CHRIS'S FRIENDS' FICTION
Stories I think my readers might enjoy, written by friends and relatives.
| STORIES |
|
DOWNLOADS |
| (alphabetical) |
|
An Old Man and His Memories (6 pages, 1,330 words)
A short Halloween tale of love, loss, and memories of the dearly departed taken a bit too far, courtesy of fan Wayne Moore (aka kf6eml).
|
|
|
A New Novel by Alvin J. Flitman (11 pages, 2,627 words)
A hack writer sells his soul for an original idea in a short story by Aaron Polk.
|
|
|
Beneath the Holy City (19 pages, 6,127 words)
In a short story by Edward Stasheff, a rabbi in 1912 Jerusalem attempts to solve a string of grisly murders – and succeeds! But the murderer is not at all who he expected. From the 2018 anthology Death in the Age of Steam.
|
|
|
The Best Present Ever: A Christmas Poem for Parents (3 pages, 645 words)
Santa talks three kids into giving their parents the best Christmas present ever. Writen by my daughter Eleanore for her sister Genevieve and her children.
|
|
|
 THE BOOZY BANSHEE OF BRANNOCK-A-BEND
In a contemporary comedy by Peter D'Alessio, when two retired NFL football players vacation in Ireland to research whiskey recipes, they get far more than they bargained for: an underground moonshine operation hiding in a small Irish town, a Mayor determined to keep power over the village by any means necessary, and the ghost of a dead pirate moonshine smuggler.
|
|
|
Chapter 1: Mad Dash Irish Whiskey... More or Less (10 pages, 3,030 words)
Two fed-up NFL football players retire, run short on money, and concoct a less-then-legal plan to earn some extra cash - brewing and selling Irish moonshine.
|
|
|
Chapter 2: Ish Kabibble, the Water of Life! (10 pages, 2,970 words)
Beau & O'Neil visit his inherited property in Ireland to discover it already has a resident - and has for a long, long time.
|
|
|
Chapter 3: It Mus' Run the the Family (15 pages, 4,527 words)
An accidental explosion while Beau & O'Neil are setting up thier hidden bootleg moonshining operation reveals an ancient (and incorporeal) competitor.
|
|
|
Chapter 4: You Go into the Fookin' Light, I Like It Here! (7 pages, 2,015 words)
Beau & O'Neil discover the local banshee, the drunken Brian 'Pegleg' Paterson, is a kindred spirit—of spirits!
|
|
|
Chapter 5: Ya calls dis pro-gress? (10 pages, 2,850 words)
Fitz-Ryan the lawyer meets a ghost and a pair of thuggish brothers, and is frightened... of the brothers.
|
|
|
Chapter 6: Father O'Football (11 pages, 3,109 words)
The USA Moonshine Team drafts Father O'Doul into thier ranks for the upcoming Moonshine in the Daytime finals.
|
|
|
Chapter 7: The Old Mid-Field Double Reverse... Yo-Ho-Ho and a Bottle or Two of Five-Hundred-Year-Old Whiskey! (10 pages, 2,708 words)
The USA Moonshine Team launches a stealth marketing campaign promoting thier Mad Dash Whiskey in the Moonshine in the Daytime contest.
|
|
|
Chapter 8: Ya Can Take the Redneck Out of the South... but Ya Can't Take Him into an Irish Bar! (16 pages, 4,642 words)
Beau loses a fight with a fish... but wins one against the Dougal brothers!
|
|
|
Chapter 9: We Be All h'on the Same Side, Wantin' d'Same Ting (9 pages, 2,513 words)
The villagers celebrate Beau's victory over the Dougal brothers while Beau fights the fish again and Mayor O'Malley plans his retaliation.
|
|
|
Chapter 10: Shine, Shine, and More Shine! (10 pages, 3,265 words)
... also Fishing, Fishing, and More Fishing!
|
|
|
Chapter 11: A Pernt a' Law, the Widder Browne h'an a Toouch a' da Sun (14 pages, 3,847 words)
Beau & O'Neil finally meet the Widow Browne, open thier own bar, and Beau strangles a horse. Sorry, no fishing this week.
|
|
|
Chapter 12: Punt, Pass, and Kickapoo Juice (9 pages, 2,726 words)
The USA Moonshine team uncovers Mayor O'Malley's devious scheming, and why he want to marry the Widow Browne.
|
|
|
Chapter 13: God v. Rockne v. Brannock-A-Bend (8 pages, 2,334 words)
Gaining Mayor O'Malley's confidence, Fitzy learns the secret location of the O'Malley's hidden still, then reports back to the American Moonshine Team.
|
|
|
Chapter 14: Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes—There’s Only Enough Shine for One! (9 pages, 2,519 words)
Low-down dirty double-dealing Dougals cave in the Cave Inn.
|
|
|
Chapter 15: Mantle, Mouse, and Finn (9 pages, 2,741 words)
Beau & O'Neil dispose of the Dougals brothers peacefully (sort of).
|
|
|
Chapter 16: If a Little Is Good, More Must Be Better (8 pages, 2,543 words)
A fine 'shine needs a beautiful bottle - and Pegleg's been saving one for five hundred years for the right occassion. Meanwhile, Mayor O'Malley acquires new muscle to replace the Dougal brothers.
|
|
|
Chapter 17: In Me h'own Werds (10 pages, 2,586 words)
As the Moonshine in the Daytime Festival begins and Mad Dash Whiskey is a hit, Mayor O'Malley's hired thugs strike a crippling blow at the Yanks' operation.
|
|
|
Chapter 18: A Note to the Widder (1 pages, 149 words)
Beau invites the Widder Browne to a victory feast - of pike!
|
|
|
Chapter 19: How d'Fook Would I Know tat d'Damned Leprechaun Was Hard a Hearin'! (10 pages, 2,910 words)
The Widder Brown & Father Sean stall at the stall while Pegleg & the Yanks obtain replacement moonshine to wow the crowd.
|
|
|
Chapter 20: It's an 'onorary Title! (14 pages, 3,912 words)
The Moonshine Festival turns into a street brawl as Mayor O'Malley desperately fights to keep the Yanks from winning.
|
|
|
|
BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON
In this Halloween special, a young man's life is tormemented by a mysterious creature... until he learns how to fight it.
|
|
|
Part 1 (20 pages, 6,455 words)
A tortured young man doesn't know what's more terrifying: a werewolf who's been stalking him his whole life... or if he is the werewolf that's been killing off his friends and family!
|
|
|
Part 2 (19 pages, 5,753 words)
Paleface and the Ghost Wolf Clan go werewolf hunting from Central Park to the rooftops of New York City, but the hunt ends in phyric tragedy... in more ways than one.
|
|
|
Part 3 (10 pages, 3,187 words)
After surviving a werewolf attack, has the narrator been bitten and become a shapeshifter himself?
|
|
|
|
Canst Thou Send Lightnings? (27 pages, 7,468 words)
In a short story by Rick Boatright from the Grantville Gazette set in Eric Flint's 1632 universe (if you're not familiar with it, download the FREE ebook here), when a 17th century priest is required to build a 20th century alternator to power a church radio station, the Order of St. Phillip is born... inspired by St. Vidicon!
|
|
|
Don't Kill the Messenger (14 pages, 3,868 words)
An excerpt from my friend Joel Pierson's Messenger trilogy. Tristian has premonition visions of people dying, and tries to warn them before it happens - but people generally don't react well to that kind of news.
|
|
|
PREDATORY PRACTICES
Set in Marcus Johnston's Tech Infantry universe, six months after the events of Prayer for the Technocrats, a hyper-capitalistic floating alien cat fights to keep his species independent of human rule, get the girl, and make some cash on the side in this sci-fi adventure/comedy/romance.
|
|
|
Chapter 1: Barroom Deal (13 pages, 3,393 words)
A hyper-capitalistic floating alien cat and a drunken monkey walk into a bar...
|
|
|
Chapter 2: For Love and Money (14 pages, 3,447 words)
Two hyper-capitalistic floating alien cats haggle over products, sales, profits, contracts... and, just maybe, love.
|
|
|
Chapter 3: Hard Sell (14 pages, 3,522 words)
Little hyper-capitalistic floating alien cats haggle with big three-eyed telepathic alien lizard things. (I sometimes wonder what my son has been smoking...)
|
|
|
Chapter 4: Plutocrat (13 pages, 3,352 words)
A pissing contest with the alpha male of his corporate clan leaves Heth soaked, cowed, and with a deadline to prove his innocence or be terminated for good.
|
|
|
Chapter 5: Cash and Carry (16 pages, 4,150 words)
Heth deals with a shady customer, is forced to smuggle the wrong type of cargo, takes the risk... and gets caught.
|
|
|
Chapter 6: No Refund, No Return (17 pages, 4,318 words)
Heth talks his way through customs, delivers the cargo, and cuts a deal with a shady but powerful human officer.
|
|
|
Chapter 7: Hidden Assets (12 pages, 3,231 words)
Heth finds the evidence to prove his innocence (and it's worth a LOT of money!).
|
|
|
Chapter 8: Rising Stock (15 pages, 3,775 words)
Heth finally clears his name and gets a promotion, along with an important diplomatic message to deliever to the K'Nes Llan government.
|
|
|
Chapter 9: Future Projections (20 pages, 4,971 words)
Heth presents a Federation peace treaty to the leader of the K'Nes Llan (who rejects it), and worries about the political direction his species is headed.
|
|
|
Chapter 10: Business Affair (17 pages, 4,219 words)
A couple cats contemplate countries in conflict, and commence capitalist courtship.
|
|
|
Chapter 11: Cutthroat Competitor (15 pages, 3,892 words)
Heth confronts the man (?) who ruined his career - and promptly hustles the bastard out of something priceless.
|
|
|
Chapter 12: Repeat Customer (17 pages, 4,339 words)
The Earth Federation hires Heth for a mysterious, dangerous job - but for one hell of a paycheck.
|
|
|
Chapter 13: Means of Production (21 pages, 5,588 words)
Heth procures a starship and armor for his upcoming mystery assignment, while Narrah begins training the K'Nes mercenaries—including Heth, whether he likes it or not.
|
|
|
Chapter 14: Material Compensation (23 pages, 5,700 words)
Heth finally learns what the Federation Chairman's hired him to do... and it's much more dangerous than he would ever have guessed.
|
|
|
Chapter 15: Business Partners (24 pages, 6,703 words)
Heth prepares for his mission by training, gathering equipment, training, forging alliances, and more training.
|
|
|
Chapter 16: Travel Expenses (25 pages, 6,452 words)
As Heth heads deeper and deeper into Imperial territory, he struggles to avoid drawing attention while keeping his crewcats under control, only to get a nasty surprise when he finally arrives at his destination.
|
|
|
Chapter 17: Social Engineering (28 pages, 7,708 words)
The feline K'Nes scour the planet Cronos trying to sniff out an undercover Cialt monk who can sneak them into the besieged Cialt Abbey.
|
|
|
Chapter 18: Social Engineering (18 pages, 4,744 words)
The K'Nes sneak into the Cialt Abbey - but the monks are NOT expecting company and don't react well to the alien mercenaries.
|
|
|
Chapter 19: Predatory Practices (15 pages, 3,955 words)
Heth and his mercenaries meet the Abbot of the Cialt Abbey, and join the monks on the walls to defend the abbey agaisnt the Imperial attack.
|
|
|
Chapter 20: Strategic Withdrawal (17 pages, 4,064 words)
Even if Heth survives the battle, can he still get off the planet and escape a star system deep in hostile territory?
|
|
|
Chapter 21: Bear Market (23 pages, 6,114 words)
Heth escapes the Empire only to discover his allies have betrayed him, and—worse—his life has fallen apart while he was away in Cronos.
|
|
|
Chapter 24: Executive Decision (21 pages, 5,246 words)
Heth & Miu's honeymoon is interrupted by the discovery of a plot to overthrow their government.
|
|
|
Chapter 25: Joint Venture (30 pages, 7,652 words)
Heth races to organize a couter-coup to save his species from a hostile takeover.
|
|
|
|
Firewalker (7 pages, 1,971 words)
A Hawaiian tourist meets an old native woman who is more than she seems in a short story from my daughter Eleanore.
|
|
|
The Extreme Psychological Idiosyncrasies of Hyman R. Epstein (8 pages, 2,102 words)
A psychologist goes to extreme (and morally questionable) lengths to cure a young patient who is slowly starving to death.
|
|
|
Flying Dutchmen and the Convenient Void (27 pages, 7,466 words)
A comedy of errors unfolds as the international crew of a decommissioned minesweeper-turned-garbage-scow just try to find work in this sci-i comedy by Marcus Johnston.
|
|
|
A FRACTURED CHRISTMAS FANTASY: The Great Star of 2 B.C.E., a Fat Roman in a Red Breastplate, a Bunch a' Frickin' Angels, the Night "Jumping" Yehoshua ben Josephus Finally Sold Used Camels to the Bethlehem Police and the Roman Military, and the Bad-Ass Bunny of Bethlehem!
Pete D'Alessio provides us with a Christmas story about the birth of Jesus—or rather, what was going on in the rest of Bethlehem that night from the perspective of people who were no where near the manger!
|
|
|
Part 1 (12 pages, 3,581 words)
Two mid-level bureaucrats are just trying to enjoy a quiet evening stargazing when a bunch a shepherds, angels, three wise men, a pregnant girl and a killer bunny show up. Oy!
|
|
|
Part 2 (13 pages, 3,717 words)
A mob of angels, shepherds, wise men, and romans all trying to cram into a barn to see a baby in a manger makes for a great Christmas story... but an administrative nightmare for the local bureaucrats.
|
|
|
|
A FRACTURED SANTA FANTASY: The Great Storm of ’11, a Fat Guy in a Red Suit, A Bunch a’ Frickin’ Reindeer, and the Day Fast Eddie McKnight Finally Broke the Sound Barrier.
Pete provided us with a Christmas Comedy about Santa, motorcycles, and a tiny town in upstate New York. NOTE: The humor is a bit raunchy, so it might not be appropriate for children or other sensitive readers.
|
|
|
Part 1 (21 pages, 6,653 words)
A small town down on it's luck gets a brief reprieve when an ol' out-of-town geezer works off his community service by fixing up the police station's classic motorcycles... and they begin to attract tourists.
|
|
|
Part 2 (19 pages, 5,571 words)
When a jaded Santa crashes his sleigh, he rigs up a motorcycle delivery instead—but needs a good driver to get around the world that fast.
|
|
|
|
A FRACTURED SANTA FANTASY: The Great Tree of '13, the Day Santa Got Tossed from the Third Floor Window at Ms. Quims' Christmas Cathouse Bar & Grill, a Bunch a Well-Meaning Frickin' Rednecks and 1500 Gallons of Christmas 'Shine, the Night "Fast" Eddie McKnight Finally Got to Roll Solo With Only an Elf and a Lawyer to Help, and the Piss-Eyed Possum of Podunksville!
In Pete's sequel to The Great Storm of '11, Podunksville is beset by the EPA, ATF, ACLU, and a drunken possum. NOTE: The humor is a bit raunchy, so it might not be appropriate for children or other sensitive readers. (29 pages, 8,499 words)
|
|
|
Genesis 3... Point 5 (10 pages, 2,809 words)
In a new comedy short by Pete D'Alessio, a serpent teaches a young monk how things REALLY went down with the apple in the Garden of Eden!
|
|
|
THE GLASS MARINES
Military sci-fi written by my long-time friend Pete D'Alessio. The US Marine Corps of the future integrates aliens into its ranks. (No point in "not asking"...)
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase 1 (5 pages, 1,133 words)
When humanity finally makes first contact with an alien intelligence, they fear an invasion. What ends up happening, though, is a bit more bizarre...
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase 1 (continued) (8 pages, 1,793 words)
A young Marine Sergeant is assigned as personal bodyguard... to an alien captain, on an alien transport ship.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase 1 (cont.) (24 pages, 5,786 words)
Marine Sergeant Christopher experiences culture shock on the alien ship.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase 1 (cont.) (29 pages, 7,346 words)
Sergeant Christopher discovers a thriving black market for Terran music on the alien ship.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase 1 (cont.) (31 pages, 7,229 words)
Sgt. Christopher is ordered to train 1,100 aliens to become U.S. Marines... somehow...
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase 1 (cont.) (22 pages, 5,302 words)
The aliens get a surprise crash course in U.S. Marine basic training... with century-old weapons and the fiercest Drill Instructors the Corps has to offer.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase 1 (cont.) (19 pages, 5,224 words)
Training is going well - until Sgt. Christopher realizes he catastrophically misunderstood his orders.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase 1 (cont.) (27 pages, 7,164 words)
The DIs modify Marine training to accomodate alien biology and culture - with mixed success.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase II (30 pages, 8,114 words)
Every Marine has a story - including Junior DIs Stone and Rojas.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase II (cont.) (28 pages, 7,671 words)
Neither the rifle training nor the water survival course go quite as planned for the Malacan recruits.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase II (cont.) (9 pages, 2,458 words)
Phase I of Marine Boot Camp winds down, but Sgt. Christopher worries that the Malacan recruits still lack esprit de corps.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase II (cont.) (20 pages, 5,297 words)
The Malacan recruits finally show some fighting spirit... just not in the way the Drill Instructors had expected.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase II (cont.) (25 pages, 5,953 words)
If you can't bring the Recruits to Parris Island... bring Parris Island to the Recruits!
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase II (cont.) (19 pages, 4,708 words)
Why are the alien Marine recruits so terrified of an eighteen-hour shore leave for R&R?
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase III (17 pages, 4,352 words)
The alien recruits conduct field maneuvers on the ship—literally. On the outside hull, to be exact.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase III (cont.) (30 pages, 7,958 words)
Recruits Roach & Lewis risk getting themselves court-martialed before they even graduate Boot Camp.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase III (cont.) (26 pages, 7,179 words)
The Recruits struggle to prevent the Army from finding the stolen goods.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase III (cont.) (22 pages, 6,021 words)
The Marines realize the Army Colonel is leading Lieutenant Kelly into a sleazy trap—and, worse, she's a willing victim. So the Malacan recruits decide to take matters into their own hands...
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase III (cont.) (16 pages, 4,640 words)
After Colonel Tywell is humiliated by Marine Lieutenant Kelly, the Army is out for revenge. The short Malacan aliens make perfect targets...
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase III (cont.) (19 pages, 5,121 words)
As Roach and Arnold finally square off during Pugil stick training, the Marine Corps do public with the news of its extraterrestrial platoons.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Phase III (cont.) (28 pages, 7,669 words)
Pressed by the Army into Shore Patrol duty, the Malacan Marines do a job no one will ever forget. The recruits finally graduate basic training... and a legend is born.
|
|
|
The Glass Marines: Epilogue (16 pages, 4,680 words)
Badly outnumbered, the Glass Marines win thier first battle and the respect of their peers—but at a terrible cost. Worse, they're facing court martial—but the Marine Corps closes ranks around their newest members.
|
|
|
|
Jersey Devils (19 pages, 4,636 words)
An urban-fantasy comedy written by my son-in-law, Marcus. Ever wonder what those metal stick-figure-like things along the New Jersey Turnpike are for? Well... holding back the apocalypse, apparently.
|
|
|
The Last Elf (24 pages, 5,754 words)
The last of his race, the jaded elf Delavaen ignores prophecies of liberation and works for his human conquerers... but is surprised when hope arises from an unlikely source. By my son-in-law, Marcus Johnston.
|
|
|
LeeLee & Abahan (13 pages, 3,864 words)
From Peter D'Alessio, a 4th of July ghost story about kids, dead presidents, and the White House.
|
|
|
Little Eddie's Quest for Sage (16 pages, 2,989 words)
My son Edward wrote this amusing story (originally for his blog) based on a real-life day trip he and I made to the oasis outside Portales, New Mexico. He took a few liberties with reality. Okay, a lot of liberties. So many that if he took any more, he'd have an entire Constitution.
|
|
|
On the American Way of Life (4 pages, 916 words)
For Memorial Day, longtime contributor and active U.S. serviceman kf6eml brings us an essay about what military service and Mermorial Day means for him... and for the rest of us, too.
|
|
|
A Midsummer's Knight's Ass (14 pages, 3,988 words)
In another comedy short from Pete, a retired knight fights an aging dragon, only to find they have more in common now in their old age.
|
|
|
The Phantom Hothouse (37 pages, 10,960 words)
When a pair of desperate virgins try raising the ghosts of an abandoned brothel, they get far more than they bargained for. Written by Ortho.
NOTE: Although there's nothing explicit, there ARE a lot of sexual references and language in this story, so it may not be appropriate for young or sensitive readers.
|
|
|
PRAYER FOR THE TECHNOCRATS
Humanity is under threat... and no one is concerned. The Earth Federation has survived countless invasions, civil wars, and ruthless dictators. After centuries of war and bloodshed, one more invasion shouldn't make any difference. But how do you fight an enemy that can't be killed?
|
|
|
Prologue (2 pages, 404 words)
A quick summary of the Tech Infantry universe.
|
|
|
Chapter 1: The Four (17 pages, 5,829 words)
As civilization falls apart, four people brave the impossible. Miranda, the scientist, searches for the enemy and the key that might save humanity. Ivan, the fighter pilot, seeking to warn anyone who will listen of the coming danger. Amanda, the politician, trying to keep civilization together long enough to fight back. And who is Vin Dane, the mysterious colonel who can bring these four together?
|
|
|
Chapter 2: Whispers & Warnings (15 pages, 5,120 words)
Lieutenant Sun barely escapes alive as the Ares Battle Group is overtaken by... aliens? Ghosts? Demons? On Avalon, Dr. Maysfield unravels an old government cover-up of a bizzare encounter with a powerful magical Orb and a terrifying alien race—the Caal.
|
|
|
Chapter 3: Sic Transit Tempus (12 pages, 4,299 words)
Lt. Sun tries warning the government of the Caal Invasion, but no one takes him seriously. Col. Dane & Sgt. Palencia try forcefully taking the Orb from Xavier Pollos—with disastrous results.
|
|
|
Chapter 4: Declaration (12 pages, 3,751 words)
Finally, Lt. Sun's warning of the approaching Caal-posessed battle fleet is taken serious - by Col. Vin Dane - and Jennifer's Star prepares for the attack.
|
|
|
Chapter 5: Fire Above, Chaos Below (11 pages, 3,831 words)
As panic sweeps the Federation, the desperate Battle of Jennifer's Star tries to hold the Caal invasion at bay—and fails.
|
|
|
Chapter 6: The Hunt (13 pages, 4,288 words)
Society begins to collapse as the Caal Invasion approaches the Federation capital Avalon seeking the Orb. Meanwhile, our four heroes finally hunt down Xavier Pollos and fight him for posession of the Orb.
|
|
|
Chapter 7: Truth Will Set You Free (6 pages, 1,924 words)
Colonel Dane convinces the powerful Horadrim aliens to help defend humanity from the Caal Invasion - but the Federation Chairman literally attacks him (with a sword!) as a traitor for doing so.
|
|
|
Chapter 8: Holy War (9 pages, 2,954 words)
Earth Fleet and the Horadrim make a final, last-ditch effort to stop the Caal Invasion in the desperate Battle of Avalon.
|
|
|
Chapter 9: Empire (4 pages, 1,008 words)
In the wake of the Caal Invasion and the Terran Federation's collapse, human civilization begins to rebuild as the Holy Terran Empire (among other factions) is born.
|
|
|
|
Stranger In A Strange Land Rover (30 pages, 8,620 words)
A sentient robotic astronaut is marooned on Mars with nothing a comlink to Earth and a specially-designed land rover.
|
|
|
THE TEMPLAR'S BOWL
In 1942, German submarines prowled the Canadian coastline, searching for the lost Templar treasure... and its most powerful spiritual object, the Holy Grail. All that stands between Hitler and world domination are three ghosts of long-dead Templar Knights... and their newest recruit: the sickly, wheelchair-bound child Richard. Sailing a wooden longship, armed only with swords and catapults, can Richard and his ghostly allies protect the Grail from enemy U-Boats bearing gun-toting stormtroopers?
|
|
|
Chapter 1 (13 pages, 5,617 words)
A reporter interviews a wheelchair-bound Professor of Medieval Archeology about the Knights Templar—only to realize he's stumbled across the story of a lifetime.
|
|
|
Chapter 2 (10 pages, 4,115 words)
Dr. Thompson tells how he first met three Templar Knights... in Canada... in 1940.
|
|
|
Chapter 3 (11 pages, 3,286 words)
Friar Hamet McCorvy tells the tale of how he became a monk... and Templar.
|
|
|
Chapter 4 (15 pages, 3,210 words)
Templar Geofray Beaumond recalls how he once met Saladin outside Jerusalem, and received a precious gift from that legendary warrior.
|
|
|
Chapter 5 (9 pages, 2,272 words)
Templar Theobor of Hamburg recounts the last bloody days of the Knights Templar.
|
|
|
Chapter 6 (7 pages, 2,943 words)
Young Richard is initiated into the ranks of Templar Knights, and shown their secret treasure—but that is only the beginning of his journey.
|
|
|
Chapter 7 (10 pages, 3,623 words)
Richard trains for knighthood by tagging along with his Tempar mentors throughout medieval history.
|
|
|
Chapter 8 (5 pages, 1,815 words)
The ghosts of the Templar Knights bring Richard back from the brink of death to perform a vital mission.
|
|
|
Chapter 9 (11 pages, 4,316 words)
As Richard's training continues, the Templar Knights bring him back from the brink of death to perform a vital mission.
|
|
|
Chapter 10 (9 pages, 3,318 words)
Richard witnesses the Templar treasure fleet, following an old Norse map, sail West across the Atlantic to a new and unknown land.
|
|
|
Chapter 11 (9 pages, 2,935 words)
Richard learns to captain a fleet from an unlikely mentor—the origional Jolly Roger himself.
|
|
|
Chapter 12 (9 pages, 3,248 words)
De Flor trains Richard to become a sailor... then puts his life in danger.
|
|
|
Chapter 13 (7 pages, 2,889 words)
Richard meets the Viking Askold and learns to sail his pirate dragonship.
|
|
|
Chapter 14 (8 pages, 3,532 words)
Richard turns from a Templar into a Viking, attacks everything in sight, and eventually becomes the Captain of his raiding party.
|
|
|
Chapter 15 (8 pages, 3,443 words)
Richard begins work on the pit to hide the Templar treasure, and discovers that their greatest isn't made of gold or jewels.
|
|
|
Chapter 16 (8 pages, 2,974 words)
In 1942, there is a bizzare reason for German U-Boat activity off the coast of Nova Scotia - Himmler and the Nazi SS are trying to find the hidden Templar Treasure!
|
|
|
Chapter 17 (5 pages, 1,986 words)
Richard and the Templar ghosts prepare to defend their treasure from the Nazis.
|
|
|
Chapter 18 (7 pages, 2,935 words)
The Templars meet with thier Teutonic allies and prepare to ambush the Nazi invaders.
|
|
|
Chapter 19 (6 pages, 2,363 words)
The Templar fleet meets an unexpected ally, then goes hunting for Nazi U-boats!
|
|
|
Chapter 20 (7 pages, 2,768 words)
After the first battle between the Templar fleet and a Nazi U-boat goes south quickly and ends in tragedy, Richard realizes a change in tactics might be necessary.
|
|
|
Chapter 21 (7 pages, 2,708 words)
As the invisible battle between Templars and Nazis rages, Richard and his Viking crew finally sink thier first U-boat.
|
|
|
Chapter 22 (7 pages, 2,855 words)
Hitler sends out his best U-boat to find the Holy Grail... which it does, despite all the Templar's efforts to defend and hide it.
|
|
|
Chapter 23 (10 pages, 3,923 words)
The final climatic battle for the Holy Grail on land and sea - Templars and Vikings and NAZIS, oh my!
|
|
|
|
THE TRIAL OF A LOUP-GAROU
This is an excerpt from a novel by my friend James Lee. It's based on a real historical werewolf trial - he found the documents! There's about seventy pages more about Jean's life. If you want me to persuade him to give us more, please let us know in the Forum.
|
|
|
Chapter 1 (7 pages, 1,859 words)
Jean faces execution by burning... but knows at least a part of him will live on.
|
|
|
Chapter 2 (14 pages, 3,646 words)
Jean runs away from home to the forest, where he meets Le Cavalier Noir, a strange and powerful man who teaches Jean some dark secrets.
|
|
|
Chapter 3 (15 pages, 4,055 words)
Jean's life suddenly, completely changes in beautiful and terrible ways.
|
|
|
Chapter 4 (10 pages, 2,715 words)
Things improve as Jean and Marguerite as they fall in love and start a life together.
|
|
|
Chapter 5 (20 pages, 5,432 words)
The Black Horseman holds Marguerite hostage until Jean does as he is told—and slays Dagda.
|
|
|
|
Truck Stop Chemistry (3 pages, 635 words)
Comedy by fan Wayne Moore (a.k.a. kf6eml). A former trucker reveals the trade secrets of Truck Stop Coffee.
|
|
|
UNCLE MERL'S BAR & GRILL
A novella by my longtime friend, Pete D'Alessio. The world according to dragons and baseball, from Rameses to the Dodgers and the Little Leagues to the ultimate World Series, where the winners take all—all the world, that is.
|
|
|
Book Cover
Cover art by Bob Petillo.
|
|
|
Chapter 1: A Little History & a Few Ground Rules (9 pages, 2,722 words)
A tale of 1960s Newark and little league baseball.
|
|
|
Chapter 2: The Curse of Ruth (22 pages, 5,955 words)
Enter the dragons...
|
|
|
Chapter 3: The Book of Max (10 pages, 2,763 words)
A Yiddish dragon revels the true history of baseball—and the world!
|
|
|
Chapter 4: The Gospel According to Campy (11 pages, 3,021 words)
Jesus of Nazareth - boy, what a catcher!
|
|
|
Chapter 5: One Wrong Move and We Kill Cleveland! (7 pages, 1,758 words)
Don't ever mess with a dragon's favorite baseball team. Just... don't.
|
|
|
Chapter 6: Just another Friday Night—In Newark! (9 pages, 2,423 words)
Forget the dragons - it's time for some vampire hunting.
|
|
|
Chapter 7: A Mystical Exploration of the Supernatural (or Cheap Gratuitous Sex, I’m not sure which!) (10 pages, 3,196 words)
Charley and Doc Boreese barely make to the safety of Uncle Merl's, and explain what the hell is chasing them.
|
|
|
Chapter 8: Hammer of the Witches, or the '69 Mets: Either way - YOU GOTTA BELIEVE! (10 pages, 2,564 words)
After narrowly escaping a vampiric Red Sox fan, Charley & Doc Boreese discover they're also playing cat-and-mouse with a genuine Satanic witch.
|
|
|
Chapter 9: One Celestial Rumba to Go, Please (a ring-a-ding-ding) (14 pages, 3,886 words)
Charley & Doc Boreese call the celestial tech support hotline.
|
|
|
Chapter 10: The Devil, You Say! (10 pages, 2,824 words)
As if dragons and vampires weren't bad enough, now Lucifer himself is stepping up to the plate!
|
|
|
Chapter 11: The Devil’s Due (So pitch him inside and don’t give
anything to hit!) (7 pages, 1,769 words)
The Devil tricks Doc Boreese into betting the fate of humanity on a baseball game.
|
|
|
Here Begineth THE BOOK OF GAMES!
Game One: The Next Big Thing! (29 pages, 9,170 words)
The first game of the End-of-the-World Series goes well for humanity - until Ty Cobb gets his dander up.
|
|
|
Game Two: A 'By-Line' in the Brooklyn Courier (5 pages, 1,320 words)
Game two of the End-of-the-World Series goes badly - for the team from Hell.
|
|
|
Game Three: Ruth Built It - He Can Knock It Down, Too (12 pages, 3,716 words)
Only Babe Ruth could hit a homer off a four-armed pitcher in game three of the End-of-the-World Series.
|
|
|
Game Four: The Return of the Georgia Peach (10 pages, 3,907 words)
Only Babe Ruth could hit a homer off a four-armed pitcher in game three of the End-of-the-World Series.
|
|
|
Game Five: There Was a War... (4 pages, 1,123 words)
Humanity loses the fifth game of the End-of-the-World Series when they have to pick players from the 1940s... but there was a war going on back then that sucked up the best players!
|
|
|
Game Six: A Good Call (5 pages, 1,429 words)
Humanity wins the sixth game of the End-of-the-World Series, tieing the score.
|
|
|
Game Seven: Well! I Got Good News and Bad News (33 pages, 9,332 words)
Humanity is running out of eligible players for the final game of the End-of-the-World Series - but Merl find a loophole and puts together an unlikely - but powerful - team.
|
|
|
The Final Conflict: A Snowball's Chance (16 pages, 4,344 words)
In the final pitch of the final inning of the final game of the End-of-the-World Series, humanity's future rests on the shoulders of... wait... who the hell is Eddie Gaedel?
|
|
|
|
VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS
Cyberpunk Romance written by my son-in-law, Marcus Johnston. A classic story of boy meets girl, boy gets girl, then girl drugs boy and steals his money. But boy is local crime boss who must avenge the insult by killing girl... and the chase is on. Ain't love grand?
|
|
|
Part 1 (20 pages, 5,092 words)
The thief Desiree sells her ill-gotten goods to an underground fence... who works for Fleiz Castanada, her victim.
|
|
|
Part 2 (20 pages, 4,893 words)
Feliz tracks down and confronts Desiree as he tighens the net around her... but she isn't about to give up and go quietly.
|
|
|
Part 3 (18 pages, 4,723 words)
Desiree desperately tries to leave town. Although Feliz blocks her at every turn, he can't quite seem to catch the slippery thief...
|
|
|
Part 4 (20 pages, 5,103 words)
Desiree turns to Feliz's criminal competitors to help her skip town - but there's no honor among thieves.
|
|
|
Part 5 (24 pages, 5,925 words)
In the conclusion, Desiree finds a way for Feliz to avenge his honor without having to kill her.
|
|
|
|
Your Magic Sword and You (6 pages, 1,518 words)
Ever wish the hero's magic sword came with an instruction manual, so they can unlock all its powers BEFORE the climatic battle where they nearly die? Well, my daughter Eleanore has obliged you with this funny little vignette.
|
|
|
|
Prayer for the Technocrats
by Marcus Johnston
Free Download!
.epub (for Apple & Nook)
.mobi (for Kindle)
.pdf (for PC & Mac)
|
Beneath the Holy City (19 pages, 6,127 words)
