Never Again
Page 24
It is time.
I must go soon before I cannot.
I must go early, for I will be slow now that my heart is unsteady, and it may take me a long while to find a place where I can sink in.
I will pull on my knee braces, and carry my staff. Perhaps a van full of small boys will spill out around me as I begin and a young man will walk a short way beside me, asking me how far I’m going.
I don’t know how far I can go. I will go as far as I can. Somewhere on the mountain I will find him—tall, black-robed, and hooded, and he will open his cloak and fold me in.
Tomorrow I will go.
-The End-
About Heather Starsong
Heather Starsong grew up in New England and graduated summa cum laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature. She has been a dancer since childhood, especially fascinated with the connections between healing, art and spirit. She has explored and taught many forms: creative dance, liturgical dance, dance therapy, yoga, ceremonial dance, Rolfing® and Rolf Movement,® Continuum, and most recently Argentine tango.
Although her career has been focused on body language, she has loved and told stories all her life. In 2007 she began to write her stories. Her first novel, Leaves in Her Hair, was published in 2009. Heather is currently working on her next novel, The Purest Gold.
She is presently semi-retired from a long career of teaching dance and yoga and practicing Rolfing. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, and enjoys writing, dancing, hiking in the high country, and spending time with her grandchildren. Find out more about Heather Starstong on her website, Facebook page, LinkedIn page, or on Twitter.
www.HeatherStarsong.com
About Barking Rain Press
Did you know that five media conglomerates publish eighty percent of the books in the United States? As the publishing industry continues to contract, opportunities for emerging and mid-career authors are drying up. Who will write the literature of the twenty-first century if just a handful of profit-focused corporations are left to decide who—and what—is worthy of publication?
Barking Rain Press is dedicated to the creation and promotion of thoughtful and imaginative contemporary literature, which we believe is essential to a vital and diverse culture. As a nonprofit organization, Barking Rain Press is an independent publisher that seeks to cultivate relationships with new and mid-career writers over time, to be thorough in the editorial process, and to make the publishing process an experience that will add to an author’s development—and ultimately enhance our literary heritage.
In selecting new titles for publication, Barking Rain Press considers authors at all points in their careers. Our goal is to support the development of emerging and mid-career authors—not just single books—as we know from experience that a writer’s audience is cultivated over the course of several books.
Support for these efforts comes primarily from the sale of our publications; we also hope to attract grant funding and private donations. Whether you are a reader or a writer, we invite you to take a stand for independent publishing and become more involved with Barking Rain Press. With your support, we can make sure that talented writers thrive, and that their books reach the hands of spirited, curious readers. Find out more at our website.
www.barkingrainpress.org
Other Titles Available from Barking Rain Press
Preview the first four chapters
of all our books for free at
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The Chronocar
by Steve Bellinger
Print ISBN: 978-1-941295-18-2
eBook ISBN: 978-1-941295-19-9
Simmie Johnson was born the son of a slave. He was also a genius. After earning a PhD in physics from Tuskegee Institute, he wrote a paper outlining a theory for time travel, including plans for a time machine—called a chronocar—which was published in a scientific journal in the early 1900s . Since the technology required to build the chronocar did not yet exist, the paper and its brilliant writer faded into obscurity.
A century later, a young Illinois Tech student, Tony Carpenter, discovers the journal article and decides to build a chronocar so he can travel back to 1919 to meet the black scientist he hopes to emulate.
Unfortunately, time is not on his side.
Dr. Johnson is living in Chicago’s Black Belt with his beautiful daughter—and Tony arrives just in time for the bloodiest race riot in the city’s history. Can Tony use the chronocar to save his new friends, or will his attempt forever alter the future he hopes to return to?
"Gritty, hilarious, and tragic by turns, Steve Bellinger has written a time-bending tale of scientific discovery, love, racism, and spilled ginger ale. From the moment Tony Carpenter crash-lands his flawed time machine into Dr. Simmie Johnson’s 1921 parlor, things get too real, too fast. Bellinger skillfully intertwines the earnest, wacky optimism of youth with historical culture-shocks to create a gripping, timeless story." — Greg Comer, author, Winner Take None
"Bellinger eloquently unspools the story of Tony, Ollie and Dr. Simmie Johnson in their pursuit of scientific achievement, self-discovery, love, and friendship across time. The author expertly navigates two eras separated by a hundred years and an even larger cultural divide, where rigid racial mores help foster a host of unintended consequences." — Jennifer Leeper, author, Padre: The Narrowing Path
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Of Machines & Magics
by Adele Abbot
Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-30-5
eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-31-2
Billions of years ago, humans abandoned their cradle and are now scattered across the galaxies. But the legends speak of a time when the sun threatened to burn away the inner worlds of the solar system when it became a red giant, and a remnant of mankind returned to Earth from the farthest stars to install a machine to move humanity’s cradle out of danger.
Since then, the remnant communities built settlements in the cracked and broken slopes of the old continental plates, exposed to the elements when the Earth was moved. Now nestled in the outer reaches of the solar system, Earth faces a new challenge—the sun has begun to collapse into a white dwarf. As the sun grows smaller and the world gets colder, the quest for the mythical machine that can move the planet closer to the fading sun becomes a race to save the planet from final extinction.
“An engrossing Steampunk quest to save our dying future planet. Fresh off selection as a finalist in the ‘Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now’ contest, Adele Abbot is a writer to watch!” — David B. Coles, Author, The Tourist and The Last Free Men
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The Celibate Succubus
by Barton Paul Levenson
Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-58-9
eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-59-6
“Team Packer” is a covert Catholic strike team against supernatural evil with a secret weapon in its arsenal: 16-year-old Delilah Vincentio—the world’s only Christian succubus. Trained by demons to despise humanity and lead them into sin, her unprecedented capacity for mercy caused her to renounce her place in Hell—and gain an angelic referral to Team Packer.
Delilah is assigned to infiltrate the Order of the Lightbringer, a Satanic cult that plans to make Pittsburgh a test site for the Apocalypse. After Delilah’s identity is almost discovered, Team Packer sends her to high school to hide out until things cool down.
But while Delilah may be reformed from her beguiling ways, she’s still very much a demon—and she hasn’t learned how to play well with others. In fact, trying to fit in and keep a low profile at high school may prove to be a tougher battle than bringing down the Order of the Lightbringer.
“The demons in Hell are secretly defecting and pushing their infernal realm to
wards Heaven in a handcart! This story kept me riveted from start to finish—and even a little tearful here and there. A ride and a half!” —Adele Abbot, author, Postponing Armageddon and Of Machines & Magics
“5 out of 5 Pitchforks! One of the top ten stories about Succubi that I have encountered this year. The writing is wonderful, being the right tone for the moment when it arrives, and setting an image in the words that is very vivid and clear. Strong characters, settings, and plots that weave neatly through the work as a whole. In short, well and truly recommended reading. —Tera, Queen of the Succubi, A Succubi’s Tale blog
“A unique twist on the challenges of being an immortal teenager. Delilah is a demon who renounces her evil ways to join the battle against her own kind. Barton Paul Levenson skillfully moves between theological musings to fun and inventive situations in a blink of an eye to create a delightful, easy read.” —Catherine Russell, author, The Stage and Exit Stage Left
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Curiously Twisted Tales
by P.S. Gifford
Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-49-7
eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-50-3
Curiously Twisted Tales is a masterful collection of short stories from the devious imagination of horror writer P.S. Gifford. If you are not familiar with Gifford’s previously published works, this book will serve as a deliciously wicked sampler of some of his most fiendish tales—both old and new.
From cutthroat garden competitions to honeymoons from hell to wanna-be writers who are willing to do almost anything to get published, each story delves into the dark side of humanity with wit, charm, and a delectable dose of depravity. Creepy stories, twisted endings, unearthly beasties lurking in the corners—these nerve-rattling narratives will keep you turning pages as you turn on more lights!
“The stories of P.S. Gifford are smart, inventive, and scary as hell. This is horror writing at its very best.” —Jonathan Maberry, NY Times Bestselling Author, Rot & Ruin and The King of Plagues
“P.S. Gifford is a writer of great wit and talent. He remembers that most treasured of all storytelling purposes: entertainment! Keep an eye on this writer, because he’s going places and he’s delivering a lot of joy along the way.” —Scott Nicholson, Author, Red Church & Ashes
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The Last Stand of Daronwy
by Clint Talbert
Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-56-5
eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-57-2
Twin Hills is a dying forest in an abandoned Texas oil field, now skirted by a residential neighborhood. Its protector is an ancient oak tree called Daronwy, who has turned the forest’s pain into a dark magic that it hopes can keep the remaining trees safe from further harm.
The spell was working, too—until a young boy from the nearby neighborhood, Jeremy Trahan, is drawn to the woods in search of the magic he senses instinctively. By finding the magic, Jeremy hopes it will help him escape the boredom and bullies that plague his life—just like in all the books he’s read.
But as he gets closer to discovering the gateway to the other world that the spell hides, land developers descend on the fragile forest with bulldozers and chainsaws. Will Jeremy seize the chance to leave his mundane world behind, or will he stand and fight for his haven?
“For a debut novel, The Last Stand Of Daronwy by Clint Talbert must be considered an impressive success. A deftly woven, complex, original fantasy story that engages the reader’s total attention from beginning to end, The Last Stand Of Daronwy is highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library YA fiction collections.” — Jack Mason, The Midwest Book Review
“There have been hundreds of stories that glibly tell of young people plunged into fantastic settings, but very few of them make you really FEEL what it’s like to struggle in two worlds, to bring the experience so vividly to life that the tale swallows you. Clint Talbert manages just that in this beautifully written gem of a tale. Get this book!” — Ed Greenwood, author & creator, the Forgotten Realms series
“Clint Talbert has crafted an intelligent fable about friendship, courage, and standing up for one’s beliefs. Jeremy’s quest to save the last remnants of a once proud forest pits the dogged idealism of youth against an adult world that has given up all hope for a happy ending.” — Sean Mulcahy, author, Slip Sliding Away
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Postponing Armageddon
by Adele Abbot
Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-80-0
eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-81-7
When history goes off course, can it be nudged back? The second coming of Jesus Christ was supposed to take place in the thousandth year of His era, but it did not happen as scheduled.
For in the year 1016, the long-lived thirteenth apostle (who was chosen to replace Judas), sets off on a perilous journey across Europe with a priceless and powerful treasure—twelve parchment scrolls inscribed by the twelve apostles. Matthias knows that if the scrolls can be read at the proper time at Glastonbury Tor in England, their powers will be initiated. History would be rewritten and the world would be restored to the glorious state originally envisioned by his Lord and God.
But Matthias is not the only one who knows what the power of the scrolls can do—nor is he the only ancient being with an agenda. For these primordial clans know that if the scrolls are ever put to use, they and their families will disappear, as if they had never existed…
What is the price they — and the rest of humanity — will pay for postponing Armageddon?
Postponing Armageddon was a finalist in the 2011 Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now contest for aspiring debut novelists, sponsored by Sir Terry Pratchett and Transworld Publishers.
Postponing Armageddon was a finalist in the 2011 Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now contest for aspiring debut novelists, sponsored by Sir Terry Pratchett and Transworld Publishers.
“A most unusual and intriguing story which engages the reader like the very best fast-paced murder mysteries, with a new twist that slightly alters biblical and natural history in order to make a good fantasy. First rate entertainment!” —Carol Marrs Phipps, Carol & Tom Phipps Fantasy Blog and on Goodreads
“Set against a rich, seamless backdrop of history, fantasy, and hidden agendas, Adele Abbot takes you on a fantastic journey in this well-crafted, relentless page-turner that will leave you questioning the nature of fate and faith. Well done!” —Clint Talbert, author, The Last Stand of Daronwy
“A taut tale woven from rumors of Christ’s Apostles, lost biblical manuscripts, ancient beings and plenty of action as the journey unfolds. Abbot uses a crisp writing style replete with compact scenes, well-defined characters, and a compelling plot that elicits curiosity about her alternate history. It kept me reading, that’s for sure!” —Phillip Tomasso, author, Sounds of Silence
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Revenge
by Gabrielle Faust & Solomon Schneider
Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-39-8
eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-40-4
When Marcus Glenfield committed suicide, he took his place among the Legions of Hell as the Demon of Regret. When he learns that the Prince of Wickedness, Belial, is planning to take his former fiancé, Brenda, as his consort, Marcus’s newfound belief in a second chance is quickly shattered in a fit of all too human rage.
Incensed by the new demon’s disrespectful hostility, Belial plunges Marcus into the deepest pits of Hell. But Lucifer has other plans for Marcus. For in the tormented lands of Purgatory, a strange and powerful uprising has gathered to form a new plane of existence—one that would break the ancient caste system of Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo and Earth, thw
arting both God and Satan’s permanency within the universe. Not only have these brash metaphysical pirates kidnapped the powerful child born of Brenda and Belial’s union, they have also guided Marcus out of the prisons of Hell to their new realm.
When they promise Marcus freedom in return for his help, he realizes that he will have to choose a side. But can he find one that he can truly believe in?
“This clever and ambitious novel follows Marcus Glenfield who, after committing suicide, takes a grunt’s position in Hell, harvesting souls for Lucifer as the Demon of Regret. Driven by an intricate and political plot line involving Marcus, his ex-girlfriend and a demonic love triangle, this novel is not a terrifying read but an inebriating, descriptive journey into the nether regions of dark fantasy. Addictive as, er, hell.” —Rue Morgue Magazine
“The perfect mixture of horror and lyricism that Faust & Schneider bring to the table can not be found anywhere else in modern literature. Revenge is a spellbinding read that will ensnare you with its spiraling cyclones of horror and beauty and keep you turning the pages.” —The Austin Post