A.B. Shepherd's Blog, page 5

Australian zombies! Metanoia by Rachel Tsoumbakos #amreading #zombies

I belong to a Facebook group for Australian authors. I like to support independent authors and although I am technically not Australian, I also like to support Australian authors. It's hard to get recognized down under, yo.

So a few weeks ago I was jonesing for something dystopian to read, and I went to my group and said, "Hey, pitch me your dystopian novels!"

Several were pitched and I did purchase a few that night. This is one of them. It is a kind of different take on the whole zombie story theme. I liked the author's creativity and how she set up her dystopian world. I liked that it was set in Australia. I liked that the main character was an assassin who had been sent to kill her ex-husband.

The story itself wasn't bad, although it had a few quirks that I found a bit odd. For an assassin, Marli seemed a bit squeamish for one. But hey, every author has his or her own take on how her characters will react, right?

The biggest problem I had with this book that I purchased based on the author's recommendation, was that it was in desperate need of editing. There were so many typos, and other errors, that I was horrified this book was out for PURCHASE, and the acknowledgements even thanked her editor.

Rachel TsoumbakosNow I did speak with the author about this, and she indicated she had put it out before she was ready due to some time constrainsts she had to meet. She said she is in the process right now of correcting all those errors. I had initially told her I was,  uncomfortable leaving a review because it wouldn't be favorable, and she very professionally told me she was looking for honest reviews and she was happy for me to write it how I felt it. Kudos to her for that! I truly admire her professional attitude.

While I don't really see that as a valid excuse for giving your readers (and expecting them to pay for it) an inferior product, especially when it gives Indie authors a bad name, I do hope she gets her corrected version up soon so that others might actually enjoy her book. It would have scored much higher for me had it been edited properly before I paid for it.

Book blurb:
METANOIA Definition: n. a spiritual conversion or awakening; a fundamental change of character Etymology: Greek 'change one's mind, repent' Marli Anderson has just one task: assassinate Oscar La Monde, the man she once loved. As assassin for hire for the prestigious Merrick's Inc., she is sent back to her home town to kill the man she now loathes beyond all others-her husband. Considering they are on opposing sides of the uprising, Marli anticipates an easy task; 'closure' they call it. The fact that she can exact her revenge for his past discretions is just the icing on the cake. When she arrives, the town has changed. The man she hated is unexpectedly welcoming. And the town's folk-well, they're just... different. Someone or something has transformed them all into a bunch of zombies. They appear to be harmless - but are they? 

As she begins to uncover details of who may be behind the townfolks' metamorphosis, Marli is left fighting for the truth. Will she and Oscar be able to unravel the web of deception before it's too late? Should she trust her heart or her head? Which is less likely to get her killed? Either way, METANOIA is a heart-stopping zombie apocalypse adventure that will keep you guessing at every twist and turn until the very end.

About the author:
Rachel Tsoumbakos is a stay home mother of two.

Her main passions are writing, reading and organic gardening. Rachel lives with her husband, two kids, three cats and seven chickens in suburban Melbourne, Australia.

While she has had several articles published through mainstream magazines, she has also written extensively for Suite 101 and True Blood Net.

In between writing novels, Rachel also runs a successful copywriting and formatting business.

Emeline and the Mutants is her first published novel and available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/EATMUP. The Ring of Lost Souls is set in an abandoned mental institute on the outskirts of Melbourne, is her second novel and also available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/TROLSRT.

Her current work in progress, Unremembered Things, is an edgy paranormal trilogy about a woman who is in charge of saving the world even though she suffers from amnesia. Make sure you follow her blog for more information.

Her newest endeavour is Zombie Apocalypse Now! This is a zombie apocalypse serial written entirely from a female perspective - and these gals know how to kick some butt!

Find Rachel on all the common Social Medias:

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/rtsoumbakos
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/mrszoomby
Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/mrszoomby/
Blog:
http://racheltsoumbakos.wordpress.com/

Lifeboat by A.B. Shepherd is on sale for just $.99 for a limited time!

If you haven't gotten your hands on Lifeboat yet, now is your chance to get it at a 75% discount!

For a limited time it is only $.99 for your Kindle or Kindle app. Pick up your copy today! (Price is correct at time of post - please verify before purchase.)

Just click here to find it on Amazon.

A science fiction/suspense tale with heart. Climb aboard the Lifeboat. You will be swept away.

Cass has lost everything; her husband, her son, and her will to live. She walks in the dark when sleep eludes her. One sleepless summer night she spies a UFO and discovers a new obsession.
It gives much-needed focus to her empty life.

When natural disasters destroy the Earth, Cass and other survivors are rescued and taken to a new world where the human race can begin anew. But something is wrong here. This may not be the paradise they've been promised. Survivors are vanishing without a trace.

Can Cass unravel the riddle in time to save herself?

Where does sci-fi author Taylor Hohulin get his story ideas? #guestpost #themarian

Taylor Hohulin is a DJ at a Christian rock radio station in Dallas. He lives in Arlington with his wife, two cats, and a dog. He is the least attractive member of the household. (His words, not mine.) :)

He is also the author of the sci-fi novels Alpha (you can read my review of Alpha here) and the soon-to-be released book, The Marian.
He has graciously stopped by today to share with us what he answers when people ask where his story ideas come from.
 Take it away Taylor!    
People like to ask writers where they get their ideas, and this can be a dangerous thing to do. Writers tend to get asked this question so often that a lot of them have prepared answers that are smart, funny, and generally unhelpful. This is mostly because, by and large, we don't have a clue where our ideas come from.
Taylor Hohulin And I think that's part of what makes writing fiction so much fun. You don't get to go into some magical store and thumb through their catalog of ideas until you find the perfect one. You don’t get to go into the workshop over the weekend and manufacture an idea. You just kind of…get an idea.
When it comes to that very first spark of inspiration, there’s not a lot you can do. It just shows up, and then it’s your job to evaluate it, pick at the edges, and generally shape it into something that resembles a compelling novel. Ideas don’t exactly come from outside of us, but it rarely feels like they come from within.
That’s why I try to think of getting ideas less as a gathering task and more as a practice of teaching myself not to say “no.” There’s a story about the creators of the ridiculous B-movie Sharknado. Apparently, when the writing team was working on it, people would occasionally raise a concern that a plot element or a line of dialog was too weird or over-the-top. To these concerns, someone would always say, “The movie is called Sharknado.”
And then they’d move on.
No idea was too crazy.
I think that’s a great attitude for creative people to have about their craft. Obviously, we should weed out the ideas that absolutely don’t work, but it’s important not to do this too quickly. Learn to recognize ideas as they come to you, and learn to evaluate them before tossing them aside. You never know when that off-the-wall thought could turn into a groundbreaking idea with just a little tweaking.
Thanks! Taylor Hohulin
  If you'd like to check out Alpha click here to find it on Amazon.If you'd like to pre-order The Marian click here to find it on Amazon
You can also find The Marian at the following links: Free preview chapter download: http://books.noisetrade.com/taylorhohulin/the-marian-excerptGoodreads page: The Marian (The Marian #1)iTunes preorder: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-marian/id906165972?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4Nook store preorder: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-marian-taylor-hohulin/1120079480?ean=2940046081664 

Jesse Sullivan is back with a giveaway! Dying by the Hour by @koryshrum #giveaway #amreading #bookreview

I enjoyed Dying for a Living (you can read my review for that here) so much that when Kory Shrum  asked me if I wanted an advanced review copy of its sequal - Dying by the Hour - I said, "F**K YEAH!" Literally.

Then, as most of you know, I had a couple of personal crises and I had real trouble reading for awhile. Sadly, it took me over a month to read this book and that is NOT a reflection on the book itself. I really did enjoy it. It's a great story and I am a fan.

Kory is generously giving away copies of her books and you can enter to win by following these Rafflecopter instructions!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Jesse is still dying for a living and the Church is still set on killing off the NRDs. All of our favorite characters the first book return in this sequel - Brinkly, Lane, Gloria and last, but not least, Allie. Oh! And Winston the pug is back too.

Dying by the Hour is slightly darker than Dying for a Living. There is more danger here, and more intrigue as well. It's hard to know who to trust, but as far as stories go that is a good thing because it keeps you guessing.

My only complaint about Dying for the Hour is that I was hoping for a bit more of a show-down at the end, but maybe that will come in book three of this awesome series.

If you haven't read Dying for a Living, you should. And if you have, you definitely want to read Dying by the Hour. Kory M. Shrum is a great and very imaginative writer. I interviewed her shortly after the release of her first book, Dying for a Living. You can read that interview here.

Don't want to wait to get your hands on these books? Click here to find Dying for a Living and here to find Dying by the Hour on Amazon.

Book Blurb:
After 83 deaths, Jesse Sullivan knows how to die. As a Necronite, she is one of the population’s rare 2% who can serve as a death replacement agent, dying so others don’t have to. But using her NRD to save lives is why she’s being hunted.

For Ally Gallagher, death is permanent. If she fails to protect Jesse again, there will be no third attempt. After a quiet year the signs of serious danger have returned. People connected to Jesse are disappearing. Her home is vandalized and threatening messages are turning up in the safest of places.

Then Jesse is taken and Ally has only hours to get her back. But no salvation comes without its price.

About the author:Kory M. Shrum lives in Michigan with her partner and a ferocious guard pug. She has dabbled in everything from fortune telling to martial arts and when not reading or writing, she can be found teaching, traveling, and wearing a gi. She is author of the urban fantasy novels Dying for a Living and Dying by the Hour. She'd love to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter, or her blog: www.korymshrum.com 

Best post-apocalyptic fiction? Swan Song by Robert McCammon #bookreview #amreading

A week or so ago I went to a group of Australian authors and asked for recommendations for a really good post-apocalyptic read - preferably one written by one of them. It seems that particular group doesn't write much in the post-apocalyptic genre but two separate people in the group recommended this book - Swan Song - saying it is the best apocalyptic book they've ever read. It's a bit pricier than I usually spend for a Kindle book, but since I came so highly recommended I splurged a little and bought it anyway.

Is it the best post-apocalyptic book I've ever read? No, it isn't. But it is a pretty good story. There are basically three stories in this novel, that eventually intertwine. It is part horror, and extremely gruesome at times, (a LOT of the time actually) but in spite of the dark, dreary, hopelessness of the situations the characters find themselves in there is a spark of hope on the horizon. Swan.

It is epic - at 864 pages it couldn't be anything else. I generally don't like to read books that are quite so long, but this one held my interest in spite of its length.

I do have a few minor complaints - everyone seems to have sunken eyes in this book, and 95% of them are blue eyes. And I have one major complaint which requires a spoiler. I'll share that one in a minute, but it didn't ruin the book for me. It just annoyed me a bit. It is still a really good book about the ongoing battle between good and evil. If you like epic post-apocalyptic fiction I think you'd enjoy this one. Okay, now for the spoiler.

**********************SPOILER ALERT****************************
Near the end of the book, Josh and Sister separately realize the magic glass circle is a crown for Swan. This looks like it will be a key element in the resolution of the story. But it isn't. Swan puts the glass circle on her head exactly once, it starts to do its magic and she takes it off again. She never puts it back on, which makes the whole introducing the element that it is a crown pretty irrelevant. Like I said - not a major plot problem and it doesn't ruin the story. It just annoyed me. So....
***********************END SPOILER*****************************

What is your favorite post-apocalyptic book? Preferably not with zombies, vampires or the like. I'd love some great recommendations. Please leave them in the comments.

Want to check out Swan Song for yourself? You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.

Book Blurb:
In a wasteland born of rage and fear, populated by monstrous creatures and marauding armies, earth's last survivors have been drawn into the final battle between good and evil, that will decide the fate of humanity: Sister, who discovers a strange and transformative glass artifact in the destroyed Manhattan streets; Joshua Hutchins, the pro wrestler who takes refuge from the nuclear fallout at a Nebraska gas station; and Swan, a young girl possessing special powers, who travels alongside Josh to a Missouri town where healing and recovery can begin with Swan's gifts. But the ancient force behind earth's devastation is scouring the walking wounded for recruits for its relentless army, beginning with Swan herself.

About the author:
Robert Rick McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.

A new contemporary novel, The Five, was published in May 2011 by Subterranean Press.

The Hunter from the Woods, a collection of novellas and stories featuring Michael Gallatin, the main character from The Wolf's Hour, was published as a limited edition in December 2011 by Subterranean Press. A trade hardcover edition was published in November 2012.

The fifth book in the Matthew Corbett historical fiction series is The River of Souls. It was published by Subterranean Press in trade, limited, and ebook editions in May 2014.

McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama. He is working on his next novel.

I was let down - Altered by Dianne Lynn Gardner #bookreview #amreading

This book has quite a few 5 star reviews, giving me high expectations. Maybe too high. 

The premise is interesting. A young adolescent girl and her family caught up in a world where food has been genetically altered (Monsanto anyone?) so that crops no longer produce seed meaning only this new regime can produce crops AND a new military regime that has taken control of the USA essentially making everyone a working prisoner, or locking them up to die. 

A bit grim for a YA novel perhaps. 

I really had high hopes for this, especially because the author touches on the Hopi legends of The Ant People.

So with those dissapointments aside I'm afraid I have to add a few more. Some of the other reviews I've read on this book rave over how well written it is. I'm afraid I must disagree. I found it severely in need of a content editor. I have never seen, or heard, so many people sneer, snicker or get red in the face. It got to be very annoying. And twice the author said that a character's ears hurt because of the silence. Huh? The characters often seemed bi-polar, laughing and high spirited when the situation was serious. It just felt off. The dialogue also didn't feel realistic to me at all.

The story itself wasn't bad. It had heart. It had adventure. It had some characters you wanted to care about. But. 

Sadly, for me this was a book that had a ton of promise, but it just didn't live up to it.

What was the last book you were really looking forward to, but found disappointing?

Book blurb:
The Privatol invades American soil, and crops propel the engine. Uncontrollable tyranny has succeeded in dictating where people live, what they do, and what they eat. When Abree, a spunky twelve-year-old is taken away to learn the process of modifying seed to Newly Constructed Food she discovers an evil plan that could alter the fate of the human race, and a way out if only she can escape to tell the others.

About the author:
Both an author and illustrator Dianne has written young adult fantasy and dystopia novels. Much of her work is being republished this year by PDMI Publishing LLC and a new work brought to you this spring by Master Koda Select Publishing. Be on the look out for her audio of Deception Peak soon, as well.

Nazca Lines and an apology #nazca #aliens

Hey gang, Abie here. I knew it had been awhile since I posted here, but I didn't realize it had been quite so long. I apologize for neglecting you - still. As you know, I lost my sister quite suddenly to cancer in June, and I'm sad to report that in mid July my mother-in-law also suddenly died. While she was elderly, this was still an unexpected blow. I am still reeling from the loss of both these beautiful women in my life and I am completely off my game.

While I am not quite all the way back to myself yet, I do not want to lose touch with all of you so I am going to try desperately not to let it go so long between posts again.

And in the meantime, I will change the subject to one you might find a bit more interesting.

I'm guessing most of you have heard of the Nazca Lines - right? Those huge ground drawings of animals and shapes hundreds of years old in Peru that were thought to be visible only from the sky. 

Well I only just heard that following recent storms more drawings were found. Did you know this? Want to learn more? Here is a link to an article about the recent discovery.

More Nazca Lines Revealed After Peruvian SandstormsWhat do you think? Were they made by or for aliens? Or did they have another purpose? Please share your thoughts in the comments.   

Sneak peek at 3B - the new book coming soon by A.B. Shepherd! #sneakpeek #excerpt #amreading

“Our new place has a dishwasher, doesn’t it?” Kelly asked.
“Yup,” Trevelyn responded distractedly. They’d been packing all morning and there was still so much to do. “Is this any good?” She held up a pair of headphones. 
“Nah, only one side works. You can toss ‘em,” Kelly answered. Trevelyn dropped them in the brimming waste basket.
“Well this box is full.” Trevelyn’s mom groaned as she stood, stretching. “Don’t get old girls. It ain’t pretty.” Evelyn chuckled twisting the stiffness out of her back. “I’ll lug it on down to the car.”
“Okay mom. When you come back would you start on the bookcase?”  “Sure thing babe. Be right back.” Evelyn hefted the medium sized box. “Could one of you get the door?”
“Oh yeah, here you go.” Kelly opened the door and stepped aside so Evelyn could pass through.
“Thanks Kel.” Evelyn stepped out into the hall and Kelly closed the door behind her. 
“So what does Mr. Nevergonnaleavehiswife think of us moving?” Kelly asked as she began sorting stacks of DVDs and CDs, neatly placing them in a cardboard box that once held boxes of detergent.
“Don’t call him that. You know it annoys me.”
“Sorry,” Kelly rolled her eyes as she unrepentantly replied. “What does DOUGLAS think of us moving?”
Trevelyn didn’t appreciate the sarcastic  tone of voice or the air quotes Kelly used when saying Doug’s name. Exasperated, she scowled momentarily before deciding she didn’t want to have this argument again. She extended her lower lip and blew upward to try to lift her sweat laden bangs from her overheated forehead. “Doesn’t really affect him so he doesn’t mind much one way or the other. Although he does like the idea of being able to stay over sometimes since I'll have my own room. When he leaves his wife in six months’ time he’ll get his own place. He’ll live there for at least another six months before we move into together. Since you are planning to move to Atlanta next year when our new lease runs out the timing will be perfect for me to move in with him and take our relationship public. I’ll tell you what I won’t miss. 3B.” She tossed her head in the direction of the apartment door. 
The tenant in 3B was a bit creepy. He’d never done anything obvious to warrant the girls’ trepidation around him, but he gave them the willies for sure. Trevelyn shoved thoughts of 3B aside and smiled to herself daydreaming about the future she and Doug planned to share.
Lost in her own daydreams, Trevelyn continued to pack up the pots and pans and other kitchen goods.
She let her mind drift back to the first time she met Doug. She’d been at a club celebrating her friend’s bachelorette party. They had all been just a little bit drunk and just bit more loud, twerking and gyrating on the dance floor. She noticed him standing near the bar watching her moves, drink in hand. He smiled and gave her a wink when he caught her eyes on him. ‘Gosh he’s cute,’ she’d thought to herself, taking in his dark jeans, boots and navy striped button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to mid forearm. His clean cut good looks set him apart from the trendier men with their two day beards and t-shirts under their open, untucked button downs. 
His hair was close cropped and his eyes sparkled with laughter as he watched the group of inebriated women having fun. Soon he’d put his empty glass on the bar and strode confidently onto the dance floor. He approached Trevelyn and held out his hand. She couldn’t hear his words over the music but his lips read, “Dance with me.” 
As she took his hand, the music slowed, almost as if he’d known it would. He tugged her gently into his arms and pulled her close, his right hand resting on the small of her back. She shivered as the skin of her exposed back under the hem of the halter she wore tingled from the warmth of his hand. Goosebumps coated her bare arms and her nipples hardened in automatic response to the electricity passing between them.
“I’m Doug. You’re gorgeous,” he murmured in her ear. 
She breathed in his heady cologne. He smelled so good. A mixture of sandalwood with a slight hint of musk that went straight to her head. In spite of her attraction, she noticed the hand holding hers bore a gold band.
“I’m Trevelyn. You’re married.” She tilted her head up so her words reached his ear provocatively.
“Trevelyn. What an unusual name. Where does it come from?” He ignored the second part of her statement as he leaned back to look into her eyes.
“It’s a combination of my parent’s names. Troy and Evelyn. Trevelyn.” A throaty chuckle vibrated his chest where it pressed against her breasts, arousing her all the more.
“How very unique. A uniquely beautiful name for a uniquely beautiful woman.” Amusement still lingered in his eyes, but the amusement was outweighed by the smouldering look of pure desire that heated Trevelyn’s face and chest. 
“I need some air,” she gulped and pulled away. She crossed the dance floor quickly and made for the exit. She signalled the bouncer she’d be right back as she stepped out into the cool night air. She leaned back against the building and closed her eyes. Drawing deep lungful’s of the glorious stuff, she tried to clear her head. 
She started when a voice very close to her said, “You’re not trying to escape from me are you?” 
It was him. “No, of course not. I just needed to get some air. I got a little over heated from all the dancing.” Wiping her sweaty palms on her own jeans Trevelyn nervously looked around. There were a few other groups of two or three people standing around the parking lot. Good. Being alone with this man could be dangerous to her self-restraint. Exhaling a sigh of relief she looked back at Doug.
“So why did you follow me out here?”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay. You left in a bit of a hurry.” He leaned one shoulder against the brick of the building. Although he was between her and the door to the club there was wide open space to the left of her. Trevelyn didn’t feel threatened. 
“I’m okay. So you never answered me.”
“Answered what?”
“You’re married.”
“That’s not a question.”
“Are you married?”
“Yes.”
“Then what are you doing out here with me?”
“I was hoping to get to know you.”
“I don’t date married men.”
“I’m married, but not in the traditional sense.” He paused and looked away before taking a deep breath, returning his gaze to hers and continuing. “My wife is gay. We got married for financial reasons. Our families are in business together and hers don’t approve of her sexual preferences. Mine don’t approve of my bachelor ways.” He chuckled. “We married to please our parents a because they made it financially worthwhile, but we never intended to stay married. We agreed from the start that after the business was sorted out and we fulfilled the terms our families set down we would amicably divorce. In the meantime we live our own lives.” He let his eyes trail down her curves before meeting her eyes again.
“And if I asked your wife, would she say the same thing?” The flirtatious tone in her voice spoke volumes of how much she wanted to believe his story.
“Of course. Why would I lie?” He gave Trevelyn a devilish grin.
“Because you want to get in my pants?” she said rolling her eyes.
“It’s the truth. I swear it on my beloved grandmother’s grave.” He drew a cross over his heart with his right index finger as he painted on an innocent expression. 
“I need to get back inside. My friends will be wondering where I’ve gone.” The lights in the parking lot made Trevelyn’s glittery pink halter top twinkle, like the stars above and the ones in her eyes. 
Doug was completely captivated. “Give me your number before you go?” He held his breath and held out his phone waiting for her answer. 
After a long moment, she took it and glancing up at him while doing so, she entered her phone number in Doug’s cell phone. She handed it back and took a step around him to head back inside. “Wait!” he called out.
“What?” she turned back and a flash blinded her briefly. 
“I wanted a photo to go with the number.” he grinned. “Good night Trevelyn.”
She smiled as she walked away.
Pushing the memories aside with a nostalgic grin, Trevelyn’s concentration returned to the task at hand. She noticed she’d packed all the items from the kitchen cupboards while on autopilot. It was time to start on the pantry.
A ripping sound indicated Kelly was taping up the box she’d just finished packing. 
“Boy mom’s been gone a long time.” Trevelyn remarked. 
“Yeah she has. I’ll take this one down to the car and see what’s up with her. Maybe she ran out to pick up some take-out.” Kelly said.
“Maybe. If you’re both not back in five minutes I’m calling the cops,” Trevelyn joked.
Kelly grinned and said, “Make sure it’s a cute female cop. It’s been awhile since I got some.” She winked as she hefted the box and nearing the closed door she gestured with her head toward it. “Do you mind?”
Trevelyn shook her head at her roommate as she opened the door for Kelly, musing. It had been awhile since Kelly had dated anyone. They would have to work on that.

After closing the door behind her friend, she pulled the full trash bag out of the bin and tied it off, setting it aside before lining the bin with a new one. She grabbed an empty box and the empty waste basket and dropped them next to the pantry. Dragging over a kitchen chair, she plopped into it ready to tackle the task of cleaning out and packing the food items from their pantry. Most of it was likely expired. 
Neither Trevelyn nor Kelly were great shakes in the kitchen. They had a bad habit of buying unusual ingredients with dreams of becoming the next Master Chef, but never quite managed to cook with them.
Trevelyn picked up a half empty box of baking soda and took a peek inside. Something small and dark was moving in there. “Ewwwwww!” She hastily dropped the box into the waste basket. “Gross!” She shuddered. 
She found a second half empty box of baking soda and fearfully peeked inside with the same result. “That’s disgusting!” She suddenly felt itchy everywhere, running her hands over her arms and through her hair to try to brush the feelings away. Resolved to dispose of anything that has been opened in addition to the expired items she plugged into her task of cleaning out the pantry.
She got through the first shelf without further incident. About half of the items were tossed. Feeling satisfied she grabbed a diet soda out of the fridge and took a long thirst quenching  guzzle before she started on the next shelf down. 
After sorting through old boxes of Tuna Helper, some unopened jars of spices, and a bag of chocolate chips, Trevelyn saw a piece of newsprint and an envelope tucked behind a foil package of Doug’s favourite coffee. She retrieved them. The newsprint was folded in quarters. Opening the clipping her heart stopped. It was the article that had run in the local paper when David Harrington, Trevelyn’s first grade student, disappeared several months ago. The police had received hundreds of leads, yet David had never been found.
Trevelyn had been questioned by the police at the time, as had many of the school’s staff and even the students. Why was this here? 
Tears filled Trevelyn’s eyes. David was such a sweet little boy. Bright and energetic. His disappearance had affected the mood in Trevelyn’s class room in spite of her best efforts to help her students move forward. It was hard for Trevelyn to move forward herself. In fact, she’d sought therapy to work through her grief and fear. Who would have put this article in the pantry? Kelly surely wouldn’t have done such a thing. Especially knowing how Trevelyn felt about the disappearance.
Hands shaking she set the clipping aside to examine the envelope. Her name was on the front of it, but it wasn’t sealed. She took a deep breath, bracing herself as she released the folded sheet of paper from its confines. Trevelyn,I know what happened to David. Meet me tonight. I’ll help you.James Harrington
The note from David’s father was dated two months previous. Trevelyn had never seen this note before in her life. Kelly must know something about this. Anger grew inside Trevelyn. How could Kelly not have told her about the note? The anger chased away her fear. Setting the note and clipping on the counter top Trevelyn was determined to confront Kelly when she returned. Where was she anyway? Jeez. This was getting ridiculous. 
Trevelyn yanked her cell phone out of her shirt pocket and quickly shot of a text to Kelly and Evelyn. “Where are you?????” Tucking it back in the pocket she returned to work.
A few more expired items had been tossed when Trevelyn saw another envelope at the very back of the shelf. This one had no writing on the outside, but it was thicker and had once been sealed. The slit across the top showed someone had opened it previously.
“What the hell?” she murmered to herself. “Who hides mail with the food?”
Without allowing herself to consider what the envelope might contain Trevelyn slid the papers out. There were three. It looked like a letter, handwritten in big bold strokes. She slid out of the chair and onto the floor, slumping against the cabinet doors as she began to read. 
My darling Trevelyn,This is really getting to be a problem love. You can’t keep pressuring me to leave Debi. I’ve told you over and over again, it is just not the right time. Debi and I have an understanding and you and I just have to wait. I thought you were clear on that. That you understood.When the time is right, Debi and I will divorce. You can’t call her again. You’ll ruin everything. Everything we’ve planned and worked for will go up in smoke. Debi is angry now. She’ll put roadblocks in our way if you don’t back off.I can’t handle this anymore Trevelyn. You’ve got to back off. If you don’t, maybe you and I don’t have a future after all. I love you and want to spend my life with you. But I can’t if you won’t be patient a little longer.I don’t want to lose you.D
Trevelyn was confused. She had never once pressured Doug to leave Debi. Doug was always telling HER how much he loved her and couldn’t wait until they could start their lives together. How much he wished he could leave Debi now.
She’d never called Debi. Where had this letter come from? She examined all three sheets of paper and the envelope. It wasn’t dated. She had no idea how long it had been in the back of the pantry. It looked like Doug’s handwriting. 
Trevelyn’s head began to throb and she felt sick. Sipping more of her diet soda she tried to think. “Where the HELL are mom and Kelly?” she grumbles. She stood tossing her empty soda can into the sink. Gathering the second filled trash bag she lifted it from the waste basket and tied it closed. She picked up both garbage bags in one hand and with the letter in the other she crossed through the living room, stumbling over the aquarium lying on the floor. 
The aquarium was nearly empty, but a layer of rocks and about two inches of water still covered the bottom. 
“Dammit!” she cursed, dropping the bags. She hopped on one foot as the toes of her other throbbed from the impact. “Stupid fish anyway!” 
After dancing around for a minute she eyed the aquarium with annoyance, only to stop and stare in shock. Lying on the bottom of the aquarium, now exposed by the shifting of the rocks during the jostling of her inadvertent kick, was a revolver. One Trevelyn had never seen before and definitely did not know resided in her apartment.
She cautiously lifted the gun from the water and held it gingerly in front of her as it dripped into the pool from which it came. She dropped it onto the carpeted floor, shaking her hands and dancing about as if it were a spider or some other creepy-crawly creature.
Behind her she heard the door open. She didn’t turn, unable to pull her eyes away from the dangerous weapon. “Where on Earth have you been and what the hell is this?” she asked, pointing.
“Hi honey. I’m home.”
Spinning around clumsily. Trevelyn’s stomach dropped. Framed in the open doorway stood 3B. He stepped inside kicking the door closed behind him. Wearing a dark hoodie with the hood pulled up covering his shaved head, in one hand he held a cigarette to his mouth, taking a long drag. Tucked under his other arm he held a rifle. 
“Did you miss me?” he taunted.
“What are you doing here?”
“You weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye were you’?” His curling lips moved around the lit cigarette he now clenched between his teeth, leaving one had free.
“My mom and Kelly will be back any minute. You need to get out of here.”
“No they won’t. They’re dead. Just like your boyfriend. Just like that kid. And you killed them. With that gun right there in on the floor. Your fingerprints are all over it, aren’t they?” 
“What are you talking about? They aren’t dead. That gun couldn’t have killed them. I just found it.”
“You killed them all right. There’s plenty of proof. You killed your boyfriend because he wouldn’t leave his pretty, rich wife for you. You killed your mom and Kelly because they found out. And you killed the kid because...well because you’re just sick. Real sick.” His terrifying grin made her tremble.
3B took a menacing step toward Trevelyn, and she reflexively took a step back. Tripping on the corner of the aquarium she fell landing hard on her backside. Her loose shirt twisted with the angle of her fall and her phone slipped out of her pocket, landing with a plop in the watery vessel. 

Are humans merely alien slaves? Reader by Erec Stebbins #amreading #bookreview

I was given a copy of this ebook by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Ambra Dawn is abducted as a child from her home by the Men in Black. Her parents are murdered and she is taken for "treatment" of the brain tumor that is stealing her sight to a government-run institution. It is there that she finds out the truth. She is merely a pawn in a much larger garme.

Instead of removing her brain tumor, the scientists instead extend her skull encouraging it to grow! The poor child's eyesight is a small price to pay in the eyes of her captors, for you see that tumor provides her sixth sense. One they want her to develop so she will be of use to the alien race that has REALLY been running our planet for centuries. Ambra Dawn's life becomes one of torture, neglect and degradation, until the day they disover her real value.


This is a very original work of speculative fiction. It is dark. Very dark. And not just because of Ambra Dawn's loss of sight. (Pun intended.) It is bleak. And only at the end do you find any hope for mankind.


I can't say I loved this book because it IS such a bleak story, but it is well-written. I did find it interesting and it kept me enthralled until the end.

Want to check out Reader for yourself? Just click here to find it on Amazon.com.

Do you like your science fiction dark? What is your favorite science fiction story of all time? Please tell me in the comments section.

Book blurb:
From the future, a final plea. Out of the past, a last hope.

"A gripping science-fiction epic that will propel readers toward wonder" -ForeWord Reviews

"An original take on various sci-fi motifs that meditates on themes of love and humanity. Stebbins does an exceptional job. A richly detailed, compelling story about the power of love." -Kirkus Reviews

She was a VICTIM: enslaved after her parents' murder. She was made a MONSTER: deformed, modified against her will. She became a MESSIAH: opening the Orbs and leading a galactic rebellion.

Share the cosmic quest of seventeen-year-old Ambra Dawn, Reader, and the most unbelievable step in the adventure - will be your own.
  
From the author, Erec Stebbins:
I am a biomedical researcher who writes novels in a variety of genres. Here you will find information on my books, how to purchase them, and links to other media and contact information. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find something of interest.

Author Website
Amazon Author Page

Day job: I'm an associate professor and head of the Laboratory of Structural Microbiology at the Rockefeller University in New York.
Lab Web Page

The Beacon is FREE through June 19th. #free #kindle

Folks I apologize - still struggling a bit. Hopefully I will be back with you soon. 

In the meantime, enjoy The Beacon - FREE now through Thursday, June 19th. 


This read is on me. If you enjoy it, I'd be grateful if you'd take that extra step and leave a review. 

If you are outside the USA you may need to temporarily change your location with Amazon to USA for the price to show as free.

Pick it up right now on Amazon by clicking here.