyrs, butthey're famous. They've got about a gazillion books that people buy. Youare rich."

Uh huh. So that was herproblem. Nobody in town was allowed to be rich other than the Grandstones.

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Excerpt: SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES

 

Too bad his theory waswrong. Sylvia came strolling in among the last of the first group for question-and-answer.She didn't look happy about being there. Maybe because she strolled in entirelyalone. No followers, no admirers, no co-conspirators.

I paid attention to theQ&A because these select academy girls asked smart questions. Maybe becausethe students who came to the first session wanted to be there. They wereinterested in writing and doing research and what else they could do with theirstudy focus on language and writing skills when they got out of school. I listenedinstead of turning down my mental volume control. There were no multiple repetitionsof the same inane questions, proving nobody was listening to anyone. I liked listeningto my folks talk about writing, about research, about fun and freaky things thathappened to them or that they discovered. Mum made them laugh when she admittedhow she tried her hand at writing paranormal romances, and while doing researchon druids she learned about the Roman occupation of Britannia.

She then related how researchingthe Roman occupation led to learning about Boudica, the tribal queen who unitedthe tribes in revolt against the Roman overlords and destroyed ancient Londinium.Yeah, nothing like infuriating a warrior queen by declaring that since her husbandwas dead and there was no male heir, the Romans were going to disband the tribe.Excuse me? Her husband was king because he married her. That was how some Celtictribes handed down the leadership: the man who married the previous king's daughterbecame king. When you think about it, a very sensible way of handling things.

Mum never did write herstory set in ancient Britain, but she got the girls interested in doing researchand just having fun learning bits and pieces. From some of the comments I heardas they passed under the balcony on their way out, she got them interested in Boudicaand their own history, too. That was Mum.

Harry escaped while thegirls were still filing out. I waited until everyone was gone before I came downstairs.Pop went back to the archives with Dr. Butterfield, and Mum walked off with a knotof girls with specific questions about resources and searching.

There was nothing to pickup and move after the Q&A, not like other talks where Mum and Pop had booksor visual aids. I wandered around the room, looking at the stained glass, the chimneyson the lanterns with all the fancy brasswork and colored glass, the inlay on theends of the benches. There was a lot of history in this little room of ten rowswith two five-seater benches in each row.

"Thought so,"a familiar, whiny voice said, punctuated with a snort.

I looked at the door. There was Sylvia Grandstone, armscrossed, head tilted to display her golden curls. I wondered who she was tryingto impress. Ninety-five percent of the staff were women, and this was a girls-onlyschool. That was followed by a sense of "whew!" Her entrance stopped mejust in time, before I acted on an idea of floating up to look at some writing inthe stained glass panel at the front of the chapel. While I didn't really care whatSylvia Grandstone thought of me, I wasn't stupid enough to risk her making a fussthat the wrong people might listen to.

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It's QUIZ Time! Ready to earn some points for a free book?

 SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES

Chapter 1 Quiz

If you haven't listened to Chapter 1 yet on the Ye Olde Dragon's Library storytelling podcast, NOW would be a good time to do that........ 

2 points for every correct answer.

Send your answers to:2OldeDragons@gmail.com by February 28

 

What did Lanie have to apologize for, her junior year of high school?

What would she have preferred doing, back home in Neighborlee?

What is her brother's name?

How long ago was he adopted, at the time of the story?

Why was the woman so angry with Lanie and her brother at the bookstore?

What did Lanie end up calling the lady, by the end of the visit?

Who were Jake and Emma Crowder?

Who is their son (who isn't born yet, at this point in the story)?

Why did Lanie get a headache, when she and her brother were exploring in the attic in the haunted schoolhouse?

 

Can We Talk? I mean, I really would appreciate some in put .....

 CAN WE TALK?

Quick survey, folks. I'd appreciate it so incredibly muchly ...

You can answer in the comments, or you can email me (2OldeDragons @ gmail.com) if you feel a little shy or figure it ain't nobody's business but yours and mine.

I'd love to offer you a new short story to thank you for filling out the survey and helping me with homework (yes, I'm taking a course to help me get my books noticed and find people who want to read them, so yes, HOMEWORK!)

Everybody who responds to this survey will get a link to an ebook or audiobook of a new, unpublished short story in the Enchanted Castle Archives series.

Ready?
Let's start:

What are you reading right now?

Why did you pick that book? (favorite author, something raved about it to you, it looked interesting, your favorite genre, you're trying something new, none of the above ...)

Do you like it so far? Are you getting ready to close it and not pick it up? Are you already looking forward to the next book by that author? Why?

What was the last book you read? (title, author, genre -- why did you pick it?)

What did you like or not like about it?

Why do you read, rather than watching TV or movies or playing games or something else to relax?

What is your ideal book that you would love to find in the bookstore or online? Do you like tearjerkers, silly, snarky, scary, thrillers, heartwarming, adventure? Do you prefer "real life" stories as opposed to fantasy?

Have you ever read any of my stories? If yes, which one did you like the best? If not, what about the blurbs didn't appeal to you? What can I do to convince you to try one of my stories (besides offering you a freebie for letting me pick your brain, of course ...)

THANKS! Muchly appreciate your help on this!!!

Excerpt: SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES

 

The headmistress was aneven bigger fan, but she was reasonable and had some dignity. She and Dr. B teamedup to get some concessions out of the snobs who had thrown up the original barrier.For the sake of the students, of course. Everything came together, including payingfor our transportation to Cornwall and the sprawling manor that had been turnedinto a private school, and get us back to Heathrow on schedule.

An unoccupied facultyapartment was set aside for my folks to do their research in comfort, instead ofworking in the room Dr. B had set up before he went to New Guinea. In exchange,they were asked to spend a few hours talking with the students about all the aspectsof research and writing, journalism, the pros and cons of authorship and the globe-trottinglifestyle. We had to laugh a little about the last part. Mum and Pop had left theglobe-trotting part of their job description behind when they settled in Neighborlee.Sure, they still traveled, but no longer ten months out of the year.

As soon as the first greenplaid skirt and black sweater trimmed in gold strolled into the meeting room-slash-formerchapel for the first question-and-answer session, I got that sick feeling of impendingdoom. Harry was sitting with me in a small balcony where we could see and hear everything,but we weren't on display like Mum and Pop. He was busy with a pretty cool hand-heldvideo game Dr. B gave him, and he didn't pay any attention to the students filinginto the room and jockeying for one of the sixty seats, until I groaned.

"What?" He scootedover on the bench seat and rested his elbows on the balcony ledge, to look downon the growing audience. He frowned at the girls filing in, then at me. "What?"

"Don't you recognizethe uniforms?"

He shook his head andshrugged.

"Remember the Towerof London?"

"I remember thatGrandstone… Oh." Harry patted me on the shoulder. "Maybe she's sick today."

"Grandstones arealways sick, but it's not the kind that gives us any relief." I slidback on the bench, away from the ledge, even though chances of anyone looking upand seeing us were slim.

"Well, you thinkshe's going to come here to listen to Mum and Pop if it's voluntary? I bet the onlything she reads is a supermarket gossip rag or else something about Hollywood. That'swhy she got sent over here, because she wanted to go into acting. Right?" Hewaited for me to nod, then bent his head over his video game again.

Honestly, my little brotherwas a really smart kid.

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Excerpt: SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES

 

Four days before we werescheduled to leave England, we made a stop in Cornwall at a "select academyfor young women" that shall otherwise remain unidentified. Don't for a momentthink that description makes it easy to identify, because in England they grow selectacademies like the average Midwestern front lawn grows dandelions.

The academy was supposedto be one of our first stops when we arrived in England, to go through the archives.Just before our flight, we learned our visit would have to be either postponed orcanceled. The academy's librarian, Mum and Pop's contact, Dr. Butterfield, had totake care of an emergency in New Guinea. Nobody else on the staff was qualifiedto oversee the search. We learned later, that actually meant no one was willingto work with Yanks. They changed their minds fast enough to make Linda Blair's headspin in the opposite direction, when Dr. Butterfield returned and the staff foundout who they had snubbed.

We had planned to spendthe last day in England doing the shopping-tourist thing (Harrod's, Selfridges,other landmark and famous stores). Instead, we packed up and zipped down the coastto a truly beautiful and rocky and wild section of Cornwall. From the top of thecliff that bordered the school grounds, we could see the coastline and the crashingwaves. If it had been near dusk, I might have taken a chance of floating down tothe water's edge, maybe get some water-smoothed rocks for souvenirs.

We spent about eight hoursat the academy. Dr. Butterfield had already done the preliminary work, narrowingdown the specific hand-written, ancient books and loose-leaf stacks of records.My folks "only" had five books to look through out of the enormous, nine-hundred-year-oldarchives.

Once again, the Zephyrreputation worked for and against my folks. The academy administration finally linkedDr. Butterfield's long-distance research friends with the authors who, accordingto the papers, had been taking England by storm. The humanities and arts teacherbegged Dr. Butterfield to bring my folks down to the school immediately, for anextended stay. She claimed she wanted to provide a "delightful educationalexperience for the girls," but based on her fan-girl reaction to Mum and Pop,the real reason was for her to go nuts. She was just giddy enough to confess, giggling,that she had “mistakenly” considered them "filthy, foreign intruders, unableto appreciate the treasures of the academy's archives." Until Dr. B returnedand revealed his friends' identities.

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Firsty Freebie Day!

 

In conjunction with the next Quarry Hall novel, KATHRYN, releasing February 15, this month's free book is a Tabor Heights short story, IN THE AIR, ON THE AIR. (Tabor Heights and Quarry Hall are "sister" series, where characters visit back and forth.)

Riley knows how Clark Kent felt about Superman, when Gina seems to like his radio alter-ego, Whit, more than him. What's a mild-mannered DJ to do to win the girl of his dreams?

Claim your ebook at this link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vd6jm8pogz

Claim your audiobook at this link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/h3q19hk8e2

The links are good until February 2.

And if you're too late, you can STILL get a copy of IN THE AIR, ON THE AIR, by buying an ebook or audiobook of KATHRYN at YeOldeDragonBooks.com, until February 28.

Even better -- the book isn't released until February 15, but you can get it NOW, at YeOldeDragonBooks.com and save $$$. Just check our storefront!

New Month -- New Featured Book: SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES, Neighborlee, Book 2

February's featured book in the Visitor's Guide to Neighborlee.

What's it about?

High school is roughenough, but the town of Neighborlee, Ohio, has traditions that make it evenharder -- culminating in Senior Prank Night, when some seniors try to ensurethey never walk through graduation. Lanie and her friends even have to cutshort their own Senior Prank Nights to protect their classmates. It's roughbeing a semi-pseudo-superhero, especially when you don't even get a costume ora cool name.

 Lanie and her friendsgrow into their duties as guardians. The threats to Neighborlee grow darker asenemies gather from many different directions. Other worlds. Other dimensions.Possibly even the Lost Kids who were stolen years ago.  The guardians do whatever it takes to protecttheir home.

 And sometimes theguardians pay the ultimate price.

Want to earn points toward free Neighbortlee books?

The quiz will come next week, but you can work ahead by listening to the 1st chapter on the Ye Olde Dragon's Library storytelling podcast. Go to YeOldeDragonBooks.com and click on the podcast link, or listen on your favorite podcast app. That easy.

Check back over the month for excerpts from this book, and for the quiz questions and how to turn in your answers and claim your points.

Excerpt: CONFESSIONS OF A LOST KID, Neighborlee, Ohio, Book 1

 "We've disturbedsomething, you think?" Mr. Longfellow shared one of those long looks with Angelathat adults were so good at.

"I think it's morealong the lines of it taking advantage of all the activity, all the emotions beingstirred up, the contention and excitement and the vast possibilities and potentials."Miss Angela sighed and frowned a little as she picked up the pot-belly teapot coveredin dragons and unicorns, and refilled all our hot chocolate mugs.

"The weak spot iseither under the factory, or somewhere in the park nearby." He winked at Kurt."Son, you have a very useful and convenient talent. Smart of you, picking upthe direction the power leaks were coming from."

I almost said "huh?"and Kurt gave me a big-eyed glance, meaning he felt just as lost. We finally realizedMr. Longfellow meant the itching sensation that was always on the same side of theroom. What I wanted to know, and what we were both sure we didn't dare ask, waswhat they meant by power leaks. What had been disturbed? How could emotions wakeup something? What weak spot? Was there like a hole in the ground or something inthe park behind the old factory building? Maybe there were tunnels and things inthe old quarries that had been turned into state park land that nobody knew about,and the tunnels were going to collapse, like the old mines in the TV show we hadseen the week before?

We didn't ask, becausewe were both pretty sure neither Miss Angela nor Mr. Longfellow would tell us. Itwas pretty clear that while they appreciated our help, they didn't like us beinginvolved. It sure sounded and felt like something just serious enough, I didn'twant to know. I mean, I was only five!

"Whatever we do,"Mr. Longfellow said a short time later, as he led me and Kurt out to his truck,to drive us back to school and home, "there will be repercussions. Especiallyif those outsiders are involved. Picking at the shields."

"What matters isthat the holes will be plugged, the cracks filled or patched over," Miss Angelasaid. I saw for the first time the smile that I learned over the years meant mischiefas well as dire consequences for anyone who stood against her.

Kurt and I never did hearwhat they did. The important thing was that I didn't get in trouble for not comingstraight home from school. Some of the girls in my cottage were upset that I gotto go to Divine's Emporium without them. We took Kurt to school before Mr. Longfellowdrove me home. Kurt got back to school with two minutes to spare before the recessbell rang. Mrs. Longfellow was waiting at the side door of the school that openedout onto the parking lot. She stepped out to meet the truck, climbed up on the runningboard and kissed Mr. Longfellow through the open window. Then she told him to becareful and held out her hand for Kurt's to lead him back into the building.

"Not gonna ask whatI'm supposed to be careful about?" Mr. Longfellow asked, as we pulled out ofthe parking lot and headed for NCH.

"It's grownup stuff,huh?" I said.

"You got it, honey."He winked at me. "Take my advice and stay a kid as long as you can, okay?"

I must have given himone of those "adults are crazy" looks that most kids are so good at. Idefinitely didn't understand what he could mean. How could I be anything but a kidas long as I was a kid? He burst out laughing. When he dropped me off in front ofthe central hall of NCH, Mrs. Silvestri was waiting at the front door. He came aroundto the passenger door of the truck to help me down, because that big, old-fashionedtruck was a little high off the ground. Then he tucked some folded pieces of paperin my hand and told me to share them with Kurt, because we had saved him and MissAngela lots of headaches and we deserved a reward. When I looked later, I foundout he had given me five dollars — for each of us. That took care of a lot of Christmasshopping, and sort of smoothed over the explanation Miss Angela had given Mrs. Silvestri,that we needed advice on Christmas shopping. So we really didn't lie.

Maybe teaching us to keepsecrets at such a young age wasn't the best sort of lesson, but when it came todefending Neighborlee, and the sanity of the "ordinary" people of ourtown, it was an important lesson to learn.

Even more important than escaping punishment for breakingseveral important rules, the nightmares stopped. Completely. Not even echoes ofthem or fragments.

Video -- Sneak Peek of the next Neighborlee featured book: SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES

 

Just finished making a new video, for my February featured book in the Visitor's Guide to Neighborlee, year-long promotion.

Whaddaya think?

And there's still time to take the latest quiz and earn points toward a free book. Check a couple blog posts ago for the questions and where to send the answers. It's easy! Just listen to the 1st chapter of CONFESSIONS OF A LOST KID on the Ye Olde Dragon's Library storytelling podcast, or if you own the book, read the 1st chapter to refresh your memory. You do want to earn points toward free books, don't you?

Come on, it'll be fun!!