Ed Nelson's first book. Rick King, a Viet Nam veteran is lost in the final stages of Alzheimers in a moderate long term care home, when something strange happens...
As Rick regains his strength and fights for his stolen life and wealth, elegant Marsha Wren in the exact same situation, joins Rick as they struggle to get their lives back, while they avoid the danger of ending up in a government laboratory.
While regaining their strength and independence they are also growing younger in health and appearance. They have no idea how young they will end up or how long they will live, are they immortal?
One thing they know is that if they live long enough the world and the United States will change. How or when they have no way of knowing, just that change will occur. They position themselves as best as they can, fighting a survivalist group, when as predicted the apocalypse occurs. They will live, but can civilization survive?
Chapter 1 (partial)
April 30, 2013 Staff Sergeant Richard King was running for his life, on a Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol. His squad had just crossed a river when they were spotted by the Viet Cong. They were deep in Laos. There was going to be no helicopter rescue. They were on their own. The sound of bullets cutting through the jungle canopy was followed by the chatter of AK 47s, a lot of AK 47s.
The trim young man in his tiger stripe camouflage with its hand-embroidered patches ran with a long, loping stride that covered the ground quickly. His thoughts were; disengage, evade. Nothing else mattered.
Rick felt a sharp burning in his arm, but he kept going without looking. His squad was before him, so he knew they were okay so far. The lead man disappeared; Rick at first thought he was down, but in turn, each of his squad went out of sight. They were going down a small embankment to a stream which gave them some cover.
The six-man patrol stopped at the bottom, awaiting his decision. They could dig in here and hold off a similar size group or keep moving. If it was a larger group, they were in trouble. “Empty a 60mm belt to hold them and then move downstream,” Rick rasped as he brought his M16 to bear. Without hesitation, his orders were followed. The linked belt turned smoothly around a B3A can without any kinking. As the last man started to go out of sight, Rick followed.
“Watch out for that crazy old guy; he is going to knock that lady over with his walker the way he is thrashing around.”
Rick rounded a bend in the small stream and smelled meatloaf. “Meatloaf?” he thought.
“Damn, I have done it again.” I am in the Rest Home.
“Hey Rick, calm down; it’s okay. You just had an episode.”
“I know what I had,” screamed Rick in anger and frustration.
“You think I want this?” He pushed his walker/M16 away.
Marsha Wren was having a nice day shopping; she had found the most perfect-looking dress in Macy’s window when a rude man bumped into her. A passing gentleman caught her just as she started to fall. She grabbed him for support and caught his stethoscope.
“Oh no,” she thought, “I am in the Rest Home. I enjoyed shopping more.”
The Doctor helped her down the hall. She chatted with him all the way. It was a shame no sound came out.
Cast in Time Book 6 Available in June 2024!
More details coming soon.
Earl E. (Ed) Nelson
I have always wanted to be an author. I had my first rejection slip in about 1965. Wish I had saved it. For many years the only writing I did was technical as pesky things like three children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren came along.
My technical writing was in the field of quality in several different journals. I worked in the field of quality for over fifty years, starting as a line inspector and ending up as a Vice-President of Quality and elected a Fellow of the American Society for Quality.
Then a wonderful thing happened. I lost my job and was out of work for almost eight months. To keep from going crazy I wrote. I posted my stories on an online site, and lo and behold people read them and said nice things. Fast forward about eight years and I am retired and writing for the fun of it.
A lot of what is in my stories is based on my life experiences, gasp! Give or take a lie or two that is. The one fortunate thing in my career is that I got to travel worldwide and have been to most of the locations I write about.
In my younger days, I tried hot air ballooning, sky diving, white water rafting, spelunking, and target shooting. I have collected stamps, drove in road rallies, lowly rated by the US Chess federation. I built a Kentucky long rifle and a dueling pistol. I am a licensed HAM radio operator. My hobby is having hobbies.
My true passion is reading. Trapped in a hotel room I would read the telephone book. The TV would not be turned on. I have averaged 200 books a year for the last sixty years. I knew those long flights were good for something.
BTW I was born in the middle of an air raid in England during World War II, the house next door was destroyed and our windows were blown out. That is probably the most interesting thing I have been involved with. Mum never forgave me. Happily married for 56 years I hope my wife doesn’t catch on to what a goof I am.
Amazon Reviews
What readers are saying about this book
Well written This book was well written, start to finish. It feels authentic, like a diary of real life. I liked and respected the characters. Normal folks will not have any problem with the political references that are a minor part of the story.
PaulW
Amazon Review
Wow! Such a good read! A really enjoyable read and an excellent plot and mc. I've enjoyed all this authors books and look forward to more!
RHM
Amazon Review
A great what if story ??? Very enjoyable and easy read - I would recommend to purchase.
F.G.
Amazon Review
Unique premise, well written and fun My first demand of any author is that they tell an interesting story, and boy howdy do these folks deliver! Fun characters, a truly original premise, and some very enjoyable secondary characters. Well worth reading, and very much the tip of the author's iceberg as far as their extant work.
Avid Bibliophile
Amazon Review
Enjoyable Good story with interesting characters and a good scenario, well paced, and I hope there will be more. Interesting epilogue as well
AussieOutlander
Amazon Review
Available on Amazon
You can purchase this book and all of Ed Nelsons book series on Amazon.
Books
Other Books by Ed Nelson
- All
- Richard Jackson Saga
- Cast in Time
- Other
F.A.Q
Frequently Asked Questions for Ed Nelson
-
What inspired you to become a writer, and what drives you to continue writing today?
I had a contracted project finished and had time before the next one started. I had been thinking about a story for several years so decided to give it a try. It worked. I'm retired now so it is a nice hobby and the extra income is nice.
-
Can you tell us about your writing process? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the writing zone?
I started out as a pantser, writing by the seat of my pants, no plot, no ending just writing. That works on a single novel but not a series. So now I try to plot, only gross outlines. When I get hung up on where to go next the pantser takes over.
-
Your latest book, Cast in Time, has been receiving excellent reviews. What was the most challenging part of writing it, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?
Plotting! Don't have telephones before you have electricity under control. Well maybe two tin cans and a string.
-
How do you approach character development? Are your characters based on real people, fictional archetypes, or entirely original creations?
I'm the hero of course. Eveyone else is an archetype. As a hero I'm also a archetype. That makes me a pretty shallow person! Maybe I'm not a hero after all.
-
What do you believe is the most critical element of a compelling story, and how do you ensure you deliver it in your writing?
Involving the reader deeper and deeper into the story until the most outrageous acts are believable.
-
Writing can be a solitary endeavor. How do you handle writer's block or self-doubt, and what advice would you give to aspiring writers facing similar challenges?
Walk away until the guilt piles up and start writing again.
-
Many of your readers admire your distinct writing style. How did you develop your voice, and how important do you think it is for writers to find their unique voice?
My voice is exactly that. When I type out the words I'm speaking them in my head as though I was telling the story our loud around a campfire. It is how I speak.
-
Beyond the pages of your books, what other forms of storytelling inspire you? Are there any particular authors, films, or artistic mediums that have influenced your writing?
I'm a voracious reader so many books have influenced me. I can't point to any specific one, but I know that I have picked up elements of storytelling.