The Beyond Time Trilogy
Available now at lulu.com, Amazon, and Barnes And Noble sites is THE BEYOND TIME TRILOGY. This collection includes 3 novels (including the 2019 award winning THE THIRST OF CAIN). There are also 3 short stories and bonus material never before released. It retails for $27.99 plus S&H, but you can of course get each individual book via digital format as well. Here’s the description:
A COURSE FOR HUMANITY introduces Francis Murphy, a reluctant anti-hero who is more than your typical human convict. A group called, Continuum, must turn to him for help when a rogue agent travels into the past to alter history. If Murphy and Continuum can’t work together, the very fate of the future and all reality may be doomed.
THE THIRST OF CAIN sees Murphy journey throughout history from the present to the dawn of humanity to rid himself of a curse. That curse is the mark that Cain received after murdering his brother Abel. It’s a curse that was destined to plague the world. In order to find a cure, Murphy must make the ultimate sacrifice. The result of that sacrifice will change everything we know, but will it be for the better or something far worse?
CONSUMED BY WAR follows a pair of immortals throughout the course of history to modern day. They’ve manipulated major events in our past, but one of their goals is to place his own judgement upon the world. The other knows that it will cost humanity too much, and must find a way to stop the enemy before it’s too late. Ancient artifacts of legend are the key to each of their goals. Who will aqcuire them first?
Also included in this trilogy are three short stories that take the reader beyond time: THE LOST HOUR, THE LOST DAY, and THE LOST YEAR.
(C) 2019 by Rick Pipito – cover art by @dpipito of @pintsizedpages
Day 25: THE LOST DAY
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Day 25 of #scrypthalloween gets a little frightening with my short story THE LOST DAY. Here are some facts: 1) it was published on August 17, 2018. 2) the protagonist was chosen for this story because I’d originally wanted to kill him off in one of my novels but decided to leave him have an open ended fate. This was to elaborate on what happens to him after those events. 3) Blake is the character that just wont die. While writing the short I had planned on offing him again but decided that I could use him once again for a later story. So while this has a satisfying conclusion there are still answers left hanging out there to be determined. 4) the pocket watch cover idea seemed logical for the title but after finalizing it I realized it had no reference in the book so I had to go back and write a watch into the plot that would make the cover that much more important. 5) the people of the future were based off of various scientific studies with my own creative conclusion as to how we would eventually evolve. Making them observers of time would be a way to explain why people have seen alien “grays” throughout history. . . . #timetravel #book #scifi #evolution #alien #future #authorsofinstagram
Day 11: THE LOST HOUR
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Day 11 of #scrypthalloween takes a look at my short story THE LOST HOUR. Some facts: 1) It was published in print and digital at lulu and amazon on 9/26/2017. 2) The book takes place near the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Pennsylvania. It is where I wrote the entire scene while enjoying the spectacular view of the gothic structures. 3) The book was written when I realized I’d had a loophole in one of my books. In one novel I’d mentioned that Samantha Clayton had a son, and in the next novel she mentions nothing about him as if he never existed. Since I was writing about time travel I used that as a starting point to explain the discrepancy. 4) Many years take place between #novels 9 and 10, so I place this in that time period to be a bridge of sorts between the two. 5) there are rules and guidelines to time travel in the universe I’ve created so this takes an in depth look at the trial and error of why those laws are in place. What is your favorite #timetravel story? #book #shortstory #authorsofinstagram
Day 7: THE THIRST OF CAIN
Day 7 of #scrypthalloween focuses on my #novel THE THIRST OF CAIN. Some facts: 1) it was published on May 15, 2018. 2) I was awarded the “Best opening lines of a novel” for it. 3) after a lot of feedback and reader love for the characters of Cain and Lilith I decided to delve back into their history for one final outing in this book. 4) the plot originally didn’t revolve around time travel, but was going to feature finding out that the Garden of Eden was actually another planet. 5) @dpipito @pintsizedpages did the art for the cover and it was decided to use Stonehenge as the backdrop since it is integral to the plot.
Day 6: A COURSE FOR HUMANITY
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Day 6 of #scrypthalloween takes a peek at my novel A COURSE FOR HUMANITY. Some facts: 1) It was written in the year 2000 but I shelved the idea for years to get it just right. 2) March 8, 2017 was the publication date with some tweaks to the story and tying it in to my main series of #books, 3) The cover is a photograph of plains with the green energy as an interpretation of time ripples featured in the plot. 4) the recurring theme of “The truth was lost” was a dig at how divided we’ve come because of social media and a lack of fact finding, 5) the book was my response for the population of the world to open up their eyes, accept and understand differences, and move forward for the betterment of all.
#novel #timetravel #sciencefiction #scifi #book #authorsofinstagram
Interview about THE LOST DAY
I’ve received some interesting questions over the past few days about my new short story release THE LOST DAY. These are those compiled together. Feel free to ask your own questions in the comments section, and I’ll be sure to answer and share.
Q: What is your new short story about?
Rick: A man who wakes up in a reality that isn’t his own. He’s a character from my books that changed history, and upon returning to his own time realizes that nothing is as it was. Everyone around him knows who he is, but he knows nothing about this new reality. It becomes even more of a nightmare for him when he is captured to be studied, and he realizes that his very existence puts the future of mankind at risk.
Q: Should I read the novels before reading this story?
Rick: No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I wrote THE LOST DAY to be a stand alone short. Yes, it’s a spinoff, but only to fill in the gaps for any readers of the novels that have a question about what happened to him. For newcomers, there is a total disconnect with the novels in this short, so it was intended for all audiences.
Q: There’s an interesting take on the antagonist in the story. What gave you the idea for such a character?
Rick: I don’t really see the story as having a true antagonist. I mean obviously there is that character, but it isn’t “bad.” It’s doing the thing that it thinks is right. If anything the main character is sort of the antagonist. The idea for the creature that you are referring to though came from current events. If you look back to what life was a few hundred years ago versus today, there is a difference. For the most part all races are reproducing together, and human sexuality goes beyond just straight and gay. So for a point in the human evolutionary scale, in the far future, there very well could be a grey skinned and asexually reproducing person.
Q: Do you think this approach to a character will cause controversy?
Rick: Not really. It’s done in a manner that is respectful to all people of orientation and race. I also think that it is something that could be plausible in a few million years. If it does stir controversy I’m all for it. Any type of chatter will bring others to read it. Just look at what Dan Brown did, and he’s become an outstanding well known author.
Q: Where do you stand with your beliefs on the topic of interracial breeding and sexual orientation?
Rick: That’s a touchy subject that I try to avoid, but I can say that I believe it isn’t our place to judge others. People have their own right to love who they want, but it’s when they force their beliefs on others that it becomes a problem. The same goes for the reverse point of view. If something bigger and better is out there, whether it God or aliens or both, then we would be a disgrace to a superior being with all of the turmoil we create amongst our own human species. Let the higher powers judge our own actions. My thoughts are don’t judge and don’t push agendas no matter where you stand.
Q: Do all of your books have a message like this?
Rick: Real life inspires a lot of my writing, but I want my stories to be enjoyable to a wider audience. I might have underlying themes throughout them, but there is never a message that I’m trying to push at all. I just want everyone to be able to relate and understand each other to some degree. We don’t all have to agree on everything, but understanding each other is a step toward a greater future.
Q: It seems like you think a lot about the future.
Rick: Having children does that to you. I used to be very carefree in all that I did. I took life for granted for a time. Now I realize how precious it is, and when I’m gone I want my kids, their kids, and their kids kids, and beyond to be able to be role models and be part of a greater future.
Q: How does this short-story relate or differ to your other shorts?
Rick: Other than it following the groundwork laid out in THE LOST HOUR…. THE LOST DAY is entirely self sustaining.
Q: There is a little bit of a cliffhanger at the end. Will we see Don Blake again?
Rick: I plan on it. I think there is a responsibility as an author to wrap up all loose ends. Even if it is a simple one liner in a future book that says “Don Blake’s remains were found,” or have him cameo in a minor role, or be a major character. Don Blake will return. I promise closure on that.
Q: Tell us about the cover idea. Who did the art and design?
Rick: I did the design and layout. Originally I wanted to have a sundial, but the pocket watch was my wife’s idea. It was also an element that I threw into the story at literally the last minute before sending to the editors.
Q: Where can one purchase a copy of THE LOST DAY?
Rick: It’s available at Lulu.com in print and will eventually be on Amazon and Barnes and Noble as part of my next trilogy release.
Interview about THE THIRST OF CAIN
With every new release I get a handful of questions from readers and during promotions. Here’s some of the ones I’ve gathered so far for “THE THIRST OF CAIN”. Feel free to ask any that you have in the comments below or send me a message.
Q: Tell me about your new novel.
Rick: Francis Murphy wakes from a night’s sleep to discover a horror. His blood-stained hands reveal his darkest fears. With each passing minute the submerged half of his personality comes one step closer to total control. Realizing he has only days to find a cure, he must search throughout history to discover the origins of his curse. From the beginning of humanity to modern times, the mark of Cain has influenced many. What is that mark? How far will one man go in order to piece together clues to the puzzle? At what lengths will he go to save himself, and at what cost?
Q: Cain was a primary character in your earlier novels. What made you bring him back?
Rick: Reader feedback was my ultimate driving force. So many people loved the character and he slowly faded into the background as my novels progressed. I felt it was time to bring him back to the heart of the story, and see the side of him that the novels prior to this didn’t fully address.
Q: Does this go against your “I’m not going to write the same type of novel twice,” or do you feel it is a different approach?
Rick: This is a much different approach. It’s true I didn’t want to do another book involving vampires, or time travel. Both of those things sort of take a back seat in this even though they are there. It’s less a book about either of those, and more a book about discovering history in reverse. Cain is in his prime in this novel, so he’s more villain than before… he just happens to be a vampire. Murphy’s journey through time is more about solving the mystery of where his curse came from than the sci-fi element. He just uses time travel to trace the lineage back. So, this is a much different novel than BLOOD, THE SECOND HELPING or A COURSE FOR HUMANITY.
Q: There are a lot of historical refences and tie ins in this book. How much research did you have to do?
Rick: When it came to overall research it wasn’t too extensive, but I wanted each time period in the story to have actual historical significance. I didn’t really know when specifically each chapter would take place until I found some dates with events that would fit the narrative. Finding those pieces of information did consume a few weeks of my time in order to get the story right. The research actually had me rewrite my outline four or five times to better fit where I wanted the book to go.
Q: You and your family were recently featured as a cover story in your local newspaper. How does that feel and factor into what you do?
Rick: It was really a moment that made me so proud. To be called, “the Dynamic Duo” was a surprise. People have said that we are a power couple and inspiration for those who want to prove that hard work will help you reach your dreams. I’ve always been flattered by that. The interview was a lot of fun, but I didn’t expect us to be the cover story. Needless to say we framed the article and have it hanging in my office. Things like that just make me want to go above and beyond my goals even more, and it helps me to push myself harder to attain those goals.
Q: How long did it take you to write THE THIRST OF CAIN?
Rick: The concept has been in my mind for about eight years. Every few months I’d come up with ideas of where to take it, but it was shelved for my other works. Once I finally started to sit down and write it, it took about eight months from outline to draft, then to edits and final copy.
Q: Do you have a team of early reviewers? If so how did they respond to the new book?
Rick: I had 20 beta readers for this book. Of those, a dozen gave their feedback which I value immensely. The response was all very positive with one reader claiming that they wanted another few pages in the epilogue to explain what happens next. To those readers I just have to say, it will be worth the wait to find out, but the hints are there.
Q: You do a decent job of writing each novel as a standalone, but also tying into the whole series. How hard is it to do this and keep the continuity?
Rick: It becomes tedious at times. I have to explain some things in back story, which makes me go back and reread previous plot points over and over to preserve continuity. I really like the idea of having a series that gets better with each installment since the beginning, but can also be a starting point for any new reader to my works. The balance is sometimes tricky, but not an overall difficult task.
Q: I’ve read the book, and have one question… That ending was totally unexpected. What? How? Where is this going?
Rick: You’ll find out in the next novel CONSUMED BY WAR. The reset button has technically been hit, so where THE THIRST OF CAIN finds the character going backwards in time to different periods, the next installment will be the opposite, except without the time travel element. There won’t be any more vampires, just two immortal beings “The Destroyer” and “The Redeemer.” There will also be a short story spinoff that will reference the events in THIRST called THE LOST DAY, which will also come out later this year.
Q: Tell us about the cover idea. Who did the art and design?
Rick: My brother Dan, did the art and design for it. My concept was to have Stonehenge as the center of the cover. It plays a significant role in the plot as far as what its true purpose was. Having a river of blood coming from it was an idea I pitched to my brother, and he immediately went to work with a few pictures in photo editing software. When I received his final copy for approval I was blown away. I think it’s my favorite cover to date.
Q: Where can one purchase a copy of THE THIRST OF CAIN?
Rick: It’s available at Lulu.com in print for $7.99 and on Amazon.com in digital format for $3.99.
The Thirst Of Cain
Francis Murphy wakes from a night’s sleep to discover a horror. His blood stained hands reveal his darkest fears. With each passing minute the submerged half of his personality comes one step closer to total control. Realizing he has only days to find a cure, he must search throughout history to discover the origins of his curse. From the beginning of humanity to modern times, the mark of Cain has influenced many. What is that mark? How far will one man go in order to piece together clues to the puzzle? At what lengths will he go to save himself, and at what cost? From the award winning author of BLOOD, THE SECOND HELPING and A COURSE FOR HUMANITY comes THE THIRST OF CAIN. This heart pounding adventure unlocks the secrets of Stonehenge and more.
Novel is available for $7.99 in print at http://www.lulu.com/shop/rick-pipito/the-thirst-of-cain/paperback/product-23645538.html
and in digital format for $3.99 at https://www.amazon.com/Thirst-Cain-Rick-Pipito-ebook/dp/B07D42WJHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526988936&sr=8-1&keywords=the+thirst+of+cain
Trailer – The Thirst of Cain
My novel THE THIRST OF CAIN has arrived. Here’s a trailer to go along with it. Book is available at lulu.com in print and on amazon in digital.
On the 10th Day of Christmas…
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME… 10 Time Travelers…
9 Aliens, 8 conspiracies, 7 super heroes, 6 corrupt files, 5 Demon Spawns! 4 lost souls, 3 werewolves, 2 vampires, and zombies in a story.
The idea of time travel has fascinated me since as far back as I can remember. Watching Superman reverse the direction of the Earth in a silly interpretation of going back in time; Marty McFly visiting the past and future in a Delorean; H.G. Wells classic The Time Machine; and Sam leaping from person to person in Quantum leap are just some of the things that hooked me in my youth.
Writing A COURSE FOR HUMANITY and its spinoff THE LOST HOUR was a lot of fun for me, but it took a long time to get right. Time travel logic is difficult to maintain, but is manageable with some thought and research. Pictured here is the U.S.S. Eldrige. It is said that the government managed to send it back in time ten seconds on October 28th 1943. This was dubbed the “Philadelphia Experiment,” although no one actually knows if the program ever even existed. What do you think? There are plenty of photos and historical things that could point to time travel being possible. Do you think it’s a possibility and if so where would you go and when?
Order a copy of my novel or short for yourself or a friend. If you want personalized copies then shoot me an email (Rickpipito@hotmail.com), otherwise they can be purchased in print or digital at Lulu.com or on Amazon
Day 20 – The Lost Hour
Day 20 of #scrypthalloween recaps my latest short story THE LOST HOUR. A discrepancy was found in one of my books where a character suddenly didn’t exist. It was as if they were never there, and though he was a very very minor character with no influence on plot, I knew I had to explain his sudden absence. This book does that in an intriguing manner…
official description: In the future, time travel is a tool used for learning. There are strict guidelines that the Continuum organization enforces to make sure that no one can tamper with what is already written. Those rules were put in place for a reason. Samantha Clayton wrote those rules, but what experiences did she have to understand the true consequences of diving into the past? Follow Clayton in events that take place
during one hour of her time. It will be an hour that she will never forget, but that
history will never remember. To every cause there is an effect, no matter how big or small. This short story bridges the gap between the novels DEVOURED UNIVERSE and A COURSE FOR HUMANITY.
Available in print at lulu.com and other marketplaces soon.
Day 19 – A Course For Humanity
Day 19 of #scrypthalloween spotlights my novel A COURSE FOR HUMANITY. While most books take me six to eight months to write, this one took sixteen years. It was something I contrived back in 2001 and after writing it sat on my shelf. It wasn’t until late last year when I decided to update it and make a story that could connect with the audiences to kick off a new trilogy…
official description: The future has been set in stone… or has it? When a group of military scientists discover a ripple in reality, they must face their ultimate challenge. Someone has travelled into the past and changed history, causing the timeline to shift. The result? Human extinction. Now humanity’s only hope lies with the Continuum group. They must break their own law against time travel, and prevent the temporal ripple from ever occurring. They will need a secret weapon to do so, but that weapon is a threat to them all… Meet Francis Murphy. He’s the last living vampire, and he’s out for revenge against those who’ve experimented on him. Will he help the Continuum group put humanity on the right course, or will he side with a traitor in their midst? Only time will tell.
Available in print and digital at lulu.com and Amazon.
Interview about THE LOST HOUR
sCrypt Publishing and readers have asked a few questions about my new short story THE LOST HOUR. Here’s a compilation of those questions in an interview like form. Enjoy and feel free to ask your own in the comments section. I’ll answer as quickly as possible.
Q: This is your first short story that doesn’t involve multiple different plots. What made you take this approach?
Rick: I’ve done nine shorts before this. They all had multiple stories because they were intended (and some were) for graphic novel form. The novel that this was based on, A COURSE FOR HUMANITY, was less about separate stories intertwining, and more about one narrative. I figured I could focus on one plot and make it more powerful by doing the same to the short.
Q: You mention the novel from which this was set. Where exactly does THE LOST HOUR take place in the series?
Rick: Chronologically it exists between DEVOURED UNIVERSE and A COURSE FOR HUMANITY. It fills in something referenced in the latter novel. It is meant to be read alone though, so it works if you are completely unfamiliar with the series.
Q: Why continue to do short story spinoffs between novel releases? Are there plans to bring back more graphic novel forms?
Rick: I never say never, but right now there are no plans for more comics. The reason I continue with the short stories is because they are cheaper for readers. It seems to be that once a newcomer reads the short story, they are usually interested in the novel it’s associated with. I’ve gained quite a few readers that way.
Q: Samantha Clayton is your main character in THE LOST HOUR. What made you choose her?
Rick: We’ve sort of seen her grow throughout the novels. She was a young girl, then an adult, and then an old woman. We know there’s a lot of secrecy to her that remains to be uncovered. There is only reference to her in the novel and how she laid the ground work for the Continuum organization. She made rules for them to follow with time travel, so I wanted to get into why she made those rules. Something had to have gone wrong for her to do so.
Q: What is it like writing about time travel?
Rick: It’s different than all my other books. I love and hate it. This trilogy gives me a headache, even though that’s not the focus. I have to make it believable and understandable to the reader at the same time. Sometimes I’ll write a scene and then have to edit the hell out of it because it gets so wordy that it bores me. After numerous edits it comes out being an easy and comprehendible read, but getting to that point is the challenge.
Q: What is your next release and when?
Rick: THE THIRST OF CAIN will be my next novel in early 2018. It’s not only a direct follow up to A COURSE FOR HUMANITY, but will serve as the same to BLOOD, THE SECOND HELPING.
Q: So vampires and time travel then?
Rick: Yes. I had such good feedback on BLOOD, that I felt like revisiting some of that. Plus I had this thing going on with the character of Francis Murphy in COURSE that the plot sort of set itself.
Q: Are you saying Francis will meet Cain?
Rick: Cain is such a loved character by fans. He’s the penultimate villain. He’s wicked, but also has a reason for the path he’s chosen. Time travel enables me to really go back to his early years and have Francis confront him then. He wants to be cured of his own curse, so finding Cain is his main priority.
Q: I’m confused. Won’t that technically interfere with the plots of the remaining books because time travel is involved?
Rick: Oh yes. I can’t say much, but THE THIRST OF CAIN will alter everything. We will sort of see a different history as an outcome. It’s something touched upon in THE LOST HOUR about how time travel can create alternate worlds.
Q: Where can one purchase a copy of THE LOST HOUR?
Rick: It is available on www.lulu.com in print. It will be available as part of the next trilogy release for Amazon and Barnes and Noble when that is completed. And if you buy the print from lulu you also get a digital copy to download.
Trailer: A COURSE FOR HUMANITY
My novel A COURSE FOR HUMANITY, now has the trailer treatment. Check it out and grab a copy at lulu.com or Amazon.com. Available in print and digital now.
A Course For Humanity
My new novel, A COURSE FOR HUMANITY, is available now in print and digital formats.
The future has been set in stone… or has it? When a group of military scientists discover a ripple in reality, they must face their ultimate challenge. Someone has travelled into the past and altered history, causing the timeline to shift. The result? Human extinction. Now humanity’s only hope lies with the Continuum group. They must break their own law against time travel, and prevent the temporal ripple from ever occurring. They will need a secret weapon to do so, but that weapon is a threat to them all… Meet Francis Murphy. He’s the last living vampire, and he’s out for revenge against those who’ve experimented on him. Will he help the Continuum group set humanity on the right course, or will he side with a traitor in their midst? Only time will tell.
A COURSE FOR HUMANITY is available at lulu.com in print and on Amazon.com for the Kindle.
Day 30 -Inspiration in different times
The possibility of time travel has always fascinated me. In college I took a class called “Paradox”, and mid semester I came up with an idea for a book on it. That was about sixteen years ago, and the book is finally in the works (well three books to be specific). Can I go back and retract that typo? Sure, that’s what the backspace key is for, but what if we could go back and change something in our past?
When I was ten years old I read H.G. Wells’ THE TIME MACHINE. It was the first book that really had me thinking about the subject. The classic movie from the 60s wasn’t as good as the book, but it’s still one of my favorites to this day. Even the remake done in the 2000s holds a special place in my heart. Am I bold enough to say it is one of the best science fiction novels ever written? Yes, and I’ll stand by that statement. Wells came up with an idea to quell his own curiosity about what the future held. While the book doesn’t go into alternate realities or changing the past (it is hinted at, but not a major component), it instead looks forward. In certain aspects it shows a bleak future (far ahead of our own time), but there is something to be taken away from it all. I feel the lesson written here is that we should appreciate what we have now. No matter how bad things can get, it can always be worse.
Once I reached my teenage years there was a show on called QUANTUM LEAP. It involved a character who was from the future and stepped into a time chamber. He woke up in the past in someone else’s body. The fun thing about this show was that each episode had him trying to figure out what he needed to make sure happened in order for him to leap to the next random time period. The show was limited only to years in which the actual character had been alive on earth. If he were to leap to another time he’d cease to exist, so it kept it very grounded in modern times (or at least the last 35 years prior to the show). This series had me tuning in every week, but sadly it fell victim to what I call the “final episode”. At the end of the series we are left with a cliffhanger of not knowing if he ever made it home or not. Was Sam stuck in time? Where did he go? I still hold out hope for a reboot/sequel that will explain it all and maybe re-launch the series.
Lastly is the TIME PATROL series by Bob Mayer. Mayer’s series takes a similar concept to leaping into a historical person’s body, but goes beyond that to actual events. He isn’t limited to one time period, but instead has a selection of multiple in each individual novel. One date throughout history is being affected by the mostly unseen antagonist in different ways. It’s difficult to go into detail about it without being spoilery, but the Time Patrol is a fun and interesting ride. It may even have you wanting to do some research on certain days or events in history. I haven’t just been entertained by the highly anticipated novels, but have learned from them. Where else can you have one story with multiple subplots going on in a book?
With the holidays fast approaching I’m frantically working on A COURSE FOR HUMANITY. It won’t be out until early 2017, but in the meantime if you are looking for a great time travel story, I highly recommend all three of the above; especially Time Patrol, since it’s a current series.
So what are some of your favorite time travel stories? Use the hashtag #scrypthalloween and you may be one of the lucky winners chosen to receive a free copy of one of my novels.
Day 29 – Looking at a past release
Okay, so I got away easily with this post in doing something similar to yesterday’s. Since time travel is the topic for today I decided to do a little of it myself. Just a year ago I released my first children’s book, A LITTLE GIRL IN THE LAND OF THE HICCUPS.
While the sequel has hit some road bumps, it will be here sooner than we know it. When my daughter was in the womb, I read to her mother’s belly every night. I knew somehow that she’d be a girl, even before we found out by the doctors. As a fan of Baum’s Oz books, and Alice’s adventures in wonderland, I read those to her first. I remember her moving to the sounds of my voice as I told her all about Dorothy’s journey to see a wizard, and her adventures afterwards. By the time she was born she’d already heard four and a half full length novels!
As a writer I came up with an idea for her own children’s book. One of the things she used to do, other than twirl around in circles in the belly, was to send jolts of excitement. These came in the form of hiccups. It dawned on me then. A story about a girl who is lost in a land with some strange creatures by the same name. There would be a certain degree of education in the book, while keeping it fun for kids and have an underlying moral to the story.
While we wait for its sequel A LITTLE BOY IN THE LAND OF SLEEPLESS KNIGHTS, we can always go back and share a fun reading with our little ladies. Here’s the description of A LITTLE GIRL IN THE LAND OF THE SLEEPLESS KNIGHTS: When a little girl finds herself a long way from home, she must help her new Eskimo friends to rid their land of the Hiccups, miniscule little creatures that are more of an annoyance than anything. From award winning author, Rick Pipito, the story is aimed for a young female audience, but can be enjoyed by all. With art by Dan Pipito, this heart warming tale will inspire young readers to never give up hope and put their best thoughts forward.
What are some of your favorite memories of the past? Do you have a favorite children’s book? Make sure to use the hashtag #scrypthalloween when commenting, and you may win a copy of one of my novels. You can find this book and more of mine in print at Lulu.com, and on Amazon in digital.
No one likes a case of the Hiccups. Here’s one of those tiny pesky creatures. Art in the book is by Dan Pipito
Review: Justice League Flashpoint Paradox
Justice League Flashpoint Paradox is the newest DC animated movie. I’ll briefly review this dvd, but there will be some spoilers ahead, so be warned. I’ll try not to spoil too much.
The Flash has always been one of my absolute favorite DC comics characters (especially Barry Allen as the Flash). This filled that inner need to see his version of the speedster on screen again. We start off with Barry as a child, before he had the lab accident that created his abilities. This whole childhood flashback was a perfect prologue to our story.
Following this scene, we get a battle with Flash’s rogues. The highlight isn’t Mirror Master, Captain Boomerang, or Captain Cold however. It is when Professor Zoom (The Reverse Flash) shows up. I had a bit of chills watching Flash stand his own ground, and then finally lose the battle. When the Justice League arrives to help, it got even better.
This was not the highlight though. In the next part, Barry wakes up in an alternate reality where his mother never died, he never became the Flash, Bruce Wayne was shot instead of his parents (leaving his mother an insane version of the Joker, and his Father, an alcoholic Batman. and Chaos all around. Here are my problems with this reality…
Aquaman and Wonder Woman are the villains in this story. This normally wouldn’t be an issue for me, as I can see why it would work, but the lack of explanation as to why they are willing to wage war on everyone else seems to be an annoyance. There is also a secret weapon that Aquaman has (Captain Atom is chained up). It is never explained as to why, and how he will just go nuclear when the time comes.
All that aside, this was a very brutal reality. Barry convinces Batman to help him recreate the lab experiment that created the Flash. After suffering third degree burns and a failed attempt, Barry goes for it again, only to have it work. This was disturbing on many levels, but really nice to see him as the unselfish hero he is. I loved it for both these aspects.
So the battle continues as Wonder Woman and Aquaman go all out war on each other. Hell breaks loose, and we get a cool little cameo by an alternate Justice league and other heroes including Etrigan and The Shazam kids. Oh wait I almost forgot… Superman is in this reality, but I don’t want to spoil his presence in this world. You have to see it to believe it. Really cool.
My favorite parts are at the end though. When Zoom arrives and he and Flash have their one on one battle, where the “True cause” of this reality is revealed. Seeing The Flash tap into the speed force, as well as Batman (the real Batman once everything is set right) actually shed a tear and cry, was breathtaking.
So the ratings? Well, stay through the credits because we kind of get a glimpse of what might be coming next in a short clip. I’d give Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox an 8 out of 10. Not the best DC animated movie to date, but among the contenders, and definitely one of my favorites.
sCrypt Publishing 