Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 80

New Release Sample: SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES

Being Charlie and Rainbow Zephyr's kids got Harry and me into places that ordinary tourists couldn't go. Armed with cameras and digital recorders, we were official assistants. When that didn't smooth the way, the incredible luck or unbelievable coincidences that usually surrounded our folks came to our rescue. Once people got over a graying Hippie, an Asian woman with emerald or amethyst hair, a brunette teen with hazel eyes, and a husky little Latino boy being a family, they ignored the background weirdness.
Being the Zephyrs' kids got us some frustrating and slightly embarrassing moments, too. We were nearly trampled five times by fans in search of autographs. You'd think we would have learned the warning signs after the second near-death experience.
Or the time Mum and Pop had a booksigning in this cool little bookstore north of London. This huge woman at the front of the line nearly shattered glass, yelling at us, when Harry and I showed up and tried to get into the bookstore before it officially opened. The bookstore owner, Mr. Cloverdale, was a little man who Harry and I both swore had slightly pointy ears. Like some of Angela’s friends who dropped by Divine’s Emporium. He was watching for us, since we'd left the inn a good half hour after Mum and Pop that morning. He didn't see us trying to sidle through the crowd to get up to the door at first, because the crowd had grown to about forty people by then. Plus, that huge woman was right in front of the door. While the bookstore had enormous picture windows, we were hard to see because the windows were full of books on display or posters of Mum and Pop and information on the booksigning.
The big woman's voice, raised in a shout that would have stunned a dinosaur, alerted him that we had arrived. The British are supposed to be so reserved and dignified, but this woman…? Maybe she was also a soccer fanatic when she wasn't going into ecstasies about Mum and Pop's latest investigation. As soon as Mr. Cloverdale realized Harry and I were there, jammed between the locked door and the woman, he came running. The old-fashioned roll-up blind covering the door zipped up with a rattle-clatter-hum-bang and the keys chimed as he unlocked the door. I could hardly hear all that through the woman's furious lecture on the rudeness of the two of us trying to get to the head of line and sneak in ahead of people who had done the sensible thing and gotten there two hours ahead of opening time. Seriously? She was waiting there two hours?

It's LAUNCH DAY!

ARE YOU COMING TO THE LAUNCH PARTY TONIGHT ON FACEBOOK?Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1436254603241495/
Last month, I posted excerpts for FRIENDLY FIRE, the first book in the new SF series, AFV Defender.
This month, I'll be posting excerpts for SEMI-PSEUDO-SUPERHEROES, which launches in paper today, and is Book 2 in the Neighborlee, Ohio series.
Hold on, it's going to be a fun ride!!!
Both books are published by Ye Olde Dragon Books.Check out the website for buy links and for special offers. And please consider signing up for my newsletter, to learn about freebies and special events, and maybe even hear about new books, booksignings, cover reveals, and other fun information FIRST!
The signup form is on the right -- can't miss it!

New Release Sample: FRIENDLY FIRE

Published by Ye Olde Dragon Books www.YeOldeDragonBooks.com Available now in print and Kindle/Kindle Unlimited

"Is that what's …" M'kar nodded at the box clutched in the crook of her arm.
"Egg."
"An egg. A dragon egg."
"Dracs. Figured, we discovered them, discovered their world. We get to name them."
"True."
"They're intelligent. They teleport. Thyal needs one."
If I use my invalid status as an excuse to be greedy and tell you to hurry, Thyal began.
Shut up. I'm thinking.
Laughter tickled through their link.

Raised voices rang off the walls of the docking arm. Dulit looked past her and he groaned.
"You need to get out now." Poki, go home.
The little drac vanished with a sub-audible pop.
"You owe me." So help me, I want one, too.
He did say he had a ship full of babies, so maybe a ship full of eggs?
"Add it to my tab." Dulit held out his hand, palm up. "Be safe, hearth-sister. Give my best to Thyal."
"Be safe yourself. Tell your captain to hurry. I'll wait for you on Le'anka." She grasped his wrist as his fingers grasped hers and they shook twice before releasing.

Off the Bookshelf: POSEIDON'S ACADEMY, by Sarah Vogler

In this fantasy world and adventure series, the Greek gods were destroyed when mortals rebelled. Their powers remained, however, and were spread throughout the world, so mortals have them now. They are labeled according to the god who had them first: Poseidons, Demeters, Sirens, etc.

Of course, there's a prophecy that they will return ...

Hailey and her friends manage to get accepted at Poseidon's Academy, an underwater school built in Poseidon's palace. For Hailey, the big attraction is that she'll be cut off from the sky, because that is the source of her power. Hailey is a Zeus, and she doesn't like being a Zeus -- and not just because the prophecy seems to expect her to mess up and bring back the gods.

Not all the mythological creatures are dead and gone, and some of them want to bring back the gods.  When some of the students break rules and go out of bounds, they run into those creatures. Hailey and her friends come close to getting expelled a few times. Then there are problems they have to deal with, coming from some of the "mean girls" at school -- who happen to have the powers of Aphrodite and the Sirens, for instance.

I'm reminded of the statement in The Incredibles: "When everyone is super, then nobody will be." That's not exactly how it works out here, but there are drawbacks to everyone having some kind of talent, with all the accompanying in-fighting and jealousy. Some powers are still better than others, and some people should never be given powers. Hailey and her friends survive their first year at Poseidon's Academy. I can only imagine what problems they'll have to deal with in their second year.

The Adventure: WHY PRINTWORTHY PROOFREADING?

Why Printworthy Proofreading?
Writing is both an art and a science. Creatively crafting words paints a vivid image and communicates a clear, concise message. But there are rules and guidelines that must be followed to be effective. If one aspect of the art or science is weak, it detracts from the other aspect. Conversely, when these two aspects of art and science work together in harmony, written text has the greatest potential to attain the desired result.

Printworthy Proofreading exists to help you be a more effective communicator. You desire to take your audience (the reader) on a journey through a story or to inform them of a timeless truth that has the potential to lead to transformation. Our goal is to ensure that that message shines its brightest. While honoring your voice and respecting your artistic expression, Printworthy Proofreading can assist in making sure the rules of grammar and syntax are followed appropriately. In the process, credibility is maintained, and potential distractions are removed to facilitate clarity.

As a follower of Jesus, I believe that everything that we say and do can and should reflect Him. I have dedicated my life to serving Him by serving those around me as a wife, a mom (who also homeschools our sons), and as a missionary in South America. In my twenty-five-plus years of experience, I have become proficient in time management, grown in my appreciation for culture, taught and coached advanced subjects that I never took as a student, and found that my greatest joy comes from helping others accomplish their goals. I strive for excellence in all areas of life and would be honored to assist you in achieving excellence with your written words. You may learn more at www.printworthyproofreading.com.

Mindi Stearns

The Adventure: WHO NEEDS A PROOFREADER?

Who Needs a Proofreader?
Have you ever been reading something and noticed a misspelled word or incorrect punctuation? Did noticing that mistake lead you down a rabbit trail that had nothing to do with what you were reading? Or maybe, like me, the error makes you wonder if the author really knows his stuff and has the credibility you expected. Words matter. How words are written matter too. Anyone that writes content that others read can benefit from a proofreading service.
If you have ever tried to proofread your own writing, you know that it is extremely difficult. You tend to read what you hope to communicate, not necessary the words on the page before you. Even after walking away and coming back to your text, it is so hard to objectively review your own writing. “Humble pie” is not very tasty but I have gotten fat from it by the number of times I have sent a letter or important document to someone and realized just after sending it that it contained a typo. A moment of panic sets in as I wonder if my error will hamper the opportunity to establish a relationship or gain a future client. The consequences are not always detrimental, but they certainly have the potential to be, depending on the context.
Countless sectors can benefit from a proofreading service. ·        Publishers ensuring that the final product is polished before going to press·        Human Resource professionals responsible for employee manuals and newsletters·        Freelance Authors wanting to sell their work·        Website Content Managers promoting a business or products·        Teachers and Professors crafting their content·        Marketing and Ad Campaigns seeking to drive sales·        Curriculum Providers educating on a broad scale·        Administrative Professionals writing policies and correspondence·        Students submitting essays and term papers
The list is endless. So much of what we read today comes in the form of electronic content. Has the quality of that content been compromised due to the sense of it being “disposable” or fluid? After all, it is not set in print and can easily be changed. Nonetheless, quality should not and must not be compromised. Maintaining high standards by adhering to well established writing guidelines is worth it.
This is precisely why Printworthy Proofreading exists. We would like to ensure that when you make your written content available for others to read, your writing is free of grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Your message is conveyed with confidence when your text maintains a standard of excellence. We would like to help you attain that excellence!Let’s get connected at www.printworthyproofreading.com.

New Release Sample: FRIENDLY FIRE

Published by Ye Olde Dragon Books www.YeOldeDragonBooks.com Available now in print and Kindle/Kindle Unlimited

"So help me, Dulit, if you don't start talking straight --" M'kar reached for her knife. Not her everyday, utilitarian knife. This one was ceremonial, the blade was dull compared to the sharpness required by ritual and her noble blood. Of course, Dulit and any indiferps she might run into on the station wouldn't know the blade was safety-bonded per station regulations. Even dressed in ready-for-trouble civilian garb, she needed a knife, just to feel fully dressed. She would have to press hard and put some muscle into any effort if she wanted to slice anyone open.
Again, Dulit didn't know that.
Something is coming, Thyal said.
M'kar ducked as a swirl of cream and lavender hide and talons spun around her head, chattering at nearly sonic levels.
"Poki!" Dulit snatched the double handful of fury out of the air and clutched it to his chest. "She thinks you were going to hurt me."
"I was considering it." M'kar clutched her knife.
The little dragon Dulit had shoved halfway inside his jacket glared at her. An image passed between their minds. M'kar drew her knife. The cream-and-lavendar little menace bit her hand.
We're friends, little cousin. Dulit and me. Friends argue. They tease, M'kar offered.
That's right. Dulit grinned crookedly and stroked from the wedge-shaped head, down the long, supple neck. Well, that proves something. Despite how intelligent it seems, it's entirely beastly, otherwise we couldn't talk through it. Come out and make friends, Poki.

Ready for a PARTY? It's Book Launch Party Time!

Ready for a PARTY?
Book Launch Party, July 1.


Come learn about the weird, magical little town of Neighborlee, Ohio.Meet the crew of the AFV Defender.
Win print books.
Get free short stories.
Chat.
Play games.
Learn how you can win FUTURE free books.
Goodies galore!!!!

It's gonna be FUN!
But not without YOU ......
Here's the link. Please come!
You need to register so you can join, and get updates until then .....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1436254603241495/

New Release Sample: FRIENDLY FIRE

Published by Ye Olde Dragon Books www.YeOldeDragonBooks.com Available now in print and Kindle/Kindle Unlimited

"Tell me," M'kar said. "I won't take anything that might endanger the crew. We have children on board."
"Look at it my way, we have babies on my ship. The hope of an entire race. Enlo help us, my captain says we have to go back. I keep arguing we should head straight to the Academy, not take any chances. He says we have a greater responsibility to go back and find out if any survived. If we managed to drag the monsters with us and lost them. Or worse, the monsters are still there, killing everything that's left."
He tossed the data wafer to her. M'kar clutched the box against her chest while reaching with her free hand. The wafer bounced on her palm before she caught it.
"Babies. Some haven't been born yet. In stasis. Like that should be." He waved his hand at the ti box. "M'kar, I swear on the infrenx. I don't care if I get shot out the repulsion tubes for this, Thyal is more important. Once you look at the data and you untangle it, you'll agree."
Remember, he was always the one who kept the rest of us out of mischief.
M'kar flinched, hearing the smooth baritone voice in her head. She glanced at Dulit, but he didn't seem to hear.
No, he can't hear me. I've been trying. I'm only linked with you. Thyal, their classmate left on Le'anka, chuckled softly.
All right, she shot back, so he isn't reacting to any pressure. Not that you would ever pressure anyone to do anything unethical.
Your faith in me is most gratifying.
At least give me a little warning when you initiate contact? She bit her lip to keep a straight face. Now was not the time to explain to Dulit that she could hear Thyal in her mind. It went beyond everything even the Premier Masters on Le'anka understood about mind-touch.

Off the Bookshelf: DRAGON PLANET, by Dan Wells

Audiobook
Audible Original

Sequel to ZERO G

Another radio drama/dramatized novella.

Did I mention last time that Dan Wells is a member of the Writing Excuses podcast team? I really enjoy SEEING what writing teachers produce, practicing what they preach. And yeah, it's a fun story!

At the end of ZERO G, Zero and Nyx awakened to find out their ship had arrived at the colony world, and the governor was thanking them for intervening when pirates tried to commandeer the ship, all its colonization equipment, and take the colonists as slaves.

Now, it's time to get out there and explore their new world.

Only not so fast ... the gravity is 1/6 of Earth's, the atmosphere is breathable, but not for long, and some severe windstorms are bearing down on them. With air that's thick and heavy, a wind storm is dangerous. Plus there's a problem of missing, vital equipment.

Zero and Nyx decide to investigate. They bested a crew of pirates, after all. But this time they might be in over their heads, as an accidental confrontation with the thieves leads to them being thrown out across a hostile landscape like Dorothy -- but this new planet is far more dangerous than Oz. Instead of a wicked witch, they have alien creatures, especially dragons, and thieves who have everything to lose if the two friends manage to tell the authorities what they're doing.

More, please?