Michelle L. Levigne – författare

Welcome to Tabor Heights:A friendly little town on Ohio's North Coast, where sweet romance is always in the air.Here you'll be able to explore the lives of the members of the congregation of Tabor Christian Church in the space of two years. The stories overlap, and there's no one right place to start.Just like any small town, you come in, you meet someone, you hear their story and get to know them, and they introduce you to their friends, tell you something about them, and you learn those stories. As you get to know these new friends, they introduce you to other people, and tell you about other interesting stories in town.It's the same way with Tabor Heights. Start with the story that interests you the most, and then branch out. Settle back and enjoy your visit.Welcome!DETOURSA year in the life…Roommates Bekka, Kat, and Amy have a lot in common: Theater students, pursuing writing careers, supporting each other in crises and heartaches. Amy keeps breaking up with her boyfriend. Kat never dates a boy more than twice. Bekka is too busy with part-time jobs and writing to even want a relationship. Especially seeing how miserable her roommates are in their love lives.All that changes when Shane shows up. Bekka lets herself dream, even through the turmoil of Amy's boyfriend following his dreams and the effect on Amy, and the damage done by Kat's stepfather, and the destruction of her mother's marriage and dreams. Life is hectic -- especially when a con man tries to steal Bekka's chance at making her own dreams come true. Can't she have at least one miracle? The problem is that she and Shane never seem to meet up -- and then somehow Kat and Shane start dating, and once she dumps a guy, he never comes back. Bekka can't help hoping, though…

Toni returns to Tabor Heights to help identify the White Rose Killer. He stalks young women who look like her sister, murdered twenty years ago. Is he the same boy, grown up, who left white roses on Angel's grave?Curt found Angel's body, and he doesn't want Toni to be the White Rose's next victim. He reluctantly partners with her at the newspaper, to find the killer before he strikes again. To protect her, they pretend to have a relationship that slowly becomes real.Their hunt becomes a race against time: find love and the White Rose before the killer targets them.

Everything is going right for Lisa. Her comic strip about a pastor's family has gone national, and she has a contract for a series of books. Even better, she is pregnant. Finally, her critical father-in-law will stop mocking her for wasting time with her "e;scribbles"e; and "e;pretensions of being an artist,"e; and admit she is a good wife. Then her husband, Todd, comes home from another business trip in a foul mood and destroys her happy announcement with: "e;Is it mine?"e; He tries to make things right, but he has never learned to simply apologize. Even more important, he has never learned that if he is truly sorry, he needs to change. As communication disintegrates and suspicions and pain increase, their marriage disintegrates, until his own sisters urge Lisa to leave him, to protect her heart, her mind, her baby, and even her life. Family secrets, and patterns of suspicion and accusations and abuse slowly come to light. Can Lisa and Todd regain their first love and forgive each other, and break free of a family tradition that could destroy them both?

The hardest thing Nikki has ever done is go home to Tabor Heights, to the people who know how far she fell, and the hearts she broke. Four years after she ran away with Brock Pierson, she has turned her life around, getting right with her family and with God. Now, working for the Arc Foundation, she is sent to assess the Mission for funding. She refuses to fail the God who has forgiven her, and let down her home church. Turning against his drug-runner boss and working for the DEA was just the first step for Brock to pay for his crimes. Released from prison, he follows Nikki home. Now that he has given his life to God, he wants more than anything to win her back, and make sure their love is the right kind. Shadows from his past might prevent that, just when redemption is within reach. Nikki knows she won't find full healing until she forgives Brock, but she discovers she has to forgive herself, first.

Under a false identity, Joan finally has the life she has always wanted. With pressure to deepen a relationship on one side, and the threat of an old nemesis finding her on the other, she refuses to run, no matter what it costs her.Into this chaos comes a letter from a man claiming to be her unknown father, and an invitation to visit him at Quarry Hall. He has a proposition for her.Joan can make a big difference for good in the world, using her father's money. She hungers for the family and sense of belonging that Quarry Hall offers. To rescue her closest friend, she would sell the soul she doesn't believe she possesses.In the end, Joan will have to give up the lies that have kept her alive all these years.

After a rough assignment catching people out to destroy battered women's shelters, Anne needs a break. Being assigned to observe operations at Common Grounds Legal Clinic seems like a cake assignment. Xander Finley, the head lawyer, is a friend of Joan. The clinic is already supported by the Arc Foundation, so Arc is simply expanding its support.But then Anne is carjacked, and her guard dog, Argus, is shot. Off balance, worried about Argus, and wearing borrowed clothes, things keep getting worse. Face-to-face with someone from her painful past and feeling antagonism from Xander's employees, Anne stumbles into one problem after another. Her frustration grows when allies became enemies, and she is accused of entrapment and then attempted murder. How come prayer is her last resort, when it should have been her first reaction to every problem?

Kathryn's retreat for relaxation and contemplation is interrupted to take a fugitive to safety, beyond the reach of authorities who may be compromised. The injured woman knows her name is Regina, but not why people were shooting at her. The journey to reach a friend in the FBI is complicated when Kathryn's illness requires frequent stops, permitting Regina's pursuers to nip at their heels.When the mountains interfere with cell reception, and she can't stop long enough to make a call for help and advice, Kathryn has only her companion dog, her own wits, and prayer to depend on. Deception waits around every corner and Regina's attitude tests Kathryn's sympathy and her faith.

Dani has known all her life that God called her to ministry and music, even before her parents died during a short stint in missionary work. Her life revolves around her brother and the band they formed with their three cousins, Firesong. On the brink of breaking out in their career, Dani goes through several testing situations that confirm her in her path she has chosen, with no room for dating or marriage.Kurt returns to Tabor to prepare for a crusade and reunite with old friends. He never expects Dani to capture his imagination, and then his heart. How can he convince the girl who once disdained him as an arrogant jerk to open her heart to him?Conflict with their worldly manager forces Firesong to make some choices that could destroy everything they've worked for. Between the crusade, concerts, a new CD, and her brother marrying her best friend, Dani doesn't have time for Kurt's nonsense … but sometimes he gives her those looks that make her doubt everything she knows and believes.

Tony and Max are best friends. Writing partners. People swear he doesn't know she's a girl and she doesn't know he's a boy. When Tony goes away for a few months as a teacher, he realizes that empty place inside is Max-shaped. His revelation isn't something he can tell her over the phone. Every idea to tell her how he feels sounds like the plot for a book they would never write.Then Max's parents are nearly killed in an accident. Tony drops everything to come home and be there for her and her brothers. He'll just have to wait until things calms down before he confesses his love. The only problem is, between the accident and the usual chaos of running a community theater and the world suddenly "e;discovering"e; where Max's mother, actress Emily Keeler has been "e;hiding"e; for the last twenty-five years, things might never calm down.All Tony can do is prove his love by being her rock, drop lots of hints, and look for the best opportunity to make his case. Before the new guy in the tech crew makes his move. He's certainly been paying a lot more attention to Max than Tony is comfortable with.Max has tried for a long time now not to want more, and closer, than what she and Tony have. With all the chaos of holding together Homespun Theater, staging a new production, and dealing with the paparazzi invasion, she shouldn't have time for useless wishing and dreams that can only get her into trouble. And yet …

Claire came to Tabor five years ago to make a new start. Her life is wrapped up in the Mission, a former elementary school turned into an outreach center for Tabor Christian Church. They now have funds for renovations and expansion, thanks to teaming up with the Arc Foundation. Paul comes to be the new head custodian, threatening her equilibrium. First, his daughter, Sammy, decides Claire will be her new mommy, then Claire begins to fear Paul will take over, changing the vision and goals of the Mission. Paul only wants a fresh start and a safe home for Sammy. The Mission's vision has caught his imagination, and Claire has caught his heart. She stands by him when his dead wife's vicious relatives threaten to take custody of Sammy. In turn, he is there for her when family problems threaten to follow her to Tabor. Jennifer has almost finished recovering from a brutal injury while protecting a fugitive mother and her children. Coming to the Mission as minister to children will help her ease back into her work for the Arc Foundation. But then Doug is hired as Pastor Wally's assistant. Jennifer and Doug have a bad history, thanks to his father and her mother and an affair that destroyed several Air Force careers and families. All Jennifer wants is for Doug not to recognize or remember her, but sometimes God doesn't answer prayers the way His children want. Teamwork for the sake of the Mission promises to become so much more, if the four of them only have the courage to take a chance.

Black Ops doesn't begin to describe Vincent's former paramilitary team.When a friend of the Arc Foundation requests help for a rescue mission facing scandal, Vincent learns two former teammates are involved. He must investigate for the sake of his conscience, but can his instincts be trusted? Who has reformed, and who still waits to destroy those who betrayed him years ago, when their team disintegrated?Joan comes along, to provide balance and a second pair of eyes. One former teammate, Josh is in charge of renovations. Karl, the other former teammate, is the fundraiser. Darcy, Josh's daughter, is an idealistic young woman ready to give her life for what she believes. As Vincent and Joan track down the enemies of the mission, they uncover lies and an insidious scheme, with Darcy as pawn and prize.

Eve chose ministry over marriage, thanks to: Andy, her college sweetheart with a domineering mother, and vague plans for their future.(She bought the dress for Andy, but it didn't suit him any more than it suited her.)Charles, who she didn't even know she was dating on the rebound. Mason, the loony who "e;bought"e; her from her bully cousin. Nathan, the ex-Marine who started out pretending to be her boyfriend just to "e;protect"e; her from an unwanted suitor.(Or at least, she thought she didn't want him...)Real love didn't come back into her life until AFTER she decided to finally sell the dress, and let go of that particular dream. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?

Silly accidents threw them together, but would the chaos of life keep them apart? What do Abby Morgan, pilot, and Tyler Sloane, theater director, have in common? Siblings raising children on their own, a tendency for embarrassing accidents, and a voice deep inside asking, When will it be MY turn? In a summer insane with activities and crises and demanding jobs, Abby and Tyler see an oasis of hope and love in each other … but crossing that desert of responsibilities and commitments might be more than they can manage. Is it a dream, or just a mirage? Their every attempt to get to know each other fails, until in frustration Tyler decides he must stage the perfect romantic encounter if he and Abby are to ever fly off into the sunset together.

Sarai knew her life's path from childhood.Daughter of a wealthy, respected rabbi, she prepared herself for marriage to a man of equal wealth and status. Her father indulged her curiosity, and provided her an education rare among women of those times. She used the healing talents Adonai had given her, to serve others.However, her father's teachings about the Messiah were in conflict with the high priest, and many in the Sanhedrin. He believed the Messiah would first come as the Suffering Servant, not as a triumphant warrior to rescue Judea from the tyranny of Rome. He was labeled a heretic, ostracized from the Temple. When he died, Sarai's world disintegrated. Her suitor vanished, along with all his sweet promises.Reduced to nothing, Sarai devoted herself to the man who kept his promises when everyone else abandoned her.Then she encountered a rabbi named Jesus, from Nazareth, who fulfilled everything her father had taught about the Messiah. As Jerusalem was split by the question of who Jesus was, Sarai faced the most painful decision of her life.The man who risked everything to rescue her, or the duty she owed to Adonai?Break her promises and lose everything she had regained, or destroy her soul?

Sarai refuses to renounce her faith in Jesus, and her husband, Simon divorces her. She finds shelter with other followers of Jesus amid the turmoil after the crucifixion and news of the resurrection. When her friends decide to journey to Damascus for safety and to establish an inn, she joins them.Discovering she carries Simon's child leads to painful decisions. She claims to be a widow, and prays Simon will not hear the news and take her child from her. Within the safety of the inn family, she builds a new life for herself as a healer.The Inn of the Three Sisters becomes the gathering place for the slowly growing fellowship of Christ's followers. Sarai puts her education to good use, recording the memories of those who walked with Jesus and heard Him teach.Then her old life in Jerusalem reaches out to claim her, calling on old loyalties and friendship. Returning to her former home to help those she still loves means risking discovery, possibly condemnation. Her duty as a healer, and as a follower of Christ, requires a step of faith and courage that seems beyond her. The consequences of her decision will change her life, and the life of her daughter, forever