When a couple finds itself in possession of a briefcase filled with $160,000 of obviously illegally obtained $100 bills, its criminal owner terrorizes the two in his attempt to retrieve it.

Destination Unknown is a tense and at times heart-wrenching psychological piece in the vein of the classic stalker thriller.  The author's style is bold, the characters well developed, and the pace nearly perfect.  Although formulaic, Zelazny knows his genre and takes great efforts to turn common cliches on their heads.  While I did not personally like the stylistic choice to fall into present tense in some internal dialog, it is clearly a stylistic choice and the story's prose is otherwise superb.

Add Comment
 
 
Reviews and feedback have been pouring in for World-Mart—and much to my relief, most have been enthusiastic.  I wrote World-Mart in response to the death of Kurt Vonnegut Jr., determined to create not only a dystopia for modern times, but a payment of homage to the genre.  Tucked throughout the work, you’ll find allusions to numerous greats of science fiction past, hints to a future world that could easily come to pass, and subtle references to the death of an important and meaningful literary era.

Given the times, I knew I was taking a huge chance with a corporate American dystopia, especially one that both pays homage to the great dystopias of recent past and raises present day issues, so I’m delighted that so many readers have been able to understand and appreciate my intentions for writing it.  Here are some of the latest:


Goodreads:

“This book can stand with the Classics.” (5 stars) –Marilyn

“This book for me was enjoyable to read even if it didn't have a happy ending.” (4 stars) –Andrew F.

“This is a thought-provoking and quite frightening book.” (4.5 stars) –Kat

“Frighteningly wonderful. It freaked me the hell out and I hope that our society never becomes like it. Good job!” (5 stars) –Jesse


Amazon:

“Amazingly good a great view of the future bogged down in corporate redtape and micromanaged lifestyles. Great characters in a gloomy and realistic world.” (5 stars) –Mike

“A chilling vision of the future which is all too believable. The logical, if frightening, conclusion to corporatism, environmental destruction, and the 1% left unchecked. Ms. Lane's writing flows effortlessly, I read this straight through and could not put it down.” (5 stars) –Nick S.

“Would go nicely on a shelf with 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. I highly recommend this one.” (5 stars) –T. Zelazny

“A very good read. I thank the author tremendously and look forward to reading more from her.” (5 stars) –Andrea


World-Mart also recently placed in the top ten finishers in this year’s Predators and Editors Readers’ Poll.  Here are the voter comments:

“Ms. Lane hit the nail on the head in terms of what a sci-fi book needs to be in today's literary world. Bravo!”

“Great Book!”

“It's the best book on the list. Mrs. Lane is so talented!”

“One of my favorite authors. I'm a fanatic for her writing.”

“World-Mart was an awesome book!”

“Loved this book. Dystopia at its finest!”

My thanks to all who have taken the time to read, review, and recommend World-Mart.  For those who would like more information, or to check out more reviews, stop by Goodreads and Amazon.

Available in paperback and electronic formats:

Add Comment
 
 
In this dark dystopian horror, the United States has become the Empire, a theocracy that offers no tolerance for any offense from crimes of morality to murder.  Those found guilty are sent to Necropolis, the rotting remains of Las Vegas, to be devoured by its undead inhabitants.  Hank, among the most recent group of convicts sent to die, is desperate to find his way out and to his son, Toby.  Hank’s offense: following an ex-hooker-turned-undercover morality agent in a frantic attempt simply to talk to her, as she holds an uncanny resemblance to his deceased wife.  In his scramble to survive the night, he falls into a scandal that sheds new light on Necropolis, its inhabitants, the Empire, and its very unholy leader.

This is one of the best horror stories I’ve read in some time.  The mesh of religious symbolism and political commentary tucked neatly between pure horror and suspense is superb.  The characters are intriguing, the pace nearly perfect, and the story practically flawless.  There was a short lag in the middle of the book, and with that a couple of character motivations that left me puzzled.  I couldn’t understand why the leader of the living vampires would choose exile over death for his adversary when there was no question the backlash would be dire, then go on to put full trust in those who would obviously turn on him at the first chance.  The erotic scene between Hank and Rachel felt terribly out of place, given his intense suffering at the time.  These issues are minor, however, compared to the brilliance of the rest of the story.  I rate SHINING IN CRIMSON a very enthusiastic 4.5 stars.  I highly recommend!

2 Comments
 
 
Picture
This anthology contains some of the creepiest and unusual stories I’ve read in a long time.  While a few of the selections seemed out of place either by caliber or by genre, the best works in this anthology truly set the bar for greatness in speculative fiction.  As a whole, I rate Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road at four stars and recommend it as a great addition to any speculative fiction library.  Here's the story breakdown:

“Hold Up” by Lucille P. Robinson – 4 stars

A serial rapist gets more than he bargains for at his local Wal-Mart.

This story is thoughtful and well-written.  I liked the premise a lot, but would have liked to have read more.  The ending was justifiably abrupt, but it did leave the story feeling somehow incomplete.  Nonetheless, it's a good, short read.
“Judgement Day” by Angelika Devlyn – 3.75 stars

A young woman jumps at the chance at revenge after an attack sends her to the hospital with a miscarriage.

This story has some great moments to it, but needs a few kinks smoothed before it might live to its full potential.  The premise is very good and the twist fun; however, following the story is frustrating at times because believability of many of the character motivations is shaky in many places.  The erotica was well-written.

“For Art’s Sake” by Elizabeth Coldwell – 4.5 stars

A move and career change can be a pain in the rear. . . .

I don’t claim spanking as one of my turn-ons, but I enjoyed this erotic piece all the same.  The story is well-written and cohesive and moves to a satisfying ending.

“Simon Seeks” by Nathan L. Yocum – 4.75 stars

A psychic finds his own life on the line when sent on a search for a missing girl.

This story is executed beautifully, offering creative visuals and awesome depth to details other authors might leave mundane.  The only disappointing part is the ending, which seems far too abrupt for such an otherwise meticulously laid out story.  I wanted to read more.

“The Barefoot Hero” by Timothy Fleming – 5 stars

A man looks back to the past after the tragic death of an old friend.

“The Barefoot Hero” brought tears to my eyes.  The story is bittersweet, tragic, and brilliantly written.  The characterization is deep and thoughtful, leading to a conclusion that is as painful as it is gratifying.  A lovely story.

“The Cenotaph” by Casey Wolf – 4.25 stars

Past and present collide when a camper stumbles upon a long-forgotten memorial.

A thoughtful commentary on perspective and war, this story does a great job at showing the fears and expectations that arise when one considers leaving for war.  Some of the shifts are a little jarring, but may be intentional in an attempt to pull the reader into the protagonist’s confused state of mind.  Overall, this is a very good story.

“Take Two” by Kit St. Germain – 4.5 stars

An interesting post-apocalyptic future history, this story speculates the effects of religious take-over and genetically modified food.

Very well-written and creative, “Take Two” paints a very interesting future picture, moving at a fast pace and growing in intrigue as the story progresses.  The ending is anticlimactic however, offering a good twist, but not executing quite powerfully enough to hit with the five-star punch it could have.

“The Journey” by Megan Johns – 4.5 stars

A housewife on a train ride contemplates her life while eavesdropping on a group of nearby passengers.

“The Journey” cleverly explores human insecurity and interpersonal dynamics, while offering a twist ending that is sure to delight.

“Triona’s Beans” by Casey Wolf and Paivi Kuosmanen – 2 stars

A young girl goes on an intergalactic adventure with little people that look like feathered beans.

I had great difficulty getting through this story, which reads like a very young children’s fantasy.  This story does not belong in a dark speculative fiction anthology.

“The Meal” by Mike Brecon – 4 stars

Two couples come together for the taping of a reality television show.

The concept behind this story is great and I enjoyed the writer’s style, although I would have liked to have seen some of the scenes hashed out a little more.

“Seven Deadly Sins” by Karen Coté – 3 stars

A man snaps after his past catchers up with him and unravels his life.

This story is creative, sick, and bleeding with potential.  Sadly, the prose needs tightening, as do the structure and story development.  As is, the story depends too much on shock value, leaving the reader with flat characters in a tense but static environment.

“The Smile in Her Eyes” by John B Rosenman – 4.75 stars

A man sees what he believes to be the essence of his deceased wife in a teenage girl.

Very well-written and creepy on many subtle fronts, “The Smile in her Eyes” reads like Lolita in The Twilight Zone.  Pay attention to every little detail when you read this story or you’ll miss out on its full brilliance.

“Slumfairy” by Tonya R. Moore – 3 stars

Factions fight over the pilot—and therefore the future—of a super-massive space ship.

This story is difficult to follow, with plot holes and vague spots that leave too many questions throughout the work.  There is too much going on, too many aliens to keep track of, and not nearly enough time taken to paint a good, cohesive picture of it all.

“A New Leaf” by Megan Johns – 4 stars

A divorce finds solace in her garden after starting over in a new home.

Sweet and well-written, this story would have been even more enjoyable if it had not ended so hastily.  Even so, this is a satisfying story.

“Man Slaughter” by Lucille P. Robinson – 5 stars

An alleged murderer recalls each of the deaths she has been accused of while giving her official statement of confession.

The characters and plotline of this story are developed and executed masterfully.  The characters are believable and the story creepy.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.

“Pronghorns” by Casey Wolf – 5 stars

A double suicide goes to “Plan B” when initial plans go awry.

“Pronghorns” is a darkly brilliant commentary on life and death.  It is well-written, gripping, and has a shockingly profound ending.  This is one of those stories that resets the bar.

“Frame of Reference” by Mike Brecon – 4 stars

Story and reality collide in the mind of a young, insecure writer who finds himself unsure how to proceed with a scene.

Any type of artist will appreciate the twist to this quick, fun read.

Malpas by Marion Webb-De Sisto – 2 stars

A woman falls victim to, then in love with, an incubus.

The premise is decent, but the story is thoroughly unpolished.  The prose is simplistic, the vast majority of the dialog recaps previous scenes, and the erotic scenes seem forced and filled with unnecessary, moment-jarring dialog.  This story is a disappointing end to a very good anthology.

Overall score:
Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road will be available soon at your favorite online retailers.
2 Comments
 
 
Dean Perrasani excitedly follows in his older brother’s footsteps when he is invited to take over the fraternity Phi Beta Regnum—which we learn early on is an interesting mesh between Mafia and Skull and Bones.  As Regnum’s new “Don,” Dean finds himself a “made man” in a world of thugs, greed, double-crossers, and wanna-be gangsters, and he learns quickly that power and danger go hand in hand.

The Dean’s List is a fast-paced, contemporary suspense novel that is as thoughtful as it is well-written.  The prose is fragmented, but with purpose, creating a striking marriage of style and content.  The story is tight, the characters detailed and believable, and the dialogue sharp.  Keep an eye out for this author, as he is definitely up and coming!

Add Comment
 
 
Several dogs start turning on strangers and their owners alike while a Bible-thumping madman is leaving his mark all across town.  Called to investigate alongside local police is animal control officer Tony Parker, put on the case after several vicious mauling incidents show evidence of human involvement.  He works with his assistant Sarah Hill to help search for the cause before the growing group of roaming, murderous dogs claims even more victims.  A rabies outbreak appears to be responsible at first, and yet the dogs are seemingly becoming increasingly organized and timed in their attacks. . . .

Jezebel is a fast-paced thriller that calls to mind Dean Koontz’s brainwasher thriller Night Chills and Stephen King’s rabid horror Cujo.  I thought the story was well organized, albeit very notably action-packed.  The different turns are delightful and the level of gore is a nice compromise between tasteful and horrific.  The characters reflect a good level of development and the protagonist is likeable and believable.  The short chapter written in Jezebel’s point of view is interesting and well placed, and I thought the final twist at the end was very good, although I found the repetitive language referring to that twist to be a little distracting.  With that said, I recommend Jezebel to fans of contemporary horrors and thrillers who enjoy a lot of action in their books.

Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Heart transplant recipient Arthur Feldman serves as a frame narrator, sharing an otherworldly story he believes was experienced by his organ donor, Rodwell Richards.  The story begins with Rodwell’s untimely murder, then shifts to a surreal alternate reality as Rodwell’s consciousness leaves his body.  Instead of going to Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell, Rodwell finds himself in a strange world—reborn, as it were, into a new life in a universe enigmatically connected to Earth.  His experiences are interrupted by intermittent breaks back into "reality" in the form of nightmares--visions and sensations of being in a hospital room, barely clinging to life, the voice of his wife desperately trying to come to terms with his comatose condition.  Over time, Rodwell becomes increasingly involved and connected with this new world, until the new life replaces the old, suggesting that there is no afterlife, but rather jumps from one universe to the next.
Another Space in Time is a refreshing and provocative look at our world and the world beyond, speculating existence, purpose, and God in thoughtful and meaningful ways.  At times, Bunning’s style seemed similar to that of Olaf Stapledon, one of my favorite speculative fiction authors.  I recommend this book to fans of ‘50s pulp sci-fi and readers who enjoy a literary edge to their science fiction.
Add Comment
 
 
My thanks to Keepers of the Underworld Magazine for taking the time to review Myths of Gods.  From the review:

"From the very opening of the book you find yourself captivated and don't want to put the book down. ...  I do highly recommend this book to everyone."

Read the full review here.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture

Jack Lightfoot has a family history that makes him unique to our world.  His father is a sorcerer from Eden, an alternate world to our own, and although Jack was raised on our familiar Earth, the sorcerer blood runs deep in his veins.  When an Eden bounty hunter tracks down his family, hired by the high sorcerer Morgan, Jack learns that he holds the key to both worlds--and the power to take on Morgan himself.
Bye offers an intriguing take on the classic hero's journey, meshing bibilical myth with Dungeons and Dragons-style sorcery to create a story that is as provocative as it is exciting.  I enjoyed Bye's take on the Eden myth and its connection to modern day Earth, and the story's fast pace made it a quick read.  His voice is strong, his dialog smooth, and with one exception, his style is flawless.  I did find an overuse of "be" verbs, which was the only issue I had with this book, but it was a small fault to an otherwise exceptional story.  I highly recommend THE SORCERER'S KEY to fans of high fantasy.  It is a fun and adventuorous tale that readers will not soon forget.

I give this work an enthusiastic four stars.

THE SORCERER'S KEY is available through Amazon here.
4 Comments
 
 
Nina (Natalie Portman), a talented but disturbed ballerina, finds herself in a bittersweet position when her director retires the company’s star (Winona Rider) and puts her in the leading role of a revised version of Swan Lake.  The taxing requirements of the role—the technical differences a dancer must master in order to play both the innocent white swan and her evil alter ego, the black swan—immediately begin to affect Nina’s already fragile character.  When new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), begins to sabotage Nina, intent on stealing her role, Nina begins to lose her grip on reality, and the results are both horrific and profound.

Black Swan is an artful visual work, the direction (Pi’s Darren Aronofsky) both beautiful and stylistic.  The dance scenes are amazing, particularly those in the opening night performance, the camera taking one out of oneself for the moment and into the dancer.  Aronofsky’s portrayal of Nina’s descent into madness is well done, the visual portrayal of her slow self-destruction both disturbing and absorbing.  With that said, the tension that goes along with her torment does not build so much as it does remain unsettlingly constant until nearly the final moments of the film.
Picture
hematically, Black Swan is brilliant.  Aronofsky show’s Nina’s transformation from innocent and anxious “white swan” into the confident and sexy “black swan” with phenomenal use of black and white imagery.  Nina begins in white: her clothing is white, the cinematography is mostly white, and her character is naïve and innocent.  The scene in which she stands on the white marble staircase, wearing all white, with white marble predominantly in the background, the show’s director (Thomas Leroy) in a black suit, is a remarkable shot.  As the film progresses and Nina slowly gives up more of herself to her art to perfect the “black swan,” she begins to wear grey with her white.  As she loses her innocence—both as the result of her director’s sexual advances and Lily’s destructive rivalry—Nina’s clothing, as well as the cinematography, increasingly include more predominance of black imagery.

Even more beautiful, however, is the depiction of the artist’s symbolic giving up oneself for one’s art.  Nina’s sacrifice reflects the sacrifice all artists experience in refining their creative endeavors—and also how all-consuming one’s art can become if taken to too dark of a place.  Her mother (Barbara Hershey), who had given up dancing due to her pregnancy with Nina, is key to understanding Nina’s character, as her mental illness and need to continue expressing herself artistically (both clearly depicted by her childlike paintings) reflect Nina’s own journey as the troubled artist.  Nina’s final scene is both beautiful and profound, and her performance is amazing.

My only two complaints are the pacing of Nina’s anxiety, which I already noted, and the erotic scene between Nina and Lily.  While I appreciate the symbolism of Lily’s character, and the concept of her character thematically making love to herself is sound, the actual character motivation seemed a little lacking to me.  The fact that Lily had dosed Nina’s drink with ecstasy only makes the scene partially forgiving, but without any prior indication that Nina might have homoerotic fantasies, the scene, as beautifully executed as it is, just didn’t work for me.

Finally, I must applaud the filmmakers and producers involved with this film for such a provocative ending.  Black Swan offers hope that there still exists a market beyond the high demand for the happily-ever-after, and I give huge kudos to the people responsible for that.  Because of such artistic choices, like so many of Aronofsky’s films, Black Swan is like fine literature on screen and I highly recommend it to fans of art house and alternative film.
Add Comment