Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 35
March 2, 2023
EXPLORE NEIGHBORLEE, OHIO -- Humorous contemporary urban fantasy
Neighborlee, Ohio Book 1Confessions of a Lost Kid
Lost Kids: toddlers found on the outskirts of town. When no one claims them, they grow up at the Neighborlee Children's Home. Some are adopted, some develop superpowers, and some vanish without explanation.
Lanie is a Lost Kid. She teams up with Kurt and Felicity, two other Lost Kids, to figure out what they are, and why they are. Mutants? Escaped genetic experiments? Alien visitors? And if so, just how do they phone home?
As Lanie and her friends learn what they can do, and develop rules for their superpowers from reading comic books, they join the other guardians of Neighborlee. Sometimes they protect the magic, the weird and wonderful of Neighborlee from the world -- and sometimes they have to protect the world from the mysteries and dangers of Neighborlee.
You can get all the Neighborlee, Ohio books directly from Ye Olde Dragon Books, in paper, ebook, and audiobook.
Click on the storefront
SPECIAL!!!!!
Buy 2, get 1 FREE
(your choice of ebook or audiobook – we will contact you once the order processes. There are FOURTEEN Neighborlee books – so lots of chances to fill in your library and get 1 out of 3 FREE!)
March 1, 2023
Off the Bookshelf: RECKLESS MAGIC, by Rachel Higginson
Audiobook, AudibleNarrated by Bailey Carr
This is the start of the Starcrossed Series, labeled by a reviewer as "Twilight meets Harry Potter." I can't say if this is true because I never read Twilight. Sorry, vampires turn me off.
The magic school part is very true, with all the rivalry and bullying and infighting and one-upmanship, and enough angst and stupid hormonal misery to make any sane person want to lock up adolescents until they regain their sanity. If they ever had it.
Our heroine, Eden, has magic and doesn't realize it until she is slapped in the face with it. She just knows she has problems, "electricity" that builds up in her until she loses control. She has had incidents where she caused some minor catastrophes, that got her kicked out of several schools. Kingsley, a private school that appears to be for snotty rich brats, is her last chance. Weird things happen from her first day of classes, but she is too busy with her own problems to realize until she is caught in an assassination attempt on one of her classmates, and her magic bursts forth in undeniable ways. Unfortunately, saving the life of the prince of her race (which she didn't know she belonged to) doesn't seem to cut her any slack.
Will Eden bring peace among the various magical classes and slap some sense into the crown prince and the royal family, and gain her happily ever after? Guess you'll have to work through to the end of this really looooong story to find out.
February 27, 2023
New Release: DANCING ON MY GRAVE
“I hope you don’t mind,” Becca said, when Devona had gone ahead of them, and they slowed down to take the four steps. “I’m just too tired to … to fight for him.”
“Oh, my dear girl.” Sarah squeezed her hand. “I don’t blame you in the least. I don’t much like Conrad right now, myself. He calls me ‘Granny.’ When did he pick that up?” She shook her head. “Until that boy gets his head out of his backside, I wouldn’t inflict him on anyone. Let’s give him a few weeks to straighten out and realize that sparkly, jangly little two-stepper isn’t right for him.” She winked when her words got a snort of laughter from Becca. “Then we’ll make him work a little while for our forgiveness. If he doesn’t straighten out … well, I’m still of sound mind and body, and nobody has a legal leg to stand on if I decide to give the company to someone else. Ever considered becoming a landlord?”
“Me?” She caught her breath, forcing a laugh when the words actually brought a stab under her breastbone.
Becca most certainly had considered going into the landlord business. When she thought she and Conrad would become business partners, then partners in a much deeper, more personal aspect. She shrugged, helped Sarah up the stairs, and fought not to let a different image fill her mind: Simone working alongside Conrad, changing policies at Fontaine Realty, offending clients, giving management jobs to her relatives, and ruining the reputation that Albert and Sarah had worked so hard to establish.
For Sarah’s sake, she might just consider it.
February 25, 2023
Ye Olde Dragon's Library: Episode 09
In this week's episode, Ash and Fang have crossed into the kingdom of Nordwell. They need to avoid being seen by people, just in case Lathia manages to follow them -- or rather, her servants manage to find their trail. However, Ash soon realizes they have done too good of a job staying out of sight, because they don't encounter any people. Even walking in the daylight.
Then they discover bloodweed, and wonder just what the odd plant is for. It seems to be overrunning all the fields around them.
Then Fang comes racing back from exploration, with soldiers chasing him. How is Ash going to get out of this one?
Let's chat: What are your favorite episodes so far? What did you expect to happen? Did it? Are you happy with the story even if it didn't go as you expected? What do you think will happen to Ash and Fang, now that they're facing soldiers?
Could you do me a favor? Tell your friends about the podcast, and encourage them to listen?
Before editing this episode, I finished recording the final episode -- 22 altogether. That will take us into May. Right now, I'm making major revisions, expanding on a book published more than 10 years ago, and currently out of print. That will be the next book you can listen to on the podcast, while I'm writing the next book that takes up the story just an hour or two after Liars' Quest finishes.
Promise, it'll be fun!
https://yeoldedragonbooks.com/ye-olde-dragons-library-storytelling-podcast/
Want to support the podcast?
Find us on Patreon: Ye Olde Dragon's Library
February 23, 2023
New Release: DANCING ON MY GRAVE
“Oh, my dear.” Sarah reached out a thin, elegantly long hand to clasp Becca’s. “That big nincompoop did something wrong, didn’t he?”
She wanted to laugh, lightheaded with relief that Sarah wasn’t blaming her. If she had to lose anybody when this relationship with Conrad went south, she didn’t want that person to be Sarah.
“Well, he called me Becks, for one thing. And Simone was hanging on him, and they were getting ready for a picnic supper at Windows.” She shrugged. No way was she going to admit that Conrad played the “Oh, hello, stranger, what do you want?” card on her. So juvenile.
“I honestly don’t know what’s happened with that boy. He’s avoiding everybody, irritating clients, changing everything around at the office.” Sarah held out her bent arm for Becca to loop with hers, and they turned to head across the parking lot to the back door of the church. “Between those mules I call sons and that brother appearing out of the blue …” She sighed and patted Becca’s hand. “It’s like he’s had a nervous breakdown. But of course, big, strong men don’t admit they’ve got nerves, so he has to push away everybody who cares about him.”
“And then some,” Rufus said, catching up with them and passing them with a few pushes on his wheels. “Guy’s ticked every time I try to fix the newest thing he messed up with the office computers.” He shook his head, then sped up, zipping to the left to the wheelchair ramp into Cadburn Bible Chapel.
February 22, 2023
Off the Bookshelf: DIARY OF A MAD BROWNIE, by Bruce Coville
Fun book! Far too easily devoured, too quickly. This is the kind of book I wish I had written!Angus is a Brownie, bound by a curse to serve the women of a family that is also under a curse. When his beloved Sarah dies of old age, he must make the arduous journey from Scotland to America, to serve his new mistress, the youngest female of the family line.
Talk about culture shock. But Angus is a plucky, resourceful Brownie, determined to do his duty. Even if Alex, his new assignment, is a rather messy, disorganized girl who doesn't appreciate his tidying and organizing and trying to make life better for her.
The two are just starting to gain some respect and affection for each other when Alex's family and homelife starts changing. And Angus realizes to his horror that the curse has followed him from Scotland to America, and fastened itself on her family. How are they going to break the curse? He would leave if he could, to try to spare her family ... but he can't.
How do they solve this puzzle and do they manage to lift the curse? Ain't telling you -- it's too much fun -- you need to read and find it out for yourself.
Very well done. Clever. Funny. And all the "official documents," of reports, historical articles, emails, texts, and letters from teachers just add to the delightful adventure.
February 20, 2023
New Release: DANCING ON MY GRAVE
Becca wasn’t in the mood to even try to play act, to pretend she didn’t see Sarah until she opened the van door to climb out. She waved as soon as she saw the older woman’s head turn in their direction. Her smile froze when Sarah covered her mouth and turned her head. Becca climbed out of the van and nearly stumbled.
This had to be very bad. Becca wished Sarah hadn’t played matchmaker. They could still be friends, Sarah could still be her mentor and role model, with no awkwardness between them. If the shadow of Conrad wasn’t there, hovering over them right that moment.
Conrad was a jerk. He and Simone certainly deserved each other. Becca couldn’t think of a single thing she had done to make him look at her like he had no idea who she was yesterday. She would have thought, from seeing him in business and trustee meetings, and at church and community events, he was the kind of man who would let someone know if they had offended or irritated him, and do it privately, politely, calmly. Not act like a brat. Was he punishing her because she followed through on her commitment to six months of missions work, a promise she had made before they started getting serious?
Definitely, he and Simone deserved each other.
February 18, 2023
Ye Olde Dragon's Library: Episode 08
In this episode, Blaz helps Ash get some glimpses into her past, but in finding some answers for her, more questions are generated. And warnings.Clues to her identity and a chance to find out something about her family are likely in the coastal town of Tippessee -- but Blaz warns her not to go to Tippessee until she knows what her magic is and has the strength and control to defend herself, because magical enemies await.
Do you think Blaz and Ash's plans and preparations to frustrate Justiciar Camwell and keep him from spying on her will work? Or do you think their attempts to give her some privacy and freedom of movement will backfire on them, and cause more trouble for her in the future?
Vote!
And if you have suggestions for better names for the kingdoms Ash travels through on her wandering journey, please speak up! You could get your name in the acknowledgements page when the book goes to print.
https://yeoldedragonbooks.com/ye-olde-dragons-library-storytelling-podcast/
Want to support the podcast?
Find us on Patreon: Ye Olde Dragon's Library
February 16, 2023
New Release: DANCING ON MY GRAVE
Sunday, July 3
Becca thought the morning sun shone too brightly as she stepped out of the back door of the duplex to go to her car and head to church. She paused and raised a hand to shield her eyes and considered turning around and going back inside. No one would blame her if she didn’t come to church that morning. Patty and Roy had both expressed concern last night that she had worn herself out, trying to get back up to speed so soon after returning home.
The other back door opened. Rufus slid out onto the porch, followed by Devona. The siblings paused. If Devona could get herself up for church, after returning from her business trip at 2am, Becca decided she could make the effort too. When Rufus suggested they ride in together, she was glad to accept.
Until she saw who was getting out of a car in the handicapped parking space next to the one where Rufus parked his van. Silver-haired, frail, elegant Sarah Fontaine was the last person she wanted to see.
Especially with a curl of guilt dropping into her stomach to stab her. She wasn’t wearing the Mizpah coin. She wasn’t sure where she had dropped it yesterday when she got home from Book & Mug.
And yet … if anyone would understand what was going on with Conrad, that would be his grandmother.February 15, 2023
Off the Bookshelf: ARMOR OF ALETHIA, by Ralene Burke
Goal for this year: Clear off at least ONE shelf in my to-be-read bookshelf (currently 2-1/2 shelves). This book was in a basket I won in a raffle at the Realm Makers conference. If all the books by the group of authors who put the basket together are this enjoyable ... I'm going to get a lot less writing done this year than I planned!Karina, our heroine, has plans for a life of service as a healer. She doesn't enjoy court life, especially since the queen, her guardian, doesn't seem to like her. What did she ever do to her? The king, however, knows some secrets that Karina thought she had kept hidden from everyone.
Those secrets, and her painful past and family shame send Karina hurtling across the country on a quest when the king dies unexpectedly. And with soldiers and bounty hunters and soon monsters hunting her, either because the queen has accused her of murdering the king, or to stop Karina from fulfilling prophecy. First step in the plan for her to save the kingdom: find pieces of the sacred armor. That becomes a little difficult when she is kidnapped from the soldiers protecting her and handed over to the enemy of her kingdom. She learns painful lessons along the way. The question is if she will learn and grow quickly enough to be the hero the kingdom of Alethia desperately needs.
