Monthly Musings Anthology

17 Jan 2024 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Cover Reveal Tags: , , , , , ,

So last year I participated in the Story of the Month Club. I wrote three stories each one themed around a different month of the year. If you missed them in 2023 those stories are now compiled into an anthology along with the other stories written last year.

About:
This book is a compilation of 12 short stories–one for each month of the year. The four authors, C. O. Bonham, Meagan Myhren-Bennett, Ichabod Ebenezer and Michelle Francik each wrote three short stories. The only rule was that the story had to have something to do with the month it was written four.
The result is an eclectic mix of genres, story-telling styles and themes.
C. O. Bonham wrote the stories for January, Corvid Poe and the Poet’s Pen, April, Stained Glass Fantasy, and November, Cupcakes on the Brain.
Meagan Myhren-Bennett wrote the stories for February, True Love’s Wish, September, Hobbit Day in Hobbiton, and December, The Decorator.
Ichabod Ebenezer wrote the stories for March, Nox and Equinox, June, The Third Age, and October, The Founder’s Tree.
And Michelle Francik wrote the stories for May, For the Love of Maybelle, July, When Freedom Rings, and August, Augi and the Dog Days of Summer.

Monthly Musing amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3S6oGaf

In case you were wondering the Story of the Month club is continuing for 2024. However, I will not be writing for it. It is still worth a read though. This year authors Michelle Francik and Meagan Myhren-Bennett are taking turns writing one twelve chapter story from alternating POVs.

The first chapter is avilable now at: https://mfranciktheauthor.com/story-of-the-month-club-2024/

New chapters will be loaded on the fifteenth of every month.

Halloween 2020 Anthology

21 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Uncategorized Tags: , , ,

I got published again. This time it’s in the Halloween 2020 short story anthology. It’s like the 2019 Halloween Anthology I was in last year, but you know, for this year.

There is no doubt that Halloween 2020 is going to go down as one of the strangest holidays ever. With lockdowns, social distancing, masks, politics, lies, violence and hate dominating every news report–every thought at times, celebrating takes on a different aspect this year.
Some people are determined to act as if everything’s normal while others are devastated that they can’t have their annual Halloween gala. Trick or treating has either been cancelled or there are so many rules in place to protect everyone from Covid-19 that it barely resembles its previous incarnations.
For the 2020 Halloween Short Story Challenge, I tasked the authors to look at Halloweens past, present and future. I suggested they view the holiday through the out-of-focus lens of 2020, but they didn’t have to. I challenged them to search outside the box, inside the box and all around the box, until they found something that resonated within them.
For many, this year has been one of loss, fear, uncertainty and apathy. It’s been hard to get out of bed let alone be creative. That’s why this was an especially difficult, yet important, Challenge.
The authors in this anthology accepted that challenge and they’ve written an incredible, eclectic assortment of Halloween stories and poems. They’ll terrify you. They’ll delight you. They’ll make you laugh. And hopefully, for at least as long as it takes you to read them, you’ll be distracted from the real-life horrors of 2020. Enjoy!

Buy it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3o1DuqM

Not every story in this anthology takes place in 2020 though, some stories are more like memories, others are just fun Halloween centric stories.

My story is a very 2020 centric story. In a world where trick or treat has been cancelled, Halloween becomes, “The Night of the Masked Children.”

So if you’re looking for seasonal read go ahead and pick up Halloween 2020 today. You might just decide to keep some candy on hand after all.

Available in eBook, paperback, and Kindle unlimited: https://cobonham.com/2019/10/24/halloween-short-story-challenge-2019-anthology/

Dive in Review: All Made of Hinges

17 Oct 2020 2 Comments

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , , , ,

I know this is an off day for me to be posting on but I needed to let you know about a fun anthology that I just finished listening to on audible.

Cheerful in the face of dark opposition. Innovative to improve a backward world. Industrial as a cure for oppressive conditions. Unyielding beneath all who seek to bind and control them. Faithful until they conquer the fear of death and rise to great acts of heroism and service. Mormons and steampunks are two faces of the same coin.

Twelve authors spin tales of true believers facing impossible odds, risking this life in the hope of gaining something better after. Mormon Battalion soldiers fight an airship, a bounty hunter crosses Porter Rockwell, cultists attempt to reanimate Brigham Young, and missionaries run into Cthulhu. These are just a few of the amazing tales by award winning, bestselling, and premier authors – D. J. Butler, John M. Olsen, Steven L. Peck, Elizabeth Mueller, Scott E. Tarbet, Jay Barnson, Joe Monson, Amanda Hamblin, Christopher McAfee, Jace Killan, John D. Payne, and Lee Allred.

All Made of Hinges is the first installment in the incredible four-part Mormon steampunk series by Immortal Works Press. If you love these stories, look for more in Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel and Press Forward, Saints.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/All-Made-of-Hinges-audiobook/dp/B07R92TBMC

Embeded preview of ebook edition of All Made of Hinges.

If you want a deal, get the ebook edition, and add on the audio for only $7.49. Much cheaper than spending $17 on audiobook alone.

Now I guess this is where I tell you what I thought of it.

Dive in Review: All Made of Hinges.

Steampunk what now?

If you are like me, then you are still hung up on the sub title. A steampunk Mormon anthology? What on Earth is a steampunk Mormon?

Well it turns out that answering that question is easier than expected. These are steampunk stories where at least one character is a Mormon.

And like all anthologies, it’s a sampler of different styles, tones, voices and plots. Most are light hearted with a humorous tone, but one or two are a little intense. The real surprise were the ones that were philosophical without talking about religion at all. Not what I expected from a Mormon anthology.

These stories are all alternative history, so expect historical persons to make cameos and for some historical events to not have happened the way you thought. Some stories are just westerns with airships and others are Clockwork dystopias with zombie hoards.

The steampunk elements were all really well done, and in most stories the Mormon element was barely noticeable. So I wouldn’t let that hold you back from trying this anthology out. In fact if you’re still holding back because of religion, don’t. The characters that have the most faith are machines. And the only story that has angels is theologically incorrect. (If you ever meet two angels that contradict each other, one of them is not an angel. That is just a fact.)

Narrator Benjamin Fife, is one that I’ve heard a lot from. He always brings a unique voice to every book he reads. Nowhere is that more evident than in this anthology, where you can hear his reading style change for each story. Fife is also really good at accents, and these stories give him a wide range of accents to play with. His French and Japanese accents are new ones I got to hear.

If you like steampunk everything then this anthology is sure to delight. Just don’t go in expecting a deeper understanding of what it means to be Mormon. This is not a religious book.

*I was given a code for a review copy of this audio book. The above review is my own honest opinion and is provided willingly.*

2020 Spring Fever

27 May 2020 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Behind the keyboard, Cover Reveal Tags: , , , , ,

Hi Everyone,

Once again I had a short story release and I forgot to mention it here. So now I am remedying that oversight before I start posting about all of the amazing summer releases coming out this year.

As you know this year was seriously wrecked by something called COVID-19, and whatever your feeling about it, we are all together in agreeing that it ruined everything.

So the newest short story challenge was dubbed the Spring Fever challenge.

spring fever cover

Spring time is supposed to be when we emerge from the darkness of winter and get to hang out on the beach, with our friends, at the park, and at sporting events. This year, 2020, that isn’t happening. Covid-19 has shaken us all up and it’s been a rough few months. This anthology is a collection of essays, poems and stories that touch on how the Corona virus has affected us all. The authors dug deep and wrote honestly about their fears and their struggles, but also their joys and revelations! Funny, touching, thought-provoking: there’s something for everyone!

Spring fever back cover

 

My name is on the cover, it’s so exciting.

You can buy it on Amazon in both ebook and paperback. https://amzn.to/3bWFwBm.

The story I contributed to the collection is a look at the virus from a supervillain angle. If it had been released by a villain, who would do it and why? A question that even had other villains stumped.

If you have read the 2019 Halloween short story challenge you may recognize the names of some of these villains. They are from my Captain Galaxy flash fiction universe.  You can check out another story from the universe here. 

promo Spring fever 2

 

A Kind of . . . Cover Reveal

25 Apr 2019 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Cover Reveal Tags: , , ,

So by now most of you have figured out that I really love books by a publisher called Uncommon Universe Press. UUP is a small press that specializes in spec-fic, and they have a knack for finding the most amazing stories.

Now UUP is bringing their story game to new levels by releasing their first short story anthology.

Coming in October 2019…

Uncommon Universes Press presents a dark, profound, and occasionally humorous anthology—filled with fantastical tales and poems that explore love, loss, and the power of transformation.

Uncommon Universes Press Logo

Uncommon Universes Press is a traditional publishing company featuring fresh indie stories with unique world building, potent plots, and uncommon heroes. Check out the links below to learn more!

 Website: https://uncommonuniverses.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncommonuniverses/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncommonuniversespress/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncommonunivers

I am sorry to say that submissions are closed and they appear to still be combing through the stacks, as no story list is available. But there is a cover.  It is a pretty one.

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It’s titled: A Kind of Death.

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Tales of loss, love, and transformation.

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v

aKoDCover

I know what you’re thinking. October is so far away. How will I remember to look for this book? There isn’t even an exact date to put on my calendar.

I will make sure to remind you about this anthology closer to the release so you don’t forget about it.

Mythic Orbits Blog Tour: kick off

07 Oct 2018 3 Comments

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , , ,

Welcome, it is my great honor to kick off a new blog tour today. You may remember when I posted about Mythic Orbits Volume two’s release. Well, now we are spreading the word about the whole Mythic Orbits series.

Blog tour banner

About Mythic Orbits

You might be wondering what in the world “Mythic Orbits ” refers to. I’m not sure if it will help reassure you to tell you the name Mythic Orbits was simply intended to suggest both science fiction and fantasy and to identify these books in a distinctive way, along with any that follow after in the series.

 Just as these anthologies represent a wide variety of genres, there is no common theme to these tales, though the subject of empathy or lack thereof does come up in them repeatedly. This is most definitely not an anthology about orbits which are somehow mystical.

 These anthologies are a showcase for the best stories submitted in the general field of speculative fiction by Christian authors. They represent a wide variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and paranormal.

 The main goal of these anthologies was to demonstrate that Christian authors can write speculative fiction well. Stories with a wide range of appeal are included here, mostly serious, some with humor, some with “happy endings” and others clearly not so happy. All of them worth reading.

Some of these stories feature Christian characters in speculative fiction worlds, some make use of Christian themes either subtly or overtly, while some have no discernible connection to Christianity at all. Christian authors are featured in this collection rather than specifically Christian-themed stories.Mythic Orbits

So, is it widely-known all over the world that Christians write speculative fiction?

Well, clearly Christians who themselves are speculative fiction writers know what they write. But does everybody else?

Especially when we’re talking about theologically conservative Christians, Evangelicals of some sort, professed Bible-believing Christians, do people know about their works? Is it legitimate for people to wonder if writers with personal convictions along these lines produce speculative fiction, that is, science fiction and fantasy and related genres like LitRPG, paranormal, and horror?

These books provide an answer: Not only do Christian writers produce speculative fiction stories, they write some great ones.

Enjoy these examples!

Travis Perry (Editor and Publisher) Travissbigidea.blogspot.com

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http://bearpublications.com/

 

Mythic Orbits 2016

MO 2016 coverAmazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1635358884/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Fourteen of the best speculative fiction stories by Christian authors, spinning science fiction, fantasy, horror, and paranormal genres into worlds of intrigue and delight.

Featuring Graxin by Kerry Nietz, author of Amish Vampires in Space and A Star Curiously Singing, Mythic Orbits 2016 has something for every speculative fiction fan.

  

Mythic Orbits Vol. 2 

 MO Vol.2 coverAmazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1643706683/ref=ox_c_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

In a series praised by both Tosca Lee, Kathy Tyers, and Kerry Nietz, this anthology of eleven speculative fiction stories by Christian authors shines in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and LitRPG genres. Featuring Kat Heckenbach’s “Mark the Days,” this collection has something for every speculative fiction fan.

 

Featured Authors & Links:

(Note: this is different from the blog tour schedule. What follows is a list of all the authors who have a short story featured in a Mythic Orbits anthology and a social media link where you can find out more about them.)

 Mark Venturini (Mythic Orbits 2016) https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Venturini/e/B00G14LU1W

Jill Domschot (Mythic Orbits 2016) http://jilldomschot.com/

Richard New ( Mythic Orbits 2016) http://www.richardnewauthor.com/

Kirk Outerbridge (Mythic Orbits 2016) https://www.amazon.com/Kirk-Outerbridge/e/B002RXBRUK

Cindy Emmet Smith (Mythic Orbits 2016) https://www.amazon.com/Cindy-Emmet-Smith/e/B00GFY8IF4

Lisa Gefrides (Mythic Orbits 2016) https://www.lisagodfrees.com/

L. Jagi Lamplighter Wright (Mythic Orbits 2016) http://www.ljagilamplighter.com/

Joshua M. Young (Mythic Orbits 2016) https://www.amazon.com/Joshua-M.-Young/e/B00OM8RLJE

Matthew Sketchley (Mythic Orbits 2016) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15611197.Matthew_Sketchley

R. V. Saunders ( Mythic Orbits 2016) http://bearpublications.com/our-authors/

Sherry Rossman (Mythic Orbits 2016) https://sherryrossman.com/

Kerry Nietz (Mythic Orbits 2016) https://www.nietz.com/

Linda Burklin (Mythic Orbits 2016 & Vol. 2) https://steadfastscribe.wordpress.com/

Kat Heckenbach (Mythic Orbits 2016 & Vol. 2) http://www.katheckenbach.com/

Steve Rzasa (Mythic Orbits 2) https://www.steverzasa.com/

Donald Crankshaw (Mythic Orbits 2) www.donaldscrankshaw.com

CW Briar (Mythic Orbits 2) http://www.cwbriar.com/

Cindy Koepp (Mythic Orbits 2) https://ckoepp.com/

C. O. Bonham (Mythic Orbits 2) http://www.cobonham.com

Kristin Janz (Mythic Orbits 2) http://www.kristinjanz.com

William Bontrager (Mythic Orbits 2) https://soundcloud.com/william-bontrager

A. K. Meek (Mythic Orbits 2) http://www.akmeek.com/

Keturah Lamb (Mythic Orbits 2) http://keturahskorner.blogspot.com

 

 Tour Schedule: Yes this is the blog tour schedule.

October 7th

–C.O. Bonham (kick off)  www.cobonham.com

 8th

— Kristin Janz (Spotlight) http://www.kristinjanz.com/?p=543

— L. Jagi Lamplighter (spotlight.) http://www.superversivesf.com/2018/10/08/11656/

 9th-

-NAF Josh Smith (review) newauthors.wordpress.com

 10th

— L. Jagi Lamplighter (Guest Post C.Koepp Bears)  http://www.superversivesf.com/

 —Julia Menard (Interviews/spotlight)  https://writersblockandapotoftea.wordpress.com/

 11th

–Sherry Rossman (guest post–C.O. Bonham rewriting recalled)   https://sherryrossman.com/

 –Laura a Grace (Interview C.O. Bonham)  https://unicornquester.com/

 12th

— NAF Kristen Stieffel (guest post–CKoepp Gamer lit)  newauthors.wordpress.com

 13th

–Linda Burklin(Anthology review)  https://steadfastscribe.wordpress.com/

 14th

–Laura Storm Hancock (spotlight)  https://storystorming.wordpress.com/

 15th

–– Mysterion (interview T. Perry)  http://www.mysteriononline.com

 — Hillary Koenig (Interview Keturah Lamb)    http://www.godlygirlsforgod.com/interviews.html

 16th

–NAF Josh Smith (interview T. Perry)  newauthors.wordpress.com

  17th

–Keturah Lamb (review)  http://keturahskorner.blogspot.com/?m=1

 –H.L.Burke (spotlight)  hlburkeblog.com

 18th

–Travis Perry (guest post C.O.Bonham my mythic orbit)  Travissbigidea.blogspot.com

  19th

–Donald Crankshaw (review)  www.donaldscrankshaw.com

 20th

–Joshua Young (MO2 review)  http://www.superversivesf.com/

Mythical Doorways Anthology

28 Mar 2018 8 Comments

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , ,

Hello readers, if you clicked through to this site from a link that says dolphin18cb, don’t worry you’re still in the right place. I’m just going through an identity crisis right now.

Welcome to cobonham.com and I’m so excited to share a new book with you. The best part is: IT’S FREE FOR EVERYONE!!!! (Unless you want paperback, then you have to pay because — trees.)

I am not reviewing this book. I am always unsure of how to review anthologies. Do I rate each story? Rave about the book as a whole? Or should I only mention the stories that I liked best?

But I will say that, all of these stories we’re amazing and were written by very talented authors.

Download this anthology (again it’s free) and see if you can figure out which stories I’m describing below:

Childhood must end, but the adventures don’t.

If a mouse really wants a chocolate bar . . .

If Sherlock Holmes were a wizard . . .

To save a fox he must catch the cat, or is that a dragon?

Once you’ve read it, let me know in the comments which stories you think I was talking about.

About the Anthology

Eleven Tales of Magical, Mysterious, Mythical Doorways!

Step through portals and into adventure as the authors of the Fellowship of Fantasy take you on another journey into fantastic worlds. Travel through time, space, and realities to encounter monsters, mechanical foxes, and the Fates themselves. You’ll fly with dragons, save implausible beasts, and perhaps find your true home. Choose your path wisely, for dangers lurk in the lands beyond.

In the third anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy, eleven authors promise you journeys into fairy lands hidden within the modern world, futuristic universities, and lands of ancient myth. So what are you waiting for? Cross through our Doorways for the adventure of a lifetime!

Download the ebook (free to download starting March 27th) at your favorite digital store: https://www.books2read.com/u/bxq70e

 

Mythical Doorways Authors

– Katy Huth Jones
– D. G. Driver
– Lauren Lynch
– H.L. Burke
– Savannah Jezowski
– A. J. Bakke
– Laurie Lucking
– Jenelle Schmidt
– Arthur Daigle
– Bokerah Bromley
– J.M. Hackman

(Click the author to learn more about them and their books!)

 

Let’s Party!

Fellowship of Fantasy is celebrating their third short story anthology release, Mythical Doorways!

Whether they open onto new worlds or just new opportunities, doorways allow us to step through and uncover great adventures, discoveries, and risks.

Where will these Mythical Doorways take you?

Grab your favorite drink and snack on March 29th at 8 PM EST (7 PM CST and 5 PM PST) and be prepared for a fun time of chatting with multiple authors, games, and giveaways!

RSVP Today

 

Giveaway Time!

The Fellowship of Fantasy and Deep Magic E-Zine have joined together to offer you an awesome paperback giveaway! Dive into eleven new worlds by entering to win a paperback of Mythical Doorways! (US only.)

About Deep Magic E-Zine: The name Deep Magic pays homage to C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. Deep Magic is a quarterly e-zine dedicated to creating a safe place for minds to wander in the worlds and universe of SFF. We want all who visit to feel welcome and confident that they will encounter professionally written fiction of the highest quality that is safe for all to read.

Click here for more information: http://deepmagic.co/giveaway-fun/

>>> Entry-Form <<<

 

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, March 27th

Wednesday, March 28th

Thursday, March 29th

 

The Whispered Tales of Graves Grove

12 Oct 2017 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours, Short Stories, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

So you may have noticed that I’ve been posting a lot of book releases on this blog. Well I hope you aren’t sick of them because I have another one for you. This time it’s a comedy/horror anthology.  Perfect for the Halloween season.

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Graves Grove isn’t your ordinary town…

Nestled within the folds of the Canadian Rockies, Graves Grove probably isn’t the picturesque place you’d like to stay for long. Peculiar things happen here. The citizens seem normal superficially–they function well enough. But each one is deeply disturbed, wrapped in secrets and neuroses which drive them to strange behaviors.

And then there are all the missing children. And why is everyone afraid of that sycamore tree?

The Whispered Tales of Graves Grove is an anthology of stories taking place throughout the history of this mysterious town, from its founding to its future. Read them…if you dare.

Here are the Graves Grove Amazon links: Kindle, Paperback, and even Hardcover.

Proceeds will benefit Reading is Fundamental. A non-profit that helps improve literacy skills and brings a love of reading to kids across America.

And wait until I tell you the best part.

Inside the Whispered Tales of Graves Grove you can find the short stories:

“The Canadian Cottingly” and “Fairy Troubled”

(I’ll give you one guess what those are about.)

Why are these two stories so special? Well, because they were both written by me.

Hooray for being published.

But don’t just read it for my stories. Graves Grove also contains stories from lots of other authors too.

If you are looking for a spooky collection of stories to entertain you and make you laugh, then purchase the Whispered Tales of Graves Grove and support a for a good cause.

 

 

Free Ebook 11/06/16

06 Nov 2016 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

Realmscape A.jpg

 

Yes it’s true. Realmscapes: a science fiction and fantasy anthology is free today 11/06/16 on kindle.

https://www.amazon.com/RealmScapes-Science-Fiction-Fantasy-Anthology/dp/1938499174/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478452792&sr=1-1&keywords=realmscapes

Don’t have a Kindle device? Download the free Kindle app for ios, android or PC.

Just don’t like ebooks? The paperback edition is less than $8 plus you get free shipping if you order $25 worth of books. So you know buy four and give some as gifts to your book friends.

Whichever version you choose don’t forget to leave a review on Amazon. Feel free to rave about the awesome story on page 57 ;-D. Seriously, it’s pretty awesome. Okay you can rave about the awesome stories on all the other pages too.