L.J. Higgins's Blog, page 17

Dawn of Rebellion – By Michelle Lynn

This story should come with a warning! WARNING – Hard to put down!

Dawn of Rebellion, follows the stories of Dawn and her sister Gabby swapping between their POV’s. They live in a harsh world where they have always had to have each other’s backs. But when Gabby pushes the boundaries of the law a little too far she is shipped off to the colonies, leaving Dawn to fend for herself. With the help of Gabby’s boyfriend Drew, Dawn sets off to find and rescue her sister.

I didn’t think I would, but I really enjoyed reading the story from the different characters POV’s. I prefer reading from a first person perspective, and was happy Michelle Lynn took a different approach. Although it took me a little to get use to Lynn’s fast paced writing, usually preferring a little more description injected into a story, it quickly sucked me in and I found it hard to put down.

I thoroughly enjoyed both Dawn and Gabby’s stories, and found the entire concept of America’s demise and England’s uprising intriguing.

This story should come with one more warning. WARNING – CRAZY CLIFF HANGER!

But I loved it! It left me wanting more and stayed true to the story.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Day of Reckoning, and highly recommend this book!

Purchase Dawn of Rebellion HERE!

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5 Signs that Wristochips and Wristcuffs may not just be Fiction

Technological advances are being made every day. Smart phones, humanised robots, genetic engineering and artificial intelligence are all changing and evolving. But is it possible that one day we could all be living with a microchip embedded under our skin? Could we all wear a bracelet or cuff to manipulate us? Although Dawn of the Dreamer is a work of fiction here are five reasons this could be possible one day.

Wristcuff – or the Fitbit? The Fitbit is a device you wear around your wrist that tells you how many steps you do a day, your heart rate, and how many calories you burn. It uploads the information to your phone or computer via Wi-Fi so you can track your progress. I have to confess that when my friends started buying Fitbits I immediately thought of the Wristcuffs in Dawn of the Dreamer and decided I wasn’t going to buy one. But as more friends bought them and said how great they were I was soon persuaded to jump on the band wagon and I now own one too. If this were a device capable of controlling or manipulating me, it wasn’t very hard for the creators to use peer pressure to convince me to buy one.
New technology is so easily accepted by us all. In fact, we eagerly await any new product that may be even slightly better than what we already have. Mobile phones, televisions, cars, we all want the newest and most advanced model. Would it really be hard for a corporation to sell us on a new product that could control us?


Mark of the Beast. “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.” Revelation 14:9,10

I am not going to claim that I have read the bible, but many people who have, believe the Mark of the Beast will come in the form of a microchip inserted in a person’s right hand or forehead. Could there be truth behind this prophecy?


We already Microchip our pets. My dogs and cat all have a microchip so if they escape our yard and are found by someone they can be identified and returned to me. So is it that hard to imagine we could have the same information stored on a microchip and inserted under our skin? Our dogs and cats may have them for identification, but farmers can now use microchips to track their livestock and weigh their livestock as they pass through gates. This is just a glimpse at the possibilities when it comes to an embedded microchip.


It is already happening. There are a number of hobbyists who have already inserted a microchip into their hand to use for things such as unlocking their house and car, and even uploading and loading information to a device. There are also rumours that a microchip will be rolled out through America in the near future.

Despite all of these signs and the way Microchips were used in Dawn of the Dreamer, having them inserted under our skin could also have its positives. If a child were kidnapped, we would be able to find them, we would be able to find someone who’d committed a crime, you wouldn’t have to carry all of your cards and cash on you so there would be no risk of losing them or having them stolen.

Unfortunately with every positive there is a negative. If we were ever made to make the decision to have a microchip implanted beneath our skin, would you do it?

5 Signs that Wristochips and Wristcuffs may not just be Fiction

Technological advances are being made every day. Smart phones, humanised robots, genetic engineering and artificial intelligence are all changing and evolving. But is it possible that one day we could all be living with a microchip embedded under our skin? Could we all wear a bracelet or cuff to manipulate us? Although Dawn of the Dreamer is a work of fiction here are five reasons this could be possible one day.

Wristcuff – or the Fitbit? The Fitbit is a device you wear around your wrist that tells you how many steps you do a day, your heart rate, and how many calories you burn. It uploads the information to your phone or computer via Wi-Fi so you can track your progress. I have to confess that when my friends started buying Fitbits I immediately thought of the Wristcuffs in Dawn of the Dreamer and decided I wasn’t going to buy one. But as more friends bought them and said how great they were I was soon persuaded to jump on the band wagon and I now own one too. If this were a device capable of controlling or manipulating me, it wasn’t very hard for the creators to use peer pressure to convince me to buy one.


New technology is so easily accepted by us all. In fact, we eagerly await any new product that may be even slightly better than what we already have. Mobile phones, televisions, cars, we all want the newest and most advanced model. Would it really be hard for a corporation to sell us on a new product that could control us?


Mark of the Beast. “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.” Revelation 14:9,10

I am not going to claim that I have read the bible, but many people who have, believe the Mark of the Beast will come in the form of a microchip inserted in a person’s right hand or forehead. Could there be truth behind this prophecy?


We already Microchip our pets. My dogs and cat all have a microchip so if they escape our yard and are found by someone they can be identified and returned to me. So is it that hard to imagine we could have the same information stored on a microchip and inserted under our skin? Our dogs and cats may have them for identification, but farmers can now use microchips to track their livestock and weigh their livestock as they pass through gates. This is just a glimpse at the possibilities when it comes to an embedded microchip.


It is already happening. There are a number of hobbyists who have already inserted a microchip into their hand to use for things such as unlocking their house and car, and even uploading and loading information to a device. There are also rumours that a microchip will be rolled out through America in the near future.

Despite all of these signs and the way Microchips were used in Dawn of the Dreamer, having them inserted under our skin could also have its positives. If a child were kidnapped, we would be able to find them, we would be able to find someone who’d committed a crime, you wouldn’t have to carry all of your cards and cash on you so there would be no risk of losing them or having them stolen.

Unfortunately with every positive there is a negative. If we were ever made to make the decision to have a microchip implanted beneath our skin, would you do it?

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Character Interview: Cameron

 

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

I would enjoy just spending a day at home. Watch a movie or two.

 

What impression do you make on people when they first meet you?

I think people can be intimidated by me when we first meet, but they soon realise I’m one of the nice guys.

 

What’s your idea of a good marriage? Do you think that’ll happen in your life?

My parents are still together after 28 years so I’ve had great role models for marriage. I think communication and honesty are very important. I really hope it does happen for me.

 

What are you most proud of about your life?

That I am successful in what I do as a nurse and a scientist.

 

What are you most ashamed of in your life?

Working for the MMC when I know what they are capable of.

 

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?

Yes and no. I think my dad wanted me to be a doctor like him and specialise in a field. And I know my mum wishes I had met a successful and pretty girl by now. But I know they are proud of who I am as a person.

 

What’s the worst thing that’s happened in your life?

Nothing extremely terrible has happened to me in my life. I have been very fortunate.

 

Tell me about your best friend.

Tech, he’s my roommate. He’s a quiet guy and can be a bit awkward but would do anything I asked of him.

 

What would you like it to say on your tombstone?

Successful at everything he put his mind to.

 

Describe your ideal mate.

Someone who is honest, I can have an intelligent conversation with. And that feels safe when I’m around.

 

What are you most afraid of?

Failure.

What’s the most important thing in your life?

I’m not sure? Probably my work at the moment.

What do you like best about yourself?

That I’m ambitious.



What do you like least about yourself?

That I’m so focused on work.

 

How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?

I wish I wasn’t working for the MMC. But a part from that life is pretty good.

Are you lying to yourself about something? What is it?

That Amelia and I have a chance. There is something between her and Joe that I feel like I just can’t break.

Character Interview: Cameron

Cameron is Amelia’s nurse in the Sleep Room of the MMC facility. He would do anything for her.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

I would enjoy just spending a day at home. Watch a movie or two.

What impression do you make on people when they first meet you?

I think people can be intimidated by me when we first meet, but they soon realise I’m one of the nice guys.

What’s your idea of a good marriage? Do you think that’ll happen in your life?

My parents are still together after 28 years so I’ve had great role models for marriage. I think communication and honesty are very important. I really hope it does happen for me.

What are you most proud of about your life?

That I am successful in what I do as a nurse and a scientist.

What are you most ashamed of in your life?

Working for the MMC when I know what they are capable of.

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?

Yes and no. I think my dad wanted me to be a doctor like him and specialise in a field. And I know my mum wishes I had met a successful and pretty girl by now. But I know they are proud of who I am as a person.

What’s the worst thing that’s happened in your life?

Nothing extremely terrible has happened to me in my life. I have been very fortunate.

Tell me about your best friend.

Tech, he’s my roommate. He’s a quiet guy and can be a bit awkward but would do anything I asked of him.

What would you like it to say on your tombstone?

Successful at everything he put his mind to.

Describe your ideal mate.

Someone who is honest, I can have an intelligent conversation with. And that feels safe when I’m around.

What are you most afraid of?

Failure.

What’s the most important thing in your life?

I’m not sure? Probably my work at the moment.

What do you like best about yourself?

That I’m ambitious.



What do you like least about yourself?

That I’m so focused on work.

How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?

I wish I wasn’t working for the MMC. But a part from that life is pretty good.

Are you lying to yourself about something? What is it?

That Amelia and I have a chance. There is something between her and Joe that I feel like I just can’t break.

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Character Interview: Jonah

 

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

Head down the coast to a secluded beach and go surfing for the day.

 

What impression do you make on people when they first meet you?

I think with me what you see is what you get. I’m just a laid back, chilled out guy most of the time.

 

What’s your idea of a good marriage? Do you think that’ll happen in your life?

I’m not really sure if I want to get married. I never knew my dad and my aunty and her husband divorced when I was young. Guess I don’t have many good marriage role models.

 

What are you most proud of about your life?

That I’ve been able to be proud that I’m a Dreamer, and that I try to help other Dreamers be proud too.

 

What are you most ashamed of in your life?

I don’t think I’m really ashamed of anything. I try to live my life with no regrets, everything that happens makes you who you are.

 

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?

My mother only ever wanted me to be happy. So yes I do.

 

What’s the worst thing that’s happened in your life?

My mother passing away. It was extremely hard to see her in so much pain.

 

Tell me about your best friend.

I have friends but I wouldn’t say we are really close. Amelia is probably my best friend really. But that is a bit complicated.

 

What would you like it to say on your tombstone?

Dreamer

 

Describe your ideal mate.

Someone who can see the world like I do. Someone kind and compassionate. Someone who has the same sense of humour as I do. And someone who wants the simple things in life.

 

What are you most afraid of?

Losing the people I care about. I’ve already lost too many of them.

What’s the most important thing in your life?

Keeping my dreams. Keeping who I am and not being turned into a mindless zombie by the MMC.

What do you like best about yourself?

I don’t really know? Probably that I’m a Dreamer.



What do you like least about yourself?

I can be hot headed. But I try to keep it under wraps.

How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?

I’m happy with my life, but would love for the MMC to be gone and not have to worry about being manipulated or worse anymore.

Are you lying to yourself about something? What is it?

Probably that we can beat the MMC. But as long as there is a chance, I’ll keep trying.

Character Interview: Jonah

Jonah is a laid back Dreamer, who felt an instant connection with Amelia when he met her. He was the first person to help open her eyes to the manipulations of the MultiMind Corporation.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

Head down the coast to a secluded beach and go surfing for the day. Other than that I would go for a hike through the bush. I’m happiest when I’m outdoors.

What impression do you make on people when they first meet you?

I think with me, what you see is what you get. I’m just a laid back, chilled out guy most of the time. And I think people pick up on that pretty quick.

What’s your idea of a good marriage? Do you think that’ll happen in your life?

I’m not really sure if I want to get married. I never knew my dad and my aunty and her husband divorced when I was young. Guess I don’t have many good marriage role models.

What are you most proud of about your life?

That I am a Dreamer and that my mind is stronger than the MMC.

What are you most ashamed of in your life?

I don’t think I’m really ashamed of anything. I try to live my life with no regrets, everything that happens makes you who you are.

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?

My mother only ever wanted me to be happy. So yes I do.

What’s the worst thing that’s happened in your life?

My mother passing away. It was extremely hard to see her in so much pain.

Tell me about your best friend.

I have friends but I wouldn’t say we are really close. Amelia is probably my best friend really. But that is a bit complicated.

What would you like it to say on your tombstone?

Dreamer

Describe your ideal mate.

Someone who can see the world like I do. Someone kind and compassionate. Someone who has the same sense of humor as I do. And someone who wants the simple things in life.

What are you most afraid of?

Losing the people I care about. I’ve already lost too many of them.

What’s the most important thing in your life?

Keeping my dreams. Keeping who I am and not being turned into a mindless zombie by the MMC.

What do you like best about yourself?

I don’t really know? Probably that I’m a Dreamer.



What do you like least about yourself?

I can be hot headed. But I try to keep it under wraps.

How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?

I’m happy with my life, but would love for the MMC to be gone and not have to worry about being manipulated or worse anymore.

Are you lying to yourself about something? What is it?

Probably that we can beat the MMC. But as long as there is a chance, I’ll keep trying.

 

 

 

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AVAILABLE NOW: In Their Shoes – A Collection Of Short Stories

In Their Shoes started out as a blog series that I used not only to become a better writer, but also to make people open their minds and try to see things from others points of view. After hearing great feedback and the suggestion that I should publish, I have now released the collection of stories as an Ebook on Amazon for just $0.99.

Although I wrote the stories, this couldn’t have happened without the help of my beta readers, Kylie McDowall, Kayla Howarth, Bethany Wicker and Siobhan Quinlan. I need to say a special thanks to Kayla Howarth for guiding me through the entire process and editing my work. Without her I would have pulled my hair out and  possibly gone crazy! Another huge thank you needs to go out to Sara at Sara Jane Photography who squeezed me into her busy schedule and took the amazing photo that is the cover of, In Their Shoes, and Ann-Maree Macmillan who helped me design the cover.

In Their Shoes

Throughout our lifetimes, most of us will face different hardships, and create many amazing memories. All of those blend together to make you the person you become. Each of us have a different story, taking a different path. Whether you believe someone has taken the right path or not, it is important to remember that we all want the same things in life – to be happy and to be loved for who we are.

In Their Shoes is a collection of short stories that allows you to have a glimpse into someone’s life, giving you insight on how it may feel to be them for just a moment.

Purchase In Their Shoes HERE for only $0.99!

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L J Higgins answers your questions!

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Emerge – The Awakening by Melissa A. Craven

Emerge follows the story of Allie who has spent her life moving around, never able to settle in any one place before her parents uprooted her again. This time however, they have promised they are staying put, and Allie allows herself to begin to create friendships. These friendships begin to reveal who she really is, and why she has spent her life travelling the world.

I really enjoyed Emerge! I have never read a story like it, and easily fell into the world of immortals, and their unique abilities. Although it didn’t have me completely hooked until about a third of the way through the story, Allie’s fiery and sarcastic attitude urged me to continue reading, and I was grateful, as after that point I couldn’t put it down.

At some points in the story the amount of characters began to overwhelm me, but instead of trying to work out who belonged with who, I simply enjoyed the story for what it was and it didn’t affect my enjoyment at all. The only thing that threw me a little was Allies fast growing relationship with Vince that seemed to happen in the background and out of the readers mind. I understood why she would be drawn to him, but felt I would have accepted it more if it was injected into the story a little more. Other than that I loved all of the characters, each one had their individual personality and I enjoyed getting to know them all.

I would definitely recommend you read Emerge, and look forward to reading the sequel!

You can purchase a copy of Emerge HERE!

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