Music in the Night

by Michelle L. Levigne

Ess's mother, Vivian, left her a rose made of the same crystal that formed the Great Machine, which allowed the Originators and Revisionists to travel through time. A matching rose belonged to her friend, Anna, and the two women communicated mind-to-mind, until Vivian died. When Ess was too young to understand, she touched minds with Carmen, Anna's daughter, through the crystal rose. Both girls thought the other was merely an imaginary friend.

Now, knowing the truth, Ess must search for Carmen, who is in great danger from the Revisionists. Anna died before she could teach her daughter the truth of the crystal rose, and her heritage. Carmen has no idea what gifts lie in her blood, in the power of song, and in the crystal rose.

When one piece of bad luck after another puts Carmen and her orphan charges out on the streets, they find shelter in an underground community. Their leader, Brogan, hides his scars in the shadows, and fears he is slowly growing insane. Carmen's music may be the key to solving puzzles passed down from their ancestors. The fate of the world of the future could rest in their hands.

206 pages, Paperback

Published January 15, 2024

About the author

Michelle has been a book addict since picking up 'The Cat in the Hat'.

She started writing her own stories in junior high, when TV shows didn't turn out like she thought they should. Her first rejection letter came the summer after high school graduation, her first published story was in connection with fan fiction, and her first sale was in the Writers of the Future anthology.

With a BA in theater/English and an MA in Communications, focused on film and writing, she has worked for a local newspaper, then in advertising, and now works as a freelance editor. She is published in multiple sub-genres of romance, as well as SF and fantasy. Awards include multiple finals in the EPIC Awards competition and winning in 2006 and 2010, and finalist in the Realm Awards.

"Universes" include the Commonwealth (SF), The Hunt (Fantasy), The Zygradon Chronicles (Arthurian fantasy), The Faxinor Chronicles (Fantasy/romance), Guardians of the Time Stream (Steam punk), Neighborlee, Ohio (Fantasy), AFV Defender (SF adventure), Tabor Heights (Inspirational romance) and Quarry Hall (Women's fiction/adventure).