Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 21
February 2, 2024
Update: Time to Look Ahead -- Pre-Orders, Anyone?
WHEW!
I just finished narrating the last chapter of INQUEST, the next AFV Defender novel.
The book releases March 1, so there's no time to waste, getting the audio files edited and polished and uploaded. The ebook version has been uploaded and should be available for pre-order in the next few days from your favorite online store. I hope to have the print book uploaded, and also available for pre-orders, within the next week!
I'm also working on a guidebook to the AFV Defender universe. This will include a timeline, so you know where you are between the books and the short stories, wherever you happen to be reading. I'll also have some nifty character art that I've been working with a wonderful Fiverr artist on producing, slowly but surely. And, if you've ever wondered what some of the Nisandrian and Gatesh and other phrases mean, that the crew of the Defender throw around from time to time ... that will be in there too!
Speaking of pre-orders, THE BEASTLY BEAUTY, the next novel in the Enchanted Castle Archives series, is available for pre-order in paper and ebook. PLUS, it's the current story being told, two chapters every week, on the Ye Olde Dragon's Library storytelling podcast.
If you pre-order from Ye Olde Dragon Books, you'll get a new, free short story that won't be released until BEASTLY BEAUTY releases. It's called ASH, BREAD AND THE BOY, and follows our heroine, Ash, as she has an odd little adventure during her first courier run. This is a story that takes place "between the pages" in the first few chapters of BEASTLY BEAUTY.
If you're interested in pre-ordering either of these books, keep checking back here, on my website, or Ye Olde Dragon Books for the announcement and the link to the pre-order page.
February 1, 2024
It's RELEASE DAY!
It's a BOOK BIRTHDAY!
Newly released today!
BRIGHTEN YOUR CORNER
Book & Mug Mysteries #3
Ready for another search for clues in Cadburn Township?
Ready for another visit to your favorite coffee shop and bookstore, Book & Mug?
BRIGHTEN YOUR CORNER
When the Tweed cousins, Melba and Cilla, set out to open their candleshop, Brighten Your Corner, obstacles pop out of the woodwork. And from out ofthe walls and under the floor. Starting with an overbearing cousin who wants totake over, insisting the shop was her idea, a nasty former tenant with shadybusiness associates, who insists the shop they now lease still belongs to him,and a family mystery tangled with rumors of a treasure hunt.
The cousins at Book & Mug consider the Tweeds family. Eden, Kaiand Troy, with the help of Saundra and Rufus are determined to help themthrough the threats and contradictions and increasingly odd and frighteningincidents that just don't make sense. The situation gets serious enough thateven the help of mysterious, cynical Nick West, with his powerful connections,is more than welcome.
Check it out today -- buy it today from Mt. Zion Ridge Press, or anywhere you prefer to shop online. It's waiting!
January 17, 2024
King Sumo Giveaway -- So Many New Worlds Event!!!
Check out the authors in the KingSumo Giveaway event before everything gets rolling.
(Thanks to Pam Halter, who put the list together for easycopying ….)
J.L. Burrows
Tabitha Corvin
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089857391351
Michelle Levigne
Michelle Levigne, Authorand Editor
Ben Avery
https://benavery.com/maillist/
https://www.facebook.com/BenAveryStoryteller/
Trista Shaye
https://substack.com/@tristashaye?utm_source=profile-page
https://www.facebook.com/TristaShaye
Candice Pedraza Yamnitz
https://subscribepage.io/k5YZRE
https://www.facebook.com/candiceyamnitz
Amelie Lynn
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/k2a9n1
https://www.facebook.com/walshmountainpublishing
Erin R. Howard
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z6w4q4
https://www.facebook.com/E.R.H.Fiction/
And the website to sign up for PamHalter’s newsletter!
January 16, 2024
#SOMANYNEWWORLDS24
This giveaway is about visiting as many book worlds as you can in this new year2024! So join us as we celebrate writing alongside you, our awesome readers!Win books, swag, and MONEY!
I'mgoing to introduce you to some amazing authors! Take a moment to check themout! Sign up for their newsletters, and always like, follow, and comment onthis post to get the conversation started.
WHO'S EXCITED FOR...
A NewYear's Party of New Worlds!
Wewill have:
a KingSumo giveaway (8 days long) with three incredible prizesDuringthe 8 days, you can follow the virtual tour through each author's Facebookgroup page (January 20-27)
Ascavenger hunt for along the tour (Each participant will post {hide} somethingin their group page for hunters to find, and pin awelcome/next-stop-on-the-scavenger-hunt post)
Bethere LIVE for the Saturday, January 27th announcement where we will Giveaway with the announcement ofthe winners of the three separate prizes. 1.Book-Themed Swag Bundle Giveaway 2. Book Giveaway AND 3. A Grand Prize AmazonGift Card
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booknerd #readers#bookaddict #bookish #authorlife #JLBURROWSAUTHOR#bookworm#books #writing #writer#booklover #book #SOMANYNEWWORLDS24#reading
@jlburrowsauthor@steampunk_tales @tristashaye @candiceyamnitz @amylynn_walsh @erinrhoward@benaverystoryteller @michellelevigne
OnFacebook:authorpamhalter
January 15, 2024
NOW Available: MUSIC IN THE NIGHT
MUSIC IN THE NIGHT, the final book in theGuardians of the Time Stream series (steampunk/gas lamp/fantasy) is nowavailable in paper, ebook and audio.
Join my newsletter and get the prequel thatlaunched the series, ODESSA FREMONT, in ebook.
This offer ends January 31.
Click this link to sign up and claim your book.
You can unsubscribe at any time, but keep in mindthat my newsletter subscribers get a chance to claim free ebooks before they'rereleased, and get advance notice of when new books are coming out, plus achance to ask questions or make suggestions for upcoming books, and win prizesduring the year.
Why not join the fun?
Celebrate the release of MUSIC IN THE NIGHT now!
For more information about my books, check outMlevigne.com or YeOldeDragonBooks.com
#freebook
#newrelease
#steampunk
#gaslamp
#newslettersignup
#fantasybooks
#ebooks
January 10, 2024
MUSIC IN THE NIGHT -- Excerpt
Whenher father fell from grace and his colleagues and superiors chose to believethe vicious rumors that shredded his reputation, peace of mind, and his health,Carmen had thought at first Boniface had been behind those false stories; especiallywhen some of the ugly, unbelievable stories and accusations focused on her.Then he had showed up like an avenging angel, fighting to defend her father,mocking those who chose to believe the lies. Even with the taint of disgraceclinging to Carmen and Reverend Mackenzie, he had still wanted to marry her andtake both of them away to a quiet life in a small congregation waiting for him.His anger had been tempered with sorrow when Carmen refused him again.
Now...
Carmenfound she could breathe again when Boniface's blue-gray gaze slid off of hersand he turned to study the other side of the street.
"Nothing,"he said, his voice colder than the rain.
"Areyou sure you heard it?" the driver asked. In a moment, the steam-cartcarried them both out of sight.
"Youdon't hear it, idiot. You feel it. In your bones."
"Mybones are frozen."
WhateverBoniface said in response was hidden in the drumming rain, the splashing of thecart's wheels and the rumble-hiss of its engine as they continued down thestreet.
Carmenbrought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, hidingher face in her knees as she shuddered. For just a moment, even as memories andhurt tumbled through her mind, she had been about to open her mouth and shoutfor him. What made her think that he could possibly be willing to rescue her?
"Youare a fool, Carmen Mackenzie," she whispered. "Just as much a fool ascoming here to this great, cruel city in the first place. What ever made youthink your answers would be here?"
Sheknew the answer to that readily enough. When her mother was alive, Chicago hadbeen an adventure. A place of wonders to explore, grand edifices to gawk at,and stores and concert halls and libraries. There was always time for somethingfascinating after the missionary society business had been attended to. Carmenhad felt so sure that when she arrived in Chicago, her memories would guide herto friends of her mother, to people who could help her.
Carmen remembered her mother going on errands in thecity, always by herself, and once had asked her father who her mother hadvisited, what she had done. Reverend Mackenzie had responded that he didn'tknow. Anna had painful secrets in her past, and he trusted her when she askedhim to never ask, because knowing could be dangerous.
January 9, 2024
Ready to be COZY?
COMING!The new Book & Mug Mysteries adventure.
When the Tweed cousins, Melba and Cilla, set out to open their candleshop, Brighten Your Corner, obstacles pop out of the woodwork. And from out ofthe walls and under the floor. Starting with an overbearing cousin who wants totake over, insisting the shop was her idea, a nasty former tenant with shadybusiness associates, who insists the shop they now lease still belongs to him,and a family mystery tangled with rumors of a treasure hunt.
COMING FEBRUARY 1 from Mt Zion Ridge Press.
In paper, ebook, and audiobook.
January 7, 2024
MUSIC IN THE NIGHT -- excerpt
Beforeshe could brace herself to clutch the cross and rose again, the vibrationsstopped and the warmth faded. The wooden sidewalk rippled like waves under herfeet. A more deeply recessed doorway, offering better shelter, was only a dozensteps further down the side street. She needed to sit down, out of the rain,just for a few moments. Hunching her shoulders, Carmen staggered down thesidewalk, aiming for the darkness of the recessed doorway, praying it was dryand deep enough that she could hide from sight while she regained her balance.
Asteam-cart trundled down the street from behind her, just as she stepped intothe doorway. A whimper of gratitude escaped her clenched teeth. It was deep andwide enough she could have laid down in it, and kept her feet dry. Shegratefully sank down into the corner on the right, well out of traffic, ifanyone needed to come out of the door. Tugging her skirts down around herankles, she raised her hand to press against the cross.
Thesteam-cart came into view, framed in the doorway. It was an open steam-cart, anewer model but without any kind of roof or covering on it. Carmen snorted herdisdain for anyone who thought an open vehicle made any sense in Chicago, withits wind and seemingly constant rain. The man who drove it hunched hisshoulders, and his eyes were lost in goggles gone white with steam orcondensation. The other man in the cart stood up in the passenger sectionbehind him, one hand braced on the seat back, the other on the man's shoulder,and turned his head, surveying the street.
Carmenpaused with her hand just above the cross. She couldn't breathe. Just for aheartbeat, the man's gaze seemed to lock with hers. Despite the rain streamingfrom the flat planes of his chiseled features and darkening his golden hair,slicking it to his head, she recognized him. That flat, hard line of his mouth,she knew very well. It was the last expression she saw on his face before hewalked out of her life. Those lips had been as hard as his voice when he castigatedher for the choices she had made.
Just afew days before those angry words, he had smiled and spoke only sweet words.Why did she remember his displeasure more clearly?
Richard Boniface. He had wanted to marry her, and whenher father said no, he had insisted she should run away with him. Carmencouldn't break her father's heart, even if she had wanted Boniface more thanlife itself. Her father had raised her to consider every question and choicecarefully. Carmen had trusted her father's ability to read people more than herown heart. If he didn't trust Richard as her husband, then neither could she. Richard’sfury only confirmed her father’s wisdom in saying no. How could she trust herheart to such a changeable man?
January 6, 2024
What's Happening?
Whew! One week into the new year, and lots of projects are progressing forward nicely.Finished listening to my first audiobook of the year last night: RACE TO THE SUN, by Rebecca Roanhorse. This is my second audiobook by this author, a fun adventure full of Navajo and Native American culture and lore and mythology.
Highly recommended.
I'm DONE narrating and editing the audiobook for MUSIC IN THE NIGHT, the next book in the Guardians of the Time Stream series. The files have been uploaded for audiobook, ebook and print, and it will be releasing on January 15. From Ye Olde Dragon Books.
Stay tuned to Facebook and my Ye Olde Dragon's Library Patreon group or here on the blog, to find out how and when you can get a free ebook of ODESSA FREMONT, the prequel to the series, to celebrate the release of MUSIC. Limited time, and limited numbers ... just saying ...
Right now I've just started narrating the audiobook for BRIGHTEN YOUR CORNER, the 3rd book in my Book & Mug Mysteries cozy mystery series, to be published February 1 by Mt. Zion Ridge Press.
Melba and Cilla Tweed, members of the Guzzlers group at Book & Mug coffee shop and bookstore, are finally pursuing their dream of opening up a candle shop. Interference from the former tenant of their space, who insists the shop still belongs to him, and an arrogant con artist cousin .... complicates things. Especially when a dead body shows up, and someone is trying to frame the Tweeds for the murder!
January 3, 2024
Coming January 15: MUSIC IN THE NIGHT -- Excerpt
Rightnow, all that mattered was surviving until spring, and saving enough money forone more attempt at a safe deposit box. By then, her enemies would have toassume she was dead or at least unable to harm them and give up looking forher. Time and patience and prayers would have to sustain her. Other than hermother's cross, that was all she had left.
Herlargest difficulty was that she had tried to sell the cross three times, andeach time the shopkeeper wanted the crystal rose that fit into the center ofthe cross as well. Carmen couldn't bring herself to agree to that. Herimaginary childhood friend, Essie, had showed up in her dreams weeks ago andtold her not to sell the rose. While the advice of an imaginary friend couldn'texactly be taken as gospel truth, Carmen wanted to believe her. Just like shehad believed with her mother's encouragement that Essie was a real girl whenshe was a child, she wanted to believe Essie spoke the truth now. She needed tohold onto that crystal rose, and not just because it was the last thing shepossessed that had been her mother's.
So sheneeded to get the job as an assistant cook or dishwasher or whatever wasavailable at the hotel just another block down the street. Mrs. Blomfield, herlandlady, knew the right people to find out about jobs opening throughout thegreat, sprawling city of Chicago. The helpful, somewhat worn old woman hadadmitted that it would neither hurt nor help to offer her as a reference whenCarmen applied for work. Then she had looked up at the sky with the gray,churning clouds moving in from over the lake, and bade her get to the hotelbefore the rain struck. If she looked like a drowned cat when she asked forwork, a recommendation from the First Lady of the United States wouldn't beenough to get her a job.
Forluck, Carmen had worn her mother's cross. She hadn't worn it since the dreamthat helped her make up her mind and flee before she lost everything. Seeingand speaking to Essie in her dream had been the first good thing that hadhappened to her since her father died. She needed that bit of luck or blessingor whatever one wished to call it.
Clutchingthe cross through the protective layers of inadequate shawl and jacket andshirtwaist, Carmen stepped under the overhang of a doorway on a side street.She tipped her head back and she closed her eyes and prayed. For good measure,she focused on Essie's face as she had last seen her imaginary friend, andcalled silently with all her force of will. Perhaps she wasn't being sofanciful, wishing that Essie would turn out to be an angel sent to guard andguide and advise her?
The crystal rose warmed and vibrated through the wetlayers of cloth. Carmen gasped and stepped back against the wall. She uncurledher fingers from the cross and tried to catch her breath. No, she was notimagining. The tiny spot where the back of the crystal rose touched her bareskin, under her shirt, was warm. The contrast with the icy rain soaking herclothes was far too clear to be her imagination. She hadn't warmed the crossand rose with her equally cold hand.
