Showing results by author "Bob Bello" in All Categories

SYNOPSIS: In 1974, a Russian boy falls into a coma after severe blood loss, leaving him with the possibility of losing his leg after three surgeries. Barely surviving, he desperately makes a deal with the universe, which brings the KGB after him, accusing the teen of ‘ideological propaganda.’ (This standalone story is also available in print as part of the Starcall Anthology, Vol.5, illustrated by the author.)

SYNOPSIS: In 1990, an Inuit woman tells her granddaughters a legend from the Ice Age. A tale about a medicine man’s marriage wager, which is so strange that there is none other like it in the history of humanity. Despite all odds, it had survived over 10,000 years, miraculously ending in today’s Alaska as if only to give birth to this modern sci-fi story. (Standalone version.) Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.2, illustrated by the author. The eBook version is not illustrated to save on file size (1mb vs. 300mb).

SYNOPSIS 34: In 2024, after battling breast cancer, a young woman sails the Pacific to reunite with her father in New Zealand. The idea is to start a new life across the ocean, but an accident strands her in the middle of nowhere, then literally takes her where no woman has ever gone before. (Standalone version.) Available also in print, illustrated by the author. The eBook is not illustrated to save on file size (1mb vs. 300mb).

EPISODE 7: In 2719, long after Earth is destroyed during a Space War, humanity is scattered all over the galaxy as a minority of homeless refugees. Suffering rejection and mistreatment by xenophobic aliens, warmongers, and all kinds of privateers, the humans will do anything to survive, even go to the extreme. (Standalone version.) Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.1, illustrated by the author.

EPISODE 3: In 1977, a concerned mother takes her teenage son to a psychiatrist. The boy is an artist, who constantly talks about hardcore sci-fi and contingency survival plans. Unexpectedly, his futuristic philosophy changes the old shrink’s worldview. (Standalone version.) Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.1, 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).

STARCALL Anthology of Novelized Radio Dramas and Teleplays, Vol. 1, illustrated by the author with Dramatis Personae (portraits of the main characters). Written in the tradition of The Outer Limits, each "episode" (standalone story) is in its own genre: sci-fi, military fiction, space opera, mystery, suspense, action/adventure, cyberpunk, steampunk, romance, drama, apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, supernatural, prehistory, alternate reality, time travel, etc. A little bit of everything for everyone, suitable for teens and adults alike. Note from the publisher: The eBook version of this book ...

SYNOPSIS: In 2009, a physiotherapist recommends a 14-year old paraplegic boy to fight his muscle atrophy by swimming. His divorcing parents send him to live with his handicapped grandfather in Okinawa, where the two must fight not only their medical conditions, but also something that defies human logic.

EPISODE 9: 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.) Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.1, illustrated by the author.

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 30: 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.

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 1884, a French immigrant writer publishes a book in England. After reading it, a young girl loses all hope of living and attempts suicide. Her parents rescue her, but she becomes catatonic. Now only the writer can undo what he had caused unintentionally, but would her family allow him?

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.

EPISODE 17: In 1943, an Elite SS officer deserts to Bulgaria, a country-member of the Nazi Axis during WW-II. Quietly awaiting the end of the war, he falls in love with a local Armenian girl. Soon, the two are betrayed to the Gestapo and deported to the concentration camp of Buchenwald ... when suddenly something quite extraordinary takes place. (Standalone version.) Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.2, illustrated by the author. The eBook version is not illustrated to save on file size (1mb vs. 300mb).

EPISODE 10: In 501 New Time, a discredited naval archaeologist is called to investigate an ancient shipwreck. It appears that no one knows better than him why 90% of the planet is underwater or what had caused the Global Catastrophe of the Great Deluge. However, his theory is more than just controversial. (Standalone version.) Available also in print as part of the STARCALL Anthology, Vol.1, illustrated by the author.

SYNOPSIS: In 2046, a quarter billion people disappear from Earth within 48 hours. Some call it ‘mass abduction,’ others call it the ‘Rapture,’ though Christian theologians disagree whether to call it Biblical or ufological. One college student claims to know the truth, yet would anyone listen to his testimony? (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 (1 mb vs. 300 mb).

EPISODE 43: In 2033, an investigative journalist returns home from a business trip, finding an intruder in the house. The men wrestle, the gun misfires, and the journalist’s world turns upside down. Unless he finds a way to fix the situation, he is going to lose everything, not only his wife. (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 1951, a private detective investigates her sister’s disappearance at sea. She discovers that the whole ship is missing, and the authorities searching for the vessel are stalling. Afraid this might be another WWIII provocation, the intelligence communities of the former Allies hinder all parties who try to unravel the incident on their own. However, some secrets cannot remain hidden forever.