Every so often, Julia got the feeling that the prison staff suspected that she was not entirely human. This situation certainly qualified as one of these times, and had the doctor not commented on thriving in prison, she would have missed this positive change.
Disclaimer: This excerpt from Dark Hearts is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.
The reflection evoked memories of her mother, or at least what she could remember from the worn-out snapshot she lost years ago. The sight of the dead reflecting back at her dredged up a lot of emotions that she was not ready to deal with. What the fuck happened to me…
Disclaimer: This excerpt from Dark Hearts is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.
Young adult fantasy Beautiful: A Tale of Beauties and Beasts by independent author Fran Laniado tells the story of a young woman who always felt out of place.
In need of change, she leaves the fae to venture out into the world where humans roam. Hurt by the words of another, she curses them and immediately takes steps to undo the damage wrought, thus setting the stage for the story.
Laniado wonderfully weaves in the theme of beauty and uses it to drive the story onwards in a satisfying way. As a reader, you may be left to ask what beauty is if not in the eye of the beholder, and would such views change over time?
Beautiful is written in a first person perspective, focused on two characters. While centred on the woman, the alternative perspective provides unique insights that further drive forward the tale.
Ultimately, Beautiful is a quick read with a satisfying ending. It gives the reader a glimpse into the author’s imaginative world, so much so that I look forward to seeing more of her work. Highly recommended!
Eyes on the Road is the first book of The Winding Road series, a coming of age story co-authored by Kerri Davidson and Mark Gelinas. This novel is written from the point of view of two characters, both of whom are seeking an escape from their post high school lives.
This story begins in a small town in Atlantic Canada and ends in the comparative metropolis of Seattle. Setting the story in an era where Grunge and Alternative bands ruled the hearts and minds of Generation X gave this reader an eerie sense of déjà vu.
Having lived through this time, the authors’ choice of theme and time period felt a bit like a drive down memory lane. Parents of teens from the mid-nineties may gain a new understanding of their children’s mindset. Alternatively, for those born into such a heavily interconnected world, the story dredged up challenges and quirks of an era that is fast fading from our collective memories.
This is a quick read that gives the reader a unique perspective on two young adults. Their interactions with the world and one another permit them to gain a fresh outlook and come out better for it. The story provides a satisfying ending that leaves enough of an opening to entice you to read further into the series.
Alpha Bots is a Science Fiction novel by Ava Lock that mixes action, comedy, and drama to create a story that resonates on many levels.
The story features an android who plays the role of a dutiful housewife. Through a series of unintended events, she breaks free from her programming, and that’s when things get crazy.
The prose is filled with rich detail, witty puns, and beautifully complex characters that will draw the reader in. Of note, there are frequent references to Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. I see Ava’s work as an homage to Fight Club, using it to add just enough flavour to liven things up.
If you are looking for a story that challenges you to question the ramifications of technology on society and does so using wit, pseudo code, and cleverly disguised science, then this book will not disappoint. While this novel has a satisfying ending, the sequel, Beta Bots, is out now!
Copy and paste these instructions into the Find and Replace function within Microsoft Word. Replace All can be used for every operation except for the last two.
| FIND | REPLACE | WILDCARD | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| [^s^t^32]{1,} | ^32 | Yes | Single and consistent spacing |
| ^32{1,}(^13) | \1 | Yes | No trailing spaces at end of paragraph |
| (^13)^32{1,}([!^13]) | \1\2 | Yes | No leading spaces at the beginning of a paragraph |
| (^13){2,} | \1 | Yes | Removes empty lines |
| [!.\!\?””;,…—\*^12](^13) | Yes | Paragraphs ending without punctuation | |
| [.\!\?””;,][!^32^13^12””] | Yes | Stuck sentences and other oddities |
Normalise a Manuscript in 4 Easy Steps is available on Google Drive.
The blurb for What Lies Within, from indie author D.W. Harvey, mentions a dark hidden secret, an evil spirit’s curse, and a sole survivor… all of which perfectly set the stage for this story.
This story is written from the point of view of the sole survivor as she nears the end of her journey. We are quickly brought up to speed on the character’s motivations, her need to be there, and what she intends to do.
However, there is plenty of room for discovery, and readers may well be left guessing to the very end. It offers a satisfying ending and leaves you yearning for more, the latter of which is this reader’s only complaint. Sadly, this was little more than a glimpse into a world filled with wonder.
An iconic city in ruins, a man with no past, entities from out of humanity’s nightmares… Do I have your attention?
Shadow City is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel written by indie author Anna Mocikat. This tale features a rich cast of characters in a world filled with detail and nuance. Told from multiple points of view, the reader will soon realise that even in a world this dark, there is still plenty of grey to go around.
It begins with a man with no past who is saved by two scavengers. Readers are quickly introduced to a dystopian society held together by an uneasy alliance facing an enemy only known as the Dark Ones. The characters’ fates are complex and intertwined, leaving the reader guessing as to what will happen until the very end.
If you are looking for a unique take on the struggle of good versus evil, this book is for you. You will be rewarded with a satisfying ending that will have you yearning for more. Fortunately, the sequel, Dark City, is already available! So, what are you waiting for?
The mermaid could not fathom how painful it would be to go through several lifetimes without ever knowing what happened to Ulia, or Essa. Ultimately, Evelyn had been unable to grieve nor move on, living in fear of what the truth might one day bring.#AmEditing #WritingCommunity pic.twitter.com/7zMIi3PwFf
— Evelyn Chartres (@EvelynChartres) July 9, 2021
Disclaimer: This excerpt is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.
“Had you shown up a minute ago, I could have used you for target practice,” Evelyn said.
“A shame that I missed the snowball fight.” Eleanor said before chuckling.
“I’ve seen you before. You were a regular back at The Grand.”
“Death was a frequent visitor there.”#AmEditing pic.twitter.com/BjzEF2P4HA
— Evelyn Chartres (@EvelynChartres) July 10, 2021
Disclaimer: This excerpt is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.
