Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 171

Off the Bookshelf: CALCULATED IN DEATH by JD Robb

What can I say? I am addicted to the adventures of Dallas and Roarke -- as in Eve Dallas, homicide detective in a near-future New York, and her Irish-born gazillionaire (her words!) husband.

It just goes to show how busy I've been for the last year, that I didn't get this book in hardcover when it first came out, but waited for paper. Of course, then I devoured it in three days -- after I got my day's writing and earning-a-living work done, of course.

Thank goodness the baseball season is over (for me, anyway) so my evenings are a little freer ....

CALCULATED IN DEATH starts with finding a murdered woman in a doorway on a frigid November evening. She's a wife, mother, accountant/auditor, and the murderer tries to make it look like a mugging. But of course, Dallas senses something is wrong. And as she follows the trail and uncovers the lies being told by multiple people, she gets the true criminals upset, then panicked, so they make big mistakes.

More important than the mystery and bringing justice for the victim, though, is the interplay of characters, the growth of the relationship between Eve and Roarke, the visits from people we've come to know and love, and chuckle quietly as Eve struggles with the trials and tribulations of being famous, despite her best efforts to just do her job. Her utter terror of the beautician, Trina. Her frustration with Roarke, who delights in showering her with gifts -- but the man knows how to make them useful, as in a thigh holster to go under her designer gown, or a leather coat with a stunner-proof lining. And then there's Peabody, her partner, and McNab, e-detective, and their relationship, the pop singer Mavis and her fashion designer husband, Leonardo, Dr. Mira and her husband and other members of the NYPSD.

I finished a big writing project, met a deadline, and despite my resolve not to buy new books until I cleared at least one shelf of my to-be-read bookrack ... well, I deserve the treat, the indulgence. Love the books!

SPOTLIGHT: Chronicles of Chanute Crossing book two, NURTURED IN PURPLE, by Jude Urbanski

Book two in the Chronicles of Chanute Crossing, NURTURED IN PURPLE, is now available in paper from Jude Urbanski and Desert Breeze Publishing.

Life in Chanute Crossing flourishes and Willard finally succeeds in getting Elizabeth to say I do, but it’s not a happy-ever-after ending. Willard loses his high-power job, Elizabeth, though fulfilled in her teacher role, struggles to find contentment.  Their desire for a family remains elusive and her emotions for Seth still smolder.
Willard, forever  narcissistic, seeks revenge and nearly destroys Seth’s lumber business. Elizabeth, once realizing the gift she has in Willard, receives incredible grace from Kate and from God. What man meant for evil, God meant for good.

The characters of beautiful Chanute Crossing come off the pages to offer joys and sorrows as new life continues and tragedy is turned into triumph.
Available at Amazon.

SOLDIER'S HEART by Tamera Kraft

Instead of giving you a book report, I'm delighted to talk about the newest release by one of my writing friends, Tamera Lynn Kraft.

Murray Pura's American Civil War Series - Cry of Freedom - Volume 13 - Soldier's Heart 

150 years ago the history of America changed forever. Live 1863 through the stories of some of our finest writers – the passion, the romance, the tragedy, and the triumph. 

Noah Andrews, a soldier with the Ohio Seventh Regiment can’t wait to get home now that his three-year
enlistment is coming to an end. He plans to start a new life with his young wife. Molly was only sixteen when she married her hero husband. She prayed every day for him to return home safe and take over the burden of running a farm.

But they can’t keep the war from following Noah home. Can they build a life together when his soldier’s heart comes between them?


Check out Tamera's web site at: http://www.freewebs.com/tameralynnkraft/

Or follow this link to the Amazon page for the Kindle edition: http://www.amazon.com/Murray-Puras-American-Series-ebook/dp/B00FKNQLGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380731877&sr=8-1&keywords=soldier%27s+heart+tamera+lynn+kraft

SPOTLIGHT: For Jenny's Sake, by BARRI BRYAN

Today's spotlight is on the newest book by Barri Bryan, a Desert Breeze Publishing author.

FOR JENNY'S SAKE

Erin Bennett is determined to gain custody of her daughter. Her ex-husband, Gabriel Harrow, is determined she will not. Will they compromise for Jenny's sake?

Eight years ago Erin Harrow fled her hometown in the wake of shame and scandal. She’s back now, as Erin Bennett, the rich widow of recently deceased billionaire Sheldon Bennett. She’s returned to claim what is hers and to set the record straight on some very important issues.

Gabe Harrow has never recovered from his ex-wife’s flight to oblivion.  He’s never forgiven her for disappearing without leaving a trace. She’s back now and determined to take from him the one thing that gives his life meaning, his daughter. But then, Jenny is Erin's daughter too.

Look for Barri and get to know her and her books through these links:

http://barribryan.com/

http://barribryan.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/BarrriBryan?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/texpoet

Jane Bondservant #30

Last week, Dr. Noway dropped a brain-numbing bombshell on me: his adorable nieces, Clarabelle and Annabelle weren't his nieces. They were his daughters.
I had to wonder just why he was telling me this information. In the wrong hands, it could be used against him. Only a few seconds of thought told me the girls were his major weakness, his Achilles heel, the one tool that could put him into my power. And he just told me, like he trusted me.
*sigh* Being a spy and working on opposite sides from this man who obviously adored his little girls wasn't much fun. Especially when I was one of the good guys, so I knew I couldn't use any of this against him. Not that I wanted to -- because doggone it, I was starting to really like this guy!
"I have done many things I regret, but walking away from riches and power and … yes, evil … walking away isn't one of them." Dr. Noway sighed and seemed to wilt a little, looking tired. I wanted to pat his hand and tell him everything would work out just fine.
I didn't, because I was wearing a micro-recorder in my glasses and my watch and the dove pin in my sweater. No way did I want my fellow spies knowing I was getting a soft spot for my arch-enemy!
"I have never been out on my own before, without someone telling me what to do, what to think. I have control of my conscience for the first time in my life since high school. It's terrifying and rather exhilarating. I am not sure what to do next. Just living one day at a time."
"That's all any of us can do sometimes," I offered.
Yes, I know that was lame, but I wasn't sure what to say, and I had to say something to assure him I was still listening, so he could keep talking. Then he laid a bombshell on me.
"If something happens to me, Miss Jane, I have no regrets, except for what will happen to my girls. They love you. Will you take care of them?"
What could I say?   Tune in next time and find out!

Off the Bookshelf: UNMASKING THE MYSTERY OF POINT OF VIEW, by Angela Hunt

Book 3 in Writing Lessons from the Front by Dr. Angela Hunt deals with the conundrums of POV, shorthand for Point of View.

Essentially -- what "camera" are we looking through during the narration of the story? Is the "camera" sitting on someone's shoulder, hovering around the room, or looking through the narrator's eyes as he or she participates in the story and relates all thoughts and feelings?

How do you choose with POV to use? How do you know what works best? How do you STAY in the correct POV? What's the difference between 1st person, 3rd person, 2nd person, 3rd person omniscient, or Deep POV? Check out this short, practical book, follow the good doctor's advice, and you'll be on your way.

SPOTLIGHT: A Discreet Gentleman of Intrigue by KRIS TUALLA

From Kris Tualla and Desert Breeze Publishing comes this suspense novel in a foreign setting:
Deaf investigator, Brander Hansen, is convinced the man he glimpsed in Christiania is his childhood friend, though that man's headless body was discovered weeks ago. Catching the suspect leaving a tavern, Brander follows. Brander is attacked, taken prisoner, and dumped in St. Petersburg - where he doesn't understand their language or alphabet. With nothing but the clothes on his body, Brander struggles to survive.
Regin Hansen doesn't know where her husband is - or if he is still alive. She sails for Denmark hoping Prince Christian VI will aid her search. In exchange, Christian asks Regin to do some discovering on his behalf, befriending an international diplomat. Pleasant at first, the diplomat threatens Regin when he is dissatisfied with her efforts to influence the prince. Regin must balance her friendship with the prince and the demands of the diplomat, all the while wondering if she has been widowed once again.
Founder of Arizona Dreamin' ~ 30 May-1 June, 2014www.arizonadreaminevent.comwww.buildinthedream.com
"Norway is the new Scotland!"www.kristualla.com

Jane Bondservant #29

So that Sunday, I went on a date with Dr. Noway and his nieces. Question: if we had chaperons, it really wasn't a date, was it? Especially if we went to Rainbow Pizza?
Never been to Rainbow Pizza? It's a games arcade for kids, with lots of animatronic animals that sing and dance and two miles of pizza in flavors you would never anticipate, and a mile-long ice cream bar.
Dr. Noway definitely spoiled the girls. They had to be robots, because how could they get everything they wanted without turning into nasty little spoiled brats? I am here to testify, they never whined, and were sweet and adorable and had nearly perfect manners, always saying please and thank you during the entire three hours we spent there.
We teamed up for games. Dr. Noway and Annabelle versus me and Clarabelle. It was fun! Of course, it helped that we racked up gobs of rainbow-colored tickets, which the girls gleefully turned in for all sorts of junk prizes. Necklaces and squirt guns and bubbles and other trash little kids loved. And speaking of love, he really did love those girls. Not as pets, but as themselves. He actually blushed when I told him so.
"Can I be honest with you, Miss Jane?" Again, he looked like a shy little boy, and I didn't hesitate to tell him yes, he could tell me anything. "They aren't my nieces -- they're my daughters."
He sighed while I processed that interesting little revelation and bit my tongue to keep from asking who their mother was. I could guess -- another minion of B.L. Zebob Industries, "terminated" when she failed an assignment.
"My girls are my reason for reforming," he said after a moment of watching the girls standing at the prize counter, planning what they wanted to win next. "I hid them as well as I could, separating them from me so they wouldn't become hostages … well, tools in the hands of men who would use my past mistakes to control me and my future. For their sake, I have walked away from a lucrative career, more power than any man could ever want, and started over. For my girls." He shrugged, and for a moment despair clouded his big, beautiful dark eyes.
I wanted so badly to ask: If you're starting over, how come you're using your real name? Doesn't that kind of send up a signal flare for B.L. Zebob to catch up with you?
Unless that was actually a brilliant piece of reverse psychology? Think about it -- if you were hiding from someone who was going to annihilate you for abandoning ship, would you use your own name? The enemy wouldn't expect you to use your real name, so they wouldn't look for you under that name, so technically, that's the safest place to be -- yourself. Right?  Then again, who really knows how master criminals and despots trying to take over the entire planet really think?
What else would Dr. Noway tell me in this rare moment of openness? Come back next week and find out!

Off the Bookshelf: DIVINE SUMMONS, Windrider Saga #1, by Rebecca Minor

It's always cool to look up -- and then download and read -- a book by someone you've recently met, in person, talked to, gotten to know. I met Rebecca Minor at the first Realm Makers Conference in St. Louis. Not only has she put together the Faith and Fantasy Alliance (which I still have to remember to join!) but she knows how to throw one incredible "party" for spec fic writers.

Should have guessed from her incredible, intricate elf costume at the banquet that her book would be the same way -- elves, swords, quests, danger, dragons, prophecies, half-bloods, snarky comments. She's got it all!

Vinyanel Ecleriast is an elf warrior with a major attitude. That can be good when your kingdom and your king are threatened by nasty lizardy enemies called the Dragonkin -- not to be confused with real dragons, because at least some turn out to be the good guys. This is only the first book, so I don't know the final score on that one. Vinyanel has already lost most of his fellow-soldiers in the effort to get a power chalice out of enemy hands and to the king. Then he runs into a prophetess with a 'tude of her own, and a problem with heights, which doesn't work out so good when they have to escape certain death on the back of a dragon!

And that's just the first few pages. This is a fast read, and even though some of the prose took on a lavender tinge in spots ... it's fun! Can't wait to see what kind of trouble Vinyanel and his friends/allies/reluctantly accepted mentors face in the next book.

SPOTLIGHT: A Legacy of Lies by STEPHENIA MCGEE

Today's Spotlight is an Inspirational Romantic Suspense from Desert Breeze Publishing.
A LEGACY OF LIES
Sarah Sanders was always the reasonable sort, until she kissed a cowboy against her better judgment. Feeling strangely drawn to this mysterious ranch hand with a dark past, she finds herself swept up in an adventure that will force her to question everything she believes.
Jim Anderson's cowboy gig is going pretty well. Except for one thing - he thinks he's going insane. Night terrors, hallucinations, and now a girl he has no business falling for. It's better to keep his distance. But when Sarah is nearly killed, he will risk it all to save her.

When tragedy brings him back to the home he tried to escape, Jim will have to face the truth behind his strange circumstances and hope that Sarah will believe him. Digging up the answers to questions long buried, does he have the strength to face the dark family secrets that threaten to destroy them both?
2013 “Best Inspirational Book of 2012” RONE award Winner2012 EPIC award finalist
Stephenia's web site: http://www.stepheniamcgee.com/