Sailing on the Tides of Burning Sand
Sailing on the Tides of Burning Sand and Other Stories
by Michael Darling
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Short Stories
Ghosts. Monsters. Harry Houdini Meets Charles Dickens in Outer Space.
These amazing stories and more await between the covers of Michael Darling’s first short story collection, featuring all the stories from his bestselling Tales from the Behindbeyond series, including an exclusive new story "The Morrigan's Sister," only available in this volume. From humorous to frightening to thought-provoking, these twelve brilliant stories are an enchanting gift from one of fiction’s most inventive new voices.
“A unique, often creepy delight.” - Michaelbrent Collings Bram Stoker Award Finalist and Bestseller
"Michael Darling is a talent, a master of perspective and playful storytelling.” - Johnny Worthen Award-Winning Author of What Immortal Hand
Contents:
"Sailing on the Tides of Burning Sand" - Science Fiction
A man and woman, apparent strangers, sail over a surreal desert landscape on their way to a dangerous and uncertain destiny.
"Temp" - Science Fiction
A young woman, working beneath a futuristic city, learns that some risks are worth taking.
"Two Mock, A Killingbird" - Science Fiction
A defense attorney knows her client hid his girlfriend's body for weeks in a freezer, but his motive is even more bizarre than the crime.
"Spera Angelorum" - Science Fiction
Harry Houdini and Charles Dickens meet in outer space to entertain a planet of angels, until a demon appears and there is no escape.
"Grandmother Who Breaks the Sky" - Fantasy/Horror
Ray Bradbury meets H.P. Lovecraft as a little boy defies the curse of a mummified Indian princess, prepared to halt the emergence of an ancient god, even if it costs the lives of everyone close to him.
"The Hollow" - Horror
A 19th-century scientist proves his theory that he can scare his wife to death, but when he succeeds, the real nightmare begins.
"Meredith in St. Louis" - Horror
An NSA agent wants to get close to the cute guy on the train until a viral outbreak brings her closer than she could ever want.
"Blank Check" - Horror/Comedy
Hunting demons can be hell, especially when a vengeful ex delivers two demons for the price of one.
"The Mark" - Fantasy
A Behindbeyond Tale. The Irish mob finds out that they've not only summoned a Fae from a magical realm to help them with a robbery, they've also summoned a more dangerous criminal. Winner of the United Authors Association Grand Prize.
"Lucky Day" - Fantasy
A Behindbeyond Tale. Recounts the adventures of a young Fae halfling as he attempts to fulfill his mother's destiny. A story that parallels events from the bestselling novel Got Luck by Michael Darling.
"The Morrigan's Sister" - Fantasy
A Behindbeyond Tale. Erin works for the Miami-Dade medical examiner's office and gets way more than she bargained for as she uses her magical powers to solve the mystery of the Popsicle Killer. Available only in this short story collection.
"Feasty-Feast" - Horror/Comedy
Tiny predators who live in the wall and feed on memories prove without a doubt that you are what you read. Winner of the Silver Quill award.
Book Trailer
#1 Amazon bestseller Michael Darling has worked as a butcher, a librarian, and a magician. Not all at the same time. He nests in the exquisitely beautiful Rocky Mountains with his equally breathtaking wife, their normal-if-you-don't-look-too-close children and a very large St. Bernese dog named Appa. Yes, the Darlings have a "Nana" dog. Michael's award-winning short fiction is frequently featured in anthologies. Got Luck, his first novel, was published in March 2016 and the sequel, Got Hope, in 2017. Book three in the series, Got Lost, premieres in September. He continues to work on this series as well as other projects.
Michael graduated from Weber State University with a degree in English Literature and loves to blend the classic with the contemporary in his writing. His early work included several plays that were professionally produced along with a number of radio programs that aired in 80 markets around the world. Besides writing, Michael also loves to travel, dabble in languages, and cook elaborate meals.
2nd Prize - $15 Amazon Gift Card
3rd Prize - $10 Amazon Gift Card
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A great title and I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Mary! There is a lot of variety in the twelve stories, but the one on the cover is one of my favorites!
DeleteI love the way the cover was done. It really fits.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debby! I worked with the cover artist over a period of weeks to get it just right. :)
DeleteI like the cover, and am really interested in the selection of stories.
ReplyDeleteGlad I captured your interest. If you get into the collection, I'd love to know what you think!
DeleteAmazing cover - truly golden sands
ReplyDeleteLove that! Thank you very much! Your words are poetry to me!
DeleteLove the cover. Very interested in this story.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anita! The collection is on sale at the moment and I'd love to know what you think, if you have a chance to read any of the stories. Have a great day!
DeleteI love the cover. The design and colors are great.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate that very much Jeanna! Looks like we are BookBub buddies now too!
DeleteAuthor, Have you always wanted to be a writer?
ReplyDeleteI have been writing stories ever since I can remember! My first story was dictated to my mother because I was only two years old and couldn't manage the pencil and paper yet to form the words. It was a picaresque adventure with multiple viewpoints and a plot spanning three centuries (just kidding!) I often talked my teachers in school to let me write stories instead of doing spelling as well. Thank you for the thoughtful question! (And for reminding me where I came from!)
DeleteThis sounds like a very entertaining read. I'll be checking it out very soon. I especially like the sounds of 'Grandmother Who Breaks The Sky', 'Blank Check', and 'Fancy-Feast.'!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that comment Karma! One of those stories was chosen as the lead story for an anthology, which was cool. Another of those stories won an award. I'll let you try and guess which were which! (Let me know what you think when you've read them! I LOVE feedback and reviews!)
DeleteI really like the cover, it's pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank so much! It's intended to be a little ironic. Some of the stories have beautiful settings and attractive people -- and then things happen that aren't so pretty (but almost all the stories end happily!) :)
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