Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 188
July 29, 2011
5 Cup review for FIRESONG
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
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
July 11, 2011
Review for DAY AND KNIGHT
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.
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.
July 1, 2011
Pursued, by Lillian Duncan
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!
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!
June 27, 2011
Book Review: No Plot? No Problem!
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.
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.
June 13, 2011
All's Fae in Love and Chocolate at OneTrueMedia.com
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
Coming from Uncial Press, starting June 17!
Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com
The FAE are coming back!!
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!
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 16And 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!
June 7, 2011
See Jane Blush
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.
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.
June 6, 2011
Thanks, Lori and Dianne!
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.
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.
May 11, 2011
Wolves on the West Side at OneTrueMedia.com
My newest video!
For the Emerald Necklace series, set in Northeast Ohio -- Wolves on the West Side, and the sequel, Shatter Scatter.
Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com
For the Emerald Necklace series, set in Northeast Ohio -- Wolves on the West Side, and the sequel, Shatter Scatter.
Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com
April 30, 2011
Book review: The Island of Heavenly Daze
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!
