"A.L.O.M Episode 3: Underearth" Release

Hey, y'all.

Hope you're all doing well.

Okay, okay. I'm gonna keep it real.

I procrastinated way too long to finish this chapter in the A.L.O.M. adventure. I know.

Considering that I wrote the very first story in 2014, I should be ashamed of myself for waiting 6 years to write the 3rd part. The worst of it all is that it's a short story! Shame on me! For shame, Y. Correa! For shame!

Okay, now that I have beaten myself with a stick for tarrying on this release ...

It was the year 2014, midsummer.

Lying in her bed was a lowly author who was binge watching Ancient Aliens on Hulu. This was one of her favorite things to do next to binge watching Doctor Who on Netflix.

There she was, munching on popcorn whilst the she lay; the popcorn bowl sitting on her chest. Periodically a kernel would fall in to unmentionable places. She cared not to fish it out. She could save those for later should she get a hankering for a treat.

Soon, her eyelids fluttered with drowsiness, the popcorn bowl teetering, threatening to fall over completely. As she dozed, she heard the prominent voice of the Ancient Aliens narrator as it proclaimed, "Ancient aliens theorists say yes ...!" In that instant her Muse simultaneously tapped her on the shoulders and whispered in her ear, "What if ancient aliens were actually time travelers from the future?"

Raptured with inspiration—and actually quite startled because the lowly author thought she was alone in the room—she jumped to a seated position, a single digit in the air as the epiphany came alive. The popcorn bowl went flying to who knows where.

"Yes!" she trumpeted, "Yes, yes and yessss! That's a phenomenal idea!"

Her parents who were in the other room yelled at her to keep it down.

Cowering, "Oops" she muttered. Shrugging it off she got up, turned on her computer and pecked away at the obnoxiously loud keyboard.

And so it was that "A.L.O.M." the short story saga began.

Blurb:

The year is 2130. Long gone are the days of high definition television and rock and roll. Mankind has entered the greatest age of technology. Vlad Kappel is a man of few words and even fewer desires, one of them being a dream to pilot the world's first time machine which he has helped to invent and build. A fan of the eons old television show Ancient Aliens, Vlad has always been intrigued by the ideas of time and space travel. When he is suddenly and unexpectedly given the opportunity to live out his secret dream the results are astounding ... and none too coincidental.

Blurb:

Vlad’s travel aspirations should have been a dream come true. Yet the reality of his scholars’ teachings concerning the ancients is quite sobering. A.L.O.M. is in need of dire repair and lack of technology, industrial science and language barrier prove hefty challenges for Vlad. Will he gain cooperation from the ancients to save him from this travesty or will the final destination remain Stranded?

And now, without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce you to "A.L.O.M. Episode 3: Underearth".

Blurb

At this point in his adventure Vlad wants nothing more than to get back home. However, with the advanced technology with which the A.L.O.M. was created, Vlad realizes that he is in a pickle. In order to make the A.L.O.M. run he needs fuel. Not just any fuel. Lava.

With the help of the princess Vlad endeavors to seek exactly that. It is this enterprise that leads him Underearth.

Today and everyday you can read the first three books of the ongoing A.L.O.M. collection for free by visiting the link below. Enjoy!

And ...

HAPPY SHORT STORY MONTH!

Finding My Heart by Queen of Spades

Hello wonderful readers! I am very happy that Author Y. Correa has allowed me to be here to discuss my newest short story offering "Finding My Heart".

Blurb:

Leopold Hawkins Threadbare is revered for his scientific genius, which has blessed him with great fortune. When the lovely Katarina is less than impressed, their disagreement spirals him into unexpected circumstances. Time is of the essence. The treasure is Leopold’s heart. The reward is his life. Discover if Leopold achieves success in Finding My Heart.

Excerpt:

“Leopold Hawkins Threadbare, in matters of the heart, you are one of the most obtuse human beings on the planet!”

Flabbergasted at her statement, I shouted. “Rina, why so salty? I thanked you for being there for me. What else do you want?”

The porter pointed at the watch, signaling the last call for passengers.

Katarina sighed. “I pray it won’t be too late by the time you figure out the answer.”

She kissed me on my right cheek. “This is farewell Leopold. For now or forever is up to you.”

With that declaration, she boarded the train. The doors closed, and the train began pulling off.

My body had a mind of its own. The clanking of my shoes against the surface of the platform. The train was not quite at maximum speed. Perhaps I could make it stop.

“Rina!” I screamed. I waved my arms, hoping to get someone’s attention. Not willing to give up, I sprinted. Still yelling Rina’s name. Still waving frantically.

A sharp pain flooded my body. My hands clutched my chest. My sprinting slowed into a walk, then to a crawl. The train gained speed, widening the distance. I’d never be able to catch up.

More pain came, paralyzing me. The act of breathing was a struggle. My throat tightened. All surroundings became fuzzy. Then distorted. Then deleted.

"Finding My Heart" is available (1) on my website (in pdf form) or (2) via All Authors Publishing House (which also offers epub and mobi, along with pdf).

Thanks for your time,

When Summer Lingers by Queen of Spades

Good day everyone! I am Queen of Spades. My main genres are poetry and contemporary fiction. Author Y. Correa has been kind enough to allow me to talk about one of my short story freebies "When Summer Lingers".

Blurb:

Dahna is quite comfortable in her role as an outcast. Her favorite activities are painting her nails and hanging out on the beach. An observation by the quirky Carr leads to an endearing friendship between two unlikely people.

Overall, When Summer Lingers covers the tale of two individuals. Dahna is withdrawn and accustomed to being a loner. Carr is more extroverted and open to making new friends. During the summer, an important message is driven home: to treasure time and the experiences you have with others.

This free short story is available on my website as well as on the Freebies section of the All Authors Publishing House website.

Taint on Religion by Queen of Spades

Hello everyone! Queen of Spades here, dropping by Author Y. Correa's spot to talk about my earliest short story freebie "Taint on Religion".

Blurb:

Natasha was taught three things: to love God, to love herself, and to always go to church. When a sea of tragedy strikes in her youth, she strays from the path of God. Realizing the error of her ways, she seeks redemption in her adult years. Reverend Jamison and his church looks to be the answer to her prayers. Yet when things in the dark come to the light, Natasha is faced with a tough decision. Does she stay silent with her discovery or does she dare put a taint on religion?

***

With "Taint on Religion" I tackle quite a few subjects. How one processes tragedy and going down an improper path. If a church can truly be forgiving. If a person's intentions are actually pure or have an ulterior motive. The reader goes through all the motions with Natasha but that doesn't mean that each reader will have the same feelings once the story is over.

"Taint on Religion" is available on my website or the Freebies section of All Authors Publishing House.

Thanks for having me.

Short Story Freebie: Kona by Synful Desire

Hello Awesome Visitors! This is Synful Desire, author of contemporary romance, drama, and erotica. I've been on the move during National Short Story month with some freebies I hope turn a frown into a smile.

Let's face it. We all need some feelgood in the neighborhood. One of the substances that provides some joy, especially in the mornings, is coffee. Coffee sends the signal that it's "go time" to get through the day. Or it can sweep you into the arms of a daydream, which was the direction I opted to take with Kona. 

Therefore, take about fifteen minutes (maybe even less), to savor the micro short known as Kona. It's absolutely free and available via All Authors Publishing House.

If you enjoy Kona, then check out my website as well to see what other works suit your fancy. 

Until next time,

Short Story Freebie: Brielle by Synful Desire

Hello Awesome Visitors! I hope you have had fun thus far during National Short Story Month. So far, a few folks have stopped by to discuss and share information on how to get their freebies.

Guess whose turn it is?

Today I would like to discuss my newest freebie, entitled "Brielle". Although I played around with a few other titles, I decided to settle on my working title, which is rare for me.

Think of Brielle as a bit of a modern-day woman. She is laser-focused on her career goals. Brielle isn't relationship oriented but recognizes that she has needs. Brielle has an interesting way to fulfill said needs. I will let your imagination fill in the rest.

"Brielle" is a mix of relationship reflection, light erotic situations, and comedy. If you remember the vibe of "Handy", then you will get the gist of "Brielle".

"Brielle" is available in my Freebie section of the All Authors Publishing House website.

Until next time,

Da'Kharta Drop In: Take 2

Before I start promoting my first freebie, there are a few observations that I have to comment on. It'll be quick, I promise you.

(1) Either Y really likes space or she has some psychedelic mushrooms that she uses freely.

(2) I'm curious how she got those stars on the ceiling. I don't see a ladder and she isn't that tall. Maybe she really is an alien.

(3) How do you have popcorn kernels but no butter or oil to pop them? We must be living in our last days.

(4) Why does she have alcohol, as if we are in our last days?

Okay, nothing to satisfy my stomach or throat. Let me make this quick.

Once upon a time, when I was but a blip on the landscape of literature, an idea popped in my head. It involved a teacher, a student, and layers of intrigue. It came together to form a short tale known as Vocal Remedy.

I offer it for free because charging for something you can read in less than thirty minutes makes me feel as appalled as people believing that bananas don't belong in banana pudding.

Um … don't even ask. 

Check out my oldie but goodie Vocal Remedy, accessible on my site or at All Authors Publishing House.

Da'Kharta Drop In: Take 1

Hey yo! What's sizzling? As for me, this bacon that I have frying on the stove. Well, Y didn't say I couldn't cook myself some dinner while discussing my next, and newest, freebie "Apocawhat?"

Apocawho? 😕

No, "Apocawhat?", not who ... and definitely not whom. 😏

Sorry, just having a bit of fun with words there.😈

For those of you who don't know, I have a very twisted sense of humor. During the time of this posting, a very serious pandemic has hit the world. However, just because of this, doesn't mean that the best and the brightest engage as far as what to do in said situation. 

This was the inspiration behind "Apocawhat?"

A crisis can bring out the best and worst in humanity. A person you wouldn't talk to on the street could be your greatest ally. One you thought you were on par with could turn into your biggest enemy. In times of struggle, you encounter extremes: "helping one is helping all" vs. "survival of the fittest".

See which one plays out.

Read it on my website or the Freebie section of All Authors Publishing House.

And I'm outta here!

A Rose of Two Freebies

Hello, one and all. As always, thanks for stopping by.

For us, the lovers of the paranormal, fate is preferably manifested supernaturally. That's because for us, fate being embodied in an otherworldly way brings a sense of excitement, mystery and importance to life.

However, those who believe that fate is real also trust that it takes place in even those things we consider mundane.

Like what?

Every day life.

In celebration of short story month, I would like to bring you something old and something new. In both, we will find an exhibition of fate as experienced by the characters in the interpersonal enigma that is life. Join me?

First: The Old

Blurb:

Martina Foxworthy only knew one thing for sure in her life ... the Log Cabin.
It was her family's tradition to visit the Log Cabin every year, and every new year was a repeat of the last. Nothing ever changed at the Cabin, Martina's family liked it that way.
But Martina, not so much.
One day, when a fly ball comes out of nowhere and crashes through her bedroom window Martina realizes that there is a lot more to life; the Log Cabin was just the thread that kept it together.

Years pass far too fast. This is something that Martina Foxworthy knows all too well. Sitting in her favorite chair, in her favorite place, Martina recollects her life's journey.

Excerpt

"The spring of her eighteenth birthday, Martina felt like a misfit just as she had her entire life. She’d been told that said feeling would change when she got older. Well, she was older now and nothing had changed. She was, for all intended purposes, now an adult. Eighteen; she could vote, smoke, buy alcohol—although not consume it—even go into a bar if she so desired. And yet, that profuse and innate sensation of not fitting in had become such an all-consuming part of her life that Martina didn’t know how not to feel it. Every spring, during the Easter Holiday, Martina and her kin took a two-week hiatus in the family log cabin, purchased an umpteenth million years ago by her great grandfather Martin Foxworthy the Second.

If anyone ever wondered how she’d gotten her name, all they had to do was look at the family tree. Her father was Martin Foxworthy who was the fifth in his bloodline. And, since he’d not spawned a son first but a daughter, Martin added an A to the end of the name and blessed their female child with a name that no one would ever want."

I love this story though I don't speak of it much. "Martina's Memories" embodies fate in a relatable way. I feel like most of us could relate to her life trajectory, to her ups and downs, and to her ultimate destiny.
Here, in this "old" story, we can see kismet at work through a seemingly banal existence. That is until the bigger picture is revealed.

Lastly, The New

Blurb:

In the famous words of Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” For Angelo, life is like a slice of pizza; juicy, delicious and worth the wait. For Sandalphon, life is an unending cycle of sameness. That is, until she meets Angelo. From staircase to stairway to heaven, Sandalphon has an Angelic Epiphany.

Excerpt

"Angelo Esposito sat on the right-hand side of the front porch steps, fourth step up, people watching. On an overcast day, the clouds created a particular shadowy pattern across the passersby faces making them look mechanical. Things like this always entertained Angelo, he never seemed to get enough. Most of the people who strode through the streets were enthralled in their respective cell phones. The rest looked angry at life; emotionless and half-alive. Except maybe for the bum at the street corner who on any given day would assume the job of heralding government conspiracies, or dance for dollars. It all depended on the day.

Sitting on the old and tattered, historically profound New York porch step, Angelo was perfectly comfortable. Entertained and amused; a people watcher at his core. He couldn’t help but think how the persons that walked past were missing out on the knowledge of the rich culture of the avenues which they treaded. Every inch of the firmament, replete with history, depth, despair, glee and the essence of lives now gone.

Being brainwashed by technology has that effect on people. They miss the enriching simplicities of life. The little things that made life worth living like the kids jumping rope, the hum of a busy city street, the scent of pizza in the air. There was nothing like it. Angelo always felt like life was best enjoyed when appreciating small wonders."

This story has become my newest favorite for two reasons. First, it is connected to my Fate's Endeavor Series. Second, it's heartwarming, relatable and supernatural. An "All-In-One Punch" if you will.

In this story, serendipity meets destiny. It feels as though the Universe has planned something accidentally-on-purpose and at the end of the day the one who learns the lesson is not the human but the angel.

It is my pleasure to be able to offer these to everyone for free. You can get them in PDF, ePub or Mobi by clicking the link below. No strings attached! Go grab your copies and enjoy the manifestation of providence. 😊

FREE, for a limited time only: Continuous Drips, by The Collective

Hello RWPPs,

Have you read Continuous Drips by The Collective (Queen of Spades, Da'Kharta Rising and Synful Desire) yet?

Blurb:

Different colors of ink collide in this short story anthology Continuous Drips:

Take a trip into darkness with Da'Kharta Rising with "Unrest", "Omitted" and "The Kutters".

Love, loss, and erotic heat hypnotically swirl in the mind of Synful Desire when reading "Derailed Endurance", "Final Prep to Happiness" and "FAN-tasy Island".

Episodes of human interaction displacement are given in doses when Queen of Spades presents "Misfortune", "Afro Shock", and "Útil."

Da'Kharta Rising

Facebook

Twitter

Blog: Thoughts of a Slightly Social Anti-Socialite

Synful Desire

Facebook Author Page

Blog: Synful Interludes

Twitter @synful_desire

Queen of Spades

Facebook Author Page

Blog: A Queen's Ramblings

Website

Twitter @authorqspades

What reviewers are saying ...

Harmony Kent, Author:

"Each collection of three is different. The reader will find darker tales that make them think, those with slightly more heat under the collar, and others with a twist. Each tale is short and easy to read, and folds seamlessly into the whole. I like the alternative offerings found here, which are a bit like eating an up-market three-course meal, rather than a single TV dinner where all the flavours are the same. Chances are, this little book has something for everyone." 4 Stars

Y. Correa, Author:

"All in all, I would say that Continuous Drips is a book that you can keep on reading. Something that you can set on your nightstand and pick up whenever you're in the mood for a quick yet great read. These ladies won't let you down." 5 Stars

Here is your chance to get it at AMAZON.COM

FOR FREE, for a limited time only!

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