James Pyles's Blog, page 4

Out of the Chrysalis

The crystals surrounded and penetrated me. It didn’t hurt, but I did experience the horrifying feeling of my very identity being drained away. The corporations sold the government the idea that instead of changing the climate, they could change human beings to adapt to the rising temperatures and levels of carbon dioxide. They told us […]

Summer Based Book Sale 2025 is Coming

Cool books are coming on sale for one week and you don’t want to miss out. The 2025 edition of Summer Based Book Sale will run from July 30th to August 4th. This year the focus is “based books for men.” All books featured on the sale will be priced from 99 cents down to […]

Cut Down

Emory heard that you could tell how old a tree is by the number of rings in its trunk. He had no idea how to figure the age of the stump in front of his place. The city had ordered the beautiful shade tree cut down because it was a hazard. Pity. He used to […]

The Sins of the Son

John Phelps stood at the entrance to the chateau converted into a prison and listened to his sentence read by the bailiff. “…for the crimes of your son against his family you are to be imprisoned for the rest of your life. May God have mercy on your soul.” John’s voice cracked. “When will I […]

A Finally Perfect World

Ali met Marie after her tour of the old French chateau. In ages past it was the manor or palace of the noble class. Of course, no one could live like that anymore. “Was it enjoyable?” Ali asked. He fanned himself. The museum weather simulation was too realistically warm. “Enlightening, though a bore,” she said […]

Book Review of “Strike Dog: Military Science Fiction Across a Holographic Multiverse” (2018)

Way back in 2023, I read and reviewed Ashley R. Pollard’s military SciFi novel Bad Dog: Military Science Fiction Across A Holographic Multiverse. It’s part of the “Gate Walker” trilogy and today, I just finished book two: Strike Dog. This continues the adventures of Marine Sgt. Lara Tachikoma and traveling through these gates to different […]

A Lasting Peace

November was a cold month for fireworks, especially on the river, but it was a special day for Charles and his young bride Elizabeth. They held hands as they watched, bundled up as they were in heavy coats. “It’s over,” she murmured. Charles put and arm around Liz. “Not soon enough,” said Charles. “Poor Elliot.” […]

Coming in December 2025…

My short story “Awash on Titan’s Shores” has been accepted into this anthology. Marketing won’t officially start until October for publication in December. I haven’t even started editing the story with the publisher yet. All I’ll say is the anthology requires the story be set on or around Saturn’s moon Titan and military SciFi was […]

Homecoming

“Home.” Gerald had dreamed of going home for so long. He’d had an idyllic childhood. From the white picket fence, to the front pouch where Grandpa would swap tall tales with neighbors, to the family backyard barbecues. He stood outside drinking it all in. His dress uniform was crisp, the duffle he’d been carrying which […]

Book Review of “Turn Coat” (2009), a “Dresden Files” Novel

Last night I finished Jim Butcher’s 2009 novel Turn Coat, the 11th book in “The Dresden Files” series. You’d think that in eleven books, Butcher would turn in a turkey now and then, but he is the gift that keeps on giving. That said, there’s always the danger things will start to get repetitive, especially […]