Books with author Andrew Black

Rising Odds: A Superhero Short Story CollectionRising Odds is a superhero story collection that includes fights against injustice, godlike heroes, and epic feats. The Collection Includes:Brutal ShamPotentially a HeroSuperhero DuplicityDuty CallsChilled ExplosivesBrutal ShamThere was nothing Alan couldn’t screw up, no job he couldn’t botch and no situation he couldn’t muddle—until he decided he was done with the world’s cruel fate. It wasn’t that he was a malevolent sadist. He just didn’t feel ready to languish beneath the metropolis’ laws any longer. Not when there was a way to conqueror his life’s tragic flaws.All he had to do was become a Super Villain. He would take what he was owed.That was the plan anyway…Brutal Sham is an unexpected superhero adventure of one man’s zany mission that is wildly entertaining. This fun superhero short story has flair and is crammed with humor.Potentially a HeroWarrick is a lousy psychic. He can only see the pasts and potential futures of strangers. That isn’t his biggest problem. One particular man’s past continues to haunt him. Robert could have been the greatest hero of all time, if only someone had pointed out his potential. But this is already Past, Present, Failure. Right?Potentially a Hero is a delightful superhero adventure that will entertain. This superhero short story is just the right mixture of fun and drama.Superhero DuplicityJumping on top of an exploding bomb wasn’t even the worst part of Guardian Warrior’s day. Not when he realized he was a clone. It only took a couple disasters to comprehend he was now out of a job. And it was hard to be angry at his original just because he was faster and more efficient at stopping evil.He must find a new way to live. Once loosed from the superhero scene, Guardian Warrior’s world unravels. After all, what good are superhuman powers when they can’t be used against corruption?Superhero Duplicity will grab your attention with a new take on the superhero world. This superhero short story is an enjoyable look at one hero’s journey to find his place in the bustling metropolis.Duty CallsTyson knows anxiety. His child’s fever is spiking, and his wife is near panic. But he can’t stay. As the masked superhero Defender Chill, duty calls to protect the metropolis from corruption, calamity, and criminals.Torn between his responsibility for his family and for the city, he struggles to fulfill his conflicting duties. But can he fully serve one without forsaking the other?Duty Calls is a gripping superhero adventure that is emotionally resonant and delves into the deeper question of what being a superhero means. This fast-paced story will entertain and shed light on the unique struggles of an familyman hero.Chilled ExplosivesWhen crime overruns the city’s Chinatown, Defender Chill sets out to bring justice. With a motley set of allies, the villains have always evaded detection. Using explosives, they open safe after safe in the bustling neighborhood. Chill hopes he can uncover evidence the police have failed to notice. But he knows being a superhero mean the deeper he delves into the struggles that threaten the community the more dangerous it will become for him.Chilled Explosives is a thrilling superhero adventure brimming with action.

Thirty-two prominent writers share the Bible passages most meaningful to them in this “Sunday School class you’ve been waiting for” (Garrison Keillor).The Good Book, with an introduction by Adam Gopnik, is “a rich tapestry of reflections” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) by writers from many different faiths, including literary fiction writers (Colm Tóibín, Edwidge Danticat, Tobias Wolff, Rick Moody); bestselling nonfiction writers (A.J. Jacobs, Ian Frazier, Thomas Lynch); notable figures in the media (Charles McGrath, Cokie Roberts, Steven V. Roberts); and social activists (Al Sharpton, Kerry Kennedy). While these contributors are not primarily known as religious thinkers, they write intelligently and movingly about specific passages in the Bible that inform the way they live, think about past experiences, and see society today. Excerpted in The New Yorker and other prestigious publications, some pieces are close readings of specific passages, some are anecdotes from everyday life, and all will inspire, provoke, or illuminate. Showcasing some of the best-known and best-loved characters and stories from Genesis to Revelation, The Good Book is “often inspiring and always interesting” (Booklist, starred review). This beautiful, enlightening gift “really does justice to the richness and complexity of the texts and how they resonate in our lives” (Krista Tippett, host of NPR’s On Being). “These writers raise questions that are age-old, yet utterly contemporary, pressing, thoughtful, eternal” (Edward Hirsch). “This collection has something for everyone who appreciates good writing” (Library Journal).

After a war with Mutants—evolved humans who can shoot fire from their hands— the country has settled into an uneasy truce. A peace that for the remaining humans means being bullied, threatened, and locked away at home each night while the mutants are on the prowl. But for Robin, temper can’t be held prisoner. After a confrontation with a local gang of mutant thugs, he finds himself running outside the “law.” As he makes desperate choices to avoid death, he finds that survival may rest with one of the most dangerous mutants of them all.

Buy the five story collection, including this story, for only 2.99 at: amazon.com/Rising-Odds-Superhero-Collection-ebook/dp/B00779X5ZY/Jumping on top of an exploding bomb wasn’t even the worst part of Guardian Warrior’s day. Not when he realized he was a clone. It only took a couple disasters to comprehend he was now out of a job. And it was hard to be angry at his original just because he was faster and more efficient at stopping evil.He must find a new way to live. Once loosed from the superhero scene, Guardian Warrior’s world unravels. After all, what good are superhuman powers when they can’t be used against corruption?Superhero Duplicity will grab your attention with a new take on the superhero world. This superhero short story is an enjoyable look at one hero’s journey to find his place in the bustling metropolis.

Buy the superhero story collection, including this story, for under $0.60 a story at: amazon.com/Rising-Odds-Superhero-Collection-ebook/dp/B00779X5ZY/Tyson knows anxiety. His child’s fever is spiking, and his wife is near panic. But he can’t stay. As the masked superhero Defender Chill, duty calls to protect the metropolis from corruption, calamity, and criminals.Torn between his responsibility for his family and for the city, he struggles to fulfill his conflicting duties. But can he fully serve one without forsaking the other?Duty Calls is a gripping superhero adventure that is emotionally resonant and delves into the deeper question of what being a superhero means. This fast-paced story will entertain and shed light on the unique struggles of an family-man hero.

Buy the five story collection, including this story, for less that $0.60 per story at: amazon.com/Rising-Odds-Superhero-Collection-ebook/dp/B00779X5ZY/Warrick is a lousy psychic. He can only see the pasts and potential futures of strangers. That isn’t his biggest problem. One particular man’s past continues to haunt him. Robert could have been the greatest hero of all time, if only someone had pointed out his potential. But this is already Past, Present, Failure. Right?Potentially a Hero is a delightful superhero adventure that will entertain. This superhero short story is just the right mixture of fun and drama.

Buy the five story collection, including this story, for only 2.99 at: amazon.com/Rising-Odds-Superhero-Collection-ebook/dp/B00779X5ZY/When crime overruns the city’s Chinatown, Defender Chill sets out to bring justice. With a motley set of allies, the villains have always evaded detection. Using explosives, they open safe after safe in the bustling neighborhood. Chill hopes he can uncover evidence the police have failed to notice. But he knows being a superhero mean the deeper he delves into the struggles that threaten the community the more dangerous it will become for him.Chilled Explosives is a thrilling superhero adventure brimming with action.

Thirty-two prominent writers share the Bible passages most meaningful to them in this “Sunday School class you’ve been waiting for” (Garrison Keillor).The Good Book, with an introduction by Adam Gopnik, is “a rich tapestry of reflections” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) by writers from many different faiths, including literary fiction writers (Colm Tóibín, Edwidge Danticat, Tobias Wolff, Rick Moody); bestselling nonfiction writers (A.J. Jacobs, Ian Frazier, Thomas Lynch); notable figures in the media (Charles McGrath, Cokie Roberts, Steven V. Roberts); and social activists (Al Sharpton, Kerry Kennedy). While these contributors are not primarily known as religious thinkers, they write intelligently and movingly about specific passages in the Bible that inform the way they live, think about past experiences, and see society today. Excerpted in The New Yorker and other prestigious publications, some pieces are close readings of specific passages, some are anecdotes from everyday life, and all will inspire, provoke, or illuminate. Showcasing some of the best-known and best-loved characters and stories from Genesis to Revelation, The Good Book is “often inspiring and always interesting” (Booklist, starred review). This beautiful, enlightening gift “really does justice to the richness and complexity of the texts and how they resonate in our lives” (Krista Tippett, host of NPR’s On Being). “These writers raise questions that are age-old, yet utterly contemporary, pressing, thoughtful, eternal” (Edward Hirsch). “This collection has something for everyone who appreciates good writing” (Library Journal).

Buy the five story collection, including this story, for only 2.99 at: amazon.com/Rising-Odds-Superhero-Collection-ebook/dp/B00779X5ZY/There was nothing Alan couldn’t screw up, no job he couldn’t botch and no situation he couldn’t muddle—until he decided he was done with the world’s cruel fate. It wasn’t that he was a malevolent sadist. He just didn’t feel ready to languish beneath the metropolis’ laws any longer. Not when there was a way to conqueror his life’s tragic flaws.All he had to do was become a Super Villain. He would take what he was owed.That was the plan anyway…Brutal Sham is an unexpected superhero adventure of one man’s zany mission that is wildly entertaining. This fun superhero short story has flair and is crammed with humor.

In The Good Book, thirty-two of today’s most prominent writers share never-before-published pieces about passages in the Bible that are most meaningful to them.The Good Book, with an introduction by Adam Gopnik, collects new pieces by writers from many different faiths and ethnicities including literary fiction writers (Colm Tóibín, Edwidge Danticat, Tobias Wolff, Rick Moody); bestselling nonfiction writers (A.J. Jacobs, Ian Frazier, Thomas Lynch); notable figures in the media (Charles McGrath, Cokie Roberts, Steven V. Roberts); and social activists (Al Sharpton, Kerry Kennedy). While these contributors are not primarily known as religious thinkers, they write intelligently and movingly about specific passages in the Bible that inform the way they live, think about past experiences, and see society today. Some pieces are close readings of specific passages, some are anecdotes from everyday life, and all will inspire, provoke, or illuminate. Addressing some of the best-known and best-loved characters and stories from Genesis to Revelation, The Good Book will be a beautiful, enlightening gift for secular readers and readers of faith as well as a collection of interest to reading groups, readers of creative nonfiction and personal essays, and fans of each of the individual contributors.