Science Fiction Consortium review

This anthology contains 10 stories by 9 authors, and they're all good (not always the case in an anthology), but I do have favorites:

 

Temporal Shift is a good time travel story; it incorporates history (9/11) and considers the dangers of changing the past--no matter how badly you want to.  Some of my favorite classic time travel stories do that.  I like the ending!

 

A Shepherd No More is good--and has a cool ending.  No peeking!

 

I really like The Destroyer of Syn.  I wondered how their lives would turn out--and if they would survive.  You'll have to read it to learn what obstacles our protagonists had to surmount...

 

The other stories vary quite a bit with their backgrounds and views of the present and future, and I enjoyed them all.  I think you'll enjoy them too, but some more than others, as I did.  Recommended--and I look forward to reading your reviews.

 

Note: One of the stories, Cold New Planet, is mine, but I haven't read it yet here...  

Storage suggestions (link)

Check out these storage ideas on HGTVremodels.com.  I know floating shelves are in, but I think they really waste space.  I prefer bookcases and cabinets.  Protecting and decorating them with adhesive liners is a great idea.  Learn how you can use these ideas in your home: Conquer Clutter: Built-In Storage on a Budget

Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!

Cold New Planet introduction

Cold New Planet

new world
not mine
not yet

our new world
the crops grow green
for the first time

--oino sakai c9912.26

Thanks to oino sakai for letting me use his scifaiku.

Science Fiction Consortium (anthology)

Science Fiction Consortium is an anthology of short stories from nine authors, including the creator of the Science Fiction Microstory Contest, Jot Russell.

“Temporal Shift” by Jot Russell is a time travel story based around 9/11.

“The Watch Spring” by Allen H. Quintana – Where a man waits for no time.

“A Shepherd No More” by Andy McKell follows one man’s refusal to accept disaster in the depths of space.

“Vampirecratic Menace – A Case Study?” by Richard Bunning describes a dark future medical science.

“Luna-1” by James Newman is a space drama of human struggle.

“The Destroyer of Syn” by Ami Hart paints a synthetic world of youth to maturity.

“Cold New Planet” by Joy V. Smith – What mysteries will the colonists–and the consortium backing them–uncover on this slowly thawing planet?

“Darklings in the Glow” by Sterren describes birth from the ashes.

“Host” by A. L. Scott is a story of internal contact.

“Consortium” by Jot Russell – The search for intelligent life has used the method of radio and light. But somewhere within the subatomic, a universal seed has been planted that is slowly working to control us all.

Available from Amazon: Science Fiction Consortium

Choosing window materials (link)

Here are the basics for windows from HGTV: Windows Boot Camp: Window Materials from The House Counselor

Cold New Planet is finally out

My short story, Cold New Planet, is available now in the anthology, Science Fiction Consortium, as an ebook.  It should be coming out soon in print from CreateSpace.  Here's the Smashwords link if you want to look at the other stories in the anthology.  (It's an interesting selection.)

 

Smashwords link: 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/485133

Bathroom flooring choices (link)

There are different kinds of tiles to choose from--and various designs.  There's also vinyl and linoleum, which I'm glad to see has made a comeback.  And there's laminate--and carpet tiles, which you can pick up to dry out.  (Oh, good, one more bathroom chore.)  Check out your choices at HGTVremodels.com: 9 Trends in Bathroom Flooring

Tropical Storms Fay and Gonzalo

There are two tropical storms, but they continue to head away from us here in Florida.  I think Gonzalo may become a hurricane.  Category 2?  I'll have to keep an eye on it.

(Thanks, Lloyd, for the heads up.)

Update (10-12): Gonzalo is now a category 1 hurricane, and it may strengthen to a category 3.  It appears to be staying out to sea.

Update (10-14): It looks like Gonzalo may make it to a cat 4 and could be heading for Bermuda.

Update (10-15): Gonzalo has made it to cat 4.

Strike Three review from Midwest Book Review

Strike Three
Joy V. Smith
WolfSinger Publications
9781936099658, $12.95, www.wolfsingerpubs.com

Because of the 'hot virus', World War III's scenario is more deadly than any nuclear-powered conflict, and the missiles fired during conflict are far more deadly than any conventional battle could have envisioned. But the message of Strike Three isn't just about altered warfare, but altered survival mechanisms honed by feisty protagonists who seek to start over, against all odds and against the backdrop of an Earth devastated on many different levels. Against this scenario are a series of vivid protagonists who battle for not just survival but a revised world - and within their efforts to rise again will be the rudiments of a new kind of humanity. Strike Three is exceptional reading for any who enjoy apocalyptic stories, and offers many twists and turns unpredictable even for avid readers of end-of-world sagas.


You can find it at: Midwest Book Review: California Bookwatch:
October 2014: The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Link: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/calbw/oct_14.htm#Fantasy/SciFi

Rehab Addict (link)

Rehab Addict is one one of my favorite shows on HGTV.  Nicole Curtis often saves condemned homes and helps upgrade neighborhoods.  Here's a link to her Before and After photos of a bungalow she recently saved and renovated: 1920s bungalow restoration

Kitchen sink choices (link)

You can choose from a variety of kitchen sink styles and materials, though I'm not so sure about marble and bamboo--or the crescent prep sink: Kitchen Sinks: A Primer

Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!

Color vs. Color winner and runners-up (link)

From HGTV. com: Coral was the winner, and Lemon Zest was second.  Check out the others: Color Vs. Color: The Winning Hue Is Revealed

Pantry ideas (link)

Here are some efficient pantry and storage ideas, though keeping potatoes in a wire basket is not a good idea.  Have you ever had to deal with rotten potatoes?!  Yuck--and drip, drip, drip.  And small items can slip through or tip on wire shelves.  I used placemats, among other things, to prevent that on wire shelves.  And then there are leaks!  But there are some good ideas here, including bright colors: Pantry suggestions