Tag: Team Rubicon

Beyond the Sea — Part 2

Beyond the Sea: Stories from the Underground is a project of the Underground Authors. We are a group of writers who place a high value on quality fiction. We seek to write it and promote it.

Beyond the Sea was an exercise in creativity. Take one picture and see what stories a dozen writers could find in it. And we found a dozen gems.

Three weeks ago, I blogged about my own contribution, and the three stories that impressed me the most.

Today, and next week, I want to share with you the remaining stories — because all the stories are good.  And what’s more, maybe your favorite is one of these eight imaginative tales.

So let’s dive in!

The Diving Bits — Breakfield & Burkey

Xiamara has spent her and Judith’s savings to buy a boat. Judith is furious. The money was for their tuition to learn computers.

However, Xiamara convinces her friend they can make the money back by taking tourists out snorkeling.

But when their best laid plans meet reality, the two women end up in a heap of trouble.

A fun backstory romp in Breakfield & Burkey’s Enigma Universe.

Stranded — NE Brown

This story starts out innocently enough, but gradually you become aware that something isn’t right. And the ending? You have to read it — no spoilers here.

This is a suspense shocker that will have you trusting no one. A story I very much liked.

I’d Rather Drown — James R Callan

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself a prisoner? That’s the situation Darcy finds herself in. Prisoner of a control freak and possible psychopath. All because she accepted a drink and agreed to a game of tennis.

But she has a life, and it isn’t with her jailer! How is she going to escape Donald’s clutches?

James Callan gives us a tense thriller, brilliantly executed. A tale of escape that will have you biting your nails. I know I did!

Regi Vitam — Michael Scott Clifton

Ever wonder if anything you do ever has a good impact on someone else?

Frankie Scott was old and in poor health. He’d found a lot of talent for the Major Leagues in his day, but now he was all washed up. Just existing until his heart, lungs, or liver gave out. Just existing, that is, until Devin Ramos’ baseball breaks his window.

A heartwarming story that brought tears to my eyes.

Beyond the Sea: Stories from the Underground is a labor of love. All profits go to Team Rubicon to help their efforts to provide humanitarian relief when disaster strikes.

So do yourself and a lot of others a favor and pick up a copy today. You can be a good Samaritan and have fun at the same time!

Buy Beyond the Sea at Amazon

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Beyond the Sea

This past Friday was the official launch of Beyond the Sea: Stories from the Underground.

The concept was simple: a picture of a boat beached on a spit of sand jutting out into a lake, or a bay, or maybe the sea. Then add the imaginations of a dozen authors. And what do you get? A superbly satisfying collection of short stories.

I’m proud to be one of the 12 Underground Authors contributing to this incredible collection of tales. My story “The Boat”, is my first return trip to the post-apocalyptic world of The Rocheport Saga in 4 years. I took the opportunity to coax out of Bill Arthur a story that took place before The Morning Star, which is Book 1 of the series.

Amazon reviewer J.S. wrote of “The Boat”:

C.W. Hawes wrote a compelling short story that I didn’t want to come to an end. His words came alive and I joined in with the characters in a hair-raising survival journey in a post-apocalyptic world. Great world-building and great writing!

I’m pleased and humbled by that comment. And very glad I wasn’t a drag on the group effort! 🙂

As a reader, I was impressed with the overall quality of the stories. As can’t be helped, some were more appealing to me than others. That’s just how it is in an anthology. Not everything will please everybody. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

Nevertheless, the overall quality is high, and that should please any reader. I’m confident everyone will find a story they’ll fall in love with.

My personal favorites, the ones that especially caught my eye, were “Hemingway’s Boat” by Caleb Pirtle III, “The Encounter” by Ronald E Yates, and “Roses for Grant” by Richard Schwindt.

Pirtle’s story is a superb example of his ability  to capture a time and place, people it with true to life characters, throw in a bit of mystery and romance, and come up with a story that grabs you and doesn’t let go. In the short time that I’ve known him, he’s become one of my favorite authors.

I enjoy a good science fiction yarn, and Ron Yates has uncorked a real goodie in “The Encounter”. And when it’s coupled with a touch of slowburn terror, it’s a keeper. His knowledge of Southeast Asia and history adds a strong sense of place and color to the tale.

Richard Schwindt, as readers of this blog know, is one of my favorite contemporary writers. I think I’d buy his grocery lists. His story, “Roses for Grant”, is a beautiful slice-of-life tale about an older middle-aged couple. Their memories and the mission they are on. In some ways, it reminded me of Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” in that the dialogue essentially carries the story. No narrator gets in the way of the couple on whom we are listening in.

Having written the above, I want to emphasize that there is something for everyone in Beyond the Sea — and what are my favorites may not be yours. Pick up a copy and see for yourself.

We the authors are donating the proceeds to Team Rubicon. A worthy organization. Check them out on their website.

You can pick up a copy of Beyond the Sea at Amazon. And when you do, you benefit yourself and the disaster relief efforts of Team Rubicon. 

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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