Finestories

A tale of smuggling set among the cliffs, caves, and downs of Dorset. What will be the outcome of the conflict between smugglers and revenue men? How can the hero, John Trenchard, discover the secret of Colonel John Mohune's treasure? As the book progresses these two interwoven themes resolve themselves into a third and richer one, with the friendship and suffering of both John Trenchard and the craggy, taciturn Elzevir Block.

Science is killing magic. The last of the magical beings decide that it is time for the return of a Merlin-like person to bring back the magic. The job requirements are: he's got to be an unlikely hero type that is lucky; he's got to own silver and be willing to trade it for a gift of magic; and he's got to be a horny guy with a bad fashion sense.
Added Chapter 42

Benny Baker went from being a smarter than average, fourteen year old kid, to being a super genius. It was an overnight transformation in which his speech patterns become more precise, his mannerisms became muted, and his opinions matured. He has a chance to make things right, but he's not sure what that means.
Added Chapter 16

John Taylor (5)
To get some distance after their split, Whitaker has taken up the offer of a distant relative to travel to Germany. When Whitaker also goes missing, after being implicated in the murder of her benefactor, Taylor must travel to Germany himself to find her and clear her name. Taylor is forced to deal with a police force that isn't interested in a different suspect, a wealthy old-money family that didn't want Whitaker involved, and unknown players that don't want Taylor to know the truth.
Added Chapter 14

Long trips, new attacks, growing pains, spies in their ranks, and increasing violence between anti-slavery and pro-slavery groups, stretch Paul and Anna's resources in every direction and at every turn. With the help of their family and friends, new and old, they race against time to complete their plans before the incessant drum beats of war begin in the east.

Look away, stay alive. Home for winter break, Rachel witnesses the brutal attack of her elderly neighbor. Trying her best to stay hidden as she watches from her window, she fears the attacker has spotted her. With multiple accidents occurring around her and no one who will listen, can Rachel find help before she becomes the next victim?
Added Chapter 22

Sometimes I get an idea for a book stuck in my head that makes me excited. I envision the story and it plays out in my head like a movie. Putting it on paper seems effortless because I just write what ... more

A story in the The Regiment Universe
A story set in the Regiment Universe. This story is about the recruitment, hiring and introduction of Doctor Barrow to the Regiment. A newly graduated Doctor, Doctor Barrow travels from Boston Mass. To Wilkins Nevada to begin a career as one of the Regiments contracted physicians.
Added Chapters 9,10

Hey everyone! I want to say thank you to those who have read my story. I am a relatively new author and wanted to get honest feedback on my book Spotted. Family and friends will give you a biased opi ... more

A man is taken then returned. He's not the same or is he? Now with a lot of questions he leaves earth to search for the only other one like himself, so far.
Added Chapter 26

Through my Eyes. Again. is now back with my editor for a final run at grammar and punctuation.This has meant that I have had time to continue work on the sequel, Through different Eyes. The first draft of Chapter 6 is now up on my Patreon (see the link in my profile).

Look away, stay alive. Home for winter break, Rachel witnesses the brutal attack of her elderly neighbor. Trying her best to stay hidden as she watches from her window, she fears the attacker has spotted her. With multiple accidents occurring around her and no one who will listen, can Rachel find help before she becomes the next victim?

A look at one way for the USA to legally allow for Secession, and what is likely to happen if it is allowed in the modern US political scene. 28,500 words.
Added Chapter 5 (final)

Benny Baker went from being a smarter than average, fourteen year old kid, to being a super genius. It was an overnight transformation in which his speech patterns become more precise, his mannerisms became muted, and his opinions matured. He has a chance to make things right, but he's not sure what that means.

So ends "The Millionaire Next Door." Taking it's spot in the posting schedule will be another Lazlo Zalezac story: "Emend by Eclipse" that I think you will like a lot! I'm starting the posting today, with chapters 1 & 2! Enjoy!!! > TeNderLoin }:-)

If happiness was measured in money there would be very few millionaires. This is a story about Dan Parker, a young man who starts his life as an adult with the odds stacked against him. Follow his journey of self discovery as he tries to achieve happiness. His story might make you wonder if you live next door to a millionaire. CHAPTERS WILL BE POSTED EVERY OTHER DAY!
Added Chapter 66 (final)

somewhere in the code transition from word processing to html for the site some spaces between words got eaten up. A corrected file is uploaded to the wizard to correct the issue. Sorry about that, Ernest

A look at one way for the USA to legally allow for Secession, and what is likely to happen if it is allowed in the modern US political scene. 28,500 words.

In previous blog entries I mentioned having been on anti-depressant meds for a few years. I'm no longer depressed and am getting over those issues and the drugs. I'm now starting to function a lot bet ... more

The daughter of a close friend and neighbour is murdered by political activists at a protest march. the activist go on to riot and take control of part of the city near where he lives. The local authorities side with the activists as they cause damage to the properties in the area. Both families decide to fight back, as do many other locals. You need not live in Lexington or Concord to fight aggressive oppressors. Written in US English. 27,400 words.
Added Chapter 3

I remember reading this some years ago when first posted, and quite enjoyed it. There are few grammatical spots which go... more

My editor returned the text of Through my Eyes. Again. in under 10 days - much faster than I had expected - and I am now working on a myriad of suggestions. The first result of this is that Chapter 6 ... more

A man with a past, not tied to anyone makes a startling discovery that changes his life and his perceptions of it.
Added Chapter 75

A Black Cat abandoned by her mother because of the color of her fur. A Dog with big dreams left on the street because they weren't good enough. A entire clan of outcast. This is the tale of a Cat and a Dog who both seek revenge. It's supposed to be a short tale, that would be if they didn't having feelings. But when trouble comes and her other siblings find out why she disappeared and when the dog and cat confess their love to each other. It gets messy.

A story in the The Regiment Universe
A story set in the Regiment Universe. This story is about the recruitment, hiring and introduction of Doctor Barrow to the Regiment. A newly graduated Doctor, Doctor Barrow travels from Boston Mass. To Wilkins Nevada to begin a career as one of the Regiments contracted physicians.

After a week of reading your suggestions and requests, this decision was an easy one. I will begin posting a story in the Regiment Universe. Those that have read the other 2 stories in this universe ... more

What can happen with universal postal voting systems, especially when implemented at short notice. Like many ideas, how it goes depends more on how it's implemented than the idea itself. 4,700 words.

The daughter of a close friend and neighbour is murdered by political activists at a protest march. the activist go on to riot and take control of part of the city near where he lives. The local authorities side with the activists as they cause damage to the properties in the area. Both families decide to fight back, as do many other locals. You need not live in Lexington or Concord to fight aggressive oppressors. Written in US English. 27,400 words.

It's Five O'clock Somewhere! By Denham Forrest This is a story that I was not expecting. After seeing the title an... more

I have been pondering hiring a professional editor to work with me on Through my Eyes. Again.. I received useful feedback from readers here and elsewhere and a few kindly souls agreed to read and prov ... more

A story in the Asteroid Hunters Universe
This is the story of the 'Seward's Folly,' just returned from an expedition to the belt. It is about the preparations they make for their next trip. This will be different from any other trip to the belt. They are heading towards the far side of the belt. Virgin, uncharted territory. This story can be read by itself. But I recommend that you at least read 'Mosley Station' first.
Added Chapters 31,32 (final)

Today, I am posting the final two chapters of 'Outward Bound.' I must say that I have been pleased with the response that it has received. My original plan was to have the sequel for this story ready ... more

This is a heart felt experience. Imagine being involved in a bowling tournament, out of town. While there getting the... more

The first draft of Chapter 5 of Through different Eyes (the sequel to Through my Eyes. Again.) is now available on my Patreon. The link for this is in my profile. Once again, my thanks to those of y ... more

I recently conducted a short reader survey asking for feedback on "Through my Eyes. Again." It was particularly interesting to read one set of feedback from a reader that did not like the book. Whil ... more

It spoke to me a light; "My child, are you not tired of this sin filled world?" "Come and embrace me. Accept me." It called to me; A Paradise. It granted to me; An Eternity. It brought to me; Salvation. No pain. No fear. No evil. No sins. No deaths. For this world is Eden. And it shall burn.
Added Chapter 38

Somehow, it didn't post, so I'm doing a triple post, today!

As a new author, I'm very interested in understanding what my readers thought about my book so I can work on improving my writing. To help with this I've put together a short (about 4 minute) survey t ... more

I'll be AFK for the wknd, so I'm giving you all a bonus. All of the scheduled wknd postings will be posted Sat morning. Enjoy! > TeNderLoin }:-)

Science is killing magic. The last of the magical beings decide that it is time for the return of a Merlin-like person to bring back the magic. The job requirements are: he's got to be an unlikely hero type that is lucky; he's got to own silver and be willing to trade it for a gift of magic; and he's got to be a horny guy with a bad fashion sense.

An angry young man grows up to be an angry middle-aged man. Now he's stuck in a dead-end job, married to a woman that detests him, and has children that don't even know him. A close encounter with death makes him realize that he deserves more than what life has dealt him thus far. Can he get it? Concluding Chapter has been posted. Enjoy! }:-)
Added Chapter 46 (final)

Today I am posting the final chapter of "Thunder and Lightening." As sad as "The End" may be, it also leaves room for another LZ story. "The Millionaire Next Door" still has many chapters to go. So, ... more

Most readers will, at some time, have been reduced to tears when a character that has involved them deeply is killed off by the author. My first experience of this was at age 12 in the final chapter o ... more

Survivor By Ernest Bywater A review of an excellent story written by Ernest Bywater. The story opens On the ... more

This is a sequel to 'Jacob's Granddaughters,' and begins three years after that story ended. You can catch up with the gang at Three Corners Farm and also meet some new characters. Please read 'Jacob's Granddaughters,' and 'A Tyler Christmas' since they are intertwined.
Added Chapter 15

Since the last chapter of the updated version of TMEA was posted, I have had several emails asking if Col and Will's story will continue - and, yes, it will. The first three draft chapters of Throug ... more

John Taylor (5)
To get some distance after their split, Whitaker has taken up the offer of a distant relative to travel to Germany. When Whitaker also goes missing, after being implicated in the murder of her benefactor, Taylor must travel to Germany himself to find her and clear her name. Taylor is forced to deal with a police force that isn't interested in a different suspect, a wealthy old-money family that didn't want Whitaker involved, and unknown players that don't want Taylor to know the truth.

Good news, the next Taylor story is coming this weekend, with the first chapter posting Saturday, August 28th. As with the other stories, a chapter will post every Saturday after that. For those interested in getting the book early, you can get details on my website, tstarnes.com

This is a most unusual story, a family starts a garden in the only place that it could thrive. Where you ask? In the fro... more

Here is another one from 2011: ‘That Highway 60 Drive’ by ‘Carter County’. What happens two young kids who ha... more