Nathan Howe's Blog, page 3

Favorite Cyberpunk Story

I’ve been working on my Cyberpunk Romance series, and it is nearing completion. With that in mind, what is everyone favorite cyberpunk story? Book or movie.

For me, it is Dredd (2012). One of my favorite movies of all time. Karl Urban is fantastic in it. One of his best portrayals of any character. He really beings Dredd alive. Makes him so real and personal in the movie.

The story is damn good too. Love it from beginning to end, such great character and world building in the movie. Hopefully, we get more of it in the proposed TV show that will serve as a sequel. Can’t wait for that if it happens. Fingers crossed.

 

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Modified Snippet Time

A little snippet from my upcoming book Modified. The first in a new series (Cyber Chronicles), a cyberpunk romance story.

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After work, I walked back to my place drained and ready to give up. I just didn’t’ see the point of continuing to work. Continuing to get paid so little that I couldn’t eat or live in a place that wasn’t filled with rodents and insects.

I rounded the corner that took me towards my place. Off to the left is the shining hope that I have. The elevator that leads to the next level. For a brief moment, I contemplate actually trying to go to it and get to the next level.

For a second I actually took a step to it but stopped when I heard a commotion ahead of me. A group of people forward a circle and were cheering on.

“Ahh!” I heard a person scream.

They were beating a person up. For once I wanted to see a Security Force member, but none were in sight. Of course, they would be, never when once was actually needed.

Running to the group, I skirt the edge to see what is going on. Being so short I couldn’t see a thing. I push my way through the group of people. In the center was a man that I had never seen before. He was kneeling on his knees, and his face was bruised. He bled from it. One of his arms had been replaced, and perhaps more.

It was tough to say for sure, having not really seen too many of the people that had stuff one to them to make them better. To improve themselves.

“You don’t belong here,” a person said.

The man gulped. Beneath the fresh bruises was a chiseled face, one that might be cute if not for the blood. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. It was tough to make out. It was clear he was terrified. That he didn’t belong.

“Why are you here?” Another asked.

“A dare,” the man managed to get out.

One of the people kicked him from behind. The man screamed in agony. That hurt him more than I thought. Growing up, the mods were considered to be immune to pain. That wasn’t the case.

“Stop,” I blurt out.

I had made it to the center of the circle and helped the man back up to his knees. The kick had left him on all fours.

“Why should we?”

“He’s a person,” I said.

“No, he’s not. Look at him. He’s got mods.”

It was true, but that didn’t make him not a person. He was, and so was I. Just from different places in life. “He a man. Nothing more.”

“We are freaks to him. Just something to stare at.”

He said it was a dare and that broke my heart. That one of the upper-level people did think so, and he agreed to it. But that doesn’t mean we have to live up to his expectation. We are better than that.

“It doesn’t matter. We are people. He is.”

A set of arms grab me and toss me to the ground. “You defend him. Then you can take his place. You are worse than him. Defending this modified scum.”

I smash on the ground. It’s cold and hard. The filth of it smears itself on me. I cringe at the stench of it. The beating was slow at first. One kick to the back and taunts me.

“it’s your fault mod.”

I looked up at the guy. He stares at me and mouths, I’m sorry. It hurts, but not too much. I did my best to deal with it. Another kick comes, in the rips. I hold back the tears that want to come. The kicking and punching increases.

Blood flows from me. Every pore of my body aches. I scream in agony. It hurts much. The pain consumes me, overwhelms me. The world around me blackens, and I can barely keep my eyes open. Stay awake.

I want to pass out, to die. For it to be over. No person should ever have to endure this. My own people doing to this to me. It’s too much to handle. They were supposed to protect me against the mods. Not kill me for defending them.

I take one last breath before the darkness overtakes me.

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Double Cross

My first book with T S Paul released today, Double Cross. Follow the crew of the Rossi and their smuggling adventures. In the first book of the Smuggle Life series.

Smuggling isn’t for everyone.

The crew of the Rossi are some of the best smugglers around, able to move almost anything a client could imagine. Only this time, they’ve accepted a job from a mysterious, unknown client. Risky? Yes. Worth it? They hope so!

In a universe fraught with danger and war, what could possibly go wrong? Just about everything. A crew member’s been kidnapped and everyone they encounter seems to be their enemy.

Will Captain Dodge and her crew survive their latest mission?

 

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Tenderness of Clay

Last week Derek and I released the latest short story in the Elementalist, Tenderness of Clay. This one is centered around Raina, one of the disciples of the original Warden. It was such a fun story to write. Raina intrigued me from the get-go as I was writing An Absent Gale. I knew I had to write more of her. She deserved to have her story told. This is just the first for her.

Here is a little snippet:

Everyone knew that even if the first touch did not push a person over the edge, a second one would definitely. Even if someone did not fear the spirits, the risk would make them wary of any encounter.

“I’m going in,” Raina said.

Her uncle gulped. “Are you sure? What if a spirit is here and it touches you?”

“I will be fine. Most spirits avoid people who can’t handle contact. At least, for the most part, they do. Of course, even they can make mistakes.”

Inside, the floor was covered with sand. Christof followed Raina into the chamber. It was dark, with only the light from the midday sun poking through a few holes in the roof.

They found themselves in a single large, open room, with a carved dais immediately inside and a casket lying in the center of the raised area. It drew Raina. She couldn’t help but walk up to the small box. At that moment, it appealed to her more than anything in the world.

“I wouldn’t touch that,” her uncle cautioned from behind her shoulder.

It didn’t look or feel dangerous to Raina. Nothing in the room did. To the young woman, the whole chamber was filled with a peaceful serenity that made her feel rested and safe. She ignored her uncle and grabbed the box. There must have been a sharp edge on the casket because she felt her skin part and knew that she had been cut. Before she could pull her hand back, the blood dripped, hot and fresh, onto the dusty surface.

“I told you not to touch it,” Christof said.

“Gaia’s sake,” Riana cursed. She sucked on her finger taking the salty blood in.

“Praise Lord,” Christof said and stepped back.

 

Get it on Amazon for only .99 or read for free with Kindle Unlimited.

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What to look for next year

Belated Merry Christmas!!

It has been a while since I did an update as to my current plans. First things first, Derek is working on the third book in the Elementalist, currently titled Distorted Gust. That should be done and out sometime next month if all things go according to plan.

The short story Tenderness of Clay should be releasing next week, it follows Raina, who appeared in the first book of the Elementalist. It is a great story, one that I’m proud of.

News that I can tell, and some that I will be soon. I have several projects lined up with other authors. Some I can’t talk about just yet, but soon. I’m currently writing one of those projects. It is a fun and exciting story.

I’ve been working with the talented Kris Endicott. Previously, we wrote Even Superheroes Fall in Love. Our second collab is out, The Centenarians. Get in another anthology. We have another short story about to release yet week. Plus, the first book in the series. Kris and I have been going back an forth on it. It should be out next month some time as well.

The other authors I’ll be working with will be a little bit later in 2018, but well worth the wait. They are great writers. Plus, I’m attempting a few solo projects.  Don’t worry, Derek and I will be continuing several of our current projects. I expect great things in 2018.

In the meantime, several anthologies I’m in beside the one that Kris and I are in came out. Plus, some I’m not. For your reading pleasure.

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A sick human

 

The human was sick last week. He wasn’t himself, it was rather painful to watch. He slogged around getting little done. I helped when I could, but I’m afraid it wasn’t enough. He’s back to normal and being annoying again. I’ll have to make sure he remembers who is in charge.

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Silent Thank and Me

This week I saw my human reading a story. I sat down to enjoy it as well, and something wonderful appeared on the screen. At first, I was a little surprised, and then I remembered. It had my name in it. One of the stories featuring me is out fo the world to see. It’s me, but not me. It’s so cute, I love it. I’m telling you, it’s so great and funny. A must read. Go read about me, not me.

It’s here on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077NQWDXB

Well worth it. I had a blast with the story. It’s purrfect.

Cuddles,

Luna

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The Training continues

The training of the human is going well. I have got him back into the swing of things with little effort. My human seems to be smarter than I thought and is keeping up with my demands. I have chosen well with this one. I may increase my training soon. Since he isn’t perfect, I have a few more things I’d like.

Cuddles,
Luna

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He’s back.

The Human is back. I couldn’t be happier. When he left, I hadn’t realized how much I would miss him. All the hugs, pets, and kisses. I craved for them. Of course, now that he is home. I have resumed my training and letting him know that he can’t leave again. He’ll learn, I’m sure of it.

Cuddles,

Luna

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Missing my Human

 

The human left me here alone with the other one. I miss him. I can’t believe I’m about to say this. I want him to pick me up and cuddle with me. The pets, hugs, and kisses. I miss them. I know he will be back soon, but it is tough without him. I’ve seen that he is in Vegas and having a good time with his friends. I will try to be happy for him, but Wednesday can’t get here fast enough. Please come home human.


Cuddles,


Luna

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