Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 98

Feature: BITTER SWEET

Fantasy from Mundania Press:


What can a princess do when Prince Charming isn't?
Vevina started out like any fairy tale princess, with a christening and a magical gift and betrothed to a handsome prince from a neighboring country. The only thing she had to worry about was the typical witch or evil enchanter appearing when she turned eighteen.
Then Fallon, her Prince Charming, revealed he was anything but charming. His plots stole nearly everything and everyone Vevina loved, and he tried to make the rest of the world think it was her fault. There was only one thing to do, and that was to beat Fallon at his own game and reveal his lies to the whole world. With the aid of a friendly spirit, Vevina disguised herself and headed into Fallon's country in search of the magical healer, Ambrose, and some justice.
But as her teacher warned her, using the enemy's tactics led to complications that even magic might not be able to cure.

Off the Bookshelf: PHYSIK, Septimus Heap #3, by Angie Sage

You know what's funny? I have the next book in this lovely, enchanting, addictive fantasy series waiting in my bookshelf, QUESTE, and I'm already planning my next trip to the bookstore to see if there are more. I want the adventures to keep going.

In PHYSIK, our young apprentice to the Extraordinary Wizard is reminded that being the seventh son of the seventh son is a dangerous position. People keep wanting to take advantage of his inborn magical talent and potential. In this case, a nasty, self-righteous queen who wants to live forever -- even though she's a ghost -- and her more-than-slightly crazy son, an alchemist, who has been waiting for Septimus to show up for the last 500 years. He's found out that living forever ain't all it's supposed to be cracked up to be. (I know that phrase is awkward -- live with it!)

Princess Jenna, Septimus' adopted sister -- they were born on the same day -- plays a big part in the story, and she learns that family can be both wonderful and horrifying. More characters are introduced into the saga, and considering the loose threads left hanging at the end of this book, they better show up in the next one.

Lovely, fun story, in a thick book. The kind that it would be smart to set aside large chunks of time for reading, because it's utterly frustrating to have to put the book down and deal with real life. Know what I mean? Start with the first book, MAGYK. You'll be glad you did.

Feature: SILVER AZULI, Chorillan Cycle, Commonwealth Universe

SF from Writers Exchange:


Vidan was again reaching out to the stars: sadder and wiser... and cautious, unwilling to repeat the mistakes of the ancestors. The Commonwealth was born, reaching out to lost colonies and establishing new ones, rediscovering lost technology and how to navigate the star-ways. Many of the lost colonies not only survived but thrived--and they remembered their abandonment and the harsh centuries of the Downfall...
Lucas and Kay'li marry and anticipate a peaceful domestic life, when his duties as lieutenant governor and her duties as Scout recruiter and trainer allow. However, not all their enemies were caught during the revolution and they are still out in the wilderness of Chorillan, waiting for the perfect opportunity to take revenge.
Then a family vacation of exploration and camping, to hide Kay'li's pregnancy from friends and foes, goes suspiciously, horribly wrong. They find sanctuary on the edge of the secret Azuli canyon, and intend to stay there until Kay'li gives birth... if their enemies don't find them first.

AVENGER: Star Trek Fan Fiction, Chapter 5

For your reading pleasure.
Now appearing on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/617013912-avenger-a-star-trek-fan-novel-avenger-chapter-5

ALMOST HERE! The newest Neighborlee, Ohio novel

Yep, LIVING PROOF, the latest misadventures of Lanie Zephyr, the broken semi-pseudo-superhero,
will be released in just one more week.

Check out the Uncaged Reviews issue in the sidebar for the ad for LIVING PROOF.

You can find all my Neighborlee books -- and all my other Uncial Press titles -- at www.UncialPress.com or by searching Amazon, of course.

Enjoy!


ARE YOU GOING TO BE IN TROY ON SATURDAY?

If you are, please make time to stop in at Around About Books, 8 W. Main Street, right off the center of town and the roundabout, from 2 until 4.

I'll be with other authors in the From the Lake to the River anthology, signing the book (new from Mt. Zion Ridge Press) and other books from the participating authors. We'd love to talk with you and tell you about the anthology -- stories set in Ohio, all written by Ohio authors!

Visit the bookstore's website: www.AroundAboutBooks.com -- or call them for information: 937-339-1707.

NEXT WEEKEND, October 13, I'll be participating at the Indie Author Showcase at the Parma-Snow branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. 2121 Snow Road, Parma, OH. There will be workshops for indie authors, from 10 until 12:30, and then a booksigning open to the public from 1 until 4. What a great chance to get a major jump start on your Christmas shopping!

Here's the link for information: https://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/874800

Feature: CHORILLAN, Chorillan Cycle, Commonwealth Universe

SF from Writers Exchange:


Vidan was again reaching out to the stars: sadder and wiser... and cautious, unwilling to repeat the mistakes of the ancestors. The Commonwealth was born, reaching out to lost colonies and establishing new ones, rediscovering lost technology and how to navigate the star-ways. Many of the lost colonies not only survived but thrived--and they remembered their abandonment and the harsh centuries of the Downfall...
Kay'li Fieran returns to Chorillan, to investigate the conflicting stories about Wildlings and government activities, and learn the truth. She is reunited with Lucas and becomes a friend to the Wildling community. As a Scout captain she has the power to dissolve the colonial government and place it under military rule, if necessary.
And the things she learns, including the abuse and murder of innocents, makes her fear that will be necessary, far too soon.

Off the Bookshelf: LEVERAGE IN DEATH, J.D. Robb

Is there anything better than getting a new book in a favorite series the DAY it officially releases?
How about not having to pay the hardback price? Thank you, Cuyahoga County Public Library system, and being able to order books online!
I ordered the physical book this time, instead of reserving an ebook of the latest In Death book -- the adventures of futuristic homicide cop Eve Dallas.

Is there anything more despicable than an emotionally stunted jerk who's out to punish the world because he decided he was cheated in childhood, and happy little families don't deserve to be happy? And if he can make a profit out of it while he's getting some payback, he should? How about two of these selfish bozos? How about, after threatening people with the torture and death of their loved ones, to make them commit horrible crimes, they turn around and say they were only bluffing, that their victims chose to do what they did, that they're to blame because they didn't call the bluff?

Go get 'em, Dallas, and lock the scumbuzzards up for a couple dozen consecutive life sentences.

As always, the tightly knit plot and search for creepazoid killers takes a close second place to the interaction of the characters and their personal lives, their affection for each other, their teamwork -- and of course, Dallas' continuing bafflement when it comes to things like fashion and pop culture and idiomatic phrases. *sigh* I was in agony whenever I had to put the book down to work and earn a living.

So, when does the next book come out?

Catching Up

This morning's Verse of the Day from my devotions/Bible reading app.

Hard to believe September is almost over!

Tonight is Homecoming at my alma mater, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Go, Royals!! If you're going to be there, either for the game or just to catch up with alumni, or you're a student or parent, hope to meet up with you. I'll be in the alumni tent and helping with cleanup. You have got to check out the great carnival set up for kids of all ages, and the food trucks and goodies provided by and for alumni.

Incredible developments over the last few months. Some of you probably heard, and others probably haven't: Desert Breeze Publishing, which did my Tabor Heights, Quarry Hall, and Guardians of the Time Stream series .... has closed its doors. All of those books (39 total) are off the market ... but only temporarily. I am turning over Tabor Heights and Quarry Hall and my SFR books, Blue Fire and Starblue to Writers Exchange of Australia. I will be re-releasing the Guardians of the Time Stream series through the new small press, Mt. Zion Ridge Press, starting in spring of 2019.

In fact ... I'm one of the founders of Mt. Zion Ridge Press. Check us out! https://mtzionridgepress.wixsite.com/mtzionridgepress

We have 2 books so far, and are gearing up to release our third late fall, with lots more slated for the next year. Right now we're re-releasing our orphaned DBP books, but we're going to be sending out invitations soon for people to submit for a Christmas anthology for 2019, and then late in 2019 we'll be opening the door for submissions. More on that later -- check out the MZRP site for details.

Here's the cover of our first book, available in paper and ebook. FROM THE LAKE TO THE RIVER: Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology. Very proud of this anthology that offers a lot of bite-sized stories for different tastes, genres, and time periods -- all set in Ohio!

If you're going to be in Troy next Saturday, October 6, PLEASE STOP IN at Around About Books, on W. Main Street, right off the center of town -- if you find the roundabout, you're close! I will be there with most of the authors participating in this anthology for a book release and booksigning. It'll be great fun! Check out Around About Books' website for more details.

Feature: BY FIRE AND STARS, Chorillan Cycle, Commonwealth Universe

SF from Writers Exchange:


Vidan was again reaching out to the stars: sadder and wiser... and cautious, unwilling to repeat the mistakes of the ancestors. The Commonwealth was born, reaching out to lost colonies and establishing new ones, rediscovering lost technology and how to navigate the star-ways. Many of the lost colonies not only survived but thrived--and they remembered their abandonment and the harsh centuries of the Downfall...
Lucas Aidan, Kay'li Fieran's childhood friend, faces the greatest fear of children born on Chorillan: Phase. His family tries to hide his condition and ease his torment during the worst part of the illness, but when tragedy strikes he flees into the wilderness. He learns to survive, guarded by Azuli and learning the secrets of the Wildlings who never returned from Phase.
When he is captured and brought back to civilization years later, he is a figure of legend, a leader for all Wildlings, and someone the corrupt government of Chorillan would do well to fear.

AVENGER: Star Trek Fan Fiction, Chapter 4

For your reading pleasure.
Now appearing on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/617013411-avenger-a-star-trek-fan-novel-avenger-chapter-4