Flashback podcast time! Remember 2016? Remember when Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released? What about the hiatus that the Rusted Robot took while it was searching for a new co-host? Turbulent times my friends. This week, after a quick introduction to set the stage, we replay the original ‘Josh
NIGHTWISE By R. S. Belcher Tor Books 352 pgs This is the third R. S. Belcher novel we’ve read in the past two years and we are fast becoming devoted fans. Whereas the first two were part of a weird western series, “Nightwise” is a twisted, dark tale of modern
STRANGE VIEW FROM A SKEWED ORBIT (An Oddball Memoir) By Ardath Mayhar Borgo Press 159 pgs Dear Readers, this certainly will not be one of my regular reviews. You see the subject matter is much too personal for me and we need to share much more than a few declarative
Social Media has changed the universe of human interaction. This time, the hosts of The Soul Forge Podcast take on the exciting idea of social media and how it has shaped, and changed society. Sometimes these changes are for the better, but sometimes they are not. Some effects may not
Happy Halloween! The Countdown concludes with the classic alien invasion story by H.G. Wells. Mike, Mike, Kirby Bartlett-Sloan, and Matthew Kresal discuss why this account of first contact with the Martians remains one of the most influential works of fiction ever written. Plus, Matthew finds the Martian heat ray not
THE OBSIDIAN CHAMBER (A Pendergast Novel) By Preston & Child Grand Central Publishing 437 pgs We make no bones that we are devoted fans of this new pulp series. Special Agent Pendergast and his revolving cast of supporting characters are truly colorful and memorable. In this, the sixteen entry, the
UNREMARKABLE By Geoff Habiger & Coy Kissee Shadow Dragon Press 205 pages We’ve often said the fun of writing a review blog is discovering new and exciting talent. Case in point this book sent to us by authors Habiger and Kissee, “Unremarkable.” From the book design it is easy enough
THE BLACK STILETTO – Black & White By Raymond Benson Oceanview Publishing 309 pgs In the first book of this series, a divorced unemployed accountant named Martin Talbot uncovered a startling secret upon opening the contents of his mother’s effects. In the 1950s and 60s, his mother, then Judy Cooper,
THE BALLAD OF BLACK BART By Loren D. Estleman Forge Books 231 pgs This being a fictionalized tale based on historical personages by one of the most enjoyable writers in the western field. But before launching into the review, let me confess that Mr. Estleman is one of those treasures
Picard! Star Trek! Fandom! Gatekeeping! Virtue Signalling! There are multiple controversies plaguing the geek-o-sphere right now. A huge topic in this week’s show is gatekeepers and gatekeeping in fandom. We wonder what gives a certain subset of fans the right to decide who is or is not a fan of
The Soul Forge Podcast is celebrating its first full year of operation. Listen in as we discuss everything that has happened over these last 12 months. This ain’t no clip show folks! The guests, co-hosts and contributors are acknowledged, The history of the idea and the original concept for the
MYSTERY OF THE HORNED MONSTER A Hollywood Cowboy Detectives Mystery By Darryle Purcell A Buckskins Edition Western If you are a devoted movie buff who knows William Pratt was Boris Karloff’s real name and Bela Lugois was originally Bela Blasko then you most likely will know in which Republic Serial
