Suspense and fear in an isolated location. Two people, one Other. A man possessed must choose between proving his research or maintaining his sanity. Kano Varre seeks a rare mineral in Outback Australia to prove his controversial research — what he finds is a nightmare. His mind is possessed by the Diaballein, whose only purpose is to open a gateway to this world for its brethren — the gate opens … Kano must defeat the enemy while there’s only one, before the world falls into slavery, torture, death — worse than any nightmare ever imagined. Reviews-Zon, GR,
Herja, Devastationis a tale of myth and mortality, wielder and implement, love and destiny. Free-verse poetry combines with short prose in the style of an Eddic tale modernised. * * * The legend of Valkyrie breathes, as Herja, Devastation, once wronged, aims her mortal agent at her enemies. Her man bears this tale of vengeance in service to a higher, eminently more noble being. He is her assassin and tool, and she is his destiny and dignity. In the dirty business of death on demand, a purity of purpose lights the path as he seeks questions, provides answers and justice on her word. This blending of literary forms creates a unique nouveau noir style for the 21st Century. Do you dare to tread the dark side?
Thriller, Espionage, Rural Australia, Light Romance It was supposed to be a quiet place for a cyber-researcher to take up her new role after the attempt on her life. But the country town of Brimpaen bristles with an undercurrent of fear that Hella Solaris, recently retired from covert ops, can’t leave alone. The instincts that have kept her alive this long are burning worse than the scars from the last failed sting. And this rot stinks like a shallow grave. Like someone followed her. Like it’s personal. When they try to kill the horse, she needs to use any asset she can, including a young girl and her overprotective-cop-father, to find the who and the why – or is she seeing shadows where there are none? GoodReads Reviews Thanks, everyone! It’s enough to make a storyteller humble (…)
A mother will do anything, travel all worlds, through times and planes and dimensions, even beyond the known, for her child.
Chiri’s first concern should be the safety of her daughter, but as the Gate-Keeper responsible for the lives of millions, all now in grave peril due to her error, she must choose.
Will she sacrifice the search for her child, or abandon her world to the fate decreed in the Cards?
acflory (5*) review here. – “a reward commensurate with the challenge.” & “All I can say is that once I started reading, I literally could not stop.” M said: I enjoyed the book. It read like a short story — very fast paced, very focused on plot. I got caught up in Chiri’s desires. … I liked the way it was a growing mystery enfolded in a sci-fi thriller. L said: Congratulations! It held my interest, a page-turner! The sense of place -Camberwell, the markets and the junction. It’s real and grounded. I can visualise it all so perfectly. The pace of the scenes … is great, edgy; I felt all the emotions Chiri was going through. I loved it, Cage – not a genre I normally read, so thank you for the introduction and the privilege of being an early reader. C said: Fast paced from the start; I was completely enthralled with her fears and journey. I would recommend this to the person who wants something interesting and different. Not witches, not warlocks, but enough arcane mixed with soft sci-fi, and in places we can see, smell, and hear. Loved it. GoodReads 5bayby14uReviews: 4* – A story of needs versus love, of deeds versus promises, of commitment and release.
Fantasy Allegory, Conservation by Cage Dunn. Australia is hosting the International Conference for Creatures of Magic and their Representatives. Standard procedure, a bit of a lark for the delegates. Nothing ever changes. Except this time. Kraken abdicates. Dragon resigns. The Candidates must undertake the Test of the Puzzle of the Ages or Cat becomes Overall Ruler of Magic, the Overlord. Uh-uh – no way! Cocky won’t let a bird-killer Cat lord it over the Creatures of Air. Not on his sticky-beaking watch.
A long journey, a lost soul, a destination in mind, and a task to perform. Which of these four short stories will open your eyes? Journey, they tell her, but for whom? Long Way Home: A Stranger in a strange land. Wave: What comes in with the water? And the last story, the worst of all, is the things we cannot see, that know us at our deepest level …
Night Driver – light sci-fi, outback Australia, the Nullabor Plain Mind-Walk – contemporary, ACD, choices, last wishes The Roundel – light fantasy, roundel shapes in rhyme and time, mystic Lost; Zani Dacrydium Seeks Similar; Love and Loss – super shorts! Tones of Dawn – Reprise! – contemporary, art, music, seeing beyond
The sheoak whispers and wails A wattlebird warbles and whistles The laughing bird claims the tree – my tree, my tree, mine
A possum tail flicks high in the red gum Silver-green leaves dance in the morning light Shivers of bark peel and curl and swirl down the trunk The ancient tree claims the ground – my place, my place, mine
The shuffle and scuffle of leaves Blown by a breeze that wanders aloft Ignorant of the bossy grumble of creek that warns Of the power of earth, of clay, of stone The swollen ground claims the creek – my creek, my creek, mine
The sway of stems, green and gold Lit by a dapple of sun and ripple Grasses murmur and rattle Flowers lure the bee, the bird, the possum To the meadow, the stream, the enchantment The restless creek claims the water – my water, my water, mine
Noise, croaking frogs, screaking insects Water moves, slides, sloshes Comes from somewhere to go elsewhere Giggles and gurgles, splatters and swirls Splashes and chuckles, titters and cackles The music of water as it slides over, around, through The water claims the rock – my place, my place, mine
The earth, sand and soil and stones Rocks, grey, brown, tinged in gold Deny the movement of time Solid, motionless They hold their place Sentinel, foundation, strength Streaked with white and silver, with memories The rock claims the age – forever, forever, and now.
Some Titles were retired (all the YA stories) and removed from view. More will arrive (Promise!)
