James Pyles's Blog, page 6

Review of “Hell Spawn: Book 1 in the Saint Tommy NYPD” Series

Last night, I finished reading Declan Finn’s 2018 novel Hell Spawn: Saint Tommy, Saint – Book 1. I want to say a few things before I dive into the actual review. First, this will be full of spoilers. I can’t see any other way of reviewing it without tipping the author’s hand so to speak. […]

The Return

It was too late, so Jeff pulled over and turned off the engine. The effect looked like giant spider legs describing impossible angles across a burning sky, but that wasn’t it at all. He tried to pray, but everything from guilt to blind fear kept his thoughts away from God. His wife and two children […]

Book Review of “The Human: Rise of the Jain, Book Three” (2020)

I know it seems like it took forever, but yesterday, I finished reading Neal Asher’s novel The Human: Rise of the Jain, Book 3 (2020). To read my reviews of the first two books in this trilogy, see The Soldier (2018) and The Warship (2019). This was another book not available through my local library […]

Going Home To Mother

The full moon and late winter made her heart beat fast as she looked up from the pit. She had been with her husband for the long darkness and cold, and while she reigned with him as Queen, the honor always grew tiresome, even loathsome by now. Soon she would see mother again and like […]

Seeing Better

When Benedict looked outside that morning, he thought it had rained and drops had speckled the window. But then he turned away and saw everything else looked that way. He checked, but he hadn’t put on his glasses yet. When he did, it didn’t help. He was about to ask his wife what she thought […]

Movie Review of “Metropolis” (1927)

Since I retired, I decided to view films I’ve never seen before (and have always meant to) as well as movies I haven’t viewed in ages. Last night, for the first time, I saw Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927). I haven’t watched a silent film in a very long time, but I’d taken enough film classes […]

You Are What You Eat

Harold sat in the driver’s seat and slammed the door. The doctor’s visit was more than disappointing. Doc called the pharmacy so that numerous prescriptions would be filled and waiting when he got there. He looked down at the pile of trash on the car’s floorboards and then his expansive gut. “You are what you […]

Frick, Frack, and the “DOGE-Y” Scorched Earth Policy

I stood outside their High Tower watching our new leaders Frick and Frack gazing out the window at their vast domain, the one that used to belong to We the People. “Hey, you,” I yelled. My voice quavered and I knew they could dispose of me like yesterday’s trash. “Yeah, what is it?” sneered Frick. […]

“Our Legacy, The Stars: A Tom Corbett Adventure” Now Available as a Digital and Paperback Book

It’s here! Once a 16-part serial adventure on Kindle Vella, Our Legacy, The Stars: A Tom Corbett Adventure is now available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats (It might still take a couple of days for Amazon to actually link and stock the book in all markets). Based on the 1950s television show […]

“I Told You Not To Summon Demons”

“They were using my books to play D&D again,” groused Mervin. He examined the tome on the big rock in his backyard. The persistent stains were centuries old, but it was due to rain soon. Kenny shouldn’t have left it out. “Sorry, Grandpa. I was just coming for it.” The twelve-year-old had crept up behind […]