Taking queues from the serials of old, Black uses the concept of serialized fiction to introduce readers to his work in his first novel, No Vacancies.
Compiling four short stories in one volume, Black offers readers a taste of horror, action/adventure and old fashioned super-hero tales.
“I didn’t want to just publish a single story, so I decided that I would instead produce a series of short stories in a serialized format.”
Readers will get the chance to enjoy either full length stories, often called one-shots in the comic book industry or on-going storylines over a period of time. In Book 1, Black offers four different stories. One More Sunday follows Detective Sam Arkwright as he attempts to put together the missing pieces of a murder; the victim being one of the city’s renowned super heroes, The Protector. Black offers a taste of horror with his tales, Outcast and Devotion. Set in Black’s fictional city Hudson, NY, a serial killer is leaving behind mutilated bodies and the police are baffled. A mysterious man, named Nathaniel has followed the trail to Hudson, but is he there to help or does he hold a dark secret. In Devotion, Dr. Alastair Cromwell struggles to resurrect his late wife, Annette. Will he succeed and at what cost?
In part 1 of High Stakes, we are introduced to a louse of man named Jack Ander. Abused by his father; branded a coward. Is he destined to be a hero?
Taking queues from the serials of old, Black uses the concept of serialized fiction to introduce readers to his work in his first novel, No Vacancies. In Book 1, Black offers four different stories. One More Sunday follows Detective Sam Arkwright as he attempts to put together the missing pieces of a murder; the victim being one of the city’s renowned super heroes, The Protector. Black offers a taste of horror with his tales, Outcast and Devotion. Set in Black’s fictional city Hudson, NY, a serial killer is leaving behind mutilated bodies and the police are baffled. A mysterious man, named Nathaniel has followed the trail to Hudson, but is he there to help or is he simply an Outcast? In Devotion, Dr. Alastair Cromwell struggles to resurrect his late wife, Annette. Will he succeed and at what cost? In part 1 of High Stakes, we are introduced to a louse of man named Jack Ander. Abused by his father; branded a coward. Is he destined to be a hero?
Professional Reviews
A Real Page Turner
No Vacancies, Volume 1, is a collection of engaging short stories and poems by talented author and poet, Lucien Black. In "One More Sunday", Detective Arkwright stumbles upon the journals of Gary Tenet, an ordinary beat cop who led a secret life as a superhero, the Protector. Arkwright's pursuit of the man behind the goggles leads to several sad and stunning revelations, finally inspiring the detective to pick up where Tenet left off.
"High Stakes" and "New World" are the stories of Jack Ander, an unlikely looking hero, who survives a harrowing plane ride to save a group of genetically gifted children. In the end, Jack stands little chance of living through the Protectorate's assault, yet he is willing to give his life to save others - something many of us will understand.
The riveting tale of "Outcast" is the story of vampires and werewolves dwelling in modern day Hudson. The horrendous headlines of "animal attacks" proceed from town to town as the mysterious Stephen Taxton searches for his precious keepsake. Detective Jackie Thompson and the stranger, Nathaniel, join forces to combat these superhuman creatures, werewolves bent on destroying everyone and everything which crosses their paths. I cannot wait for the continuing saga in No Vacancies, Volume 2. What an exciting short story this is!
The final story, "Devotion", links the first tale with the last in this collection in a chilling crescendo. Doc Cromwell apparently will do almost anything to ensure the survival of the wife he managed to resurrect from the dead.
No Vacancies, Volume 1 is a real page turner. Mr. Black's descriptions are vivid and horrific, sensitive and thrilling. This is a very visual and expressive writer and I was perched on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Lead on, Mr. Black. I'm ready for the next adventure.
The higher you go into the hills, the deeper the secrets...
A seemingly innocent piece of mail shatters the illusion of Beverly Hills luxury, forcing a terrifying statement from a powerful action movie mogul: "they can't kill us fast enough."
Assistant County Attorney Ken Anderson spends his weekends drinking and running around. After waking up with another hangover, Ken decides not to drink so much anymore. Ken and his buddy, Tony, go out to eat and see Mia Correa and Faye Kincaid at the
Part mystery, part fantasy with a twist of science fiction, Clues of Chaos is brimming with suspense and adventure that will have you racing to the end yourself.
Winner 2016 Pacific Rim Book Festival in Science Fiction category. Honored as
