K. Baskett
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Jack of all trades, master of none - save for the art of procrastination - K. Baskett lives by the motto, "Never do today what can be put off until tomorrow." K. firmly believes that you aren't really interested in the author's hometown, spouse, children or pets, and has therefore decided to spare you the details. No Greater Illusion is the author's debut novel.
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No Greater Illusion
Dystopian
In the very near future, surging advancements in technology have afforded American citizens with a number of conveniences. Of these, most notable is the SmartTag, a microchip embedded under the skin between index finger and thumb, housing all manner of personal information such as bank account details, medical history, voter registration and more. This tightly-woven tale follows the lives of several very different people – Tealia, a free-spirited and intelligent photographer battling with conflicting emotions for her ex-lover; Mercer & Viera Scott, a power couple barely holding on to their marriage as the priorities of success and parenthood slowly become skewed between them; impoverished single mother, Naria, content with her reliance on both her current lover and government assistance to make ends meet; and the Holton family, wealthy beyond measure, enjoying carefree days of privilege and luxury. Their status quo, however, is about to be undermined as America reacts violently to the brutal assassination of a highly esteemed female presidential nominee on the evening of the debates. As the entire nation struggles to make sense of the ensuing chaos, fear and distrust ramp up to dizzying heights. The end result is a series of grave consequences that will drastically alter life as they know it, making them all wonder how much of their world is but an illusion. A captivating story that is at once gripping and dark, this brilliantly painted picture of a dystopian America cautions against the power of technology and the folly of taking anything for granted. Haunting and lyrical, No Greater Illusion is an astounding debut novel with a powerful message that lingers long after the final page is read. |
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Do What Must Be Done
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Suspense
Nervous and reluctant to give a presentation in front of hundreds of people, a shy man attempts to conjure up some courage at the hotel bar. Once there, he notices a mysterious man harboring a deadly focus on another unsuspecting patron. His curiosity and inclination to engage the mysterious individual will leave him wondering if there really is such a thing as harmless conversation. This is a short story of approximately 3800 words. |
The Golden Visit
Suspense
Lance Hudson and his wife, Melanie, are survivors of a devastating car accident that shattered their world six months ago. While Lance emerged from the wreckage relatively unscathed, Melanie was not so fortunate. Desperate and willing to do anything to aid in his wife’s recovery, Lance has made the difficult decision to transfer Melanie to Bright Horizons, a clinic renowned for its unorthodox treatments. Today will be his first time seeing Melanie since she was admitted to the facility and Lance is not sure what to expect. Although he has done everything possible to prepare for this visit, he will soon find there is no way to truly brace himself for what he is about to experience. This is a short story of approximately 4700 words. |
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Envelope: Red
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Suspense
Unemployed with no prospects, Dorian Wells is a young man trying desperately to stay afloat and be a good father to his toddler son. While already struggling to pay the bills and earn proper visitation with his child, Dorian’s tumultuous life is thrown into further upheaval when his mother is suddenly hospitalized. On the verge of losing everything, it seems Dorian finally has a stroke of luck when he inadvertently learns of a potential opportunity with Jakkaru, a decadent, cut-throat organization that pays handsomely by the body count. Dorian’s lifelong friend, Rafe Ibadiah, is his ticket into Jakkaru and soon Dorian is training to be a professional hitman. But learning how to properly kill for a living is not as easy as it seems, and he quickly discovers the short arms of theory are a far reach from reality as the harrowing journey makes him question everything he believes. The final test before full acceptance into Jakkaru is a contract Dorian must complete alone. Delivered to him via a small red envelope, the name inside propels the stakes of this dangerous game higher than ever before. Dorian will sacrifice anything for his son, but it’s not until he is ordered to do the unthinkable that he grasps the horrific depth of his commitment. |
