The Sailor on the Seas of Fate by Michael Moorcock

4 out of 5

Elric sets out to escape his fate on sea voyages but he’s saddled with
a cursed sword. Moorcock handles this melodrama well but it’s just as
well the Elric books are composed of small volumes. Too much brooding
would get tiresome.

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Beware Greeks Bearing Christmas Gifts

The phrase “Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts” came about because of the Trojan War saga. The Greeks had the Trojans under siege for 10 years. The war ended when they infiltrated them with the “Trojan horse.” They pretended to retreat and left a large wicker horse. It was brought into Troy. Greek soldiers were hidden inside the wicker horse and overran the Trojans.

It’s a wonder that modern Greeks haven’t maintained the tradition by giving gag gifts each Christmas.

However, there is a modern Greek folklore about the kallikantzari. They are goblins that tease and harass Greek family homes during the 12 days of Christmas. A priest’s blessing drives them out on January 6th.

I figure the kallikantzari are a carryover of the “beware Greeks bearing gifts” ethos. That spirit of mischief had to be channeled somewhere.

Ring World by Larry Niven

4 out of 5

A team composed of humans and aliens explore an artificial world whose natives are reduced to barbarism. It’s an interesting contrast. The Ringworld is deteriorating but its inhabitants are too ignorant to fix it. The team wants to learn the tech this may be the results of their work if they succeed.

New Release: Ghostly Visitors

“Ghosting” takes on a new meaning to psychic mediums like Nichole Collins. She never knows when her ghostly visitors will come and go into her life! This is a collection of her paranormal encounters.

*The Ghostly Visitors collection contains further adventures of Nichole Collins from my published story “The Psychic Fair” which is also reprint in this collection.

New Release: The Shifty Minion

Shelton “Shifty” Sharpe is no longer trapped in a black magician’s gothic mansion. However, he’s bound in indentured servitude to a hard master. It takes serious skills to work up to the Master’s standards. Especially when the Master’s enemies are attacking them from all sides…

The Shifty Minion is the 2nd book in the Shifty Magician novella series.

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

4 out of 5

A noir in a sci-fi setting where a hardbitten cynic becomes a hero despite himself when settling personal scores has cosmic consequences. This is an interesting precursor to cyberpunk with its scifi noir elements but the hardware isn’t installed in the characters.

Sindbad: And Other Stories From The Arabian Nights by Husain Haddaway

4 out of 5

I read children’s versions of this stories and the more accurate translations feel richer and give me a better feel for the storyteller’s culture. It’s a pleasurable immersive experience.