Mushroom eBooks News

Volume thirty, Talons of Scorpio by Alan Burt Akers is now available from all good ebookstores, including Fictionwise and Mobipocket. It is also the fourth book of the Pandahem Cycle.

Here is the blurb:

To finish the job of destroying the hideous cult of the Leem was just one of the problems confronting Dray Prescot, Earthman on Antares’ wonder planet. For he had also to rally all the world’s forces to combat the onslaught that was on its way from the unexplored Southern Hemisphere.

While rescuing kidnapped children from the altars of sacrifice, Dray found himself fighting side by side with his own worst enemy, his renegade daughter, Ros the Claw, who had pledged his death. Caught in the talons of fate, he would first have to unravel that vicious web or be torn asunder by monstrous adversity.

The greatest other world adventure series since Edgar Rice Burroughs stopped writing!

For more information about Talons of Scorpio and current availability, please go here.

Fires of Scorpio is volume twenty-nine in the saga of Dray Prescot of Earth and of Kregen by Alan Burt Akers and is now available from Fictionwise.com and all other good online ebook shops (please see the list on the right). Fires of Scorpio is also the third book of the Pandahem Cycle.

Here is the blurb:

Triple trouble always dogged Dray Prescot, especially when he thought he had things under control. This time, involved with setting things right on the continent of Pandahem, the Star Lords yank him away from his friends, and dump him, weaponless, at the gates of the terrible temple of the Leem.

To rescue a girl sacrifice was but the start, for next he had to help Pompino to torch all the temples of the Silver Wonder, and take to the sea to confront the next wave of the fish-headed marauders from Kregen’s Southern Hemisphere.

There’s always lots more going on in Dray Prescot’s adventures on the world of Antares in Scorpio, for this colorful series is the best thing of its kind since Burroughs stopped writing!

For more details and availability information, please see the Fires of Scorpio page.

Volume twenty-eight in the saga of Dray Prescot of Kregen and of Earth by Alan Burt Akers is now available from Fictionwise.com and all the other wonderful ebookstores (see the list on the right). Get it quick to take advantage of some good introductory discounts, such as 15% off for the first week at Fictionwise.

Delia of Vallia is a departure from the story of Dray Prescot himself, telling instead one episode from the life and adventures of Delia, Empress of Vallia, and gives some insight into the mysterious and secretive Sisters of the Rose.

Here is the blurb:

The world of Kregen revolving around the double suns of Antares holds many wonders. There are warrior men and warrior beasts with mighty fraternities of valor and courage. There are whispers of similar organizations among the high-born women of many lands. But men knew little of these save the name Sisters of the Rose and that somewhere there was a secret fortress retreat where martial arts were taught that men never learned.

Now Dray Prescot has at last laid bare the story of these fighting sororities. Here is a thrill-packed adventure of Delia of Vallia, leader of a mystic guild, and of her mission to bring justice to one who had betrayed her blood oath and her empress.

A novel of intrigue, combat, and vengeance that was to bring Delia face to face with the traitress Jilian in the hidden arena of the whip and the claw.

And this is from the introduction:

Delia of Vallia, the story of a lady of quickness and passion, of cool irony and high resolve, is complete in itself and separate from the saga of Dray Prescot.

The Star Lords who brought Dray Prescot to Kregen appear to be changing in their attitude to him, even though he is a mere mortal man. They have favored him with an insight into their plans for that marvelous and mysterious world four hundred light years from Earth, where men and women of many different and exotic races mingle and strive to work out their own destinies under the red and green fires of Antares.

The destiny of the island Empire of Vallia at the moment is one of faction and disarray. Mercilessly savaged by outside foes, both physical and sorcerous, and rent by internal rivalries, the country is slowly gathering itself again after the Times of Troubles. But some unscrupulous people feel that now is the moment to strike and that one more push will bring them to the summit of their ambitions.

Against this background of color and action, intrigue and sorcery, the Star Lords have afforded Dray Prescot the privilege of vicariously sharing in the headlong adventures of Delia — Delia of Delphond, Delia of the Blue Mountains. As the narrative unfolds we know Prescot suffers. The cassettes on which the tale is told are often fuzzy and faint. But love and devotion for Delia, and pride in her courage and resourcefulness and her joyful onslaught against every challenge, stand forth clear and unashamedly. We, too, are privileged to share the story on these cassettes and go alongside Delia of Vallia as she hazards the perils of Kregen under the streaming mingled lights of the Suns of Scorpio.

Further information on Delia of Vallia by Alan Burt Akers and its availability can be found here.

Volume twenty-seven in the saga of Dray Prescot of Kregen and of Earth by Alan Burt Akers is now available from Fictionwise.com and all the other great ebookstores (see the list on the right). Get it quick to take advantage of some good introductory discounts, such as 15% off for the first week at Fictionwise.

Mazes of Scorpio is also the first book of the Pandahem Cycle, which consists of the four books, Mazes of Scorpio, Fires of Scorpio, Talons of Scorpio and Masks of Scorpio. There are also two novels which, although not part of the Pandahem Cycle narrative, are nevertheless considered part of it: Delia of Vallia and Seg the Bowman.

Here is the blurb:

Beneath the emerald and ruby glow of the double suns of Antares lies a marvelous and brilliant world of savagery and beauty. The planet Kregen, where Dray Prescot, Earthman agent of the superhuman Star Lords struggles to bring peace to the world which has become his home. But although his nemesis, the mad empress of Hamal, and her accomplice, the evil Wizard of Loh have been destroyed, Prescot finds that the strands of this enduring battle have not been tied off, for an old conspiracy has been given a new and darker impetus which leads him to the jungle continent of Pandahem, where beneath the dark and sweltering swamps lies the deadly labyrinth of the Coup Blag where Prescot clashes with a new and terrible foe in the mazes of Scorpio!

And this is from the introduction to the Pandahem Cycle:

Dray Prescot often calls himself a plain sailorman, yet the picture he paints of himself in these narratives is highly enigmatic. In Mazes of Scorpio, the first volume of the Pandahem Cycle, a completely new era in his life begins to develop. True, he was a powder monkey in Nelson’s Navy, and clawed his way through the hawsehole to the quarterdeck to become first lieutenant of a seventy four. But he was disappointed with his posting. When the Savanti, those mortal yet superhuman people of the Swinging City of Aphrasöe on far Kregen, called him to serve as a Savapim in their schemes, he crossed the gulf of four hundred light years more than willingly.

Rejected by the Savanti, he in turn spurned them for the sake of Delia. Only through the machinations of the Star Lords was Prescot brought back to Kregen. He has fought his way on that marvelous and brilliant world of savagery and beauty, and has made a name for himself. But now all that changes.

Called to be the Emperor of Vallia, he, with his comrades, has vanquished poor old mad Thyllis, Empress of Hamal, and now seeks to create a fresh and lasting unity among all the nations of Paz. They all face a common foe in the Shanks, the Fishheads who raid their coasts. And, there are worms within the bud, secret enemies who desire only to drag all down for their own selfish ends.

Dray Prescot has been described as an immensely broad shouldered man of enormous vitality, a little above middle height, with brown hair and eyes, a man conveying an impression of passion held in check, moving with the savage grace of a wild beast of the jungle. From sources outside his own testimony we know him to be a man of complete integrity, holding within himself a cool center of calm; a passionate, dominant, commanding and yet truly humble man.

A plain sailorman? Hardly. Life on Kregen under the mingled streaming lights of Zim and Genodras, the Suns of Scorpio, has changed and matured Prescot in ways unknowable to denizens of this Earth. We can guess that his headlong career has barely begun, that the many friends and foes surrounding him, the horrendous experiences he has endured, the future perils he must face, will continue to mold his character, hardening what is already harsh, softening what is already gentle.

Further information on Mazes of Scorpio by Alan Burt Akers and its availability can be found here.

Volume thirty-six of the saga of Dray Prescot by Alan Burt Akers is now available from Fictionwise and all other good ebookstores (see the list on the right). Allies of Antares is the last book in the Spikatur Cycle, and sees Dray and his allies fighting to save Vallia from the Wizard of Loh — Phu-Si-Yantong — and the Empress Thyllis of the Empire of Hamal. The original editions of Allies did not contain a glossary, unlike the last volumes of each of the previous cycles, so we are pleased to be able to include an excellent Glossary of the Spikatur Cycle which was lovingly compiled by Els Withers.

Here is the blurb…

Beneath the two suns of Antares, the planet Kregen was truly the wonder of the universe. For there, at the inscrutable planning of unseen powers, had been gathered members of the great races of the galaxy, set down among Kregen’s lands to become part of the wonderful semi civilized cities and kingdoms of that world.

There, too, were natural humans, and their strivings and ambitions colored and led the struggle to create a world of peace. Dray Prescot, Earthman, had been brought there as an agent of the Star Lords, but he had made himself into a rallying point of strength in Kregen’s colorful history.

Now, when the worst war between the humanoid lands had finally concluded, Prescot again confronts the Star Lords, only to learn that the hard won peace was just a transition to a great hemispheric invasion that was even then raiding over the horizon.

For the first time, this volume contains a full glossary of the Spikatur Cycle.

Further information on Allies of Antares by Alan Burt Akers and its availability can be found here.

We have lost touch with one of our authors, Dennis Radha-Rose, author of The Anxiety Relief Program. His last known address was in Munich, Germany, and he ran a tinnitus and anxiety consultation practice, and the website www.tinnitusconsult.com, which is now expired.

If anyone has any news about Dennis, or contact details, please get in touch at mail@mushroom-ebooks.com.

Many thanks.

The twenty-fifth volume of the saga of Dray Prescot of Kregen, and the third of the Spikatur Cycle, Legions of Antares by Alan Burt Akers, is now available from Fictionwise and all other good online bookstores.

Here is the blurb:

For too long the iron legions of the evil empress of Hamal had devastated the neighboring lands and islands of Kregen. Under the twin suns of Antares, that planet of marvels had been made a scene of carnage, rapine, and death. Dray Prescot, Earthman transported to Kregen, had battled Empress Thyliss all the way, and at long last found himself nearing the showdown of his long campaign for his new homeland. Gathering about himself old allies and former enemies, Dray prepared to challenge the empress at the very doors of her capital city, until he discovered that she was about to spring her secret weapon — the super-science of the mad wizard of Loh.

Volume 24 of the saga of Dray Prescot of Earth but mostly of Kregen is now available from Fictionwise and most other good ebookstores. Rebel of Antares by Alan Burt Akers is also the second book of “The Spikatur Cycle” — the third and fourth books of the Cycle, Legions of Antares and Allies of Antares will be available over the next two weeks.

Here is the blurb for Rebel of Antares:

Lone Earthman on the vivid and intricate world of double-sunned Antares in Scorpio, Dray Prescot had been the pawn of the unseen Star Lords who had seeded that planet with the offspring of a hundred alien races. But at last Prescot had come in sight of the goal which he shared with these space masters — the overthrow of slavers and their evil empires On the island kingdom of Hyrklana his course now seemed clear. Overthrow its decadent queen, lead rebellion against the cruel Arena, and free the princess who was its rightful ruler. It was a hard task, but for Dray Prescot against whom sorcerers and swordsmen had contended, it was the only course he could follow. Though it might this time lead to his death, there could be no turning back. The adventures of Dray Prescot stand equal to the works of John Norman, Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs for sheer fast-paced high adventure.

Further information on Rebel of Antares and its availability can be found here.

The Silver Vortex has been relaunched as the fourth volume of the “Guardians of the Tall Stones” series by Moyra Caldecott. Originally published by Mushroom eBooks in 2000, before we had the rights to the first three books in the series — The Tall Stones, The Temple of the Sun and Shadow on the Stones — The Silver Vortex continues the story.

From beyond time and space they come to walk the earth once more – the Guardians of the Tall Stones, the Lords of the Sun…Deva is the beautiful and headstrong daughter of the High Priest of the greatest of the mighty stone circles. She seeks to master the arts of sorcery in order to reclaim her lover from a previous incarnation. Now, trapped by a desire she cannot control, she risks more than herself, and puts the whole community in danger…In a drama that takes place in Bronze Age Britain and 18th dynasty Egypt, ancient jealousies, hatreds and passions emerge to confront each other on the great journey to the higher realms.

The complete series is now available from all good ebookstores, and Sony Connect currently offers a bundle of all four books for $9.99, a saving of $10.97 off the list price.

Volume 23 of the saga of Dray Prescot, Beasts of Antares by Alan Burt Akers is available now from fictionwise.com, cyberread.com, and other online bookstores. Beasts of Antares is the first book of the “Spikatur Cycle”.

Here is the blurb:

The marvelous adventures of Dray Prescot on Kregen, the world of wonders that orbits the twin suns of Antares in Scorpio, have become a science fiction saga to rival and perhaps surpass the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs and others of the heroic fantasy band. This lone Earthman, once a pawn of cosmic powers, now enters a new cycle of his fabulous career as he rallies the warriors of Vallia for a final stand against the foes that have encircled them – and then, in an act of true Prescot bravado, undertakes single handed to rescue three old friends from slavery in a distant land. The beasts of Antares are many and terrifying, but Prescot does not belong to the faint hearted. He will need every ounce of courage this time!

And here is the introduction to the “Spitakur Cycle” by Alan Burt Akers:

Beasts of Antares is the first volume of the Spikatur Cycle chronicling the history of Dray Prescot on the marvelous and horrific world of Kregen four hundred light-years away under the red and green fires of the Suns of Scorpio. Reared in the inhumanly harsh conditions of Nelson’s Navy, he has been transported to Kregen through the agencies of the Savanti and the Star Lords. Dray Prescot is a man above middle height, with brown hair and level brown eyes, brooding and dominating, with enormously broad shoulders and superbly powerful physique. There is about him an abrasive honesty and an indomitable courage. He moves like a savage hunting cat, quiet and deadly. The portrait he presents of himself is enigmatic and attractive.

The people of the island empire of Vallia, cruelly oppressed by invaders, call on Prescot to shoulder the burden of leading them to liberty. This he has vowed to do to the best of his ability, and then thankfully relinquish the imperium, for there are other tasks set to his hands on the unforgiving and rewarding world of Kregan.

The Spikatur Cycle brings Prescot closer to the realization of many of his dreams and each book is arranged to be read as complete in itself. He is determined to do what he feels is laid upon him; but he finds it is not so easy, particularly when the Empress Delia and his comrades are determined to keep him out of trouble. But — he is Dray Prescot, Lord of Strombor and Krozair of Zy, and that canny old leem hunter will not be prevented from buckling up the brave old scarlet breechclout and with a sword in his fist hurtling off beneath the Moons of Kregen into fresh headlong adventure.

Volume 22 in the long-running saga of Dray Prescot, of Earth and of Kregen, is now available from all the usual places online, or soon will be. It is called A Victory for Kregen, by Kenneth Bulmer, writing as Alan Burt Akers, and is the final instalment of the Jikaida Cycle, which consists of four books: A Life for Kregen, A Sword for Kregen, A Fortune for Kregen and A Victory for Kregen.

Here goes the blurb…

The ending of Prescot’s stark adventures as a living chess piece in the city of blood games was to be as terrifying as the perils that had gone before. Because now that transposed Earthman had to fight his way back to his embattled Vallian homeland across a sky full of danger and a sea full of death. And when he returned – if he could – he would find the combat joined, his son at doom’s door, his troops up against superior odds, and a battle he must personally fight that would be two battles in two different places at the same time!