Andrew P. Weston

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Authors Interviews

by Fiona Mcvie

Hi everyone,

in my latest interview, I chatted with Fiona Mcvie of Authors Interviews.

You can find the record of our conversation here:
https://authorsinterviews.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/here-is-my-interview-with-andrew-weston/

If you like what you hear and would like to find out more, just follow the links at the top of the page, or in the "Book Specific Links" at the side of the page.

Have you got your copy of the Must Read Sci-Fi Epic of 2015?

Arden, home to a culture that has existed for thousands of years and which spans dozens of worlds. Regardless, their sophistication cannot prevent calamity at the hands of an unstoppable nemesis. Known only as the Horde, this enemy has proven relentless. They have not only stripped the outer colonies bare, but now threaten the existence of the entire Ardenese way of life.

Realizing there is nothing they can do to prevent the inevitable march toward extinction, the Ardenese governing body comes to a drastic decision. They gather together at their capital city, Rhomane, and place their remaining genetic heritage in a vast underground ark, in the care of an advanced AI construct called the Architect. Its mission? To use Rhomane’s dwindling reserves and safeguard their race by reaching out across time and space toward those who might be in a position to help reseed a devastated world at some time in the future.

Soldiers from varying eras and vastly different backgrounds find themselves snatched away from Earth at the moment of their passing and transported to the far side of the galaxy. Thinking they have been granted a reprieve, their relief turns to horror when they discover they face a stark ultimatum:

Fight or die!

Despite a host of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this group of misfits manages to turn the tide against a relentless foe, only to discover the true cost of victory might exact a price they are unwilling to pay.

If you like your science fiction fast paced and gritty, full of realistic action and dark humor in the face of overwhelming odds, then The IX is definitely the epic for you.

Fans of Julian May’s “Saga of the Pliocene Exiles,” Robert Heinlein’s “Have Space Suit, Will Travel”, and Jerry Pournelle's “Janissaries Series” will love this tale. It combines the divergent elements of the past, present, and future, and blends them together into a slick and stylish package that will leave you breathless and hungry for more.

The Must Read Science Fiction Adventure of 2015.

Sometimes, death is only the beginning of the adventure...

Find out for yourselves why...

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/IX-Andrew-P-Weston-ebook/dp/B00RM54QBA/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424082827&sr=8-1&keywords=the+IX

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ix-andrew-p-weston/1121115575?ean=9780986414008

Monday, March 9, 2015

The IX - Going from Strength to Strength

- still an international bestseller -
and still maintaining a stranglehold on the top of multiple Goodreads lists.

Have you got your copy of the Must Read Sci-Fi Epic of 2015?

Fight or die!

If you like your science fiction fast paced and gritty, full of realistic action and dark humor in the face of overwhelming odds, then The IX is definitely the epic for you.

The Must Read Science Fiction Adventure of 2015.

Sometimes, death is only the beginning of the adventure...

Find out for yourselves why...

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/IX-Andrew-P-Weston-ebook/dp/B00RM54QBA/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424082827&sr=8-1&keywords=the+IX

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ix-andrew-p-weston/1121115575?ean=9780986414008

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Writing Tips

During the week, I spotted a little article that had picked the brains of experienced novelists, asking them for little hints as to how an aspiring writer might improve their work. I’ve seen things like this before, but, they’re good to repeat, as everyone – YES EVERYONE – needs a subtle reminder now and again to keep things fresh.

Here they are

1. Cut the boring parts

I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~Elmore Leonard

Unless you’re writing for personal reasons alone, you need to consider the attention of your readers. There’s no point in slogging your guts out in the hope of publishing content that isn’t useful, interesting, or both.

2. Eliminate unnecessary words

Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very;” your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. ~Mark Twain

I used to feel that using words like “really”, “actually”, or “extremely” made writing more forceful. It doesn’t. They only get in the way. Cut them – or use them sparingly – and never look back.

3. Write with passion

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

It’s not hard to realize that unless you’re excited about your writing no one else will be.
***
My personal note for this is to put something of yourself into your characters. That way, as you address whatever it is your protagonist/antagonist is facing, you’ll involve YOUR feelings. It really will make an impact.

4. Paint a picture

Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. ~Anton Chekhov

Simply stating something is fine, but when you need to capture attention, using similes, metaphors, and vivid imagery to paint a picture creates a powerful emotional response.

5. Keep it simple

Vigorous writing is concise. ~William Strunk Jr.

Maybe it was all those late nights, struggling to fill out mandatory 10 page papers, but many people seem to think that worthwhile writing is long and drawn out. It’s more difficult (and effective) to express yourself in the simplest possible manner.

6. Do it for love

Write without pay until somebody offers to pay. ~Mark Twain

When you’re just starting out it’s hard to decide where to begin. So don’t. Just start writing. A blog is a good place to start. The most valuable benefit is the feedback.

7. Learn to thrive on criticism

You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance. ~Ray Bradbury

Writing means putting yourself at the mercy of anonymous hecklers and shameless sycophants. Learn to make the most of the insults and distrust the praise.

8. Write all the time

Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things, you’re doomed. ~Ray Bradbury

The way you define yourself as a writer is that you write every time you have a free minute. If you didn’t behave that way you would never do anything. ~John Irving

9. Write what you know … or what you want to know

If any man wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts; and if any would write in a noble style, let him first possess a noble soul. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Learn as much by writing as by reading. ~Lord Acton

Successful writing is all about trust and authority. It makes sense to write about your area of expertise. If you don’t have an expertise, reading and writing is the best way to develop one and put it on display.

10. Be unique and unpredictable

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite. ~G.K. Chesterton

Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. ~Oscar Wilde

Zest. Gusto. How rarely one hears these words used. How rarely do we see people living, or for that matter, creating by them. Yet if I were asked to name the most important items in a writer’s make-up, the things that shape his material and rush him along the road to where he wants to go, I could only warn him to look to his zest, see to his gusto. ~Ray Bradbury

Following what works will only get you so far. Experiment with new styles, even if it means taking criticism. Without moving forward, you’ll be left behind.

*******

So there you go – its stuff you’ll have heard before, but repeating these reminders will be like running the edge of a knife across a whetstone. It will keep your work sharp!

Amazing News - Multi Book Deal

I don't know if you saw an article that went out through Amazing Stories a few days ago regarding a major event in my publishing life, so, I thought I'd repeat it here on my blog.

http://amazingstoriesmag.com/2015/03/amazing-people-andrew-weston-signs-multi-book-deal/

*******

It is with profound delight that I make an exclusive statement through Amazing Stories.

In the wake of the tremendous success experienced following the release of The IX, I have the pleasure of announcing that I have signed a multi-book contract with Perseid Press. The agreement includes a provision for two future adventures which will take place within the IX universe.

But that’s not all.

In June, my very first short story with Perseid Press – Grim – is due for publication as part of Doctors in Hell, the latest volume of the award winning and bestselling “Heroes in Hell” shared universe.

And that’s just the beginning, for the deal includes a further novel. Entitled, Hell Bound, it will be the first of three fiendish tales that will take place within the Heroes in Hell universe, and each one will take you deeper into the exploits of Satan’s reaper.

Needles to say, I’m as shell-shocked as I am delighted.

May I take this opportunity to say a heartfelt “thank you” to Perseid Press for the wonderful opportunity I have been extended, and of course to Amazing Stories, who have provided a wonderful platform, through which many within the Sci-Fi loving community have been reached.

Thank you all...

Andrew P. Weston

*******

So there you go - just a brief announcement, but it heralds great things.

Thank you to all those who have supported me on my journey so far, and, if you're wondering what all the fuss is about...Find out for yourself here:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/IX-Andrew-P-Weston-ebook/dp/B00RM54QBA/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424082827&sr=8-1&keywords=the+IX

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ix-andrew-p-weston/1121115575?ean=9780986414008

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Black Gate Review

This past week, the IX was reviewed by Fletcher Vredenburg of the awesome Black Gate Fantasy Magazine.

See what you think of his review here:
http://www.blackgate.com/2015/03/03/the-ix-by-andrew-p-weston/

If you would like to find out what everyone is raving about,
take a look for yourselves:

Soldiers from varying eras and vastly different backgrounds, including the IX Legion of Rome, are snatched away from Earth at the moment of their passing, and transported to the far side of the galaxy. Thinking they have been granted a reprieve, their relief turns to horror when they discover they face a stark ultimatum: Fight or die.

Sometimes, death is only the beginning of the adventure...

Find out for yourselves why...

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/IX-Andrew-P-Weston-ebook/dp/B00RM54QBA/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424082827&sr=8-1&keywords=the+IX

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ix-andrew-p-weston/1121115575?ean=9780986414008

Writing Tips

I don't know about you, but when I write my novels, I often put something of myself into various characters. It makes it easier to react 'realistically' to certain scenarios.

I came across this interesting little article in Writing.com the other day regarding this subject, and thought I'd share it here.

*******

Have you ever based a character on yourself? Writers are often advised to write what they know. What better way to write what you know than to make yourself part of the story?

Several best selling authors have based their main characters on themselves. Kathy Reichs, a forensic scientist, created the character Temperance Brennan, based on her life and career. Donald Harstad spent more than 20 years as a deputy sheriff in a rural Iowa county like his character Carl Houseman. Anne George based the mystery solving duo of Patricia Anne and Mary Alice in her "Southern Sisters" mysteries on herself and her cousin.

While Isaac Asimov is best known for writing science fiction, he wrote a series of short mystery stories, "The Tales of the Black Widowers" based on himself and several of his friends. The Black Widowers are a group of friends who meet once a month for dinner. Each month a different member brings a guest, and in exchange for his dinner, the guest must answer all questions posed by the members. Usually the Black Widowers help the guest solve a mystery or problem. The club is based on a real life group of authors known as the Trap Door Spiders, which included Asimov and several other well known authors.

If you think you and your life are not interesting enough to be part of a story, think again. You are the only person with the exact set of skills and knowledge that you have. Your experience may make you the only person in the world who can solve the mystery. In one of Mary Higgins Clark's novels, a fashion designer was instrumental in solving a mystery because of her knowledge of the victim's fashion sense. Because the victim was wearing a combination of clothing that the designer knew she would never (pun intended) be caught dead in, the designer was able to determine that the killer had surprised her in her pyjamas at home, killed her, redressed her, and dumped the body somewhere else.

If you aren't comfortable creating a character who is your twin, try giving him or her one characteristic that is important to you. If you are a talented artist, cook, or seamstress, for example, try giving your character that ability. If possible, maybe the talent you share with your character could help them solve the mystery.

If you do base a character on yourself, don't make that character too perfect or protect them from negative consequences. The opinion of a good editor or reviewing partner will be extremely important if you identify closely with a character.

*******
This is good advice, and I speak from experience. I employed certain facets of what's revealed here for my latest novel, the IX, and it paid off with bells on.

Why not try a little exercise?

In your current work, why not base a hero, villain, minor character on yourself? You'll be surprised the depth it will add to your story. As I say, I tried that with the IX, and readers love many of the characters I created, simply because I put certain facets of my nature into goodies and baddies alike :)

Take a look at the IX yourself...you'll see what I mean.

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/IX-Andrew-P-Weston-ebook/dp/B00RM54QBA/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424082827&sr=8-1&keywords=the+IX

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ix-andrew-p-weston/1121115575?ean=9780986414008

Monday, March 2, 2015

Monster Black Hole

Anyone who knows me well will remember I have a 'thing' for Black Holes. So, when I saw this interesting article in the science section of the Washington Post a few days ago, and just had to share it.

Enjoy

*******

Step aside regular black holes, astronomers have detected an ancient black hole that's so incredibly massive and luminous, it defies our understanding of the early Universe.

In fact its quasar, the shining object produced by a supermassive black hole, is 420 trillion times more luminous than our Sun - despite forming only around 900 million years after the birth of the Universe. This makes it the brightest object ever spotted in the ancient Universe. It's so impossibly bright that it's almost, well impossible.

"How could we have this massive black hole when the universe was so young? We don't currently have a satisfactory theory to explain it," the lead researcher, Xue-Bing Wu, from Peking University in China and the Kavli Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the US, told Rachel Feltman from The Washington Post.The quasar, known as SDSS JO100+2802, is located around 12.8 billion light years away from Earth, and was spotted by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, before being verified by three Earth-bound telescopes.Reporting in Nature, the team explains that for the black hole to reach such a massive size in less than a billion years, it would have been constantly sucking in interstellar mass at its maximum rate. But this doesn't fit with our current understanding of black hole growth, which states that the process is limited by energy that blasts out of the quasar as the black hole heats up.Following that hypothesis, and also factoring in the limited amount of matter available in the early Universe, it makes it extremely difficult for scientists to explain how the supermassive black hole exists - and how it came to be 12 billion times more massive than our Sun."With this supermassive black hole, very early in the Universe, that theory cannot work," Fuyan Bian from the Australian National University, who was involved in the research, told Genelle Weule and Stuart Gary for ABC Science. "It's time for a new hypothesis and for some new physics."But even though we're still not sure how the mega quasar is possible, it's going to be a useful tool for finding other objects in the Universe. "This quasar is very unique. Just like the brightest lighthouse in the distant universe, its glowing light will help us probe more about the early Universe," said Wu in a press release.Sources: ABC Science, The Washington Post

*******

As a writer, I love things that stretch the imagination. As an astronomer, I regularly look to the stars for inspiration. No wonder I've never suffered from writers block!

The truth behind everything is out there...You've just got to look.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

A Hybrid's Tale

Born a Cambion – a half-demon, half-human hybrid – and cursed by a terrible hunger he can barely control, Augustus Thorne spends his long and lonely life hunting and exterminating any Incubi and Succubae he can find. But no matter how many he destroys, he can always make room for one more. Especially if it’s the foul scum who raped his mother; Augustus’ own spawn-father, Fanon. Guided by his mother’s diaries, Augustus pursues Fanon down through the centuries and around the world, until fate seems to point him toward his heart’s desire. Yet, things are not as they appear, and the revelations Augustus uncovers are mind boggling. For if he wishes to face his father, he must first learn more about his own unique heritage, and the awful circumstances that led to his creation. The trouble is, doing so might just cost him his humanity.

Call of the Cambion

Cursed to live his life as a Cambion – a half-demon, half-human hybrid – Augustus Thorne has spent centuries hunting the creature responsible for his existence. His own spawn-father, Fanon. Along the way, Augustus has built something of a reputation as a demon slayer. However, his reputation proves to be a two-edged sword, for while it keeps him safe, it prevents Augustus from forming a relationship. Something he yearns for with all his heart. Neither does it protect him from the wrath of the demondim, who view his activities as a threat. In an effort to overcome these obstacles, Augustus finds it necessary to confront the darker aspects of his Cambion nature. Something, it seems, he must embrace fully. Only then will he be free to make his own choices, and in a position to end his father once and for all. Alas, such a path results in dire consequences.

The Siren's Song

Having survived the double-cross planned by Asmodai, the demon king, and Fanon, his own spawn-father, Augustus Thorne is trying to come to terms with his lot in life. Both Fanon and Agamemnon, the king’s assassin, are dead. As are the embers of a burgeoning relationship. The only woman Augustus has ever dared to love has fled, driven from his side in fear of the danger being with him brings. Unfortunately, he can’t dwell of what might have been. An insidious new threat has emerged, one that exposes humanity to unimaginable peril. Yet fate seems to lend a helping hand when Augustus stumbles upon a mysterious woman, someone who appears to be the only other Cambion he’s ever met. It’s only after they team up to fight the rising tide of terror together that things get complicated.

Web of the Succubus

Augustus Thorne has his work cut out, trying to juggle his recuperating capabilities with a turbulent personal and professional life. On the plus side, things have improved dramatically with Colleen Wolf. But, as he endeavors to cement his relationship with her, events conspire against him. It transpires there are elements within some of the most powerful human governments who are secretly collaborating with the demon court. Their goal being to turn the majority of mankind into chattel. Brood livestock, whose only purpose is to serve the demondim’s ghastly appetites. Augustus simply can’t allow that to happen. He sets out to frustrate Asmodai’s machinations, unaware that a spider is waiting in the dark. And it’s ready to pounce.

A Crown in Peril

Devastated by the loss of Colleen and enraged by the treacherous cunning of the demon king, Augustus Thorn decides that he’s suffered enough. Embracing the full might of his Cambion Nature, he takes the fight deep into the heart of demondim territory, wreaking terrible destruction on all who cross his path. Gaining access to forbidden archives, he uncovers ancient texts, hinting at the mantle he must assume to bring the reign of the demon king to an end. However, Asmodai hasn’t been idle. Learning from his mistakes, he also seeks hidden knowledge, and goes all out to consolidate his position. And the knowledge he uncovers just might contain the vital clue he needs to end the Cambion threat once and for all. It’s a race against time . . . and there can only be one winner.

Rise of the Despoiler

Augustus Thorne is evolving. Into what, he doesn’t quite understand. Yet! All he does know is that his destiny is somehow linked to that of the Despoiler. A champion that prophesy claims will bring the demon king to his knees, undoing all the harm inflicted upon the three realms since the Fallen came to Earth. But to ensure such a destiny, Augustus must walk into uncharted territory. Wield stygian forces, the likes of which have never been witnessed before. Court death, as if was his intimate lover. Most disconcerting of all, he must put his personal vendetta aside, and submit to the greater good. Only then will he become the foretold hero, ending tyranny’s reign forever.

Skinwalker - Genesis

As one of only seven soldiers to survive the grueling, six-month long, UK Special Forces selection process, Captain Callum MacDonald has earned the right to be counted a member of the killer elite. Alas, all thoughts of celebration are forgotten when one of his fellow candidates disappears in an area of the Amazonian rainforest regarded as cursed by local indigenous tribes. A rescue mission is quickly mounted. However, it’s not until the heavily armed group of hardened commandos reenters the jungle and find themselves being hunted, that it slowly dawns on them. They might not be the apex predators they thought they were. After all, how can you expect to overcome something that refuses to stay dead?

Skinwalker - Exodus

Callum MacDonald’s hope of becoming a fully fledged member of the UK Special Forces died on the day he became a skinwalker – A legendary creature capable of assuming the form and nature of any animal they desire. Many would look on such a metamorphosis as a dream come true. Not so Callum MacDonald, who now views his existence as a nightmare, one in which he must consider every step he takes. And the reason? There are those who would exploit his gifts should they ever learn of his existence. And with a mounting tally of dead bodies surrounding his every move, that likelihood becomes more of a reality with each passing day.

Skinwalker - Apocalypse

Ever since the authorities discovered the existence of the skinwalker clan to which Callum MacDonald now belongs, their evolution has continued apace. Far from being exploited, they are coveted for their skills, and encouraged to use their abilities for a greater good. And not before time. A growing peril threatens the safety of decent folk living throughout the whole of the North American continent. One that was allowed to gain a foothold, long, long ago, because of mankind’s own fears, prejudice and shortsightedness. As such, the risk was ignored, allowing it to fester and grow. So much so, that now, centuries later, even the power of the fabled skinwalkers might not now be enough to thwart it.

Sinister Stories

A new wife treasures her Tuesday morning coffee with the ghost of her husband’s first wife—until she doesn’t. A man responds to his friend’s text and meets him at a very strange bar for happy hour; they soon find there’s nothing happy about the place, and they’re going to be there for a sight more than an hour. A young woman finds herself under spiritual attack from a powerful witch who wants nothing less than the very skin she inhabits. A once-drug-addicted mother struggles mightily to exorcise the demon possessing her six-year-old son, all to no avail. This new collection of horror stories from some of Raven Tale Publishing’s top horror authors explores from every possible angle the things that scare us. Enjoy these eleven tales however you see fit—one per day or all at once . . .

Red Right Hand

They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s what friends and family were quick to tell Connor MacGregor following the death of his wife and only child at the hands of a terrorist bomber in the heart of London. Yet they were in the very place they wanted to be, celebrating Connor’s retirement from the Royal Marines after more than twenty years of distinguished service. A time that should have seen them starting a new chapter in life together, searching for a forever home and settling down in one place, at last, with their eyes fixed firmly on the future. A future that now lies in ruins, forcing Connor MacGregor down a path that can only end in bloodshed and death. For while the police and security services are quick to respond and launch a huge, nationwide investigation in the hunt for those responsible for the bombing, MacGregor has his own way of doing things. A way that isn’t hampered by lawful procedures and judicial protocols. Yes, the race is on to see who will reach the bomber first. And if it’s Connor MacGregor, God help them, for the red right hand of vengeance is poised to strike, and he won’t allow anything to stand in its way.

The Battle of Port-en-Bessin

The early hours of 6 June, 1944, saw Sergeant Richard—Lion—Hart of 47 (Royal Marine) Commando, leading his men ashore at JIG Green Sector, on the beaches of Normandy. Their objective: To establish a foothold on enemy territory, and then march west, across country, to the strategically placed and heavily fortified harbor town of Port-en-Bessin. A location that would serve the Allies as a temporary marshalling area for fuel, weapons and supplies until Cherbourg had fallen. On paper, a straightforward—if hazardous—endeavor. Yet war is seldom straightforward. The Germans had been preparing for this moment for four years. And, as history has shown us time and again; “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” An idiom that Sergeant Hart and members of 47 Commando subsequently learned to their cost.

Operation Holdfast

In one of the most decisive battles to take place following the D-Day Landings, 47 (Royal Marine) Commando were successful in ousting the resident German artillery and infantry regiments still dug in at the heavily fortified fishing harbor of Port-en-Bessin, to take control of the region. Having done so, they were expected to hold the ground they’d fought so hard to win. No easy task, for not only had 47’s strength been drastically reduced during that offensive, but they—like all the other Allied units to arrive in Normandy following the opening stages of Operation Overlord—were introduced to a new style of combat: Boscage warfare. Averaging out at well over fifteen feet in height and bolstered by a thick girdle of nettles and brambles—torturous to navigate along their base—the hedgerows of France were verdant fortresses, providing both protection and cover for the defenders, and an assault course of thorns and thistles and booby-traps for those trying to attack. And, as Company Sergeant Major Richard—Lion—Hart, CGM, knew only too well. . . The longer fighting in such a claustrophobic environment was allowed to continue, then the more his men would bleed. No matter how well trained they were.

Operation Infatuate

47 (Royal Marine) Commando have been at the forefront of No 4 Special Service Brigade’s advance through Normandy since D-Day began. However, Hitler’s response to the Allied invasion gathers apace, with a massive influx of troops and armor throughout France, Belgium, Denmark and eastern Germany itself. And nowhere are those reinforcements more imposing than at Walcheren Island, sitting at the mouth of the Scheldt Estuary. For the Scheldt leads to the strategic port of Antwerp, and Antwerp is the perfect location for the final push toward Berlin. Little wonder, then, that Commando Regimental Sergeant Major Richard—Lion— Hart, CGM, MiD, and his men find themselves in the thick of it, for the assault will prove one of the most important, decisive battles of World War II.

Rough Justice

The Kansas Plains were never a safe place to settle—yet for Jacob and Noah Pearl, it’s the only place worth protecting. Elder Grove might be a young town, but it’s built on grit and heart. And the Pearl brothers have done everything they can to keep it standing tall. That all changes when a gang of outlaws attacks a Cheyenne hunting party and rides off with their horses. The raid sets off a dangerous chain of events that threatens to unravel everything the Pearls have worked so hard to build. But make no mistake—these brothers don’t back down. When lawless men come knocking, Jacob and Noah bring justice the old-fashioned way. Swift. Relentless. No questions asked.

Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail

A Cheyenne raiding party turns the quiet community of Elder Grove, Kansas, upside down, resulting in the death of a mother and father, and the abduction of their teenage daughters. All seems lost. But the Cheyenne didn’t reckon on the leaders of Elder Grove, Jacob and Noah Pearl. Two men with a remarkable shared history, who are a force of nature when roused. And as the Cheyenne are about to discover, they’re also the kind of men who will do anything to see justice done, even if it means getting their hands dirty.

Shootout at Russell Springs

A tornado tears through the open plains of Kansas, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Yet that force of nature isn’t the only thing that might ravage the land. The Plains Indians are massing in their hundreds. Cheyenne, Comanche, Lakota, Kiowa, and Arapaho. All of them, turning their eyes toward the foreign settlers who encroach ever further into their ancestral hunting grounds with each and every passing year. Already on the run from the law, the notorious Reno Gang also come calling, thinking that the residents of Elder Grove will be no match for a bunch of murdering horse thieves. And just who are the two strangers from the east that come to town, acting all friendly, yet asking sly question about the Pearl brothers? One thing’s for sure. . . Another storm is brewing. And when it strikes, not everyone will walk away.

Uprising in Comanche Country

It took the Pearl brothers considerable time and effort to shape the region around Elder Grove into a safe haven for all. For settlers. For travelers. Even for the Plains Indians who constantly roam the prairie in pursuit of buffalo. But when a bunch of marauding army deserters commits a heinous act that rouses the massed tribes to anger, it puts all that hard work in jeopardy. Yes, the hornet’s nest has been stirred. So much so, that even the Comanche are provoked to war. And their sting is deadly indeed. How the Pearl brothers will react remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure. Nobody will escape unscathed.

Living By The Code

The old west can be a harsh and unforgiving place, even for those like Jacob and Noah Pearl, who are used to the rigors of frontier living. So, when ghosts from the past return to threaten the peace and stability of their community, they’re quick to respond, and go out of their way to eradicate that threat before the shadow it casts can spread too far. Some might view their response as an overreaction. Ruthless, even. But the Pearl Brothers and the residents of Elder Grove look on it as following the Code of the West. A code that never wavers in the protection of you, your own, and seeing justice done.

Unfinished Business

The Pearl brothers encountered all sorts of people in the years it took them to set up the community of Elder Grove. Disgruntled Plains Indians. Murderers. Horse thieves. Army deserters. And in all that time, none were more exasperating than those folks who acted like a dog with a bone. Those mavericks who let their past failures and grievances gnaw away at them so much that they never seemed able to let go. A troublesome enough irritation when you have to deal with such behavior in passing. Imagine, then, how they’ll respond upon encountering a notorious gang who can’t abide the thought of simply giving up and moving on until they’ve carried out ‘just one more’ robbery. Or worse still, predatory bands of Cheyenne, stubbornly seeking revenge on those they feel have caused them to lose face. Yes, life is never dull on the Plains of Kansas . . . As the Pearl brothers are about to discover yet again.

Call of Duty

The long-awaited day has arrived! Yes, it’s been some time coming, what with all the trials and tribulations they’ve had to overcome. But at last, the day of the wedding is here, and Jacob and Astrid are finally going to tie the knot and settle down. . . Or are they? You see, that’s the thing about Kansas. It’s a vast and majestic country, filled with natural wonders and delights to satisfy the soul and take the breath away. Yet it’s also filled with dangers enough to catch the unwary and send them to an early grave. And when one of those dangers insists on poking its nose into the Pearl brothers’ affairs, now, of all times? Well, it’s time for someone to step up and answer the call of duty.

The IX

The IX, an epic novel spanning past, present, and future:
The ultimatum:
Fight or die.
Roman legionnaires, far from home, lost in the mists of Caledonia; a US cavalry company on a special mission for Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln; and a Special Forces unit from the 21st century, desperate to prevent nuclear catastrophe:
Snatched away from Earth at the moment of death to a failing planet far away, these misfit soldiers must unite against a relentless foe, where the cost of victory may be more than they're willing to pay. How far will they go to stay alive?
From Perseid Press.

Exordium of Tears

Fight or die.
That simple yet brutal reality is the tenet by which the refugees from Earth – including the fabled lost 9th Legion of Rome; the 5th Company, 2nd Mounted Cavalry Unit; and the Special Forces Anti-Terrorist Team – were forced to live by while the Horde menace existed. Believing that the threat is over, the
survivors now yearn to settle down, start families, and reclaim the lives stolen from them.
But such aspirations might remain beyond their reach, for a shadow looms on the rose-tinted horizon of new beginnings.
The release of the re-genesis matrix has done much to foster a restoration of exuberance across Arden. Along with a resurgence in floral and faunal diversity comes the results of splicing the Ardenese and human genomes: transmutation. A
metamorphosis of stunning magnitude that not only affects the living, but those still is stasis as well.
Recognizing the emergence of a new hybrid species, the Architect – the arcane AI construct tasked with the preservation of the Ardenese race – responds by unlocking
previously hidden and inaccessible areas of the city. It also releases an archive of sealed state secrets. Such revelations are eagerly perused, whereupon a shocking discovery is made.
Prior to the fall, it was common knowledge amongst the Senatum (the highest levels of Arden’s government) that not all the rabid Horde had joined in the rampage across the stars toward Arden.
Realizing that the peril still exists, the newly reformed administration elects to respond in earnest. Existing resources are utilized, suitable candidates are chosen, and a flotilla of ships is sent out to secure, quarantine, and reclaim the outer colonies. A mammoth and hazardous undertaking. And nowhere more so than at the planet from where the outbreak was known to have originated – Exordium – for there, the ancient Horde are not only supremely evolved and highly organized, but are capable of a level of lethal sophistication, the likes of which has never been witnessed before.
It is into this kiln of incendiary potential that the cream of Arden’s fighting forces is deployed.
Worlds are torn asunder, suns destroyed, and star systems obliterated. Yes, tragedy is forged, in a universe spanning conflict which proves once again that…

Death is onlythe beginning of the adventure.

Prelude to Sorrow

The task force dispatched from Arden to eradicate the Horde menace failed, and for those few left alive, the tenet by which they have survived for so long resounds as never before.

Fight or Die!

Now marooned, out of time and out of place, the survivors lick their wounds and struggle to recover while the Horde gather their strength for a final strike that will change the course of history forever. The fate of the galaxy – and more – hangs in the balance.

But fate, it seems, isn’t done with the Ninth, and our heroes find themselves forced to mount a last-ditch attempt to end the threat once and for all.

Will the darkness be vanquished, or will our heroes’ efforts finally signal the beginning of the end of their adventure?

IX Genesis

Arden, birthplace of a people who have mastered the secrets of arcane, reality-bending technology, and home to a civilization that now spans more than thirty planets throughout an entire quadrant of the galaxy. They are wise and understanding. Majestic in vision. Powerful beyond compare. And intent on extending their benevolent influence throughout the stars. . . Until the fateful day their thirst for knowledge leads them to push too far, too quickly. In doing so, they open a door into the antiverse, a realm where the very nature of existence is an anathema to life. An antithesis to all that is good. Evil. And that evil is sentient, as highly contagious as it is fueled by an irresistible proclivity to feed and multiply and spread. And feed and multiply it does. Faced with an overwhelming flood, the Ardenese have no option. They must fight or die!

Hell Bound

In hell, none of the condemned believes they deserve to be there. And that’s fine, so long as they’re not foolish enough to try and do anything about it. For those that do, there’s always Satan’s Reaper–and chief bounty hunter–Daemon Grim.
Feared throughout the many layers of the underverse, no one in their right mind dares to cross him.
However, when Grim discovers that someone has attempted to evade injustice, and seems hell-bent on gaining access to ancient angelic artifacts proscribed since the time of the original rebellion in heaven, circumstances point to the fact they may be doing just that.
The question is...why?
Thus begins an investigation that leads Grim throughout the many contradictory and baffling levels of the underworld, where he unearths a conspiracy that is not only eating its way like a cancer through the highest echelons of Hellion society,
but one which threatens the very stability of Satan’s rule.

As you can imagine, Grim’s response is bloody, brutal, and despicably wicked.

Hell Bound – In hell, everyone can hear you scream...

Hell Hounds

Feared throughout the many circles of the underworld, Satan’s Reaper – and chief bounty hunter – Daemon Grim, is known as a true force to be reckoned with.

Having eliminated a major player in the uprising eating its way like a cancer through the underbelly of hell, Grim is stunned to discover he cannot afford to rest on his laurels, for the rebellion runs far deeper than was ever imagined. New players have emerged – denizens with uncanny abilities – who seem determined to support Chopin and Tesla’s revolutionary agenda.

Ever keen to test their mettle, the Sibitti – personified weapons of the ancient Babylonian plague god, Erra – also appear eager to capitalize on the growing unrest, and set about maneuvering events in order to place themselves in direct opposition to Grim’s investigation.

And if that was not cause for concern enough, there’s an insane angel on the loose, a creature as hell-bent on creating havoc as he is to return home.

How do Grim and his rabid pack of bounty hunters respond?

Baying for blood – doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Hell Gate

The Angel Grislington is dead, effaced from existence during an epic battle with Daemon Grim that destroyed a Zion forged blade and one of Satan’s premier palaces in the process.

Chopin and Tesla have gone to ground. So much so, that they might as well be six feet under helping to push up hell-daisies.

Even Erra and the Sibitti, his living weapons of vengeance and destruction, seem reticent to show their faces.

Rioting sweeps the length and breadth of the underworld. Yet the halls of the Mortuary lie vacant, for someone is stealing soul-essence, the very means by which Satan condemns sinners to everlasting torment.

But who would dare such a thing? And how does the hush that descends upon the dirty streets of latterday hell tie into ancient prophecy relating to the Reaper’s destiny?

It’s often calmest before the storm.

Just imagine how bad things will get with the apocalypse approaching.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Authors Interviews

Monday, March 9, 2015

The IX - Going from Strength to Strength

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Writing Tips

Amazing News - Multi Book Deal

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Black Gate Review

Writing Tips

Monday, March 2, 2015

Monster Black Hole

Blog Archive

Certified

Sponsors/Supporters

Gothic Life

The Gothic eZine

Goodreads

Certified