Mark Paul Jacobs

A heroic tale of perseverance, bravery, loss, betrayal, and redemption... The Yaakmen of Tyrie is an epic science fiction adventure like no other... set on a harsh alien world where men's lives span only ten or eleven long years and double moons draw eerie shadows over vast mountainous landscapes laden with horrific natural dangers. Quintar is a natural-born leader of men. Thrust suddenly into politics by the Supreme Yaakleader Carathis, he emerges as the people's reluctant champion following a brutal winter partnering with the giant hairy bipeds bravely defending Tyrie's settlements from an invasion of monstrous snow-creatures. But Quintar realizes his true destiny only after he stumbles upon a wrecked metal structure while hunting in the high mountains. Encouraged by the scholars of Adair and inspired by sketchy reports of uncontacted outsiders living beyond Tyrie's borders, Quintar volunteers to lead a small but colorful group of companions on a harrowing journey into the unknown wilderness on a quest to unravel Tyrie's greatest mystery.

Still stinging from his recent election loss, former president Theodore Roosevelt sought refuge in the Brazilian jungles in early 1914 on an expedition to trace the last unmapped Amazonian river system, the Rio da Dúvida or The River of Doubt. Co-commanded by famed Brazilian explorer Colonel Candido Rondon and staffed with Roosevelt’s 24-year-old son Kermit, naturalist George Cherrie, and more than a dozen local porters and laborers, the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition was plagued by disaster from its very onset—incompetent planning and inadequate outfitting would result in near mutiny, hunger, death, and even cold-blooded murder. But Roosevelt meets an odd stranger along his ill-fated journey, who tells an astonishing tale that could challenge the very core of modern Natural History. Weakened by illness and starvation, Teddy Roosevelt is caught in a web of unfathomable danger, the results of which would alter his life and the lives of his companions forever.

Jim Vedder, chief engineer at California’s FastTech Corporation, has developed the world’s fastest camera. But exploring the bizarre universe of the super fast, soon uncovers horrific entities that captivate the world’s conscientious. And FastTech is quickly, and somewhat unwillingly, drawn into a quagmire of politics, fate, and the unforgiving press.

Every human on earth would remember exactly where they were on the day everything changed. Like Pearl Harbor or JFK’s assassination or September 11th, 2001, the event was firmly anchored in everyone’s conscience— sometimes clear, sometimes hazy, confusing, and ultimately unfathomable. The Day, so labeled by the billions who bore witness— the Day that swept away any other single episode in the history of mankind was so profound that many, even three years later, firmly believe that it was all some sort of delusion or dream; although only a few of the skeptical would openly admit they thought nothing at all happened. But for one troubled man, The Day meant so much more. Warning for strong language and depictions of drug use. SPECIAL BONUS - two additional short stories by Mark Paul Jacobs Incident at Walter's Creek: What really happened on that remote Tennessee farmstead on that chilly fall night in 1828? Sixteen years later, Zacharias Neil, Andrew Jackson Thomkins, and Zack’s little brother, Aaron, are determined to find out. An eerie tale of paranormal terror. Warning for mild language and strong dialect. Reckoning: Humans have evolved to their present form in a few million years. And they have risen to prominence in just a few thousand; a mere speck in earth’s unfathomable timeline. Are we the first to gaze into the heavens contemplating our fate? Here, I present a short tale pondering the shortcomings of sentience. Once upon a time, sixty-five million two hundred and forty-two thousand years ago...

What really happened on that remote Tennessee farmstead on a chilly fall night in 1828? Sixteen years later, Zacharias Neil, Andrew Jackson Thomkins, and Zack’s little brother, Aaron, are determined to find out. An eerie tale of paranormal terror. Warning for mild language and strong dialect.

The king’s most loyal warrior has mercifully survived thirty-six years of brutal service. To reward him for his unyielding dedication, the grateful monarch grants him permanent leave, a parcel of farmland and prized livestock. Freed from his duties, he struggles within his own troubled soul to allow himself final peace.

Many scientists claim that the speed of light will ultimately limit our goal of exploring deep space. But our barriers may be more imminent; perhaps between our ears. This is a short tale of lovely dreams and cold-blooded murder.