YA Sci-fi Fantasy Excerpt: The Torch: The Rising Darkness by Bertrand Coruscare

The Torch: The Rising Darkness

by Bertrand Coruscare 

September 18, 2022

YA Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Publisher: ‎Mindstir Media
A group of young adults searching for a friend that goes missing. Amid the searching, they find themselves thrust into a war they never knew existed, which spawns more conflicts than those with which they started out.

"He wanted more power, and more control. When I was with him, that seemed to be his main goal."

"What other power was there?"

"Oh, more than you could ever know."

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PROLOGUE
The man sat patiently upon his throne-like chair—formidable to all who dared enter into his dark splendor. The throne, as he called it, was supported by a raised platform, several stairs leading up to it. Shrouded in pitch black robes, he appeared only a silhouette—his red eyes striking fear into anyone who was brave enough to peer into them. The circular room had no windows. Massive clusters of blood diamonds gleamed furiously on the walls, glistening in their geometric designs. Two doors stood in front of him, though they were merely vague outlines in the darkness.

Any minute now, he thought.

Just then, the doors in front of him swung open, revealing his most trusted assistant. The assistant reached the stairs to the throne and bowed.

“Arise,” spoke the voice upon the throne, gazing down upon the man.

“My Lord,” said the assistant. “They are ready.”

“Excellent,” said the man upon the throne.

His voice was a deathly calm, almost as if a cat was purring just before it devoured a bird. The assistant knew this, and he knew what the cat’s true temper looked like—and he knew to avoid it with his life.

“Bring me my hunters,” said the man on the throne. He gleamed at his assistant, drilling him with a red stare of menace as the assistant arose and left the room hastily, not speaking a word—not daring to stoke the fire of a temper that would burn him alive—the stalking cat that would pounce out of the shadows.

About the Author
Bertrand Coruscare's first novel, Rising Darkness, is the beginning of the epic "The Torch series." Lover of the mysterious, the heroic, and the refined, he fills his days with dark stories, warm drinks, and a touch of sarcasm.

Bertrand resides in the Pacific Northwest, where he is pursuing a degree in English. He often wanders the ancient forests of imagination, guided by ambition, that azure flame.

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Winds of Wrath (Destroyermen #15) by Taylor Anderson

WINDS OF WRATH is already receiving amazing acclaim! In a starred review of the novel, Publishers Weekly writes “Anderson’s world-spanning Destroyermen saga comes to a tense and well-crafted climax in the thoroughly satisfying 15th and final entry.”

Winds of Wrath (Destroyermen #15) 

by Taylor Anderson

June 9, 2020

544 pages

Genre: Alternate history, time travel, science fiction

Matt Reddy and the crew of the USS Walker are positioned to push the line of battle to the breaking point on an alternate Earth, in the thrilling return to the New York Times bestselling Destroyermen series.

Matt Reddy and his sailors have fought, bled, and died for their Lemurian friends and other allies from across time, but their enemies are still operational. In Africa, the Grik General Esshk has escaped defeat to build a new army and new weapons, and is desperate enough to use them to destroy the world if he can't have it.

In South America, the NUS, General Shinya, and the Army of the Sisters have the evil Dominion on the ropes and are closing in on the seat of its blood-drenched power, but the twisted Don Hernan has struck a deal with the fascist League, and Victor Gravois is finally assembling the awesome fleet of modern ships he's always craved. If he's successful, the war will be lost.

Undermined by treachery on a stunning scale, Matt Reddy must still steam his battered old ship halfway around the world, scraping up what forces he can along the way, and confront the mightiest armada the world has ever seen in a fiery duel to the death.

Praise for Taylor Anderson and the Destroyermen series

"I cannot recommend [these books] too highly."—New York Times bestselling author David Weber 

"Taylor Anderson...[has] steamed to the forefront of alternative history."—National bestselling author E. E. Knight 

"The fact that Anderson has a gift for complex plot and dialogue and a fabulous sense of humor makes reading his work a fun and guilt-free pleasure."—North County Times (CA) 

"If you like a fun tale set in a well-developed world, pick up the Destroyermen series and kick back and enjoy."—SFRevu

About the Author:

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Taylor Anderson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Destroyermen novels. A gunmaker and forensic ballistic archaeologist, Taylor has been a technical and dialogue consultant for movies and documentaries and is an award-winning member of the National Historical Honor Society and of the United States Field Artillery Association.

The Top 10 Rules of Being a Detective in the District by SF author Nicole Givens Kurtz

The Top 10 Rules of Being a Detective in the District by Nicole Givens Kurtz

10. Always carry a blaster.

When someone brings a blaster to a fistfight, the person with the blaster wins. As a woman walking alone through some of the lore dangerous sections of the District, Cybil knows to always be prepared. 

9. Safety first. Fashion and warmth second. 

When carrying your blaster, make sure it is always accessible. A gun you can’t get to is useless. Cybil may not be setting any fashion trends or staying warm, but she is safe. Or as safe as she can be.

8. Have backup. 

It’s good to have people who recognize you when you wind up left for dead in ditch. Having friends in the Regulators helps. Cybil knows the power of her allies.

7. Rest when you can. 

Violations don’t work a nine to five schedule, and neither do those who investigate them. There will be long hours and sore muscles involved. Cybil knows the power of a good nap.

6. Self-care. 

Somewhere in between the fist fights, being left for dead, and endless hours, a body needs to rest. And re-stock their honey supplies. Cybil swears by hot showers, Bruce Lee movies and jalapeño jelly sandwiches.

5. The telemonitor will always ring when you least want it to.

Life in the District is anything but boring. And Murphy’s Law still applies.

4. Your past will always come back to haunt you

When you’re a PI, you learn that nothing stays hidden for long. Secrets are impossible to keep. Cybil knows how to find all your dirt.

3. People are complicated

Once you understand the way people work, you can solve almost any mystery. Sometimes it pays to be kind. Cybil knows the value of good communication skills.

2. Never trust robots

As complicated as people are, they make sense. Robots can only be expected to hurt people. Cybil knows better.

1. Expect the unexpected

Whether it’s clones, cyborgs, hatchlings, or some other military funded nightmare let loose in the civilian world, the improbable loves to happen. Cybil knows never to discount her own experiences. 

Collected: A Cybil Lewis SF Mystery Collection

by Nicole Givens Kurtz
November 14, 2019
Publisher: Mocha Memoirs Press, LLC; 1 edition
Before the Change, before Jane, and before she became a PI badass, Cybil Lewis cut her teeth in the District as a solo, brand new private inspector. At last, those stories of her early years are collected into this volume of short stories and novellas. Offering beautiful illustrations by comic book and brilliant artist, Julia Lacquement (DC Comics), Collected: A Cybil Lewis SF Mystery Collection provides action-packed, mystery stories set in the futuristic territory of D.C. (the District).

Whether this is your first time meeting Cybil or are a long-time fan, this collection should be a part of yours.

You won't be disappointed.

About the Author:
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Nicole Givens Kurtz’s short stories have appeared in over 30 anthologies of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Her novels have been finalists for the EPPIEs, Dream Realm, and Fresh Voices in science fiction awards. Her work has appeared in Stoker Finalist, Sycorax’s Daughters, and in such professional anthologies as Baen’s Straight Outta Tombstone and Onyx Path’s The Endless Ages Anthology. Visit Nicole’s other worlds online at Other Worlds Pulp, www.nicolegivenskurtz.com.