A Great New Book for Your Reading Pleasure

Jeremy Robinson has released his latest novel, a thriller with a touch of Sci-Fi, called Beneath (it has a flavor of Michael Crichton and Lincoln Child- good stuff). This special release is available in e-book and audio form only. Aside from Kindle, you can get it in multiple formats on Smashwords. Best of all, if you love audiobooks, you can listen to it for FREE on Podiobooks. Don't miss this thriller from a great author and a good guy.

Here's the synopsis:

In the depths of space, beneath the frozen surface of a moon, lies an ocean. Beneath the ocean... lies hell. Kathy Connelly and her crew head to Jupiter’s sixth moon, Europa, in search of life. What they find changes the way they view the universe, but no one on Earth will ever know what they found. They search for life. They find death.

The Rookie

Here's a short story I wrote some time ago. Just thought I'd share...

The crack of the bat rang out like a shot in the dark. The impact blistered my hands and raced up my arms. I burst from the batter's box, letting the lumber fall to the ground. Beyond the leaping first baseman I saw an explosion of chalk against the worn, faded outfield grass as the small, white ball careened away from the charging right fielder, kicking off the wall just beyond the hungry arms of fans leaning down for a souvenir. A double for sure.

My foot pounded the soft inside corner of the bag, and I felt it shift a little as the rusted stake pinning it to the ground came loose. I kept my balance even as my cap flew free. It clung for a moment to my heel before tumbling to the parched ground. The moment stretched into eternity and I was vaguely aware of a man in a bowler hat gesturing angrily at me with the stub of his cigar. Must have bet on Cleveland.

Behind the third base bag, Stumpy's arms were a windmill in a maelstrom, whirling with fury as he waved for me to come on. What was he doing?

I tried to coax a little more speed out of my burning legs. Leaning to the left as I rounded second, I fought to keep my momentum from swinging me too far out of the basepath. The roar of the crowd poured over me like a waterfall as I barrelled toward the bag.

"Get down! Get down!" Stumpy bounced on the balls of his feet and waved his palms toward the ground. "Leapfrogging an invisible midget," I always called it.

I hurled myself face-first as far away from the third baseman, Jackson, as I could and still be in reach of the bag. Baked earth scoured my face and ripped buttons from my aging uniform. Maybe if I shredded it good this time, old man Segrist would actually spring for a new one. But I knew better than that. I tasted dirt and salty blood as my face bounced off the ground.

Hurtling past Jackson's spiked shoe, an avalanche of dirty flesh, sweaty wool and unfulfilled promise, I reached out and grasped the corner of the bag in my left hand a split second before the glove, ball buried in the webbing, thumped me in the side of my head.

"Safe!" The umpire yelled, spreading his arms wide.

"Atta' boy!" Stumpy shouted over the dueling groans and cheers. He offered a scarred hand and hauled me to my feet, the missing tip of his middle finger leaving a feeling of incompleteness on the back of my hand. His grin revealed a row of window shade teeth: Yellow with age and all raised to different heights. A stream of tobacco juice wended its way through the forest of stubble on his chin, dripping onto his chest and dotting the "i" in "Detroit" with a dirty brown smear.

I was numb with delight as I reveled in the excitement of my first hit in the big leagues. I absently brushed away the worst of the dirt from my chest as the glorious sound of my own name echoed through the stadium.

"David...


...Benjamin Wood! What are you doing? Get in here and wash up for dinner!" Mom didn't stay at the window, doubtless having a neighbor on the phone, a talk show on television, and three different pots on the stove that would burn without her constant attention.

I stole one last, longing glance at the dented paint can that was home plate, the patch of bare earth that served third, and Stumpy, a stunted pin oak, before beginning my death march up the stairs.

Maybe tomorrow I'd score my first run.

Happy New Year!

It's a shade after midnight as I'm making this post, and I'd like to reflect on the great year that was 2009.

It has been a good year. I had the privilege of signing books at Con Carolinas and at Sci Fi Summer Con, and appearing on a panel at the latter. I've made the acquaintance of several authors whom I admire, and strengthened my friendships with several others. With my dad facing serious illness, I have been overwhelmed by the support of family and friends.

2009 saw the release of my second novel, Cibola, and I'm thrilled by the response it has received. I just learned that it's been named a top-10 book of 2009 by Megalith, and I've been awarded "Comeback of the Year." (I didn't know I'd left). The popularity of Cibola has been accompanied by a resurgence of interest in Dourado, as well. Both books are currently sitting in the Amazon top 100 in multiple categories, both in print books and in Kindle. Dourado is currently the #3 all-time bestseller among all Smashwords e-books and Cibola stands at #6.

The most significant moment of 2009 for me in terms of publishing came December 22 with the release of Into the Woods, a novella co-authored by my dad, David S. Wood. It means the world to us that the story has seen print, and we are grateful to the supportive readers that vaulted it into the top 10 on its release day.

Outside of my writing life, I earned my Master's degree in October. (Go me!) I continue to be blessed with a wonderful family, and I've had a great time coaching my daughters in fast-pitch softball, and supporting my forensic scientist wife as she puts away the bad guys.

Thank you for a great year, and best wishes for 2010 and beyond.

Dave

Thank you!

I'd like to say a big "thank-you" to everyone who supported the release of Into the Woods. We hit #10 on the Men's Adventure sales chart, and all three of my books charted on Tuesday. I am blessed to have so many devoted readers and friends.

Best wishes for the coming year,

David

Into the Woods Released Today!

Today is the official Amazon.com launch of Into the Woods, the historical adventure novella I co-authored with my dad, David S. Wood. If you're looking for a fun, quick read, this would be a great book for you. We've already hit the top 10 on Men's Adventure! Thank you!

Here are some advance endorsements for Into the Woods:

"Into the Woods is an amazing historical adventure, and a compelling testament to the power of family."
--Sean Ellis, author of The Shroud of Heaven.

"David Wood has crafted a gem of a story laced with action, villainy, revenge and reconciliation. Adventure, loyalty—sometimes strained and split, love, and sacrifice resonate within the pages of this historical fiction tale.”
--Terry W. Ervin II, author of Flank Hawk, a First Civilization’s Legacy novel.

"An entertaining historical adventure... a good way to spend an afternoon."
--Megalith: Books that Rock



Many thanks to all my readers for your continued support, and I'm looking forward to another great year in 2010. Ah, well, back to Dane Maddock!

An Interview with... Me!

I'm currently the featured author on Sean Ellis's blog. Click here to read my words of wisdom.

Another Endorsement for Into the Woods

Author Sean Ellis has provided the following endorsement for Into the Woods:

"Into the Woods is an amazing historical adventure, and a compelling testament to the power of family."--Sean Ellis, author of The Shroud of Heaven.

Many thanks to Sean, and don't forget to pick up your copy of Into the Woods on December 22!