Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 15
September 12, 2024
Book Report: RISK THE REAL, by Allen Arnold
A companion volume to THE EDEN OPTION.Subtitle: How to Defy the Rise of the Artificial.
Everything around us is pushing subtly and not-so-subtly to give in and accept artificial life as not just inevitable, but somehow good for us.
Just how good is a diet of artificial colorings and flavorings?
We need to open our eyes and determine what is real, and hold onto it. We need to refuse to let the artificial get any more dominant in our lives. We need to hold out for the real world, the real lives, that God intended for us.
From the back cover: " The clash between the Real and the Artificial is Intensifying ... and You Are the Prize.
"Every aspect of life is being invaded by the artificial. But we miss what's at stake when we assume it's inevitable, natural, or even neutral. It actually began in Eden when the serpent offered Adam and Eve a counterfeit reality based on the Tree of Knowledge and the promise to become like gods.
"These ancient roots entangle us in more ways than we realize. We seek to redefine reality in our image. We look to the unreal to make us more real. Nothing fazes or amazes us anymore. We stumble through life in a Partificial Daze -- partially present and fully disoriented by an artificial haze of anxiety, exhaustion, and addition.
"What's needed is a reality reorientation:
"** Real isn't how we feel. It's aligning with God's design for reality ... and us.
"** Artificial isn't just AI or fake things. It's any lie that lures us away from God."
Can I have an Amen?
September 9, 2024
It's Time for MORE Book Festivals!!! Will I see you there?
Two Festivals this weekend!
Skunk Fest
10am to 4pm,Saturday, September 14
South CentralPark, 7565 Avon Belden Rd.
NorthRidgeville, OH 44039
RELEASE DAY!!!
I'm working on a middle-grade book about the childhood adventures of 'Na, my heroine from the Enchanted Castle Archives short stories.
THE SCENT OF ADVENTURE is a novella written specifically for Skunk Fest -- because thanks to the wonky magic her parents constantly have to deal with, and fix, 'Na and her pet dragon, Smedley, get turned into skunks! How do they get out of that mess? Come get the book and find out!!
Indie AuthorBook Expo
1-5pm, Sunday,September 15
Emerald EventCenter at Residence Inn at Mariott
Avon, OH
Will I see you there?????
September 6, 2024
Book Review: 3 SHORT STORIES FROM THE CHRONICLES OF ST. MARY'S SERIS, by Jodi Taylor
Yeah, I indulged and got all 3 short stories from the Deals section of Audible.The problem with listening to these stories is that they're .5 stories -- meaning they occur in between the full-length Chronicles of St. Mary's stories .... and they kind of hint at stuff that happened in books I haven't read yet!
Still, they're good. They're fun. And I'll probably listen to them again, once I've listened to the books that go between them/they go between. (What is the proper English/grammatical phrasing here?)
THE TOAST OF TIME: Story 12.5
Yeah, that means there have been TWELVE full-length novels so far. Whoa .... Don't want to give too much away, but Max is not spending Christmas at St. Mary's as most of these short stories seem to do. She and Markham are pretty much fugitives, and most of the characters I've come to love and look forward to visiting again are living in hiding, trying to avoid trouble from the Time Police and various nasty characters who have gotten themselves put in charge of St. Mary's. The TOAST referred to is a comment on the joke about how toast always manages to fall butter side down, if you drop it. Max and Markham get an assignment from the "retrieval agents" who are currently giving them shelter, to investigate a "flying auction" where various historical artifacts have been stolen and are being offered for sale. Of course, between Max and Markham, you know this auction isn't going to go as planned.
Great fun.
WHY IS NOTHING EVER SIMPLE? : Story 10.5
Yeah, I'm going in reverse order. Why does it matter? I haven't ready Book 10 yet, either! It's Christmas, and time for Maj. Guthrie's traditional last jump before leaving St. Mary's for civilian life. Being a loyal Scotsman, he wants to visit a historical battle where the Scots beat the snot out of the English .... but something goes wrong, and when Max goes to investigate, she discovers some time-traveling interlopers who want to change time so the English always win. And that's just the start of the trouble and fun mayhem!
CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Story 4.5
Whew! Finally it takes place after a story I actually read. I think I'm ready to plunge into book 5 .... Max and Markham team up to give the ultimate Christmas present to a friend, by finding someone lost in time, and the Muse of History lends a helping hand. Or rather, it's more like a good, solid, mysterious kick in the pants, to get the two of them going. It wouldn't be Christmas at St. Mary's without an illicit, off-the-books time jump, of course.
August 30, 2024
Book Review: THE EDEN OPTION, by Allen Arnold
Allen Arnold is something of a guru for creatives who want to work hand-in-hand with God.
In fact, his first book is called The Story of With, and it's part Bible study, part parable. I highly recommend reading at least once a year just to refresh your brain on the principles and try to do a better job this time around ...
THE EDEN OPTION investigates and explores the concept of two different story worlds that we can live in. Story 1 is the story life and story world God intended for all of us, and Story 2 is the one we settle for, thanks to rebellion and basic selfish stupidity.
The subtitle on the cover offers hope: THE WORLD IS UNRAVELING, BUT THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE YOUR REALITY.
From the back cover: "Story 1 is the original, true story we were made for. A way of life that revolves around God where we are fully seen, known, and loved. Story 2 is the counterfeit narrative we're born into. A way of life that revolves around us. We make ourselves the hero of the story; then wonder why God seems distant.
"The Eden Option is a beacon that calls us back to God-reality. It reveals his original design for our lives, how we lost it, and why it matters more than we imagine."
Read it. Apply it. Break free. Go home!
August 28, 2024
More Book Fairs Soon -- Will I See You There?
Coming up in TWO WEEKS!! TWO festivals, one after another. Hope to see you at one of them!
Skunk Fest
10am to 4pm,Saturday, September 14
South CentralPark, 7565 Avon Belden Rd.
NorthRidgeville, OH 44039
**ALERT**
I'm working on a short middle-grade fantasy fiction piece written especially for Skunk Fest.
It's an Enchanted Castle Archives tie-in story, featuring the adventures of 'Na when she was a little girl, with her pet dragon, Smedley. Come find me and pick up your copy at a discount over online prices.
(At least, I'm planning on the book being ready. At this point, a lot depends on the printer doing their job!)
Indie AuthorBook Expo
1-5pm, Sunday,September 15
Emerald EventCenter at Residence Inn at Mariott
Avon, OH
HockingHills Book Fairs:
2 dates!
11am-3pm,October 5
NelsonvilleElks Lodge, Nelsonville, OH
11am to 4 pm,December 14
The Dairy Barn,Athens, OH
August 26, 2024
Book Review: FABLEHAVEN, by Brandon Mull
Audiobook, narrated by E.B. StevensEver wondered where all the magical creatures of legend and lore have vanished to? According to this series, they live in sheltered sanctuaries, hidden from the cruel, modern world. And a bunch of nasties who want to tear them apart to control their magic.
Kendra and her brother Seth go to stay a couple weeks with their grandparents while their parents are on a cruise. Their grandparents are somewhat reluctant for the kids to come stay with them.
Incredible things happen when the children find out why.
Their grandparents are caretakers of Fablehaven, and all that magic doesn't exactly result in a safe place for anyone to stay, much less children who don't know how to obey the very simple rules their grandparents give them. What happens when broken rules lead from uncomfortable transformations to the possible shattering of the barriers that protect them from all that wild magic?
Heroes are born through crisis, and sometimes the magic and wonder that result have a bittersweet taste.
August 23, 2024
New Tabor Heights Release: THE FAMILY WAY
Now available from Mt. Zion Ridge Press, in paper, ebook, and audio:
Everything is goingright for Lisa. Her comic strip about a pastor's family has gone national, andshe has a contract for a series of books. Even better, she is pregnant.Finally, her critical father-in-law will stop mocking her for wasting time withher "scribbles" and "pretensions of being an artist," andadmit she is a good wife.
Then her husband,Todd, comes home from another business trip in a foul mood and destroys herhappy announcement with: "Is it mine?"
He tries to makethings right, but he has never learned to simply apologize. Even moreimportant, he has never learned that if he is truly sorry, he needs to change.As communication disintegrates and suspicions and pain increase, their marriagedisintegrates, until his own sisters urge Lisa to leave him, to protect herheart, her mind, her baby, and even her life.
Family secrets, andpatterns of suspicion and accusations and abuse slowly come to light. Can Lisaand Todd regain their first love and forgive each other, and break free of afamily tradition that could destroy them both?
www.MtZionRidgePress.com
August 21, 2024
Sneak Peek! Cover Reveal!
COMING OCTOBER 1
The next Young Defenders adventure
Who are the Young Defenders?
Behind every legendary ship are the little people whomake the incredible discoveries possible.
In the case of the AFV Defender, they really are little:the children of the crew, growing up below decks, learning lessons on faith,honor, loyalty, and what it really means to be a hero. No matter what it costs.
Cadets long before they go to the Fleet Academy forofficial training, they are preparing for the day the fate of the Alliance, andmaybe the Human race, lies in their hands.
SOFT-WIRED
Book 3,Elli’s Story
Elli arriveson the Defender with her older brother, Dom, an engineer. Their parents diedseveral years ago, and Dom has been taking care of her ever since.
Elli isworried that she won't be able to make friends. Her colony world was hit withan epidemic, and everyone has been living in isolation. Even worse, Elli isafraid to admit that she was exposed to the Rewire Fever.
Somethingseems to be wrong with her brain. She can smell people's emotions, and shehears sounds that tell her what people are feeling. Elli wants to hide allthese strange, new things she can do. Then she meets Tress Lore, who has justlearned she can hear what people are thinking. They both become students ofMaster Maenta, who teaches them that Enlo gives special gifts for specificreasons, and even when something goes wrong, good things, better things cancome from it.
August 5, 2024
Books in the Barn -- Come and check us out. It's gonna be GREAT!!
Books in the Barn hasa terrific lineup this year! The barn is full and vendors will also be outsideunder the porch. Over 50 vendors who are talented in more than one area. Hereis the breakdown of what will be offered at the booths and a few specialtyitems.
25 - Arts & Crafts vendors 24 - Local Authors (Christian and/or family-friendly) 6 - Direct Sales vendors 1 - Toy tractor collection sale Kid's Corner will be selling homemade zucchini bread and cookies Light breakfast and lunch offered by Old Stone Presbyterian Church. Scioto Paint Parties will teach you how to paint the canvas "Shine" at 12:30. Don't miss Sharla Patterson Photography outside under the porch. She is offering a mini 10-minute photo shoot for $25 and you will get the digital photos.
To learn more about vendors, check the Facebook eventpage. Link below. Bring your friends, neighbors, and church family to this great event! I willsee you next Saturday at...
Books in the Barn
Saturday, August 10th from 10 AM - 3 PM
5530 Radnor Rd, Radnor
Website: https://maryrodman.com/books-and-crafts-in-the-barn-vendor-list/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/816417293653232/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7213138845498818560/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C81oSwoOKvo/
August 3, 2024
Book Fair TODAY in Xenia!
Everything you need to know is right here!Hope to see you there.Would be great to meet you face-to-face!
Oh, and by the way, we've got LOTS of books!!!
#bookfair#booksigning#booksale#XeniaEvents
