Showing results by author "Bob Bello" in All Categories

SYNOPSIS: In 2051, a handful of teens and children survive the global holocaust in a lunar base. Suffering grief and denial, they must grow up fast and restart human civilization from scratch. In space. Note: Available in print as a standalone novella and part of the Starcall Anthology, Vol.4, both illustrated by the author. The eBook is NOT illustrated to save on file size (1mb vs. 300mb).

STARCALL 6: An Anthology of Novelized Radio Dramas & Teleplays, written by Bob Bello since 1980 for teens and adults in easy-to-read International English. Each printed volume contains 10 “episodes,” illustrated by the author with Dramatic Personae (portraits of the main characters). Over 700 short stories of all genres: speculative fiction, military sci-fi, time travel, alternate history and prehistory, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk and steampunk, action/adventure, mystery and supernatural, suspense and thriller, etc. NOTE: The eBook version is NOT illustrated to save on ...

SYNOPSIS: In 1763, a Dutch American artist returns home to New York from the French and Indian War only to find his family killed in an accidental fire. Devastated, he moves to a small ranch outside the city, hoping to start anew. Grief and loneliness take their toll, but he needs to start painting again to make a living in a time when the colonists riot for independence, seeking to create a new country.

STARCALL 5: An Anthology of Novelized Radio Dramas & Teleplays, written by Bob Bello since 1980 for teens and adults in easy-to-read International English. Over 700 short stories of all genres: speculative fiction, military sci-fi, time travel, alternate history and prehistory, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk and steampunk, action and adventure, mystery and supernatural, suspense and thriller, romance and drama, etc. A little bit of everything for everyone: 10 “episodes,” illustrated by the author with Dramatic Personae (portraits of the main characters), written in the ...

SYNOPSIS: In 1920, a blind baby is found in a convent chapel. Adopted by the nuns of St. Clare, at 14 she becomes a sensation with her unorthodox gift of healing. She can ‘see’ failing organs, sometimes before doctors can detect the illness, and cure them with chants. The media is all over her, yet soon someone wants her killed because her existence contradicts their secular worldview and bitter postwar politics. (This standalone version is also available in print as part of the Starcall Anthology, Vol.6, illustrated by the author.)

SYNOPSIS: In 2100, after Earth is ravaged by a Space War, a habitable planet is discovered in Canis Major, bringing new hope for a new home. They have the technology, the volunteers, and the guts to check its livability conditions. Yet 3 years later, a mysterious virus threatens to kill the members of the expedition. And with it, all hope for Earth 2. (Standalone version.) Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.1, illustrated by the author.

SYNOPSIS: In 1974, returning home from a Christmas celebration at the local church, a family realizes that three hours had passed in the span of one. Ten days later, they discover the hard way that this is only the beginning of a greater mystery. Unraveling it would demand more than just trusting science and medicine to save them from the horror of the past.. Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.3, illustrated by the author. The eBook version is NOT illustrated to save on file size (1mb vs. 300mb).

SYNOPSIS: In 1973, a young shrink treats a 30-year-old man who can’t remember who he is, presumed mentally ill. She soon discovers that he is an intelligent poet, yet some of the details he recalls make no sense to her. However, when his version of history comes to pass, she begs him to help her rescue her husband, arrested by the Military Junta of Chile. (This standalone story is available in print as part of the Starcall Anthology, Vol.5, illustrated by the author.)

SYNOPSIS: In 2318, the Space Admiralty tells a pregnant woman that her husband is MIA in alien territory, drafted into a war he never wanted to fight. She travels 5.3 light-years to search for him and finds out that he is a POW in the alien world he had rescued her from seven years ago. If she wants to see him alive, she must play a dirty game to win him in a slave market she had sworn never to set foot again.

Synopsis: In 2034, an old man wakes up in a room he doesn’t remember, unable to recall his name. A video on his laptop, recorded to himself, reveals that he is a professor of cybernetics, suffering from dementia. For more details, it invites him to look into a portable digital microscope in his pocket. What awaits him in the macrocosm demands more than the visionary mind of a revolutionary scientist. (This standalone version is also available in print as part of the Starcall Anthology, Vol.6, illustrated by the author.)

SYNOPSIS: In 2514, a widow begs a martial arts teacher to find her missing son. All his students are trained to become guards, spiritual guides, or galactic pilgrims, bound to spread the Sacred Teachings of Common Love & Universal Justice. Anyone could hire their services for various reasons: from solving crime to bounty hunting. Never as mercenaries or assassins, though. Until now. Also published in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology. Vol.7, illustrated by the author. The eBook is not illustrated to save on file size (1 MB vs. 300 MB).

SYNOPSIS: In 2140, a 13-year-old space cadet searches for her unknown father on Mars. When she finds out that he is a grumpy old widower, she tries to befriend him. The plan is to make him marry her single mom, yet it turns out he had never met her. As if that is not enough for a grand mess, the man doesn’t want to hear about other women because he’s still in love with his late wife. However, that must change. (This standalone story is available in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.5, illustrated by the author.)

SYNOPSIS: In 2025, the test flight of a space ambulance runs amok and takes the pilot to Mars, which is still under terraforming quarantine. Ejecting with his seat before crashing, his only hope is to locate the old exploration rovers and call for rescue. But when he finally manages to contact NASA, he becomes a huge sensation for a totally different reason. Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.3, illustrated by the author. The eBook version is NOT illustrated to save on file size (1mb vs. 300mb).

EPISODE 12: In 2037, a test pilot returns home to Luna after an experimental space flight, but something is wrong. Trying to contact Earth Headquarters, he crash-lands in an unknown location, where he has an unscheduled appointment with his own destiny. (Standalone version.)

SYNOPSIS: In 1999, the builders of the Lunar City discover something that is quickly codenamed “Lunar Anomaly.” An international crew is scrambled to investigate, but the top classified mission is botched, creating an unprecedented situation, which will change the history of the world as we know it. Available also in print, illustrated by the author with a sketchbook appendix. Note from the publisher: This is the third edition of the book with eliminated typos and new illustrations. The ISBN is the same because the text is otherwise the same. If you buy it used or from other sellers ...

SYNOPSIS: In 2006, the teenage son of Cuban immigrants in America has a dream, which inspires him to write his first short story. He pitches it to a publisher, who immediately offers him a deal, but soon a private detective starts investigating him. After the two men clash, the young writer learns that he is a suspect in an intellectual crime he hadn’t committed. (Standalone version.) Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.3, illustrated by the author. The eBook is NOT illustrated to save on file size.

STARCALL 1: An Anthology of Novelized Radio Dramas & Teleplays, written by Bob Bello since 1980 for teens and adults in easy-to-read International English. Each printed volume contains 10 “episodes,” illustrated by the author with Dramatic Personae (portraits of the main characters). Over 700 short stories of all genres: speculative fiction, military sci-fi, time travel, alternate history and prehistory, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk and steampunk, action and adventure, mystery and supernatural, suspense and thriller, romance and drama, etc. NOTE: The eBook version is NOT ...

SYNOPSIS: In 2310, a young woman arrives to New Earth in the Capricorn constellation, presenting a young Amish widower with a letter from a Mail Order Bride Network he’s never heard of. Is this a prank, or did God send him one of the most beautiful creatures in the world to test him? When things get more complicated, his commune demands a reasonable explanation. (This standalone story is also available in print as part of the Starcall Anthology, Vol.6, illustrated by the author.)

EPISODE 33: In 2014, a man escapes from the hospital morgue presumed dead. Starved, he lines up at a nearby Salvation Army street kitchen, having no idea who he is, or that he wears a military field uniform. They offer him a bed and a painter’s job at the new shelter, until people find out that someone is hunting the shy, homeless veteran. (Standalone version.) Available also in print, as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.4, illustrated by the author. The eBook is not illustrated to save on file size (1mb vs. 300mb).

SYNOPSIS: In 2037, a test pilot returns home to Luna after an experimental space flight, but something is wrong. Trying to contact Earth Headquarters, he crash-lands in an unknown location, where he has an unscheduled appointment with his own destiny. Available in print as a novella and part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.2, illustrated by the author. The eBook is NOT illustrated to save on file size (1mb vs. 300mb).