A Brief Moment In Time, Time Cycle Stories: Vol 1

by T.W. Spencer

The first in a three book series of short story collections that focuses on that moment when everything changes. A truth to tall tales, the vision a child, the inescapable dark room of the mind, death’s journey, religious loss, truth of oneself, a blind journey to know and find yourself. The over arching theme of this collection of stories is something that is hard to bring oneself to do, it can be a very scary prospect: self discovery. It’s something we all must face now, in the future, or beyond.

A Brief Moment In Time contains ten short stories of one life shattering decision, a moment when everything changes. Brother Eagle/Sister Wolf, Into the Woods, Approaching Rebirth, From His Efforts Come, An Angel’s Kiss, The Goode Student, Good Teachings, Arahant, A Brief Moment In Time, and Tenuous Freedom are a set of stories designed to make the reader contemplate what and when that defining moment might be. But don't worry an angel's kissing you.

The Stories:

Brother Eagle/Sister Wolf: Melvin has a story to tell. Everyone who had stayed to listen to Melvin’s stories has never been seen again. Dexter doesn't believe in the stories he hears. But Dexter is about to discover the truth behind tall tales.

Into the Woods: When Valoosh was a child he had a vision. In his vision he saw the sky caves descend upon the world and release their virus. Now that he is older and the leader of his people it is up to him to save the Great Mother.

Approaching Rebirth: Vidor is locked in a dark inescapable room.

From His Efforts Come: Twins separated at birth, one a God King, the other of no importance. Who is worth saving?

An Angel’s Kiss: “Don’t worry lady an angel’s kissing you,” So starts Kellie’s death journey to self discovery. In order for Kellie to move-on she must first face the circumstances that brought her to death’s door.

The Goode Student: Michelle, a devote student of the Bible, a teacher who cares deeply for her students, a woman who sees the dangers of the world and doesn't hesitate to face them. The White Pacer Man has struck fear in the hearts of the city. Michelle wants to keep her students safe and free from harm. But when one is found dead and another disappears, Michelle, blinded by her pious views of the world and how she feels things should be, loses her religion and takes matters into her hands.

Good Teachings: Nicolas learns about his true nature the hard way. In the end, he realizes he enjoys it very much.

Arahant: Blind since was child, Soon-kim deals with the pain of the past through a visible future.

A Brief Moment In Time: Sutepmi knows who he is. He is a Timewalker, warriors who maintain the time stream. But when he goes home, he finds he is not who he thought.

(Extra Story Print Edition only)
Tenuous Freedom In Codorus State Park, Hanover, PA, Charlie and his friends decide to go night fishing. Little do they know the danger they have put themselves in. Travail has a long history and Charlie is about the discover it all.

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 2014

About the author

Hi, I'm Timothy W. Spencer. This is the place for the latest news about science fiction and speculative fiction short stories, novels, and podcast novels written and/or performed by T. W. Spencer. I am working toward making my work available for download so stay tuned.

I love to read, and that love inspired a passion for writing. I have taken many classes for fiction and script writing. I have been writing in my spare time since I took my first writing class in 1993 as an elective course for college credit. My biggest inspirations are Stephen King and Samuel R. Delany, though I will read any Sci-Fi, horror, or thriller books w/gay protagonist (but without M/M romance).

Reviews

[Nadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always on the search for short stories teens will like to read. The back page comments got me very interested as well as the interesting front page illustration. When a sixth grader looks over my shoulder to see what I am reading and comments about the top of page 9 the your/you're error, it's not good. He said he wanted to see what I was reading as he noticed I was grimacing. The first story was filled with inconsistent dialect usage with "ta"/to, "ya"/you, and dropping the "g" in the -ing suffix. Add in misuse of to/too, knew/new and punctuation errors make for a very bad first impression. I sampled other stories seeing only punctuation errors, but my excitement over finding some good stories to share was gone. If you want to read for plot and characterization and you are not bothered or recognize grammatical errors, give this book a chance. I received a copy for an honest review through Goodreads.

[Theodora · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. The writing style and the plots were just not for me at all.

[John Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I would like to Thanks T. W. Spencer and Goodreads for the opportunity to read this short story collection. Like all story collections some stories are better than others. I would rate the stories anywhere from 2 to 5 stars. The first couple stories while interesting I found a bit on the confusing side, while the last couple were excellent. Again I must say about those authors who are self publishing... stories were in definite need of editing. If you do not have an editor pay a college English major to go over your manuscript and red ink the typos and grammar issues. It is rather distracting when trying to read along and then have to fill in the correct word or words, and that doesn't include issues spell check doesn't catch like using through instead of threw.

All in all though.. it was an enjoyable read.

John

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads' First Reads program. The short stories contained within are very interesting. I was not a huge fan of how the stories flowed, they did not follow a traditional flow. I would call the story presentation "artsy."
I did really enjoy three of the stories; Good Teachings, Arahant, and A Brief Moment In Time. I think these were written in more of a traditional way.
Good Teachings was my favorite. It had sci-fi, mystery, and criminal elements that I really enjoyed.
As another reviewer stated, the book could take another pass by an editor. Some word and punctuation mistakes make some scenes hard to decipher. Also, a warning, some of the stories contain scenes of rape.
Overall, I'd say it was a decent first offering by an author with good ideas that just needs a good editor.

[Spencer Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well crafted set of stories that kept me engaged from beginning to end. They are a very quick reads. I brought this book at a used book store as something to do on my day off. My three favorites are Brother Eagle/Sister Wolf, The Goode Student, and the title story A Brief Moment In Time.
I went to Mr. Spencer’s Facebook page and found out he has several books coming out this year. I will certainly get them.

[Richard Bannister · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much sexual abuse. No thread in stories. Not sure what kind of emotional response suppose to illict.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like most of the stories, but indeed some were excellent! I want to read more books of T.W.Spencer to decide whether I like his books or not.