This is the most frequently downloaded of all my stories, so I thought I would post it here. It is the first of four in a series. I am posting the second one along with it. I'll add the other two if you like these. I consider myself the poet-laureate of the nerd world. And I want my stories to have a lot of twists and turns. That's what I am giving you here. I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did writing it.
This is the second in my Tugboat Man series. This time, Tug is in the race of his life against some very bad...well... not quite people. The title tells the tale. No, it has nothing to do with the Da Vinci code. But it's in the ballpark. The wife is from Atlantis, so there are some unavoidable sci-fi aspects. But this is actually nothing more than pure romantic adventure. I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. D.T.
Tim and his father, James McKenzie, have just been through a year of heartache. Together they decide that there's no better way to move forward than to embark on an epic journey of discovery, growth, reconciliation and healing. Join them as they find that life goes on, that broken relationships can be mended and that a lost love can be rekindled.
He's a hard headed County Sheriff with one failed marriage. She's a beautiful and mysterious lady with a past that doesn't make sense. It might sound crazy. But he is beginning to suspect that the woman he is falling in love with is the victim of an eighty-year-old murder.
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. / (Reviews)
A story in the Lucky Jim Universe
Jim Reynolds has avoided accepting the moniker "Lucky Jim" for as long as he could, possibly too long. This fast-paced story is set in 2095 and covers the most important several months of his life. If you haven't read Lucky Jim I and II, large parts of this story won't make sense to you.
He was an Irish cop from the toughest part of Manhattan. She was a Cheyenne maiden from the Montana High Country. He rescued her from some very bad men. In return, she mended his broken heart. The whole improbable story plays out against the panorama of the Civil War and America's relentless movement West. There's a bit of a twist at the end. But who doesn't like surprises?
Age Rating: Older than 17 | Genre: Western Tags: Coming of Age, Romance, Historical, Western, War, Military Week's Downloads: 50 | Votes: 86 | Score: 8.67 Size: 111KB | 21,792 words |
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Anthony Carter is back! Now a senior captain and married to Harriet, he faces challenges in his professional and private live, encountering Caribbean pirates, arrogant colonial officers, Irish traitors, French soldiers, a lunatic admiral, and a pitched naval battle in the Bay of Biscay. In all this, he and Harriet must realise that married life is no endless honeymoon. Rough waters indeed. Book 2 (of 3) in the Anthony Carter Sea Adventures covers the years 1806 to 1810 in Tony's life.
A story in the Lucky Jim Universe
The adventures of 16-year-old Jim Reynolds start in 1856 Virginia. When his family and several others head west to settle near Council Bluffs, his adventures continue, becoming more numerous and earning him the moniker Lucky Jim. Follow Jim as he grows into a leadership role that he feels unqualified to hold, until finally forced to test both his leadership ability and his luck. A "fantasy history."
A man is moving to the USA with his family. At the last minute his work won't release him from his contract early, as previously agreed. A cousin who's a close friend stands in to fill his role as father in helping the rest of the family move on the set date.When they get to the USA and the man is kidnapped by a group set on world domination. They brainwash him and send him back in time to help them bring about a different end to the War Between the States. Can one man affect their plans?
She's young, exotically attractive, smart, rich, strong, and energetic. It would appear that she has everything necessary to be supremely happy, but appearances can be deceiving.
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.
A Knox Family Story (1) Part of the Enfield Undrowned universe
Will you be content to drift from situation to situation, to sail the course charted for you by others, or will you take charge of your life and chart your own course?
For Jeff Knox, a teenager about to start high school in Enfield, Massachusetts, choosing to take charge of his life will affect more lives than just his own.
When 18-year-old Anthony Carter, lowly second mate in a small schooner, and Harriet Lambert, the young, arrogant daughter of a Royal Navy admiral, barely survive a shipwreck, they recognise each other's mettles. A short-lived romance ensues, but it takes years and great perils and pains for them to find happiness together. A romance set during the Napoleonic Wars.
A man is killed by religious militants while protecting his fellow workers. He unexpectedly wakes up to find he's been abducted by aliens and they have an offer for him. He accepts the offer to be placed in an environment like Earth was 35,000 to 40,000 years ago, complete with animals and humans of that time. But there's a catch, it's a one-way trip and he's a star in their version of a reality broadcast show. They supply some gear to help him survive, and now it's up to him to do so.
An Australian schoolboy discovers he can move small objects with his mind. His family moves to Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA and he uses his special skill to 'win' money at casinos. His exceptional skills at winning bring him some unwanted attention from some people, including the Department of Homeland Security. He objects to their actions and soon a state of war exists between his family and the DHS (and the people behind them). The odds are heavily in favour of one side - but which side?
The Human Series (1) You can't hide from your past forever, but it's easier if you're a foster kid in rural West Texas. Scott MacIntyre was different in more ways than even he knew. (this was my first attempt at writing a novel)
In 1843 16-year-old Lewis Clark kills one of the two sons of Mr. Tyler, the richest man in Fayette County. He also takes the blame for killing his other son. Given Tyler's reputation as a vengeful and violent man, Lewis flees for his life. This is the story of his escape and his adventures. Another of my fantasy histories.
Age Rating: Older than 17 | Genre: Western Tags: Coming of Age, Historical, Western, Rags to Riches, Fantasy Week's Downloads: 32 | Votes: 166 | Score: 8.32 Size: 894KB | 171,005 words |
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Dexter James is fed up with his job. For ten years he has put in long hours, worked for jerks, and received no rewards for a job well done. Then one day he says no to a temporary promotion. The fallout of that one little action will change the world.
Story of the life of a young man starting life in 13th century England. His dedication earns him an offer to become a Knight and unexpectedly a noble. Follow his rise to power from a favorite of the Earl he serves. See how his interest in new and better ideas serves him as he works to improve the lives of his subjects, and battles forces threatening England and her allies, rewriting history his own way.
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. {Edit cleaned and reposted by TeNderLoin}
Evolution (1) Caleb Connor's life is out of control: understatement! An extraterrestrial space ship crashed on his campsite, and an ancient, ethereal alien took up residence in his head. He doesn't get along with the alien, partially because the alien thinks he landed in a defective human. The Army investigates the crash, and the General in charge has more plans than just protecting the country. Throw in a pretty doctor and a hole in the fabric of creation... Yep. Very out of control.
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!
}:-) / (Reviews)
A story in the Lucky Jim Universe
Despite his family's insistence that he is the next incarnation of Lucky Jim, Jim Reynolds, sixth great-grandson of his namesake, isn't so sure and isn't sure he wants to be. Each time he thinks that he just might be, something happens to make him sure that he's not. While this is a stand-alone story, numerous references will make more sense after reading "Lucky Jim 1." This story also adds bits of new information about the original Lucky Jim. When he finally accepts the moniker, his life veers
It started with a botched robbery in which Sonny Daniels was shot. All that his family wanted was for the robbers to get put in jail, but they were in Los Angeles and things work a little differently there than in the country. When cultures collide, the potential for misunderstanding is huge.
Seven young Genius Native Nation girls who face predigest and confirmation from those who believe they have a right to rule because of who they are and will destroy all those who stand in their way our not recognize their right to rule.
Imperium (5) War has come to the continent and Lieutenant Commander Ky, a test pilot from the far future and Consul of the Britannic Empire, leads armies scattered across Germania and Hispania to liberate them from Carthaginian rule. The Carthaginians , however, refuse to surrender without a fight. Led by a seasoned commander, new armies with weapons from the far east are sent to counter the Britannians, with the entirety of Europe as the ultimate prize.
When, in the course of human events, a Government of a Nation has forgotten that it is founded and predicated upon the singular sentiment, We the People, it becomes necessary for Men and Women of good conscience to stand tall and remind those who govern on behalf, by forbearance, and at the will, of We the People; that the law of the land is specified in the Constitution of these United States.
I post a story every July to honor the folks who've served. I try to focus on obscure people in each, not the heroes. This one is about the Women Air Service Pilots—the WASPs. Those brave women were true American patriots. But their story was hidden from all of us for over thirty years. The plot is a coming-of-age tale for children of the Greatest Generation… sort of a latter-day Pilgrim's Progress—and most of the characters are real. Please enjoy…
A story in the Mage and Magic Universe
A modern Mage deals with the scum of his world in our world, making both worlds safe for everyone. Besides Tyrome was a likeable guy wasn't he?
A fire destroys a farm in Virginia, so the family is moving west. Except the youngest is too ill to travel when it's time to leave. The boy and his grandmother stay behind to follow later. It takes so long for him to recover the two don't go west, and find local employment. A decade later rising political problems cause the young man and his grandmother to make a decision about their future. They'll go west, but it isn't that simple, or an easy journey. Written in US English - 72,700 words.
Paul and Anna McAllister, along with their family and friends want nothing more than to be left in peace as they continue building Estancia Dos Santos into their querencia, a retreat, a place to rest and relax free from all worry. Using the wealth they've accumulated, they begin to right historical wrongs and lay the foundations for seeking statehood. The mysterious 'Boss' has other plans for Paul, Anna, and the Estancia. Two Chapters every Friday until complete.
Joshua loved Lindsey with all his being, so when she kicked him to the curb on their fourth anniversary he was devastated. Josh didn't think his broken heart would ever heal, but with the help of a few extraordinary women, and the healing hands of time, he discovered that life could be better than he ever imagined.
Paul McAllister wants nothing more than to put the wars, cancer, and death of his wife behind him as he numbly glides into his final years doing the only thing he still enjoys - selling weapons and his services as a gunsmith on the gun show circuit of the American southwest. Driving down the road in the Mesilla Valley of southern New Mexico Paul loses consciousness while returning home from a gun show. An hour later, he awakens, finding himself swept away on the tides of time.
This is a story of courage and perseverance under horrible circumstances. Seventy-seven Army and Navy nurses were captured when the Philippines fell to the Japanese. They were interned with 4,000 others at the Santo Tomas Camp in Manila. There, they provided life-saving medical care that led to them being called the Angels of Bataan. This is a coming-of-age story where the hero learns important life lessons from these dedicated women and finds love at the end.
A Knox Family Story (2) Part of the Enfield Undrowned universe
Terrorist rage pierces the heart of the United States in a shocking and brutal attack. The attack jolts the country from its naïveté in one, horrifying instant. Jeff Knox, his family, friends, and neighbors are shaken from their comfortable lives in that same moment. How does a nation of three hundred million respond and how does it change one man?
Pudgy, out of shape, divorced, and laid-off; Colin thought he had hit rock-bottom. Then came the landslide that almost sent him to his grave. In the depths of despair, miles from nowhere, he searches for a way to get back to civilization and finds that his service is required in a totally unexpected role - as the person who will save the human race from destruction. / (Reviews)
Cal Otis had finished his to-do list, but wasn’t ready for bed. TV wasn’t cutting it, either. He decided to wander down the street to the club near his apartment he’d never been to. It would be the best thing he ever did…
This is what some people might refer to as a "Seasonal Story." It has undergone some slight modification since it first appeared on the Internet several years ago. I'm afraid that I cannot recall whether those changes have not been proofread, but time waits for no man.
A Rivers Region Story They say the Chinese have a curse - May you live in interesting times. A 15 year old boy has a major change of lifestyle forced on him. We follow along while he adjusts to the changes. However, he lives in interesting times and he must deal with them as well as rising to the challengers presented to him. Through all this his true nature shows and he changes the lives of many others in the city of Rivers, and elsewhere. Set in Australia.
How far will governments go when you have something they want? All Waylon Eckermann wanted to do was to go to college and figure out the rest of his life. It wasn't going to be that easy, not even with a little extragalactic help.