Who’s Greg Mitchell?

The screenwriter for Apocalypse V has been chosen--and he’s one of us. The Lost Genre Guild is a community of Christian sci-fi, horror, and fantasy (speculative fiction), writers, and Mr. Mitchell’s been an active member for years. The end-of-days film saga will be influenced by a talented Christian artist. Greg’s Christian near future science-fiction short story Ex-Communicator will also be included in the upcoming Underground Anthology (The Writer’s Café Press).

Learn more from Greg Mitchell’s Apocalypse V announcement at:
http://www.thecomingevil.blogspot.com/

And learn more about Apocplypse series of films at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000059MPN/ref=cmrdpproductimg

Amazon Bestseller: Feel the Realness

There’s a type of question that always glazes my eyes. What does it feel like to—fill in the blank—be published, win fiction awards, or hold a number one ranking. I’ve wanted these things since one Ford was in the Oval Office, and another Ford was still building Torinos. I still can’t believe that fiction I wrote is available in book form, so experiences like last Tuesday’s are very surreal to me.

Tuesday, May 12th Michael Vance, author of the Lovecraftian horror braided-novel Weird Horror Tales, posted his five-star rave review of my first novel Flashpoint, at several places on the Web. I headed over to my Amazon profile, when my eyes literally bugged. Mr. Vance’s review is the only thing I can credit for a sales-spike that took Flashpoint to the top of Amazon’s religion—fiction—fantasy/ sci-fi genre ranking.

Every author travels the writer’s sojourn. But every step on this path is as unique as one’s writing voice, so answering these how-does-it-feel questions elicits a range of replies. Even though I’ve long held a too-mystical wonder of, and reverence for, books, I still can’t believe these dreams have come true. Tuesday must have been a very-slow-sales day for everyone else.

A friend alerted me to Goodreads.com list of the top 1000 books a Christian should read. http://tinyurl.com/pq8g8l I When I pass C.S. Lewis and John Bunyan on that list, I’ll know I’m dreaming!

Flashpoint's newest review

"Flashpoint"
(Book One of "The Underground")
by Frank Creed
$9.95, 190 pages
ISBN: 978-1-934284-01-8

An adrenaline infused, roller-coaster ride into a future where a belief can cost you a brain-washing and even your life, this science-fiction novel reminds me most of the best of the "Indiana Jones" movies in its pacing and level of excitement.

The belief that can cost you a `cleaned' mind is the Word of God, which has been outlawed. The Global Government has determined that `fundamentalism' has caused wars and misery. Therefore, it has decided to use war and misery to stop fundamentalism.

Elementary, eh!

In "Flashpoint", a Christian family and their like-minded friends living in an underground network are captured and herded off to a concentration camp of sorts. The son and daughter, however, are not caught, and are determined to rescue their parents with the help of an even more secretive and powerful league of Christian warriors.

If you should turn up your nose at the infusion of Christians in science-fiction because you aren't a believer, I encourage you to change your mind. Solid science-fiction is solid science-fiction whether it's about Christians or Klingons, and you'll only be denying yourself a bunch of rollicking fun.

If you should turn up your nose at the infusion of science-fiction because you are a believer, I encourage you to change your mind as well. Frank Creek's theology is sound, and riding on roller-coasters is allowed!

In particular, I like that Creed hasn't written one dimensional Christians, but has created an interesting ensemble of fully developed people who are as imperfect as the people who are trying to suppress them. He's also said exactly what he wished to without preaching; this is a real novel, not a sermon disguised as one.

In short, Creed has written a fast paced adventure novel that can and should be enjoyed by everyone. I can't wait for the second installation!

Reviewed by Michael G. Lail at amazon.com

Flashpoint is an Amazon Bestseller II

Frank's publicist created this press release celebrating the #1 ranking event (and she had the good presence of mind to capture a screen shot of the event):

Contact: Frank Creed
Telephone: 765.807.6745
Email: frank@frankcreed.com
Address: 418 South Brookfield Drive, Lafayette IN 47905


For Immediate Release


“Flashpoint” is an Amazon Bestseller

Lafayette, IN May 13, 2009—Frank Creed's ground-breaking Christian cyberpunk novel “Flashpoint” (The Writers' Cafe Press, 2007) passed a major milestone yesterday. It was listed as the top selling religious science-fiction/fantasy book on Amazon.com, the world's leading online bookseller.

The rankings, which are updated hourly showed Creed's book leading sales of the popular “Dragonkeeper” series by Donita Paul and the “Left Behind” series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

“I was at Amazon.com reading a new 5 star review and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw [the ranking],” commented Creed. “I am hugely happy about this especially in light of what's coming next.”

Creed is referring to the publication of “War of Attrition,” the second book in the Underground series later this year.

Flashpoint tells the story of a brother and sister living in the Chicago Metroplex of 2036 in a world where all religious devotion regardless of sect is considered terrorism. Taking the “street names” of Calamity Kid and eGirl, they join a “muscle cell” of the underground church tasked with protecting – within the limitations of the “Agape principle”- Christian believers from persecution through the use of non-lethal weapons and spiritually empowered cybernetic implants.

For more information about Frank Creed or “The Underground series,” visit http://www.frankcreed.com/

Flashpoint Hits #1 in Amazon's Genre Rankings!!!

No idea why, but I went over to amazon.com to see a new review and saw Flashpoint hit #1 in our genre rankings!!!!


Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,271 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#1 in
Books > Religion & Spirituality > Fiction > Science Fiction & Fantasy
#60 in
Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction & Fantasy


*end zone dance* and *jumpin' on da bed*

Faith,
f

A Frank Review of M.L. Tyndall’s The Red Siren

NOTE: I do not read Harlequin Romances, let's be clear on this right off the top.

I am big strong he-man. Building fires, driving a garden tractor round 'n round on imagined tasks, and kicking tires figure amongst my usual pastimes. I think dishes are best done with a garden hose and spray attachment and wonder why my wife panics when the little "headlight" goes out on the vacuum cleaner. Romance is for women and wimps.

Once again I got caught reading one of M.L. Tyndall's so-called romance novels; this time while I was in the hospital. I did not let the pairs of raised eyebrows deter me because in my expert opinion, Tyndall's pirate stories are adventure, alternate history . . . stuff that men read.

Okay, so I had to tear off the cover to preserve my rep.

A Frank Review of M.L. Tyndall’s The Red Siren
By Frank Creed

M.L. Tyndall is home. The Christy Award finalist has returned to her beloved sea and pirate novels. As if to reflect her homecoming, the title of Tyndall’s newest novel returns to the name of a ship: The Red Siren.

The Lady Em is a merchant vessel returning from the Gold Coast with a load of Ivory, gold and pepper. After surviving the African pirate-infested waters of 1713 all the way to Portsmouth England, Captain Dajon Waite encounters a burning ship. This son of a successful merchant seeking Dad’s approval ignores his father’s standing rule—stop for no reason—when he gives orders to assist the smoking vessel, and save a seemingly distressed red-headed beauty on deck. After all, no sane pirates would work the British navy’s home waters.

The red-head turns out to be a pirate captain, whose gimmick is feigning trouble with a smoking burn-barrel on deck, tricking merchants into pulling alongside for the raiding. Not only is Dajon’s cargo pillaged, the Lady Em is transformed into the pirate’s newest ship. While the action pacing of Tyndall’s fifth novel is more sedate than her rollercoaster Legacy of the King’s Pirates trilogy, all of the above takes place in Chapter One.

Disgraced but still called by the sea, Dajon Waite joins the navy. By 1718 he has become a Christian and is captain of the HMS Enforcer, assigned to protect New World waters off the Carolina coast. Hungry for promotion, Waite is also charged with a personal favor for Charles Towne resident Admiral Westcott: protect his three lovely daughters while Daddy’s ordered to sea. Faith Westcott, the eldest daughter and a red-head, captures Dajon’s eye.

Dajon fails to recognize Faith as the woman pirate who stole the Lady Em. Charles Towne rumors of The Red Siren and her red-headed woman-pirate captain plundering their waters fuel Captain Waite’s search, and our woman pirate hides her true identity as long as possible.

Tyndall, as usual, satisfies fans of character and plot driven fiction. Even though the New World setting is sixty years before the Revolutionary War, readers find themselves in scenes reminiscent of movies like The Patriot and Pirates of the Caribbean thanks to Tyndall’s vivid description.

Waite is driven mad by red-heads of the weaker sex. The reader is driven onward by secrets dredged up by the antagonist—a powerful local lord accustomed to getting what he wants. While Sir Wilhelm’s Machiavellian plans must be overcome, the real action in The Red Siren are the struggles that Tyndall’s heroes fight within themselves.

While Barbour Publishing insists on shelving Tyndall’s incredible fiction on the romance shelf, alternate history fans would love her literary art. Just like the Legacy of the King’s Pirates trilogy, if The Red Siren is romance, so is Robin Hood. Maid Marion wishes she was half the swordswoman Faith Westcott is. If this novel doesn’t land M.L. Tyndall a Christy Award, it will be a travesty of literature.



The Red Siren: Charles Towne Belle Series, Book 1
M.L. Tyndall
Paperback; 288 pages; $14.95
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc; 2009
ISBN: 978-1602601567

Purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Books

Thanks for the Well-Wishes

Upon my return from 6 days in the hospital, a full inbox of email and messages at other web communities awaited me. While recovering at home the next week, every day the mailbox contained cards with well-wishes.

I'd like to say thanks for all the prayers and wishes for health.

I am thankful for my community of friends on the web; it makes me feel loved.

Faith,
f