At the Lake

Way back, I made a post that explains the origin of the ‘Windemere’ name.  Check it out and I hope you like the poem that has been rattling around in my head.  Guess a few old memories have been jogged loose.

Lake Ontario

Wandering among the trees
Getting closer to the edge
Nearing the stairs
That lead to the rocky shore
Where I hear voices
That I wish to avoid
While I dream in search of names

Others are relaxing
Escaping classes and work
If even for a bit
Some drunk on freedom
Others on Bud or Blue
I move away
In search of my own spot

Distance has been reached
And I stand upon the brink
Staring ahead
Where another land thrives
Yet I see a third shore
Deep within my mind
And I crave a name to give

Failed words form
Nothing striking the right note
Too weak and too hard
Too lame and too salty
Throwing letters together
And merging words
Frustration leads to force

I finally give
Letting my mind wander
Hoping my senses
Do the work without me
They hold onto the wind
As if the answer was obvious
Welcome to Windemere

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Guest Post – Harmony Kent @harmonykent – Her New Book – Fallout

John W. Howell's avatarFiction Favorites

I am so pleased to welcome Harmony Kent to Fiction Favorites. Besides being an accomplished author, Harmony is also a terrific editor. She describes her new book.

Harmony Kent - Fallout

Hi, everyone. Harmony here. Many thanks to John for hosting me today. I have a new book on pre-order called FALLOUT, which is a post-apocalyptic dystopia. This novel started out life by playing a little game. I sat and closed my eyes and imagined an empty room … in that room, a vial appeared. A dull orange plastic thing covered in scratches. It sloshed when I shook it. From that tiny beginning, the world of Exxon 1 and its deadly virus was born.

How come there’s only one vial?

How does the virus and antidote work?

WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS APART, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The year is 3040.

The location is Exxon 1, part of a six-planet system in settled space.

Determined to…

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Derailing Bedlam: It’s Bison, Dumbass! Part 2 #fiction #adventure

As usual, here is your warning that this story has cursing, sex (not graphic), innuendo, and violence.  It’s my Rated-R action adventure called Derailing Bedlam.  This is the fourth outing (third official) for Cassidy and Lloyd, so feel free to click on one of the two covers to see how it started.  Each one is 99 cents!

Cover by Jon Hunsinger

Cover Art by Jon Hunsinger

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Continue reading

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Short Story: The Egg, by Andy Weir

Nicholas C. Rossis's avatarNicholas C. Rossis

I came across The Egg, a lovely short story, thanks to Nat Russo. Written by Andy Weir, better known for The Martian, it’s proven pretty popular. I hope you enjoy it as a great example of a tongue-in-cheek tone, a sharp twist, and a brave choice of second-person narration.

The Egg

By: Andy Weir

Cosmic egg | From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's bookYou were on your way home when you died.

It was a car accident. Nothing particularly remarkable, but fatal nonetheless. You left behind a wife and two children. It was a painless death. The EMTs tried their best to save you, but to no avail. Your body was so utterly shattered you were better off, trust me.

And that’s when you met me.

“What… what happened?” You asked. “Where am I?”

“You died,” I said, matter-of-factly. No point in mincing words.

“There was a… a truck and it was skidding…”

“Yup,” I…

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The Teeter Totter of Life

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I have been trying really hard to develop a life balance.  Many have pointed out that my world has been turned upside down in every aspect.  There are only so many hours in the day too, so priorities have to be rearranged on an almost weekly basis.  It’s been really difficult this summer since the job is 9-5.  That doesn’t give me any time in the morning or evening once I get the important stuff done.  Not to mention I’m dead on my feet by the time I get home and put my son to bed.  So, what are the areas that I’m trying to balance here?

  • Parenthood
  • Work
  • Errands and Chores
  • Writing
  • Exercise
  • Me Time

Now, I tried to put this in the order that I prioritized them.  I always put my son first and the job needs a lot of attention since it’s how I avoid starvation and homelessness.  Errands and chores are needed since I don’t have anyone else to do these.  To be fair, I’ve been the main gofer and cleaner in my life for a long time.  Doing these things are almost second nature.  Writing is further down the list than I wish it was, but it depends a lot on time, energy, and mood.  Hurts just seeing that not making the Top 3.  Don’t even know why ‘exercise’ is on there since I have on time to do it outside of the weekend.  Can’t even glean 15 minutes out of my day to use the stationary bike or go for a walk.  Finally, ‘Me Time’ is at the bottom.  This is what I do when I finally get a moment and I’m too tired to write.  Technically, ‘Me Time’ and writing can overlap.  Still, I put this here because I feel like I put myself at the bottom.  Just don’t have the time to pamper myself beyond making sure I don’t die or smell bad.

Sadly, I really don’t know how to perfectly balance this stuff.  Not sure that’s possible considering most of them involve other people.  If my son has a bad day or is sick then the other areas are reduced.  If work needs me more then the others are reduced.  You have random occurrences like blackouts, illness, people with requests, stressful events, and just a long list of things that are beyond your control.  This is why I get stressed at times.  I’m always being told by others that things will settle or I will find balance.  Others tell me to work towards it.  Yet, I’m routinely knocked for a loop.  Many of my friends have the same ‘bad luck’.  It’s almost like the universe doesn’t like balance.  It requires chaos and a level of stress that keeps the pharmaceutical companies in business.  And people wonder why it’s so important to take a mental health day from time to time.

The funny thing is that I thought I would give some tips, but realized I don’t have anything to say.  Every life is different and I’m horribly unbalanced, so I shouldn’t be giving suggests for this.  I’d ask for tips in the comments, but I sense that most will do the ‘take it one day at a time’ or something similar.  So, I’m more curious about what people think of balancing life.  Not how to do it, but just the overall concept.  Perhaps one reason it’s so hard is that everyone has a different definition of a balanced life.  Let’s see what we get in the comments.

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A Heaven for Toasters: Chapter 5

Nicholas C. Rossis's avatarNicholas C. Rossis

A Heaven for Toasters | From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's book After relaunching A Heaven for Toasters, complete with new cover, I promised to publish it here in installments. 

Note: You can find a link to all published chapters at the end of this post or read more parts on Wattpad.

A Heaven for Toasters

What if your perfect man was a robot?

Detective Mika Pensive has a new partner. He’s hot. Smart. Funny. And an android.

Set in the near future, A Heaven for Toasters is more than a sci-fi crime adventure with plenty of romance and wit. It’s the book that will make you look at your toaster in a whole new way.

CHAPTER 5: Old Town

2:53 p.m.

Half an hour later, we stopped before the blue door that led into the Hydra police station. I caught a whiff of fried fish, probably because of the next-door tavern. Still sniffing the air, I stopped a moment…

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Conversations With Colleen: Meet Author, Laura Sansom, @louboop

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Here Be Magic Bundle – on preorder now #Magic #Bundles #fantasy

eranamage's avatarLibrary of Erana

Here Be Magic Bundle – available 4th August 2019

Magic invites . . .

Curses and blessing, sorcerous time travel, shape-shifters, hidden enchantment and corrupted blood.

Magic demands . . .

Saving those you love, courage, betrayal and fights against unspeakable forces.

Magic promises . . .

Last best hopes, reluctant and desperate heroes, ancient power unleashed and the compulsion to overcome death itself.

Magic risks . . .

Forbidden spells and deadly bargains.

Here be magic!

From life to death, from realm to realm, from past to future and in between—dare you adventure with wizards?

Magic bundle cover.jpghttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTY6G4H/?tag=kydala-20

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VTY6G4H/?tag=kydala-20

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/here-be-magic

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1474685562

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-be-magic-dayle-a-dermatis/1132724600

https://bundlerabbit.com/b/here-be-magic

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Teaser Tuesday: Enter the Princess General #fantasy #vampires

Cover Art by Alison Hunt

I always enjoyed this debut from War of Nytefall: Lost.  I noticed that this volume gets more love than the others.  People seem to really like Lost as a character, so I like giving her nods at times.  Enjoy her first scene!

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Welcome to the Robo-Depot! Buy 2 Clamp Hands and Get a Free Death Beam!

WALL-E, 2008. ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Come on in and take a look around. We have every type of robot that you can imagine thanks to our top engineers.  First of all, I must inform you that we only deal in robots and lack the licensing to provide cybernetics.  The difference is that one involves the combination of flesh and technology while the other is entirely tech.  To become a cyborg, you will have to go to our sister store, which is called Sammy’s Cyborg-O-Rama.  It’s two towns over.  Now, how can we help you?

Yes, we can design a bodyguard and assistant for the elderly.  Not sure why you need the first part, but that’s not my place to ask about.  We are only allowed the weaponry one would find in the local police armory, so nothing that is solely military.  What about the death rays?  Have you seen what the police are carrying here?  I guess the only thing we can’t do is nuclear and biological weaponry.  For a bodyguard, you don’t need more than a few well-placed guns and a sensor system.  I recommend our latest body heat scanner, which has a 359 degree area.  It won’t help against reptiles, fish, amphibians, and insects, but I’m sure you’re more concerned with humans.  A back-up visual scanner connected to a company satellite can help if you’re worried.  Here is our basic protection package with a body designed for speed and durability.  This way, your robot can take damage and intercept dangers. Strength is higher than an average human, but any more would slow it down.  Besides, the guns you’re picking will be more important.  Okay, I’ll put the hand clamps as exchangeable parts and the death beam will go in the left palm. The mouth?  You don’t want that because accidents tend to happen when the robot talks.

Here is a book that shows all of the domestic skills we can program into your robot.  It depends on if you want a maid, butler, chef, chauffeur, or even a general caretaker.  If your father is in a wheelchair then I recommend our nurse model.  It comes with a skin that makes her look human, which is soothing and reduces stress.  People of a certain age might get upset if their memory goes and they see a machine walking around.  The robotic nurse has a diagnostic system and a prehensile tail that holds all of the necessary equipment.  This covers basic checkup and emergency situations. The tail will remain retracted at the base of the spine until needed. Here is a list of radio systems that we can include and have her play to help keep your father calm.  It can double as a sonic attack if she pumps the volume high enough.  Finally, we have a pill dispenser and a connected phone that only calls the pharmacy to make a refill.  Oh, I should put an x-ray mode in her eyes to be safe. Just in case there’s a fall.

Transportation comes up a lot, but I don’t know what you would want.  Your robot is for protection and healthcare, so there’s no reason to give it a jetpack or wings.  There are a few transformation packages that are pricey, but will work for your father.  We have the usual car choices thanks to our deals with various companies.  They are all powered by the solar, bi0-fuel, and carbon dioxide fueling systems that we have created here.  Anything bigger than a car?  There’s a psychedelic van as well as a few novelty vehicles.  All version of the Ecto-1, the Mystery Machine, the Batcopter, the Spider-Bugey, and the Fozzie Bear Studebaker.  Okay . . . Why do so many people take the Fozzie Bear one?

That’s all the main stuff.  For the details, you can follow me to the back.  Please don’t step on any of the cables because we don’t want our robotic overlords to be angered or have a blackout.  That’s a little humor we have here.  Wire coming out of my neck?  I have no idea what you’re talking about.

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