Set against a backdrop of a climate-ravaged earth, Earl is more than a gritty dystopian thriller. At once a work of philosophy and suspense, Earl shines a harsh light on the choices made by those left behind. Earl explores the difference between belief and delusion – and finds there isn’t any.
Will we band together and find the best in ourselves or resort to savagery and barbarism? Will we throw up our hands and wait for divine intervention or cowboy-up and take responsibility for our own mess?I called over my shoulder, “Any idea if they’re still flying out of Bakersfield?”Read Earl today!
Three nine-volt batteries lay on his footlocker, and I palmed one for my radio.
“Oh, take all of them!” he insisted, appearing right behind me and making straight for a chest of drawers. “And there’s shotgun shells over there,” he pointed, glancing back at the Mossberg slung over my shoulder.
“I won’t be needing any of this,” he explained, rifling through a tackle box. Extracting a circuit tester with long metal probes, he added, “Not after today. You’re welcome to it all. Sorry about the Caddy. I needed the fuel injectors. And the airbags. For the explosives, you see?”
His bushy white eyebrows moved back and forth like caterpillars as he thought.
“Bakersfield?” he asked, remembering my question. “No, I haven’t seen anyone taking off from there in days. Maybe weeks. Here, fill your canteen. Drink! Drink!”
Earl watched silently as the hot wind batted the tent flap against his ear, while behind the dog the white tower shone phallically in the sunlight.
“Some kind of plane you’re working on?” I asked.
“Rocket ship, matter of fact,” he answered.
photo: Desert Dog, Niger by Kerry Halasz
In a devastated land, a fourteen year old boy has a hard lesson.
What if you had to choose between your commitment to family and your commitment to God?
Would you break a commandment to save someone you love? How about to save everyone you love?
What if your choice forced them to make the same decision about you?
photo: Hamed Saber
With one last, expert, little snip, Herman severed the remaining tendon, fully exposing the joint. The cartilage was white and wet and shone like a pearl in an oyster. As a surgical assistant, Herman had to maintain a professional detachment when he worked. But he couldn’t help admiring the beauty of the human body, the engineering grace. As he pried the ball out of the socket, the leg came loose in his strong hands.
photo: cheshire-storage.co.uk
Bomb on Bus explores American fear. Fear of different-colored people, of odd accents, and unfamiliar cultures. Fear of minarets and veils and mysterious holy books. Fear of 9/11. In short, fear of the unknown. With tension taut as a violin string, one pot-bellied man, Bill, finds his destiny twisted together with that of sixteen sweaty strangers. Is the dark-skinned alien among them really a terrorist or just a scared kid? Surrounded by police and hyper-aware of the sharpshooter’s stare, Bill chooses each step carefully, straddling the line between violence and peace. In so doing, he discovers something about himself and the humanity surrounding him. And there’s an ironic surprise ending, because I love those.
photo: ptaff
CHILDREN OF THE SALTON SEA - a novelWhen drought kills the American Southwest, the children of the survivors carve a new civilization out of a land without mercy. Beneath the watchful eye of Big Brother, a nomad caravan is joined by a dark-eyed stranger from the “civilized” east.
Together, this extended family face thieves, slave-traders, mercenaries, and a ravishing assassin. But when their headstrong daughter falls in love with the wrong boy, the tribe stumbles upon a terrible secret. Should they hide and survive another day or stand up against unimaginable odds and fight for what’s right?
I published CHILDREN OF THE SALTON SEA on Amazon.com. It's only a couple of bucks to download it. What could go wrong!?
When an American tanker on an emergency mission is captured by murderous pirates and the crew held hostage on a steamy tropical island, a courageous sailor and a captivating Muslim widow lead a daring attempt to retake the ship. Between hotwiring cars, jumping off trains, and disarming bombs, will there be time for love?
cover: Douglas Alan Pearce
Everything is not as it seems with Herman, the hospital orderly. His smile is radiant. His voice melodious. His aura magnetic. He has many jobs and he’s good at them all. Maybe a little too good. Set against a backdrop of unemployment, teen pregnancy, and geriatrics, Herman explores what it means to be human.
People either love Herman, or they hate him. Luckily for Herman, do-overs are always an option.
People either love Herman, or they hate him. Luckily for Herman, do-overs are always an option.
photo: Jason Ware
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