Ardy

Biography

I live in Northern New Mexico. My biggest influences include Stephen King, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Frank Peretti, and Trey Parker. I write mainly fantasy, science fiction, and horror, often with a Christian slant.
Some of the things I write are just for fun, like most of my free short stories, which I will continue to produce as long as these interesting, and sometimes quite messed up ideas keep popping into my head. Some things I write because I feel that they are important. I don't intend to be preachy and try not to insert messages into my writing unless I forewarn the reader that they'll be there. My main intentions with my works are to entertain the reader, make the reader think, and sometimes just to give them a good little scare.
Two things seem to creep into my writing often. One is my faith. The other is my proclivity for horror, which even rears its ugly head in my Christian pieces.
Check my blog for special coupons and discounts that will be available exclusively at smashwords.com.
I appreciate any review, and please be honest.

Smashwords Interview

What motivated you to become an indie author?
Honestly, I became an indie author because it was far simpler than trying to break into the traditional writing market. After several attempts to get published in magazines and trying to get an agent or publisher willing to take a risk on an unknown author, I found Smashwords and decided I would give it a shot. I figured that I would get my writing out there and let the readers decide. Now, with nearly nine thousand sales/downloads in countries all over the world, I am glad I made that decision. I may not get rich selling my books online and publishing free stories, but it is rewarding to know that thousands of people have enjoyed my work.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords is amazing. It was my first and only choice when I decided to self publish. My books are now available all over the world and I've actually made a bit of money. I would highly recommend Smashwords to any aspiring author trying to break into this crowded market.
Read more of this interview.

Books

Akeldama: This Dark World – Part Two – Welcome to the Freak Show
Series: Akeldama. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 69,740. Language: English. Published: July 28, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Supernatural
What happens to the maimed, mentally or physically impaired, outcasts and freaks if they are turned? Rejected by their own dark kind, driven by blood lust, and led by a cunning dwarf, a band of rejects form a coven. In part two of this sequel to Akeldama: Field of Blood, our heroes face a new dark danger.
Akeldama: This Dark World - Part One - The Rogue
Series: Akeldama. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 168,400. Language: English. Published: March 3, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead, Fiction » Horror » Undead
The survivors of a nightmare in Hidden Valley, New Mexico are now in a dark world ruled by vampires. Recovering, mourning their loses, preparing for battle. But then he appears. A vampire? Or something else? Is he friend or foe? Ally or a sinister deceiver?
The Corruption
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 13,120. Language: English. Published: September 18, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead
A zombie tale of biblical proportion. "“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” Genesis 6:11,12, ESV Do I really believe that Zombies stormed Noah’s Ark? Not anymore than I really believe in Vampires, Monsters under beds, talking birds,
Grandpa Bill
Series: Fairview Estates Stories. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 3,340. Language: English. Published: December 30, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Weird fiction
Can Cynthia save her beloved Grandpa Bill for the horrible happenings at the Vista Bonita Retirement Home? A quick read that will haunt you for days (at least minutes).
The Skitora
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 3,960. Language: English. Published: July 13, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Christian » Fantasy
We met this dragon slaying team in the story "There is No Dragon." Like the other dragon slayer story, this one deals with sin. Instead of denying that sin is there, like the villagers in "There is no Dragon," the man in "Stikora" admits it's there and wants to get rid of it. Buit since he invited it into his life in the first place...the dragon slayers need his help killing it.
There is No Dragon
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 3,720. Language: English. Published: July 11, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Themes & motifs » Spiritual & metaphysical
A fun fantasy with a Christian theme originally published under the pen name Arthur B. Roberts. The account of the adventures of Jerad and his dragon slaying partner Zede, the feisty dwarf. The pair is famous throughout the kingdom but are surprised to come upon a village where the people insist, in spite of evidence to the contrary, that there is no dragon.
Second Chance
Series: Fairview Estates Stories. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,520. Language: English. Published: November 25, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
Robert is serving a 25 year sentence for murder but he is granted a chance to go back and change things. Even though he is doing everything he can to make sure that he never becomes the man he used to be, he is still plagued by nightmares and guilt. Will his own selfishness ruin his second chance?
Bloody Halloween: An Akeldama Story
Series: Akeldama. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 8,430. Language: English. Published: July 15, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead
(5.00 from 1 review)
A year before the Vampire Uprising a Halloween party turns deadly. Three bodies are found, all of them with wounds to the neck and all of them mysteriously missing much of their blood. Hidden Valley police officer Hector Ruiz is baffled and terrified, but his old friend Dave Reilly has a theory. Meanwhile, a girl finds herself face to face with a Vampire that was once her best friend.
"Welcome to Hell. Would you like fries with that?"
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 2,570. Language: English. Published: July 5, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Weird fiction
(4.00 from 7 reviews)
A fast food worker finds himself repeating the same hour over and over again and cannot escape. Anyone who has ever worked fast food and was afraid that their shift would never end will appreciate this story.
Right to Life?
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 3,600. Language: English. Published: June 28, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
(4.50 from 4 reviews)
Matthew and Kristine Smith are both staunchly pro-life, but the results of genetic testing on their unborn baby may change their minds. Could sacrificing this one child save the lives of millions of people?
Necrosis
Series: Fairview Estates Stories. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 6,610. Language: English. Published: June 26, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Horror » Ghost
(5.00 from 1 review)
Andy Simon wakes up in excruciating pain, a pain for which there is no explaination. He then hears sirens from vehicles that aren't there. Then his wife kisses him gooodbye and begs him not to die on her, though she doesn't even seem to notice her own strange words. His day only gets weirder from there. Why does the pain persist? Why does his coffee taste like blood? What is happening to him?
"Mommy, there's something under my bed."
Series: Fairview Estates Stories. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 1,870. Language: English. Published: June 24, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(4.75 from 8 reviews)
Angela's husband Ben mysteriously disappeared two weeks ago. Now, her six year old daughter Janie tells her mother that there is a monster under her bed and it is hungry.
Shawn Black: Vampire Hunter
Series: Akeldama. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 12,340. Language: English. Published: June 6, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
In this prequel to Akeldama: The Field of Blood, Rev. Kirk Black trains his fifteen year old nephew Shawn in the art of Vampire killing. The two of them then travel to Hidden Valley to assist Dave Reilly and Dimitri Milton in battle. It takes place ten years before the Vampire uprising.
Akeldama: The Field of Blood
Series: Akeldama, Book One. Price: $2.00 USD. Words: 141,300. Language: English. Published: May 28, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
When Vampires start a war on humanity, bent on conquering the world, a small group of hunters and gypsies are all that stand in their way. Aided by a pastor, an old Romanian woman, a part Vampire child, and a teenage girl with strange and unexplainable power, they make their stand in a small New Mexico town. Can they stop the Vampire prophesy of Akeldama from being fulfilled?
Dawn is Coming
Price: $2.00 USD. Words: 181,170. Language: English. Published: May 26, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Epic, Fiction » Christian » Fantasy
(5.00 from 1 review)
Night has reigned for a thousand years, as has the evil king Morningstar. A man named Peter is chosen from obscurity to lead an underground rebellion that seeks to dethrone the imposter and bring the True King to his rightful throne and finally awaken the Dawn.
The Noble Mr. Prickles
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 21,150. Language: English. Published: May 12, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Humor & comedy » General
(4.00 from 1 review)
Javan, a decorated general and military instructor, once swore an oath to his friend, King Orvan, that should he ever be needed he would answer the call. Now, Orvan is insane, taking advice only from his dog, and he has called Javan and his three best warriors to go on a suicidal mission to retrieve a magic orange petal from the Giant Kingdom, with only a chimpanzee named Mr. Prickles to aid them.

Ardy's favorite authors on Smashwords

Adam Drake
Latest book: A Skip in Time.
Published January 17, 2014.
Christopher Lee Cousino
Latest book: Homeless #8.
Published October 2, 2016.
Jeff Vrolyks
Latest book: The Great Gray Superhighway.
Published December 19, 2013. (2.00 from 1 review)

Smashwords book reviews by Ardy

  • Let's Eat Daddy on June 20, 2012

    not quite sure everything that was happening, but I think that was intended. I enjoy disturbing looks into psychotic minds, and this was surely that.
  • Circe's Pool on June 21, 2012

    pretty good story. A little more description and a little more set up of the characters and plot would have made me more sympathetic to their plight, but I did enjoy it.
  • 8 Fantasy Flashes on June 25, 2012

    These stories were good. Some should be expanded. You have some good books here, but I wish I could tell a story in just a few words like that.
  • Alexander (Vampire Morsels) on June 25, 2012

    Great story. Child Vampires are either very frightening, very tragic, or both. This one seemed tragic. Want to read more!
  • Death Without Parole #1 on June 25, 2012
    (no rating)
    This story was awesome. Couldn't stop reading and definitely will look for the sequels! Very few stories actually scare me, but there were moments in this one that did. Wish I'd thought of it.
  • Death Without Parole #1 on June 25, 2012

    awesome! scared me, which is very rare. wish i'd thought of it. would have solved some of my plot problems. well written, exciting, and at times gut wrenching.
  • M.u.r.s.e. #1 on June 26, 2012

    This story is great! Not only is this guy my favorite smashwords author, he's quickly becoming one of my favorite writers period.
  • u on June 28, 2012

    Interesting little piece.
  • The Last Fight of the Dwarves on June 30, 2012

    Not bad. Explore this world more. There is a lot going on and a lot of creatures who deserve more time.
  • Those characters In My Head on June 30, 2012

    Great. As a writer, I love insights into other writers' minds. Some people write for money, some for fame, but a lot of us write because it's the best way to express the feelings we have. We can process them in ways that few others can. I can really relate to this short piece.
  • Keep Off The Grass on July 01, 2012

    Prince William may never read this, but I have a sense of humor and I liked it a lot.
  • Fiddleback on July 01, 2012
    (no rating)
    I am only half way through this book but I had to write a review. I am completely hooked. This is a very good story, disturbing and funny at the same time. I will probably write another review as soon as I am finished, but so far I haven't been able to stop reading this engrossing tale.
  • Sniper on July 03, 2012

    A lot of insight into a character's mind with just a few short pages. Why didn't you expand this? Would have made an interesting novel...
  • The Beauty in Ugly on July 03, 2012

    Interesting story. I like the ones where you are never 100% sure what has happened at the end.
  • The Librarian on July 05, 2012

    Wow. This is a very powerful piece of liturature. There is a lot of wisdom here and I believe that it would help a lot of people who have suffered in their lives and couldn't figure out why. "Trust the Author." I loved that. Thank you for this short, but insightful work!
  • You Matter on July 05, 2012

    A nicely done little piece, but nothing new. Tracts don't have the impact that some people think they do. Use your talent to present this important message in a new way. I liked it, but it would be better suited as a children's book. I'll give it a good rating for two reasons. One, it was very well put together and beautifully illustrated, and two, the message is a good one.
  • Dead! on July 06, 2012

    Very good. Original and entertaining. Zombies have been done to death so it's refreshing to see a story that keeps it fresh and makes you want to keep reading!
  • Kaboom! on July 06, 2012

    That was no egg!
  • The Pale Shovel - Death in 100 Words on July 06, 2012

    Not bad. Takes quite a bit of talent to create a vivid image in so few words.
  • An Atheist Afterlife on July 07, 2012

    An interesting and in depth discussion. However, as with every religious argument, whether that religion is Christianity, Bhuddism, or Atheism, the arguments always sound better from your own point of view. I should know, having debated my own faith countless times with everyone from atheists to pagans to wiccans. Once you believe you are right, your arguments will always lead to the same place. That's okay. As nothing I can say can convince you of the divinity of Christ, nothing you can say can convince me that there is no God. The debates themselves are more for the debaters than for those they "argue" with. I like your conclusion. I have never seen an atheist argue for an afterlife before, even if our views of what that afterlife would be are vastly different. This is a great discussion starter for people of any belief system. Thanks for this work.
  • Toilet Tom: A Short Story on July 08, 2012

    Sick and twisted. Kind of reminded me of Stephen King's Dreamcatcer, but shorter, sweeter, and much more disgusting!
  • Rainbows on July 08, 2012

    A very good story. This theme has been done lots of times with varying degrees of success and quality. This one works while others fail.
  • The Rabbi and the Vampire (A Short Story) on July 08, 2012

    Awesome story, and it does my heart good to know that my Jewish blood protects me from vampires! I have a feeling that if they are really out there, some of my writing might piss them off. I loved the blend of legend and history. I think an entire novel about Jewish Vampire hunters is in order!
  • Writer's Block on July 08, 2012

    If writer's block is really a sympton of an untimely death, then I could be in real trouble. Scary!
  • In The Company of Angels on July 08, 2012

    This writer continues to impress me. Not as good as his last story, but still a very enjoyable read.
  • Fiddleback on July 09, 2012

    Just finished the book. Interesting ending. Would have liked a little more insight into what Breuer was up to during his absence, but considering all that went on in that time and the still ambiguous nature of the character, maybe it's best we never find out...
  • Partners #1 on July 09, 2012

    Chilling. An enjoyable read.
  • The Old Mansion on July 11, 2012

    A very good story with a lot of potential. Should be the first chapter of a novel, though.
  • 7:45 Evil Time on July 11, 2012

    Interesting, but I agree that it needs to be formatted properly. It's hard to read. The world created has a lot of potential, but there needs to be a lot more development. If this is a test of smashwords, maybe you have some other works as well. There is talent here, but a quick read of the style guide and formatting rules would benifit you.
  • The Ghost of Cabin 664 on July 12, 2012

    There are some interesting things going on in this author's mind. All you have to do is read his profile and the author's notes to see that. It's great that some of those interesting things are making it onto the page. This story was enjoyable and well written.
  • M.u.r.s.e. #2 on July 15, 2012

    Awesome story! Even better than part one. The world created in M.U.R.S.E. is intriguing and terrifying, and Colbt Jack is one of the funniest characters I have ever read, giving these stories a unique blend of frights and laughs that makes me want to read more!
  • Alia's Angel on July 16, 2012

    This is a well written story. There were a few formatting errors, but that didn't take away from the experience. While I am not a big fan of reluctant or confused Vampires, I do like this one's take on figuring out exactly what the monster wants and what it is becoming. Pier is an interesting character and I would like to hear more about his story.
  • Harlot Malediction on July 17, 2012

    Good and quick read. I'll say the same thing for your story that you said for mine: happy that there is no happy ending. In this case, the victims kind of brought their demise upon themselves. I like the history behind the tale and think it could have been explored some more, maybe in another novel.
  • The Cornfield on July 17, 2012

    Not a bad story, but I think it should be longer. If the devil is following her, how many others may he have attempted to get over the years, or actually gotten his hands on?
  • The Periphery People on July 18, 2012

    This was a great quick-hitter. I found myself instantly drawn in and couldn't stop reading. There are more questions than answers, but anyone who has ever felt "sad" without actually knowing why will find themselves looking over their shoulders for these periphery people.
  • Partners #2 on July 18, 2012

    Another great story. I love how this author can so effortlessly move between styles and genres and still maintain his unique voice. Looking forward to reading more.
  • Terminator; Reborn on July 22, 2012

    I agree that the concept is intriguing. It would create quite a paradox, but the Terminator saga is ripe with paradoxes from the beginning.
  • Most Guys on July 22, 2012

    Not the type of story I typically read, but I liked it. It was cute and funny but, as I have found with this author, there is something deeper going on here.
  • Death Without Parole #2 on Aug. 01, 2012

    Awesome. I was waiting for part two and I was not disappointed.