Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Guest Blog: Divinity by Michelle L. Johnson

UFI welcomes Michelle L. Johnson Author of Divinity. Thanks for Joining us!!



The Divinity Necklace
A Guest Post by Michelle L. Johnson

I’ve had a lot of people ask me about the significance of the necklace, since I’ve offered it on a few giveaways and some of the readers are talking about it. I can tell you why it’s in there, what purpose it serves, and the basic history and properties of the stone. I’m not sure I can answer what drew me to include it other than I’ve had an apache tear stone that I carried with me everywhere, and because I knew about the stone, I could see how it could fit into the story, both short term and long term.

At some point within the pages of DIVINITY, Alex gives Julia a necklace. They’d seen the apache tear stone together while in a gem store and were both touched by the story of the naming of the stone.

The stones are named for an Apache story of tribe members being pursued by the Calvary. The Apache men fought bravely, but were outnumbered. To avoid the fate of capture and torture at the hands of their enemies, they jumped off a cliff to their deaths. The distraught women of the tribe wept tears of grief that, upon falling to the earth, transformed into the obsidian pebbles. It was believed that those tears were made into stone so that the people will never forget what happened.

Apache tear stones are said to help the emotional body to heal, particularly with grief. Alex knew this when he had the necklace made for Julia, and delivers it at a time when she needs it most. It is, of course, also a bit of a foreshadowing of things to come in future novels as well… but let’s not spoil things! The stones are also said to be good for raising the ability to sense danger or risky situations. This is a talent Julia comes by honestly, but the stone could enhance that power.

It is interesting to note that the Archangels are all well aware of crystals and stones and their properties. For example, Raphael, known for her abilities as a healer, wears jade pins in her hair to enhance her power. Jade is a powerful stone, known for its healing properties.

There is another stone introduced in the book, but I don’t want to spoil anything. It is a beautiful stone, however, and in addition to what Julia uses it for, it is said to be a good vessel for sending unconditional love.

I’ve given away some Divinity necklaces, as shortly after Spence City picked up the book I found a woman on Etsy who makes them. She’s even agreed to call them Divinity Necklaces, and adds a wing pendant to each. Her name is Brenda, she’s a delight to order from, and her Etsy shop is Rockin’ Crystals.

Here’s a link to the necklace for anyone who’d like to check it out: http://goo.gl/kTaAPQ
 
I do have more planned for the Divine world in the way of stones and alternative ideas to blend with those already established. I can’t wait to see what stones the other angels favor… and why. With them, there’s always a “why.”
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Michelle L. Johnson is the author of DIVINITY, a supernatural urban fantasy, and the author of THE FOOTLOOSE KILLER, a mystery. She's also a literary agent, a coffee lover beyond reason, and has a fascination with the workings of the human mind.

Her key influences have been Stephen King, Anne Rice, and C.S. Lewis, but is inspired by every author to put pen to paper.

Michelle lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her muse and her rambunctious Cocker Spaniel, Sammy.

Find Michelle and her books
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Divinity
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When Julia climbs into a flaming car to save a trapped child, she's left wondering why either of them survived. Then she learns that her father is the Archangel Gabriel, and that she is half human, half Archangel.   

With guidance from Michael, the most powerful Archangel, Julia sets out to discover her own history and explore her angelic powers. But her journey is cut short when an evil force, invisible to human and angel alike, tears her world apart.   


Now Julia must fight through her despair, harness her newfound gifts, and risk her very soul to stop the A'nwel and protect the family she never knew she had.   


What she doesn't know is that Archangels have secrets too.
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