Tentacles: An Anthology

                 
                Tentacles: An Anthology
Smashwords Edition
Copyright Eva LeFoy 2012
Copyright D.R Larsson 2012
Copyright Haley Whitehall 2012
Cover Art by Melody Simmons
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are products of the author’s
imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or
dead, is entire coincidental
Table of Contents
Title Page
Blurbs
Copyright
Solar Pioneer by Eva LeFoy
Mr. Sweede by D.R Larsson
Zaural by Eva LeFoy
The Sacrifice by Haley Whitehall

Author Bios:
Eva LeFoy
Eva LeFoy writes and reads all kinds of science fiction, steampunk, and romance, and is a
certified Trekkie. She’s also terribly addicted to chocolate, tea, yoga and hiking. One of these
days, she’ll figure out the meaning of life, quit her day job and travel the galaxy. Until then,
she’s writing down all her weird and dirty thoughts for the sake of future explorers.

D.R Larsson
D.R. has been around the block a time or three, often in different time zones and different
centuries. He grew up in costume at a historic site and couldn’t remember if it was 1876 or
1976. Later he studied everything. Music, history, education, psychology, sociology, geology,
chemistry and anthropology, then spent 20 years as an archaeologist. Now, by day he works as a
research assistant in a high tech industry. By night, among other things, he writes. This is his first
foray into the public with his fiction.

Haley Whitehall
Haley Whitehall has been writing stories since the age of four. She has a history B.A and
normally writes gritty 19th century novels and offbeat historical romance. This is her first venture
into science fiction. It was fun and challenging. She plans on writing more cross-genre short
stories in the future.

Blurbs
Four short science fiction stories of tentacle monster mayhem and destruction to keep you awake
at night wondering if you’ve already been the next victim…
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Solar Pioneer by Eva LeFoy
During the ten-year war, a remote scientific station on the edge of the galaxy has all but been
forgotten. Tired of the war, cruiser pilot Coop takes the mission to re-establish contact with the
team, but soon has to rescue himself from the clutches of a crazy scientist and a monster capable
of keeping alive forever his wildest nightmares. Science Fiction Horror. 6,400 words.
Leona's Review:
I did not care for it and the language did not help. Strange and uncertain what was happening. Sorry, but not my cup of tea. I give it a 1 star.
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Mr. Sweede by D. R. Larsson
Through a telescope, some galaxies may not look like much, but the full spectrum of beings still
lurk within. Some live, learn and love within it. Some are travelers. Some hunt. But not all
hunters look like predators. Some look just like us. Some were our best friends. Mr. Sweede was
everyone’s best friend. Or so they thought… Science Fiction. 3,000 words
Leona's Review: Definitely science fiction. Language was fine but the story lost me. A 2 star because the language was better. I thought at the beginning of the story there would be some substance.
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Zaural by Eva LaFoy
Captain Zaural Shuri is sent to respond to an emergency hail on Andvari, a colony of former
inmates, after a colonist is killed by the planet's indigenous species. Once there, she must battle
her ex-boyfriend, bizarre creatures, and her own fears to unravel the tangled web of clues before
she loses her grip on reality. As if reality was ever what it seemed.
Science Fiction with mild adult sexual content. 11,000 words.
Leona's Review: This story had a lot of action but again, not my interest. I will give it a 2 star for the imagination. Language kept it from a 3 star.
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The Sacrifice by Haley Whitehall
One night Aveda, a scullery maid, is dragged out of bed by ruthless pirates and hauled on board
their ship. She fears she will be sold into slavery or worse, but their plan is even more sinister.
Down below, a monster she never imagined existed awaits the decision that will change her life
forever... Science Fiction/Historical. 2,500 words
Leona's Review: This story was one I could understand at the beginning and it ended with some humor. Not great but still deserves a 3.5 star because it was easy to read and language was fine. A very short story and quick to read.
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I read these stories in the past and did not do my review so re-read it. I was not too impressed. There was a lot of imagination in the stories though.
The opinions are my own.
I do appreciate the complimentary copy from Smashwords.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
                                                                                              

A Kingdom's Cost

This book is about James Douglas of Scotland when he was eighteen years of age. A Kingdom's Cost begins in the year 1300 in Paris and ends in Scotland.

There are historical characters such as William Wallace, King Edward l of England (who was known as Longshanks), the Bishop of Andrews, William Lamberton (who crowned Robert de Bruce as King of Scotland), William Douglas the Hardy, father of James and there is Isabella, the love of James.

James is the main character and the book is about his struggle for Scotland, with others, to become free of England and for James to regain his rightful land.

The beginning chapters are filled with historical facts and the time frame moves quickly. It took me close to one hundred pages to really get in to the personal part of the book. I know little of Scottish history and did learn a lot from A Kingdom's Cost and the war between England and Scotland during the reign of Edward l. As far as I could read with my extra research the author was close to the facts.

There was so much fighting and war, I kept wondering why so much. I got my answer on pages 196-197: "For Islemen and highlanders, war was a sport they savored".

This book will give the reader a big nudge to learn more of the history of Scotland. I have been to Scotland and know some of the area and some history. I even went to Inverness but Nessie did not show herself that day.

I look forward to reading more by J. R. Tomlin. I want to thank her for the opportunity to read A kingdom's Cost.

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book to read and review. The opinions are my own. I will post this on my blog: www.mnleona.blogspot.com, Smashwords and LibraryThing.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46734?ref=mnleona

When Midnight Comes by Lori Handeland

When Midnight Comes by Lori Handeland

A short story that moves quickly and emotionally. The story is based in New York City in 1869. Jack has been murdered and wants a second chance at life. His love, Lucia, comes to him and walks him through what he did wrong to achieve his accomplishments in life. It reminded me of Mr. Scrooge and his past, present and future. Being alone and unloved is the biggest punishment when one is alive is a part of the book that seemed so true to me. This is a story of emotions, love, punishment, selfishness and a second change which most of us would like. There is a religious tone in the story and I think a Catholic one such as Purgatory.

A good read. There is one sexual portion of the story so I recommend this one for adults. I personally think some of it could be left out of the story and have it a great read for young people because of the theme of the story.

A reader can purchase this e-book on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com for .99.

Find the author at www.lorihandeland.com and also on Facebook.

I want to thank Smashwords.com and Lori Handeland for the complimentary copy of this e-book and the opportunity to read and review this story. The opinions are my own.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

The Box of Rocks

Box of Rocks by Karla Telega

This is a mystery/adventure and "where am I in life" type of book. Two women, Maggie Gorski and Cheryl Anderson are at a mid-life crisis and need something to keep them busy. They have made a list of things to do such as rock collecting, a book club, ghost hunting and target practice. Maggie is married and Cher is divorced. Both have a dog that are also part of the book and I think helped make the book with the extra activities that dogs bring to daily life.

Maggie and Cher head for the hills to search for gold and find themselves involved with a murder.

A college associate of Paul Lakeland has been murdered and Paul is arrested for the murder. Paul found a clay jug that he believed was Native American in a cave and wanted to do his thesis on it for his doctorate degree in archaeology.

Twists and turns keep the reader surprised. There are laughs and also some serious matters.

I liked this book, it was an easy read and kept me interested. The f word was only used one time and I could have done without the almost sex scene. The characters, Maggie and Cher, were like friends one might know; a little eccentric but likable characters and the reader can relate to some problems the women had.

I would have liked to see more of the characters who were brought into the book with no ending for them. Possible they might be in a future adventure of Maggie and Cher.

I liked the descriptions of the area of South Carolina because I am not familiar with the state and it's history.

I give Box of Rocks a four star for a different and fun book to read..

I wish to thank the author, Karla Telega and Smashwords for the complimentary copy of Box of Rocks and the opportunity to read and review. The opinions are my own. This will be a great series of books on Maggie and Cher and their adventures.

You can find Karla at www.telegatales.com

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mnleona

Talon of the Unnamed Goddess by J. R. Tomlin

Talon of the Unnamed Goddess






This was not a good read for me. I hate to begin negative but felt there were so many names and I tired of the war scenes.



Aisha is a Talon, one who is prepared for war and protection of others. Aisha is contracted to protect Rhiannon who is the heir to the throne of the kingdom of Grayna. She has been prepared for the challenge by training for ten years; one of the few women who accomplish this. I found her a strong character and very qualified in her tasks. The book focuses on protecting Rhiannon and helping her to regaining the kingdom of Grayna after the death of her father.



The book has plenty of descriptions of the battles and wounding and death of the warriors. There are no heavy intimate scenes and what was there was well done.



I liked the main characters of the book but would have liked more personal and less battles. I think the book was well written and good descriptions on places, food, herbs and people.



I give this 3 stars.



This is my opinion and hope I do not prevent others from reading this. I have enjoyed other works from the author but not this one as much as I had hoped. I want to thank the author, J. R. Tomlin, for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own. I received a complimentary copy from Smashwords, LibraryThing and J. R. Tomlin.

Doctor, Doctor by Lori Handeland

Doctor, Doctor by Lori Handeland is a nice romance about the boy and girl who live next door to each other in the small Wisconsin town of Pine River. As adults, they are rekindling their relationship they had as childhood friends.


This is a love story not only about a man and woman but also about love of a parent and a child, love of animals and a lost love. A fast reading book than has some love scenes which, I think, are well done.

Gwen Bartelt has moved to the city of Milwaukee and is an ER doctor. Her father is the doctor in Pine River, breaks a leg and needs her help. She takes over his practice for a month and only for a month she said as she is needed by her fiancee who is also a doctor at the same hospital in Milwaukee.

The boy, or man now, next door is Eli Drycinski who is a veterinarian in Pine River and loves the small town atmosphere. He has always been in love with Gwen and wants her to stay.

I liked the references to Eli's dogs, Elwood and Jake. These dogs, as my daughter's Golden, loves their tennis balls. At one point in the book, Eli is leaving and the dogs are hanging out their tongues and almost saying "Car Ride, Car Ride" and they get into the car.

Lots of memories of the childhood of Gwen and Eli, Gwen's mother who dies when Gwen was 2 years old and the school teacher whose age was unknown.

The story revolves around a number of characters who are all involved in some manner.

The author brings in the personal attributes of Wisconsin: the Polka, beer, families and food. Lori Handeland lives in Wisconsin. I live in Minnesota.

Not a real deep novel but one who most readers can relate. This is different than the author's series of the Moon books. I will give it four star.

You can order the e-book from Smashwords.com for $2.99.

I received a complimentary copy of Doctor,Doctor from Smashwords. The opinions are my own.

The Ash Spear by G. R. Grove

The Ash Spear is based in medieval Britain in the 6th century, the Dark Ages, and is the third of the series.
The other books are Storyteller and Flight of the Hawk written by G. R. Grove.
Gwernin Kyarwyd is an apprentice bard, or storyteller, and this is a story of his journeys and trials. He is telling the story which begins in his seventeenth year and his second year of being an apprentice to become a harper and bard from his teacher Talhaearn Tad Awen. Talhaearn is the pencerdd (head poet) and harper to Cyndrwyn, prince of western Powys in mid-Wales.
Gwernim has a love, Rhiannedd, who is "the dark-haired delight of my heart" and she is carrying his child.
There are a number of characters in this book that have a close connections and loyalty to each other. Some other characters are Taliesin Ben Beirdd, Ieuan, Ugnach of Caer Sean and Neirin. The names are Welsh and hard to understand at first.
I had to go back and read the first chapters to get the names straight. I have not read the other two books and think they may have helped but this can be a stand alone book. I began to pull the pieces together.
The book is after the time of King Arthur and Taliesin tells the story of when he was the bard for Arthur and the final battle.
One character in the book, Neirin, is going to walk the Dark Path and needs the help of three bards. The Dark Path is a Druidic spiritual rite of passage. It is becoming a true bard. They go to the Island of Mon,
The Ash Spear was "the symbol of warfare and manhood but also stood for awen, the poet's inspiration of the bards". I had to find this on researching because somehow I missed the definition in the book.
I liked the saying after most chapters" O, my children, is a story for another day" which encourages the reader to keep reading. It was like a bard leaving you waiting.
G. R. Grove does an excellent job of descriptions and helps the reader know where the characters are and what they feel. There are emotions, pain, food, drinks, people, daily lives and worry. I really liked this book and look forward to reading her other books. I give it a five star because of the details and leaving me to want to do more research.
Go to the authors blog on treGwernin.blogspot.com to see what she is writing.