Don Phillips lives in a part of Spain where you have to speak the language. These four amusing and basically true stories reflect various moments in the last twenty five years he has lived there where this has caused the odd problem.Living abroad can be good and enjoyable, but there are some things that have to be taken into consideration before you go. Firstly the locals will almost definitely talk a different language and it is really up to you to learn enough of it to at least get by. Secondly, you have to accept that the natives will have different values and culture to the one you are used to. Lastly, if you do not accept all this and learn to live with it then you will be at the mercy of others whenever you want to do anything, such as buy or sell a house or query something in your bank statement. These four stories illustrate some of these difficulties in a humorous way. Views: 801
“We all have monsters.” Grant said it quietly enough that only he could hear it. It was a truth he didn’t want to acknowledge. It was a truth that was beginning to become his reality.What Grant Smith loses at seven is much more than his father. He loses his faith, his happiness—his identity. The years turn him into a man without reason. At eighteen he is just as lost as when he was a child. All he wants is happiness. One day it is found in the form of a girl named Chelsea. She is damaged much like him. They fall in love.Grant is a man haunted by things he has always avoided. Despite a new sense of happiness he can’t escape the darkness that was born within him. It manifests in the form of a father now transformed by his own demons.In a dream he frenetically claims happiness. But, the father with a monster attached mocks him for it. The truth he doesn’t want to face is that he is not happy. Or if he is, he fears it is only temporary.And it is…The war that started after 9/11 branches off into others; the president who promised change is reelected; a once bright future has become something bleak. The Draft is put back into effect.On a day when two explosions paint the sky in Baghdad, Grant unleashes his darkness. Every choice has a consequence. His is unimaginable.His father’s death left him a man without reason. The war leaves him a man changed for the worse. He knows of his darkness. He let it free. And now it threatens to take away everything he loves… Views: 797
Newly initiated Daiku Timo Coertez had not initially put the pieces together. The Myson spy Mikael had been aboard for a full day before he realised that this was the man he himself had spied on for the Wind Chasers, up at the Emperor's Summer Residence in the Vale.The question was, what should he do about it?A Meeting of Spies is the twelfth installment of 'To Walk the Path'. The revolution moves one step closer. Views: 788
It's Midsummer's Eve, but Sam Tyler is starting to regret agreeing to find her ex's adopted brother a suitable coat for the coming night's ball.*Read this if you enjoy the work of Jon Courtney Grimwood, Tad Williams or Joe Abercrombie, or love watching Alias or Teenwolf.It's Midsummer's Eve, but Sam Tyler is starting to regret agreeing to find her ex's adopted brother a suitable coat for the coming night's ball.*The city of Neppon drifts through the shallows, where the walls circling the mortal realm are thin. Here the daemons gather out of the surrounding night, drawn by its promise of candle flame warmth.As the election for the city's mayoral office approaches, one man stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. His reputation is as a bastion for all that is good and honest, in a world beset from all sides by horrors. But Jaret Roscan carries a secret. A secret that could bring ruin to his political career, and chaos to his beloved city.One person carries the key to his salvation. The question is, will they come forward in his hour of need?Harlem's Deck; a story in instalments. Keep your hand close to your chest...*Read this if you enjoy the work of Jon Courtney Grimwood, Tad Williams or Joe Abercrombie, or love watching Alias or Teenwolf. Views: 759
Lisa and Mark have known each other since they were eight. Bullies brought them together, and a stray dog might change their lives, their dreams, and their future."I said you were not getting past us.” Sam began to laugh. Just as Mark stood up again he heard a voice come from behind him. “Leave him alone!” What now? He turned and noticed a small girl standing there.She was about Mark's age, eight or so, standing there pointing her finger at Sam and Bobby Jenkins. Sam just scowled at her and then they both laughed. “What are you going to do about it?” What happened next was a shock even to an eight-year-old boy. She said, “You’ll be sorry.” Views: 731
The famous Japanese novelist, Naoki Sanjugo, wrote this story when the 1960s was the future.A gravely ill, but considerate husband builds a robot replacement in the event of his death.*Bonus translation* Autobiographical Sketch of Naoki Sanjugo.We follow Gus Bovington through a typical 24 hours in his work life, and watch as he issues directives to subtly brainwash his fellow citizens.No adult-only content. Views: 713
Timo is a typical farm boy with a difference: when he goes out to tend the flocks a dragon joins him for the night long vigil. But things are about to change between him and Kirigama, as the Drake has need of his help.For fans of Robin Hobb, Richard Morgan and anyone eagerly awaiting the release of Scalebound.After the Storm... is the third chapter of 'The Orphans Revolt'. I'm planning to release it and its sister volume 'His Staying Hand' episodically whilst I get a head start on writing the concluding volume of the trilogy. So if you enjoy the above keep your eyes peeled for future instalments. As I've done with previous writing, each part will also be available for download individually here on Smashwords.Hope you enjoy! Views: 708
As a law officer you watch it all from a distance. But what happens when it gets personal? What happens when its your family dying? John MacAllister had been a CID inspector for nearly twenty years and thought he had seen it all. He had too, but not through the eyes of a victim. This time it was personal with his own family involved. He discovered he too had a dark side. Set In Bristol, England.John MacAllister is an honest copper. This honesty will probably mean that he will stay at his current rank for the rest of his time in the force, after a well known judge was sent down for three years for child pornography despite the attempts by the Chief Constable to get MacAllister to drop the case. He doesn't care. He likes being at the sharp end, has no desire to drive a desk and is respected by his officers.Then a hit and run by a youth in a stolen car causes his own daughter to be so badly hurt that they finally have to switch off her life support. When the culprit then gets off with 200 hours community service because of his father's position in the community and his contacts with the police and other bodies of influence, MacAllister changes. His patience gone he attacks the youth's father outside of the court and finally gets shuffled out of the force. This turns out to be to his advantage. Nobody kills his daughter and walks away scott free. Use a killer to catch a killer becomes his watchword. Views: 698
While Rivan and Galairel go to confront the Congregate's merchant aristocracy, Kelsaro leads her band of revolutionaries on a raid beneath the Imperial Precinct.As Timo and the Orphan fleet close in on the capital, Kel and her allies amongst the underground gangs of Incarnate finally put weeks of planning into action, with a little help from their girl on the inside.'Beneath the Precinct: Reprise' is part of the cyber-fantasy 'To Walk the Path', the final installment of 'The Star Plague Journals'. Views: 680
'Blood and art. Honestly Elliot, what more natural occupation for a vampire could there be?' Elliot pays a visit to his favourite tattooist, for some new ink and a few unexpected truths...'Blood Work' is the 10th instalment of 'Harlem's Deck', a serial Noir about cute boys with big swords and things that go bump in the night. Tailored for fans of Tru Blood, Zombieland or Bayonetta-like sillines'Blood and art. Honestly Elliot, what more natural occupation for a vampire could there be?' Elliot pays a visit to his favourite tattooist, for some new ink and a few unexpected truths...'Blood Work' is the 10th instalment of 'Harlem's Deck', a serial Noir about cute boys with big swords and things that go bump in the night. Tailored for fans of Tru Blood, Zombieland or Bayonetta-like silliness.(...Back cover write up...)The city of Neppon drifts through the shallows, where the walls circling the mortal realm are thin. Here the daemons gather out of the surrounding night, drawn by its promise of candle flame warmth.As the election for the city's mayoral office approaches, one man stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. His reputation? A bastion for everything that is good and honest, in a world beset from all sides by horrors. But Jaret Roscan carries a secret. A secret that could bring ruin to his political career, and chaos to his beloved city.One person carries the key to his salvation. The question is, will they come forward in his hour of need?Harlem's Deck; a story in instalments. Keep your hand close to your chest... Views: 639
On the eve of the Winter Solstice, Rivan and the immortal Galairel prepare to make their final stand.It's finally here. The Winter Solstice looms, and for the Orphans that means its time to set the wheels in motion. Now they will play dice with their lives in this final bid to win freedom from the elitist tyranny of the Imperial League.This is part 18 of 'To Walk the Path', the serialised final part of 'The Star Plague Journals'. Find earlier installments, as well as the collated editions of the previous two books, on my author's page. Views: 636
An essay on the current economy and what we need to do to change the direction of where we are heading.An essay that highlights on the current state of affairs and how our economy is being hurt. The culprits for this state of affairs are the Current Administration, Political plays, Corporate Greed and other things but a deeper look in to these and other factors reveal that a lot of blame is on the working population and how we can turn things around. Views: 636
Timo is awakened when his ship receives an unexpected envoy...'Bigger Picture' is the seventh chapter of my cyber-fantasy 'To Walk the Path'. Here the story reaches out to touch the larger universe.'To Walk the Path' is the fourth (and final) installment in my epic cyber-fantasy series 'The Star Plague Journals'. Currently serialised here and on Deviant Art I'll be producing a collated edition of the finished work once it's complete. Watch this space. Views: 613
What lies beneath the ruined city of Galairel? Enquiring minds want to know, and apparently Rivan has the answers...Timo's training is going well with the Nym at Sha'Klairon, but that doesn't mean he isn't happy to see an old familiar face: Rivan has come to call, bearing news of the coming revolution for the Grove's Cabal. But their evening of catching up is high-jacked when the Nym gathered in the commons realise he's been taken to see what lies beneath the infamous ruined city of Galairel. The revolution creeps ever closer in this, the second instalment of 'To Walk the Path'. Views: 610
Will a night at the Opera be more than Elliot can handle...? Why does the Three Winds dojo charge for membership, despite almost criminal subsidies from its sponsoring families? And just what is Harlem's Deck? The plot thickens as the adventure continues...Will a night at the Opera be more than Elliot can handle...? Why does the Three Winds dojo charge for membership, despite almost criminal subsidies from its sponsoring families? And just what is Harlem's Deck? The plot thickens as the adventure continues...(...Back cover write up...)The city of Neppon drifts through the shallows, where the walls circling the mortal realm are thin. Here the daemons gather out of the surrounding night, drawn by its promise of candle flame warmth.As the election for the city's mayoral office approaches, one man stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. His reputation? A bastion for everything that is good and honest, in a world beset from all sides by horrors. But Jaret Roscan carries a secret. A secret that could bring ruin to his political career, and chaos to his beloved city.One person carries the key to his salvation. The question is, will they come forward in his hour of need?Harlem's Deck; a story in instalments. Keep your hand close to your chest... Views: 609
