1. News and Updates
Happy July, everyone! It’s hard to believe the year is halfway over already. I hope y’all are having a wonderful Monday. We’re getting ready for the fireworks, as I’m sure you can imagine.
First up, “Love Potion 69” is finally out and available on Amazon. It’s the only place where you can read my latest story, “Cinnamon: The Lothario.” The entire collection of 13 stories is available in both e-book and paperback. Be sure to head over and grab your copy. With 13 stories from 13 different authors, you’re sure to find something to help heat up your summer evenings.
I’m also working on the second story in my “AI Chronicles” series for Literotica and Medium. You can read the first installment of that series on Literotica (here) and Medium (here.)
I’ve done quite a bit of research for this series, and I’ve come across a lot of very… disturbing… articles. Needless to say, a lot of what I have learned will be used in my stories.
I’ve also started outlining the next book in the story of Bill Jones and the starship Enterprise. This story picks up where Tabitha Prime leaves off and is tentatively titled, “Prime Directive.” Stand by for more on that.
2. Featured Book of the Week
The featured book of the week for this week is “Rules.”
Jon Carlson and Sara Jenkins were childhood sweethearts who only wanted one thing — to be married to each other and live their dream. But there was only one problem.
Sara and her family belonged to a strange church governed by an oppressive set of rules. Jon was told that in order to marry Sara, he would have to join the church and live by its rules. He was warned against it, but his love for Sara and his trust in her blinded him to all the warnings.
He began the training and soon realized things were not as he had originally thought. But he stuck to it, in hopes things would work out. Everything came to a head on the night of his wedding when Sara was taken from him.
Does Jon escape the clutches of the church? Can he ever repair his relationship with Sara? Does he get the justice he seeks? Find out in “Rules.”
“This tale is spun about the darkness of evil that lurks waiting to be released. Of crazy cultists brainwashing their followers for generations, misdirection of outsiders to keep the evil hidden, allowing the leader’s power to grow. The triumph of one man’s life when he escapes and finds love and happiness from a woman who loves him and shares his values…”
Read an excerpt here, then get your copy on Amazon, here.
3. Featured Free Story of the Week
The featured free story of the week on my website is “Table For Two, Ch. 01: First Blood.” This tells the story of an unsuspecting husband who is served divorce papers. Of course, madness and mayhem ensue…
You can read the full chapter on my website, here.
4. Book Excerpt: “Baalak Returns”
Last week, I posted a poll asking if you want to continue seeing excerpts of my books in my weekly newsletter. One hundred percent of those who voted said, “yes,” so, here you go…
This week’s excerpt comes from “Baalak Returns,” the third and final entry in the “Baalak” trilogy.
Chapter Two
Copyright© 2023 by Saddletramp1956, All rights reserved
Baalak took in his surroundings when he stood up. He knew he was somewhere in the country, but where? A small adobe house stood nearly 100 yards away, and a wooden barn stood not far from it. The terrain, which he could see in the moonlight, appeared rough and barren. It was warm but felt cold compared to where he had been the previous 48 years.
He felt something tickling his bare foot and looked down, where he saw a large scorpion. The thing prepared to sting him but never got the chance, as Baalak flicked it away with one finger. He looked around, wondering if Beel lied to him. Someone should be here. Then a man's voice called out from behind him.
“Are you Baalak?”
“Yes,” Baalak said, turning around to find a man in a strange hat approaching from a large metal beast.
“Been waitin’ for ya for a while now. Was beginnin’ to think this was all bullshit,” the man said. “You may want to put this on. Don’t want to get busted for indecent exposure. This ain’t California, ya know.” The man threw something at Baalak’s feet.
“What is this? Where am I? Who are you?” Baalak demanded.
“Them’s called clothes,” the man said with sour amusement, pointing at the pile at Baalak’s feet. “You need to put ’em on. This here’s a little hole-in-the-wall place called Hard Rock, Texas. Actually, we’re just a few miles outside Hard Rock. This here’s an old state park called the ‘Jones Adobe.’
“Me? I reckon I’m yer tour guide. Name’s Marshall Hansen. No, I ain’t no marshal. That’s my name. You need to dress so we can get outta here. Might wanna shake them clothes out first just in case a scorpion or two got in ’em. They’re all over the place out here.”
Baalak picked up the clothes Marshall threw on the ground and shook them as the man suggested. Sure enough, one more of the pesky things fell to the ground before scampering away. Baalak had no experience with this clothing but eventually figured out how to wear it.
“Reckon you’ll do,” Marshall said after Baalak figured out how to wear the boots and socks. “We’d best high-tail it outta here before the Sheriff’s boys come out to check on the place.”
“What?” Baalak asked, confused.
“We need to get the fuck outta Dodge, big boy,” Marshall shot back. “C’mon, let’s go.” Baalak followed Marshall to the metal beast, which he learned was a “truck.” Marshall opened the passenger door and motioned for Baalak to climb in.
After showing Baalak how to adjust the seat and use the seat belt safety harness, Marshall shook his head, shut the door, and climbed into the driver’s seat.
Marshall touched a couple of screens and smiled when everything lit up. He saw Baalak look over the controls of the large truck, confusion on his face.
“The absolute latest, fresh outta Detroit-City,” Marshall bragged with a wide grin. “This thing is fully electronic, with an extra bank of batteries, and it’s all solar powered. Got Internet, satellite radio, radar detection, the works. Hell, I can go 3,000 miles in between major charges. They’ve come a long way in the last 40 or 50 years.,” he added with satisfaction.
Baalak had no clue what Marshall had just said but nodded anyway.
Putting the truck in gear, Marshall turned on the night vision screen, kept the headlamps off, and slowly drove out of the park to the main road. Seeing no traffic, he turned on the road and sped off, only turning his lights on once he was far from the state park.
He took the exit to the freeway that bypassed the town, then reached back and grabbed a bottle of liquid, which he handed to Baalak. Holding another bottle, he opened it, took a long drink, and placed it in a holder between the driver’s and passenger’s seats.
“What is this?” Baalak asked after taking a drink. “It’s cold. And... fizzy.”
“Soda pop. Of course, it’s cold. Ain’t worth a shit warm. Got a cold chest full of the stuff. Help yourself.”
“Where are we going? Where is my standard?” Baalak grunted, eyeing the beverage suspiciously.
“We’re going west to LA. If you’re talking about that fancy big-ass high-tech dildo, it’s there. Don’t worry. It’s safe.”
“What is this... ellay?” Baalak asked.
“Yer shittin’ me, right?” Marshall asked. “Only got the biggest collection of weirdos, nuts, and sluts in the country. Mr. B said that’s what you were lookin’ for.”
“Mr. B?”
“Yeah. My benefactor. Who do you think paid for all this shit? You sure ask a lot of questions. Where have you been, anyway? In a hole somewhere?” Marshall asked. The look he got from the big bald man made it clear he needed to shut up.
“This... Mr. B. What did he tell you to do?” Baalak asked.
“Said I was to pick you up, bring you back to my place. Get you set up and look after you until you could make it on your own,” Marshall replied.
“Have you ever met this Mr. B?” Baalak asked.
“Not face-to-face. Talked to him online, though. Why? Have you met the man?”
“Yes,” Baalak said, gazing out the front windshield.
“Is he as scary as he sounds?” Marshall asked.
“More than you can imagine,” Baalak grumbled, scowling at the landscape.
“At least he’s kept his promises to me, and that’s what matters. I got bills, you know. Listen, if you get tired, put the seat back and grab some shut-eye. We’ll be on the road for quite a while. Let me know if you get hungry, and I’ll find someplace.”
“Okay,” Baalak said.
“Where did you come from, by the way?” Marshall asked. “And how did you get there? I didn’t see any cars or trucks.”
“I came from a place far away,” Baalak said. “And I... climbed. The entire way.”
“Uh, huh,” Marshall said, not quite believing the man. He was afraid to inquire further, so he let the matter drop. This whole thing was strange.
“I am... tired. It has been a long, hard journey. Perhaps I will... sit back and grab some... shut-eye,” Baalak growled.
“Uh, yeah. Sure. Help yourself,” Marshall said as the big man adjusted his seat. It only took him a few minutes to figure out the controls. Marshall heard snoring from the passenger seat, activated auto-drive, and put on his headphones. He then turned up the country music.
He could not concentrate on the music, however. He was unable to grasp how a large naked man could just... appear... out of nowhere with no means of transportation. Who is this guy? And why is he so important to Mr. B?
…
“What do you mean, Baalak is back?” Max asked Adrestia. “How is that possible? Could your system be incorrect?”
“I have double-checked the surveillance routines. I even rebooted the system. Everything is within normal parameters. I have no explanation for this. He should not have gotten out. To my knowledge, no one ever has. Unless...”
“Unless what?” Max asked.
“Unless he had help. I will need to speak with Eli,” Adrestia replied.
“You know Baalak will come looking for you,” Max told her.
“I know,” she answered.
“Do you know where he is now?” Max asked.
Adrestia moved her mouse cursor and saw a map with the “B” icon moving. She nodded her head. “Yes. He is apparently on his way to Los Angeles,” she told him.
“At least we know where he is,” Max replied.
“For now. We must be extra careful, Max. YOU must be very careful. He can kill you with a single blow.”
“Noted. I’ll keep my eyes open. What are we going to do?”
“I'd like you to stay put and monitor his movements if you don't mind. I will check on the Fletchers. You know Baalak will also go after them. Then I will get with Eli. We’ll coordinate from there,” Adrestia said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Max said with a grin. “I’ll keep an eye on things.”
“You know how much I love you, Max,” Adrestia said, taking his head in her tiny hands. “I couldn’t bear to lose you.”
“Don’t worry about that, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere. And I love you far more than you love me,” he replied.
“That’s impossible,” she said, emphasizing her statement with a scorching hot kiss. “And I’ll prove it to you when this is over.”
“I can’t wait for that,” Max said with a knowing smile.
…
Read the rest on Amazon, here.
5. Wrapping up
Well, that’s about it for this week. Thank you for taking the time to read this update. I appreciate all of you more than you know. So until next time, happy trails! Between now and next week, take some time off, snuggle up with a good read or two — preferably mine — and stay warm and safe.
While you’re at it, be sure to follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky, Reddit, YouTube, TikTok, Spoutible, Pinterest, and Mastodon. And don’t forget to follow me on Amazon so you can get updated when something gets published!
And be sure to have a happy and SAFE Fourth of July!
All my best!
Saddletramp