~ Spotlight ~
After centuries of imprisonment and torture, the Norse trickster Loki is freed for a day in payment for a good deed done years past. The god of deception promises to return but manages to find a way to turn that day into weeks. The only catch is he has to bring bartender John Murphy along for the ride, literally. While visiting distant worlds they are drawn into a war, fighting for those who cannot defend themselves. They are joined by goblins, trolls and a fugitive thunderer. In the midst of the struggle, Loki arrives at a crossroad. One way lies personal freedom, but at a terrible cost to the people he is trying to save. The other path may well destroy him, but could stop Ragnarok. Can someone considered evil truly change? Will Loki continue on the path to destruction or take his first steps on REDEMPTION ROAD.
PARTICIPANTS OF THE KARMA WAR speak out on REDEMPTION ROAD: "A dazzling display of story telling skill. If this book isn't on your bookshelves, your personal library is incomplete." -Murphy's Mom "A great book. Delicious as an appetizer or entree. Even better with a little salt."-Pace, Primitive Troll "War is hell. I should know. I've fought in a hundred campaigns on dozens of worlds. So in a choice between war and Murphy's book, I recommend the book. However I don't recommend using it as a weapon unless you're fighting tiny insects." -Tock, Goblin Commander "I can't guarantee this book will protect you against lightning strikes, but I can honestly said that I've never known anyone who owned this book that was struck by a thunderbolt. And I've seen plenty of people struck by lightning, usually right after they tick me off." -Thunder Jack, The god formerly known as Zeus |
- Excerpt -
“Don’t move,” said the little guy.
“You speak English?” I said.
“I speak lots of languages. That’s not important right now. They are going to blow you away if you so much as twitch.”
“Why?” I asked.
As I looked down into the little guy’s face, he had an exasperated expression. I seemed to get that look from people no matter where in the universe I was.
“Use of a weapon…” obviously, the metal pitcher, “…is forbidden. It’s the sniper’s job to enforce that.”
“The Establishment employs a sniper?”
“More than one.”
“So how do I get out of this?” I asked, being very careful to hold even my lips as still as possible.
“You’re not going to like the way out much better than this, but at least you’d still have a chance of surviving,” the little guy said.
Before the little guy could explain, Loki jumped in front of me, shielding me from the sniper with his own body.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Trying to save your butt,” said Loki. I almost asked him why, but decided not to look a gift Norse in the mouth. Besides, neither one of us had brushed since we had started this trip, so looking and smelling might not be the most pleasant experience. “Paddy would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you, and I am not going to explain to Moran why you died.”
“Thanks.” Loki nodded at me. “Can’t their guns hurt you?” I knew enough that even gods could be hurt when they took physical form.
“Yes, but with only one gun the sniper probably won’t be able to kill me.”
Just then, the troll began yelling at the sniper and, almost as if in answer to Loki’s whispered comment, there were suddenly a dozen laser skulls trained on Loki, the troll, the little guy, and myself. There was only one on me and on the little guy. Loki and the troll rated five each, each in strategic locations, the most disturbing of which was one that would ensure the pair would be singing soprano for a very long time.
Loki looked almost frantic, glaring back and forth among the dozen snipers who had turned their attentions on us. “Murphy, I can get out of this, but I have no idea how to get you out safely. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, don’t forget about the rest of us,” growled the little guy without moving his jaw. He had frozen holding onto my pant leg.
“The little guy had an idea. He said that I wouldn’t like it, but I had a chance of surviving it,” I said.
“Now that I am this closely involved, I’m not sure if I like it,” said the little guy.
“What is it?” demanded Loki.
“The Pit.”
Loki swore for about twenty seconds under his breath. I knew that couldn’t be good.