One Last Icing On The Web

ice web

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

“Ah, crap.” Jackson looked out the window expecting to see his salvation. Beyond the shed’s single window frame on the abandoned farm, he did see what he hoped for, but right before that, there was something much worse.

“You never give up, do you?” He almost let his fingertips glide along the lengths of frozen webbing. “So close.”

Outside it was Spring, the first Spring since he was a little boy. The climate was turning again in favor of life. But the ice giants were taking one last shot at him before they went.

Then he saw the first spider.

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“A Wobblegong And His Boy” is available NOW!

a wobblegong and his boy

Cover image for my novel “A Wobblegong and His Boy”

What can I say? It’s finally here and available in both Kindle and paperback formats. Be the first one to read and write an honest review of A Wobblegong and his Boy on Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s just a sample of the excitement you can expect in this book:.

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Yield Sign To Heaven

sign

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

“I have to solve a puzzle if I want to get into Heaven?” Henry was standing next to St. Peter who was really a short, balding Jewish guy named Shimon bar Yonah and told a lot of Dad jokes.

“Not a puzzle,” said Shimon. “A reflection of how you treated Hashem and faith in life. Hey, what kind of shoes do frogs wear?”

“Never mind the jokes, Pet…uh, Shimon. Oh wait.”

“Open-toad sandals.” The gatekeeper started laughing maniacally.

“Traffic going down has priority,” said Henry. “Is that right?

“Got it. Too much traffic going down, not that much going up.”

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Writing Books To Encourage Boys To Read

a wobblegong and his boy

Cover image for my novel “A Wobblegong and His Boy”

There are already a ton of articles and essays out there commenting on the decline of boys and men reading. When I was a kid entering Junior High, my “gateway drugs” into science fiction and fantasy were Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series starting with A Princess of Mars. Then came along E.E. “Doc” Smith’s Skylark Series as well as Andre Norton’s The Time Traders and Galactic Derelict.

My reading interests exploded from that flashpoint and I’ve never stopped. Seriously, I’m over seventy-years-old now and I’ve always got at least one book going (library cards are a wonderful thing).

I’ve been very actively promoting my latest science fiction novel A Wobblegong and His Boy on my blog, substack, and social media (you may have noticed). When I heard that Raconteur Press was soliciting novels for their Boy’s Adventure Books series, I was very excited to submit something of my own. I’m gratified and humbled that they accepted my manuscript and as of right now while still on pre-order, my book is number one on Amazon’s list of New Releases in Children’s Space Exploration books. That’s fantastic.

However, as much as I’m thrilled to have another science fiction novel (this will be my second) hitting the virtual book stands, there’s something more important going on.

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Wishful Thinking

wish

PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

Jerry had been a little surprised that Yasna still lived with her parents. She was twenty-five and a rising star in his company’s HR department. This was their first date and he didn’t expect to have to meet her parents.

While Yasna was getting ready (he’d gotten there ten minutes early), they left him in their den. Her Mom went upstairs while her Dad offered to get him something to drink.

“Christmas wreaths I can get, but what are these?” He reached up and touched one of the odd ornaments hanging from the lamp.

“What is your wish my master?”

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Pre-Order “A Wobblegong And His Boy” NOW!

a wobblegong and his boy

Cover image for my novel “A Wobblegong and His Boy”

Today’s the day when my boy’s adventure science fiction novel A Wobblegong And His Boy goes on Pre-Order. Just click on the link and on the Amazon page, pre-order my novel for delivery to your Kindle device on Friday, March 20th.

I’m incredibly excited about this one. This will be my second published novel which I hope will lead to other, larger works and successes.

Here’s just a taste of what you have to look forward to:

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The City On The Edge of Heaven

city

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

“I’m in a city somewhere.” Rand stood on the sidewalk looking at his reflection in the windows of the building across the street. He pulled out his wallet.

“Yeah, plenty of cash and a credit card.” He stopped when he saw the name and address on the drivers license. “My picture, but from a long time ago.”

It got worse when he saw the expiration date.

“That was decades ago.” He looked at his reflection again. He was so young.

“What happened?” Then he remembered the wish he made. He had been dying. Cancer.

A voice said, “Welcome to Heaven.”

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The Rant of the Union Message

belton

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The President’s State of the Union message turned into a free-for-all with everyone shrieking they were better leaders.

Orange Man bellowed, “I’m getting rid of all those criminal aliens and yes, there will be a few American casualties, but all for the greater good.”

Former female candidate screamed, “I’m shocked that the Supreme Court sided with the detransitioners even though they were scammed by the medical industry.”

Big City Mayor added, “Reality and economics has sabotaged my promises to give everyone everywhere free everything.”

The sane people watching thought, “All of these politicians are nuts. We need a new government.”

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The Last Days of Great-Grandma Sherline McCabe

belton

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Great-grandma Sherline McCabe lay on her deathbed at the age of one-hundred-and-one surrounded by four generations of her progeny. Her voice was weak and she was as thin as a ghost as she began the final rendition of her tale.

“Listen here. I was born on the Woman’s Commonwealth commune in Belton, Texas in the year of our Lord 1882. Mama had just left my old Papa Silas Sean O’Neill who was a wife beater and a drunk.

“The women raised me and took care of each other and were not only fine Christians but successful in business and commerce.”

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And they were singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie

cafe

PHOTO PROMPT © Lori Wilson

Todd’s hands were trembling and fear twisted in his gut. The café wasn’t right, even though it said “Route 66” on the sign.

“You weren’t here back then,” he muttered to himself. He shivered but not just because it was cold.

Todd sat at one of the outside picnic tables. Maybe if he closed his eyes and wished hard enough… But the only thing that happened was the waitress asking if he wanted a menu.

After his coffee came and she left, he took a sip and waited to die. The past was gone and he was going with it.

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