Definitely For Sci-Fi Fans!

HAIL LORD ZALTEER! by Austin Grisham is HILARIOUS. If you enjoy Flash Gordon, you'll get a kick out of the different species described in this flash fiction piece. I suspected Grisham had a tongue-in-cheek surprise for readers and he does not disappoint.

After reading all the posts about storming Area 51, I think everyone needs to read this short. While it's not the author's usual style, Grisham continues to entertain.

As always,
AstraDaemon

A Calculated Guess

THE PROBABILITY MACHINE by Austin Grisham is a flash fiction piece about a young criminal retelling his experiences with a stolen device. The machine absorbs data and variables, and, when questioned, gives answers with the highest probability.

Grisham kept me interested from beginning to end, but I would have preferred more action and less conversation. I had a sneaking suspicion how the story would end, but I didn't quite guess correctly. Maybe if I had a machine like that...

As always,
AstraDaemon

Sequel to The Wish Doll

In this, the sequel to "The Wish Doll" we meet John Bender, a veteran detective who thinks he has seen everything. But now he has this new case, a murder, and the suspect, Todd Forrester, has already admitted it to it-but now he claims it was all just a work of fiction. The story he tells is truly a bizarre one, he claims a "wish doll" grants wishes-at a price.

John thinks he is full of it. He's seen head cases like this before. Or has he?

THE WISH DOLL: THE NEXT CHAPTER by Austin Grisham is the sequel to The Wish Doll, so don't read any further unless you've read the first story.

I didn't expect this story to be much different from the first one, but Grisham surprised me with one hell of a gut punch. I sincerely felt the ground drop away as I read the ending.

At this point, I think Grisham needs to do whatever is necessary to make The Wish Doll a movie. Horror fans are going to love this new sinister demon!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Who Is Responsible?

Todd had always wanted to write professionally, but despite numerous attempts could never sell any of his stories. Frustrated, on a whim he decides to try using an exotic artifact, a "wish doll", to give him a story that a publisher will accept. What he doesn't realize is what he will have to do in return...

THE WISH DOLL by Austin Grisham is a short story which brings up the question, "Who is the real monster?" Readers will have to decide if the wish doll makes bad things happen, or if the people using the wish doll are the true source of evil. While a dark tale of caution, Grisham made me laugh with the ending (in a good way). I can't wait to read the sequel!

As always,
AstraDaemon

A Man of Colours

Addison Inquisitor awoke on the island with only the clothes on his back and a pack with a few days of supplies. Suffering from amnesia he desperately wants to find who he is and where he belongs. With the aid of a curious service robot, he begins to explore the island and also try to learn the truth about himself.

What he finds is nothing he would ever expect...

A MAN LIKE ME by Austin Grisham took me on an emotional ride. I felt sorry for Addison being stranded, elated when he discovered Andy, and excited as they appeared to form a genuine bond. When the true nature of Addison's plight is revealed, the ending impressed me beyond words.

I would love for Grisham to revisit this story and expand this piece into a novella or full-length novel. At the very least, I would love a sequel.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Time Slips Away

Meet Rebecca and John, a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. Sometimes it takes counseling to appreciate your spouse.

Other times it takes a ride through a giant time wormhole.

REBECCA by Austin Grisham is an unusual flash fiction story about a couple who are reunited after one hell of a rough patch. At first, I thought the narrator, John, was mentally unstable, until his reasons for his behavior are revealed. The airport scene made my stomach drop; the ending blew my mind away. Love the wormhole twist.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Out From Behind The Bitter Ache

Non-confrontational and passive by nature Bill Blake had always been willing to put up with all the slights and petty aggravations in the world. At least on the outside. However inside the anger he has towards the world is gnawing away at him.

But he has finally found a way for it to be released when an old mystic gives Bill the ability to turn his anger into psychic energy. He now has a way to get even. It seems like a blessing- but is it?

THE DEMONS INSIDE by Austin Grisham is a warning about anger management. While I felt sympathy for all the grief Bill had to deal with on a daily basis, there's no excuse for the extremes he went to.

The supporting characters are the best part of the story. I love Rick. He is a great example of self-control. I hate Tiffany. She is the worst.

Grisham really knows how to work over a reader's emotions.

As always,
AstraDaemon