Dreamer's Run by Thomas Owen

What do you do when the worst happens?  On a space station in the deep unexplored part of space, losing your power is deadly.  That means the poisonous air will infiltrate the station and with no heat or way to process food, they might as well be dead.  They try to fix the software and get them back to functioning.  The security chief goes after the saboteur...

Mr. Owen sent me a copy of this book to read.  It has been published.  It's a short story and it's interesting.

Merrill has no idea why the guy scuttled the space station but he knows he's going to catch him and ask him some questions.  It's a good idea but he doesn't realize what he's going to find when he encounters him. The man is crazy.  He thinks there are others out there waiting for him.  Merrill doesn't see anybody else.  But as the man dies, he lies and says they are coming for him...

This is a story that makes you think.  Is depression catching?  Can you get crazy by talking to someone who is?  And is he crazy or is Merrill? All I know is that if the space station is failing, I'd be looking for a way out too.

The Fortunes of Olaf Shorthand by Thomas Owen

Olaf is a Viking.  He's proud of his battles, his riches he's acquired and his family.  But these fortunes are about to come to an end...

Mr. Owen sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy in either print or ebook on Amazon.

I've read a few of Mr. Owen's books and I have to say that this one is my favorite so far.  Viking tales appeal to me and this one has the flavor of mythology and vengeance in it.  I was surprised to see it was one of his first published tales.  Some tales are just better than others and this one appealed to me.

Olaf is waiting for his son and his new wife to arrive for the wedding feast.  Instead, one of the wedding party stumbles in the door and says they were attacked by a big bear on the pass.  When the rescue party arrives, everyone is dead.  Instead of joy, Olaf is filled with sorrow and he vows revenge upon the bear.

They head out the next day with death on their minds but the bear wins the battle and leaves few alive.  Olaf will not give up, though.  He's so determined he even brings a witch in to find the bear.  She tells him where it will be and he takes the remaining men with him.  There is no bear.  But when he gets back to his home, he finds where the bear was...

This is a tale of sorrow that grabs your soul.  The ending is very ironic and exactly what was needed to satisfy Viking blood.  You won't forget this one easily, give it a try.

My "New Yorker" Stories by Thomas Owen

If you like esoteric stories that are a bit odd, you'll like this book.

Mr. Owen sent me a copy of it to review.  You can buy it now on Amazon.  These are stories he wrote hoping to get them in the New Yorker magazine.  I've seen the New Yorker but never read it.  I always thought it was bit stiff and formal.  Mr. Owen's stories are not but they are unusual.

The first one (and my favorite one) is The Winner's House.  It all started out as a good idea for a class project and it turned into a monster.  Two families are doing anything they can to win it.  With all the chances they've bought, they should be sure too.  Right...

Reality - "The Final Episode" reads just like some of these TV shows.  They keep going further and further trying to ensure the public will watch.  I think some are going beyond the pale now and don't watch, but here's the ultimate reality show for you.

February is an interesting story.  Apparently there are people who go nuts in February and act out however they can.  There's no real harm done, but this main character in this story is not normal.

These stories don't even taste like they were done by the same author but I know they were.  It's amazing what roads our minds can travel.  If you'd like to walk down some different ones, try these stories.  Who knows, they may sound familiar...

Little Bit A "Different" Cat Story by Thomas Owen

Mr. Owen is selling this book to raise money for his old cat's care.  That's a noble cause and worthy of some sales, but I wanted to read it and talk about it because it's a cat from outerspace.  When have you last read a story like that?

The author graciously sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can find a copy here:  Amazon

This is a short tale that would be good for young readers, too.  I enjoyed it because it had tidbits of cat nature as well as a fantasy alien pet.  It may be fiction but the reactions of the government didn't surprise me either.  

When their spacecraft is crashing, their pet on board falls through a hole down into the ocean below.  He's in hibernation, so he doesn't even notice what's happening until his cage door opens.  Then he has no idea where he is.  The world is different, the dangers are different, and where are his people?

When a cat discovers him, he shape changes into a cat.  He's not too graceful since it's a new shape, but he works on perfecting it.  The only problem is that when he gets curious sometimes his neck gets too long telescoping to see.  He shouldn't be walking on the ceiling either.

Once the strange sightings have been reported, soldiers begin to turn up.  They hide Little Bit from them because he's a nice pet and they don't want him taken away.  But, as usual, the government reacts too much and starts grabbing all the small animals.

This is a short fun tale to read that has a happy ending. It's a bit silly but I like reading things like that.  Life is serious, sometimes you need something to take your mind off that.  If Little Bit shows up at my door trying to meow, I'll take him in.  How about you?

Why not buy a copy for you or yours so Mr. Owen's cat will be with him for a while more before he takes off with Little Bit?