Published: Jan. 13, 2012
Words: 62,263 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465978592

Short description

An anthology of horror, science fiction and fantasy short stories, some dark and some light but all challenging the bounds of your imagination. You will begin with an experiment in nano-biotechnology gone very wrong, end with an alternate reality on Olde Aearth, and in between experience everything from dragons and wizards to a hurricane and misadventures in space!

Extended description

Can you imagine what your world might be like, One Minute After? A blurring of reality that transcends rational bounds; where every frame of reference has been turned on its head, and visuals are but fleeting reflections in a hall of mirrors?

Venture, then, if you dare, into this anthology of horror, science fiction and fantasy; some dark and some light, but all a challenge to your imagination. We will begin with an experiment in nano-biotechnology gone very wrong, and, if you do not perish in transit, end in a desperate alternate reality on Olde Aearth; emerging with a glimmer of hope ~ justified or not. In between, in those shadowy alcoves and interstitial chambers throughout, you might experience dragons, wizards, hurricanes, or even misadventures in space.

As a caveat, there can be no assurance as to what anyone will encounter, One Minute After. The journey elicits a different experience for each, and not everyone returns whole, or at all.

That said, all are welcome to transce.. (Read more) Can you imagine what your world might be like, One Minute After? A blurring of reality that transcends rational bounds; where every frame of reference has been turned on its head, and visuals are but fleeting reflections in a hall of mirrors?

Venture, then, if you dare, into this anthology of horror, science fiction and fantasy; some dark and some light, but all a challenge to your imagination. We will begin with an experiment in nano-biotechnology gone very wrong, and, if you do not perish in transit, end in a desperate alternate reality on Olde Aearth; emerging with a glimmer of hope ~ justified or not. In between, in those shadowy alcoves and interstitial chambers throughout, you might experience dragons, wizards, hurricanes, or even misadventures in space.

As a caveat, there can be no assurance as to what anyone will encounter, One Minute After. The journey elicits a different experience for each, and not everyone returns whole, or at all.

That said, all are welcome to transcend this unique dimension of faux reality. It could never, after all, thrive as a shell devoid of fear, and to feed that hunger there must be voyeurs within. And so if you are feeling contradictory, adventurous, or just plain foolhardy, please hasten to cross the threshold into the altered timescape of 24:01. Simply pay no mind to the frantic, leaping shadows within, the basso chortle emanating from the darkness close-by, or the clack of the latch falling shut behind...
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Tags

fiction, horror, anthology, fantasy, short stories, sword and sorcery, science fiction, action adventure, dragon, alternate reality, wizard, dystopian future

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Reviews

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Review by: Jim MacLachlan on Sep. 25, 2012 :
A bunch of short stories free from Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/122483

I wanted to review each story & they deserve it, but I didn't. They are often quirky, other times horrible &/or twisted, but all were very good. A lot of different genres were covered from Medieval fantasy to SF. I probably should have rated this as 4 stars, but it's free & very well written. That earns it an extra star & I'm not sure it doesn't deserve it anyway.

"Nanny" is about nanobots with a great ending.
"A Simple Trade" is a fantasy story. Excellent.
"Spirits of the 'Cane" - plain horror with an interesting cast.
"Edgar" A quirky game of magic. Very neat. I'll never look at cats the same way again. I could see them doing just this.
"Galinda" Shades of Grendel with a Gardner twist.
"A Kingdom for the Taking" A Medieval conspiracy.
"A Darkness of Spirit" Magic, dragons, Medieval war, & spirit. Interesting on several levels. I'm still thinking about it, so it must be good.
"Verdara Lightstar" Space opera - fun!
"Science & the Greater Good" Wow! I thought I'd seen most SF twists on this theme. Didn't see this one coming, though.
"The Roots of Fate" Not bad, but not my favorite story in the collection. Still, it was interesting & worth reading.
"A Second Rising" Aliens have taken over our world & turned us into ignorant livestock.

I highly recommend getting this & watch out for more by this author. He's good!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Cheryl Landmark on March 23, 2012 :
First of all, I want to thank Eric Diehl for offering this little gem for free on Smashwords. I’m very glad I decided to give his anthology a try.

The author has a very good command of the written word and has published a collection of short stories that are obviously the product of a boundless and fertile imagination. He can lead the reader effortlessly into the scientific world of modern technology where nanobots inspire dread, or the whimsical world of fantasy where cat-like creatures play a strange and dangerous game, or the far reaches of space where interstellar pirates prey on cargo vessels, or an earth-like world where cruel aliens imprison humans in shanty towns. Some of the tales will make you laugh and some will make you shudder in horror.

My favourite stories were “A Simple Trade”, “Spirits of the ‘Cane”, “Vedara Lightstar”, and “A Second Rising”.

I would encourage anyone to give this anthology a try. I don’t believe you will be disappointed.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Amber Ivers on March 09, 2012 :
I enjoyed reading some of the stories in this book. I gave it a three star rating because the ones that I enjoyed, I loved. They were creative and people should give this small collection of short stories a chance.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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