Monday, December 9^th from 4-6 PM Eastern on Blog Talk Radio.

It’s December already? Wow, it doesn’t seem possible. If you’re whittling away at your gift lists, books make great gifts! Today, we have on two authors of great books. One is a frequent flyer with our network, the other fellow is brand new. We’re delighted to have them both on.

K.G. Bethlehem fathers one daughter, and has been writing since the late 1990s and has evolved into an accomplished author, poet, conscious-minded individual, narrative storyteller, and overall excellent writer. He is also a well-experienced short-story writer as well. His first venture into writing was poetry. He wrote, some in high school but more in college. He took a class under the tutelage of Dr. Georgia Johnston at St. Louis University and went on to perform at poetry readings around the St. Louis area from 1999-2003

K.G. Bethlehem specializes in the Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Dystopia genres where he combines well-thought storylines with a vivid imagination to comprise to ultimate reading experience.

He has self-published 6 books including his most recent full-length novel, “Astronomical”, and “Shadow Within A City”, which was co-authored with F. Kenneth Taylor, as well as his newest publication and short-story, “The Forever Spring”. His first self-published book was Avenging Knights, a fantasy novel, that came out in 2009. He’s the Co-Creator of the 2004 Dark-Comic release, ShadowKill.” Also this year Shadow Within A City II Ghost Squad’s Apocalyptic was release, Dystopian, sci fi novel written with F. Kenneth Taylor. He currently has several upcoming projects. One such project is due to come out in May of 2020 called “She is to be remembered.” This sci fantasy. Anti utopian fiction is part of the Shadow Within A City universe that will showcase a new hero fighting against an ancient foe.

F. Kenneth Taylor is a Self-Published Author of 9 books in multiple genres including; Sci-Fi/Space Opera, Dystopia, Urban-Drama, and Poetry. He wrote his first manuscript in 2001, but wouldn’t become a published author until 2012. Since then, he has become a Freelance Writer/Editor and most recently, began consulting new SP Authors. However, there’s much more F. Kenneth Taylor has accomplished in writing…

2014-2019 Owner/Creator of Some’n Unique Magazine LLC

* 2015 Nominated ‘Author of the Year’ by STL Star Awards

* 2015 Featured in Dec. issue of F.U.S.E Magazine

* 2015 Guest Speaker at Gateway Elem. School

* 2016 Featured on The Hangin With Web Show

* 2016 Launched ‘Books Jazz Coffee & Smoke’ on BTR with Kevin Daniel (KG Bethlehem)

* 2017 Launched Local Poetry Open Mic, “Poetic Vibez”

* 2018 Featured on Roku TV’s, “The Women’s Cave”

* 2019 Launched new BTR Open Mic, “The Cipher” Aside from being a Self-Published Author, F.

Kenneth Taylor is also an Acrylic Abstract and Landscape Visual Artist. Losing his father in 2018, who was an amazing artist as well; re-ignited F. Kenneth’s passion and first love of Art. He was 1 of 7 hand-picked artists to have their work presented at Urb Arts in the 2019 Abstract Pop-Up Exhibit. Finally, F. Kenneth Taylor is a Spoken Word Artist who performs regularly in St. Louis, MO and select venues in Illinois.

In his down time, F. Kenneth Taylor is usually with his youngest god-daughter, who is also a budding artist, or he’s playing Call of Duty: Black Ops II (his fav. one), Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, Dragon Age II, or Mass Effect II. FUN FACTS: Major Star Wars fan… Loves playing Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Assassin’s Creed (Brotherhood or Black Flag), Dragon Age II & Mass Effect. — He’s an avid music lover and favorite snack is Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies, Banana Moon Pies & Welch’s Fruit Snacks.

Be sure to tune in when we chat with these two talented men!

Following Revanth, the three meet Stout Jack, a man whose mother, wife and daughters have all been claimed by the river. Velda assures him they aren’t dead, but naiads.

They traveled several miles below the rapids before Velda handed her pack to Alton. With a kiss, she stepped into the water, calling out a greeting. The waves and ripples circled her, chattering happily. One last smile at Alton, and she dove in.

“We’ll continue on foot,” Alton said, gazing at the sky. “We have another hour or two before it gets too dark for you to see.”

“Can you see in the dark?”

He smiled. “Day or night, light or darkness, I see the same.”

“What else can you do?”

“Many things. You’d think me bragging if I told you all.”

“How old are you?” she asked unexpectedly.

“Far older than I look. I was a full grown man before you were born. In fact, before your parents were born.”

“How long have you and Velda been together?”

“A decade.”

“That’s a long time to be without your family,” she mused.

“It is. Though we have one another.”

“Is that enough? Revanth and I have one another, but sometimes—I still long for my family.”

Alton nodded, holding a tree branch out of her way. “I miss mine every day.”

“Even your father?”

His green eyes darted over his shoulder and he grew tense, as if listening.

“What makes you think there’s anything between me and my father?”

She laughed lightly, shaking her head. “Because fathers and sons often fight, especially when the son chooses a woman his father doesn’t approve of. It was he threw you out, wasn’t it? Cut you off?”

“Yes,” was his terse reply.

“He can’t live forever, Alton. One day, you can go back and claim your own.”

“I can’t.”

“I don’t understand. Why not?”

“It’s complicated.” He stopped walking. “The ways of my people aren’t for you to understand, or not. I can’t go back—ever. I gave up my inheritance, for Velda.”

“Why? There are other women in the world, Alton.”

“There are no others like Velda,” he murmured. “Could you give up Revanth? Or would you turn your back on all you’ve ever known, to be with him.” He paused. “Oh, wait! You already did that!”

Astrid nodded, a tear escaped her eye, trickling down her cheek. “You needn’t be so mean.”

Alton stopped, turning toward her. He put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I don’t intend to be mean, child. For ten years, I’ve been cut off from my family and home. Yes, I am with the woman I love—”

“But if you had the choice to make again?”

“I might not make the same one,” he replied softly. “I love her more than my own life, but sometimes I feel as if a part of me died that day.” He cast about for a moment, then set his pack on a nearby rock. “This looks as good a place as any to stop for the night. I’ll gather firewood. You call for Velda. Just dip your fingers in the water, and call out to her with your mind.”

Astrid nodded. She set her pack down beside Alton’s, and walked to the riverbank nearby. She dipped her fingers in the calm, cool water, letting her thoughts drift. There was a splash and tinkle of laughter. Moments later, Velda swam up to the bank, her blue eyes glittering happily. Her dark hair flowed around her like water.

“Hello, Astrid. I met some of my cousins here. We’ve had a lovely day.”

Velda slithered onto the bank. Her dress clung to her legs in a silvery, glittering garment that looked like the lower end of a fish. Moments later, Astrid was sure she had imagined the entire thing until Velda shook her hem and Astrid saw her feet. They were fins! Startled, she gasped and backed away. The naiad giggled.

“What did you think, my dear? That I swim like you by kicking my limbs?” She shook her hair free, the water scattering around her like diamonds. “Lower body of a fish in the water. Lower limbs of a human on land.”

Astrid nodded, wide eyed. “I never thought about it. Until I met you, naiads were mythical creatures.”

“Like wood sprites, dryads and elves?” Velda asked with a laugh.

“Yes. I never met anyone like you and Alton before.”

“And I never met a man enchanted into horse form,” Velda replied. “Let’s see what Alton has for dinner. I’m starved! Then I’ll tell you what I found out about Revanth.”

“Yes, please!”

They hurried back to camp. Alton had a fire blazing, surrounded by rocks. It was built in the center of the circle of trees, in a shallow depression that looked like it had, had fires in it before. Alton smiled when Velda approached. Taking her in his arms, he kissed her.

“I’ve missed you. Sit. Eat.” He handed around a bowl of fruit, followed by mellow cheese and other treats.

The women ate greedily, as Velda told them what she had found.

“You must have sensed that they passed this way,” Velda said to Alton.

“Yes. Many hours ago. It wasn’t a fun passage for any of them.”

“Is he all right?” Astrid asked.

“One of them beat him,” Alton replied. “But his companion reminded him that he’s worth more money if he’s not got marks upon him. They are gentler now, but not by much. The one who beat him said that if he got too problematic, he’d kill him, and have done. Revanth is quieter now.”

© 2019 Dellani Oakes

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