Posted on

Fourth of July Surprise for You

Fourth of July Surprise for You–or rather, three surprises for you.

Secret Supers audiobook cover
Second Series Surpris
Secret Supers audiobook

First, Secret Supers is free on July 7th and 8th. Grab it here: CLICKITY CLICK!

Next, you can get an autographed book directly from me. Click here now! I give you FREE SHIPPING!

But that’s not all. Your third surprise follows.

Your Third Secret Supers Fourth of July Surprise – A New Excerpt

Enjoy this excerpt where Jeremy and his friends go to rescue their friend’s family from a burning house.

Fourth of July Surprise
Chapter 9 Car Wash Icon

The Secret Supers arrived at the gas station. The parking
lot was set up for a car wash with buckets of soap and a power
washer. The day was sunny, but cool, good football weather,
not for car washing. Amazingly, Darla and her friends wore
their cheerleading uniforms, with short skirts and bare arms
and legs.
“Wow, Darla, aren’t you guys cold?” asked Aubrey.
“A little. Once we get cheering we’ll warm right up. That’ll
help attract customers.”
Kayla pushed her tablet at Aubrey. I have to keep hiding
my powers.
Aubrey read aloud, “The nylons help keep cheerleaders
warm.”
“That’s right. Kayla was a cheerleader before her illness,”
Darla said. She looked at Kayla and said, “I’m glad to see you’re walking better.”
“Thank you,” came from Kayla’s tablet.
She doesn’t know Jeremy’s helping me. When he goes to sleep, I get wobbly again. But that is the first time she’s talked
to me since I got meningitis. Maybe she is changing.
Kayla thoughtcast.

Fourth of July Surprise, A New Excerpt, Part 2

Kayla
Kayla Verdera of the Secret Supers

“How are you going to wash the car in your cheerleading uniforms? Won’t that wreck them?”
“Oh no, we won’t wash the cars. We’re just advertising. The other volunteers will do that.”
“I don’t see anyone else here, but us.”
“My brother Rich is coming with some of his football buddies. Oh, here’s our first customer.” The girls cheered and
did some routines while the Secret Supers washed the car.
Jeremy used an electric scrubber from his wheelchair. Kayla
used the power washer, while Dan and Aubrey soaped up the car.
Rich and his friends arrived. “Great!” yelled Darla. “Now we can do two cars at once. Let’s get a production line going.
Here come some more cars. Keep cheering girls.”
“This isn’t so bad,” Dan said.
“Nah. Just putting on soapy water isn’t a problem. I’m glad I can walk now,” said Aubrey.

A New Excerpt, Part 3

Aubrey Wilcosky


Rich called to them, “I’m surprised you guys came.”
“It seems the least we can do. You guys were nice enough
to come to our magic show,” said Aubrey.
“That was really good. I think I got the card trick figured
out, but not the levitation stuff.”
“Keep thinking. It’s a good practice.”
“Oh no,” Dan yelled.
“What’s the matter, Dan?” Jeremy asked.
“My parents’ house is on fire!”
“Did you get a text or something?” asked Darla.
“Uh, yeah.”
“Sorry to leave you in the lurch, Darla, but we’ve got to go
and help,” said Aubrey.
“What can you do?”
“More than you think.”
“I’ve already called my car,” said Jeremy.
“Your car? You’re not old enough to drive,” said Darla.

Excerpt Part 4

Dan Elanga
Dan Elanga

“I made a flying car. I can summon it here. See, there it is.”
Darla’s, the cheerleaders’, Rich’s, and the football players’ mouths dropped open as Jeremy’s car came flying down the street, as fast as any other car. Jeremy and Dan had modified it so it had a rumble seat in the back for Kayla and two running
boards with grips and safety lines like a fire truck, for Dan and Aubrey to stand.
“That is SO COOL,” screamed Darla.
The Secret Supers climbed into the car. Jeremy transferred carefully from his wheelchair to the driver’s seat, not using his telekinesis.
“We’ll come back if we can. Watch my electric wheelchair,” said Jeremy as they zoomed off.
“Wow, Jeremy! You’re really going fast,” said Aubrey over the rushing wind
“I told you I was getting stronger. I think we’ll have to modify this again for full seats for you and Dan.”
“Hurry,” said Dan. “They’re trapped in the basement!”

Excerpt, Part 5

Jeremy
Fourth of July Surprise
Jeremy Gentle

“Okay, let me open her up.” The car sped up, and they began passing other cars on the road.
“Fifty-five, sixty miles an hour! That seems to be my limit, now. Hey, did someone call the fire department?”
“I did before we started,” said Dan. “Oh hurry! The smoke is getting thick! They’re lying on the basement floor with wet clothes over their faces!”
A line of cars at a red light blocked them.
“Hold on! Kayla shields up!”
Shields up, Captain Jeremy!
The car faded into invisibility.
“No one saw that,” said Dan, holding on for dear life as they soared over the cars and traffic lights. “Please hurry! My little sister is coughing on the smoke.”
“I guess we can dispense with the roads. My GPS says if we take a twenty-degree turn—”
“Look out for the high-tension wires,” screamed Aubrey.
Six high-voltage wires blocked their path, less than twenty feet away.
“Hold on,” yelled Jeremy.
The car dropped like an elevator with its cable cut. The Secret Supers ducked, and the wires passed where their heads had been a moment before. They could feel the hairs on their heads lift up from the intense voltage a foot away.
“Look out, a tree,” shouted Aubrey.
The car swerved around and over an oak tree blocking their path.
The Elanga’s house blazed ahead, a pillar of fire and smoke rooted in the disintegrating house.
Swooping down, Jeremy brought the car to a skidding halt in front of the house. A wave of heat burned their faces. Acrid smoke assailed their noses. In the distance, fire engine sirens blared.
Oh no! Dan, are we too late?
“No, they’re still alive in the basement.

Want more? Get your .99 copy here!

Fourth of July Surprise Secret Supers Reviews

Great book

Secret Supers Thanksgiving Surprise

ElizR 5.0 out of 5 stars 

Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024

Verified Purchase

Really fun book and loved how it involved people with disabilities.

Beyond Limits!

Jerry 5.0 out of 5 stars 

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023

Verified Purchase

It is a captivating tale that defies conventional superhero narratives. The author, with keen insight, weaves a story around four friends who turn their disabilities into extraordinary strengths.
The seamless integration of disability and superpowers challenges societal norms, making the story not just entertaining but also thought-provoking.
The author skillfully balances action, emotion, and humor, creating a narrative that engages readers of all ages. The message of resilience, unity, and embracing differences resonates throughout the book.
This book is a delightful read that not only entertains but also prompts reflection on the true meaning of strength and heroism.

Your Final Fourth of July Surprise

Secret Supers in Space

First, you can get free audiobooks by clicking here. CLICK HERE. This includes Secret Supers in Space.

Next, you can get all three books in the series for $5.98. Grab them July 7-8th, the offer is only good until July 8th!

Subscribe to my newsletter to find out more news every month!

Let me know what other surprises you’d like by clicking here.

Posted on

Discover My Four Heroes in Secret Supers: Space Camp Excitement

Produce Your Audiobook Secret Supers in Space

Discover My Four Heroes from Secret Supers in Space. My book is .99 today until June 23rd at midnight. Grab your copy for just $0.99 before June 23rd at midnight! Click here.

How do 7th graders get superpowers? What superpowers do they have? What kind of teens are they?

Find out in this post!

Discover My Four Heroes – Jeremy and Dan

“What are you doing, Jeremy?”

Meet My Heroes 
Discover the Four Heroes
Jeremy using his telekinesis

Startled, I looked up from my computer and turned around in my wheelchair. My best friend, Dan, had slipped silently into my lab. I still thought of it that way, but we’d made it into the Secret Supers clubhouse almost a year ago. Dan’s round, brown face smiled down at me while his tall, wide frame loomed behind me. His dark glasses hid his blind eyes.

“I didn’t hear you come down the elevator.”

“I took the stairs. Your mom made cookies, so I came over. I could smell them from my house.”

“You mean, you could smell them from my mom’s thoughts?”

“And your’s and your dad’s. You were all excited, so I couldn’t help myself from taking a sniff from your mom’s nose. I didn’t snoop any further than that.”

“I know you respect everyone’s privacy with your mindreading power.”

Meet My Heroes
Discover the Four Heroes

“Except maybe yours. You did permit me to read yours anytime. But I haven’t read your mind about what you’re concentrating on. C’mon, tell your old friend Dan.”

“Don’t tell anyone. I want to surprise the Secret Supers.”

“Of course not. Now I’m dying to know!”

“I’m applying to Space Camp.”

“What’s Space Camp? I can hear the capital letters in your voice.”

I spun my wheelchair around to face him. “What’s Space Camp? It’s the greatest camp there is! We’re all bored out of our minds now that August has started and we want to do something. Space Camp teaches you all about our space program. You learn about astronauts and rockets. You go on a centrifuge and experience zero-g and moon gravity.

Discover My Four Heroes – Kayla

Meet My Heroes

“Now I know, so we might as well let Kayla and Aubrey know.”

I glanced at my screen clock. “Ten thirty. I can call Kayla, but Aubrey’s at her summer baseball practice.” I speed-dialed Kayla.

“You don’t have to put her on speakerphone. I can read her mind,” said Dan.

I laughed. “You read my mind. I was ready to do that.”

Hello, Jeremy. Kayla’s voice sounded in my mind. Kayla had spinal meningitis and could no longer talk or walk without a walker. I felt sad when I heard her high mental voice, sounding just as she used to talk before losing it.

“Hi, Kayla. I’ve got big news for you and Aubrey: the Secret Supers are going to Space Camp!”

Sounds like fun. I assume it’s all paid for and our parents are on board?

 “Right. I researched it, then my parents contacted yours, Dan’s, and Aubrey’s, and everyone agreed. Just now, I applied and got approval. We’ll be gone for a week.”

When?

“The last week in August, just before Labor Day.”

Now I have something to look forward to, instead of another sweltering day. How long does it last?

“A week. We arrive on the last Sunday of the month and leave on Friday.”


Kayla – Part 2

Meet My Heroes
Discover the Four Heroes

I suppose you want me to tell Aubrey. I’ll give her the message to come over to our Secret Supers room, and we’ll all surprise her when she comes in.

“Great idea, Kayla!” I grinned.

Dan’s head snapped up from the phone and then he leaned back down. “You can tell her now. Her practice was canceled because of a thunderstorm. Boy, is she grumpy!”

“Baseball’s the love of her life,” I said. “A new adventure will cheer her up.”

All right, I told her to meet us there. She’s riding her bike straight from practice.

Dan placed his hand on his head like he does when he’s listening telepathically. “Uh, oh, Kayla, you’d better hurry. She’ll beat you here.”

I didn’t think of that. Mom’s busy at work. I can’t interrupt her, and I can’t bike anymore.

I straightened in my wheelchair. “Let me give you a lift—literally.”

Now you’re reading my mind, Jeremy. I was just about to ask you for help. Are you sending your flying car?

“Nope.  Just put on your Secret Supers outfit and I’ll fly you over.”

“I’ll put on mine. It’s here in my backpack.” Dan slid it off his shoulders.

I hadn’t noticed Dan’s backpack.  I turned to my phone. “We’ll make it a full club meeting. This’ll be the first time we’ve worn the new costumes your mom made for us, Kayla.”

I modeled mine for Mom. They fit a lot better than the store-bought ones we had, and they’re much sturdier. The old ones were pretty scuffed up.

“Something about fighting ten-foot robots does that.” Dan grinned.

Discover My Four Heroes – Aubrey

I yelled from the bathroom as I dressed telekinetically, pulling the tights over my legs twisted by a lifetime of cerebral palsy. It did fit better than the old uniform. Even the boots went on better. I loved the material I selected. It was completely air tight and waterproof. It fit beautifully with the other secret enhancements I’d put in. I wondered when I should tell the others about them.

Of course—

THUMP! THUMPITY! THUMP!

I don’t need to read minds to know that’s Aubrey. No one else pounds as she does down the stairs.

The door to the clubroom burst open. “TA-DA! I’m here. I came here at the speed of light,  on a bicycle.”

Coming out of the bathroom, I saw Aubrey’s tousled blond hair peeking out of her baseball cap. Sweat beaded her broad forehead. Her black mask and red Secret Supers uniform clashed with her green ball cap.  Instead of black boots, her prosthetic legs went to her knees.

I smiled at her. “Aubrey, did you notice how much better these new uniforms fit?”

“Yeah, it doesn’t bind me at all when I run or bike. I could wear it all the time. It’s easy to get on and fits nicely around my stumps. Now tell me what the big news is, Jeremy. Kayla wouldn’t tell me anything!”


Readers Speak About Secret Supers in Space

Cute

Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2022

5.0 out of 5 stars 

I love this story, a great continuation of the first book. The Super Secrets have one heck of an adventure, and I was happy to be along for the ride.

darlene loop

Hero Too

Overall    5 out of 5 stars

Performance    5 out of 5 stars

Story    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic listen listened to this with my younger brother he really seemed to enjoy this even as I found myself giggling a few times great Voice work and premises highly recommend this to parents looking to get their kids more into books.

Listener received this title free

Discover My Four Heroes With Your Own Copy!

Produce Your Audiobook
Meet My Heroes
Discover the Four Heroes
Secret Supers in Space audiobook cover. Click to listen.

Quick! Click here to get yours for .99! Only June 16-23rd! Any newsletter subscriber gets free audiobook codes–as long as they last. Click here to get yours. Don’t wait until they’re gone!

Do you want an autographed book? I’ll mail it directly to you with free shipping and I pay the taxes! Click here to get yours. My shipping may not be the same day, but at least it’s free–for you.

Did you like Discover the Four Heroes from Secret Supers in Space? Got questions? Comments? Reach me directly by clicking here. Or you can email me at [email protected] I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can.

Don’t forget to leave your review!

Posted on

Four Crazy Book Ideas by Author Andy Zach

Four Crazy Book Ideas by Author Andy Zach are revealed right here, in this blog post.

Four Crazy Book Ideas – The First

Oops! My SciFi latest science news What's New Science
Four Crazy Book Ideas
Oops cover final medium

If you want a taste of my writing, click below for a free short story that’s in my science fiction short story anthology. Oops! Tales of the Zombie Turkey Apocalypse.

Grab an autographed copy of Oops here!

So what does this book have to do with my first of four crazy book ideas?

My first idea is to make a new book of short stories. I’ll write them about my favorite characters.

If you like that idea, join my newsletter and respond to the poll:

Join my newsletter and get free audiobooks by clicking here.

Four Crazy Book Ideas – The Second

Possible cover idea for Sorcerers Appentice World
Four Crazy Book Ideas

I’m 34,000 words into my first fantasy book, Sorcerer’s Apprentice World.

Note that even that title is a draft. It may change.

Possible cover idea for Sorcerers Apprentice World

Here’s my draft of a book blurb:

Welcome to the new Earth: eight billion sorcerer’s apprentices. Everyone is magical. Everyone gets their wishes granted.

Does that sound frightening? It’s worse. No one knows how the magic works.

Nuclear scientist Katie Garcia is doing her best to figure it out, using all the resources of Oakridge National Labs. Will she learn the rules of magic before humanity destroys itself—or her?

Find out inside Sorcerer’s Apprentist World

From the first draft of Sorcerer’s Apprentice World

Four Crazy Book Ideas – The Third

The Secret Supers Series
Four Crazy Book Ideas
Secret Supers front and back covers

I’ve got this superhero series that I love, the Secret Supers. I’m due to write another book.

I want to write an adventure about them building and living in a tree house. How does that sound? Let me know here or in a comment below.

The Last Book Idea – Now It’s Personal

Now It’s Personal

Now it’s personal. I want to write a memoir. But not about my personal life–rather about the life of my birth family.

You see, I was adopted in 1956, 5 months after I was born. Ohio hid the birth parents of adopted children. Then in the 90s, they changed the law to allow adopted children to find their birth parents.

I just looked up my original birth certificate. My birth mother was Roberta Fouts. My adoptive mother was still alive and I knew she wouldn’t want me to seek my birth mother, so I didn’t. I did look her up on the internet, where I found she had died in 1997 in California.

My adoptive mother died in 2012 and on Christmas of 2018 my wife gave me an Ancestry.com DNA testing kit. I used it and put out the word for my relatives.

They found me and we had a reunion in 2019. I’ll tell the whole story in this memoir.

Closing Shot

And now, for something completely different:

A Wallace and Grommit and Star Wars mashup!

Sunset line from ISS

The sunset line on the Earth from the ISS.