David Berger's Blog, page 8

Check out Steve Smy's For the Sake of Mercy

In Smy's For the Sake of Mercy , Captain Henri Duschelle must lead his loyal crew on a seemingly impossible mission: to deliver a vital organ to one of the crew's son, across the longest part of the colonised worlds - to an insane deadline. He is convinced that only his ship, the stunningly beautiful Persephone can make such a journey. But problems lie in wait... A novelette.
For the Sake of Mercy is available at Smashwords and all major online stores (Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel, iTunes, etc.). In paperback, you can find it at Skoobeback. Buy from e-book: Search for B00BYAO7GS on any Amazon site.
"People should read For the Sake of Mercy because it's pure escapism while managing to look at a contemporary issue, where the problems involved are magnified by the spread of Humanity to new worlds."

 You can find Steve Smy on Facebook, his blog, Twitter (@SteveKSmyAuthor), and his author page on Amazon.

Novelette eBooks:
Shade of Evil (Smashwords, also available from all Amazon sites) For the Sake of Mercy  (Smashwords, also available from all Amazon sites) The Ossilan Affair  (Smashwords, also available from all Amazon sites)
Evil Under The Circle (Available from all Amazon sites - search ASIN B00CA74SX6)

Promote YOUR book (any genre) free on my blog. Here's how.

http://virtualsocialmedia.comI feel like giving back to the authorial community by letting people promote their novel(s) right here. All you have to do is email me with:
Your name.Your book title(s) and cover art.A picture of you. A brief synopsis of your novel.Fill in the blank in a few sentences: "People should read ______ because..."Links to where they can find your novels.A blog (and/or Facebook page) link.No strings. I'm just looking to give back. I look forward to hearing from you!

David

FREE E-Book of Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance!

In honor of Gaea, the Earth goddess, my first novel Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance will be free to download in ANY e-book format at Smashwords.com on Earth Day , April 22, 2013. This offer ends at April 22 at midnight.
With Memory's Curse due to come out this fall, this would be fantastic opportunity to catch up on your reading. This first story of Dan, Aleta, Sarah, and Brandon sets the foundation for what comes next, and you won't believe what happens.
If you want more info on Earth Day, you can check out this link.
Smashwords link.  Use coupon code: EX82Q
Thank you! Spread this link around!

***Updated Book Blurb for Memory's Curse***

Aegis, Zodiak, Aether, and Talon—modern-day champions of the Olympeian gods—restored the fragile cosmic balance that a reckless elder goddess shattered, and their world returned to normal… or did it. The Sacred Scales will need settling once more, re-aligning both the mortal and godly realms, when all the gods but Apollo suddenly vanish just before an ancient evil, the Nebulous One, emerges from Tartaros.
“What immortals have wrought, mortals must put right,” the Fates have again decreed. From the depths of the underworld to the heights of Olympos, with the vast Earth in between, leaving chaos and obliteration in her wake, this unspeakable primeval horror hunts the gods.
Apollo does not face this threat alone. The United Nations cadre, Task Force: Gaea, whose members can deal with metaphysical threats, must protect the only remaining Olympeian and defeat the primordial goddess set on erasing all knowledge of the gods, one in particular, from the world before they fall prey to her themselves.
Spanning history from antiquity to the modern day, this epic battle between good and evil leaves immortal and mortal alike wondering whether memory can be a blessing… or a curse."

Land O' Lakes Local Author Fair—Apr. 13, 2013

On Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., come see me at The Land O' Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O'Lakes, FL and have your copy of Task Force: Gaea signed. Or! Pick up a copy, and I will sign that, too. The Library will also be welcoming other local authors, including my friend Kat Heckenbach, author of Finding Angel and Seeking Unseen . Light snacks provided.
Cover Mock UpAvailable at the signing will be excerpts of the sequel to Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance... Memory's Curse.  
Come chat with me about my work, my thought process, and what's in store for Dan, Brandon, Aleta, and Sarah in the next installment of the Task Force: Gaea saga, a darker, more Lovecraftian take on a Greek mythological tale.

Love, Sacrifice, and the Gods—The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having been a longtime fan of Greek mythology, and upon the recommendation of one of my best friends (an avid reader himself), I read Miller's The Song of Achilles that tells the story of Achilles and his relationship with Patroclus. Miller's story has a melodic quality, like one would expect from a myth, and its epic storyline unfolds in a way that she can explore the sensuality and subtle eroticism of this relationship without venturing into blatant sexual scenes. In fact, the first time Achilles and Patroclus have an intimate scene in the novel, Miller gives just enough detail to titillate the reader without being over the top. She also creates a staunch adversary for Patroclus in Thetis, Achilles' mother, a sea nymph. Her description, haunting and surreal, spotlights the austerity of the gods while giving her a maternal aspect, although a reserved one. I found myself enrapt throughout the reading, and I didn't want the story to end (although I know how the mythological tale does indeed finish). The Song of Achilles has complexities in relationships, yet it doesn't labor to read. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Greek mythology and those who want to read the story of two men whose love transcends all boundaries.

View all my reviews

Interview: No Rules Just Mics—3/26/13 8 p.m.

Thanks to Topher Cassidy and the folks at Uncensored Radio, I will be interviewed on No Rules Just Mics, the show with Topher and Christian Senger, next Tuesday, March 26, at 8 p.m.
I've known Topher for a long time. We met on AOL in Gay & Lesbian Chatroom back in the late 90s. We had lost touch over the years (after I left my ex- in 1999, I stopped using AOL). Just over a year ago, around January 2012, I came across Topher in an AOL LGBT Group on Facebook, and we rekindled our friendship. He's a very dear friend, and someone I admire and respect greatly.
After I published Task Force: Gaea, Topher got himself a copy of the book and has since re-read it. I'm flattered and humbled that he would do that. He's a good friend, a brother, and someone I love dearly.
Please tune in to No Rules Just Mics on March 26 at 8 p.m.!
Their website is http://www.myuncensoredradio.com/, but I will post the show link as soon as I have it.

Aleta Halston, Codename: Aetos, gets a change

As a Greek mythology fanatic, I choose names from Greek for people, places, and things on occasion to bring an ancient feel. I chose Aegis as a codename for Dan Fairmont because he's the protector of the task force, the 'shield' as it were; Zodiak takes name from the Zodiac signs, since they are the source of his power. Sarah uses the name Aether because aether is the fifth element, the one that enables the others to exist—spirit. As Sarah channels certain primordial and godly powers to manipulate the elements, she provides the anchor, the unifying spirit.
Aleta Halston took the name Aetos because she embodies the Aetos Dios, the eagle of Zeus (wings, talons, genetically altered bone structure that allows her to fly). After Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance came out, I received questions about her name (as well as why three members of the team had names beginning with "A"). Now, while I'm working on Task Force: Gaea—Memory's Curse, I have the ability (for reasons that become apparent in the novel) to alter some aspects of the story.
Recently, I posted a poll on Facebook, asking friends and fans to decide which codename might be best suited to replace 'Aetos':CloudsplitterEagleJavelinThunderstrikeTalonI had every intention to go with the popular choice of Cloudsplitter, seeing as that is the name of Aleta's weapon, Nephoskizetes. However, a few people commented that a one or two syllable name might be better because it would roll off the tongue more easily. I agreed. So, Cloudsplitter, Javelin, and Thunderstrike came off the list. I was left with Eagle and Talon.

So, I thought I would go back to the Greek language and see what the word for 'talon' was. It turned out that in Greek 'talon' is 'onyx'. I liked that name a lot. I thought I had finally found a replacement name, but then a friend told me that a black heroine named Onyx seemed not only cliché, but also a bit racist since (a) an onyx is black, and (b) no other teammate name reflected the color of his or her skin, even by coincidence.

After much reflection, I choose Talon. It reflects the eagle aspect of Aleta as well as the weapon that she is. So, in Memory's Curse, Aetos becomes Talon.

The Attack...

When she finds you, the temperature drops around you to that of Tartaros, as if the air itself yields to her presence. Then, like a tidal wave, fear immobilizes you—not at once, though... slowly moving from your extremities, until you have no will. Noiselessly, a black, gelatinous cloud moves around, building up, tendrils of darkness meandering over all surfaces. One reaches out and encircles you, like a serpent. This fear, the one that touches your very soul, takes over, and your body goes limp, your bowels and bladder releasing their contents.
Then, it happens.
A neck rises from the blackness in front of you, swaying back and forth as it grows, and you see her eyes, fiery red ones that peer into your soul. Once she has you in her gaze, she takes what she wants.
She uncurls herself from you, and you lay in your own excrement as she moves back into the shadows. Temperatures return to normal, and you awaken from your stupor.
When you resume your life, you then learn what she has taken...

Read Task Force: Gaea — Memory's Curse to see just who she is. Release date revealed soon.
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Author Lakisha Spletzer Three-Year Anniversary Celebration

My friend, Lakisha Spletzer, a cross-genre (science-fiction/fantasy/paranormal romance) indie author who writes for all ages is having a scavenger hunt! Details below!  Powered byEMF Form Builder