Dave Higgins's Blog, page 60

The Lucky Ones by Matthew S. Cox

Cox mixes nuanced characters and plausible consequences of civilisation collapsing to craft a young-adult post-apocalyptic tale that provides intensity without resorting to stereotypes. This novel is the third in the Evergreen series. Risk of spoiler contamination beyond this point. In the eight months since nuclear strikes shattered the United States, Harper Cody has transformed from … Continue reading The Lucky Ones by Matthew S. Cox

Wild Frontiers: Josephine’s Revenge

We continue our ride through Wild Frontiers with an extract from Damito Huffman’s ‘Josephine’s Revenge’, the tale of a woman not prepared to rely on the law for justice. Josephine Walker rode into Rattler’s Ridge in a cloud of dust on the back of her trusty steed, Merlin. She was hell bent on killing the … Continue reading Wild Frontiers: Josephine’s Revenge

Wild Frontiers: Dusk Woman

We continue our ride through Wild Frontiers with an extract from J. Conrad Matthews’s ‘Dusk Woman’, a tale about knowing when to use iron and when to use lead. The wind howled along the plateau. Snow had fallen the night before and the wind cut through Nathaniel Lee’s driving gloves like knives. It drove tiny specks of … Continue reading Wild Frontiers: Dusk Woman

Wild Frontiers: Llano Estacado

We continue our ride through Wild Frontiers with an extract from Jackson Kuhl’s ‘Llano Estacado’, the tale of a man who discovers the difference between landowner and servant can be as thin as a line on a map. Tom Tucker went up to Santa Fe to confirm title to his land. It took him three-and-a-half days … Continue reading Wild Frontiers: Llano Estacado

Wild Frontiers: Mystery Train

We continue our ride through Wild Frontiers with an extract from Misha Burnett’s ‘Mystery Train’, the tale of a man who discovers sometimes you don’t have to be good, you just have to be good enough. “Did you see much action during the war, Mr. Moriarty?” Isaiah Cotton, the Salt Lake City stationmaster asked. Sean … Continue reading Wild Frontiers: Mystery Train

Wild Frontiers: Hangman’s Knot

We continue our ride through Wild Frontiers with an extract from Kevin M. Folliard’s ‘Hangman’s Knot’, a tale about the difference between law and justice. Late afternoon, the town square was all but deserted. Daniel Kenny was on his way to Hackshaw’s Saloon when he spotted a lone rider on the horizon. He fingered the … Continue reading Wild Frontiers: Hangman’s Knot

Why West?

Wild Frontiers is out in the world. With all of the niggles that seem to surge forth just prior to release out of the way, I can focus on the fun bit of my job again: great stories. Over the next several days, I’ll be sharing a little more about the tales, not all weird … Continue reading Why West?

Saddle Up for the Wild Frontiers

Wild Frontiers: Nine Stories of the West is now available in ebook and paperback. Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer here. The Frontier: the line between civilisation and the unknown where pioneers rely on a strong will and a dead eye not big city laws. A land where the sweat you shed makes … Continue reading Saddle Up for the Wild Frontiers

Changeling by Stephanie Flint

Flint mixes interesting characters, futuristic technologies, and classic thriller tropes to create a cyberpunk fairy tale. This novel is the second in the Huntress series. Danger of atemporal data acquisition ahead. Following the fall of President Koenigin, members of Koenigin Corporation are manoeuvring for advantage and outside forces are demanding independent investigations of alleged crimes. … Continue reading Changeling by Stephanie Flint

Strange Secrets by Mike Russell

Russell adds a dash of the strange to reality, creating worlds like our own that are fantastical yet plausible. This collection contains seven stories of everyday life with a weird or surreal edge. ‘The Constantly Empty Pool’ Rumours of the purest water in the world draw Mary Lou to a remote town in the United … Continue reading Strange Secrets by Mike Russell