This is my author's blog. I share excerpts and updates to the books I've written and I state my opinion about anything that pertains to writing. You can leave comments on my Facebook page or Twitter.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
UPDATES: September 2025
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Chandra's Quest Paperback Book Now Available!
Monday, September 1, 2025
Chandra's Quest Paperback Book
I’ve just re-uploaded the paperback edition of Chandra's Quest, and it should be available for purchase in just a few days. I want to mention that I had to raise the price of the paperback due to its substantial length of 567 pages. Unfortunately, KDP has some restrictions that prevent authors from setting their own prices, making it challenging to offer a lower cost. For those interested in getting a copy, I plan to buy some and sell them through my eBay shop. As you can see from the image, the book has a thick spine, reflecting its considerable content, so be prepared for a lengthy read!
I’ve combined parts 1 through 3 of A Time Traveler's Companion for release on Google Play, and I’m excited to share that the audiobook will soon be available there as well. I’m currently working on merging parts 4 to 6, which will also be accessible on Google Play. It’s important to note that this book contains sexual content, so there are appropriate disclaimers and warnings included. In a few weeks, the eBook version will be launched on Amazon, and you can find the link on my Facebook page and other social media platforms, though I won’t be sharing it on this blog. Additionally, the link will be featured on CG Heandez's blog, so keep an eye out for that!
I’m currently immersed in the writing of A Path Less Taken: The Phoenix Files Vol. 2. This next installment promises to delve deeper into the intriguing world of the Phoenix Files, and I can’t wait for readers to experience it. You can look forward to its release next year on Amazon, where it will be available for purchase. Additionally, for those who prefer listening to their stories, the audiobook version will be accessible on Google Play, making it easy to enjoy the narrative on the go.
NOTE: Flare is now available through KDP Select and the audiobook is available on GooglePlay. Visit Linktree to access CG Heandez website.
Trigger warnings: FLARE has 18 & over content.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
It's Not About AI!
As an indie author, I'm growing increasingly frustrated with the constant accusations that writers are relying on AI simply because their work is polished and articulate. It's disheartening to see talent dismissed in this way, as if good writing can only come from technology rather than genuine creativity and effort.
I believe that those making accusations against self-published authors are often just trolls or bots looking to cause strife. So, it's not about AI, it's about being insulting and cruel to the Indie Author community. The majority of them work hard on their books. Indie authors are minding their own business, doing their own thing. Are you?
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Lost in the Backrooms: Chapter 9 Through the Fields and Home
(An excerpt from Chapter 9, Lost in the Backrooms: The Phoenix Files vol. 1)
“There’s nothing out of the ordinary here, just an old,
abandoned house,” Jane said. They went downstairs and saw a door in the kitchen
that they hadn’t seen before. Jane opened it.
“It looks like a basement,” MK noted. They
hesitated and she took out a flashlight before they descended. The basement is
filled with cobwebs and dust everywhere; the walls are made of old bricks which
are decaying and breaking apart, the room smells like death. “Ugh, this place
smells so bad,” said MK, covering her nose with her hand. Jane did the same.
“No telling if there’s black mold here or anything thing else that can kill us by inhaling the air,” said Jane. The basement had one small window, covered with soot and cobwebs. MK noticed a white door on the other side of the room.
“Well, what do you think?”
“I guess we should go in,” Jane carefully opened the door and walked through. They were back in the yellow maze of the Backrooms once again.
“Oh no,” MK said, feeling disheartened but there is a hint of hope in her, “Jane, I believe that we will find our way out this time, I’m certain,” she said, optimistically but Jane is losing hope. MK’s abilities have increased, and now she will be able to guide them through. They continued their journey, their hair disheveled, cascading loosely down their shoulders, no longer in a ponytail; rips on their clothes with blood stains from the creatures they had slain, and a strange cough suddenly started to plague them. They both drank some almond water, and it temporarily tamed their cough.
“Why are we coughing?” MK wondered aloud. “We didn’t have
this issue when we first entered the Backrooms. It feels like it kicked in
after we left that last area we were in,” MK continued, trying to piece
together what might have triggered it.
“Maybe we should’ve been wearing masks all the time,” Jane
remarked.
MK stopped, “I sense something coming.” They brandished their weapons, Jane aimed her pistol, ready for anything that might attack them, while MK raised her sword.
Around the corner emerged a creature with insect-like limbs, its torso had four arms with two fingered claws. “What the Hell is that?” Jane exclaimed. The head of the creature has two almond shaped eyes on each side, white in color with a red rim around the iris, its mouth has sharp jagged teeth, but as it screeched, strange foot long tentacles emerged from the mouth. “It started out human,” said MK, staring at the eldritch abomination.
“Can you communicate
with it?” MK tried but the creature was unreachable. She can see darkness and
pain. It desires flesh, human flesh. MK gulped, “We are food,” she said. As it
approached, it lunged at them. Jane shot several rounds into its head, bringing
it down. MK took her sword and sliced the legs off. “Give it mercy, may it rest in peace,” said
Jane, delivering the final blow, blood gushed around the body. As it died, MK
saw flashes of who he once was. She gasped, “He was a Hunter, one of us.”
“Oh no,” said Jane, a dismal look shadowed her face as she
stared at the creature.
She sighed, “I wonder who he was?”
“I think his name was Micah?”
“I’ll inform Father Patrick when we get back, if we get
back.” Her faith is faltering; her patience is wearing thin. The maddening buzz
of the fluorescent lights lingers above them. They no longer have their
earplugs, because they lost them. They both said a silent prayer for their
fallen comrade.
“Let’s keep moving,”
said Jane, with a sigh. They came across a hallway, with many doors on each
side. They tried to open several doors but to no avail. The last door at the
end is white with gold hinges and a doorknob. They looked at each other, MK
gave Jane a nod. Jane cautiously opened the door. They found themselves in an
abandoned house with graffiti all around the walls, the sound of birds chirping
signaled that their ordeal was over. They smiled and hugged each other,
overwhelmed by the feeling of triumph and elation. Tears of joy ran down their
cheeks. Jane kissed MK on her lips, she blushed.
“Oh my God, we’re home,” Jane said, overjoyed. As they emerged out of the front door of the abandoned house, they stood looking down at the neighborhood street and noticed overgrown weeds and cracked asphalt. Several homes were incomplete; the others are in disarray and decaying from abandonment and neglect. “I wonder if this was one of those communities that were abandoned and never completed because of the housing crisis,” said MK. Jane nodded and looked around, “I think it’s noon. I don’t know where we are.”
Friday, July 25, 2025
Lost in the Backrooms: Excerpt from Chapter 4
An energy burst swooped through Jane and MK as they fell onto the
dingy yellow carpeted floor. Jane quickly jumped up onto her feet, grabbed her
crossbow from the backpack and held it tightly in her hands as she looked
around vigilantly. MK stood up, “Damn that was a drop,” she said, feeling a bit
dizzy. “Shh, keep your voice to a whisper, remember that even though it seems
like this place is empty, it’s not.”
“Okay,” MK mouthed. The
sound of the florescent lights sounded above like bees in a hive.
“They are kinda loud but
not that bad,” MK pointed at them, Jane nodded.
“Father Patrick gave me these,” Jane handed MK
earplugs.
“This will muffle out the
buzzing a bit. They are comfy but useful and they are also ear-coms,” said
Jane. They both put earplugs in their ears. “I don’t hear the buzzing as much
now, though I’m sure it will get louder as we move onward.” MK tested the
ear-coms by tapping on the bud of the device.
“Can you hear me?” Jane nodded then took out the tracker that Father Patrick gave her. The tracker is the size of a flip-phone from the 2000’s. It has a silver cross embedded at the center. “Nothing,” Jane whispered. “The girl would’ve popped up on the tracker if she was close, but nothing yet.”
A worried look shadowed her face. “Don’t worry Jane, we’ll find
her and maybe some of the others that may have disappeared.”
“Maybe but our first priority is Talia, that’s who we are here for.” They proceeded onward, stopping to look around, taking in the sights. MK gulped, “So, I wonder if they can see us through the bodycam?” asked MK.
“I think, but not sure.
They can see what we can see but he didn’t say anything about the bodycams
receiving sound. I believe that it does but for how long the devices will work,
I don’t know,” said Jane as she looked around at the grotesque yellow wallpaper,
dingy carpet and the florescent lights that flicker above.
“There’s a smell here,” MK
noted.
“Yeah, I noticed it too,”
Jane responded. They walked on for what seemed like hours.
“Maybe we should rest,” MK suggested. Jane saw a dirty brown couch
and a table, just sitting there in the middle of a room. “What the Hell?” she
mouthed. She pointed at the couch; MK looked.
They walked over to it and Jane inspected the room. “It seems okay, other than the couch being dirty and smelly,” she said as her nose wrinkled in disgust. She sat down, resting her backpack next to her feet and setting the crossbow down on the table. MK set her backpack down too. They sat in silence for a moment, listening. They are not sure if they will come across any of the infamous creatures of the Backrooms, but they have remained conscientious of their surroundings. Jane opened her backpack and took out a water bottle, MK did the same. They took out energy bars and started eating.
“They could’ve given us sandwiches, but they chose energy bars. Guess they are trying to get us used to them. I wonder how long we’ve been here. It doesn’t seem like we’ve been here long,” said MK and took a sip from her water bottle.
“I don’t know, time moves differently in this place, and we might’ve been in here for a week or more now.” At a distance they can hear indiscernible sounds that are hard to interpret. Jane stopped chewing, took out one of her earplugs and listened. Their eyes shot open. Jane gulped, “I get that whatever it is might seem distant right now, but I truly believe our paths are meant to intersect eventually,” she said and continued eating the bar. MK noticed a medium-sized clock hanging on the wall. It showed 10:10. “I wonder what time of the day it was,” she asked.
“What time of the day was what?” Jane stared at the clock.
“I wonder what time of the day it was when the dimensions merged, and everything stopped unbeknownst to many who were working and living in the Backrooms. According to what I’ve read, the first victims of the creatures that began to filter through were the ones that were in a cafeteria,” MK said. Jane glanced at MK and took out the map from her backpack.
“Where did you get that?” MK asked.
“Father Patrick put it into the backpack. He wasn’t sure if it would be helpful because the map is going by the first model of the Backrooms,” she unfolded the map. “According to this, the cafeteria is another three miles away from here and in that direction is the library. However, the Backrooms tend to change.” Jane marked the spot with a marker.
"This place is like a maze," MK said, taking a moment to look around. "But seriously, these people seem to have had it all. I’m curious if they have showers and bathrooms too, because I haven’t spotted any yet," she remarked while sipping from her water bottle.
MK replied, "Yes, but it can wait." Jane smirked and
scoffed, saying, "I need to go as well."
She then turned her attention to the map, looking for restrooms.
“Hmm, it looks like there might be restrooms in that direction. We’ll head that
way in a bit, but if they don’t have any, well I guess we’ll just have to
do our business at some corner. The carpet is messed up anyways
and it smells like people have been urinating throughout the Backrooms,” said
Jane, referring to that moldy, dreadful smell. She put the map back into her
backpack.
“This place already smells
like feces,” said MK, rubbing her nose in disgust.
Jane chuckled, “I guess so. When I read the file back in the
office, there was something in there about killing a creature and if you kill
one, others will come, so let’s try to avoid killing anything yet, if
possible.”
MK nodded and said, “I
wonder if it’s because they are connected.” Jane thought about that for a
moment and said, “Maybe but nevertheless, we will have to be as quiet and
vigilant as possible.” They finished eating their energy bars and saved the
rest.
“Well, we better head onward.” They picked up their backpacks and continued walking. Suddenly Jane stopped, “I think it picked up something,” she said, looking at the tracker. A red dot appeared faintly on the screen.
“Guess they thought of everything,” she said, referring to the items in the backpack. The nails began to loosen. The lid fell to the carpet. They froze, afraid that the noise might attract unwanted attention. Jane looked around. MK searched through the crate.
“Oh look,” she pulled out several energy bars. “Well, I was hoping for beef jerkies or something else, but we need everything we can get,” said Jane. They packed a few Almond waters and more energy bars. “You know, our backpacks are getting a little chunky, I hope we’ll be able to move if we are attacked,” MK made a good point.
“We can toss them on the floor if that happens. I’m not expecting to get attacked soon but I hear you.”
( Images are for the readers entertainment)
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Where Does Remi Live?
Monday, July 14, 2025
Other Books with Similar Titles
It was recently pointed out to me that there are a few books with titles similar to mine. After doing some research, I found only two that stand out: Chandra’s Quest and In the Company of Elves.
It seems that authors with titles similar to mine have emerged only in recent years. In contrast, my book, Chandra’s Quest, was actually written in the late 90s and published in the early 2000s. In the Company of Elves was written in the 2000s, the first edition published in 2009. I revised both of my books in the 2010s, and the only one that shares a somewhat similar storyline is In the Company of Elves.
Chandra’s Quest, authored by Barbara A Miller, is a modern romance set in a rural backdrop, focusing on themes of love and connection. In contrast, my own work, which shares a similar title, delves into the realms of sci-fi fantasy, exploring imaginative worlds and futuristic concepts. While both genres offer unique narratives, they cater to different tastes and interests in storytelling.
It's worth noting that titles can't be copyrighted unless they're exceptionally unique, so there's no basis for copyright infringement claims in that regard. The same goes for names and ideas. As the original author of Chandra’s Quest and In the Company of Elves, I can only speak for my own works. However, I might just buy Chandra’s Quest by Barbara Miller, let’s just say, I’m curious.
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Chandra's Quest Excerpt: Chapter 29 the Sanctuary
They are
closer to the entrance to Sanctuary but not close enough. They all breathed a
sigh of relief, except Chandra. It was her thoughts of Xenos that brought him
closer to her.
“He could
have found us. I must stop thinking about him,” she
thought. High above the trees, they heard what sounded like a ship, hovering
above.
“Shit! What is that!” shouted Carlos. “It better not be what I think it is.” He pulled out his pistol. Treau’s eyes glazed over for a minute or two, then he regained his composure. “Chandra, we need to get closer to the clearing where the monolith is located,” he urged, his voice filled with urgency.
“Alright, I’ll do my best,” Chandra replied, cradling the stone in her hands, feeling the pulse of the Hymnu resonate within her spirit. In that moment, a vision struck her. Above them hovered a NyKarin ship. Soran is on board! Another vision followed, revealing that Xenos was near, his steps growing faster. Chandra inhaled sharply, a heavy sigh escaping her lips as she returned the stone to her pouch.
“What are
you doing?” Carlos asked, panic rising in his tone. A grim expression clouded
her face.
“A NyKarin ship is above us and Xenos is close, perhaps I should just surrender and keep you guys safe.”
“No! Try
again,” Keeja shouted. Chandra felt a surge of determination from the worried
tone in her friend's voice. "This place has a certain magic, and you
possess something that could lead us to the sanctuary. Please, give it another
shot," Keeja urged. In an instant, they found themselves in a clearing,
the force that brought them there leaving them slightly
"That was exhilarating!" Chandra exclaimed as she steadied herself. Keeja's gaze was drawn to a massive monolith in the distance, and Treau pointed it out. It loomed majestically at the center of the clearing. “Wow look at that,” Keeja stared in awe. Carlos’ eyes shot open, and a hint of fear shadowed his face. They walked in the direction of the monolith. As they approached, Treau stopped. “A ship is approaching.”
“What?” Chandra looked up and a ship wobbled
recklessly above them. The energy that the forest emits tinkers with the ship’s
engine and the Lithum crystals that power the ship are being drained quickly. The
NyKarin scout ship is in danger of crashing, the longer it hovers. Chandra
stares up at the heavily tinted windows of the craft. “It is Soran, isn’t it,”
she said, in a hush tone.
“No, but the ship is NyKarin,” Treau
responded, he gestured at them to continue the trek toward the monolith. “I
thought he would come himself,” she said.
“Your vision showed you one possibility, and in this timeline, he chose not to come,” Treau conceded. Chandra let out a sigh of relief, “I suppose that is good,” she said with a hint of uncertainty. The NyKarin ship ascended and left. They arrived at their destination. “Wow! Look at this thing,” Keeja said, as she touched the cold surface of the 8-foot-high stone structure towering before them.
“It has a doorway carved into it,” said Chandra, as she looked up at the towering monolith. They marched onward. Chandra senses that they are being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, warily. “Interesting structure. How long has it been here?” asked Keeja.
“It has been here for over 1000 years or longer,” said Treau. Keeja exclaimed, "Wow, so no one has ever seen this before?" Her eyes, filled with wonder, she gazed up at the colossal monolith. The intricate patterns etched into its base were both enigmatic and captivating. “Who created this?” Chandra asked, her fingers tracing the edges of the doorway as she examined it closely. Peering through, all she could make out was the opposite side of the forest—nothing remarkable. Yet, an unsettling and strange aura surrounded it. “I don’t see any structures on the other side,” she remarked, puzzled. As she reached her hand through, it suddenly vanished. “What the Hell!” Chandra exclaimed, yanking her hand back and inspecting it carefully, ensuring all her fingers were intact. She glanced at Keeja, who looked equally shaken. “Lady Linnea will clarify everything once we step through,” Treau assured them as he gestured to them to go through the doorway. Chandra hesitated. Carlos exhaled. “Why are you hesitating,” he asked her. She looks back at the forest, worried. “We will be safe there,” he reassured her. Keeja will not walk through, if Chandra does not, so Chandra gave her a nod to proceed. “Well, I guess we better go then,” she said. Carlos gathered his things and walked through and disappeared. Chandra jumped with a start. She gasped and looked at Keeja.
“Wow!” Keeja exclaimed. Suddenly, they heard a loud screech from a distance. They spun around. “That doesn’t sound like the forest.” Chandra froze. Her eyes narrowed, trying to see through the distant trees. A Javarin is coming out of the brush. Carlos popped his head through the doorway, in time to see Xenos speeding towards them! “Quick, come through!” Treau pulled Keeja through, Chandra hesitated. “Chandra, cross over now!” Carlos called out. “I can’t believe he is here,” she froze and murmured, “No. I have to go through,” and she ran through the doorway. Xenos increased his speed but failed to catch them. He abruptly stopped in front of the monolith. "What is going on here?" he muttered to himself. Chandra turned around and fixed her gaze on him; he could see her standing just across the way.
"I’m really sorry, but I have to do this. Farewell for now, Xenos. Until we meet again," Chandra said clearly. Xenos couldn’t hear her, but the serious expression on her face spoke volumes. "No!" he yelled, frustration bubbling over. Chandra turned and started to walk away from the door. Even though she was just a few steps from the entrance, Xenos found himself unable to move forward. He attempted to step through, but it was no use. His steps took him to the same spot, back in front of the doorway every time he attempted to walk through. He is confounded, thrown off balance by the many times he attempted to go through. The dizziness hit him hard, bringing him to his knees. All his efforts have gone to waste. His frustration took its toll. As soon as he gained his balance, he shot his weapon at the monolith, but it did not affect it. No scratches or marks appeared. It stood strong. “What is this thing?” he said out loud. He walked to a boulder nearby and sat down. He exhaled and was befuddled by what he just witnessed.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Chandra's Quest Excerpt Chapter 23 Waking Up
It’s been
almost three weeks since Xenos and Dukar were taken to the moon Dyna. Their
bodies were found inside the ship as they lay on the floor. The maintenance
crew discovered them and quickly notified the guards. They were then
transported to the nearby urgent care facility in the city of Xyra on the moon
Dyna.
“Damn
it!” Xenos let out an exasperated sigh, as he lay in the infirmary. Dukar is in
the bed next to him, and both have suffered temporary amnesia and a case of
paralysis of the legs, however, they are recovering.
Anger is
seething inside Xenos’ heart as memories of what had transpired on that
faithful day start to emerge, the day he lost Chandra. He let out a heavy sigh.
“She must have been in cahoots with that
Valurin!” he said out loud. Dukar stirred, he turned his head to face Xenos.
“I do not
think so. Calm yourself friend, we will find him, and he will pay for stealing
what is rightfully ours. In the meantime, enjoy your stay here,” he joked
dryly.
The food is divine,” he added with a touch of
sarcasm. “Where do you think he took her?” asked Xenos, his nostrils flared.
“I do not know,” Dukar responded.
Xenos
rubbed his eyes with one hand and groaned. “Well, my friend I guess we’ll have
to head back to
Dukar grimaced, “You’re right but we must
ameliorate. When we are better, we’ll tear some throats out. Deal?” The nurse
stepped in.
“Do
either of you need anything?” she kindly asked. Her raven-colored hair is
elegantly styled in a bun, while her striking blue, feline-like eyes sparkle
with a playful grin. The fitted white top, with its zipper, accentuates her
curves beautifully, and her matching miniskirt highlights her alluring figure.
The nurse's outfit she wears is undeniably provocative. Dukar can't help but
notice the hint of cleavage peeking through.
“No, fool! When can we leave this place?” Xenos
said. She jumps at his sudden outburst, her blue eyes widening in surprise. Flustered,
she lets out a nervous laugh, narrowing her gaze.
“Uh, you’ll need to discuss that with the
doctor.” In her hand, she holds a nine by seven glass tablet, scrolling through
their medical records. Xenos pays no mind, he is worried that they will find
out who he is and inform the authorities.
So far,
Xenos’ identity has not turned up, only the medical file that was started at
the urgent care hospital when both Dukar and him were admitted.
As far as the staff is concerned, Xenos and
Dukar are new patients, nothing more. The nurse cleared her throat. “At the
Oasis Clinic on Xyra, we do not pry into our patient’s past, the doctors are
here to assist and help with any aliments you may have,” she informed them of
their policy rights and continues, “It seems your legs remain unresponsive. Can
you sense anything at all?” she asked, her eyes still scanning their file.
“I can feel something in my left leg,” Dukar
interjected.
“Oh, let’s check that out.” She pulled back
the bed sheet and retrieved a reflex tester, which sent out a small electrical
charge to assess the patients' reflexes. As she moved it along his leg, Dukar's
leg gave a slight twitch. A smile spread across her face.
“Good, it looks like...,” Dukar grabs her arm
abruptly.
“Listen
sweetie, I can give you a sturdy number of credits if you let us leave here,”
his grip tightened, and his nails dig into her skin.
“Let me go!” she shouted and gave him a swift
shock with a pen size taser.
“Argh!” Dukar jerked his hand away.
“Your reflexes on the upper part of your body
are doing well,” she responded, with a touch of sarcasm.
“Bitch!” Dukar growled, “Your bedside manner
leaves much to be desired!” he remarked with a hint of sarcasm. She retreated
to the wall, hit the button beside the door, triggering the alarm, and made her
exit.
"Dukar,
you seemed a bit threatening to her. And don't forget, we need to remain here
until we've completely recovered," Xenos pointed out.
“I was just simply flirting with the girl,”
Dukar laughed. He grinned and closed his eyes. A few minutes later two security
guards, the nurse, and the doctor walked in.
The
Comigaen doctor approached them, his white fitted jumpsuit and matching boots
giving him a sleek appearance. "Ah, I see you're awake," he remarked,
a hint of professionalism in his tone. The gold-threaded medical emblem on the
right side of his upper chest gleamed, proudly displaying the name of the city,
Xyra, beneath it. He pulled out his tablet, deftly scrolling through the screen
to assess their condition. “Yes, we
are,” responded Xenos, acerbically.
“They
want to be released doctor,” the nurse said, eyeing them with disdain.
“Hmm, you still have another day or two here.
I cannot release you yet or I wouldn’t be a good doctor if I did,” he chuckled.
Both Javarins bare their teeth, in a threatening manner. The nurse shook her
head disapprovingly.
“Oh, come now, your stay here will be pleasant
and relaxing, think of it as a mini vacation,” the doctor said with a casual
chuckle. The nurse scoffed, her eyes narrowing in disdain as she glanced at
them.
With a haughty tone, she remarked, “They’re not even worth the effort to save.” They ignored her disparaging remark. “What happened to our ship? How did we end up here?” asked Xenos, curiously. “Well, the report states, that the person who flew the cargo ship to Xyra, left it at the docking port and never returned.
“Did they find the person who piloted the
cargo ship?” asked Dukar, eager to hear some good news.
“You can find the information you want when
you are released. The cargo ship is held at the same docking port it was left
at,” the doctor paused, “I take it that the cargo ship is not yours?”
“No!” Dukar responded harshly.
"Oh, I see, well then, I recommend you take some time to rest, and in a few days, you should be able to leave. By then, the gas should have cleared from your system, and you’ll feel significantly better."
"I’m curious why they have security here
if we can’t even get up," Dukar pondered aloud.
“Because
we are Javarins, and they fear us. They may also know about the NyKarin’s
battle with our home world and thus, they may hold us until the NyKarins
arrive,” Xenos stated.
“Yes, of
course. We might as well rest up, we got some hunting to do after we leave
here, and we
will
leave, I assure you. We must find the pilot. We need some answers.”
“Agreed,” responded Xenos.
“I guess we can board a passenger ship to take us back to the planet Eurleau,” he added. The nurse left the holovision control pad next to Xenos’ hand. He turned it on. The screen materialized a few feet in front of them. “I am going to watch something on this thing for a while. Would you like to watch?” Dukar waved his hand dismissively.
“No,” he
said. Xenos channeled the news on Eurleau. On the screen a female Valurin
reporter spoke.
“It has
been over three weeks since two Atlantean citizens were found dead in the
Trinket Shop in the city Aurora. Authorities have found footage from the shop’s
security camera and still do not have leads to the whereabouts of the humans
who committed such an atrocity. The male is considered armed and dangerous.”
The picture on the security footage flashed in
front of them. Dukar’s eyes opened wide, and he stared at the screen in dismay.
Xenos recognized Carlos, and there was no mistake that the female next to him
is Chandra. She looked back for a few seconds as her eyes met the camera.
“It is
them!” said Xenos out loud, “No!” he hollered.
“She somehow got away! How can that be?” said
Dukar. He eyed the footage with disdain and snarled. “That foolish Valurin lost
her! Inconceivable!” said Dukar, with a hiss.
“Or
perhaps she killed him,” Xenos hinted.
“She must
not have known that there was a camera in the building. Why else would she look
back and reveal her face?” thought Xenos.
“Did she know I would see this footage?” he said aloud.
“Don’t
over think it,” Dukar remarked. The other female that was with Chandra never
looked back. He could not see her face but there was no mistake, he knew who
she was.
About the Phoenix Files
The Phoenix Files is more than just a single book titled "Lost in the Backrooms, Volume One"; it is part of a larger anthology series that explores supernatural and paranormal tales. Each volume varies in length, with some exceeding 140 pages, while others are shorter.
For instance, "Path Less Taken," the second volume, will be just over 120 pages. The concept for The Phoenix Files originated in the mid-2000s, but it wasn't until recent years that I fully committed to incorporating it into my writing aspirations
The series primarily centers on Jane, the main character, and her dynamic with her sidekick, MK, as they tackle various supernatural challenges together. The Phoenix Files will be available for readers on platforms like KDP, Google Play, and Apple Books.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Alternate Universes: West Pacifica
West Pacifica
In the world of Chandra’s Quest, the protagonist originates from a place called West Pacifica. This concept first sparked in my mind over a decade ago, and I decided to weave it into my narrative. In this universe, West Pacifica represents the regions of California, Oregon, and Washington.
In Chandra’s universe, those states never came to be; instead, they evolved into a single nation. I've always been intrigued by the idea of alternate realities. So, when you read this, please don’t assume that my inclusion of West Pacifica in the story is a reaction to our current political situation. That’s not the case at all.
The concept of West Pacifica actually came to me a long time ago. The concept of West Pacifica was originally intended to be included in the fourth book, Omega. However, after deciding to combine all four books into a single full-length novel, I chose to leave it out. Rest assured, West Pacifica will be addressed and elaborated upon in the prequel to Chandra's Quest, titled A Twist in Time.
Please do visit links below to download Chandra's Quest eBook on Amazon. Visit GooglePlay to download audiobook as well, if you prefer audio. I am currently working on the paperback, to include the changes I made to the original book.