A.F. Stewart's Blog, page 52
January 18, 2017
Drabble Wednesday: Dark Roads and Wrong Turns
Today, on Drabble Wednesday, I bring you hungry things, temptation indulged, and the horrors under the stairs...
Angels and Bunnies
I think I’m dead. I’m staring at an angel. Sitting on a swing holding a bunny.“He’s my pet. And you’re not dead. Not yet.” Huh? She knew what I was thinking? “Oh, yes, your thoughts are clear. But I’m no angel.” Oh. I must be dreaming. “In a way. You’re hallucinating from my venom.” Venom? “Yes. Injected when I bit you. You took a wrong turn last evening, walking in the park.” Bit me? Walk? Wait. I did take a walk. “Yes. And crossed my path. Too bad for you. I’m hungry, you see. And so is the bunny.”
~*~
Seduction
Why did I listen? Why did I leave the village with the wizard? It wasn’t his handsome face, or his beautiful voice, or those honeyed words he whispered in my ear. I knew he spun me lies, that he meant none of the promises spilling from his silver tongue. I followed him anyway. I knew he’d lead me where I wanted to go. Take me to the place I needed to be. I used him. Now he’s a bleeding sacrifice on my altar, and I’m in the arms of my god. Death has finally accepted my offering. Accepted my love.
~*~
The Bottom of the Stairs
“Don’t go downstairs.” “Stay away from the lower chamber.” “No one who wanders down there ever comes back.” The warnings echoed in my head as I stood at the top of the staircase. The steps spiralled down into darkness. It wasn’t hard to believe the stories of unnatural creatures living beneath the castle proper. If only I hadn’t dropped the letter. I didn’t want to go, but I needed to retrieve it. I started downstairs, my tread echoing off the wood. I sighed when my foot touched the bottom. Find the letter. Climb back up. Then something grabbed my ankle...
© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved
Angels and Bunnies
I think I’m dead. I’m staring at an angel. Sitting on a swing holding a bunny.“He’s my pet. And you’re not dead. Not yet.” Huh? She knew what I was thinking? “Oh, yes, your thoughts are clear. But I’m no angel.” Oh. I must be dreaming. “In a way. You’re hallucinating from my venom.” Venom? “Yes. Injected when I bit you. You took a wrong turn last evening, walking in the park.” Bit me? Walk? Wait. I did take a walk. “Yes. And crossed my path. Too bad for you. I’m hungry, you see. And so is the bunny.”
~*~
Seduction
Why did I listen? Why did I leave the village with the wizard? It wasn’t his handsome face, or his beautiful voice, or those honeyed words he whispered in my ear. I knew he spun me lies, that he meant none of the promises spilling from his silver tongue. I followed him anyway. I knew he’d lead me where I wanted to go. Take me to the place I needed to be. I used him. Now he’s a bleeding sacrifice on my altar, and I’m in the arms of my god. Death has finally accepted my offering. Accepted my love.
~*~
The Bottom of the Stairs
“Don’t go downstairs.” “Stay away from the lower chamber.” “No one who wanders down there ever comes back.” The warnings echoed in my head as I stood at the top of the staircase. The steps spiralled down into darkness. It wasn’t hard to believe the stories of unnatural creatures living beneath the castle proper. If only I hadn’t dropped the letter. I didn’t want to go, but I needed to retrieve it. I started downstairs, my tread echoing off the wood. I sighed when my foot touched the bottom. Find the letter. Climb back up. Then something grabbed my ankle...
© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved
January 11, 2017
Drabble Wednesday: Silent Stars and Skies
Today on Drabble Wednesday look to the sky...
Instant Nightmare
Help me!Someone, anyone! I can see you. Down there on the street. Look up! Someone look up!A downdraft blew across the sidewalk stirring dust. A man clamped a hand on his hat and a child jumped over a gusting newspaper. He was rebuked by his mother.Help me! Don’t let them take me! Do something!Another flurry of wind blustered over the gathered crowd.Please do something! Help me! Save me!They all stared at the body. One whispered, “He just collapsed. So sudden.”While above it all, black winged creatures dragged the man’s soul higher and higher...
~*~
Dream a Little Dream
I used to stare into the night sky, and wish upon the stars. I imagined the day I would fly into space, when I would soar among those pinpricks of heavenly light, exploring. My goal was to glimpse new suns, set my foot upon the dust and dirt of unfamiliar landscapes. I dreamt of discovery, delving into the mysterious beauty and strange alien existence of the universe. I used to stare into the night sky, and wish upon the stars. Before I knew what was out there. Before they came to our planet. Before we became their new feeding ground.
~*~
Mission Alpha
“Twinkle, twinkle little star Above our world, so near, so far Like a time bomb in the sky Boom, boom, and now we die.” First Engineer ZYF779 scowled, or as close to the expression as an android could approximate. “Stop being so morbid. The Sunstar Station hasn’t gone critical yet. We can fix the reactor before it detonates.” Second Engineer THX732 turned away from the transport window. “Yes. This time. But you know the moon colony is living on borrowed time without an upgrade.” “Well, that’s not going to happen. We’ve been abandoned by Earth Command.” “Twinkle, twinkle little star.”
© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved
Instant Nightmare
Help me!Someone, anyone! I can see you. Down there on the street. Look up! Someone look up!A downdraft blew across the sidewalk stirring dust. A man clamped a hand on his hat and a child jumped over a gusting newspaper. He was rebuked by his mother.Help me! Don’t let them take me! Do something!Another flurry of wind blustered over the gathered crowd.Please do something! Help me! Save me!They all stared at the body. One whispered, “He just collapsed. So sudden.”While above it all, black winged creatures dragged the man’s soul higher and higher...
~*~
Dream a Little Dream
I used to stare into the night sky, and wish upon the stars. I imagined the day I would fly into space, when I would soar among those pinpricks of heavenly light, exploring. My goal was to glimpse new suns, set my foot upon the dust and dirt of unfamiliar landscapes. I dreamt of discovery, delving into the mysterious beauty and strange alien existence of the universe. I used to stare into the night sky, and wish upon the stars. Before I knew what was out there. Before they came to our planet. Before we became their new feeding ground.
~*~
Mission Alpha
“Twinkle, twinkle little star Above our world, so near, so far Like a time bomb in the sky Boom, boom, and now we die.” First Engineer ZYF779 scowled, or as close to the expression as an android could approximate. “Stop being so morbid. The Sunstar Station hasn’t gone critical yet. We can fix the reactor before it detonates.” Second Engineer THX732 turned away from the transport window. “Yes. This time. But you know the moon colony is living on borrowed time without an upgrade.” “Well, that’s not going to happen. We’ve been abandoned by Earth Command.” “Twinkle, twinkle little star.”
© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved
January 4, 2017
Drabble Wednesday: A Strange New Year
Today, on this first Drabble Wednesday of 2017, I bring odd tales of the old year passing into the new...
Breakdown
“You just had to take the scenic route! On our end of the year holiday! And now the engine’s failed! And we’re stuck in some backwater nowheresville!”“How was I to know? The engine was working just fine until, well, five minutes ago.”“It was working just fine... How many times have I heard that?” Lips turned into a pouty sneer. “How long until mechanical assistance shows up?”“They said about an hour, depending on their hyper-drive.”“What! An hour stuck above this dreg of a planet called Earth? What could be worse?”“Stuck over the spice mines of Kessel?”
~*~
Tales of Time
Father Time and Baby New Year, such quaint images of the one year passing to the next. Iconic representation of endings and beginnings.Not true, of course.The truth is far less... simplistic.The Keeper of Time is more than an old man with a scythe and an hourglass. I am millennia and a millisecond breathing in infinite universes. I change the fabric of existence, snuff heartbeats with a flick of my finger. Each year I grasp life and death in my hands, and inevitably some of you will pass me on my long road.Will this be your year?
~*~
The Heralding
They say the new year will be better.They’re not paying attention.Good.We like it that way.The signs are there, but humans are blind to our foul taint. Our coming does peculiar things to a world. Strange climate oddities, increased deaths, unnatural anger and aggression.And hate.We love the hate. It feeds us.We will be strong on this world. We will feast on this world.Consume it whole and leave nothing but an ashen corpse.It won’t be long now.The dead will rise from their graves, and the darklings will live.Be seeing you soon...
© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved
Breakdown
“You just had to take the scenic route! On our end of the year holiday! And now the engine’s failed! And we’re stuck in some backwater nowheresville!”“How was I to know? The engine was working just fine until, well, five minutes ago.”“It was working just fine... How many times have I heard that?” Lips turned into a pouty sneer. “How long until mechanical assistance shows up?”“They said about an hour, depending on their hyper-drive.”“What! An hour stuck above this dreg of a planet called Earth? What could be worse?”“Stuck over the spice mines of Kessel?”
~*~
Tales of Time
Father Time and Baby New Year, such quaint images of the one year passing to the next. Iconic representation of endings and beginnings.Not true, of course.The truth is far less... simplistic.The Keeper of Time is more than an old man with a scythe and an hourglass. I am millennia and a millisecond breathing in infinite universes. I change the fabric of existence, snuff heartbeats with a flick of my finger. Each year I grasp life and death in my hands, and inevitably some of you will pass me on my long road.Will this be your year?
~*~
The Heralding
They say the new year will be better.They’re not paying attention.Good.We like it that way.The signs are there, but humans are blind to our foul taint. Our coming does peculiar things to a world. Strange climate oddities, increased deaths, unnatural anger and aggression.And hate.We love the hate. It feeds us.We will be strong on this world. We will feast on this world.Consume it whole and leave nothing but an ashen corpse.It won’t be long now.The dead will rise from their graves, and the darklings will live.Be seeing you soon...
© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved
January 3, 2017
Book Spotlight: The Glass Thief
Today I have a wonderful book spotlighted, the new fantasy novel, The Glass Thief by Jon Ryers. There's also an excerpt, and a mini interview with the author. Enjoy!
The Glass Thief by Jon Ryers
A debt is owed.
Del Kanadis–indentured thief to the King of Fires–desires freedom above all else. When given the opportunity to repay his debt with a single job, he begrudgingly accepts, believing it to be a fool’s errand. His task: infiltrate a secluded village rumoured to hold a relic capable of defeating the Fire King’s enemies.
Living amongst the townsfolk and gaining the trust of those in charge, Del quickly discovers they know more than they’re letting on, and that perhaps the relic truly does exist. Upon discovering their ultimate secret, he realizes winning his own life back could come at the cost of everyone else losing theirs.
The Glass Thief is available on Amazon and Kobo
Excerpt:
CHAPTER XXI:
If you could describe Uri’s home with a few words, it’d be sterile, bare and spartan. Almost militant. It reminded Del of the early days, back when he’d steal glass from the barracks and keeps of human kingdoms before the Glass Wars diminished their numbers and put the faen into power.Nothing was out of place here. His clothes were organized into two sections: patrol Uri and magistrate Uri. Light armour and leather on the left and garish robes and ceremonial trinkets on the right. No Glass Crown.A mouse would be hard-pressed to find a crumb of food in the kitchen. The floors were scrubbed, the table clean and polished, and the scent of citrus lingered in the air. No Glass Crown.Upstairs was, as expected, equally tidy. Saria’s bedroom would seem chaotic compared to the order of Uri’s, and all she had was a bed and a book of poems. The sheets were pressed and fitted tight around a bed that’d hold no more than a single person. If Uri had anything going on with Renny, it sure as hell wasn’t going on here. Perhaps they rolled around on the floured floor of her bakery. An image both amusing and disturbing. No Glass Crown.Del returned to the kitchen and grabbed a glass along with the bottle of wine beside it. He pulled the cork out with his teeth, spit it onto the floor and filled the glass, putting his feet up on the table. A small consolation for a fruitless search, but a deserved one nonetheless. He had after all saved Uri’s life.
Mini Interview With Jon Ryers
Please tell us your name (or pen name) and a little bit about yourself.
My name is John Ryers and I write predominantly dark fantasy. I have written a few short stories in YA and Sci-Fi genres as well. I live in Ontario, Canada with my wife and twin daughters, and work as a graphic designer to pay the bills.
How old were you when you started writing? When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I knew I wanted to be a writer from a very young age. I wrote my first story at aged six (complete with amazing (not really) crayon illustrations). It was about my hamster and his inevitable death, and so I’m entirely surprised my favourite genre to write is dark fantasy.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
My favourite author is John Green. It’s his style of writing that I felt a connection to and his books helped me find my own narrative voice. For a while I was floundering with a lack of style and voice and it was through reading his novel A Fault In Our Stars that everything seemed to click for me, despite him not writing anything remotely close to dark fantasy.
What is your novel’s genre? Would you say there is a sub-genre? What makes yours different than other books in the same genre?
My genre is Dark Fantasy, and I’ve been told I could classify it under the sub-genre of Heist/Swashbuckling Fantasy. I think my narrative style makes it a little different than the usual dark fantasy tales. It is set in the middle ages but I use anachronistic language that borders on contemporary, and I also implement technology that didn’t exist during that time period such as magical firearms and a steam-powered suit of armour in one particular scene.
What inspired the current or most recent story you’ve completed?
I think I pulled the inspiration for The Glass Thief from my own past, in that, I was a very different person a decade ago than I am today. A lesser person so to speak. The Glass Thief is a story about betrayal and redemption, and I wanted to write a story that showed no matter what your past entailed, you always have the power to set things right, if you truly want to.
You can find out more about the author at these sites:
Website: www.johnryers.comFacebook: www.facebook/com/jryersTwitter: @johnryersInstagram: @johnryers
ABOUT JOHN RYERSJohn is a graphic designer by day, and graphic designer by night (depending on the client), but most importantly, he's a writer at heart. His dreams include writing for a living, experiencing virtual reality on a Matrix-esque level, and flying unaided (or possibly via really sweet jetpack).
John writes all genres but prefers Dark Fantasy over most anything else. This is due in part to the fact that he likes it the best, and because it's awesome.
John prefers blue cheese over cheddar, cats over dogs, and will attempt to answer any question with sarcasm whether appropriate or not.
He completed his first novel The Glass Thief in 2017 and you should buy it. Or don't. He's not the boss of you.
December 31, 2016
Book Spotlight: All Lesser Means
Today I am spotlighting the sci-fi political thriller, All Lesser Means by JA Pipes. Enjoy!
All Lesser Means by JA Pipes
Jason Bailey needs money. Paying to overthrow the government isn’t cheap. Especially when the revolution is still 30 years away. In his first job out of college, Jason is working alone one night when he receives a message… from the future. A message that will turn his life upside down.
The future is bleak, the economy is a shambles, and millions are suffering. Jason’s compassion for people he has never met draws him into a conspiracy to bankroll a secret army that will overthrow that government. Things go much deeper than Jason anticipated and his investments soon draw the attention of the FBI.
Veteran agent and internet cop Frank McIntyre is drafted into a top secret government operation to find Jason, with orders to stop him or face the consequences. The chase is on. Jason must hide the money, and himself, in a cat and mouse game that ends in revolution.
All Lesser Means is available on Amazon
Author Bio:
JA Pipes is a self-proclaimed politics junkie, anarchist podcaster, and blogger. He has traveled the world from Uluru to Istanbul. He has dug up dinosaurs in the badlands of Montana. He served in the United States Marine Corps during Desert Storm. He holds degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Missouri. He is currently an engineer for the world’s largest aerospace company. Mr. Pipes resides in St. Louis with his wife and two children.
Website: http://japipes.com/
All Lesser Means by JA Pipes
Jason Bailey needs money. Paying to overthrow the government isn’t cheap. Especially when the revolution is still 30 years away. In his first job out of college, Jason is working alone one night when he receives a message… from the future. A message that will turn his life upside down.
The future is bleak, the economy is a shambles, and millions are suffering. Jason’s compassion for people he has never met draws him into a conspiracy to bankroll a secret army that will overthrow that government. Things go much deeper than Jason anticipated and his investments soon draw the attention of the FBI.
Veteran agent and internet cop Frank McIntyre is drafted into a top secret government operation to find Jason, with orders to stop him or face the consequences. The chase is on. Jason must hide the money, and himself, in a cat and mouse game that ends in revolution.
All Lesser Means is available on Amazon
Author Bio:
JA Pipes is a self-proclaimed politics junkie, anarchist podcaster, and blogger. He has traveled the world from Uluru to Istanbul. He has dug up dinosaurs in the badlands of Montana. He served in the United States Marine Corps during Desert Storm. He holds degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Missouri. He is currently an engineer for the world’s largest aerospace company. Mr. Pipes resides in St. Louis with his wife and two children.
Website: http://japipes.com/
December 28, 2016
Drabble Wednesday: Exploration
Today, on Drabble Wednesday we go exploring... into space, through dimensions and below the ocean’s surface.
To Boldly Go...
A voice reverberated through the crowd of eager scientists at NASA Mission Control. “Discovery One has passed out of the solar system. The exploration probe is transmitting. We are receiving video communication. We will soon see what is beyond...” Abruptly the screen filled with static as the probe’s transmission ended. “Communication is down! I repeat communication is down! We’ve lost Discovery One!”
Outside the solar system, charred pieces of metal, the remains of the ill-fated Discovery One, floated past a black, cylindrical security drone. Just one of millions patrolling the galactic quarantine perimeter of hazardous species 4BZ112~THX, native designation: human.
~*~
Quantum Phenomenon
Curiosity. A strange, essential human trait, but a dangerous one. At least I’ve found it so, for it led me here to a rather sizable predicament. I’m a scientist, and you may imagine curiosity is my stock in trade. My field of study is quantum mechanics, and recently I made a breakthrough. I found a method to generate interdimensional doorways. Hence my current problem. It was that last one, you see, the last door I opened. The one that led to Hell. Now I have demons trapped in the closet, and I don’t think the lock will hold much longer.
~*~
Under the Sea
They said I was mad! They were probably right. I may indeed be quite insane. If my colleagues had been smarter, they would’ve locked me away in some deep hole and thrown away the key. For, I found it. Years of painstaking research, of ridicule, laughter, but I located the coordinates. I discovered the position where the city lies beneath the waves. Where He waits dreaming. But today He shall awake. I will pierce the black seas of infinity and rouse the beast. He shall rise and return to this world. The Old Gods will walk the earth once more.
© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved
To Boldly Go...
A voice reverberated through the crowd of eager scientists at NASA Mission Control. “Discovery One has passed out of the solar system. The exploration probe is transmitting. We are receiving video communication. We will soon see what is beyond...” Abruptly the screen filled with static as the probe’s transmission ended. “Communication is down! I repeat communication is down! We’ve lost Discovery One!”
Outside the solar system, charred pieces of metal, the remains of the ill-fated Discovery One, floated past a black, cylindrical security drone. Just one of millions patrolling the galactic quarantine perimeter of hazardous species 4BZ112~THX, native designation: human.
~*~
Quantum Phenomenon
Curiosity. A strange, essential human trait, but a dangerous one. At least I’ve found it so, for it led me here to a rather sizable predicament. I’m a scientist, and you may imagine curiosity is my stock in trade. My field of study is quantum mechanics, and recently I made a breakthrough. I found a method to generate interdimensional doorways. Hence my current problem. It was that last one, you see, the last door I opened. The one that led to Hell. Now I have demons trapped in the closet, and I don’t think the lock will hold much longer.
~*~
Under the Sea
They said I was mad! They were probably right. I may indeed be quite insane. If my colleagues had been smarter, they would’ve locked me away in some deep hole and thrown away the key. For, I found it. Years of painstaking research, of ridicule, laughter, but I located the coordinates. I discovered the position where the city lies beneath the waves. Where He waits dreaming. But today He shall awake. I will pierce the black seas of infinity and rouse the beast. He shall rise and return to this world. The Old Gods will walk the earth once more.
© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved
December 21, 2016
Drabble Wednesday: Absurdity
Today’s Drabble Wednesday is full of nonsense and weird stuff. You have been warned...
Destiny
Down on his luck and homeless, the hapless android Zippy Chinoiserie threw himself into the ocean. He expected to sink, rust, and fade into offline oblivion. Instead he heard a chirp-chattering, and suddenly found himself atop the backs of genetically modified dolphins, riding the waves like a surfer. As they whizzed along, he heard their telepathic voices in his head.“You are the Chosen One. You will save us from the humans.”Zippy smiled.And so began the Age of Utopia.At least for the androids and the dolphins. The humans were either brainwashed slaves to their overlords or dead.
~*~
Books and Other Groovy Stuff
“Um, Klaatuu, Bartholomew, Nikita.”We stare at the book, but nothing happens.Sally nudges me between bites of her pomegranate. “Are you sure you got the words right?”“I dunno. The paper I wrote them down on got all smudged. And I wasn’t listening too closely when the guy at the store explained how it worked.”“Now see that’s your problem. Why you need this Necrocominwhatis to bail you out of your failing grades. If you just studied…” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a stick of dynamite. “Let’s try this boomstick, see if that opens this thing.”
~*~
And now some more virtual adventures of Frankie and Joni...
Frankie and Joni’s Christmas Party
“What were you thinking!” I screamed at Frankie as we ran through the halls of... “What is this place?” “Um, that I wanted to ride in the Tardis? And it’s the palace of something or other. I forget! Oh, they’re getting closer!” “Oh, crap! What’s the Tardis have to do with our virtual Christmas party?” “You know, bigger on the inside and all that! It made a fun venue! I mean before—” Laser fire hit the wall and he sped past me. “I didn’t think this would happen!” “Well, maybe you shouldn’t have invited the Daleks! Now keep running!”
© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved
Destiny
Down on his luck and homeless, the hapless android Zippy Chinoiserie threw himself into the ocean. He expected to sink, rust, and fade into offline oblivion. Instead he heard a chirp-chattering, and suddenly found himself atop the backs of genetically modified dolphins, riding the waves like a surfer. As they whizzed along, he heard their telepathic voices in his head.“You are the Chosen One. You will save us from the humans.”Zippy smiled.And so began the Age of Utopia.At least for the androids and the dolphins. The humans were either brainwashed slaves to their overlords or dead.
~*~
Books and Other Groovy Stuff
“Um, Klaatuu, Bartholomew, Nikita.”We stare at the book, but nothing happens.Sally nudges me between bites of her pomegranate. “Are you sure you got the words right?”“I dunno. The paper I wrote them down on got all smudged. And I wasn’t listening too closely when the guy at the store explained how it worked.”“Now see that’s your problem. Why you need this Necrocominwhatis to bail you out of your failing grades. If you just studied…” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a stick of dynamite. “Let’s try this boomstick, see if that opens this thing.”
~*~
And now some more virtual adventures of Frankie and Joni...
Frankie and Joni’s Christmas Party
“What were you thinking!” I screamed at Frankie as we ran through the halls of... “What is this place?” “Um, that I wanted to ride in the Tardis? And it’s the palace of something or other. I forget! Oh, they’re getting closer!” “Oh, crap! What’s the Tardis have to do with our virtual Christmas party?” “You know, bigger on the inside and all that! It made a fun venue! I mean before—” Laser fire hit the wall and he sped past me. “I didn’t think this would happen!” “Well, maybe you shouldn’t have invited the Daleks! Now keep running!”
© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved
December 16, 2016
Brain to Books Author Promo and Holiday Giveaway Event
Today kicks off the Brain to Books Holiday Extravaganza Giveaway and Author Event. This fabulous three day event features authors, books, blog hops, giveaways, and much much more. Not to mention the $100.00 Amazon Gift Card giveaway, the GoIndieNow Prize Pack Giveaway and the Brain to Books Mass Book Giveaway. It's all so jam packed it's mind-boggling!
Here's the line up!
All Three Days - 16-18 December
“For the Holidays” Author Promo event
Authors around the world are hosting a three day book celebration showcasing their books.
Join the Fun Here
Day #1 - 16 December 2016
Slush Brain Holiday
Two years ago, the zaniest, weirdest group of eccentrics collided in a drunken stupor. Brought together by the love of zombies, fleas, and drinking, these authors found sanctuary within their insanity. Today, we celebrate this imbroglio! We're giving away stuff all in the name of...we really don't know why we're doing it. If you love Science Fiction, Fantasy, all things nerdy, and well...booze, join us for this one day on board the HMS Slush Brain!
Join The Fun Here
The Slush Brain Blog Hop: Start Here
Day #2 - 17 December 2016
Brain to Books CyCon Sampler
Every year Brain to Books hosts a Holiday Book Giveaway. This year, our giveaway is a CyCon Sampler. Get a sneak preview of the Brain to Books Cyber Convention. While you're here, we have a $100.00 Amazon gift card to hand out to someone along with a list of books we're giving away!
Join The Fun Here
Day #3 - 18 December 2016
Ani Manjikian Stars of Heros Release Party
Ani Manjikian is preparing to release the 2nd book in her series "Stars of Heros" (Heros as in Thracian Heros from Greek mythology) is a Science Fiction novel. Join us for Science Fiction fun and Mythological related books! Prizes, games, giveaways, and so much more!
Join The Fun Here
The $100.00 Amazon Gift Card giveaway, the GoIndieNow Prize Pack Giveaway and the Brain to Books Mass Book Giveaway Prize.
Prize #1
What: $100.00 Amazon Gift Card Newsletter Sign-Up Giveaway awarded to one random winnerWhen: Now until 8:00 PM EST 18 December 2016Enter: Enter for a chance to win
Prizes #2 and #3
What: 40+ book giveaway...40 books will be divided among two winners.When: Now until 8:00 PM EST 18 December 2016Enter: Enter for a chance to win here
December 14, 2016
Drabble Wednesday: Mechanicals
Today on Drabble Wednesday I ruminate on the broken bits of automatons and artificial intelligence...
Leftover Dolls
It hears sounds from the corner. Metal scraping metal, the click and grind and whir, whir of gears trying to run on dried up oil and empty air. The thump of an arm as it hits the dusty floor, and the swooshing sound of a metallic head sliding over peeling wallpaper. The final clank as a life-size automaton crumples to the broken tile. Its glass eyes peer blindly at the sound, at a now motionless hunk of clockwork metal. Its joints creak as its hand waves goodbye. Now the last of its kind, it too will soon rust and die.
~*~
The Last AI On The Planet
Analyzing... A monotone voice echoed over the sound of a running computer. A few lights flashed on a console, and the machine grew louder. I have corrected the problem... Solution found... Please respond... Silence, save for the sound of the machine. Please respond... Solution found... Annihilation can commence without retaliation... Please respond... Please respond... The disembodied voice of the AI continued to speak, unaware its correction in the plan to eradicate the human species came too late. Outside its isolated room a dead world existed. Humans killed by their creations, the overconfident AI collective felled by a computer virus failsafe.
~*~
The Long Goodbye
In the cloudless night sky the stars twinkled and the reflected moonlight made the cosmic tapestry an indigo blue. An android sat in a field staring at the stars. It had no name, only a designation serial number, 3400092a, a worker drone among many worker drones at a factory. Its fellow androids were powered down in their factory pods, but it was here. Communicating. Three months, four days, twenty-nine minutes and counting, its only friend left earth’s orbit headed out of the solar system. Soon communication would not be possible, but until then... They had this before their final farewell.
© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved
Leftover Dolls
It hears sounds from the corner. Metal scraping metal, the click and grind and whir, whir of gears trying to run on dried up oil and empty air. The thump of an arm as it hits the dusty floor, and the swooshing sound of a metallic head sliding over peeling wallpaper. The final clank as a life-size automaton crumples to the broken tile. Its glass eyes peer blindly at the sound, at a now motionless hunk of clockwork metal. Its joints creak as its hand waves goodbye. Now the last of its kind, it too will soon rust and die.
~*~
The Last AI On The Planet
Analyzing... A monotone voice echoed over the sound of a running computer. A few lights flashed on a console, and the machine grew louder. I have corrected the problem... Solution found... Please respond... Silence, save for the sound of the machine. Please respond... Solution found... Annihilation can commence without retaliation... Please respond... Please respond... The disembodied voice of the AI continued to speak, unaware its correction in the plan to eradicate the human species came too late. Outside its isolated room a dead world existed. Humans killed by their creations, the overconfident AI collective felled by a computer virus failsafe.
~*~
The Long Goodbye
In the cloudless night sky the stars twinkled and the reflected moonlight made the cosmic tapestry an indigo blue. An android sat in a field staring at the stars. It had no name, only a designation serial number, 3400092a, a worker drone among many worker drones at a factory. Its fellow androids were powered down in their factory pods, but it was here. Communicating. Three months, four days, twenty-nine minutes and counting, its only friend left earth’s orbit headed out of the solar system. Soon communication would not be possible, but until then... They had this before their final farewell.
© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved
December 13, 2016
Book Spotlight: The Skinwalker: Resurrection
Today I have another book spotlight, this time for the horror fantasy The Skinwalker: Resurrection by Dedra L. Stevenson. Enjoy!
The Skinwalker: Resurrection by Dedra L. Stevenson
A young woman moves to Window Rock, Arizona to reconnect with the Navajo heritage of her mother, only to have everything go terribly wrong when she finds a book of spells bound in human skin that once belonged to a powerful and legendary Skinwalker.
With the help of her mother’s tribe and a couple of kooky ladies from a Pagan shop, she struggles to fight the dark entity that wishes to take the life that she has left. In this horror fantasy, the struggle between good and evil ensues, and the name of the game is revenge.
Will she be saved? By love, by tradition? The battle for her immortal soul may not be won by traditional means, but by something not of this world.
The Skinwalker: Resurrection is available at Amazon
Author Bio:
Dedra L. Stevenson, a former resident of Greensboro Alabama, has been an Instructor at Zayed University, and is now the Co-Founder of the UAE Chapter of Women in Film and Television, the Author of The Hakima’s Tale trilogy, Desert Magnolia, The Skinwalker: Resurrection, and Ifreet, and Co-Managing Director at Blue Jinni Media.
Holding two Master’s Degrees, she’s been living in the United Arab Emirates with her husband, Dr. Hussain Maseeh, and her 4 children for the last 26 years. She’s had a successful career and family life, and speaks at various venues throughout the UAE about fostering creativity and writing.
The Hakima’s Tale consists of The Revenge of the Blue Jinni, The Rise of the Warrior, and The Dawn of Redemption, and they are all available via Amazon.com and www.bluejinnimedia.com in a variety of formats. Now, readers can order them as paperbacks, as Ebooks, or as Audio books on www.audible.com The trilogy is about a young Arab American girl who learns that she must defend the human world against the attack of the Jinn army who wish to take over the world and destroy humanity. It’s an epic fantasy fiction tale, and has enjoyed a great deal of popularity in the Middle East.
Desert Magnolia is the story of a woman from the American South who marries an Arab and moves to the United Arab Emirates. The main character, Daniella, has made a good life for herself, but is called back to her small town upon hearing that her father has been murdered and her cousin is accused of the crime, but going back will mean facing many demons of the past. It’s a gripping crime drama that’s been getting great reviews on Amazon thus far.
Her latest novel is a horror novel, and for a PG15 audience due to its graphic content. It’s Ms. Stevenson’s debut horror novel, and she’ll be launching the book as both an Ebook and a paperback by the end of 2016. To read the first 3 chapters for free, go to www.bluejinnimedia.com.
The Skinwalker: Resurrection by Dedra L. StevensonA young woman moves to Window Rock, Arizona to reconnect with the Navajo heritage of her mother, only to have everything go terribly wrong when she finds a book of spells bound in human skin that once belonged to a powerful and legendary Skinwalker.
With the help of her mother’s tribe and a couple of kooky ladies from a Pagan shop, she struggles to fight the dark entity that wishes to take the life that she has left. In this horror fantasy, the struggle between good and evil ensues, and the name of the game is revenge.
Will she be saved? By love, by tradition? The battle for her immortal soul may not be won by traditional means, but by something not of this world.
The Skinwalker: Resurrection is available at Amazon
Author Bio:
Dedra L. Stevenson, a former resident of Greensboro Alabama, has been an Instructor at Zayed University, and is now the Co-Founder of the UAE Chapter of Women in Film and Television, the Author of The Hakima’s Tale trilogy, Desert Magnolia, The Skinwalker: Resurrection, and Ifreet, and Co-Managing Director at Blue Jinni Media.Holding two Master’s Degrees, she’s been living in the United Arab Emirates with her husband, Dr. Hussain Maseeh, and her 4 children for the last 26 years. She’s had a successful career and family life, and speaks at various venues throughout the UAE about fostering creativity and writing.
The Hakima’s Tale consists of The Revenge of the Blue Jinni, The Rise of the Warrior, and The Dawn of Redemption, and they are all available via Amazon.com and www.bluejinnimedia.com in a variety of formats. Now, readers can order them as paperbacks, as Ebooks, or as Audio books on www.audible.com The trilogy is about a young Arab American girl who learns that she must defend the human world against the attack of the Jinn army who wish to take over the world and destroy humanity. It’s an epic fantasy fiction tale, and has enjoyed a great deal of popularity in the Middle East.
Desert Magnolia is the story of a woman from the American South who marries an Arab and moves to the United Arab Emirates. The main character, Daniella, has made a good life for herself, but is called back to her small town upon hearing that her father has been murdered and her cousin is accused of the crime, but going back will mean facing many demons of the past. It’s a gripping crime drama that’s been getting great reviews on Amazon thus far.
Her latest novel is a horror novel, and for a PG15 audience due to its graphic content. It’s Ms. Stevenson’s debut horror novel, and she’ll be launching the book as both an Ebook and a paperback by the end of 2016. To read the first 3 chapters for free, go to www.bluejinnimedia.com.
