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One Light: Beyond the Portal
Some love stories are too big to fit into just one universe.
Ari is eleven when she first hears voices seemingly coming from inside the wall of her house. Scared but inquisitive, she pulls back the baseboard and discovers a portal. She peeks through it to see her own family in a terrifying scene she knows can’t be real. She quickly convinces herself she must have imagined it.
Thirty years later, Ari is a middle-aged woman struggling with chronic illness, but married to the love of her life, her vibrant wife Mandira.
One night she decides to share the secret she’s kept all these years, telling Mandira about the other world she once imagined seeing in the wall and the different life she witnessed.
Mandira’s simple response changes everything: “What if it was real?”
With her mind open to the possibility, Ari starts to hear the voices in the wall again, and this time when she investigates, she opens multiple portals showing alternate universes in which she and Mandira are living slightly – or completely – different lives.
Mandira believes Ari has this gift for a reason and that they have a duty to bring their other selves together. Ari isn’t so sure. Is it safe to interfere in other worlds? And if they physically venture through a portal, could they be cut off from their own world?
As Ari grapples with her worsening disability, she works on honing her gift for reaching other worlds, with Mandira serving as her moral compass.
But can a power like this ever truly be harnessed?
Ari is eleven when she first hears voices seemingly coming from inside the wall of her house. Scared but inquisitive, she pulls back the baseboard and discovers a portal. She peeks through it to see her own family in a terrifying scene she knows can’t be real. She quickly convinces herself she must have imagined it.
Thirty years later, Ari is a middle-aged woman struggling with chronic illness, but married to the love of her life, her vibrant wife Mandira.
One night she decides to share the secret she’s kept all these years, telling Mandira about the other world she once imagined seeing in the wall and the different life she witnessed.
Mandira’s simple response changes everything: “What if it was real?”
With her mind open to the possibility, Ari starts to hear the voices in the wall again, and this time when she investigates, she opens multiple portals showing alternate universes in which she and Mandira are living slightly – or completely – different lives.
Mandira believes Ari has this gift for a reason and that they have a duty to bring their other selves together. Ari isn’t so sure. Is it safe to interfere in other worlds? And if they physically venture through a portal, could they be cut off from their own world?
As Ari grapples with her worsening disability, she works on honing her gift for reaching other worlds, with Mandira serving as her moral compass.
But can a power like this ever truly be harnessed?
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2024
About the author
Michelle Arnold
14 books60 followersI grew up in Illinois, two blocks from my local library. I read pretty much whatever I could get my hands on, and when the story I wanted wasn't there, I made it up. I don't remember a time when I wasn't making up stories, but I believe I was 6 when I began writing them down. I still have the unicorn notebook that I wrote my first stories in! By the time I was 8, the stories became a regular escape. When school was boring or unpleasant, I retreated into my head and dealt with the situation by either narrating it or inventing a better one. Each doll I owned had an elaborate backstory in my mind.
In seventh grade, I won first place in a school contest for the best scary story, the prize being a gift certificate for the fall book fair. I was pretty thrilled about that, but I didn't really become disciplined about writing my stories down until towards the end of high school. In my first year of college, I began writing my first novel, though I never quite finished it. That didn't matter though; I was finally in the habit of writing on a daily basis, and this habit enabled me to start and finish multiple novels in the following years.
In 2004, I graduated from the University of Illinois with an education degree. I have spent the years since working in a day care, being a substitute teacher, and working as a special education TA. I never stopped finding the time to write though, and eventually I decided it was time to share those stories with the public!
Currently I am focused on writing, but may teach again in the future. I have an old house with lots of books, a spoiled cat named Lily Belle, and an obsessive interest in Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
Visit me here: facebook.com.MichelleArnoldbooks
https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Arnol...
In seventh grade, I won first place in a school contest for the best scary story, the prize being a gift certificate for the fall book fair. I was pretty thrilled about that, but I didn't really become disciplined about writing my stories down until towards the end of high school. In my first year of college, I began writing my first novel, though I never quite finished it. That didn't matter though; I was finally in the habit of writing on a daily basis, and this habit enabled me to start and finish multiple novels in the following years.
In 2004, I graduated from the University of Illinois with an education degree. I have spent the years since working in a day care, being a substitute teacher, and working as a special education TA. I never stopped finding the time to write though, and eventually I decided it was time to share those stories with the public!
Currently I am focused on writing, but may teach again in the future. I have an old house with lots of books, a spoiled cat named Lily Belle, and an obsessive interest in Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
Visit me here: facebook.com.MichelleArnoldbooks
https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Arnol...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 22, 2024
Intriguing Adventure!
As a child, Ari discovers portals but after witnessing something terrifying regarding her own family, she convinces herself it wasn’t real until thirty years later she tells her wife, Mandira, what happened. Mandira isn’t as convinced as Ari was that it couldn’t be real, and with a little gentle encouragement Ari investigates further.
What an exciting adventure into the unknown this was! I really felt for Ari, her life had been anything but simple and she’d been through so much trauma, but she wasn’t alone in that. Mandira had also had her fair share of struggles before they met, but they made the perfect team, especially when Ari started to explore her gift. Michelle always includes such diversity in her stories, and characters like Ari and Mandira really embody that. Ari has chronic illness, and Mandira has cultural barriers, which Michelle has sensitively but also cleverly explored from many perspectives throughout the story.
It is difficult to share too much about the story in a review without giving away too many spoilers, but I loved how this fitted into the sci-fi with a touch of romance category, and delivered a fun, imaginative and exciting adventure. The fact it has a leading character who defies norms and stereotypical views of what their life is like is a great way to make this story inclusive and informative, but also truly unique. Ari was the kindest and sweetest woman, but with Mandira by her side she was empowered and strong beyond belief.
I am really excited for what the future holds in store for Ari and Mandira and can’t wait to find out in hopefully future stories. A great read, to take you on adventures you could only dream of, and explore a love that was truly out of this world!
As a child, Ari discovers portals but after witnessing something terrifying regarding her own family, she convinces herself it wasn’t real until thirty years later she tells her wife, Mandira, what happened. Mandira isn’t as convinced as Ari was that it couldn’t be real, and with a little gentle encouragement Ari investigates further.
What an exciting adventure into the unknown this was! I really felt for Ari, her life had been anything but simple and she’d been through so much trauma, but she wasn’t alone in that. Mandira had also had her fair share of struggles before they met, but they made the perfect team, especially when Ari started to explore her gift. Michelle always includes such diversity in her stories, and characters like Ari and Mandira really embody that. Ari has chronic illness, and Mandira has cultural barriers, which Michelle has sensitively but also cleverly explored from many perspectives throughout the story.
It is difficult to share too much about the story in a review without giving away too many spoilers, but I loved how this fitted into the sci-fi with a touch of romance category, and delivered a fun, imaginative and exciting adventure. The fact it has a leading character who defies norms and stereotypical views of what their life is like is a great way to make this story inclusive and informative, but also truly unique. Ari was the kindest and sweetest woman, but with Mandira by her side she was empowered and strong beyond belief.
I am really excited for what the future holds in store for Ari and Mandira and can’t wait to find out in hopefully future stories. A great read, to take you on adventures you could only dream of, and explore a love that was truly out of this world!
April 21, 2024
into the portal we go!
I loved this foray into fantasy. Michelle wove worlds together in a very talented way. It was so fun to explore parallel universes with Mandira and Ari. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to sit back and have an adventure.
I loved this foray into fantasy. Michelle wove worlds together in a very talented way. It was so fun to explore parallel universes with Mandira and Ari. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to sit back and have an adventure.
March 23, 2024
Romance, danger, and a fantastic adventure; What more could you ask for in your lesfic? It took twists and turns I didn’t see coming, then yet another and another. There were very touching moments, as well, which I won’t spoil in this review.
I really liked the stable and loving couple at the heart of this story. They are clearly different individuals, but a complementary match. Although I’m not Indian or Sikh as is Mandira, I could relate to many of her cultural issues. It was also nice to learn more about her culture and Sikhism throughout the book.
Also, as a fan of science fiction, it was really cool to see a hero with a “special power” grappling with her own medical and disability issues while forging ahead to help others. Not all heroes are tall and sinewy; the bravery of an everyday woman who battles her own limitations is something many of us can aspire to.
Anyway, if you love romance and or fantasy adventure, you’ll love this book.
I really liked the stable and loving couple at the heart of this story. They are clearly different individuals, but a complementary match. Although I’m not Indian or Sikh as is Mandira, I could relate to many of her cultural issues. It was also nice to learn more about her culture and Sikhism throughout the book.
Also, as a fan of science fiction, it was really cool to see a hero with a “special power” grappling with her own medical and disability issues while forging ahead to help others. Not all heroes are tall and sinewy; the bravery of an everyday woman who battles her own limitations is something many of us can aspire to.
Anyway, if you love romance and or fantasy adventure, you’ll love this book.
May 6, 2024
Alternate Universe 🤗
Really enjoyed the self discovery & growth of Mandira & Ariana (Ari). The struggles, the precious moments & heartbreak you go through….this happens in other alternate universe too.
I loved how they met themselves in different situations across different AU’s. We definitely need a Mandira & Ari in our life. They weee meant to be together, beyond any universe possible. Such a great read 🥰
Really enjoyed the self discovery & growth of Mandira & Ariana (Ari). The struggles, the precious moments & heartbreak you go through….this happens in other alternate universe too.
I loved how they met themselves in different situations across different AU’s. We definitely need a Mandira & Ari in our life. They weee meant to be together, beyond any universe possible. Such a great read 🥰
July 14, 2025
Lovely. I liked the nod to Dr Who and the Tardus. I enjoyed the spiritual journey with the joining of two souls for one light. Great title. Well done Michelle Arnold
April 15, 2024
Engrossing story of love across parallel dimensions. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews