CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

A quick note: LMBPN special pricing for Saturday, November 2, 2019 - and, now, I really MUST go offline: Snakes and Shadows ( Amy Hopkins , Michael Anderle ): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZMBFPFY/ Chasing the Cure ( Daniel Willcocks , Michael Anderle ): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZRXVDYP/ Paranormal University ( Jace Mitchell , Michael Anderle ): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZMBH95W/ Supernatural Vigilante Books 1-4 ( D.R. Perry ): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZJP3BQ3/ The Desert Queen Collection ( M.L. Bullock ): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZRCW8ZY/ Metal Legion Boxed Set ( C.H. Gideon ): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YGMR2L3/

This week’s verse moves from a fantasy poem about dragons coming to the aid of those they protect to a science fiction verse about mining in space. It is taken from 366 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry released in 2016. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   The Mining Craze Crazy days, gleaming like a halogen summer spent in the fulcrum of the mining sphere, guarding against the refractions that blind, the sharding sun that’s hit and miss across the multitudinous orbits, across the tumble and grind of the dancing belt of trapped meteors, asteroids and derelict hulks. Halcyon days these are not, what with the imminent threat of death where a single mis-step in the orbital dance leads to collision and fatality, the creation of another mystery, who went there, who came, who saw, who conquered, who escaped with at least their stake in thi...

This week’s short story takes us from the world of steampunk, fantasy Australia, raptors and a long-overdue rendezvous to the science fiction tale of a crashed colony and its redemption. Welcome to River's Edge . When my mother told me to run, I ran. I ran all the way to the river and then stopped—because the river was a frightening place, and forbidden by the raiders who came to take their annual toll of settlers. Faced with the choice of being taken, or taking my chances in the river, I took a step back, and hoped that somewhere, across the river I’d find help. River's Edge is available as a stand-alone short story at the following links: books2read.com/u/mqZNkv . You can also find Kristine Kathryn Rusch's latest free short story over on her blog: kriswrites.com . Why don't you go and check it out?

LAST WEEK, Tiger told Simone he'd sent her a care package, and not to eat the messengers. This week, Simone reveals that she's adapting to the mutation and that Odyssey's Agent Delight is there to help with the process. Chapter 9 Excerpt – Feeling Human Dear Tiger,     I don’t know whether to kill you, or to kiss you. Delight said I should maybe do both and get it over with, and then she pulled a face as though she hadn’t meant to say anything at all. I think she didn’t want me to know that she’s just a little bit psi, herself—and now I know for sure that she can see inside my head. Which is why she looks like she’s been sucking lemons. I guess no one’s ever told her just how rude it is to peek into someone’s head without their permission. Her colleague—his name’s Pritchard, by the way—anyway, her colleague says it serves her right, and he’s laughing fit to bust. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------...

This week’s verse moves from survivors escaping a planetary smashed by war to a fantasy poem about dragons coming to the aid of those they protect. It is taken from 366 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry released in 2016. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------   The Dragons' Rule of Law Dragons soar skyward, Roaring vengeance to the clouds, Arcing overhead on many-coloured wings, Going to battle for reprisal has been vowed On the ogres, orcs and fey lords who dare to serve the ice queen. No creature in her service Shall be by mercy spared. Dragons are protectors; Retribution shall be paid. All who harmed the peoples and lands under their care, Gathered and destroyed shall be On whatever ground they stand. No matter what their reason for Service to the queen, Dragons have passed judgement, Rallied all the land, And none in queenly col...

This week’s short story takes us from the urban fantasy world of cross-dimensional elven politics and trolls to a steampunk fantasy story set in Australia with raptors and an overdue rendezvous. Welcome to The Rendezvous at the Raptor's Rest . When his flying ship, the Red Horizon, was shot down, Tescher told no-one he had a woman on board. Three years later, he returns to the ship wreck, and finds Marianna not only survived the crash, but left him a message. She found what she was looking for aboard his ship, and she’ll wait for him at the Raptor’s Rest, but once a year—tonight. Tight flying will get him there in time, but it will take more than that for him get clear of the underworld predators circling the criminal shores on which Marianna has landed. Rendezvous at the Raptor's Rest is available as a stand-alone novella-length short story at the following links: books2read.com/u/mqzDGe . You can also find Kristine Kathryn Rusch's latest free short story ...

LAST WEEK, Simone showed that her human self was more in control, and that the process of integrating the hunter part of herself had started. This week, Tiger asks her not to eat the staff. Chapter 8 Excerpt – Play Nice Dear Simone I’m so glad human-you is taking the upper hand. Not wanting to eat humans, even if they aren’t pack is good news. In fact, I’m doing a happy dance, right now, because that’s the best news I’ve heard since you went down with the hunter fever. Because it means you don’t want to eat me , anymore. And that means you’ll soon be coming home. And I don’t have to block you out of my head, and you don’t have to block me out of yours. And that is the very best news you could give me. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The complete series is available as short, individual ebooks, and will become available as an omnibus, later this year. In the meantime, you can find them on this blo...