Tuesday, December 11, 2007
M.H. Bonham News

M.H. Bonham is a Tales of the Talisman contributor and a wonderful fantasy author. She has shared some news with me that she would like to pass along.

First, her newest book, Lachlei, has an awesome cover and is available for preorder through Amazon.com. This is the cover: http://shadowhelm.livejournal.com/407622.html?style=mine which also gets you to her blog. Second, Lachlei is on sale through the publisher at 30% off. You can preorder the book through http://www.edgewebsite.com/promotions.html and buy it right there for $13.96, which saves you over $6 on the book. If you’re not one to buy it from the publisher directly, Amazon.com has a slightly cheaper deal at $13.57, but it requires you to purchase $25 to take advantage of their super saver discounts. You can buy the book off Amazon or Maggie’s website at http://www.shadowhelm.net/book.html. Lachlei’s release is in March, but the sale won’t last, so be sure to pick up your copy and lock in the price.

What’s more, Yard Dog Press is having a holiday sale. Their website is www.yarddogpress.com. From now till the end of December buy any book from YDP and get free postage. That means you go to the site, see the Yard price, and that's what you pay - no postage expense. Of course this means you can't use the shopping carts, but it's as simple as mailing your check, money order, or credit card information with your order to Yard Dog Press, 710 W. Redbud Lane, Alma, AR 72921-7247. Her two books, Prophecy of Swords, http://www.yarddogpress.com/prophecy.htm and Runestone of Teiwas, http://www.yarddogpress.com/runeston.htm are available $2 less than cover and with free shipping. You can also buy the books through Amazon off Maggie’s website as mentioned above.

These books are awesome for anyone who loves fantasy. She also has some short stories in the following anthologies by Yard Dog Press including the Four Bubbas of the Apocalypse, Houston, We’ve got Bubbas, and Flush Fiction. She also has a short story in the book, A Time To... and two Amazon shorts which are all available on her website through Amazon.com, http://www.shadowhelm.net/book.html

Maggie has stories in volume 2, issues 2 and 4 of Tales of the Talisman, which are available at: http://www.talesofthetalisman.com/bookstore-v2.html

Posted by David Summers 2007-12-11 20:23:08

Friday, November 30, 2007
Darrell Bain Guest Post

Today, we have a guest post from Darrell Bain, author of more than three-dozen books in many genres, running the gamut from horror to mystery and science fiction to non-fiction. For the last several years he has concentrated on science fiction and suspense thrillers, with an occaisional foray into humor and short stories. He would like to tell you about his newest novel, Savage Survival, which is published by Twilight Times Books: www.twilighttimesbooks.com

Tales of the Talisman reviewer, Shawn Oetzel, praised the novel in the December 2007 issue, saying that Savage Survival "is definitely what is right about the science fiction genre."

You may learn more about Darrell and the novel at his website: www.darrellbain.com

And now, here is Darrell to tell you more about his exciting novel:

Savage Survival is not just another testosterone driven science fiction novel. At the basic level, it explores the personalities and attitudes of men, women, and children when stripped of the comforting insulation of organized society. Invulnerable aliens have captured millions of humans and are subjecting them to the most brutal and horrible environments ever encountered, in essence a survival test of a magnitude heretofore undreamed of.

Lyda Brightner is an eleven-year-old girl when she is suddenly and without warning separated from her parents and thrown into the midst of undisciplined humans in a harsh desert environment. Food and water and clothing are fought over. Those who control it can do as they wish -- and their wishes are terrible.

Lyda is weaponless and alone, like almost everyone. Raped at eleven. Forced to kill. Grieving for her parents. All that stands between Lyda and death is her own innate bravery, her quick mind, her unwavering integrity and ultimately, her belief that someday she will find someone to love.

Lyda's strength of character and fighting spirit make her a leader, even at a very young age. Over the next six years she must constantly fight the ever changing and ever more dangerous environments the aliens subject them to. But she must fight other humans as well, those who have survived by brute strength and ruthless plundering of the weak.

But even if she lives through all this, Lyda must still face the final question: What do the aliens have in mind for the few hundred remaining humans, those few left of all the millions who died?

Savage Survival is a coming of age novel like no other and Lyda Brightner is a character you'll never forget.

Posted by David Summers 2007-11-30 11:31:15

Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Old Star Saga at Fictionwise

The first two books of my "Old Star"science fiction trilogy are now available as ebooks at Fictionwise. You can find The Pirates of Sufiro at: http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook51981.htm

Children of the Old Stars is at: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook52408.htm

The third book of the trilogy, Heirs of the New Earth, will be appearing soon.

Don't forget, you can also listen to the first two books of the trilogy at Podiobooks.com. The Pirates of Sufiro is at: http://www.podiobooks.com/title/the-pirates-of-sufiro

And Children of the Old Stars is at: http://www.podiobooks.com/title/children-old-stars

Dave

Posted by David Summers 2007-11-06 10:46:54

Friday, October 12, 2007
Children of the Old Stars

The first nine chapters of the audio edition of Children of the Old Stars are now live at: http://www.podiobooks.com/title/children-old-stars

Though it stands alone, Children of the Old Stars is the sequel to my first novel, The Pirates of Sufiro (which is also available at Podiobooks.com). Print editions of both books are also available at Amazon.com and GenreMall.com

In Children of the Old Stars, the Cluster is a vast alien machine that destroys starships indiscriminately in its quest for something or someone. Commander John Mark Ellis, disgraced and booted out of the service when he fails to save a merchant ship, believes the key to stopping the Cluster is communication. His mother, Suki Firebrandt Ellis, is a historian who believes the very leaders of the galaxy are withholding information about the Cluster. Clyde McClintlock believes the Cluster is God incarnate, seeking retribution. G'Liat is an alien warrior whose own starship was destroyed by the Cluster. All together, they set out to solve the mystery of the Cluster before it can find the object of its quest.

The audio edition is read by Ti Alva and myself and features music by Steve Starcher. The book is free -- though donations are always appreciated...they help keep Podiobooks.com running and help pay for my kids' education! -- so hope you drop by and give the book a listen. The remaining chapters will be posted approximately weekly until the book is complete.

Dave

Posted by David Summers 2007-10-12 12:10:12

Monday, October 8, 2007
Halloween Poetry Reading

Once again, it's time for the Science Fiction Poetry Association to host their annual on-line Halloween Poetry reading. This is a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit by listening to some Halloween-themed poems by folks like David C. Kopaska-Merkel, Karen A. Romanko, Elizabeth Bennefeld and Sue Burke. You can download and listen to the poems at: http://www.sfpoetry.com/halloween.html

My short poem, "Vampire Prostitute" that was inspired by a visit to the doctor's for some lab work is also available there. (It was a pretty scary trip, I tell you.)

More poems will be added through the month. Hope you'll drop by and give them a listen!

Dave

Posted by David Summers 2007-10-08 18:07:51