A Planet with No Name

by Alan Black

  She looked at the people of Peaceful Junction flowing around her, moving from business to business. No one failed to meet her eye, although a few still refused to return her smile. Those few granted her a small non-committal head nod in recognition. She did not need more than that.

  She spotted Dee Halberd slumped in a small alleyway between two buildings. She carefully cradled a half-empty bottle in her arms. The woman looked old, dirty, and broken as she sat in the dust, mumbling to herself.

  Veronica wanted to feel sorry for the woman, but she could not. The tragic events visited upon the Halberds had been their own doing. Even now, the woman was selling off everything she owned, for her next bottle.

  Maybe someone could help Dee, or help her move on to another town. Veronica was certain the woman was not her responsibility. At one time, the drunken woman was her mother-in-law, but that relationship was as false as the marriage. She wanted nothing the woman had—not her troubles or her useless land.

  Veronica pushed hard to change Peaceful Junction into the type of town people could bring their children to, but that did not mean she wanted to control the town. In fact, she heard through the rumor mill that the brothel had re-opened under new management. It was none of her business as long as they did not employ children or force anyone into the trade.

  Veronica never planned to be the queen bee. That was not her style. She dreamed of spending her days teaching curious minds and farming her own land on the weekend.

  She smiled, realizing she had reached that goal.

  The End

  About the Author

  www.alanblackauthor.com

  Alan Black has been writing novels since 1996 when he started Eye on the Prize. He is an Amazon #1 bestselling science fiction author for Metal Boxes, Larry Goes To Space, and Metal Boxes Rusty Hinges. His novel Metal Boxes - Trapped Outside was awarded “Book of the Conference” at the Cirque du Livre Writer’s conference in Mesa, Arizona in 2016 where the judges specifically noted the novel did not read like a sequel even though it was the second book in a series. He’s a multi-genre writer who has never met a good story he didn't want to tell.

  Alan spent much of his adult life in the Kansas City area. The exception came at the orders from the U.S. Air Force when he was stationed in Texas, California, Maryland, and Japan. He and his wife were married in the late 70s and lived in Independence, Missouri, but now live in sunny Arizona.

  Vision Statement: "I want my readers amazed they missed sleep because they could not put down one of my books. I want my readers amazed I made them laugh on one page and cry on the next. I want to give my readers a pleasurable respite from the cares of the world for a few hours. I want to offer stories I would want to read."

  Praise for Alan Black’s Books

  Metal Boxes

  WOW!

  What a great rip-roaring adventure, I loved it from page one to the end. A grand space opera with a very likeable main character of Midshipman Stone.

  I am reminded of Heinlein's writing with the humor, drama and palpable love the characters show for each other, I felt like I was reading a Lazarus Long story. Which is very high praise! This is the first novel I've read by author Alan Black, but it won't be my last. I don't give very many five-star ratings but this one is well deserved, I'm sure it will come to be considered a classic of the sci-fi genre, it's that good.

  Amazon review by last spartan on April 28, 2015

  Metal Boxes - Trapped Outside

  Page Turner...who needs sleep?

  Shades of Heinlein and Ringo. I am hooked and can only pray that Alan Black continues to bless us with his yarns. So fresh in theme and direction reading his stories reminds me of so many firsts as a teenager. I've read each of his Boxes stories twice to glean any facet I may have missed the first time. Sad to have come to an end...now I wait for sequels.

  Amazon review by Reg Tysonon on September 12, 2015

  Metal Boxes - Rusty Hinges

  Very good sequel in the Metal Boxes series

  Funny, thought provoking and action packed. Stone seems to grow up and take responsibility for his life instead of letting life be responsible for him. His relationship with Allie progress well and hopefully will become more permanent. I found it quite humorous when the author references the prior books and how he has one of the characters ask Stone to autograph his copy. There continues to be a mention of the 'Emperor's College' which make me wonder is Stone is a candidate. The ending of the book seems to move the Dracos out of further equals but i don't know for sure.

  Loved it, want more.

  Amazon review by James R. Norton Sr on April 30, 2016

  Metal Boxes – At The Edge

  Stone takes command of a family freighter, determined to do the job that is expected of him. What he discovers is not the rusty metal box he expected, but a vessel filled with old comrades, military warriors and a state of the art machine on a deadly secret mission that could be entrusted only to him. It’s do or die time and with his friends and drascos by his side, Stone will face the deadliest foes ever to darken the skies of outer space as he attempts to stop their evil spread of death and destruction.

  Alan Black has raised young Blackmon Stone before our very eyes and this time out in Metal Boxes – At the Edge, we will further witness the fine man he has become! Still filled with humorous moments, thoughtful moments and moments of intense action and tension, Mr. Black is at the helm of another fabulous science fiction tale filled with the magnetic charm of his characters and the settings he places them in! Brilliant dialogue, clever characters of every ilk, watch the love between species at work, the hatred of warring factions and the undeniable honor that fills the soul of Stone! Speaking of Stone, has he changed even more than we realize? Leave it to Alan Black to create a tale that begs to be read, remembered and enjoyed until that very last word! If you haven’t read the Metal Boxes series, you have no idea what real science fiction adventure can be!

  Goodreads review by Dianne on October 03, 2016

  Chewing Rocks

  Chastity Snowden Whyte only has a small chip on her shoulder. No problem. She’s an asteroid miner and works alone. But author Alan Black knows that comfortable characters don’t make for good reading. From page one, he piles problem after problem on Sno, keeping the reader turning pages to find out what happens next. Chewing Rocks is engaging science fiction and a fun read.

  Goodreads review by Paul Bussard on July 06, 2014

  Empty Space

  Funny, disturbing, and poignant.

  Funny, disturbing, and poignant...not how I would usually describe a SF space novel. This book, while well written SF has a lot to say about social class, society, humanity, and the human condition. Our protagonist is almost an anti-hero as he's someone you root for throughout the novel, even though he's a serial killer at heart.

  This is a great book, and I didn't want to put it down but it has thought provoking components throughout the novel and intertwined with action, adventure, and technology.

  Amazon review by Fred on March 20, 2015

  Larry Goes To Space

  Easy read with some surprising depth

  This is a fun book full of wry humor. It's an easy read with what seems to be a fairly straight-forward plot. But, there is an underlying genius in the narrative. I think a lot of different types of readers can get something out of this. Definitely recommended.

  Amazon review by Greg Trickey on January 23, 2016

  Steel Walls and Dirt Drops

  Military sci-fi ground pounder action in space–so cool!

  A long time reader of military science fiction, I found this book to stand with the best like David Drake’s Hammer’s Slammers and Redline and anything by Dietmar Wehr. I hate spoilers in reviews so am in a turmoil because I very much want to shout out the so cool surprise ending – but I won’t.

  I thoroughly enjoyed how the author builds the story putting the hero in situation after situation that challenges her abilities causing her to grow and dev
elop. Even more, she is a commander we can all like. She is smart, savvy, honest with herself, deals well with her people, has self-doubt where it makes sense to, and not automatically so beautiful she would be completely unbelievable. I even like her better than David Webber's Honor Harrington because she feels more real.

  The author does not take the easy, predictable route to the good guys always doing the exact right thing. There are plenty of good guys doing the wrong things–sometimes for the right reasons, but still wrong. There are other good guys mostly doing the right things, but then have lapses of judgment. Sound like what a real commander might face in a tight situation? It all rang true to me. So not only are there good human insights (in outer space–people are still people after all) there is also a lot of quick well-paced exciting action with a great military elite.

  The science is believable and just the right amount to support the deep space situation and keep the story moving without being overwhelming. There a few twists I absolutely didn’t see coming–I love that in a book.

  Amazon Review by Sandy on September 28, 2014

  Titanium Texicans

  Alan Black's work will suck you in!

  I am not good at reviews, but this is the third work of Mr. Black's that I have read in three weeks because his writing captures my imagination. I like good space operas because they last longer, but Black's stand alone works are great because they leave me satisfied at the end and not disappointed that there isn't more to come.

  Titanium Texicans is a page turner full of authentic dialogue with concepts greater than the satisfying amount of sci-fi technology woven into a well-written coming of age story. Take the time to read it, I certainly wasn't sorry that I did.

  Goodreads review by Michael A. Cox on June 13, 2015

  Quest for the White Wind

  A fantastic journey

  Wow! Just wow! What a tale. Black jumps right into this story, pulling readers along for the ride of a lifetime. The concepts and beings that Black creates are both wildly creative and exquisitely well developed. His fantastic descriptions draw your imagination deep into the fast paced plot twists that kept me on my toes.

  The cast of characters in this novel is priceless. There wasn`t a single one that didn`t have me giggling at one point or another. They were all so well developed and the personalities so varied that I found I liked them all for such different reasons. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite as this band of travelers all drew me in and told their own stories. It was a fantastic feeling.

  This may have been my first novel by this spectacular author but it definitely will not be my last. His creative and innovative storyline had me captivated while the seamless world that he created took me out of this world for a little while.

  Amazon review by Jonel on August 30, 2016

  The Friendship Stones

  Alan Black hits a home run with his book, The Friendship Stones. Its poignant story set in the Ozark Mountains in the early 20th century, brings to mind the life and stories my father lived while growing up in the southern North Carolina mountains. It is a life that today most of us do not know as we are accustomed to many luxuries and technology. Mr. Black brings an appreciation of what it means to cherish every little thing in life while appreciating the beauty of the world about us. It is set in a time of simplicity and hard work, and its main character, LillieBeth, accepts this with humility and determination to follow the lessons she has learned in life, both at church and from her family. Even in this simpler time, the world is flawed and the antagonists come in different characters. The suspense and tension they bring keeps the reader on edge and turning pages.

  I highly recommend this excellent book and suggest all readers should continue reading the books of The Ozark Mountain Series.

  Goodreads review by Nancy Livingstone on Jan 26, 2015

  The Granite Heart

  Heartwarming Historical Fiction

  Alan Black takes us back to the 1920’s, to the Ozark Mountains, and back into the world of twelve year old LillieBeth Hazkit, who tries to live by the teachings of God, but finds life can sometimes be confusing, brutal and too unforgiving to always accept that God has a plan for all contingencies. Her strange hermit-like friend has been killed, her teacher has lost her job through no fault of her own and the impoverished mountain town becomes a colder and less friendly place for someone with a heart as big as LillieBeth’s. The archaic and small-minded double standards set her teeth on edge and she is determined to stand strong and be heard, no matter what. The men who murdered her friend and raped her teacher have been captured, but enroute to the county seat they escape and kill one man while injuring her father. To LillieBeth, justice must be done, plain and simple and she and her former teacher, Susanne Harbowe set out on an impossible mission to hunt down and capture these monsters.

  Told from Susanne’s point of view, LillieBeth’s story takes on a new depth as she makes her mark on the hearts and minds of those who know her. Alan Black has created a warm and inviting tale that places the reader back in time, to a place so remote, it’s almost as if the rest of the world does not exist. Simple joys, complicated pain and a loss of childhood innocence shake LillieBeth’s world and harden her heart, while forcing her into the world of adults.

  Alan Black creates a world filled with history, rich in detail and well-developed characters that worm their way into your heart and mind. That I could feel LillieBeth’s feelings and see what she saw is the mark of an amazing author who deserves to be read.

  Amazon review by Dii (TOP 500 REVIEWER) on August 22, 2014

  The Heaviest Rock

  Strength of character and an easy manner to it that catches you and keeps you...

  This series is one of the most enjoyable ones I have read. It has heart, action, humor, strength of character and a easy manner to it that catches you and keeps you right there through till the end. Can't wait for the next one 'wiggles on' for those of you who don't know what this means I guess you will just have to get the book and find out for yourself, big hint it is so worth it !!!

  Amazon review by Tammie on March 2, 2015

  The Inconvenient Pebble

  Always great

  The author has developed a great character who we as readers want to follow. I'm not into the religious part but it really makes the main character who she is and what she does. I hope the author has a lot more of this story for us to read.

  Amazon review by Dave R. on July 4, 2015

  The Jasper’s Courage

  Anger, Retribution, and Fulfillment

  Once again, five times in a row in this series, Alan Black has roped me into a story that has filled my belly with anger, flooded my mind with a desire for retribution, and then filled my heart to overflowing. Unlike many series that seem to fall away from their origins, this book delivers on the promises of the first four books. It makes me want to be more courageous.

  LillieBeth Hazkit is caught up in more problems than a seventeen-year-old girl should ever have to deal with, but that is like life. Our problems do not come at us one at a time. LillieBeth has the courage and fortitude to face her attackers head on, inspiring the readers to take a stand in their life.

  Unusual problems? Not hardly! Read a paper. What was happening in 1925 Ozarks is going on around us today. This book should appeal to all ages, races and creeds. I could hope for more in a book, but I couldn’t ask for better.

  Amazon review by NonStop on November 11, 2015

  The King’s Rock

  Saying Goodbye to LillieBeth with the perfect end to a Wonderful Series

  Alan Black brings LillieBeth Hazkit’s tale to an end with the final book of the series, The King’s Rock. After watching LillieBeth grow up, this is a bittersweet finale, but perfectly timed, because she is now an adult, still set in her ways, not very flexible and on a mission that could be her last in life as she knows it. LillieBeth’s horses have been stolen and she is determined to retrieve them and bring the thieves to justice. With a reluctant
Leota at her side, their journey will take them back to Arkansas, the place Leota ran from to escape the clutches of her father. Will the journey give Leota the strength to face her fears and the man who has made her life a living hell? Will LillieBeth show Leota the kind of trust and faith she so sorely needs to grow as a person? Will they find and retrieve the horses without unnecessary bloodshed? How far will LillieBeth go for justice?

  Life is always in flux and LillieBeth’s is now at a crossroads as she must determine which path to follow and listen carefully to what her heart is telling her. This is her time, these are her decisions to make, will she make the right ones? Her future lay in the balance, as do the futures of those she cares about…

  Alan Black made me feel good about saying goodbye to LillieBeth, not “happy” good, but assured that she is on the right path for the rest of her life and has also pointed the way for those she has called friend. Mr. Black slips into the voice of LillieBeth and has given her a hard-headed personality, limited filters for her thoughts and a strength of character that few could rival. His ability to create a world that breathes will have his readers walking the dusty roads, feeling the raw heat and humidity and believing you are there in the Ozark Mountains of the early twentieth century. This is a series that will stay with me for a long time to come!

  Amazon review by Dii (TOP 500 REVIEWER) on December 30, 2015

  Chasing Harpo

  Loved this book!

  Alan knows how to write to engage the reader. Chasing Harpo had me laughing in some parts and on the edge of my seat in others. He has obviously researched the mannerisms of Orangutans and is able to describe the apes point of view with ease. The characters are believable and the writing style flows well. Great read.