End of the Line
Page 21
Lots of thanks to many of my best readers like Albert Bowles, Harry & Chris Miller, Celana van Herdeen, Gavin Thompson, Tommy Ginn, Rebecca Mowery, Kathy Estridge, and anyone else whom I might have forgotten. It’s pretty surreal to have “fans” and I’m more appreciative than any of them will ever know. Unless I win the lottery. Then I might have to have a pretty big party. A party where I annoy them to read one of my books.
I’ve got a whole “soundtrack” plotted out for EotL in my head. Though not to everyone’s tastes, it’s a lot of Killswitch Engage, DevilDriver, and Lamb of God. There’s a Daft Punk song in there somewhere too, along with some Mudvayne, and even the old BoC classic “Godzilla.” I love all flavors of music, but my “writing playlist” is very, very limited. If I had to pay royalties like a radio station, KsE and DD alone would be multi-billionaires.
And finally, thank you for reading this book. Even if you hated it. ESPECIALLY if you hated it. You’re a trooper and I owe you a proper book and a beer. If you liked the book… well… you probably live in Colorado / Washington / Oregon / Alaska / D.C.
Haha, I almost forgot. If you’ve ever read “The Forever War” by Joe Haldeman, well, we’re now BFF’s. If somehow you’ve never read it, please, do yourself a favor and grab it (ebook or paperback, up to you). It’s pretty much one of the sacred Science Fiction bibles we author types draw from.
“Hyperion” (an entire series!) by Dan Simmons is truly, truly epic, and is also a heavy influence. “Hyperion” was a huge influence for my book “Diabolus” (melding of man and machine with Catholic overtones) and many others.
Lastly, “Old Man’s War” by John Scalzi is a must-read. I don’t know of any science fiction readers who haven’t read it, but it’s still selling very well, so you might just thank me for turning you on to a new book/series.
So… many thanks to Haldeman, Simmons, Scalzi, and of course guys like Heinlein, Piers Anthony, James Axler (“Deathlands” series, many authors used the pen name), Clarke, and guys like Carl Sagan, Michio Kaku, and Neil deGrasse Tyson for making me and my brain crave science, especially astronomy (aka: space stuff).
SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION!
All books are available in ebook format from all major retailers. If a title is listed free here but is not free at your retailer of choice, please email me at author@angrygames.com. Tell me which format you need (or ereader device you’ll be using) and I’ll send it for free.
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(* paperback version available)
One Bad Job:
Career criminal Billy Jensen and his pals have plotted for more than a year to take down Gennady Konovalov's jewelry store. When the heist doesn't work out exactly as planned, the survivors go into hiding.
Not only are the Dolgoprudninskaya, the second largest Russian organized crime syndicate in the world, searching for Billy and his crew, but the Dolgo's biggest rivals, the Solntsevskaya, have joined forces with them in an attempt to recover the seven million dollars in stolen jewelry, cash, and bearer bonds.
After Alexi Nikolayev Petrovski, head of the Solntsevskaya in Houston, captures Billy's long-time girlfriend, the crew is left with no choice but to meet the Russian mobster on his turf. Billy learns that Petrovski isn't interested in recovering the stolen goods as much as he is in recruiting a new employee...
"One Bad Job" is the prequel to the free short story "One Last Job," available all major ebook retailers.
26,300 word / 70 page novella
Adult language / situations / violence
*Enforcer:
Eighteen-year-old Connor Dunsmore was about to begin his professional hockey career as the top NHL draft pick when an on-ice accident shattered his life's dream. Eight years and over five hundred stitches later, he's become a fan favorite as an enforcer for the Boise Bombers of the United Professional Hockey League.
Off the ice, Connor also moonlights as an enforcer for Costache Ojacarcu, the Bombers’ owner, and head of a discrete Romanian organized crime operation in the Treasure Valley. What started out as running simple errands for extra money to supplement his meager hockey salary has evolved into collection, intimidation, and retribution.
After becoming an unwilling accessory to murder, Connor's life begins to spiral out of control. When he rescues a prostitute from an abusive drug dealer, he begins to dig himself in even deeper, and soon realizes how entrenched he truly is.
Adult themes / violence / language
132,000 words / 412 pages
*Alive, or Just Breathing:
Devin Fischer lost both of his parents when he was nine.
His controversial mother was taken from him in a freak accident. His father made him an emotional orphan that same day. Devin’s goal is to leave small-town Southern Idaho and the legacy of his mother’s sensational death behind. The only obstacles in his path are the last two years of high school, and the many enemies he’s made with his quick fists and quicker temper.
Melinda Liddy dreams of the day she can escape from the nightmare her life has become.
Her life has become a bitter tug-of-war between the need to escape from her drunken, abusive father, and her inability to leave her mother behind to face the monster’s explosive, unpredictable violence alone. As Melinda struggles to hold on long enough for an academic path, instead of becoming a runaway like her older sister Theresa, she finds a kindred spirit in Devin.
Together, they attempt to navigate the minefield of broken families, high school society, and the chaotic, sometimes confusing emotions that come with falling in love for the first time.
84,600 words / 255 pages
Mature themes / language
*Chasing Time:
A snarky, cynical government operative is sent back in time to 5th century France, during the reign of Clovis and the Frankish Empire. His mission: to find and eliminate Dr. Barnard Jameson, a rogue scientist, before history can be significantly altered.
Finding Bertric, aka Dr. Jameson, was the easy part. Eliminating the smirking, pudgy little scientist proves to be a lot harder than he expected.
The smug doctor's plans of advancing human civilization by introducing 21st century concepts and technology more than a thousand years early sound like the ravings of a madman with a God complex... but with the possibility to avoid the Dark Ages and the stagnation of civilization for almost a millennium, is Jameson's scheme a chance worth taking?
Strong language
60,215 words / 300 pages
BONUS: One bonus short story & the first book of a new time travel novel titled "Search Terms: Alpha" included (ebook version only).
It’s Better This Way:
Twenty-three years ago, the 'bulls' appeared in orbit and destroyed Earth's infrastructure in less than ten seconds.
These days, the alien invaders aren't as much of a problem as the surviving humans are.
Evan Greggs learns that things aren't always as bad as they seem, but sometimes the choices to be made are as murky as they are difficult.
24,000 word / 70 page novella
Contains Adult Language
LGBT Friendly
Departure:
Today is my 40th birthday. It's also my last day on Earth.
I get to do anything I want today, within reason, as long as I make it to the portal before my time is up.
What I want is to spend the day with Cara and my two young children.
I don't know what awaits on the other side of the portal, I only know that certain death awaits me here if I refuse to go.
Some light adult content
14,600 word / 50 page short story/novella (Science Fiction / Romance)
*Diabolus:
Salvatore Antonelli, a disgraced ex-bishop, and Benito Castillo, a young tech-priest fresh out of Seminary, are tasked by the Vatican to confront DAMON-1, a nuclear capable AI that claims to be Satan incarnate, returned to the physical world to bring about Armageddon.
The two clergy must battle to restore DAMON and purge Satan from the enslaved AI's core. The bishop is forced to play a deadly game with billions of lives in the balance, while the young priest must confront Satan's digital persona within the network.
The eternal conflict between good and evil, fought in the space between time, brings humanity and their AI creations to the dawn of a new age, and to the brink of annihilation.
"The Exorcist" meets "Skynet" meets "The Matrix" in this thought-provoking new science fiction thriller by Travis Hill.
66,000 words / 203 pages
Teen+ appropriate
*Ability (Omnibus):
The end of the world began on YouTube...
Brian Carter wanted to create a superior recreational substance.
Garret Stewart wanted to create the next evolution in learning.
Derry Clarkson wanted her two best friends to see reason.
What happens when the perfect drug meets the perfect technology?
Ability is a serialized urban tech-fantasy set in the near future.
Contains: Adult Language / Situations / Drug use
60,000 words / 217 pages
Search Terms: Alpha:
College sophomore Tyler Gallagher loves computers, video games, and Thanksgiving Break. He's timed the arrival of his computer components with the holiday vacation from school to blast aliens and enemy soldiers alike on his brand new, high-end gaming machine.
When the parts arrive, it soon becomes apparent that they aren't what he ordered from TechTerritory. He plays along, thinking he's the butt of a practical joke, and builds the “quantum computer.” His annoyance turns to shock when the computer powers on.
Tyler's shock turns to a mix of disbelief and wonder when he learns the strange computer can pull web pages from the near future, which soon becomes fear and uncertainty when he discovers the future might not be so bright.
"Search Terms: Alpha" is the first book of a new time travel series.
52,000 word / 150 page novel
Adult themes / language
Eight Hour Fiction #1:
Two stories inspired by a J.A. Konrath challenge to write, edit, create a cover, and publish a short story in eight hours or less.
1. A Career Move - A crash-landed alien tries to find his career path but isn't having much luck...
3072 word short story (teen+ appropriate)
2. Capture At The Hive - The Evil Queen Mother has finally captured General Megatron, Defender of the Galaxy.
421 word flash fiction story (safe for children)
Eight Hour Fiction #2:
The Eight Hour Challenge, inspired by best-selling author J.A. Konrath, is back! If you enjoyed "Eight Hour Fiction #1,” and want more of the story, look no further that this new Kindle Unlimited exclusive:
"Friends With Benefits" (5,560 words, teen+) - Gxkxl the hapless alien is back, and this time he's found his niche as a mob enforcer for a local Russian crew. Between intimidation and polishing his comedy, Gxkxl makes a new friend to confide in.
"General Megatron #2" (1,394 words, safe for children) - General Megatron's escape from the Doom Lord's prison of tortures is compromised by the Evil Queen Mother, but the wily general is no stranger to hopeless situations.
Stay tuned for monthly installments of the ongoing adventures of Gxkxl and General Megatron!
Eight Hour Fiction #3:
The Eight Hour Challenge, inspired by best-selling author J.A. Konrath is back!
Eight Hour Fiction #3's September entry is a departure from the usual stories about Gxkxl the alien and General Megatron (don't worry, they'll be back soon!):
1. It Only Hurts In Your Heart - When animal liberation extremist release the wrong group of laboratory animals into the wild, chaos ensues. In this sad, bleak tale of Mike & Janelle Chambers, told through Mike's eyes, the world winds down with a whimper instead of a bang.
3,829 word apocalyptic short story
Teen+ (light explicit language)
2. Cat Dreams - Ever wonder what your cat dreams about? I think about it all the time, to the point I've invented a new device capable of allowing me to experience the dreams of The Dude, my five year old orange & white tabby. There just might be some other uses for it as well...
1,349 word flash fiction story
All ages
Eight Hour Fiction #4:
Inspired by a JA Konrath challenge to write, edit, create a cover, and publish a short story in eight hours or less, the "Eight Hour Fiction" challenge is back!
1. "Mergers & Acquisitions" (8,813 words, Teen+) - Gxkxl is back for a final chapter (for now). With his reproductive cycle coming to an end, Gxkxl, Desiree, and Rebecca are forced to plan for an uncertain future.
2. "General Megatron #3" (1,386 words, children's story) - Block Seven, the galaxy's worst prison, holds more than just the galaxy's most vaunted hero. The general's luck, while tenuous at best, might have finally run out...
Eight Hour Fiction #5:
Welcome to another "Eight Hour Fiction" edition, inspired by JA Konrath's original "Eight Hour Challenge." Volume #5 is another slight departure from the usual round of short stories. This month's entry contains two novellas to satisfy your reading pleasure. Each story began as shorts for the EHF Challenge, and both have morphed into full-length novels (available soon).
1. Transfer - Stephen Brewer is never sure when he wakes up if he's been asleep, or if he has died and has been transferred to a new clone body. As a member of the National Defense Directorate, he and his fellow Transfer Agents are the perfect undercover operatives.
22,000 words / 75 pages
Language / Violence / Mature Themes
2. Henchman - Henchmen are the faceless (and mostly hapless) backbones of the "Super" industry, the glue that is sometimes all that holds a supervillain's plans together. "Henchman" is an ongoing collection of stories from Mike Williams, a seventeen-year veteran, as he gives us a peek into the lives of the men and women who make up the Corporate Adjunct Specialists Union.
24,000 words / 85 pages
Language / Mature Themes / Silly Adult Humor / Zero Educational Value / Supervillain Approved
A Christmas Tale:
He knows if you've been bad or good...
The three Devlin boys are in trouble, and this year they might make it onto Santa's 'naughty' list.
6,535 word short horror story (do NOT read this to your children unless you are really cruel or really weird)
Return to Innocence:
An unexpected visit from Elian's closest companion reveals a frightening tale that is impossible to believe. Except Davis is becoming mortal again, and the The Ellensburg Group, the ancient enemy of night walkers, is behind the "infection" that goes far beyond any threat immortals have faced before. When Davis comes up missing, Elian travels to the Ellensburg's compound near Missoula, Montana to exact revenge.
The Ellensburgs have laid numerous traps, but Zedira, Elian's maker and an original Priestess of Alem, along with a small group of other immortals in the area, arrive to lend a hand, hoping to destroy their ancient enemy once and for all.
Zedira's revelation of true supernatural power evens the odds, but The Ellensburg Group has always played the long game.
31,307 word novella
Hallowed Ends:
Hallows' End is our three-day celebration at the end of the harvest season, where we eat, drink, and give praise for all that we have. It is also when my father, Tarver Irondale, Master Blacksmith of Uric, performs his annual Hallowed Forging. It is a ritual carried out since The Fall over a thousand years ago, when the dark sorcerers ruled the continent.
Most Hallowed Forgings are mundane affairs, though the weapon my father creates on these special nights are anything but ordinary. A "Hallowed Weapon" has not been forged in more than three centuries, but each year, he performs the ritual and ends up with what he calls a "Harvest" weapon. Harvest weapons are priceless works of art, yet they are unbreakable, never ne
ed sharpening, and will never rust or corrode. No one remembers what a true Hallowed weapon is, though everyone remembers the upheaval that such a forging precedes.
I, and the rest of the crowd gathered in Torren's central square, believed tonight would be no different. How wrong we were...
"Hallowed Ends" is the introduction story of a new epic fantasy series by Travis Hill.
Kindle Unlimited Exclusive Title
Young Adult+ / 18,900 words / 60 pages